Graustark

by George Barr McCutcheon

  XXI. FROM A WINDOW ABOVE

  The longest month in Lorry's life was that which followed his romanticflight from the Tower. To his impatient mind the days were irksomeweeks. The cold monastery was worse than a prison. He looked from itswindows as a convict looks through his bars, always hoping, alwaysdisappointed. With each of the infrequent visits of Captain Quinnox, hisheart leaped at the prospect of liberty, only to sink deeper in despairupon the receipt of emphatic, though kindly, assurances that the timehad not yet come for him to leave the haven of safety into which he hadbeen thrust by loving hands. From his little window he could see theactive city below, with the adored castle; to his nostrils came thebreath of summer from the coveted valley, filling him with almostinsupportable longing and desire. Cold were the winds that swept abouthis lofty home; ghastly, gruesome the nights, pallid and desolate thedays. Out of the world was he, dreary and heartsick, while at his feetstretched life and joy and love in their rarest habiliments. How heendured the suspense, the torture of uncertainty, the craving for thelife that others were enjoying, he could not understand. Big, strong andfull of vigor, his inactivity was maddening; this virtual captivity grewmore and more intolerable with each succeeding day. Would they nevertake him from the tomb in which he was existing? A hundred times hadhe, in his desperation, concluded to flee from the monastery, comewhat might, and to trust himself to the joyous world below, but theever-present though waning spark of wisdom won out against the fierce,aggressive folly that mutinied within his hungry soul. He knew that shewas guarding him with loving, tender care, and that, when the propertime came, the shackles of danger would drop and his way would becleared.

  Still there was the longing, the craving, the loneliness. Day after day,night after night went by and the end seemed no nearer. Awake or asleep,he dreamed of her, his heart and mind always full of that one richblessing,--her love. At times he was mad with the desire to know whatshe was doing, what she was thinking and what was being done for herdown there in that busy world. Lying on his pallet, sitting in thenarrow window, pacing the halls or wandering about the cold courtyards,he thought always of her, hoping and despairing with equal fervor. Theone great question that made his imprisonment, his inactivity so irksomewas: Was he to possess the treasure he longed so much to call his own?In those tantalizing moments of despair he felt that if he were free andnear her he could win the fight against all odds. As it was, he knew notwhat mischief was working against his chances in the world from which hewas barred.

  The prior was kind to him; everything that could be done to providecomfort where comfort was a stranger was employed in his behalf.

  He lived well--until his appetite deserted him; he had no questions tryanswer, for no one asked why he was there; he had no danger to fear, forno foe knew where he lived. From the city came the promise ofultimate escape; verbal messages from those who loved him; news ofthe world,--all at long intervals, however. Quinnox's visits were likesunbeams to him. The dashing captain came only at night and in disguise.He bore verbal messages, a wise precaution against mishap. Not once didhe bring a word of love from the Princess, an omission which caused thefugitive deep misery until a ray of intelligence showed him that shecould not give to Quinnox the speeches from her heart, proud woman thatshe was.

  Anguish sent words of cheer, with commands to be patient. He neverfailed to tell him, through Quinnox, that he was doing all in his powerto find the real murderer and that he had the secret co-operation of theold police captain. Of course, the hidden man heard of the rewardand the frenzied search prosecuted by both principalities. He laughedhysterically over the deception that was being practiced by theblue-eyed, slender woman who held the key to the situation in herkeeping.

  It was not until the night of the eighteenth of November that Quinnoxconfirmed his fears by telling him of the conditions imposed by PrinceBolaroz. For some reason the young officer had deceived Lorry in regardto the all-important matter. The American repeatedly had begged forinformation about the fatal twentieth, but on all previous occasionshis visitor doggedly maintained a show of ignorance, vowing that he knewnothing of the circumstances Finally Lorry, completely out of patienceand determined to know the true state of affairs, soundly upbraided himand sent word to the Princess that if she did not acquaint him with theinside facts he would leave the monastery and find them out for himself.This authoritative message brought Quinnox back two nights later withthe full story of the exciting conference. She implored him to remainwhere he was, and asked his forgiveness for having kept the ugly truthfrom him. Quinnox added to his anguish by hastily informing him thatthere was a possibility of succor from another principality. PrinceGabriel, he said, not knowing that he was cutting his listener to theheart, was daily with the Princess, and it was believed that he wasready to loan Graustark sufficient money to meet the demand of Bolaroz.The mere thought that Gabriel was with her aroused the fiercestresentment in Lorry's breast. He writhed beneath the knowledge that shewas compelled to endure his advances, his protestations of love, hispresence.

  As he paced his narrow room distractedly a horrid thought struck him soviolently that he cried aloud and staggered against the wall, his eyesfixed on the face of the startled soldier. Perhaps she might submit toGabriel, for in submitting she could save not only Graustark, but theman she loved. The sacrifice--but no! he would not believe that suchaffliction could come to her! Marry Gabriel! The man who had plannedto seize her and make her his wanton! He ground his teeth and glared atQuinnox as if he were the object of his hatred, his vicious jealousy.The captain stepped backward in sudden alarm.

  "Don't be afraid!" Lorry cried, savagely. "I'm not crazy. It's yournews--your news! Does she expect me to stay up here while that state ofaffairs exists down there? Let me see: this is the eighteenth, and dayafter to-morrow is the twentieth. There is no time to be lost, CaptainQuinnox. I shall accompany you when you leave St. Valentine's to-night."

  "Impossible!" exclaimed Quinnox. "I cannot allow that, sir. Myinstructions are to--"

  "Hang your instructions! All the instructions on earth can't compel meto sit up here and see this sacrifice made. I am determined to see herand put a stop to the whole affair. It is what I feared would come topass. She is willing to sacrifice herself or half her kingdom, one orthe other, in order that I may escape. It's not right, captain, it's notright, and I'm going to stop it. How soon can we leave this place?"He was pacing the floor, happy in the decision he had reached,notwithstanding the danger it promised.

  "You are mad, sir, to talk like this," protested the other,despairingly. "Edelweiss swarms with Axphain soldiers; our own men areon the alert to win the great reward. You cannot go to the city. When asafe time comes, you will be taken from this place, into the mountainsinstead of through the city, and given escort to Dassas, one hundredmiles east. That step will not be taken until the way is, perfectlyclear. I tell you, sir, you cannot hope to escape if you leave themonastery now. The mountains are full of soldiers every night."

  "I didn't say anything about an escape, did I? On the contrary, I wantto give myself up to her. Then she can have Gabriel thrown over thecastle wall and say to Bolaroz, 'Here is your man; I've gained the tenyears of grace.' That's the point, Quinnox; can't you see it? And I wantto say to you now, I'm going whether you consent or refuse. I'd just assoon be in jail down there as up here, anyhow. The only favor I have toask of you is that you do the best you can to get me safely to her. Imust talk with her before I go back to the Tower."

  "God help me, sir, I cannot take you to her," groaned Quinnox, trying tocontrol his nervous apprehension. "I have sworn to her that I will keepyou from all harm, and it would be to break faith with her if I led youinto that mob down there."

  "I respect your oath, my friend, but I am going, just the same. I'll seeher, too, if I have to shoot every man who attempts to prevent me. I'mdesperate, man, desperate! She's everything in the world to me, and I'lldie before I'll see her suffer."

  Quinnox calmly placed his hands on the other's should
ers, and, lookinghim in the eye, said quietly:

  "Her suffering now is as nothing compared to what it will be if you goback to the Tower. You forget how much pain she is enduring to avoidthat very suffering. If you care for my mistress, sir, add no weight tothe burden she already carries. Remain here, as she desires. You can beof no service down there. I implore you to be considerate."

  It was an eloquent appeal, and it struck home. Lorry wavered, but hisresolution would not weaken. He argued, first with Quinnox, then withhimself, finally returning to the reckless determination to brave alland save her from herself. The soldier begged him to listen to reason,implored him to reconsider, at last turning in anger upon the stubbornAmerican with a torrent of maledictions. Lorry heard him through andquietly, unswervingly announced that he was ready to leave the monasteryat any time his guide cared to depart. Quinnox gave up in despair atthis, gazing hopelessly at the man he had sworn to protect, who insistedon placing his head in the lion's jaw. He sat down at the window andmurmured dejectedly:

  "What will she say to me--what will she say to me?"

  "I shall exonerate you, captain. She can have no fault to find with youraction after I have told her how loyal you are and how--how--well, howunreasonable I am," said Lorry, kindly.

  "You may never live to tell her this, sir. Then what is to become of me?I could not look her in the face again. I could only die!"

  "Don't be so faint-hearted, Quinnox!" cried Lorry, stimulated by thedesire to be with her, recognizing no obstacle that might thwart him inthe effort. "We'll get through, safe and sound, and we'll untangle a fewcomplications before we reach the end of the book. Brace up, forGod's sake, for mine, for hers, for your own. I must get to her beforeeverything is lost. My God, the fear that she may marry Gabriel willdrive me mad if I am left here another night. Come! Let us prepare tostart. We must notify the Abbot that I am to go. I can be ready in fiveminutes. Ye Gods, think of what she may be sacrificing for me!"

  The distracted captain gloomily watched the nervous preparations fordeparture, seeing his own disgrace ahead as plainly as if it had alreadycome upon him. Lorry soon was attired in the guard's uniform he had wornfrom the Tower a month before. His pistol was in his pocket, andthe bunch of violets she had sent to him that very night was pinneddefiantly above his heart. Quinnox smiled when he observed this bitof sentiment, and grimly informed him that he was committing an actprohibited in Dangloss's disciplinary rules. Officers on duty were notto wear nosegays.

  "Dangloss will not see my violets. By the way, the moon shines brightly,doesn't it?"

  "It is almost as light as day. Our trip is made extremely hazardousfor that reason. I am sorely afraid, rash sir, that we cannot reach thecastle unseen."

  "We must go about it boldly, that's all."

  "Has it occurred to you, sir, that you are placing me in a terribleposition? What excuse can I have, a captain of the guard, for slinkingabout at night with a man whom I am supposed to be tracking to earth?Discovery will brand me as a traitor. I cannot deny the charge withoutexposing Her Royal Highness."

  Lorry turned cold. He had not thought of this alarming possibility. Buthis ready wit came again to his relief, and with bright, confident eyeshe swept away the obstacle.

  "If discovered, you are at once to proclaim me a prisoner, take thecredit for having caught me, and claim the reward."

  "In that case, you will not go to the castle, but to the Tower."

  "Not if you obey orders. The offer of reward says that I must bedelivered to the undersigned. You will take me to her and not to theTower."

  Quinnox smiled and threw up his hands as if unable to combat the quicklogic of his companion. Together they made their way to the prior'scell, afterward to the Abbot's apartment. It was barely eleven o'clockand he had not retired. He questioned Quinnox closely, bade Lorryfarewell and blessed him, sent his benediction to the Princess andordered them conducted to the gates.

  Ten minutes later they stood outside the wall, the great gates havingbeen closed sharply behind them. Above them hung the silvery moon, fulland bright, throwing its refulgent splendor over the mountain top withall the brilliancy of day. Never had Lorry seen the moon so accursedlybright.

  "Gad, it is like day," he exclaimed.

  "As I told you, sir," agreed the other, reproof in his voice.

  "We must wait until the moon goes down. It won't do to risk it now. Canwe not go somewhere to keep warm for an hour or so?"

  "There is a cave farther down the mountain. Shall we take the chance ofreaching it?"

  "By all means. I can't endure the cold after being cooped up for solong."

  They followed the winding road for some distance down the mountain,coming at last to a point where a small path branched off. It was thepath leading down the side of the steep overlooking the city, andupon that side no wagon-road could be built. Seven thousand feet belowstretched the sleeping, moon-lit city. Standing out on the brow of themountain they seemed to be the only living objects in the world. Therewas no sign of life above, below or beside them.

  "How long should we be in making the descent?" asked Lorry, a sortof terror possessing him as he looked from the dizzy height into theghost-like dimness below.

  "Three hours, if you are strong."

  "And how are we to get into the castle? I hadn't thought of that."

  "There is a secret entrance," said Quinnox, maliciously enjoying theinsistent one's acknowledgment of weakness. "If we reach it safely I cantake you underground to the old dungeons beneath the castle. It may besome time before you can enter the halls above, for the secret of thatpassage is guarded jealously. There are but five people who know of itsexistence."

  "Great confidence is placed in you, I see, and worthily, I am sure. Howis it that you are trusted so implicitly?"

  "I inherit the confidence. The captain of the guard is born to hisposition. My ancestors held the place before me, and not one betrayedthe trust. The first-born in the last ten generations has been thecaptain of the guard in the royal palace, possessing all its secrets. Ishall be the first to betray the trust--and for a man who is nothing tome."

  "I suppose you consider me selfish and vile for placing you in thisposition," said Lorry, somewhat contritely.

  "No; I have begun the task and I will complete it, come what may,"answered the captain, firmly. "You are the only being in the world forwhom I would sacrifice my honor voluntarily,--save one."

  "I have wondered why you were never tempted to turn traitor to thePrincess and claim the fortune that is represented in the reward."

  "Not for five million gavvos, sir!"

  "By George, you are a faithful lot! Dangloss, Allode and Ogbot andyourself, four honest men to whom she trusts her life, her honor. Youbelong to a rare species, and I am proud to know you."

  The stealthy couple found the cave and spent an hour or more within itswalls, sallying forth after the tardy darkness had crept down over themountain and into the peaceful valley. Then began the tortuous descent.Quinnox in the lead, they walked, crawled and ran down the narrow path,bruised, scratched and aching by the time they reached the topmost ofthe summer houses along the face of the mountain. After this walking waseasier, but stealthiness made their progress slow. Frequently, as theyneared the base, they were obliged to dodge behind houses or to dropinto the ditches by the roadside in, order to avoid patroling policeguards or Axphain sleuth-hounds. Lorry marveled at the vigil thesoldiers were keeping, and was somewhat surprised to learn from theyoung captain that prevailing opinion located him in or near the city.For this reason, while other men were scouring Vienna, Paris and evenLondon, hordes of vengeful men searched day and night for a clew in thecity of Edelweiss.

  The fugitive began to realize how determined was the effort to capturehim and how small the chance of acquittal if he were taken. To hisfevered imagination the enmity of the whole world was shaping itselfagainst him. The air was charged with hatred, the ground with vengeance,the trees and rocks with denouncing shadows, while from the darkn
essbehind merciless hands seemed to be stretching forth to clutch him. Onesimple, loyal love stood alone antagonistic to the universal desire tocrush and kill. A fragile woman was shielding him sturdily, unwaveringlyagainst all these mighty forces. His heart thrilled with devotion; hisarm tingled with the joy of clasping her once more to his breast; hiswistful eyes hung upon the flickering light far off in the west. Quinnoxhad pointed it out to him, saying that it burned in the bedchamber ofthe Princes Yetive. Since the memorable night that took him to thecell in St. Valentine's, this light had burned from dusk to daylight.Lovingly, faithfully it had shone for him through all those drearynights, a lonely signal from one heart to another.

  At last, stiff and sore, they stole into the narrow streets ofEdelweiss. Lorry glanced back and shivered, although the air was warmand balmy. He had truly been out of the world. Not until this instantdid he fully appreciate the dread that possesses a man who is beinghunted down by tireless foes; never did man's heart go out in gratitudeand trustfulness as did his toward the strong defender whose sinewy armhe clasped as if in terror.

  "You understand what this means to me," said Quinnox gravely, as theypaused to rest. "She will call me your murderer and curse me for mymiserable treason. I am the first to dishonor the name of Quirinox."