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diff --git a/14598-h/14598-h.htm b/14598-h/14598-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7a0854 --- /dev/null +++ b/14598-h/14598-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12072 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Goose Girl, by Harold MacGrath</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + hr.full { width: 100%; } + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + pre {font-size: 8pt;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14598 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Goose Girl, by Harold MacGrath, +Illustrated by Andre Castaigne</h1> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> + + + +<div class="center"> +<a name="image001" id="image001"></a> +<a href="images/image001.jpg"><img src="images/image001.jpg" +alt="They acclaimed her the queen." width="50%" +title="They acclaimed her the queen." /></a> +</div> +<h3>They acclaimed her the queen.</h3> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h1>THE GOOSE GIRL</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> +<h2>HAROLD MACGRATH</h2> + + +<h3>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY +ANDRÉ CASTAIGNE</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h6>Indianapolis<br /> +The Bobbs-Merrill Company<br /> +Publishers</h6> + +<h4>1909</h4> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> + <a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>CHAPTER XVI</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>CHAPTER XVII</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>CHAPTER XVIII</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><b>CHAPTER XIX</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><b>CHAPTER XX</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><b>CHAPTER XXI</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><b>CHAPTER XXII</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><b>CHAPTER XXIII</b></a><br /> + </p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I" />CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>SOME IN RAGS</h3> + + +<p><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1" />An old man, clothed in picturesque patches +and tatters, paused and leaned on his stout +oak staff. He was tired. He drew off his +rusty felt hat, swept a sleeve across his forehead, +and sighed. He had walked many miles that day, +and even now the journey's end, near as it really +was, seemed far away. Ah, but he would sleep +soundly that night, whether the bed were of +earth or of straw. His peasant garb rather enhanced +his fine head. His eyes were blue and +clear and far-seeing, the eyes of a hunter or a +woodsman, of a man who watches the shadows in +the forest at night or the dim, wavering lines on +the horizon at daytime; things near or far or +roundabout. His brow was high, his nose large +and bridged; a face of more angles than con<a name="Page_2" id="Page_2" />tours, +bristling with gray spikes, like one who +has gone unshaven several days. His hands, +folded over the round, polished knuckle of his +staff, were tanned and soiled, but they were long +and slender, and the callouses were pink, a certain +indication that they were fresh.</p> + +<p>The afternoon glow of the September sun +burned along the dusty white highway. From +where he stood the road trailed off miles behind +and wound up five hundred feet or more above +him to the ancient city of Dreiberg. It was not +a steep road, but a long and weary one, a steady, +enervating, unbroken climb. To the left the +mighty cliff reared its granite side to the hanging +city, broke in a wide plain, and then went on +up several thousand feet to the ledges of dragon-green +ice and snow. To the right sparkled and +flashed a wild mountain stream on its way to the +broad, fertile valley, which, mistily green and +brown and yellow with vineyards and hops and +corn, spread out and on to the north, stopping +abruptly at the base of the more formidable chain +of mountains.</p> + +<p>Across this lofty jumble of barren rock and +glacial cleft, now purpling and darkening as the +<a name="Page_3" id="Page_3" />sun mellowed in its decline, lay the kingdom of +Jugendheit; and toward this the wayfarer gazed +meditatively, absorbing little or nothing of the +exquisite panorama. By and by his gaze wavered, +and that particular patch in the valley, +brown from the beating of many iron-shod +horses, caught and chained his interest for a +space. It was the military field, and it glittered +and scintillated as squadron after squadron of +cavalry dashed from side to side or wheeled in +bewildering circles.</p> + +<p>"The philosophy of war is to prepare for it," +mused the old man, with a jerk of his shoulders. +"France! So the mutter runs. There is a Napoleon +in France, but no Bonaparte. Clatter-clatter! +Bang-bang!" He laughed ironically +and cautiously glanced at his watch, an article +which must have cost him many and many a +potato-patch. He pulled his hat over his eyes, +scratched the irritating stubble on his chin, and +stepped forward.</p> + +<p>He had followed yonder goose-girl ever since +the incline began. Oft the little wooden shoes +had lagged, but here they were, still a hundred +yards or more ahead of him. He had never been +<a name="Page_4" id="Page_4" />close enough to distinguish her features. The +galloping of soldiers up and down the road from +time to time disturbed her flock, but she was evidently +a patient soul, and relied valiantly upon +her stick of willow. Once or twice he had been inclined +to hasten his steps, to join her, to talk, to +hear the grateful sound of his own voice, which +he had not heard since he passed the frontier customs; +yet each time he had subdued the desire +and continued to lessen none of the distance between +them.</p> + +<p>The little goose-girl was indeed tired, and the +little wooden shoes grew heavier and heavier, and +the little bare feet ached dully; but her heart +was light and her mind sweet with happiness. +Day after day she had tended the geese in the +valley and trudged back at evening alone, all +told a matter of twelve miles; and now she was +bringing them into the city to sell in the market +on the morrow. After that she would have little +to do save an hour or two at night in a tavern +called the Black Eagle, where she waited on +patrons.</p> + +<p>On the two went, the old man in tatters, the +goose-girl in wooden shoes. The man listened; +<a name="Page_5" id="Page_5" />she was singing brightly, and the voice was sweet +and strong and true.</p> + +<p>"She is happy; that is some recompense. She +is richer than I am." And the peasant fell into +a reverie.</p> + +<p>Presently there was a clatter of horses, a jingle +of bit and spur and saber. The old man +stepped to the side of the road and sat down on +the stone parapet. It would be wiser now to wait +till the dust settled. Half a dozen mounted officers +trotted past. The peasant on the parapet +instantly recognized one of the men. He saluted +with a humbleness which lacked sincerity. It was +the grand duke himself. There was General Ducwitz, +too, and some of his staff, and a smooth-faced, +handsome young man in civilian riding-clothes, +who, though he rode like a cavalryman, +was obviously of foreign birth, an Englishman +or an American. They were laughing and chatting +amiably, for the grand duke of Ehrenstein +bothered himself about formalities only at formal +times. The outsider watched them regretfully as +they went by, and there was some envy in his +heart, too.</p> + +<p>When the cavalcade reached the goose-girl, the +<a name="Page_6" id="Page_6" />peace of the scene vanished forthwith. Confusion +took up the scepter. The silly geese, instead +of remaining on the left of the road, in safety, +straightway determined that their haven of refuge +was on the opposite side. Gonk-gonk! Quack-quack! +They scrambled, they blundered, they +flew. Some tried to go over the horses, some endeavored +to go under. One landed, full-winged, +against the grand duke's chest and swept his vizored +cap off his head and rolled it into the dust. +The duke signed to his companions to draw up; +to proceed in this undignified manner was impossible. +All laughed heartily, however; all excepting +the goose-girl. To her it was far from being +a laughing matter. It would take half an hour +to calm her stupid charges. And she was <i>so</i> tired.</p> + +<p>"Stupids!" she cried despairingly.</p> + +<p>"From pigs and chickens, good Lord deliver +us!" shouted the civilian, sliding from his horse +and recovering the duke's cap.</p> + +<p>Now, the duke was a kind-hearted, thoughtful +man, notwithstanding his large and complex affairs +of state; as he ceased laughing, he searched +a pocket, and tossed a couple of coins to the forlorn +goose-girl.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_7" id="Page_7" />I am sorry, little one," he said gravely. "I +hope none of your geese is hurt."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Highness!" cried the girl, breathless +from her recent endeavors and overcome with the +grandeur of the two ducal effigies in her hand. +She had seen the grand duke times without number, +but she had never yet been so near to him. +And now he had actually spoken to her. It was a +miracle. She would tell them all that night in +the dark old Krumerweg. And for the moment +his prospect overshadowed all thought of her +geese.</p> + +<p>The civilian dusted the royal cap with his +sleeve, returned it, and mounted. He then looked +casually at the girl.</p> + +<p>"By George!" he exclaimed, in English.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked the duke, gathering up +the reins.</p> + +<p>"The girl's face; it is beautiful."</p> + +<p>The duke, after a glance, readily agreed. +"You Americans are always observant."</p> + +<p>"Whenever there's a pretty face about," supplemented +Ducwitz.</p> + +<p>"I certainly shouldn't trouble to look at a +homely one," the American retorted.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_8" id="Page_8" />Pretty figure, too," said one of the aides, a +colonel. But his eye held none of the abstract admiration +which characterized the American's.</p> + +<p>The goose-girl had seen this look in other +men's eyes; she knew. A faint color grew under +her tan, and waned, but her eyes wavered not the +breadth of a hair. It was the colonel who finally +was forced to turn his gaze elsewhere, chagrined. +His face was not unfamiliar to her.</p> + +<p>"Beauty is a fickle goddess," remarked Ducwitz +tritely, settling himself firmly in the saddle. +"In giving, she is as blind as a bat. I know a +duchess now—but never mind."</p> + +<p>"Let us be going forward," interrupted the +duke. There were more vital matters under hand +than the beauty of a strolling goose-girl.</p> + +<p>So the troop proceeded with dust and small +thunder, and shortly passed the city gates, which +in modern times were never closed. It traversed +the lumpy cobbles of the narrow streets, under +hanging gables, past dim little shops and markets, +often unintentionally crowding pedestrians +into doorways or against the walls. One among +those so inconvenienced was a youth dressed +as a vintner. He was tall, pliantly built, blond +<a name="Page_9" id="Page_9" />as a Viking, possessing a singular beauty of the +masculine order. He was forced to flatten himself +against the wall of a house, his arms extended +on either side, in a kind of temporary +crucifixion. Even then the stirrup of the American +touched him slightly. But it was not the +touch of the stirrup that startled him; it was the +dark, clean-cut face of the rider. Once they were +by, the youth darted into a doorway.</p> + +<p>"He? What can he be doing here? No, it is +utterly impossible; it is merely a likeness."</p> + +<p>He ventured forth presently, none of the perturbation, +however, gone from his face. He ran +his hand across his chin; yes, he would let his +beard grow.</p> + +<p>The duke and his escort turned into the broad +and restful sweep of the König Strasse, with its +fashionable residences, shops, cafés and hotels. +At the end of the <i>Strasse</i> was the Ehrenstein +Platz, the great square round which ran the palaces +and the royal and public gardens. On the +way many times the duke raised his hand in salutations; +for, while not exactly loved, he was liked +for his rare clean living, his sound sense of justice +and his honest efforts to do what was right.<a name="Page_10" id="Page_10" /> +Opera-singers came and went, but none had ever +penetrated into the private suites of the palace. +The halt was made in the courtyard, and all dismounted.</p> + +<p>The American thanked the duke gratefully +for the use of the horse.</p> + +<p>"You are welcome to a mount at all times, Mr. +Carmichael," replied the duke pleasantly. "A +man who rides as well as yourself may be trusted +anywhere with any kind of a horse."</p> + +<p>The group looked admiringly at the object of +this marked attention. Here was one who had +seen two years of constant and terrible warfare, +who had ridden horses under fire, and who bore +on his body many honorable scars. For the great +civil strife in America had come to its close but +two years before, and Europe was still captive to +her amazement at the military prowess of the +erstwhile inconsiderable American.</p> + +<p>As Carmichael saluted and turned to leave the +courtyard, he threw a swift, searching glance at +one of the palace windows. Did the curtain stir? +He could not say. He continued on, crossing the +Platz, toward the Grand Hotel. He was a bachelor, +so he might easily have had his quarters at +<a name="Page_11" id="Page_11" />the consulate; but as usual with American consulates—even +to the present time—it was situated +in an undesirable part of the town, over a <i>Bierhalle</i> +frequented by farmers and the middle class. +Having a moderately comfortable income of his +own, he naturally preferred living at the Grand +Hotel.</p> + +<p>Where had he seen that young vintner before?</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Meanwhile, the goose-girl set resolutely about +the task of remarshaling her awkward squad. +With a soft, clucking sound she moved hither +and thither. A feather or two drifted lazily about +in the air. At last she gathered them in, all but +one foolish, blank-eyed gander, which, poising on +a large boulder, threatened to dive headforemost +into the torrent. She coaxed him gently, then severely, +but without success. The old man in +patches came up.</p> + +<p>"Let me get him for you, <i>Kindchen</i>," he volunteered.</p> + +<p>The good-fellowship in his voice impressed her +far more than the humble state of his dress. But +she smiled and shook her head.</p> + +<p>"It is dangerous," she affirmed. "It will be +<a name="Page_12" id="Page_12" />wiser to wait. In a little while he will come down +of his own accord."</p> + +<p>"Bah!" cried the old man. "It is nothing; I +am a mountaineer."</p> + +<p>In spite of his weariness, he proved himself to +be a dexterous climber. Foot by foot he crawled +up the side of the huge stone. A slip, and his life +would not have been worth one of the floating +feathers. The gander saw him coming and stirred +uneasily. Nearer and nearer came this human +spider. The gander flapped its wings, but hesitated +to take the leap. Instantly a brown hand +shot up and caught the scaly yellow legs. There +was much squawking on the way down, but when +his gandership saw his more tractable brothers +and sisters peacefully waddling up the road, he +subsided and took his place in the ranks without +more ado.</p> + +<p>"You are a brave man, Herr." There was admiration +in the girl's eyes.</p> + +<p>"To court danger and to overcome obstacles +is a part of my regular business. I do not know +what giddiness is. You are welcome to the service. +It is a long walk from the valley."</p> + +<p>"I have walked it many times this summer.<a name="Page_13" id="Page_13" /> +But this is the last day. To-morrow I sell the +geese in the market to the hotels. They have all +fine livers"—lightly touching a goose with her +willow stick.</p> + +<p>"What, the hotels?"—humorously.</p> + +<p>"No, no, my geese!"</p> + +<p>"What was that song you were singing before +the horses came up?"</p> + +<p>"That? It was from the poet Heine"—simply.</p> + +<p>He stared at her with a rudeness not at all intentional.</p> + +<p>"Heine? Can you read?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Herr."</p> + +<p>The other walked along beside her in silence. +After all, why not? Why should he be surprised? +From one end of the world to the other +printer's ink was spreading and bringing light. +But a goose-girl who read Heine!</p> + +<p>"And the music?" he inquired presently.</p> + +<p>"That is mine"—with the first sign of diffidence. +"Melodies are always running through +my head. Sometimes they make me forget things +I ought to remember."</p> + +<p>"Your own music? An impresario will be +<a name="Page_14" id="Page_14" />discovering you some fine day, and your fortune +will be made."</p> + +<p>The light irony did not escape her. "I am +only a goose-girl."</p> + +<p>He felt disarmed. "What is your name?"</p> + +<p>"Gretchen."</p> + +<p>"What else?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing else"—wistfully. "I never knew +any father or mother."</p> + +<p>"So?" This was easier for the other to understand. +"But who taught you to read?"</p> + +<p>"A priest. Once I lived in the mountains, at an +inn. He used to come in evenings, when the snow +was not too deep. He taught me to read and +write, and many things besides. I know that +Italy has all the works of art; that France has +the most interesting history; that Germany has +all the philosophers, and America all the money," +adding a smile. "I should like to see America. +Sometimes I find a newspaper, and I read it all +through."</p> + +<p>"History?"</p> + +<p>"A little, and geography."</p> + +<p>"With all this wide learning you ought to be +something better than a tender of geese."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_15" id="Page_15" />It is honest work, and that is good."</p> + +<p>"I meant nothing wrong, <i>Kindchen</i>. But you +would find it easier in a milliner's shop, as a +lady's maid, something of that order."</p> + +<p>"With these?"—holding out her hands.</p> + +<p>"It would not take long to whiten them. Do +you live alone?"</p> + +<p>"No. I live with my foster-mother, who is +very old. I call her grandmother. She took +me in when I was a foundling; now I am taking +care of her. She has always been good to me. +And what might your name be?"</p> + +<p>"Ludwig."</p> + +<p>"Ludwig what?"—inquisitive in her turn.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the other does not matter. I am a +mountaineer from Jugendheit."</p> + +<p>"Jugendheit?" She paused to look at him +more closely. "We are not friendly with your +country."</p> + +<p>"More's the pity. It is a grave blunder on +the part of the grand duke. There is a mote +in his eye."</p> + +<p>"Wasn't it all about the grand duke's daughter?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. But she has been found. Yet the +<a name="Page_16" id="Page_16" />duke is as bitter as of old. He is wrong, he was +always wrong." The old man spoke with feeling. +"What is this new-found princess like?"</p> + +<p>"She is beautiful and kind."</p> + +<p>"So?"</p> + +<p>The geese were behaving, and only occasionally +was she obliged to use her stick. And as +her companion asked no more questions, she +devoted her attention to the flock, proud of their +broad backs and full breasts.</p> + +<p>On his part, he observed her critically, for +he was more than curious now, he was interested. +She was not tall, but her lithe slenderness +gave her the appearance of tallness. Her hands, +rough-nailed and sunburnt, were small and +shapely; the bare foot in the wooden shoe might +have worn without trouble Cinderella's magic +slipper. Her clothes, coarse and homespun, were +clean and variously mended. Her hair, in a +thick braid, was the tone of the heart of a +chestnut-bur, and her eyes were of that mystifying +hazel, sometimes brown, sometimes gray, +according to whether the sky was clear or overcast. +And there was something above and beyond +all these things, a modesty, a gentleness +<a name="Page_17" id="Page_17" />and a purity; none of the bold, rollicking, +knowing manner so common in handsome peasant +girls. He contemplated her through half-closed +eyes and gave her in fancy the triffing furbelows +of a woman of fashion; she would have +been beautiful.</p> + +<p>"How old are you, Gretchen?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know," she answered, "perhaps +eighteen, perhaps twenty."</p> + +<p>Again they went forward in silence. By the +time they reached the gates the sun was no +longer visible on the horizon, but it had gone +down ruddy and uncrowned by any cloud, giving +promise of a fair day on the morrow. The +afterglow on the mountains across the valley was +now in its prime glory; and once the two wayfarers +paused and commented upon it. Once +more the mountaineer was agreeably surprised; +the average peasant is impervious to atmospheric +splendor, beauty carries no message.</p> + +<p>Arriving at length in the city, they passed +through the crooked streets, sometimes so narrow +that the geese were packed from wall to wall. +Oft some jovial soldier sent a jest or a query +to them across the now gray backs of the geese.<a name="Page_18" id="Page_18" /> +But Gretchen looked on ahead, purely and serenely.</p> + +<p>"Gretchen, where shall I find the Adlergasse?"</p> + +<p>"We pass through it shortly. I will show +you. You are also a stranger in Dreiberg?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>They took the next turn, and the weather-beaten +sign <i>Zum Schwartzen Adler</i>, hanging in +front of a frame house of many gables, caused +the mountaineer to breathe gratefully.</p> + +<p>"Here my journey ends, Gretchen. The +Black Eagle," he added, in an undertone; "it is +unchanged these twenty years. Heaven send +that the beds are softer than aforetime!"</p> + +<p>They were passing a clock-mender's shop. +The man from Jugendheit peered in the window, +which had not been cleaned in an age, but +there was no clock in sight to give him warning +of the time, and he dared not now look at +his watch. He had a glimpse of the ancient +clock-mender himself, however, huddled over a +table upon which sputtered a candle. It touched +up his face with grotesque lights. Here was +age, mused the man outside the window; nothing +less than fourscore years rested upon those +<a name="Page_19" id="Page_19" />rounded shoulders. The face was corrugated +with wrinkles, like a frosted road; eyes heavily +spectacled, a ragged thatch of hair on the head, +a ragged beard on the chin. Aware of a shadow +between him and the fading daylight, the clock-mender +looked up from his work. The eyes of +the two men met, but only for a moment.</p> + +<p>The mountaineer, who felt rejuvenated by +this contrast, straightened his shoulders and +started to cross the street to the tavern.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<a href="images/image002.jpg"><img src="images/image002.jpg" +alt=""Good night, Gretchen. Good luck to you."" width="50%" +title=""Good night, Gretchen. Good luck to you."" /></a> +</div> +<h3>"Good night, Gretchen. Good luck to you."</h3> + +<p>"Good night, Gretchen. Good luck to you and +your geese to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Herr Ludwig. And will you be +long in the city?"</p> + +<p>"That depends; perhaps," adding a grim +smile in answer to a grim thought.</p> + +<p>He offered his hand, which she accepted +trustfully. He was a strange old man, but +she liked him. When she withdrew her hand, +something cold and hard remained in her palm. +Wonders of all the world! It was a piece of gold. +Her eyes went up quickly, but the giver smiled +reassuringly and put a finger against his lips.</p> + +<p>"But, Herr," she remonstrated.</p> + +<p>"Keep it; I give it to you. Do not question +<a name="Page_20" id="Page_20" />providence, and I am her handmaiden just now. +Go along with you."</p> + +<p>So Gretchen in a mild state of stupefaction +turned away. Clat-clat! sang the little wooden +shoes. A plaintive gonk rose as she prodded +a laggard from the dank gutter. A piece of +gold! Clat-clat! Clat-clat! Surely this had been +a day of marvels; two crowns from the grand +duke and a piece of gold from this old man in +peasant clothes. Instinctively she knew that he +was not a peasant. But what could he be? +Comparison would have made him a king. She +was too tired and hungry to make further deductions.</p> + +<p>She was regarded with kindly eyes till the +dark jaws of the Krumerweg swallowed up both +her and her geese.</p> + +<p>"Poor little goose-girl!" he thought. "If she +but knew, she could make a bonfire of a thousand +hearts. A fine day!" He eyed again the +battered sign. It was then that he discerned +another, leaning from the ledge of the first story +of the house adjoining the tavern. It was the +tarnished shield of the United States.</p> + +<p>"What a penurious government it must be!<a name="Page_21" id="Page_21" /> +Two weeks, tramping about the country in this +unholy garb, following false trails half the time, +living on crusts and cold meats. Ah, you have +led me a merry dance, nephew, but I shall not +forget!"</p> + +<p>He entered the tavern and applied for a room, +haggling over the price.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II" /><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22" />CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>AN AMERICAN CONSUL</h3> + + +<p>The nights in Dreiberg during September +are often chill. The heavy mists from +the mountain slip down the granite clifts and +spread over the city, melting all sharp outlines, +enfeebling the gas-lamps, and changing the +moon, if there happens to be one, into something +less than a moon and something more than a pewter +disk. And so it was this night.</p> + +<p>Carmichael, in order to finish his cigar on the +little balcony fronting his window, found it necessary +to put on his light overcoat, though he +perfectly knew that he was in no manner forced +to smoke on the balcony. But the truth was he +wanted a clear vision of the palace and the +lighted windows thereof, and of one in particular. +He had no more sense than Tom-fool, the +abetter of follies. She was as far removed from +him as the most alien of the planets; but the +<a name="Page_23" id="Page_23" />magnet shall ever draw the needle, and a woman +shall ever draw a man. He knew that it was +impossible, that it grew more impossible day by +day, and he railed at himself bitterly and satirically.</p> + +<p>He sighed and teetered his legs. A sigh moves +nothing forward, yet it is as essential as life itself. +It is the safety-valve to every emotion; it +is the last thing in laughter, the last thing in +tears. One sighs in entering the world and in +leaving it, perhaps in protest. A child sighs for +the moon because it knows no better. Carmichael +sighed for the Princess Hildegarde, understanding. +It was sigh or curse, and the latter mode +of expression wastes more vitality. Oh, yes; +they made over him, as the world goes; they +dined and wined him and elected him honorary +member to their clubs; they patted him on the +back and called him captain; but it was all in a +negligent toleration that turned every pleasure +into rust.</p> + +<p>Arthur Carmichael was Irish. He was born +in America, educated there and elsewhere, a little +while in Paris, a little while at Bonn, and, like +all Irishmen, he was baned with the wandering +<a name="Page_24" id="Page_24" />foot; for the man who is homeless by choice has +a subtle poison in his blood. He was at Bonn +when the Civil War came. He went back to +America and threw himself into the fight with all +the ardor that had made his forebears famous +in the service of the worthless Stuarts. It wasn't +a question with him of the mere love of fighting, +of tossing the penny; he knew with which side +he wished to fight. He joined the cavalry of +the North, and hammered and fought his way +to a captaincy. He was wounded five times and +imprisoned twice. His right eye was still weak +from the effects of a powder explosion; and +whenever it bothered him he wore a single glass, +abominating, as all soldiers do, the burden of +spectacles. At the end of the conflict he returned +to Washington.</p> + +<p>And then the inherent curse put a hand on his +shoulder; he must be moving. His parents were +dead; there was no anchor, nor had lying ambition +enmeshed him. There was a little property, +the income from which was enough for his wants. +Without any influence whatever, save his pleasing +address and his wide education, he blarneyed +the State Department out of a consulate. They +<a name="Page_25" id="Page_25" />sent him to Ehrenstein, at a salary not worth +mentioning, with the diplomatic halo of dignity +as a tail to the kite. He had been in the service +some two years by now, and those who knew him +well rather wondered at his sedative turn of +mind. Two years in any one place was not in +reckoning as regarded Carmichael; yet, here he +was, caring neither for promotion nor exchange. +So, then, all logical deductions simmered down to +one: <i>Cherchez la femme</i>.</p> + +<p>He knew that his case would never be tried in +court nor settled out of it; and he realized that +it would be far better to weigh anchor and set +his course for other parts. But no man ever +quite forsakes his dream-woman; and he had endued +a princess with all the shining attributes of +an angel, when, had he known it, she was only +angelic.</p> + +<p>The dreamer is invariably tripping over his +illusions; and Carmichael was rather boyish in +his dreams. What absurd romances he was always +weaving round her! What exploits on her +behalf! But never anything happened, and +never was the grand duke called upon to offer +his benediction.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26" />It was all very foolish and romantic and impossible, +and no one recognized this more readily +than he. No American ever married a princess +of a reigning house, and no American ever will. +This law is as immovable as the law of gravitation. +Still, man is master of his dreams, and he +may do as he pleases in the confines of this small +circle. Outside these temporary lapses, Carmichael +was a keen, shrewd, far-sighted young +man, close-lipped and observant, never forgetting +faces, never forgetting benefits, loving a +fight but never provoking one. So he and the +world were friends. Diplomacy has its synonym +in tact, and he was an able tactician, for all that +an Irishman is generally likened to a bull in a +china-shop.</p> + +<p>"How the deuce will it end?"—musing half +aloud. "I'll forget myself some day and trip +so hard that they'll be asking Washington for +my recall. I'll go over to the gardens and listen +to the band. They are playing dirges to-night, +and anything funereal will be a light and happy +tonic to my present state of mind."</p> + +<p>He was standing on the curb in front of the +hotel, his decision still unrounded, when he no<a name="Page_27" id="Page_27" />ticed +a closed carriage hard by the fountain in +the Platz. The driver dozed on his box.</p> + +<p>"Humph! There's a man who is never troubled +with counting the fool's beads. Silver and +copper are his gods and goddesses. Ha! a +fare!"</p> + +<p>A woman in black, thoroughly veiled and +cloaked, came round from the opposite side of +the fountain. She spoke to the driver, and he +tumbled off the box, alive and hearty. There +seemed to be a short interchange of words of +mutual satisfaction. The lady stepped into the +carriage, the driver woke up his ancient Bucephalus, +and went clickety-clack down the König +Strasse toward the town.</p> + +<p>To Carmichael it was less than an incident. +He twirled his cane and walked toward the public +gardens. Here he strolled about, watching +the people, numerous but orderly, with a bright +military patch here and there. The band struck +up again, and he drifted with the crowd toward +the pavilion. The penny-chairs were occupied, +so he selected a spot off-side, near enough for all +auditual purposes. One after another he carelessly +scanned the faces of those nearest. He +<a name="Page_28" id="Page_28" />was something of an amateur physiognomist, +but he seldom made the mistakes of the tyro.</p> + +<p>Within a dozen feet of him, her arms folded +across her breast, her eyes half shut in the +luxury of the senses, stood the goose-girl. He +smiled as he recalled the encounter of that afternoon. +It was his habit to ride to the maneuvers +every day, and several times he had noticed her, +as well as any rider is able to notice a pedestrian. +But that afternoon her beauty came home to him +suddenly and unexpectedly. Had she been other +than what she was, a woman well-gowned, for instance, +riding in her carriage, his interest would +have waned in the passing. But it had come +with the same definite surprise as when one finds +a rare and charming story in a dilapidated book.</p> + +<p>"Why couldn't I have fallen in love with some +one like this?" he cogitated.</p> + +<p>With a friendly smile on his lips, he took a +step toward her, but instantly paused. Colonel +von Wallenstein of the general staff approached +her from the other side, and Carmichael was curious +to find out what that officer's object was. +Wallenstein was a capital soldier, and a jolly +fellow round a board, but beyond that Car<a name="Page_29" id="Page_29" />michael +had no real liking for him. There were +too many scented notes stuck in his pockets.</p> + +<p>The colonel dropped his cigarette, leaned over +Gretchen's shoulder and spoke a few words. At +first she gave no heed. The colonel persisted. +Without a word in reply, she resolutely sought +the nearest policeman. Wallenstein, remaining +where he was, laughed. Meantime the policeman +frowned. It was incredible; his excellency could +not possibly have intended any wrong, it was +only a harmless pleasantry. Gretchen's lips +quivered; the law of redress in Ebrenstein had +no niche for the goose-girl.</p> + +<p>"Good evening, colonel," said Carmichael +pleasantly. "Why can't your bandmaster give +us light opera once in a while?"</p> + +<p>The colonel pulled his mustache in chagrin, +but he did not give Carmichael the credit for +bringing about this cheapening sense. For the +time being Gretchen was freed from annoyance. +The colonel certainly could not rush off to her +and give this keen-eyed American an opportunity +to witness a further rebuff.</p> + +<p>"Light operas are rare at present," he replied, +accepting his defeat amiably enough.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_30" id="Page_30" />Paris is full of them just now," continued +Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"Paris? Would you like a riot in the gardens?" +asked the colonel, amused.</p> + +<p>"A riot?" said Carmichael derisively. "Why, +nothing short of a bombshell would cause a riot +among your phlegmatic Germans."</p> + +<p>"I believe you love your Paris better than +your Dreiberg."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of doubt. And down in your heart +you do, too. Think of the lights, the theaters, +the cafés and the pretty women!" Carmichael's +cane described a flourish as if to draw a picture +of these things.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," agreed the colonel reminiscently; +"you are right. There is no other night equal +to a Parisian night. <i>Ach, Gott!</i> But think of +the mornings, think of the mornings!"—dolefully.</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, let us not think of them!"—with +a mock shudder.</p> + +<p>And then a pretty woman rose from a chair +near-by. She nodded brightly at the colonel, +who bowed, excused himself to Carmichael, and +made off after her.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_31" id="Page_31" />I believe I stepped on his toe that time," said +Carmichael to himself.</p> + +<p>Then he looked round for Gretchen. She was +still at the side of the policeman. She had +watched the scene between the two men, but was +quite unconscious that it had been set for her +benefit. She came back. Carmichael stepped +confidently to her side and raised his hat.</p> + +<p>"Did you get your geese together without +mishap?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The instinct of the child always remains with +the woman. Gretchen smiled. This young man +would be different, she knew.</p> + +<p>"They were only frightened. But his highness"—eagerly—"was +he very angry?"</p> + +<p>"Angry? Not the least. He was amused. +But he was nearly knocked off his horse. If +you lived in America now, you might reap a +goodly profit from that goose."</p> + +<p>"America? How?"</p> + +<p>"You could put him in a museum and exhibit +him as an intimate friend of the grand duke of +Ehrenstein."</p> + +<p>But Gretchen did not laugh. It was a serious +thing to talk lightly of so grand a person as the +<a name="Page_32" id="Page_32" />duke. Still, the magic word America, where the +gold came from, flamed her curiosity.</p> + +<p>"You are from America?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Are you rich?"</p> + +<p>"In fancy, in dreams"—humorously.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I thought they were all rich."</p> + +<p>"Only one or two of us."</p> + +<p>"Is it very large, this America?"</p> + +<p>"France, Spain, Prussia would be lonesome if +set down in America. Only Russia has anything +to boast of."</p> + +<p>"Did you fight in the war?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Do you like music?"</p> + +<p>"Were you ever wounded?"</p> + +<p>"A scratch or two, nothing to speak of. But +do you like music?"</p> + +<p>"Very, very much. When they play Beethoven, +Bach, or Meyerbeer, <i>ach</i>, I seem to live in +another country. I hear music in everything, +in the leaves, the rain, the wind, the stream."</p> + +<p>It seemed strange to him that he had not noticed +it at first, the almost Hanoverian purity +of her speech and the freedom with which she +spoke. The average peasant is diffident, with +<a name="Page_33" id="Page_33" />a vocabulary of few words, ignorant of art or +music or where the world lay.</p> + +<p>"What is your name?"</p> + +<p>"Gretchen."</p> + +<p>"It is a good name; it is famous, too."</p> + +<p>"Goethe used it."</p> + +<p>"So he did." Carmichael ably concealed his +surprise: "You have some one who reads to +you?"</p> + +<p>"No, Herr. I can read and write and do sums +in addition."</p> + +<p>He was willing to swear that she was making +fun of him. Was she a simple goose-girl? +Was she not something more, something deeper? +War-clouds were forming in the skies; they +might gather and strike at any time. And who +but the French could produce such a woman +spy? Ehrenstein was not Prussia, it was true; +but the duchy with its twenty thousand troops +was one of the many pulses that beat in unison +with this man Bismarck's plans. Carmichael +addressed her quickly in French, aiming to catch +her off her guard.</p> + +<p>"I do not speak French, Herr,"—honestly.</p> + +<p>He was certainly puzzled, but a glance at her +<a name="Page_34" id="Page_34" />hands dissolved his doubts. These hands were +used to toil, they were in no way disguised. No +Frenchwoman would sacrifice her hands for her +country; at least, not to this extent. Yet the +two things in his mind would not readily cohese: +a goose-girl who was familiar with the +poets and composers.</p> + +<p>"You have been to school?"</p> + +<p>"After a manner. My teacher was a kind +priest. But he never knew that, with knowledge, +he was to open the gates of discontent."</p> + +<p>"Then you are not happy with your lot?"</p> + +<p>"Is any one, Herr?"—quietly. "And who +might you be, and what might you be doing here +in Dreiberg, riding with the grand duke?"</p> + +<p>"I am the American consul."</p> + +<p>Gretchen took a step back.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is nothing that will bite you," he +added.</p> + +<p>"But perhaps I have been disrespectful!"</p> + +<p>"Pray, how?"</p> + +<p>Gretchen found that she had no definite explanation +to offer.</p> + +<p>"What did Colonel Wallenstein say to you?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing of importance. I am used to it. I +<a name="Page_35" id="Page_35" />am perfectly able to take care of myself," she +answered.</p> + +<p>"But he annoyed you."</p> + +<p>"That is true," she admitted.</p> + +<p>"What did the policeman say?"</p> + +<p>"What would he say to a goose-girl?"</p> + +<p>"Shall I speak to him?"</p> + +<p>"Would it really do any good?"—skeptically.</p> + +<p>"It might. The duke is friendly toward me, +and I am certain he would not tolerate such +conduct in his police."</p> + +<p>"You would only make enemies for me; insolence +would become persecution. I know. Yet, +I thank you, Herr—"</p> + +<p>"Carmichael. Now, listen, Gretchen; if at any +time you are in trouble, you will find me at the +Grand Hotel or at the consulate next door to the +Black Eagle."</p> + +<p>"I shall remember. Sometimes I work in the +Black Eagle." And recollection rose in her mind +of the old man who had given her the gold piece.</p> + +<p>"Good night," he said.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Herr."</p> + +<p>Gretchen extended her hand and Carmichael +took it in his own, inspecting it.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_36" id="Page_36" />Why do you do that?"</p> + +<p>"It is a good hand; it is strong, too."</p> + +<p>"It has to be strong, Herr. Good night."</p> + +<p>Carmichael raised his hat again, and Gretchen +breathed contentedly as she saw him disappear +in the crowd. That little act of courtesy made +everything brighter. There was only one other +who ever touched his hat to her respectfully. +And as she stood there, dreaming over the unusual +happenings of the day, she felt an arm +slip through hers, gently but firmly, even with +authority. Her head went round.</p> + +<p>"Leo?" she whispered.</p> + +<p>The young vintner whom Carmichael had +pushed against the wall that day smiled from +under the deep shade of his hat, drawn down +well over his face.</p> + +<p>"Gretchen, who was that speaking to you?"</p> + +<p>"Herr Carmichael, the American consul."</p> + +<p>"Carmichael!" The arm in Gretchen's stiffened.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Leo?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing. Only, I grow mad with rage when +any of these gentlemen speak to you. Gentlemen! +I know them all too well."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_37" id="Page_37" />This one means no harm."</p> + +<p>"I would I were certain. Ah, how I love you!" +he whispered.</p> + +<p>Gretchen thrilled and drew his arm closely +against her side.</p> + +<p>"To me the world began but two weeks ago. +I have just begun to live."</p> + +<p>"I am glad," said Gretchen. "But listen."</p> + +<p>The band was playing again.</p> + +<p>"Sometimes I am jealous even of that."</p> + +<p>"I love you none the less for loving it."</p> + +<p>"I know; but I am sad and lonely to-night"—gloomily. +"I want all your thoughts."</p> + +<p>"Are they not always yours? And why should +you be sad and miserable?"</p> + +<p>"Why, indeed!"</p> + +<p>"Leo, as much as I love you, there is always +a shadow."</p> + +<p>"What shadow?"</p> + +<p>"It is always at night that I see you, rarely +in the bright daytime. What do you do during +the day? It is not yet vintage. What do you +do?"</p> + +<p>"Will you trust me a little longer, Gretchen, +just a little longer?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_38" id="Page_38" />Always, not a little longer, always. But wait +till the music stops and I will tell you of my +adventure."</p> + +<p>"You have had an adventure?"—distrustfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Be still."</p> + +<p>There were tones in Gretchen's voice that the +young vintner could never quite understand. +There was a will little less than imperial, and +often as he rebelled, he never failed to bow to it.</p> + +<p>"What was this adventure?" he demanded, as +the music stopped.</p> + +<p>She told him about the geese, the grand duke, +and the two crowns. He laughed, and she joined +him, for it was amusing now.</p> + +<p>The musicians were putting away their instruments, +the crowd was melting, the attendants +were stacking the chairs, so the two lovers went +out of the gardens toward the town and the +Krumerweg.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Carmichael had lectured the policeman, +who was greatly disturbed.</p> + +<p>"Your Excellency, I am sure Colonel von Wallenstein +meant no harm."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_39" id="Page_39" />Are you truthfully sure?"</p> + +<p>The policeman plucked at his beard nervously. +"It is every man for himself, as your excellency +knows. Had I spoken to the colonel, he would +have had me broken."</p> + +<p>"You could have appealed to the duke."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps. I am sorry for the girl, but I have +a family to take care of."</p> + +<p>"Well, mark me; this little woman loves music; +she comes here often. The next time she is +annoyed by Wallenstein or any one else, you +report it to me. I'll see that it reaches his highness."</p> + +<p>"I shall gladly do that, your Excellency."</p> + +<p>Carmichael left the gardens and wandered +with aimless step. He was surprised to find +that he was opposite the side gates to the royal +gardens. His feet had followed the bent of his +mind. Yet he did not cross the narrow side +street. The sound of carriage wheels caused +him to halt. He waited. The carriage he had +seen by the fountain drew up before the gates, +and the woman in black alighted. She spoke to +the sentinel, who opened the gates and closed +<a name="Page_40" id="Page_40" />them. The veiled lady vanished abruptly beyond +the shrubbery.</p> + +<p>"I wonder who that was?" was Carmichael's +internal question. "Bah! Some lady-in-waiting +with an affair on hand."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III" /><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41" />CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>FOR HER COUNTRY</h3> + + +<p>"Count, must I tell you again not to broach +that subject? There can be no alliance between +Ehrenstein and Jugendheit."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Count von Herbeck, chancellor, +coolly returning the angry flash from the +ducal eyes.</p> + +<p>"There are a thousand reasons why, but it +is not my purpose to name them."</p> + +<p>"Name only one, your Highness, only one."</p> + +<p>"Will that satisfy you?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps."</p> + +<p>"One of my reasons is that I do not want any +alliance with a country so perfidious as Jugendheit. +What! I make overtures? I, who have +been so cruelly wronged all these years? You +are mad."</p> + +<p>"But what positive evidence have you that +Jugendheit wronged you?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_42" id="Page_42" />Positive? Have I eyes and ears? Have I +not seen and read and heard?" This time the +duke struck the desk savagely. "Why do you +always rouse me in this fashion, Herbeck? +You know how distasteful all this is to me."</p> + +<p>"Your highness knows that I look only to the +welfare of the country. In the old days it was +a foregone conclusion that this alliance was to +be formed. Now, you persist in averring that +the late king was the chief conspirator in abducting +her serene highness, aided by Arnsberg, +whose successor I have the honor to be. +I have never yet seen any proofs. You have +never yet produced them. Show me something +which absolutely convicts them, and I'll surrender."</p> + +<p>"On your honor?"</p> + +<p>"My word."</p> + +<p>The grand duke struck the bell on the chancellor's +desk.</p> + +<p>"My secretary, and tell him to bring me the +packet marked A. He will understand."</p> + +<p>The two men waited without speaking, each +busy with thought. The duke had been in +his youth, and was still, a handsome man, +<a name="Page_43" id="Page_43" />splendidly set up, healthy and vigorous, keen +mentally, and whatever stubbornness he possessed +nicely balanced by common sense. He +might have been guilty in his youth of a few +human peccadillos, but the kingly and princely +excesses which at that time were making the +east side of the Rhine the scandal of the world +had in no wise sullied his name. Ehrenstein +means "stone of honor," and he had always +carried the thought of this in his heart. He +was frank in his likes and dislikes, he hated +secrets, and he loved an opponent who engaged +him in the open. Herbeck often labored with +him over this open manner, but the mind he +sought to work upon was as receptive to political +hypocrisy as a wall of granite. It was +this extraordinary rectitude which made the duke +so powerful an aid to Bismarck in the days +that followed. The Man of Iron needed this sort +of character as a cover and a buckler to his +own duplicities.</p> + +<p>Herbeck was an excellent foil. He was as +silent and secretive as sand. He moved, as it +were, in circles, thus always eluding dangerous +corners. He was tall, angular, with a thin, im<a name="Page_44" id="Page_44" />mobile +countenance, well guarded by his gray +eyes and straight lips. He was a born financier, +with almost limitless ambition, though only he +himself knew how far this ambition reached. +He had not brought prosperity to Ehrenstein, +but he had fortified and bastioned it against +extravagance, and this was probably the larger +feat of the two. He loved his country, and +brooded over it as a mother broods over her +child. Twice had he saved Ehrenstein from the +drag-net of war, and with honor. So he was +admired by fathers and revered by mothers.</p> + +<p>The secretary came in and laid a thin packet +of papers on the chancellor's desk. "It was +the packet A, your Highness?"—his hand still +resting upon the documents.</p> + +<p>"Yes. You may go."</p> + +<p>The secretary bowed and withdrew.</p> + +<p>The duke stirred the papers angrily, took one +of them and spread it out with a rasp.</p> + +<p>"Look at that. Whose writing, I ask?"</p> + +<p>Herbeck adjusted his glasses and scrutinized +the slanting hieroglyphics. He ran over it several +times. At length he opened a drawer in +his desk, sorted some papers, and brought out +<a name="Page_45" id="Page_45" />a yellow letter. This he laid down beside the +other.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they are alike. This will be Arnsberg. +But"—mildly—"who may say that it is not a +cunning forgery?"</p> + +<p>"Forgery!" roared the duke. "Read this one +from the late king of Jugendheit to Arnsberg, +then, if you still doubt."</p> + +<p>Herbeck read slowly and carefully.</p> + +<p>Then he rose and walked to the nearest window, +studying the letter again in the sharper +light. Presently his hands fell behind his back +and met about the paper, while he himself stared +over into the royal gardens. He remained in +this attitude for some time.</p> + +<p>"Well?" said the duke impatiently.</p> + +<p>Herbeck returned to his chair. "I wish that +you had shown me these long ago."</p> + +<p>"To what end?"</p> + +<p>"You accused the king?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, but he denied it."</p> + +<p>"In a letter?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Here, read it."</p> + +<p>Herbeck compared the two. "Where did you +find these?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_46" id="Page_46" />In Arnsberg's desk," returned the duke, the +anger in his eyes giving place to gloomy retrospection. +"Arnsberg, my boyhood playmate, +the man I loved and trusted and advanced to the +highest office in my power. Is that not the way? +Do we ever trust any one fully without being +in the end deceived? Well, dead or alive," the +duke continued, his throat swelling, "ten thousand +crowns to him who brings Arnsberg to me, +dead or alive."</p> + +<p>"He will never come back," said Herbeck.</p> + +<p>"Not if he is wise. He was clever. He sent +all his fortune to Paris, so I found, and what +I confiscated was nothing but his estate. But +do you believe me"—putting a hand against his +heart—"something here tells me that some day +fate will drag him back and give him into my +hands?"</p> + +<p>"You are very bitter."</p> + +<p>"And have I not cause? Did not my wife die +of a broken heart, and did I not become a broken +man? You do not know all, Herbeck, not quite +all. Franz also sought the hand of the Princess +Sofia. He, too, loved her, but I won. Well, his +revenge must have been sweet to him."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_47" id="Page_47" />But your daughter has been restored to +her own."</p> + +<p>"Due to your indefatigable efforts alone. Ah, +Herbeck, nothing will ever fill up the gap between, +nothing will ever restore the mother." +The duke bowed his head.</p> + +<p>Herbeck studied him thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"I love my daughter and she loves me, but I +don't know what it is, I can't explain it," irresolutely.</p> + +<p>"What can not your highness explain?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the gap is too wide, perhaps the +separation has been too long."</p> + +<p>Herbeck did not press the duke to be more +explicit. He opened another drawer and took +forth a long hood envelope, crested and sealed.</p> + +<p>"Your Highness, here is a letter from the +prince regent of Jugendheit, formally asking +the hand of the Princess Hildegarde for his +nephew, Frederick, who will shortly be crowned. +My advice is to accept, to let bygones be bygones."</p> + +<p>"Write the prince that I respectfully decline."</p> + +<p>"Do nothing in haste, your Highness. Temporize; +say that you desire some time to think +<a name="Page_48" id="Page_48" />about the matter. You can change your mind +at any time. A reply like this commits you to +nothing, whereas your abrupt refusal will only +widen the breach."</p> + +<p>"The wider the breach the better."</p> + +<p>"No, no, your Highness; the past has disturbed +you. We can stand war, and it is +possible that we might win, even against Jugendheit; +but war at this late day would be a colossal +blunder. Victory would leave us where we +began thirty years ago. One does not go to +war for a cause that has been practically dead +these sixteen years. And an insult to Jugendheit +might precipitate war. It would be far +wiser to let me answer the prince regent, saying +that your highness will give the proposal your +thoughtful consideration."</p> + +<p>"Have your way, then, but on your head be +it if you commit me to anything."</p> + +<p>The duke was about to gather up his documentary +evidence, when Herbeck touched his +hand.</p> + +<p>"I have an idea," said the chancellor. "A +great many letters reach me from day to day. +I have an excellent memory. Who knows but +<a name="Page_49" id="Page_49" />that I might find the true conspirator, the archplotter? +Leave them with me, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"I shall not ask you to be careful with them, +Herbeck."</p> + +<p>"I shall treasure them as my life."</p> + +<p>The duke departed, stirred as he had not been +since the restoration of the princess. Herbeck +sometimes irritated him, for he was never in the +wrong, he was never impatient, he was never +hasty, he never had to go over a thing twice. +This supernal insight, which overlooked all +things but results, set the duke wondering if +Herbeck was truly all human. If only he could +catch him at fault once in a while!</p> + +<p>Count von Herbeck remained at his desk, his +face as inscrutable as ever, his eyes without expression, +and his lips expressing nothing. He +smoothed out a sheet of paper, affixed the state +seal, and in a flowing hand wrote a diplomatic +note, considering the proposal of his royal highness, +the prince regent of Jugendheit, on behalf +of his nephew, the king. This he placed in the +diplomatic pouch, called for a courier, and despatched +him at once for the frontier.</p> + +<p>The duke sought his daughter. She was in +<a name="Page_50" id="Page_50" />the music-room, surrounded by several of her +young women companions, each holding some +musical instrument in her hands. Hildegarde +was singing. The duke paused, shutting his +eyes and striving to recall the voice of the +mother. When the voice died away and the +young women leaned back in their chairs to +rest, the duke approached. Upon seeing him +all rose. With a smile he dismissed them.</p> + +<p>"My child," he began, taking Hildegarde's +hand and drawing her toward a window-seat, +"the king of Jugendheit asks for your hand."</p> + +<p>"Mine, father?"</p> + +<p>"Even so."</p> + +<p>"Then I am to marry the king of Jugendheit?" +There was little joy in her voice.</p> + +<p>"Ah, we have not gone so far as that. The +king, through his uncle, has simply made a +proposal. How would you regard it, knowing +what you do of the past, the years that you +lived in comparative penury, amid hardships, +unknown, and almost without name?"</p> + +<p>"It is for you to decide, father. Whatever +your decision is, I shall abide by it."</p> + +<p>"It is a hard lesson we have to learn, my child.<a name="Page_51" id="Page_51" /> +We can not always marry where we love; diplomacy +and politics make other plans. But fortunately +for you you love no one yet." He put +his hand under her chin and searched the deeps +of her gray eyes. These eyes were more like +her mother's than anything else about her. "The +king is young, handsome, they say, and rich. +Politically speaking, it would be a great match."</p> + +<p>"I am in your hands. You know what is +best."</p> + +<p>The duke was poignantly disappointed. Why +did she not refuse outright, indignantly, contemptuously, +as became one of the House of Ehrenstein? +Anything rather than this complacency.</p> + +<p>"What is he like?" disengaging his hand and +turning her face toward the window.</p> + +<p>"That no one seems to know. He has been +to his capital but twice in ten years, which +doubtless pleased his uncle, who loves power for +its own sake. The young king has been in Paris +most of the time. That's the way they educate +kings these days. They teach them all the vices +and make virtue an accident. Your father loves +you, and if you are inclined toward his majesty, +<a name="Page_52" id="Page_52" />if it is in your heart to become a queen, I shall +not let my prejudices stand in the way."</p> + +<p>She caught up his hand with a strange passion +and kissed it.</p> + +<p>"Father, I do not want to marry any one," +wistfully. "But a queen!" she added thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"It is only a sound, my dear; do not let it +delude you. Herbeck advises this alliance, and +while I realize that his judgment is right, my +whole soul revolts against it. But all depends +upon you."</p> + +<p>"Would it benefit the people? Would it be +for the good of the state?"</p> + +<p>Here was reason. "Yes; my objections are +merely personal," said the duke.</p> + +<p>"For the good of my country, which I love, +I am ready to make any sacrifice. I shall think +it over."</p> + +<p>"Very well; but weigh the matter carefully. +There is never any retracing a step of this kind." +He stood up, his heart heavy. Saying no more, +he moved toward the door.</p> + +<p>She gazed after him, and suddenly and silently +she stretched out her arms, her eyes and face +<a name="Page_53" id="Page_53" />and lips yearning with love. Curiously enough, +the duke happened to turn. He was at her side +in a moment, holding her firm in his embrace.</p> + +<p>"You are all I have, girl!" with a bit of break +in his voice.</p> + +<p>"My father!" She stroked his cheek.</p> + +<p>When he left the room it was with lighter +step.</p> + +<p>The restoration of the Princess Hildegarde +of Ehrenstein had been the sensation of Europe, +as had been in the earlier days her remarkable +abduction. For sixteen years the search had +gone on fruitlessly. The cleverest adventuresses +on the continent tried devious tricks to +palm themselves off as the lost princess. From +France they had come, from Prussia, Italy, +Austria, Russia and England. But the duke +and the chancellor held the secret, unknown to +any one else—a locket. In a garret in Dresden +the agents of Herbeck found her, a singer +in the chorus of the opera. The newspapers +and illustrated weeklies raged about her for a +while, elaborated the story of her struggles, the +mysterious remittances which had, from time to +time, saved her from direst poverty, her ambi<a name="Page_54" id="Page_54" />tion, +her education which, by dint of hard work, +she had acquired. It was all very puzzling and +interesting and romantic. For what purpose +had she been stolen, and by whom? The duke +accused Franz of Jugendheit, but he did so +privately. Search as they would, the duke and +the chancellor never traced the source of the remittances. +The duke held stubbornly that the +sender of these benefactions was moved by the +impulse of a guilty conscience, and that this +guilty conscience was in Jugendheit. But these +remittances, argued Herbeck, came long after +the death of the old king. He had his agents, +vowed the duke. Herbeck would not listen to +this. He preferred to believe that Count von +Arnsberg was the man.</p> + +<p>There was an endless tangle of red tape before +the girl became secure in her rights. But +finally, when William of Prussia and Franz +Josef of Austria congratulated the duke, everybody +else fell into line, and every troop in the +duchy came to Dreiberg to the celebration. Then +the world ran away in pursuit of other adventures, +and forgot all about her serene highness.</p> + +<p>And was she happy with all this grandeur, +<a name="Page_55" id="Page_55" />with all these lackeys and attentions and environs? +Who can say? Sometimes she longed +for the freedom and lack-care of her Dresden +garret, her musician friends, the studios, the +crash and glitter of the opera. To be suddenly +deprived of the fruits of ambition, to reach +such a pinnacle without striving, to be no longer +independent, somehow it was all tasteless with the +going of the novelty.</p> + +<p>She looked like a princess, she moved and +acted like one, but after the manner of kindly +fairy princesses in story-books. All fell in love +with her, from the groom who saddled her horse, +to the chancellor, who up to this time was known +never to have loved anything but the state.</p> + +<p>She was lovely enough to inspire fervor and +homage and love in all masculine minds. She +was witty and talented. Carmichael said she +was one of the most beautiful women in Europe. +Later he modified this statement by declaring +that she was the most beautiful woman in Europe +or elsewhere. Yet, often she went about as one +in a waking dream. There was an aloofness +which was not born of hauteur but rather of a +lingering doubt of herself.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56" />She was still in the window-seat when the +chancellor was announced. She distrusted him +a little, she knew not why; yet, when he bent +over her hand she was certain that his whole +heart was behind his salute.</p> + +<p>"Your Highness," he said, "I am come to announce +to you that there waits for you a high +place in the affairs of the world."</p> + +<p>"The second crown in Jugendheit?"</p> + +<p>"Your father—?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He leaves the matter wholly in my +hands."</p> + +<p>The sparkle in his eyes was the first evidence +of emotion she had ever seen in him. It rather +pleased her.</p> + +<p>"It is for the good of the state. A princess +like yourself must never wed an inferior."</p> + +<p>"Would a man who was brave and kind and +resourceful, but without a title, would he be an +inferior?"</p> + +<p>"Assuredly, politically. And I regret to say +that your marriage could never be else than a +matter of politics."</p> + +<p>"I am, then, for all that I am a princess, +simply a certificate of exchange?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57" />His keen ear caught the bitter undercurrent. +"The king of Jugendheit is young. I do not +see how he can help loving you the moment he +knows you. Who can?" And the chancellor +enjoyed the luxury of a smile.</p> + +<p>"But he may not be heart whole."</p> + +<p>"He will be, politically."</p> + +<p>"Politics, politics; how I hate the word! +Sometimes I regret my garret."</p> + +<p>The chancellor frowned. "Your Highness, I +beg of you never to give that thought utterance +in the presence of your father."</p> + +<p>"Ah, believe me, I am not ungrateful; but +all this is new to me, even yet. I am living in +a dream, wondering and wondering when I shall +wake."</p> + +<p>The chancellor wrinkled his lips. It was more +of a grimace than a smile.</p> + +<p>"Will you consent to this marriage?"</p> + +<p>"Would it do any good to reject it?"</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, it would do Ehrenstein +great harm."</p> + +<p>"Give me a week," wearily.</p> + +<p>"A week!" There was joy on the chancellor's +face now, unmasked, unconcealed. "Oh, +<a name="Page_58" id="Page_58" />when the moment comes that I see the crown of +Jugendheit on your beautiful head, all my work +shall not have been in vain. So then, within +seven days I shall come for your answer?"</p> + +<p>"One way or the other, my answer will be +ready then."</p> + +<p>"There is one thing more, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"And that?"</p> + +<p>"There must not be so many rides in the morning +with his excellency, Herr Carmichael."</p> + +<p>She met his piercing glance with that mild +duplicity known only to women. "He is a gentleman, +he amuses me, and there is no harm. +Grooms are always with us. And often he is only +one of a party."</p> + +<p>"It is politics again, your Highness; I merely +offer the suggestion."</p> + +<p>"Marry me to the king of Jugendheit, if you +will, but in this I shall have my way." But she +laughed as she laid down this law.</p> + +<p>He surrendered his doubt. "Well, for a week. +But once the banns are published, it will be neither +wise nor—"</p> + +<p>"Proper? That is a word, Count, that I do +not like."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_59" id="Page_59" />Pardon me, your Highness. All this talk is +merely for the sake of saving you needless embarrassment."</p> + +<p>He bowed and took his leave of her.</p> + +<p>"Jugendheit! Ah, I had rather my garret, my +garret!"</p> + +<p>And her gaze sped across the Platz and lingered +about one of the little window-balconies of +the Grand Hotel.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV" /><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60" />CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE YOUNG VINTNER</h3> + + +<p>The Black Eagle (<i>Zum Schwartzen Adler</i>) +in the Adlergasse was a prosperous tavern +of the second rate. The house was two hundred +years old and had been in the Bauer family all +that time.</p> + +<p>Had Fräu Bauer, or Fräu-Wirtin, as she +was familiarly called, been masculine, she would +have been lightly dubbed Bauer VII. She was a +widow, and therefore uncrowned. She had been +a widow for many a day, for the novelty of being +her own manager had not yet worn off. She was +thirty-eight, plump, pretty in a free-hand manner, +and wise. It was useless to loll about the +English bar where she kept the cash-drawer; it +was useless to whisper sweet nothings into her +ear; it was more than useless, it was foolish.</p> + +<p>"Go along with you, Herr; I wouldn't marry +the best man living. I can add the accounts, I +can manage. Why should I marry?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_61" id="Page_61" />But marriage is the natural state!"</p> + +<p>"Herr, I crossed the frontier long ago, but +having recrossed it, never again shall I go back. +One crown-forty, if you please. Thank you."</p> + +<p>This retort had become almost a habit with +the Fräu-Wirtin; and when a day went by without +a proposal, she went to bed with the sense +that the day had not been wholly successful.</p> + +<p>To-night the main room of the tavern swam in +a blue haze of smoke, which rose to the blackened +rafters, hung with many and various sausages, +cheeses, and dried vegetables. Dishes clattered, +there was a buzzing of voices, a scraping +of feet and chairs, a banging of tankards, altogether +noisy and cheerful. The Fräu-Wirtin preferred +waitresses, and this preference was shared +by her patrons. They were quicker, cleaner; +they remembered an order better; they were not +always surreptitiously emptying the dregs of +tankards on the way to the bar, as men invariably +did. Besides, the barmaid was an English institution, +and the Fräu-Wirtin greatly admired +that race, though no one knew why. The girls +fully able to defend themselves, and were +not at all diffident in boxing a smart fellow's ears.<a name="Page_62" id="Page_62" /> +They had a rough wit and could give and take. +If a man thought this an invitation and tried to +take a kiss, he generally had his face slapped for +his pains, and the Fräu-Wirtin was always on +the side of her girls.</p> + +<p>The smoke was so thick one could scarcely see +two tables away, and if any foreigner chanced to +open a window there was a hubbub; windows were +made for light, not air. There were soldiers, non-commissioned +officers—for the fall maneuvers +brought many to Dreiberg—farmers and their +families, and the men of the locality who made +the Black Eagle a kind of socialist club. Socialism +was just taking hold in those days, and the +men were tremendously serious and secretive regarding +it, as it wasn't strong enough to be popular +with governments which ruled by hereditary +might and right.</p> + +<p>Gretchen came in, a little better dressed than +in the daytime, the change consisting of coarse +stockings and shoes of leather, of which she was +correspondingly proud.</p> + +<p>"Will you want me, Fräu-Wirtin, for a little +while to-night?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Till nine. Half a crown as usual."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63" />Gretchen sought the kitchen and found an +apron and cap. These half-crowns were fine +things to pick up occasionally, for it was only +upon occasions that she worked at the Black +Eagle.</p> + +<p>In an obscure corner sat the young vintner. +He had finished his supper and was watching +and scrutinizing all who came in. His face +brightened as he saw the goose-girl; he would +have known that head anywhere, whether he saw +the face or not. He wanted to go to her at once, +but knew this action would not be wise.</p> + +<p>In the very corner itself, his back to the vintner's, +and nothing but the wall to look at, was the +old man in tatters and patches, the mountaineer +who possessed a Swiss watch and gave golden +coins to goose-girls. He was busily engaged in +gnawing the leg of a chicken. Between times he +sipped his beer, listening.</p> + +<p>Carmichael had forgotten some papers that +day. He had dined early at the hotel and returned +at once to the consulate. He was often a +visitor at the Black Eagle. The beer was sweet +and cool. So, having pocketed his papers, he +was of a mind to carry on a bit of badinage with<a name="Page_64" id="Page_64" /> +Fräu Bauer. As he stepped into the big hall, +in his evening clothes, he was as conspicuous as a +passing ship at sea.</p> + +<p>"Good evening, Fräu-Wirtin."</p> + +<p>"Good evening, your Excellency." She was +quite fluttered when this fine young man spoke to +her. He was the only person who ever caused her +embarrassment, even though temporary. There +was always a whimsical smile on his lips and in +his eyes, and Fräu Bauer never knew exactly +how to take him. "What is on your mind?" +brightly.</p> + +<p>"Many things. You haven't aged the least +since last I saw you."</p> + +<p>"Which was day before yesterday!"</p> + +<p>"Not any further back than that?"</p> + +<p>"Not an hour."</p> + +<p>She turned to make change, while Carmichael's +eyes roved in search of a vacant chair. He saw +but one.</p> + +<p>"The goose-girl?" he murmured suddenly. "Is +Gretchen one of your waitresses?"</p> + +<p>"She comes in once in a while. She's a good +girl and I'm glad to help her," Fräu Bauer replied.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_65" id="Page_65" />I do not recollect having seen her here before."</p> + +<p>"That is because you rarely come at night."</p> + +<p>Gretchen carried a tray upon which steamed +a vegetable stew. She saw Carmichael and nodded.</p> + +<p>"I shall be at yonder table," he said indicating +the vacant chair. "Will you bring me a +tankard of brown Ehrensteiner?"</p> + +<p>"At once, Herr."</p> + +<p>Carmichael made his way to the table. Across +the room he had not recognized the vintner, but +now he remembered. He had crowded him against +a wall two or three days before.</p> + +<p>"This seat is not reserved, Herr?" he asked +pleasantly, with his hand on the back of the +chair.</p> + +<p>"No." There was no cordiality in the answer. +The vintner turned back the lid of his stein and +drank slowly.</p> + +<p>Carmichael sat down sidewise, viewing the +scene with never-waning interest. These German +taverns were the delight of his soul. Everybody +was so kindly and orderly and hungry.<a name="Page_66" id="Page_66" /> +They ate and drank like persons whose consciences +were not overburdened. From the corner +of his eye he observed that the vintner was studying +him. Now this vintner's face was something +familiar. Carmichael stirred his memory. It +was not in Dreiberg that he had seen him before. +But where?</p> + +<p>Gretchen arrived with the tankard which she +sat down at Carmichael's elbow.</p> + +<p>"Will you not join me, Herr?" he invited.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said the vintner, without hesitation.</p> + +<p>He smiled at Gretchen and she smiled at him. +Carmichael smiled at them both tolerantly.</p> + +<p>"What will you be drinking?"</p> + +<p>"Brown," said the vintner.</p> + +<p>Gretchen took up the empty tankard and +made off. The eyes of the two men followed her +till she reached the dim bar, then their glances +swung round and met. Carmichael was first to +speak, not because he was forced to, but because +it was his fancy at that moment to give the +vintner the best of it.</p> + +<p>"She is a fine girl."</p> + +<p>"Yes," tentatively.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_67" id="Page_67" />She is the handsomest peasant I ever saw or +knew."</p> + +<p>"You know her?" There was a spark in the +vintner's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Only for a few days. She interests me." +Carmichael produced a pipe and lighted it.</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, the pretty peasant girl always interests +you gentlemen." There was a note of bitterness. +"Did you come here to seek her?"</p> + +<p>"This is the first time I ever saw her here. And +let me add," evenly, "that my interest in her is +not of the order you would infer. She is good +and patient and brave, and my interest in her is +impersonal. It is not necessary for me to make +any explanations, but I do so."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me!" The vintner was plainly +abashed.</p> + +<p>"Granted. But you, you seem to possess a peculiar +interest."</p> + +<p>The vintner flushed. "I have that right," with +an air which rather mystified Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"That explains everything. I do not recollect +seeing you before in the Black Eagle."</p> + +<p>"I am from the north; a vintner, and there +<a name="Page_68" id="Page_68" />is plenty of work here in the valleys late in September."</p> + +<p>"The grape," mused Carmichael. "You will +never learn how to press it as they do in France. +It is wine there; it is vinegar this side of the +Rhine."</p> + +<p>"France," said the vintner moodily. "Do you +think there will be any France in the future?"</p> + +<p>Carmichael laughed. "France is an incurable +cosmic malady; it will always be. It may be +beaten, devastated, throttled, but it will not die."</p> + +<p>"You are fond of France?"</p> + +<p>"Very."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it wise to say so here?"</p> + +<p>"I am the American consul; nobody minds my +opinions."</p> + +<p>"The American consul," repeated the vintner.</p> + +<p>Gretchen could now be seen, wending her return +in and out among the clustering tables. She +set the tankards down, and Carmichael put out +a silver crown.</p> + +<p>"And do not bother about the change."</p> + +<p>"Are all Americans rich?" she asked soberly. +"Do you never keep the change yourselves?"</p> + +<div class="center"> +<a href="images/image003.jpg"><img src="images/image003.jpg" +alt=""Are all Americans rich?" she asked, soberly." width="50%" +title=""Are all Americans rich?" she asked, soberly." /></a> +</div> +<h3>"Are all Americans rich?" she asked, soberly.</h3> + +<p>"Not when we are in our Sunday clothes."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_69" id="Page_69" />Then it is vanity." Gretchen shook her head +wisely.</p> + +<p>"Mine is worth only four coppers to-night," +he said.</p> + +<p>The vintner laughed pleasantly. Gretchen +looked into his eyes, and an echo found haven in +her own.</p> + +<p>Carmichael thirstily drank his first tankard, +thinking: "So this vintner is in love with our +goose-girl? Confound my memory! It never +failed me like this before. I would give twenty +crowns to know where I have seen him. It's only +the time and place that bothers me, not the face. +A fine beer," he said aloud, holding up the second +tankard.</p> + +<p>The vintner raised his; there was an unconscious +grace in the movement. A covert glance +at his hand satisfied Carmichael in regard to one +thing. He might be a vintner, but the hand was +as soft and well-kept as a woman's, for all that +it was stained by wind and sunshine. A handsome +beggar, whoever and whatever he was. But a +second thought disturbed him. Could a man with +hands like these mean well toward Gretchen? He +was a thorough man of the world; he knew inno<a name="Page_70" id="Page_70" />ence +at first glance, and Gretchen was both innocent +and unworldly. To the right man she +might be easy prey. Never to a man like Colonel +von Wallenstein, whose power and high office +were alike sinister to any girl of the peasantry; +but a man in the guise of her own class, of her +own world and people, here was a snare Gretchen +might not be able to foresee. He would watch +this fellow, and at the first sign of an evil—Carmichael's +muscular brown hands opened and shut +ominously. The vintner did not observe this peculiar +expression of the hands; and Carmichael's +face was bland.</p> + +<p>A tankard, rapping a table near-by, called +Gretchen to her duties. There was something reluctant +in her step, in the good-by glance, in +the sudden fall of the smiling lips.</p> + +<p>"She will make some man a good wife," said +Carmichael.</p> + +<p>The vintner scowled at his tankard.</p> + +<p>"He is not sure of her," thought Carmichael. +Aloud he said: "What a funny world it is!"</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"Gretchen is beautiful enough to be a queen, +and yet she is merely a Hebe in a tavern."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_71" id="Page_71" />Hebe?" suspiciously. The peasant is always +suspicious of anything he doesn't understand.</p> + +<p>"Hebe was a cup-bearer to the mythological +gods in olden times," Carmichael explained. He +had set a trap, but the vintner had not fallen +into it.</p> + +<p>"A fairy-story." The vintner nodded; he understood +now.</p> + +<p>Carmichael's glance once more rested on the +vintner's hand. He would lay another trap.</p> + +<p>"What happened to her?"</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Carmichael, "she spilled wine on a +god one day, and they banished her."</p> + +<p>"It must have been a rare vintage."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you are familiar with all valleys. +Moselle?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. That is a fine country."</p> + +<p>The old man in tatters sat erect in his chair, +but he did not turn his head.</p> + +<p>"You have served?"</p> + +<p>"A little. If I could be an officer I should like +the army." The vintner reached for his pipe +which lay on the table.</p> + +<p>"Try this," urged Carmichael, offering his +pouch.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_72" id="Page_72" />This will be good tobacco, I know." The +vintner filled his pipe.</p> + +<p>Carmichael followed this gift with many questions +about wines and vintages; and hidden in +these questions were a dozen clever traps. But +the other walked over them, unhesitant, with a +certainty of step which chagrined the trapper.</p> + +<p>By and by the vintner rose and bade his table-companion +a good night. He had not offered to +buy anything, another sign puzzling to Carmichael. +This frugality was purely of the thrifty +peasant. But the vintner was not ungrateful, +and he expressed many thanks. On his way to +the door he stopped, whispered into Gretchen's +ear, and passed out into the black street.</p> + +<p>"Either he is a fine actor, or he is really what +he says he is." Carmichael was dissatisfied. "I'll +stake my chances on being president of the +United States, which is safe enough as a wager, +that this fellow is not genuine. I'll watch him. +I've stumbled upon a pretty romance of some +sort, but I fear that it is one-sided." He wrinkled +his forehead, but that part of his recollection he +aimed to stir remained fallow, in darkness.</p> + +<p>The press in the room was thinning. There +<a name="Page_73" id="Page_73" />were vacant chairs here and there now. A carter +sauntered past and sat down unconcernedly at +the table occupied by the old man whose face +Carmichael had not yet seen. The two exchanged +not even so much as a casual nod. A little later +a butcher approached the same table and seated +himself after the manner of the carter. It was +only when the dusty baker came along and repeated +this procedure, preserving the same silence, +that Carmichael's curiosity was enlivened. +This curiosity, however, was only of the evanescent +order. Undoubtedly they were socialists +and this was a little conclave, and the peculiar +manner of their meeting, the silence and mystery, +were purely fictional. Socialism at that +time revolved round the blowing up of kings, of +demolishing established order. Neither kings +were blown up nor order demolished, but it was +a congenial topic over which to while away an +evening. This was in the German states; in +Russia it was a different matter.</p> + +<p>Had Carmichael not fallen a-dreaming over +his pipe he would have seen the old man pass +three slips of paper across the table; he would +have seen the carter, the butcher, and the baker +<a name="Page_74" id="Page_74" />pocket these slips stolidly; he would have seen the +mountaineer wave his hand sharply and the trio +rise and disperse. And perhaps it would have +been well for him to have noted these singular +manifestations of conspiracy, since shortly he +was to become somewhat involved. It was growing +late; so Carmichael left the Black Eagle, +nursing the sunken ember in his pipe and surrendering +no part of his dream.</p> + +<p>Intermediately the mountaineer paid his score +and started for the stairs which led to the bedrooms +above. But he stopped at the bar. A very +old man was having a pail filled with hot cabbage +soup. It was the ancient clock-mender across +the way. The mountaineer was startled out of his +habitual reserve, but he recovered his composure +almost instantly. The clock-mender, his heavy +glasses hanging crookedly on his nose, his whole +aspect that of a weary, broken man, took down +his pail and shuffled noiselessly out. The mountaineer +followed him cautiously. Once in his +shop the clock-mender poured the steaming soup +into a bowl, broke bread in it, and began his +evening meal. The other, his face pressed +against the dim pane, stared and stared.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_75" id="Page_75" /><i>Gott in Himmel!</i> It is <i>he</i>!" he breathed, then +stepped back into the shadow, while the moisture +from his breath slowly faded and disappeared +from the window-pane.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V" /><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76" />CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>A COMPATRIOT</h3> + + +<p>Krumerweg was indeed a crooked way. +It formed a dozen elbows and ragged +half-circles as it slunk off from the Adlergasse. +Streets have character even as humans, and the +Krumerweg reminded one of a person who was +afraid of being followed. The shadow of the +towering bergs lay upon it, and the few stars +that peered down through the narrow crevice of +rambling gables were small, as if the brilliant +planets had neither time nor inclination to watch +over such a place. And yet there lived in the +Krumerweg many a kind and loyal heart, +stricken with poverty. In old times the street +had had an evil name, now it possessed only a pitiful +one.</p> + +<p>It was half after nine when Gretchen and the +vintner picked their way over cobbles pitted here +and there with mud-holes. They were arm in arm, +<a name="Page_77" id="Page_77" />and they laughed when they stumbled, laughed +lightly, as youth always laughs when in love.</p> + +<p>"Only a little farther," said Gretchen, for the +vintner had never before passed over this way.</p> + +<p>"Long as it is and crooked, Heaven knows it +is short enough!" He encircled her with his arms +and kissed her. "I love you! I love you!" he +said.</p> + +<p>Gretchen was penetrated with rapture, for her +ears, sharp with love and the eternal doubting of +man, knew that falsehood could not lurk in such +music. This handsome boy loved her. Buffeted +as she had been, she could separate the false from +the true. Come never so deep a sorrow, there +would always be this—he loved her. Her bosom +swelled, her heart throbbed, and she breathed in +ecstasy the sweet chill air that rushed through +the broken street.</p> + +<p>"After the vintage," she said, giving his arm +a pressure. For this handsome fellow was to be +her husband when the vines were pruned and +freshened against the coming winter.</p> + +<p>"Aye, after the vintage," he echoed; but there +was tragedy in his heart as deep and profound +as his love.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_78" id="Page_78" />My grandmother—I call her that for I +haven't any grandmother—is old and seldom +leaves the house. I promised that after work to-night +I'd bring my man home and let her see how +handsome he is. She is always saying that we +need a man about; and yet, I can do a man's +work as well as the next one. I love you, too, +Leo!" She pulled his hand to her lips and quickly +kissed it, frightened but unashamed.</p> + +<p>"Gretchen, Gretchen!"</p> + +<p>She stopped. "What is it?" keenly. "There +was pain in your voice."</p> + +<p>"The thought of how I love you hurts me. +There is nothing else, nothing, neither riches nor +crowns, nothing but you, Gretchen. How long +ago was it I met you first?"</p> + +<p>"Two weeks."</p> + +<p>"Two weeks? Is it not years? Have I not always +known and loved you?"</p> + +<p>"And I! What an empty heart and head were +mine till that wonderful day! You were tired and +dusty and footsore; you had walked some twenty +odd miles; yet you helped me with the geese. +There were almost tears in your eyes, but I knew +that your heart was a man's when you smiled at +<a name="Page_79" id="Page_79" />me." She stopped again and turned him round +to her. "And you love me like this?"</p> + +<p>"Whatever betide, <i>Lieberherz</i>, whatever befall." +And he embraced her with a fierce tenderness, +and so strong was he in the moment that +Gretchen gave a cry. He kissed her, not on the +lips, but on the fine white forehead, reverently.</p> + +<p>They proceeded, Gretchen subdued and the +vintner silent, until they came to the end of their +journey at number forty in the Krumerweg. It +was a house of hanging gables, almost as old as +the town itself, solid and grim and taciturn. +There are some houses which talk like gossips, +noisy, obtrusive and provocative. Number forty +was like an old warrior, gone to his chair by the +fireside, who listens to the small-talk of his neighbors +saturninely. What was it all about? Had he +not seen battles and storms, revolutions and +bloodshed? The prattle of children was preferable.</p> + +<p>Gretchen's grandmother, Fräu Schwarz, +owned the house; it was all that barricaded her +from poverty's wolves, and, what with sundry +taxes and repairs and tenants who paid infrequently, +it was little enough. Whatever luxuries +<a name="Page_80" id="Page_80" />entered at number forty were procured by +Gretchen herself. At present the two stories +were occupied; the second by a malter and his +brood of children, the third by a woman who was +partially bedridden. The lower or ground floor +of four rooms she reserved for herself. As a +matter of fact the forward room, with its huge +middle-age fireplace and the great square of +beamed and plastered walls and stone flooring, +was sizable for all domestic purposes. Gretchen's +pallet stood in a small alcove and the old woman's +bed by the left of the fire.</p> + +<p>Gretchen opened the door, which was unlocked. +There was no light in the hall. She pressed her +lover in her arms, kissed him lightly, and pushed +him into the living-room. A log smoldered dimly +on the irons. Gretchen ran forward, turned +over the log, lighted two candles, then kissed the +old woman seated in the one comfortable chair. +The others were simply three-legged stools. +There was little else in the room, save a poor reproduction +of the Virgin Mary.</p> + +<p>"Here I am, grandmother!"</p> + +<p>"And who is here with you?" sharply but not +unkindly.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_81" id="Page_81" />My man!" cried Gretchen gaily, her eyes +bright as the candle flames.</p> + +<p>"Bring him near me."</p> + +<p>Gretchen gathered up two stools and placed +them on either side of her grandmother and motioned +to the vintner to sit down. He did so, +easily and without visible embarrassment, even +though the black eyes plunged a glance into his.</p> + +<p>Her hair was white and thin, her nose aquiline, +her lips fallen in, a cobweb of wrinkles round her +eyes, down her cheeks, under her chin. But her +sight was undimmed.</p> + +<p>"Where are you from? You are not a Dreiberger."</p> + +<p>"From the north, grandmother," forcing a +smile to his lips.</p> + +<p>The reply rather gratified her.</p> + +<p>"Your name."</p> + +<p>"Leopold Dietrich, a vintner by trade."</p> + +<p>"You speak like a Hanoverian or a Prussian."</p> + +<p>"I have passed some time in both countries. I +have wandered about a good deal."</p> + +<p>"Give me your hand."</p> + +<p>The vintner looked surprised for a moment. +Gretchen approved. So he gave the old woman +<a name="Page_82" id="Page_82" />his left hand. The grandmother smoothed it out +upon her own and bent her shrewd eyes. Silence. +Gretchen could hear the malter stirring above; +the log cracked and burst into flame. A frown +began to gather on the vintner's brow and a +sweat in his palm.</p> + +<p>"I see many strange things here," said the +palmist, in a brooding tone.</p> + +<p>"And what do you see?" asked Gretchen eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I see very little of vineyards. I see riches, +pomp; I see vast armies moving against each +other; there is the smell of powder and fire; +devastation. I do not see you, young man, +among those who tramp with guns on their shoulders. +You ride; there is gold on your arms. You +will become great; but I do not understand. I do +not understand," closing her eyes for a moment.</p> + +<p>The vintner sat upright, his chin truculent, +his arm tense.</p> + +<p>"War!" he murmured.</p> + +<p>Gretchen's heart sank; there was joy in his +voice.</p> + +<p>"Go on, grandmother," she whispered.</p> + +<p>"Shall I live?" asked the vintner, whose belief +<a name="Page_83" id="Page_83" />in prescience till this hour had been of a negative +quality.</p> + +<p>"There is nothing here save death in old age, +vintner." Her gnarled hand seized his in a vise. +"Do you mean well by my girl?"</p> + +<p>"Grandmother!" Gretchen remonstrated.</p> + +<p>"Silence!"</p> + +<p>The vintner withdrew his hand slowly.</p> + +<p>"Is this the hand of a liar and a cheat? Is it +the hand of a dishonest man?"</p> + +<p>"There is no dishonesty there; but there are +lines I do not understand. Oh, I can not see +everything; it is like seeing people in a mist. +They pass instantly and disappear. But I repeat, +do you mean well by my girl?"</p> + +<p>"Before God and His angels I love her; before +all mankind I would gladly declare it. Gretchen +shall never come to harm at these hands. I +swear it."</p> + +<p>"I believe you." The old woman's form relaxed +its tenseness.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, grandmother," said Gretchen. +"Now, read what my hand says."</p> + +<p>The old woman took the hand. She loved +Gretchen.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_84" id="Page_84" />I read that you are gentle and brave and +cheerful, that you have a loyal heart and a pure +mind. I read that you are in love and that some +day you will be happy." A smile went over her +face, a kind of winter sunset.</p> + +<p>"You are not looking at my hand at all, +grandmother," said Gretchen in reproach.</p> + +<p>"I do not need, my child. Your life is written +in your face." The grandmother spoke +again to the vintner. "So you will take her +away from me?"</p> + +<p>"Will it be necessary?" he returned quietly. +"Have you any objection to my becoming your +foster grandchild, such as Gretchen is?"</p> + +<p>The old woman made no answer. She closed +her eyes and did not open them. Gretchen motioned +that this was a sign that the interview +was ended. But as he rose to his feet there was +a sound outside. A carriage had stopped. Some +one opened the door and began to climb the +stairs. The noise ceased only when the visitor +reached the top landing. Then all became still +again.</p> + +<p>"There is something strange going on up +there," said Gretchen in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_85" id="Page_85" />In what way?" asked the vintner in like undertones.</p> + +<p>"Three times a veiled lady has called at night, +three times a man muffled up so one could not +see his face."</p> + +<p>"Let us not question our twenty-crowns rent, +Gretchen," interrupted the grandmother, waking. +"So long as no one is disturbed, so long +as the police are not brought to our door, it is +not our affair. Leopold, Gretchen, give me your +hands." She placed them one upon the other, +then spread out her hands above their heads. +"The Holy Mother bring happiness and good +luck to you, Gretchen."</p> + +<p>"And to me?" said the youth.</p> + +<p>"I could not wish you better luck than to give +you Gretchen. Now, leave me."</p> + +<p>The vintner picked up his hat and Gretchen +led him to the street.</p> + +<p>He hurried away, giving no glance at the +closed carriage, the sleepy driver, the weary +horse. Neither did he heed the man dressed as +a carter who, when he saw the vintner, turned +and followed. Finally, when the vintner veered +into the Adlergasse, he stopped, his hands +<a name="Page_86" id="Page_86" />clenched, his teeth hard upon each other. He +even leaned against the wall of a house, his face +for the moment hidden in his arm.</p> + +<p>"Wretch that I am! Damnable wretch! +Krumerweg, Krumerweg! Crooked way, indeed!" +He flung down his arm passionately. +"There will be a God up yonder," looking at +the stars. "He will see into my heart and know +that it is not bad, only young. Oh, Gretchen!"</p> + +<p>"Gretchen?" The carter stepped into a +shadow and waited.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Carmichael did not enjoy the opera that +night. He had missed the first acts, and the last +was gruesome, and the royal box was vacant. +Outside he sat down on one of the benches near +the fountains in the Platz. His prolific imagination +took the boundaries. Ah! That morning's +ride, down the southern path of the mountains, +the black squirrels in the branches, the red +fox in the bushes, the clear spring, and the +drink out of the tin cup which hung there for +the thirsty! How prettily she had wrapped a +leaf over the rusted edge of the cup! The leaf +lay in his pocket. He had kissed a dozen times +<a name="Page_87" id="Page_87" />the spot where her lips had pressed it. Blind +fool! Deeper and deeper; he knew that he never +could go back to that safe ledge of the heart-free. +Time could not change his heart, not if +given the thousand years of the wandering Jew.</p> + +<p>Bah! He would walk round the fountain +and cool his crazy pulse. He was Irish, Irish +to the core. Would any one, save an Irishman, +give way, day after day, to those insane maunderings? +His mood was savage; he was at odds +with the world, and most of all, with himself. +If only some one would come along and shoulder +him rudely! He laughed ruefully. He was in +a fine mood to make an ass of himself.</p> + +<p>He left the bench and strolled round the fountain, +his cane behind his back, his chin in his +collar. He had made the circle several times, +then he blundered into some one. The fighting +mood was gone now, the walk having calmed +him. He murmured a short apology for his +clumsiness and started on, without even looking +at the animated obstacle.</p> + +<p>"Just a moment, my studious friend."</p> + +<p>"Wallenstein? I didn't see you." Carmichael +halted.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_88" id="Page_88" />That was evident," replied the colonel jestingly. +"Heavens! Have you really cares of +state, that you walk five times round this fountain, +bump into me, and start to go on without +so much as a how-do-you-do?"</p> + +<p>"I'm absent-minded," Carmichael admitted.</p> + +<p>"Not always, my friend."</p> + +<p>"No, not always. You have some other meaning?"</p> + +<p>"That is possible. Now, I do not believe that +it was absent-mindedness which made you step +in between me and that pretty goose-girl, the +other night."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Carmichael was all alertness.</p> + +<p>"It was not, I believe?"</p> + +<p>"It was coldly premeditated," said Carmichael, +folding his arms over his cane which he +still held behind his back. His attitude and +voice were pleasant.</p> + +<p>"It was not friendly."</p> + +<p>"Not to you, perhaps. But that happens to +be an innocent girl, Colonel. You're no Herod. +There was nothing selfish in my act. You really +annoyed her."</p> + +<p>"Pretense; they always begin that way."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_89" id="Page_89" />I confess I know little about that kind of +hunting, but I'm sure you've started the wrong +quarry this time."</p> + +<p>"You are positive that you were disinterested?"</p> + +<p>"Come, come, Colonel, this sounds like the beginning +of a quarrel; and a quarrel should never +come into life between you and me. I taught +you draw-poker; you ought to be grateful for +that, and to accept my word regarding my disinterestedness."</p> + +<p>"I do not wish any quarrel, my Captain; but +that girl's face has fascinated me. I propose to +see her as often as I like."</p> + +<p>"I have no objection to offer; but I told +Gretchen that if any one, no matter who, ever +offers her disrespect, to report the matter to me +at the consulate."</p> + +<p>"That is meddling."</p> + +<p>"Call it what you like, my Colonel."</p> + +<p>"Well, in case she is what you consider insulted, +what will you do?" a challenge in his +tones.</p> + +<p>"Report the matter to the police."</p> + +<p>Wallenstein laughed.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_90" id="Page_90" />And if the girl finds no redress there," +tranquilly, "to the chancellor."</p> + +<p>"You would go so far?"</p> + +<p>"Even further," unruffled.</p> + +<p>"It looks as though you had drawn your +saber," with irony.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can draw it, Colonel, and when I do I +guarantee you'll find no rust on it. Come," and +Carmichael held out his hand amicably, "Gretchen +is already in love with one of her kind. Let +the child be in peace. What! Is not the new +ballerina enough conquest? They are all talking +about it."</p> + +<p>"Good night, Herr Carmichael!" The colonel, +ignoring the friendly hand, saluted stiffly, +wheeled abruptly, and left Carmichael staring +rather stupidly at his empty hand.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm hanged! All right," with a tilt +of the shoulders. "One enemy more or less +doesn't matter. I'm not afraid of anything save +this fool heart of mine. If he says an ill word +to Gretchen, and I hear of it, I'll cane the blackguard, +for that's what he is at bottom. Well, I +was looking for trouble, and here it is, sure +enough."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91" />He saw a carriage coming along. He recognized +the white horse as it passed the lamps. +He stood still for a space, undecided. Then he +sped rapidly toward the side gates of the royal +gardens. The vehicle stopped there. But this +time no woman came out. Carmichael would +have recognized that lank form anywhere. It +was the chancellor. Well, what of it? Couldn't +the chancellor go out in a common hack if he +wanted to? But who was the lady in the veil?</p> + +<p>"I've an idea!"</p> + +<p>As soon as the chancellor disappeared, Carmichael +hailed the coachman.</p> + +<p>"Drive me through the gardens."</p> + +<p>"It is too late, Herr."</p> + +<p>"Well, drive me up and down the Strasse +while I finish this cigar."</p> + +<p>"Two crowns."</p> + +<p>"Three, if your horse behaves well."</p> + +<p>"He's as gentle as a lamb, Herr."</p> + +<p>"And doubtless will be served as one before +long. Can't you throw back the top?"</p> + +<p>"In one minute!" Five crowns and three +made eight crowns; not a bad business these dull +times.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92" />Carmichael lolled in the worn cushions, wondering +whether or not to question his man. But +it was so unusual for a person of such particular +habits as the chancellor to ride in an ordinary +carriage. Carmichael slid over to the forward +seat and touched the jehu on the back.</p> + +<p>"Where did you take the chancellor to-night?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"<i>Du lieber Gott!</i> Was that his excellency? +He said he was the chief steward."</p> + +<p>"So he is, my friend. I was only jesting. +Where did you take him?"</p> + +<p>"I took him to the Krumerweg. He was there +half an hour. Number forty."</p> + +<p>"Where did you take the veiled lady?"</p> + +<p>The coachman drew in suddenly and apprehensively. +"Herr, are you from the police?"</p> + +<p>"Thousand thunders, no! It was by accident +that I stood near the gate when she got out. +Who was she?"</p> + +<p>"That is better. They both told me that they +were giving charity. I did not see the lady's +face, but she went into number forty, the same +as the steward. You won't forget the extra +crown, Herr?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_93" id="Page_93" />No; I'll make it five. Turn back and leave +me at the Grand Hotel." Then he muttered: +"Krumerweg, crooked way, number forty. If I +see this old side-paddler stopping at the palace +steps again, I'll take a look at number forty myself."</p> + +<p>On the return to the hotel the station omnibus +had arrived with a solitary guest. A +steamer trunk and a couple of bags were being +trundled in by the porter, while the concierge +was helping a short, stocky man to the ground. +He hurried into the hotel, signed the police slips, +and asked for his room. He seemed to be afraid +of the dark. He was gone when Carmichael +went into the office.</p> + +<p>"Your Excellency," said the concierge, rubbing +his hands and smiling after the manner of +concierges born in Switzerland, "a compatriot +of yours arrived this evening."</p> + +<p>"What name?" indifferently. Compatriots +were always asking impossible things of Carmichael, +introductions to the grand duke, invitations +to balls, and so forth, and swearing to +have him recalled if he refused to perform these +offices.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94" />The concierge picked up the slips which were +to be forwarded to the police.</p> + +<p>"He is Hans Grumbach, of New York."</p> + +<p>"An adopted compatriot, it would seem. He'll +probably be over to the consulate to-morrow to +have his passports looked into. Good night."</p> + +<p>So Hans Grumbach passed out of his mind; +but for all that, fortune and opportunity were +about to knock on Carmichael's door. For there +was a great place in history ready for Hans +Grumbach.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI" /><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95" />CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>AT THE BLACK EAGLE</h3> + + +<p>The day promised to be mild. There was +not a cloud anywhere, and the morning +mists had risen from the valleys. It was good +to stand in the sunshine which seemed to draw +forth all the vagaries and weariness of sleep +from the mind and body. Hans Grumbach +shook himself gratefully. He was standing on +the curb in front of the Grand Hotel, his back +to the sun. It was nine o'clock. The broad +König Strasse shone, the white stone of the palaces +glared, the fountains glistened, and the coloring +tree tops scintillated like the head-dress of +an Indian prince. Hans was short but strongly +built; a mild blue-eyed German, smooth-faced, +ruddy-cheeked, white-haired, with a brown button +of a nose. He drank his beer with the best +of them, but it never got so far as his nose save +<a name="Page_96" id="Page_96" />from the outside. His suit was tight-fitting, +but the checks were ample, and the watch-chain +a little too heavy, and the huge garnet on his +third finger was not in good taste. But what's +the odds? Grumbach was satisfied, and it's one's +own satisfaction that counts most.</p> + +<p>Presently two police officers came along and +went into the hotel. Grumbach turned with a +sigh and followed them. Doubtless they had +come to look over his passports. And this happened +to be the case.</p> + +<p>The senior officer unfolded the precious document.</p> + +<p>"It is not yet viséed by your consul," said +the officer.</p> + +<p>"I arrived late last night. I shall see him +this morning," replied Grumbach.</p> + +<p>"You were not born in America?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; I came from Bavaria."</p> + +<p>"At what age?"</p> + +<p>"I was twenty."</p> + +<p>"Did you go to America with your parents?"</p> + +<p>"No. I was alone."</p> + +<p>"You still have your permit to leave Bavaria?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_97" id="Page_97" />I believe so; I am not certain. I never +thought in those days I should become rich +enough to travel."</p> + +<p>The word that tingled with gold soothed the +suspicious ear of the officer.</p> + +<p>"What is your business in America?"</p> + +<p>"I am a plumber, now retired."</p> + +<p>"And your business here?"</p> + +<p>"Simply pleasure."</p> + +<p>"You are forty?" said the officer, referring to +the passports.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"This is rather young to retire from business."</p> + +<p>"Not in America," easily.</p> + +<p>"True, everybody grows rich there, with +gold mines popping open at one's feet. It must +be a great country." The officer sighed as he +refolded the documents. "As soon as these are +approved by his excellency the American consul, +kindly have a porter bring them over to the +bureau of police. It will be only a matter of +form. I shall return them at once."</p> + +<p>Grumbach produced a Louis Napoleon which +was then as now acceptable that side of the<a name="Page_98" id="Page_98" /> +Rhine. It was not done with pomposity, but +rather with the exuberance of a man whose purse +and letter of credit possess an assuring circumference.</p> + +<p>"Drink a bottle, you and your comrade," he +said.</p> + +<p>This the officer promised to do forthwith. He +returned the passports, put a hand to his cap +respectfully and, followed by his assistant, +walked off briskly.</p> + +<p>Grumbach took off his derby and wiped the +perspiration from his forehead. This moisture +had not been wrung forth by any atmospheric +effect. From the top of his forehead to the cowlick +on the back of his head ran a broad white +scar. At one time or another Grumbach had +been on the ragged edge of the long journey. +He went out of doors. There is nothing like +sunshine to tonic the ebbing courage.</p> + +<p>Coming up the thoroughfare, with a dash of +spirit and color, was a small troop of horses. +The sunlight broke upon the steel and silver. +A waiter, cleaning off the little iron tables on +the sidewalk, paused. The riders passed, all +but two in splendid uniforms. Grumbach +<a name="Page_99" id="Page_99" />watched them till they disappeared into the palace +courtyard. He called to the waiter.</p> + +<p>"Who are they?"</p> + +<p>"The grand duke and some of his staff, +Herr."</p> + +<p>"The grand duke? Who was the gentleman +in civilian clothes?"</p> + +<p>"That was his excellency, Herr Carmichael, +the American consul."</p> + +<p>"Very good. And the young lady?"</p> + +<p>"Her serene highness, the Princess Hildegarde."</p> + +<p>"Bring me a glass of beer," said Grumbach, +sinking down at a table. A thousand questions +surged against his lips, but he kept them shut +with all the stolidity of his native blood. When +the waiter set the beer down before him, he said: +"Where does Herr Carmichael live?"</p> + +<p>"The consulate is in the Adlergasse. He +himself lives here at the Grand Hotel. <i>Ach</i>! +He is a great man, Herr Carmichael."</p> + +<p>"So?"</p> + +<p>"A friend of the grand duke, a friend of her +serene highness, liked everywhere, a fine shot +and a great fencer, and rides a horse as if he +<a name="Page_100" id="Page_100" />were sewn to the saddle. And all the ladies admire +him because he dances."</p> + +<p>"So he dances? Quite a lady's man." To +Grumbach a man who danced was a lady's man, +something to be held in contempt.</p> + +<p>"You would not call him a lady's man, if you +mean he wastes his time on them."</p> + +<p>"But you say he dances?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Ach, Gott!</i> Don't we all dance to some tune +or other?" cried the waiter philosophically.</p> + +<p>"You are right; different music, different +jigs. Take the coppers."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Herr." The waiter continued his +work.</p> + +<p>So Herr Carmichael lived here. That would +be convenient. Grumbach decided to wait for +him. He had seen enough of men to know if he +could trust the consul. He glared at the amber-gold +in the glass, took a vigorous swallow, and +smacked his lips. A sentimental old fool; he was +neither more nor less.</p> + +<p>The wait for Carmichael was short. The +American consul came along with energetic +stride. He had been to the earlier maneuvers, +and aside from coffee and bacon he had had no +<a name="Page_101" id="Page_101" />breakfast. The ride and the cold air of morning +had made him ravenous. Grumbach rose +and caught Carmichael by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Your pardon, sir," he said in good English, +"but you are Mr. Carmichael, the American +consul?"</p> + +<p>"I am."</p> + +<p>"Will you kindly look over my papers?" +Grumbach asked.</p> + +<p>"You are from the United States?" Then +Carmichael remembered that this must be the +compatriot who arrived the night before. "I +shall be very glad to see you in the Adlergasse +at half after ten. It is one flight up, next door +to the Black Eagle. Any one will show you the +way. I haven't breakfasted yet, and I can not +transact any business in these dusty clothes. +Good morning."</p> + +<p>Grumbach liked the consul's smile. More than +that, he recognized instantly that this handsome +young man was a gentleman. The inherent +respect for caste had not been beaten +out of Grumbach's blood; he had come from a +brood in a peasant's hovel. To him the word +gentleman would always signify birth and good +<a name="Page_102" id="Page_102" />clothes; what the heart and mind were did not +matter much.</p> + +<p>He had more than an hour to idle away, so he +wandered through the park, admiring the freshness +of the green, the well-kept flower-beds, the +crisp hedges, and the clean graveled paths. +There was nothing like it back there in America. +They hadn't the time there; everybody was in the +market, speculating in bubbles. He admired the +snowy fountains, too, and the doves that darted +in and out of the wind-blown spray. There was +nothing like this in America, either. He was +not belittling; he was only making comparisons. +He knew that he would be far happier in his +adopted country, which would accomplish all +these beautiful things farther on.</p> + +<p>He looked up heavenward, where the three +bergs shouldered the dazzling snow into the +blue. This impressed him more than all else; +that little wrinkle in the middle berg's ice had +been there when he was a boy. Nothing had +changed in Dreiberg save the König Strasse, +whose cobbles had been replaced by smooth +blocks of wood. At times he sent swift but uncertain +glances toward the palaces. He longed +<a name="Page_103" id="Page_103" />to peer through the great iron fence, but he +smothered this desire. He would find out what +he wanted to know when he met Carmichael at +the consulate. Here the bell in the cathedral +struck the tenth hour; not a semitone had this +voice of bronze changed in all these years. It +was good to be here in Dreiberg again. Should +he ask the way to the Adlergasse? Perhaps +this would be wiser. So he put the question to a +policeman. The officer politely gave him a detailed +route.</p> + +<p>"Follow these directions and you will have no +trouble in finding the Adlergasse."</p> + +<p>"Much obliged."</p> + +<p>Trouble? Scarcely! He had put out his first +protest against the world in the Adlergasse, +forty years since. He came to a stand before +the old tavern. Not even the sign had been +painted anew, though the oak board was a trifle +paler and there was a little more rust on the +hinges. Many a time he had fought with the +various pot-boys. He wondered if there were +any pot-boys inside now. He noted the dingy +consulate sign, then started up the dark and +narrow stairs. The consulate door stood open.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104" />A clerk, native to Ehrenstein, was writing at a +table. At a desk by the window sat Carmichael, +deep in a volume of Dumas. No one ever hurried +here; no one ever had palpitation of the +heart over business. The clerk lifted his head.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Carmichael?" said Grumbach in English.</p> + +<p>The clerk indicated with his pen toward the +individual by the window. Carmichael read on. +Grumbach had assimilated some Americanisms. +He went boldly over and seated himself in the +chair at the side of the desk. With a sigh Carmichael +left Porthos in the grotto of Locmaria.</p> + +<p>"I am Mr. Grumbach. I spoke to you this +morning about my passports. Will you kindly +look them over?"</p> + +<p>Carmichael took the papers, frowning slightly. +Grumbach laid his derby on his knees. The +consul went over the papers, viséed them, and +handed them to their owner.</p> + +<p>"You will have no trouble going about with +those," Carmichael said listlessly. "How long +will you be in Dreiberg?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know," said Grumbach truthfully.</p> + +<p>"Is there anything I can do for you?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_105" id="Page_105" />There is only one thing," answered Grumbach, +"but you may object, and I shall not blame +you if you do. It will be a great favor."</p> + +<p>"What do you wish?" more listlessly.</p> + +<p>"An invitation to the military ball at the +palace, after the maneuvers," quietly.</p> + +<p>Carmichael sat up. He had not expected so +large an order as this.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you are asking something impossible +for me to obtain," he replied coldly, +thumbing the leaves of his book.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mr. Carmichael, it is very important +that I should be there."</p> + +<p>"Explain."</p> + +<p>"I can give you no explanations. I wish to +attend this ball. I do not care to meet the grand +duke or any one else. Put me in the gallery +where I shall not be noticed. That is all I ask +of you."</p> + +<p>"That might be done. But you have roused +my curiosity. Your request is out of the ordinary. +You have some purpose?"</p> + +<p>"A perfectly harmless one," said Grumbach, +mopping his forehead.</p> + +<p>This movement brought Carmichael's eye to +<a name="Page_106" id="Page_106" />the scar. Grumbach acknowledged the stare by +running his finger along the subject.</p> + +<p>"I came near passing in my checks the day +I got that," he volunteered. "Everybody looks +at it when I take off my hat. I've tried tonics, +but the hair won't grow there."</p> + +<p>"Where did you get it?"</p> + +<p>"At Gettysburg."</p> + +<p>"Gettysburg?" with a lively facial change. +"You were in the war?"</p> + +<p>"All through it."</p> + +<p>Carmichael was no longer indifferent. He +gave his hand.</p> + +<p>"I've got a few scars myself. What regiment?"</p> + +<p>"The—— th cavalry, New York."</p> + +<p>"What troop?" with growing excitement.</p> + +<p>"C troop."</p> + +<p>"I was captain of B troop in the same regiment. +Hurrah! Work's over for the day. +Come along with me, Grumbach, and we'll talk +it over down-stairs in the Black Eagle. You're +a godsend. C troop! Hanged if the world +doesn't move things about oddly. I was in the +hospital myself after Gettysburg; a ball in the +<a name="Page_107" id="Page_107" />leg. And I've rheumatism even now when a +damp spell comes."</p> + +<p>So down to the tavern they went, and there +they talked the battles over, sundry tankards +interpolating. It was "Do you remember this?" +and, "Do you recall that?" with diagrams drawn +in beer on the oaken table.</p> + +<p>"But there's one thing, my boy," said Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"What's that?"</p> + +<p>"The odds were on our side, or we'd be fighting +yet."</p> + +<p>"That we would. The poor devils were always +hungry when we whipped them badly."</p> + +<p>"But you're from this side of the water?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; went over when I was twenty-two." +Grumbach sucked his pipe stolidly.</p> + +<p>"What part of Germany?"</p> + +<p>"Bavaria; it is so written in my passports."</p> + +<p>"Munich?"</p> + +<p>Grumbach circled the room. All the near +tables were vacant. The Black Eagle was generally +a lonely place till late in the afternoon. +Grumbach touched the scar tenderly. Could he +trust this man? Could he trust any one in the +<a name="Page_108" id="Page_108" />world? The impulse came to trust Carmichael, +and he did not disregard it.</p> + +<p>"I was born in this very street," he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Here?"</p> + +<p>"Sh! Not so loud! Yes, in this very street. +But if the police knew, I wouldn't be worth +<i>that!</i>"—with a snap of the fingers. "My passports, +my American citizenship, they would be +worthless. You know that."</p> + +<p>"But what does this all mean? What have +you done that you can't come back here openly?" +Here was a mystery. This man with the kindly +face and frank eyes could be no ordinary criminal. +"Can I help you in any way?"</p> + +<p>"No; no one can help me."</p> + +<p>"But why did you come back? You were safe +enough in New York."</p> + +<p>"Who can say what a man will do? Don't +question me. Let be. I have said too much +already. Some day perhaps I shall tell you why. +When I went away I was thin and pale and had +yellow hair. To-day I am fat, gray-headed; I +have made money. Who will recognize me now? +No one."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_109" id="Page_109" />But your name?"</p> + +<p>Grumbach laughed unmusically. "Grumbach +is as good as another. Listen. You are my comrade +now; we have shed our blood on the same +field. There is no tie stronger than that. When +I left Dreiberg there was a reward of a thousand +crowns for me. Dead or alive, preferably +dead."</p> + +<p>Carmichael was plainly bewildered. He tried +to recall the past history of Ehrenstein which +would offer a niche for this inoffensive-looking +German. He was blocked.</p> + +<p>"Dead or alive," he repeated.</p> + +<p>"So."</p> + +<p>"You were mad to return."</p> + +<p>"I know it. But I had to come; I couldn't +help it. Oh, don't look like that! I never hurt +anybody, unless it was in battle"—naïvely. +"Ask no more, my friend. I promise to tell you +when the right time comes. Now, will you get +me that invitation to the gallery at the military +ball?"</p> + +<p>"I will, if you will give me your word, as a +soldier, as a comrade in arms, that you have +no other purpose than to look at the people."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_110" id="Page_110" />As God is my judge"—solemnly—"that is +all I wish to do. Now, what has happened since +I went away? I have dared to ask questions of +no one."</p> + +<p>Carmichael gave him a brief summary of +events, principal among which was the amazing +restoration of the Princess Hildegarde. When +he had finished, Grumbach remained dumb and +motionless for a time.</p> + +<p>"And what is her serene highness like?"</p> + +<p>To describe the Princess Hildegarde was not +only an easy task, but a pleasant one to Carmichael, +and if he embroidered this description +here and there, Grumbach was too deeply concerned +with the essential points to notice these +variations in the theme.</p> + +<p>"So she is gentle and beautiful? Why not? +<i>Ach</i>! You should have seen her mother. She +was the most beautiful woman in all Germany, +and she sang like one of those Italian nightingales. +I recall her when I was a boy. I would +gladly have died at a word from her. All loved +her. The king of Jugendheit wanted her, but +she loved the grand duke. So the Princess<a name="Page_111" id="Page_111" /> +Hildegarde has come back to her own? God is +good!" And Grumbach bent his head reverently.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Carmichael, beckoning to the +waitress, and paying the score, "if any trouble +rises, send for me. You don't look like a man +who has done anything very bad." He offered +his hand again.</p> + +<p>Grumbach pressed it firmly, and there was a +moisture in his eyes.</p> + +<p>Together they returned to the Grand Hotel +for lunch. On the way neither talked very much. +They were both thinking of the same thing, but +from avenues diametrically opposed. Grumbach +declined Carmichael's invitation to lunch, and +immediately sought his own room.</p> + +<p>Once there, he closed the shutters so as to +admit but half the day's light, and opened his +battered trunk. From the false bottom, which +had successfully eluded the vigilance of a dozen +frontiers, he took out a small bundle. This he +opened carefully, his eyes blurring. Mad fool +that he had been! How many times had he +gazed at these trinkets in these sixteen or more +<a name="Page_112" id="Page_112" />years? How often had he uttered lamentations +over them? How many times had the talons of +remorse gashed his heart?</p> + +<p>Two little yellow shoes, so small that they lay +on his palm as lightly as two butterflies; a +little cloak trimmed with ermine; a golden locket +shaped like a heart!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII" /><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113" />CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>AN ELDER BROTHER</h3> + + +<p>Grumbach was very fond of music, and +in America there were never any bands +except at political meetings or at the head of +processions; and that wasn't the sort of music +he preferred. There was nothing at the Opera, +so he decided to spend the earlier part of the +evening in the public gardens. He was lonely; +he had always been lonely. Men who carry +depressing secrets generally are. He searched +covertly among the many faces for one that was +familiar, but he saw none; and he was at once +glad, and sorry. Yes, there was one face; the +rubicund countenance of the bandmaster. It was +older, more wrinkled, but it was the same. How +many years had the old fellow swung the baton? +At least thirty years. In his boyhood days +Grumbach had put that brilliant uniform side +by side with the grand duke's. As it was impos<a name="Page_114" id="Page_114" />sible +for him ever to become a duke, his ambition +had been to arrive at the next greatest thing—the +bandmaster. As he neared the pavilion he +laughed silently and grimly. To have grown +wealthy as a master plumber instead! So much +for ambition!</p> + +<p>Subsequently he found himself standing beside +a young vintner and his peasant sweetheart. +Their hands secretly met and locked behind their +backs. Grumbach sighed. Never would he know +aught of this double love. This Eden would +never have any gate for him to push aside. He +would always go his way alone.</p> + +<p>The girl turned her head. Seeing Grumbach, +she loosened the vintner's hand.</p> + +<p>"Do not mind me, girl," said Grumbach, his +face broadening.</p> + +<p>The girl laughed easily and without confusion. +Her companion, however, flushed under +his tan, and a scowl ran over his forehead.</p> + +<p>The band struck up, and the little comedy +was forgotten. But Grumbach could not see +anything except the girl's face, the fresh, +exquisite turn of her profile. Once his eye +wandered rather guiltily. Her figure was in +<a name="Page_115" id="Page_115" />keeping with her face. Then he saw the little +wooden shoes. Ah, well, as long as kings surrounded +themselves with armies and with pomp, +there would always be wooden shoes. The band +was playing <i>Les Huguenots</i>, and the girl +hummed the air.</p> + +<p>"Do not go there to-night, Gretchen," said +the vintner.</p> + +<p>"It is a crown."</p> + +<p>"I will give you two if you will not go," the +vintner urged.</p> + +<p>"Foolish boy, what good would that do? We +need every crown we have or can get, if we are +to be married soon. And you have not gone to +work yet. And every day costs you a crown +to live, and more, for all I know. You spend +a crown as carelessly as if all you had to do was +to pick them off the vines. Crowns are hard +to get."</p> + +<p>"When one is happy, one does not stop to +bother about crowns," he said impatiently.</p> + +<p>"But will such happiness last? Shall we not +be happier as our crowns accumulate, to ward +off sickness and hunger? Must I teach you +economy?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_116" id="Page_116" />I shall apply for work to-morrow and waste +no more crowns, my heart." The vintner's hand +again sought hers, and he sent Grumbach a look +which said: "Smile if you dare!"</p> + +<p>But Grumbach did not smile. He was too sad. +He fell into a dream, and the music faded in his +ear and the lights of the pavilion grew dim. He +was a boy again, and he was carrying posies to +the pretty little fräulein in the Adlergasse. +Dreams never last, and sometimes they are +rudely interrupted.</p> + +<p>A hand was put upon his shoulder authoritatively. +The police officer who had examined +his passports that morning stood at Grumbach's +elbow.</p> + +<p>"Herr Grumbach," he said quietly, "his excellency +the chancellor has directed me to bring +you at once to the palace."</p> + +<p>"To the palace?" Grumbach's face was expressive +of great astonishment. The officer saw +nothing out of the ordinary in this expression. +Any foreigner would have been seized with confusion +under like circumstances. "To the palace?" +Grumbach repeated. "My passports +were wrong in some respect?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_117" id="Page_117" />Oh, no, Herr; they were correct."</p> + +<p>Grumbach roused his mind energetically. He +forced down the fast beating of his heart, banished +the astonishment from his face, and even +brought a smile to his lips.</p> + +<p>"But whatever can the chancellor want of +me?"</p> + +<p>"That is not my business. I was simply sent +to find you. His excellency is always interested +in German-Americans. It may be that he wishes +to ask what the future is there in America. We +have more in Dreiberg than we can reasonably +take care of."</p> + +<p>"In the prisons?"</p> + +<p>The officer laughed. "There and elsewhere."</p> + +<p>"Is that right?" asked Grumbach, now thoroughly +on guard.</p> + +<p>"It may not be right to ship our criminals +over there, but it is considered very good politics."</p> + +<p>"Shall we go at once? I never expected to +enter the palace of the grand duke of Ehrenstein," +Grumbach added. "It will be something +to tell of when I go back to America."</p> + +<p>The only thing that reassured him was the +<a name="Page_118" id="Page_118" />presence of one officer. When they came for a +man on a serious charge, in Ehrenstein, they +came in pairs or fours. So then, there could be +pending nothing vital to his liberty or his incognito. +Besides, his papers were all right, and +now there would be Carmichael to fall back on.</p> + +<p>"The palace is lighted up," was Grumbach's +comment as the two passed the sentry outside +the gates.</p> + +<p>"The duke gives the dinner to the diplomatic +corps to-night."</p> + +<p>"A fine thing to be a diplomat."</p> + +<p>"I myself prefer fighting in the open. Diplomats? +Their very precious hides are never +anywhere near the wars they bring about. No, +no; this way. We go in at the side."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to guide me. Yes, these diplomats. +Men like you and me do all the work. I +was in the Civil War in America."</p> + +<p>"That was a great fight," remarked the officer. +"I should like to have been there."</p> + +<p>"Four years; pretty long. Do you know +Herr Carmichael?"</p> + +<p>"The American consul? Oh, yes."</p> + +<p>"He and I fought in the same regiment."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_119" id="Page_119" />Then you saw some pretty battles."</p> + +<p>Grumbach took off his hat. "See that?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Gott</i>! That must have been an ugly one."</p> + +<p>"Almost crossed over when I got it. Is this +the door?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I'll put you in snugly. You will +probably have to wait for his excellency. But +you'll have me for company till he appears."</p> + +<p>Grumbach entered the palace with a brave +heart and a steady mind.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The grand duke had a warm place in his heart +for the diplomatic corps. He liked to see them +gathered round his table, their uniforms glittering +with orders and decorations. It was always +a night of wits; and he sprang a hundred traps +for comedy's sake, but these astonishing linguists +seldom if ever blundered into one of them. +They were eternally vigilant. It was no trifling +matter to swing the thought from German into +French or Italian or Hungarian; but they were +seasoned veterans in the game, all save Carmichael, +who spoke only French and German +fluently. The duke, however, never tried needlessly +to embarrass him. He admired Car<a name="Page_120" id="Page_120" />michael's +mental agility. Never he thrust so +keenly that the American was found lacking in +an effective though simple parry.</p> + +<p>"Your highness must recollect that I am not +familiar with that tongue."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, Herr Captain!"</p> + +<p>But there was always a twinkle in the ducal +eye and an answering smile in the consul's.</p> + +<p>The somber black of Carmichael's evening +dress stood out conspicuously among the blue +and green and red uniforms. Etiquette compelled +him to wear silk stockings, but that was the +single concession on his part. He wore no +orders. An order of the third or fourth class +held no allurement. Nothing less than the +Golden Fleece would have interested him, and +the grand duke himself could not boast of this +rare and distinguished order. In truth, Carmichael +coveted nothing but a medal for valor, +and his own country had not yet come to recognize +the usefulness of such a distinction.</p> + +<p>All round him sat ministers or ambassadors; +he alone represented a consulate. So his place +at the table was honorary rather than diplomatic. +It was his lively humorous personality +<a name="Page_121" id="Page_121" />the grand duke admired, not his representations.</p> + +<p>The duke sat at the head of the table and her +serene highness at the foot; and it was by the +force of his brilliant wit that the princess did +not hold in perpetuity the court at her end of +the table. For a German princess of that time +she was highly accomplished; she was ardent, +whimsical, with a flashing mentality which +rounded out and perfected her physical loveliness. +Above and beyond all this, she had suffered, +she had felt the pangs of poverty, the +smart of unrecognized merit; she had been one +of the people, and her sympathies would always +be with them, for she knew what those about her +only vaguely knew, the patience, the unmurmuring +bravery of the poor. Never would she +become sated with power so long as it gave her +the right to aid the people. Never a new tax +was levied that she did not lighten it in some +manner; never an oppressive law was promulgated +that she did not soften its severity. And +so the populace loved her, for it did not take +the people long to find out what she was trying +to do for them. And perhaps they loved her +<a name="Page_122" id="Page_122" />because she had lived the greater part of her +young life as one of them.</p> + +<p>To-night there was love in the duke's eyes as +he looked down the table's length; there was +love in the old chancellor's eyes, too; and in +Carmichael's. And there was love in her eyes +as she gazed back at the two old men. But who +could read her eyes whenever they roved in +Carmichael's direction? Not even Gretchen's +grandmother, who lived in the Krumerweg.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said the duke, rising and holding +up his glass, "this night I give you a toast +which I believe will be agreeable to all of you, +especially to his excellency, Baron von Steinbock +of Jugendheit. What is past is past; a new +regime begins this night." He paused. All +eyes were focused upon him in wonder. Only +Baron von Steinbock displayed no more than +ordinary interest. "I give you," resumed the +duke, "her serene highness and his majesty, +Frederick of Jugendheit!"</p> + +<p>The princess grew delicately pale as the men +and women sprang to their feet. Every hand +swept toward her, holding a glass. She had +surrendered that morning. Not because she +<a name="Page_123" id="Page_123" />wished to be a queen, not because she cared to +bring about an alliance between the two countries; +no, it was because she was afraid and had +burned the bridge behind her.</p> + +<p>The tan thinned on Carmichael's face, but his +hand was steady. Never would he forget the +tableau. She sat still in her chair, her lids +drooped, but a proud lift to her chin. The collar +of pearls round her neck had scarce more luster +than her shoulders. How red her lips seemed +against the whiteness of her skin! Beautiful +to him beyond all dreams of beauty. God send +another war and let him die in the heart of it, +fighting! To dream lies as he had done this +twelvemonth, to break his heart over the moon! +He sat his glass down untouched, happily unobserved. +He was in misery; he wanted to be +alone.</p> + +<p>"Long live her majesty!" thundered the chancellor. +He, too, was pale, but the fire of great +things burned in his eyes and his lank form +took upon itself a transient majesty.</p> + +<p>In the ball-room the princess was surrounded; +everybody flattered her; congratulated her, +and complimented her. All agreed that it was +<a name="Page_124" id="Page_124" />a great political stroke. And indeed it was, but +none of them knew how great.</p> + +<p>Carmichael was among the last to approach +her. By this time he had his voice and nerves +under control. Without apparent volition they +walked down the stairs which led to the +conservatory.</p> + +<p>"I thought perhaps you had forgotten me," +she said.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<a href="images/image004.jpg"><img src="images/image004.jpg" +alt=""I thought you had forgotten me," she said." width="50%" +title=""I thought you had forgotten me," she said." /></a> +</div> +<h3>"I thought you had forgotten me," she said.</h3> + +<p>"Forget your highness? Do not give me +credit for such an impossibility." He bowed +over her hand and brushed it with his lips, for +she was almost royal now. "Your highness will +be happy. It is written." He stepped back +slowly.</p> + +<p>"Have you the gift of prescience?"</p> + +<p>"In this instance. You will be a great queen."</p> + +<p>"Who knows?" dreamily. "When I recall +what I have gone through, all this seems like an +enchantment out of a fairy-book, and that I must +soon wake up in my garret in Dresden."</p> + +<p>If only it might be an enchantment! he +thought. If only he might find her as the grim +old chancellor had found her, in a garret! What?</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_125" id="Page_125" />Why did you do that?" she asked quickly.</p> + +<p>"I do not understand."</p> + +<p>"You shrugged."</p> + +<p>"I beg your highness' pardon!" flushing. "I +was not conscious of such rudeness."</p> + +<p>"That is not answering my question."</p> + +<p>"I beg of your highness—"</p> + +<p>"My highness commands!" But her voice was +gentle.</p> + +<p>"It was a momentary dream I had; and the +thought of its utter impossibility caused me to +shrug. I assure your highness that it was a +philosophical shrug, such as the Stoics were wont +to indulge in." He spoke lightly. Only his eyes +were serious.</p> + +<p>"And this dream; was there not a woman in +it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; there was only an angel."</p> + +<p>She knew that it was not proper to question +him in this manner; but neither her heart nor her +mind were formal to-night.</p> + +<p>"You interest me; you always interest me. +You have seen so many wonderful things. And +now it is angels."</p> + +<p>"Only one, your Highness." This was daring.<a name="Page_126" id="Page_126" /> +"But perhaps I am putting my foot where angels +fear to tread," which was still more daring.</p> + +<p>"Angels ought not to be afraid of anything." +She laughed; there was a pain and a joy in the +sound of it. She read his heart as one might +read a written line.</p> + +<p>"Dreams are always unfinished things," he +said, getting back on safer ground.</p> + +<p>"What is she like, this angel?" forcing him +upon dangerous ground again wilfully.</p> + +<p>"Who may describe an angel one has seen only +in a golden dream?"</p> + +<p>"You will not tell me?"</p> + +<p>"I dare not!" His eyes sought hers unflinchingly. +This moment he was mad, and had not +the chancellor and Baron von Steinbock came up, +Heaven only knew what further madness would +have unbridled his tongue.</p> + +<p>"Your Highness," began the benign voice of +the chancellor, "the baron desires, in the name of +his august master, to open the ball with you. Behold +my fairy-wand," gaily. "This night I have +made you a queen."</p> + +<p>"Can you make me happy also?" said she, so +low that only the chancellor heard her.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_127" id="Page_127" />I shall try. Ah, Herr Captain," with a +friendly jerk of his head toward Carmichael; +"will you do me the honor to join me in my cabinet, +quarter of an hour hence?"</p> + +<p>"I shall be there, your Excellency." Carmichael +was uneasy. He was not certain how much +the chancellor had heard.</p> + +<p>"A little diplomatic business in which I shall +need your assistance," supplemented the chancellor.</p> + +<p>Carmichael, instead of loitering uselessly in +the ball-room, at once sought the chancellor's +cabinet. He wanted to be alone. He made +known his business to the chancellor's valet who +admitted him. He stopped just across the +threshold. To his surprise the room was already +tenanted. Grumbach and a police officer!</p> + +<p>"Why, Grumbach, what are you doing here?" +cried Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"Waiting for his excellency. We have been +here something past an hour."</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble?" Carmichael inquired.</p> + +<p>"Your excellency knows as much as I do," said +the officer, who was in fact no less than the sub-chief +of the bureau.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_128" id="Page_128" />And I am in the dark, also," said Grumbach, +twirling his hat.</p> + +<p>Carmichael walked about, studying the many +curios. Occasionally Grumbach wiped his forehead, +and, absently, the inner rim of his hat. +Perhaps the three of them waited twenty minutes; +then the chancellor came in. He bowed +cordially and drew chairs about his desk. He +placed Grumbach in the full glare of the lamp. +Carmichael and the sub-chief were in the half-light. +The chancellor was last to seat himself.</p> + +<p>"Herr Grumbach," said the chancellor in a +mild tone, "I should like to see your papers."</p> + +<p>"My passports, your Excellency?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>Grumbach laid them on the desk imperturbably. +The chancellor struck the bell. His valet +answered immediately.</p> + +<p>"Send Breunner, the head gardener, at once."</p> + +<p>"He is in the anteroom, Excellency."</p> + +<p>"Tell him to come in."</p> + +<p>The chancellor shot a piercing glance at +Grumbach, but the latter was studying the mural +decorations.</p> + +<p>Carmichael sat tight in his chair, curious to +<a name="Page_129" id="Page_129" />learn what it was all about. Breunner entered. +He was thin and partly bald and quite fifty.</p> + +<p>"Breunner, her highness will need many flowers +to-morrow. See to it that they are cut in the +morning."</p> + +<p>"It shall be done, Excellency."</p> + +<p>The chancellor turned to the passports.</p> + +<p>"There is only one question, Herr Grumbach. +It says here that you were a native of Bavaria +before going to America. How long ago did +you leave Bavaria?"</p> + +<p>"A good many years, your Excellency." +Grumbach inspected the label in his hat.</p> + +<p>"You have, of course, retained your Bavarian +passport?"</p> + +<p>Carmichael was now leaning forward in his +chair, deeply interested. He saw that the chancellor +was watching Grumbach as a cat watches +a mouse-hole.</p> + +<p>Grumbach brought forth a bulky wallet. The +edges of Bank of England notes could be seen, +of fat denominations.</p> + +<p>"Here it is, your Excellency; a little ragged, +but readable still."</p> + +<p>The chancellor went over it carefully.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_130" id="Page_130" />Herr Captain, do you know this compatriot?"</p> + +<p>"We fought side by side in the American war. +I saw no irregularity in his papers. I am rather +astonished to see him here and not at the police +bureau, if any question has arisen over his passports."</p> + +<p>"Fought side by side," the chancellor repeated +thoughtfully. "Then he is no stranger to you?"</p> + +<p>"I do not say that. We were, however, in the +same cavalry, only in different troops. Grumbach, +you have your honorable discharge with +you?"</p> + +<p>Grumbach went into his wallet still again. +This document the chancellor read with an interest +foreign to the affair under his hand. Presently +he laughed softly. Why, he could not +readily have told.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry, Herr Grumbach. All this unnecessary +trouble simply because of the word Bavaria."</p> + +<p>"No trouble at all, your Excellency," restoring +his papers. "I have seen the inside of a real +palace, and I never expected such an honor."</p> + +<p>"How long will you be making your visit?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_131" id="Page_131" />Only a few days, your Excellency. Then I +shall proceed to Bavaria."</p> + +<p>"Your excellency has no further orders?" said +the head gardener patiently.</p> + +<p>"Good Heaven, Breunner, I had forgotten all +about you! There is nothing more. Gentlemen, +your pardon for having detained you so long. +Herr Captain, you will return with me to the +ball-room?"</p> + +<p>"If your excellency will excuse me, no. I am +tired. I shall return to the hotel with Herr +Grumbach."</p> + +<p>"As you please. Good night."</p> + +<p>The three left the cabinet under various emotions. +The sub-chief bowed himself off at the +gates, and Carmichael and Grumbach crossed +the Platz leisurely.</p> + +<p>"How did you come by that Bavarian passport?" +asked Carmichael abruptly.</p> + +<p>"It is a forgery, my friend, but his excellency +will never find that out."</p> + +<p>"You have me all at sea. Why did he bring +in the head gardener and leave him standing +there all that while?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_132" id="Page_132" />He had a sound purpose, but it fell. The +head gardener did not recognize me."</p> + +<p>"Do you know him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He is my elder brother."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII" /><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133" />CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE KING'S LETTER</h3> + + +<p>The ambassador from Jugendheit, Baron +von Steinbock, was not popular in Dreiberg, +at least not among the people, who still held +to the grand duke's idea that the kingdom had +been behind the abduction of the Princess Hildegarde. +The citizens scowled at his carriage, they +scowled at the mention of his name, they scowled +whenever they passed the embassy, which stood +in the heart of the fashionable residences in the +König Strasse. Never a hot-headed Dreiberger +passed the house without a desire to loot it, to +scale the piked fence and batter in the doors and +windows. Steinbock himself was a polished, amiable +gentleman, in no wise meriting this ill-feeling. +The embassy was in all manner the most +important in Dreiberg, though Prussia and Austria +overshadowed it in wealth and prestige.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134" />At this moment the people gazed at the house +less in rancor than in astonishment. The king +of Jugendheit was to marry her serene highness! +It was a bad business, a bad business; no good +would come of it. The great duke was a weak +man, after all.</p> + +<p>The menials in and about the embassy felt the +new importance of their positions. So then, imagine +the indignation of the majordomo, when, +summoned at dusk one evening to the carriage +gates, three or four days after the portentous +news had issued from the palace, he found only +a ragged and grimy carter who demanded peremptorily +to be admitted and taken to his excellency +at once.</p> + +<p>"Be off with you, ragamuffin!" growled the +majordomo.</p> + +<p>"Be quick; open the gates!" replied the carter, +swinging his whip threateningly.</p> + +<p>"Go away!" The majordomo spun on his +heels contemptuously.</p> + +<p>"I will skin you alive," vowed the carter, striking +the iron with the butt of his whip, "if you do +not open these gates immediately. Open!"</p> + +<p>There was real menace this time. Could the +<a name="Page_135" id="Page_135" />fellow be crazy? The majordomo concluded to +temporize.</p> + +<p>"My good man," he said conciliatorily, "you +have brains. You ought to know that his excellency +will receive no man in your condition. If +you do not stop hammering on those bars, I shall +send for the police."</p> + +<p>The carter thrust a hand through the grill. +There was a ring on one of his fingers.</p> + +<p>"Imbecile, set your eye on that and admit me +without more ado!"</p> + +<p>The majordomo was thunderstruck. Indeed, a +blast from the heavens would have jarred him +less.</p> + +<p>"Open, then!"</p> + +<p>The majordomo threw back the bolts and the +carter pushed his way in. That ring on the +carter's finger? The majordomo felt himself +slipping into a fantastic dream.</p> + +<p>"Take me to the baron."</p> + +<p>Vastly subdued the majordomo preceded the +carter into the office of the embassy. There he +left the strange guest and went in search of the +baron. The ambassador was in his study, reading.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_136" id="Page_136" />Your Excellency, there is a man in the office +who desires to see you quickly."</p> + +<p>The ambassador laid down his book. "Upon +what pretense did he gain admittance at this +hour?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"I refused him admittance, your Excellency, +because he was dressed like a carter.—"</p> + +<p>"A carter!" The ambassador wrathfully +jumped to his feet.</p> + +<p>"One moment, your Excellency. He wore a +ring on his finger, and I could not refuse him."</p> + +<p>"A ring, you say?"</p> + +<p>Guarding his voice with his hand, the majordomo +whispered two words.</p> + +<p>"Here, and dressed like a carter? What the +devil!" The ambassador rushed from the study.</p> + +<p>It was dark in the embassy office. Quickly the +ambassador lighted some candles. Gas would be +too bright for such a meeting.</p> + +<p>"Well, your Excellency?" said a voice from +the leather lounge.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" For this was not the voice +the baron expected to hear.</p> + +<p>"My name at present does not matter. The +news I bring is far more important. His majesty +<a name="Page_137" id="Page_137" />emphatically declines any alliance with the House +of Ehrenstein."</p> + +<p>The ambassador stumbled into a chair, his +mind dulled, his shoulders inert. This was a +blow.</p> + +<p>"Declines?" he murmured.</p> + +<p>"He repudiates his uncle's negotiations absolutely."</p> + +<p>"Damnation!" swore the ambassador, coming +to life once more.</p> + +<p>"The exact word used by the prince; in fact, +the word has become common property in the last +forty-eight hours. Now then, what's to be done? +What do you suggest?"</p> + +<p>"This means war. The duke will never swallow +such an insult."</p> + +<p>"War! It looks as if you and I, Baron, shall +not accompany the king of Prussia into Alsace-Lorraine. +We shall have entertainment at home."</p> + +<p>"This is horrible!"</p> + +<p>"The devil of a muddle!"</p> + +<p>"But what possessed the prince to blunder like +this?"</p> + +<p>"The prince really is not to blame. Our king, +Baron, is a young colt. A few months ago he +<a name="Page_138" id="Page_138" />gave his royal uncle carte blanche to seek a wife +for him. Politics demanded an alliance between +Jugendheit and Ehrenstein. There have been +too many years of useless antagonism. On the +head of this bolt from Heaven comes the declaration +of his majesty that he will marry any other +princess on the continent."</p> + +<p>"They will pull this place down, brick by +brick!"</p> + +<p>"Let them! We have ten thousand more +troops than Ehrenstein."</p> + +<p>"You young men are a pack of fools!"</p> + +<p>"Softly, Baron."</p> + +<p>"You would like nothing better than war."</p> + +<p>"Unless it is peace."</p> + +<p>"Where is the king?"</p> + +<p>The carter smiled. "He is hunting, they say, +with the crown prince of Bavaria."</p> + +<p>"But you, why have you come dressed like +this?"</p> + +<p>"That is a little secret which I am not at liberty +to disclose."</p> + +<p>"But, great God, what's to be done?"</p> + +<p>"Lie," urbanely.</p> + +<p>"What good will lies do?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_139" id="Page_139" />They will suspend the catastrophe till we are +ready to meet it. The marriage is not to take +place till spring. That will give us plenty of +time. After the coronation his majesty may be +brought to reason. This marriage must not fall +through now. The grand duke will not care to +become the laughing-stock of Europe. The +prince's advice is for you to go about your affairs +as usual. Only one man must be taken into +your confidence, and that man is Herbeck. If +any one can straighten out his end of the tangle +it is he. He is a big man, of fertile invention; +he will understand. If this thing falls through +his honors will fall with it. He will work toward +peace, though from what I have learned the duke +would not shun war."</p> + +<p>"Where is the prince?"</p> + +<p>"Wherever he is, he is working for the best +interests of the state. Don't worry about his +royal highness; he's a man."</p> + +<p>"When did you come?"</p> + +<p>"This morning. Though I have been here +before in this same guise."</p> + +<p>"There is the Bavarian princess," remarked +the ambassador musingly.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_140" id="Page_140" />Ha! A good thought! But the king is romantic; +she is older than he, and ugly."</p> + +<p>"You are not telling me everything," intuitively.</p> + +<p>"I know it. I am telling you all that is at +present necessary."</p> + +<p>"You make me the unhappiest man in the +kingdom! I have worked so hard and long toward +this end. When did the king decline this +alliance?"</p> + +<p>"Evidently the moment he heard of it. I have +his letter in my pocket. I am requested to read +it to you. Listen:</p> + +<p>"'MY ILLUSTRIOUS AND INDUSTRIOUS UNCLE: +I regret exceedingly that at this late day I +should cause you political embarrassment; but +when I gave my consent to the espousal of any of +the various princesses at liberty, surely it was +understood that Ehrenstein was not to be considered. +I refuse to marry the daughter of the +man who privately strove to cover my father +with contumely, who dared impute to him a crime +that was any man's but my father's. I realize +that certain policies called for this stroke on +your part, but it can not be. My dear uncle, you +have digged a fine pit, and I hope you will find +<a name="Page_141" id="Page_141" />a safe way out of it. I refuse to marry the Princess +Hildegarde. This is final. It can be arranged +without any discredit to the duke or to +yourself. Let it be said that her serene highness +has thrown me over. I shan't go to war about it.</p> + +<p>"'FREDERICK.'"</p> + +<p>"Observe 'My illustrious and industrious uncle'!" +laughed the carter without mirth. "Our +king, you will see, has a graceful style."</p> + +<p>"Your tone is not respectful," warned the ambassador.</p> + +<p>"Neither is the state of my mind. Oh, my king +is a fine fellow; he will settle down like his father +before him; but to-day—" The carter dropped +his arms dejectedly.</p> + +<p>"There is something going on."</p> + +<p>"What, you are likely to learn at any moment. +Pardon me, Baron, but if I dared I would tell you +all. But his highness' commands are over me +and I must obey them. It would be a mental relief +to tell some one."</p> + +<p>"Curse these opera-dancers!"</p> + +<p>The carter laughed. "Aye, where kings are +concerned. But you do him injustice. Frederick +is as mild as Strephon." He gained his feet.<a name="Page_142" id="Page_142" /> +He was young, pleasant of face, but a thorough +soldier.</p> + +<p>"You are Lieutenant von Radenstein!" cried +the ambassador. "I recognize you now."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, your Excellency!"</p> + +<p>"You are in the royal household, the regent's +invisible arm. I have heard a good deal about +you. I knew your father well."</p> + +<p>"Again, thanks. Now, the regent has heard +certain rumors regarding an American named +Carmichael, a consul. He is often seen with her +highness. Rather an extraordinary privilege."</p> + +<p>"Rest your mind there, Lieutenant. This Carmichael +is harmless. You understand, her highness +has not always been surrounded by royal etiquette. +She has had her freedom too long not to +grow restive under restraint. The American is a +pleasant fellow, but not worth considering. +Americans will never understand the ways of +court life. Still, he is a gentleman, and so far +there is nothing compromising in that situation. +He can be eliminated at any time."</p> + +<p>"This is reassuring. You will see the chancellor +to-night and show him this letter?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_143" id="Page_143" />I will, and God help us all to straighten out +this blunder!"</p> + +<p>"Amen to that! One word more, and then I'm +off. If a butcher or a baker, or even a mountaineer +pulls the bell-cord and shows this ring, +admit him without fail. He will have vital news. +And now, good night and good luck to your excellency."</p> + +<p>For half an hour the ambassador remained +staring at the candlesticks. By and by he resumed +his chair. What should he do? Where +should he begin? Suppose the chancellor +should look at the situation adversely, from the +duke's angle of vision, should the duke learn? +There was but one thing to do and that was to +go boldly to Herbeck and lay the matter before +him frankly. Neither Jugendheit nor Ehrenstein +wanted war. The chancellor was wise; it +would be better to dally with the truth than needlessly +to sacrifice ten thousand lives. But what +had the lieutenant further to conceal? The ambassador +wanted no dinner. He rang for his hat +and coat, and twenty minutes later he was in the +chancellor's cabinet.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_144" id="Page_144" />You seem out of health, Baron," was the +chancellor's greeting.</p> + +<p>"I am indeed that, Count. I received a letter +to-day from the prince regent. It was sent to +him by his majesty, who is hunting in Bavaria. +Read it, Count, but I pray to you to do nothing +hastily."</p> + +<p>The chancellor did not open the letter, he +merely balanced it. That so light a thing should +be so heavy with dark portents! His accustomed +pallor assumed a grayish tinge.</p> + +<p>"So his majesty declines?" he said evenly. +"You have already heard?" cried the amazed +ambassador.</p> + +<p>"Nothing; I surmise. The hour, your appearance, +the letter—to what else could they point?</p> + +<p>I was afraid all along. Strange instinct we have +at times. The regent is to be pitied; he took +too much for granted. He has been used to +power one day too long. Ah, if his majesty +could but see her, could only know how lovely +she is in heart and mind and face! Is she not +worthy a crown?"</p> + +<p>"Herbeck, nothing would please me better, +nothing would afford my country greater pleas<a name="Page_145" id="Page_145" />ure +and satisfaction, than to see this marriage +consummated. It would nail that baseless lie +which has so long been current."</p> + +<p>"I believe you. We two peoples should be +friendly. It has taken me months to bring this +matter round. The duke rebelled; her highness +scorned the hand of Frederick. One by one I +had to overcome their objections—to this end. +The past refuses to be buried. Still, if you saw +all the evidence in the case you would not blame +the duke for his attitude."</p> + +<p>"But those documents are rank forgeries!"</p> + +<p>"So they may be, but that has not been +proved."</p> + +<p>"Why should his late majesty abduct the +daughter of the grand duke? For what benefits? +To what end? Ah, Count, if some motive could +be brought forward, some motive that could +stand!"</p> + +<p>"Motives, my friend? They spring from the +most unheard-of places. And motives in action +are always based on impulses. But let us waste +no time on retrospection. It is the present which +confronts us. You do not want war."</p> + +<p>"No more do you."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_146" id="Page_146" />What remedy do you suggest?"</p> + +<p>"I ask, nay, I plead that question of you."</p> + +<p>"I represent the offended party." The chancellor's +gaunt features lighted with a transient +smile. "Proceed, Baron."</p> + +<p>"I suggest, then, that the duke must not +know."</p> + +<p>"Agreed. Go on."</p> + +<p>"You will put the matter before her highness."</p> + +<p>"That will be difficult."</p> + +<p>"Let her repudiate the negotiations. Let her +say that she has changed her mind. His majesty +is quite willing that the humiliation be his."</p> + +<p>"That is generous. But suppose she has set +her heart on the crown of Jugendheit? What +then?"</p> + +<p>The baron bit the ends of his mustache.</p> + +<p>"Suppose that?" the chancellor pressed relentlessly.</p> + +<p>"In that event, the affair is no longer in our +hands but in God's."</p> + +<p>"As all affairs are. Is there no way of changing +the king's mind?"</p> + +<p>"Read the letter, Count," said the ambassador.</p> + +<p>Herbeck hunted for the postmark: Bavaria.<a name="Page_147" id="Page_147" /> +He read the letter. There was nothing between +the lines. It was the work of rather an irresponsible boy.</p> + +<p>"May I take this to her highness?" asked the +chancellor.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid—"</p> + +<p>"I promise its contents will not go beyond her +eye."</p> + +<p>"I will take the risk."</p> + +<p>"His majesty is very young," was the chancellor's +comment.</p> + +<p>"Young! He is a child. He has been in his +palace twice in ten years. He is travel-mad. He +has been wandering in France, Holland, England, +Belgium. He tells his uncle to play the +king till the coronation. Imagine it! And the +prince has found this authority so pleasant and +natural that he took it for granted that his +majesty would marry whomever he selected for +him. To have allowed us to go forward, as we +have done, believing that he had the whole confidence +of the king!"</p> + +<p>Herbeck consulted his watch. It was half +after six. Her highness did not dine till eight.</p> + +<p>"I shall go to her highness immediately,<a name="Page_148" id="Page_148" /> +Baron. I shall return the letter by messenger, +and he will tell you the result of the interview."</p> + +<p>"God be with you," said the ambassador, preparing +to take his leave, "for all women are contrary."</p> + +<p>After the baron was gone the chancellor paced +the room with halting step. Then, toward the +wraith of his ambition he waved a hand as if to +explain how futile are the schemes of men. He +shook himself free from this idle moment and +proceeded to the apartments of her highness. +Would she toss aside this crown, or would she +fight for it? He found her alone.</p> + +<p>"Well, my good fairy, what is in your magic +wand to-night?" she asked. How fond she was +of this great good man, and how lonely he always +seemed!</p> + +<p>He saluted her hand respectfully. "I am not +a good fairy to-night, your Highness. On the +contrary, I am an ogre. I have here a letter. I +have given my word that its contents shall not +be repeated to the duke, your father. If I let you +read it, will you agree to that?"</p> + +<p>"And who has written this letter?" non-committally.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_149" id="Page_149" />His majesty, the king of Jugendheit," +slowly.</p> + +<p>"A letter from the king?" she cried, curious. +"Should it not be brought to me on a golden salver?"</p> + +<p>"It is probable that I am bringing it to you at +the end—of a bayonet," solemnly. "If the duke +learns its contents the inevitable result will be +war."</p> + +<p>A silence fell upon them and grew. This was +the bitterest moment but one in the chancellor's +life.</p> + +<p>"I believe," she said finally, "that it will not be +necessary to read his majesty's letter. He declines +the honor of my hand: is that not it?"</p> + +<p>The chancellor signified that it was.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" with a note of pride in her voice and a +flash in her eyes. "And I?"</p> + +<p>"You will tell the duke that you have changed +your mind," gravely.</p> + +<p>"Do princesses change their minds like this?"</p> + +<p>"They have often done so."</p> + +<p>"In spite of publicity?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"And if I refuse to change my mind?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_150" id="Page_150" />I am resigned to any and all events."</p> + +<p>"War." Her face was serious. "And what +has the king to suggest?"</p> + +<p>"He proposes to accept the humiliation of being +rejected by you."</p> + +<p>"Why, this is a gallant king! Pouff! There +goes a crown of thistledown." She smiled at the +chancellor, then she laughed. There was nothing +but youth in the laughter, youth and gladness. +"Oh, I knew that you were a good fairy. Listen +to me. I declare to you that I am happier at this +moment than I have been in days. To marry a +man I have never seen, to become the wife of a +man who is nothing to me, whose looks, character, +and habits are unknown; why, I have lived +in a kind of horror. You did not find me soon +enough; there are yet some popular ideas in my +head which are alien to the minds of princesses. +I am free!" And she uttered the words as with +the breath of spring.</p> + +<p>The chancellor's shoulders drooped a trifle +more, and his hand closed down over the letter. +Otherwise there was no notable change in his appearance. +He was always guarding the muscles +of his face. Inscrutability is the first lesson of +<a name="Page_151" id="Page_151" />the diplomat; and he had learned it thirty years +before.</p> + +<p>"There will be no war," resumed her highness. +"I know my father; our wills may clash, but in +this instance mine shall be the stronger."</p> + +<p>"But this is not the end."</p> + +<p>"You mean that there will be other kings?" +She had not thought of this, and some of the +brightness vanished from her face.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there will be other kings. I am sorry. +What young girl has not her dream of romance? +But princesses must not have romances. Yours, +my child, must be a political marriage. It is a +harsh decree."</p> + +<p>"Have not princesses married commoners?"</p> + +<p>"Never wisely. Your highness will not make +a mistake like that."</p> + +<p>"My highness will or will not marry, as she +pleases. Am I a chattel, that I am to be offered +across this frontier or that?"</p> + +<p>The chancellor moved uneasily. "If your +highness loved out of your class, which I know +you do not, I should be worried."</p> + +<p>"And if I did?" with a rebel tilt to her chin.</p> + +<p>"Till that moment arrives I shall not borrow +<a name="Page_152" id="Page_152" />trouble. You will, then, tell the duke that you +have changed your mind, that you have reconsidered?"</p> + +<p>"This evening. Now, godfather, you may kiss +her serene highness on the forehead."</p> + +<p>"This honor to me?" The chancellor trembled.</p> + +<p>"Even so."</p> + +<p>He did not touch her with Ne hands, but the +kiss he put on her forehead was a benediction.</p> + +<p>"You may go now," she said, "for I shall need +the whole room to dance in. I am free, if only +for a little while!"</p> + +<p>Outside the door the chancellor paused. She +was singing. It was the same aria he had heard +that memorable night when he found her in the +dim garret.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX" /><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153" />CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>GRETCHEN'S DAY</h3> + + +<p>Gretchen was always up when the +morning was rosy, when the trees were +still dark and motionless, and the beads of dew +white and frostlike. For what is better than to +meet the day as it comes over the mountains, and +silence breaks here and there, in the houses and +streets, in the fields and the vineyards? Let old +age, which has played its part and taken to the +wings of the stage, let old age loiter in the morning, +but not green years. Gretchen awoke as the +birds awoke, with snatches and little trills of +song. To her nearest neighbors there was about +her that which reminded them of the regularity +of a good clock; when they heard her voice they +knew it was time to get up.</p> + +<p>She was always busy in the morning. The tinkle +of the bell outside brought her to the door, +and her two goats came pattering in to be re<a name="Page_154" id="Page_154" />lieved +of their creamy burden. Gretchen was +fond of them; they needed no care at all. The +moment she had milked them they went tinkling +off to the steep pastures.</p> + +<p>Even in midsummer the dawn was chill in +Dreiberg. She blew on her fingers. The fire was +down to the last ember; so she went into the cluttered +courtyard and broke into pieces one of the +limbs she had carried up from the valley earlier +in the season. The fire renewed its cheerful +crackle, the kettle boiled briskly, and the frugal +breakfast was under way.</p> + +<p>There was daily one cup of coffee, but neither +Gretchen nor her grandmother claimed this luxury; +it was for the sick woman on the third floor. +Sometimes at the Black Eagle she had a cup +when her work was done, but to Gretchen the +aroma excelled the taste. Her grandmother's +breakfast and her own out of the way, she carried +the coffee and bread and a hot brick up to +the invalid. The woman gave her two crowns a +week to serve this morning meal. Gretchen would +have cheerfully done the work for nothing.</p> + +<p>What the character of the woman's illness was +Gretchen hadn't an idea, but there could be no +<a name="Page_155" id="Page_155" />doubt that she was ill, desperately, had the goose-girl +but known it. Her face was thin and the +bones were visible under the drum-like skin; her +hands were merely claws. But she would have +no doctor; she would have no care save that +which Gretchen gave her. Sometimes she remained +in bed all the day. She had been out of +the house but once since she came. She mystified +the girl, for she never complained, never +asked questions, talked but little, and always +smiled kindly when the pillow was freshened.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Fräu," said Gretchen.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, <i>Liebchen</i>."</p> + +<p>"I have brought you a brick this morning, for +it will be cold till the sun is high."</p> + +<p>"Thank you."</p> + +<p>Gretchen pulled the deal table to the side of +the cot, poured out the coffee, and buttered the +bread.</p> + +<p>"I ought not to drink coffee, but it is the only +thing that warms me. You have been very patient with me."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to help you."</p> + +<p>"And that is why I love you. Now, I have some +instructions to give you this morning. Presently<a name="Page_156" id="Page_156" /> +I shall be leaving, and there will be something +besides crowns."</p> + +<p>"You are thinking of leaving?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. When I go I shall not come back. Under +my pillow there is an envelope. You will +find it and keep it."</p> + +<p>Gretchen, young and healthy, touched not this +melancholy undercurrent. She accepted the +words at their surface value. She knew nothing +about death except by hearsay.</p> + +<p>"You will promise to take it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Fräu."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, little gosling. I have an errand for +you this morning. It will take you to the palace."</p> + +<p>"To the palace?" echoed Gretchen.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Does that frighten you?"</p> + +<p>"No, Fräu; it only surprises me. What shall +I do?"</p> + +<p>"You will seek her highness and give her this +note."</p> + +<p>"The princess?" Gretchen sadly viewed her +wooden shoes and roughened hands.</p> + +<p>"Never mind your hands and feet; your face +will open any gate or door for you."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_157" id="Page_157" />I have never been to the palace. Will they +not laugh and turn me out?"</p> + +<p>"If they try that, demand to see his excellency, +Count von Herbeck, and say that you +came from forty Krumerweg."</p> + +<p>Gretchen shuddered with a mixture of apprehension +and delight. To meet and speak to all +these great ones!</p> + +<p>"And if I can not get in?"</p> + +<p>"You will have no trouble. Be sure, though, +to give the note to no one but her highness. +There will be no answer. All I ask is that when +you return you will tell me if you were successful. +You may go."</p> + +<p>Gretchen put the note away and went down-stairs. +She decked her beautiful head with a +little white cap, which she wore only on Sundays +and at the opera, and braided and beribboned +her hair. It never occurred to her that +there was anything unusual in the incident. It +was only when she came out into the König +Strasse that the puzzle of it came to her forcibly. +Who was this old woman who thought nothing +of writing a letter to her serene highness? And +who were her nocturnal visitors? Gretchen had +<a name="Page_158" id="Page_158" />no patience with puzzles, so she let her mind +revel in the thought that she was to see and +speak to the princess whom she admired and revered. +What luck! How smoothly the world +was beginning to run!</p> + +<p>Being of a discerning mind, she idled about +the Platz till after nine, for it had been told to +her that the great sleep rather late in the morning. +What should she say to her serene highness? +What kind of a curtsy should she make? +These and a hundred other questions flitted +through her head. At least she would wear no +humble, servile air. For Gretchen was a bit of +a socialist. Did not Herr Goldberg, whom the +police detested, did he not say that all men were +equal? And surely this sweeping statement included +women! She attended secret meetings in +the damp cellar of the Black Eagle, and, while +she laughed at some of the articles in the propaganda, +she received seriously enough that which +proclaimed her the equal of any one. So long +as she obeyed nature's laws and Heaven's, was +she not indeed the equal of queens and princesses, +who, it was said, did not always obey these laws?</p> + +<p>With a confidence born of right and inno<a name="Page_159" id="Page_159" />cence, +she proceeded toward the east or side gates +of the palace. The sentry smiled at her.</p> + +<p>"I have a letter for her serene highness," she +said.</p> + +<p>"Leave it."</p> + +<p>"I am under orders to give it to her highness +herself."</p> + +<p>"Good day, then!" laughed the soldier. "You +can not enter the gardens without a permit."</p> + +<p>Gretchen remembered. "Will you send some +one to his excellency the chancellor and tell him +I have come from number forty Krumerweg?"</p> + +<p>"Krumerweg? The very name ought to close +any gate. But, girl, are you speaking truthfully?"</p> + +<p>Gretchen exhibited the note. He scratched +his chin, perplexed.</p> + +<p>"Run along. If they ask me, I'll say that I +didn't see you." The sentry resumed his beat.</p> + +<p>Gretchen stepped inside the gates, and the +real beauty of the gardens was revealed to her +for the first time. Strange flowers she had never +seen before, plants with great broad leaves, +grass-like carpet, and giant ferns, unlike anything +she had plucked in the valleys and the +<a name="Page_160" id="Page_160" />mountains. It was all a fairy-land. There were +marble urns with hanging vines, and marble +statues. She loitered in this pebbled path and +that, forgetful of her errand. Even had her +mind been filled with the importance of it, she +did not know where to go to find the proper entrance.</p> + +<p>A hand grasped her rudely by the arm.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing here?" thundered the +head gardener. "Be off with you! Don't you +know that no one is allowed in here without a +permit?"</p> + +<p>Gretchen wrenched free her arm. She was +angry.</p> + +<p>"How dare you touch me like that?"</p> + +<p>Something in her glance, which was singularly +arrogant, cooled even the warm-blooded Hermann.</p> + +<p>"But you live in Dreiberg and ought to +know."</p> + +<p>"You could have told me without bruising my +arm," defiantly.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry if I hurt you, but you ought to +have known better. By which sentry did you +pass?" for there was that about her beauty +<a name="Page_161" id="Page_161" />which made him suspicious regarding the sentry's +imperviousness to it.</p> + +<p>"Hermann!"</p> + +<p>Gretchen and the head gardener whirled. +Through a hedge which divided the formal gardens +from the tennis and archery grounds came +a young woman in riding-habit. She carried a +book in one hand and a riding-whip in the other.</p> + +<p>"What is the trouble, Hermann?" she inquired. +"Your voice was something high."</p> + +<p>"Your Highness, this young woman here had +the impudence to walk into the gardens and +stroll about as nice as you please," indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Has she stolen any flowers or trod on any of +the beds?"</p> + +<p>"Why, no, your Highness; but—"</p> + +<p>"What is the harm, then?"</p> + +<p>"But it is not customary, your Highness. If +we permitted this on the part of the people, the +gardens would be ruined in a week."</p> + +<p>"We, you and I, Hermann," said her highness, +with a smile that won Gretchen on the spot, +"we will overlook this first offense. Perhaps this +young lady had some errand and lost her way."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Highness," replied Gretchen eagerly.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_162" id="Page_162" />Ah! You may go, Hermann."</p> + +<p>"Your highness alone with—"</p> + +<p>"Go at once," kindly, but with royal firmness.</p> + +<p>Hermann bowed, gathered up his pruning +knives and scissors which he had let fall, and +stalked down the path. What was it? he wondered. +She was a princess in all things save her +lack of coldness toward the people. It was +wrong to meet them in this way, it was not in +order. Her highness had lived too long among +them. She would never rid herself of the idea +that the humble had hearts and minds like the +exalted.</p> + +<p>As the figure of the head gardener diminished +and shortly vanished behind a bed of palms, her +highness laughed brightly, and Gretchen, to +her own surprise, found herself laughing also, +easily and without constraint.</p> + +<p>"Whom were you seeking?" her highness +asked, rather startled by the undeniable beauty +of this peasant.</p> + +<p>"I was seeking your serene highness. I live +at number forty the Krumerweg, and the sick +woman gave me this note for you."</p> + +<p>"Krumerweg?" Her highness reached for the +<a name="Page_163" id="Page_163" />note and read it, and as she read tears gathered +in her eyes. "Follow me," she said. She led +Gretchen to a marble bench and sat down. +Gretchen remained on her feet respectfully. +"What is your name?"</p> + +<div class="center"> +<a href="images/image005.jpg"><img src="images/image005.jpg" +alt="She led Gretchen to a marble bench and sat down." width="50%" +title="She led Gretchen to a marble bench and sat down." /></a> +</div> +<h3>She led Gretchen to a marble bench and sat down.</h3> + +<p>"Gretchen, Highness."</p> + +<p>"Well, Gretchen, sit down."</p> + +<p>"In your presence, Highness?" aghast.</p> + +<p>"Don't bother about my presence on a morning +like this. Sit down."</p> + +<p>This was a command and Gretchen obeyed +with alacrity. It would not be difficult, thought +Gretchen, to love a princess like this, who was +not only lovely but sensible. The two sat mutely. +They were strangely alike. Their eyes nearly +matched, their hair, even the shape of their faces. +They were similarly molded, too; only, one was +slender and graceful, after the manner of fashion, +while the other was slender and graceful +directly from the hands of nature. The health +of outdoors was visible in their fine skins and +clear eyes. The marked difference lay, of +course, in their hands. The princess had never +toiled with her fingers except on the piano. +Gretchen had plucked geese and dug vegetables +<a name="Page_164" id="Page_164" />with hers. They were rough, but toil had not +robbed them of their natural grace.</p> + +<p>"How was she?" her highness asked.</p> + +<p>"About the same, Highness."</p> + +<p>"Have you wondered why she should write to +me?"</p> + +<p>"Highness, it was natural that I should," was +Gretchen's frank admission.</p> + +<p>"She took me in when nobody knew who I +was, clothed and fed me, and taught me music +so that some day I should not be helpless when +the battle of life began. Ah," impulsively, "had +I my way she would be housed in the palace, not +in the lonely Krumerweg. But my father does +not know that she is in Dreiberg; and we dare +not tell him, for he still believes that she had +something to do with my abduction." Then +she stopped. She was strangely making this +peasant her confidante. What a whim!</p> + +<p>"Highness, that could not be."</p> + +<p>"No, Gretchen; she had nothing to do with +it." Her highness leveled her gaze at the flowers, +but her eyes saw only the garret or the +barnlike loneliness of the opera during rehearsals.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165" />Gretchen did not move. She saw that her +highness was dreaming; and she herself had +dreams.</p> + +<p>"Do you like music?"</p> + +<p>"Highness, I am always singing."</p> + +<p>"La-la—la!" sang the princess capriciously.</p> + +<p>"La-la—la!" sang Gretchen smiling. Her +voice was not purer or sweeter; it was merely +stronger, having been accustomed to the open +air.</p> + +<p>"Brava!" cried the princess, dropping book +and whip and folding the note inside the book. +"Who taught you to sing?"</p> + +<p>"Nobody, highness."</p> + +<p>"What do you do?"</p> + +<p>"I am a goose-girl; in the fall and winter I +work at odd times in the Black Eagle."</p> + +<p>"The Black Eagle? A tavern?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Highness."</p> + +<p>"Tell me all about yourself."</p> + +<p>This was easy for Gretchen; there was so +little.</p> + +<p>"Neither mother nor father. Our lives are +something alike. A handsome girl like you must +have a sweetheart."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166" />Gretchen blushed. "Yes, Highness. I am to +be married soon. He is a vintner. I would not +trade him for your king, Highness," with a spice +of boldness.</p> + +<p>Her highness did not take offense; rather she +liked this frankness. In truth, she liked any one +who spoke to her on equal footing; it was a +taste of the old days when she herself could have +chosen a vintner and married him, with none to +say her nay. Now she was only a pretty bird in +a gilded cage. She could fly, but whenever she +did so she blundered painfully against the bright +wires. If there was any envy between these two, +it existed in the heart of the princess only. To +be free like this, to come and go at will, to love +where the heart spoke! She surrendered to another +vagrant impulse.</p> + +<p>"Gretchen, I do not think I shall marry the +king of Jugendheit."</p> + +<p>Gretchen grew red with pride. Her highness +was telling her state secrets!</p> + +<p>"You love some one else, Highness?" How +should a goose-girl know that such a question +was indelicate?</p> + +<p>Her highness did not blush; the color in her +<a name="Page_167" id="Page_167" />cheeks receded. She fondled the heart-shaped +locket which she invariably wore round her +throat. That this peasant girl should thus +boldly put a question she herself had never dared +to press!</p> + +<p>"You must not ask questions like that, +Gretchen."</p> + +<p>"Pardon, Highness; I did not think." +Gretchen was disturbed.</p> + +<p>But the princess comforted her with: "I know +it. There are some questions which should not +be asked even by the heart."</p> + +<p>This was not understandable to Gretchen; but +the locket pleased her eye. Her highness, observing +her interest, slipped the trinket from her +neck and laid it in Gretchen's hand.</p> + +<p>"Open it," she said. "It is a picture of my +mother, whom I do not recollect having ever seen. +Wait," as Gretchen turned it about helplessly.</p> + +<p>"I will open it for you." Click!</p> + +<p>Gretchen sighed deeply. To have had a +mother so fair and pretty! She hadn't an idea +how her own mother had looked; indeed, being +sensible and not given much to conjuring, she +had rarely bothered her head about it. Still, as +<a name="Page_168" id="Page_168" />she gazed at this portrait, the sense of her isolation +and loneliness drew down upon her, and she +in her turn sought the flowers and saw them not. +After a while she closed the locket and returned +it.</p> + +<p>"So you love music?" picking up the safer +thread.</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, Highness."</p> + +<p>"Do you ever go to the opera?"</p> + +<p>"As often as I can afford. I am very poor."</p> + +<p>"I will give you a ticket for the season. How +can I reward you for bringing this message? +Don't have any false pride. Ask for something."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, Highness, give me an order on +the grand duke's head vintner for a place."</p> + +<p>"For the man who is to become your husband?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Highness."</p> + +<p>"You shall have it to-morrow. Now, come +with me. I am going to take you to Herr Ernst. +He is the director of the opera. He rehearses +in the court theater this morning."</p> + +<p>Gretchen, undetermined whether she was waking +or dreaming, followed the princess. She +<a name="Page_169" id="Page_169" />was serenely unafraid, to her own great wonder. +Who could describe her sensations as she passed +through marble halls, up marble staircases, +over great rugs so soft that her step faltered? +Her wooden shoes made a clatter whenever they +left the rugs, but she stepped as lightly as she +could. She heard music and voices presently, +and the former she recognized. As her highness +entered the Bijou Theater, the Herr Direktor +stopped the music. In the little gallery, which +served as the royal box, sat several ladies and +gentlemen of the court, the grand duke being +among them. Her highness nodded at them +brightly.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Herr Direktor."</p> + +<p>"Good morning, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"I have brought you a prima donna," touching +Gretchen with her whip.</p> + +<p>The Herr Direktor showed his teeth; her highness +was always playing some jest.</p> + +<p>"What shall she sing in, your Highness? We +are rehearsing <i>The Bohemian Girl</i>."</p> + +<p>The chorus and singers on the little stage exchanged +smiles.</p> + +<p>"I want your first violin," said her highness.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_170" id="Page_170" />Anton!"</p> + +<p>A youth stood up in the orchestral pit.</p> + +<p>"Now, your Highness?" said the Herr Direktor.</p> + +<p>"Try her voice."</p> + +<p>And the Herr Direktor saw that she was not +smiling. He bade the violinist to draw his bow +over a single note.</p> + +<p>"Imitate it, Gretchen," commanded her highness; +"and don't be afraid of the Herr Direktor +or of the ladies and gentlemen in the gallery."</p> + +<p>Gretchen lifted her voice. It was sweeter and +mellower than the violin.</p> + +<p>"Again!" the Herr Direktor cried, no longer +curious.</p> + +<p>Without apparent effort Gretchen passed +from one note to another, now high, now low, +or strong or soft; a trill, a run. The violinist, +of his own accord, began the jewel song from +<i>Faust</i>. Gretchen did not know the words, but +she carried the melody without mishap. And +then, <i>I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls</i>. This +song she knew word for word, and ah, she sang +it with strange and haunting tenderness! One +by one the musicians dropped their instruments +<a name="Page_171" id="Page_171" />to their knees. The grand duke in the gallery +leaned over the velvet-buffered railing. All realized +that a great voice was being tried before +them. The Herr Direktor struck his music-stand +sharply. It was enough.</p> + +<p>"Your highness has played a fine jest this day. +Where does madame your guest sing, in Berlin +or Vienna?"</p> + +<p>"In neither," answered her highness, mightily +gratified with Gretchen's success. "She lives in +Dreiberg, and till this morning I doubt if I ever +saw her before."</p> + +<p>The Herr Direktor stared blankly from her +highness to Gretchen, and back to her highness +again. Then he grasped it. Here was one of +those moments when the gods make gifts to +mortals.</p> + +<p>"Can you read music?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No, Herr," said Gretchen.</p> + +<p>"That is bad. You have a great voice, Fräulein. +Well, I shall teach you. I shall make you +a great singer. It is hard work."</p> + +<p>"I have always worked hard."</p> + +<p>"Good! Your Highness, a thousand thanks! +What is your name?" to Gretchen. She told +<a name="Page_172" id="Page_172" />him. "It is a good name. Come to me Monday +at the opera and I shall put you into good hands. +Some day you will be rich, and I shall become +great because I found you."</p> + +<p>Then, with the artist's positive indifference to +the presence of exalted blood, he turned his back +upon the two young women and roused his men +from the trance.</p> + +<p>"So, Gretchen," said her highness, when the +two came out again into the garden, "you are to +be rich and famous. That will be fine."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Highness, thanks! God grant the +day to come when I may be of service to you!" +Gretchen kissed the hands of her benefactress.</p> + +<p>"Whenever you wish to see the gardens," added +the princess, "the gates will be open for you."</p> + +<p>As Gretchen went back to the Krumerweg her +wooden shoes were golden slippers and her rough +homespun, silk. Rich! Famous! She saw the +opera ablaze with lights, she heard the roll of +applause. She saw the horn of plenty pouring +its largess from the fair sky. Rainbow dreams! +But Gretchen never became a prima donna. +There was something different on the knees of +the gods.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X" /><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173" />CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>AFFAIRS OF STATE</h3> + + +<p>The grand duke stamped back and forth +with a rumble as of distant thunder. He +would search the very deeps of this matter. He +was of a patient mold, but this was the final +straw. He would have his revenge if it upset +the whole continent. They would play with +him, eh? Well, they had loosed the lion this +time. He had sent his valet to summon her +highness and Herbeck.</p> + +<p>"And tell them to put everything else aside."</p> + +<p>He kneaded the note in his hand powerfully. +It was anonymous, but it spoke clearly like truth. +It had been left with one of the sentries, who declared +that a small boy had delivered it. The +sender remained undiscoverable.</p> + +<p>His highness had just that hour returned +from the military field. He was tired; and it +was not the psychological moment for a thing +<a name="Page_174" id="Page_174" />like this to turn up. Had he not opposed it for +months? And now, having surrendered against +his better judgment, this gratuitous affront was +offered him! It was damnable. He smote the +offending note. He would soon find out whether +it was true or not. Then he flung the thing +violently to the floor. But he realized that this +burst of fury would not translate the muddle, +so he stooped and recovered the missive. He +laughed, but the laughter had a grim Homeric +sound. War! Nothing less. He was prepared +for it. Twenty thousand troops were now in +the valley, and there were twenty thousand reserves. +What Franz Josef of Austria or William +of Prussia said did not amount to the snap +of his two fingers. To avenge himself of the +wrongs so long endured of Jugendheit, to wipe +out the score with blood! Did they think that +he was in his dotage, to offer an insult of this +magnitude? They should see, aye, that they +should! It did not matter that the news reached +him through subterranean channels or by treachery; +there was truth here, and that sufficed.</p> + +<p>"Enter!" he cried, as some one knocked on the +door.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175" />Herbeck came in, as calm, as imperturbable +as ever.</p> + +<p>"Your highness sent for me?"</p> + +<p>"I did. Why the devil couldn't you have left +well enough alone? Read this!" flinging the +note down on his desk.</p> + +<p>Herbeck picked it up and worked out the +creases. When he had read to the final word, +his hand, even as the duke's, closed spasmodically +over the stiff paper.</p> + +<p>"Well?" The query tingled with rage.</p> + +<p>The answer on the chancellor's lips was not +uttered. Hildegarde came in. She blew a kiss +at her father, who caught the hand and drew +her toward him. He embraced her and kissed her +brow.</p> + +<p>"What is it, father?"</p> + +<p>Herbeck waited.</p> + +<p>"Read," said the duke.</p> + +<p>As the last word left Herbeck's lips, she +slipped from her father's arms and looked with +pity at the chancellor.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of this, Hildegarde?"</p> + +<p>"Why, father, I think it is the very best thing +in the world," dryly.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_176" id="Page_176" />An insult like this?" The duke grew rigid. +"You accept it calmly, in this fashion?"</p> + +<p>"Shall I weep and tear my hair over a boy I +have never seen? No, thank you. I was about +to make known to you this very evening that I +had reconsidered the offer. I shall never marry +his majesty."</p> + +<p>"A fine time!" The duke's hand trembled. +"Why, in God's name, did you not refuse when +the overtures were first made? The truth, Herbeck, +the whole truth; for there is something +more than this."</p> + +<p>Herbeck, in few words and without evasion, +explained the situation.</p> + +<p>"Your Highness, the regent is really not to +blame, for his majesty had given him free rein +in the matter; and his royal highness, working +as I have been for the best interests of the two +countries, never dreamed that the king would +rebel. All my heart and all my mind have been +working toward this end, toward a greater peace +and prosperity. The king has been generous +enough to leave the publicity in our hands; that +is to say, he agrees to accept the humiliation of +being rejected by her serene highness."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_177" id="Page_177" />That is very generous of him!" said the duke +sarcastically. "Send for Ducwitz."</p> + +<p>"Ducwitz, your Highness?" cried the chancellor, chilled.</p> + +<p>"Immediately!"</p> + +<p>"Father!"</p> + +<p>"Must I give an order twice?"</p> + +<p>"Your Highness, if you call Ducwitz I shall +surrender my portfolio to you." The chancellor +spoke without anger, quietly but firmly.</p> + +<p>"Do so. There are others to take up your +work." The duke, for the moment, had thrown +reason to the winds. Revenge, the clamor of +revenge, was all the voice he heard.</p> + +<p>The chancellor bowed, turned to leave the +room, when Hildegarde flew to the duke's side +and snatched at his sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Father, you are mad!"</p> + +<p>"At least I am master in Ehrenstein. Herbeck, +you will have the kindness to summon +General Ducwitz."</p> + +<p>"Your Highness," replied Herbeck, "I have +worked long and faithfully in your service. I +can not recollect that I ever asked one personal +favor. But I do so now. Do not send for Duc<a name="Page_178" id="Page_178" />witz +to-night. See him in the morning. This +is no time for haste. You will throw the army +into Jugendheit, and there will follow a bloody +war. For I have to inform you that the prince +regent, recognizing the false position he is in, +has taken the ram by the horns. His troops are +already bivouacked on the other side of the pass. +This I learned to-day. He will not strike first; +he will wait for you."</p> + +<p>"I will have my revenge!" stubbornly.</p> + +<p>"Father, listen to me. <i>I</i> am the affronted +person; <i>I</i>, I alone, have the right to say what +shall be done in the matter. And I say to you +if you do these cruel things, dismiss his excellency +and bring war and death to Ehrenstein, I +will never forgive you, never, never! You are +wrong, wrong, and I, your daughter, tell you so +frankly. Leave it to me. There will be neither +war nor humiliation."</p> + +<p>As the duke gazed at her the wrath gathering +in his throat receded and his admiration grew. +His daughter! She was a princess, indeed, as +she stood there, fearless, resolute, beautiful. And +her very beauty gave recurrence to his wrath. +A fool of a king he was, a fool of a king!</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_179" id="Page_179" />My dear child," he said, "I have suffered too +much at the hands of Jugendheit. It was my +daughter the first time; it is my honor now," +proudly.</p> + +<p>"Will it balance war and devastation?" the +girl asked quietly. "Is it not pride rather than +honor? The prince regent made a pardonable +blunder. Do not you, my father, make an unpardonable +one. The king is without blame, for +you appeal to his imagination as a man who +deeply wronged his father. I harbor no ill-feeling +against him or his uncle, because I look +at the matter from an impersonal point of view; +it was for the good of the state. This blunder +can be undone; therefore it is not wise to double +it, to make it irreparable."</p> + +<p>"A Portia to the judgment!" said the chancellor, +his eye kindling. "Let it all rest upon +my shoulders. I alone am to blame. It was I +who first suggested the alliance. We all have +dreams, active or passive, futile or purposeful. +My ambition was to bring about a real and lasting +peace. Your Highness, I have failed signally. +There is nothing to do now but to appoint +my successor." All the chancellor's force and +<a name="Page_180" id="Page_180" />immobility of countenance gave way, and he +looked the broken man.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding that he was generally hasty, +the duke was a just man. In his heart of hearts +he understood. He offered his hand, with half +a smile; and when he smiled he was a handsome +old man.</p> + +<p>"You are bidding me farewell, your Highness?" +said Herbeck.</p> + +<p>"No, Count. I would not let you go for half +my duchy. What should I do without your solid +common sense? No; remain; we are both of us +too old to quarrel. Even a duke may be a fool +sometimes."</p> + +<p>Herbeck laid his cold hand upon the duke's. +Then he went over to her highness and kissed her +hand gratefully, for it was truly at her feet the +wreath of victory lay.</p> + +<p>"Highness," he said softly, "you are the fairest, +finest princess in the world, and you shall +marry when you will."</p> + +<p>"And where?"</p> + +<p>"I would that I could make it so. But there +is a penalty for being placed so high. We can +not change this unwritten law."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_181" id="Page_181" />Heaven did not write it," she replied.</p> + +<p>"No, my daughter," said the duke. "Man is +at the bottom of all the kinks and twists in this +short life; not Heaven. But Herbeck is right; +you shall marry <i>when</i> you will."</p> + +<p>She sprang into his arms and kissed him. It +was, however, a traitorous kiss; for she was saying +in her heart that now she would never marry. +Herbeck's eyes wandered to the portrait over +the fireplace. It was the girl's mother.</p> + +<p>The knock of the valet was again heard.</p> + +<p>"Your Highness, there is a young woman, a +peasant, who desires to speak to her serene highness."</p> + +<p>"Where is she?" asked the duke.</p> + +<p>"She is outside, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"What! She enters the palace without any +more trouble than this?"</p> + +<p>"By my orders, father," said Hildegarde, who +gathered that this privileged visitor must be +Gretchen of the Krumerweg. "Admit her."</p> + +<p>"Truly we are becoming socialists," said the +duke, appealing to Herbeck, who replied with +his usual grim smile.</p> + +<p>Gretchen was ushered in. Her throat was a +<a name="Page_182" id="Page_182" />little full as she recognized the three most important +persons in the grand duchy. Outwardly +she was composed. She made a curtsy to which +the duke replied with his most formal bow of +state. The sparkle of amusement was in his +eyes.</p> + +<p>"The little goose-girl!" he said half-audibly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Highness." Gretchen's face was serious +and her eyes were mournful. She carried an +envelope in her hand tightly.</p> + +<p>"Come to me, Gretchen," said the princess.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>Gretchen's eyes roamed undecidedly from the +duke to Herbeck.</p> + +<p>"She is dead, Highness, and I found this letter +under her pillow."</p> + +<p>It was Herbeck's hand that took the envelope. +But he did not open it at once.</p> + +<p>"Dead?" Hildegarde's eyes filled.</p> + +<p>"Who is dead?" demanded the duke.</p> + +<p>"Emma Schultz, father. Oh, I know you will +forgive me for this deception. She has been in +Dreiberg for a month, dying, and I have often +stolen out to see her." She let her tears fall unrestrained.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183" />The duke stared at the rug. Presently he +said: "Let her be buried in consecrated ground. +Wrong or right, that chapter is closed, my child, +and I am glad you made her last moments happy. +It was like you. It was like your mother. What +is in the letter, Herbeck?"</p> + +<p>Herbeck was a strong man; he was always far +removed from tears; but there was a mist over +the usual clarity of his vision. He ripped down +the flap. It was only a simple note to her serene +highness, begging her to give the enclosed banknotes +to one Gretchen who lived in the Krumerweg. +The notes represented a thousand crowns.</p> + +<p>"Take them, little goose-girl," said the duke; +"your ship has come in. This will be your +dowry."</p> + +<p>An icy shiver ran up and down Gretchen's +spine, a shiver of wonder, delight, terror. A +thousand crowns! A fortune!</p> + +<p>"Hold out your hand," requested Herbeck. +One by one he laid the notes on the goose-girl's +hand. "This is only a just reward for being +kind and gentle to the unfortunate."</p> + +<p>"And I shall add to it another thousand," +said Hildegarde. "Give them to me, father."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184" />In all, this fortune amounted to little more +than four hundred dollars; but to Gretchen, +frugal and thrifty, to whom a single crown was +a large sum, to her it represented wealth. She +was now the richest girl in the lower town. +Dreams of kaleidoscopic variety flew through +her head. Little there was, however, of jewels +and gowns. This vast sum would be the buffer +between her and hunger while she pursued the +one great ambition of her life—music. She tried +to speak, to thank them, but her voice was gone. +Tears sprang into her eyes. She had the power +to do no more than weep.</p> + +<p>The duke was the first to relieve the awkwardness +of the moment.</p> + +<p>"Count, has it not occurred to you that we +stand in the presence of two very beautiful +young women?"</p> + +<p>Herbeck scrutinized Gretchen with care; then +he compared her with the princess. The duke +was right. The goose-girl was not a whit the +inferior of the princess. And the thing which +struck him with most force was that, while each +possessed a beauty individual to herself, it was +not opposite, but strangely alike.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185" />The goose-girl had returned to her gloomy +Krumerweg, the princess had gone to her apartments, +and Herbeck to his cabinet. The duke +was alone. For a long period he stood before +the portrait of his wife. The beauties of his +courtship trooped past him; for God had given +to the grand duke of Ehrenstein that which He +denies most of us, high or low, a perfect love.</p> + +<p>"Always, always, dear heart," he whispered; +"in this life and in the life to come. To love, +what is the sickle of death?"</p> + +<p>He passed on to his secretary and opened a +drawer. He laid a small bundle on the desk and +untied the string. One by one he ranged the +articles; two little yellow shoes, a little cloak +trimmed with ermine. There had been a locket, +but that was now worn by her highness.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI" /><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186" />CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>THE SOCIALISTS</h3> + + +<p>Hermann Breunner lived in the +granite lodge, just within the eastern +gates of the royal gardens. He was a widower +and shared the ample lodge with the undergardeners +and their families. He lived with them, +but signally apart. They gave him as much respect +as if he had been the duke himself. He +was a lonely, taciturn man, deeply concerned +with his work, and a botanical student of no +mean order. No comrade helped him pass away +an evening in the chimney-corner, pipe in hand +and good cheer in the mug. This isolation was +not accidental, it was Hermann's own selection. +He was a man of brooding moods, and there was +no laughter in his withered heart, though the +false sound of it crossed his lips at infrequent +intervals.</p> + +<p>He adjusted his heavy spectacles and held the +<a name="Page_187" id="Page_187" />note slantingly toward the candle. A note or a +letter was a singular event in Hermann's life. +Not that he looked forward with eagerness to +receive them, but that there was no one existing +who cared enough about him to write. This +note left by the porter of the Grand Hotel moved +him with surprise. It requested that he present +himself at eight o'clock at the office of the hotel +and ask to be directed to the room of Hans +Grumbach.</p> + +<p>"Now, who is Hans Grumbach? I never knew +or heard of a man of that name."</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, he decided to go. Certainly this +man Grumbach did not urge him without some +definite purpose. He laid down his pipe, reached +for his hat and coat—for in the lodge he generally +went about in his shirt-sleeves—and went +over to the hotel. The concierge, who knew +Hermann, conducted him to room ten on the entresole. +Hermann knocked. A voice bade him +enter. Ah, it was the German-American, whose +papers had puzzled his excellency.</p> + +<p>"You wished to see me, Herr Grumbach?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Grumbach, offering a chair.</p> + +<p>Hermann accepted the courtesy with dignity.<a name="Page_188" id="Page_188" /> +His host drew up another chair to the opposite +side of the reading-table. The light overhead +put both faces in a semishadow.</p> + +<p>"You are Hermann Breunner," began Grumbach.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"You once had a brother named Hans."</p> + +<p>Hermann grew rigid in his chair. "I have no +brother," he replied, his voice dull and empty.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not now," continued Grumbach, +"but you did have."</p> + +<p>Hermann's head drooped. "My God, yes, I +did have a brother; but he was a scoundrel."</p> + +<p>Grumbach lighted a cigar. He did not offer +one to Hermann, who would have refused it.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he was a scoundrel. He is—dead!" +softly.</p> + +<p>"God's will be done!" But Hermann's face +turned lighter.</p> + +<p>"As a boy he loved you."</p> + +<p>"And did I not love him?" said Hermann +fiercely. "Did I not worship that boy, who was +to me more like a son than a brother? Had not +all the brothers and sisters died but he? But +you—who are you to recall these things?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_189" id="Page_189" />I knew your brother; I knew him well. He +was not a scoundrel; only weak. He went to +America and became successful in business. He +fought with the North in the war. He was not +a coward; he did his fighting bravely and honorably."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; Hans could never, have been a coward; +even his villainy required courage. But +go on."</p> + +<p>"He died facing the enemy, and his last words +were of you. He begged your forgiveness; he +implored that you forget that black moment. +He was young, he said; and they offered him +a thousand crowns. In a moment of despair he +fell."</p> + +<p>"Despair? Did he confess to you the crime +he committed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Did he tell you to whom he sold his honor?"</p> + +<p>"That he never knew. A Gipsy from the +hills came to him, so he said.</p> + +<p>"From Jugendheit?"</p> + +<p>"I say that he knew nothing. He believed +that the Gipsy wanted her highness to hold for +ransom. Hans spoke of a girl called Tekla."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_190" id="Page_190" />Tekla? Ah, yes; Hans was in love with that +doll-face."</p> + +<p>"Doll-face or not, Hans evidently loved her. +She jilted him, and he did not care then what +happened. His one desire was to leave Dreiberg. +And this Gipsy brought the means and the opportunity."</p> + +<p>"Not Jugendheit?"</p> + +<p>"Who knows? Hans followed the band of +Gipsies into the mountains. The real horror of +his act did not come home to him till then. Ah, +the remorse! But it was too late. They dressed +the little one in rags. But when I ran away +from them I took her little shoes and cloak and +locket."</p> + +<p>Hermann was on his feet!</p> + +<p>Grumbach relighted his cigar which had gone +out. The smoke wavered about his face and +slowly ascended. His eyes were as bright and +glowing as coals. He waited. He had made +the slip without premeditation; but what was +done was done. So he waited.</p> + +<p>Hermann dropped his hands on the table and +leaned forward.</p> + +<p>"Is it you, Hans, and I did not know you?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_191" id="Page_191" />It is I, brother."</p> + +<p>"My God!" Hermann sank down weakly. +The ceiling spun and the gaslight separated itself +into a hundred flames. "You said he was +dead!"</p> + +<p>"So I am, to the world, to you, and to all who +knew me," quietly.</p> + +<p>"Why have you returned?"</p> + +<p>Hans shrugged. "I don't know. Perhaps I +am a fool; perhaps I am willing to pay the penalty +of my crime. At least that was uppermost +in my mind till I learned that her highness had +been found."</p> + +<p>"Hans, Hans, the duke has sworn to hang +you!"</p> + +<p>Hans laughed. "The rope is not made that +will fit my neck. Will you denounce me, +brother?"</p> + +<p>"I?" Hermann shrank back in horror.</p> + +<p>"Why not? Five thousand crowns still hang +over me."</p> + +<p>"Blood-money for me? No, Hans!"</p> + +<p>"Besides, I have made a will. At my death +you will be rich."</p> + +<p>"Rich?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_192" id="Page_192" />Yes, Hermann. I am worth two hundred +thousand crowns."</p> + +<p>Hermann breathed with effort. So many +things had beaten upon his brain in the past +ten minutes that he was dazed. His brother +Hans alive and here, and rich?</p> + +<p>"But riches are not everything."</p> + +<p>"Sometimes they are little enough," Hans +agreed.</p> + +<p>"Why did you do it?" Hermann's voice was +full of agony.</p> + +<p>"Have I not told you, Hermann? There is +nothing more to be added." Then, with rising +passion: "Nothing more, now that my heart is +blistered and scarred with regret and remorse. +God knows that I have repented and repented. +I went to war because I wanted to be killed. +They shot me here, and here, and here, and this +saber-cut would have split the skull of any other +man. But it was willed that I should come back +here."</p> + +<p>"My poor brother! You must fly from here +at once!"</p> + +<p>"From what?" tranquilly.</p> + +<p>"The chancellor is suspicious."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_193" id="Page_193" />I know that. But since you, my brother, +failed to identify me, certainly his excellency +will not. I shall make no slip as in your case. +And you will not betray me when I tell you that +I have returned principally to find out whence +came those thousand crowns."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Find that out, Hans; yes, yes!" Hermann +began to look more like himself. "But +what was your part?"</p> + +<p>"Mine? I was to tell where her highness and +her nurse were to be at a certain hour of the +day. Nothing more was necessary. My running +away was the expression of my guilt; +otherwise they would never have connected me +with the abduction."</p> + +<p>"Have you any suspicions?"</p> + +<p>"None. And remember, you must not know +me, Hermann, no matter where we meet. I am +sleepy." Hans rose.</p> + +<p>And this, thought Hermann, his bewilderment +gaining life once more, and this calm, unruffled +man, whose hair was whiter than his own, a veteran +of the bloodiest civil war in history, this +prosperous mechanic, was his little brother +Hans!</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_194" id="Page_194" />Hans, have you no other greeting?" Hermann +asked, spreading out his arms.</p> + +<p>The wanderer's face beamed; and the brothers +embraced.</p> + +<p>"You forgive me, then, Hermann?"</p> + +<p>"Must I not, little Hans? You are all that +is left me of the blood. True, I swore that if +ever I saw you again I should curse you."</p> + +<p>The two stood back from each other, but with +arms still entwined.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, Hans, I did not watch you closely +enough in those days."</p> + +<p>"And what has become of the principal +cause?"</p> + +<p>"The cause?"</p> + +<p>"Tekla."</p> + +<p>"Bah! She is fat and homely and the mother +of seven squalling children."</p> + +<p>"What a world! To think that Tekla should +be at the bottom of all this tangle! What irony! +I ruin my life, I break the heart of the grand +duke, I nearly cause war between two friendly +states—why? Tekla, now fat and homely and +the mother of seven, would not marry me. The +devil rides strange horses."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_195" id="Page_195" />Good night, Hans."</p> + +<p>"Good night, Hermann, and God bless you +for your forgiveness. Always come at night if +you wish to see me, but do not come often; they +might remark it."</p> + +<p>A rap on the door startled them. Hans, a +finger of warning on his lips, opened the door. +Carmichael stood outside.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Captain!" Hans took Carmichael by +the hand and drew him into the room.</p> + +<p>Carmichael, observing Hermann, was rather +confused as to what to do.</p> + +<p>"Good evening, Hermann," he said.</p> + +<p>"Good evening, Herr Carmichael."</p> + +<p>Hermann passed into the hail and softly closed +the door after him. It was better that the American +should not see the emotion which still illumined +his face.</p> + +<p>"What's the good word, Captain?" inquired +Hans.</p> + +<p>Carmichael put in a counter-query: "What +was your brother doing here?"</p> + +<p>"I have told him who I am."</p> + +<p>"Was it wise?"</p> + +<p>"Hermann sleeps soundly; he will talk neither +<a name="Page_196" id="Page_196" />in his sleep nor in his waking hours. He has +forgiven me."</p> + +<p>"For what?" thoughtlessly.</p> + +<p>"The time for explanations has not yet come, +Captain."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, Grumbach; I was not thinking. +But I came to bring you the invitation to the +military ball."</p> + +<p>The broad white envelope, emblazoned with +the royal arms, fascinated Hans, not by its resplendency, +but by the possibilities which it afforded.</p> + +<p>"Thank you; it was very good of you."</p> + +<p>"It was a pleasure, comrade. What do you +say to an hour or two at the Black Eagle? We'll +drown our sorrows together."</p> + +<p>"Have you any sorrows, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"Who hasn't? Life is a patchwork with the +rounding-out pieces always missing. Come +along. I'm lonesome to-night."</p> + +<p>"So am I," said Hans.</p> + +<p>The Black Eagle was lively as usual; and +there were some familiar faces. The vintner +was there and so was Gretchen. Carmichael +hailed her.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_197" id="Page_197" />This is my last night here, Herr Carmichael," +she said.</p> + +<p>"Somebody has left you a fortune?" There +was a jest in Carmichael's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Gretchen, her lips unsmiling.</p> + +<p>"The poor lady who lived on the top floor of +my grandmother's house was rich. She left me +a thousand crowns."</p> + +<p>Carmichael and Grumbach: "A thousand +crowns!"</p> + +<p>"And what will you do with all that money?" +asked Hans.</p> + +<p>"I am going to study music."</p> + +<p>"I thought you were going to be married +soon," said Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"Surely. But that will not hinder. I shall +have enough for two." Gretchen saw no reason +why she should tell them of the princess' generosity.</p> + +<p>"But how does he take it?" asked Carmichael, +with a motion of his head toward the vintner, +half hidden behind a newspaper.</p> + +<p>"He doesn't like the idea at all. But the Herr +Direktor says that I am a singer, and that some +day I shall be rich and famous."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_198" id="Page_198" />When that day comes I shall be there with +many a brava!"</p> + +<p>The vintner, who sat near enough to catch a +bit of the conversation, scowled over the top of +his paper. Carmichael eyed him mischievously. +Gretchen picked up her coppers and went +away.</p> + +<p>"A beautiful girl," said Hans abstractedly. +"She might be Hebe with no trouble at all."</p> + +<p>Carmichael admired Hans. There was always +some new phase in the character of this quiet and +unassuming German. A plumber who was familiar +with the classics was not an ordinary person. +He raised his stein and Hans extended his. +After that they smoked, with a word or two occasionally +in comment.</p> + +<p>At that day there was only one newspaper in +Dreiberg. It was a dry and solid sheet, of four +pages, devoted to court news, sciences, and agriculture. +The vintner presently smoothed down +the journal, opened his knife, and cut out a +paragraph. Carmichael, following his movements +slyly, wondered what he had seen to interest +him to the point of preservation. The +vintner crushed the remains of the sheet into a +<a name="Page_199" id="Page_199" />ball and dropped it to the floor. Then he finished +his beer, rose, and proceeded toward the stairs +leading to the rathskeller below. Down these +he disappeared.</p> + +<p>An idea came to Carmichael. He called a +waitress and asked her to bring a copy of that +day's paper. Meantime he recovered the vintner's +paper, and when he finally put the two together, +it was a simple matter to replace the +missing cutting. Grumbach showed a mild interest +over the procedure.</p> + +<p>"Why do you do that, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"A little idea I have; it may not amount to +anything." But the American was puzzled over +the cutting. There were two sides to it: which +had interested the vintner? "Do you care for +another beer?"</p> + +<p>"No, I am tired and sleepy, Captain."</p> + +<p>"All right; we'll go back to the hotel. There +is nothing going on here to-night."</p> + +<p>But Carmichael was mistaken for once.</p> + +<p>A little time later Herr Goldberg harangued +his fellow socialists bitterly. Gretchen's business +in this society was to serve. They had selected +her because they knew that she inclined toward +<a name="Page_200" id="Page_200" />the propaganda. Few spoke to her, outside of +giving orders, and then kindly.</p> + +<p>The rathskeller had several windows and doors. +These led to the <i>Biergarten</i>, to the wine-cellar, +and to an alley which had no opening on the +street. The police had as yet never arrested anybody; +but several times the police had dispersed +Herr Goldberg and his disciples on account of +the noise. The window which led to the blind +alley was six feet from the floor, twice as broad +as it was high, and unbarred. Under this window +sat the vintner. He was a probationer, a +novitiate; this was his second attendance. He +liked to sit in the shadow and smile at Herr Goldberg's +philosophy, which, summed up briefly, +meant that the rich should divide with the poor +and that the poor should hang on to what they +had or got. It may have never occurred to Herr +Goldberg that the poor were generally poor because +of their incapabilities, their ignorance, and +incompetence. To-night, however, there were +variety and spice with his Jeremiad.</p> + +<p>"Brothers, shall this thing take place? Shall +the daughter of Ehrenstein become Jugendheit's +vassal? Oh, how we have fallen! Where is the +<a name="Page_201" id="Page_201" />grand duke's pride we have heard so much about? +Are we, then, afraid of Jugendheit?"</p> + +<p>"No!" roared his auditors, banging their +stems and tankards. The vintner joined the +demonstration, banging his stein as lustily as the +next one.</p> + +<p>"Have you thought what this marriage will +cost us in taxes?"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Thousands of crowns, thousands! Do we not +always pay for the luxuries of the rich? Do not +their pleasures grind us so much deeper into the +dirt? Yes, we are the corn they grind. And +shall we submit, like the dogs in Flanders, to become +beasts of burden?"</p> + +<p>"No, no!"</p> + +<p>"I have a plan, brothers; it will show the duke +to what desperation he has driven us at last. We +will mob the Jugendheit embassy on the day of +the wedding; we will tear it apart, brick by brick, +stone by stone."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried the noisy ones. They liked +talk of this order. They knew it was only here +that great things happened, the division of riches +and mob-rule. Beer was cheaper by the keg.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202" />The noise subsided. Gretchen spoke.</p> + +<p>"Her serene highness will not marry the king +of Jugendheit."</p> + +<p>Every head swung round in her direction.</p> + +<p>"What is that you say?" demanded Herr +Goldberg.</p> + +<p>Gretchen repeated her statement. It was the +first time she had ever raised her voice in the +councils.</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed!" said Goldberg, bowing with ridicule: +"Since when did her serene highness make +you her confidante?"</p> + +<p>"Her serene highness told me so herself." +Gretchen's eyes, which had held only mildness +and good-will, now sparkled with contempt.</p> + +<p>A roar of laughter went up, for the majority +of them thought that Gretchen was indulging in +a little pleasantry.</p> + +<p>"Ho-ho! So you are on speaking terms with +her highness?" Herr Goldberg laughed.</p> + +<p>"Is there anything strange in this fact?" she +asked, keeping her tones even.</p> + +<p>The vintner made a sign to her, but she ignored +it.</p> + +<p>"Strange?" echoed Herr Goldberg, becoming +<a name="Page_203" id="Page_203" />furious at having the interest in himself thus +diverted. "Since when did goose-girls and barmaids +become on intimate terms with her serene +highness?"</p> + +<p>Gretchen pressed the vintner's arm to hold +him in his chair.</p> + +<p>"Does not your socialism teach that we are all +equal?"</p> + +<p>The vintner thumped with his stein in approval, +and others imitated him. Goldberg was +no ordinary fool. He sidestepped defeat by an +assumption of frankness.</p> + +<p>"Tell us about it. If I have spoken harshly +it is only reasonable. Tell us under what circumstance +you met her highness and how she +happened to tell you this very important news. +Every one knows that this marriage is to take +place."</p> + +<p>Gretchen nodded. "Nevertheless, her highness +has changed her mind." And she recounted picturesquely +her adventure in the royal gardens, +and all hung on her words in a kind of maze. It +was all very well to shout, "Down with royalty!" +it was another matter to converse and shake +bands with it.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_204" id="Page_204" />Hurrah!" shouted the vintner. "Long live +her highness! Down with Jugendheit!"</p> + +<p>There was a fine chorus.</p> + +<p>And there was a fine tableau not down on the +evening's program. A police officer and three +assistants came down the stairs quietly.</p> + +<p>"Let no one leave this room!" the officer said +sternly.</p> + +<p>The dramatic pause was succeeded by a babel +of confusion. Chairs scraped, stems clattered, +and the would-be liberators huddled together like +so many sheep rounded up by a shepherd-dog.</p> + +<p>"Ho, there! Stop him, you!"</p> + +<p>It was the vintner who caused this cry; and +the agility with which he scrambled through the +window into the blind alley was an inspiration.</p> + +<p>"After him!" yelled the officer. "He is probably +the one rare bird in the bunch."</p> + +<p>But they searched in vain.</p> + +<p>Gretchen stared ruefully at the blank window.</p> + +<p>Somehow this flight pained her; somehow it gave +her the heartache to learn that her idol was +afraid of such a thing as a policeman.</p> + +<p>"Out into the street, every mother's son of +you!" cried the officer angrily to the quaking so<a name="Page_205" id="Page_205" />cialists. +"This is your last warning, Goldberg. +The next time you go to prison for seditious +teachings. Out with you!"</p> + +<p>The socialists could not have emptied the cellar +any quicker had there been a fire.</p> + +<p>Gretchen alone remained. It was her duty to +carry the steins up to the bar. The officer, rather +thorough for his kind, studied the floor under the +window. He found a cutting from a newspaper. +This interested him.</p> + +<p>"Do you know who this fellow was?" with a +jerk of his head toward the window.</p> + +<p>"He is Leopold Dietrich, a vintner, and we are +soon to be married." There was a flaw in the +usual sweetness of her voice.</p> + +<p>"So? What made him run away like this?"</p> + +<p>"He is new to Dreiberg. Perhaps he thought +you were going to arrest every one. Oh, he has +done nothing wrong; I am sure of that."</p> + +<p>"There is one way to prove it."</p> + +<p>"And what is that?"</p> + +<p>"Ask him if he is not a spy from Jugendheit," +roughly.</p> + +<p>The steins clicked crisply in Gretchen's arms; +one of them fell and broke at her feet.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII" /><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206" />CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>LOVE'S DOUBTS</h3> + + +<p>Gretchen, troubled in heart and mind +over the strange event of the night, walked +slowly home, her head inclined, her arms swinging +listlessly at her side. A spy, this man to +whom she had joyously given the flower of her +heart and soul? There was some mistake; there +must be some mistake. She shivered; for the +word spy carried with it all there was in deceit, +treachery, cunning. In war time she knew that +spies were necessary, that brave men took perilous +hazards, without reward, without renown; +but in times of peace nothing but opprobrium +covered the word. A political scavenger, the +man she loved? No; there was some mistake. +The bit of newspaper cutting did not worry her. +Anybody might have been curious about the doings +of the king of Jugendheit and his uncle the +prince regent. Because the king hunted in Ba<a name="Page_207" id="Page_207" />varia +with the crown prince, and his uncle conferred +with the king of Prussia in Berlin, it did +not necessarily follow that Leopold Dietrich was +a spy. Gretchen was just. She would hear his +defense before she judged him.</p> + +<p>Marking the first crook in the Krumerweg was +an ancient lamp hanging from the side of the +wall. The candle in this lamp burned night and +day, through winter's storms and summer's +balms. The flame dimmed and glowed, a kindly +reminder in the gloom. It was a shrine to the +Virgin Mary; and before this Gretchen paused, +offering a silent prayer that the Holy Mother +preserve this dream of hers.</p> + +<p>A footstep from behind caused her to start. +The vintner took her roughly in his arms and +kissed her many times.</p> + +<p>Her heart shook within her, but she did not +surrender her purpose under these caresses. She +freed herself energetically and stood a little +away from him, panting and star-eyed.</p> + +<p>"Gretchen?"</p> + +<p>She did not speak.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"You ask?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_208" id="Page_208" />Was it a crime, then, to jump out of the +window?" He laughed.</p> + +<p>Gretchen's face grew sterner. "Were you +afraid?"</p> + +<p>"For a moment. I have never run afoul the +police. I thought perhaps we were all to be arrested."</p> + +<p>"Well, and what then?"</p> + +<p>"What then? Uncomfortable quarters in +stone rooms. I preferred discretion to valor."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you did not care to have the police +ask you questions?"</p> + +<p>"What is all this about?" He pulled her toward +him so that he could look into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter? Answer!"</p> + +<p>"Are you not a spy from Jugendheit?" thinly.</p> + +<p>He flung aside her hand. "So! The first doubt +that enters your ear finds harbor there. A spy +from Jugendheit; that is a police suggestion, +and you believed it!"</p> + +<p>"Do you deny it?" Gretchen was not cowed +by his anger, which her own evenly matched.</p> + +<p>"Yes," proudly, snatching his hat from his +head and throwing it violently at her feet; "yes, +I deny it. I am not a spy from any country; I +<a name="Page_209" id="Page_209" />have not sold the right to look any man in the +eye."</p> + +<p>"I have asked you many questions," she replied, +"but you are always laughing. It is a +pleasant way to avoid answering. I have given +you my heart and all its secrets. Have you +opened yours as frankly?"</p> + +<p>To meet anger with logic and sense is the simplest +way to overcome it. The vintner saw himself +at bay. He stooped to recover his hat, not +so much to regain it but to steal time to conjure +up some way out.</p> + +<p>"Gretchen, here under the Virgin I swear to +you that I love you as a man loves but once in +his life. If I were rich, I would gladly fling these +riches to the wind for your sake. If I were a +king, I'd barter my crown for a smile and a kiss. +I have done no wrong; I have committed no +crime. But you must have proof; so be it. We +will go together to the police-bureau and settle +this doubt once and for all."</p> + +<p>"When?" Gretchen's heart was growing warm +again.</p> + +<p>"Now, to-night, while they are hunting for +me."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_210" id="Page_210" />Forgive me!" brokenly.</p> + +<p>"Come!"</p> + +<p>"No, Leopold, this test is not necessary."</p> + +<p>"I insist. This thing must be righted publicly."</p> + +<p>"And I was thinking that the man I loved was +a coward!"</p> + +<p>"I am braver than you dream, Gretchen." +And in truth he was, for he was about to set +forth for the lion's den, and only amazing cleverness +could extricate him. Man never enters +upon the foolhardy unless it be to dazzle a woman. +And the vintner's love for Gretchen was no +passing thing. "Let us hurry; it is growing +late. They will be shutting off the lights before +we return."</p> + +<p>The police-bureau was far away, but the distance +was nothing to these healthy young people.</p> + +<p>They progressed at a smart pace and in less than +twenty minutes they arrived. It was Gretchen +who drew back fearfully.</p> + +<p>"After all, will it not be foolish?" she suggested.</p> + +<p>"They will be searching for me," he answered.</p> + +<p>"It will be easier if I present myself. It will +<a name="Page_211" id="Page_211" />bear testimony that I am innocent of any +wrong."</p> + +<p>"I will go in with you," determinedly.</p> + +<p>The police officer, or, to be more particular, +the sub-chief of the bureau, received them with +ill-concealed surprise.</p> + +<p>"I have learned that you are seeking me," said +the vintner, taking off his cap. His yellow curls +waved about his forehead in moist profusion.</p> + +<p>Immediately the sub-chief did not know what +to say. This was out of the ordinary, conspicuously +so. There was little precedent by which to +act in a case like this. So in order to appear that +nothing could destroy his official poise, he let the +two stand before his desk while he sorted some +papers.</p> + +<p>"You are not a native of Dreiberg," he began.</p> + +<p>"No, Herr; I am from Bavaria. If you will +look into your records you will find that my papers +were presented two or three weeks ago."</p> + +<p>"Let me see them."</p> + +<p>The vintner's passports were produced. The +sub-chief compared them to the corresponding +number in his book. There was nothing wrong +about them.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_212" id="Page_212" />I do not recollect seeing you here before."</p> + +<p>"It was one of your assistants who originally +went over the papers."</p> + +<p>"What is your business?"</p> + +<p>"I am a vintner by trade, Herr."</p> + +<p>"And are there not plenty of vineyards in +Bavaria?"</p> + +<p>"We vintners," with an easy gesture, "are of +a roving disposition. I have been all along the +Rhine and the Moselle. I prefer grapes to hops."</p> + +<p>"But why Dreiberg? The best vineyards are +south."</p> + +<p>"Who can say where we shall go next? Dreiberg +seemed good enough for me," with a shy +glance at Gretchen.</p> + +<p>"Why did you jump out of the window?"</p> + +<p>"I was frightened at first, Herr. I did not +know that you merely dispersed meetings. I believed +that we were all to be arrested. Such +measures are in force in Munich."</p> + +<p>"You accused him of being a Jugendheit +spy," broke in Gretchen, who was growing impatient +under these questions, which seemed to +go nowhere in particular.</p> + +<p>"You be silent," warned the sub-chief.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_213" id="Page_213" />I am here because of that accusation," said +the vintner.</p> + +<p>"What have you to say?"</p> + +<p>"I deny it."</p> + +<p>"That is easy to do. But can you prove it?"</p> + +<p>"It is for you to prove, Herr."</p> + +<p>"Read this."</p> + +<p>It was the cutting. The vintner read it, his +brows drawn together in a puzzled frown. He +turned the slip over carelessly. The sub-chief's +eyes bored into him like gimlets.</p> + +<p>"I can make nothing of this, Herr. When I +cut this out of the paper it was to preserve the +notice on the other side." The vintner returned +the cutting.</p> + +<p>The sub-chief read aloud:</p> + +<p>"Vintners and presses and pruners wanted for +the season. Find and liberal compensation. Apply, +Holtz."</p> + +<p>Gretchen laughed joyously; the vintner +grinned; the sub-chief swore under his breath.</p> + +<p>"The devil fly away with you both!" he cried, +making the best of his chagrin. "And when you +marry, don't invite me to the wedding."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214" />After they had gone, however, he called for an +assistant.</p> + +<p>"Did you see that young vintner?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Follow him, night and day. Find out where +he lives and what he does; and ransack his room +if possible. He is either an innocent man or a +sleek rascal. Report to me this time each night."</p> + +<p>"And the girl?"</p> + +<p>"Don't trouble about her. She is under the +patronage of her serene highness. She's as right +as a die. It's the man. He was too easy; he +didn't show enough concern. An ordinary vintner +would have been frightened. This fellow +smiled."</p> + +<p>"And if I find out anything suspicious?"</p> + +<p>"Arrest him out of hand and bring him here +at once."</p> + +<p>Alone once more the sub-chief studied the cutting +with official thoroughness. He was finally +convinced, by the regularity of the line on the +printed side as compared with the irregularity of +the line on the advertising side, that the vintner +had lied. And yet there was no proof that he +had.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_215" id="Page_215" />This young fellow will go far," he mused, +with reluctant admiration.</p> + +<p>On reaching the street Gretchen gave rein to +her laughter. What promised to be a tragedy +was only a farce. The vintner laughed, too, but +Momus would have criticized his laughter.</p> + +<p>The night was not done yet; there were still +some more surprises in store for the vintner. As +they turned into the Krumerweg they almost ran +into Carmichael. What was the American consul +doing in this part of the town, so near midnight? +Carmichael recognized them both. He +lifted his hat, but the vintner cavalierly refused +to respond.</p> + +<p>"Herr Carmichael!" said Gretchen. "And +what are you doing here this time of the night?"</p> + +<p>"I have been on a fool's errand," urbanely.</p> + +<p>"And who sent you?"</p> + +<p>"The god of fools himself, I guess. I am +looking for a kind of ghost, a specter in black +that leaves the palace early in the evening and +returns late, whose destination has invariably +been forty Krumerweg."</p> + +<p>The vintner started.</p> + +<p>"My house?" cried Gretchen.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_216" id="Page_216" />Yours? Perhaps you can dispel this phantom?" +said Carmichael.</p> + +<p>Gretchen was silent.</p> + +<p>"Oh! You know something. Who is she?"</p> + +<p>"A lady who comes on a charitable errand. +But now she will come no more."</p> + +<p>"And why not?"</p> + +<p>"The object of her visits is gone," Gretchen +answered sadly.</p> + +<p>"My luck!" exclaimed Carmichael ruefully.</p> + +<p>"I am always building houses of cards. I don't +suppose I shall ever reform."</p> + +<p>"Are you not afraid to walk about in this part +of the town so late?" put in the vintner, who was +impatient to be gone.</p> + +<p>"Afraid? Of what? Thieves? Bah, my little +man, I carry a sword-stick, and moreover I know +how to use it tolerably well. Good night." And +he swung along easily, whistling an air from +<i>The Barber of Seville</i>.</p> + +<p>The insolence in Carmichael's tone set the vintner's +ears a-burning, but he swallowed his wrath.</p> + +<p>"I like him," Gretchen declared, as she stopped +before the house.</p> + +<p>"Why?" jealously.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_217" id="Page_217" />Because he is always like that; pleasant, +never ruffled, kindly. He will make a good husband +to some woman."</p> + +<p>The vintner shrugged. He was not patient +to-night.</p> + +<p>"Who is this mysterious woman?"</p> + +<p>"I am not free to tell you."</p> + +<p>"Oh!"</p> + +<p>"Leopold, what is the matter with you to-night? +You act like a boy."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the police muddle is to blame. Besides, +every time I see this man Carmichael I +feel like a baited dog."</p> + +<p>"In Heaven's name, why?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing that I can remember. But I have +asked you a question."</p> + +<p>"And I have declined to answer that question. +All my secrets are yours, but this one is another's."</p> + +<p>"Is it her highness?"</p> + +<p>Gretchen fingered the latch suggestively.</p> + +<p>"I am wrong, Gretchen; you are right. Kiss +me!"</p> + +<p>She liked the tone; she liked the kisses, too, +though they hurt.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_218" id="Page_218" />Good night, my man!" she whispered.</p> + +<p>"Good night, my woman! To-morrow night +at eight."</p> + +<p>He turned and ran lightly and swiftly up the +street. Gretchen remained standing in the doorway +till she could see him no more. Why should +he run like that? She raised the latch and went +inside.</p> + +<p>From the opposite doorway a mountaineer, a +carter, a butcher, and a baker stepped cautiously +forth.</p> + +<p>"He heard something," said the mountaineer. +"He has ears like a rat for hearing. What a +pretty picture!" cynically. "All the world loves +a lover—sometimes. Touching scene!"</p> + +<p>No one replied; no one was expected to reply; +more than that, no one cared to court the fury +which lay thinly disguised in the mountaineer's +tones.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow night; you heard what he said. +I am growing weary of this play. You will stop +him on his way to yonder house. A closed carriage +will be at hand. Before he enters, remember. +She watches him too long when he leaves. +Fool!"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219" />The quartet stole along in the darkness, noiselessly +and secretly.</p> + +<p>The vintner had indeed heard something. He +knew not what this noise was, but it was enough +to set his heels to flying. A phase had developed +in his character that defied analysis; suspicion, +suspicion of daylight, of night, of shadows moving +by walls, of footsteps behind. Only a little +while ago he had walked free-hearted and careless. +This growing habit of skulking was gall +and wormwood. Once in his room, which was directly +over the office of the American consulate, +he fell into a chair, inert and breathless. What +a night! What a series of adventures!</p> + +<p>"Only a month ago I was a boy. I am a man +now, for I know what it is to suffer. Gretchen, +dear Gretchen, I am a black scoundrel! But if I +break your heart I shall break my own along +with it. I wonder how much longer it will last. +But for that vintner's notice I should have been +lost."</p> + +<p>By and by he lighted a candle. The room held +a cot, a table, and two chairs. The vintner's +wardrobe consisted of a small pack thrown carelessly +into a corner. Out of the drawer in the +<a name="Page_220" id="Page_220" />table he took several papers and burned them. +The ashes he cast out of the window. He knew +something about police methods; they were by +no means all through with him. Ah! A patch +of white paper, just inside the door, caught his +eye. He fetched it to the candle. What he read +forced the color from his cheeks and his hands +were touched with transient palsy.</p> + +<p>"The devil! What shall I do now?" he muttered, +thoroughly dismayed.</p> + +<p>What indeed should he do? Which way should +he move? How long had <i>he</i> been in Dreiberg? +Ah, that would be rich! What a joke! It would +afford him a smile in his old age. Carmichael, +Carmichael! The vintner chuckled softly as he +scribbled this note:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"If Herr Carmichael would learn the secret of +number forty Krumerweg, let him attire himself +as a vintner and be in the Krumerweg at +eight o'clock to-night."</p></blockquote> + +<p>"So there is a trap, and I am to beware of a +mountaineer, a carter, a butcher, and a baker? +Thanks, Scharfenstein, my friend, thanks! You +are watching over me."</p> + +<p>He blew out his candle and went to bed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII" /><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221" />CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>A DAY DREAM</h3> + + +<p>Colonel Von Wallenstein curled +his mustaches. It was a happy thought +that had taken him into the Adlergasse. This +Gretchen had been haunting his dreams, and +here she was, coming into his very arms, as it +were. The sidewalk was narrow. Gretchen, +casually noting that an officer stood in the way, +sensibly veered into the road. But to her surprise +the soldier left the sidewalk and planted +himself in the middle of the road. There was no +mistaking this second maneuver. The officer, +whom she now recognized, was bent on intercepting +her. She stopped, a cold fury in her heart.</p> + +<p>To make sure, she essayed to go round. It was +of no use. So she stopped again.</p> + +<p>"Herr," she said quietly, "I wish to pass."</p> + +<p>"That is possible, Gretchen."</p> + +<p>It was nine o'clock in the morning. The Adlergasse +was at this time deserted.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_222" id="Page_222" />Will you stand aside?"</p> + +<p>"You have been haunting my dreams, +Gretchen."</p> + +<p>"That would be a pity. But I wish to pass."</p> + +<p>"Presently. Do you know that you are the +most beautiful being in all Dreiberg?"</p> + +<p>"I am in a hurry," said Gretchen.</p> + +<p>"There is plenty of time."</p> + +<p>"Not to listen to foolish speeches."</p> + +<p>"I am not going to let you pass till I have had +a kiss."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Battle flamed up in Gretchen's eyes. +Somewhere in the past, in some remote age, her +forebears had been men-at-arms or knights in the +crusades.</p> + +<p>"You are very hard to please. Some women—"</p> + +<p>"But what kind of women?" bitingly. "Not +such as I should care to meet. Will you let me +by peacefully?"</p> + +<p>"After the toll, after the toll!"</p> + +<p>Too late she started to run. He laughed and +caught hold of her. Slowly but irresistibly he +drew her toward his heart. The dead-white of +her face should have warned him. With a su<a name="Page_223" id="Page_223" />preme +effort she freed herself and struck him +across the face; and there was a man's strength +in the flat of her hand. Quick as a flash she +whirled round and ran up the street, he hot upon +her heels. He was raging now with pain and +chagrin. The one hope for Gretchen now lay in +the Black Eagle; and into the tavern she darted +excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Fräu Bauer," she cried, gasping as much in +wrath as for lack of breath, "may I come behind +your counter?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure, child. Whatever is the matter?"</p> + +<p>Wallenstein's entrance was answer sufficient. +His hand, held against his stinging cheek, was +telltale enough for the proprietress of the Black +Eagle.</p> + +<p>"Shame!" she cried. She knew her rights. +She was not afraid to speak plainly to any officer +in the duchy, however high he might be +placed.</p> + +<p>"I can not get at you there, Gretchen," said +the colonel, giving to his voice that venom which +the lady's man always has at hand when thwarted +in his gallantries. "You will have to come +hence presently."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_224" id="Page_224" />She shall stay here all day," declared Fräu +Bauer decidedly.</p> + +<p>"I can wait." The colonel, now possessing +two smarts, one to his cheek and one to his vanity, +made for the door. But there was a bulk in the +doorway formidable enough to be worth serious +contemplation.</p> + +<p>"What is going on here, little goose-girl?" +asked the grizzled old man, folding his arms +round his oak staff.</p> + +<p>"Herr Colonel insulted me."</p> + +<p>"Insulted you?" The colonel laughed boisterously. +This was good; an officer insult a wench +of this order! "Out of the way!" he snarled at +the obstruction in the doorway.</p> + +<p>"What did he try to do to you, Gretchen?"</p> + +<p>"He tried to kiss me!"</p> + +<p>"The man who tries to kiss a woman against +her will is always at heart a coward," said the +mountaineer.</p> + +<p>The colonel seized the old man by the shoulder +to push him aside. The other never so much as +stirred. He put out one of his arms and clasped +the colonel in such a manner that he gasped. He +was in the clutch of a Carpathian bear.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_225" id="Page_225" />Well, my little soldier?" said the mountaineer, +his voice even and not a vein showing in +his neck.</p> + +<p>"I will kill you for this!" breathed the colonel +heavily.</p> + +<p>"So?" The old man thrust him back several +feet, without any visible exertion. He let his +staff slide into his hand.</p> + +<p>The moment the colonel felt himself liberated, +he drew his saber and lunged toward his assailant. +There was murder in his heart. The two +women screamed. The old man laughed. He +turned the thrust with his staff. The colonel, +throwing caution to the four winds, surrendered +to his rage. He struck again. The saber rang +against the oak. This dexterity with the staff +carried no warning to the enraged officer. He +struck again and again. Then the old man +struck back. The pain in the colonel's arm was +excruciating. His saber rattled to the stone +flooring. Before he could recover the weapon +the victor had put his foot upon it. He was still +smiling, as if the whole affair was a bit of +pastime.</p> + +<p>On his part the colonel's blood suddenly cooled.<a name="Page_226" id="Page_226" /> +This was no accident; this meddling peasant had +at some time or other held a saber in his hand +and knew how to use it famously well. The colonel +realized that he had played the fool nicely.</p> + +<p>"My sword," he demanded, with as much dignity +as he could muster.</p> + +<p>"Will you sheathe it?" the old man asked +mildly.</p> + +<p>"Since it is of no particular use," bitterly.</p> + +<p>"I could have broken it half a dozen times. +Here, take it. But be wise in the future, and +draw it only in the right."</p> + +<p>The gall was bitter on the colonel's tongue, +but his head was evenly balanced now. He +jammed the blade into the scabbard.</p> + +<p>"I should like a word or two with you outside," +said the mountaineer.</p> + +<p>"To what purpose?"</p> + +<p>"To a good one, as you will learn."</p> + +<p>The two of them went out. Gretchen, overcome, +fell upon Fräu Bauer's neck and wept +soundly. The whole affair had been so sudden +and appalling.</p> + +<p>Outside the old man laid his hand on the colonel's +arm.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_227" id="Page_227" />You must never bother her again."</p> + +<p>"Must?"</p> + +<p>"The very word. Listen, and do not be a fool +because you have some authority on the general +staff. You are Colonel von Wallenstein; you are +something more besides."</p> + +<p>"What do you infer?"</p> + +<p>"I infer nothing. Now and then there happens +strange leakage in the duke's affairs. The +man is well paid. He is a gambler, and one is +always reasonably certain that the gambler will +be wanting money. Do you begin to understand +me, or must I be more explicit?"</p> + +<p>"Who are you?"</p> + +<p>"Who I am is of no present consequence. But +I know who and <i>what</i> you are. That is all-sufficient. +If you behave yourself in the future, +you will be allowed to continue in prosperity. +But if you attempt to molest that girl again +and I hear of it, there will be no more gold coming +over the frontier from Jugendheit. Now, +do you understand?"</p> + +<p>"Yes." The colonel experienced a weakness +in the knees.</p> + +<p>"Go. But be advised and walk circumspect<a name="Page_228" id="Page_228" />ly." +The speaker showed his back insolently, +and reëntered the Black Eagle.</p> + +<p>The colonel, pale and distrait, stared at the +empty door; and he saw in his mind's eye a squad +of soldiers, a wall, a single volley, and a dishonored +roll of earth. Military informers were +given short shrift. It was not a matter of tearing +off orders and buttons; it was death. Who +was this terrible old man, with the mind of a serpent +and the strength of a bear? The colonel +went to the barracks, but his usual debonair +was missing.</p> + +<p>"I am going into the garden, Gretchen. Bring +me a stein of brown." The mountaineer smiled +genially.</p> + +<p>"But I am not working here any more," said +Gretchen.</p> + +<p>"No?"</p> + +<p>"She has had a fortune left her," said Fräu +Bauer.</p> + +<p>"Well, well!" The mountaineer seemed vastly +pleased. "And how much is this fortune?"</p> + +<p>"Two thousand crowns." Gretchen was not +sure, but to her there always seemed to be a secret +laughter behind those clear eyes.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_229" id="Page_229" />Handsome! And what will you do now?"</p> + +<p>"She is to study for the opera."</p> + +<p>"Did I not prophesy it?" he cried jubilantly.</p> + +<p>"Did I not say that some impresario would discover +you and make your fortune?"</p> + +<p>"There is plenty of work ahead," said Gretchen +sagely.</p> + +<p>"Always, no matter what we strive for. But +a brave heart and a cheerful smile carry you +half-way up the hill. Where were you going +when this popinjay stopped you?"</p> + +<p>"I was going to the clock-mender's for a clock +he is repairing."</p> + +<p>"I've nothing to do. I'll go with you. I've +an idea that I should like to talk with you about +a very important matter. Perhaps it would be +easier to talk first and then go for the clock. If +you have it you'll be watching it. Will you come +into the garden with me now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Herr." Gretchen would have gone anywhere +with this strange man. He inspired confidence.</p> + +<p>The garden was a snug little place; a few +peach-trees and arbor-vines and vegetables, and +tables and chairs on the brick walk.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_230" id="Page_230" />So you are going to become a prima donna?" +he began, seating himself opposite her.</p> + +<p>"I am going to try," she smiled. "What is it +you wish to say to me?"</p> + +<p>"I am wondering how to begin," looking at +the blue sky.</p> + +<p>"Is it difficult?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, very."</p> + +<p>"Then why bother?"</p> + +<p>"Some things are written before we are born. +And I must, in the order of things, read this +writing to you."</p> + +<p>"Begin," said Gretchen.</p> + +<p>"Have you any dreams?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," vaguely.</p> + +<p>"I mean the kind one has in the daytime, the +dreams when the eyes are wide open."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!"</p> + +<p>"Who has not dreamed of riding in carriages, +of dressing in silks, of wearing rich ornaments?"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Gretchen clasped her hands and leaned +on her elbows. "And there are palaces, too."</p> + +<p>"To be sure." There was a long pause. "How +would you like a dream of this kind to come +true?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_231" id="Page_231" />Do they ever come true?"</p> + +<p>"In this particular case, I am a fairy. I know +that I do not look it; still, I am. With one touch +of my wand—this oak staff—I can bring you all +these things you have dreamed about."</p> + +<p>"But what would I do with carriages and jewels? +I am only a goose-girl, and I am to be married."</p> + +<p>"To that young rascal of a vintner?"</p> + +<p>"He is not a rascal!" loyally.</p> + +<p>"It will take but little to make him one," with +an odd grimness.</p> + +<p>Gretchen did not understand.</p> + +<p>He resumed, "how would you like a little palace, +with servants at your beck and call, with +carriages to ride in, with silks and velvets to +wear, and jewels to adorn your hair? How +would you like these things? Eh? Never again +to worry about your hands, never again to know +the weariness of toil, to be mistress of swans instead +of geese?"</p> + +<p>A shadow fell upon Gretchen's face; the eagerness +died out of her eyes.</p> + +<p>"I do not understand you, Herr. By what +right should I possess these things?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_232" id="Page_232" />By the supreme right of beauty, beauty +alone."</p> + +<p>"Would it be—honest?"</p> + +<p>For the first time he lowered his eyes. The +clear crystal spirit in hers embarrassed him.</p> + +<p>"Come, let us go for your clock," he said, +rising. "I am an old fool. I forgot that one +talks like this only to opera-dancers."</p> + +<p>Then Gretchen understood. "I am all alone," +she said; "I have had to fight my battles with +these two hands."</p> + +<p>"I am a black devil, <i>Kindchen</i>. Forget what I +have said. You are worthy the brightest crown +in Europe; but you wear a better one than that—goodness. +If any one should ever make you +unhappy, come to me. I will be your godfather. +Will you forgive an old man who ought to have +known better?"</p> + +<p>There was such unmistakable honesty in his +face and eyes that she did not hesitate, but placed +her hand in his.</p> + +<p>"Why did you ask all those questions?" she +inquired.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it was only to test your strength. +You are a brave and honest girl."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_233" id="Page_233" />And if trouble came," now smiling, "where +should I find you?"</p> + +<p>"I shall be near when it comes. Good fairies +are always close at hand." He swept his hat +from his head; ease and grace were in the movement; +no irony, nothing but respect. "And do +you love this vintner?"</p> + +<p>"With all my heart."</p> + +<p>"And he loves you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. His lips might lie, but not his eyes and +the touch of his hand."</p> + +<p>"So much the worse!" said the mountaineer inaudibly.</p> + +<p>Gretchen had gone home with her clock; but +still Herr Ludwig, as the mountaineer called +himself, tarried in the dim and dusty shop. +Clocks, old and new, broken and whole, clocks +from the four ends of the world; and watches, +thick and clumsy, thin and graceful, of gold and +silver and pewter.</p> + +<p>"Is there anything you want?" asked the +clock-mender.</p> + +<p>Herr Ludwig turned. How old this clock-mender +was, how very old!</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said. "I've a watch I should like +<a name="Page_234" id="Page_234" />you to look over." And he carelessly laid the +beautiful time-piece on the worn wooden counter.</p> + +<p>The clock-mender literally pounced upon it. +"Where did you get a watch like this?" he demanded +suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"It is mine. You will find my name engraved +inside the back lid."</p> + +<p>The clock-mender pried open the case, adjusted +his glass—and dropped it, shaking with terror.</p> + +<p>"You?" he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Sh!" said Herr Ludwig, putting a finger to +his lips.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV" /><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235" />CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>FIND THE WOMAN</h3> + + +<p>The watch, slipping from the clock-mender's +hand, spun like a coin on the counter, +while the clock-mender himself, his eyes bulging, +his jaw dangling, it might be said, staggered +back upon his stool.</p> + +<p>"So this is the end?" he said in a kind of mutter.</p> + +<p>"The end of what?" demanded the owner of +the watch.</p> + +<p>"Of all my labors, to me and to what little I +have left!"</p> + +<p>"Fiddlesticks! I am here for no purpose regarding +you, my comrade. So far as I am concerned, +your secret is as dead as it ever was. I +had a fancy that you were living in Paris."</p> + +<p>"Paris! <i>Gott!</i> For seventeen, eighteen years +I have traveled hither and thither, always on +some false clue. Never a band of Gipsies I +<a name="Page_236" id="Page_236" />heard of that I did not seek them out. Nothing, +nothing! You will never know what I have gone +through, and uselessly, to prove my innocence. +It always comes back in a circle; what benefit to +me would have been a crime like that of which I +was accused? Was I not high in honor? Was I +not wealthy? Was not my home life a happy +one? What benefit to me, I say?" a growing +fierceness in his voice and gestures. "All my estates +confiscated, my wife dead of shame, and I +molding among these clocks!"</p> + +<p>"But why the clocks?" in wonder.</p> + +<p>"It was a pastime of mine when I was a boy. +I used to be tinkering among all the clocks in the +house. So I bought out this old shop. From +time to time I have left it in the hands of an assistant. +The grand duke has a wonderful Friesian +clock. One day it fell out of order, and the +court jeweler could do nothing with it. I was +summoned, I! No one recognized me, I have +changed so. I mended the clock and went away."</p> + +<p>"But what is the use of all this, now that her +highness is found?"</p> + +<p>"My honor; to the duke it is black as ever."</p> + +<p>"Have you gone forward any?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_237" id="Page_237" />Like Sisyphus! I had begun to give up +hope, when the Gipsy I was seeking was seen by +one of my agents. He alone knows the secret. +And I am waiting, waiting. But you believe, +Ludwig?"</p> + +<p>"Carl, you are as innocent of it all as I am +or as my brother was. Come with me to Jugendheit."</p> + +<p>"No, Ludwig, this is my country, however unjustly +it has treated me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes. And to think that you and I and +the grand duke were comrades at Heidelberg! +But if your Gipsy fails you?"</p> + +<p>"Still I shall remain. This will be all I shall +have, these clocks. I am only sixty-eight, yet no +one would believe me under eighty. I no longer +gaze into mirrors. I have forgotten how I look. +There were letters found in my desk, all forgeries, +I knew, but so cleverly done I could only +deny. I saw that my case was hopeless, so I fled +to Paris. I wrote Herbeck once while there. He +believed that I was innocent. I have his letter +yet. He has a great heart, Ludwig, and he has +done splendid work for Ehrenstein."</p> + +<p>"He keeps a steady hand on the duke."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_238" id="Page_238" />But you, what are you doing in Dreiberg, in +this guise?"</p> + +<p>Herr Ludwig sat upon the counter and +clasped a knee. "Do you care for fairy-stories?"</p> + +<p>"Sometimes."</p> + +<p>"Well, once upon a time there lived a king. He +was young. He had an uncle who watched over +him and his affairs. They call such uncles prince +regents. This prince regent had an idea regarding +the future welfare of this nephew. He +would bring him up to be a man, well educated, +broad-minded, and clean-lived. He should have +a pilot to guide him past the traps and vices +which befall the young. Time wore on. The +lad grew up, clean in mind, strong in body, liberal; +a fine prince. No scandalous entanglements; +no gaming; no wine-bibbing beyond what +any decent man may do. In his palace few saw +anything of him after his fifteenth year. He +went into the world under an assumed name. By +and by he came home, quietly. His uncle was +proud of him, for his eye was clear and his +tongue was clean. In one month he was to be +coronated. And now what do you think? He +<a name="Page_239" id="Page_239" />must have one more adventure, just one. Would +his uncle go with him? Certainly not. Moreover, +the time for adventure was over. He must +no longer wander about; he was a king; he must +put his hand to king-craft. And one morning +his uncle found him gone, gone as completely as +if he had never existed. What to do? Ah! The +prince regent set it going that his majesty had +gone a-hunting in Bavaria. Then the prince +regent put on some old clothes and went a-venturing +himself."</p> + +<p>"And the end?"</p> + +<p>"God knows!" said Ludwig, sliding off the +counter.</p> + +<p>Nothing but the ticking of the clocks was +heard.</p> + +<p>"And fatuous fool that this uncle was, he committed +an almost irreparable blunder. He tried +to marry his nephew."</p> + +<p>"I understand. But if you are discovered +here?"</p> + +<p>"That is not likely."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Ludwig, it is not the expected that always +happens. Be careful; you know the full +wording of Herbeck's treaty."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_240" id="Page_240" />Herbeck; there's a man," said Herr Ludwig +admiringly. "To have found her highness as +he did!"</p> + +<p>"He is lucky," but without resentment.</p> + +<p>The other picked up his watch. "Can I be +of material assistance?"</p> + +<p>"I want nothing," haughtily.</p> + +<p>"Proud old imbecile!" replied the mountaineer +kindly. "You have been deeply wronged, but +some day you will pick up the thread in the +labyrinth, and there will be light forward. I +myself shall see what can be done with the duke."</p> + +<p>"He will never be brought to reason unless +indubitable evidence of my innocence confronts +him. With the restoration of the princess fifty +political prisoners were given their liberty and +restored to citizenship. The place once occupied +by my name is still blank, obliterated. It is +hard. I have given the best of my heart and +of my brain to Ehrenstein—for this! I am innocent."</p> + +<p>"I believe you, Carl. Remember, Jugendheit +will always welcome you. I must be going. I +have much to do between now and midnight. +The good God will unravel the snarl."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_241" id="Page_241" />Or forget it," cynically. "Good-by, Ludwig."</p> + +<p>There was a hand-clasp, and the mountaineer +took himself off. The clock-mender philosophically +reached for his tools. He had wasted time +enough over retrospection; he determined to occupy +himself with the present only. Tick-tock! +tick-tock! sang the clocks about him. All at +once a volume of musical sounds broke forth; +cuckoo-calls, chimes, tinkles light and thin, +booms deep and vibrant. But the clock-mender +bent over his work; all he was conscious of was +the eternal tick-tock! tick-tock! on and on, without +cessation.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Carmichael walked his horse. This morning +he had ridden out almost to the frontier and was +now on his return. As he passed through the +last grove of pines and came into the clearing +the picture was exquisite; the three majestic +bergs of ice and snow above Dreiberg, the city +shining white and fairylike in the mid-morning's +sun, and the long, half-circling ribbon of a road. +He sighed, and the horse cocked his ears at the +sound.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242" />No longer did Carmichael take the south pass +for his morning rides. That was the favored +going of her highness, and he avoided her now. +In truth, he dared not meet her now; it would +have been out of wisdom. So long as she had +been free his presence had caused no comment, +only tolerant amusement among the nobles at +court. It chafed him to be regarded as a harmless +individual, for he knew that he was far from +being in that class. There was a wild strain in +him. Dreiberg might have waked up some fine +morning to learn that for a second time her +princess had been stolen, and that there was a +vacancy in the American consulate. How many +times had he been seized with the mad desire to +snatch the bridle of her horse and ride away +with her into a far country! How often had +his arms started out toward her, only to drop +stiffly to his sides!</p> + +<p>March hares! They were Solons as compared +with his own futile madness. But it was different +now. She was to marry the king of Jugendheit; +it was in the order of things that he ride +alone. He knew that court etiquette demanded +the isolation of the Princess Hildegarde from +<a name="Page_243" id="Page_243" />male escort other than that formally provided. +The two soldiers detailed to act as her grooms +or bodyguards were not, of course, to be considered. +So, of the morning, he went down to +the military field to watch the maneuvers, which +were drawing to a close; or rode out to the frontier, +or took the side road to Eissen, where the +summer palaces were. But it was all dreary; +the zest of living had somehow dropped out of +things.</p> + +<p>The road to Eissen began about six miles +north of the base of the Dreiberg mountain. It +swerved to the east. As Carmichael reached the +fork his horse began to limp. He jumped down +and removed the stone. It was then that he +heard the far-off mutter of hoofs. Coming along +the road from Eissen were a trio of riders. Carmichael +laughed weakly.</p> + +<p>"I swear to Heaven that this is no fault of +mine!"</p> + +<p>Should he mount and be off before she made +the turn? Bah! It was an accident; he would +make the most of it. The bodyguard could easily +vindicate him, in any event. He remounted and +waited.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244" />She came in full flight, rosy, radiant, as lovely +as Diana. Carmichael swung his cap boyishly; +and there was a swirl of dust as she drew up.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Herr Carmichael!"</p> + +<p>"Good morning, your Highness!"</p> + +<p>"Which way have you been riding?"</p> + +<p>"Toward Jugendheit."</p> + +<p>"And you are returning?" With a short nod +of her head she signaled for the two soldiers to +fall back.</p> + +<p>The two looked at each other embarrassedly.</p> + +<p>"Pardon, Highness," said one of them, "but +the orders of the duke will not permit us to leave +you. There have been thieves along the road of +late."</p> + +<p>Thieves? This was the first time Carmichael +had heard of it. The real significance of the +maneuver escaped him; but her highness was +not fooled.</p> + +<p>"Very well," she replied. "One of you ride +forward and one of you take the rear." Then +she spoke to Carmichael in English.</p> + +<p>The soldiers shrugged. To them it did not +matter what language her highness adopted so +long as they obeyed the letter of the duke's in<a name="Page_245" id="Page_245" />structions. +The little cavalcade directed its +course toward the city.</p> + +<p>"You have not been riding of late," she said.</p> + +<p>Then she had missed him. Carmichael's heart +expanded. To be missed is to be regretted, and +one regrets only those in whom one is interested.</p> + +<p>"I have ridden the same as usual, your Highness; +only I have taken this road for a change."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" She patted the glistening neck of her +mare. So he had purposely tried to avoid her? +Why? She stole a sly glance at him. Why +were not kings molded in this form? All the +kings she had met had something the matter with +them, crooked legs, weak eyes, bald, young, or +old, and daft over gaming-tables and opera-dancers. +And the one man among them all—at +least she had been informed that the king of +Jugendheit was all of a man—had politely declined. +There was some chagrin in this for her, +but no bitterness or rancor. In truth, she was +more chagrined on her father's account than on +her own.</p> + +<p>"You should have taken the south pass. It +was lovely yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps this way has been wisest."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_246" id="Page_246" />Are you become afraid of me?" archly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, your Highness." If he had looked at +her instead of his horse's ears, and smiled, all +would have been well.</p> + +<p>She instantly regretted the question. "I am +sorry that I have become an ogress."</p> + +<p>"To me your highness is the most perfect of +women. I am guilty of lese-majesty."</p> + +<p>"I shall not lock you up," she said, and added +under her breath, "as my good father would +like to! Besides," she continued aloud, "I rather +like to set the court by the ears. Whoever heard +of a serene highness doing the things I do? I +suppose it is because I have known years of freedom, +freedom of action, of thought, of speech. +These habits can not change at once. In fact, +I do not believe they ever will. But the duke, +my father, is good; he understands and trusts +me. Ah, but I shall lead some king a merry +life!" with a wicked gleam in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Frederick of Jugendheit?"</p> + +<p>"Is it true that you have not heard yet? I +have declined the honor."</p> + +<p>"Your highness?"</p> + +<p>"My serene highness," with a smile. "This, +<a name="Page_247" id="Page_247" />of course, is as yet a state secret; and my reason +for telling you is not a princess', but a woman's. +Solve it if you can."</p> + +<p>Carmichael fumbled the reins blindly. "They +say that he is a handsome young man."</p> + +<p>"What has that to do with it? The interest +he takes in his kingdom is positively negative. +I have learned that he has been to his capital but +twice since he was fifteen. He is even now absent +on a hunting trip in Bavaria, and his coronation +but a few days off. There will be only +one king in Jugendheit, and that will be the +prince regent."</p> + +<p>"He has done tolerably well up to the present," +observed Carmichael, welcoming this +change. "Jugendheit is prosperous; it has a +splendid army. The prince regent is a fine type +of man, they say, rugged, patient, frugal and +sensible."</p> + +<p>"There is an instance where he made a cruel +blunder."</p> + +<p>"No man is infallible," said he, wondering +what this blunder was.</p> + +<p>"I suppose not. Look! The artillery is firing."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248" />Boom-boom! They saw the smoke leap from +the muzzles of the cannon, and it seemed minutes +before the sound reached them.</p> + +<p>"I have a fine country, too," she said, with +pride; "prosperous, and an army not inferior +to that of Jugendheit."</p> + +<p>"I was not making comparisons, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"I know that, my friend. I was simply speaking +from the heart. But I doubt if the prince +regent is a better man than our Herbeck."</p> + +<p>"I prefer Herbeck, never having met the +prince regent. But I have some news for your +highness."</p> + +<p>"News for me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I am about to ask for my recall," he +said, the idea having come into his mind at that +precise moment.</p> + +<p>"Your recall?"</p> + +<p>Had he been looking at her he would have noticed +that the color on her fair cheeks had gone +a shade lighter.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Is not this sudden? it is not very complimentary to Ehrenstein."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_249" id="Page_249" />The happiest days in my life have been spent +here."</p> + +<p>"Then why seek to be recalled?"</p> + +<p>"I am essentially a man of action, your Highness. +I am growing dull and stupid amid these +charming pleasures. Action; I have always been +mixed up in some trouble or other. Here it is +a round of pleasure from day to day. I long +for buffets. I am wicked enough to wish for +war."</p> + +<p>"<i>Cherchez la femme!</i>" she cried. "There is a +woman?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" recklessly.</p> + +<p>"Then go to her, my friend, go to her." And +she waved her crop over his head as in benediction. +"Some day, before you go, I shall ask +you all about her." Ah, as if she did not know! +But half the charm in life is playing with hidden +dangers.</p> + +<p>He did not speak, but caught up the reins +firmly. She touched her mare on the flank, and +the four began trotting, a pace which they maintained +as far as the military field. Here they +paused, for the scene was animated and full of +color. Squadrons of cavalry raced across the +<a name="Page_250" id="Page_250" />field; infantry closed in or deployed; artillery +rumbled, wheeled, stopped, unlimbered. Bang-bang! +The earth shivered and rocked. Guerdons +were flying, bugles were blowing, and sabers were +flashing.</p> + +<p>"It is beautiful," she cried, "this mimic war."</p> + +<p>"May your highness never see aught else!" he +replied fervently.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes; you have seen it divested of all its +pomp. You have seen it in all its cruelty and +horror."</p> + +<p>"I have known even the terror of it."</p> + +<p>"You were afraid?"</p> + +<p>"Many times."</p> + +<p>She laughed. It is only the coward who denies +fear.</p> + +<p>He would certainly ask for his recall or transfer. +He was eating his heart out here in Dreiberg.</p> + +<p>They began the incline. She did most of the +talking, brightly and gaily; but his ears were +dull, for the undercurrent passed by him. He +was, for the first time, impressed with the fact +that the young ladies of the court never accompanied +her on her morning rides. There were +<a name="Page_251" id="Page_251" />frequent afternoon excursions, when several +ladies and gentlemen rode with her highness, +but in the mornings, never.</p> + +<p>"Will you return to America?" she queried.</p> + +<p>"I shall idle in Paris for a while. I have an +idea that there will be war one of these days."</p> + +<p>"And which side will you take?"</p> + +<p>"I should be a traitor if I fought for France; +I should be an ingrate if I fought against her. +I should be a spectator, a neutral."</p> + +<p>"That would expose you to danger without +the right to strike a blow in defense."</p> + +<p>"If I were hurt it would be but an accident. +War correspondents would run a hundred more +risks than I. Oh, I should be careful; I know +war too well not to be."</p> + +<p>"All this is strange talk for a man who is a +confessed lover."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me!" his eyes rather empty.</p> + +<p>"Why, you tell me there is a woman; and all +your talk is about war and danger. These are +opposites; please explain."</p> + +<p>"There is a woman, but she will not hinder me +in any way. She will, in fact, know nothing +about it."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_252" id="Page_252" />You are a strange lover. I never read anything +like you in story-books. Forgive me! I +am thoughtless. The subject may be painful to +you."</p> + +<p>The horses began to pull. Under normal circumstances +Carmichael would not have dismounted, +but his horse had carried him many miles +that morning, and he was a merciful rider. In +the war days often had his life depended upon +the care of his horse.</p> + +<p>"You have been riding hard?"</p> + +<p>"No, only far."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe that there is a finer horseman +in all Ehrenstein than yourself."</p> + +<p>"Your highness is very good to say that." +Why had he not gone on instead of waiting at +the fork?</p> + +<p>Within a few hundred yards of the gates he +mounted again. And then he saw a lonely +figure sitting on the parapet. He would have +recognized that square form anywhere. And he +welcomed the sight of it.</p> + +<p>"Your Highness, do you see that man yonder, +on the parapet? We fought in the same cavalry. +He is covered with scars. Not one man +<a name="Page_253" id="Page_253" />in a thousand would have gone through what he +did and lived."</p> + +<p>"Is he an American?"</p> + +<p>"By adoption. And may I ask a favor of your +highness?"</p> + +<p>"Two!" merrily.</p> + +<p>"May I present him? It will be the joy of +his life."</p> + +<p>"Certainly. All brave men interest me."</p> + +<p>Grumbach rose up, uncovered, thinking that +the riders were going to pass him. But to his +surprise his friend Carmichael stopped his horse +and beckoned to him.</p> + +<p>"Herr Grumbach," said Carmichael, "her serene +highness desires me to present you."</p> + +<p>Hans was stricken dumb. He knew of no +greater honor.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Carmichael," she said in English, "tells +me that you fought with him in the American +war?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Highness."</p> + +<p>She plied him with a number of questions; +how many battles they had fought in, how many +times they had been wounded, how they lived in +camp, and so forth; and which was the more +<a name="Page_254" id="Page_254" />powerful engine of war, the infantry or the +cavalry.</p> + +<p>"The cavalry, Highness," said Hans, without +hesitation.</p> + +<p>She laughed. "If you had been a foot-soldier, +you would have said the infantry; of the artillery, +you would have sworn by the cannon."</p> + +<p>"That is true, Highness. The three arms are +necessary, but there is ever the individual pride +in the arm one serves in."</p> + +<p>"And that is right. You speak good English," +she remarked.</p> + +<p>"I have lived more than sixteen years in +America, Highness."</p> + +<p>"Do you like it there?"</p> + +<p>"It is a great country, full of great ideas and +great men, Highness."</p> + +<p>"And you will go back?"</p> + +<p>"Soon, Highness."</p> + +<p>The mare, knowing that this was the way +home, grew restive and began prancing and +pawing the road. She reined in quickly. As she +did so, something yellow flashed downward and +tinkled as it struck the ground. Grumbach +hastened forward.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_255" id="Page_255" />My locket," said her highness anxiously.</p> + +<p>"It is not broken, Highness," said Grumbach; +"only the chain has come apart." Then he +handed it to her gravely.</p> + +<p>"Thank you!" Her highness put both chain +and locket into a small purse which she carried +in her belt, touched the mare, and sped up the +road, Carmichael following.</p> + +<p>Grumbach returned to the parapet. He followed them +till they passed out of sight beyond +the gates.</p> + +<p>"<i>Gott!</i>" he murmured.</p> + +<p>His face was as livid as the scar on his head.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV" /><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256" />CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>THE WRONG MAN</h3> + + +<p>Herbeck dropped his quill, and there +was a dream in his eyes. His desk was +littered with papers, well covered with ink; flowing +sentences, and innumerable figures. He was +the watch-dog of the duchy. Never a bill from +the Reichstag that did not pass under his cold +eye before it went to the duke for his signature, +his approval, or veto. Not a copper was needlessly +wasted, and never was one held back unnecessarily. +Herbeck was just both in great +and little things. The commoners could neither +fool nor browbeat him.</p> + +<p>The dream in his eyes grew; it was tender and +kindly. The bar of sunlight lengthened across +his desk, and finally passed on. Still he sat +there, motionless, rapt. And thus the duke +found him. But there was no dream in <i>his</i> eyes; +they were cold with implacable anger. He held +a letter in his hand and tossed it to Herbeck.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_257" id="Page_257" />I shall throw ten thousand men across the +frontier to-night, let the consequences be what +they may."</p> + +<p>"Ten thousand men?" The dream was shattered. +War again?</p> + +<p>"Read that. It is the second anonymous communication +I have received within a week. As +the first was truthful, there is no reason to believe +this one to be false."</p> + +<p>Herbeck read, and he was genuinely startled.</p> + +<p>"What do you say to that?" triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"This," with that rapid decision which made +him the really great tactician he was. "Let them +go quietly back to Jugendheit."</p> + +<p>"No!" blazed the duke.</p> + +<p>"Are we rich enough for war?"</p> + +<p>"Always questions, questions! What the devil +is my army for if not to uphold my dignity? +Herbeck, you shall not argue me out of this."</p> + +<p>"Rather let me reason. This is some prank, +which I am sure does not concern Ehrenstein in +the least. They would never dare enter Dreiberg +for aught else. There must be a flaw in +our secret service."</p> + +<p>"Doubtless."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_258" id="Page_258" />I have seen this writing before," said Herbeck. +"I shall make it my business to inquire +who it is that takes this kindly interest in the +affairs of state."</p> + +<p>The duke struck the bell violently.</p> + +<p>"Summon the chief of the police," he said to +the secretary.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, your Highness, let it be a police +affair. This letter does not state the why and +wherefore of their presence here."</p> + +<p>"It holds enough for me."</p> + +<p>"Will your highness leave the matter in my +hands?"</p> + +<p>"Herbeck, in some things you are weak."</p> + +<p>"And in others I am strong," smiled the chancellor. +"I am weak when there is talk of war; +I am strong when peace is in the balance."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible, Herbeck, that you do not appreciate +the magnitude of the situation?"</p> + +<p>"It is precisely because I do that I wish to +move slowly. Wait. Let the police find out +<i>why</i> they are here. There will be time enough +then to declare war. They have never seen her +highness. Who knows?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! But they have violated the treaty."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_259" id="Page_259" />That depends upon whether their presence +here is or is not a menace to the state. If they +are here on private concerns which in no wise +touch Ehrenstein, it would be foolhardy to declare +war. Your highness is always letting your +personal wounds blur your eyesight. Some day +you will find that Jugendheit is innocent."</p> + +<p>"God hasten the day and hour!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, let us hope that the mystery of it all +will be cleared up. You are just and patient in +everything but this." Herbeck idled with his +quill. The little finger of his right hand was +badly scarred, the mutilation of a fencing-bout +in his student days.</p> + +<p>"What do you advise?" wearily. It seemed +to the duke that Herbeck of late never agreed +with him.</p> + +<p>"My advice is to wait. In a day or so arrest +them under the pretext that you believe them to +be spies. If they remain mute, then the case is +serious, and you will have them on the hip. If, +on the other hand, this invasion is harmless and +they declare themselves, the matter can be adjusted +in this wise: ignore their declaration and +confine them a day or two in the city prison, +<a name="Page_260" id="Page_260" />then publish the news broadcast. Having themselves +broken the letter if not the spirit of the +treaty, they will not dare declare war. Every +court in Europe will laugh."</p> + +<p>The duke struck his hands together. "You +are always right, Herbeck. This plan could not +have been devised better or more to my satisfaction." +The duke laughed. "You are right. +Ah, here is the chief."</p> + +<p>Herbeck read the letter in part to the chief, +who jotted down the words, repeating aloud in +a kind of mutter: "A mountaineer, a vintner, +a carter, a butcher, and a baker. You will give +me their descriptions, your Excellency?"</p> + +<p>Herbeck read the postscript.</p> + +<p>"But you don't tell him who—"</p> + +<p>"Why should he know?" said Herbeck, glancing +shrewdly at the duke. "His ignorance will +be all the better for the plot."</p> + +<p>"Then this is big game, your Highness?" +asked the chief.</p> + +<p>"Big game."</p> + +<p>"One is as big and powerful as a Carpathian +bear. Look out," warned Herbeck.</p> + +<p>"And he is?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_261" id="Page_261" />The mountaineer."</p> + +<p>"And the vintner?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is a little fellow, and hasn't grown his +bite yet," said Herbeck dryly.</p> + +<p>The duke laughed again. It would be as good +as a play.</p> + +<p>"I thank you, Herbeck. You have neatly arranged +a fine comedy. I do not think so clearly +as I used to. When the arrest is made, give it +as much publicity as possible. Take a squad +of soldiers; it will give it a military look. Will +you be on the field this afternoon?"</p> + +<p>"No, your highness," touching the papers +which strewed his desk; "this will keep me busy +well into evening."</p> + +<p>The duke waved his hand cheerfully and left +the cabinet.</p> + +<p>"Your excellency, then, really leaves me to +work in the dark?" asked the chief uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Yes," tearing up the note. "But you will +not be in the dark long after you have arrested +these persons. Begin with the mountaineer and +the vintner; the others do not matter so much." +Then Herbeck laughed. The chief raised his +head. He had not heard his excellency laugh +<a name="Page_262" id="Page_262" />like that in many moons. "Report to me your +progress. Unfortunately my informant does +not state just where these fellows are to be +found."</p> + +<p>"That is my business, your Excellency."</p> + +<p>"Good luck to you!" responded Herbeck, with +a gesture of dismissal.</p> + +<p>When her highness came in from her morning's +ride she found the duke waiting in her +apartments.</p> + +<p>"Why, father," kissing him, "what brings you +here?"</p> + +<p>"A little idea I have in mind." He drew her +down to the arm of the chair. "We all have our +little day-dreams."</p> + +<p>"Who does not, father?" She slid her arm +round his neck. She was full of affection for +this kindly parent.</p> + +<p>"But there are those of us who must not accept +day-dreams as realities; for then there will +be heartaches and futile longings."</p> + +<p>"You are warning me. About what, father?" +There was a little stab in her heart.</p> + +<p>"Herr Carmichael is a fine fellow, brave, +witty, shrewd. If all Americans are like him,<a name="Page_263" id="Page_263" /> +America will soon become a force in the world. +I have taken a fancy to him; and you know what +they say of your father—no formality with +those whom he likes. Humanly, I am right; but +in the virtue of everyday events in court life, +I am wrong."</p> + +<p>She moved uneasily.</p> + +<p>He went on: "Herbeck has spoken of it, the +older women speak of it; and they all say—"</p> + +<p>"Say!" she cried hotly, leaping to her feet. +"What do I care what they say? Are you not +the grand duke, and am I not your daughter?"</p> + +<p>In his turn the duke felt the stab.</p> + +<p>"You must ride no more with Herr Carmichael. +It is neither wise nor safe."</p> + +<p>"Father!"</p> + +<p>He was up, with his arms folding round her. +"Child, it is only for your sake. Listen to me. +I married your mother because I loved her and +she loved me. The case is isolated, rare, out of +the beaten path in the affairs of rulers. But +you, you must be a princess. You must steel +your heart against the invasion of love, unless it +comes from a state equal or superior to your +own. It is harsh and cruel, but it is a law that +<a name="Page_264" id="Page_264" />will neither bend nor break. Do you understand me?"</p> + +<p>The girl stared blindly at the wall. "Yes, +father."</p> + +<p>"It is all my fault," said the duke, deeply +agitated, for the girl trembled under his touch.</p> + +<p>"I shall not ride with him any more."</p> + +<p>"There's a good girl," patting her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I have been a princess such a little while."</p> + +<p>He kissed the wheaten-colored hair. "Be a +brave heart, and I shall engage to find a king for +you."</p> + +<p>"I don't want any playthings, father," with +the old light touch; and then she looked him full +in the eyes. "I promise to do nothing more to +create comment if, on the other hand, you will +promise to give me two years more of freedom."</p> + +<p>The duke readily assented, and shortly returned +to his own suite, rather pleased that there +had been no scene; not that he had expected any.</p> + +<p>Now that she was alone, she slipped into the +chair, beat a light tattoo with her riding-whip +against her teeth, and looked fixedly at the wall +again, as if to gaze beyond it, into the dim future. +But she saw nothing save that she was +<a name="Page_265" id="Page_265" />young and that the days in Dresden, for all their +penury, were far pleasanter than these.</p> + +<p>Meantime the chief of police called his subaltern +and placed in his hands the peculiar descriptions. +The word vintner caused him to give +vent to an ejaculation of surprise.</p> + +<p>"He was in here last night. I have had him +followed all day. He lives over the American +consulate. Among his things was found the +uniform of a colonel in the Prussian Uhlans."</p> + +<p>"Ha! Arrest him tom-orrow, or the day after +at the latest. But the mountaineer is the big +game. Do not arrest the vintner till you have +him. Where one is the other is likely to be. +But on the moment of arrest you must have a +squad of soldiers at your back."</p> + +<p>"Soldiers?" doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Express orders of his highness."</p> + +<p>"It shall be done."</p> + +<p>Considerable activity was manifest in the police +bureau the rest of that day.</p> + +<p>To return to Carmichael. He had never before +concerned himself with resignations. Up +to this hour he had never resigned anything he +had set his heart upon. So it was not an easy +<a name="Page_266" id="Page_266" />matter for him to compose a letter to the secretary +of state, resigning the post at Dreiberg. +True, he added that he desired to be transferred +to a seaport town, France or Italy preferred. +The high altitude in Dreiberg had affected his +heart. However, in case there was no other +available post, they would kindly appoint his +successor at once. Carmichael never faltered +where his courage was concerned, and it needed +a fine quality of moral courage to write this letter +and enclose it in the diplomatic pouch which +went into the mails that night. It took courage +indeed to face the matter squarely and resolutely, +when there was the urging desire to linger on +and on, indefinitely. That she was not going +to marry the king of Jugendheit did not alter +his affairs in the least. It was all hopeless, absurd, +and impossible. He must go.</p> + +<p>Some one was knocking on the door.</p> + +<p>"Come in."</p> + +<p>"A letter for your excellency," said the +concierge.</p> + +<p>"Wait till I read it. There may be an answer."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_267" id="Page_267" />If Herr Carmichael would learn the secret +of number forty Krumerweg, let him attire +himself as a vintner and be in the Krumerweg +at eight o'clock to-night."</p> + +<p>This note was as welcome to the recipient as +the flowers in the spring. An adventure? He +was ready, now and always. Anything to take +his mind off his own dismal affairs. Then he +recalled the woman in black; the letter could apply +to none but her. More than this, he might +light upon the puzzle regarding the vintner. +He had met the fellow before. But where?</p> + +<p>"What sort of clothes does a vintner wear?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"A vintner, your Excellency?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I shall need the costume of a vintner +this evening."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that will be easy," affirmed the concierge, +"if your excellency does not mind wearing +clothes that have already been worn."</p> + +<p>"My excellency will not care a hang. Procure +them as soon as you can."</p> + +<p>So it came about that Carmichael, dressed as +a vintner, his hat over his eyes, stole into the +misty night and took the way to the Krumerweg.<a name="Page_268" id="Page_268" /> +He knew exactly where he wished to go: number +forty. It was gray-black in the small streets; +and but for the occasional light in a window the +dark would have had no modification. Sometimes +he would lose the point of the compass and +blunder against a wall or find himself feeling +for the curb, hesitant of foot. The wayside +shrine was a rift in the gloom, and he knew that +he had only a few more steps to take. After all, +who was the lady in black and why should he +bother himself about her? She probably came +from the back stairs of the palace. And yet, +the chancellor himself had been in this place. +What should he do? Should he wait across the +street? Should he knock at the door and ask +to be admitted? No; he must skulk in the dark, +on the opposite side. He picked his way over +the street and stood for a moment in the denser +black.</p> + +<p>A step? He trained his ear. But even as he +did so his arms were grasped firmly and twisted +behind his back, and at the same time a cloth +was wrapped round the lower part of his face, +leaving only his eyes and nose visible. It was +all so sudden and unexpected that he was passive +<a name="Page_269" id="Page_269" />the first few seconds; after that there was some +scuffling, strenuous, too. He was fighting +against three. Desperately he surged this way +and that. Even in the heat of battle he wondered +a little why no one struck him; they simply +clung to him, and at length he could not move. +His hands were tied, not roughly, but surely. +In all this commotion, not a whisper, not a voice; +only heavy breathing.</p> + +<p>Then one of the three whistled. A minute or +two after a closed carriage came into the Krumerweg, +and Carmichael was literally bundled inside. +His feet were now bound. Two of his +captors sat on the forward seat, while the third +joined the driver. Carmichael could distinguish +nothing but outlines and shadows. He choked, +for he was furious. To be trussed like this, +without any explanation whatever! What the +devil was going on? Unanswered.</p> + +<p>The carriage began to move slowly. It had +to; swift driving in the Krumerweg was hardly +possible and at no time safe. Carmichael set +himself to note the turns of the street. One +turn after another he counted, fixing as well as +he could the topography of the town through +<a name="Page_270" id="Page_270" />which they were passing. At last he realized +that they were leaving Dreiberg behind and +were going down the mountain on the north side, +toward Jugendheit. Once the level road was +reached, a fast pace was set and maintained for +miles. At the Elirenstein barrier no question +was asked, and Carmichael's one hope was shattered. +At the Jugendheit barrier the carriage +stopped. There were voices. Carmichael saw +the flicker of a lantern. His captors got out. +Presently there appeared at the door an old man +dressed as a mountaineer. In his hand was the +lantern.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, dear nephew—Fools!" he +broke off, swinging round. "He has tricked you +all. This is not <i>he</i>!"</p> + +<p>Three astonished faces peered over the old +man's shoulder. Carmichael eyed them evilly. +He now saw that one was a carter, another a +butcher, and the third a baker. He had seen +them before, in the Black Eagle. But this signified +nothing.</p> + +<p>"Untie him and take off that rag. It may be +Scharfenstein." The old man possessed authority.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271" />Carmichael, freed, stretched himself.</p> + +<p>"Well?" he said, with a dangerous quiet.</p> + +<p>"Herr Carmichael, the American consul!" +The old man nearly dropped the lantern. "Oh, +you infernal blockheads!"</p> + +<p>"Explanations are in order," suggested Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"You are offered a thousand apologies for a +stupid mistake. Now, may I ask how you came +to be dressed in these clothes on this particular +night?"</p> + +<p>Carmichael's anger dissolved, and he laughed. +All the mystery was gone with the abruptness of +a mist under the first glare of the sun. He saw +how neatly he had been duped. He still carried +the note. This he gave to the leader of this +midnight expedition.</p> + +<p>"Humph!" said the old man in a growl. "I +thought as much." He whispered to his companions. +"Herr Carmichael, I shall have the +honor of escorting you back to Dreiberg."</p> + +<p>"But will it be as easy to go in as it was to +come out?"</p> + +<p>"Trust you for that. The American consul's +word will be sufficient for our needs."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_272" id="Page_272" />And if I refuse to give that word?"</p> + +<p>"In that case, you will have to use your legs," +curtly.</p> + +<p>"I prefer to ride."</p> + +<p>"Thanks. I shall sit with the driver."</p> + +<p>"That also will please me."</p> + +<p>"And you ask no further questions?"</p> + +<p>"Why should I? I know all I wish to know, +which is more than you would care to have me."</p> + +<p>The mountaineer swore.</p> + +<p>"If we talk any longer I shall be late for +breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Forward, then!"</p> + +<p>On the way, it all came back to Carmichael +with the vividness of a forgotten photograph, +come upon suddenly: Bonn, the Rhine, swift +and turbulent, a tow-headed young fellow who +could not swim well, his own plunge, his fingers +in the flaxen hair, and the hard fight to the +landing; all this was a tale twice told.</p> + +<p>Vintner? Not much!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI" /><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273" />CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>HER FAN</h3> + + +<p>It was dawn when they began to pull up the +road to Dreiberg. The return had been +leisurely despite Carmichael's impatience. In +the military field the troops were breaking camp +for their departure to the various posts throughout +the duchy. Only the officers, who were to +attend the court ball that evening, and the resident +troops would remain. The maneuvers were +over; the pomp of miniature war was done. Carmichael +peered through the window. What a +play yonder scene was to what he had been +through! To break camp before dawn, before +breakfast, rain and hail and snow smothering +one; when the frost-bound iron of the musket +caught one's fingers and tore the skin; the shriek +of shot overhead, the boom of cannon and the +gulp of impact; cold, hungry, footsore, sleepy; +here and there a comrade crumpling up strangely +<a name="Page_274" id="Page_274" />and lying still and white; the muddy ruts in the +road; the whole world a dead gray like the face +of death! What did those yonder know of war?</p> + +<p>The carriage stopped.</p> + +<p>"I shall not intrude, I trust?" said the old +man, opening the door and getting in.</p> + +<p>"Not now," replied Carmichael. "What is all +this about?"</p> + +<p>"A trifle; I might say a damn-fool trifle. But +what did you mean when you said you knew all +you wanted to know?" The mountaineer showed +some anxiety.</p> + +<p>"Exactly what I said. The only thing that +confuses me is the motive."</p> + +<p>The old man thought for a while. "Suppose +you had a son who was making a fool of himself?"</p> + +<p>"Or a nephew?"</p> + +<p>"Well, or a nephew?"</p> + +<p>"Making a fool of himself over what?"</p> + +<p>"A woman."</p> + +<p>"Nothing unusual in that. But what kind of +a woman?"</p> + +<p>"A good woman, honest, too good by far for +any man."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_275" id="Page_275" />Oh!"</p> + +<p>"Suppose she was vastly his inferior in station, +that marriage to him was merely a political +contract? What would you do?"</p> + +<p>"I believe I begin to understand."</p> + +<p>"I am grateful for that."</p> + +<p>"But the risks you run!"</p> + +<p>"I believed them all over last night."</p> + +<p>"But you would dare handle him in this way?"</p> + +<p>"When the devil drives, my friend!" The +other smiled. "I was born in the heart of a war. +I have taken so many risks that the sense of danger +no longer has a keen edge. But now that +you understand, I am sure a soldier like yourself +will pardon the blunder of last night."</p> + +<p>"Your nephew is an ungrateful wretch."</p> + +<p>"What?" coldly.</p> + +<p>"He knew all along who I was. I dragged +him out of the Rhine upon a certain day, and +he plays this trick!"</p> + +<p>"You? Carmichael, Carmichael; of course; I +should have remembered the name, as he wrote +me at the time. Thank you! And you knew +him all the while?"</p> + +<p>"No; I recalled his face, but the time and +<a name="Page_276" id="Page_276" />place were in the dark till this early morning. +Here we are at the gates. What's this? Guards? +I never saw them at these gates before."</p> + +<p>"You will make yourself known to them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. But if they question me?"</p> + +<p>"Wink. Every soldier knows what that +means."</p> + +<p>"When a fellow turns in early in the morning?" +Carmichael laughed hilariously.</p> + +<p>"I ask you frankly not to let them question +me. When I left the city last night I never expected +to return."</p> + +<p>"I'll do what I can."</p> + +<p>Carmichael bared his head and leaned out of +the window. He recognized one of the guards. +A policeman in military uniform!</p> + +<p>"Good morning!" said Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"Herr Carmichael?" surprised. "Your excellency?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I've been having a little junket, I and +my friend here." And Carmichael winked.</p> + +<p>"Ah!"</p> + +<p>"But what—"</p> + +<p>"Sh! Very important affair," said the disguised +officer. "Go on."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277" />But after the carriage had passed it occurred +to him that Carmichael wore a dress like a vintner's +and that his friend was a mountaineer! +<i>Du lieber Himmel!</i> What kind of a mix-up was +this? The chancellor never could have meant +Carmichael!</p> + +<p>"Thanks!" whispered the old man.</p> + +<p>"Did you see the soldier?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"He is one of the police in disguise. Be on +your guard. If you don't mind I'll use this carriage +to the hotel."</p> + +<p>"You are a thousand times welcome. I will +leave you here. And take the advice of an old +man who has seen the four sides of humanity: +leave falling in love to poets and to fools!"</p> + +<p>The mountaineer got out quickly, closed the +door, spoke a word to the driver, and slipped +into an alleyway.</p> + +<p>Carmichael arrived at the Grand Hotel in time +to see her serene highness, accompanied by two +of her ladies and an escort of four soldiers, start +out for her morning ride. The zest of his own +strange adventure died. He waited till they had +passed, then slunk into the hotel. The concierge +<a name="Page_278" id="Page_278" />gazed at him in amazement. Carmichael winked. +The concierge smiled. He understood. <i>Americaner</i> +or <i>Ehrensteiner</i>, the young fellows were +all the same.</p> + +<p>"Police at the gates," mused Carmichael, as +he soaked his head and face in cold water. "By +George, it looks as if my friend the vintner was +in for some excitement! Far be it that I should +warn him. He had his little joke; I can wait +for mine."</p> + +<p>Gretchen! Carmichael stopped, his collar but +half-way around his throat. Gretchen, brave, +kindly, beautiful Gretchen! Now, by the Lord, +that should not be! He would wring the vintner's +neck. He snapped the collar viciously. +He was not in an amiable mood this fair September +morning. And when some one hammered +on the door he called sharply.</p> + +<p>Grumbach entered.</p> + +<p>"You are angry about something," he said.</p> + +<p>"So I am, but you are always welcome."</p> + +<p>"You have overslept?"</p> + +<p>"No; on the contrary."</p> + +<p>"Poker?"</p> + +<p>"After a fashion," said Carmichael, the grum<a name="Page_279" id="Page_279" />ble +gone from his voice. "I was beaten by three +of a kind."</p> + +<p>"So?"</p> + +<p>"But I found a good hand later."</p> + +<p>"Kings."</p> + +<p>"Four?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; only one. I haven't drawn yet."</p> + +<p>"You are not telling me all."</p> + +<p>"No. You are going to the ball to-night?"</p> + +<p>"I would not miss it for five thousand crowns," +sadly.</p> + +<p>"You look as if you were going to a funeral +instead of the greatest event of the year in Dreiberg."</p> + +<p>"I didn't sleep well either."</p> + +<p>"Out?"</p> + +<p>"No; one does not have to go out in order not +to sleep."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to know what's going on in that bullet-head of yours."</p> + +<p>"Nothing is going on; everything has +stopped."</p> + +<p>"Can't you make a confidant of me, Hans?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet, Captain."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_280" id="Page_280" />When you are ready it may be too late. I +leave Dreiberg for good in a few weeks."</p> + +<p>"No!" For the first time Grumbach showed +interest.</p> + +<p>"I have resigned the consulship."</p> + +<p>"And for what reason</p> + +<p>Carmichael silently drew on his coat.</p> + +<p><i>"Ach!</i> So you have one, too?"</p> + +<p>"One what?"</p> + +<p>"One secret."</p> + +<p>"Yes. But it's the kind we can't talk about."</p> + +<p>"I understand. Have you had breakfast?"</p> + +<p>"Neither have I. Let us go together. It may +be we need each other's company this morning. +You and I won't have to bother about talking."</p> + +<p>"You make a good comrade, Hans."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>There was a large crowd outside the palace +that night, which was clear and starry. A +troop of cavalry patrolled the fence. Carriage +after carriage rolled in through the gates, coming +directly from the opera. It was eleven +o'clock. All the great in the duchy were on +<a name="Page_281" id="Page_281" />hand that night. Often a cheer rose from the +ranks of the outsiders as some popular general +or some famous beauty passed. It was an orderly +crowd, jostling and good-natured, held +only by curiosity. Every window in the palace +presented a glowing square of light; and beams +crisscrossed the emerald lawns and died in the +arms of the lurking shadows. The gardens were +illuminated besides. It was fairy-land, paid for +by those who were not entitled to enter. Few, +however, thought of this inconsistency. A duchy +is a duchy; nothing more need be said.</p> + +<p>Carmichael was naturally democratic. To +ride a block in a carriage was to him a waste of +time. And he rather liked to shoulder into a +press. With the aid of his cane and a frequent +push of the elbow he worked his way to the gates. +And close by the sentry-box he saw Gretchen +and her vintner. Carmichael could not resist +stopping a moment. He raised his hat to +Gretchen, to the wonder of those nearest. The +vintner would have gladly disappeared, but the +human wall behind made this impossible. But +he was needlessly alarmed. Carmichael only +smiled ironically.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_282" id="Page_282" />Do you know where the American consulate +is?" he asked low, so that none but Gretchen +and the vintner heard.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the vintner, blushing with shame.</p> + +<p>"I live above the agency."</p> + +<p>"Good! I shall expect to see you in the morning."</p> + +<p>But the vintner was determined that he +shouldn't. He would be at work in the royal +vineyards on the morrow.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow?" repeated Gretchen, to whom +this by-play was a blank. "Why should he wish +to see you?"</p> + +<p>"Who knows? Let us be going. They are +pressing us too close to the gates."</p> + +<p>"Very well," acquiesced Gretchen, somewhat +disappointed. She wanted to see all there was +to be seen.</p> + +<p>"It is half-after ten," he added, as if to put +forward some logical excuse for leaving at this +moment.</p> + +<p>A man followed them all the way to the +Krumerweg.</p> + +<p>Carmichael threw himself eagerly into the +gaiety of the dance. Never had he seen the ball-<a name="Page_283" id="Page_283" />room +so brilliant with color. Among all those +there his was the one somber dress. The white +cambric stock and the frill in his shirt were the +only gay touches. It was not his fault: the rules +of the service compelled him thus to dress. But +he needed no brass or cloth of gold. There was +not a male head among all the others to compare +with his.</p> + +<p>He was an accomplished waltzer, after the +manner of that day, when one went round and +round like some mechanical toy wound up. +Strauss and Waldteufel tingled his feet; and he +whirled ambassadors' wives till they were breathless +and ambassadors' daughters till they no +longer knew or cared where they were. He was +full of subtle deviltry this night, with an undercurrent +of malice toward every one and himself +in particular. This would be the last affair of +the kind for him, and he wanted a full memory +of it. Between times he exchanged a jest or +two with the chancellor or talked battles with old +Ducwitz; twice he caught the grand duke's eye, +but there was only a friendly nod from that +august personage, no invitation to talk. Thrice, +while on the floor, her highness passed him; but +<a name="Page_284" id="Page_284" />there was never a smile, never a glance. He became +careless and reckless. He would seek her +and talk to her and smile at her even if the duke +threw a regiment in between. The Irish blood +in him burned to-night, capable of any folly. +He no longer danced. He waited and watched; +and it was during one of these waits that he saw +Grumbach in the gallery.</p> + +<p>"Now, what the devil is the Dutchman doing +with a pair of opera-glasses!"</p> + +<p>It required some time and patience to discover +the object of this singular attention on the part +of Grumbach. Carmichael was finally convinced +that this object was no less a person than her +serene highness!</p> + +<p>Later her highness stood before one of the +long windows in the conservatory, listlessly +watching the people in the square. And these +poor fools envied her! To envy her, who was a +prisoner, a chattel to be exchanged for war's +immunity, who was a princess in name but a +cipher in fact! All was wrong with the world. +She had stolen out of the ball-room; the craving +to be alone had been too strong. Little she cared +whether they missed her or not. She left the +<a name="Page_285" id="Page_285" />window and sat on one of the divans, idly opening +and shutting her fan. Was that some one +coming for her? She turned.</p> + +<p>It was Carmichael.</p> + +<p>What an opportunity for scandal! She +laughed inwardly. The barons and their wives, +the ambassadors' wives and their daughters, +would miss them both. And the spirit of deviltry +lay also upon her heart. She smiled at the +man and with her fan bade him be seated at her +side. The divinity that hedges in a king did +not bother either of them just then.</p> + +<p>"You have not asked me to dance to-night," +she declared.</p> + +<p>"I know it."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"I am neither a prince nor an ambassador."</p> + +<p>"But you <i>have</i> danced with me."</p> + +<p>"Yes; I have been to Heaven now and then."</p> + +<p>"And do you eject yourself thus easily?"</p> + +<p>"By turning myself out my self-esteem remains +unruffled."</p> + +<p>"Then you expected to be turned out?"</p> + +<p>"Sooner or later."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286" />Again that word! To him it was the most +tantalizing word in the language. It crucified +him.</p> + +<p>"Why?" she repeated, her eyes soft and +dreamy.</p> + +<p>"As I have said, I am not a prince. I am only +a consul, not even a diplomat, simply a business +arm of my government. My diplomacy never +ascends above the quality of hops and wines imported. +I am supposed to take in any wandering +sailor, feed him, and ship him home. I am +also the official guide of all American tourists."</p> + +<p>"That is no reason."</p> + +<p>"Your father—" He should have said the +grand duke.</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes; my father, the chancellor, the ambassadors, +and their wives and daughters! I begin +to believe that you have grown afraid of +them."</p> + +<p>"I confess that I have. I had an adventure +last night. Would you like to hear about it?"</p> + +<p>How beautiful she was in that simple gown of +white, unadorned by any jewels save the little +crown of sparkling white stones in her hair!</p> + +<p>"Tell me."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287" />He was a good story-teller. It was a crisp +narrative he made.</p> + +<p>"A veiled lady," she mused. "What would +you say if I told you that your mystery is no +mystery at all? I am the veiled lady. And the +person I went to see was my old nurse, my foster-mother, +with whom I spent the happiest, freest +days of my life, in the garret at Dresden. Pouf! +All mysteries may be dispelled if we go to the +right person. So you are to be recalled?"</p> + +<p>"I have asked for my recall, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"And so Dreiberg no longer appeals to you? +You once told inc that you loved it."</p> + +<p>"I am cursed with <i>wanderlust</i>, your Highness." +He regretted that he had not remained in +the ball-room. He was in great danger.</p> + +<p>"You promised to tell me what she is like." +Suddenly all his fear went away, all his trepidation; +the spirit of recklessness which had vised +him a little while ago again empowered him. He +was afraid of nothing. His face flushed and +there were bright points of fire in his eyes. She +saw what she had roused, and grew afraid herself. +She pretended to become interested in the +Watteau cupids on her fan.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_288" id="Page_288" />How shall I describe her?" he said. "I have +seen only paintings and marbles, and these are +inanimate. I have never seen angels, so I can +not draw a comparison there. Have you ever +seen ripe wheat in a rain-storm? That is the +color of her hair. There is jade and lapis-lazuli +in her eyes. And Ole Bull could not imitate the +music of her voice." He leaned toward her. +"And I love her better than life, better than +hope; and between us there is the distance of a +thousand worlds. So I must give up the dream +and go away, as an honorable man should."</p> + +<p>Neither of them heard the chancellor's approach.</p> + +<p>"And because I love her."</p> + +<p>The fan in her hand slipped unheeded to the +floor.</p> + +<p>"Your Highness," broke in the cold even tones +of Herbeck, "your father is making inquiries +about you."</p> + +<p>Carmichael rose instantly, white as the frill in +his shirt.</p> + +<p>Hildegarde, however, was a princess. She +gained her feet leisurely, with half a smile on +her lips.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_289" id="Page_289" />Count, Herr Carmichael tells me that he is +soon to leave Dreiberg."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" There was satisfaction in Herbeck's +ejaculation, satisfaction of a frank order. But +there was a glint of admiration in his eyes as he +recognized the challenge in Carmichael's. He +saw that he must step carefully in regard to this +hot-headed young Irishman. "We shall miss +Herr Carmichael."</p> + +<p>Her highness moved serenely toward the door. +Carmichael waited till she was gone from sight, +then he stooped and picked up the fan. Herbeck +at once held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Give it to me, Herr Captain," he said, with +a melancholy gentleness. "I will return it to her +highness."</p> + +<p>Carmichael deliberately thrust the fan into a +pocket and shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Your Excellency, I do not know how long you +stood behind us, but you were there long enough +to learn that I have surrendered my dream. +Nothing but force will cause me to surrender this +fan."</p> + +<p>"Keep it, then, my son," replied the chancellor, +with good understanding.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII" /><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290" />CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>AFTER THE VINTAGE</h3> + +<p>The ducal vineyards covered some forty +acres of rich hillside. All day long the +sun beat squarely upon the clustering fruit. A +low rambling building of stone covered the +presses and bottling departments, and was within +comparatively easy distance of the city. During +the vintage several hundred men and women +found employment. The grand duke derived a +comfortable private revenue from these wines, +the Tokay being scarcely inferior to that made +in Hungary. There was a large brewery besides, +which supplied all the near-by cities and +towns. The German noble, be he king, duke, or +baron, has always been more or less a merchant; +and it did not embarrass the grand duke of +Ehrenstein in the least to see his coat of arms +burnt into oaken wine-casks.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291" />A former steward had full charge of the business, +personally hiring and paying the help and +supervising the various branches. He was a +gruff old fellow, just and honest; and once you +entered his employ he was as much a martinet as +any captain at sea. The low cunning of the +peasant never eluded his watchful eye. He knew +to the last pound of grapes how much wine there +should be, how much beer to the last measure of +hops.</p> + +<p>The entrance to the vineyards was made +through a small lodge where the ducal vintner +lived, and kept his books and moneys till such +time as he should be required to place them before +the proper official.</p> + +<p>Upon this brave morning, the one following +the ball at the palace, the vintner was reclining +against the outside wall of the gates, smoking his +china-pipe and generally at peace with the world. +The bloom was early upon the grape, work was +begun, and the vintage promised to be exceptionally +fine. Through a drifting cloud of smoke +he discerned a solitary figure approaching from +the direction of Dreiberg, a youthful figure, +buoyant of step, and confident. Herr Hoffman +<a name="Page_292" id="Page_292" />was rather interested. Ordinarily the peasant +who came to this gate had his hat in his hand and +his feet were laggard. Not so this youth. He +paused at the gate and inspected the old man +highly.</p> + +<p>"Herr Hoffman?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I want work."</p> + +<p>"So? What can you do?" He was a clean +youngster, this, but there was something in his +eyes that vaguely disturbed the head vintner. It +was like mockery more than anything else. +The youth recounted his abilities, and Hoffman +was gracious enough to admit that he +seemed to know what he was talking about.</p> + +<p>"I have a letter to you also."</p> + +<p>"<i>Ach!</i> We shall be properly introduced now," +said Hoffman, growling. "Let me see it."</p> + +<p>He saw it, but with starting eyes. There was, +then, something new under the sun? A picker of +grapes, recommended by a princess! He turned +the letter inside out, but found no illumination.</p> + +<p>"<i>Du lieber Gott!</i> You are Leopold Dietrich?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Herr."</p> + +<p>"How did you come by this letter?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_293" id="Page_293" />Her serene highness is patron to Gretchen, +the goose-girl, at whose request the recommendation +was given me."</p> + +<p>This altered matters. "Follow me," said +Hoffman.</p> + +<p>The two entered the office.</p> + +<p>"Can you write?"</p> + +<p>"A little, Herr."</p> + +<p>"Then write your name on this piece of paper +and that. Each night you will present yours +with the number of pounds, which will be credited +to you. You must bring it back each morning. +If you lose it you will be paid nothing for your +labor."</p> + +<p>Dietrich wrote his name twice. It was rather +hard work, for he screwed up his mouth and +cramped his fingers. Still, Hoffman was not +wholly satisfied with his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Gottlieb," he said to one of the men, "take +him to terrace ninety-eight. That hasn't been +touched yet. We'll see what sort of workman +he is." He spoke to Dietrich again. "What is +Gretchen to you?" For Hoffman knew Gretchen; +many a time she had filled her basket and drawn +her crowns.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_294" id="Page_294" />She is my sweetheart, Herr." And there was +no mockery in the youth's eyes as he said this.</p> + +<p>"Take him along, Gottlieb. You will have no +further use for this letter from her highness, so +I'll keep it and frame it and hang it in the office." +Which showed that Hoffman himself had had +lessons in the gentle art of mockery.</p> + +<p>Terrace ninety-eight was given over to small +grapes; thus, many bunches had to be picked to +fill the basket. But Dietrich went to work with +a will. His fingers were deft and his knife was +sharp; and by midsun he had turned his sixth +basket, which was fair work, considering.</p> + +<p>As Hoffman did not feed his employees, Dietrich +was obliged to beg from his co-workers. +Very willingly they shared with him their coarse +bread and onions. He ate the bread and stuffed +the onions in his pocket. There was no idling. +As soon as the frugal meal was over, the peasants +trooped away to their respective terraces. +Once more the youth was alone. He set down his +basket and laughed. Was there ever such a fine +world? Had there ever been a more likable adventure? +The very danger of it was the spice +which gave it flavor. He stretched out his arms +<a name="Page_295" id="Page_295" />as if to embrace this world which appeared so +rosal, so joyous to his imagination.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, thanks! You have given me youth, +and I accept it," he said aloud, perhaps addressing +that mutable goddess who presides over all +follies. "Regret it in my old age? Not I! I +shall have lived for one short month. Youth was +given to us to enjoy, and I propose to press the +grape to the final drop. And when I grow old +this adventure shall be the tonic to wipe out many +wrinkles of care. A mad fling, a brimming cup, +one short merry month—and then, the reckoning! +How I hate the thought!"</p> + +<p>He sobered; the laughter went out of his eyes +and face. Changeful twenty, where so many +paths reach out into the great world, paths +straight and narrow, of devious turnings which +end at precipices, of blind alleys which lead nowhere +and close in behind!</p> + +<p>"I love her, I love her!" His face grew bright +again, and the wooing blood ran tingling in his +veins. "Am I a thief, a scoundrelly thief, because +I have that right common to all men, to +love one woman? Some day I shall suffer for +this; some day my heart shall ache; so be it!"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296" />The sun began the downward circle; the shadows +crept eastward and imperceptibly grew +longer; a gray tone settled under the stones at +his feet. Sometimes he sang, sometimes he stood +dreaming. His fingers were growing sore and +sticky and there was a twinge in his back as he +shouldered his eighth basket and scrambled down +to the man who weighed the pick. He was beginning +his ninth when he saw Gretchen coming +along the purple aisle. She waved a hand in +welcome, and he sheathed his knife. No more +work this day for him. He waited.</p> + +<p>"What a beautiful day!" said Gretchen, with +a happy laugh.</p> + +<p>"Aye, what a day for love!"</p> + +<p>"And work!"</p> + +<p>"Kiss me!"</p> + +<p>"When you fill that basket."</p> + +<p>"Not before?"</p> + +<p>"Not even a little one," mischief in her glance. +Out came the knife and the vintner plied himself +furiously. Gretchen had a knife of her own, +and she joined him. They laughed gaily. Snip, +snip; bunch by bunch the contents of the basket +grew.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_297" id="Page_297" />There!" he said at last. "That's what I call +work; but it is worth it. Now!"</p> + +<p>Gretchen saw that it would be futile to hold +him off longer; what she would not give he would +of a surety take. So she put her hands behind +her back, closed her eyes, and raised her chin. +He kissed not only the lovely mouth, but the eyes +and cheeks and hair.</p> + +<p>"Gretchen, you are as good and beautiful as +an angel."</p> + +<p>"What are angels like?"</p> + +<p>"An angel is the most beautiful woman a poet +can describe or imagine."</p> + +<p>"Then there are no men angels?"</p> + +<p>"Only Gabriel; at least I never heard of any +other."</p> + +<p>"Then I do not want to be an angel. I had +rather be what I am. Besides, angels do not have +tempers; they do not long for things they should +not have; they have no sweethearts." She caught +him roughly by the arms. "Ah, if anything +should happen to you, I should die! It seems as +though I had a hundred hearts and that they +had all melted into one for love of you. Do men +love as women love? Is it everything and all +<a name="Page_298" id="Page_298" />things, or only an incident? I would give up my +soul to you if you asked for it."</p> + +<p>"I ask only for your love, Gretchen; only +that." And he pressed her hands. "All men are +rogues, more or less. There are so many currents +and eddies entering into a man's life. It is +made up of a thousand variant interests. No, +man's love is never like a woman's. But remember +this, Gretchen, I loved you the best I knew +how, as a man loves but once, honorably as it was +possible, purely and dearly."</p> + +<p>The shade of trouble crossed her face. +"Why are you always talking like that? Do +I not know that you love me? Have I not my +dowry, and are we not to be married after the +vintage?"</p> + +<p>"But your singing?"</p> + +<p>"Singing? Why, my voice belongs to you; +for your sake I wish to be great, for no other +reason."</p> + +<p>He ripped a bunch of grapes from the vine, +a thing no careful vintner should do, and held it +toward her.</p> + +<p>"Have you ever heard of the kissing cherries?" +he asked.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299" />She shook her head. He explained.</p> + +<p>"This bunch will do very well."</p> + +<p>He took one grape at the bottom in his teeth. +Gingerly Gretchen did the same. Their lips met +in a smothered laughter. Then they tried it +again.</p> + +<p>And this Watteau picture met the gaze of two +persons on the terrace below. The empurpling +face of one threatened an explosion, but the smiling +face of the other restrained this vocal thunder. +The old head vintner kicked a stone +savagely, and at this rattling noise Gretchen and +her lover turned. They beheld the steward, and +peering over his shoulder the amused countenance +of the Princess Hildegarde.</p> + +<p>"You—" began the steward, no longer able to +contain himself.</p> + +<p>"Patience, Hoffman!" warned her highness. +Then she laughed blithely. It was such a charming +picture, and never had she seen a handsomer +pair of bucolic lovers. A sudden pang drove the +merriment from her face. Ah, but she envied +Gretchen! For the peasant there was freedom, +there was the chosen mate; but for the princess—</p> + +<p>"Your hat, scoundrel!" cried Hoffman.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300" />The vintner snatched off his hat apologetically +and swung it round on the tips of his fingers.</p> + +<p>"Is this the way you work?"</p> + +<p>"I have picked nine baskets."</p> + +<p>"You should have picked twelve."</p> + +<p>It interested her highness to note that this +handsome young fellow was not afraid of the +head vintner. So this was Gretchen's lover? +He was really handsome; there was nothing +coarse about his features or figure. And presently +she realized that he was returning her +scrutiny with interest. He had never seen her +highness at close range before, and he now saw +that Gretchen was more beautiful only because +he saw her through the eyes of a lover.</p> + +<p>The pause was broken by Gretchen.</p> + +<p>"Pardon, Highness!"</p> + +<p>"For what, Gretchen?"</p> + +<p>"For not having seen your approach."</p> + +<p>"That was my fault, not yours. When is the +wedding?"</p> + +<p>"After the vintage, Highness."</p> + +<p>Her highness then spoke to the bridegroom-elect. +"You will be good to her?"</p> + +<p>"Who could help it, your Highness?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301" />The pronoun struck her oddly, for peasants as +a usual thing never used it in addressing the nobility.</p> + +<p>"Well, on the day of the wedding I will stand +sponsor to you both. And good luck go with +you. Come, Hoffman; my horse will be restive +and my men impatient."</p> + +<p>She passed down the aisle, and the head vintner +followed, wagging his head. He was not at +all satisfied with that tableau. He employed men +to work; he wanted no love-affairs inside his vineyards. +As for her highness, she had come for +the sole purpose of seeing Gretchen's lover; and +it occurred to her that the really desirable men +were generally unencumbered by titles.</p> + +<p>"He will discharge me," said the young vintner +gloomily.</p> + +<p>"He will not dare," returned Gretchen. "We +have done nothing wrong. Her highness will +stand by us. It must be five o'clock," looking at +the sun.</p> + +<p>"In that case, no more work for the day."</p> + +<p>He swung the basket to his shoulder, and the +sun, flashing upon its contents, turned the +bloomy globes into dull rubies. He presented his +<a name="Page_302" id="Page_302" />card at the office and was duly credited with three +crowns, which, according to Gretchen, was a fine +day's work. Hoffman said nothing about dismissal.</p> + +<p>"Come day after to-morrow; to-morrow is a +feast-day. You are always having feast-days +when work begins. All summer long you loaf +about, but the minute you start to work you must +find excuses to lay off. Clear out, both of you!"</p> + +<p>"Work at last," said Dietrich, as he and +Gretchen started for the city. "If I can get a +position in the brewery for the winter I shall be +rich."</p> + +<p>"Oh, the beautiful world!"</p> + +<p>"Do you recall the first day I met you?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes. A little more and that dog would have +killed the big gander. What little things bring +about big ones! When I walked into the city +that day, had any one told me that I should fall +in love, I should have laughed."</p> + +<p>"And I!"</p> + +<p>Arm in arm they went on. Sometimes Gretchen +sang; often he put her hand to his lips. By +and by they came abreast of an old Gipsy. He +<a name="Page_303" id="Page_303" />wore a coat of Joseph's, and his face was as lined +as a frost-bitten apple. But his eyes were keen +and undimmed, and he walked confidently and +erect, like a man who has always lived in the +open.</p> + +<p>"Will you tell me how to find the Adlergasse?" +he asked in broken German. His accent was that +of a Magyar. He had a smattering of a dozen +tongues at his command, for in his time he had +crossed and recrossed the Danube, the Rhine, and +the Rhone.</p> + +<p>They carelessly gave him specific directions +and passed on. He followed grimly, like fate, +whose agent he was, though long delayed. When +he reached the Adlergasse he looked for a sign. +He came to a stop in front of the dingy shop of +the clock-mender. He went inside, and the ancient +clock-mender looked up from his work, for +he was always working.</p> + +<p>He rose wearily and asked what he could do +for his customer. His eyes were bothering him, +so the fact that the man was a Gipsy did not at +first impress him.</p> + +<p>The Gipsy smiled mysteriously and laid a +hand on his heart.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_304" id="Page_304" />Who are you?" sharply demanded the clock-mender.</p> + +<p>"Who I am does not matter. I am he whom +you seek."</p> + +<p>"God in Heaven!" The bony hands of the +clock-mender shot out and clutched the other's +coat in a grip which shook, so intense was it. +The Gipsy released himself slowly. "But first +show me your pretty crowns and the paper which +will give me immunity from the police. I know +something about you. You never break your +word. That is why I came. Your crowns, as +you offered, and immunity; then I speak."</p> + +<p>"Man, I can give you the crowns, but God +knows I have no longer the power to give you +immunity."</p> + +<p>"So?"</p> + +<p>The Gipsy shouldered his bundle.</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, wait!" begged the clock-mender.</p> + +<p>But the Gipsy walked out, unheeding.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII" /><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305" />CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>A WHITE SCAR</h3> + + +<p>Two days later, in the afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Grumbach," said Carmichael, "what +the deuce were you looking at the other night, +with those opera-glasses?"</p> + +<p>"At the ball?" Grumbach pressed down the +ash in his pipe and brushed his thumb on his +sleeve. "I was looking into the past."</p> + +<p>"With a pair of opera-glasses?"</p> + +<p>"Yes." Grumbach was perfectly serious.</p> + +<p>"Oh, pshaw! You were following her highness +with them. I want to know why."</p> + +<p>"She is beautiful."</p> + +<p>"You made a promise to me not long ago."</p> + +<p>"I did?" non-committally.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Soon I shall be shaking the dust of +Dreiberg, and I want to know beforehand what +this Chinese puzzle is. What did you do that +compelled your flight from Ehrenstein?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306" />Grumbach's pipe hung pendulent in his hand. +He swung it to and fro absently.</p> + +<p>"I am waiting. Remember, you are an American +citizen, for all that you were born here. If +anything should happen to you, I must know the +whole story in order to help you. You know that +you may trust me."</p> + +<p>"It isn't that, Captain. I have grown to like +you in these few days."</p> + +<p>"What has that to do with it?" impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Nothing, perhaps. Only, if I tell you, you +will not be my friend."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! What you did sixteen years ago +doesn't matter now. It is enough for me that +you fought in my regiment, and that you were +a brave soldier."</p> + +<p>"Those opera-glasses; it was an idea. Well, +since you will know. I was a gardener's boy. I +worked under my brother Hermann. I used to +ask the nurse, who had charge of her serene +highness, where she would go each day. Then +I'd cut flowers and meet them on the road somewhere +and give the bouquet to the child. There +was never any escort; a footman and a driver. +The little one was always greatly pleased, and +<a name="Page_307" id="Page_307" />she would call me Hans. I was in love those +days." Grumbach laughed with bitterness. +"Yes, even I. Her name was Tekla, and she was +a jade. I wanted to run away, but I had no +money. I had already secured a passport; no +matter how. It was the first affair, and I was +desperately hurt. One day a Gipsy came to me. +I shall always know him by the yellow spot in one +of his black eyes. I was given a thousand crowns +to tell him which road her highness was to be +driven over the next day. As I said, I was mad +with love. Why a Gipsy should want to know +where her highness was going to ride was of no +consequence to me. I told him. I was to get the +money the same night. It was thus that her +highness was stolen; it was thus that I became +accessory before the fact, as the lawyers say. +Flight with a band of Magyar Gipsies; weary +days in the mountains, with detachments of +troops scouring the whole duchy. Finally I escaped. +A fortune was offered for the immediate +return of the child. At the time I believed that it +was an abduction for ransom. But no one ever +came forward for the reward. There was a price +on my head when it was known that I had fled."<a name="Page_308" id="Page_308" /> +Grumbach stared into his pipe without seeing +anything.</p> + +<p>"And no one ever came for the reward? That +is strange. Was immunity promised?" asked +Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"It was inferred, but not literally promised."</p> + +<p>"Fear kept them away."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps. And there is Arnsberg."</p> + +<p>"Was he guilty?"</p> + +<p>"I never saw <i>his</i> hand anywhere."</p> + +<p>"So this is the story! Well, when a man's in +love he is, more or less, in the clutch of temporary +insanity." Carmichael's tone wasn't exactly +cheery.</p> + +<p>"Insanity! Then you do not judge me +harshly?"</p> + +<p>"No, Hans. I've a wild streak in me also. +But what I can't understand is why you return +and put your head in the lion's mouth. The police +will stumble on something. I tell you frankly +that if you are arrested I could do little or +nothing for you. The United States protects +only harmless political outcasts. Yours is a crime +such as nullifies your citizenship, and any government +would be compelled, according to the +<a name="Page_309" id="Page_309" />terms of treaty, to send you back here, if the +demand was made for your extradition."</p> + +<p>"I know all that," Grumbach replied, dumping +the ash into his palm and casting it into the +paper-basket.</p> + +<p>"I suppose that when conscience drives we +must go on. But the princess has been found. +The best thing you can do is to put your passports +into immediate use and return to the States. +You can do no good here."</p> + +<p>"Maybe." Grumbach refilled his pipe, lighted +it, and without saying more went out and down +into the street.</p> + +<p>Carmichael watched him through the window. +Cloud after cloud of smoke ran wavering behind +the exile. He was smoking like one deeply perturbed.</p> + +<p>"He's a queer codger, and it's a queer story. +I don't believe I have heard it all, either. What +was he really hunting for with those glasses? I +give it up."</p> + +<p>He was not angry with Grumbach; rather he +seemed to be drawn to him more closely than ever. +Mad with love. That was the phrase. He +conned it over and over; mad with love. That +<a name="Page_310" id="Page_310" />excused many things. How strangely the chess-men +were moved! Had Grumbach not assisted +in the abduction, her highness would in all probability +have grown up as other princesses, artificial, +cold, reserved, seldom touched by the fires +of animated thought or action. In fact, had +things been otherwise, he never would have ridden +with her highness in the freshness of the +morning—or fallen in love with her. By rights +he ought to curse Grumbach; but for him he +would still be captain of his heart. Mad with +love! There was no doubt of it. And the phrase +rang in his ear for some time.</p> + +<p>Grumbach was indeed perturbed, and this +sensation was the result of what he had <i>not</i> told +his friend. <i>Gott!</i> What was going on? He +hadn't the least idea where his footsteps were +leading him. He went on, his teeth set strongly +on the horn mouthpiece of his pipe, his hands +jammed in his pockets. And after a time he +woke. He was in the Adlergasse. And of all +that happy, noisy family, only he and Hermann +left! In one of the open doorways, for it was +warm, a final caress of vanishing summer, he saw +a fat, youngish woman knitting woolen hose.<a name="Page_311" id="Page_311" /> +Two or three children sprawled about her knees. +There was that petulance of lip and forehead +which marked the dissatisfaction of the coquette +married.</p> + +<p>"Tekla!" Grumbach murmured.</p> + +<p>He was not conscious that he had paused, but +the woman was. She eyed him with the mild indifference +of the bovine. Then she dropped her +glance and the shining needles clicked afresh. +Grumbach forced his step onward. And for this! +He laughed discordantly. The woman looked +up again wonderingly. Now, why should this +stranger laugh all by himself like that?</p> + +<p>Hans saw the sign of the Black Eagle, and +directed his steps thitherward. He sat down and +ordered a beer, drinking it quickly. He repeated +the order, but he did not touch the second glass. +He threw back the lid and stared at the creamy +froth as a seer stares at his ball of crystal. Carmichael +was right; he was a doddering fool. +What was done was done, and a thousand consciences +would not right it. And what right had +conscience to drag him back to Ehrenstein, where +he had known the bitterest and happiest moments +of his life? And yet, rail as he might at this +<a name="Page_312" id="Page_312" />invisible restraint called conscience, he saw God's +direction in this return. Only <i>he</i>, Hans Grumbach, +knew and one other. And that other, who?</p> + +<p>Fat, Tekla was fat; and he had treasured the +fair picture of her youth these long years! +Well, there was an end to that. Little fat Tekla, +to have nearly overturned a duchy, and never a +bit the wiser! And then Hans became aware of +voices close at hand, for he sat near the bar.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Fräu, he is at work in the grand duke's +vineyards. And think, the first day he picked +nine baskets."</p> + +<p>"That is good. But I know many a one who +can pick their twelve. And you are to be married +when the vintage is done? You will make a fine +wife, Gretchen."</p> + +<p>"And he, a fine husband."</p> + +<p>"And you will bring him a dowry, too. But his +own people; what does he say of them?"</p> + +<p>"He has no parents; only an uncle, who +doesn't count. We shall live with grandmother +and pay her rent."</p> + +<p>"And you are wearing a new dress," admiringly.</p> + +<p>Gretchen preened herself. Hans dropped the +<a name="Page_313" id="Page_313" />lid of his stein and pushed it away. His heart +always warmed at the sight of this goose~girl. +So she had a dowry and was going to be married? +He felt of his wallet, and a kindly thought +came into being. He counted down the small +change for the beer, slid back his chair, and +sauntered to the bar. Gretchen recognized him, +and the recognition brought a smile to her face.</p> + +<p>"Good day to you, Herr," was her greeting.</p> + +<p>"When is the wedding?"</p> + +<p>Gretchen blushed.</p> + +<p>"I should like to come to it."</p> + +<p>"You will be welcome, Herr."</p> + +<p>"And may I bring along a little present?"</p> + +<p>"If it so please you. I must be going," she +added to Fräu Bauer.</p> + +<p>"May I walk along with you?" asked Hans.</p> + +<p>"If you wish," diffidently.</p> + +<p>So Grumbach walked with her to the Krumerweg, +and he asked her many questions, and some +of her answers surprised him.</p> + +<p>"Never knew father or mother?"</p> + +<p>"No, Herr. I am only a foundling who fell +into kind hands. This is where I live."</p> + +<p>"And if I should ask to come in?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_314" id="Page_314" />But I shall be too busy to talk. This is bread-day," +evasively.</p> + +<p>"I promise to sit very quiet in a chair."</p> + +<p>Her laughter rippled; she was always close to +that expression. "You are a funny man. Come +in, then; but mind, you will be dusty with flour +when you leave."</p> + +<p>"I will undertake that risk," he replied, with +a seriousness not in tune with the comedy of the +situation.</p> + +<p>Into the kitchen she led him. She was moved +with curiosity. Why should any man wish to +see a woman knead bread?</p> + +<p>"Sit there, Herr." And she pointed to a stool +at the left of the table. The sunlight came in +through the window, and an aureola appeared +above her beautiful head. "Have you never +seen a woman knead flour?"</p> + +<p>"Not for many years," said Hans, thinking +of his mother.</p> + +<p>Gretchen deliberately rolled up her sleeves and +began work.</p> + +<p>There are three things which human growth +never changes: the lines in the hand, the shape +of the ear, and scars. The head grows, and the +<a name="Page_315" id="Page_315" />general features enlarge to their predestined +mold, but these three things remain. Upon +Gretchen's left arm, otherwise perfection, there +was a white scar, rough and uneven, more like +an ancient burn than anything else. Grumbach's +eyes rested upon the scar and became fixed.</p> + +<p>"Where did you get that?" he asked. He +spoke with a strange calm.</p> + +<p>"The scar? I do not remember. Grandmother +says that when I was little I must have been +burned."</p> + +<p>"<i>Gott!</i>"</p> + +<p>"What did you say, Herr?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing. You can't remember? Think!" +tensely now.</p> + +<p>"What's all this nonsense about?" she cried, +with a nervous laugh. "It's only a scar."</p> + +<p>She went on with the kneading. She patted +the dough into four squares. These she placed +on the oven-stove. She wiped her hands on a +cloth for that purpose, and sighed contentedly.</p> + +<p>"There! It's a fine mystery, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes." But Grumbach was shaking as with +ague.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, Herr?" with concern.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_316" id="Page_316" />I grow dizzy like this sometimes. It doesn't +amount to anything."</p> + +<p>Gretchen turned down her sleeves. "You must +go now, for I have other work."</p> + +<p>"And so have I, Gretchen."</p> + +<p>He gained the street, but how he never knew. +He floated. Objects near at hand were shadowy +and unusual. A great calm suddenly winged +down upon him, and the world became clear, clear +as his purpose, his courage, his duty. They +might shoot or hang him, as they saw fit; this +would not deter him. It might be truthfully said +that he blundered back to the Grand Hotel. He +must lay the whole matter before Carmichael. +There lay his one hope. Carmichael should be +his ambassador. But, God in Heaven, where +should he begin? How?</p> + +<p>The Gipsy, standing in the center of the walk, +did not see Grumbach, for he was looking toward +the palaces, a kind of whimsical mockery in his +dark eyes. Grumbach, even more oblivious, +crashed into him.</p> + +<p>Grumbach stammered an apology, and the +other replied in his peculiar dialect that no harm +had been done. The jar, however, had roused<a name="Page_317" id="Page_317" /> +Hans out of his tragic musings. There was a +glint of yellow in the Gipsy's eye, a flaw in the +iris. Hans gave a cry.</p> + +<p>"You? I find you at this moment, of all others?"</p> + +<p>The Gipsy retreated. "I do not know you. It +is a mistake."</p> + +<p>"But I know you," whispered Hans. "And +you will know me when I tell you that I am the +gardener's boy you ruined some sixteen years +ago!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX" /><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318" />CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>DISCLOSURES</h3> + + +<p>The office of the American consulate in the +Adlergasse ran from the front to the rear +of the building. Carmichael's desk overlooked the +street. But whenever a flying dream came to him +he was wont to take his pipe to the chair by the +rear window, whence he could view the lofty +crests of the Jugendheit mountains. Directly below +this window and running parallel with it was +the <i>Biergarten</i> of the Black Eagle.</p> + +<p>It is a quiet tonic to the mind to look off, to +gaze at sunlit, cloud-embraced mountain peaks, +Walter Pater to the contrary. Carmichael's mind +that morning needed quiet, and so he came to +this window; and with a smoldering pipe let himself +to dreams. He was still in the uniform of +the royal hunt, a meet having taken place that +morning. He saw darling faces in the rugged +outlines of the mountains, in the white clouds +<a name="Page_319" id="Page_319" />billowing across, in the patches of dazzling blue +in between. Such is the fancy of a man in love!</p> + +<p>His letter of resignation was on its way, but it +would be in November before he heard definitely +from the department. By that time the great +snows would have blanketed the earth, and the +nadir of his discontent would be reached. But +what to do till that time? He could ride for +some weeks, but riding without companionship +was rather a lonesome affair. His own defiance +of the chancellor had erected an impassable barrier +between her highness and himself. They +would watch him now, evade him, put small obstacles +in his path, obstacles against which he +could enter no reasonable complaint. A withered +leaf, a glove, and a fan; these represented the +sum of his romance.</p> + +<p>Two figures moved in the garden beneath. At +first he gave no attention to them. But when the +two heads came together swiftly, and then separated, +both smiling, he realized that he had witnessed +a kiss. Ah, here was the opportunity; +and, by the Lord Harry, he would not let it slip. +If this fellow meant wrongly toward Gretchen—and +how could he mean else?—he, Carmichael, +<a name="Page_320" id="Page_320" />would take the matter boldly in his hands to do +some caning. He laughed. Here would be another +souvenir; to have caned—</p> + +<p>He jumped to his feet, dropped his pipe on the +sill of the window, and made for his hat and +sword-cane. The clerk went on with his writing. +Nothing the consul did these days either alarmed +or distracted him.</p> + +<p>To gain the garden Carmichael would have to +pass through the tavern. The first person he encountered +was Colonel von Wallenstein. The +sight of this gentleman changed his plans for +the moment. He had a presentiment that this +would became rather a complicated affair. He +waited. Wallenstein spoke to Fräu Bauer, who +answered him with cold civility. She heartily +despised this fine officer. Wallenstein twirled his +mustache, laughed and went into the garden. Carmichael +was in a quandary. What should he do?</p> + +<p>Neither Gretchen nor the vintner saw Wallenstein, +who remained quietly by the door. He +watched them with an evil smile. He would teach +this pretty fellow a lesson. After some deliberation +he walked lightly toward the lovers. They +did not hear him till he was almost upon them.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_321" id="Page_321" />A pretty picture!"</p> + +<p>Gretchen colored and the vintner flushed, the +one with dismay and the other with anger.</p> + +<p>"A charming idyl!"</p> + +<p>"Leave us, Gretchen," said the vintner, with a +deceiving gentleness.</p> + +<p>Gretchen started reluctantly down the path, +her glance bravely before her. She knew that +Wallenstein would not move; so she determined +to go round him. She was not afraid to leave +her vintner alone with this officer. But she miscalculated +the colonel's reckless audacity. As +she stepped off the path to go round him he +grasped her rudely and kissed her on the cheek. +She screamed as much in surprise as in +anger.</p> + +<p>And this scream brought Carmichael upon the +scene. He was witness to the second kiss. He +saw the vintner run forward and dash his fist +into the soldier's face. Wallenstein, to whom +such an assault was unexpected, fell back, hurt +and blinded. The vintner, active as a cat, saw +Carmichael coming on a run. He darted toward +him, and before Carmichael could prevent him, +dragged the sword-cane away. The blade, thin +<a name="Page_322" id="Page_322" />and pliant, flashed. And none too soon. The +colonel had already drawn his saber.</p> + +<p>"Save him!" Gretchen wrung her hands.</p> + +<p>The two blades met spitefully, and there were +method and science on both sides. But the sword-cane +was no match for the broad, heavy saber. +Half a dozen thrusts and parries convinced the +colonel that the raging youth knew what he was +doing. Down swooped the saber cuttingly. The +blade of the sword-cane snapped like a pipe-stem. +The vintner flung the broken part at the colonel's +head. The latter dodged it and came on, and +there was death's intent.</p> + +<p>Meantime Carmichael had found a short hop-pole, +and with this he took a hand in the contest. +The pole was clumsy, but the tough wood was +stronger than steel. He hit the saber with good-will. +Back came the steel. The colonel did not +care whom or what he struck at now. When Carmichael +returned the compliment he swung his +hop-pole as the old crusaders did their broadswords. +And this made short work of the duel. +The saber dropped uninjured, but the colonel's +arm dangled at his side. He leaned back against +the arbor, his teeth set in his lip, for he was in +<a name="Page_323" id="Page_323" />agony. Carmichael flung aside his primitive +weapon, his anger abated none.</p> + +<p>"You're a fine example of a soldier! Are you +mad to attack a man this way? They will break +you for this, or my name's not Carmichael. +You couldn't leave her in peace, could you? Well, +those two kisses will prove expensive."</p> + +<p>"I shall kill you for this!"</p> + +<p>"Bah! I have fought more times than you have +years to your counting," with good Yankee +spirit. "But if you think I'll waste my time in +fighting a duel with you, you're up the wrong +tree."</p> + +<p>"Go to the devil!"</p> + +<p>"Not just at present; there's too much for me +to do. But this is my advice to you: apply for a +leave of absence and take the waters of Wiesbaden. +They are good for choleric dispositions. +Now, I return the compliment: go to the devil +yourself, only choose a route that will not cross +mine. That's all!"</p> + +<p>Gretchen and the vintner had vanished. Carmichael +agreed that it was the best thing for +them to do. The vintner was no coward, but he +was discreet. Somebody might ask questions.<a name="Page_324" id="Page_324" /> +So Carmichael returned to the consulate, equally +indifferent what the colonel did or where he went. +Of the vintner he thought: "The hot-headed +young fool, to risk his life like that!" He would +see later what he meant in regard to Gretchen. +Poor little goose-girl! They would find that there +was one man interested enough in her welfare to +stand by her. His hands yet stung from the +contact of wood against steel, and his hair was +damp at the edges. This was a bit of old war-times.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt, Excellency?" asked the clerk +solicitously.</p> + +<p>"Hurt?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I heard a woman scream and ran to the +window. It was a good fight. But that fellow-<i>ach!</i> +To run away and leave you, an outsider, +to fight his battle!"</p> + +<p>"He would have been sliced in two if I hadn't +come to the front. A hop-pole isn't half bad. I'll +bet that lady's man has a bad arm for some time +to come. As for the vintner, he had good reasons +for taking to his heels."</p> + +<p>"Good reasons?" But there was a sly look in +the clerk's eyes.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_325" id="Page_325" />No questions, if you please. And tell no +one, mind, what has taken place."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Excellency." And quietly the clerk +returned to his table of figures. But later he intended +to write a letter, unsigned, to his serene +highness.</p> + +<p>Carmichael, scowling, undertook to answer his +mail, but not with any remarkable brilliancy or +coherency.</p> + +<p>And in this condition of mind Grumbach +found him; Grumbach, accompanied by the old +clock-mender from across the way, and a Gipsy +Carmichael had never seen before.</p> + +<p>"What's up, Hans?"</p> + +<p>"Tell your clerk to leave us," said Grumbach, +his face as barren of expression as a rock.</p> + +<p>"Something serious, eh?" Carmichael dismissed +the clerk, telling him to return after the +noon hour. "Now, then," he said, "what is the +trouble?"</p> + +<p>"I have already spoken to you about it," +Grumbach returned. "The matter has gone badly. +But I am here to ask a favor, a great favor, one +that will need all your diplomacy to gain for +me."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_326" id="Page_326" />Ah"</p> + +<p>"For myself I ask nothing. A horrible blunder +has been made. You will go to the grand duke +and ask immunity for this Gipsy and this clock-mender, +as witnesses to the disclosure which I +shall make to his highness. Without this immunity +my lips will be sealed for ever. As I said, +I ask nothing for myself, nothing. There has +been a great blunder and a great wrong, too; but +God sent me here to right it. Will you do this?"</p> + +<p>"But I must know—," began Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"You will know everything, once you obtain +this concession from the duke."</p> + +<p>"But why don't you want immunity for yourself?"</p> + +<p>"There must be some one for the duke to punish," +heroically; "otherwise he will refuse."</p> + +<p>"Still, suppose I bargain for you, too?"</p> + +<p>"When you tell him my name is Breunner +there will be no bargaining."</p> + +<p>"What has this clock-mender to do with the +case?"</p> + +<p>"He is Count von Arnsberg."</p> + +<p>"By George! And this Gipsy?"</p> + +<p>"The man who bribed me. Arnsberg is an in<a name="Page_327" id="Page_327" />nocent +man; but this has to be proved, and you +are going to help us prove it."</p> + +<p>All this was in English; the Gipsy and the +former chancellor understood little or nothing.</p> + +<p>"I will do what I can, Hans, and I will let you +know the result after dinner to-night."</p> + +<p>"That will be enough. But unless he concedes, +do not tell him our names. That would be ruin +and nothing gained."</p> + +<p>"You have me a bit dazed," Carmichael admitted. +"I ought to know what this blunder is, +to have something to stand on."</p> + +<p>Grumbach shook his head. "Later every question +will be answered. And remember, at this +interview Herbeck must not be present. It will +have to be broken to him gently."</p> + +<p>"Very well; I promise to see his highness this +afternoon."</p> + +<p>Grumbach translated the substance of this +dialogue to his companions. They approved. +The three of them solemnly trooped out, leaving +Carmichael bewildered. Alone, his mind searched +a thousand channels, but these were blind and led +nowhere. Blunder, wrong? What did Grumbach +mean by that? What kind of a blunder, and who +<a name="Page_328" id="Page_328" />was innocently wronged? No use! And while +he was thus racking his mind he heard steps on +the stairs. These steps were hurried. The door +above shut noisily.</p> + +<p>"By George! I'll attend to that this minute. +We'll see what stuff this yellow-haired boy is +made of."</p> + +<p>He mounted the stairs without sound. He +grasped the handle of the door, boldly pushed it +open, and entered, closing the door and placing +his back against it.</p> + +<p>The instant he saw the intruder the vintner +snatched a pistol from the drawer in the table +and leveled it at Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"Surely your majesty will not shoot an old +friend?"</p> + +<div class="center"> +<a href="images/image006.jpg"><img src="images/image006.jpg" +alt=""Surely your Majesty will not shoot an old friend?"" width="50%" +title=""Surely your Majesty will not shoot an old friend?"" /></a> +</div> +<h3>"Surely your Majesty will not shoot an old friend?"</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX" /><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329" />CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>THE KING</h3> + + +<p>The vintner slowly lowered the pistol till it +touched the table; then he released it.</p> + +<p>"That is better, your Majesty."</p> + +<p>"Why do you call me that?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I do not utter it as a compliment," +retorted Carmichael dryly.</p> + +<p>"You speak positively."</p> + +<p>"With absolute authority on the subject, sire. +Your face was familiar, but I failed at first to +place it rightly. It was only after you had +duped me into going after the veiled lady that I +had any real suspicion. You are Frederick Leopold +of Jugeudheit."</p> + +<p>"I shall not deny it further," proudly. "And +take care how you speak to me, since I admit my +identity."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_330" id="Page_330" />Oho!" Carmichael gave rein to his laughter. +"This is Ehrenstein; here I shall talk to you as I +please."</p> + +<p>The king reddened, and his hand closed again +over the pistol.</p> + +<p>"I have saved your majesty twice from death. +You force me to recall it to your mind."</p> + +<p>The king had the grace to lower his eyes.</p> + +<p>"The first time was at Bonn. Don't you recollect +the day when an American took you out of +the Rhine, an American who did not trouble himself +to come round and ask for your thanks, who, +in truth, did not learn till days after what an +important person you were, or were going to be?" +There was a bite in every word, for Carmichael +felt that he had been ill-treated.</p> + +<p>"For that moment, Herr, I thank you."</p> + +<p>"And for that in the garden below?"</p> + +<p>"For that also. Now, why are you here? You +have not come for the purpose of recalling these +two disagreeable incidents to my mind."</p> + +<p>"No." Carmichael went over to the table, his +jaws set and no kindly spirit in his eyes. "No, +I have another purpose." He bent over the table, +and with his face close to that of the king, "I de<a name="Page_331" id="Page_331" />mand +to know what your intentions are toward +that friendless goose-girl."</p> + +<p>"And what is that to you?" said the king, the +smoke of anger in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"It is this much: if you have acted toward her +otherwise than honorably—Well!"</p> + +<p>"Go on; you interest me!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I promise to break every bone in your +kingly body. In this room it is man to man; I +recognize no king, only the physical being."</p> + +<p>The king pushed aside the table, furious. No +living being had ever spoken to him like that before. +He swung the flat of his hand toward Carmichael's +face. The latter caught the hand by +the wrist and bore down upon it. The king was +no weakling. There was a struggle, and Carmichael +found himself well occupied for a time. +But his age and build were in his favor, and presently +he jammed the king to the wall and pinioned +his arms.</p> + +<p>"There! Will you be patient for a moment?"</p> + +<p>"You shall die for this insult!" said the king, +as quietly as his hard breathing would allow. +He saw flashes of red between his face and the +other's.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_332" id="Page_332" />I have heard that before. But how?" banteringly.</p> + +<p>"I will waive my crown; man to man!"</p> + +<p>"Sword-sticks, sabers or hop-poles? Come," +savagely, "what do you mean by the goose-girl?"</p> + +<p>So intent on the struggle were they that neither +heard the door open and close.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear nephew; what do you mean by +Gretchen?"</p> + +<p>Carmichael released the king, and with feline +quickness stooped and secured the pistol which +had fallen to the floor. Not sure of the new arrival's +purpose, he backed to the wall. He knew +the voice and he recognized its owner.</p> + +<p>"Put it in your pocket, Mr. Carmichael. And +let us finish this discussion in English, since there +are many ears about the place."</p> + +<p>"His royal highness?" murmured the king.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sire! True to life!"</p> + +<p>Carmichael dropped the pistol into a pocket, +and the king smoothed down his crumpled sleeves.</p> + +<p>"A fine comedy!" cried Herr Ludwig jovially, +folding his arms over his deep chest. "A rollicking +adventure! Where's the story-book to match +it? A kingdom, working in the dark, headless; +<a name="Page_333" id="Page_333" />fine reading for these sneaking journalists! +Thunder and blazes!" with an amiability which +had behind it a good leaven of despair. "Well, +nephew, you have not as yet answered either Mr. +Carmichael's question or my own. What do you +mean by Gretchen?"</p> + +<p>"I love her," nobly. "And well for you, my +uncle, that you come as you do. I would have +married her! Wrong her? What was a crown +to me who, till now, have never worn one save in +speech? <i>You</i> have been the king."</p> + +<p>"Bodies must have heads, kingdoms must have +kings. I have tried an experiment, and this is +the result. I wanted you to be a man, a human +man; I wanted you to grow up unfettered by +power; I wanted you to mingle with peoples, here +and there, so, when you became their head physician, +you could ably minister to their political +diseases. And all this fine ambition tumbles down +before the wooden shoes of a pretty goose-girl. +Nothing makes so good a philosopher as a series +of blunders and mistakes. I am beaten; I admit +it. I did my best to save you from this tangle; +but it was written that you should put your foot +in it. But on top of this you have made a greater +<a name="Page_334" id="Page_334" />mistake than you dream of, nephew. The Princess +Hildegarde is as fine a woman as ever your +Gretchen. Mr. Carmichael will agree to that," +maliciously.</p> + +<p>Carmichael gave no sign that he understood; +but there was no mistaking the prince regent's +inference, however. The recipient of this compliment +stubbornly refused to give the prince the +satisfaction of seeing how neatly the barb had +gone home.</p> + +<p>"But, Mr. Carmichael, what is <i>your</i> interest +in Gretchen?"</p> + +<p>Carmichael trembled with joy. Here was an +opening for a double shot. "My interest in her +is better than yours, for I have not asked her to +become a king's mistress."</p> + +<p>His royal highness bit his lip.</p> + +<p>"Uncle!" cried the king, horrified at this revelation.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Carmichael evidently has applied his ear +to some keyhole."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you! The window was open. My +clerk heard you plainly."</p> + +<p>"Uncle, is this damnable thing true?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. What would you? You were deter<a name="Page_335" id="Page_335" />mined +to make a fool of yourself. But rest easy. +She is ignorant where this offer came from, and, +moreover, she spurned it, as Mr. Carmichael's +clerk will affirm. Oh, Gretchen is a fine little +woman, and I would to God she was of your station!" +And the mask fell from the regent's face, +leaving it bitter and careworn. "Our presence is +known in Dreiberg; it has been known for three +days at least. And in coming up here I had another +errand. Oh, I haven't forgotten it. In the +street there are at least ten soldiers under the sub-chief +of the police; rather a curious conjunction."</p> + +<p>The king turned white. So it had come at +last!</p> + +<p>Carmichael ran to the rear window. He +shrugged. "There's half a dozen in the garden, +too."</p> + +<p>"Is there any way to the roofs?"</p> + +<p>"None that would serve you."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Carmichael," said the king, offering his +hand, his handsome face kindly and without rancor, +"I should be an ungrateful wretch if I did +not ask your full pardon. I am indebted to you +twice for my life, little as it amounts to. And in +<a name="Page_336" id="Page_336" />my kingdom you will always be welcome. Will +you accept my hand, as one man to another?"</p> + +<p>"With happiness, your Majesty. And I ask +that you pardon my own hasty words."</p> + +<p>"Thank you."</p> + +<p>"He is only young," sighed Ludwig.</p> + +<p>The king emptied the drawer, put the contents +in his pack, tied the strings, and put it under +his arm.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" asked the uncle, +vaguely perturbed.</p> + +<p>"I am going down to the soldiers. I am no +longer a vintner, I am a king!" And he said this +in a manner truly royal.</p> + +<p>"<i>Gott!</i>" burst from the prince regent. "This +boy has marrow in his bones, after all!"</p> + +<p>"As you will find, dear uncle, the day after the +coronation. You will, of course, go down to them +with me?"</p> + +<p>"As I am your uncle! But the incarceration +will not be long," Ludwig grumbled. "There are +ten thousand troops on the other side of the +passes, and they have been there ever since I +learned that you had gone a-wooing."</p> + +<p>"Ten thousand? Well, they shall stay there,"<a name="Page_337" id="Page_337" /> +said the king determinedly. "I shall not begin +my reign with war. I am in the wrong; I had no +business to be here. Technically I have broken +the treaty, though not in spirit."</p> + +<p>"What will you do?"</p> + +<p>"Tell the duke the truth. He will not dare go +far."</p> + +<p>"He will be a good politician, too," said Ludwig, +with a smile of approval at Carmichael. +"No, boy, there will be no war. And yet I was +prepared for it; nor was I wrong in doing so. +Already, but for Herbeck, there would be plenty +of fighting in the passes. <i>Ach!</i> Could you but +see the princess!"</p> + +<p>"I have seen her," replied the king. "Heaven +would have been kinder had I seen her months +ago."</p> + +<p>"Say to his serene highness, then, that you are +willing to marry her."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you do not understand, uncle," the +king replied sadly. "I have the supreme happiness +to love and to be loved. Of that nothing +can rob me. And for some time to come, uncle +mine, I shall treasure that happiness."</p> + +<p>"And the little Gretchen?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_338" id="Page_338" />Yes, yes! I have been a scoundrel." And the +king's eyes grew moist. "You are happy, Mr. +Carmichael; you have no crown to weigh against +your love."</p> + +<p>"Has he not?" mocked Ludwig.</p> + +<p>"That, uncle, is neither kind nor gallant."</p> + +<p>And from that moment Carmichael's heart +warmed toward the young man, whose sorrow +was greater than his own. For the king was giving +up the woman who loved him, while Carmichael +was only giving up the woman he loved, +which is a distinction.</p> + +<p>"I ask Mr. Carmichael's pardon," said Prince +Ludwig frankly. "But my temper has been sadly +tried. Will you grant me a favor?"</p> + +<p>"If it is in my power," said Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"Go at once to our embassy and notify them +what has taken place."</p> + +<p>"I will do that at once. If only I could find +some way for you to escape!"</p> + +<p>"There is none," said the king. "Come, uncle; +let us see what is going on down-stairs."</p> + +<p>Carmichael followed them down.</p> + +<p>"There they are, men!" cried the sub-chief. +"You are under arrest!"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339" />I am the king of Jugendheit," calmly announced +Frederick Leopold. "Will you subject +me to public arrest?"</p> + +<p>"And I," said the uncle, "am Ludwig, prince +regent. Let us go to prison as quickly as possible, +blockheads!"</p> + +<p>The sub-chief laughed uproariously, and even +the disciplined soldiers smiled. The king of Jugendheit +and the prince regent! This was a good +joke, indeed!</p> + +<p>"Your majesty and your royal highness," said +the sub-chief, his eyes twinkling, "will do me, a +poor sub-chief of the police, the honor of accompanying +me to the Stein-schloss."</p> + +<p>"Lead on, lead on!" cried Ludwig. "But wait! +I forgot. There can be no harm in asking why +we are arrested."</p> + +<p>"You are accused of being military spies from +Jugendheit. That is sufficient for the present."</p> + +<p>"Frederick, they do not believe us. So much +the better!" Ludwig pursed his lips into a whistle.</p> + +<p>"May I retain this bundle?" inquired the king.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I know what is in it. Forward, march!"</p> + +<p>The soldiers formed into a square, and in the +center the prisoners were placed. Carmichael +<a name="Page_340" id="Page_340" />made as though to protest, but Prince Ludwig +signed for him to be silent.</p> + +<p>"Remember!" he said.</p> + +<p>The king looked in vain for Gretchen. Then +he beckoned to Carmichael, and whispered brokenly: +"If you see her, do not tell her what has +happened. Better to let her think that I have +gone. And she will see nothing in the arrest of +the king of Jugendheit."</p> + +<p>"I promise."</p> + +<p>The troop marched along the street, followed +by many curious ones, and many heads popped in +and out of the gabled windows. Carmichael +watched them till they veered round a corner, and +then he returned to the consulate. There he left +a note for the clerk, telling him that he would not +be in the office again that day. Directly after, +he hurried off to the Jugendheit embassy.</p> + +<p>An hour later Gretchen appeared before Fräu +Bauer. Gretchen had gone home immediately +after the termination of the fight in the garden. +It had been the will of her lord and master for +her to remain at home throughout the day; but +this she could not do. She was worried.</p> + +<p>"He was not hurt, Fräu?" she asked timidly.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_341" id="Page_341" />Oh, no! The two of them gave themselves up +readily. They are snug in the Stein-schloss by +this time."</p> + +<p>"The Stein-schloss!" Gretchen blanched. +"Holy Mother, what has happened?"</p> + +<p>"Why, your vintner and Herr Ludwig were +arrested an hour ago, accused of being spies from +Jugendheit."</p> + +<p>"It is a lie!" cried Gretchen hollowly. She +groped blindly for the door.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Gretchen?" Fräu +Bauer inquired anxiously.</p> + +<p>"To her highness! She will save him!"</p> + +<p>Her highness was dreaming. She had fallen +into this habit of late. A flame in the fireplace, +a cloud in the sky, a dash of rain on the window, +all these drew her fancy. What the heart wishes +the mind will dream. Sunshine was without, clear, +brilliant; shadow was within, mellow, nebulous. +But to-day her dream was short. A maid of honor +announced that the young woman Gretchen +sought her presence.</p> + +<p>"Admit her. She will be a tonic," said Hildegarde.</p> + +<p>Gretchen appeared, red-eyed and disheveled.<a name="Page_342" id="Page_342" /> +Instantly she flung herself at the feet of the +princess.</p> + +<p>"Why, Gretchen!"</p> + +<p>"They will not let me see him, Highness!" +Gretchen choked.</p> + +<p>"What has happened, child?"</p> + +<p>"They have arrested him as a spy from Jugendheit, +and he is innocent. Save him, Highness!"</p> + +<p>"How can I save him?"</p> + +<p>"He is not a spy."</p> + +<p>"That must be proved, Gretchen. I can not +go to the Stein-schloss and order them to liberate +him." She lifted Gretchen to her feet.</p> + +<p>"I have been there, and they will not let me +see him. I love him so!"</p> + +<p>"I can arrange that for you. I will go with +you myself to the prison."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Highness, thanks!" Gretchen was +hysterical.</p> + +<p>The Stein-schloss had been the feudal keep; +now it served as the city prison. Its grim gray +stones were battle-scarred and time-worn; a place +of deep dungeons, huge bolts and bars, and narrow +slits in the stone for windows. The prison +<a name="Page_343" id="Page_343" />was both civil and military, but was patrolled and +sentineled by soldiers. The king and his uncle +had been given adjoining cells on the ground +floor. These cells were dry, and light entered +from the modern windows in the wall of the corridor. +The princess and her protégée were admitted +without objection. The sergeant in charge +of that floor even permitted them to go into the +corridor unattended.</p> + +<p>Voices.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" whispered her highness, pressing +Gretchen's arm.</p> + +<p>"<i>Ach!</i> Wail, dear nephew, beat your hands +upon the bars, curse, waste your breath on stone. +Did I not warn you against this very thing when +you proposed this mad junket? Well, there are +two of us. A fine scandal! They will laugh at +us for months to come."</p> + +<p>"Woe to the duke for this affront!"</p> + +<p>Gretchen started to speak, but the princess +quickly put her hand over the goose-girl's +mouth.</p> + +<p>"Ha! So war is gathering in your veins?"</p> + +<p>"I will have revenge for this!"</p> + +<p>"Good! Bang—bang! Slash and cut! War +<a name="Page_344" id="Page_344" />is a great invention—on paper. Come, my boy; +you were sensible enough when they brought us +here. Control yourself. Be a king in all the +word implies. For my part, I begin to see."</p> + +<p>"And what do you see?"</p> + +<p>"I see that the duke knows who we are, even if +his police do not. He will keep us here a day or +two, and then magnanimously liberate us with +profuse apologies. We shall be escorted to the +frontier with honors. His highness loves a jest +too well to let this chance escape. Besides, I see +in the glass the fine Italian hand of Herbeck. I +have always heard that he was a great statesman. +Swallow your wrath, even if your tongue goes +down with it."</p> + +<p>"Gretchen, Gretchen!" said the king.</p> + +<p>Gretchen could stand it no longer. She +wrenched herself free from the grasp of the +princess, who, with pitying heart, understood all +now. Poor unhappy Gretchen!</p> + +<p>"Here I am, Leopold!" the goose-girl cried, +pressing her body against the bars and thrusting +her hands through them.</p> + +<p>"The devil!" murmured the man in the other +cell.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_345" id="Page_345" />You here, Gretchen?" The king covered her +hands with passionate kisses.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes! They have made a dreadful mistake. +You are no spy from Jugendheit."</p> + +<p>"No, Gretchen," said the voice from the next +cell. "He is far worse than that. He is the +king, Gretchen, the king."</p> + +<p>"Uncle!" in anguish.</p> + +<p>"Let us have it over with," replied Prince Ludwig +sadly.</p> + +<p>"The king?" Gretchen laughed shrilly. +"What jest is this, Leopold?"</p> + +<p>The king, still holding her hands, looked down.</p> + +<p>"Leopold?" plaintively.</p> + +<p>Still he did not speak, still he averted his head. +But God knew that his heart was on the rack.</p> + +<p>The princess, remaining in the background, +not daring to interfere, felt the smart of tears +in her eyes. Ah, the poor tender little goose-girl! +The pity of it! This king was a scoundrel.</p> + +<p>"Leo, look at me! You are laughing! Why, +did we not work together in the vineyards, and +did we not plan for the future? <i>Ah</i>, yes! You +are a king only to me. I see. But it is a cruel +<a name="Page_346" id="Page_346" />jest, Leopold. Smile at me! Say something!" +Gretchen was hanging to the bars now; her body, +held in the vise of growing terror, was almost a +dead weight.</p> + +<p>"Gretchen, forgive me!" despairingly.</p> + +<p>"He asks me to forgive him!" dully. "For +what?"</p> + +<p>"For being a villain! Yes," his voice keen +with agony. "I <i>am</i> the king of Jugendheit. +But am I less a man for that? Ah, God help me, +I have a right to love like other men! Do not +doubt me, Gretchen; do not think that I played +with you. I love you better than my crown, better +than my honor!"</p> + +<p>"Take care, nephew!" came Prince Ludwig's +warning. "Some one else is near."</p> + +<p>"I care not! Before all the world I would +gladly proclaim it. I love her. I swear that I +shall never marry, that my heart is breaking! +Gretchen, Gretchen! My God, she is falling! +Help her!" wildly; and he shook the bars with +supernatural strength till his hands were bleeding.</p> + +<p>But Gretchen did not answer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI" /><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347" />CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>TWIN LOCKETS</h3> + + +<p>Carmichael tramped about his room, +restless, uneasy, starting at sounds. Half +a dozen times his cigar had gone out, and burned +matches lay scattered on the floor. He was waiting +for Grumbach and his confrères. Now he +looked out of a window, now he spun the leaves +of a book, now he sat down, got up, and tramped +again. Anything but this suspense. A full day! +The duel in the <i>Biergarten</i>; the king of Jugendheit +and the prince regent in the Stein-schloss; +the flight of the ambassador to the palace, more +like a madman than one noted for his calm and +circumspection; Gretchen carried into the palace +in a dead faint, and her highness weeping; the +duke in a rage and brought over only after the +hardest struggle Carmichael had ever experienced. +And deeper, firmer, became his belief and +conviction that Grumbach's affair vitally con<a name="Page_348" id="Page_348" />cerned +her highness. What blunder had been +made? He would soon know. He welcomed the +knock on his door. Grumbach came in, carrying +under his arm a small bundle. He was pale +but serene, like a man who had put his worldly +affairs in order.</p> + +<p>"Well, Captain, what did his Highness say?"</p> + +<p>"Where are your companions?"</p> + +<p>"They are waiting outside."</p> + +<p>"The duke agrees. He will give us an audience +at eight-thirty. I had a time of it!"</p> + +<p>"Did you mention my name</p> + +<p>"No. I went roundabout. I also obtained +his promise to say nothing to Herbeck till the +interview was over. Again he demurred, but his +curiosity saved the day. Now, Hans, the full +story."</p> + +<p>Grumbach spread out on the bed the contents +of the bundle.</p> + +<p>"Look at these and tell me what you see, Captain."</p> + +<p>Carmichael inspected the little yellow shoes. +He turned them over and over in his hand. He +shook out the folds of the little cloak, and the +locket fell on the bed.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_349" id="Page_349" />When did you get this?" he cried excitedly. +"It is her highness'!"</p> + +<p>"So it is, Captain; but I have carried it about +me all these years."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Captain. Count von Herbeck is a great +statesman, but he made a terrible mistake this +time. Listen. As sure as we are in this room +together, I believe that she whom we call the +princess is not the daughter of the grand duke."</p> + +<p>Carmichael sat down on the edge of the bed, +numb and without any clear idea where he was. +From the stony look on his face, Grumbach +might have carried the head of Medusa in his +hand. The blood beat into his head with many +strange noises. But by and by the world became +clearer and brighter till all things took on the +rosal tint of dawn. Free! If she was not a princess, +she was free, free!</p> + +<p>The duke allowed the quartet to remain standing +for some time. He strode up and down before +them, his eyes straining at the floor, his +hands behind his back. He was in fatigue-dress, +and only the star of Ehrenstein glittered on his +breast. He was never without this order. All +<a name="Page_350" id="Page_350" />at once he whirled round, and as a sailor plunges +the lead into the sea, so he plumbed the very +deeps of their eyes as if he would see beforehand +what strange things were at work in their souls. +"I do not recognize any of these persons," he +said to Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"Your highness does not recognize me, then?" +asked the clock-mender.</p> + +<p>"Come closer," commanded the duke. The +clock-mender obeyed. "Take off those spectacles." +The duke scanned the features, and over +his own came the dawn of recollection. "Your +eyes, your nose—Arnsberg, here and alive? +Oh, this is too good to be true!" The duke +reached out toward the bell, but Carmichael interposed.</p> + +<p>"Your highness will remember," he warned.</p> + +<p>"Ha! So you have trapped me blindly? I +begin to understand. Who is this fellow Grumbach? +Did I offer immunity to him?"</p> + +<p>"I am Hans Breunner, Highness, and I ask +for nothing."</p> + +<p>"Breunner? Breunner? Hans Breunner, +brother of Hermann, and you put yourself into +my hands?" The tone developed into a sup<a name="Page_351" id="Page_351" />pressed +roar. The duke took hold of Hans by +the shoulders and drew him close. "You dog! +So you ask for nothing? It shall be given to +you. To-morrow morning I shall have you shot! +Hans Breunner! God is good to me this night! +Thanks, Herr Carmichael, a thousand thanks! +And I need not ask who that damnable scoundrel +is who has the black face and heart of a Gipsy. +When I recollect what I have suffered at your +hands! If only the late king were here, my joy +would be complete!"</p> + +<p>"Your Highness," said Von Arnsberg quietly, +"all I have left in the world are these two withered +hands, and may God cut them off if they +ever wronged you in any act. I am innocent. +Those letters purported to have been written by +me were forgeries. I could not prove this, so +I have been outlawed, with the sentence of death +over my head. But to-night I shall leave this +palace a free man, and you shall ask pardon for +the wrong you have done me."</p> + +<p>There was no fear in the voice; there was +nothing but confidence. The duke glared at the +speaker somberly, recalling what Herbeck had +often said.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_352" id="Page_352" />What you say still remains to be proved. +Now, what is at the bottom of all this?" was the +demand. "You men have not obtained this interview +for the sake of affirming your innocence. +Herr Carmichael, here, declared to me on honor +that you were in possession of a great secret. +Out with it, without any more useless recrimination."</p> + +<p>Hans replied not in words but in actions. He +crossed the room to the duke's desk and spread +out his treasures under the flickering candlelight. +The duke, with a cry of terror, sprang +toward the secret drawer. His first thought was +that the shoes and cloak, upon which only his +eyes ever rested now, had been stolen. He +straightened. Nothing was missing. He glanced +from face to face, from the articles on the desk +to those in the drawer. He was overwhelmed. +But he steadied himself; it was no moment for +physical weakness. Slowly, ignoring every one, +he came back to the desk and fingered the locket. +Just then it was exceedingly quiet in the room, +save that each man heard the quick breathing +of his neighbor. The duke opened the locket, +looked long and steadfastly at the portrait, and +<a name="Page_353" id="Page_353" />shut it. Then he went to the drawer again and +returned with the counterparts. He laid them +side by side. The likeness was perfect in all details.</p> + +<p>"Carmichael," he said, "will you please help +me? My eyes are growing old. Do I see these +things, or do I not? And if I do, which is mine, +and what does this signify?" The tremor in +his voice was audible.</p> + +<p>Grumbach answered. "This, Highness. I took +these from the little princess with my own hands. +They have never been out of my keeping. Those +you have I know nothing about."</p> + +<p>The duke rubbed his eyes. "My daughter?"</p> + +<p>"The Princess Hildegarde is not your daughter, +Highness," said Hans solemnly.</p> + +<p>"<i>Gott</i>!" The duke smote the desk in despair, +a despair which wrung the hearts of those who +witnessed it. "Herbeck! I must send for Herbeck!"</p> + +<p>"Not yet, Highness; later," Grumbach said.</p> + +<p>"But if not Hildegarde—I believe I must be +growing mad!"</p> + +<p>"Patience, your Highness!" said Carmichael.</p> + +<p>"Patience!" wearily. "You say patience when +<a name="Page_354" id="Page_354" />my heart is dying inside my breast? Patience? +Who, then, is this woman I have called my +child?"</p> + +<p>"God knows, Highness!" Hans stood bowed +before this parental agony.</p> + +<p>"But what proof have you that she is not? +What proof, I say?"</p> + +<p>"Would there be two lockets, Highness?"</p> + +<p>"More proof than this will be needed. Produce +it. Prolong this agony of doubt not another +instant."</p> + +<p>"Speak," said Hans to the Gipsy, who was +viewing the drama with the nonchalance of a +spectator rather than a participant.</p> + +<p>"Highness," said the Gipsy, bowing, "he +speaks truly. He came with us. For fear that +the little highness might be recognized as we +traveled, we changed her clothes. He took them, +together with the locket. One day the soldiers +appeared in the distance. We all fled. We lost +the little highness, and none of us ever knew what +became of her. She wore the costume of my own +children."</p> + +<p>"We shall produce that in time," said Von +Arnsberg.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_355" id="Page_355" />Damnable wretch!" said the duke, addressing +the Gipsy.</p> + +<p>The other shrugged. He had been promised +immunity; that was all he cared about, unless it +was the bag of silver and gold this old clock-mender +had given him a few hours gone.</p> + +<p>"I am summoning her highness," said the +duke, as he struck the bell.</p> + +<p>"And, Highness," added Grumbach, "despatch +some one for Gretchen, who lives at number forty +the Krumerweg."</p> + +<p>"The goose-girl? What does <i>she</i> know? Ah, +I remember. She is even now with her highness. +I shall send for them both."</p> + +<p>Gretchen? Carmichael's bewilderment increased. +What place had the goose-girl in this +tragedy?</p> + +<p>"Now, while we are waiting," resumed the +duke, his agitation somewhat under control, "the +proof, the definite proof!"</p> + +<p>"Her highness stumbled one night," said +Hans, "and fell upon the fire. I snatched her +back, but not before her left arm was badly +burned."</p> + +<p>The Gipsy nodded. "I saw it, Highness."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356" />And that was why Grumbach went to the military +ball with opera-glasses! Carmichael was +round-eyed. But Gretchen?</p> + +<p>"The Princess Hildegarde has no scar upon +either arm," continued Grumbach. "I have seen +them. They are without a single flaw."</p> + +<p>"More than that," reiterated the duke. "That +is not enough."</p> + +<p>They became silent. Now and then one or the +other stirred. The duke never took his eyes off +the door through which her highness would +enter.</p> + +<p>She came in presently, tender with mercy, an +arm supporting Gretchen, who was red-eyed and +white.</p> + +<p>"You sent for us, father?"</p> + +<p>How the word pierced the duke's heart! "Yes, +my child," he answered; for it mattered not who +she was or whither she had come, he had grown +to love her.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry you sent for Gretchen," said Hildegarde. +"She is ill."</p> + +<p>Gretchen sighed. To her the faces of the +men were indistinct. And, besides, she was without +interest, listless, drooped.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_357" id="Page_357" />My child, will you roll up your left sleeve?" +said the duke.</p> + +<p>"My sleeve?" Hildegarde thoughtfully looked +round. Roll up her sleeve? What possessed her +father?</p> + +<p>"Do so at once."</p> + +<p>"I can not roll up this sleeve, father," blushing +and a trifle angry at so strange a request.</p> + +<p>Hans opened his knife and laid bare her left +arm. She uttered a little angry cry. "How dare +you?" She tried to cover the arm.</p> + +<p>"Let me look at it, Hildegarde," requested the +duke.</p> + +<p>To him she presented her arm, for she now +understood that a serious affair was in progress. +But there was neither mole nor scar upon the +round and lovely arm.</p> + +<p>"Why do you do this, father? What is the +meaning?"</p> + +<p>No one answered; no one had the heart to answer. +Without waiting for the duke to bid him +continue, Hans unceremoniously ripped open +Gretchen's left sleeve. The ragged scar was +visible to them all. And while they grouped +<a name="Page_358" id="Page_358" />round the astonished goose-girl they heard her +highness cry out with surprise.</p> + +<p>"What is this?" she said, pointing to the two +pairs of shoes and the two cloaks. She held up +the locket, the twin of which hung round her +neck. "Where did these come from?"</p> + +<p>"My child," the duke answered, unashamed of +his tears, "only God knows as yet what it means; +but the outward sign testifies to a strange and +horrible blunder. The locket you hold in your +hand was taken from you when you were an infant. +The one you wear round your neck is, +according to the statement of one of these men, +not genuine."</p> + +<p>"And the significance?" She grew tall, and +the torn sleeve fell away from her arm.</p> + +<p>"That what is done must be all undone. I +know you to be brave. Strengthen your heart, +then. I stand before you the most wretched man +in all this duchy. These men affirm that I am +not your father. They say that you are not my +daughter."</p> + +<p>"And that Gretchen is!" spoke Hans. His +conscience was costing every one something dear.</p> + +<p>"I?" Gretchen drew closer to Hildegarde.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359" />The duke studied the portrait of the mother +and then the faces of these two girls. Both +possessed a resemblance, only it seemed now that +Gretchen was nearest to the portrait and Hildegarde +nearest to the doubt.</p> + +<p>"You say she wore the costume of a Gipsy +child when you lost her?" said the duke.</p> + +<p>"Yes." Von Arnsberg took from under his +coat a small bundle which he opened with shaking +fingers. He had been in the Krumerweg that +afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Why, those are mine!" exclaimed Gretchen +excitedly.</p> + +<p>"You see?" said Von Arnsberg. "Would you +not like to be a princess, Gretchen?"</p> + +<p>A princess? Gretchen's heart fluttered. A +princess? She saw the king shaking the bars +of his cell; she heard his voice calling out his +love for her. A princess? She laid her head on +Hildegarde's shoulder. She was weak, and this +was some dream.</p> + +<p>"But who, then, am I?" asked Hildegarde. +There was no sign of weakness here.</p> + +<p>Again there was no answer.</p> + +<p>"Tell what you know," said Hans to the<a name="Page_360" id="Page_360" /> +Gipsy. "Highness, he alone knows the man who +brought about all this."</p> + +<p>"The archplotter of this damnable conspiracy?" +The duke's eyes became alive, his face, +his whole body. Every beat of his heart cried +out for vengeance. "Who is he? Tell me! Give +him to me, man, and all of you shall go free. +Give him into these hands. His name!" The +duke's hands worked convulsively as if they +were already round the throat of this unseen, +implacable enemy. He was terrible in this moment.</p> + +<p>The Gipsy produced a letter. It had to be +held carefully, as it was old and tattered. The +duke read it. Beyond that it made the original +offer it was worthless. The handwriting was +palpably disguised. The duke flung the missive +to the floor.</p> + +<p>"Fool! Is that all you have? Tell me what +you know, man, or I shall have you shot in the +morning, immunity or no immunity! Quick!"</p> + +<p>"Highness," said the Gipsy, thoroughly +alarmed, "this is how it happened. My band +was staying at the time in Dreiberg. We told +fortunes and exhibited an Italian puppet-show.<a name="Page_361" id="Page_361" /> +The letter came first. I was poor and sometimes +desperate. I was to take her away and leave her +with strange people."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" interrupted the duke, with despairing +gesture toward Grumbach, "why did you not +leave us all in peace?"</p> + +<p>"Highness, a great wrong has been done, and +God brought me here to right it."</p> + +<p>"You are a brave man," darkly.</p> + +<p>"I am in your hands, Highness," sturdily. +"In a mad moment I committed a crime. I shall +abide by whatever punishment you may inflict."</p> + +<p>"Continue," said the duke to the Gipsy.</p> + +<p>"Well, Highness, I would not accept till I had +talked personally with him. He came at last. +His face was hidden and his voice muffled. But +this I saw; when he gave me the first half of the +money I was certain I should know him again."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"By his little finger, Highness."</p> + +<p>"His little finger?" Von Arnsberg repeated. +The two women, large-eyed and bewildered, +clung to each other's hand tensely. These were +heart-breaking times. Gretchen's mind, however, +absorbed nothing, neither the words nor +<a name="Page_362" id="Page_362" />the picture. Her thoughts revolved round one +thing; if she were a princess she could be happy. +But the other, from under whose feet all tangible +substances seemed to be giving way, she was +possessed by two thoughts which surged in her +brain like combatants. If not a princess, what +was she? If not a princess, she was free. She +stole a swift glance at Carmichael, who seemed +far removed from the heart of this black business; +and had he been looking at her he would +have seen the gates opening into Eden.</p> + +<p>"What was this little finger like?" asked the +duke, shuddering.</p> + +<p>"One time it had been cut or mangled."</p> + +<p>"The man was tall?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Highness."</p> + +<p>The duke silently toyed with the little yellow +shoes. Suddenly he laughed; but it was the terrible +laughter of a madman. There were death +and desolation in it.</p> + +<p>"Come, all of you; you, Gretchen, and you, +Hildegarde; come, Carmichael, and you, Arnsberg; +all of you! Let us go and pay a visit to +our good friend, Herbeck!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII" /><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363" />CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>A LITTLE FINGER</h3> + + +<p>The king of Jugendheit, Prince Ludwig, +and the chancellor sat in the form of a +triangle. Herbeck was making a pyramid of +his finger-tips, sometimes touching his chin with +his thumbs. His face was cheerful. His royal +highness, still in the guise of a mountaineer, sat +stiffly in his chair, the expression on his face +hardly translatable; that on the king's not at +all. He was dressed in the brilliant uniform of +a colonel in the Prussian Uhlans, an honor conferred +upon him recently by King William. +Prior to his advent into the Grand Duchy of +Ehrenstein he had been to Berlin. A whim, for +which he was now grateful, had cozened him into +carrying this uniform along with him on his adventures. +It was only after he met Gretchen +that there came moments when he forgot he was +a king. He was pale. From hour to hour his +heart seemed to grow colder and smaller and +<a name="Page_364" id="Page_364" />harder, till it now rested in his breast with the +heaviness of a stone, out of which life and the +care of living had been squeezed. He rarely +spoke, leaving the burden of the conversation to +rest upon his uncle's tongue.</p> + +<p>"So your royal highness will understand," +said Herbeck, "that it was the simplest move I +could make, and the safest. Were it known, or +had it been known this morning, that the king +of Jugendheit and the prince regent had entered +Dreiberg in disguise and had been lodged in the +Stein-schloss, there would have been a serious +riot in the city. So I had you arrested as spies. +Presently a closed carriage will convey you to +the frontier, and the unfortunate incident will be +ended."</p> + +<p>"Thanks!" said Prince Ludwig.</p> + +<p>"And when you cross the frontier, it would be +wise to disperse the troops waiting there for +you."</p> + +<p>Prince Ludwig smiled. "It was only an army +of defense. The duke had nearly twenty thousand +men at the maneuvers. I have no desire +for war; but, on the other hand, I am always +ready for it."</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_365" id="Page_365" />There will never be any war between us," +prophetically. "The duke grows impatient at +times, but I can always rouse his sense of justice. +You will, of course, pardon the move I made. +There will be no publicity. There will be no +newspaper notoriety, for the journalists will +know nothing of what has really happened."</p> + +<p>"For that consideration your excellency has +my deepest thanks," replied Prince Ludwig.</p> + +<p>"I thought it best to let you go without seeing +the duke. The meeting between you two +might be painful."</p> + +<p>"That also is thoughtful of your excellency," +said the king. "I have no desire to see or speak +to his highness."</p> + +<p>"There is, however, one favor I should like to +ask," said the prince.</p> + +<p>"Can I grant it?"</p> + +<p>"Easily. I wish to leave a sum of money in +trust, to be paid to one Gretchen Schwarz, who +lives in the Krumerweg. She is ambitious to become +a singer. Let nothing stand between her +and her desires."</p> + +<p>"Granted."</p> + +<p>The heart of the king, at the sound of that +<a name="Page_366" id="Page_366" />dear name, suddenly expanded and stifled him. +The stiffness went out of his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Ah, this little world of ours, the mistakes and +futile schemes we make upon it!" The chancellor +dallied with his quill pen. "It was a cynical +move of fate that your majesty should see +the goose-girl first."</p> + +<p>"Enough!" cried the king vehemently. "Let +us have no more retrospection, if you please. +Moreover, I shall be obliged to you if you will +summon at once the carriage which is to take us +to the frontier. The situation has been amicably +and satisfactorily explained. I see no reason +why we should be detained any longer."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," added Prince Ludwig. "I am rather +weary of these tatters. I should even like a +bath."</p> + +<p>The three of them were immediately attracted +by a singular noise outside in the corridor. The +door swung in violently, crashing against the +wall and shivering into atoms the Venetian mirror. +The king, the prince, and the chancellor +were instantly upon their feet. The king +clutched the back of his chair with a grip of +iron: Gretchen? Her highness? What was<a name="Page_367" id="Page_367" /> +Gretchen doing here? Ah, could he have flown! +He muttered a curse at the chancellor for the +delay. But happily Gretchen did not see him.</p> + +<p>The duke came in first, and he waited till the +others were inside; then he shut the door with +lesser violence and rushed over to the chancellor.</p> + +<p>"Herbeck, you villain!"</p> + +<p>The chancellor stared at the Gipsy, at Von +Arnsberg, at Grumbach.</p> + +<p>"Herbeck, you black scoundrel!" cried the +duke. "Can you realize how difficult it is not +to take you by the throat and strangle you here +and now?"</p> + +<p>"He is mad!" said Herbeck, bracing himself +against the desk.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I <i>am</i> mad, but it is the sane madness +of a terribly wronged man. Come here, you +Gipsy!" The duke seized Herbeck's hand and +pressed it down fiercely on the desk. "Look at +that and tell me if it is not the hand of a Judas!"</p> + +<p>"That is the hand, Highness," said the Gipsy, +without hesitation.</p> + +<p>The duke flung the hand aside. As he did so +something snapped in Herbeck's brain, though +at that instant he was not conscious of it.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_368" id="Page_368" />It was you, you! It was your hand that +wrecked my life, yours! Ah, is there such villainy? +Are such men born and do they live? +My wife dead, my own heart broken, Arnsberg +ruined and disgraced! And these two children: +which is mine?"</p> + +<p>To the king of Jugendheit the ceiling reeled +and the floor revolved under his feet.</p> + +<p>"Villain, what have you to say? What was +your purpose?"</p> + +<p>How many years, thought Herbeck, had he +been preparing for this moment? How long had +he been steeling his heart against this very +scene? Futile dream! He drew himself together +with a supreme effort. He would face +this hour as he had always planned to face it. +Found out! He looked at his finger, touched it +with an impersonal curiosity. He had forgotten +all about such a possibility. Where had he read +that there is no crime but leaves some evidence, +infinitesimally small though it be, which shall +lead to the truth? After all, he was glad. The +strain, borne so long, was gradually killing him. +A little finger, to have stopped the wheel of so +great a scheme! Irony!</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_369" id="Page_369" />Your Highness," he said, his voice soft and +strangely clear, "I have been waiting for this +hour. So I am found out! How little we know +what God intends!"</p> + +<p>"You speak of God? You blaspheme!"</p> + +<p>"Bear with me for a space. I shall not hold +you long."</p> + +<p>"But why? What have I done to you that +you should wreck all I hold dear?"</p> + +<p>"For you I have always had a strong affection, +strange as it may sound." Herbeck fumbled +with his collar, which was tightening round +his throat like a band of hot iron. "I have practically +governed this country for sixteen years. +In that time I have made it prosperous and +happy; I have given you a substantial treasury; +I have made you an army; I have brought peace +where you would have brought war. To my +people God will witness that I have done my duty +as I saw it. One day I fell the victim of a mad +dream. And to think that I almost won!"</p> + +<p>"And I?" said Hildegarde, her hands clenched +and pressed against her bosom. "What have +you done to me, who am innocent of any wrong? +What have you done to me?"</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_370" id="Page_370" />You, my child? I have wronged you greatest +of all. The wrong I have done to you is irreparable. +Ah, have not my arms hungered +for the touch of you, my heart ached for the +longing of you? To see you day after day, +always humble before you, always glad to kiss +the back of your hand! Have I not lived in +hell, your Highness?" turning to the duke.</p> + +<p>"What am I, and who am I?" whispered Hildegarde, +her heart almost ceasing to beat.</p> + +<p>"I am your father!" simply.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII" /><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371" />CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>HAPPINESS</h3> + + +<p>The grand duke of Ehrenstein beheld the +chancellor with that phase of astonishment +which leaves the mind unclouded. The +violent storm in his heart gave way to a calm, +not at all menacing, but tinctured with a profound +pity. What a project! What a mind +to conceive it, to perfect it down to so small a +detail as a jeweler's mark in the gold of the +locket! And a little finger to betray it! In a +flash he saw vividly all this man had undergone, +day by day, unfaltering, unhesitant, forgetting +nothing, remembering everything but the one +insignificant item which was to overthrow him. +He felt that he was confronted with a great +problem; what to do with the man?</p> + +<p>Prince Ludwig took off his hat. "Herbeck, +you are a great politician."</p> + +<p>"No, prince," replied Herbeck, with ineffable +<a name="Page_372" id="Page_372" />sadness. "Had I been a great politician I +should have succeeded. Ah, give this to my +merit; self never entered into this dream. For +you, my child, only for you. And so great was +this dream that I almost made you a queen! +You are my flesh and blood, the child of my wife, +whom I loved. She was only a singer in the +opera, at Dresden, but her soul was great, like +yours. It is a simple story."</p> + +<p>Hildegarde did not move, nor had she moved +since the revelation. Carmichael, a secret joy +in his heart, watched the girl for the slightest +swaying, that inevitable prelude to fainting. +But Hildegarde was not the kind of woman who +faints in the face of a catastrophe, however +great it might be. The only sign of life lay in +her beautiful eyes, the gaze of which remained +unswervingly fixed upon the chancellor's ashen +countenance.</p> + +<p>"Hildegarde," said the duke, "you shall become +my daughter, and you shall dwell here till +the end of your days. I will try to right the +wrong that has been done to you."</p> + +<p>"No, your Highness," she replied. "There is +but one place for me, and that is at my father's +<a name="Page_373" id="Page_373" />side." And resolutely she walked to the chancellor's +left and her hand stole down and met +his firmly. "My father, I forgive you," she +said, with quiet dignity.</p> + +<p>"They are all wrong, Frederick," whispered +Prince Ludwig. "She is as much a princess as +the other."</p> + +<p>"You forgive me?" The chancellor could not +believe his ears.</p> + +<p>"Yes, father."</p> + +<p>Then, recalling all the child-hunger in his +arms and heart, he swept her to his breast convulsively; +and the unloosed tears dropped upon +her bright head.</p> + +<p>"And who am I?" said Gretchen.</p> + +<p>"Breunner, you say this little goose-girl is my +daughter?"</p> + +<p>"I solemnly swear it, Highness. Look into +her face again carefully."</p> + +<p>The duke did so, a hand on either cheek. He +scrutinized every contour, the color of the eyes, +the low, broad brow, the curve of the chin. Out +of the past he conjured up the mother's face. +Yes, beyond any doubt, there was a haunting +likeness, and he had never noted it before.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_374" id="Page_374" />But who will prove it to the world?" he cried +hopelessly, still holding Gretchen's wondering +face between his hands.</p> + +<p>"I shall prove it," said the king.</p> + +<p>"You? And how?"</p> + +<p>"I shall marry Gretchen; I shall make her a +queen. That will be proof enough."</p> + +<p>"A fine stroke, nephew; a bold stroke!" Prince +Ludwig laid his hand upon the king's shoulder +with rare affection.</p> + +<p>"If you accept her without further proof, I, +her father, can do no less." And the duke kissed +Gretchen on the forehead and led her over to the +king, gravely joining their hands.</p> + +<p>"Gretchen!" murmured the king.</p> + +<p>"I do not know how to act like a princess."</p> + +<p>"I shall teach you."</p> + +<p>Gretchen laid her head on his breast. She was +very tired and much bewildered.</p> + +<p>The duke paced the length of the cabinet several +times. No one interrupted his meditation.</p> + +<p>Back and forth, one hand hanging to the opposite +shoulder, the other folding over his chin. +Then he paused with abruptness.</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty, I regret that your father is +<a name="Page_375" id="Page_375" />not alive to accept my apologies for so baselessly +misjudging him. Arnsberg, nothing that I can +do will restore these wasted years. But I offer +you the portfolio."</p> + +<p>"I am only a broken man, your Highness; too +old."</p> + +<p>"It is my will."</p> + +<p>Arnsberg bent his head in submission.</p> + +<p>"As for you," said the duke to the Gipsy, "go, +and if you ever step this side the frontier again +you will be shot out of hand." He stopped +again in front of Grumbach. "I promised to +have you shot in the morning. That promise +holds. But a train leaves for Paris a little after +midnight. My advice is for you not to miss it."</p> + +<p>"And my father, your Highness?" said Hildegarde bravely.</p> + +<p>"Herbeck, your estates are confiscated, your +name is struck from the civic and military lists. +Have you any ready funds?"</p> + +<p>"A little, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"Enough to take you for ever out of this part +of the world?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"You do not ask to be forgiven, and I like +<a name="Page_376" id="Page_376" />that. I have judges in Dreiberg. I could have +you tried and condemned for high treason, shot +or imprisoned for life. But to-night I shall not +use this prerogative. You have, perhaps, three +hours to get your things in order. To-morrow +you will be judged and condemned. But you, +Hildegarde—"</p> + +<p>"No, your Highness; we shall both take the +train for Paris. Gretchen, you will be happy."</p> + +<p>Gretchen ran and flung herself into Hildegarde's +arms; and the two of them wept. Hildegarde +pushed Gretchen away gently.</p> + +<p>"Come, father, we have so little time."</p> + +<p>And this was the sum of the duke's revenge.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>It never took Carmichael long to make up his +mind definitely. He found his old friend the +cabman in the Platz, and they drove like mad to +the consulate. An hour here sufficed to close his +diplomatic career and seal it hermetically. The +clerk, however, would go on like Tennyson's +brook, for ever and for ever. Next he went to +the residence of his banker in the König Strasse +and got together all his available funds. Eleven +o'clock found him in his rooms at the Grand<a name="Page_377" id="Page_377" /> +Hotel, feverishly packing his trunk and bag. +Paris! He would go, also, even if they passed +on to the remote ends of the world.</p> + +<p>The train stood waiting in the gloomy Bahnhof. +The guards patrolled the platform. Presently +three men came out of the station door. +Two were officers; the third, Colonel von Wallenstein, +was in civilian dress. He was sullen +and depressed.</p> + +<p>Said one of the officers: "And it is the express +command of General Ducwitz that you will return +here under the pain of death. Is that explicit?"</p> + +<p>"It is." The colonel got into his compartment +and slammed the door viciously.</p> + +<p>In the next compartment sat Grumbach. He +was smoking his faithful pipe. He was, withal, +content. This was far more satisfactory than +standing up before the firing-line. And, besides, +he had made history in Ehrenstein that night; +they would not forget the name of Breunner +right away. To America, with a clean slate and +a reposeful conscience; it was more than he had +any reasonable right to expect. Tekla! He +laughed sardonically. She was no doubt sound +<a name="Page_378" id="Page_378" />asleep by this time, and the end of the chapter +would never be written for her. What fools +these young men a-courting were! War and +famine and pestilence; did these not always follow +at the heels of women?</p> + +<p>As the station-master's bell rang, the door +opened and a man jumped in. He tossed his +bag into the corner and plumped down in the +seat.</p> + +<p>"Captain?"</p> + +<p>"You, Hans?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"I am weary of Dreiberg, so I am taking a +little vacation."</p> + +<p>"For how long?" suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, for ever so long!" evasively. And Carmichael +lifted his feet to the opposite seat and +prepared to go to sleep.</p> + +<p>Hans said nothing more. He was full of wisdom. +He had an idea. The fleeing chancellor +and his daughter were on the train, and he was +certain that his friend Carmichael knew it.</p> + +<p>The lights of the city presently vanished, and +the long journey began, through the great clefts +in the mountains, over gorges, across rivers, +<a name="Page_379" id="Page_379" />along wide valleys, and into the mountains +again; a journey of nearly seventy hours. At +each stop Carmichael got out, and every time +he returned Hans could read disappointment on +his face. Still he said nothing. He was an admirable +comrade.</p> + +<p>By the aid of certain small briberies on the +train and in Paris Carmichael gathered, bit by +bit, that the destination of the woman he loved +was America. But never once did he set eyes +upon her till she and her father mounted the +gang-plank to the vessel which was to carry +them across the wide Atlantic. The change in +Herbeck was pitiable. His face had aged twenty +years in these sixty odd hours. His clothes, the +same he had worn that ever-memorable night, +hung loosely about his gaunt frame, and there +was a vacancy in his eyes which was eloquent of +mental collapse. The girl quietly and tenderly +guided him to the deck and thence to his stateroom. +Carmichael abided his time.</p> + +<p>A French newspaper contained a full account +of Herbeck's <i>coup</i> and his subsequent flight. It +also recounted the excitement of the following +day, the appearance of Gretchen on the steps of +<a name="Page_380" id="Page_380" />the palace, and the great shouting of the people +as they acclaimed her the queen of Jugendheit.</p> + +<p>The second day out Carmichael's first opportunity +came. He discovered Herbeck and his +daughter leaning against the rail. He watched +them uneasily, wondering how he might approach +without startling her. At last he keyed +up his courage.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, your Highness," he stammered, +and inwardly cursed his stupidity.</p> + +<p>At the sound of his voice she turned, and there +was no mistaking the gladness in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Carmichael?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I was surprised to learn that you were +taking the same boat as myself."</p> + +<p>How clumsy he was! she thought. For she +had known his every move since the train drew +out of Dreiberg.</p> + +<p>"Father, here is our friend, Herr Carmichael."</p> + +<p>"Carmichael?" said Herbeck slowly. "Ah, +yes. Good morning."</p> + +<p>And Carmichael instantly comprehended that +his name recalled nothing to the other man's remembrance.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_381" id="Page_381" />You are returning to America?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"For good, perhaps. To tell the truth, I ran +away, deserted my post, though technically I +have already resigned. But America has been +calling me for some days. You have never been +to sea before?"</p> + +<p>"No; it is all marvelous and strange to me."</p> + +<p>"Let us walk, my child," said Herbeck.</p> + +<p>"You will excuse me, Mr. Carmichael?" she +said. Never more the rides in the fair mornings. +Never more the beautiful gardens, the +music, the galloping of soldiers who drew their +sabers whenever they passed her. Never more +any of these things.</p> + +<p>"Can I be of any assistance?" he said, in an +undertone.</p> + +<p>"No," sadly.</p> + +<p>The days, more or less monotonous, went past. +Sometimes he saw her alone on deck, but only +for a little while. Her father was slowly improving, +but with this improvement came the +natural desire for seclusion; so he came on deck +only at night.</p> + +<p>The night on which the vessel bore into the +moist, warm air of the Gulf Stream was full of +<a name="Page_382" id="Page_382" />moonshine, of smooth, phosphorescent billows. +Herbeck had gone below. The girl leaned over +the rail, alone and lonely. And Carmichael, +seeing her, could no longer still the desire in his +heart. He came up to her.</p> + +<p>"See!" she exclaimed, pointing to the little +eddies of foam speeding along the hull. "Do +you know what they remind me of? Mermaids' +fingers, grasping and clutching at the boat as +if to drag it down below."</p> + +<p>How beautiful she was with the frost of moonlight +on her hair!</p> + +<p>"You must not talk like that," he admonished.</p> + +<p>"I am very unhappy."</p> + +<p>"And when you say that you make me so, +too."</p> + +<p>"Why?" She had spoken the word at last.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember the night you dropped +your fan?" leaning so closely toward her that +his arm pressed against hers.</p> + +<p>"I remember."</p> + +<p>"You put that word then. In honor I dared +not answer. You were a princess! I was only a +soldier of fortune. But now that you are in +trouble, now that you have need of me, I +<a name="Page_383" id="Page_383" />may answer. I may tell you now why, why I +have thrown ambition and future to the winds, +why I am here at your side to-night. Need I +tell you? Do you not know, and have you not +known? Am I cruel to speak of love in the moment +of your great affliction? Well, I must be +cruel. I love you! Faithfully and loyally, now +and hereafter, through this sad day into happier +ones. I ask nothing for this love I offer; +I ask only that I may use it in your service, in +good times or bad."</p> + +<p>"Ask what you will," she whispered. "I am +happy now!"</p> + +<p> </p> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14598 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/14598-h/images/image001.jpg b/14598-h/images/image001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..daf63f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/14598-h/images/image001.jpg diff --git a/14598-h/images/image002.jpg b/14598-h/images/image002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..37441a5 --- /dev/null +++ b/14598-h/images/image002.jpg diff --git a/14598-h/images/image003.jpg b/14598-h/images/image003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7d11ed --- /dev/null +++ b/14598-h/images/image003.jpg diff --git a/14598-h/images/image004.jpg b/14598-h/images/image004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2415a94 --- /dev/null +++ b/14598-h/images/image004.jpg diff --git a/14598-h/images/image005.jpg b/14598-h/images/image005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a613ba5 --- /dev/null +++ b/14598-h/images/image005.jpg diff --git a/14598-h/images/image006.jpg b/14598-h/images/image006.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..834a0ea --- /dev/null +++ b/14598-h/images/image006.jpg |
