XII
CARTER FINDS AN ALLY
The haut nobility of Krovitch were present at the Ducal reception thatnight. Glittering uniforms, with a plentiful supply of feminine silksand sparkling jewels, made even the gray old halls of the castle take ona warmer, gladder note. But to Carter, with an aching heart hiddenbehind a smiling countenance, the gaiety seemed forced, the colorsglaring; while to his questing eyes all faces appeared blank surfaces,save one.
She was talking to a wisp of a golden-haired girl, whom he afterwardlearned was Zulka's cousin, the daughter of the plump Holder of thePurse. Apparently Trusia had not yet noticed his entrance, but whyshould she?
Had he been gifted with omnipresence, however, he would have heard hersay to her companion, "That is he. The one in dress suit. No, stupid,not the short man in black and gold, but the strapping big fellow whoholds his head like some ancient paladin."
"Oh," her companion had answered impulsively, as she finally singledCarter out from the throng about the entrance, "he is fine, Highness.I'm going to fall in love with him. I'm sure I am. Do you mind, Tru?"she teased, with the intuitive sex-given perception that her royal chumfelt at least a passing interest in the handsome stranger. The Duchessmade no immediate reply to her friend, but gazed resolutely in adirection opposite to the one from which she knew Carter wasapproaching. Even predestined queens are not averse to stately coquetry.
"No, Natalie," she finally condescended to reply, "why should I, dear?"She smiled affectionately down on the sweet face before her. "I envyyou, child, that you may love where you please," she added gently.
"Oh," said Natalie. The little maid of honor changed front with readysympathy. "I might have known you could not faint in his arms, bebrought home by him, rescue him from jail, without feeling some interestin him. He's coming this way, Highness," she added in a confidentialundertone as if Trusia had not already divined the fact through the backof her regal little head. Nevertheless, the Duchess achieved a verynatural surprise as Calvert Carter presented himself before her.
He was duly presented to the golden-haired girl and apprised of herkinship to his friend Paul, who had already entered into conversationwith Her Grace of Schallberg. Carter found a temporary distraction fromhis unearned wounds in listening to her cheery prattle and answering herlight queries about the wilderness she imagined his country to be, justbeyond the environs of the municipalities. Their group was constantlyaugmented by fresh arrivals, so the conversation grew general, andCarter had no opportunity except for a chance word now and then with thewoman to whom he had silently yielded his heart. Enthusiastic youngofficers, cadets of ancient lineage, boasted hopefully of the effortswhich they would make to restore the fatherland to its place among thegreat nations of the world. Even Natalie was soon claimed by an admiringyoung hussar glittering in black and gold, and Carter found himselfalone for the nonce. He suddenly remembered a forgotten duty, and thepossibility of its performance was now causing him some perplexity.
"You look troubled, Captain Carter," said Trusia, at his elbow. "Isthere anything we can do?"
He smiled gratefully. "Yes, Highness," he responded eagerly. "I was justcudgeling my brains for a suitable form in which to present myrequest."
"It is----"
"Permission to cable my address in the morning to my New York agent."
"It is granted," she said. "A messenger will leave at seven to-morrowmorning for Vienna. I will have Josef call with him in the morning. Ineed scarcely caution you not to refer to the state of affairs here."
"You have my word, Highness," he answered.
"I could ask for no better guaranty," she commented sweetly.
If Carter was distrustful of the emissary she had chosen, he was wellaware that his vague misgivings would find no other reception thancoldness did he even dare to hint at them. He turned to find Sobieska'slook of pseudo-indolence upon him.
"Have I your permission, Highness, to make Captain Carter acquaintedwith some of his brother officers?" queried the Minister of PrivateIntelligence. She nodded her consent and Carter was led away, but not tomeet any military men. Having found a place sufficiently out of earshotof the others, the Count motioned the American into a seat, placinghimself opposite him.
"There is nothing like a common object of suspicion, Captain Carter, tomake men friends," he began guardedly. Then probably recognizing thatthe man to whom he was speaking would hold his disclosures sacred, hethrew away his diplomatic subterfuges and came frankly to the point.
"I wanted to tell you," he said gravely, "that I have already cabled myagents in London and Paris to investigate the history of your manCarrick." The American turned to regard him with a slight frown. Had thefellow brought him here to tell him they had not been believed at theafternoon's trial? Sobieska, understanding what was passing in theother's mind, smiled indulgently.
"Oh, I believed your story, don't fear," he said; "but, in the face ofall things, I have always doubted the sincerity of Josef. I cannotconvince myself that his motives are entirely as disinterested as he hasconvinced Her Grace they are. There was something, too, about Carrick'sstory of his father's death that awakened my suspicions. That medal forinstance."
"You surely cannot mean----" began Carter, fairly rising from his seatin his wild surmise.
"Quietly, quietly," cautioned Sobieska, glancing warily back toward thethrong of guests to assure himself that the American's perturbation hadpassed unnoted. Having satisfied himself that it had attracted noattention, he took up the thread where it had been dropped by him.
"I meant nothing more at present than that I want to know everything myagents can learn. Meanwhile not a word to any one, especially Josef.Don't trust him in any way, though."
With such an opportunity, Carter naturally told him about his dilemmaconcerning the despatches.
"Oh, if they refer to business, I suppose you may let him have them," hewas assured. "He would hardly tamper with private papers. They will beperfectly safe, especially as he will know that you have already spokento Her Grace concerning them. I may be doing him an injustice," hecontinued cogitatingly, "but I somehow feel that he is playing a deepergame in Krovitch than you or I have any idea of at present. Every onehere from Her Highness down almost worships him. Can I count on youraid?"
"Certainly," replied Carter as they both arose. "I don't like the felloweither." They sauntered nonchalantly back to the others, bafflingJosef's inquiring eyes.
Trusia: A Princess of Krovitch Page 12
