XIX
MY COUSIN, THE DUKE
For the next few weeks, matters went along without any particularincident. The snarl, in which I was entangled, showed no signs ofunravelling, and my marriage to the Princess and the Royal successionseemed farther away than ever.
The investigations, in the United States, had yielded nothing of anyutility. Indeed, they had been practically barren, for they had toldme little more than Courtney's cablegram.
Edwards, the witness named in the certificate, had not been located,though New York had been scraped as with a fine-tooth comb; so, it wassafe to assume his existence was only on paper and in AldermanMcGuire's brain.
The movements of Madeline Spencer had been very difficult to trace, aswas entirely natural--for what hotel servant would remember, weeksafter, the doings of a woman guest, whose life had been at all regular.All that could be ascertained, definitely, was that she had sailed fromNew York ten days prior to her arrival at Dornlitz; and that she hadregistered as Mrs. Armand Dalberg at the Waldorf a week before sailing;her luggage having been checked there from Philadelphia. Thefloor-clerk and some of the pages recalled her very readily, and wererather positive that they had not seen any foreigner with her, whoresembled a Valerian.
That was about the extent of the detectives' discoveries; forPhiladelphia yielded absolutely nothing, beyond the fact that she hadbeen at one of the Broad Street hotels, for a fortnight, prior tocoming to New York; and, before that, in Pittsburgh, Washington, andNew York; the last corresponding, in date, to my interview with her,there, in December. At none of these places, could any traces bediscovered of an emissary of Lotzen.
Nor did the investigations at this end, conducted for me by Courtney'ssecret agents, yield anything more satisfactory. During the period, inquestion, the Duke had not been away from the Capital for over threedays at any one time, and none of his suite had been absent longer thana week. Nevertheless, I was none the less positive that there had beensome sort of communication between Madeline Spencer, in America, andthe Duke of Lotzen, in Valeria, in response to which she was here.
So, it seemed Courtney was correct, as usual. He had predicted thatnothing would be found by the detectives; because, as he said, it wasjust a case in which all tracks would be most effectively covered bydoing everything in the most ordinary way--and, apparently, that wasjust what had been done.
There seemed to be nothing but to cultivate patience and settle down towait for someone to blunder, or for the lady to get tired of herenforced residence in Dornlitz, and begin to get restless, and dosomething which would give us a clue to work on.
She had retained her apartments at the Hotel Metzen--the managementhaving, however, addressed me as to my pleasure, in the matter--and, atleast, once every day, she had sought to pass some one of the Citygates; and, when refused, would then demand exit as the wife of theGrand Duke Armand.
She drove and rode and walked about the town the cynosure of alleyes--and some of them of admiring men, who would have been very ready,doubtless, to start a flirtation; both for their own pleasure and inthe hope of gaining my good will by discrediting her.
But, she would have none of them, and went her way with the sereneblindness of an honest woman.
In the hotel, she bore herself with the quiet dignity and reservesuitable to her assumed position. With the guests, particularlyAmericans, she was frankly gracious and friendly; but, it was evident,she sought no sympathy and wanted no confidants.
All these details came to me in the reports of the Secret Police. Isaw her very frequently on the street; passing her both on the sidewalkand on horseback. And if she were pining for the newly wedded husband,who had forsaken and denied her, she most assuredly did not show it.Nor did her impudence diminish. Whenever she saw me she tried to catchmy eye. Several times it happened she was watching me when I firstobserved her; then, like a flash, she would bow and smile with the airof the most intimate camaraderie.
Of course, I pointedly ignored her, but it had no effect; for the nexttime her greeting was only the more effusively intimate. Naturally,the people stared. I felt sure they winked at one another knowingly,when my back was turned. The whole situation was intensely irritatingand growing more so every day; and my patience, never long at best,must have been a trifle uncertain for those around me.
I think I am not an unjust man, by nature; but some provocations wouldmake even the best tempers quick and squally. And, then, what is thegood of being an Archduke, if one may not flare out occasionally!
I was a bit lonely, too. The King was in the North and the Princesswas with him--and so, for a time, was Lotzen, I happened to know;though I understood he had, now, left them and was returning toDornlitz. I wished him a long journey and a slow one.
His suave courtesy was becoming unbearable; and my sorest trial was toreceive it calmly and to meet it in kind. Truly, if he had found abrilliant leading woman in Madeline Spencer, he had an equallybrilliant leading man in himself.
I was no possible match for him; and I could feel the sneer behind hissmile. I wanted to give him a good body beating--and I was sure heknew it, and that it only amused him. I could, now, quite understandthe rage which makes a man walk up to another and smash him in the facewithout a word of preliminary. I would have given five years of lifeto do that to Lotzen.
And, instead, I had to smile--and smile--and smile. Bah! it makes meshiver.
He must have fancied I wished him a long absence, for he returned withastonishing promptness. I saw him the next afternoon in the Officers'Club--and our greeting was almost effusive. In fact, if anything wererequired to prove how intensely we despised each other, thisdemonstrative cordiality supplied it. It was so hollow it fairlyresounded with derision.
"I'll ride over to Headquarters with you," he said.
"I'm walking," I answered.
"Good, I'll walk, too," he replied.
So, we set out--the orderly following with the Duke's horse.
"When did you come in?" I asked--knowing perfectly well the very hourof his arrival.
"Last night, on the Express from the North," he answered--knowing thatI already knew it.
"Had a good time, of course?" I remarked.
"Delightful--we wished for you."
"It's astonishing how kind you all are to the stranger," I said.
He shot a quick glance at me.
"We don't regard you as a stranger, my dear cousin," he protested.
"I believe you," said I. "Judged by the way His Majesty and thePrincess, and you have treated me, the heir of Hugo might never havelived beyond the Kingdom."
This brought another look.
"The Dalbergs don't do things by halves," he answered.
"So I have noticed, cousin. I only trust I can live up to it."
He laughed. "You promise very well, Armand, very well, indeed."
"I am glad," I answered.
When we reached Headquarters, I suggested that he come up to my officeand smoke a cigar. I thought he would decline. But, there, I erred.
"Thanks," said he, "I'll join you as soon as I've registered," and heturned down the corridor toward the Adjutant General's office.
On my desk was a wire from the Princess. She and the King would reachDornlitz the next morning and I was expected to lunch at the Palace. Idispatched an answer that would meet the Royal train en route, andthought of Lotzen with indifference--almost.
When he came, I was going through a batch of papers which had just beenbrought in for my signature.
"Don't let me disturb you," he said heartily. "Finish the miserablered tape."
I nodded.
He chose a cigar and, having lighted it, with the careful attention heseemed to give to the smallest matters, he sauntered to the window thatoverlooked the Avenue.
Presently, he glanced around at me.
I went on with my work.
Then he glanced again.
I signed the last of the papers, pushed them aside
and arose.
"Mrs. Spencer is about to pass," he said.
"I trust so," said I. "I'm sure I've no desire for her to stop."
Then, suddenly, he frowned--and made a short bow.
"She had the impudence to speak to me," he said.
I smiled and made no comment. For the life of me, I could notdetermine if his surprise were natural or assumed.
He crossed to a front window and watched her out of sight.
"There is no discounting her beauty," he remarked.
I was silent.
He came over, and dropped into a chair on the other side of the table.It was just where Mrs. Spencer had sat, and, so, a very fit place forhim.
"She must be a most extraordinary woman," he observed.
I shrugged my shoulders.
"Yet, what I can't understand, is what she hopes to gain bymasquerading, here, as your wife."
I looked at him and waited. He was steering into strange waters, itseemed to me.
"Now, if she had done it in Paris, or Vienna, or any place outside ofValeria," he went on, "one could see the temporary profit of it. But,to come to Dornlitz and dare it under your very nose!"--he flung up hishands. "She is a bit too much for me!"
I saw his drift, now. He wanted to know if I suspected him; and, tothat end, was quite willing to match his wit against mine. Hiscontempt for my discernment was not, especially, flattering; but,sometimes, it does no harm to be taken for a fool--if one is not. AndI was conceited enough to consider myself the latter. Which, however,may only have proven that Lotzen was right.
"And for me, too, at present," I answered.
"At present?" he echoed, blowing a succession of smoke rings andwatching them float away.
I nodded. "She will get tired of the game, presently, and quit."
"She has stuck to it rather persistently," he observed; "and crossedthe seas to play it."
"Yes," said I, "she did just that; yet she is none the less liable toquit abruptly to-morrow."
That would interest him, I thought. It did.
"You are judging from experience?" he asked, rather quickly.
"I've known the lady for a few years," I laughed, "and I've yet to findher true either to herself or to the hand that paid her."
It was characteristic of the man that, at these last words, he made noquick glance at my face. Instead, he studied the end of his cigar.When he did look at me, it was in the perfectly natural way of asking aquestion.
Then I got a start. He suddenly struck straight from the shoulder.
"By 'the hand that paid her,' you mean?" he asked--and now, his eyeswere fairly drilling into mine.
I took on a look of surprise.
"What does it usually mean?" I answered, with a bit of a shrug.
He either had to appear to accept the inference in this answer or elseask me blankly if I meant that Mrs. Spencer was in his employ. Hechose the former.
"It is very difficult to associate such a beautiful woman with the_demi-monde_," he said.
"Yet, Saint Anthony would stand no chance with her."
He looked at me with an amused smile.
"I assume you lay no claims to even ordinary saintship?"
"None, whatever, my dear Duke."
"Possibly, you avoided situations which might put you to the test?"
"Possibly," I laughed.
"You are more of a Saint than you imagine," he answered.
I shook my head.
"Colonel Spencer was my friend," I said.
"And his wife--and widow would have been--yours--and you would not;_n'est ce pas_?"
I smiled.
"So, that's the motive for it, is it. 'Hell hath no fury like a womanscorned,'" he quoted. It was meant as a question, however.
I appeared to hesitate.
"Revenge, sometimes, does take queer forms," I said tentatively.
"And you, too, think this is revenge?" he asked.
"What other motive could she have?" I answered.
He closed his eyes, a moment; lest, I suppose, his amused contemptwould shine out so plainly that even stupid I would see it. He wassure, now, he had been right in deeming me too heavy-witted to suspecthim.
"It might be blackmail," he suggested.
"Then, she is a very long time in naming her price," I replied.
"True; but, maybe, she is enjoying Dornlitz," he laughed.
I laughed, too.
"It's none of my business, of course, Armand," he went on, "but, whydon't you run her out of the Kingdom, instead of keeping her in byforce."
"I'm waiting for her to get tired of the game and quit."
He thought a bit.
"Maybe, I can help you," he said.
I had not Lotzen's gift of imperturbability but I did my best not toshow my surprise.
"You are very kind," I answered; "though I don't see what you can do."
"I may take it you have no particular--regard for the lady?" he asked.
"Indeed, you may!"
"So you would have no objection to someone making a--try at her?"
"None whatever, I assure you. As many someones and as many tries asyou wish--and may they all win."
"Now, you're a trifle too generous," said he. "I've taken rather a shyat her myself and--you understand?"
I thought I did--but not as he meant me to. What he wanted was libertyto communicate, at will, directly with the lady, without arousingsuspicion or seeming to side against me.
I shut one eye, and looked at him as though in sly comprehension.
"But, how will that help me?" I asked.
"In this way," said he. "You think she is tired of her game and aboutready to quit. I come along; and she tosses you over and seizes thenew prey. I'll tell her plainly she cannot have me so long as there isany question about her being your wife."
"But, won't it raise a nasty scandal?" I objected.
"Not a bit," he said, with a knowing smile. "We have ways to do suchthings, you know. I have a Chateau near the French Border--the ladyleaves for Paris--and goes by way of the Chateau. _Comprenez vous_?"
I wanted to laugh in his face. What a charming scheme to get Mrs.Spencer out of the Kingdom!
"But, suppose," said I, "she cuts the Chateau and keeps right on toParis?"
"Trust me, my dear Marshal, she won't cut the Chateau. I shall be withher when she leaves Dornlitz."
"I know the lady," said I. "I'm afraid to risk it."
He tossed aside his cigar and lit a fresh one. "Very well, cousin," hesaid, with an air of good-natured indifference. "It's your affair, ofcourse. I only wanted to aid you in any way I could. You're the bestjudge, however, how to handle the matter. If you need me, I am yoursto command."
"My dear Duke," I said, "I realize your friendly spirit and I want youto know I appreciate it; and I shall not hesitate to call on you if theoccasion arise."
He flung his cape around him and hooked up his sword.
"And, in the meantime, do I understand that I am to keep severely awayfrom the lady?"
I hesitated. Of course his point was to obtain from me directauthority for him to visit her. The very fact that he wanted it was asufficient reason for refusing; but, on the other hand, so long as hethought himself unsuspected, it might not be a bad move to give him theopportunity. It would increase the chances for them to make a blunder.I determined to risk it.
"The only restriction, touching Mrs. Spencer, is the order of theMilitary Governor," I answered. "If you can induce her to acknowledgethe falsity of that certificate, she shall be free to resume herjourney to the Devil, _via_ your Chateau, and joy go with her."
He flung back his head and laughed heartily.
"A trifle hard on my Chateau, cousin, to locate it on the road to Hell.But we will let it pass. For, between us, it is a good road and aneasy; and they, who travel it, are a finer lot than the superstitiousdreamers who grope, in darkness, along the bleak and stony path theyfancy leads upward to the Light."
/> "You mistook my meaning," I said. "It's not for me to criticiseanother's chosen road, whether it be the rough one or the smooth.There are no hand boards at the forking, and only a blind fall at theend of each. It's all a guess; and, so far as I know, one road is asgood as another."
He looked at me, rather curiously. "Which road do you travel, cousin?"he asked.
"Neither, by intention," I answered. "I am still at the Forks."
He laughed, rather sarcastically. "Well, when you leave them, if youchance to come my way, the Chateau is at your disposal. Meanwhile,I'll endeavor to steer Madame Spencer, alias Dalberg, toward it."
I could feel the deliberate sneer, but it was too well veiled toresent, openly.
"At least, don't expect me as a guest while she is there," I replied.
"I don't imagine I would want you, then," said he. He went over to thedoor; then returned and, leaning on the back of a chair, looked at methoughtfully.
"What now?" I wondered--and waited.
"There is a matter, cousin," he began, "which has been on my mindlately--and this may be as good a time as any to take it up."
I nodded. "Go ahead--we are in the humor for confidences, thisafternoon, it seems."
"And for plain speaking?" he asked.
"Between men I'm always for that," said I. "It's the safest in theend."
"Exactly my opinion. I am glad to have one of your experience anddiscretion agree with it," he answered.
It seemed to give him the keenest pleasure to sneer at me, to my veryface, with compliments he thought I would take seriously. And, intruth, I think I was beginning to enjoy it as much as he.
"You are a bit old for your age, my dear Duke," I said.
"But I have much to learn," he said modestly.
"It will all come in time, cousin," I answered patronizingly.
He dropped his head an instant--to hide his smiles, I knew.
"A charming afternoon," he said. "Confidences--compliments--and plainspeaking. We are making rare progress, cousin mine."
"And, why not?" I asked.
"Surely," he exclaimed, heartily, "surely--why not?" Then he paused."And, now, for the plain speaking."
"Good," said I; "drive ahead; and make it as plain as you like."
"I'll do it," he said. "What I want to know is: First--do you intendto try to displace me in the Line of Succession? And, second--are youa suitor for the hand of the Princess Royal?"
It would have been impossible to hide my surprise, so I made no effort.Surely, this man's methods were almost beyond comprehension!
"My dear Duke," I replied, "your questions are plain, and a plainanswer will do for both--it is none of your business."
He laughed. "By which I infer you decline to answer."
"Precisely!"
He tossed away his cigar and slowly lit another.
"Of course, Armand, that is your privilege; but, then, you must pardonthe further inference that to decline to answer is, really, to answerin the affirmative."
"You are responsible for your inferences, not I," I replied curtly.
He leaned a bit forward. "Let us take up my first question," he said."Have you ever considered what you were likely to encounter if youundertook to filch the Crown?"
"Filch?" I interrupted.
"Steal, then, if you prefer. I forgot we were to use plain terms."
"Very true," said I. "Proceed."
"Do you think that I, who have been the Heir Presumptive since theinstant of my birth, almost, will calmly step aside and permit you totake my place?"
I looked at him, indifferently, and made no answer.
"Do you fancy, for an instant," he went on, "that the people of Valeriawould have a foreigner for King?"
I shrugged my shoulders.
"And even if old Frederick were to become so infatuated with you thathe would restore you to Hugo's place in the Line of Succession, do youimagine, that the House of Nobles would hesitate to annul it theinstant he died?"
From the written words, one might well infer that he spoke loudly andin open anger; whereas, in fact, his face was smiling and his voice waseven more soft than usual. It behooved me to meet him in kind.
"As you seem to have been doing my thinking, cousin, perhaps you havealso thought out my answers. If you have, I shall be glad to hearthem; it will save me the labor of thinking them out for myself."
His smile broadened. "The only labor I can promise to save you,cousin, is that of being King."
"I fear it is a bit early for me to choose my Prime Minister," I said.
His smile became a laugh. "Let us pass to my second question. It,however, demands no thinking. There is ample evidence of yourintention as to the Princess."
"Then, why ask it?" I inquired.
"Because, of her intention toward you, I am not so sure--but, women arequeer creatures and prone to take queer crotchets. You aim to marryher; and so, having won the King and stolen my birth-right, to use herpopularity to secure you on the Throne. You see, all roads lead to theThrone."
"All roads which His Highness of Lotzen travels," I observed.
He tilted back the chair; then let it drop sharply forward to the floor.
"Just so, cousin, just so," he said.
"And one of those roads passes by your Chateau?" I asked.
For an instant, he seemed to suspect my true meaning, and I regrettedthe word. Then the suspicion faded and he accepted them at their facevalue.
"Morals have nothing to do with a King," he laughed; "nor with thesubject under consideration."
"Apropos of the latter," said I, "I suppose I am very stupid, but Idon't quite understand why, if you feel so about the Princess, youoffered to aid me in getting rid of Mrs. Spencer."
"Pure selfishness, cousin. I have taken a liking to the Lady, myself."
"Then, at least, I may thank you for your selfishness," I sneered.
He smiled; then turned and looked at the clock on the mantel behind him.
"Come, Armand," he said, "I must be going. Will you condescend toanswer?"
I arose.
"You won't? Well, it's not really necessary--but, have you a dice boxhandy?"
"I have not."
"A pack of cards, then?"
"No."
He shrugged his shoulders. "Take my advice and get them--you are far,very far, out of the fashion, cousin mine. However, this will serve,though it's rather low class," and he took out a gold coin and rang iton the table. "You were an American officer and, I understand, theyare as game a lot of men as wear swords. Will you bear that out andtry a toss with me?"
"And the wager?" I asked.
He slowly drew the chair backward; but, instead of dropping it with acrash, he leaned far over it toward me and said, very slowly.
"Two tosses and two wagers. The first, for the Princess; the second,for the Crown."
I waited a moment until I could control my voice.
"It will give me the most intense pleasure, my dear Duke," said I, "totoss you--not with yonder coin but out of yonder window. I fancy asecond toss would not be necessary; but, if it were, I could do it withas much pleasure as the first."
Lotzen's face got crimson; then, gradually paled--like red-hot ironpassing to a white heat. He let the chair fall slowly into place; andso easily that I could not hear the feet strike the floor.
So, for a space, we stood at gaze. Then he spoke; and I marvelled atthe continued calmness of his voice.
"You are my superior officer, so I may not strike you nor draw againstyou. But you will, I trust, pardon me, my dear cousin, if I tell youthat you are a snivelling coward."
"Pray, don't hide behind my temporary rank," I answered hotly. "Iwaive it, gladly. Anything, for a chance to puncture that rottencarcass of yours or to get a good fair crack at your smooth face."
It was a foolish speech. I knew it the moment it was out. But I neverhad acquired self-restraint when aggravated by those I disliked--and Idespised Lotzen.
Possibly, he had far better ground for despising me.Had our positions been reversed, I am quite sure I would have viewedhim much as he did me--a foreigner--an interloper--a schemingusurper--a thief.
My explosion seemed to calm the Duke. He looked at me, intently, for amoment; then bowed gravely.
"I beg Your Highness's pardon," he said; "you are not a coward."
I might not be outdone, so I bowed back at him. "Thank you," said I;"and I also beg your pardon and withdraw my adjectives."
"_Merci_, Your Highness," he answered. "Let us consider the matterclosed?"
"With pleasure," said I.
"And I shall hope to have the honor of crossing swords--foils, I mean,with you, some day," he said meaningly.
"The hope is intensely mutual, my dear Duke," I answered.
He drew himself up to attention and saluted stiffly. I returned it inkind.
"And, with Your Highness's permission," I said, "I shall ask you torefrain from communicating with Mrs. Spencer. I appreciate your offerbut, upon second thought, I doubt the wisdom of it."
"As you wish, monsieur," said he; "as you wish."
The Colonel of the Red Huzzars Page 19
