The Missourian

by Eugene P. Lyle

  CHAPTER XVIII

  LITTLE MONARCHS, BIG MISTAKES

  "How now, good fellow? wouldst thou speak with us?" "Yea, forsooth, an your mistership be emperial." --_Titus Andronicus._

  For the moment, Colonel Dupin had established headquarters in thegranary, which was a long, low adobe among the stables, with a pasturebetween it and the House. The pasture opened on the highway through awide gap in the hacienda wall, and the coaches and steeds of theimperial party which had passed in that morning gave the old cow lot agala air. The colonel was seated before a box, improvised into a desk,and his rusty jacketed Cossacks lounged everywhere. Tiburcio and otherscouts were reporting on the dead and wounded of yesterday's raid. Amaimed enemy brought a chuckle deep in the Tiger's throat, but anymishap to one of his own darlings got the recognition of a low-growledoath. He was busy over this inventory of profit and loss when Jacquelineappeared with the Emperor.

  Dupin arose and saluted after the grim manner of an old soldier. Thehalf-dozen of obsequious courtiers he did not see at all, but toJacqueline he bent from the waist with a duellist's punctilio. Hiscountrywoman was the one adversary whom he never thought of cursing.

  There was an opening innuendo. "No, Colonel Dupin," Maximilian reprovedhim sternly, "I have not come to interfere with justice. I merely desireto see what prisoners you have here."

  Driscoll and Murguia were brought in. Maximilian stared dumfounded athis new magistrate in the role of criminal. Don Anastasio lookedapologetic. They had locked him up in his own stable, bronze medal andall. Dupin explained. This Murguia, like many another hacendado, hadlong been suspected of aiding the guerrillas, and yesterday morning hehad actually set him, Dupin, on a false trail. The Contras were trackingone of Rodrigo Galan's accomplices in the abduction of Mademoiselled'Aumerle. The accomplice was the other prisoner, the American, whomthey had found at last taking refuge at Murguia's own hacienda. Here hehad had the effrontery to welcome them as mademoiselle's rightfulescort, had even seemed surprised when a dozen Contras pounced upon himfrom behind and disarmed him. Dupin added that mademoiselle herself wasdeceived by the American's cunning, and he did not doubt but that shestill persisted in his innocence. He might speak further of the fellow'spart in the ambush and murder of Captain Maurel near Tampico, but heconfessed that that required further investigation.

  No one could say that Maximilian had so much as listened. Such tangleshad long since become irksome, though he never ceased plunging into themesh. To unravel details, and incidentally confuse them more, was anotorious mania with the poet-prince. But his thoughts now were all fora girl who had fainted. Murguia he would leave to a court martial. Ifguilty, the medal should be torn from his breast. Don Anastasio'sterrors, however, ran on the other penalties of court martial.

  "Now you," Maximilian turned to the American, "I understand that youwish to see me. But you must know that law prevails in Mexico at last,and that even the Emperor may not keep a man from trial."

  Driscoll's chin lifted eagerly. "Certainly not, but my business withyou, sir----"

  "Not 'sir,'" whispered Jacqueline. "You must call him 'sire.'" Littleshe cared for etiquette, but she did not propose that Driscoll shouldbroach his errand.

  Maximilian overheard and smiled. "Yes," he said, "one tiny letter added,and you change a man into a sovereign."

  Now Jacqueline, for her purposes, had thought to disconcert the manunused to courts. But it struck her at once that nothing of the kindwould happen. His easy naturalness was too much a part of him, was theman himself. And she was glad of it. She was glad of the somethingdistinguished which his earnestness gave to the clean-cut stamp of jawand forehead. He had stopped and looked at them inquiringly, as an eagerspeaker will when interrupted. Then his brown eyes deepened, and therewas a tugging at the corners of his mouth. He seemed to comprehend. Ifthis was their humor, he would play to it. A diplomat must be all thingsto the people he is after.

  "'Sire?' W'y," and his drawl was exquisite, "that's what we call thedaddy of a horse."

  Jacqueline turned quickly, clapping her hand over her mouth. Maximilianwas always uneasy when Jacqueline did that.

  "To be sure," he observed affably, "our American friend is not so farwrong. Listen, am I not the father of my people?"

  The entourage buzzed admiringly at the imperial cleverness; all exceptJacqueline, who now that she should laugh and relieve the situation,obstinately pulled a long, blank face.

  Maximilian's tone changed. He meant to wound now, and did. "So," headded, with chilling stress, "it's 'sire,' if you will be so good as toremember."

  Driscoll flushed as though struck. He became aware that it was all somepatronizing rebuke.

  "There is one," he answered gently, "who taught me manners at her knee,or tried to, and _she_ never hurt a mortal human being by a word inher life, but that, that, sir, seems to be where _you_ have missedit. Now look here," he went on, kindling in spite of himself, "I respectany man who has grounds--discoverable grounds--for respecting himself,and if you are a man, then 'sir' won't overtop you any."

  Colonel Lopez of the Dragoons nudged him anxiously. "Don't say 'you';say 'Your Majesty.'"

  "Better let him alone," Maximilian interposed wearily. "He recognizes inme a man, and--it's not unpleasant. But which," he added, "gives meleave to hope that as a man himself he will not cringe before thedrum-head."

  "May I," said Driscoll quietly, "have one minute with you alone? It'snot about myself, I promise you that. But for you, sir, it's of the verygreatest importance."

  Instantly all stirred with curiosity, except Maximilian. All there werekeenly affected by the stranger's mysterious business with the Emperor,except the Emperor himself. And each man's wits were straightway alert,according to the hates and ambitions of each. Even Miguel Lopez, denseof understanding, had his suspicions. Murguia's yellow features darkenedmalevolently. The hacienda priest whispered to M. Eloin, and M. Eloin,brushing the man of God aside as though he had been thinking of the verysame thing himself, tried to get a word with Maximilian. But Jacquelinespoke first to the Emperor. She knew the susceptibility of the royalear. Maximilian nodded at what she said, and Eloin bit his lip.Maximilian glanced at the American's clothes. Homespun did notcorrespond with pressing business of state, to his mind.

  "My good man," he said, caressing his beard, "it's not regular, youknow. Another time, perhaps, when you can have yourself inscribed by OurGrand Chamberlain and when your application for an audience----"

  "But if these senores shoot me before then?"

  Maximilian shrugged his shoulders. In any case, the Ritual would sufferno outrage.

  "But I tell you," cried the exasperated Missourian, "this thing isserious. And it can't wait either, not if it's to help you any. I may betoo late now. I don't know what's happened since I started down herethree weeks ago. Richmond was in danger then. And the Army of NorthernVirginia--General Lee----"

  "Have surrendered," calmly interposed the Emperor.

  Driscoll stiffened as he stood, his lips parted as his last word hadleft them. He wondered why these foreign, unsympathetic beings ofAustria and France and Belgium and Germany and Mexico looked so blurredto him. He never imagined that there were tears in his eyes.

  "It is really true," continued Maximilian, addressing them all. "Acourier brought me the news this morning. Yes, my friends, the North isfree at last to attack our Empire. But," he added blandly, "let us notfear, not while we are sustained by the unconquered legions of France."

  "How he remembers us now!" thought Jacqueline.

  She thought too of him who had sent the legions. The entire fabric ofNapoleon's dream of Mexican empire was builded on the dismemberment ofthe American Union. But, as the Southerners began so well by themselves,Napoleon had left them to do his work alone. He just failed of genius.

  "Oh, mon petit, _bien_ petit Napoleon," she cried in her soul, "howterribly you have miscalculated!"

  The room had filled with murmurs, with awed whispering
, with frightenedquestioning looks at one's neighbor, with ambitions and hates gonepanic-stricken. Driscoll came forward. The fellow of homespun held theEmpire in his hand, if they but knew it. "Now let me deliver mymessage," he said earnestly. "And, afterward, on with the drum-head,I'll not complain."

  "There, there," spoke the unseeing monarch, though affected by thedignity of sorrow, "you shall have no cause. I came here, meaning topardon."

  "Pardon?" came the Tiger's growl. "Your Majesty saves so many enemies,does he fear that soon he will have none left?"

  "Perhaps, Colonel Dupin, since my imperial brother, Napoleon, sends meso efficient a bloodhound. But I thought the prisoners were alreadytried and condemned. That must come first, of course. Yet We areconstrained to find another judge, one without preconceived notions ofguilt, to hold the court martial. Ah yes, as Monsieur Eloin heresuggests, I name Colonel Lopez.--Colonel Lopez, you will stay behindwith a company of your own men. Finish the trial to-night, if you can,and overtake me before I reach the city.--Colonel Dupin, I have torequest yourself and men as escort, to replace the Dragoons left withColonel Lopez. And you, Mademoiselle d'Aumerle, shall have a carriage.We start this afternoon. You will be ready, mademoiselle?"

  "Is Your Majesty quite resolved," Jacqueline asked in French, "that theAmerican must be tried? He can easily be found guilty, I warn YourMajesty."

  "And is that not reason enough?"

  "Reason enough that he should not be tried, since he is not guilty. Butperhaps Your Majesty has thought of sending him under guard to thefrontier, back to his own country, where he would not longer be anannoyance?"

  "My dear young lady," returned the Emperor, "it seems that you expect meto blot out the processes of law simply because even I cannot make theminfallible. But you do not answer my question. I offer you protection tothe City?"

  "He must stand trial then?"

  "Yes--but will you be ready to start this afternoon?"

  "Your Majesty should know that I cannot accept."

  "Does this trial interest you so much, mademoiselle?"

  "Thanking Your Majesty," said Jacqueline coldly, "I should rather notaccompany him."

  Maximilian swung on his heel and called Lopez aside. "Mi coronel," hesaid, "when you follow to-morrow, you will offer to bring the Senoritad'Aumerle, if she desires it.--And Lopez, you remember the young Mexicangirl we used to meet near here, during the last few evenings?"

  "When you and I, sire, would ride over from Las Palmas incognito?"

  "Yes. She was able to--to tell me much about the peon life, and I shouldlike to reward her in--in some way. Do you know, Miguel, I suspect shelives on this very ranch. It was at the church here that we would meether, you know? And now, since I must leave, I wish you to find her.Induce her to come with mademoiselle to the City under your escort.Assure her that she shall have an honored place at court.--Jove, there'smy new order of San Carlos for women! She shall have that for--foraiding my researches among the peons. Now, Miguel mio, do your best!"

  With which words Maximilian turned back alone, and as he went, hethought how as a simple man he had won a maiden's heart. He had beenlearning that a prince may miss one or two very dear things in life."It's ended, the little ranchero idyl," he murmured. "But there's beenno harm. She shall not regret it."