“Senorita Dolores,” he began, “was the handsomest seller of cigarettes in Vigo. Her smart shop was a great success, which was still further enhanced by that of the bar in connection with it, in which Dolores’ mother, who was nearly as handsome as her daughter, served the golden wine of Spain in tulip-shaped goblets.... Follow me closely, my dear fellow, I shall not be long.”
“I am following you.... I have no wish to go to sleep, I assure you.”
“Do you know Vigo?”
“I’ve never landed in the town,” I replied, “ but I’ve touched at the port when I’ve been on board the Union Castle liners starting from Southampton for the Cape. We used to stop in the roadstead for several hours.”
“That’s quite enough to enable you to estimate the strategic value for submarines off Vigo and the coast. An effective, clandestine, unseen, crafty German submarine organisation exists. It is unknown officially to the local authorities, and perhaps unknown in fact, and it is certainly unsuspected by the Spanish Government, but it is still able to assist the Kaiser’s submarine fleet. Units which have received orders to double Gibraltar and to do their work in the Mediterranean, lie in wait for big liners sailing for America.”
“Exactly.”
“The rugged character of the coast round about the Portuguese frontier, the deserted creeks, almost inaccessible for vessels except submarines, could and still can be made into admirable submarine bases.”
“Not forgetting the islands,” I broke in.
“Oh, we needn’t bother about the islands. The few wild little islands oh the coast which they might have used unobserved, and which would have answered their purpose excellently, are no longer available. Some one has taken the wind out of their sails.”
“I understand.”
“Good.... I’ll continue.... Vigo was only one place in Spain in the organisation, as a whole, of replenishing stations for German submarines. We know that the Spanish coast was to be prepared in a very secret manner for this purpose; or at least we can be certain that German representatives were trying to organise it with that meticulous attention to detail which our enemies show in their enterprises everywhere, particularly when it is a question of working in the dark.
“Now Vigo was as important to them as a base in the Atlantic as Barcelona was in the Mediterranean, not to mention Melilla in Morocco. And perhaps Vigo was considered to be the most important of all, for a high official whose duty it was to put the finishing touches to the arrangements for establishing these submarine bases was sent to Vigo in great secrecy and spent several weeks there with an entire staff — also kept secret, of course.
“The official — you have guessed it — was Admiral von Treischke himself. And the second in command was a young naval lieutenant called Fritz. He fell in love with the handsome cigarette seller. The entire gang pretended to be Luxemburgians who had fled their country to escape the horrors of war; and they lived outside the town, on the coast, in an old country-house newly renovated where, if we may believe village gossip, they let themselves go.
“Fritz, as I say, was in love with Dolores. He was ruining himself with expensive cigarettes. Von Treischke was amused with the whole thing, and often accompanied Fritz to the bar where they polished off in no time a bottle of sherry. Von Treischke, in other circumstances, would certainly have fallen a victim to the mother, and he might have done worse, but they say that he is devoted to his wife and was faithful to her....” (Can it be true? The doctor did not suspect how much this detail, which he treated as of no importance, pained me....) “ Von Treischke contented himself, therefore, by looking on and giving advice. He considered that his subordinate was a fool not to push on with the business according to his wishes, for Dolores laughed at his attentions, and though she flirted with him, at heart she didn’t care a rap for Fritz.
“She had at once suspected that she was dealing with Huns, and she could not fancy them. She was in love with a Frenchman, a young Frenchman from St. Jean-de-Luz, as handsome as herself, a bit of a smuggler in peace time, a brave sailor in war, who did some good work in hunting down submarines.... You follow me? You’re not feeling sleepy? I’m now coming to the interesting part of the story....” (A touch of cocaine.)
“Go on.
“I will pass over the amusing details which the Captain never forgets to relate at dessert and come to the crucial point.... Damn this schiedam.... Well, the Admiral made Fritz feel ashamed of being so long-winded in the contest, and Fritz turned red like a Gretchen confronted for the first time with her ‘fiancé on trial’ as they say in the Black Forest.... He was a Hun of Wertherian sentimentality. His love-making was beyond reproach. In the main, I believe that he wasn’t a bad fellow, but Von Treischke was there, and he was annoyed with the young man’s lackadaisical manners.
“‘You’re disgracing the force,’ he said. ‘This girl ought to be yours.’
“The whole story was related again and again by the gang after the loathsome affair was over, and I really believe that Von Treischke plumed himself upon his handiwork. That is why there isn’t a detail of it which is unknown to us.
“Fritz replied to him: ‘I am at your orders, Admiral. Nothing would please me better.’
“‘Let me manage this little love business for you, you great booby, and don’t forget that you are on duty and under my orders.’
“Von Treischke had always been very correct with the two women. Dolores’ mother looked upon him as a serious person, perhaps even a little too serious, because, truth to tell, she thought that he might have paid her a little court, out of politeness, while Fritz was casting amorous glances at her daughter. Anyway, she accepted without suspicion an invitation for herself and daughter to go for a motor ride, after the shop and bar were closed, one fine star-lit night.
“There were two cars. One was driven by Fritz himself, and the other by Von Treischke’s chauffeur. Von Treischke, by the way, called himself Von Kessel in Spain, while young Fritz von Harschfield was known as Fritz Schnitze.
“To conduct the affair becomingly and to save appearances, Von Treischke took the girl into his car, while the mother entered the car driven by Fritz.
“This little exchange of places was, upon my word, a crowning piece of cleverness and hypocrisy.... After a delightful moonlight drive in the country, these gentlemen brought the ladies to the courtyard of their mansion, whereupon the servants with due form and ceremony announced that supper was served.... What a delicate attention I... Other friends presented themselves before them with flowery compliments. How were the two hapless women to suspect the abominable plot which had been hatched against them?
“Moreover, everything continued to pass off in the most agreeable manner amid a flow of champagne and gaiety. And as soon as Madam said a word about the lateness of the hour, Von Treischke placed himself ‘ at their disposal’ to see the ladies home. Fritz followed suit.
“This time Von Treischke took charge of the mother, who saw Dolores step into Fritz’s car. ‘We must allow the lovers an extra five minutes,’ laughed the false Kessel.
“And off they went....
“The first to arrive was the Admiral’s car, which put Dolores’ mother down at her door. She was surprised not to see Fritz’s car in sight, but her cheerful and agreeable companion said:
“‘I think they’ve found the lovers’ extra five minutes very pleasant but too short. So they’re stretching them out a bit. They can’t have come by the quickest way. But they’ll soon be here, never fear. I know Fritz. He’s a great simpleton.’
“‘And I know Dolores. You’re quite right, Monsieur, I’ve nothing to fear.’
Then, dear Madam, I will wish you good night.’
“Dolores’ mother allowed him to go. Don’t think that she regretted it. She had noticed a change in him during the last few minutes. He was too merry, too boisterous; his laugh had a ring in it that alarmed her. She put it down to the champagne, which had likewise slightly affected the dear lady’s head. Thus she
was glad not to have to entertain the Admiral in her house at that hour, even for five minutes. She settled down in a chair to wait for Dolores’ return and fell asleep.
“Von Treischke went back to his quarters. As soon as he arrived, he knocked at the door of Fritz’s room in which he knew that he should find the lieutenant and Dolores, seeing that the departure of the young girl was, by his orders, only a sham, and that she would have to follow Fritz to his room whether she liked it or not.... Look out! We’re coming to the last act,” exclaimed the doctor, quite unnecessarily, for I had refrained from interrupting him, and was listening with close attention.
None the less he stopped for a few seconds, stared at me, looked at his watch, shook his head, took a suspicion of cocaine, and said that he was extremely embarrassed, for, after all, since the Captain had not told me the story which he was in the habit of telling everybody, he doubtless had some good reason for not doing so.
“Look here,” I protested, “you’re not going to give me the slip at the point we’ve reached?”
“At the point we’ve reached, of course. I was forgetting,” explained this man who could never make up his mind, shaking his head; “but there’s one thing I mustn’t forget, which is that it’s late and I must go to bed.... There’s one consolation, Senorita Dolores will tell you much better than I could, if she thinks fit, the end of the story, which is not my property. Each man to his own responsibilities.... Good night, my dear fellow.... Sleep well!”
I could not hold him back, and, after all, he did well to go, for I had a strong inclination to say entirely disagreeable things to him which, perhaps, he might not have forgiven. Not to mention that I should have been guilty of taking offence at the behaviour of a man whose domestic misfortunes, all things considered, might have slightly turned his brain.
CHAPTER XXVII
THE END OF DOLORES’ STORY
THE NEXT DAY I waited upon Dolores without any ostensible purpose; in other words, as if I were merely paying her a courtesy visit. I was ushered into a delightful boudoir where I found Dolores with the doctor. The latter shook hands with me and at once left us.
“Then we are in agreement and can count on you,” began Dolores as she lit a cigarette. “Since it is impossible to arrange for the escape of poor Amalia, who would not consent to be parted from her children in such circumstances, our only hope is in you.... It is for you to go and inform the wretched Von Treischke of the calamity which threatens his family if he doesn’t look out for himself.”
“You may rely on me, Senorita,” I replied. “Your kindness and courage will be its own reward and the cause of humanity will be all to the good.... We must do our utmost to save this poor woman who is not responsible for crimes committed by men.”
“That’s my view, Senor.... I think the doctor told you of the abominable manner in which Von Treischke treated me? It’s not a secret. Except, to some extent, from my fiancé.”
“He told me merely the beginning of the story, and left me, I must admit, Senorita, at the most dramatic moment.... He said that you yourself would tell me the rest if you thought fit.”
“I recognise his usual manner in that,” replied Dolores, lying back gracefully in her chair and puffing out the smoke of her cigarette with enjoyment. “He must have been very embarrassed, undecided as usual, because the end of the story has two versions, and he would not care to ‘ take the responsibility’ of making a choice.”
“Quite so. But I should like to hear the true version,” I replied.
“All right. Only it must be understood that you will not say a word to Gabriel, who knows only half the story.... It is quite unnecessary that he should be told the whole truth. The poor boy would be furious... and certainly would refuse to help us in the plan in which we are interested.”
“I promise you.... Besides, before I get away I shall talk as little as possible.”
“You are quite right... as little as possible. Absolute secrecy is the cue... even with Frau von Treischke.”
“Don’t you wish me to say anything to Amalia before I go?”
“It would be better to keep silence. You wouldn’t be able to make her understand your apparent desertion of her, without telling her, at the same time, of the fate which threatens her here; she would lose the illusion that Captain Hyx is soon going to allow her to leave her prison. Let her keep that consoling thought as long as possible. I will arrange everything. I will explain everything that is necessary after you’ve left us, which, by the way, will be to-night.”
“To-night! You don’t mean to say so... Heavens!”... I exclaimed excitedly... “ How is it going to happen?”
“Oh, in the simplest way in the world, I assure you. The first officer has to go to Cadiz to pick up certain doctors engaged by the Captain. You will set out with him in the ship’s launch. I shall obtain for you a complete uniform and a naval cap.... The officer is in the plot... and ‘when candles are away all cats are grey.’”
Excellent “ middy”! I felt definitely reassured about the future and, in fact, the plan was so simple that I could not refrain from throwing myself at the feet of the young and beautiful and daring girl.
“You’ve saved my life, because I should go mad here.... You will, perhaps, save the life of Amalia and her children.,.. Thank you!”
“Please get up, Monsieur.,. Gabriel might come in and fancy that you are making love to me. He wouldn’t stop to think. He would shoot you like a dog.”
I am not ashamed to confess that I got up from my knees with even greater celerity than I went down on them, and to show Dolores how keenly interested I was in her, and also to satisfy my curiosity and to complete my knowledge of the extraordinary events in which I was so inextricably involved, I begged her to tell me the finish of her painful adventure.
“Where did the doctor leave off?”
“At the point where the wretched Von Treischke returned home after putting your mother down at her door.”
“Yes... poor mother! He didn’t tell you anything about what occurred at the country-house?”
“Nothing at all.”
“Well, the car which contained my mother had just driven off, and Fritz and I were, in our turn, under the archway which we had to pass through, in order to leave the mansion, when suddenly our car stopped short. I couldn’t hear the engine, and Fritz got out, lifted the bonnet, looked at the machinery, and declared:
“‘ It’s a confounded breakdown, but I’ll go and knock up one of the mechanics at the garage, and we shall be able to start off again in half an hour.’
“I need not tell you that I was very much upset. Not that I suspected for a moment the evil intentions of my companion. He had been too correct up to then, and even too agreeable, for such an idea to enter my head and cause me uneasiness. And then, after all, I am not a nervous person, and a young man, however wicked he may be, doesn’t frighten me. But it was very late, or rather it was beginning to be very early, and I should have been glad to be home again with my mother who certainly would be getting anxious.
“‘ Don’t let’s remain under the archway which is so draughty,’ said Fritz. ‘ Look... while we’re waiting let’s go in here.’
“He thereupon opened a door in the archway itself, and I raised no objection to entering the room which, as I thought, must be some ante-chamber, or ordinary waiting-room for visitors to the house.
“The door was immediately closed behind us, and I then noticed that I was alone with Fritz in his own bedroom. The room must also have been used as a study, for heaps of papers were lying on a table, and large sealed letters were peeping out of one of those big leather bags such as I have often seen being shipped on great liners by the postal service.
“The room was lit up by a single soft light from an electric lamp. The only window in it looked out on to the sea; and I caught sight of the silvery waves under the starry sky. I turned round to Fritz, and I was at once startled to see the sudden change that had taken place in the expression of his
face. I had to fall back from his hands, tremblingly outstretched before me.
“‘Dolores,’ he said in a choking voice, ‘take pity on me... I love you madly. Forgive my audacity... but if you will love me, you can do with me what you will. And I swear to marry you and to love no one but you.’
“‘ Let me leave this place,’ I replied simply. I had recovered my self-possession, and I was not afraid of him.
“‘ Leave this place... No... No,’ he answered. ‘ It’s impossible. You are my prisoner.’
“‘What do you say!’
“He saw that I was furious and determined. I leapt to the window, which was open, and a considerable height from the sea, and he did not doubt that if he came a step nearer he would see me disappear into space....
“‘Oh,’ he exclaimed, ‘you do not love me. You will never love me or you wouldn’t wish to die like that. I am the unhappiest of men....’
“And he fell on his knees and wept.... I gazed at him as he wept.... He was sincere and pitiable. I took pity on him and forgave his unspeakable treachery.
“‘Let me get away, Fritz,’ I said; ‘and I won’t say anything about this to a soul.... Think how anxious my mother must be.... Be sensible.... Get up and open the door.’
“He sighed and stood up quietly. He was still crying like a child....
“‘ Do you love any one else?’ he asked.
“‘ Yes, I am engaged,’ I replied, and to console him I added: ‘I must be as good as my word. You should have come sooner...
“‘Oh... God... would you have loved me if I had?’
“‘If my heart had been free, things might have been different...
“‘Oh... God...’he repeated hopefully. ‘And is there nothing to be done now?’
‘“No... no... nothing now.... Open the door.’
Collected Works of Gaston Leroux Page 353