The Princess Dehra

by John Reed Scott

  XVII INTO THE TIGER'S CAGE

  They had gone into the library for a rubber of bridge, until it was timeto start for the Ferida. Now there came a chime from the mantel, andDehra glanced at the old French clock that her Bourbon ancestress hadbrought with her--among wagon loads of clothes and furniture--when shecame to be wife to Henry the Third.

  "Well, Armand," she said, "if we are to be at our dear cousin's rear gateat eleven, I suppose it's the last moment for me to change my gown, thisone isn't especially appropriate--have you anything in particular tosuggest?"

  "Nothing," he smiled, "nothing; except that you don't make yourself anymore attractive than is absolutely unavoidable."

  "And that I conceal my identity as much as possible, I suppose?"

  "Undoubtedly--and the more effective the concealment, the better."

  She laid aside the cards she was shuffling and arose.

  "Will you come with me, Elise?" she asked. "You can help me with thedisguise."

  Moore closed the door behind them, and going over to a side-table pouredout a very stiff drink.

  "I don't like it!" he said, turning around, the glass half emptied, andtossing off the remainder; "I don't like it, a little bit!"

  "Then it's appalling to think what you would take if you did like it,"the Archduke commented.

  The Colonel laughed and poured out a trifle more.

  "The liquor is all right," he laughed; "it's this notion of Her HighnessI don't like."

  Armand had begun to deal solitaire, but he stopped and tossed the cardstogether.

  "I wonder if Mademoiselle d'Essolde could persuade her to give it up?" hesaid.

  "She wouldn't try--she, too, wanted to go. I blocked that, however; Itold her that one foolish virgin was as much as we could look after inthis mess, and that she would best stay home and trim the lamps. Itwasn't a happy remark, I fear, but it did the business--you will have togive me another message for her to-morrow. Meanwhile, I must go over anddo a bit of dress changing myself--shall I need a mask?"

  "I don't know; better take one."

  The Archduke was in the uniform of a general officer, dark green eveningcoat and trousers, with buff waistcoat; and unadorned save for the narrowgold cord on the shoulder, the insignia on the sleeves, and the braid onthe leg seam. Because Dehra liked him best in the Red Huzzar dress, healways wore it when he dined with her; for to-night, however, it wasentirely too showy and hampering, and he had chosen the one quietest intone and best suited for quick action.

  Left alone, he tried the solitaire again; but it got on his nerves, andafter a minute of listless playing, he sprang up, with an exclamation ofdisgust, and began to pace the floor. Presently Moore returned, in thefatigue uniform of the General Staff, with its easy-fitting jacket, andwas immediately sent back to telephone the Secret Police to spread aloose cordon around the Ferida, with a dozen men loitering in closevicinity to every gate. There was no anticipating what they were about toencounter, so it was well to provide for the worst. It was his duty toprotect the Regent whether she wished it or not; and though he might nottake them inside with her, yet if the occasion arose, a pistol shot wouldbring them very quickly.

  "It's growing late," he remarked, as the Adjutant came back; "if we areto be there on time we must start."

  He was going toward the bell when voices in the next room told him thePrincess was coming; and she entered--a slender officer in a longmilitary coat, and a soft felt service hat.

  The two men mechanically raised their hands in salute, and sheacknowledged it with formal motion and a merry laugh.

  "Will I pass?" she asked.--"See, the hat covers my hair, and its widebrim shadows my face; the coat reaches almost to my feet, and its bigcollar quite hides the back of my head; and, as for what's under thecoat, see again"--and loosing the frogs, she swung it back, disclosingthe tunic of her Blue Guards, and, below it, the close-fitting kneeskirts, and high spiral puttees of a shooting suit.

  "And is that as unattractive as you could make yourself?" the Archdukeasked, with affected seriousness, as he fastened her coat and adjustedher sword.

  "It's as unobtrusive as I could make myself--some day, if you wish, sir,I'll show you just how unattractive I can be."

  But he only laughed, and, taking her hand, hurried her to the carriage.

  On the drive, he told her briefly how they were to reach Mrs. Spencer'sapartments, and cautioned her, as tactfully as he could, against doinganything which might serve to disclose her identity.

  "Don't worry, dear," she said, "I'm going simply to see the Book; I shallnot even speak without permission--you are in command, not I;" and shefound his hand, and held it; rather sorry now that she had ordered herAdjutant inside with them, when he was about to mount his horse tofollow.

  "Will there be others with us?" she asked, presently.

  "Yes, Captain De Coursey and Lieutenant Marsov, of the Cuirassiers; bothguaranteed by Colonel Moore to be skillful swordsmen, and friendly to meas against Lotzen."

  "And besides," the Adjutant added, "devoted to an adventure, and indiscretion unsurpassed."

  "Will you tell them who I am?" she asked.

  The Archduke hesitated.... "No, not unless it becomes necessary; it wouldonly make them unduly nervous; but if trouble come, they must know."

  "I can protect myself, a little while," said she, slapping her sword inlaughing bravado; though indeed she was very clever with the foils.

  To her quick eye and natural talent had been added years of carefultraining under expert maitres; for, to Frederick, she was both son anddaughter, and he had encouraged her in everything that went to strengthenbody or mind. Yet she was so very modest about it, that only very latelyhad even Armand known of her proficiency; and now, he regularly put onthe mask and plastron with her, and had her present when Moore and hewere practicing.

  "And for more than a little while," the Archduke replied; "and if you dohave to draw, try to forget you're fencing with pointed weapons, and bearin mind only that you must not be touched."

  She leaned closer to him.

  "Goodness Armand, you make me afraid," she said, with a little shiver; "Idon't want to fight any one."

  "Please God you won't have to, dear, but if you do, remember that thesurest way to save your life is to take the other fellow's."

  She shivered again. "I shouldn't want to be a man."

  He slipped his arm around her and bent down.

  "Let me send you back to the Palace, sweetheart," he whispered--"for mysake go back."

  "It is for your sake I'm going on," she answered, "and--I'll kill theother fellow if I have to--but I don't want to."

  The carriage drew in to the curb and stopped. It was on a side streetnear the rear gate of the Ferida, and as the Archduke got out, twoofficers in quiet uniforms and capes, who were walking slowly along,halted, and, after a glance, came up and saluted. They were De Courseyand Marsov.

  "I thank you for your attendance," said the Archduke; and leaving it forMoore to acquaint them with as much of the business in hand as wasnecessary, he linked arms with the Regent and they went leisurely on;there was ample time, and they reached the entrance as the Cathedral bellrang the hour.

  The great gate was closed and locked, but in it was a small one, socleverly hidden among the frets and ornaments that the Archduke hadtrouble in locating it, and still more in finding the catch, which Mrs.Spencer had engaged would not be fastened.

  Across the street a number of men were loitering, and two came hastilyover; but recognizing Colonel Moore, who had stepped out to meet them,they made a quick salute and were returning, when he called them back.

  "It will be for you to see that we are not locked in," he said, andfollowing the others, who had already entered, he closed the gate behindhim.

  The drive ran between great oaks straight toward the house, but, a littleway in, a narrow walk branched from it on either side and wound throughtrees and between hedges to the side g
ates, and thence on to the front.Mrs. Spencer's apartments were in the wing on the right, and herinstructions were to proceed by the path on that side until opposite therear of her suite; then by another path that bisected the first, andwhich, crossing the driveway between the rear and side gates, led to thehouse and close under her windows; there, at the first small door, theywere to knock.

  Eleven o'clock was a very early hour at Ferida Palace, and the Archdukelooked dubiously at the lighted windows and the flitting figures inside,with the music of the orchestra, in the main hall, throbbing outirregularly in bursts of rhythmic melody. It seemed rather absurd forfive people to attempt a surreptitious entrance into such a place; andagain he urged the Princess to return at least to the carriage, and awaithim there; but without success; and in deep misgiving he went on.

  They gained the small door unseen, and, with a quiet word of warning, heknocked.

  From within came an answering knock, to which he responded with two quicktaps, twice repeated; the door opened a little way and Mrs. Spencer'smaid peered out; then, assured, she swung it back and curtsied theminside.

  "Suivez de pres, messieurs," she whispered, finger on lips, and hurrieddown a narrow but rather brightly lighted passage, and up a stairway, andinto a room on the second floor, where she prayed that they wait untilshe could announce them to Madame.

  "And say to your mistress," the Archduke ordered, "that it is ourpleasure not to intrude upon her until everything is arranged asintended."

  "If Spencer will respect the request, it will be much easier for you,dear," he said to Dehra; "when we are watching Lotzen, the boudoir willhave to be in darkness, and I'll take care that we leave the moment youhave seen the Book."

  "Do you think she will recognize me?" the Princess asked.

  "I don't know; it's hard even to think what she can do or will do."

  "At least, it has been easy thus far," she laughed; "almost so easy as toindicate a trap."

  The same thought had naturally been in his mind, and he had hoped itwould not occur to her.

  "Everything has worked so smoothly it rather suggests the reverse," hesaid confidently; "but whatever happen, you must keep with me orMoore.--Gentlemen, I neglected to say that you will retain your capsuntil I remove mine.--Lieutenant Marsov, will you oblige me by turningoff all the side lights?"

  Presently, from somewhere down the corridor, came the ripple of MadelineSpencer's laugh, and the ring of her clear voice.

  "Good-night, Monsieur le Comte! I thank you for the dance, and all therest;"--then in quieter tones: "no, you may not come in; you have annoyedthe Duke quite too much to-night, as it is--to-morrow? well, may be--touta l'heure!" and the laugh again, and the closing of a door.

  The Princess looked at Armand and gave a faint shudder, but made nocomment.

  In a moment the maid returned. "It is as you wish, Monsieurle--Monsieur," as the Archduke's gesture stopped the title. "Madameawaits you at once."

  In the room adjoining the boudoir, the Archduke left the others and wentin alone.

  Mrs. Spencer curtsied.

  "Your Highness honors me," she said.

  "Pray, madame," said he, returning her greeting with the curtest ofmilitary salutes, "let us eliminate unnecessary ceremony--this is anofficial visit, made at your particular request; if we are ready tobegin, I will call my witnesses."

  She watched him smilingly, pressing down the roses that lay across herbreast--red roses, on a black gown that ended far below the dead-whiteneck and shoulders.

  "What a cold-blooded brute you are, Armand," she mocked. "Can it be, thatthe pretty, innocent, little doll, out yonder in the Palace, has found adrop that is warm even when fresh from the heart?"

  He looked at her in steady threat.

  "Madame, I have told you I am here for but one purpose; beyond that, evenin conversation, I decline to go. I tried to make it clear to you at theInn, how I would come, and why. I do not remember your record, nor evenknow your name; if I did, it would be my duty to send you immediately outof Valeria, and under escort. If, however, you presume to use thisoccasion to become offensive, I shall be obliged to remember, and toknow."

  She laughed scoffingly, and taking a cigarette lighted it.

  "As a token of peace," she said softly, and proffered it to him...."No?--I thought Ferdinand said he had learned it from you and--but, ofcourse, it does make a difference whose are the lips that kissed it."

  The Archduke turned abruptly and went toward the door; another such wordand he might forget she was a woman. She might be able to show him theBook, but, even could she give it to him, he would not have it, if itsprice were the Princess on her tongue.

  She saw she had gone too far.

  "Armand!" she cried, "Armand! stay--I'll be good--I'll be good."--Shesprang forward and caught his arm--"Don't go--think of what I can showyou."

  "Then show it, madame," he answered, facing her and so displacing herhand; "show it; and leave off personalities."

  Without replying, she went to a window, and drew the shade aside a littleway.

  "Yes, he is there," she said, "but Bigler is with him ... ah! he isgoing--now, we shan't have long to wait."--She motioned the Archduke toher. "See--there shouldn't be any doubt of the identification, if he giveyou a chance to see it."

  He went over and looked. She was right; nor would they need the fieldglass to recognize it. Fifty yards away, in the opposite wing, wereLotzen's apartments--his library windows raised, the shades high up, thecurtains drawn back; and he, himself, at the big table under thechandelier, a twin drop-light focused on the writing pad.

  And even while the Archduke looked, Lotzen arose and from the safe behindhim took out a package wrapped in black.

  "That's it!" Madeline Spencer exclaimed, "that's it!--Here is theglass----"

  He lingered for another glance, before summoning the others--and Mrs.Spencer forestalled him.

  She ran to the door and flung it wide.

  "Come," she said, "come----His Highness needs you."

  The Princess had been talking to Colonel Moore, her back to the door; asit opened, she threw up her head, and turned with an eager smile,thinking it was Armand--and so gave Mrs. Spencer a full view of her face.Then Moore stepped quickly between them and suavely bowed Mrs. Spencerinto her boudoir; the next moment the Archduke was there.

  "With your permission, madame, we will extinguish the lights," he said,"and raise the shades."

  She smiled maliciously, deliberately moving near enough to see thePrincess over Moore's shoulder.

  "Extinguish the lights?" she laughed, "certainly; darkness will be betterfor the business, and will conceal--everyone," and herself went over tothe main switch at the corridor door and pushed it open.

  The Princess caught Armand's hand.

  "She recognized me," she whispered.

  "Oh, no, dear; you're only nervous," he answered--though he was satisfiedshe was right. "Keep your hat well down, and don't look at her; themoment you have identified the Book, we will leave; you go with Moore;I'll engage the vixen until you're out of range."

  He had led her to a window and raised the shade. The lights from theDuke's library leaped across the garden court at them, but he, himself,was not visible, though on the table lay the package, still wrapped inblack as when taken from the safe. Some one came behind them, and Armandglanced over his shoulder--it was Mrs. Spencer, and she was looking atthe Princess; nor did she cease, though she knew his eyes were on her;instead, she smiled and shot him a quick glance, and resumed the looking.He felt Dehra begin to tremble--whether with anger or nerves, he couldnot tell--and Mrs. Spencer spoke.

  "Your Highness' companion is evidently unused to adventures, despite hisuniform; he is actually twitching with excitement."

  "Or with the temptation of your proximity," Armand replied giving her hisback. And Dehra laughed softly.

  Colonel Moore had been at another window; now he came over, and, in themost casual way, found Mrs. Spencer's hand and gave it a familiarsqueeze.r />
  "You're pretty enough to-night to give even an old-stager like me aflutter," he whispered in his most caressing tones, and, in the darkness,slipped his arm around her waist.

  She pushed it away, though not very vigorously it seemed to him.

  "You are impertinent, sir," she said.

  "I meant to be; it's the only way to get on with you," and hedeliberately put his arm around her again, and rather more tightly. "Comealong to my window," he urged.

  She knew very well that his purpose was to divert her from the Princess,but she went--nor appeared to bother that his arm remained. Here, was anew sort of man, with a new sort of method, and she was, if the truth betold, very willing for them both. Besides, her time would come presently.

  "Moore is a wonder," Armand commented--and broke off, as the Duke cameinto view and sat down at his table.

  But Lotzen was in no haste to unwrap the package; he drew it over andslowly loosed the cords, then suddenly laid it aside, and coming over tothe window, seemed on the point of drawing the shade; but he changed hismind, and after staring into the garden and toward Mrs. Spencer'sapartments, he returned to the table.

  Without more ado he removed the black cloth, but pushed it in a heap, sothat it hid the book--that it was a book, they could distinguish, butnothing else--and went to examining some papers he took from it.

  The Princess stirred restlessly; her nerves were not attuned to suchtension; and the Archduke reassured her by a touch and a word. Over attheir window, Mrs. Spencer and Colonel Moore were whispering, andlaughing softly, the latter, however, with a wary eye across thecourtyard. The swinging cadence of a Strauss waltz came, brokenly, fromthe orchestra still playing in the great hall, with, now and then, aburst of men's voices in noisy hilarity from the card rooms or the mainguard.

  Presently the Duke put down the papers, and, pushing aside the blackcloth, disclosed the back of the book--black, with heavy brasshinge-bands across it.

  "Look," the Princess exclaimed, "look! it's very like it--why doesn't helift the cover ... there!--see, the pages, too!--it must be!--itis!--it----"

  "Run away, girl!" came Count Bigler's voice from the corridor, "run away,I say--you're pretty enough, but I want your mistress now." There was amoment's scuffle, and the door swung back----"Dark! well, 'let there belight!'" and he snapped the switch.

  It all was done so quickly and unexpectedly that Mrs. Spencer was caughthalf way to the door, as she sprang to lock it; Armand had time only topush the Princess away from the window and step in front of her; whileColonel Moore, with De Coursey and Marsov, tried to get across to coverthe Archduke.

  But they failed. Bigler saw him instantly.

  "The American!" he shouted, "the American!" and wrenching back the door,he disappeared down the corridor.

  "The fool!" Madeline Spencer exclaimed; "he has spoiledeverything--quick, you must get away; I don't want another De Saure househere," with a look at Armand--"the way you came will still be open."--Shehurried ahead of them through the rooms to the stairway.... "I've beenhonest and I want to prove it, but," she laughed sneeringly after them,"the next time Her Highness plays the man, let her wear a mask and alarger shoe." The noise of men running came from below. "Hurry!" shecried, "they are trying to cut you off."

  With the Regent between them, and De Coursey and Marsov behind, theArchduke and Moore dashed down the lower passage to the small door andout into the garden.

  "Come along!" said Armand; "we don't want a fight; make straight for thegate."

  Holding Dehra's arm, he ran across the drive and, avoiding the windingpath, cut over the grass--to bring up, in a moment, at a fountain in alabyrinth of thick hedges and walks, none of which seemed to leadgateward.

  With a muttered imprecation, the Archduke chose the one that pointedtoward the winding path by which they had entered, only to discover thatit curved back toward the house.

  "Take the hedge!" he ordered; and he and Moore tossed the Princess overthe seven foot obstruction, and were swung up, themselves, by De Courseyand Marsov, whom they then pulled across.

  But this took time; and now Bigler's voice rang from the garden.

  "Make for the side gates--I'll look to the rear one!" he cried; andalmost immediately they heard him and his men between them and theirexit.

  The Archduke stopped.

  "There is no need to tire ourselves by running," he said; "we shall haveto fight for it, so we may as well save our wind.--Gentlemen,"--turningto De Coursey and Marsov--"to-night you are honored above most men--youwill draw swords for the Regent under her very eye--behold!"

  He lifted the hat from the Princess' head, and the light of a near-bystreet lamp, that shone above the walls, fell full on the coils of highpiled hair, and the fair face below it.

  Both men cried out in astonishment, and, kneeling, kissed her hand.

  Then they pressed on, finding almost immediately the path by which theyhad entered.

  Meanwhile, the commotion in the garden near the palace had increased, andnow the Duke of Lotzen's stern voice cut sharply into the night, from oneof his windows.

  "What the devil is all this noise?" he demanded.

  "Thieves, Your Highness," some one answered from below--"five of them inmadame's apartments--they escaped into the garden."

  The Duke made no reply, at least which they could hear; and the Princesslaughed.

  "He's off for madame," she said; "and we are thieves--rather clever ofBigler to have us killed first and recognized later."

  "He didn't see you," said Armand; "he recognized me, and thinks this isthe chance he missed at the De Saure house."

  A moment later they came into the wide drive-way, and face to face withthe Count and a bunch of a dozen men.

  He gave a shout that rang through the garden.

  "Seize them!" he cried; "kill any that resist!" knowing very well that itwould require the killing of them all. He, himself, drew his revolver andstepped to one side--a safer place than in the fighting line, and onewhere he could get a surer shot at the Archduke, if it were necessary.

  But even twelve men hesitate to close with five, whose swords are ready;and in the instant's pause, Dehra, flinging off her hat, sprang betweenBigler and the Archduke, and covered the former with her pistol.

  "God in Heaven! the Princess!" he cried, and stared at her.

  "Will you play with treason, my lord Count?" she asked. "Drop thatrevolver!--drop it, I say!--and you men, stand aside!--into line,so!--return swords!--now, by the left flank, march!--fall in behind,Count, if you please--march!"

  With a laugh and a shrug he obeyed.

  "The Regent commands," he said.--"Attention! salute!" and with hands tovisors the column went by; while Dehra, fingers at forehead inacknowledgment, watched it pass and go down the drive toward the Palace.

  Then she turned, and put out her hand to the Archduke.

  "I'm tired, dear," she said, "very tired----Captain De Coursey, will youbring the carriage to the gate?"