CHAPTER V
ON THE RUSSIAN FRONTIER
The afternoon was drawing to a close as Paul Woodville and NoelTrevisa made their way to the frontiers of Czernova.
From Slavowitz they had driven in a troika or three-horse car,adopting by preconcerted arrangement a route different from that takenby Bora and his second.
Having put up their vehicle at a roadside hostelry, Trevisa conductedhis friend to the place of assignation, the path lying through aseries of charming woodland glades, collectively known as the RedForest.
"Grand pines!" remarked Paul, admiring the erect and stately columnspresented by these trees.
"The haunt of wolves in winter," observed Trevisa. "They sometimesdevour the Russian sentinels. Who henceforth shall say that a wolf hasnot its uses?"
Following the beaten track, they came to an extensive clearing.
"The frontier line runs somewhere through this glade. Yes; there isthe boundary mark."
Trevisa directed Paul's attention to an upright rectangular block ofstone, the sides of which fronted the four cardinal points. On thenorthern face, deeply cut, were the letters R-U-S-S-I-A, and on thesouthern face C-Z-E-R-N-O-V-A.
"We are now breathing the air of despotism," remarked Trevisa, as theyleft the stone in their rear, "and unless we keep a lookout we mayexperience the effects of it in a shot fired at us by some hiddensentinel."
"What? Is it the fashion of Russian sentries to take pot-shots atpassing strangers?"
"Occasionally; at least, on this frontier. It is purposely done toprovoke hostilities from Czernova. Ah! there's a sentry. I thought weshouldn't advance far without meeting one."
There under the shadow of the trees, about a hundred yards distant,sitting on horseback with lance erect, was a wild-looking Cossack,with Hessian boots, red breeches, and a small red turban-shaped cap.He was chanting the Russian anthem, and his voice, mellowed by thedistance, had a strange plaintive effect.
The sight of this equestrian was well calculated to stir reflection inPaul's mind.
Far, far away on the icy shores of Kamchatka other Russian sentinelswere keeping watch. The distance between the two frontiers was oversix thousand miles as the crow flies.
And this empire, so colossal in extent, the very incarnation ofmilitary force, was threatening little Czernova, Barbara's ownprincipality! There was no hope of her emerging victorious from thecontest. The very idea was insanity. She would be but as an infantstruggling in the hands of a giant. And the nations of Europe wouldlook on unmoved, as they have often looked on and condoned theconquest of the Weak by the Strong. There was none to pity or helpher. And as Paul thought of all this his heart grew hot within him. Hebegan to feel something of the spirit that animated the Polishpatriots of Czernova.
Suddenly the Cossack sentinel, catching sight of strangers, turned hishorse's head in their direction, and lowering his lance, he came on atfull speed.
On nearing the two friends he reined in his shaggy steed with suchquickness as to throw the animal almost on its haunches.
"Your passport, little fathers?"
"Here is the universal passport, in Russia as elsewhere--cash,"replied Trevisa, displaying some rouble-notes. "We come no farther,and are here simply to fight a duel."
"A duel! That's against the law of Russia. The guard-house is buthalf-a-mile distant among those trees yonder," said the Cossack,indicating the direction with his lance. "The captain is a terriblefellow. If he should come this way he'll order your arrest and minetoo."
"Not he. He'll be only too pleased to witness a good fight. Besides,we have rouble-notes for him also. He has his price, I dare be sworn,otherwise he would be a novelty among Muscovites."
The Cossack reflected. A duel was a pleasant thing; a _douceur_ stillmore pleasant. Why, then, seek to prevent the fight? He would take hischance of discovery at the hands of his captain. So having firstlooked cautiously round, he stuffed the rouble-notes into his leftboot and made no more opposition.
"Let the Czernovese slay each other," he muttered. "The fewer for ourCzar to fight when the talked-of war takes place."
"We are first on the field, it seems," remarked Trevisa, referring tohis watch. "Hum! five minutes yet to the appointed time."
Paul having presented the Cossack with a cigar, lighted one himself,and paced leisurely to and fro, seemingly far more at ease than hissecond.
"This duel is a very serious matter," muttered Trevisa.
"One can die but once."
"Just so. If one could die half-a-dozen times the first death wouldnot matter much. I, however, am not anticipating your death, Paul, butthe duke's. You may be doing grave hurt to the princess by killinghim."
"How so? Have you not said that it would be a good thing if theprincess could be released from him?"
"True; but your way of releasing her has its disadvantages. Forget notthat the duke is a near kinsman of the Czar, and that at the presenttime the Czar hath no great love for Czernova. If Bora should fallNicholas may accuse the Czernovese cabinet of being privy to the deathof his kinsman, and with some show of justice, inasmuch as Radzivil,the premier, though cognizant of the coming duel, has taken no stepsto prevent it. You perceive my meaning. The Czar might demand anindemnity such as he foreknows that Czernova could not, and would notpay. The result--annexation of the principality."
Paul reflected a moment.
"The duel was to have been _a la mort_, and I came intending to killor be killed, but your remark has set the matter in a different light.I cannot retire nor apologize without loss of honor, yet it is equallyclear that I must do nothing to the hurt of the princess. There's butone way out of the difficulty: I'll so wound him that he shall not beable to use sword-arm for a month."
"If you can do that--well," replied Trevisa, very much doubting,however, Paul's ability to make good his word, for was not John theStrong the most expert swordsman in Czernova?
It was quite thirty minutes after the appointed time when the Duke ofBora made his appearance attended by his second, Baron Ostrova. Theybrought no surgeon with them, for Ostrova, in arrogant vein, haddeclared that his principal had never yet required one; and Trevisa,not to be outdone in bravado, had made the same avowal respectingPaul.
While the duke remained at a little distance his second advanced,gracefully raising his hat to Trevisa.
"You are late, baron."
"Accept our sincere regret. Our vehicle broke down on the way." Then,adopting a somewhat submissive air, and addressing Paul and Trevisa incommon, he said,--
"Can we not terminate this little matter amicably? His grace iswilling to apologize for his hasty action of this morning."
To do the duke justice, it was not Paul's sword that he feared, butloss of the princess. During the course of the day he had begun torealize the force of Radzivil's words,--that if the affair should cometo the knowledge of the princess it might seriously affect theprojected marriage.
He would, therefore, swallow his pride, and for the first time in hiscareer as duellist cry off from the combat by making an apology.
"All's well that ends well!" murmured the delighted Trevisa. "You'llaccept the _amende honorable_, Paul?"
But Paul seemed bent on chastising the duke.
"It is pleasant to learn," he said, speaking sufficiently loud forBora to hear, "that his grace realizes that he has acted like aruffian. 'Liar' and 'coward' were the epithets he applied to me; hisaction, a cane-stroke across my cheek. And now does he deem thatsimply to express regret will be a sufficient satisfaction for anaffront offered to the uniform of the Twenty-fourth? Well, I willaccept the apology on this condition," continued Paul, breaking aslender sapling from a tree overhead and leisurely stripping off thefoliage, "that the duke's cheek shall receive from this wand a strokesimilar to that bestowed upon mine. It will be a convincing token ofhis repentance."
Ostrova, to whom had been committed the charge of bringing theweapons, smiled satirically, and presented two sheathed sabres toTrevisa.
"Take your choice."
Trevisa first measured the blades, and finding them of equal lengthnext proceeded to test their temper; and then, having made hisselection, handed the same to Paul, who in the meantime had doffed hiscoat and vest and now stood ready for the fray.
The victor in thirty duels, humiliated beyond measure at the rejectionof his conciliatory address, did not wait for further preliminariesbut snatched the remaining sabre from the hand of Ostrova, and withthe fury of a lion darting upon his victim, he flew upon Paul as ifpurposing to lay him _hors de combat_ at the first brunt.
But scarcely had the heavy sabres clashed together, sparkling in therays of the setting sun, when there came the command,--
"Let fall your swords in the name of the law."
The words were spoken in a woman's voice,--a voice that sent a thrillto Paul's heart.
Parrying a thrust from the duke, Paul took a swift backward step, andwhile maintaining his defensive attitude, contrived to glancesideways.
And there, beautiful and pale, and so close to him that he could seeinto her eyes, was Barbara, breathless as if from hurrying. From whatquarter she had so suddenly sprung none present could tell. Completeabsorption in the duel had prevented them from hearing her lightfootfall upon the turf of the woodland.
Paul forgot his guard. He forgot everything. From sheer surprise hissword dropped to the ground.
He looked at her in silence, striving to learn what were her feelingstowards him. She gave no token of recognition. Love on her part, if itexisted, was veiled at present in sorrowful reproach. In the light ofthat look how ignoble seemed his desire for vengeance. His glance felleven as his sword had fallen. He had acted, and knowingly acted, in away calculated to forfeit her esteem.
A death-like stillness fell upon the circle as they perceived thatthe fair princess of Czernova, sternly hostile to duelling, waspresent, a spectator of their misdeed. True, she was but one maiden,but that maiden symbolized in her own person all the power of a state.
"Who first proposed this duel? Who issued the challenge?"
"I did, and with reason."
And stalking up to the princess, the Duke of Bora bent his head, andsaid in a fierce, jealous whisper,--
"Cousin Natalie, how comes yon fellow to be in possession of the sealI gave you?"
The princess stepped backward, and drawing her robe around her with astately grace, she exclaimed,--
"It ill becomes one of my ministers to be found setting himself abovethe law. Marshal, conduct your prisoner to the Citadel."
Paul, following the wave of her arm, perceived that she had not comewithout an escort.
On the Czernovese side of the frontier-stone stood Marshal Zabern withfolded arms, outwardly as inscrutable as the sphinx, inwardlydelighted at the course taken by events.
Some distance in his rear, drawn up across the woodland path, thenarrowness of which did not admit of more than two abreast, was aposse of mounted lancers belonging to the Blue Legion. Fronting thesetroopers was the vehicle evidently used by the princess in her journeyto this spot,--a light, elegant droshky, expressly adapted for swifttravelling.
And the Cossack sentinel, likewise noting all this, felt ill at ease.The sound of his bugle would instantly have summoned a party from theRussian guard-house, but as this might have led to the exposure of hisown participation in the affair, he refrained from the act, and lookedon in silence.
"Marshal, conduct your prisoner to the Citadel."
"You would arrest _me_?"
There was an emphasis on the last word which was intended to remindthe princess that it behoved her to consider who he was. It was clearto her that relying on his kinship to the Czar, he set little store bythe law of Czernova. His pitying smile cut the constitutionalistprincess to the quick.
"You talk bravely, fair cousin, forgetful in whose territory you nowstand. I put myself under the protection of this sentry, therepresentative of the Czar."
The duke was not mending matters in appealing to the Czar forprotection against the law of Czernova.
"O silly duke!" murmured Zabern. "How nicely you are playing into myhands! You have lost the princess by that speech."
The Cossack sentinel, now heartily regretting that he had becomecompromised by an affair in which the great ones of Czernova wereinvolved, nevertheless at the duke's abjuration rode off to theprincess.
"What is this?" he cried, with an air of authority. "Prisoner? Noarrest can take place here. Little mother, you are standing on Russianground; therefore--your passport, signed by the Russian consul atSlavowitz."
"Princesses do not carry passports," replied Barbara disdainfully.
"Then the little mother must retire to her own side of the frontier."
Barbara seemed disposed at first to maintain her ground, but wiserthoughts prevailed.
"You do but your duty," she replied.
And with this she retired, and took her station by the side of Zabern.
"Princess, I commend your celerity," smiled the marshal. "I was fiveyears in getting out of Russia,--you have accomplished it in as manyseconds."
Then lowering his voice to a whisper, he continued,--
"We cannot arrest the duke while he is on Russian ground. Were we todo so, this Cossack would report the matter. In their present moodRussian ministers would gladly seize upon the violation of theirterritory as a _casus belli_, and we don't want war at present."
"John Lilieski," said the princess, addressing the duke from her ownside of the frontier, "you will either return under guard toSlavowitz, or you will not return at all. Take your choice betwixtimprisonment during my pleasure, or perpetual banishment fromCzernova."
This decision from one whom he had been accustomed to regard as hisaffianced bride completely confounded his grace of Bora. His firstsurprise over, he proceeded to take counsel with his second. Thoughthey spoke in low tones, Paul nevertheless caught a few words.
"They dare not harm you," said Ostrova, "and you will command moreinterest, more sympathy, more power as a prisoner in the Citadel thanas a hanger-on at the Czar's court."
This argument seemed to decide the duke, for he immediately crossed tothe Czernovese side.
"Since you make a voluntary surrender of yourself," said the princess,"declare it aloud that the Russian sentry may hear you."
"Of my own free will I enter the Czernovese territory," said Bora,addressing the Cossack.
"Your sword," said Zabern.
Though not as yet deposed from his command of the army, Bora did notdoubt that this would follow, and that Zabern would be his successor.Very bitter, indeed, then, was his smile as he handed the sabre overto the marshal.
"I am curious to learn, fair cousin," he sneered, "the punishment youreserve for my opponent, equally guilty with myself of breaking thelaw."
"There is your escort to Slavowitz," said Barbara haughtily, pointingto the posse of uhlans.
And Bora, with a dark glance at Paul, walked in the directionindicated.
"For my part," observed Baron Ostrova airily, "I prefer liberty. Ishake the dust of Czernova from my feet."
"Forever," decreed the princess.
"Oh, your Highness, your reign will not last so long as that," repliedthe other, with a peculiar smile, adding to himself, "Your reign, mylady, is but a question of a few weeks."
Taking off his hat, he dropped it to the ground, and bowed so low overit as almost to touch the turf with his fingers, herein imitating anold custom of the Polish serf when addressing his lord.
"I kiss the feet of the dainty Lady Natalie," he said.
Then, picking up his hat, the Baron walked off to a little distance,where he stood watching the sequel.
Paul longed to thrash the fellow for his insolence, but prudentlyrefrained from creating a disturbance in Russian territory.
"Trevisa," said the princess, "in remembrance of your many services Iremit the penalty due by law, but," and there was genuine sorrow inher tone, "you lose your secretaryship."
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br /> "Your Highness," stammered Trevisa, his whole manner showing howdeeply he felt the loss of his office. "Fine. Imprisonment. Anypunishment but that."
"The cipher, your Highness," murmured Zabern. "The cipher letter! Wecannot do without Trevisa."
"Let me intercede for him," said Paul, bending his knee.
The princess had last heard that voice in the twilight hour by thedark blue sea on the shore of Isola Sacra. The memory of that eventcame back with a rush that almost stifled her breath.
"His only fault is," pleaded Paul, "that he has been too great afriend."
"To you, but not to our law," she murmured faintly. "My servants mustnot be law-breakers."
There was a brief interval of silence.
"Your Highness," said Paul, rising to his feet, "I await my sentence."
"You are safe where you stand," she faltered.
Her manner plainly besought him to remain where he was, and thusrelieve her from a painful situation.
"I will not take advantage of _that_."
And by a few steps Paul passed from the jurisdiction of the Czar tothat of Barbara.
The look in her eyes was like that of a fawn at bay. Love forbade herto punish Paul, and yet, while meting punishment to others, how,without bringing reproach to herself, could she let him go free?
"Your Highness," intervened Trevisa, "my friend Captain Woodville hasreceived extreme provocation from the duke, and when he accepted thechallenge, was ignorant of the Czernovese law relating to duelling."
Barbara had heard the whole story from Zabern as she was whirled alongin the droshky from Slavowitz to the frontier. She glanced at the wealthat disfigured Paul's cheek, and her anger grew hot against the duke.No! come what might, she would not punish Paul.
"I appeal to the marshal," said Trevisa boldly, "whether he would nothave taken to the sword under the like provocation."
"Princess," replied Zabern, "Captain Woodville, as a soldier, had noother course than to maintain the honor of his queen's uniform." Thefoolish Barbara became jealous at the thought that Paul should oweallegiance to a lady other than herself. Lowering his voice to awhisper, Zabern continued, "Your Highness has authority to imprisonthe duke, inasmuch as he is your own subject; but you will beexceeding that authority if you venture to arrest an English citizenfor an offence committed on Russian ground. Let the Russiansthemselves see to it."
The princess flashed a quick glance of interrogation at him.
"What would you imply? That the Russians will demand CaptainWoodville's extradition?"
"I clearly foresee that they will try to make political capital out ofthis affair. Be sure that Baron Ostrova will give them his version ofit. Always excepting your Highness and myself," continued Zabern witha grim smile, "there is no one upon whom the Russian Government wouldmore willingly lay hands than the Englishman who prevented them fromtaking the Afghan fortress of Tajapore."
This reference to Paul's bravery brought a glow of pride to Barbara'scheek. A new tie seemed to unite them. While she was contending withRussian intrigue in one part of the world, he had been contending withit in another.
"Captain Woodville," she said aloud, "the marshal informs me that Ihave no legal ground for arresting you. And as I have not theauthority, so neither have I the wish to punish a soldier whose namehas become known throughout Europe."
While speaking, she had drawn nearer to him, and now with a face mademore beautiful by the love shining from her eyes, she whispered,"Paul, keep my secret. Come and see me at the palace. Immediately."
Paul's eyes assured her of his ready acquiescence. The princess turnedto depart.
"One moment, your Highness," said Paul, humbly kneeling. "If I, theprincipal in this duel, am innocent, how can Trevisa, my second, beguilty?"
"The cases are not the same," replied the princess. "Still," she addedwith a smile that brought back hope to the heart of the ex-secretary,"still my decision may not be irrevocable."
Taking the proffered arm of Marshal Zabern, the princess returned toher droshky. The cavalcade then set in motion and vanished almost asmysteriously as it had appeared; and Paul was left standing there,with the overwhelming revelation that Barbara's love towards him wasunchanged.
The Shadow of the Czar Page 10
