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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..45dc3ff --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67546 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67546) diff --git a/old/67546-0.txt b/old/67546-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a0b5e4b..0000000 --- a/old/67546-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12538 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of In the Name of a Woman, by Arthur W. -Marchmont - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: In the Name of a Woman - A Romance - -Author: Arthur W. Marchmont - -Illustrator: D. Murray Smith - -Release Date: March 2, 2022 [eBook #67546] - -Language: English - -Produced by: D A Alexander, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE NAME OF A WOMAN *** - - - - - - IN THE NAME OF - A WOMAN - - - - -[Illustration: “SHE FIRED TWO SHOTS IN RAPID SUCCESSION.”--_Page 19._] - - - - - _IN THE NAME OF - A WOMAN_ - - _A Romance_ - - _By_ - _A. W. MARCHMONT_ - - _Author of_ - _“By Right of Sword,” “A Dash - for a Throne,” etc._ - - _Illustrated by - D. MURRAY SMITH_ - - _Third Edition._ - - [Illustration] - - _NEW YORK_ - _Frederick A. Stokes Company - Publishers_ - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY - ARTHUR W. MARCHMONT. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. A NIGHT ADVENTURE IN SOFIA 1 - - II. “NOW YOU WILL HAVE TO JOIN US” 11 - - III. THE PRINCESS CHRISTINA 21 - - IV. “THE WEB IS WIDE, THE MESHES HARD TO BREAK” 32 - - V. “SPERNOW” 43 - - VI. THE DUEL AND AFTER 54 - - VII. AT THE BALL 67 - - VIII. AT THE PALACE 79 - - IX. “I HAVE UNBOUNDED FAITH IN YOU” 90 - - X. “IN THE NAME OF A WOMAN” 101 - - XI. BETRAYED 112 - - XII. THE SPY 123 - - XIII. FACE TO FACE 135 - - XIV. THE COUNTESS’S RUSE 148 - - XV. A HOPELESS OUTLOOK 161 - - XVI. “IF I WERE A WOMAN” 171 - - XVII. A DASTARDLY SCHEME 183 - - XVIII. THE FIGHT 194 - - XIX. MY ARREST 202 - - XX. A WARNING 214 - - XXI. FIGHT OR FLIGHT 226 - - XXII. THE HOUR OF INDECISION 236 - - XXIII. IN FULL CRY 247 - - XXIV. THE ATTACK 257 - - XXV. SUSPENSE 267 - - XXVI. A FORLORN HOPE 280 - - XXVII. A FRIEND IN NEED 291 - - XXVIII. A FEARSOME DILEMMA 303 - - XXIX. GENERAL KOLFORT TO THE RESCUE 313 - - XXX. THE PUSH FOR THE FRONTIER 323 - - XXXI. THE RUINED HUT 335 - - XXXII. “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN” 352 - - XXXIII. THE END 358 - - - - -IN THE NAME OF A WOMAN - - - - -CHAPTER I - -A NIGHT ADVENTURE IN SOFIA - - -“Help!” - -The cry, faint but strenuous, in a woman’s voice, rang out on the heavy -hot night air, and told me that one of those abominable deeds that -were so rife in the lawless Bulgarian capital was in progress, and I -hastened forward in angry perplexity trying to locate the sound. - -I knew what it meant. I had been strolling late through the hot, close -streets between the Park and the Cathedral, when a woman closely hooded -had hurried past me, dogged by a couple of skulking, scuttling spies, -and I had turned to follow them. Across the broad Cathedral Square I -had lost sight of them, and, taking at random one of the streets on the -opposite side of the square, I was walking and listening for some sound -to guide me in their direction. - -“Help!” came the cry again, this time close to me from behind a pair -of large wooden gates, one of which stood ajar. I pushed it open and -crossed the courtyard before a large house, loosening as I ran the -blade of the sword-stick I carried. The house was in darkness in the -front, and as I dashed round to the back the cry was uttered for the -third time, while I caught the sounds of struggling. - -There was a light in one of the lower rooms, the long casement window -of which stood partly open, and the beams came straggling in a thin -line between some nearly closed curtains. With a spring I caught the -ledge, and, drawing up my head level with the window, looked in. - -What I saw told me that my worst fears were being realised. The woman -who had passed me in the street was struggling with frantic effort -to hold the door of the room against someone who was fighting to -get in. Her cloak was off, and her head and face uncovered. She was -a tall, lithe, strenuous creature, obviously of great strength and -determination, and the whiteness of the face, now set and resolute, was -thrown up into the strongest contrast by a mass of bright red hair, -some of which the fierceness of the struggle had loosened. She was -striving and straining with enormous energy, despite the fact that she -was bleeding badly from a wound somewhere in the shoulder or upper arm. - -As I glanced in, she turned her head in my direction with the look -of a tigress at bay; and I guessed that she was calculating the -possibilities of escape by means of the window. But the momentary -relaxation of her resistance gave the men a better chance, and, to my -horror, I saw one of them get his arm in and slash and thrust at her -with his knife. - -She answered with a greater effort of her own, however, and succeeded -in jamming the man’s arm between the door and the lintel, making him -cry out with an oath that reached me. - -But so unequal a struggle could only end in one way, and that very -speedily unless I intervened; so I scrambled on to the window ledge, -and with a cry leapt into the room. At the noise of my appearance, -mistaking me no doubt for a third ruffian come to attack her, the -woman’s courage gave out; she uttered a cry of despair and rushed away -to a corner of the room. She released the door so suddenly that the two -men came staggering and blundering into the room, almost falling, and I -recognised them as the two rascals I had seen following her. - -“Have no fear, madame; I am here to help you,” I said, and, before the -two ruffians had recovered from the surprise of my appearance, I was -upon them. One could not stop his rush till he was close to me, and, -having him at this disadvantage, I crashed my fist into his face with -a tremendous blow, knocking him down with such force that his head -fell with a heavy thud against the floor, and his dagger flew out of -his hand and spun clattering across the room almost to the feet of the -woman. - -The second was more wary, but in a trice I whipped out my sword, held -him at bay, and vowed in stern, ringing tones that I would run him -through the body if he wasn’t outside the room in a brace of seconds. -I saw him flinch. He had no stomach for this kind of fight, and he was -giving way before me when a cry from the man I had knocked down drew -our attention. - -The woman, seeing her chance, had picked up the rascal’s dagger, and -with the light of murder in her eyes, was stealing upon the fallen man. - -Instantly I sprang between her and him. - -“No, no, madame; no bloodshed!” I cried to her; and then to the men, -“Be off, while your skins are whole!” The words were not out of my lips -before the unarmed man had already reached the door in full flight, -and his companion, seeing I meant to act only on the defensive, and -recognising the uselessness of any further attack, followed him, though -less precipitately. - -“Why did you stop me killing such a brute?” cried the woman angrily, -her eyes blazing. “They both meant to murder me, and would have done it -if you had not come. They had earned death.” - -“But I did not come to play the butcher,” I answered somewhat sternly, -repelled by her indifference to bloodshed. - -“Follow them and kill them now!” she cried vindictively. “Do you hear? -Kill them before they carry the story of this rescue to their masters;” -and in her frenzy she took hold of my arm and shook it, urging me -toward the door. - -“Better see to your wound,” I returned, as I sheathed my sword. - -“Bah, you are mad! I have no patience with you!” She shrugged her -shoulders as though I were little better than a contemptible coward, -and walked to the end of the room and stood in the lamplight half -turned away from me. - -The pose revealed to me the full majestic grace of her form, while -the profile of her face, as thrown into half shadow by the rather dim -light of the room, set me wondering. It was not a beautiful face. The -features, nose and mouth especially, were too large, the cheek bones -too high, the colour too pale; but it was a face full of such power and -strength and resource that it compelled your admiration and silenced -your critical judgment. A woman to be remarked anywhere. - -But when she turned her eyes upon me a moment later, they seemed -to rivet me with an indescribable and irresistible fascination. In -striking contrast to the rich red hair and the pale skin, the eyes were -as black as night. The iris almost as dark as the pupil, the white -opalescent in its clearness, and fringed with lashes and brows of deep -brown. She caught my gaze on her, and held it with a look so intense -that I could scarcely turn away. - -Her bosom was heaving, and her breath coming and going quickly with her -exertions and excitement, and after a moment, without saying a word, -she threw herself into a low chair and hid her face in her hands. - -Who could she be? That she was a woman of station was manifest. The -richness of her dress, the appointments of the room, told this plainly, -even if her mien and carriage had not proclaimed it; and yet she seemed -alone in the house. It was a position of considerable embarrassment, -and for the moment I did not know what to do. - -I had no wish to be mixed up in any such intrigue as was clearly at the -bottom of this business; and though I was glad to have saved her life, -I was anxious to be gone before any further developments should involve -me in unpleasant consequences. - -There was no more dangerous hornet’s nest of intrigue and conspiracy -than Sofia to be found in Europe at that time, and the secret mission -which had brought me to the city about a fortnight before was more than -enough to tax all my energies and power, without any such additional -complication as this adventure seemed to promise. My object was to -get to the bottom of the secret machinations by which Russia was -endeavouring to close her grip of iron on the throne and country of -Bulgaria, and, if possible, thwart them; and I had been trying and -testing by every secret means at my command to find a path that would -lead me to my end. It must be a delicate and dangerous task enough -under the best auspices, but if I were to be embarrassed now by the -coils of any private vengeance feud, I ran a good chance of being -baffled completely. - -Even before this night the difficulties in my way had appeared as -hopeless as the perils were inevitable; and I had felt as a man might -feel who had resolved to stay the progress of a railway train by laying -his head on the metals. But if this affair were as deadly as it seemed, -I might find my head struck off before even the train came in sight. - -Yet to leave such a woman in this helpless plight was the act of a -coward, and not to be thought of for a moment; and I stood looking at -her in sheer perplexity and indecision. - -She lay back in her seat for some minutes, making no attempt to call -assistance, not even taking her hands from her face, and paying no heed -whatever to her wound, the blood from which had stained her dress. - -I roused myself at length, and, feeling the sheer necessity of doing -something, went to the door and called loudly for the servants. - -“It is useless to call; there is no one in the house,” she said, her -voice now trembling slightly; and with a deep sigh she rose from her -chair, and after a moment’s pause crossed the room to me. She fixed her -eyes upon my face; her look had changed from that of the vengeful Fury -who had repelled me with her violent recklessness of passion to one of -ineffable sweetness, tenderness, and gratitude. Out of her eyes had -died down all the wildness, and what remained charmed and thrilled me, -until I felt myself almost constrained to throw myself at her feet in -eagerness to do whatever she bade me. - -“You will think me an ingrate, or a miser of my thanks, sir,” she said -in a tone rich and soft; “and yet, believe me, my heart is full of -gratitude.” - -“Please say no more,” I replied, with a wave of the hand; “but tell -me, can I be of any further service? Your wound--can I not get you -assistance?” - -She paid no heed to the question, but remained gazing steadfastly into -my eyes. Then her face broke into a smile that transfigured it until it -seemed to glow with a quite radiant beauty. - -“Yes, indeed, you can serve me--if you will; but not only in the -manner you think. The servants have deserted the house. I am alone -to-night--alone and quite in your power.” She lingered on the words, -paused, and then added: “But in the power of a man of honour.” - -“How can I serve you? You have but to ask.” - -“I wish I could think that,” was the quick answer, with a flash from -her eyes. “But first for this,” and she rapidly bared the wound, -revealing an arm and shoulder of surpassing beauty of form. “Can you -bind this up?” For the moment I was amazed at this complete abandonment -of all usual womanly reserve. The action was deliberate, however, and I -read it as at once a sign of her trust and confidence in me, and a test -of my honour. The hurt was not serious. The man’s blade had pierced the -soft white flesh of the shoulder, but had not penetrated deep; and I -had no difficulty in staunching the blood and binding it up. - -“It is not a serious wound,” I said reassuringly. “I am glad.” - -“That is no fault of the dastard who struck at me. It was aimed at my -heart.” - -She showed not the least embarrassment, but appeared bent on making me -feel that she trusted me as implicitly as a child. When I had bound up -the wound she resumed her dress, taking care to put the stains of blood -out of sight; and then, with a few swift, graceful movements, for all -the stiffness of the hurt, she coiled up the loose tresses of her hair. - -When she had finished she went to a cabinet, and, taking wine and -glasses, filled them. - -“You will pledge me?” and she looked the invitation. “We women are so -weak. I am beginning to feel the reaction.” - -I was putting the glass to my lips when she stopped me. - -“Stay, I wish to know to whom I owe my life?” - -So powerful was the strange influence she exerted that I was on the -point of blurting out the truth, that I was Gerald Winthrop, an -Englishman, when I steadied my scrambled wits, and, mindful of my -secret mission in the country and of the part I was playing, I replied: - -“I am the Count Benderoff, of Radova.” - -She saw the hesitation, but put it down to a momentary reluctance to -disclose my identity, for she answered: - -“You will not repent having trusted me with your name, Count.” Then, -with a flashing, subtle underglance, she added, “And do you know me?” - -“As yet, madame, I have not that honour, to my regret.” - -“Yet I am not unknown in Bulgaria,” and she raised her head with a -gesture of infinite pride. - -“I am a stranger in Sofia,” said I, in excuse of my ignorance. - -“Even strangers know of the staunch woman-friend of his Highness the -Prince. I am the Countess Anna Bokara.” - -I knew her well enough by repute, and her presence in the house alone -and defenceless was the more mystifying. - -“Permit me to wish you a speedy recovery from your wound, Countess,” -and to cover the thoughts which her words started I raised my glass. -She seemed almost to caress me with her eyes and voice as she replied: - -“I drink to my newest friend, that rare thing in this distracted -country, a man of honour, the Count Benderoff, of Radova.” As she set -her glass down she added: “My enemies have done me a splendid service, -Count--they have brought me your friendship. They could not have made -us a nobler or more timely gift. The Prince has need of such a man as -you.” - -I bowed but did not answer. - -“You are a stranger here, you say. May I ask your purpose in coming?” - -“I am in search of a career.” - -“I can promise you that,” she cried swiftly, with manifest pleasure. -“I can promise you that certainly, if you will serve his Highness as -bravely as you have served me to-night. You must not think, because -you see me here, seemingly alone and helpless, that I have lost my -influence and power in the country. My enemies have done this--Russia -through the vile agents she sends here to wound this distracted country -to the death--suborning all that is honourable, debasing all that is -pure, undermining all that is patriotic, lying, slandering, scheming, -wrecking, destroying, working all and any evil, bloodshed, and horror, -to serve the one end ever in their eyes--the subjugation of this -wretched people. My God! that such injustice should be wrought!” - -The fire and passion flamed in her face as she spoke with rapid -vehemence. - -“But it is by such men as you that this can best be thwarted--can only -be thwarted. I tell you, Count, the Prince has need of such men as you. -Pledge me now that you will join him and--and me. You have seen here -to-night the lengths to which these villains would go. Because of my -influence with the Prince, and in opposition to Russia, I have been -lured here by a lying message; lured to be murdered in cold blood, as -you saw. You saved my life; I have put my honour in your hands; you -have offered to serve me. You are a brave, true, honourable man. You -must be with us!” she cried vehemently. “Give me your word--nay, you -have given it, and I can claim it. You will not desert me. Make the -cause of truth and honour yours, and tell me that my Prince and I may -rely on you.” - -She set me on fire with her words and glances of appeal, and at the -close she laid her hands on mine, until I was thrilled by the infection -of her enthusiasm, while her eyes sought mine, and she seemed to hunger -for the words of consent for which she waited. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -“NOW YOU WILL HAVE TO JOIN US” - - -Tempting as the offer was which my strange companion made me, I could -not bring myself to accept it without time for consideration, and my -hesitation in replying irritated and seemed to anger her. - -She thrust my hands away from her with petulant quickness. - -“You are a man of strangely deliberate discretion, Count,” she said as -she turned away to the end of the room and threw herself into her chair -again, from which she regarded me with a glance half scornful, half -entreating. - -“If I do not accept at once, believe me it is from no lack of -appreciation of the honour you offer me or the charm with which it is -offered, but circumstances compel me to be deliberate.” - -“Circumstances?” she cried, with a shrug of disdain and disappointment. - -“I regret that I cannot explain them.” - -I could not, without telling her the whole reason of my presence in -Sofia; and that was of course impossible. My secret commission was from -the British Government, and the intrigue which I had to try and defeat -was designed to depose her Prince, and set on the throne in his place a -woman who would be a mere tool in the hands of Russia. - -I am half a Roumanian by birth, my father having married the Countess -of Radova, and my childhood had been spent in the Balkan peninsula. -It was on one of my visits to the estates in Radova that I had come -across the scent of this newest Russian intrigue, and as I had already -had close communications with the British Foreign Office and accepted -one or two missions of a secret character, I had volunteered for this, -believing that single-handed I could effect secretly much more than -could be done by the ordinary machinery of diplomacy. The Balkan States -were in a condition of ferment and unrest; the war between Bulgaria -and Servia had ended not long previously; Russia was keenly bent -upon rendering her influence impregnable; and as no other European -Government would interfere, our Foreign Office was loath to take open -measures. - -At such a juncture my services were readily accepted, and I had arrived -in Sofia a couple of weeks before, and was just forming my plans, when -this startling incident had occurred. - -I had stipulated for a perfectly free hand as to the course I should -pursue, and the means I should adopt to secure my end--a concession -that had been granted me with the one stipulation that if I failed -or if trouble arose through my agency our Foreign Office would be at -liberty to disown me. - -It will thus be seen how strongly I was tempted to accept the offer -which the Countess Bokara made me, and which I knew she was in a -position to carry out. But still I hesitated, unwilling to commit -myself definitely to either side prematurely, lest such open alliance -with the one side should make me a mark for the hostility of the other. - -My instincts, sympathies, English associations and wishes all prompted -me to accept the offer and throw myself heart and soul into the cause -of the Prince; but I had to walk by the cooler guidance of judgment, -and it had before been in my thoughts rather to seek an alliance with -the Russian party and find among their ranks the men and means for a -counter intrigue to thwart theirs. - -I resolved, therefore, not to pledge myself to this witching woman, -whose strange personality wielded such fascinating influence. - -Few as were the moments that sufficed for these reflections, they were -too many for my companion’s patience. - -“How came you here to-night so opportunely?” she asked, breaking the -silence suddenly. - -“You passed me on the other side of the Cathedral Square, and I then -observed you were being followed. I followed in my turn, lest you -should be in need of assistance.” - -“There are not many men in Sofia who would have dared to interfere in -such a cause. But for you I should be dead now,” she shuddered, “and -the Prince would have had one friend the less--or may I not say, two -friends?” - -“The Prince will always have a friend in me,” I returned guardedly. - -She made a movement of impatience. - -“I want no general phrases.” Then after a pause and in a different -tone, she added: “Tell me, what arguments are the strongest that I can -use with you, my friend? You said just now you were seeking a career. -Have you ambitions? If so, I can promise you a splendid fulfilment of -them. Do you wish riches? They shall be yours! Have you a heart? I -will find you as fair a bride as man’s eyes can rest upon. Have you -judgment? Aye, have you anything--except a commitment to the other -side--and I can prevail with you. Join us, and before three months are -over your head you shall be the Prince’s right hand--and mine.” The -subtle witchery of her tone in the last two words was indescribable. - -But I would not let her prevail, though her words and manner were -well-nigh dazzling enough to carry me out of myself. The magnetism of -her mere presence was overpowering. - -“You are not fair to me, Countess. A man cannot reason coldly in -the presence of such charms as you exert,” I answered, stooping to -flattery, though telling the truth. - -She shook her head and tapped her foot on the ground. - -“Say no, bluntly, if you will, but do not try to slip away with -words of cheap and empty flattery. I am not appealing to you to join -for my sake, gladly as I would welcome you, but for the sake of the -Prince, for the cause of truth, for the honour and safety of Bulgaria. -Stay----” as I was about to answer, “I have seen you act and I have -read your character. I do not make mistakes. I know you are to be -trusted. You have saved my life, at a greater risk than you may think, -for you will be a marked man now; and I will do more than put my -life in your hands--I will tell you everything. You will not reveal -it--though, Heaven knows, betrayal is the religion of most men here,” -she exclaimed bitterly. - -“I would rather you told me none of your secrets,” I said, but she -swept my protest aside with a wave of the hand. - -“You wonder why you find me here in this house alone at night. You must -wonder; I will tell you. It is my mother’s house--my own is across the -city near the Palace--and to-night her own maid came to me with an -urgent message that my mother had been stricken down suddenly and was -dying, and that I must come at once. It was a lie, of course, though -for the moment it blinded me. I hurried here on foot, too anxious even -to wait for a carriage to be got ready, and when I arrived the place -was empty. While I was wondering whether I had been betrayed, the men -you saw--to whom keys of the place had been given--entered, and would -assuredly have murdered me but for your arrival. That is how Russia -plays her cards in Bulgaria.” - -“How do you know they were Russian agents?” - -“How do I know that when I am hungry I want to eat? Wearied, I need -sleep? Bah! do you think I have no instincts, and do not know my -enemies? How do I know their plans and plots?” She fired the questions -at me with vindictive indignation and a smile of surprise that I should -even ask such a thing. Then her expression changed to one of deep -earnestness, her tone hard and bitter. - -“I will tell you how you shall know it, too. They have tried every -other means but this to separate me from my Prince. Threats at which I -laughed; bribes to be anything I pleased, which I scorned; hints of his -assassination, which I carried to him; everything--till only this was -left; and now this,” and she touched her wound lightly. “And even this, -thanks to your valour, Count, has now failed. And their object, you -will ask? They have a plot to drive my Prince from Bulgaria, because he -will not be their tool. You know he will not; all Europe knows it, and -knows too that the only chance for Bulgaria’s real independence is that -he shall remain on the throne here. And remain he shall, I swear, by -the great God they all profess to worship, in spite of all their crafty -intrigue and bloodthirsty plotting. And yet, mark you, the worst danger -lies not with them, but with the fools and traitors in Bulgaria itself -whom they delude or suborn. There is not a self-interest to which they -do not appeal, from the ambition of the fool to the corruptness of the -knave. And God knows, both knaves and fools are plentiful enough here.” - -“And their scheme?” I asked, moved by her intense earnestness. - -She looked at me sharply. - -“Then you do wish to hear it?” she asked, referring to my former -protest. “You shall. There is a woman--a seemingly innocent, -soft-natured thing, all sweetness and grace, but a devil; with the -beauty of an angel and the heart of a vampire--a devil.” - -Her fury was instant, overwhelming, absorbing. - -“Did they propose marrying her to your Prince?” I asked, making a shot. - -She darted at me a swift glance that might have been winged with hate -at the mere suggestion. Then her eyes changed, and she laughed and said -softly: - -“You are the man for us. Calm as a sword and as sharp as the point. -Yes, they dared even that--but I was in the way. In another woman’s -hands they thought he might have been won round. But rather than see -him the husband of that fiend, Christina, I myself would have plunged -a dagger into his heart--and they guessed this, I suppose, and changed -the plan. She is the Princess of Orli, as probably you know--for I -don’t suppose you are quite as unknowing as you seem--and apparently -is all for Bulgaria and the Bulgarians. Like you, she is a Roumanian, -and like you, if I read you right, she is driven from her country by -the all-powerful Russian predominance--at least, that’s what she says. -Isn’t that why you left?” she asked, with quick shrewdness. - -“The Russian predominance there is undoubted,” I answered. - -She liked the answer and laughed. - -“Good! you are cautious, and I don’t blame you. For the lips that -breathe out rashness breathe in danger, my friend. But now, will you -join us? You can see the career that awaits such a man as yourself -here--at the right hand of the Prince.” - -“But if the Princess Christina is opposed to Russia, how does she -threaten Bulgaria?” - -“Aye, if?” and she laughed scornfully. “There is another complication. -The woman has sold herself to the Russians. She is betrothed secretly -to one of the worst of them all, a man of infinite vileness and -treachery--the Duke Sergius. And the plot is that as soon as this -Christina is on the throne, the precious pair are to be married, and -Russia triumphs in despite of anything Europe may say to the contrary.” - -“I see,” and so in truth I did; for in a moment the kernel of the -whole movement was laid bare to me, as well as the objective of all my -work in Bulgaria. I remained some moments buried in thought, and all -the time my companion’s eyes were searching my face for a clue to my -thoughts. “It is very Russian,” I said at length, equivocally; and at -the words she made a quick gesture of impatience. - -“You will not give me a sign,” she cried, and jumped to her feet -impulsively. “But you will join us?” she asked. She came close to me -as she waited for the answer, and when I did not answer, she added -quickly, “Why do you hesitate?” - -Before I could reply, we both heard a noise somewhere in the house. - -“What can that be?” I asked. “You said there was no one in the house.” - -“None, that I know;” and we both stood listening intently. “Those -rascals may have left the place open and let in some of the thieves -that infest the streets.” - -“Those are no thieves’ footsteps,” I answered, as quick steps were -heard approaching the room. - -“It may be another attempt on me--but I have a brave defender now,” she -said, under her breath. - -I had a revolver with me and took it out of my pocket, glancing to see -that the chambers were all loaded. - -“You had better stand back at the end of the room there,” and I went -towards the door. - -At that moment it was opened quickly, and three men in uniform entered. - -“Stand!” I called. “What do you want here?” - -“I am an agent of the Government and hold an order for the arrest of -the Countess Bokara,” answered the leader, coming to a sudden halt when -he saw me in the way armed. - -“Well, you cannot execute it now.” - -“My orders are imperative, sir, and you will resist me at your peril.” - -“I shall resist,” said I shortly. “Where’s your order?” - -“I have it, that is enough,” he replied with equal curtness. - -“Produce it!” - -“That is not in my instructions.” - -“Then I don’t believe you have it. Leave the house before there is any -further trouble.” - -“I must do my duty. Georgiew,” he called to one of the two men, who had -kept close to the door in fear, but now stepped up to his leader’s side. - -“Who has signed your order?” asked the Countess, interposing. - -“One whose authority is sufficient for me.” - -“But not for me,” she cried. I turned, and found to my surprise that -she had come to my side, and was staring with fixed intensity into the -man’s face. “Not for me,” she repeated. - -“You must be prepared to accompany me, madame, nevertheless, and I -trust you will come at once, and without causing trouble. We are three -to one, sir, and fully armed; resistance will be useless,” he added to -me. - -“If you were thirty to one I would not give way unless you produced -your authority,” I answered, my blood beginning to heat under his -manner and tone. - -“I ask you for the last time, madame, to come with me,” and, with a -sign to the others, he made ready to attack me. - -“Aye, for the last time,” said my companion, between her teeth, and -before I could guess her intention, she gave a startling proof of her -desperate resource and deadly recklessness. - -With a suddenness that took me entirely by surprise, she snatched -the revolver from me, and levelling it with quick aim, she fired two -shots in rapid succession with deadly effect, for the two men standing -near us fell dead at our feet, shot through the head. The third, who -had kept near the door, with a coward’s prudence, took to his heels -incontinently, and left us alone with the dead. - -“Good God! what have you done?” I cried, aghast at her deed. “These men -were soldiers.” - -She laughed into my scared face. - -“You don’t suppose death counts for much in this country. This is only -spy carrion,” and with the utmost _sang-froid_ she stooped and rifled -the pockets of the dead leader, turning the body over for the purpose, -and took from his pocket a paper which she held up for me to read. “I -was sure of it.” - - “What the bearer does is by my order and authority. - - (Signed), M. KOLFORT, _General_.” - -“General Kolfort is the implacable leader of the Russian party, and -that document was my death warrant,” she said. - -In a moment I saw my danger, and she read my thought instantly. - -“Yes, you are committed, my friend; now you will have to join us,” and -she smiled triumphantly in my face. “I am glad.” - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE PRINCESS CHRISTINA - - -The amazing turn which events had taken through the terrible act of my -companion filled me with consternation at the possible effects to us -both; and after I had satisfied myself that the two men were dead and -so beyond help, I paced the room in anxious, perturbed thought. - -She was not in the least perturbed, and filled the minutes by going -carefully through the leader’s papers in search of anything that would -tend to the confusion of her enemies. A low exclamation of pleasure -told me that, when she found what she sought. - -She showed no jot or tittle of remorse at this shedding of blood. To -her the two men were no more than a couple of wild beasts who had -attacked her, and had been killed in her self-defence. She was as hard -and callous as any public executioner could have been. - -“See here!” she cried at length. “Here are proofs enough of the -villany,” and she put papers into my hand which showed plainly -enough that the whole matter had been planned by those high in the -Russian party. One was no less than a clear but brief statement of -instructions. If the first attempt at secret assassination failed, this -endeavour by means of a pretended arrest by men in uniform dressed to -look like officers was to be made, and the Countess was to be hurried -to Tirnova to be dealt with there, should she reach the fortress alive. - -“You will need these when the attempt is made to implicate you. Yours -is a deadly sin--to have come between Kolfort and his vengeance--and -you will need all your wits to get out of it with your life, even with -these papers, unless you throw yourself under the protection of the -Prince and his party. As I said, you will have to join us now, Count.” - -“I shall still take time to consider,” I answered rather shortly. -“You have given me plenty of food for thought. But now, what of your -immediate safety? You cannot stay here.” - -“Nor you, either. You let the third man escape, and by this time he is -carrying his news of failure with feet winged with fear. I have done -with this carrion,” and she cast a look of repugnance at the dead men, -and turning away, resumed her cloak with great haste. “You will not -decide now?” she asked, as she was ready to go. - -“No, I must have time. But where will you go now?” - -“I shall communicate with you. You will be a marked man from this -hour, and easy to find,” she said significantly; “and if you are in -danger sooner than you expect, do not hesitate to let me know. Our next -meeting will be in the Prince’s palace, and the sooner the better.” - -“Where will you go now?” I repeated. - -“Do not fear for me. You will need all your efforts to save your own -skin. Come!” She left the light burning, and led the way out of the -house by a back entrance that opened on to a narrow alley, along which -we hurried. - -“I will see you safe to your home,” I said, when she stopped at the -mouth of it and held out her hand. She smiled. - -“No, no, I am in no danger; but for you, take this path as far as it -goes, turn sharp to the right until you come to an avenue of trees, and -at the bottom of that you will know where you are. Good-night, Count! -and once more I thank you with all my heart for your service. But we -shall both live to see my thanks in an alliance that will do great -things for the Prince and for Bulgaria.” - -She gave me her hand, and though I pressed her to let me see her safely -across the city, she would not, but put me on my honour not to follow -her, and turning, sped away, keeping in the shadow, and going at such a -speed that she was soon out of my sight. - -Then I followed the way she had told me, and found myself close to the -street in which my hotel was situated. I walked slowly from that point, -my brain in a whirl of excitement at all that had happened in the -crowded hours of that night. - -When I reached my hotel it was only to pace my room in restless, -anxious, brain-racking thought of the net of complications in which I -found myself involved, and the hundred dangers which appeared to have -sprung up suddenly to menace me. It was in vain that I threw myself -on my bed. I could not sleep. If I dozed, it was only to start up at -the bidding of some dream danger, threatening me with I know not what -consequences. It was long past the dawn before I slept, and when the -servant called me, I sprang up, thinking it was my instant arrest that -was intended. - -But my wits were cooler and more collected for the rest, and when hour -after hour of the anxious day passed and nothing happened, I began to -think I had exaggerated the risks of my position. - -In the cool of the evening I rode out, and on my return ventured to -find out and pass through the street of the previous night’s adventure. -Nothing unusual was astir. No one paid the least heed to me. I might -have been an ordinary tourist without the least interest in anything -but the scenery. So it was at my hotel. Nothing happened that evening -nor on any of the three remaining days of the week, and I occupied -myself with the business of preparing the large house which I had taken -for my residence. - -Yet, even the lack of any consequences to me had a grim significance. -It seemed a fearsome thing, indeed, that murder could be attempted -openly, and two of the would-be assassins shot dead in the effort, and -yet the life of the city flow on without the least interruption, and, -as it appeared, with never a person to ask a question about them or -show the faintest interest in the event. Truly, as my strange companion -in the adventure had said, death counted for little in the grim game of -intrigue that was being played in the country. - -I had provided myself with a few letters of introduction, and, -knowing the average poverty of the people and the high esteem set on -riches, I had dropped a number of judicious hints that I was a man of -considerable wealth. I had taken the largest house I could find in the -city, and by these means had opened a way into a certain section of -society. It had been my original intention to use such opportunities -as would thus be afforded to carry out my original intention. But the -adventure with the Countess Bokara would render this less necessary -should I resolve to accept the offer of close service with the Prince -which she had made me; and the few guarded inquiries I was able to -make as to her influence confirmed completely my previous belief in her -power to fulfil all she had promised. - -Several days passed, and I was in this condition of comparative -uncertainty when, toward the close of the week following my adventure, -an incident occurred which gave me startling proof that, for all the -apparent quietude, I myself was, as she had declared, a marked man. - -I was sitting alone in a _café_ one evening, my friends having left -me, when my attention was attracted to the movements of three men, two -being in uniform, at a table in a far corner of the place. They were -busily occupied over some papers, and a constant succession of men kept -coming to them, as it seemed to me, for some kind of instructions. As -business was constantly transacted in this way at the _cafés_, I had at -first no more than a feeling of idle curiosity; but when the thing had -continued for an hour or more, my interest deepened, and I watched them -closely, although, as I thought, unobserved by them. - -At length a message was given them which appeared to cause great -surprise, and they paid their score and hurried out of the place. - -I followed them, still impelled mainly by curiosity; and as they -were engrossed in conversation, talking and gesticulating, I had no -difficulty in keeping them in sight as they passed through several -streets, and at length entered a large house which filled one side of a -small quadrangle, close on the street. - -I stood awhile at the corner, scanning the house curiously, and made -a mental note to ascertain to whom it belonged, and was in the act of -turning away to retrace my steps to the hotel, when a man came out of -the house, glanced about him as though in some doubt, and then looked -closely at me. He walked to the corner of the street opposite, still -looking at me, and after a minute of doubt, crossed to me. - -“I am to give you this, sir,” he said, speaking with the manner of a -confidential servant. - -“To me? I think not. What name?” I asked. - -“I had no name given to me, but I was to say it was ‘In the Name of a -Woman!’” - -“‘In the Name of a Woman?’” I repeated. It could not be for me. I knew -no such pass-word, and I connected it instantly with what I had seen -at the _café_. I was about to send the man away, when it occurred to -me that it might be a message from the Countess Bokara, and that, from -a love of mystery, she had chosen this exceedingly ambiguous method of -communication. I took the letter which the man held out, therefore, and -read a message written in a woman’s handwriting:-- - - “Follow the Bearer, - In the Name of a Woman.” - -I was disposed to smile, but checked myself on seeing the servant’s -eyes fixed upon me. - -“I am to follow you,” I said gravely. - -Without a word he led the way back to the house, through the deep -gloomy archway, in which I noticed a number of servants and others -lounging and waiting, and up three or four steps into the house. -Turning to make sure that I was behind him, the man crossed a hall, in -which were more men, some in uniform, through a curtained archway at -the end, and up a broad stairway on to a wide landing-place until he -paused before a large dark oak door. He opened this quietly and stood -aside for me to enter. - -As I did so, some words came to my ears that were certainly not -intended for a stranger to hear. - -“Curse the business. I am sick of the place. The sooner this thing’s -over and Christina is on the throne and married to Sergius, the sooner -we shall be back in Moscow and out of this beastly hole.” - -The voice was loud and strident, and the language Russian; and the -speaker, a young red-haired man, in an officer’s uniform, laughed -noisily. I was in the room before the sentence ended, but I came to an -abrupt halt in my surprise, and perceiving at once the mistake that had -been made, I half turned to leave the room again. But the man who had -brought me had already closed the door. - -My surprise was not one whit greater than that of the three men in the -room, however, who were standing together by a table with their backs -to the door, and not having heard it open, did not know I was there -till the officer who had spoken turned round. - -“Hullo! who the devil’s this?” he exclaimed. “What do you want, sir?” -and I saw his hand go to his sword hilt. - -His companions turned quickly on hearing him, and stared at me with -evident amazement. - -“Be quiet, Marx,” said one of them in Russian, a much older man, -and apparently in command. Then in Bulgarian to me, “May I ask your -business, sir?” - -“On my word, I know no more than yourself,” I answered, keeping my eye -on the red-haired man whose threatening looks I did not at all like. “I -am here ‘In the Name of a Woman,’ I presume. A messenger accosted me a -few minutes since in the street close by and gave me a written message -to follow him. He brought me here--and that’s all I know.” - -“A cool devil, on my word,” exclaimed the red-headed man, and whispered -something to the third which I could not catch. - -“There has seemingly been some mistake,” said the elder man suavely. -“You have not been long in the room, sir?” - -“Certainly not, the door has but barely closed.” - -“You are too much of a gentleman, of course, to intrude yourself upon -us unannounced and listen to our private conversation.” There was an -ominous suggestion of threat in the words, and behind them I could -detect not a little anxiety and embarrassment. - -One of the other officers gave a little sneering laugh. - -“You wish to know whether I have overheard anything? I speak Russian, -and as I entered I could not help hearing what was being said.” - -A look of concern showed on all three faces as I spoke. - -“You will have the goodness to repeat what you overheard,” said the -elder man, his voice hardening and deepening. - -I repeated in Russian almost word for word what had been said, and the -man whose unguarded words I had overheard turned very white. - -An embarrassing silence followed. - -“And what meaning do you attach to the words, sir?” - -“I do not see that they concern me, or that I am called upon to give -any explanation,” I answered coolly. - -“By God! you shall answer,” broke in impetuously and passionately the -red-haired man, as he made a couple of strides toward me. - -His superior frowned upon him and muttered a word of caution. - -I began to feel glad that I had brought my sword-stick with me. - -“One moment; excuse me,” said the elder man, whose great uneasiness was -now very manifest, and the three held a hurried consultation, in which -I could see the red-haired man urging some plan from which the elder -strongly dissented. Then the latter turned again to me. - -“I must press you to answer my question, sir,” he said. - -“The words could have only one possible meaning,” I replied, seeing no -use in equivocation. “The hope was expressed that Christina, presumably -the Princess of Orli, would soon be on the throne and married to the -Duke Sergius, in order that the speaker might be free to return to -Moscow.” I spoke very deliberately. - -“I told you so. The fellow may be a spy and can’t go free after that,” -exclaimed the fiery officer. “Have up the men at once and let him be -secured until we find out all about him,” and he went to the bell-pull -to summon the servants or more probably soldiers. - -My next act surprised him and stayed his hand, however. I had observed -a couple of heavy bolts on the door, and thinking that I had better -have three men to deal with than thirty, I shot them into their -sockets, and setting my back to the door, said shortly: - -“There should be nothing in this which we cannot settle amongst -ourselves, gentlemen, and with your permission I prefer to have no one -else here until it is settled.” - -This was too much for the two younger men. They drew their swords at -once and came toward me. - -“You will stand aside from that door at once, or take the -consequences,” said the red-haired man. - -My answer was to whip my sword from the stick and put myself on the -defensive. The door stood in an angle of the room, excellently placed -for my purpose, as my two opponents would be much hampered in attacking -me together, and I was not afraid of what either could do single-handed. - -Their anger at my resistance made them deaf to the protests and -expostulations of their superior. The red man was the first to cross -swords, and he was so indifferent a swordsman that I could have -disabled him had not the second perceived his inferiority and made at -me in his turn. - -A very pretty fight followed, but infinitely perilous to me. Even if -I were successful I could not see how possibly to escape from the -house, which as I knew was swarming with men. But I went to work with a -will, and soon had cause to thank the advantage I gained owing to the -position of the door. - -The object of the less furious of the two was rather to disarm than -to wound, and I noticed that he neglected more than one opportunity -of wounding me. The other was a hot-headed fool, however, and was -obviously dead bent on killing me; but a couple of minutes later I had -an excellent chance of settling matters with him. He was fighting in -a furious, haphazard, reckless fashion, when the second man stumbled -from some cause and was out of the fray for several passes. I made the -most of the respite, and pressing the fight to the utmost, I ran my -assailant through the sword-arm, inflicting a wound which caused him to -drop his sword. I kicked it behind me, and was thus free to devote my -whole attention to my other assailant. - -I was cleverer with the weapon than he, as I perceived to my intense -satisfaction, and was considering where I would wound him and end the -fight, when my luck turned. I trod by mischance on the hilt of the -sword at my feet, stumbled, and, unable to save myself, fell staggering -at full length on the floor. - -It was all over, and I gave myself up for lost, when a most unexpected -and infinitely welcome interruption came. - -A door at the other end of the room, which was hidden by the curtains -and tapestries that covered the walls, opened, and I heard a woman’s -soft clear voice, in which vibrated a note of indignation and anger, -exclaim: - -“Gentlemen, what is this brawling?” - -The others turned at the sound of the voice, and I scrambled to my feet -in an instant, gripped my weapon again, and was once more ready against -attack; though I stared with all my eyes at the lovely face of the -queenly woman who had entered. - -“Put up your swords, gentlemen, instantly!” she said; and in obedience -the man who still had his weapon sheathed it and fell back abashed -behind his superior officer. - -Intuitively I recognised the Princess Christina. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -“THE WEB IS WIDE, THE MESHES HARD TO BREAK” - - -“As beautiful as an angel, and with the heart of a vampire.” - -This bitter description rushed to my thoughts as I gazed at the -Princess Christina. Surely never had treachery, cruelty, and ambition a -fairer guise than hers, if treacherous and cruel she could be. - -But the thought started another suspicion. Had this scene all been -planned by her to catch me in the toils? It was a dramatic enough -entrance for me into her circle, and certainly clever. It had been made -to appear as if I had forced my way into the house, had overheard a -compromising secret, had had my very life placed in danger, and then at -the critical moment it was to her coming I owed my safety. If this were -so, I could understand why the less hot-headed of my two assailants had -first rushed to the assistance of his comrade, but had then refrained -from pressing the advantage of the odds against me in the fight, and -had not attempted even to wound me. - -Could that lovely, ingenuous-looking woman have laid such a scheme, and -then have carried it out with such shrewd stage-management, putting -that little ring of anger into her voice at all the clatter of the -fight? - -If so the danger that had seemed to threaten me had never existed, and -I might as well do as she bade, and put up the sword which had never -been needed in earnest. With a smile at the notion I sheathed it, and -waited for the next development of the comedy. - -Yet the anger in her eyes seemed sincere enough, and if she was only -acting she understood her business well; for the indignation on her -face and the liquid notes of her perfect voice moved me to regret even -my share in the fracas, though it had been none of my seeking. - -“Major Zankoff, have you such poor command of your subordinates that -they must seek to shed blood almost in my very presence?” At the rebuke -the eldest of the three men winced and bit his lip, but made no reply -except a bow. “You know my will, sir!” she continued, with the mien -of an empress; “and any repetition of this forgetfulness will find me -deeply angered even against you.” - -“Madame, I am already punished,” replied the major, with the bow of a -courtier and the shrewdness of a diplomat. - -“As for you, gentlemen,” she said, turning to the other two, “I shall -use my influence to see that you are relieved from duties which you -must surely find irksome, since you seek relaxation in this cut and -thrust work. Be good enough to leave me.” - -This was a somewhat embarrassing request, for I was by the door, and -still held my foot on the fallen sword. I was not disposed to have the -door open lest others should be brought in, and they were not willing -that I should have a chance of escape, carrying their secret with me. -The three exchanged looks, and then the major came to the rescue. - -“There is a matter that needs explanation to you, madame----” he began, -when she cut him short. - -“I will hear nothing, Major Zankoff, until these gentlemen have left -me.” - -Another embarrassing pause followed, in which she let her eyes glance -toward me and rest a moment on my face, with an effect I cannot -describe. In an instant it seemed as if all my doubts of her sincerity -dropped from me like a cloak. I felt absolutely assured, not only of -her purity and truth, but of my own complete safety in trusting her, -and with an impulse that was as irresistible as it was instantaneous, I -cut the knot of the difficulty. - -I picked up the fallen sword, left my place by the door, and handed it -back to the owner. - -He flashed a curse at me out of his eyes that I should have been the -cause and witness of his humiliation, and muttered in a tone too low to -reach other ears than mine, as he bent his head in sheathing the weapon: - -“I will find you out, sir.” - -“Count Benderoff, Hôtel de l’Europe,” I whispered, meeting his look -with one as stern as his own, and then stood aside for him and his -companion to pass out of the room. - -The Princess waited in silence until the door had closed behind them, -and then addressed me: - -“Why have you come to bring your quarrels here, sir?” - -“I think I can best explain----” began Major Zankoff. - -“I have asked this gentleman for his explanation, Major,” she broke in, -and I liked her calm assertion of authority. - -“I have brought no quarrel here, Madame,” and I explained very briefly -the facts up to the moment of her entrance. - -She bent her dark eyes on me during the recital, and gradually the -colour of her cheeks deepened, until at the close, with a flush of -indignation and anger, she cried: - -“You have been shamefully treated, sir--shamefully and outrageously. -Because by chance some hot-headed idler cannot keep his tongue -still, but must blab of matters he does not understand, shall murder -be attempted? Major Zankoff, what had this gentleman done that you -should sanction this atrocious act? We owe you an ample apology, sir; -and I, the Princess Christina of Orli”--drawing herself to her full -height--“tender it to you. I do not ask your name. I ask nothing, but -only tell you I am profoundly sorry and deeply grieved that this should -have occurred. Major Zankoff, it is my express wish that you will see -this gentleman safely out of the house, and conduct him to any part of -the city he desires. His safety will be your personal charge.” - -And with this she swept across the room and herself held open the door -for me to leave. - -Her beauty and grace, and, much more, the instinctive justice of her -act and implied trust in my honour, conquered me. I did not wish to -leave her, and lingered gazing at her in admiration. This was the -Countess Bokara’s vampire. If this was how she gained her victims, I, -at any rate, was ready to be one of them. As we stood thus, she holding -the door and I unwilling to go, our eyes met, and I was filled with one -consuming, burning impulse to serve her. - -Then came an interruption, which I for one welcomed profoundly. - -An old man, in the uniform of a high Russian officer, entered through -the door which she had used, and in a high-pitched voice said sharply: - -“This is a somewhat unusual scene. What does it mean?” - -I was watching the Princess closely, and saw an expression of some -disconcertment and alarm rush into her eyes, to be as quickly forced -down and followed by what I half dared to hope was a look of solicitude -on my account. The eyes seemed to beg me to leave while the way was -still open. - -But I would not have gone for a fortune. I was ten thousand times more -eager to stay. - -Major Zankoff gave an expressive shrug of the shoulders as he said -in reply to the question: “There has been a little misunderstanding, -General.” - -The small, alert, piercing eyes seemed to take in the situation at one -sweeping glance that dwelt lastly on my face. - -“Princess, can I have a word with you? Major Zankoff, close the door -and guard it. We want no one in--or out,” he let the last two words -drop from his lips as though they were an after-thought and not -intended to be spoken aloud. - -“I am telling this gentleman that he is at liberty to leave here, -General,” she answered, lifting her head with what I read as an -intentional assertion of authority, not made, however, without an -effort. - -“Very good of you, very good indeed,” he replied drily. “But as the -gentleman does not seem disposed to go, suppose we close the door. -There is a draught for one thing, and pretty situations should never be -strained. Besides, I wish to have a word with him myself.” - -My wits had been somewhat mazed by the unexpected character of the -meeting with the Princess and the whirl of strange and disturbing -thoughts which she had started, but these last words of the old -soldier recalled me to myself quickly enough. - -“With me?” I said in surprise. - -“Certainly, with you,” he answered sharply. - -The suggestion of solicitude for me still lingered on the Princess’s -face as she left the door and went to the old man. - -“I have passed my word for his safety, General,” and she looked -meaningly at him. - -“Do I look so fierce and terrible an object, madame, that the gentleman -will be afraid to trust himself alone with me, think you?” - -“I have passed my word for his safety,” she repeated, and turning to -me, she added, “You may depend upon that, sir,” and as she left the -room she gave me a look from her glorious eyes which seemed to say much -more than even her words. - -The old soldier smiled sardonically, and bowed low to her as she passed -him. - -“Umph! And now, sir, will you come with me; or are you, as madame was -disposed to think, afraid to trust yourself with me? Zankoff, I do not -wish to be disturbed,” he said abruptly to the Major. - -He led me to a room beyond and motioned me to a chair, near the table -at which he seated himself. - -“You know, I presume, where you are, who I am, and who that is we have -just left!” he began. - -“I do not know all, but I can make a shrewd guess. She is the Princess -Christina; you, I presume, General Kolfort, and this house, either -yours or hers.” - -“As you say, a very shrewd guess--even for one known to have such quick -wits as the Count Benderoff, of Radova.” He intended to surprise me, -as indeed he did, by the mention of my name; but I showed no sign of -this, although he looked for it. - -“Why did you force your way in here--unless, indeed, you had an object -which I shall only be too glad to welcome?” - -“I will make another guess,” I answered. “I came through your own -contriving, General;” and this time it was he, not I, who had to -conceal surprise--for my guess was right. - -He looked at me and nodded his head. - -“It is my business to know all newcomers to Sofia,” he said. “And you -are too notable and have started too much comment for me not to know of -you. My agents serve me well, and I thought it was full time for you -to declare yourself. There are only two courses open to a man making -a career in this country, as you have said you intend to do. Only two -sides, one of which a man must take. You must be either for or against -the interests of Russia--which is it to be?” - -This was plain talking in all truth. - -“I have been in the country too short a time to have weighed the -considerations which must determine me.” - -“Good; evasive but politic, though not, of course, convincing.” - -“Yet true,” said I shortly. - -“Very well. We’ll take it at that;” and he looked at me as if he were -pondering carefully the arguments he should use to convince and win me. -“Yet you’ve not been quite inactive, have you, although here so short a -time?” - -“You mean----?” - -“What should I mean?” he asked, throwing up his hands with an -indifference that was belied by the sharp glint of his eyes. - -Did he know of that night adventure, after all? If so, I had indeed -walked into the spider’s web. - -“No, I have not been inactive, certainly not,” I answered carelessly. -“I have had to find a house suitable for my position and my means. I am -a man of some wealth, and the work has taken time and care.” - -“No doubt. But I did not mean that kind of activity, Count. My sources -of information are many--and secret. Few things are done in Sofia -without my knowing them, as well as those who do them.” - -“Through your spies, you mean?” - -He waved the term aside and passed over the question. - -“We have had an accident lately, rather an awkward affair, which -resulted in the death of a couple of our agents; but a third escaped -and tells a strange story. Even your short acquaintance with Bulgarian -affairs will tell you that the consequences may be serious for those -concerned in their death.” - -“I can understand that. But with what object do you make me the -recipient of such a confidence?” I asked coolly. - -“You have made some shrewd guesses during our talk; I will leave you -to make another in that matter. It may be only a parable; or, on the -contrary, a matter of life or death for those concerned. In any case, -the person concerned is known to me.” The threat was conveyed with -unmistakable significance. I understood him well enough, and he knew -that I did; but I answered lightly: - -“I don’t see that this affects me.” - -“I hope with all my heart that it never will,” he said quickly, “for -nothing would please me better than to have you enrolled on our side!” - -He paused to let this, his first argument--an appeal to my fears--have -due weight, and watched me keenly to note results. Apparently he was -not too well satisfied with them. - -“You have probably asked yourself why I am anxious, as I confess I am, -that you should be with us, and yet if you reflect you will readily -understand the reason. I have told you that there are but two courses -open to a man who mixes in politics here. He must take a side. There -is no possible alternative--no possible alternative. Well, I know -much about you--more than you think, and I do not wish that a man who -has shown such courage as you, on other occasions than to-day,” he -put in meaningly, “who has those parts of head and heart that carry a -man far in troubled times like these; a man wealthy, daring, shrewd, -honorable, ambitious, resourceful, and bound to wield influence, should -enter the lists against me. Such a man must make a leader, and these -Bulgars readily follow when the right man leads. It is all against our -cause that such qualities should be devoted to the service of a craven -Prince.” - -“You speak with great frankness.” - -He smiled and raised his eyebrows, giving a slight toss of the head. - -“I can be frank with perfect safety. You are in my power, Count.” - -“I have the word of Princess Christina----” - -“I do not mean in this house, I mean in this country,” he interposed. -“If you do not know the reach of my hands, it is time you learnt it. No -man crosses this frontier without my knowledge, and no one recrosses -it against my will. Do not mistake me; I don’t speak at random, nor am -I uttering a mere empty boast. I am stating a plain fact. And the power -which I wield you can share, if you will.” - -It was skilfully turned and cleverly put, and for the moment I was -silent. - -“The web is wide, the meshes hard to break, Count; and I brought you -here that you might see how wide and how hard. You were right just now -in that shrewd guess of yours--I did bring you here. First, for that -little dramatic test of your courage; next, that you should see for -yourself the glorious woman in whose cause we fight; and lastly, that -you should understand the obstacles that lie in the path of those who -would oppose us. You say you seek a career. Well----” He paused here -and looked most keenly at me as he added, “Englishmen have done the -same before----” - -I could not repress a start of surprise at the thrust, and he stopped -to enjoy it. - -“Yes, Englishmen--and Roumanians. But it is very rare for a Roumanian -to combine the qualities which distinguish you, Count Benderoff. -You perhaps know the English. If I mistake not, your father was an -Englishman, and you may have met a certain Hon. Gerald Winthrop. I have -such a man in my mind when I speak to you.” - -I sat gnawing my lip, my brows knitted in thought, and had no reply, -while he looked at me with a smile at my evident consternation. - -Then he gave a sudden and unexpected turn to the matter. - -Pushing his chair back, he rose, and said in a frank and apparently -friendly tone: - -“I have taken you by surprise. Of course I know that, and do not -wish to push the advantage unfairly. Don’t decide now. I want your -decision to be deliberate and the result of judgment, and not mere -embarrassment. I will make you a fair offer. The frontier is free for -you for three days--nay, for a week. Join us within that time, or let -my agents report to me that you have crossed it. I want your services -because I value them, but I do not intend my enemies to have them. If -you really wish to make a career, I can help you as no one else can. I -want no oaths; they don’t bind me, and in this place bind no one beyond -the limits of self-interest. If you join us, you would have to be -faithful, or your life would be a mere candle-flame to be snuffed out -at will. That is a better guarantee than any mere oaths. If you decide -to throw in your lot with us, I shall be glad to see you at any time. -If not, I hope we shall not meet again.” And he held out his hand. - -I took it, not over cordially, and left him, dismayed, perplexed and -anxious, but with an appreciation of his power keen enough to have -satisfied even him. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -“SPERNOW” - - -A night’s reflection brought but slight relief to my anxiety and doubt. -How that wily Russian general had succeeded so easily and promptly in -discovering all about me, I was at a loss to guess; nor was it of much -profit to inquire. He had the facts, and the question was how he would -use them; and the first gleam of an answer came from a very small thing. - -He had offered me first three days in which to leave the country, and -then had extended the time to a week. Why? I came to the conclusion at -length that he had probably a double reason, for he was not the man to -do anything without a clear reason. He was all against my joining the -party of the Prince, and was probably resolved to go to extreme lengths -to prevent me. But he knew also, though he had been crafty enough not -to admit it openly, that I was an Englishman; and that fact might well -embarrass him in dealing with me. - -Any ill-treatment of a British subject at such a juncture might bring -about just such grave complications with our Foreign Office as might -imperil the whole Russian under-current policy. That was, therefore, -unquestionably one of my strong cards to play, and I resolved to use it -promptly. - -I judged that in all probability my correspondence would be tampered -with, and would, if necessary, pass under his own eyes; so I wrote a -letter to a friend in England, stating the fact plainly that I had had -an interview with General Kolfort, the Russian leader, in which the -fact that I was a British subject had been discussed between us, and -added a few words of assumed annoyance that this should have happened, -as it might interfere with my plans in making a career in Bulgaria. I -put in some other general matter such as might be written in a friendly -letter, and finished with a request that my correspondent would send -me two or three articles I had left in his care. This was all fable, -of course; but I wrote it to make it more difficult for the General to -suppress the letter. Then I added a postscript, with the usual sting in -it. - -“If you get a chance, you might drop a side hint to Edwardes, of the -Foreign Office, that I am here, and known to be English.” - -I sealed the letter with careful clumsiness, so that the envelope could -easily be opened without the seal being broken, marked it “Urgent. -Strictly private,” and then gave it to a waiter to post. If I was under -the surveillance he had suggested, I felt convinced that nothing more -was necessary to ensure its getting immediately into the General’s -hands. It would at least give him food for thought. - -Then as to his second object. Why had he given me any time at all? A -Russian party, strong and unscrupulous enough to plan the assassination -of the reigning Prince himself--as they had done--would have thought -nothing of keeping me, a mere Roumanian Count (as I told them I was -when they had me on the previous evening), rushing me off incontinently -to the frontier, and bidding me be off about my business under fear of -a stray bullet should I attempt to return. But he had given me a week -to deliberate, and I drew the inference that he was really anxious to -have an Englishman on his side, and that he meant to use the week to -bring strong inducements to bear upon me. - -And through all these reflections one dazzling remembrance flashed, -as the sun will flash through thin foliage after a summer shower--the -great steady glare caught and reflected from a myriad drops on the -wet, dancing leaves. It was the memory of the glorious beauty of the -Princess, with that look of solicitude for me and of fear of the -General which I had seemed to catch. - -I had no more desire to fly the country than I had had to leave her -witching presence, and a thousand thoughts rushed through my mind, -bewildering, stirring, fascinating me, and all urging me to stay until -I had at least probed the meaning of her look, and determined whether -I could in any way serve her. If she really stood in need of a friend, -how gladly---- And at that point I broke the thought with a laugh at -my own silly conceit. She had a hundred, aye, a thousand men at her -command. And I was a fool. - -But I would not leave the country if I could help it, and I ordered a -horse and rode out, first to see how nearly my house was ready, and -then away for a gallop in the country. - -On my return I learned that two officers had called and asked for me; -had left word that, as their business was urgent, they would return -early in the afternoon. I did not know the names--Captain Dimitrieff -and Lieutenant Grassaw--and I could not think what they wanted with me, -but I resolved to wait in for them; and while I was waiting, a servant -brought me a card from another stranger--Lieutenant Spernow. - -The moment he entered I liked his pleasant, cheery looks, and -his frank, unrestrained, self-possessed manner impressed me most -favourably. With a smile he offered me his hand, and said: - -“I have come in a quite unusual way, Count Benderoff. I am sent, in -fact, to make your acquaintance. I am assured we shall speedily be -friends.” - -“I am certainly at your service,” I answered, unable to resist a smile -at his singular introduction. - -“It has an odd sound after all, hasn’t it; and yet, do you know, I’ve -been thinking how I should put it and rehearsing, all the way. It does -sound devilish odd from a stranger, but I do hope--for reasons that -weigh infinitely with me, I can assure you--that so odd an introduction -will really lead to friendship.” - -“You say you were sent to me?” I asked, cautiously. - -“Yes; I assure you I am frankness itself. They never trust me with -important secrets; I blurt them out;” and he laughed, as though that -were rather a good trait. “Old Kolfort sent me--Old Kolfort for one.” - -“I saw General Kolfort last evening,” I replied, drily. “But sit down -and have a cigar, and then tell me why he is so interested in providing -me with friends.” - -“That’s a good straight question, but I’ll be hanged if I can answer -it. He’s such a sly old fox, with fifty secret reasons for every plain -one. Thanks, I’ll have a cigar. Well, he sent for me this morning--you -know, I am on the Russian tack in all this business, and that for a -reason which I’m pretty sure to let out before I’ve been many minutes -with you; in fact, bound to, come to think of it--and--let’s see, -where was I? Oh, yes; he sent for me, and said, ‘Lieutenant, I have a -pleasant duty for you--and an important one. I wish you to go to Count -Benderoff and make a friend of him--he told me your hotel--and do what -you can to make his stay in Sofia pleasant, as it may be only a very -short one. You’re the best man I know to let him see what’s worth -seeing in the city, and to let him know what’s worth knowing.’” - -“It promises to be a very kind act on his part.” I spoke sincerely, and -my visitor smiled at the words. - -“It shall be, if you’ll let me, Count, I assure you. But that old fox -always has a bitter wrapped up somewhere in the sweet; and as I was -leaving, after having talked you over, of course, he pretended to -remember something, and said, ‘Oh, by the way, take this letter to the -Count with an apology from me. By an unfortunate mistake it has got -opened by some clumsy idiot, and was brought to me to know what should -be done. Tell the Count I’m very sorry, but perhaps he may not care -to send it for a week or so, after all.’ ‘What is it?’ said I. ‘Of no -consequence; but the little act will be an introduction for you.’ Then -I saw it was one of those infernal things that are always being done in -this country--an intercepted letter, and I felt inclined to fling it in -his face, only I daren’t. I let him have a word or two about choosing -me for such work, but I brought it, and I’m afraid you’ll think I’m -a regular cad to lend myself to such a thing. But I’ll tell you why -I decided to bring it in a minute; and I hope I needn’t assure you I -don’t know a word of what’s inside.” - -I accepted his word without hesitation, and believed in his -expressions of disgust at the mission. I took the letter readily -enough, and was indeed glad that my little ruse had succeeded so -completely. Then I gave it a finishing touch. - -“I suppose he’ll expect you to report what I said. Well, here’s the -answer.” I struck a match and set fire to the letter, holding it until -it was consumed. “It’s not of the least consequence, I assure you, for -I took the precaution to send off a duplicate in proper disguise.” - -“The devil you did. I’m infernally glad to hear it. I love to hear of -old Crafty being licked at his own game.” Then he started and rapped -the table as he laughed and asked: “Was that a decoy? Oh, that’s -lovely. I won’t tell him. I hate the old tyrant, and he knows it; but -he knows, too, that I’m horribly afraid of him. And that’s what he -likes. Gad, that’s good!” and he lay back in his chair and laughed -aloud at the thought of the General being outwitted. “And he was so -damned serious, too, that I know he thought he’d done a mighty smart -thing.” - -He was obviously sincere, and it was impossible not to see that he -thoroughly enjoyed what he deemed a good joke. When he had had his -laugh out, he gave a little sigh of relief as he said: - -“Well, that’s over, and I hope you’ll acquit me of any personal part in -the matter or humbug.” - -“My dear sir, I acquit you of everything except of having done an -unpleasant thing pleasantly,” I answered, cordially. - -“Thanks. And now, is your stay going to be very short in Sofia? I must -tell you before you answer that that’s a thing old Crafty told me to -find out. I suppose he has some underground reason or other? He’s a -beggar for that.” - -“Frankly, I don’t know. I hope not, but I don’t yet know.” - -“Well, I was surprised when he mentioned it, because we’d heard that -you’d taken a big house, and were going to make a bit of a splash, you -know. And, by Jove, it would be a blessing, for most of the houses here -are just deadly dull.” - -“‘_We_ heard,’ you say?” - -“How quick you are!” he answered with a smile, and he had a slightly -heightened colour as he went on. “Yes, we--we two; not old Kolfort, -you know. But--well, we’ve had a chat about you more than once; and -last night, after you’d been at the General’s house, we had a regular -consultation about you--and, to tell you the truth, that’s another -reason why I’ve come.” - -“I don’t think I understand.” - -“No, of course you don’t. I don’t altogether. I think; but----” He -hesitated, and pulled at his cigar for some moments in a little -embarrassment. “You see, it’s a bit difficult to make you understand -without telling what a man doesn’t care to talk about. I suppose -something happened at the General’s that affected you closely, and made -you--hang it all! Wait a minute, and let me try and think how I was to -put it.” - -I smiled again at this, and watched him as he fidgeted with his cigar -somewhat nervously and uneasily. - -“You saw the Princess there, didn’t you? I don’t know, but I heard -something or other; and, anyway, she must have been speaking to--to -someone who spoke to me. Doesn’t that sound rather ridiculous?” - -But I scarcely heard his question. The reference to the Princess -Christina had set my thoughts whirling at the bare idea that he was in -some remote way a messenger from her, and that she was sufficiently -interested in me to make these indirect inquiries as to my movements -and intentions. - -“Yes, I saw the Princess last night,” I said, breaking the pause. “Do -you come from her?” I was astonished at the steadiness of the tone in -which I spoke. - -“Well, yes; but yet not exactly--oh, hang it all, I’d better out -with it. I shall only make a mess of things;” and he laughed gaily, -and flushed. “I came to you mainly because I was asked to do so by -Mademoiselle Broumoff, who is one of her closest companions; and -Mademoiselle Broumoff and I are, in fact, betrothed. Now you’ve got it, -Count; and that’s why I fiddled about just now, and didn’t know quite -what to say.” - -“I am much mistaken if Mademoiselle Broumoff, whose acquaintance I -shall hope to make, is not an exceedingly fortunate girl, lieutenant; -and I speak without the least affectation when I say that your news -interests me deeply.” - -It did, in all truth. To have as a friend someone who was in the close -confidence of the Princess herself, was a stroke of good fortune which -I could indeed appreciate; and I resolved to bind this handsome young -officer to me by all possible bonds. - -“The one commission is an antidote to the other, at any rate, I hope,” -said Spernow; “and if it’s any gratification to you to know it, you can -rest assured that the Princess takes a lively interest in you, and for -some reason or other feels herself under some sort of obligation to -you. Frankly, I don’t know what it is; but I do know there are plenty -of our fellows who’d like to stand in your shoes in such a thing. You -can’t think how we worship that woman!” he cried, with a flash of -sudden enthusiasm. - -“I can think of no cause for such a feeling of obligation,” said I, -speaking indifferently to hide the tingling glow of delight at his -words. - -“Oh, of course. By Jove, I was nearly forgetting,” he exclaimed, with a -jerk, as he plunged his hand into his pocket and brought out a packet -of papers. “Are you engaged for to-morrow night?” - -“I? No indeed.” - -“Then you’ll be able to come all right. I’ve got you a card for the -ball at the Assembly. It’s a big do; and most of the folks worth -knowing will be there, if you want to know them.” - -“Is this from the General?” - -“Well, not exactly, though he’ll be glad enough for you to go. -Mademoiselle Broumoff put me up to it.” - -“Then I may have the pleasure of seeing her there?” - -“Of course, she’s going, rather; and the Princess too. You’ll come?” - -“I shall be very pleased. It is just the chance I shall welcome.” - -Was this another little personal attention from the Princess, or merely -a development of the policy of winning me to the Russian side? I was -turning this over, and thinking how far I could get the answer from -Spernow, when a servant came to say that the two officers who had -called earlier in the day had returned. - -I told the man to show them in, and explained matters to Spernow. He -knew them, he said, but not their errand. - -This was soon explained, and caused me no little surprise. - -“We come from Lieutenant Ristich,” said Captain Dimitrieff, speaking -very formally and stiffly. - -“And who is Lieutenant Ristich?” I asked. “I do not know him.” - -“You met yesterday at General Kolfort’s house, and he considers that -you insulted him. Will you be good enough to tell me who will act for -you? The facts have been explained to me.” - -“Do you mean that the lieutenant wishes to force a quarrel upon me? I -remember him now, of course; but I know of no insult, and certainly I -have no quarrel with him.” - -The captain raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders. - -“Shall I say, then, that you prefer to apologise?” he asked, -superciliously. - -“Certainly not,” I returned sharply, stung by his manner. “What I mean -is that nothing passed which need make another encounter between us -necessary.” - -“That is an _impasse_.” - -“I cannot help that,” said I, indifferently. - -“Well, you must either fight, sir, or refuse to fight; and in the -latter case the lieutenant says he will be driven to the extreme course -of publicly insulting you.” - -“This is monstrous,” I answered angrily. “It is nothing less than -forcing a quarrel upon me, as I say. But if that is the lieutenant’s -mood, and he wishes for another lesson in swordsmanship, I’ll give it -him. I have but very few friends here in Sofia, but the matter shall be -arranged without delay. Perhaps----” I looked across at Spernow. - -“Can I be of any assistance, Count?” he said, eagerly. - -“I shall be deeply obliged if you will. Perhaps these gentlemen will -retire to another room for a few minutes, and then you can wait on -them, and matters can be put in course before they leave the hotel.” - -They went, and I explained all that was necessary to Spernow, telling -him that I attached little importance to the affair, and that I had -already proved myself much more than a match for the lieutenant with -the sword; that as the challenged party I should choose swords; but -that the conditions were to be made as little stringent as possible, so -that the fight could be stopped as soon as either was wounded, however -slightly. - -He went away then, and when he returned said that he had made all -arrangements, and that we were to meet early the next morning at a spot -just outside the town, often used for the purpose. - -“Mademoiselle Broumoff will take a keen interest in this business, -Count,” he said, as he was leaving me later. “Lieutenant Ristich is an -object of her deepest hatred; and so will the Princess for the matter -of that. He is no favourite of hers either.” - -“You will say nothing, of course, until it is over; and you will get -a friend to act with you, and perhaps you will both breakfast with me -afterwards.” - -“With pleasure. You take it coolly, Count,” he said as we shook hands. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE DUEL, AND AFTER - - -It was a glorious morning, the air crisp, fresh and clear, when I rose -early, and found Spernow waiting for me in the courtyard of the hotel. -He introduced his friend, Captain Zoiloff, who would act as my other -second in the duel. - -“I got Zoiloff to come because he’s well up in these matters,” said -Spernow, “and I’m not. He’ll keep us right.” - -I did not take the affair of the duel seriously; my bout with Ristich -at the General’s house had shown me my greater skill, and I had no -intention of even wounding him seriously, and no fear whatever that he -would be able to touch me. I said as much to my companions as we walked -together to the ground. - -“Ristich is very mad against you for some reason or other,” said -Spernow. “And he’s a hare-brained chap, so I should look out.” - -“He is not much of a swordsman,” put in Zoiloff, “but he has one or two -clever strokes that have served him well enough in other affairs of -this kind;” and he went on to describe them. But he found me a somewhat -inattentive listener, and after a short time the talk turned to other -matters. - -We were first on the ground, and Captain Zoiloff promptly set to work -to choose the most suitable spot, and the positions which we should -respectively take up. He displayed a manifest relish for the task, and -was evidently an old campaigner in this sort of thing. - -He had scarcely concluded his work when the other party arrived, -bringing with them a doctor. They saluted us formally, and without any -delay the seconds consulted together, decided upon the ground, and -selected the weapons. - -While they were thus engaged Ristich and I stood apart, and I saw that -he was very pale and moody-looking, glancing every now and again at me -with patent ill-feeling and animosity. - -“Ristich has got his marching orders,” said Spernow to me, when he and -Zoiloff came to explain what they had arranged. - -“How do you mean?” - -“He is being sent back to Russia, and leaves to-day.” - -“I heard him declare he wanted to go,” said I. - -“Yes, but not in semi-disgrace. He puts it down to you, and that’s what -makes him so bitter. They tell me he raged like a fiend when he heard -it last night, and he means mischief.” - -I glanced across at him. He had thrown off his uniform, and I saw, too, -that his sword-arm was bandaged. Till that moment I had forgotten all -about the wound I had inflicted. - -“Stay a moment,” I cried to my seconds. “He is wounded. I can’t fight a -disabled man,” and I told them what had occurred. - -“That’s his lookout,” said Zoiloff, in a very business-like tone. “He -is the challenger.” - -“I won’t fight a cripple,” I said resolutely; and at that they called -the other seconds aside, and a long conference ensued, in the course -of which Ristich was more than once consulted. I saw him explaining -matters to his seconds, and flourishing one of the rapiers to show that -he could use it quite well. - -“He insists that the fight must go on,” said Zoiloff on his return to -me, “and I really don’t see that you can object.” - -“But it isn’t fair,” I protested. “Under ordinary circumstances, and -with the full use of his arm, the man isn’t my equal with the sword, -and, disabled in that way, the thing’s absurd.” - -“His point is that he has to leave Sofia, and that, as he is determined -to fight you, he will have no other chance. I shouldn’t insist, Count -Benderoff, if I were in your place. It will only cause talk. The doctor -has examined the wound and says Ristich is fit to fight, and he has -shown us, as you may have seen, that he has complete command of his -sword.” - -“It makes me appear ridiculous to fight a wounded man,” I urged. “Try -further protest, and say I will meet him anywhere at any time when he -is well again. I will travel to Russia if necessary.” - -“I am afraid that we shall only get some sneering reply that you don’t -want to fight, or something of that sort.” - -“I would rather be sneered at for not fighting a wounded man than fight -one,” said I. “I will take care of my reputation.” And they went across -to repeat the protest and deliver the message. - -It was as fruitless as the former one, and when Zoiloff returned he was -very angry. - -“I will not repeat his message,” he said; “but it was most insulting. -You must fight, Count. If we have any more conferences we shall only -have more duels. I think you have acted most honourably; but, believe -me, you can only press this further at great risk to your name.” - -He spoke so earnestly, and Spernow joined with him, that I allowed -myself to be persuaded, and threw off my coat and waistcoat and made -ready. - -We took up our positions under the shadow of some trees, and when my -opponent was close to me the look of hate in his eyes, as they rested -on mine, confirmed what Spernow had told me of his intention and desire -to do his worst. - -But from the moment when our blades crossed and the word was given us -to engage, I knew that the issue must rest with me. Ristich attacked -me immediately with great violence and impetuosity, in the hope of -finishing the matter before his weakened strength should give out. I -had no difficulty in defending myself, however, and, had I been in the -same vengeful mood as he was, I could have run him through. - -My object was not that. I wished merely to wound him slightly, or -disarm him; and I tried two or three times to do the latter, though -without success. I fought as coolly and warily as if we were in the -school trying a bout with the foils, and this coolness aggravated my -opponent intensely, so that he lost all self-control. - -Watching patiently for my opportunity, I found it when he had made -one of his reckless, angry thrusts, and with a quick counter I drove -the point of my sword into his shoulder. Then I drew back instantly -and threw up my weapon off the guard. Whether he saw this or not, or -whether his rage blinded him to his wound and to all else besides, I -know not, but instantly he thrust out his weapon with a blow aimed -straight at my heart. - -I saved myself only by springing back, while a shout of indignation -came from Zoiloff. - -“A foul stroke; I call you to witness, gentlemen, a foul and dastardly -stroke,” he cried, excitedly, as he rushed in and struck up my -opponent’s sword. “Count Benderoff has behaved splendidly, and if your -sword had gone home, Lieutenant Ristich, it would have been murder. A -most foul stroke.” - -In a moment he was the centre of a group, all as excited as himself. -Ristich protested that he had not seen me draw back from the fight, -that he had not felt that he was wounded, and that he was eager to -continue the fight. But Zoiloff would not hear of it. - -“I withdraw my man, certainly,” I heard him say, and he brought matters -to a dramatic conclusion. “I declare the stroke a foul one, foully -dealt, and if anyone questions that, I am ready to make good my words -now and here;” and he singled out Captain Dimitrieff and addressed him -pointedly: “What say you, Captain?” - -He looked very dangerous as he paused for an answer, and the Captain -clearly had no wish for a quarrel with him. - -“Of course, the fight is over,” he answered, evasively. - -“Exactly, and we’ll leave it at that,” said Zoiloff, drily, as he -turned on his heel and came to me with Spernow. “I never saw a more -dastardly thing. I wouldn’t have believed even a Russian would have -done such a thing.” A speech that set me wondering. - -“They won’t cross Zoiloff,” whispered Spernow to me as I was dressing, -rapidly. “He’s a demon at the business. I’m glad I brought him.” - -“What did he mean about ‘even a Russian?’” I asked. - -“He hates ’em as much as I do. I’ll tell you another time,” replied -Spernow. - -“I congratulate you, Count Benderoff, on a lucky escape. That man -meant to murder you; and Dimitrieff ought to be ashamed of himself -for not speaking out plainly. But they hang together in a way that’s -disgusting, these----” He checked himself suddenly, with a quick glance -at me, as though he had said more than enough before a stranger. - -“I hope he really did not know I was not on guard,” I answered. - -“I’m afraid it’s a hope not much stouter than a spider’s web;” and he -laughed bitterly. “The man meant murder, and was mad when he saw you -could hold him so easily. You use the sword like a master, Count--I -should like to try the foils with you.” - -“Nothing would please me better than a few hints from you,” said I, -readily. “I am a good deal out of practice.” - -“Then I shouldn’t care to play with you in earnest when you are in -practice,” was his deftly flattering reply. “If we are to quarrel, I’d -better pray for it to be soon;” and his taciturn face broke into a -smile. - -“It’s something to earn Zoiloff’s praise in these things, Count,” said -Spernow, laughing. “He’s generally as chary of it as a coy woman of her -kisses.” - -“You are both breakfasting with me, I hope,” I said, as we moved off -the ground. “Then we can go round to the house I am getting ready, and, -if you like, I can have my first lesson in the shooting gallery which I -am having fitted up there.” - -“Nothing would give me greater pleasure; but unfortunately, as I told -Spernow, I have an engagement which I cannot break,” said Zoiloff. “But -I can be with you in about a couple of hours from now, and then I -shall be at your service. I should like nothing better than to see your -gallery.” And we arranged it so. - -While we were at breakfast I asked Spernow to tell me, as he had -promised, how it was that so much hatred of the Russians existed among -the very men who were on their side. Such a fact, if it were one, might -have considerable influence upon me. - -“I am the worst hand in the world at explaining things,” he answered. -“But it is quite true. We don’t trust them, but we trust each other -less, Count; that’s about the size of it, I think. We must have some -kind of steady leadership, and what is there here? Look at the men -who are at the head of things, and what are they except a crowd of -nobodies, risen from nowhere, and setting their course solely by the -compass of self-interest. The needle points always in that direction, -and all the rest goes running round it.” - -“But why trust Russia?” - -“Why not? So far as we can see, the one steady influence in this -country is directed by her. We hate Russia, but we are afraid of her; -and where else can we look for any hope of help?” - -“The Prince,” I suggested. - -“He is as powerless as his poorest subject, and he has round him a -crew that are after nothing but their own personal ends. They yell -about patriotism and independence and all the rest of it, but would -sell themselves to-morrow to the highest bidder. They only don’t sell -themselves, because nobody thinks them worth buying. The only real -power is wielded by Russia, and I suppose we think it’s better to -make friends in advance with what must be the controlling hand in -the country. It’s not a very high game, is it--but where’s a better? -Men like Zoiloff would only too gladly jump at a chance of something -better.” - -“And the Princess Christina?” - -“Ah!” And his face lighted with enthusiasm. “We do all but worship her, -not only for herself, but because we have come to believe she will in -some way do what we want to see done--draw out the best that lies in -Bulgarian life. She is truth itself, and right, justice, and honour are -the cardinal articles of her faith.” - -I looked at him in surprise and began to see there was more in him than -I had at first thought. - -“You think more seriously of these matters than I had believed,” I said. - -“I?” and he laughed. “Ah, it does not do for us Bulgarians to let the -Russians believe we take either our affairs or ourselves too earnestly. -But some of us are sound enough in heart at least. Enough of politics, -however; why should I bore you with them?” And he turned away to -lighter topics, rattling off a dozen stories of the latest gossip and -tittle-tattle about the society of the city. - -I did not check him, for it struck me that he was anxious rather that I -should retain my first impressions of him than begin to look on him as -taking a serious interest in the affairs of the country. - -After breakfast we went round to my house and I showed him the -alterations I had made. He took the keenest interest in everything, -declaring that my wealth would make me at once an important figure in -Sofia, and that in a few weeks I should have half the city flocking to -my doors. - -When Zoiloff came we went to the shooting gallery, and both the men -were vastly interested in everything I had done. I had had the place -fitted as a gymnasium, with every kind of appliance that money could -provide; many of them sent specially from England. - -“I did not know that you Roumanians cared for these things at all,” -said Zoiloff. “I have not done you justice.” - -“I am half an Englishman,” I answered, purposely--for I had begun to -alter radically the original part for which I had cast myself. If I was -to stay in Sofia, I felt that I must wrap round me the protection which -that magic formula, British subject, alone could give. The announcement -surprised them both. - -“Ah, that accounts for it,” exclaimed Zoiloff. “You English are a -wonderful people. But why do you come to Sofia? Pardon me, I have no -right to put such a question,” he added hastily. - -“I am also half a Roumanian; and the freedom of Bulgaria is essential -for the independence of that country.” - -I turned away as I spoke, and pretended not to notice the swift, shrewd -look which both men turned upon me. - -“I shall hope to know much more of you, Count Benderoff,” said Zoiloff, -with so much earnestness that I thought my words had touched the chord -in him I intended. - -“I think it is my turn to be surprised in you,” said Spernow. “And I -hope that we three may come to understand each other well.” - -Were these invitations from them both to speak more openly? I thought -so, but felt that for the present I had said enough. - -“Shall we try the foils?” I asked. - -“With pleasure,” agreed Zoiloff; and while he was making ready he -glanced round the spacious gallery and added: “What a magnificent hall -you have here; there is room to drill half a company of soldiers, as -well as train a band of athletes!” - -“Yes,” I answered with a laugh. “It would be a fine house for a -revolutionary movement.” And at this they both started, and again shot -shrewd, searching glances at me; but I was busy selecting the foils. - -“You English are a wonderful people,” said Zoiloff again, but this time -very drily. - -We set to work then with our fencing, and to my surprise, and much to -Zoiloff’s admiration, I proved slightly the better swordsman. He had -not a spark of jealousy or envy in his composition, and when I had -beaten him for the third or fourth bout in succession, he only laughed -and said: - -“I am your first recruit, Count; and you are a master I am well content -to work from--and follow.” - -“Good,” exclaimed Spernow, “I will be the second--if you will have me, -Count.” - -“My dear Spernow, I could wish no better friends or comrades in any -work than you two.” At this answer Zoiloff, taciturn and reserved -though he was by nature, offered me his hand impulsively, and said with -great earnestness, as I took it: - -“Now I am sure we understand each other, and shall work together for -the same cause, Count;” and the warmth of his hand-grip told me that in -him I should have a firm friend. - -Spernow was not nearly so skilful a swordsman, and knew it; but he was -anxious to learn, and we arranged that we three should make a rule of -meeting daily for such practice; and when we were separating I said: - -“As you can see, I take a great interest in these things, and I should -like you to do me the favour of bringing with you such friends of yours -as you think would like to come and would help us by taking an interest -in the work here.” - -Zoiloff’s dark eyes lighted meaningly as they held mine. - -“You would soon have a large circle of friends, Count.” - -“Every friend of Bulgaria would be a friend of mine,” I answered. - -“You mean all that that implies?” - -“I mean all that that implies; and the wider interpretation you give to -it the better I shall be pleased.” - -“It should be a day of good omen for the country when your house is -thrown open for that purpose. A party of really patriotic Bulgarians -is no mere dream-project--though they will be young men, mostly. By -Heavens, but I am glad Spernow induced me to go out with you this -morning.” - -When they had gone, I stayed to think over all the chances which this -unexpected turn of matters suggested. It might yet be checkmate indeed -to Russian plans, if we could find the means to form such a party of -young ardent patriots from within the very ranks of those supposed to -be devoted to Russian interests. There were possibilities calculated to -satisfy the wildest ambitions and effect the most drastic changes. - -It would be a perilous task enough at the outset, for I could not doubt -that, should the project get wind, as was most probable in that land of -spies and treachery, General Kolfort would spare no efforts and stop at -no measures to crush it under the wheels of his enormous power. - -But it was worth the effort. To me it was infinitely more welcome than -any secret counter-mining intrigue, such as I had had in contemplation. -It would be a real sturdy stroke in the cause of freedom, and, if once -successful, no man could tell how far or wide or deep its glorious -effects might not be felt. - -It roused me till the blood coursed quickly through my veins and my -pulse beat with feverish throbs, for in it I saw the real interest and -honour of the Princess Christina herself. The men who had been with -me were both pledged to the eyelids to serve her, I knew; and I knew -further that every man they brought to the house to join us would have -the same enthusiasm in her behalf. Who could tell but that by these -means I might yet be the agent to place her on the throne, but without -the hampering restrictions of any Russian marriage? - -This thought was whirling in my head as I walked back to my hotel, -there to receive another startling surprise. - -Some one was waiting to see me, had been waiting for two hours, on -important business. - -“I am Major Grueff, and am the bearer of a letter to Count Benderoff, -of Radova. Have I the pleasure of speaking to him?” - -“Yes, what is it?” I asked, concealing my surprise. - -“His Highness has given you a captain’s commission in the Sofia -Regiment, Count, of which I am the Major in command, and has requested -me to carry back your answer to this letter.” - -I opened it and found it a request that I should wait upon the Prince -on the following day. - -There was no doubt as to the meaning of this. It was the Countess -Bokara’s work; and as I penned my reply, that I should gladly accept -his command, I called to mind her declaration that our next meeting -would be at the Prince’s palace. - -“I am glad to welcome you to the regiment, Count,” said the major; but -he spoke in a tone I did not like, and I conceived an instinctive but -invincible prejudice against him. “And, as I have been so long waiting, -I will get you to excuse my hurrying away.” - -I did not attempt to stay him; for I wished to be alone to think over -this new development. - -If I accepted the captaincy, what could it mean except that I committed -myself to the Prince’s side? And this at the very moment when the other -and vastly more congenial plan had begun to take shape in my mind. - -I thought I could see again the alluring but cruel face of the Countess -Bokara, and hear the ring of triumph in her voice as she had turned to -me after her cold-blooded deed: - -“Now you will have to join us!” - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -AT THE BALL - - -The ball that night was a very brilliant affair, and when I arrived the -rooms were already somewhat crowded. I found Spernow waiting for me -near the entrance. - -“You are a little late, Count; we began to fear that perhaps you were -not coming. Mademoiselle Broumoff is anxious for me to present you at -once. Will you come with me?” - -As we threaded our way through the throng, he told me the names of many -of those present, but I was looking everywhere for the Princess, and -felt disappointed at not seeing her. - -Mademoiselle Broumoff was sitting alone in a corner at the far end, -and I saw her eyes light up as she caught sight of us. She was not -pretty, but her face was bright and clever, with an ever-changing play -of expression that made it very attractive; while a pair of deeply set -thoughtful eyes spoke of great intelligence. - -As soon as I had been presented, she made a place for me at her side -and sent Spernow away with a reminder that he had a number of duty -dances with important partners. - -“You have kept him from them so long, Count, that he will have a busy -time,” she said with a smile. - -“I have kept him? I have but this minute arrived.” - -“Of course, that is the reason. I had commissioned him to bring you -straight to me, and you are late.” - -“I did not know that such an honour was depending on my arrival, or I -would have been earlier,” I said with a bow. - -“I have been most anxious, and half feared you meant to disappoint us;” -and in a light strain we chatted pleasantly. I soon perceived that my -companion was bent upon creating a favourable impression, while on my -side I was not less desirous of making a friend of one who was so close -an intimate of the Princess. We danced the next waltz together, and at -the close of it she asked me to lead her to one of the conservatories. - -I observed that she was careful to select a quiet corner, where we -could speak without fear of being overheard, and after a moment’s pause -she said earnestly: - -“I have been really anxious to know you, Count.” - -“I am flattered,” I answered. - -“No, not that,” she replied impulsively, with a slight shake of the -head. “I mean more than that. Michel has told me all that has passed -between you--especially this morning at your new house. Captain Zoiloff -is a man to trust implicitly, you know that?” - -“I formed that opinion strongly,” I said, beginning to wonder what she -was going to say. - -“Michel tells me you are half English. Is that a secret?” - -“No, certainly not. We English are not afraid to own our nationality, -as the actions of many of us show too prominently sometimes, I fear.” - -“But Englishmen of wealth do not commonly choose Bulgaria as a place -of residence--at least not without some strong motive.” And her eyes -searched my face for the truth. - -“Eccentricity has never yet been denied to us.” - -“Is it in your case eccentricity--only?” - -“I am also half a Roumanian,” I said, repeating the answer I had given -in the morning to Zoiloff. - -“And the Roumanians are all but Russians.” - -“Is not the Princess Christina a Roumanian?” I retorted. “And also of -the Russian Party here?” - -“Do you think that?” she asked quickly, turning the battery of her eyes -full on me again. - -“What time or means have I had to learn how to distinguish between -appearances and facts?” - -She laughed--a very silvery, sweet laugh. - -“You fence as cleverly with your tongue as with your sword, Count. What -do you want to know?” - -“Nothing that cannot be told me voluntarily, mademoiselle.” - -“Why do we all trust you instinctively?” she asked. A quiet feminine -thrust. - -“I am happy if you do,” I parried; and at the reply she shrugged her -shoulders, and a shadow of impatience crossed her expressive face. - -There was a pause, in which she looked down and played with her fan. - -“We wish to trust you entirely,” she said next, in a low, earnest -voice. “The Princess wishes it.” A swift glance shot up to notice the -effect of this. - -“I have no more earnest wish in life than to serve the Princess,” I -declared, the words coming from my heart. - -“To serve her is to serve the cause of freedom and the cause of -Bulgaria.” - -“Freedom as the Russians interpret it?” - -“Freedom as the English love it,” she answered, in a tone that vibrated -with enthusiasm, her eyes flashing and her cheeks colouring. “The -freedom that we true Bulgarians read and dream of, crave and would die -for,” she added, her voice deep and low with feeling. - -A long pause followed, in which my thoughts were busy. Had the Princess -Christina inspired this feeling, and was this strange girl an agent in -pressing me to join such a movement? My heart beat fast at the thought. - -“Is that a cause you would serve, Count?” she asked. - -“These are strange things to hear from those whom I find all gathered -under the wings of the Russian Eagle!” I said cautiously. - -“There may be stranger yet to hear,” she returned sharply. - -“The Prince who is on your throne is no friend of Russia.” - -“The Prince has never gained the confidence of true Bulgarians. The men -he keeps about him are patriots in nothing but name; and he has neither -the wit to winnow the false from the true, nor the courage to set the -false at defiance.” - -“You would play for a big stake?” - -“And make our lives the counters. Is not that enough?” The retort was -given with a show of bitterness. “You English are cold and calculating.” - -“We are cautious, certainly.” - -“Yet you should hate the Russians.” - -“No one has accused us of loving them.” - -She made another pause before replying: - -“Perhaps I have been too rash and have surprised you; but we thought -from what Michel told me of what passed this morning at your house, -that--well, that all was as we wished, and that you were already with -us.” - -“You thought this?” I asked, purposely putting an emphasis on the -pronoun. She understood me and smiled. - -“The Princess and I both thought it,” and I heard this with delight. - -“You did not hear more than the truth, mademoiselle.” - -“Then we are to be friends in it all?” she cried; and her face was -radiant with pleasure as she turned her eyes once more full upon me. - -“Show me how I can serve the Princess, and I will do it with my whole -heart, and if need be with my life.” - -“She will be here to-night, and you can tell her. The news will have -the pleasanter savour coming direct from you.” - -She knew how to fire me, and I would have given half my fortune to have -known what lay behind the meaning glance of her eyes, which started -thoughts I would not silence, and yet dared not indulge. - -As I sat there, half bewildered, I saw a tall, fair, truculent-looking -man forcing his way arrogantly among the people and coming in our -direction, while he looked about him on all sides in search of someone. - -“Who is that?” I asked. - -“A man to fear, Count--the worst enemy we have, Duke Sergius. A man -whose eyes we have always to blind.” - -At that moment he caught sight of my companion and he hurried his pace, -a heavy frown darkening his sensual, insolent features. - -“I have had much trouble in finding you, mademoiselle. I might almost -have thought you were trying to avoid me. The waltz we were to dance -together has commenced.” - -Mademoiselle Broumoff smiled ingenuously at him and said: - -“I scarcely thought you were in earnest when you put my name on your -programme. You do not generally honour me by remembering it.” - -“I have something particular to ask you,” he replied, with such -selfish insolence that I could have kicked him. He caught something -of this expression in my face as he looked casually at me, and his -glance deepened into a steady stare as he tried to frown me down. -But I returned his look with one in which I tried to convey some of -the dislike and contempt I felt at his attitude, and, perceiving -it, mademoiselle rose hastily, put herself between us, and drew his -attention by placing her hand on his arm and saying, as she bowed to me: - -“I am ready now.” - -As they moved off I heard him ask who I was, but could not catch the -reply. - -I hated the look of the man, and tried to persuade myself that the -feeling was not in any way prompted by what I knew about his design -upon the Princess Christina. If I had before needed any inducement to -drive me into opposition to him, my hasty prejudice would have supplied -it; and I sat now absorbed in thought, chewing the cud of all that had -passed between the Princess’s staunch little emissary and myself, and -wishing for the hour and the means to thwart him. They would come, I -felt, and I nursed my anger and fed my animosity as I sat there piecing -together the threads of the net that was closing round me, and drawing -me forward upon a path that would lead I could not say whither. - -Spernow’s voice roused me. - -“You are not dancing, Count. Won’t you let me find you some partners? -There are plenty here who wish to know you. Well, have you and Nathalie -had an interesting conversation?” he asked in a lower voice, dropping -into the seat at my side. “I know how anxious she was for it.” - -“I hope great things from it,” I answered. - -“Are you to be presented to the Princess?” - -I looked at him in surprise, not understanding the question. - -“Oh, the presentation was to hinge upon the result of your talk with -her.” - -“Then probably I shall be presented,” I returned, smiling. - -“Good, very good; nothing could be better, indeed. Come, then, and let -us go in search of partners. But don’t fill up your card, you may need -a gap or two in it presently.” I guessed his meaning, but said nothing -as I went with him back to the dancing hall, was introduced to several -people, and for an hour danced and chatted as though I had no other -object in life. - -I was not too much engrossed by my partners, however, to miss the -entrance of the Princess Christina, and more than once when I passed -close to her in the course of a dance I caught her gaze fixed upon me -with evident interest. Once especially was I certain of this, when she -and Mademoiselle Broumoff were in close and earnest conversation; and -it was with a thrill of pleasure that I felt that I was the subject of -their talk. - -Soon after this Spernow came to me and said that the Princess was -anxious that I should be presented to her; and with a fast-quickening -pulse I went with him to where she and her companion were sitting. - -Almost directly I had made my bow Mademoiselle Broumoff rose and said -to Spernow: - -“This is our dance, Michel,” and as the pair went away I took her place -by the side of the beautiful woman who exercised so overpowering a -fascination upon me. - -“A more conventional meeting than our first, Count,” she said. - -“A very brilliant scene,” I replied naïvely; for now that I was alone -with her I felt like a tongue-tied clown. My stupid answer surprised -her, as well it might, and I saw a look of perplexity cross her face. -After an awkward pause, I added: “Your coming then saved my life.” - -“Scarcely that; but I have since heard the particulars of that matter, -and I have been ashamed that you should have suffered such treatment in -my name. I am glad of an opportunity of assuring you of my regret.” - -“I would gladly suffer much worse on your behalf,” I blurted out -nervously, and the answer brought another pause, during which I -struggled hard to overcome my embarrassment and self-consciousness. -I desired above all things in the world to win the favour of my -companion, and yet I sat like a fool, at a loss for the mere -commonplaces of conversation. She would think me a dolt or an idiot. - -How long my stupid silence would have lasted I cannot tell; but the -Princess in a movement of her fan dropped her dance card, and, in -returning it to her I looked up, and caught her eyes upon me lighted -with a rare smile. - -“Do you return it to me without your name upon it?” she asked. - -“May I have the honour?” I murmured. - -“What is a ball for, but dancing?” she smiled. “But if you write your -name there it will be a sign and token.” - -“Of what?” I asked stupidly. - -“Of much that my dear little friend Mademoiselle Broumoff tells me she -has said to you to-night.” - -“What is a ball for, but dancing?” I repeated her words as I took the -card and wrote my initials against a waltz. “It will make the dance -memorable to me,” I added, under my breath. - -“I shall read it for one thing as a token that you have acquitted me of -all responsibility for the scene at General Kolfort’s house.” - -“There was no need for any token of that, Princess,” I replied, -beginning to shake off my paralysing nervousness. - -“And of the rest?” - -“That I desire nothing better than to be enrolled among your friends.” -I spoke from my heart then, and the words pleased her. - -“There may be many dangers, and more difficulties.” - -“I am prepared for both--if I can serve you.” I looked straight at her -for the first time, and her eyes fell. - -“I could have no more welcome friend,” she said softly. - -This time the pause that followed was due as much to her embarrassment -as to mine, and I noted this with a touch of delight. - -“You had a long conference with General Kolfort?” she asked, a minute -later. - -“Yes; he threatened me with all the power of his enmity if I did not -decide to ally myself on his side, and gave me a week in which to do so -or leave the country.” - -“And your decision?” she asked quickly. - -“Has been made to-night.” - -“To do what?” - -“To devote myself without reserve to your interests.” - -“I am glad--and proud.” - -No answer that she could have made could have filled me with more -supreme pleasure. - -“I had feared a quite different result from news which reached me -to-day. You know your affairs are pretty freely discussed just now.” - -“What news was that?” - -“I heard that you had received a captain’s commission in the Prince’s -own household regiment. Is that so?” - -“It was unsolicited by me; and I learnt it only to-day. I have not yet -accepted it. I am to see His Highness to-morrow.” - -“You will find him a good man, but sorely distracted by doubts and -fears. All willing to serve Bulgaria; but afraid of Russian influence, -and unable to choose good advisers here. His nerves have been shaken by -the plots against his life, and his judgment shattered till he cannot -appraise the men about him. Were matters different he would be an ideal -ruler for us.” - -“And what of the other influences round him?” I asked guardedly; but -she understood me and replied openly: - -“You mean the woman whose life you saved. I cannot understand her. Her -ruling passion seems to be her hate of me. And a woman with a passion, -be it jealousy, hate, or love, is no safe guide.” I detected a note of -sadness in her tone. “You ran a great risk that night, Count, a fearful -risk.” - -“There was little danger that I saw.” - -“I do not mean the seen danger; that may have been small for a man -whose bravery and skill with weapons are such as yours. But the unseen -dangers--the consequences that may always pursue and overtake you -when you least think of them. It is such terrible deeds as that which -fill me with dismay and dread of the future. How can a cause hope -to prosper, the foundations of which are secret murder, implacable -violence, and such desperate bloodshed? And these things are done in my -name, and apparently with my sanction. Did not General Kolfort threaten -you with the consequences of your act?” - -“Yes, but I do not take his threats too seriously. It is one thing to -assassinate a Bulgarian woman, another to murder a British subject.” - -“When you have been longer in this distracted country you will see the -distinction differently. But we must talk no longer in this strain -here. Too many eyes are upon us and too many ears open. Balls are for -dancing, Count,” she added in a light tone and with a smile. - -I understood that I was dismissed, and rose and walked away. I was in -no mood for dancing, and I went into one of the conservatories to think -over what had passed between us, and remained there until it was time -to claim her for the waltz she had promised me. - -We danced it almost in silence, save for a commonplace or two about -the ball and the people present; but at the close she said earnestly: - -“I am leaving almost directly. I shall be at home to-morrow afternoon, -and shall be interested to know your impressions of the Prince.” Then -in a lower voice: “You must be careful, Count. Accept the commission -in the regiment; but do not pledge yourself to His Highness’s service. -You will not find it necessary. Maintain as strict a neutrality as -possible; and then see General Kolfort and tell him what you are doing. -It might be well to see him before you go to the Palace. Emphasise the -fact of your British nationality. You have a difficult part to play; -how difficult you do not yet see, perhaps. But your success and your -safety will always be of the deepest concern to me. Remember that, -always.” - -She spoke earnestly, and in her eyes, as I glanced into them, I saw -again that look of solicitude which at our previous meeting had moved -me so strangely. - -And the sweetness of her voice, the touch of her hand, and the tender -softness of her glance, were haunting me all through the night, and -urging me to I know not what strenuous efforts in her behalf. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -AT THE PALACE - - -The next morning I was up early and went for a long ride. It was likely -to be a critical day for me, and I had to try and look well ahead to -see where I was being carried by the new set of the tide in my affairs. - -My conversation with the Princess Christina had had a great effect upon -me. For one thing it had made me more resolved than ever to devote -myself to her, whatever might be the consequences; but her words of -warning, her evident belief that there was danger for me, and above all -her pleasure at my declaration of loyalty to her, had roused all my -instincts of caution, while they had strengthened my feelings towards -her. - -She was shrewd, clear-cut in her views of men and things, devoted to -the cause of Bulgaria, and openly allied to the Russian party, whose -rough and violent methods she had nevertheless so indignantly decried. -What then was her object? Was she playing the doubly hazardous game of -attempting to use the Russian influence and power for an end opposed to -theirs? - -That was the only solution I could see. And it was one which I knew -must involve her in a course fraught with such peril, that only a woman -of iron nerve and implacable will could contemplate it without fear. -And yet she was brave enough to take such a course without, so far as -I knew, a single man trained in state-craft and intrigue to help her. -Could I take such a _rôle_? The mere thought of the possibility filled -me with enthusiasm not unmixed with much embarrassment. - -If my surmise was right, I felt that her scheme was just that which our -Foreign Office would do their utmost to assist; and, in helping her -to gain the throne on such terms, I should be fulfilling in the best -possible way the object of my presence in the country. But I knew, too, -that open help from the British Government was impossible. That had -been made unmistakably plain to me, and I must make it equally clear to -her. Her advice to make the most of my British nationality might have -been prompted by a belief that our Government would help her, and I -must show her the groundlessness of any such hope. - -At the same time, the course she had indicated agreed best with my own -views: to maintain an open neutrality between the contending sections -while devoting myself to her interests. Her whole object must be -put fully before me, however; and I resolved to speak very frankly -that afternoon. The prospect of the close association with her was -infinitely alluring, and it required more than a single effort to -drag my thoughts away from dwelling upon this to the more practical -consideration of other matters. To secure that friendship I would -willingly venture all that I had in the world; and I had but to think -of it for my heart to be thrilled and my senses dazzled. - -But what of the Duke Sergius and the story of the secret betrothal? -The man was a selfish, sensual brute, as I had seen for myself. Was it -possible that she would even go to the length of sacrificing herself -in a marriage with such a man to secure her end? Then I recalled a -sentence of Mademoiselle Broumoff’s: “A man whose eyes we have always -to blind;” and I repeated it over and over again, till at last I grew -to read it by the light of my own wild, vague thoughts and hopes--that -there was no betrothal, but that the pretended agreement to it was a -part of the subtler plot which my Princess was weaving. The thought of -such a betrothal was maddening to me, and I worked myself up until I -thought I would rather pick a quarrel with him and run him through the -heart than see her condemned to be the wife of such a brute. - -I was cooler, however, when I returned to my hotel, and my wits were -clear and wary enough as I set out for General Kolfort’s house. I was -well received, but he made haste to show me that he knew already of the -fact of my captain’s commission. - -“I am glad to see you, Count Benderoff--or shall I say Captain?” - -“Choose your own form of salutation, General. It was of that matter I -came to see you,” I returned. - -“Is that all?” - -“All?” I asked, as if in astonishment. - -“Do you accept the commission in the service of the Prince--or rather -of the lady who has offered it you--or in mine?” - -“In neither; but as an honour offered to a rich British subject who has -taken up permanent residence in Sofia.” His shrewd old eyes lighted at -this reply, which he had certainly not expected. - -“So that is your line, eh?” he said drily. “Considering that they know -nothing of the Hon. Mr. Winthrop’s existence, they have acted a little -by accident in honouring a British subject. Don’t you think so?” - -I smiled. “At any rate they have made me the offer, and I have -decided to accept it. But I preferred to come and tell you, after our -interesting little conversation of three days ago.” - -“That means, then, you will remain in Sofia?” - -“My house is nearly ready for my occupation, and I shall hope to be -honoured by your presence in it as my guest.” - -“Umph! You have not forgotten our conversation, I see.” - -“It was scarcely one to be forgotten.” - -“And I understand you claim the rights of a British subject.” - -“I am half a Roumanian, General, with considerable possessions there,” -I returned, equivocally. - -“You are a very ambitious, or a very reckless, or a very clever young -man, Count. You have thought over your course well?” - -“I am not given to act on impulse.” - -“Yet cleverer men than you have tried unsuccessfully the dangerous -policy of attempting to ride on two horses at once.” - -“I can but fail,” I answered, indifferently. - -“Then you decline to enrol yourself in my service?” - -“I neither decline nor accept, General.” The reply was unwelcome, and -he sat a moment with brows knitted. - -“You will fail, sir, as certainly as you make the attempt. But I must -know, in view of future possibilities, whether you claim the status of -a British subject or that of a Roumanian Count, or whether, again, I am -to regard you merely as a captain in a Bulgarian regiment.” - -“I shall be in the unique position of enjoying all three,” said I, and -noticed with some amusement the effect of this answer; and then added -with a laugh, and in a light tone: “I don’t expect you to take me too -seriously, General Kolfort.” - -“If you are a British subject, I can ask your Government to recall -you; if a Roumanian Count, I can use other influence to deal with you; -while, if you are merely a Bulgarian officer, you will be responsible -to me for the deed which you have already committed.” His tone was -tense, concentrated, and full of earnestness. “Understand me; I do not -alter. If you will not join me, you shall not stay in Bulgaria. I am -not to be trifled with.” - -“I can appreciate that, for you have already had my correspondence -tampered with, in order to prevent certain news reaching England. -I have committed no act for which I am not quite prepared to -answer--openly; and all I demand is that fair play which we English -claim as the right of all--whether English, Roumanian, or Bulgarian.” - -He listened to this with a grim smile on his hard face. - -“You mean that you are ready to risk breaking yourself on the wheel. -Very well; I confess I looked for a somewhat different decision, -judging by what has passed in the last two days--your conversations -with various people; but remember, and, indeed, you are not likely to -forget, what I have told you is my firm resolve. If you stay, you must -join us.” - -I left him then, feeling that I had created pretty much the impression -I desired--that, in dealing with me, he would have to regard me as a -British subject; and that, coupled with the fact of my increasingly -close relations with the Princess and those about her, would suffice to -secure my safety for a time. - -With the reigning Prince I was at a loss what line to take. It was -difficult to decide beforehand; but I was resolved to go to the length -of refusing the captaincy in the regiment if the conditions attached to -its acceptance were in any way embarrassing to my freedom. - -But my interview with him was a surprise to me. - -He received me alone, and spoke with a freedom I had not expected, -giving as the reason for his attitude my rescue of the Countess -Bokara; and when I told him as I did, for there was now no longer -any reason for concealing the fact, that I was an Englishman, his -frankness increased. He jumped to the conclusion that I had some sort -of credentials from the British Government, and it was only with -difficulty that I disabused him of the idea. - -He had the most engaging personality of any man I ever met. He was -strikingly handsome; every movement was marked by a courtly but -unstudied and natural grace; his voice was toned in perfect accord with -his courteous and kindly bearing; and his manner so sympathetically -receptive as to impress you with the conviction that all you said -had the utmost interest and importance for him. A courtier to the -finger-tips, and yet withal a prince, it was impossible not to be -charmed with him. I might have been his most intimate friend instead -of the merest stranger who had come to thank him for a favour just -bestowed. There was something lacking, however--strength; and therein, -without doubt, lay the secret of his failure. - -“What reason can a wealthy Englishman have for settling in a place -like this, unless he bears a commission of some kind?” he asked, while -indulging his hope that I was indeed charged with the duty of aiding -him. - -“Had I such a mission, your Highness, should I not have come straight -to you?” - -“I suppose so, but yet it seems strange. I suppose they know in England -how matters are with me, and what must eventually happen if nothing is -done.” - -“All Europe knows of the difficulties of your position,” I answered -diplomatically. - -“And all Europe does nothing but look on with folded hands, leaving me -helpless to kick against the pricks. Do they think I bear a charmed -life to withstand for ever the plots against my life that are being -daily formed, and that I can go on for ever avoiding the poison or the -dagger or the bullet that my enemies have ever in readiness for me? Do -they take me for a zealot so tired of living that I am willing to keep -my life always on offer to the first hand daring and shrewd enough to -take it? And all this for a freedom which they mouth about and will -not help, and for a people who have been corrupted to hate me, though -I have doubled their country, led them to victory, and saved them from -overwhelming disasters. By Heaven! the ingratitude of this people is as -colossal as their selfishness.” - -I said nothing, and in a moment his bitterness passed, and he smiled. - -“This is poor hearing for one who has come generously to offer me his -services, and who has already placed me under a load of obligation. But -at least I will be frank with you, Count Benderoff. I can give you this -commission, give it gladly, and welcome you for what I believe you to -be--an honourable man; but your services are of no use to me. They come -too late--too late.” - -“I do not understand your Highness.” - -“It shall not be for want of plain dealing with you, then. The dear -friend whose life you saved, and who has brought you to me, is -urging--the impossible. She does not know it, or cannot realise it, or -will not--what you will; but, mark me well, my days in this ungrateful -country are numbered. You will not use the information I give you--but -I have resolved to abdicate.” - -“To abdicate?” I cried, for this was news indeed. - -“Yes; to abdicate. That is my fixed and irrevocable resolve. Had you -brought me the promise of help from England, I would stay and fight -it out, and strive to realise those high hopes with which, under God, -I declare I accepted the throne. But what can I do alone, or almost -alone, against a people who plot and plan to depose or murder me, who -have tired already of the puppet ruler which other Powers imposed -upon them, and against the cursed canker of this Russian intrigue? -In all the land I cannot now tell who is friend and who foe. In my -very household the air reeks with conspiracy and intrigue. I know -not whether any man I meet by chance may not be sent to do murder. I -never lie down at night without wondering whether I shall see the next -morning’s sun. I never taste a meal without the thought of poison. I -never speak a word without the expectation that it will be carried to -the ears of my implacable and ruthless foes. And never a sun rises and -sets again without I know that the deadly work of corruption has been -carried a stage farther.” - -“Such thoughts as these, your Highness, grow by brooding.” - -“Good God, man, they are the natural germs with which this Eastern air -is crowded and polluted. No, no; these are no idle fears. Russia is -relentless, and I am powerless to resist her. I will not be her tool. -I could stay in safety and in what the world calls pomp and honour, a -great Prince, if I would but stoop to do her bidding. I will not; and -therefore my choice to abdicate or die. Would God it could have been -different!” - -I was silent in the rush of thoughts these utterances roused. - -“You will not tell the Countess Bokara this? It is my grief, the -bitterest irony of all my position, that I am driven thus to mislead -the one friend who has been staunch to me, the truest friend God ever -gave to a disappointed man, a foiled and thwarted Prince. I have told -you--it will, indeed, be public knowledge in a few weeks from now, and -Europe will reap the crop which her vacillation has sown--that you may -not be buoyed up with false hopes from this grant of the commission. It -would be a Greek gift, indeed, did I not tell you the truth--that you -have nothing to hope from it. I can guess, of course, what the result -will be. You will be drawn to the Russian net. That is a vortex which -sucks in everything.” - -“What is that?” - -I turned like a needle to the magnet as I heard the ringing tones of -the Countess Bokara, who had entered the room unknown to us. - -“Who will join the Russian party--you, Count Benderoff?” she cried -eagerly, almost fiercely, as she came quickly forward. “No. Prince, I -will answer for him. He dare not,” she added. - -“How much did you hear, Anna?” he asked rather uneasily. - -“Enough to rouse my indignation, that was all.” - -“I was telling the Count that there is no hope to be gained in my -service, and there is but one side here for a man of action.” - -“Prince, Prince, why will you always damp the enthusiasm of those -who would be your friends and adherents? Why this constant tone of -depression? These everlasting fears and forebodings? There is no -cause for them, Count. We are on the eve of a stroke that will change -everything--everything--and foil these coward traitors and restore in -all its former strength the Prince’s influence. There is no monopoly -of craft and guile in these Russians! A clear head, a strong hand, a -loyal heart, and a daring sword, can change all. We are not so hopeless -but that a clever _coup_ can save our cause and make us once again -all-powerful.” - -The Prince threw up his hands with a gesture of weakness. - -“It is too late,” he murmured, despondently. “Too late.” - -“It shall never be too late while I live,” she cried, desperately. “It -shall never be said that you were beaten by a woman. Force her from -the path, by fair means or foul--and forced she shall be--and all the -flimsy superstructure of this clumsy plot falls like a shattered dream. -Never shall Bulgaria be crushed beneath that woman’s heel while I have -strength in my right arm, or there remains a knife or a bullet in all -the land. I swear it.” - -She uttered the vengeful words with all the vehement force of her -violent temper, and as I looked at her I could see the thoughts of -murder lighting her strained, glowing features, and brightly gleaming -eyes. - -But while they stirred repugnance in me they seemed only to add to the -Prince’s despondency. - -“There has been too much blood shed already,” he said, in a tone of -rebuke. - -[Illustration: “THE COUNT HAS MY PERMISSION TO RETIRE.”--_Page 89._] - -“Too much; aye, so much that one woman’s life more will make no -difference. So they thought when they planned that mine should be the -life--and shall I be softer than they?” - -The Prince looked at me with an expression I was quick to read, and I -made a movement as if to leave. - -“I shall see you again shortly, Count, and you will take up your -military duties at your early convenience. Meanwhile, I depend upon -your discretion. All that you have heard here is for yourself alone.” - -“Absolutely. I understand,” I answered, and took my leave. - -“You cannot go like this,” broke in the Countess. “I have yet much to -say to you. I need your advice and help.” - -“Madame, I have urgent matters that call for attention immediately,” I -replied, and the Prince thanked me with a look. - -“And are not these matters urgent?” she cried, indignantly. - -“The Count has my permission to retire,” said the Prince, with sudden -dignity. - -“When do you return, sir?” asked the Countess. “I must see you at once. -I cannot brook delay. I am on fire when I think of all you must help me -to achieve.” - -“My duties will bring me here constantly;” and as I withdrew I could -not decide whether my admiration of her courage and staunchness to the -Prince or my loathing of the deadly methods by which she was prepared -to prove it were the greater. Admirable as a friend, she was hateful -as a woman; and as she watched me go she appeared like a beautiful -dangerous fiend, till her face turned to the Prince and her eyes glowed -with the intense love for him which was the inspiring passion of her -strange, reckless nature. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -“I HAVE UNBOUNDED FAITH IN YOU” - - -All my impressions of the interview with the Prince were quickly -overshadowed by the one overpowering fear that the Princess was in -imminent personal danger from the fury of the Countess Bokara. The -Princess was regarded by her as the central pivot on which the whole -Russian intrigue turned, and to take her life was the openly avowed -object of that dangerous woman’s passion. - -That any attempt would be subtly planned and fearlessly carried out -I knew well enough, and it was for the perfecting of such a scheme -that she sought my help. This was indeed the crowning irony of the -situation. I, who would give my life to save the Princess’s, was to -be this reckless fury’s accomplice in a plot to murder her, in order -to keep on the throne a Prince who had solemnly declared to me his -unalterable decision to resign it. - -Yet there was one ray of consolation. It was probable that I should -be able to hold her scheme in check long enough to secure the safety -of her intended victim, and I could at once urge upon the latter the -necessity for the greatest caution. It was with this thought in my mind -that I made my visit to the Princess in the afternoon. - -Her house was a large one standing by itself in the centre of the -town, and I scanned it curiously. I noticed with satisfaction that -great precautions had been taken. All the windows in the lower -part were barred heavily; and the defences might have been planned -with the express view of preventing just such an attempt as was in -contemplation. The Russians had obviously done the work, knowing the -need for guarding jealously the woman on whom so much depended. - -On that score I had no apprehensions, therefore, and I resolved to -question the Princess closely as to the state of affairs within, and -whether she was absolutely sure of those who formed her household. - -She received me very graciously. - -“Your interview with the Prince has made you thoughtful, Count,” she -said, after a few minutes. “Was my forecast right? and what have you -done?” - -“I have accepted the commission in his regiment, but I have not pledged -myself to support his cause--indeed, he said that I should probably -find myself bound in the end to commit myself to the Russian party.” - -“It is singular that a man who showed himself so brave, and at first so -capable, should be unable to read what is as plain as a book to other -people.” - -“His reading is that the one possible future for the country is for it -to pass into the power of Russia.” - -“I know that. It is his besetting weakness.” She said this very -thoughtfully, and then her face and eyes lighted as she added with -vehemence: “And it is wrong--utterly and wholly wrong. The merest -counsel of despair. By the help of Heaven we will live to prove it so; -and if I have not counted on you in vain, you shall help us in the -glorious work.” - -She turned her eyes upon me with a look that infected me with her -enthusiasm. “You will help us, will you not?” - -“With everything I possess, even to my life.” - -“I know it; I am sure of you. Would to heaven we had more men like -you with us! I am going to trust you--put perhaps our lives in your -keeping, for I know well enough the dangers of the work. But I trust -you--absolutely.” She held out her hand as she said this with an air -and tone of implicit confidence, and I carried her fingers to my lips. - -“Show me how to help,” I said, my voice unsteady with emotion. - -“Openly we are all allied to the Russians in a scheme which is to make -me the reigning Princess, independent of all Russian influence. This -is the veil which hides their real intentions. Secretly there is an -engagement that I shall become the wife of the Duke Sergius, admitting -him to a half share of the throne, and thus Russianising it completely. -To make sure of me, it is arranged that we be married secretly, the -union only to be announced after my accession. The object for this is -of course to bind me irrevocably to them beforehand; and it is expected -that while I am seemingly independent, all that is national and -patriotic in Bulgaria will be rallied to my support. We should thus get -a firm hold of the throne and of all classes of the people without the -suspicion of too great Russian predominance. Do you see that?” - -I did; and my looks showed that I did not relish it. - -“It is a shrewd scheme, no doubt,” I said. - -She gazed at me steadily, almost reproachfully, I thought. But I did -not like the scheme, and would not pretend that I did. - -“Is it a plan you will help?” she asked. I was silent and cast my eyes -on the ground. - -“Is it a plan you will help?” she repeated. - -“You place me in a position of great difficulty, Princess,” I replied, -slowly. - -“Will you help me in it?” she repeated. - -“With such powerful influence behind you, you will not need my help -that I can see,” I returned, ungraciously, for the scowling brutal face -of Duke Sergius was in my thoughts. - -Her eyes were still bent steadily upon me, and a side glance showed me -their expression had changed. - -“You are not frank with me, Count Benderoff,” she said, after a pause; -and at that I looked up and said bluntly: - -“If I offend you I am sorry; but I will not stir a finger to help the -man you mean--the Duke Sergius.” - -Her face was breaking into a smile, when she checked it, and I saw a -faint wave of colour rise to her cheek. - -“What do you know of Duke Sergius?” she asked. Again a pause. - -“Little or nothing, Madame; but I will not serve in any cause where his -interests are to be advanced.” - -“Why do you not like him? You knew I was betrothed to him?” - -She seemed suddenly bent on rousing my temper against the man. - -“I had heard of it.” - -“Yet, knowing it, you have not hitherto refused to help me!” Was she -playing on my passion, that she persisted in her questioning? “You must -have some reasons,” she continued, when I remained silent; “what are -they?” and to my astonishment the smile which she had before checked -now passed beyond control and lighted her face rarely. - -“You must not press me for my reasons,” I said quickly; and the light -in her eyes may have reflected the thought behind it, for again the -colour mantled her cheeks. - -“Then you will not help me?” she said in a low voice that witched me. - -“You? With my life!” - -The passion in my tone made her cast down her eyes, till, with a still -deeper colour on her face, she lifted them and said gently: - -“Forgive me; I was but testing you. And if you blame me, think what -store I may set upon an assurance of fidelity that is purely personal -to me. Call it caprice if you will, a mere woman’s caprice, that I -should thus seek to probe your real thoughts and resolves.” - -“There was no need to test me where you were concerned,” I replied; -and again the earnestness of my tone appeared to embarrass her. In the -short silence that followed I sat with but the loosest rein upon the -hopes and thoughts that were so much to me. - -“No; the Duke Sergius does not come into the scheme as we plan it,” she -said; “and I thought indeed that what Mademoiselle Broumoff told you -would have made you understand this. I would do much for this country; -and if it were necessary that I should marry him--which, thank God, it -is not--I might force myself to go even to that extreme. But in my life -there can be no thought of marriage. I should be baser than the base -if, having taken this charge upon me, I should ever turn from it by any -thought of myself.” - -She spoke in a tone of lofty exaltation, a strange contrast indeed to -what she had termed her “mere woman’s caprice;” and I held my peace. - -“Our plan is this,” she resumed: “to use the Russian ladder, and then -kick it over. To make them pledge themselves before Europe to support -me on the throne, and then to use the power of the throne for rallying -the Bulgarians to defend themselves and their country against their -real enemies.” - -“You have mapped out a dangerous counterplot, Princess; but I like it, -and if I can help, I will. How will you prevent the secret marriage?” - -“We shall have to leave that to be disposed of when the time comes. As -you were warned, he is a man whose eyes we have ever to blind.” - -“Are you sure of the people about you?” - -“Of some--indeed, of many; but it is in that you can be of such help to -us. I have heard of the suggestions you made so guardedly, that your -house shall be the rendezvous of the movement to which those shall be -brought who are known to be true to the country, and can be trusted. -Such a meeting-place will be invaluable, especially where, as in your -case, there is a plausible excuse for any such gatherings.” - -“You mean?” - -“We propose to form a kind of gymnasium club--at least, propose -that you should form it among the young men of the city whom we can -ascertain to be faithful. Of these men you will necessarily become the -leader; so you see you will have an important part to play, my friend.” - -“It is shrewd,” I said, perceiving at once its many possibilities, as -I recalled Zoiloff’s words. “But how far are your plans advanced? Time -presses.” - -“Much farther advanced than you think. We have been working all the -time this Russian scheme has been in progress, so that we should be -ready when that reaches its climax. But matters will move faster now, -and in a few weeks all should be prepared. It is a strong point that -the very craft of General Kolfort itself has helped us. We have, as -it were, a free hand for making our preparations. He is as anxious as -we are that those Bulgarians who are opposed to the Prince, and would -help me, but fear Russia, should be secured to us; and this has given -us just the cover for our work that we needed. We shall triumph, Count, -for the cause of truth is ours, and Bulgaria shall be free;” and her -voice rang with earnestness. - -I sat silent in thought for some moments. - -“You have thought of the dangers to yourself?” - -“I can but die, and where could one find a nobler end?” Her face shone -with the light of willing martyrdom. - -“You think the General has no suspicion?” - -“He cannot have as yet. There will come a moment when his eyes will -be opened, no doubt, and then the danger may be real enough. But I am -prepared to face anything for the cause.” - -I thought of that moment, and my heart feared for her; but I knew of -the other danger from that wild woman, the Countess Bokara; and I must -put her on her guard. - -“It is not of the dangers we must think, Count, but of the great end -to be achieved,” she added. “To dwell on nothing but risks may make -cowards of the bravest.” - -[Illustration: “SHE TURNED SWIFTLY AND LOOKED AT ME.”--_Page 97._] - -“True; but we must at all events give enough heed to the dangers to be -able to guard against them. Have you thought of the steps the Prince -and those about him might take against you?” - -“You may have influence with her,” she answered, understanding me -readily. “And I have had a half hope that you may be able to make her -understand how hopeless are her efforts. Can you do this?” - -“I am not hopeful. She is a woman of wild and vehement passions.” - -“She is mad; she hates me so violently that if she dared she would -herself plunge a knife into my heart. She clings to the shadow of power -which she wields through the Prince with all the tenacity of ambition -venomed by malice. I know it, but I do not fear her,” she said proudly. -“She is the greatest enemy this country has, even in this hour when -its enemies throng every street, and are found in every house. Daring, -unscrupulous, reckless, and saturated with the lust of power, she would -use the Prince for the pursuit of her own ends, and those only, however -cleverly masked by a boasted love of the country.” - -The Princess was a very woman after all, I saw, for it was easy to read -the personal dislike which breathed through her indignation. - -“She may be very dangerous, Princess,” I said warningly. - -She turned swiftly and looked at me, reading in my voice my genuine -alarm for her. After a moment, her face softened into a smile, and she -put her hand on my arm. - -“You are warning me, I see, against something you know but cannot tell -me. I will not ask you. I will do more, for your sake, and to relieve -your fears on my account. I will be very cautious. You have a most -difficult part to fulfil at present; I understand that. But I will -guard against any such risks as you appear to contemplate. Your ready -zeal for the cause is very welcome to me, Count--more welcome, perhaps, -than I have been able to show you. For the sake of what you say, I will -be very cautious.” - -Her eyes rested a moment on my face, holding me in a thraldom of silent -admiration. Then she added sweetly: “But you must not let your fears -for me print themselves so legibly on your face. We shall go forward -together in this matter to victory, my friend. That is the thought -to carry with you. Heaven will not suffer us to fail, let the risks -and difficulties be what they may. We are close comrades now; and I -feel that you have been sent just at the moment when such a man was -absolutely necessary. And when we have gained the victory, you will -play a large part in the far greater work that lies ahead. I have -unbounded faith in you.” - -“I do not need the spur of ambition to serve you, Princess; but, by the -help of heaven, your faith in me shall never prove unfounded.” I spoke -with intense earnestness, and then rose to leave. She rose, too, and -gave me her hand, which I again carried to my lips; and it pleased me -to think that her fingers trembled as my lips touched them. - -I had reached the door when she said suddenly: - -“Oh, there is one thing which I have not mentioned. We have a kind of -watchword which you should know. Our friends are banded together ‘In -the Name of a Woman,’ Count.” - -I started with a touch of alarm. - -“But General Kolfort knows of that. It was with that formula I was -accosted by the messenger who led me to his house.” - -“He chose it,” she answered, with a smile of reassurance. “It is -intended to mark off those who are for me as distinguished from those -solely devoted to Russia, the good men and true for whom he thinks I -can best act as his decoy.” I understood her. “You will not forget it -and all that it means, as I have explained to you to-day.” - -“I am not likely to forget all that it means to me,” I said, and a -quick glow on her face made me think she understood me, too, and was -not displeased. With a little flush of pleasure I turned again to -leave, when the door was opened, and a servant announced the Duke -Sergius. - -He came in hurriedly, with a look of vexation on his coarse, broad -face, which deepened instantly to anger as his eyes fell upon me. - -“They told me you were engaged, Princess, as I see,” he said, with a -sneer at me; “but I had a matter of urgency to discuss with you, so I -bade your servants announce me.” - -“Your urgency will cost my servants their places,” she answered, the -expression of her face hardening into cold austerity--so different from -anything I had seen during our interview. - -“I did not think it could be anything very important,” he answered, -paying no heed to her words. “Who is this gentleman?” and he turned and -glowered at me. - -Not only a bully, but a cad, was my thought, as I returned his look -with generous interest. - -The Princess murmured our names formally and coldly. - -“I have heard something of you, Count, from General Kolfort.” He spoke -as if it had been nothing to my good. “If I mistake not, I saw you at -the ball last night.” - -“I was there,” I answered curtly. - -“I want a word or two with you, sometime, and will wait upon you.” Had -I been a servant at whom he was flinging an order, he could not have -put more offensive patronage into his tone. - -“If you will write your business I will see if I have time to give -you an appointment,” I answered with intentional brusqueness. He was -not accustomed to be addressed in such a tone, and he started and -flushed with anger. I took no notice, but with a bow to the Princess -I murmured, “I have the honour to wish you good day, Madame,” and, -ignoring the Duke entirely, I went away, leaving him staring angrily -after me. - -“I hate the brute,” I said to myself as I went into the street; and in -truth I seemed to find a special cause of offence in the fact that I -had had to leave him alone with the Princess. “I wish to Heaven he’d -quarrel with me,” I muttered; and, indeed, the wish was to have a -fulfilment that at the moment I had no cause to anticipate or hope. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -“IN THE NAME OF A WOMAN” - - -The result of my interview with the Princess will be readily -understood. It made me more devoted to her than ever. The sweetness of -her manner, the charm of her rare beauty, the loftiness of her aims, -the faith and confidence she had shown in me, and the many signs of her -reliance upon me had enslaved me. In a word, I was in love with her. -She was far above me, and there was no hope that I could ever win her -for my wife. There were a thousand obstacles in the way. But there was -nothing to stop my loving her. - -So far I had never met one to touch my heart and kindle the myriad -flames of inspiring passion which throbbed and thrilled in me now with -such ecstasy at the mere thought of this rare and wonderful pearl among -women. - -I gave heed to no thought of consequences--never paused to think what -the end of such a passion might be, nor where it might lead me. She -had changed every habit of my mind. Usually cautious, calculating, and -self-reserved, I heeded nothing now but the delicious knowledge that I -loved her and could serve her, and help her to gain the high and noble -end she had in view. And serve her I vowed I would with every faculty I -possessed, and, if the need were, at the cost of every drop of blood in -my body. I flung every other consideration to the winds and dizzied my -brain with dreams of the delight it would yield me to feel that I could -be the means of helping her. - -That she depended upon me and trusted me was in itself a delirium -of pleasure, and, come what might, I would never fail nor falter in -her service. Others might have their aims and objects in this wild -business of the intrigue, I would serve Christina, and Christina only, -“In the Name of a Woman.” Whatever it should be to others, to me it -had a real and inspiring meaning, and for me it was destined to be no -mere watchword or formula, but the guiding principle of every act and -thought and the lode star to determine my life. - -But I would guard my secret jealously; it should be mine and mine only. -The fire must burn, but it should be down in the centre of my heart; -and on the surface no prying eyes should pierce the mask of reserve -with which I would conceal my passion. - -All this came to me clearly in the frank self-communing of the night, -and with it a full admission of the real cause for my hatred of the -Duke Sergius. It was not so much the man himself I detested--detestable -though I believed him--but the future husband of Christina, using and -defiling that fair shrine for the sordid purpose of his selfish policy. -He and those in league with him would use the rarest and fairest of -God’s women as a tool for their own base ends. The mere thought of it -was an abomination of desecration. - -But they would have to reckon with me, and in my new love-madness I -piled up oath upon oath that I would spoil their plans and thwart their -designs against her. - -“I have unbounded faith in you.” The words rang in my ears like the -strain from some angel’s song, and filled me with such enthusiasm that -I longed for the moment of action, and could scarce find patience to -wait through the lingering hours of darkness that I might begin my -work; and I lay, my brain simmering with plots and plans against the -two men, Sergius and Kolfort, who were thus leagued against Christina. - -By the morning, however, I was cooler, and in a fitter frame of mind to -face the thousand difficulties of the position. - -Spernow was with me early, and I had my first lesson in the necessity -of keeping my feelings out of sight. He had heard of my interview with -the Princess, and came eager to learn the result. I knew very well by -this time that that very shrewd little Mademoiselle Broumoff was at the -bottom of his eagerness, and I was on my guard. - -I told him that the Princess had convinced me of the soundness of her -policy, and that I should do all in my power to help her. - -“Is she not all I said of her?” he asked. - -“She is a woman with a mission,” I answered somewhat coldly. “But her -mission is a high and bright one in the interests of Bulgaria and -freedom, and, as those are interests in which I feel a deep concern, I -shall give her all the help in my power.” - -The studied deliberateness of my tone perplexed him, for he looked at -me in some surprise and disappointment. - -“Is that all you thought of her, my dear Count? You must have a cool -head--for you have filled her with enthusiasm.” - -This was sweet music to me indeed; but I replied indifferently: - -“I base my opinions on my judgment;” and I smiled as if in deprecation -of enthusiasm. “But now I have much to do to-day. I take possession -of my house, and I wish to have a consultation with you and Captain -Zoiloff as to certain plans. Will you bring him to me there at noon? We -have to discuss the future form of our new association.” - -As soon as he had left me I hurried to meet the officers of my -regiment, and my reception by them was exceedingly cordial and -friendly--partly due, as I afterwards learnt, to my duel with Ristich, -who had been a much hated man; and also because of my reputation as a -man of wealth. I gave one prompt proof of this by asking the whole of -my brother officers to dine with me at an early date. - -By noon I was back at my house to meet Zoiloff and Spernow, and after -we had had some practice with the foils and in pistol shooting we set -to work upon the serious business of the conference. - -We arranged that I should be the head of the organisation, with Zoiloff -next in charge under me; and he threw himself with keen ardour into the -work. - -“I cannot tell you how glad I am to have you with us in this, Count,” -he said, when we had debated and settled details. “Now that you have -come, you seem to be just the man we were waiting for; and this place -of yours will be a magnificent rendezvous.” - -“Shall we have many join us?” - -“We do not want too many, but all will be carefully picked, and every -man will be one wielding influence over others.” - -“How will General Kolfort view the scheme?” - -“All he will know will be that here is in training a band of young men -all working for the object which he desires, and all capable of giving -the greatest help to the movement. The real secret will be in as few -hands as possible. When he knows more it will be too late for him to -interfere,” he said with a smile. - -“That will be the hour of danger,” I returned. - -“Rather the hour of triumph. Think what it must mean in a country -like ours to have, say, five hundred young men in this city, each -influencing many more, drawn from all classes, high and low, all -joined by the strongest ties for one common object, and all looking -upon one man as their leader--‘In the Name of a Woman.’ You will wield -a tremendous power, Count. God grant you use it wisely,” he said, -earnestly. “But I have no doubt of that. I should not be here if I had.” - -“I shall wield it only for the one object.” - -“It will turn the scale in any crisis,” said Spernow. - -“It will free the country,” said Zoiloff. - -I said nothing, but was thinking of the help it would render to my -Princess. - -One thing troubled me. The General had declared that he would not -permit me to remain in the country unless I pledged myself to join -him; and give that pledge I would not. Neither would I leave the -country. And when my two companions had left, I sat pondering a way -out of the difficulty. There was but one way that I could see--to have -him satisfied by some indirect means that I had espoused the cause of -the Princess, and leave him to draw the inference for himself that in -serving her I intended to serve him and his party also. - -In this connection I thought of Spernow. He was the General’s agent -specially told off to sound me, and it would be quite possible for him -to give a report sufficiently plausible to effect what was wanted. But -who should coach Spernow? The answer came with the question. Without -doubt it must be Mademoiselle Broumoff, and it remained only for me to -get an interview with her and tell her what to do. - -Inwardly I tried to persuade myself that this might be a sufficient -reason for me to seek another interview with the Princess; but I put -the temptation away from me, strong as it was, reflecting that any too -great eagerness on my part to see her would only defeat the very end I -had in view--to be of real help. I must raise no suspicions anywhere by -seeking to see her too often. - -I was thinking this matter out when a servant brought me the card of -the Duke Sergius. I started as I saw it, and for a moment was inclined -to send an excuse. But reflecting that I must now take my share in -helping to blind his eyes, I went to him. - -“I have not adopted the somewhat roundabout way you suggested yesterday -for having an interview with you, Count Benderoff, but have come direct -to you. I am accustomed to go straight to a point.” - -“Yes?” My tone was curt. - -“You and I must understand one another a little better. I have heard -of you from General Kolfort, who seems inclined to take you rather -seriously; and I may say at once that since I saw you yesterday I have -changed my opinion about you. The Princess Christina spoke to me pretty -frankly concerning you.” - -“Yes?” I said again; I hated to hear him even speak her name so glibly. - -“I looked on you before as a sort of superior spy--sent here, probably -from England, to see what was going on. But I now understand that we -are to be friends to work together. I am glad to hear it.” He spoke -with a sort of blustering bluntness that he may have intended for an -engaging frankness. - -“I do not know that I am much concerned what opinion you take the -trouble to form about me,” I answered, coldly. - -“Hang it all, man, can’t you see I have come in a friendly spirit to -talk over together the things we have in common? Why do you receive me -like this?” He spoke sharply, and, I thought, angrily; and when I did -not answer immediately, he added with a laugh that had no mirth in it: -“You don’t suppose I am in the habit of hawking round my friendship?” - -“Have I suggested anything of the kind?” - -“You make it very difficult for me to enter into things with you.” - -“I have seen you twice, sir,” I answered deliberately. “The first time -at the ball the other evening, when you were good enough to scowl -at me, and yesterday at the Princess Christina’s house, when your -words were a kind of scowl expressed audibly. We Englishmen are not -accustomed to read such actions as the preliminaries of a friendship.” - -He started at the word Englishmen, and his eyes lighted with swift -anger. Obviously he hated everything English; nor did I wish him to -make an exception in my case. I think he read as much in my eyes. - -“You Englishmen take very queer views of many things,” he answered, -after a short pause. “But I thought you were more a Roumanian, and thus -a friend of my country?” - -“I have the honour to be a Roumanian Count,” I said, tersely. - -“Do you wish to quarrel with me, Count Benderoff?” But before I could -reply, he added: “But there, that must be ridiculous, for the Princess -tells me I may look upon you as a man devoted to her cause, and, -therefore, to mine. I shall not be unmindful of those who help us, I -would have you understand that--though I wish you did not make it so -difficult for me to tell it you.” - -“I am not working for any hope of material reward at your hands,” I -answered equivocally. His patronising tone galled me. - -“No matter. That will not prevent your accepting it when the time -comes. Few men do that, I find--even Englishmen. But now I wish us to -be friends and comrades, Count. Do you see any reason against it?” - -“We have not begun auspiciously,” said I drily. - -“Hang it!” he cried with an oath. “You are as diffident as a girl in -her teens. I don’t find men inclined to quarrel with my offers of -friendship, I can tell you. I am not without power and influence, I can -assure you;” and he smiled boastfully. - -I made no response to his offer. I could not. - -“You have made a good choice of a house, Count,” he said, after another -pause. “I congratulate you. And where is the room where you are going -to lure the coy pigeons to be trained in the service of the Princess -Christina?” Evidently she had told him of the project. - -“I will show it you, if you like,” I said, rising. - -“Nothing will please me better,” he said, following me from the room. -“Egad, a splendid hall!” he exclaimed in genuine admiration as we -entered it. “Men tell me, too, that you know how to use the sword well. -From all accounts you easily spitted that fool Ristich the first time -at old Kolfort’s, and did just what you liked with him when you met him -on the ground.” - -“He was wounded, and in my opinion unfit to fight. I protested against -his doing so, as you may have heard; but he insisted, and left me no -option.” - -He examined all the arrangements and gymnastic apparatus with obvious -interest, making many comments to show his appreciation of everything. - -“This is a novel thing for Sofia,” he said, after a while. “And a -devilish shrewd device to draw in the young bloods of the place. -They will make a hero of you, Count. A splendid thought, and one -that shows what an acquisition you will be to us. A pistol range, -too; magnificent! May I try a shot or two?” He spoke with assumed -indifference, but I caught a glance which told me he wished to surprise -me with a display of his skill in shooting. - -“By all means,” I answered readily, not at all unwilling to see what -he could do, and to show him also that I knew how to handle a pistol -pretty well. - -He was a good shot, and took a pride in his work, laughing boastfully -when he sent his bullet three times in succession into the bull’s-eye -of the small target. - -“I’m strange to the pistol, of course; but that’s not bad for a first -attempt, eh? I’m a bit out of practice, too, for I haven’t a place like -this to keep my hand in.” There was a sneer at me in this. - -“Come to the further mark,” I said, putting him half a dozen paces to -the rear. “You shoot well.” - -He tried from the further mark and hit the target each time, but only -once got on to the bull’s-eye. - -“It’s a long distance, and the light’s rather bad. Do you shoot much?” - -“Well, a little. I have only had two or three shots here;” and I picked -up a revolver carelessly. “I am sorry you found the light bad.” I -turned, then levelled the pistol and fired half-a-dozen shots in rapid -succession. - -“You have missed,” he cried, laughing gleefully. - -“I think not. You will find the six bullets in a ring round the -bull’s-eye. I never miss.” I spoke with intentionally boastful swagger. - -He went up to the target and examined it, and then turned to me: - -“By the Lord, you’re a wonderful shot. Where did you learn that trick?” - -The unfeigned surprise and admiration in his tone pleased me. He would -know now, at least, that I was not a man to be trifled with; from that -moment his manner towards me changed, and his bluster and swagger -decreased. - -“I am very fond of pistol practice,” I answered quietly. - -He went up to the target again and stood before it, scrutinising the -marks of the bullets as though I had performed a miracle. - -“I never saw anything like it. It’s wonderful,” I heard him mutter to -himself. Then in a louder tone to me: “I should like to come here for -practice, Count.” But I had no mind for that. - -“It would not do, I am afraid. If we are to make this business a -success, I must be as slightly associated with you as possible.” - -“Yes, that is true--and shrewd enough. You won’t want recruits if -you can teach them to do that,” pointing to the target. “And are you -equally clever with the foils?” I could have found it in me to laugh at -the change in his manner. He was like a man who had come to bully and -had unexpectedly been whipped. - -“No, a long way from it. Would you like to try?” But he declined on -the plea that he had no time. His refusal surprised me, for I had heard -that he was a splendid fencer, and was somewhat curious to see how -far he was my superior. I concluded that he was unwilling to show me -how really skilful he was, and had to content myself with the evident -impression my skill with the revolver had produced. - -He left me soon afterwards, expressing another hope that we should be -friends; but I was as guarded in my reply as I had been before, and -certainly no more cordial. - -I was glad of the visit, however. He had solved the difficulty which -had been perplexing me. It was evident that the Princess had said -enough to lead him to think that I was working on his side, and I -was convinced that he would say as much to General Kolfort, and thus -unwittingly render me a service. - -That our dislike was mutual I had no doubt. He had come resolved to -patronise and, perhaps, to ride rough shod over me in his swaggering, -overbearing way; and his performance with the pistol had been intended -to intimidate me, by proving that he was as dangerous to quarrel with -as he was powerful as an ally. But my display had changed all that; and -in a degree had humiliated him in my eyes at the very moment when he -was keen to appear most formidable. - -He was a man to take such a rebuff badly; and for the future I felt -he would be no friend of mine. Whether he would dare to be an enemy -depended upon his skill as a swordsman; and that he had carefully kept -hidden from me. - -Nevertheless, he had cleared one tangle from the skein of my -difficulties, and I was therefore glad of the visit. Whether he would -seek to show his enmity openly I did not trouble to ask myself. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -BETRAYED - - -The next few days were crowded ones for me. The organisation of our -conspirators went forward with astonishing success--the fruit, of -course, of the previous efforts of Zoiloff and those working with him; -and when we held our first big meeting to inaugurate our new “Club,” -we had nearly three hundred splendid young fellows zealous to pledge -themselves to the finger-tips in the cause of the Princess Christina. - -Each of them had been presented privately to me, and each promised -unreservedly to follow my leadership. All were animated by the most -patriotic enthusiasm, and many of them were in a position to influence -considerable numbers of their compatriots. - -The scheme of the Gymnasium Club evoked great praise, and I was -surprised by the ardour with which they threw themselves into the task -of athletic training. All the details of this were managed by Zoiloff -and a few carefully chosen men under him; and after the first meeting -these leaders supped with me, and many were the exuberant anticipations -of success that found expression. Zoiloff himself threw aside his -customary reserve, and led on the rest to praise me. - -“It is the finest movement ever started in Bulgaria, Count,” he said -to me when Spernow and he and I were alone. “And it will spread like -a heath on fire, from here to every town and centre in the country. -In a month we shall have such power and influence as never before was -wielded by anyone here;” and Spernow was equally enthusiastic. - -“I am astonished, I think, by what I have seen to-night,” I said. - -“Ah, you don’t know my countrymen,” exclaimed Zoiloff, whose eyes shone -and sparkled with the fire of feeling. “They have been crushed under -the curse of the Crescent; they have groaned under the oppression till -the fire of patriotism has flickered low indeed, for there seemed no -gleam of hope; they have suffered, God alone knows how bitterly and -drearily, till the iron was like to enter their souls and corrode every -generous instinct and fervour; but, thanks be to God, those instincts -are not dead, and we shall rouse them into an activity that will -startle Europe and save the Balkan States. We have done much in the -past few years, as you know; but that is nothing to what we shall yet -achieve. Were the Prince other than he is, the hand of Russia weighing -less heavily on him, and their dastardly work of suborning and sapping -the truth and honour of the prominent men of the country less deadly, -we should not now be cowering and cringing under the talons of the -Eagles. Think what it has been to work always under leaders whom we -doubted and distrusted for traitors. But that is changed at last. We -will have no more of the old leaders. It is the age of young men; and, -by the God that made us all, we’ll never stay nor falter now till the -glorious end is reached.” - -“Good!” said Spernow, in a rousing tone of concentrated earnestness. -“Good, and true, every word of it.” - -“No looking back, that is the spirit I honour!” I exclaimed, infected -by their enthusiasm, and thinking of the Princess. - -“A toast!” cried Zoiloff, jumping to his feet, his eyes flashing, and -his rough, rugged features aglow, as he raised his glass on high. “May -the hand that holds this glass blight and rot if it ever falters or -turns from the righteous cause--In the Name of a Woman.” - -“Amen to that,” said I earnestly, as Spernow and I repeated his words, -and finished solemnly together--“In the Name of a Woman.” - -“I have never dared before to be enthusiastic, but you have inspired -me, Count. We have a leader in you who will carry us far, and whom all -will come to trust as I do;” and Zoiloff gave me his hand, holding mine -in a grip that trembled under his excitement. - -There was, however, a source of danger that these two knew nothing of, -and I could not tell them--the fear of the Countess Bokara’s violence. - -For the few days I had succeeded in evading her I calculated that she -would attempt nothing by herself, but would endeavour first to use me -for the work. She had said as much when I had seen her in the presence -of the Prince; and it was, of course, obvious that if she could secure -my aid her task would be vastly easier. I had the _entrée_ to the -Princess Christina’s house, as she knew, and could thus, were I so -minded, render her just the kind of assistance she needed. But I knew -she would act soon. - -My anxiety on the score of General Kolfort’s intention to get me out -of his way had been removed as the result of the visit of Duke Sergius -coupled with what the General had heard from Spernow, and probably from -the Princess herself. He did not send for me and I did not seek him, -but on the morning following the meeting at my house he put himself in -my way as I was returning from my military duties. - -We were both on horseback, and I was passing him with a salute, when he -reined up his horse and stopped me. - -“You have not come to me, Count,” he said curtly. - -“And do not propose to come, General,” I answered in a similar tone. - -“I was not wrong in my estimate of you, I find.” - -“I do not recall it for the moment,” said I indifferently. - -He looked at me and smiled grimly. - -“Good. A little open antagonism to me is your shrewdest course. I -understand you. You are what I thought--a very clever young man. And -you can assure everyone that you are not pledged to me--openly. I -understand you, I say.” - -“As a well-known judge of men your opinion is flattering, General,” I -answered ambiguously. - -His smile broadened. - -“Very non-committal, as usual. And yet----” And here his smile -vanished, and his eyes took an expression of deep penetration. “Be -careful that your cleverness and ambition don’t carry you too far. If -that time should come and I have to act, remember that I warned you. -I know what you are doing, and am watching you carefully.” Then in a -lighter tone he added: “I am glad to hear such good accounts of your -military work, and glad, too, that I have not to compel you to leave a -country that has such sore need of the valuable services which a man -like you can render it.” - -And with a salute he passed on, leaving me to digest the irony and -hidden meaning of his last words. I rode on thoughtfully to my house. -The impression he left on my mind was perhaps just such as he had -designed--that the attempt to trick him was indeed like playing with -fire on the top of a powder magazine. And I was profoundly uneasy as I -thought of what that might mean to the woman whose safety and success -were now infinitely more to me than my own. - -At my house a surprise was in store for me. A carriage was at the door, -and the servants told me that a lady was awaiting me. - -I went to the room at once and found the Countess Bokara. She rose with -a smile as she held out her hand. - -“You look magnificent in your regimentals, Count. And I suppose you -have been too busy with your new duties and new friends to think it -worth while to see me. And you don’t seem over-pleased that I am here -now,” she added, for my face clouded at the sight of her. She was a -bird of ill-omen, as I knew. - -“What is your object in honouring me with this informal visit?” - -“Informal! Where is the need of formality between you and me?” she -asked quickly. - -“In Sofia the tongues of gossip run glibly.” - -“You have soon developed into an authority on the manners of the people -here. Spare me your cant, I beg of you. What do you suppose I should -care if all the old gossips in the city talked me over till their -tongues ached? You ask why I am here. I wish to see you, that is all.” - -“I am at your service,” I answered, with a bow. - -“Are you? That’s just what I wish to know,” she replied, putting a -significant meaning to my conventional phrase. “You have not given much -evidence of it as yet. I should rather think you have even forgotten -your promise to serve me.” - -“I am, at any rate, ready to listen to you.” - -She looked at me piercingly during a rather long pause. - -“If I thought----” she began, but checked herself abruptly. - -“Your thoughts are always shrewd,” I returned. - -At the reply she looked up and laughed, with such an expression of -malignity that it made her face hateful, for all the beauty of her eyes. - -“You little know how shrewd this time, Count Benderoff, or you would -drop that insipid conventionality, I promise you.” - -“You are pleased to speak in riddles.” - -“Yes, because you act them,” she retorted, almost fiercely. “But I -promise to be plain enough before I leave you. I will drop the one if -you will drop the other--but, there, you’ll have to, as you’ll soon -see.” - -“I do not pretend to understand you,” said I. - -“Well, then, I’ll try to make you. You are not generally dull. Tell me -plainly, if you can, on what side are you in all these matters? The -question is merely to give you a chance of being frank with me, for I -know much.” - -“I seek the same object as yourself--the freedom of Bulgaria.” - -“Aye. In the Name of a Woman, you mean? You think I do not know your -canting phrase.” - -I was on my guard now, and did not let her see my surprise at her words. - -“I have the honour to bear a commission in the Prince’s own regiment, -as you know,” I answered evasively. - -“The commission I got for you. Of course I know. But what do you mean -by that empty answer? Are you for or against me? For Heaven’s sake try -to speak frankly! Nothing else will serve either you or me in this.” -And she stamped her foot with a gesture of impatience. - -“So far as our aims are in common, I am with you.” - -“Do you think an answer like that will satisfy me? I am beginning to -understand you; and if my reading is right, you and those with you may -well take heed for yourselves.” - -“If you have come to threaten me----” I began, when she broke in: - -“I have not come to threaten. I have come to have a clear -understanding; that is all. And I will have it,” she said, impetuously. -“I will give you another chance. What did the Prince say to you when -you were with him?” - -“I do not know there was anything----” - -“For the love of Heaven, man, drop this conventional cant and speak as -plainly as you can if you wish. What did he say to you about this mad -intention of his to abdicate?” - -“Intention to abdicate?” I echoed, as if taken by surprise. - -“Which means that he did tell you, and you would now pretend that he -did not.” And, yielding to a sudden storm of passion, she broke out -into a torrent of indignant reproaches of what she termed my breach of -trust in not telling her. - -I did not interrupt her, and gathered that she had only just heard from -the Prince what he had said to me. I understood now the cause of her -visit and the reason of her passion. - -“As his Highness told me in confidence, I could not betray it,” I said -as soon as I could get a word in. “He no doubt told you that he laid a -charge of secrecy upon me.” - -“And you did nothing to dissuade him, nothing to stop him from a madly -suicidal step. You, who pretend to pose as a disinterested friend of -Bulgaria devoted to him and to me! And do you think, knowing me as you -do, for all your flippant lip-service to the jargon of conventionality, -that I will let this thing be? Do you think that I am so powerless a -fool that I cannot stop it? Oh, I am a mad woman when I think of it!” -she cried desperately. “It can be stopped and must be--do you hear? -must; and you must help me.” - -“I cannot see how I can help you.” - -She had risen from her chair and was pacing the room in her anger -and now came close to me, and in a tone of concentrated energy and -fierceness said: - -“The death of that woman Christina will stop it; and in that you can -help, aye, and you shall help me.” Her face was ablaze with rage and -hate as she uttered the Princess’s name. - -“The Prince himself is opposed to any more bloodshed,” I said bluntly. -“The sentiment does him infinite honour, and I share it.” - -“You dare to say that to me? To set me at defiance? To go back upon the -pledge you gave? Are you a coward, Count Benderoff?” - -“I will be no party to the assassination of the Princess,” I answered -sternly. - -“You defy me?” And, laying her hand on my arm, she stared into my eyes -for some moments in silence, and then, her lips curling and her face so -hard and set that the nostrils dilated with the vehemence of her anger, -she added: “I could kill you.” - -Clearly it was to be open war between us, and I prepared for it. I -drew my arm away and answered coldly: - -“I think, Madam, this interview has lasted long enough.” - -She started as if I had insulted her, and I looked for another -passionate outbreak. But it did not come. Instead of that her -expression underwent a complete change and she laughed. - -“Poor fool!” she cried in a bantering tone. “Do you know where I shall -go straight from here if you turn me away? Wait a moment and I will -tell you.” She paused, paying no heed to my gesture of anger. “In the -Name of a Woman, eh? This excellent house, this sumptuous display of -wealth, this clever, shrewd Englishman, with his hatred of plots, this -attractive idea of a gymnasium club--what does it all mean?” And she -leered at me with a look infinitely cunning. - -I kept my face quite impassive as I met her eyes. - -“Would you like to tell me the inner secret, or shall I tell you? I -know--I know everything.” She paused again, but I gave no sign; and -then the rage began to return to her face, and her tone grew vehement -again. “It is a lie--and a lie against the man whose eyes I can open -with a word. You are working and plotting for the Princess, In the Name -of a Woman, are you not? And these Russian fools and dolts think you -are working for them at the same time. But I know your real intent. To -fool them up to the moment when you can throw off the disguise--to put -this precious Princess on the throne, and then to snap your fingers in -the face of the old dotard, Kolfort, and obey only the Princess. This -marriage, on which he counts so much, is never to take place; but when -you have rallied and organised these members of your club, as you call -it, you reckon you will be strong enough to throw over the Russians -and declare for what you call Bulgarian independence. Independence, -forsooth, with such a woman as Christina on the throne.” - -I knew now the extent of the sudden peril, but I thrust the fear that -filled my soul for Christina’s sake out of sight and laughed. - -“You have a lively imagination, Madam!” - -“Yes; turn it aside with a scoff or a sneer if you think you can. But -do you believe General Kolfort will think it nothing more than the -subject of a sneer when he learns it?” She was disappointed that I -showed no sign of fear. - -“You can take your own course, and if you think to help yourself or the -Prince by filling the air with your fables, do so.” - -“You are a coward, Count Benderoff,” she cried hotly, “to play thus -on my helplessness. I know that I cannot help my Prince or strengthen -his position by telling what I know, and what you dare not deny, to be -true. But if I cannot help my cause, I can at least revenge myself, and -I will. A word from me and where will be all your plots and plotters? -Your club will exercise then in the yards of the gaols and behind the -walls of Tirnova fortress. I tell you, you dare not play me false.” - -I knew the grip she had on me now could tighten in a moment into -strangulation, with the ruin of every man and woman among us; but I -maintained my impassive, stern expression. - -“If you choose to spread these tales, I cannot stay you,” I answered. - -“Will you help me to my revenge upon the woman Christina?” - -“What do you mean by revenge?” - -“Death,” she cried fiercely. - -“I would slay you with my own hand first,” I answered, the passion in -me rushing to utterance. - -She laughed again vindictively and hatefully. - -“So it is true, then, she has bewitched you. I might have known it. I -told you and warned you that she was a vampire using up men’s lives -with the unpitying remorselessness of a wild beast. And you are her -latest lover, I suppose!” - -The slander suggested by her words maddened me. - -“I can hear no more, Madam,” I said sternly. - -She threw up her head with a gesture of pride. - -“Do you order me to leave your house--knowing the consequences?” - -I was in sore perplexity. She was a devil and she looked it as she -stared at me, her lovely eyes glowing with rage and hate and menace. - -“If you have more to say it must be at another time, when you are in a -different mood,” I returned. - -She seemed about to burst forth again in her wild, vehement way, but as -suddenly changed her mood and said: - -“I understand. You wish to find a bridge over as dangerous a chasm as a -man ever yet had to cross. I will see you again; but next time it will -be to hear from you that you accept my terms. You are not a man to walk -open-eyed to sheer ruin. I will go.” - -And as she left me, sweeping out of the room, with a challenging, -defiant, triumphant smile, I could almost have found it in me to kill -her. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE SPY - - -As soon as the door closed behind the Countess Bokara, I threw myself -into a chair in a condition of unspeakable dismay, rage, and chagrin at -this most unexpected turn. - -It spelt ruin to everything and everybody concerned in our scheme. I -had seen and heard quite enough of General Kolfort to know full well -that the merest hint of such a plot as ours would drive him instantly -to desperate extremes. He would put in force every engine of the -powerful machinery at his instant disposal to crush and punish us. And -that he could crush us as easily as he would pinch a fly between his -fingers there was not a doubt. His power was practically absolute, and -he would use it mercilessly, like the man of iron that he was. - -Nor was that the worst. There was a traitor somewhere in our midst; -a recreant who had carried the secret in hot haste to this vengeful -woman. I could not hazard even a guess as to whose was the treachery, -but that it threatened the future of the scheme, should even she -herself be silenced, was as patent as the fingers on one’s hand. - -Yet what to do I could not see, plague and rack my wits as I would, as -I sat alternating between moods of consternation, rage, and searching -reflection. - -In the afternoon I had a horse saddled and rode out of the town for a -gallop in the country, in the hope that some solution of the problem -would suggest itself; and the ride cooled and sobered me. - -Two things were imperative. We must find the leakage and blind the -traitor as to our real intentions. Our future safety rested on that -being done without delay; and for this purpose I must see Zoiloff and -consult with him. As soon as we discovered the Judas among us we could -take measures to deal with him. If possible, that should be done by -cunning; but, failing that, averse as I was to bloodshed and violence, -force must be used. But an idea occurred to me by which he could be -effectively hoodwinked, and I stored it by for use should the occasion -come. - -As to the Countess Bokara, there were two courses. One was for me to -appear to play into her hands and so gain time for our own plans to -ripen--a line of action vastly repulsive to me, with all its necessary -paraphernalia of deceit and lies; the other, to kidnap her and put her -into safe keeping until the crisis should be passed. I knew that I -could lure her to my house, and that then the necessary measures could -be taken; but the cowardice of the plan made me entertain it only with -disgust. - -In the case of a man I would not have hesitated for a moment; indeed I -would never have let him leave the house that day. But with a woman I -could scarcely bear the thought of it, although this woman was vastly -more dangerous than many men. - -I sought keenly for some other scheme, and for a moment entertained -the idea of going to the Prince himself, telling him all frankly, and -begging his aid to deal with her. But I abandoned it. I remembered -he had said he would stand by the throne if he could make sure of -efficient help, and I calculated that his vacillation would cause him -to turn now and claim the help of our party in his defence. A worse -than useless effort, as I knew, owing to the impossibility of rallying -to his cause the men who had been turned from him by his weakness. -Not only could we do no good for him, but we should imperil the great -patriotic rising for no purpose. - -I was therefore driven back upon the distasteful course of duping the -woman who had thus threatened us. - -“Would to heaven she were a man!” And each time the thought broke from -me in involuntary utterance, I pictured how easy it would then be to -act. - -As I was riding back, moody and thoughtful, I met the carriage of the -Princess. She caught sight of me when I was still at a distance, and -her lovely face was wreathed with a radiant smile as she checked her -horses and greeted me. Mademoiselle Broumoff was by her side, and her -keen, sharp eyes were quick to read trouble in my face. - -“You look very thoughtful, Count,” said the Princess, “as if heavy -military affairs were weighing upon you.” - -“I have been thinking out the answer to a very ingenious problem set me -this morning,” I said, trying to speak lightly. - -“It has been a trying problem for your horse, I should think,” she -said, glancing at his flanks, which were covered with foam, for I had -ridden hard. - -“Not more so than for his rider, I assure you.” - -“I hope it has not distressed you as much.” - -“The Count carries the sign of that in his face,” said the little -Broumoff, earnestly. “I hope it is no more than a military problem.” - -“All problems in Bulgaria have their military side,” I answered gravely. - -The Princess’s eyes showed concern. She understood. - -“We must not let your horse stand while he is so heated with his -problem, Count. If you would like to see me, I shall be at home in an -hour from now.” - -“With your permission, I will call,” I said, and saluted her as she -drove on. “I will have the searchlight of her woman’s wit on the -matter,” was my thought as I rode home; and, despite the grave and -critical reason for the interview, I was yet half disposed to be glad -of it, so much store did I set on the opportunity of being in her -presence. I could scarcely wait with patience for the minutes to run -out until I could start for her house. - -Mademoiselle Broumoff was still with her when I arrived. - -“You have news of some kind for me, Count?” said the Princess. - -“Unfortunately, I bring you bad news, Madame.” - -“It could not come by a more unwilling messenger, I am sure.” - -“On my honour, that is true,” I said earnestly, touched by her gentle -thought. - -“And half its sting will be blunted since I hear it from you. What is -it? Tell me frankly.” - -“Its sting cannot but be sharp enough to wound. I fear we have a -traitor somewhere high up in our ranks;” and with that I told her what -had passed in my interview with the Countess Bokara. - -“It is ugly news indeed,” she said at the close, profoundly moved. “And -as dangerous as it is ugly. What think you of it, Nathalie?” - -Mademoiselle Broumoff had turned pale with sudden consternation. - -“I cannot think. It is too dreadful. What does the Count propose?” - -The Princess turned eagerly to me for my counsel. - -“We must either blind the Countess Bokara or get her away to a place -of safety until we have had some time to act. But the leakage must be -traced.” - -“Who can it be, Nathalie?” cried the Princess, in a tone of dismay. -“Have you tried to cure this mad woman of her prejudice against me, -Count?” - -“I have had as yet no opportunity. Since my first meeting with her, I -have seen her only once for a few minutes in the presence of the Prince -until this morning, when she came to confound me with this news, and to -urge me to join her in assassinating you.” - -“She chose her companion curiously,” said the Princess, with a smile of -confidence that went straight to my heart. “I hope my safety may never -be in less trusty hands than yours.” - -I did not trust myself to answer with more than a look, and as I turned -my eyes away I caught the little Broumoff eying us keenly. Then the -Princess startled us both. - -“I have made up my mind; I will see her,” she said. - -“Christina, it is impossible!” cried Mademoiselle Broumoff quickly. -“She would murder you with her own hand.” - -“The Count will guard against that at least, and he will arrange the -interview. Will you not?” - -“I would do much to serve you, but this would be a hazardous step, and -one that can scarcely lead to any good. You can have but the faintest -idea of her hatred of you.” - -“Then I can learn it for myself. I will see her;” and her tone was -decision itself. I continued my attempt to dissuade, but without -success, and she would not rest until I had agreed to arrange a meeting -at my house. One stipulation I insisted upon--that I should be present. - -“I should wish that,” she assented. “I do not mean to run any risks, -and I should feel safe only if you were there, Count.” The words were -sweet enough to my ears, but they did not allay my alarm on the score -of the interview. I yielded all against my judgment, and arranged to -try to get the Countess Bokara to my house on the following afternoon. - -When that was settled I lingered on, inventing pretext upon pretext -for my stay that I might steep my senses in the charm of her presence, -the light of her eyes, and the music of her voice. Nor did she seem -unwilling for me to stay, as I noticed with rare delight. - -But under all the pleasure of this fascinating dalliance a current -of earnest thought was running in my head, and when I left her I -had already formed a plan, for which I proceeded at once to make -preparations. - -I had no hope that the Princess would reap any benefit from the coming -interview, for I could not see a possibility of any good resulting. But -I resolved that if she failed I would have my own plan in readiness. -If the Countess Bokara came to the house, she should not leave it -again except to pass into some place of security until our plans were -complete. - -I sent at once in quest of Zoiloff, therefore, and, having explained -everything that had happened, outlined my scheme. - -“You are sure that she really knew, and was not merely making a shrewd -guess?” he asked. “I cannot think of any man among us who would turn -blabber. But if I find him----” He left the sentence unfinished, but -the threat was the more expressive. - -“Yes, yes, there are twenty ways of dealing with a man,” said I; “but a -woman is different.” - -“A traitor is a traitor, never mind the sex; and I see no cause for -mercy for one more than another,” he growled into his beard, his look -very set and stern. “But what is your plan?” - -“That we prepare a couple of rooms here in my house, and keep her until -we can find some other place equally safe and secret.” - -“Is this secret? Are you sure of your servants? May we not look for the -leakage among them?” - -“Spernow found them for me,” was my answer. - -“Would you change them?” - -“Every man and woman to-morrow, if you can fill their places.” - -“I can do that,” he assented quickly. “Wait--better--can you let me see -them all? I may spot the traitor, or at all events separate the sheep -from the goats.” - -I rang the bell and sent for my steward. When he came I told him to get -the servants all together, and send them in to me one at a time, as I -wished to question them separately about a certain paper which I said -had been mislaid. - -They came in one by one, and we so arranged the position that each -stood in a strong light for Zoiloff to be able to watch them as I put -a short string of questions. He put a black mark against three whom he -regarded as suspicious. The rest, he declared, were above question. - -“My opinion is that one of those three men is false and a spy, -presumably in the service of this woman. I expect they have been -eavesdropping when you and I and Spernow have been together, and -perhaps have caught some unguarded words. The thing is very ugly. What -shall we do?” - -“Fool them with their own tactics,” said I readily, thinking of my -original idea. “Let us have a hurried meeting of men whom we can trust, -have it to-night, explain the position hurriedly, and pretend that we -are disclosing to them the real object of the plot--to work nominally -for the Princess, but really for the Russian party--and have these -suspects so placed that they can hear what is going on. Then catch them -in the very act; and send them packing with this new version of the -thing in their minds, after a pretty good fright, and under oath not to -reveal the story.” - -“Yes, it will serve; but it will want adroit management,” said Zoiloff. - -“You say my steward is a man to be trusted?” - -“Absolutely. I know him well.” - -“Good. Then leave that part to me, while you hurry off and bring in -about a dozen of our men. Let their arrival be a little dramatic, to -give colour to the drama, so that the spies may think the meeting too -important to be missed; and I will answer for the rest.” - -As soon as he had gone I called my steward and told him plainly that -there was a spy in the house, and that we suspected one of the three -men I named. Then I outlined the arrangements he was to make--to get -as many of the other servants out of the house as he could without -creating suspicion, and to give those who remained work to do in other -parts of the house, so that the three should be free to spy upon us; -that then he should set them separately some light kind of work close -to the room in which I directed the meeting was to be held, of which he -was to drop a hint. He was a shrewd fellow, and entered readily into -the matter. - -“One of them is no traitor, sir,” he said, naming him. “I can answer -for him with my life. I have known him for many years, and I am sure of -him. The others I do not know and do not like.” - -“Never mind, test all three; and as the clock strikes eleven be at hand -to watch them and await my orders.” - -He went at once to do as I ordered; and that he did the work shrewdly -the sequel showed. - -Zoiloff returned very soon with Spernow and another man, and I received -them in the room which had been prepared as the stage for our little -drama. When the others came, I noticed with a smile that each was -cloaked; and in all we made a party of fourteen. We smoked and had -wine until I calculated that the spies would be at their posts; and -then, speaking in a tone lowered but sufficiently distinct to reach -any eaves-dropper, I told them that the hour had come when we thought -it necessary to make a most important disclosure of our plans. While -working apparently for the Princess, we were, in fact, Russian agents -pledged to the Czar, and bent upon putting the Princess upon the throne -solely in his Majesty’s interests; and I went on to declare that the -hour had come to strike the blow, and so on. - -A discussion followed, in which objections were raised and answered, -while I kept my eye upon the clock until the hand was approaching the -hour of eleven, when I rose and declared that this was the moment when -each man must declare himself. - -My rising was, in fact, an agreed signal, and Zoiloff, Spernow, and -another man stole noiselessly to the spots where I knew any listeners -would be sure to post themselves. - -As the clock was on the point of striking, the two doors and a window -opening to a conservatory beyond were flung open, and one of the spies -was caught in the very act of eavesdropping. - -“We are betrayed, Count,” cried Zoiloff in a voice of thunder, dragging -in the man, who, shivering and white with fear, wriggled and struggled -to free himself from his stern-faced captor. - -A solemn hush fell on the room, while the trembling, panic-stricken -wretch was placed in the midst of the men who closed round him. The -silence was grim enough to have tried stronger nerves than his. - -“What is the meaning of this?” I asked sternly, breaking the silence. - -“I was not listening, my lord; indeed----” - -“Don’t lie to me. What did you hear? Quick, speak the truth, for your -life hangs on it.” - -“I heard nothing, I swear I did not. I was only----” - -“Silence!” I thundered, “if you have nothing but lies to tell.” He -threw himself at my feet and begged for mercy. - -“Speak the truth, then,” I said. - -He glanced all round the ring of stern, hard-set faces and threw up his -hands, and then clasped them before his face in despair. - -“Gentlemen, you have seen for yourselves; what say you?” I asked. - -“There is but one punishment for such an act--death!” cried Zoiloff, in -such a ringing, merciless tone that the rascal’s heart may well have -sunk within him. “Death, if he will not speak.” - -“Death, if he will not speak,” echoed the rest. - -At this Zoiloff drew his sword, and at the clash of the steel in the -dead silence the wretch moaned. - -“Will you speak, or die?” I said, after a moment. - -“I heard only a little,” said the man after a struggle, his lips so dry -and parched that he could only speak with an effort. - -“Tell it!” I thundered again; and word by word he told us that he heard -me declare that we were Russian agents, and all that followed. - -His fear of the death that he believed imminent was sickening to -behold, and made me anxious to close the scene. - -“You have heard this wretch’s confession, gentlemen; what say you?” - -“He must die!” cried Zoiloff. “In the name of the Czar I claim his -life. Every Russian interest in the country is in peril while he lives.” - -“You will vote, if you please,” I said. And we went through a form of -writing each man’s decision on paper. - -“The verdict is unanimous,” I said, glancing at the paper. “You must -die. I would have spared your life, but I am powerless against all -present.” - -At that he clung to me, clutching at my hands and at my coat, praying, -beseeching, imploring, and vowing that he would never say a word of -what he had overheard. - -“Whose spy are you?” I asked. - -“I am in the service of the Countess Bokara.” - -“Wait;” and I left the room, wishing to confer with my steward as to -the other two suspects. The steward assured me that he had found them -just where they had been directed to remain. I went back to the room, -and the wretch broke out again with cries and wailings and prayers. - -I could bear no more of it, and put an end to the scene at once. - -“Gentlemen, I have heard some strange reports with regard to this -man. We will, with your leave, postpone his punishment, and I will be -answerable for his safe custody.” - -“Deal with him as you will, Count,” said Zoiloff. Calling in the -steward, I gave the man into his keeping, and they left the room -together. - -The meeting broke up soon after; and Zoiloff remained only a minute to -exchange congratulations upon the success of the ruse. - -“We have the spy, and to-morrow we will deal with his employer;” and -his look was as black as a thunder-cloud as he spoke. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -FACE TO FACE - - -Soon after Zoiloff had left me I sent for the spy. It was part of -the scheme that he should be liberated at once, in order that, if he -pleased, he should carry the news that he had heard to his employer. - -The interview was short. I told him I had determined to spare his life -and set him free if he would take a solemn vow never to reveal what he -had heard, and to leave the country at once. There was no mistaking the -genuineness of his terror, and he was eager to take any oath I wished -to impose. As I dismissed him I said, with all the sternness I could -concentrate into my voice and looks: - -“Remember that from this hour you are a marked man. Every Russian agent -in this country will know you; your every action will be watched, and -every word you speak will be noted. One breath of treachery, one single -suggestion of further deceit, and you are a dead man. Your life hangs -on the thinnest of threads. And if ever you feel tempted to break your -oath, recall this night and the stern faces of the ring of men who -voted that you should die. Go!” - -He staggered out of the room, reeling like a broken-witted drunkard. - -After my regimental work on the following day Zoiloff came to me, -looking worn and wearied. - -“I have been at work all night,” he said; “but I have done good. I have -found a place where this woman, Bokara, can be held in absolute safety -for ten years if necessary, if once we can get her there.” - -And he told me that one of our party, named Kroubi, had a large house -in the middle of his estate, in a tower of which just such a prison as -we sought could be found. - -“You are sure of the man?” - -“As of myself. And he himself will be her keeper.” - -“She is a woman of rare fascination.” - -“Would she fascinate me, think you?” he asked, a smile on his rugged -face. - -“There are not many men like you, Zoiloff,” said I, warmly, for during -our intercourse he had won upon me strangely. He was such a staunch, -genuine, thorough fellow. - -“That is pleasant hearing from you,” he answered. “But you need have no -fear on Kroubi’s account. Every impulse of his strong character which -is not devoted to our cause is absorbed by his hatred of women.” - -“We will trust him, then,” I agreed. “And now let us consider how to -get her to his place.” And when we had threshed this out and made our -plans the time for the Countess Bokara’s visit was close. - -I felt both anxious and excited. The whole future of our plans hung, as -I knew, in the balance, while the risks of the interview between her -and the Princess seemed to grow as the time approached. - -The Princess arrived first, and I went to her immediately. - -“Has she come?” was her first question, eagerly asked. - -“It is not yet time; but I think she will come. Do you know what -happened here last night?” - -“I have heard something, but would rather hear it all from you. It was -good news, I believe--but it was sure to be, you are so zealous in my -cause,” she said. “Tell me everything.” - -I told her and she listened, deeply interested, her eyes watching my -face as I spoke. At the close she smiled and said: - -“One would think from your telling, Count, that you had been merely a -bystander instead of the prime mover in it all.” - -“Captain Zoiloff did more than I, for it was he who detected the -miscreant. The rest was simple enough.” - -“Then should I keep my feelings and words of thanks for him, and think -of you as one who serves me, as it were, by routine.” - -“We are all devoted to your service, Princess,” I said. - -“No one more faithful than the others?” - -“None less faithful than myself, I hope.” - -“I like that standard. Pray Heaven that you are right, for then I am a -lucky woman indeed;” and her eyes shone with a light that was like to -dazzle me. - -“You will be on your guard this afternoon with the Countess Bokara,” -said I, after a pause I found embarrassing. - -“I am always on my guard--except, I think, with you,” she added, -musingly. - -“I mean, you will not let her approach too close to you. I know her to -be a dangerous woman, capable of any madness.” - -“You will be there,” she said, with an accent of trust in me which I -read with delight. - -“But still she must not come too near you. Infinite mischief might be -wrought in a single unguarded moment.” - -“You think she may even try to murder me in your presence?” - -“I believe her capable of any desperate deed; that is why I urge you,” -I cried, very earnestly. - -She smiled, let her eyes rest on mine with a look that seemed as tender -and warm as a ray of summer morning sunshine, while a faint blush -tinged her cheeks. - -“I will not cause you a moment’s needless anxiety; you have had too -many on my account already,” she said gently; and in the pause that -followed a servant entered to say that the Countess Bokara was waiting -to see me. - -We had arranged that I should see her first alone, and I found her in a -mood of jubilant and boastful confidence. - -“I knew you would come round to my views, Count, though I confess I did -not think the effect of what I said yesterday would be felt quite so -quickly. I was disposed to give you at least three or four days, but I -like you better for your promptness.” She spoke exultingly. - -“I am not so confident as yourself that our interview will end to your -liking,” I answered. - -“I am confident, and have even more reason for it than you at present -dream. You may prepare yourself for great news.” - -“I am not good at riddles. What news do you mean?” - -“That I do not consider your help so necessary as I once thought.” - -That there was some new danger beneath her words I was certain, but -what it was I could not guess. - -“I do not understand you,” I said shortly. - -“A child could see that. I like the look of perplexity and fear on -your face;” and she laughed in a hard, sneering tone. “You have been -very useful to me, after all, though you do not know it. What you -showed me yesterday gave me the clue; and I have been merciful--in a -way, very merciful. Death is ever sweetest to a woman when it comes, or -seems to, from the hand of one she loves.” - -“You have a pleasant wit, and your laugh fits it well,” I said drily. - -“A jibe moves you more quickly than a threat, my friend. And this is -a jibe in which you have had unwittingly a big share;” and her bitter -tone was in full harmony with the hard, confident glance which she -levelled at me. “Did you think I could be merciful even to those I -hate?” - -“Have you come to do no more than discuss your own qualities?” - -“I have not come to be your dupe,” she retorted fiercely. “You have -discovered my spy, I find, and I congratulate you on the clever stroke -with which you have blinded his eyes. But it is too late, Count.” - -“The man was caught last night in the very act of spying, and narrowly -escaped with his life. He confessed you had employed him.” - -She waved her hand, as though the matter were nothing. - -“He had served his turn, let him go. I have no longer need of him; and, -of course, you would have killed him had your last night’s meeting -been anything but a clever ruse. But you scared his poor wits out of -him--not a very brilliant or difficult achievement perhaps--and by now -he is off to the frontier as fast as his shaky legs will carry him. But -that is nothing. Tell me, Count, what would you do if within an hour -you were to hear that your Princess had fallen dead?” - -“Probably I should seek out her murderess, and kill her,” I replied -hotly. - -“Good; then I was right. You do love her, eh? Then listen. She trusts -you, of course, trusts you blindly and implicitly; and if you sent her -a little pretty gift, a little gentle act of courtesy from so gallant -and faithful a servant, would she prize it, think you?” - -“I don’t wish to discuss such matters with you,” I answered; but in my -heart felt glad indeed that the Princess was safe in my house at that -very moment. - -“You don’t wear your heart on your sleeve, you mean. Men of your sort -always think they do not. And yet the knowledge of the love of such a -man would be precious to many women. That is how you have been useful -to me. Now can you read the riddle?” - -I thought I could, but made no reply. - -“Yesterday, when I was here, you showed me what you could not hide -from my eyes, that this woman had drawn you to her, as she has drawn -hundreds of others. But this time she has dared to draw you from -allegiance to me;” this with a touch of sudden passion, which passed -instantly as she continued in a tone of exquisitely modulated softness, -suggestive of the purr of a tigress. - -“When I left you I saw how I could use the secret I had surprised. By -now I have done my work, so I may speak frankly. I shall not want your -aid now. Thinking that the Princess might be pleased with a little -token from her latest lover--you need not wince, it does not matter now -who knows your secret--I sent her in your name a little emblem of your -devotion. And what more fitting emblem could there be than a rare and -beautiful rose?” - -“It was an unwarrantable liberty, Madam,” I cried, with a flush of -anger. She laughed at my indignation. - -“But it was more than an emblem of devotion, for it carried in its -soft, sweet petals the essence--of instant death. You know these things -are common in this East of ours. One scent of that rose, enjoyed, -no doubt, with a murmur of your name, and a thought of your welcome -little courtesy--and I and my Prince were rid of her forever.” A light -of malignant triumph flashed out of her large dangerous eyes as she -finished: “I shall not need your dagger now, nor the other weapons of -your trade.” - -“You mean that the Princess is dead?” I asked quietly. - -“The news will soon be spread abroad noisily enough; and you may find -it sufficiently embarrassing to explain your share in it.” - -“You have the malice of a devil.” - -“It was a sweet death for her. Was I not right when I said I was -merciful?” she cried, with another hateful laugh. “And now I have come -to warn you, that you may fly if you wish while there is yet time.” -She gloated in triumph over my silence, which she read as that of -consternation. - -“You are a brave woman,” I said at length. “If what you said were true -you might have guessed that you would not leave this house alive.” - -“It is true,” she cried daringly. - -“Yes, as to intent, perhaps. But the Princess herself is safe, and here -in this house waiting to see you.” - -“It is false,” she said fiercely. “I don’t believe you;” and she stared -at me, the veritable type of disconcerted fury. - -“It is true,” I replied shortly; adding sternly: “And true, too, that -though you failed in the act, you shall answer for the intent.” - -She was magnificent in her rage, as she stood at bay, staring open-eyed -at me; and for many moments not a word was spoken by either of us. - -“Let me see her!” she exclaimed at length. - -“Not alone,” said I significantly. I rang the bell. - -“Tell the Princess Christina we will wait upon her,” I said to the -servant, and a minute later the two were face to face, while I looked -on, all anxiety and apprehension as to the result. - -They stood for a moment looking at one another; the Princess calm and -dignified, in an attitude of queenly grace, her speaking, lustrous eyes -alight with the hope with which she had sought the interview. But the -hope was quickly clouded with a dash of anticipative disappointment, -caused by the Countess Bokara’s vehement passion and hate which -envenomed her fiery glances, and spoke in every straining movement of -her lithe sinuous body. - -“Your Highness surely does me great honour in this reception,” said the -Countess scornfully, breaking the short silence. - -“I am sorry we have not met before,” was the mild, temporising reply. -“I would have gladly seen you to remove your too evident prejudice -against me.” - -“I have heard that you are accustomed to rely much upon the attractions -of your beauty. But I am not a man.” - -“I am desirous only of disarming by mutual understanding so powerful -and, as I have too much reason to know, so bitter an enemy. Tell me, -Countess, why are you so bitter against me?” The tone was very gentle, -almost solicitous, but I could see that the other’s sneer had gone -home. - -“Why should I tell you what you must know full well?” - -“If people speak truly of you we have assuredly the same end in -view--the welfare of Bulgaria.” - -“I am not half a Russian, and the tool of tyrants.” - -“Am I?” and the Princess’s eyes flashed. “Your agent has discovered our -real designs and carried them to your ears. You know now our cause is -the cause of freedom, and that we are no more the tools of Russia than -you can be. Why, then, say this? And why my enemy?” - -I was astonished and not a little dismayed by her frankness. - -“Your conversion has been rapid. It is but a few nights since your -friends, impelled by zeal for you and for your cause, tried to murder -me.” - -“That was not done with my knowledge. God knows I would not spill a -drop of blood. What would your death profit me or the end I have in -view? Do you think I am so mad as to wish the country to believe I -desire to rule by terror, the sword, and the secret dagger?” - -“They do believe it!” cried the Countess in a tone of hate; “and they -do not wish you to rule at all. Who has called you to take the place of -the Prince, to plot against him, and to drive him from the throne? What -are you doing but nurturing and fostering the villainous ingratitude -of the people, that by this act of double treachery you may mount the -throne?” - -“You forget, the Prince is himself resolved to abdicate,” I interposed. - -“And why?” she asked hotly, turning upon me. “Why, but that the plots -which the Princess here and those in league with her have organised -against his life are driving him away?” - -“This is no work of mine, Countess. Before my name was ever mentioned, -before the thought of my ever taking the throne was ever suggested, the -Prince’s position had become untenable.” - -“Because your allies, these hateful Russians, had made it so in -preparation for your coming, or the coming of some other tool.” - -“But now that you know I am acting not for, but against, them, the -cause of your enmity, if this be the cause, is removed.” - -“Do you wish me to join you, then, to swell the train of your slaves?” - -“I wish to disarm your hostility.” - -“To suborn me from my allegiance to my Prince, you mean?” Her answers -were growing in bitterness and vehemence each time she spoke. “Your -Highness mistakes me. I am no traitor to my sovereign.” - -“But the Prince is bent on abdicating.” - -“Because you and others are driving him to it. You ask why am I your -enemy. This is the reason, or one that will serve.” - -“You have others.” - -[Illustration: “MY INTERPOSITION WAS ILL-TIMED AND UNFORTUNATE.”--_Page -145._] - -“Yes, I hate you. Is that what you wish me to say? I hate you. Is it as -musical for you to hear it as for me to speak it? I hope it is. I hate -you, and thank my God that I have a chance of telling you the truth -to your face.” Her passion, only lightly held in restraint, broke its -bounds now, and her eyes flamed, and her lips quivered with the rush -of it. “What have you ever done in regard to me that has not earned -that hate? Where are the men, good and true to the Prince and myself, -that you have lured away from me? What are your actions, one and all, -but those of deadly antagonism to me? Am I a craven sheep that I shall -see my friends alienated, my Prince threatened, my cause destroyed, -and my very life attempted, and only bleat a few baa-words of thanks -to you for your gracious thoughts of me? God has not inspired my heart -with that meekness, and while I have breath to breathe, a voice to -speak, and hands to do, I will be your enemy. Is that enough, your -Highness?” She spoke with such furious vehemence that at the close she -was breathless; and she clenched her hands, and glared with hate at the -Princess. - -“I have not done the things you say. I could not do them,” said the -Princess, in a tone whose calmness did not hide from me the ache of -disappointment in her heart. - -“It is easy to deny. It costs but a breath,” was the sneering answer. -“But you ask me will I cease to be your enemy?” she added, her eyes -flashing dangerously. “I will--on one condition.” - -“What is that?” - -“One that will at least test your sincerity. Give up this enterprise -of yours; cease to persecute my Prince, and I will cease to be your -enemy.” She put the conditions with a leer of malice, and stood waiting -for the answer with a curling lip and insolent mien. - -“I am not persecuting the Prince, and from my heart I declare that if -Bulgaria could be freed by him I would serve him only too gladly.” - -“I think no good can come of prolonging this interview,” I said, for -I could not bear to hear the ring of insult in every word which the -Countess uttered. But my interposition was ill-timed and unfortunate. -Turning partly toward me the Countess said, in a tone of simulated -submission, the irony of which was maddening: - -“Your Highness’s newest and most faithful adviser would spare your ears -the blunt utterances of truth from my rough lips. A renegade is always -solicitous to temper the wind for his latest mistress.” - -I drew a deep breath of rage at the insult and the foul slander -insinuated with such devilish adroitness. - -“The Count is right, Madam, I must admit my defeat,” said the Princess -haughtily. - -“I must ask you to withdraw, Countess,” said I sternly. - -She laughed with wanton insolence. - -“I am no servant of yours to be bade to do this or ordered to do that. -I came to this interview to please you, I shall leave it to please -myself;” and she drew herself up to her full height in defiance. Then -she laughed again a loud, ringing laugh, forced, of course, but a -clever parody of spontaneous merriment. “Upon my word, this is a pretty -scene, and I have vastly enjoyed it. I have, alas! no weapon with me -save my tongue, or there should have been a different ending, I do -assure you. But that I can use. You have shrunk from the truth to-day, -as the Count here shrank yesterday, when I discovered the secret of his -warm allegiance to you.” - -“Silence, Madam!” I cried hastily, fearing what her rash tongue would -say. - -“Is he not earnest, your Highness? Is he not a man to be proud of? To -warm a woman’s heart? I told you just now of men you had won away from -my Prince and me--here stands the latest of those renegades, a man who -loves you.” She uttered the words with an accent of assumed sincerity. -“I congratulate you, Princess, upon your conquest. I cannot hope to -regain for my Prince a man who is aflame with a newborn passion for -you.” - -“This is monstrous,” I cried, my face flushed with anger and concern. -“If you do not leave the room, I shall summon my servants that they -may remove you.” - -She faced me unflinchingly. - -“You dare not,” she said. - -“Then be silent, and end these ill-timed jibes, and leave the room.” - -“Jibes? Is that a jibe?” And she raised her arm and waved it to where -the Princess Christina stood, her face covered with deep ruby blushes. -“An unconventional love avowal, at any rate. You are a brave man, Count -Benderoff, and I do believe that much rarer thing, a modest one; but at -least you should not quarrel with me because I tell the Princess that -you love her, and let you see by the surest token that a woman can give -that she loves you in return.” - -At this the Princess sank upon a chair and concealed her face in her -hands, between the white fingers of which the deep red glow was showing. - -I turned away and would not let her think I had seen it. - -“Your cowardice and insolence have drained my patience,” I said -fiercely to the Countess. “Come,” and I went to the door. - -She stood a few seconds, as if hesitating whether to defy me longer, -and glanced in infinite triumph at the troubled figure of the Princess. - -“If the interview has not accomplished your object,” she cried, “at -least it has not been without interest;” and with a last insolent, -exultant laugh, she swept out of the room, followed closely by me, more -resolved than ever to cage this angry, dangerous tigress. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE COUNTESS’S RUSE - - -As we crossed the hall she turned to leave the house by the front door, -where Zoiloff was standing. - -“I have something still to say to you,” I said shortly, as I opened the -door of the room where I had seen her before this futile interview. - -“You wish to thank me, I suppose, for having been the means of -revealing to each of you the other’s love,” she answered, with another -of her flaunting laughs; though she changed quickly and said: “You may -spare your thanks. I had a purpose--and you will soon learn the reason. -I am a dangerous woman, for all your contempt of me.” - -“Too dangerous to be at liberty, Countess,” I answered curtly. “It is -to tell you that I have brought you here.” - -“What do you mean? That you will dare----” The words died away as she -read my purpose in my eyes, and the first symptom of fear I had ever -seen in her showed itself, only however to be at once crushed out of -sight. One of her bitter sneers followed. “So I have put my foot in -a trap, you think, and your lovely Princess is but a paltry decoy. A -truly royal part for the august ruler that is to be!” - -“Your railing falls on unheeding ears, Countess. I have made my -decision.” - -“You are an ingrate, my lord the Count; and in your haste to strike at -me you are forgetting the wound you do to your Princess.” - -“Your insulting references will not turn me from my course,” I said -shortly, my anger against her burning like a fever. - -“Then shall I say you honour yourself and the woman you love by -imprisoning me for discovering and revealing your love secret; and that -you give proof of your courage by keeping me here that you may stay and -gloat over your victim?” I saw her start as some fresh thought struck -her, and she looked sharply at me and appeared to search her memory -rapidly. Then she smiled the same exultant smile that I had noticed -before, while a dangerous light came back to her eyes. - -“I will not attempt to escape.” - -“It will be useless--the house is sufficiently guarded, and we have -prepared for your reception.” - -“I am content if you but give me your company, for you are a man on -whose feelings it is a delight to play, and should make a pleasant -gaoler.” - -“I shall not be your gaoler, but you will be in safe hands. I have only -to warn you that any effort to escape my custody will be useless. You -probably know me well enough by this time to be sure of that.” - -“I am sure of one thing--you will not keep me here. Let me give you my -reasons.” There was again a sudden but complete change in her manner, -as she spoke in a calm, collected tone. I distrusted her every mood, -this calmness as much as any. - -“I can’t stay to listen. I wish you merely to understand that it will -avail you nothing to beat against the bars of your cage.” As I spoke I -turned to leave, and with a quick rush, while my eyes were off her, -she was at the door as soon as I. I put my hand to it to prevent her -opening it, and to my chagrin she locked the door herself and put the -key in her pocket. - -“I have that to say to you which cannot wait even to suit the woman you -love. If I must stay here, so shall you;” and she walked to the other -side of the room and threw herself into a low chair, from which she -looked at me defiantly. - -This manœuvre perplexed me vastly. I was all unwilling to remain, and -yet I could not leave now without either a struggle to get possession -of the key or by summoning assistance to have the door broken in. I -cursed myself for my folly in having allowed the key to remain on the -inside, although I could not have foreseen this dilemma. - -What was her object? Had she any beyond the desire to keep me in the -room while she loaded me with her invective and reproaches? What had -been the thought which had struck her, and which had seemed to lead to -her sudden assumption of calmness? - -“Do you think it strange that I should wish for your company, Count?” -she asked in a voice soft and gentle enough to have been the medium of -a love message. “For all your ungentle treatment of me and for what -I deem your faithlessness, I can find it in me to admire you. I have -said some bitter things to you, I know. Forget them. Take them for -the ravings only of a violent woman--or better, the revilings of a -disappointed one. It is no light disappointment to lose such a man as -you.” Her tone was one of subtle witchery, tinctured with a sadness -that might have sprung from a genuine regret. But I knew her; and all -the time she was speaking with this cat-like softness I was racking my -brains for the reason of her action. - -“If you don’t give me that key, I shall summon help and have the door -beaten in,” I answered. “I am in no mood for any theatrical display.” - -“I will make a bargain with you. To summon your servants and have to -admit to them that you have been locked in by your own prisoner will -make you very ridiculous. The strong, clever leader of this great -movement caged by a woman! But I will not banter you, and will not make -you even ridiculous. Listen to my reasons and you shall have the key. -Refuse to listen, and do what you please. You shall not have it from me -if I die in defending it. It will be quicker to listen.” - -“State them quickly. I will give you three minutes,” I said, reflecting -that what she said was true, and as blind as a fool of a bat to her -real intent. - -“I will put them very shortly,” she answered, speaking in a slow, -deliberate tone, altogether foreign to her usual habit. “You love -the Princess and she loves you. You are angry with me because I have -discovered your secret; but do you suppose that the Princess could -endure that Bulgaria should think she decoyed me here that she might -imprison me? That is what they would think first. But when the truth is -known, as it must be some day, will her woman’s heart bear the reproach -that she imprisoned me because I surprised her and your secret and -told you of it? Is your love so guilty a thing that the bare mention -of it is a reason for consigning me to a prison unheard and untried? -Is that how a pure Princess can start her reign? Is the avowal of such -a love so base an act that anyone a witness of it must be hurried to -a gaol to silence her? Think you these are means by which she will -conciliate her new people? Or, taking another reading, can you believe -that the Bulgarian people will love a ruler whose ruthless instincts -of tyranny are manifested even before she touches the steps of the -throne, by dragging away a rival for a man’s love and thrusting her -into an impromptu gaol because the regular prisons of the country are -not available? No, I tell you; you dare not do this thing, and your -Princess dare not lend herself to it.” - -I listened coldly, but not without concern, for I saw the strain of -probability that underlay her malicious ingenuity. - -“You are not imprisoned for any such act as you pretend, but because -you would betray the facts your spies have discovered; and, if you want -an additional reason, because you have dared to attempt----” - -I stopped, and dashed my hand to my head in horror. In a moment I saw -her cursed intention. - -I had said no word to the Princess about the deadly rose which this -woman had sent to her in my name; and this fiend, guessing by her -woman’s instinct that the Princess would hurry away after what had been -said about our love, had imprisoned me here to delay me, so that even -now at the last moment the devilish scheme might succeed. And I, like -the fool I was, had been duped by her infernal cunning. - -I felt like a madman. She saw by my agitation that I had guessed her -scheme, and before I could move she sprang from her chair, and rushed -to the door to put her back to it, facing me like a wild beast at bay, -to fight for the last few moments that might be so vital to the success -of her plot. - -“You look agitated, Count. You are not going to leave me?” - -“Stand aside, you fiend, or I won’t answer for myself. I know your -object now. Stand aside; do you hear?” I cried. - -“I will not. Touch me if you dare.” But the life of the Princess was at -stake, and I thought of nothing else. - -“Zoiloff! Zoiloff!” I shouted at the top of my voice, and, seizing the -Countess by the arm, I strove with all my force to drag her from the -door. She fought and struggled like a wild cat, and her strength was -so great that for a while she resisted all my efforts, clinging with -desperate tenacity to the handle of the door, the lever of which gave -her a secure hold. - -“Did you call, Count?” came Zoiloff’s answer in muffled tones through -the heavy door. - -“Is the Princess Christina gone?” - -“Yes, some minutes since;” and at the words a light of Satanic triumph -shone in my companion’s eyes, and seemed to give her fresh strength for -the struggle. Every moment was precious. - -“Get help and burst this door in,” I shouted; but even as I shouted the -words the thought of the minutes that would be thus wasted maddened me, -and I resolved to take the key from the Countess’s pocket. - -“You force me to this,” I said between my teeth, and, seizing her -round the waist with one arm, I held her in a grip of iron while I -plunged my hand into her pocket. To use up the last possible moment she -struggled with frantic energy, writhing and twisting and hindering me -till I vow I could have killed her. My blood was up, and the thought -of Christina’s danger urged me to spare no violence, and half a minute -later I had secured the key, and hurled the woman away from me. - -As I opened the door, Zoiloff and a couple of men with axes had come up. - -“Good God! what has happened?” cried Zoiloff, falling back before my -looks. - -“Keep that hell-cat safe till I return,” I shouted, and, hatless and -dishevelled as I was after the tussle for the key, I dashed out of the -house, and ran at my top speed through the street. - -By good fortune I met one of my grooms exercising a horse close by -the house; and before the man could recover from his surprise I had -half pulled him from the saddle, clambered up in his place, and was -clattering at full gallop towards the Princess’s house, heedless of all -or any that came in my path. - -The moment I reached it I jumped off, sprang up the steps, pealed the -great bell and thundered at the heavy knocker, never ceasing till the -porter opened the door with a half-scared face. - -“The Princess! Quick, man, quick, for your life!” I cried like a -madman. “Where is she?” - -“In her boudoir,” answered the fellow, staring at me as if I had been a -wild man, as indeed I almost was. I ran by him and mounted the stairs -with leaps and bounds. On the landing above stood a footman, peering -down curiously at the disturbance. - -“The Princess’s room! Show me instantly!” and my mien and voice were -so threatening that he fell back pale and frightened, and pointed to a -door. - -I knocked, but did not wait for an answer. - -“Are you there, Christina?” I cried, excitedly, not heeding that I used -her Christian name only. “Christina!” I cried again, when I did not see -her. - -And then, to my inexpressible relief, she came out from an inner room. -She was holding a small package, from which the outer wrapper had -already been removed. I rushed forward and tore it from her hand, -saying not a word, and heeding nothing of the look of surprise and -alarm which my wild presence and strange act had called to her face. - -Then with a fervent “Thank God,” as I held the accursed thing safe in -my grip, crushing the fragile box in my straining fingers, I fell upon -a chair, and, clasping one hand to my eyes, tried to fight my way back -to calmness. - -The rush of relief was an intoxicating delight, and in my rapture -at her safety I could have shed tears. For the moment I was utterly -unmanned. The agony of suspense during the minutes since I had learnt -of her danger had well-nigh bereft me of my senses; and the relaxation -of the strain, with the knowledge of her bare escape from death, made -me as weak as a child. - -“You are ill, my friend. What has happened?” she asked in her sweet, -sympathetic voice, laying a hand on my shoulder. - -The touch was like the balm of Gilead to my ruffled senses, and then a -sudden shame fell on me, and in a moment I realised how strange my wild -conduct must have appeared in her eyes. I remembered, too, that in my -delirium I had called to her by her Christian name. And at the thought -my confused and dizzied wits were more jumbled than before, and, strive -as I would, I could force no words from my tongue. - -My silence alarmed her. - -“I will summon help,” she said; but I stayed her with a protesting -hand, and thus we waited while I struggled for some measure of -composure. - -Many moments passed in this strained, embarrassing silence, till I was -sufficiently master of myself to make an effort to speak to her. I -rose, still holding the crushed little package as fiercely as though it -were a thing of life. She looked at me with a smile, intending it to -veil her alarm and anxiety. - -“Princess, I crave your pardon. I--this package--I----” I stopped, -stuttering at a sheer loss for words. A tinge of colour mounted to -her face as she said in a tone much less warm than before, and, as I -thought, not without a note of rising indignation. - -“It is the package you sent me, Count Benderoff.” - -“No, no, it was sent to you in my name--to poison you.” She started -back and stared at me. “I will try to explain. I have acted like a -madman; I have been almost one, I think. This thing”--holding it up -still gripped fiercely--“was sent you to-day by that woman. By the -mercy of heaven it arrived while you were absent, and your visit to my -house saved you----” And in a shambling, jumbled, half-incoherent way I -told her what had occurred. - -The colour in her cheeks flowed and ebbed as I spoke, and I saw an -ever-varying light in her eyes as they were bent upon me, now in -indignation, again in horror, and yet again in gratitude mingled with -feelings which now I almost dared to read as my heart dictated. - -When I finished my disjointed narrative, she thanked me very simply, -though her agitation, heightened colour, and tender glances told me how -deeply she was moved. Leaving me for a moment, she returned with the -wrapper of the package and a card of mine, on which were scribbled my -initials in a handwriting much like my own. - -“This was with the packet,” she said, giving me the card. “But I have -never seen your handwriting.” I saw in a moment that the spy in my -house could easily have stolen the card for the Countess Bokara. - -“Could your servant identify the messenger who brought it?” - -“For what purpose, when we know who sent it?” - -“It is a case with which the courts could deal.” - -“No, no, no,” she cried hastily, shaking her head. “I could not do -that.” - -“Well, it does not matter. She is in safe keeping, and I can mete out -the punishment myself. I will keep this evidence for future use;” and -crushing packet and card and wrapper together, I pushed them into my -pocket. - -“What do you propose to do, then?” asked the Princess. - -“She cannot be left at liberty with our secret in her possession.” -Till I had uttered the words I did not see their double meaning. But -the Princess did instantly, mistaking me indeed, and her face grew -so crimson that she turned away to hide her confusion. “I mean the -knowledge of our plot,” I made haste to add, awkwardly, the explanation -serving only to accentuate my clumsy blunder, and add to our mutual -embarrassment in the pause that followed. - -I was mad with myself for the slip, and yet delighted at what it helped -to reveal to me. With an effort I shook myself together, and said in a -tone almost cold and formal: - -“The sure and certain use she would make of her freedom would be to -tell General Kolfort that we are duping him.” - -“That is a risk we must run,” she replied, her voice low and trembling. - -“It is one we dare not run. It would be worse than madness,” I -protested hastily. The thing was impossible, unless we meant to ruin -everything. - -“It would have to be done in my name. And that cannot be. You must see -this.” The agitation in her voice was evident, and she kept her face -averted from me. - -“Your Highness cannot mean this.” The earnestness of my tone moved her, -and she cast at me a quick glance of appeal. - -“Cannot you see that it is impossible?” But I felt I must be deaf to -any appeal. - -“You have trusted me so completely that I should be untrue to you -and to all concerned in this matter, Princess, if I listened to you. -Believe me, it must not be. Her captivity is our only road to safety. -We have dealt with this spy of hers, and she herself told me that he -was flying the country in a panic. She alone holds this terrible--this -knowledge of our plans, and if she remains at large, nothing can save -our scheme from shipwreck. You know, even better than I, what effect -a word breathed in the General’s ear would have. Believe me, I dare -not let her free. No harm shall come to her. Not a hair of her head -shall be injured; but in our charge she is and must remain. There is no -possible alternative.” - -She locked her fingers tightly in the stress of her perplexity, and a -strained, drawn expression showed on her face. - -“No, no; it is impossible, impossible,” she cried, in a tone of -distress. “I see the dangers, but this I--I cannot and will not do.” - -The mocking words which the Countess had spoken when I was locked in -the room with her gave me the clue to the struggle in the Princess’s -mind, and I dared not ask her to tell me her reasons, that I might -combat them. But with me they had no weight. - -“This is no matter, Princess,” I ventured to say, “in which any -considerations but the most impersonal reasons of policy can be allowed -to prevail. I beg you earnestly to pause before taking a step that on -my soul I know must be fatal to everything.” The words brought a look -of flashing reproach. - -“You tell me this. Can’t you see what would be said of me if I -sanctioned such a thing? No, no, no; I cannot, I cannot, I will not,” -she cried impetuously. - -My eyes fell before hers, but yield I would not. - -“Will you permit me to withdraw now, and we can speak of this matter -another time? Meanwhile----” - -“Meanwhile you will do that which will compromise me in the eyes of all -Bulgaria,” she cried vehemently. - -“I shall do no more than your safety and that of all others concerned -with us in this matter demands,” I answered stubbornly. “We have no -other object but your safety and success.” - -“Do you think I will set my liberty on such an issue--that I will -consent to be held up to the whole country, ay, to all Europe, as----” -She stopped, and a vivid blush spread over her face, but, drawing -herself up with head erect, she added with a truly royal air: “Count -Benderoff, as the Princess Christina and your future Queen, I lay my -commands upon you to set the Countess Bokara at liberty without delay.” - -“Your Highness has no truer follower than I, and my future Queen will -have no more loyal and faithful subject, but this command I cannot and -will not obey.” - -I bowed low, and, raising my head, met her look with one as firm and -resolute as her own. - -We stood thus for perhaps half a minute, and then a striking change -came over her face. Her eyes fell, and I thought I had won. But it was -no more than a change of weapons on her part. - -She came close to me and took my hand in both hers, and looked then -into my eyes with a soft light that only love could kindle. - -“What you refuse as a command, grant me as a favour. I plead to you as -a woman to do what I ask. I pray you by whatever regard you may have -for me. Must I plead in vain?” Her hands were trembling in mine and -her voice quivering as she sought my eyes and held them with a look of -yearning love that left me no room for any thought but how to please -her. - -What could I do, loving her as I did with all my heart, but yield? - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -A HOPELESS OUTLOOK - - -Even while I was on my way from the Princess Christina’s house I began -to realise the consequences of the mistake we were making. I had been -miserably weak to give way, and, although my head was half giddy with -the rapturous remembrance of her words and glances, and dazed with the -thought that she had appealed to my love, I was angry with myself for -having yielded. - -I half dreaded to meet Zoiloff. I knew what that sturdy fellow would -say, and was inclined to fear lest he should make a shrewd guess at the -reasons which had influenced me. One thing was certain, he must not be -present when I saw the Countess; for I knew that she would blurt out -the truth in her sneering, vindictive tone. - -She would publish it, too, far and wide, and in a few days all Sofia -would ring with the secret of my love for Christina and of hers for me. -That alone was enough to ruin the cause, since it must inevitably rouse -old Kolfort’s suspicions. - -When I reached the house I was told that Zoiloff was with the Countess -Bokara, and I sent for him. I said in as few words as possible that it -had been decided to let the woman go free, and I gave some more or less -fictitious reasons of policy for it. But they did not impose on him for -an instant. - -“It is wrong, Count, absolutely wrong, and you should never have -consented. She will ruin everything. I propose that we just ignore the -Princess’s wish and keep that fiend close all the same.” - -“I have passed my word, Zoiloff.” - -“I am very sorry to hear it, but I haven’t; and there’s nothing to -prevent your setting her free and my taking her again. Everything is -ready, as you know, and the thing would be easy enough.” - -“No, I can be no party to it,” I answered firmly, although the notion -pleased and tempted me. - -“Then you may as well throw up the sponge.” He spoke angrily. - -“It may still be possible to blind the General’s eyes.” - -“You are more sanguine than you look or your tone implies if you think -so. I don’t believe it for a moment. There’s always something goes -wrong where a woman is concerned.” - -“I will send this one packing, and then we can consult.” - -“There’s not much left worth consulting about,” he answered as I left -him. - -The Countess greeted me with a sharp, shrewd look, and then her face -showed a keen disappointment. - -“I have failed, I see. You needn’t tell me,” she said. - -“You are not yet a murderess--at least of the Princess,” I returned, -harshly, for I hated the woman. - -“You have taken a long time over your rescue and love business; but I -suppose you had much to talk about. It’s the way of lovers!” she cried -with a laugh. “Besides you had to settle what to do with inconvenient -me. I am afraid I am very much in your way, Count--quite as much -trouble to you as if you had remained faithful to me.” - -“If I had my way you would not give me much more trouble.” - -“Ah, then I was right. I knew that she would never dare to try and keep -me a prisoner. Will you see that a carriage is ready for me?” She spoke -in a tone of indifference. - -“If you have any gratitude in your nature you will remember that it is -to the Princess that you owe your liberty--to the woman whose life you -have just failed to take.” - -“And am bitterly regretting my failure. That is my gratitude. But why -cant to me of gratitude. Do you suppose she has done this for my sake? -Nonsense; I told you her reasons before you went to her. Am I a fool, -that you prate to me in this childish strain? I tell you I am an enemy, -and a woman to be feared. She is a fool to let me go, and I know it as -well as you. Were the positions reversed--but there, she has given you -a heavy task, Count, heavy enough to tax even your cleverness; and you -can lay your plans on this one solid and sure foundation--that I will -do my worst against you and her.” - -I made no answer, and, ringing a bell, ordered a carriage to be brought -round at once. - -“You look very solemn, Count,” she said, when the servant had left -the room and I was going. “And you have plenty of reason. But I’ll do -you one favour, and tell you that I have already begun my work, and -have told that ill-bred soldier who was here and seems to be in your -confidence the whole story of your love for the fair Christina; and -it had a very pretty effect upon him. But it prepared him, no doubt, -for this step,” and she laughed insolently. “At any rate you can be -frank with him without that shamefacedness with which one man speaks -to another of his love. What he is thinking about it to-day--and I was -careful to sow the seeds of fruitful contemplation in his mind--all -Sofia will be openly talking to-morrow, including your new Russian -friends. It was injudicious of you, wasn’t it, to leave me such a -companion?” - -I could endure no more of her taunts, and went out of the room, closing -the door quickly to shut out the sound of her mocking laughter. When -the carriage was announced I went back to fetch her, and, as if -her malicious instinct could always hit upon the mood most exactly -calculated to jar upon my nerves, she was now disposed to play the high -society dame, and, with all the airs and graces of a capricious beauty, -was for delaying me to chatter idle nothings, in a tone of empty -frivol, about the weather, the recent ball, and my health, until I cut -her short by saying sternly: - -“The carriage is waiting for you, Countess, and I have no time for this -wearying badinage.” - -“I thought you might wish your servants to think this was merely a call -of ceremony;” and, as if to irritate me with these little peltings of -frivolity, she continued to chatter in the same tone until she had -taken her seat in the carriage. Then, with a quick change of manner, -and a malignant glance at me, she said: - -“When we meet again you may find the positions reversed, Count, for I -warn you to look to yourself.” - -I gave no sign of even having heard her, and watched in silence as the -carriage drove off. - -“There goes our last hope,” said Zoiloff, looking moodily after the -carriage, as though he would have given all he was worth to have -dashed after it, and have torn the Countess out of it back to captivity. - -“Now let us consider what to do next,” I replied. - -“There is nothing to do next, or after,” he said, in the same moody -tone. “When such a woman holds the future of our scheme in her hands -we can do nothing but prepare for the worst, and look out for the best -means of escape. It will soon be a case of _sauve qui peut_.” - -“I shall fight on till it comes, then, and so will you, my friend, when -this mood has passed.” I took him into my private room and, putting -wine and cigars before him, set to work to try and shape a course to -suit the altered aspect of affairs. - -My own opinion was not much brighter than his; but I sought to persuade -him, and myself too, that matters might yet be mended. There was one -possible door of hope. The Countess meant to have her revenge, and, -as she had frankly said, we must base all our plans on her implacable -enmity. But she had other ends than those of mere personal vengeance. -She hated Christina bitterly, but she loved the Russians no better. -Her aim was to keep her Prince on the throne, and to betray us at -once would certainly injure him by forcing General Kolfort to act -immediately, not only against us, but against the Prince. The latter -would be frightened and jockeyed out of the throne, to make room, not -for Christina, but for some more pliable tool; and the Countess was -quite shrewd enough to foresee that. - -“I am inclined to believe,” I said, after we had discussed the position -at great length, “that she will seek her ends first by other means -than by betraying us to Kolfort--some scheme or other against the -Princess or myself personally, perhaps; but something which may take -time to work out. She will cling to the hope of retaining the Prince -on the throne to the last possible moment; and she may reckon, as she -has done hitherto, that by removing the Princess the Russian scheme -will be so maimed that the Prince may be able to retrieve and retain -his position--at all events for a time. She may now include me in some -such plan of assassination. The question for us to consider is, then, -how soon we can complete our arrangements, by hurrying them forward at -fever heat, so as to make us indifferent to what Kolfort can do.” - -I continued to urge this from every standpoint, until I saw with -great satisfaction that Zoiloff’s enthusiasm began to heat again. But -suddenly his face clouded, and he said: - -“Are you forgetting the strange story she is going to tell about -yourself and the Princess? I know nothing of it, of course,” he added, -as though in assurance of his faith in me. “But if such a tale should -reach old Kolfort--and she seemed mad enough to scream it from the -housetops--you can judge what he may think.” - -“There is a ready answer to it,” I returned, gloomy now in my turn at -the thought behind my words. - -“You mean denial. I don’t like to speak of this, Count.” - -“I do not mean denial only in words. They count for little enough in a -time like this,” I replied bitterly. - -“What then?” - -“The Princess’s only answer will be the hurrying forward of her -marriage with the Duke Sergius. It is the inevitable corollary of her -decision to-day.” - -“By God, but you are a man, Count!” cried Zoiloff, with a look of -genuine sympathy, as if he felt instinctively what such words must cost -me. “From this hour I will never again question a single order you give -or decision you take.” He held out his hand, and grasped mine in a warm -pledge of earnest friendship. “We will go on, as you say, and frustrate -this she-devil yet--or fall in the effort.” - -A long silence followed, in which we were both busy with our own -thoughts; and when the silence was broken we went on with a long, -detailed discussion of the means to be adopted to quicken our -preparations and expedite the arrangements that should make us -indifferent to any action by General Kolfort. - -The work interested us both absorbingly, and while Zoiloff remained -with me, and my thoughts were occupied in planning the work to be done, -I was even inclined to accept my own arguments that all was not yet -lost. - -But when he had left me a relapse came, and I seemed to be overwhelmed -with a sense of the weariness and futility of it all. I had nothing -now to gain. A few hours had changed everything for me, and all my -enthusiasm had evaporated, like the sparkle from flat wine. - -Bulgaria might profit, but what was Bulgaria to me? I had not been -fighting for Bulgaria, but for Christina; and what prospect was there -now for her but the gloomiest? I had gained the priceless treasure of -her love; but with the very ecstasy of the knowledge had come the bane -that I could never even win happiness for her. - -I laid bare my heart to myself in this bitter self-communing. I had -tried to persuade myself before that mine was that rare thing--the -rarest on earth, indeed--selfless love; but I knew now that that had -been the flimsiest gauze of self-deceit veiling the secret hopes and -desires that had urged me forward. Out of the inmost thoughts came -up now the skeletons of my lost desires, gibbering and mouthing and -mocking me with the hopelessness of my love. - -If I could have made her happy, have helped her to realise the dream -of her life as the Virgin Queen pouring on this distracted people -the infinite blessings of freedom and happiness, herself a bright, -conspicuous example of innocence and purity to all the world, I might -have been content to worship even while I served her. But to think -of her as the wife of the sensual brute I detested, forced to submit -to his loathsome endearments, and to smile and frown upon him in his -humours, was like a very torment of hell to me. And for her it must -be ten thousand times worse. Her life, mated with a man she abhorred, -would be one long, living lie, the canker of which must blight her -every purpose, and destroy every hope in her heart. - -And yet I, loving her and beloved by her, was to help her to this life -of fair-seeming misery and honoured dishonour. I could not and would -not, I cried in my heart--and yet I knew I must. There was no escape -now from it. As I had told Zoiloff in my despair, the hastening of the -marriage was the one possible means of averting that instant ruin in -which the power of the at present all-powerful Russian agents could -involve us all. - -Harder than all else to bear, however, was the thought that I myself -must pass that inexorable sentence upon her. She had made it essential -by her shrinking woman’s fear of how her act would be read in the eyes -of Europe; but it was left for me to show her the full consequences of -what she had done. - -In my frenzy I was tempted to regret that I had saved her from the -infinitely more merciful fate of death. Deeply as I loved her, I would -vastly rather see her dead than the wife of the man whose wife she was -now inevitably bound to be. - -For a moment a wild thought rushed through my mind--that I should -induce her to fly the country with me. But the thought was as great a -treachery to her as the act would be treacherous to those whose cause -she championed with such pure-souled enthusiasm. I recalled with the -iciness of a lover’s despair her declaration that she would even become -the wife of this man, if no other path were open, rather than abandon -the cause she had espoused. - -There was no escape; and when at length I threw myself on my bed, -brain-wearied with the long wild fighting against the inevitable, it -was only that the torture of my waking thoughts should be reproduced -with all the grotesque horrors of oppressive, sickening dreams. - -I awoke with the dawn, dreading the coming of the hour that would bring -with it the ordeal of the interview. - -For myself my course was soon decided. I would keep my word, and go -through with the task of leading the movement to such a successful -issue as we could yet snatch from the dangers surrounding and -threatening it. But the hour that saw her safely seated on the throne -should be my last in the country. - -I was revolving these gloomy thoughts over an untasted breakfast when -Spernow came. - -“You look ill, Count;” for the struggle had written its effects in my -face, “Yesterday’s doings have upset you.” - -“It is nothing worse than a headache,” I answered carelessly. - -“I hope your nerves are not unstrung. You will need a clear head to-day -unless I have read things wrongly.” - -“What next?” I felt that nothing which could happen now would either -interest or trouble me. I had lost the one thing which I desired, and -life itself might go for aught I cared. - -“I was at a house last night and heard something which you must know at -once. It concerns you closely, and spells danger.” - -“What was it?” Feel interested I could not, feign it I would not. - -“The Duke Sergius has resolved to force a quarrel upon you. He has some -deadly grievance. I heard it incidentally, but---- Why, Count, what is -the matter?” - -He might well be astonished. The news was the one thing on earth that -could have changed me, the one thing that might yet change everything. -In an instant my lassitude and despair fell away like a cloak. My -blood warmed, my heart beat fast, my cheeks glowed again, and life was -worth living and risking. Even if I were destined to go straight to -my death at the hands of the rival I hated, I should have a moment of -real enjoyable life, while, if my hand were true and my skill what I -believed it and I killed him---- I could not stay to think, but in my -eager hope that the news might be true I plied Spernow with question -after question, testing his story, till he might well have deemed me -insane. - -“Of all the gifts and riches of the earth that you could bring me, -Spernow,” I cried in my vehemence, “there is none I would have in -preference to this news. By Heaven, man, but you have made me live -again!” - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -“IF I WERE A WOMAN” - - -We had been together about half an hour, discussing eagerly the news -which Spernow had brought, when Zoiloff arrived. His face showed that -he too had passed anxious hours since we parted. I received him with a -laugh and rallied him upon his looks, and then told him the news. - -He had not the same intense personal interest in it that I had, and he -received it very differently; though his friendship made him understand -my feelings. - -“It is her first step,” he said, gravely. “We must act warily.” - -“A necessity for others besides ourselves,” I retorted. - -“It is not certain what form his hostility will take. He may not care -to quarrel openly with you, Count; although, if he does, you know he is -not a swordsman to be taken lightly.” - -“He would serve me no ill turn were he to send his sword through my -heart,” I answered, and meant every word I said. - -“That would be an ill enough turn for us, though.” - -“Let us go to the gallery and see. I have scarcely closed my eyes all -night, and when Spernow came he found me hipped and down. It will be a -good test for my nerves. If I can hold my own against you under such -conditions, we need not be doubtful about this other affair.” - -In a few minutes we were busy with the foils, and I told Zoiloff to -try with all the skill at his command to beat me. For myself, I tried -to make myself believe for the moment that he was the man whom I -might have to meet, and I put forth every effort. I never fenced more -skilfully or with more spirit, now limiting myself only to defensive -measures and now forcing the attack with vehement and even fiery -impetuosity. - -“I cannot hold you, Count,” said Zoiloff, at length; “I have not -touched you once, except that graze on the leg, and you have had me -three times badly. If this were in earnest I should be a dead man. But, -remember, you know my work now, and that I am not the Duke’s equal with -the sword.” - -“I must take that risk, and shall not take it without pleasure, I -assure you.” - -“But that’s not the only risk to be taken.” - -“You are in a despondent mood, my friend,” I said, for I knew he -referred to what General Kolfort might do afterwards. “Let’s meet them -one at a time. This one faced and overcome may mean much to us; and, at -any rate, will put us in good heart for what may follow.” My spirits -were now as high as previously they had been depressed, and once again -I was full of fight. - -Zoiloff told me what he had already done to expedite our plans, and -when I went to do my regimental work even the knowledge of what I had -to tell Christina she must be prepared to do had become less oppressive -and disheartening. - -On my return home, however, I found a note from Mademoiselle Broumoff, -asking me to see Christina at once. “General Kolfort has been with -her this morning, and something passed which has upset the Princess -extremely. Although she has not told me that she wishes to see you, I -am sure of it. Don’t mention this letter.” - -This alarmed me, and early in the afternoon I was at her house. I found -her looking troubled and agitated, and so pale that I was filled with -concern. She received me as graciously as usual, but I could detect a -touch of shrinking reserve. - -“I hope you have no ill news; we cannot, of course, expect a big scheme -like ours to go forward without an occasional check,” I said. - -“There must be no check--none if I can prevent it, that is.” She spoke -very sadly, and then forced a smile to her face. - -“You have had some news, I see,” I said after a pause. - -“Yes, I have bad news; I have had General Kolfort here.” - -“His visit was probably the outcome of yesterday’s event.” - -“Have you come to upbraid me with what you think my weakness?” she -cried quickly, with a swift glance of reproach. - -“No, indeed not. But when the Countess Bokara left me she declared with -all the malice in her that she would do her utmost to ruin us all. I -judge that she has commenced--that is all.” - -“She cannot ruin us. Let her do her worst.” It was easy to see, -however, that the first blow had been a telling one. Then a thought -struck me. - -“I think I can tell you the purport of General Kolfort’s message,” I -said quietly. “He is anxious to push forward a certain step in his -plans to bind you to him. I mean, of course, your marriage.” - -Her face grew scarlet, and I guessed it was at the remembrance of the -bluntness with which the General would have told her what he had heard -about us. I could judge well enough the way he would speak. - -“Have you seen him?” she asked after a pause. - -“No; but I foresaw what must happen,” I answered gently. “It was -inevitable. The only practical proof you could give him of the -falseness of the rumour that that woman has set abroad.” - -She locked her fingers tightly together, and her face was drawn and -troubled. My heart ached for her. Remembering my own sorrow, I could -gauge the bitterness of hers. Presently, in a low tone of despair, she -said: - -“The marriage is to take place in three days;” and, hiding her face -then in her hands, she abandoned herself to emotions which she could no -longer control. I turned to the window and looked out, that she might -have time to regain some measure of calmness. - -Presently I heard the rustle of her dress, and I turned round and went -back to her. - -“You have caught me in a moment of weakness, Count,” she said, smiling -through the cloud on her brow and in her eyes. “I think you had better -leave me.” - -“I came prepared for the news. Indeed, I came to tell you myself that -you must be ready to hear it.” - -“I would rather have heard it from you;” and she smiled wearily. Then, -laying her hands impulsively in mine, she said sweetly but mournfully: -“It is hard to inflict sorrow like this, and I do not hide from myself, -dear friend, that this must give you pain. Believe me, that thought is -not my least grief in this. If I were only a woman,” she cried, with a -deep sigh. - -Her words and tenderness almost unmanned me. I had no words to reply, -but stood still, holding her hands in mine and meeting her gaze with -glances that spoke the love I felt. - -“I have no thought but for your happiness,” I murmured at length. - -“Happiness?” she whispered; and her eyes closed an instant as she drew -a deep breath as of unbearable pain. Then she mastered her emotion. -“I must never see you alone again, Count. I ought not to have seen -you now, but--I am a woman. I felt I must thank you once alone, and -tell you how it wounds me to wound you thus. Others may think of me as -ambitious, cold, unwomanly, selling myself for a throne, a heartless -creature without the attributes and qualities of my sex. But you will -know the truth. You must know it, even if I bare my inmost heart in -telling you. You will not think ill of me, though I have made you so -poor a requital for all that you have done and would do for me. Do you -think I am seeking my happiness in this?” - -“Forgive me that word. If I know what you are suffering in this it is -because my own heart tells me; and I dare not utter all that it tells -me.” - -“You are a strong man and will fight it down.” - -“I shall never forget,” I cried earnestly, my voice hoarse with -passion. “And never again so long as my heart beats will it hold a -feeling such as that which fills it now.” - -This pleased her, and she smiled sweetly and tenderly, while the clasp -of her fingers tightened on mine. - -“Would God it could have gone otherwise for us,” she breathed, her -eyes lingering lovingly on my face, with infinite sadness and yearning. - -I carried her fingers to my hot lips and kissed them fervently. - -“Go, go,” she cried passionately at the touch of my lips. “Go, or I -shall bid you stay, let the consequences be what they will.” - -I looked up into her radiant face, now fired with her passion. - -“One touch of your lips, if only to ease my suffering.” - -The ruby colour flowed rich and deep over her face, and, bending -forward, she kissed me on the forehead. - -“Go, in pity for me, go,” she cried, excitedly. - -One moment longer I stood, gazing at her with my soul in my eyes, -feasting my senses on the signs of her love, and then I tore myself -away. A last glance as I left the room showed me that she had thrown -herself back in her chair with her hands clasped in front of her face. - -I rushed back to my house, my head bewildered and dizzied with the -sweet delirium of her avowed love, and I sat like a crazy loon for -hours, running over and over again in thought all the incidents of the -scene. - -She loved me. Nothing could rob me of the sweetness of that knowledge. -All else that could happen was as nothing compared to that. The -plot might succeed or fall; she loved me. Bulgaria might be free or -enslaved; she loved me. The Russians might triumph or fail; she loved -me. It was the one balm for every sorrow, one true note of joy in every -trial: she loved me; and I was mad with the delight of it all. - -In the early evening Spernow came to me; and then I remembered with -an effort--for all memory was swallowed up in the one delicious -remembrance of her love avowal--that I had promised to go out with him. -I did not care whether I went or stayed; what I said or did, all was -alike indifferent to me; but when he urged me, I dressed and went with -him. As we drove along he said something, however, which brought my -intoxicated wits together. - -“Duke Sergius will be here to-night, Count. We shall see what he means -to do.” I laughed so loudly that he looked at me in surprise. What -cared I for the Duke Sergius? I carried a charmed life, for Christina -loved me. He might marry her: but it was I had her heart. If he killed -me, he could not alter that. And whether I lived or died mattered -nothing now. I hoped he would quarrel with me. “To be married in three -days.” Marriages are not made with the dead, my lord Duke, I thought, -and laughed again. - -“If he wants to quarrel he will find me ready enough,” I said, -boastfully and noisily; but before I entered the house I had put a -restraint upon myself and wore my usual reserve, covering up that mad, -wild, whirling passion that was heating every vein in my body. I soon -saw, too, there was a cause to be wary. - -“His friends are in strong force here,” muttered Spernow, as together -we entered the room and were greeted by our host, a man named Metzler, -who led us forward chatting pleasantly about nothing. - -There were about a dozen of us in all in the room, and the first glance -showed me that it was intended to be a wet, wild night. Three or four -of the men I knew to be dare-devil scapegraces, hard drinkers and -harder players even for that city of hard drinking and high gambling, -and it was easy to see by their faces that some of them had made haste -to begin, for they were already flushed and excited. It was the kind of -party where an empty glass was considered a sign of discourtesy to the -host. - -The Duke was gambling, but saw me enter, and when I approached him gave -me no more than a surly nod in place of his customary rather effusive -greeting. I augured well from this, but was careful to be particularly -courteous. - -In a few minutes Spernow and I were seated at a table playing some -silly card game or other for fairly high stakes. I felt no interest in -it, and cared not one jot whether I won or lost. I staked moderately -and drank very sparingly, finding my amusement in watching the flushed -eagerness of the men about me; the noisy laughter when they won, and -the muttered oaths when fortune went against them. - -I glanced now and again at the other tables, and I noticed that the -Duke was in much the same mood as myself, and twice caught him scowling -angrily and darkly at me. Each time I laughed in my heart and smiled -pleasantly with my lips. - -“Fortune with you, Duke?” I cried the second time. - -“My turn is coming,” he answered, with an expression that in a dog or a -wolf you would call a snarl. - -“Well, don’t be afraid to back it when it does come. I’m winning,” I -said with another smile, as though cards were the one absorbing thought -in my head just then. But he seemed to put his own interpretation on my -words, for he answered in a surly tone: - -“Ah! your luck may change;” and he turned to his game again. - -After an hour or two a halt was called for supper, and I observed that -the Duke scrupulously avoided me. I noticed, too, that he had begun to -drink much more freely, and while I chatted with the men about me I -kept a close watch upon all that he did. - -As soon as supper was finished the glasses were refilled and the -gambling began again. - -“Thank Heaven that’s over; now we can settle down to business,” said -one of the men near me, who had been a high player and a heavy loser; -and that voiced the thoughts of most men in the room. - -An hour later I noticed that Spernow was infected with the mania for -high play. He was staking large amounts, which I knew he could not -afford to lose, and he was losing them. I gave him a warning look or -two, but he would pay no heed; and to create a diversion I declared -that I had played enough. It was all to no purpose, however. It did not -check him, and it irritated the men about us. - -For that I cared nothing, but it brought the crisis for which I -had been waiting. The men were urging me to continue, and I was -refusing, when I heard the Duke say to a man at his table, in a voice -intentionally loud enough to be heard by all: - -“Nothing like cards to test a man’s pluck;” and he accompanied the -words with a sneer and a shrug of the shoulders. - -I would not take the words to myself, though I knew, as did the rest, -that they were flung at me. - -“I would rather not play again,” I said to those about me. - -“I don’t suppose we are to stop, gentlemen, to please one man’s -caprice--or cowardice, or whatever you call it,” said the Duke -insolently. - -“You will not mind if we resume, Count?” said our host, nervously, -trying to fill the awkward pause that followed the words. - -“Not in the least,” I answered, pleasantly, for all the anger that -began to stir in me. “I will look on.” - -“No, no, Metzler,” cried the Duke noisily. “I object to that. -Lookers-on can see too much and can make use of their knowledge. If -Count Benderoff is too careful of his money to play, you should ask him -to retire.” - -“That is the third unpleasant thing you have said about me in as many -minutes,” I said, turning pointedly to him, but speaking coolly. - -“Is it?” and he laughed insolently. “Well, you’re doing a deuced -unpleasant thing, and I suppose I may express my opinion.” This time -two of the other men sniggered. - -“I have merely expressed a wish to play no more.” - -“And you do it with an air of a highly virtuous priest with a mission -to teach us how to behave ourselves. We don’t want you Englishmen or -Roumanians, or whatever you please to call yourself, coming here to set -up any canting standard of morals. We can look after ourselves,” he -sneered, his face flushed and his eyes glittering angrily. - -The situation was fast growing serious, and every man stopped to watch -us two. - -“I have done nothing of the kind, as you and these gentlemen know quite -well. It seems that you wish to insult me wantonly.” - -“Do you mean to say that I don’t speak the truth, Count Benderoff?” he -cried, rising and coming towards me. - -[Illustration: “I STRUCK HIM A VIOLENT BLOW AND KNOCKED HIM -DOWN.”--_Page 181._] - -“Gentlemen, this has surely gone far enough,” said Metzler, his face -pale, as he put himself between us hurriedly. “The Count has only -expressed a desire not to play any longer, and, of course, in my house -I should not think of urging him;” and he glanced at the rest, as if -asking them to interfere. - -“Our host’s views are my answer to you,” I said. - -But the Duke was bent on the quarrel. - -“A very discreet shield,” he sneered, and then his passion broke out. -“What I said I maintain,” he continued furiously. “You have tried -deliberately to break up the party with your infernally domineering -interference. I have had far too much of your interference, not only -here but elsewhere. I’ll have no more of it. Who are you, to come -thrusting yourself into concerns that are nothing to you? If you don’t -like our company, leave it; and if you don’t like the country, leave -that too. And the sooner the better. This is no garbage-heap for either -renegade Roumanians or cowardly English to be carted here;” and he -laughed in my face. - -My blood boiled at his words, but I meant the quarrel to go even -farther yet, and after a pause of dead silence I answered, clipping my -words short: - -“Rather a hunting-ground where a fortune may be picked up by any -drunken, bankrupt Russian duke, infamous enough to stoop to any -cowardly baseness.” - -He could scarce restrain himself to hear me out before he flung himself -at me in wild, desperate rage. - -I caught his arm in my left hand as it was raised, and flinging out my -right with all my strength I struck him a violent blow on the mouth and -knocked him down. - -In another moment the men had thrown themselves between us, holding him -as he struggled to his feet and drew his sword, striving to get at me -and cursing wildly. - -I was as cool now outwardly as if nothing had happened, and in my heart -a feeling of almost wild exultation throbbed and rushed. - -“You are all witnesses, gentlemen,” I said to the men near me, “that -from the first this quarrel has been forced upon me. Lieutenant -Spernow, for the present you will act for me.” - -“I will have your life for this!” cried the Duke, mad with rage. - -I made no reply. There was nothing more to be gained by any further -taunts. - -“I am sorry this has happened here and to-night,” I said to my host. -“But you must have seen it was none of my seeking. You will excuse me -if I go.” - -I left, and walked home with a feeling of rare pleasure at the thought -of the coming fight. If I did not punish him for his foul insult, then -surely was I what he had said--a coward. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -A DASTARDLY SCHEME - - -As soon as I reached home I despatched a servant in hot haste for -Zoiloff, and when he arrived I told him what had happened. - -“He forced the quarrel on you?” he asked. - -“Certainly. I was willing enough, Heaven knows; but there was not a man -in the room who would not have to say that I bore his insults till I -must have seemed all but a coward. But I wanted to make this thing a -life and death affair. And it is that.” - -“You will kill him?” he asked, his dark eyes glowing. - -“If I can,” I replied, shortly and sternly. - -“Good. But Heaven knows what will happen afterwards. Though if the -thing gets wind your meeting may be prevented. Old Kolfort will be mad; -and if he had a tool there, as is most probable, you may be arrested -before morning.” - -“I never thought of that, or I would have finished the thing on the -spot.” - -“And gained the reputation of having killed a man in his cups. Thank -Heaven you didn’t think of it. I suppose the man means to fight, but, -like his master, Kolfort, he’s such a snake you never know what he does -mean till he has done it.” - -“No man who spoke as he did could hope to escape a fight,” I replied, -growing uneasy at his words. “What do you suspect? After a blow, too, -he must fight.” - -“He’s the sort of man who’d be capable of anything. He might insult you -openly like that, send the challenge, and then have you seized secretly -and shut up, and when you didn’t appear on the ground in the morning, -post you for a coward. I know him.” - -“It would be an infernal move!” I cried hotly. - -“It would be reckoned a smart Russian trick,” said Zoiloff drily. - -“Then, we’ll checkmate it. We’ll have enough men here to make my arrest -impossible; or, better still, perhaps I’ll pass the night somewhere -else. You and Spernow can arrange all the preliminaries of the meeting, -and appoint a meeting somewhere to-morrow morning, but not fix the -actual ground until that appointment is kept by him and his seconds -only. I will be where you can readily fetch me.” - -“Good! Yes, we’ll do that. You’ll have choice of weapons. What shall -they be? I should choose pistols. You’re sure to kill him.” - -“He shall have a chance to save his life. We’ll have swords. But, mind, -the fight is to be to the death. No stopping for a trickle of blood!” - -“That’s the spirit I like,” cried Zoiloff bluntly; and then we -discussed the plan I had suggested. He told me where I could sleep and -he and Spernow could find me in the morning. - -“I should be off at once if I were you--and, mind, get a night’s rest. -You’ll need all your skill, even if we succeed in bringing him up to -the scratch.” - -“I’ll go the moment Spernow arrives.” - -“Then take my advice. Let your people have a horse saddled at once -and kept in readiness close to some back way out. I know these Russian -dodges.” - -I adopted the suggestion at once, and, sending for my head groom, -Markov, told him to saddle my horse and his, where to station himself, -and to be prepared to be away with me for the night; and, lastly, -to hold his tongue. After that I changed hurriedly into an undress -uniform, got together the one or two things I should need, and joined -Zoiloff. - -“I don’t like this long wait,” he said impatiently. “I seem to smell -something wrong. Why do they keep Spernow like this? I should go, -Count, if I were you.” - -“I can’t go till I know the man’s making a show of fighting, at any -rate.” - -“Picket one or two of our fellows, then, to give us warning. The house -may be surrounded before we know anything has happened.” - -“It isn’t necessary. The place is like a rabbit-warren; there’s an -underground passage that lets out a hundred yards away, and it’s there -I’ve told the man to have the horses. Half a regiment couldn’t keep me -in if I wanted to get out.” - -“Some infernal spy or other may have found that out;” and then, to -satisfy him, I sent out half a dozen men to keep watch. - -A quarter of an hour later Spernow arrived, but not before Zoiloff’s -patience had long given out. Spernow explained that the delay had been -caused at the other house, and not by any fault of his own. - -“Did anyone leave before you?” - -“Oh, yes; the meeting broke up soon after the Count left.” - -“Good-night, Count,” cried Zoiloff instantly. “Don’t lose another -moment.” - -“The fight is to come off?” I asked eagerly. - -“Of course,” said Spernow, in surprise, not guessing our suspicions. - -“Then good-night. Zoiloff will explain everything;” and as I turned -to leave a servant came hurrying in, pale and excited, to say that a -number of men, some in uniform, were approaching the house, and had -tried to detain him. The next moment a furious summons at the front -door told us they had arrived. - -Before the noise had ceased to reverberate through the house, I was -in the underground passage, hurrying at full speed to the place where -the horses were awaiting me. Zoiloff’s suggestion that General Kolfort -might know of the secret passage gave me a twinge of uneasiness, and -as I paused to open the little door of outlet my fears were more than -verified, for I heard the cries of men as they entered the passage from -the house end. I held a revolver ready as I slipped out into the night, -and at a little distance to the left I caught sight of a couple of men, -just perceptible as shadows in the gloom. - -Guessing that they were after me, and had not known quite where to lie -in wait, I ran swiftly in the opposite direction, fortunately to the -spot where I should find my horse. Once in the saddle, I did not fear -pursuit. They saw me, despite all my precaution, and raised a shout, -while one of them fired a pistol, presumably as a signal, and then I -heard them come clattering after me. - -The shot was answered by others, and the place seemed alive with men. -But I was near to the horses now, and could see them in the little -clump of trees where I had told Markov to wait. - -“Have you seen any horsemen about?” I asked, as I sprang into the -saddle. - -“No, sir,” replied the groom, but at that moment the sound of galloping -came from both directions. - -There was going to be a tussle after all, it seemed. - -“You have your pistols. If anyone tries to stop us, you have my orders -to fire--but only at the horses, mind. Follow me close.” - -We were on a small heath, and I pricked my horse into an easy canter in -the direction I had to take to get to the place of which Zoiloff had -told me. - -“Halt! Who goes there?” and the horseman checked his steed with a -rattle of steel that told me he was a cavalryman. - -“A friend,” said I, but not drawing rein. - -“Halt!” came the cry again. The horseman behind was now coming up fast, -and I could hear the sounds of the others scurrying after us on foot. - -“I’m in a hurry, and can’t wait,” I said. - -“Halt, or I shall fire,” and I heard him get his carbine; but I was not -going to be trapped by a single cavalryman, and before he had an idea -of my intention I had carried it into execution. - -We were nearly abreast of him, cantering easily, when I wheeled my -horse around, dug the spurs into his sides, dashed right against the -man who had challenged me, dragged his weapon from his hands, and flung -it on the ground. - -“Now,” I called to the groom, “as fast as the wind, and bend low;” -and together we rattled over the heath at a pace that made pursuit -hopeless, even had the two men behind been inclined for a chase. But -they were not. A couple of shots were fired after us, but as the -darkness hid our forms, and the grass deadened our horses’ footfalls, -they were but random shots, not destined to find their billets in our -bodies. - -After a sharp burst for some ten minutes, I drew rein and listened. Not -a sound. I had shaken off the pursuit. At the same time I deemed it -advisable to take a roundabout route to our destination, and in this -Markov, who knew every square inch of the country, was able to guide me. - -We reached the place without further mishap; and Zoiloff’s name acted -like a magic pass-word to secure the accommodation we needed. Thus -my Russian friends had not even the satisfaction of robbing me of my -night’s rest. - -I woke in the morning, all anxiety to know how Zoiloff and Spernow had -fared, what arrangements had been made, and whether, after all, we -should succeed in bringing off the fight without interruption. - -I could also take a clearer view of the seriousness of the attempt -made to capture me on the previous night. The more I considered it -the less I liked it, for I read in it a determination on the part of -General Kolfort to remove me from his path, at all events, until after -the marriage of the Princess. He had viewed the fact of our love as a -possible stumbling-block in the path of his policy, and was resolved to -deal with it in his usual drastic way; and it was easy enough to see -that even after the duel he would continue to pursue me. - -Zoiloff arrived while I was in this rather gloomy, meditative mood. - -“I have been speculating all the night whether I should find you here, -Count, for I could not learn from the men who came to your house -whether they had caught you or not. They were wild at not finding you -there, and ransacked the place from cellar to roof; and almost the -first place they searched was that underground passage. I concluded, of -course, that they would have men posted at the other end, and feared -therefore that they had got you in a trap. How did you escape?” - -I told him briefly what had happened, and that only his forethought had -saved me. - -“And what of the duel?” I concluded eagerly. - -“All is right, so far, I’m glad to say. Of course, the Duke couldn’t -appear to back out in the least; and his men represented him as full -of fight. We had a bit of a tussle over the conditions, but I wouldn’t -give way. They wanted me to fix the time and place at once; but I told -them pretty plainly that to do that might be doing no more than giving -an excellent appointment for making the arrest that had just failed, -and, in short, that it was impossible. In the end they had no option -but to agree, and we are to meet at a little village about five miles -north of here at nine o’clock, and then settle the ground. What I -propose is that you should ride on about a couple of miles further--I -know a splendid place for a meeting there; your man will probably know -the ground; and if I find no treachery in the wind I’ll bring them on. -If there is anything wrong, I’ll fix another spot, and let you know -somehow. But I think it’ll be all right. The men acting for him are -perfectly straight.” - -“Yes,” I assented readily. “It’s an excellent plan.” - -“But what about afterwards? If you kill him, there will be the deuce to -pay; and I should think you will have to fly the country for a while at -least.” - -“No, I shall go back to Sofia and face it out. Men have been killed in -duels before. The fight was forced upon me, and everything’s in perfect -order. Why should I run away?” - -“Russian dukes are not often killed in duels, especially when so -essential to Russian schemes,” he answered drily. - -“I shall take my chance of the consequences. We’re not so feeble that -they can do what they like to me. I shall face it out.” - -“How would it be to stop short of killing him?” - -“My dear Zoiloff, if you had had said to you what was said to me, you -would view the thing as I do,” I said sternly, and he made no reply. - -I called in my man then, and Zoiloff gave him precise instructions -which way we were to ride, and where to wait; and soon afterwards -he started to meet the duke and his seconds. I mounted within a few -minutes of his departure, and as I rode at an easy pace I was very -thoughtful, though exultant at the prospect of the encounter. - -It was a glorious morning. The sun was hot and bright, but a fresh, -invigorating breeze was blowing, and the country looked beautiful. The -hardy, stalwart peasantry, men and women alike, were at work everywhere -in the fields, toiling with that industry for which they are famed in -all the East; and, save that here and there were to be seen the ruined -homesteads which told their grim story of the fearful struggle of a few -years previously, the landscape seemed redolent of the new blessing of -content which the better rule of the Prince had brought in its train, -and full of the promise of prosperity, if only the ban of political -intrigue could be removed--certainly a land of promise with a great -future under a ruler with such high ideals and motives as Christina. - -As I thought of it, she seemed farther removed from me than ever. She -loved me, and the knowledge was ineffably sweet; but it was a love that -could have no fruition; and my face darkened as I thought of the man -who was to come between us--not only to thwart our love, but also to -stand between her and the realisation of the dream and hopes of her -life for these people. My heart was as iron towards him; and the bare -thought of his foul treachery in this dastardly attempt to have me -branded as a coward--for I did not hesitate to accept that theory of -his act--filled me with an irresistible impulse to take his life. I -recalled his burning words of insult and contumely, and dwelt upon them -till they stabbed and pricked and stung me to a madness of passion and -loathing. - -We reached the little village in good time, and halted at the trysting -spot to wait for news from Zoiloff. This was so long in coming that my -patience was ebbing fast, until I saw Spernow approaching at a hand -gallop. - -“All is arranged, Count,” he said, after I had greeted him. “You are -to ride back about half a mile along the road I have come. There is -no sign of any interference. But I have something for you.” He drew -a small note from his pocket and handed it to me, and turned away to -speak to my servant. - -I opened it quickly, little guessing the contents: - - “I have heard the terrible news of your quarrel with the Duke - Sergius, and that you are to meet to-morrow. God preserve you from - danger. I am going to ask you the hardest favour that could be put in - words. I know of your skill, and of the terrible provocation you have - received, but I beg you not to have his death on your soul. Think of - what it must mean to us all--to me. For _him_ to be killed by _you_. - I pray you, for my sake.--CHRISTINA.” - -I stared at the lines in a fever of distraction. At the very moment -when the cup was at my lips, it was to be dashed away. Just when I had -fed my passion, and had been goaded by the remembrance of the man’s -foul acts and insults to a vow of implacable vengeance, I was to do -nothing. - -I could not grant the wish. The man deserved to die, and die he should -if my arm were strong enough. I could not, I would not, let him escape -me. He had forced the quarrel, and it must go through. It was a just -cause, and I was in the right throughout; and I crushed the paper in my -clenched hand and vowed the request was impossible. - -Yet how could I face her afterwards and say, “I had your plea and would -not hearken to it!” Was ever man more plagued? I paced up and down the -turf fighting the fight between my thirst for vengeance and my love for -Christina with its desire to grant her wish; and never had I fought a -harder battle. - -My love won, of course. I had no motives in life but those which were -inspired by my love for her; and the thought of myself, appearing -red-handed before her, and of her turning from me in abhorrence, or -gazing at me with eyes of reproach to bid me never see her again since -I cared so little as not to grant her wishes, was unbearable. But it -was hard, cruelly hard; and I could have ground my teeth in the stress -of my keen disappointment. - -I questioned Spernow as we rode together, and he told me that -Mademoiselle Broumoff had given him the letter, and that it was to be -destroyed as soon as read. - -I tore it to shreds and scattered them on the passing wind, with a -smile half bitterness, half love; though I would fain have kept the -letter near my heart. Then I fell moody and silent. There was more in -the request than Christina had foreseen. It was not unlikely to prove -my death warrant. To go into a fight with so expert a swordsman as -Duke Sergius was dangerous enough under any circumstances and at any -time. But to fight him while bound to act only on the defensive, and to -refrain, too, from taking advantage of such openings as he might give, -magnified the danger many times, and must make the issue less than -doubtful for me. The fight was to be to the death, or till one of us -was so wounded as to be unable to continue it, and it was clear that, -if I was not to attempt to wound him, it was I who must be struck down. - -It was certain, too, that so expert a fencer as he would soon perceive -that I was not going to press him, and thus he could fight at his ease -and wait to pick out the moment when he could most easily plunge his -sword into my heart. - -If I escaped with my life, too, I had to suffer the humiliation of -defeat at his hands; and I groaned in spirit at the bondage which my -love imposed. - -And yet I blessed the gentleness, little regardful of me though it was, -that had inspired the plea. - -When we came in sight of the others, who were already waiting for us, -my mind was made up and my decision taken. The Duke should live, even -if it cost me my life. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -THE FIGHT - - -As I dismounted I saluted the others and glanced sharply at the Duke, -who feigned not to notice my salute, and looked away without returning -it. I hoped I could detect an expression of genuine anxiety on his -face, as if he did not at all relish the turn things had taken; and -purposely I assumed as dark and stern an expression as I could force -into my face. Though I was debarred from killing him, I would at least -act as if I meant to. - -It did not take much time to select the place and complete the -necessary preliminaries, and while I was making ready I drew Zoiloff -aside. - -“I must have a last word with you, my friend,” I said earnestly. -“Matters have taken a strange turn since I saw you; I have had an -urgent request from the Princess not to kill the Duke, and I don’t -hide from myself that I am now going probably to my death. If I am to -act only on the defensive, I can’t carry on the fight indefinitely, of -course; and, if I fall, I charge you on your honour to let the Princess -know that my last thoughts were of her.” - -He saw instantly how grave the prospect was, and was more moved than I -could have believed. - -“We have arranged that it shall be to the death, Count. She had no -right to make such a request. Not knowing the conditions, such a -request cannot, and must not, be listened to. She cannot wish your -death rather than his. Women don’t understand these things. You must -not be bound.” - -“I have reasoned it out in my own way,” I answered with a smile, “and I -shall observe the condition.” - -“By Heaven, I would have had no hand in it at all had I foreseen this. -But I suppose she does not wish you to be killed like a sheep, without -an effort,” he cried excitedly. “You can wound him, at any rate. But -die you must not. We cannot spare you, Count; she cannot, she does not, -know what she asks.” - -“When you think it over calmly you will see she is right. He must not -die by my hand, things being as they are.” He knew what I meant, and -had no answer to it. He wrung my hand, much affected; and, after a -moment, growled into his moustache: - -“Hang the women; they spoil everything.” - -“Remember,” I said, warningly, “if things go badly with me, give my -message--but no reproaches. She must know nothing except that I was -beaten by the Duke’s superior skill. On your honour, Zoiloff?” - -“On my honour,” he answered; and, as I was ready, we went forward -together. - -The Duke eyed me with a look of hate, and it was easy to see he meant -to do his worst. As our swords crossed, and we engaged, I seemed to -feel the thrill of his passion, as if it were an electric current -passing through the steel. - -He fought well and cleverly, but he was not my match. I had been -trained in a better school, and held him at bay without much -difficulty. I was much cooler, too, than he; and his fiery temper made -him too eager to press the fight. - -He made no attempt to wound me slightly, but sought with the -vindictiveness of passion to get through my guard and thrust his blade -into my heart. My fighting was all defensive; and after a short time -my tactics evidently puzzled him. He thought my object was to wear -him down. This cooled him, and he began to fight much more warily and -cautiously, and with far less waste of energy and strength. - -The first point fell to me, partly by accident. Making an over-zealous -thrust at my body, which I parried with some difficulty, he came upon -my sword point, which just touched his body and drew blood. The seconds -interfered; his wound was examined and found to be slight, and we were -ordered to re-engage. - -In the second bout he changed his tactics, and again attacked me with -great impetuosity. The result was what might have been expected. He -gave me more than one chance which I could have taken with deadly -effect; and when he saw that I did not--for he fenced well enough to -understand this--I saw him smile sardonically. He might well wonder why -I should wish to spare him. But each time Christina’s words were before -my eyes and ringing in my ears, and, bitterly though I hated him, I -dared not, and would not, kill him. Then he wounded me. He thought he -had found the opportunity he sought, and his eyes gleamed viciously -as he lunged desperately at my heart. I parried the stroke, but not -sufficiently, for I felt his sword enter my side, and for a moment I -thought all was over. - -But when the fight was stopped for the second time it was found that -the blow had gone home too high, and had pierced the flesh above the -heart, and close under the shoulder. The blood made a brave show, but -there was no danger--nothing to prevent my fighting on; and again we -had to engage. - -It was now with the greatest difficulty that I could restrain myself to -act only on the defensive. The triumphant gleam in his eyes when his -sword found its way into my body had sent my temper up many degrees. A -man of honour, having such skill of fence as he possessed, and seeing -that I was making no effort to attack him, and was, indeed, actually -letting pass the openings he gave, would have refused to continue a -fight on such unequal terms. But he grew more murderous the longer we -fought, and more than once made a deliberate use of my reluctance to -wound him by exposing himself recklessly in order to try and kill me. -He did it deftly and skilfully, with great caution, step by step, as if -to assure himself of the fact before he relied and risked too much upon -it; but, having satisfied himself, he grew bolder every minute. - -It was no better than murder; and, strive as I would, remembering -Christina’s words and seeking to be loyal to her, I could not stop my -rising temper nor check the rapidly growing desire to punish him for -his abominable and cowardly tactics. As the intention hardened in my -mind, so my fighting changed. My touch grew firmer, more aggressive; -I began to press him in my turn, and to show him the dangers that he -ran. He read the thought by that subtle instinct which all swordsmen -know, and, as my face grew harder and my eyes shone with a more deadly -light, I saw him wince, and noted the shadow of fear come creeping over -his face and into his eyes. He began to fight without confidence and -nervously, dropping the attack and standing like a man at bay. - -I pressed him harder and harder, my blood growing ever more and -more heated with the excitement of the fight; Christina’s words were -forgotten; and springing up again in my breast came that deadly resolve -of the previous night to kill him. He read it in my face instantly, and -it drove him to make one or two desperate and spasmodic attempts to get -at me; though I noticed with a grim smile that now he was cautious not -to expose himself as before. - -I defeated his attempts without difficulty, and was even in the act -of looking out for an opening to strike, when the remembrance of my -pledge, and of what my love would say to me if I killed him, shot back -into my mind, and at a stroke killed all the desire to kill. The change -of mood must in some way have affected my fighting, as we know it will, -for I left myself badly guarded, and like a dart of lightning his blade -came flashing at me. - -I was wounded again; but, fortunately, malice, or fear, or too great -glee, made him over-confident, so that his aim was awry, and, instead -of piercing my heart, his sword glanced off my ribs, inflicting another -flesh wound, but barely more than skin deep. - -[Illustration: “I RAN MY SWORD THROUGH HIS NECK.”--_Page 199._] - -“This can’t go on,” growled Zoiloff in my ear, during the pause. -“You could have killed him half a dozen times. We shall be here all -day.” The absurd bathos of the speech made me smile, despite the grim -situation, and the smile was still lurking on my face when we crossed -swords for the fourth time. A glance at my opponent’s face was enough -to kill any smile, however; and almost as soon as our blades touched -he commenced again to force the fight as though he meant to finish it -off quickly. So vehement was his attack, that for a while I needed -all my nerve and skill to defend myself; but I contented myself with -defensive tactics--for the interval had cooled my temper--until, by -a little dastardly, unswordsmanlike trick, he tried to catch me at a -disadvantage. In an instant my passion flamed up beyond restraint, and -before there was time for me to regain control of my temper, an opening -came in his guard, and, unable to stay the fighting instinct to take -advantage of it, I ran my sword through his neck. - -The blood came gushing out in a full crimson stream from the wound and -through his parted lips, dyeing his shirt front; he staggered back, his -sword dropped from his nerveless grasp, and he fell to the ground with -a groan. - -I looked on more than a little aghast at my work. If he should die! And -at the thought the picture of Christina’s face as she would meet me -flashed before my eyes, and for the moment I would have given all I was -worth to have called back that laggard thrust. - -Zoiloff and Spernow came and stood by me, as I waited, sword in hand, -to know if the fierce combat was to go on still further. Then his chief -second crossed to us, and in a formal tone said: - -“My principal can fight no longer.” - -“Is the hurt dangerous? Will he die?” I asked, and the man glanced at -me in evident surprise at the concern in my tone. - -“Not necessarily. The wound is severe, but the doctor says the -artery has not been touched.” Then after a pause he added, as if in -involuntary compliment to the skill I had shown: “It is surprising that -the fight lasted so long, Count Benderoff. I can bear witness that he -owes his life to your forbearance.” And with a bow as formal as his -tone he went back to the others. - -“We may go,” said Zoiloff; and I handed him my sword and then dressed. - -“I am glad you wounded him. I feared you were going to let him kill -you. He tried his utmost, and you had one very narrow escape,” said -Zoiloff. “But now, where are we to go?” - -“I should like first to make quite certain about the nature of his -wound. Will you question the surgeon yourself? Spernow and I will wait -by the horses.” - -“What of your own wounds? Won’t you have them dressed? Better run no -risks.” - -I had almost forgotten them in my excitement, but I agreed; and as soon -as the surgeon could be spared from his attendance on the Duke he came -and dressed them rapidly. The one was a mere scratch, and the other not -by any means serious. I had been lucky indeed to escape so lightly. “A -couple of days’ rest for the arm would be enough,” declared the doctor, -who was inclined to be garrulous about the affair until he found that I -made no response. - -When he had finished with me, however, I questioned him as to my -opponent’s condition. He gave me a learned and technical description of -the exact character of the injury, and then in simple and intelligent -language told me that in all probability, if the wound healed as it -should, the Duke would be a prisoner to his room for two or three -weeks; if it healed badly, it might be as many months. But he put his -estimate at not more than a month. - -“There is no danger of his death?” I asked. - -“Not the least, unless he is imprudent. In a month’s time he should be -quite able to fight another duel should he feel so disposed.” - -I saw no wit in so grim a pleasantry, for he intended it as such, and -turned away with a hasty word of thanks for his attention. - -“Where to?” asked Zoiloff when we were mounted. - -“Back to Sofia,” I answered promptly. “I am going straight to General -Kolfort to ascertain the meaning of last night’s attempt on me;” and I -clapped my heels into my horse’s flanks and started at a sharp pace for -the city. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -MY ARREST - - -I had not ridden more than a couple of miles towards the city when a -thought occurred to me and caused me to draw rein suddenly and call to -my companions to halt. - -“Anything wrong?” asked Zoiloff, looking about him anxiously. - -“It has just occurred to me that, as I’m going to put my head in -the lion’s mouth by going to General Kolfort, I had better not go -unprepared, and I have just thought of a precaution I can take.” - -“What is it?” - -“I can’t at present explain to you fully, but you or Spernow can help -me. I must find some place before I enter Sofia where I can write for -an hour or two. Where can I go?” - -He thought a moment, and said: - -“The safest place would be back to where you passed the night. I am -sure of those people, and they know how to hold their tongues;” and, -changing our direction, we set off for the house at a brisk trot. - -My intention was to write out a full report now for the British Foreign -Office, giving a detailed account of the position of matters in regard -to the Russian scheme, of the part I had played in it, and of what I -believed to be the Russian designs against me. I did not forget the -condition that if I failed the Foreign Office were to be at liberty -to disown me, and that the whole and sole responsibility of my present -action lay with me, let the consequences be what they might. But I -calculated that so far I had kept aloof from committing the Government -in any way, and could thus claim the protection of the Foreign Office -should any personal violence be contemplated by old Kolfort. - -I thought out carefully what I had to say, and when we arrived at -the house set to work with a will. I gave a clear description of the -Princess’s counterplot, and then added my reason for believing that, -although it was likely to fail now, it could yet be used for the -advantage of Bulgaria and the Balkan States generally. The Prince had -decided to abdicate, and if measures could be taken from Downing Street -to have a successor to him ready, whether that successor should be -Princess Christina or another, and the abdication so timed as to fit -in with such a plan, it would be perfectly feasible to checkmate the -Russian move. My own opinion, I declared, was in favour of putting the -Princess on the throne, thus apparently acting in co-operation and -concert with Russia, while at the same time taking secret measures to -prevent any marriage on her part with a Russian ally. - -For myself, I asked merely that, in the event of my being imprisoned -by General Kolfort, the British representative in Bulgaria might be -instructed by telegraph to press either for my being liberated or -brought to trial. No more to be done than would be done in the case of -an ordinary British subject. - -When I had completed the despatch, I drafted a telegram announcing -that it was on its way, and I instructed my companions how they were -to act. Spernow was to take the work in hand, and to push on now for -the Servian frontier, and take the train there for Nish, where I knew -there was a particularly energetic British Consul. If no communication -reached Spernow from me within twenty-four hours of his arrival at -Nish he was to send off the despatch by the quickest available means, -and twenty-four hours later--so as to allow enough time to elapse to -prevent the letter being intercepted--the telegram was to follow. Then -Spernow was to return in hot haste to Sofia to report to Zoiloff. He -undertook the commission very readily, asking only that Mademoiselle -Broumoff should be told of the reason for his absence, and that Zoiloff -should arrange the difficulties of getting him leave of absence from -his regiment. - -Zoiloff and I then resumed our ride to Sofia, discussing very earnestly -the new development of our affairs and the possibilities which lay -ahead of my interview with the General. - -I scarcely thought he would venture to imprison me, resolute and -ruthless as he was in pressing his policy; and I said as much to -Zoiloff, who was, however, more doubtful. - -“In any case it must make no difference to our scheme,” I said. “You -must push on without me, and hurry forward all the preparations with -the utmost despatch. I should like you to see the Princess and explain -to her precisely what has happened this morning, although you need know -nothing of her message to me.” - -“I understand,” he said drily; “but I should like to warn her against -imperilling a valuable life when she doesn’t know the facts. It may be -my turn next--who knows?” - -“You would act as I did, my friend,” I replied, smiling; “I know you.” - -“Well, the conditions would never be the same,” he said bluntly; and I -did not pursue the point any further. - -When we reached Sofia we parted. - -“How shall I know what happens at the General’s?” he asked. - -“If you do not hear from me, you may draw your own conclusion that I -am on my way to Tirnova. If we are not to meet again--good-bye;” and I -held out my hand. - -He grasped it warmly, and with a ring of true stalwart friendship he -said: “If they shut you up it’ll go hard with me if I don’t find you. -And if they kill you you have my oath on it you sha’n’t go unavenged, -if I have to shoot that infernal old ruffian with my own hand. It shall -be life for life.” And without another word, as though he did not wish -me to see how much he was moved, he clapped his heels into his horse’s -flanks and cantered off. - -I avoided my own house purposely, lest some of the General’s agents -should be waiting there for me, for I wished it to be unmistakably -clear that my interview with the General was by my own choice; and I -did not draw rein till I had reached the courtyard of his house. Then, -telling Markov to wait for me with the horses in the street, I entered -the house and asked for General Kolfort. - -I could see that my visit caused surprise, and observed that one or -two of the soldiers present made haste to post themselves so that my -retreat would be impossible. I was shown upstairs into the room where -I had first seen the General, and where, as usual, one or two officers -were lounging. I was kept there about half an hour--quite long enough -to irritate me--and then a messenger ushered me into the General’s -room. - -He looked even harder and grimmer and sterner than ever as he glanced -up from his desk and fixed his eyes on me. - -“What is your business with me?” he asked curtly. - -“That is the question I have come to put to you,” I retorted, quite as -shortly. - -“Why to me?” - -“Because I have heard, not quite incidentally, that you have been -sending to my house to inquire for me.” - -“You appear to have been called away suddenly.” - -“Driven away, I should say rather,” I retorted. “May I ask why you have -dared to make such an attempt?” - -“Dared?” he returned, with a flash of his eyes at the word. - -“Dared,” I repeated. - -“I am not answerable to you for the steps taken in the exigencies of -State.” - -“Exigencies of State you term it. A singular name to describe an act -which in plain terms means that when one of your chief men has forced -a quarrel on me and challenged me, you would shut me up to prevent -our meeting, so that he might have an opportunity of branding me as a -coward.” - -“I do not think you a coward,” he answered slowly. - -“Nor does your Duke Sergius now,” said I. - -This touched him, for he asked with evident interest: “What has -happened this morning? A good deal may turn on your answer.” - -“He is not dead, if that’s what you mean--only badly wounded;” and I -gave him a brief description of the fight. He listened closely, but -without a sign of his feelings on his face. - -“You seem to suggest that you could have killed him,” he said with half -a sneer. - -“His own second said as much to me, and offered to bear witness to the -fact that he owed his life to my forbearance.” - -“A very tactful forbearance. And why did you spare him? From what I -hear, there is little love lost between you--at least, in the common -sense of the term,” he added drily. - -“I had my reasons, and they are my own, if you please. But now will you -tell me the reason for your conduct?” - -“I do not consider it safe for you to be any longer at large.” - -The answer was given deliberately, and after a pause. It showed that -his intention was to imprison me; but I would not let him see the -unpleasant effect of the decision. I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. - -“And your reasons?” I asked. - -“I am not accustomed to discuss reasons with prisoners.” - -“Yet you will have to state them in my case. Englishmen can’t be packed -away like herrings in a barrel to suit even your convenience.” - -“You are no Englishman, Count Benderoff.” - -“On the contrary, I am a British subject, General Kolfort, and am -resolved to claim my rights as one.” - -He waved the words aside as though they were of no account. - -“I warned you when you first came here----” - -“When you lured me here, you mean,” I corrected. - -“That you would have to choose in which character I was to deal with -you. Had you chosen then to stand on your British nationality--which, -by the way, I question entirely--I should have known how to deal -with you. Instead of dealing frankly with me, you chose to remain in -Sofia, mixing yourself up with intrigues against me, and doing other -ridiculous things, until I repeat I cannot any longer allow you to -remain at large. I shall send you to Tirnova, that you may have time to -cool your inconvenient passions and clear your head.” - -“Very well, I am content to go. It will be an excellent illustration -for the guidance of Europe as to Russian policy in the Balkans.” - -“When Europe hears of it,” he returned significantly. - -I blessed my prudence as I thought of the despatch I had sent by -Spernow, and at the thought a smile flitted across my face. He stared -at me in some doubt, not understanding my confidence. - -“I am afraid you think I am only a short-sighted fool, after all, -General.” - -“I have not formed a very high opinion of your foresight. I know -you to be brave and hold you to be clever in your way; but a little -longer foresight would have shown you that such an ending as this was -inevitable when you decided to meddle with politics here and to act as -my secret opponent.” - -I began to wonder how much he knew of our plans. - -“I did not so lack foresight as to come to this meeting unprepared, -at any rate,” said I, significantly. “And if you throw me into one -of your confounded prisons, the news will soon be buzzing in every -Foreign Office in Europe that Englishmen must be deprived of their -liberty in order to prove Russia’s devotion to the cause of freedom -in the Balkans.” I threw the words at him recklessly, and all his -self-restraint could not help his showing that the blow went home. He -had not expected this. - -“I don’t believe you,” he said bluntly. - -“So much the worse for you; but if you were a younger man, General -Kolfort, you would not dare to say that to my face,” I added, sternly. - -“You will find it no easy task to get your news out of Bulgaria.” - -“If I had not known it was already safe across the frontier, do you -think I should have been fool enough to come here;” and I laughed and -shrugged my shoulders, enjoying his embarrassment. Then I pushed my -advantage. “But now, I am ready for your men. Where are you sending me? -Tirnova?” And I got up as though the prison were immaterial to me. - -He didn’t relish the piece of bluff, and sat silent and uneasy. - -“You can sit down again,” he said after a pause. - -I threw myself carelessly into my chair again, crossed my legs, glanced -at my watch and said, lightly: - -“Tirnova’s over a hundred and twenty miles as the crow flies, and -if you have any regard for my health--which, by the way, may be an -important matter to you by and by--we’d better make a start. I’m -wounded, and a long journey might have a very bad effect upon me.” - -He threw me a glance of baffled rage; I saw his lips move, and -guessed that a pretty little oath had slipped out into his moustache -unchristened. - -“If you mean to brave me out, your journey may be a much farther and -a much quicker one,” he said after a pause. “Mistakes have been made -before now, and explained afterwards.” - -“Mistake and murder are both spelt with an M,” I said recklessly. “But -a murdered Englishman is not by any means easy to explain away.” - -A long tense silence followed. He broke it by asking abruptly, seeking -to catch me unawares: - -“What’s this I hear about your love for the Princess Christina?” - -“How on earth can I know what your spies or my enemies tell you?” I -replied, not for a moment off my guard. - -“Do you dream of making her your wife?” - -“Hasn’t she promised to marry the Duke Sergius?” - -“Is it true that you love her?” - -“If it were you are scarcely the man to whom I should bring such a -confidence.” - -“What’s your object here in Sofia?” - -“To be allowed to mind my own business.” - -“What is that business, as you call it?” - -“My own concern,” I retorted as sharply as I could rap out the words. -It was as clear as daylight that I had touched him with my threat, or -he would never continue to question me. I was winning. - -“What does your Government want?” he asked, after a pause to recover -from his chagrin at my former replies. - -“How should I know--except to have their subjects left unmolested?” I -was determined to rub this in, and I could see he relished this last -rub no better than the first. - -“If you refuse to answer my questions you leave me but one -alternative,” he threatened. - -“Take it,” I answered lightly. “You take it, of course, with your eyes -open.” - -“You have been engaged in a conspiracy against the Russian influence?” - -“I have been engaged in that conspiracy carried on In the Name of a -Woman, if that’s what you mean. And, as you are perfectly aware, with -not only your consent, but approval and encouragement.” - -“You have been working secretly for another object,” he cried angrily. - -“Are you accusing the Princess Christina of treachery?” - -“Your tongue is as skilful in fence as your sword,” he said, smiling -grimly. “But you know my meaning perfectly.” - -“Then pack me off to Tirnova--if you think you have proof to prove the -unprovable; and at the same time show your hand to the rest of Europe. -No, no, General Kolfort,” I said, smiling and shaking my head, as -though the thing were no more than a jest, “that cock won’t fight, and -you know it.” - -“I regard you and could deal with you as a renegade Bulgarian officer -conspiring against your Prince; a crime that merits imprisonment.” - -“Very good and plausible, no doubt--were it not for the precaution that -I have taken to let people in London know differently. But if that’s to -be your line, we shall have the gaols pretty full here, and you and I, -General, will be able to resume our interesting conferences, hobnobbing -in one of them on more equal terms than here;” and I wagged my head at -him again. - -The taunt enraged him. His eyes flashed fire, and a flush of wrath -tinged his dried, wrinkled, parchment cheeks. He sprang to his feet and -sounded the bell on his table furiously. - -“I will put your devil-may-care humour to the test. You shall go to -Tirnova.” - -“As you please,” I answered, surprised now in my turn, for I had not -thought he would dare to push matters to extremes. “I will tell you one -thing. My arrest will be the signal for that despatch to be forwarded. -If I do not go to Tirnova, that will not go to London.” - -“I care nothing for your Government,” he exclaimed, all self-control -gone in his anger. “They dare do nothing, even if they would.” - -At that moment an officer entered in response to the bell. - -“Arrest the Count Benderoff,” cried the General, pointing at me a -finger that trembled with rage. “Give up your sword, sir. You are a -traitor, unworthy to bear it.” - -“I shall do nothing of the kind,” I said desperately. “The man who lays -a hand on me may look to himself.” - -“Call in your men, Captain. If he resists, shoot him,” said the stern -old man grimly, and in the moments of waiting we looked at each other -in silent defiance. Then came the tramp of men and the clash of arms in -the room without, and a file of soldiers marched in. - -“I must ask you for your sword, Count Benderoff,” said the officer, -quietly and courteously. “You will see resistance is useless.” - -For a moment I still resisted and refused. - -“I beg you to save trouble,” he said again. - -“I will not,” I cried furiously. “If I am to be murdered, it shall be -done here, in the presence of my murderer;” and I set my back to the -wall and whipped out my sword. - -“Shoot him down!” shouted the infuriated old man to the soldiers, who -levelled their guns dead at me. “Now, will you give up your sword?” - -“No, I’ll die first, you butcher!” I exclaimed, setting my teeth. - -“Do your duty, Captain,” said the inflexible old martinet. - -“Count Benderoff, let me make another request,” he said, daring even -the General’s displeasure in his reluctance to give the command. - -“No; you shall butcher me here.” - -A moment of terrible strain followed, and then in the room without the -sounds of some confusion were heard, and an exclamation of surprise -from one or two of the men there. Quick, light steps fled across to the -room where we stood. - -“Shut that door,” cried the General. - -But the order was too late, and the Princess Christina came rushing -in, her face deathly white with alarm at what she saw, while with the -quickness of thought she placed herself between me and the soldiers who -covered me with their muskets. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -A WARNING - - -The Princess looked magnificent in the fire of anger which succeeded -her alarm, as she turned to the old Kolfort for an explanation. - -“I presume you will scarcely order your soldiers to shoot me,” she -said, facing him grandly, her eyes flashing. - -I slipped my sword back into its scabbard, and the General made a -peremptory sign to the Captain to withdraw his men. - -We waited in silence while the order was given, and the men filed out, -followed by the Captain. - -“Remain in the ante-room,” said the General. - -“You mistake me greatly, General Kolfort, if you think your soldiers -will be needed for work like this,” cried the Princess. “Pray what is -the explanation of what I saw when I arrived?” - -I thought I could best give that, and said: - -“General Kolfort had arrested me, and when I refused to give up my -sword had ordered these men of his to shoot me.” - -“Is this possible?” she cried, her indignation flaming in her face. -“And yet of course it is. I have heard within the last few minutes of -what was done last night and of this visit of yours, Count Benderoff, -and I hurried here, fearing mischief. Thank Heaven, I arrived in time; -but I did not dream such an infamous act would ever be attempted.” - -“Infamous is a strong word, Princess,” said Kolfort sternly. - -“I use it because I can find no stronger,” was the quick, spirited -retort. “By what right, and in whose name, do you contemplate such an -outrage?” - -“The General declared that I was a renegade officer plotting against -the reigning Prince, and that I therefore deserved imprisonment in the -fortress of Tirnova. The General himself being, of course, so zealous -a loyalist, the thought that anyone should so conspire was naturally -repugnant to him.” - -I threw as much irony into my tone as I could, and ended with an -intentionally aggravating and somewhat insolent sneer. I wished to put -as ugly a complexion as possible on his conduct. - -“The matter is one which you and I had better discuss in private, -Princess,” said the old man, who was now fast recovering his habitual -self-restraint. - -“Why in private?” - -“Because I prefer it, Princess.” - -“I see no reason. The Count is fully aware of all our matters, is one -of my most trusted advisers and friends, and his welfare and safety -touch me very closely. The matter can be settled here and now.” - -“You are presuming much----” - -“I do not understand the word presumption in such a case, and from you, -General Kolfort,” cried Christina, proudly, “and I will not hear it.” - -“If your Highness has no further need of my services, nor of the -influence of my Government in your affairs, you have but to say so,” -he said in a tone of calculated menace. But he didn’t frighten my -brave and staunch Princess, and she answered him in a tone of queenly -dignity. - -“If your services can go no higher than the cold-blooded murder of my -friends and adherents, I shall be glad for your Government to release -you from a position that you fill in a manner so unworthy of Russia and -so bitterly hateful to myself.” - -He had drawn a blank in the attempt to intimidate her, and was quick to -see and wily enough to abandon it. - -“Yet I have not been unmindful hitherto of your interests,” he answered. - -“Hitherto they do not appear to have clashed with your own plans and -private animosities,” she flashed, with a sting that festered at once. - -“This is rather a matter of your private feelings than mine,” he said, -with a significant glance in my direction. - -“I will not affect to misunderstand you,” she answered readily, with -mounting colour. “Our interview yesterday makes that unnecessary. -That, as I read it, is the real reason at the bottom of this last act -of yours. I gave my word then to marry the Duke Sergius, and I would -have kept it at all hazards. But I did not mean, and will not suffer, -that my marriage with the Duke should be the death-sentence upon Count -Benderoff.” - -“You ‘would have kept’ your word. Do you mean----?” He paused; and how -I hung upon her reply may be imagined. - -“I mean that, as the Duke has involved himself in a quarrel, and been -seriously wounded for his pains, I cannot well become his wife the day -after to-morrow.” - -“There must be no delay,” he retorted quickly. - -“Delay!” she cried, her eyes flashing again brilliantly. “Do you think -if you had murdered my friend here, or if you dared to thrust him into -a prison, that I would ever make a marriage that at the best must be -hateful to me?” - -“This friendship of yours threatens to be exceedingly inconvenient; -and if you mean to allow it to interfere with urgent matters of State, -we may as well abandon all our plans, or look for some other means of -carrying them out.” - -“If a policy of murder is your only alternative, I agree with you,” -she exclaimed, taking up his challenge instantly. “I will not have the -steps of my throne running with blood shed by Russia.” - -He bit his lip in chagrin and manifest embarrassment. - -He might well be embarrassed. He had fired his two big guns--a threat -first to withdraw from her cause and then to throw her over--and had -found them both burst at the breech. A long pause followed, in which -I watched his face closely. He appeared to come suddenly to a fresh -decision, and changed his manner accordingly. - -“Well, I am sorry to have distressed you, Princess. What is it you -wish?” - -“I will not have Count Benderoff, or any of my friends, subjected to -interference at the hands of your agents. Their personal freedom and -safety are my special charge.” - -“The Count is at liberty to leave,” he replied on the instant, in his -more customary curt, decisive tone. “And I trust his future actions -will not bring him again in conflict with me. He may take this as a -warning.” - -“I have done nothing in this case, and need no warning,” I said -warmly. “If you allege anything against me, I am prepared to take the -consequences, and demand to stand my trial.” - -“This is no occasion that calls for mock heroics,” he sneered. “In my -opinion you should be in Tirnova; but the Princess has thought well to -interfere in your behalf, and I bow to her wishes--for the present. -That is all.” - -“For the second time I owe my safety, and probably my life, to you, -Princess,” I said, advancing to her. “I have no words to thank you.” - -“If you wish to show your thanks you had better stop that despatch you -told me of,” interposed the General, not without a note of concern in -his voice. - -“There is no need for it if I am to remain at liberty,” I answered, -half disposed to smile. - -“I am ashamed there should have been this need for my interference, -Count,” said the Princess, looking at me and smiling. - -“I trust that there may come a chance for me to prove my gratitude,” I -replied, scarce daring to meet her eyes; and with that I withdrew. - -As I passed through the ante-chamber I was stopped by the Captain, -whose men remained there on guard. - -“I hope I am to let you pass, Count,” he said most courteously. - -“General Kolfort has this moment said I am at liberty to go.” - -“You know how strict our discipline is. Will you wait while, as a -matter of form, I obtain his confirmation?” - -“Most willingly,” I asserted. He went to the General’s room, and in a -moment returned smiling and holding out his hand. - -“I am delighted. I know of you, of course, and, believe me, I have -never passed through a more embarrassing minute in my life than that -in his room.” His manner was so unaffectedly frank and friendly that I -shook his hand cordially, and he came with me down the stairs and out -into the street. - -“I heard an account of last night’s proceedings from one who was at -Metzler’s house, Count; I hope you do not judge us all by such an -instance. I have just heard also what occurred this morning;” and in -his tone and manner he contrived to convey a genuine compliment to my -skill. “The Duke is well punished.” - -“I shall be glad to hear how he progresses,” I said, as my man brought -my horse up. - -“I hear that you have an excellent shooting gallery at your house, and -that you are a remarkable shot.” - -“Will you care to come and see it?” - -“Immensely, and perhaps to try the foils with you;” and his face -lighted as though I were granting him a great favour when I asked him -to dine with me. I rode off, thankful indeed that I was still free, -speculating whether I could in some way attach this Russian to me; and, -what was still more important, wondering what lay behind the sudden -change in old Kolfort’s manner, and whether he was concocting some -further subtle plan against me. - -Before I reached my house I had resolved on an important step, as -the result of these later developments. After I had sent to Zoiloff -to let him know what had happened, I wrote a fresh despatch to send -to London, embodying much of what I had before written, and giving -a brief description of my treatment at the General’s hands. I urged -at greater length and with more insistence the desirability of steps -being taken immediately on the lines I had suggested, declaring that -there was necessity for immediate action; that I believed a complete -change of front was contemplated by General Kolfort; that the Foreign -Office must be prepared instantly with a successor to the reigning -Prince--otherwise a _coup d’état_ would be carried out, which I was -convinced would result in Russia being left the complete master of -the position; and that the one key to the situation would be found in -timing the Prince’s abdication with the finding of a successor who -would not be Russia’s tool. And I declared strongly in favour of the -Princess Christina. - -As soon as I had finished it I sent for my servant Markov, who had -been away with me the previous night, and explained to him that he -was to carry it to Nish, and place it in the hands of the British -consul there, and at the same time deliver a letter, which I wrote to -Lieutenant Spernow. This note was to tell him to destroy the first -despatch. - -“When you leave Nish,” I added, explaining the next step, “you will -return to the frontier by train, and from there to Sofia you must -organize relays of horses at distances of from ten to twelve miles, -avoiding the main road where possible, so that at any moment I can make -sure of a quick, clear journey from here to the frontier. Spare no -money in the effort to do the work well and quickly. You must have it -complete in four days at the outside, three if possible. Choose your -agents with great care, and give no hint for whom the work is being -done. If questions are pressed, you can say it is in connection with -a wager between Russian officers. I trust you implicitly, Markov,” I -concluded. “And if you serve me well I will give you such a reward as -will make you independent for life.” - -He assured me earnestly of his attachment to me, and said that, as he -came from that part of the country, he knew just the people who would -do what was needed. Then he added a characteristically Bulgarian touch: -“They know me well in those parts, Count, and they hope that some day -I shall settle among them. I am looking forward to being able to buy a -small farm that I know of there, and marry.” I took the hint. - -“Do this for me well, and I will buy the farm for you.” - -“My lord is generosity itself!” cried the fellow, his face radiant -with glee, and I knew I could depend upon a man of his kind when his -personal feelings and self-interest were running in double harness. - -My object was, of course, to prepare the means of flight should that -become at any moment imperative; and such a contingency grew more -probable the more closely I reflected upon what had passed at my -interview with the General. And I explained my views to Zoiloff, who -came hurrying to me on the receipt of my letter, and told him what I -had done. - -The Russian officer, Captain Wolasky, dined with me, and we spent an -hour together in the shooting gallery. I did my utmost to create a -favourable impression upon him, and appeared to be very successful; for -he expressed a warm wish that we might see more of one another, and -we parted on particularly friendly terms. I was careful, of course, -to avoid any reference to political matters; but he himself let fall -enough to show me that his work in Sofia was exceedingly distasteful, -and that he had little sympathy with Kolfort’s policy, and none at all -with his methods. - -“Russia must, of course, dominate the Balkans; that is the law of -Nature,” he said once; “but I detest a roundabout way of going to a -mark when a straight road could be cut with ease. That’s old Kolfort’s -way, however. He’s just like a man grubbing in a cellar for coals, and -will insist on having every little bit of rubbish through his fingers -and storing and binning it for future use, as if he expected the day to -come when rubbish would be worth more than coal, whereas one vigorous -use of the shovel would give him all the coal he wants at once.” - -I was far from displeased to find him out of conceit with the General, -but said nothing. - -“What could have been more abominable and disgusting than his treatment -of you to-day?” he exclaimed, when my wine had begun to heat him. “It’s -that sort of barbarism that brings us Russians into such ill-repute. I -know what would have happened. He would have given that order to shoot -you without turning a hair and then would have drawn up some bogus -report or other about you having made a desperate attack upon his life, -and have called upon me to witness it. I suppose he hates you for some -reason, and that’s at the bottom of it. There are plenty of black pages -in his past, I can tell you.” - -“You had better not,” I answered, smiling. I did not wish him to have -the after-reflection that he had been talking too freely. If he were -inclined to give me his confidence he should not lack opportunities; -and I pressed him warmly, therefore, to come and see me frequently. - -He came the next day when Zoiloff was with me, and again on the -following day, when Spernow had returned, and we encouraged his -intimacy in every possible way. Zoiloff, in the meantime, had made -guarded inquiries about him, having at first been disposed to distrust -him as a possible spy acting in General Kolfort’s interest. He had -found out that he was as genuine as he seemed--a man with no family -influence to push his interests, of no means of his own, and constantly -standing in his own light because of his scruples, and a blunt, rugged -way of expressing them. - -“A man not to be bought, but to be won,” declared Zoiloff. “And, once -won, to be trusted. He may be valuable to us;” and so indeed the event -proved. - -On the occasion of his fourth visit I noticed that he was reserved and -seemed preoccupied, and while we were all going through our practice -in the gallery he joined in it with small zest. We three were even -more jubilant than usual. We had been pushing forward our preparations -with the greatest energy and activity, and Zoiloff had declared to me -his belief that in another ten days or a fortnight we might venture to -make the _coup_ towards which all our efforts were bent. Men had been -sounded in all directions, and fresh adherents had come in in large -numbers, and with great enthusiasm. - -I myself had not seen the Princess since the memorable interview at the -General’s house; but she knew of all that we were doing. The marriage -had been rendered impossible for the moment because the Duke’s wound -had taken a turn for the worse, and he lay battling almost for life. We -had had no hint that our suspicions of a change of front on Kolfort’s -part had any foundation; and our hopes ran high therefore that, after -all, we should yet carry things through with a dash. - -When our fencing was over, I observed that Captain Wolasky hung about -as if waiting for Zoiloff and Spernow to go; and I dropped them a hint -quietly that they had better do so. - -As soon as we were alone, the Captain said: - -“I am afraid this may be my last visit, Count.” - -“Oh no, I hope not. Why?” - -“You will not betray my confidence, I am sure. I have received a hint -that my coming here is not acceptable to those in authority--to old -Kolfort that means, of course.” - -“Believe me, I am genuinely sorry. It cuts short what I hoped would be -a pleasant friendship.” I spoke in all sincerity, for I liked him. “But -I can understand your position.” - -“That is not all,” he added, and then hesitated and paused. I waited -anxiously. “Of course I ought not to say anything to you, but you -have been so exceedingly friendly. You may have heard that strange -developments are on foot?” - -“No, I have heard nothing.” I began to take alarm. - -“I am, of course, precluded from telling you their nature; but I -should ill return your hospitality if I were not to give you a word of -warning. You may prepare yourself for a startling change, likely to -involve very serious consequences to you personally--if you remain in -Sofia;” and his look said more than his words. - -“You mean, I am in some danger?” - -“Very grave danger, Count, and not you only.” - -“I may not ask you whom you mean?” - -“No, I am afraid not. But there is one person in whom report says you -take a deep interest. I beg your pardon for even referring to such a -matter. But the danger is very grave and--well, the frontier is very -near, and not yet closed. I can say no more, and, indeed, I am sure I -need not.” - -“You have acted the part of a true friend, Captain. How long will the -frontier be open? May I ask that?” - -“Yes, I am expecting orders at any moment to guard a certain line of -it, and the cordon will be very securely drawn.” - -This was news indeed, and for long after he had left me I sat brooding -over it deep in thought. I was right after all, it seemed; and the -cunning old Russian spider had woven a fresh web. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -FIGHT OR FLIGHT? - - -With the following day came startling confirmation of Captain Wolasky’s -warning. While I was with the regiment a letter was brought to me from -the Prince requesting me to wait upon him. - -I found him labouring under considerable excitement, pacing the floor -restlessly and awaiting me impatiently. - -“I thought you were never coming, Count,” he said, irritably. “There -seems to be no one now on whom I can rely.” - -“I came the instant I received your command, your Highness.” - -“Then there must have been some strange delay in giving my message. I -cannot understand it.” - -“Is there anything in which I can serve you?” - -“I wish to Heaven you could get me out of this wretched kingdom -honourably. That would serve me.” The words burst from him in obedience -to an irresistible impulse. “I am sick and weary to death of it all;” -and he continued his restless pacing for three lengths of the room. He -stopped abruptly and threw himself into a chair close to me. - -“Sit here,” he cried, pointing to the chair next him. “I want to speak -frankly to you.” He paused again, and then laying his hand on my arm -said very earnestly: “My friend, you are playing a deadly game--and, -mark me, you are going to be defeated.” - -“Your Highness means----?” I asked steadily. - -“That your ideal is magnificent and worthy of you, full worthy of any -Englishman--but impossible.” - -“I am flattered to hear such words from you,” I replied cautiously, but -he caught me up and answered sharply: - -“For Heaven’s sake, Count, don’t answer me with any courtly phrasings -that come tripping off the lips and mean nothing when spoken. I don’t -ask you for your confidence, unless you care to give it to me. I’ll -tell you what I know about you first.” - -“The Countess Bokara has no doubt----” - -“Yes, of course she has; she has told me all she knows, or guesses, or -suspects, or whatever it may be. But while it was only what she said I -did not think of seeing you or interfering with you. But I have learnt -it now from another source--one vastly more important. And that’s what -I mean when I tell you that you are steering straight for the rocks and -are dead certain to be shipwrecked. Listen to me. You are in love with -the Princess, and naturally enough people credit you with the intention -of trying to climb into the throne by----” - -“It is monstrous,” I cried, unable to keep silent. - -“I hope your repudiation comes from your heart--I hope it for your own -sake; for there is no happiness under such a crown as I wear, Count -Benderoff,” said the Prince bitterly. “Men think of the dazzle, the -pomp, and the grandeur, the magnificence, and forget the dangers, -the cares, the awful loneliness. If you seek happiness, seek it not -in the glitter of a king’s garb, but in the frank enjoyment of true -manliness. A monarch has mighty opportunities of making others happy, -but himself is doomed to sorrow and solitude. There is no solitude that -this life can know half so awful in its depression as that which hedges -a king. You seek advice, you find intrigue; you hunger for the truth, -and they feed you with the bitter apples of flattery; you yearn for -the sweet counsel of a friend, and you meet the tempered phrasings of -a courtier. Your every word is weighed in the balance of your hearer’s -self-interest, your every thought is caught still-born and distorted, -your every action is judged by the sordid standard of some intrigue, -and every motive twisted and dissected, and analysed and maligned, till -your very face becomes a mask to hide your mind, lest your enemies -should use your looks to help the plans which their malice is spreading -under your very eyes. God, it is unbearable.” - -I listened in silence to this outburst. - -“You wonder why I speak like this to you. I can read it in your -eyes--for am I not trained to find the truth in the face and hear the -lies in the voice? Well, I would warn you, and more, I would warn that -good, true, noble woman whom you love. Time was when I hated her, and -believed all the harm that was said of her; but now that I have learnt -her real object--to act, not with, but against, the bloodsuckers who -seek to devour the land--I know her goodness and sincerity. But the -movement must fail. The Russians know of it, General Kolfort best of -all, and he has already taken his measures to thwart you all. And -you will find his hand a heavy one, Count. If the Princess Christina -had succeeded in gaining the throne on her own terms--I mean by -means of the men you and those with you were seeking to train as her -adherents--she must still have failed in her object, and have doomed -herself to a lot as miserable and hopeless as mine has been. But -Kolfort does not mean her to succeed; and, I warn you, the measures of -prevention will be sharp, sudden, and terrible in their severity.” - -I sat amazed and disconcerted at his words. - -“You wonder how I know all this, and set it down to the Countess -Bokara. Of course, she has told me; but I have my news straight from -General Kolfort himself. You little know Bulgaria or the Bulgarians, -or you would have seen the consummate hopelessness of trying to avoid -treachery. Every man you have added to your band has been a fresh -centre of probable treachery. The rule here is each man for himself; -and some one of the men with you was bound to ask himself in time -whether he could not gain more for himself by carrying the news to -the Russians than by standing true to a desperate cause like your -Princess’s. Someone has betrayed you; and the betrayal began when your -love was known. They do not believe in disinterested love in this -country, Count. The peasants may, but no one else. And when that secret -leaked out, General Kolfort’s task of suborning a traitor became easy -enough. If I knew the scoundrel’s name I would give it you, that you -might cut his heart and tongue out for his cowardice. But, believe -me, everything is known--everything. And your knowledge of that grim -Russian leader may tell you what to expect.” He spoke with all the -earnestness of a troubled friend; and I could not doubt him. - -“When did your Highness learn this?” I asked after a pause. - -“Yesterday. Three days ago, the General came to me with proposals that -showed he had some fresh plans in mind. He was all for my remaining -here as reigning Prince, and offered to concede more than half the -conditions of freedom of action I had before demanded. It was a -pity to disturb the country by a change of rulers; the country was -thriving under my wise rule; the people were growing more contented, -and the malcontents could be overawed; the advantages of my rule were -appreciated in St. Petersburg, and the basis of achieving mutual ends -might probably be arranged with honour to me and substantial benefit -to the country; and so on for an hour or more he prated. I asked the -reason for the change of tone, and he hummed and hesitated, and, in -a word, lied. I said I must have time to think; and he gave me till -yesterday. Last night he came with his tale prepared--that the Princess -was conspiring for an end hostile to both my aims and those of Russia; -that you were her right hand and had been set on by her to fight and -kill the Duke Sergius, but had succeeded only in wounding him; that -your plot was to use the Russian influence to gain the throne and then -yourself marry her and reign as her consort; and to gain this end you -were both prepared to throw the country into the throes of a civil -war which God forfend, and so on, till I was sick to death of his -intriguing slanders. I tried to lure him on to tell me what he proposed -for you, but he contented himself with saying he had all but completed -what I might rely upon would be effectual measures of precaution.” - -“May I venture to ask how your Highness answered him?” - -“How should I answer him but as I have always answered? That I would -never bend the knee to Russia; that I did not believe St. Petersburg -would ever sanction any such arrangement as he outlined; and that if -what he stated of the objects of the Princess were true, I would be -the first to abdicate in her favour and join with her in her efforts, -shouldering a musket if need be, in the ranks of the men to fight for -her; and that would I, Count, if I saw the faintest gleam of a hope of -success. But there is not a chance, no jot or tittle of hope.” - -“Now that we have been betrayed, that is.” - -“Before the betrayal the chances were not one in a hundred; now they -are not one in a million. There is but one course for you and for -her--flight, and at once.” - -“She will not desert the men who have stood by her. Nor shall I,” I -answered firmly. - -“As you will. The Russian preparations are all but complete; Russian -troops are being hurried to the Black Sea; the slightest sign or -movement on your part will be seized on as the pretext for measures as -drastic as Russian measures commonly are; and you yourselves, you two -in particular and all associated as leaders with you, will be treated -you can guess how. Russia knows how to treat her friends badly enough; -but no one ever yet accused her of not dealing effectively with her -enemies. You have been blind, Count; but then a man in love is seldom -anything else.” - -It was useless to pretend that I was not vastly affected by what the -Prince told me. I read in it ruin and worse than ruin to everything, -and my heart sank at the prospect before Christina. - -“Your warnings, and more, the kindly motives that have prompted them, -have moved me deeply, your Highness.” - -“They had better move you out of Bulgaria. But that is your personal -affair. I have told you, because of the service you rendered to one -who is now, I regret, your enemy.” - -“Your Highness knows of the attempt on the Princess Christina’s life,” -I asked. - -“To my shame and sorrow, I do. She must not think that I would have -countenanced such a thing for a moment,” he said in tone of deep pain. - -“She does not,” I assured him. - -“That you thwarted it is another service you have rendered me, which -adds to my eagerness to help you both to safety. But even on the -throne here I am powerless to help my friends. Ay, and even my friends -are driven to inflict deeper wounds upon me than my enemies.” His -manner was that of a weak, hopeless, dejected, sorrow-broken man. -“You have spoken of that deed, and I will tell you. Since I knew of -it, I have refused to see the Countess. I cannot see her again; and -I learn that in the mad hope of helping my fallen cause she has been -in communication with Kolfort, leading him to think that I could be -induced to remain here. And I declare to you, Count, I do not pass an -hour, day or night, that is not care-ridden by the fear of some yet -more desperate deed she may attempt--the consequences of which must -fall on my head. Every step she takes adds to either my danger or my -disrepute. And I can do nothing.” He wrung his hands in weak unavailing -despair. - -I rose to leave; and, looking up half-eagerly, he asked: - -“And will the British Government do nothing?” The question was so -absolutely inconsequential, and suggested motives behind it so utterly -at variance with his attitude and words, that I was surprised. At one -moment he was declaiming against the miseries of his position, and yet -now he was clinging to the throne, like a drowning man to a spar, with -a vague reasonless hope that even England would risk a war with Russia -to maintain him upon it. - -“I have not the remotest right to say a word on that matter, your -Highness; but personally I do not think for a moment that any -interference can be looked for.” - -“Then all is indeed lost!” he exclaimed, throwing up his hands, and -sighing heavily. “Farewell, Count, let it be farewell; and do your -utmost to snatch that brave girl you love from the ruin that threatens -to overwhelm her.” - -I needed no words of his to spur me to such an effort, and as soon as I -left the Palace, in grievous trouble at all that I had heard, I sent a -message for Zoiloff to come to me at once, and hurried home to try and -strike out some line of action to meet this most dire emergency. - -My impulse was to fight--to strike our blow without a day’s delay; to -take the Prince at his word--if he had meant it; to get him to abdicate -on the very next day, and have the Princess proclaimed ruler in his -stead. Our preparations were not ready, and the _coup_ would be much -less effective than if we could have had time to complete everything. -But then neither was General Kolfort. He had not openly abandoned -Christina’s cause, and might be half afraid to oppose her, if once on -the throne, and without the aid of the troops which the Prince had told -me were being hurried up to his support. For him to cause a civil war -was to take a step in the face of Europe which might cost him dear, and -force the other Powers to interfere--the one step that Russia dreaded. - -Unprepared as we were, and much as we had to gain by a few days’ -delay, Kolfort had much more to gain. When once his grip had tightened -in the way he projected, there would not remain a vestige of hope for -us. Clearly, then, if we meant to fight, we must do it at once. - -It must be fight or flight. - -In regard to the latter, I found Markov had returned, and he assured me -he had carried out my plans to the letter--had even improved upon them, -for he had told me he had arranged for the last stage of the journey to -be by a very slightly known route to the frontier. - -“I did this,” he explained, “because I heard rumours of certain changes -as to the guardianship of the frontier roads, and I thought it well to -choose the route which would be the least difficult in case of trouble.” - -“You have done well, Markov, and have earned your reward,” I said. - -“You will let me stay with you to the last, my Lord?” he asked. - -“I wish it above all things, for I need faithful men about me.” - -When Zoiloff came I explained my views, putting bluntly the alternative -of fight or flight, and he was all for fighting. But he shook his head -gloomily at the chances. - -“We have left to the last the most hazardous work of all,” he said, -“and yet in some respects the most important. I mean the winning over -of some of those men, the politicians, the men of tongues not deeds, -whose names are most before the public. They are the most dangerous of -all to meddle with, and yet without them I fear for the result. And we -cannot draw them to us until we can show that the army is on our side.” - -“And what of the army?” - -“We have done all that human effort could achieve in the time--but we -could not do impossibilities. On the troops in Philippopoli I believe -we can count surely. General Montkouroff is Bulgarian to the core, -and where he leads the majors will follow. He has been sounded and -will act with us. But here in Sofia there is not a regiment, except -that to which I and Spernow belong, which would not turn against us. -This disposition of the troops has all been arranged by Russia and the -traitors who are Russia’s friends. The risk is tremendous.” - -“There is no alternative but flight, remember.” - -“And fly I will not. Come what may, we will strike.” - -“If the Princess will,” said I. “We must see her at once.” And in this -mood we started for her house, Zoiloff urging me on the way to see her -alone. - -“You have more influence with her than all of us put together,” he said -quickly. “I will remain at hand, and you can call me in if you cannot -prevail. But you are right, Count, and I am with you hand and heart. We -must either strike an imperfect blow at once or abandon everything.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -THE HOUR OF INDECISION - - -My anticipations of the interview with Christina were a mingling of -pleasure and apprehension. I was longing to see her. I had not set -eyes on her for four days, and, busily as the time had been filled, my -thoughts had been constantly with her. I recalled, too, with a feeling -of mixed tenderness and pain, how she had then said we must not meet -again alone, and at the recollection my pulses thrilled again with the -sad sweetness of our acknowledged but never to be avowed love. - -The knowledge of her present danger moved me deeply. I had to tell -her the ill news myself, and, in telling it, to urge her to take the -course which I knew must put an impassable gulf between us. It had been -easy enough for me, in consultation with Zoiloff, when we were both -staggered by this new development, to decide for the counsel of energy -and to choose the course which, while loyal to Christina, my Princess, -was traitor to Christina, my love. But if she would fly the country, -there would be no longer the barrier of a throne between us. - -And in the minutes I was alone waiting for her coming, the thought -of all I was to lose in losing her, and of all I was to gain if she -would consent to flight, threatened to make a coward of me and urged -me to plead with all a lover’s strength that she should choose the -course which would make her my wife. Away from her I could be the -impassionate adviser, but in her presence, with the light of her eyes -upon my face, with my heart glowing and throbbing with the knowledge -of my love for her and hers for me, it would be hard to be more than a -lover, and, being that, not to set the hopes and desires of our love -beyond all other consideration. - -I had to wait some minutes for her; and, as they passed, the struggle -grew fiercer, the temptation strengthened, and the fear of losing -her waxed until I was almost impelled to call in Zoiloff to prop my -stumbling resolve. There were so many arguments to favour flight. The -road was still open; the means were instantly available; safety could -be won in a few hours--long before this Russian tyrant could strike; -the Prince had counselled, even urged it; the Russian captain had done -the same; all were convinced that safety could lie in no other course. - -And if we struck and failed, what outlook was there but humiliation, -ill-usage, a prison, and possibly death? Love was calling to us both -on that frontier road, and smiling with the promise of a life of rare -delight; and here in the city stood the gaunt shadow of menacing -defeat, with all its grim terrors and gloomy threats of ruthless -indignity, and quenchless, loveless sorrow and separation. Is it to -be wondered at that I hearkened for the moment to the whispering -invitation of love, and closed my ears to aught beside? - -But before she came I had fought it back, thrusting the temptation -away from me as a thing dishonourable and unclean, and I rose to greet -her with a heart as full of loyalty as of love. She was looking sad -and troubled, and she bowed to me merely, not giving me her hand as on -former visits. - -“I had not thought that we should be alone again, Count Benderoff,” she -said, a little formally; and I hoped I could detect in this reception -and in the light of her eyes when they fell upon me the sight of a -personal feeling of pleasure that needed to be held firmly in check. I -adopted a tone of formality that equalled her own. - -“I had not forgotten your wish, Princess, but I have been compelled by -grave circumstances to come to you thus. Have you heard any news? Your -anxious looks suggest that you may know what I have to tell.” - -“I have heard nothing. Is there bad news?” - -“I grieve to say it is of the worst.” - -“This time, at least, you are the bearer of it,” she replied, smiling -faintly. “And I can trust you to tell me frankly. What is it?” - -I told her plainly everything. First, the warning which the Russian -officer, Captain Wolasky, had given me on the previous evening; and -his strong advice that she should fly before it was too late. Then, in -great detail, all that had passed between the Prince and myself that -morning. - -She was very pale and much agitated as my narrative proceeded; but she -interrupted me scarcely once, and at the close sank back in her seat, -and with her hands across her eyes remained buried in thought. - -“It is hard news to hear,” she said despondently. “You say it spells -the ruin of everything.” - -“It is to the full as hard for me to tell as for you to hear,” I -answered gently. “But it is no moment to flinch from the facts, however -ugly. I fear it means the ruin of everything.” At my gloomy words she -shuddered, and sat for some minutes silent in dismay. When she turned -her face to me, it was so full of anguish and pain that it made my -heart ache. - -“How can I save those whom I have involved in this?” - -“We are thinking of you, Princess,” I answered. - -“Oh no, no, not of me!” she exclaimed vehemently. “For myself I care -nothing. Heaven knows, my motives have not been inspired by mere -personal ambition. I do not crave a throne, but I have longed with -a passion I cannot perhaps make you feel, to spread the blessing of -freedom among the people. For this end I have striven; and now it seems -I have failed. Do not think of me. I will not think of myself. But to -bring others to ruin is more than I can endure. Tell me--what do you -advise? What can I do?” - -“There seem but two courses open,” I said, and told her what Zoiloff -and I had agreed together. - -“You did not think that I would fly and leave those who have rallied to -my cause to bear the brunt while I was seeking the coward’s refuge of -safety?” she asked, half indignant that I should even have suggested it. - -“No, I did not,” I answered quietly; “I knew you;” and her eyes thanked -me for the words. “I should remind you, too, that this check has come -so suddenly and prematurely for our plans that there are very few who -are really involved in any danger. We have barely had time to throw -off the veil of Russia’s sanction of our efforts, so that there are -scarcely more than a handful of us who know the real object of the -scheme; and General Kolfort would be unable to bring home even to them -any acts against Russia. It is he who has encouraged the plans laid ‘In -the Name of a Woman,’ and his own writing was in evidence to prove it. -You will remember my early insistence upon the necessity for obtaining -his written sanction. In the face of that I do not see that he could -produce proofs to convict anyone except our trusty Zoiloff and Spernow, -and say two or three others.” - -“But yourself?” she cried, in a tone of quick alarm. - -“I do not regard the consequences to myself as very serious, Princess,” -I said calmly. - -“I shall not run away,” she said, taking what I said as an argument in -favour of her seeking her own safety, and she paused again to think. -“Could I go myself to General Kolfort; give up everything on condition -of his visiting it all on me? I am responsible.” - -It was a true woman’s offer, and a noble one; but I shook my head. - -“I fear it would be hopeless. He would but drag from you all that you -could tell him, and then use the information remorselessly and without -a scruple against those implicated. You would do the very thing you -seek to avoid.” Her face fell as she saw the truth of this, and she -sighed heavily. - -“But this alternative--what is it but a wild forlorn hope? A desperate -step with scarce a chance of success? May not the consequences be a -thousandfold worse than the worst that can come of doing nothing? Have -you thought of what would happen if we failed? You said just now that -so far only a few are openly embroiled; but should we not be forcing -each man to declare himself, and would not each be marked out plainly -as a target for Russian malice?” - -“There is the hope of success, even if it be forlorn. There are many of -us who think it better to fight and fail than not to fight at all.” - -“I do not like it; I am afraid of it. The chances are so few; the -risks so enormous to others. I dare not sanction it.” - -“We are men; the cause is a noble one; enthusiasm has spread -everywhere, and a lesser spirit has ere now led a feebler movement to -success. There is not one of us, I believe, who would stand back in -fear.” - -“There may be bloodshed,” she cried. - -“Much blood has already been shed in the cause of oppression. We must -think of the ends, not the means. A bold stroke here will bring the -army in the south to your standard--and that may do everything.” - -“It is a momentous decision to have to make. I cannot make it. I must -have time to think.” - -“Every hour that delays the decision may turn the balance between -success and failure.” - -“If I thought we could triumph!” she cried, her eyes flashing and her -cheeks glowing for a moment. But she paused, the light died out as -quickly as it had come, and she shook her head mournfully. “I must have -time.” - -“Let me send for Captain Zoiloff. Hear him.” - -“Do you think he can persuade me where you fail, Count?” she asked, her -eyes burning again, but with a different emotion. - -“At least I would have you hear him, Princess,” I said, dropping my -eyes and speaking as evenly as I could command my voice. - -While he was sent for I stood in silence, and when he came I told him -briefly what had passed. He spoke strongly and bluntly like the sturdy -fellow he was; but he could not prevail any more than I, and he left -the room rather abruptly. - -The Princess looked after him with an expression of the deepest pain, -and when she turned again to me I saw the tears standing in her eyes, -and her voice was all unsteady as she cried from her heart: - -“Does he think I would not do this if I dared?” And throwing herself -back in her seat, she pressed her hands to her face, quite overcome -with the strain of her emotions. - -I waited in much embarrassment, uncertain whether to go or stay. Some -moments passed in this tense silence, and then, to my surprise, she -turned upon me with some indignation. - -“Why did you bring him here to humiliate me like this? Does it give you -pleasure to stay and witness my weakness--or what you deem weakness? -Cannot you understand what I feel? Is everything to yield place to -ambition, and are the dictates of humanity nothing to you? Cannot you -see what I am suffering, torn in this way by the distracting doubts -of such a crisis? Do you think these tears are not as hard for me to -shed as the blood of others as innocent of wrong as God knows I am? -Why do you plague me until I---- Oh, forgive me my wild words! I don’t -know what I am saying.” And she passed in a breath from indignation to -lament. - -“Permit me to leave you now, Princess,” I murmured. - -“Would you also leave me in anger? Have I no friend staunch enough -to bear with my moods, or true enough to understand me? Yes, Count -Benderoff, if you wish to go the way is open to you.” And, rising, she -stood erect and proud, and made me a stately bow as of dismissal. “I -can decide and act alone, if need be.” Yet in the very moment of her -passing indignation her lip quivered and her breath was tremulous. - -“As God is my judge, I have no thought but for you!” I cried, with -a rush of passion at the sight of her trouble, and I threw myself on -my knee before her. “Tell me how you wish me to act, and when I have -failed reproach me with want of staunchness, but not till then.” - -My voice was hoarse and broken. - -As I knelt I could hear the quick catches in her breath as she stood -over me, and the very rustling of the trembling laces of her dress -seemed to speak to me of her sufferings. - -“I have wronged you, or worse--I have insulted you, Count. Ah me! I who -know so well how you are indeed my friend! Do not kneel to me. It is I -who should kneel to you.” And at that her hand, fevered and trembling, -was laid gently in mine, as if to raise me to my feet. - -I kissed the fingers, the tender grace of her words of contrition -almost unmanning me, and driving out all thought but of my love and my -desire to comfort her. I rose, and, still holding her hand, gazed into -her eyes, which shone on me through the dew of her tears in a smile of -loving confidence. - -“I trust you wholly,” she whispered. “Help me to do right.” - -“If I were thinking of myself, I would urge you with every means in my -power to fly,” I said in low, rapid accents of passion. - -“No, no, you must not counsel that,” she cried vehemently. “We must -not, dare not, think of ourselves. Spare me that temptation.” - -“You cannot stay here and be safe unless we make this desperate -venture.” - -“And the world would say I ran away because I feared for my safety, -betraying all who have sought to help my cause; or else that I fled -to----” She paused, her face aflame with sudden blushes. “You would not -have me do that?” - -“You are my world,” I answered recklessly. “Listen one moment. In our -hearts we all know, Zoiloff as well as any, that the cause is lost. -Till I fired him again--knowing how you would shrink from flight--he -was saturated with hopelessness. When he heard the ill news, his one -thought was how you could be saved. That is the thought of us all. The -way to the frontier is still open. I have ready at instant command the -means of securing your safety. If you will go, I will stay to check the -slanderous tongues whose malice you dread. If you bid me I will never -see you again. But for God’s sake, I implore you, leave me at least the -solace that you are safe.” - -The words moved her so that for a while she could not speak, but the -clasp of her hand tightened on mine. Then she asked tenderly: - -“Do you think the woman in me would know a moment’s happiness if you -were in danger?” - -“Then let it be a woman’s decision,” I urged passionately, carried away -by the love in her voice. “Life is all before us.” - -“No. It cannot be. Cannot. Must not,” and she shook her head and -shuddered. “You know what this temptation must be to me. Do not urge -it. I cannot listen. I dare not yield. I beg you be merciful,” she -pleaded. - -“Then fly and let me remain,” I said. - -“The Princess cannot and must not go.” The words came all reluctantly, -but were firmly spoken. I saw my pleading of love was to fail, and my -heart sank. “But you must fly!” - -“Christina!” The name slipped in protest from my lips before I thought, -and I feared she would resent it; and I felt her hand start. - -“That is the hardest plea of all you have used,” she said softly, with -a smile of rare sweetness. “Christina is powerless to resist you, but -the Princess must decide this. Do not use that plea again.” - -“I must--I cannot lose you,” I cried desperately, “I love you so.” - -“Don’t, please, please don’t. If I dared to think of myself there would -be no gladlier fugitive under Heaven’s bright sky than Christina. -There, I have bared my heart to you, as I never thought to open it. And -by the love I know you have for me, and by the love that answers it in -my heart, I entreat you help me to be strong enough to resist you. Let -us never have to think that we placed our love before our duty--however -hard and stern. Lend me your man’s strength; I need it so sorely.” And -with a little piteous action of entreaty she placed her other hand on -mine, and gazed full into my eyes. - -I stood fighting down my wildly roused passion, trembling under its -stress like a child, till I conquered it. - -“It shall be as you wish,” I said at length. “We will stay and face -this together. But you must not ask me again to desert you.” - -“There is a higher happiness than is bounded by our own wishes only,” -she whispered. - -“I can know no sorrow deeper than my loss of you. But it shall be as my -Princess desires;” and I bent and kissed her hands again. - -“The sorrow should be the lighter if divided,” she whispered, with a -tender reproach for the selfishness of my words. - -“The thought made me a coward for the moment. And no man should be a -coward whose ears have been blessed by the words which you have spoken, -and the knowledge I have gained. Forgive the cowardice.” - -“I would I could as easily spare you the sorrow,” she murmured. - -“To do that now would be to rob my life of its one great happiness. -Come what may for me, I shall never love again;” and with that -assurance, which brought all the love in her heart in a rush of -eloquent, speaking tenderness to her eyes, I left her, caring little -indeed what might happen to me if our union were impossible. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -IN FULL CRY - - -The night that followed was a memorable one in the history of Bulgaria -and, as an incident of the great event, it brought the crisis in our -affairs. - -It was the night in which by the machinations of the Russian agents the -Prince was abducted, and at the point of the pistol was forced to sign -an abdication of his throne. It is not necessary for me to write about -an event which has been often enough described, nor to tell how the -crowd of unpatriotic and disloyal officers led their troops to surround -the Palace, ordered them to fire into it, and then breaking in forced -his Highness to leave, and hurried him off to Nikopolis, making him a -prisoner on board his own yacht, to be landed on Russian territory. - -Exactly what led up to this crisis I do not know. My opinion is that -General Kolfort’s offer to maintain him on the throne on certain -relaxed conditions was genuine and would have been fulfilled, but at -the same time the alternative plot was already in progress, and this -scheme was hastened forward on the Prince’s refusal of the Russian -terms. - -Had our own preparations but been a couple of weeks more forward the -issue would have been different; but, as it was, that _coup_ set the -final seal on our failure. - -The event took us absolutely by surprise. I had retired for the night -wondering what the morrow would bring forth, when my household were -roused by a loud summons at the door. My first thought was that the -General had again sent his men to arrest me; and I was for resisting to -the utmost, when it was discovered that the summons came from Zoiloff -and Spernow, who had come in hot haste to bring me the great news and -to confer with me as to our actions. - -The perilous nature of the crisis was obvious, and my first thought was -naturally for the Princess, with a deep and bitter regret that she had -not done what I had urged so strongly--used the means we had to make a -dash for the frontier. - -Choosing half-a-dozen of my servants on whom I knew I could rely -implicitly, we armed them fully and set out on foot for the Princess’s -house. The sounds of firing from the direction of the Palace reached -us as we made our way through the streets, in which the people were -beginning to cluster in groups drawn by curiosity and alarm, discussing -in high and excited tones the meaning of the disturbance. - -No one stayed or questioned us on the way to the Princess’s house, but -when we reached it we halted in amazement. Every window was dark, not -a light showing anywhere, while the gates and doors and forecourt were -thronged with armed men. - -“They’ve captured her!” exclaimed Zoiloff, instantly. “And we are -helpless against such a crowd.” - -“We must know the truth,” I said, my heart misgiving me. “You are best -known, Spernow; go forward and try to ascertain the truth, whether the -Princess has been carried away, and if so, where.” - -He went at once; and then Markov stepped up to me. - -“I think I can find out all. I am sure to know some of the men,” he -said. - -I sent him after Spernow, and stood back in the shadow to wait with -such patience as I could command. My excitement and fear made me like -a madman, till I felt I could almost have rushed single-handed against -the troops and tried to hack my way into the house. - -“This means devilish mischief, Count,” said Zoiloff in a hushed tone. -“You will be the next.” - -“I care nothing for myself, but I will save her,” I said between my -teeth. - -Spernow came back in a few minutes. - -“I can learn nothing. The men have orders to hold their tongues. But -the Princess is not in the house; at least I gather that.” - -“Then why the devil do they guard it?” cried Zoiloff fiercely. - -“They may be waiting for orders where to go next.” - -“It will be to your house, Count. You mustn’t return there, but fly at -once and leave us to settle this.” - -“When I leave you either I shall be dead or the Princess will be safe,” -I answered hotly. “Let us wait for Markov; he is a shrewd, cunning -fellow, and may find out something.” - -“I am anxious about Mademoiselle Broumoff, Count,” said Spernow, eager, -as I could see, to get tidings of her. I sympathised with him, as well -may be understood. - -“Go in quest of her at once,” I said; “and, when you can, return to my -house, and we will thresh out some plan of action. We may have news by -then.” - -He was off like the wind, and Zoiloff and I waited on in silence for -Markov to return. - -He seemed an age in coming, and I strained my eyes in trying to catch -some trace of him in the crowd of moving figures that thronged the -place. I gave a deep sigh of relief when at length I saw him come out -of the gate, stand idly a moment glancing up and down the street, and -then, as if sauntering away in obedience to the merest curiosity, cross -the road to us. - -“Well?” I asked eagerly. - -“I have news. We had better not stay longer here, your honour,” he -whispered, and walked away, speaking rapidly as we walked. “The -Princess Christina left here some two hours ago. She is a prisoner in -the hands of General Kolfort’s men. She was roused by them just before -midnight and compelled to enter a carriage that was in waiting, and was -driven off under a strong guard, with a considerable escort of mounted -men.” - -“Where have they taken her?” cried Zoiloff and I, in a breath together, -when he paused. - -“The actual destination is not known, but the carriage started for the -south road, that leading to Liublian; and one suggestion is that they -will carry her to Ichtman or on to Samakovo, where there is a strong -Russian detachment.” - -“Do you know who was with her? Was anyone?” I asked. - -“Yes; Mademoiselle Broumoff was taken from home at the same time, and I -believe was in the carriage with the Princess.” - -“Did you hear anything concerning the Count?” asked Zoiloff. - -“I was asked if your honour was still at liberty, and advised to look -out for a new master. I shall not do that yet, sir, I hope,” he added; -“not till you tell me, at any rate.” - -I liked his faithfulness in choosing such a moment to assure me of his -attachment. - -“It may be a dangerous service for the next few hours, Markov; but you -have done excellently in this--excellently.” - -We were now hastening back to my house, for I had already resolved to -follow on the Princess’s trail instantly; to rescue her at any hazard, -and hurry her across the frontier, fighting our way, if need be, -through all who challenged us. Zoiloff was with me heart and soul; and -we set about the preparations with an energy almost feverish in its -earnestness. - -Fortunately I had a large stud of first-rate horses, and every man in -the place who could be relied upon was armed to the teeth and mounted, -and provided with enough rations to last through the coming day. I had -taken care to provide myself with a large sum in gold, so as to be -ready for any such emergency as the present, and this I took with me. -We numbered nearly twenty men, all trained, vigorous, staunch fellows, -and all zealous to the heart’s-core in our cause. - -When we were ready I took Zoiloff aside. I knew his resolute character -and his fidelity to the Princess; but I knew also that his career lay -in Bulgaria, and that if he were caught with me on such an enterprise -the consequences to him would be worse than disastrous, and I did not -wish to embroil him any further. - -“Zoiloff, I am going to speak as a friend. No one can see the end of -this business of ours. We may find ourselves face to face with the -troops and may have to risk an encounter with them. For me it does not -signify. I am an Englishman and can scramble out of the mess somehow. -For these men here there is no great danger either. Old Kolfort won’t -deal harshly with servants who can plead that I forced them into it. -But with you it is all different. You are an officer, and to fight -against the troops is an act of deadly treason--mutiny probably, -punishable with Heaven knows what penalties. Now, as my friend, will -you let me ask you to stay here and guard our interests in Sofia?” - -He heard me impatiently and looked at me keenly. - -“Are you serious, Count?” he asked. - -“Yes, my friendship----” - -“Stop, please, or I may say something I should regret, Count,” he broke -in, bluntly. “I should not reckon that man a friend who would urge me -to be a coward. Were you any other man I would not brook it once, and -even you will put a strain on our friendship if you breathe a word of -this again. We are wasting time. Let us to horse. I have not deserved -this of you, Count, and if I thought I had I’d shoot myself for a cur. -Are you the only man that can love the Princess?” - -“Forgive me, friend. I beg your pardon,” I cried, vastly moved by his -words; and I held out my hand. - -“I am no rival of yours,” he said earnestly, as he wrung it. “But if a -hair of her head be injured I will know by whom, and if it does not go -hard with him I am no man. Come, I am hot to be away.” - -As we were mounted, Spernow dashed up on horseback, pale of face and -wild of manner. - -“Nathalie has gone, too,” he exclaimed, and I told him very briefly -what we believe had occurred. - -In another minute we started, riding in couples and at some distance. -Quietly, until we were clear of the town, was the order I gave; then -join, and forward in full cry. The firing had not entirely ceased at -the Palace when we set out, and an occasional report reached us as we -wended our way through the city by different streets to the point on -the south road where we were to join. So much was now astir in the -city that even our cavalcade caused little or no comment or surprise. -Strange tidings and rumours were now on the wind, flying everywhere, -and the excitement and confusion they spread caused our movements to -pass unchallenged. - -Once at the meeting-place we pricked our horses into a gallop and set -out, a stern determined band dead set on revenge, and resolved every -man of us to achieve the end we had at the cost of life itself. - -I rode at the head, with Markov as guide; Zoiloff and Spernow behind -me, and the rest, four abreast, keeping order like a small cavalry -detachment. The night was bright with moonlight, and the country lay -around us everywhere still and sunk in sleep. Scarce a soul was astir -in the hamlets through which our road passed, but I took the utmost -precaution to prevent any mischance. - -As we reached each village, I called a halt and sent Markov forward to -see that all was clear, for I half expected that Kolfort would have -foreseen our pursuit of Christina and have posted men to stop us. To -save time we gave Markov three minutes; and if he did not return or -fire a shot to give an alarm, we clattered after him at full gallop. - -So long as it was night, there was no one of whom we could make -inquiries, and thus we were riding somewhat at random; but as soon as -the dawn should begin to streak the east I knew the peasants would -soon be astir, and that then we might pick up a trace or two of those -we were seeking. - -Then Markov made a valuable suggestion. - -“Will your honour let me ride on ahead some half mile or so? We are -nearing Liublian now, and if I am alone I may get news which would be -refused to so large a body of us together. I may see any danger, too, -and be able to warn you.” - -“A prudent thought, Markov,” I said, bidding him ride on. “If we see -you riding back to us, or if we hear you fire a shot, we shall draw -rein and wait till you join us;” and with that he plunged ahead at full -speed, and we watched him till he was out of sight over a rise in the -road. - -I told Zoiloff the arrangement, and we were discussing the situation in -jerky whispers while we halted, when one of my men came galloping up in -great excitement. - -“My lord, we are being pursued. I had to stay behind to get a stone out -of my horse’s hoof, when I heard the sound of horses galloping some way -behind me.” - -“How far behind?” - -“I cannot say--the night is very still. Perhaps half a mile, or maybe a -mile.” - -“Ride on at once and overtake Markov, and warn him to draw into -cover. Off with you! We must find out who the horsemen are and their -strength,” I added to Zoiloff. - -“There is a small wood there, which will do for cover, Count,” he -replied instantly. “Let the men ride there and take our horses, while -you and I stay on foot to watch the newcomers.” - -I told Spernow to post the men in the covert, and Zoiloff and I lay -down in some bushes to wait for the pursuers. - -It was an anxious moment, and we lay close together, whispering in -hurried conference. We had not long to wait. - -“I hear them,” whispered Zoiloff, gripping my arm. His ears were -quicker than mine, but a moment later I, too, caught the clatter of -horses’ feet and then the clash of accoutrements. - -“Troops,” I whispered; and we both peered between the bushes, straining -our ears, through the grey twilight of the dawn. - -As they reached the foot of the rise near the top of which we were -concealed the party slackened speed, first to a trot and then to a -walk, to ease the horses. - -“I hope to Heaven none of our horses neigh,” whispered Zoiloff -earnestly. - -I made no reply. I was too anxious for speech, for such a chance might -ruin everything. I almost held my breath as the first of the horsemen -came into view, and then my companion gripped my arm again in a spasm -of irresistible excitement. - -“Kolfort, by the luck of hell!” he breathed, and sure enough, in -the second line of three, I recognised the grim, stern face of that -implacable man. - -So excited was I that I almost forgot to count the men with him, and a -thousand thoughts, wild and incoherent, rushed through my mind as the -band of horsemen came up at a quick walking pace, got abreast, then -passed on up the rise, and dipped out of sight as they broke again into -a gallop, the footfalls of the horses dying away very quickly over the -summit of the hill. - -“I hope to the Lord he’s going to the Princess!” exclaimed Zoiloff as -we scrambled to our feet. - -“More likely he wants to be in a position to prove his absence from the -city when the Prince is being carried off,” said I. “But wherever he’s -going we must know and follow.” - -I ran across to where our men were posted and told off one of them to -follow hot on the heels of the party and be ready to guide us, and I -gave him enough start of us to allow for our not being heard. - -“It’s clear he wasn’t following us,” said Zoiloff. “There were only -twelve men all told in the party. What a chance we have missed! If we -had only known, we could have lined the road just where we two lay, and -they’d have walked right into the trap. Only twelve to nearly twenty -of us! and we should have had him safe enough. God! If we could only -get hold of him, the safety of the Princess would be a simple matter -enough.” - -“We may do it yet,” said I as I mounted, and we set off again in -pursuit of those we had believed to be in pursuit of us. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -THE ATTACK - - -It was true enough of course that we had missed a glorious chance in -not surprising and overcoming General Kolfort’s party and making him -a prisoner; but with our end in view it would have been madness to -risk an encounter when we had absolutely no knowledge of the strength -opposed to us. A defeat at such a moment would have overthrown all our -plans and have involved the abandonment of Christina to whatever fate -might be in store for her. - -It was true, too, that in allowing the General to pass and his men to -get in touch with the others who were guarding the Princess, we had -increased our difficulties; and the result of a hurried consultation -with Zoiloff as we rode forward was a decision to seek and overtake the -General’s party and try conclusions with them. - -For this purpose, however, we had wasted valuable time, and the now -rapidly lightening dawn greatly lessened the chance of catching them -unawares, and vastly increased the risk. But we were in no mood to -count the chances too gingerly and we dashed along at as rapid a pace -as our horses could travel. - -The road was execrable--rough and uneven beyond description, with -large loose stones scattered about in it in a way that made the going -exceedingly difficult, and in parts galloping was impossible. - -We had ridden in this way about half an hour, constantly having to -draw rein for either the roughness of the road or the steep hills, when -we came up with the man we had sent to warn Markov, and the other who -had been despatched to follow the General’s party. - -Markov had undertaken the spy work in preference to the man I had -despatched, and the change was a good one. I had not been free from -the fear that Markov might be surprised by the General, despite our -precaution in sending to warn him, and it was good news that he was -safe. - -We did not stay our progress a moment. The men rode by my side as each -in turn gave me his report, and then dropped back into the ranks behind -as we thundered forward, eager to overtake the General before he should -fall in with any other troops; and the best news that the men brought -us was that we were gaining fast upon them, and that Kolfort was not -far ahead. - -This spurred us to further effort, and we were rushing on filled with -the hope of catching him, when I saw Markov in the distance galloping -wildly in our direction. I ordered a halt instantly, and drew up to -await him. - -“I have tracked them, my lord,” he said hurriedly; “but the news is -bad. General Kolfort and his party are in a house, about a mile ahead, -that belongs to him, and it is there the Princess Christina has been -carried. At least I judge so, for I slipped from my horse and managed -to find out that there were a number of soldiers about; and I spied a -travelling carriage in front of the house with all the signs of a long -journey on it. The horses had been taken out, and I judged it had just -been left where it stopped, the horses being taken to the stables. I -saw General Kolfort’s party halt there, and he and one or two with him -entered the house while the soldiers went round to the back.” - -“How many soldiers in all?” I asked. - -“From what I heard in the city last night, I gathered there were about -a dozen in charge of the Princess; I counted another dozen with General -Kolfort--say from twenty-five to thirty, all told, sir.” - -“We can do it if we surprise them,” said I, turning to Zoiloff. “Not so -good a chance as we had just now, but still a chance.” - -“Certainly,” he agreed. “Catch them while off their guard and probably -getting food after their ride;” and in less than a minute we were -moving forward again, Markov riding on my left. - -Just before we came in full view of the house, Zoiloff, Spernow, and I -rode forward to reconnoitre the ground and plan the attack. The house -lay well situated for such an attempt. We were looking down on it from -a slight hill, and on three sides some fairly thick wood and shrubbery -shut it in, in which a couple of regiments could have been posted had -we had such a force available. We could see three or four men in the -front of the house and in the road, left to do sentry work; but they -were lolling about chatting together, and obviously thinking of nothing -less than any such attack in force as we meditated; and, had we dashed -up the road in a body, it was likely enough we could have carried the -place before any effective resistance could have been offered. - -But we formed a far different plan. Markov led us along the ridge of -the hill fringed with trees to a point from which we could command a -view of the rear of the house, and then I observed something that gave -me an idea and made my heart leap with exultation. Preparations were -going forward quickly to give the soldiers their breakfast, and I saw -all the things being carried from the house to a low building across a -wide yard that looked like a barn. The soldiers were chaffing the women -and helping to carry the food and vessels; and in a moment my plan was -ready. - -“We shall catch them like rats in a trap,” I cried to Zoiloff, as I -pointed this out to him. “The place is made for us and couldn’t be -better. We’ll time our visit when the men are just at breakfast yonder, -and, if a couple of our fellows can steal up unseen, that big door can -be slammed, and there won’t be more than half a dozen left for us to -deal with about the house. We shall cage the old fox to a certainty. -Let Spernow and two men creep along this way and down under cover of -those trees to the entrance to the yard, and post themselves there. The -main portion can get to the house through the orchard below us”--and I -pointed to the spots I meant--“and we shall be into the place before -they even dream that we are near. Once we get close to the house, do -you and half a dozen make for the front and settle with anyone there, -making an exit from the house impossible. I’ll enter by the back with -the rest of us and square accounts with anyone inside. The horses must -be left up here in the woods, tethered; we can’t spare a man to stay -with them.” - -We discussed the minor points of the attack, fixed the moment, and left -it that Spernow’s closing the door upon the troops at breakfast should -be the signal. If things went wrong with him and the men escaped, we -settled that Zoiloff should, as arranged, rush round to the front, but -that I and the men with me should hasten to Spernow’s assistance and -attack the men there. - -We went back to the rest of the party, led them all into the wood -on the hill from where we had made our observations, had the horses -fastened over the hill and well out of sight of the house, and then, -with arms all ready, crept back to the edge of the wood to wait for the -moment to commence. - -The movement and bustle of preparation were going on briskly below; the -maids and the men were hurrying and scurrying in all directions, and -there was such stir and life that it threatened to be impossible for us -to creep down unseen. - -Gradually there came a change. Things grew quieter, and presently -the servant girls went into the house and did not return. We saw the -soldiers, laughing and joking, cross in couples and threes to the -barn; two of those who had been on guard in the front came running -round, rested their muskets against the wall of the barn outside and -joined their comrades within; and the place was quiet and unguarded. I -gave the word to advance, and a moment later we began to wend our way -stealthily down the hill-side, closing gradually on the house. Not a -word was spoken, and not a sound betrayed our presence. When we reached -the point where Spernow was to leave us to get to the other end of the -yard, I whispered to him to take an extra man in case of emergencies, -and then at the head of my men I threaded my way up the side of the -orchard, with Zoiloff close in attendance. - -All went well. We reached a low mud wall that parted the orchard from -the homestead yard, and halted there until Spernow should give the -signal by slamming-to the great barn door. By peering through the -branches of some fruit trees I could see the spot where he was to -post himself. Just when all was about in readiness, and he and his -three men were standing at the end of the barn, round the corner of it -fortunately, one of the soldiers came out, picked up one of the muskets -leaning against the wall, and stood a moment laughing and chaffing with -those within. He was one of the sentries, and called to those within -to be quick. Then, whistling carelessly, he shouldered his weapon and -moved away. - -Moments were growing precious now. Would Spernow wait for the man to -disappear round the front at the risk that others of the soldiers would -finish and come out, or would he act while the man was in full view and -take the risk of a shot? He was in dire hesitation; and I could see him -peep round the corner of the barn and peer anxiously after the man. - -Then something seemed to decide him--he told me afterwards he heard the -men in the barn beginning to move--and with quick, stealthy steps he -and his men rushed to the great door, slammed it to, and secured it. -The soldier was attracted by the noise, turned, saw what had happened, -raised an alarm, and was in the act of firing at Spernow when one of -the latter’s men shot him and he fell to the ground. - -At the same time Zoiloff called his followers and dashed for the front -of the house, while I, seeing that all was well with Spernow, rushed -to the back door. It was slammed in my face, but a blow from our guns -smashed it in, and after a short delay we gained the passage. - -All the house was in wild alarm, and the soldiers in it put themselves -in my way, offering a stubborn resistance. But we outnumbered them -by three to one, and after a scrimmage that was hot enough while it -lasted we overpowered them, struck their weapons from their hands, -bound them, and thrust them into a room in the custody of a couple of -men with strict orders to shoot if any nonsense was attempted. - -Our surprise was in that respect completely and triumphantly -successful, but in regard to one of the chief objects it failed. The -way which we had chosen for Zoiloff to make his rush to the front of -the house was blocked by some outhouses which we had not seen, and he -and his men had had to return and run round to the other side. The -delay caused was not long, but it was fatal, for the first thing he -saw on reaching there was General Kolfort in company with a couple -of attendants, presumably officers, spurring at topmost speed in the -direction of Samakovo. He came rushing into the house, his face black -in his deep disappointment, and told me the ill news, just as we had -finished our scrimmage with the men inside. - -I saw at once pursuit would be hopeless. I should not have dared divide -our little party even had there been a good prospect of overtaking -the fugitives, and to send them on a wild-goose chase would have -been worse than madness; moreover, our horses were away on the top -of the hill, and already somewhat spent with the fierce ride. But it -took some moments to get Zoiloff to see the uselessness of such an -attempt--moments that could ill be spared, seeing all that we had yet -to do. But I was firm, and he gave in at length. - -“Take our men and secure those fellows in the barn, or we shall have -them breaking out. Find the best horses you can, too, and have them -into the carriage as quickly as possible, and I will see the Princess -and tell her to be ready at once. We dare not waste a minute or all -will be lost.” - -I dashed up the stairs, and after searching a couple of empty rooms -found one with the door locked. - -“Are you there, Princess? It is I, Count Benderoff,” I cried, turning -the key and partly opening the door. - -She answered me and I entered. She was calm but pale, with the little -Broumoff at her side, very agitated. - -“We have heard the noise, but could see nothing from here, and have -been filled with anxiety as to what it meant. What has happened?” cried -the Princess. - -“I can say no more now than that when we heard last night that you had -been carried off we followed at once, and happily are now in possession -of the house; but you must be ready to fly at once.” - -“What of General Kolfort? He came here only a few minutes since and -threatened me with all the terrors of a Russian gaol. He was like a -madman.” - -“Most unluckily he has escaped us, and may return at any moment in -force. Will you get ready at once? Our only hope is to make for the -frontier before we can be pursued.” - -“I am ready now,” she cried, throwing on her travelling wraps. “Come, -Nathalie, come, the Count has saved us.” - -The girl was dressed almost as quickly as the Princess, and together we -went down to the front to wait for the carriage. - -“Have you had anything to eat? We have a long journey before us.” - -“I could not think of food.” - -Without a word, I got some milk and cakes and bread, and put them in -the carriage, to which Markov was already harnessing horses. Then I -described in the fewest possible words what had happened, and they both -listened in breathless interest. - -“And Michel?” asked Mademoiselle Broumoff eagerly. - -“Is safe,” I answered, with a smile, “and has behaved splendidly, like -the magnificent fellow he is.” - -As soon as the carriage was ready I told Markov to draw out into the -road in readiness to start, and I ran through to call off our men. -Zoiloff met me excited, hot, and breathing hard. - -“We have secured them all right. I filed up the men, and when we threw -open the door the caged men were met with a line of muskets. They had -no fight in them, for they had no arms. We have bound every man, and -to make pursuit impossible I have had every horse in the stables shot. -A cruel job, but necessary; and I have brought away the men’s arms. We -may start, Count. Our men are already away for their horses, and will -meet us at that bend in the road above.” - -“Good,” said I; but I wished he had brought the horses with us for -remounts instead of shooting them. - -“Good, yes; but much better if that wily old devil, Kolfort, hadn’t -slipped through my fingers.” - -“What is the route, Markov?” I said, going out to him. “We dare not -return to Sofia. How can you reach the nearest point on the frontier -road where we can get fresh horses for the carriage?” - -“We must go back to within three miles of the city, sir, and then I can -pick a way round and strike the west road there.” - -“Don’t keep on this road for a yard longer than is absolutely -necessary. It is dangerous. But do your best. Push on with all speed. -We shall overtake you.” - -As I finished speaking Spernow came running from the house and rushed -to the carriage window. I let the carriage stand half a minute that he -might exchange a word or two with Mademoiselle Broumoff, who I knew was -very eager to see him, and while they were speaking the Princess looked -out of the window, beckoned Zoiloff, and gave him her hand and a word -of hearty thanks for all he had done in her behalf. - -It was a thoughtful, gracious act, and I was as glad as Zoiloff -himself, who stood aside with a flush on his stern face to let the -carriage pass when I gave the word to Markov to start. - -“The fairest and best of all women on earth,” he said, -enthusiastically, as we three watched the carriage dash up the hill -that led from the house. “I hope to heaven we shall get start enough to -save her;” and he glanced back anxiously along the road that Kolfort -had gone, as if he feared that pursuit might already be on foot. - -And the same fear infected us all as we followed his gaze. But there -was no sign of any pursuit; and we hurried up the hill to the spot -where the men were to meet us with our horses. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -SUSPENSE - - -As we three hurried up the hill we discussed earnestly our plans; and -the supreme seriousness of the failure to secure the person of General -Kolfort grew more vividly forcible the more we considered it. - -We could have held him a prisoner in his own house easily and without -creating any alarm at his disappearance. And the Princess could have -gained the frontier before ever a question had been asked as to her -whereabouts. I gnashed my teeth as I thought of it. - -Now, however, he would raise the alarm at the first possible moment. -He knew that we were in considerable force, and not only could he send -troops after us, but by telegraph he could send instructions to have us -intercepted at any one of a dozen points. - -“Does anyone know where the wires run from Ichtman and Samakovo to -Sofia?” I asked. “If we could cut them, we might save some hours when -even minutes may be vital.” - -“Of course. Why didn’t we think of it before?” exclaimed Zoiloff. “I -know them. They run along the course of the projected railway. I can -find them inside an hour. The line is to touch Liublian, and must run -close here somewhere.” - -“Then take a couple of men as soon as we are mounted and rattle off -across country and cut them, and rejoin us with all possible speed. You -will easily overtake the carriage;” and the moment we met our men he -started to carry out the plan. - -I then arranged the order of our ride. I left Spernow in command of the -greater number of men, with orders to follow in straggling formation -until we had passed through Liublian; then they were to close up and -keep the carriage in sight. One man was to ride about a mile or so in -the rear to watch for any signs of pursuit. For this work I chose the -man whose horse was the fleetest and freshest, and ordered him to keep -a sharp lookout behind him, and at the first sign of anything wrong to -gallop after us at top speed to give us the earliest possible warning. - -I myself took three men with me and rode forward at once, intending to -overtake the Princess and act as immediate escort. - -I had little difficulty, unfortunately, in getting up with the -carriage, for Markov, with all his skill as coachman, was only able to -make a very indifferent pace over the villainous roads. The carriage -bumped and rolled and jumped in the deep ruts and over the stones in a -way that filled me with alternate fear that it was travelling too fast -for the safety of the occupants, and of despair that so slow a pace -would make pursuit an easy enough matter. - -It was a great, heavy, lumbering, travelling coach, built for the -comfort of those who were content to travel at an easy rate; and about -as little suited for the purpose of rapid flight as anything could -be. I could have cursed it, as it lumbered along groaning, creaking, -straining, threatening to topple over at every other lurch, and -distressing the horses, powerful though they were, until the sweat -lathered on their flanks and dripped on the rough, cruel road. - -“Is there a hope of getting any better carriage at Liublian?” I asked -Markov, riding up to him as we neared that place. “We shall never reach -the frontier in this thing; an open cart would be better. Try if you -can’t get something. Steal it if you can’t hire or buy it.” - -“The horses are nearly done already, your Honour,” said Markov; -“although we’ve only come some seven miles. I’ll try.” - -“You must be quick,” I said, as I fell back behind again. - -Despite the very urgent need for haste, we entered the place driving -very leisurely, and drew up at the inn, when Markov and I entered to -make inquiries. We were in luck. The man had a comparatively light -open cart for sale and a couple of strong young horses. A few minutes -found the bargain struck, and while my men were refreshing themselves -the horses were put in, and Christina and her companion left the great -ugly, cumbersome carriage to take their places in the cart. - -“Could we get peasants’ clothes?” suggested Mademoiselle Broumoff. “Any -kind of disguise might help us.” It was a happy thought, and the ever -resourceful Markov acted on the hint directly, and procured cloaks and -headgear. - -“Better put them on when we are clear of the place,” I decided, as -Markov put the bundle into the cart. - -“I am afraid you will find the road to safety very rough, Princess,” -I said as I helped her into the cart. I had not spoken to her since -leaving the General’s house. - -“I am causing you all sore trouble,” she answered, smiling sadly. “How -shall I ever thank you enough?” - -“We shall have our reward when we see you safe in Servia.” - -“Ah, I ought to have done what you advised yesterday and have gone -then. All this would have been spared us.” - -“We could not foresee what old Kolfort had planned for last night. I -thought the road would have been as open to-day as it was yesterday.” - -“It is like you to lighten the blame, but it is my fault.” - -“We are ready, your Honour,” called Markov. - -“Forward then,” I said. “Cautiously out of Liublian, and then press on -with all the speed you can make.” - -I mounted, and was in the act of starting when a horseman was seen -riding hard up the road we had come. It was Zoiloff, and I welcomed him -gladly. - -“I’ve done it,” he said exultantly. “I don’t know whether there are any -other wires, but I’ve cut the main ones, and that will probably cause -some delay. But how came you to halt here?” he asked anxiously. - -I explained the change of vehicles, and we rode on after the Princess. - -“You passed Spernow?” I asked. - -“Yes, and left my men to follow with his. He tells me he is to join -you as soon as he is clear of Liublian; he should be near now;” and he -glanced back as I thought with some anxiety. - -“We have done well so far. It was a stroke of luck to get rid of that -lumbering old carriage,” said I. - -“True, but we have already been a long time covering very little -ground, and must press forward. Our pursuers won’t sleep on the road. -I’m surprised we haven’t heard from them before now.” - -It was unlike him to meet alarm half-way in this fashion, but I made no -answer except to urge my horse to greater speed, so as to close up the -distance between us and the Princess. - -Markov was now driving at a very rapid rate, the road was much better, -and I felt my spirits rise as we covered the ground quickly. Every yard -gained safely made the prospect of escape more hopeful. - -“Spernow should have joined us by now,” said Zoiloff again presently, -as we were breathing the horses up a steep hill. - -“We have been travelling much faster since we changed conveyances, and -his cattle may be a bit stale,” I replied, trying to reassure him. - -“I’m afraid something’s going wrong with him. It’s not like him to play -the laggard in this way. Can he have been overtaken by Kolfort’s men -and surprised?” - -“Scarcely that. We’ve got a picket thrown out behind and he’d have -warning. If there was any sign of danger, I told him to close up with -us at once, so that we could make a stand together. One or two of the -horses may have given out.” - -“I don’t like it,” said Zoiloff; and when we reached the top of the -hill we turned and looked back along the white road, searching eagerly -for some sign of Spernow’s coming. We saw nothing, and the doubts which -made Zoiloff’s face so grave began to affect me. - -“I am inclined to go back,” he murmured. - -“We can’t spare you, Zoiloff,” said I quickly. “If anything is wrong -with him, you alone can do no good; and if anything is to go wrong with -us, we are too few already for safety.” - -“I could find out what it means.” - -“Or be cut off yourself;” and with that we resumed our ride, my -companion’s face unusually gloomy and thoughtful. - -“How far are we from Sofia, Markov; and when do you turn off?” I asked, -riding up to him. - -“About five miles from the city, your Honour, a little more than two -from the branch road I am making for.” - -“We’ve only a few minutes more on the main road,” I said, falling back -to Zoiloff; “and, once away from it, our chances will be fifty in a -hundred better. It’s this road I’ve feared.” - -“Ha! Here comes news!” exclaimed my companion suddenly, a few minutes -afterwards, turning in his saddle and looking back. “And bad news too,” -he added. - -A single horseman was dashing down a hill behind us, and as we turned a -number of other horsemen reached the crest and came streaming down the -hill after him, the sunlight glistening through the cloud of white dust -as it fell on their arms. - -“That should be Spernow and our men,” said I anxiously. - -“It is Spernow, but they’re not our men. I feared it meant mischief. -They are troopers; and I can count a dozen of them. Tell Markov to -drive like the wind. They’re after us.” - -A bend in the road at that moment cut off our view, and almost directly -afterwards Markov turned away to the left into a narrow lane, putting -his horses to the gallop. - -“We shall have to fight for it, Count,” cried Zoiloff. “There didn’t -seem more than a dozen troopers that I could see, and, with Spernow, we -shall be six. We can hold them at bay in this narrow lane, and perhaps -drive them off.” - -At that moment a loud shout of dismay came from Markov, and we saw him -pull his horses up in a scramble. - -“What’s the matter?” I called, riding up. - -“I’ve taken the wrong lane, your Honour, cursed fool that I am,” he -cried in sore distress. “I know it now; there is no outlet. I should -have driven on for about five hundred yards farther;” and he backed his -horses as if to turn them. - -It spelt absolute ruin. - -“There’s no going back, Markov,” I said decisively. I was calm enough -now for all the trouble. - -“The devil!” exclaimed Zoiloff. “Well, we must make a fight of it.” - -“Stay a moment. Where does this lane lead, Markov?” - -“To a peasant’s homestead, with no outlet anywhere.” - -“Forward to that, then--at a gallop. We can hold the house against the -men with far better chances than here,” I said to Zoiloff. “Besides, -they may not have seen us turn off the road, and may go on to the next -turning. But what of Spernow?” - -“He was gaining on them fast, and will escape in any event,” said -Zoiloff; “but it’s a perilous fix.” - -A couple of minutes later we halted in front of the cottage, to the -infinite surprise of the inmates. Markov knew them however, and while -he was explaining things to them the rest of us set to work to put the -place in readiness to resist the expected attack. Fortunately it lent -itself well to the purpose; and, long before the peasant owner had -been pacified with a good round sum of money, every door and window -was closed and barred, and the horses and cart had been stabled close -to the rear of the house in a shed, the door of which we could easily -command, so as to prevent anyone trying to steal off with them. - -The Princess and her companion were placed in an upper room, well out -of the danger of stray bullets; and, though we were breathless with -our exertions, we were quite prepared to give our visitors a warm -reception before a sign of the soldiers or of Spernow was visible. - -Both Zoiloff and I kept an anxious lookout from a window in the roof -of the cottage which gave a view of a considerable portion of the lane -that led to the homestead; but the minutes crept on until a quarter of -an hour, half an hour, an hour passed without a sign or trace of either -our friend or our enemies; and, indeed, until we grew as anxious to see -the former as to know we had escaped from the latter. - -What could it mean? Zoiloff and I exchanged many an anxious question -and hazarded many futile guesses. I was inclined to hope that the -soldiers had not seen us after all, and that in our little hiding-place -we had not only escaped them, but had been overlooked by any other -parties that might have been despatched in search of us. - -At the end of an hour I sent Zoiloff down to see that food was prepared -both for the men and for our horses; and when another hour passed -without any sign of disturbance the hopes of all of us began to rise. -The one thing that had caused me more anxiety than anything else was -the obstacle which daylight presented to a successful flight; and when -noon came and passed, and the afternoon shadows began to lengthen, I -was glad enough; for every hour that passed diminished the risk and -increased our chances of getting to the frontier unseen in the darkness -of the night. - -Moreover, the rest was just what the horses needed; and thus on both -accounts the hanging hours of safety on that hot summer’s day were -doubly precious to us. Markov was certain that under the cover of the -night he could find his road unerringly; and though his blunder in the -morning had at first caused such a panic and had shaken my confidence -in his knowledge, I was ready to believe him now. - -“I could drive it blindfolded, your Honour,” he said earnestly, when -I questioned him. “I know every house, and cottage, and tree, almost -every bump in the road--more than that, I could find my way secretly -across the country were every road and bridle-path choked with armed -men. It is my own country!” he exclaimed vehemently. - -“How long will it take you?” - -“It is fifty miles from the frontier to the first place where I can get -fresh horses, and perhaps fifteen from here to that--at the outside -say seventy miles. I can do it in seven hours with such horses as are -waiting for me at every stage--probably less.” - -“You will be ready to start as soon as it is dusk,” I told him, and, as -the afternoon passed, I went to acquaint the Princess with our plans. - -“You have left us long alone, Count,” she said with a smile. “And -I have needed you sorely. Nathalie here is in distress for news of -Lieutenant Spernow.” - -“You may feel assured on his account,” I said to the girl, who was very -pale and troubled. “When we saw him last he was gaining rapidly on his -pursuers, and was not at all likely to fall into their hands.” - -“But where is he? Why have you no news of him?” she wailed. - -“Probably he knows no more than our enemies where we are. But he is -safe. Both Captain Zoiloff and I are convinced of that.” Her fears were -not to be stayed by words, however, and in truth I myself had more than -a misgiving on his account. - -The Princess was eager for the moment to come when she could start, -and would have set out at once had I not told her of the far greater -security which darkness would afford. - -“What time is it now?” she asked. - -“Just past four. At seven, or soon after, we may venture to start; -and if all goes well, as Heaven grant it may, you will be across the -frontier and in safety before the sun rises again.” - -“I shall owe it to you,” she said, “as indeed I owe so much already.” - -“Not more to me than to all here with us. Indeed, this blessing of a -shelter at the very nick of time we owe to the accident of Markov’s -blunder. We may well forgive him such a happy mistake.” - -“Would you have me think I owe nothing to you?” she asked in a low -voice, looking at me with a glance of love. - -“Perhaps I may answer that question at a future time,” I returned in -the same low tone. She blushed and dropped her eyes and was silent. - -In the silence I heard the sounds of some commotion in the house below, -and I started uneasily. “Something has happened; I must go and see what -it means!” I exclaimed; and with a hasty excuse I hurried away. - -Something had indeed happened, for at the bottom of the stairs I found -Spernow and Zoiloff in excited talk. I called them up, and together we -entered the Princess’s room, that he might tell us the story of his -experiences, and relieve at once the anxiety of his sweetheart. - -On seeing him she jumped up and, regardless of our presence, threw -herself into his arms. - -“Are you really safe, Michel?” she asked, gazing into his face with a -look I could understand readily, and, laughing and crying by turns, -she plied him with a hundred questions. - -His story was of deep interest and moment to us, and, though I was in -full mood to sympathise with the lovers, I was eager to hear it. - -“I can tell my story in a very few words,” he said at length, turning -to us. “Just after we left Liublian we were attacked by a party that -outnumbered us by five to one. Our man in the rear galloped up to warn -us as you had ordered him, Count, but the troops were right on his -heels, and, as our horses were anything but fresh, I dared not risk a -race in the effort to reach you. I determined to fight it out there -and then, but from the first we hadn’t a chance. The troops fired not -at us, but at the horses, until only two of us were left mounted. The -rest you can gather. We had never a chance. My men resisted as long as -resistance was possible, but one after another they were surrounded, -disarmed, and secured. When all was lost we two fled, but some dozen -of the troops came pricking after us. My companion’s horse was shot; -but almost by a miracle neither my horse nor myself was touched, though -the firing was heavy enough. When I came down that hill yonder, I saw -you, and saw you turn into the lane. In a moment I knew the mistake you -had made, for I know this country to a yard, and it occurred to me to -pass the entrance to the lane in the hope that the troops behind me had -not seen you. I made for the next turning, therefore--that which you -should have taken but happily did not--and to my intense relief the men -behind, thinking no doubt that I was following you, followed me. The -rest was easy enough. My horse was fleeter than theirs, and I led them -a dance at a rattling speed for some ten miles. Then I dismounted, and, -giving my horse a whack with my hand, sent him on without me, while I -slipped into some bushes and waited for the men to pass. They did this, -swearing prettily, as you may imagine, and as soon as they had gone by -I set off across country in a bee-line for this place, thinking it not -unlikely that you would take refuge here for a while. And here I am, -and that’s all.” - -Our congratulations poured upon him, and then Zoiloff and I went away, -that he and the little Broumoff might be together. It was the best -reward we could make him just then. - -“Those men will try back when they find he’s fooled them,” said -Zoiloff, “and we had better be ready.” - -“They’ll have to come soon,” said I, “or they’ll find the nest empty -and the birds flown.” - -“They’ve over two hours yet,” he returned drily, and together we went -back to our watch-window in the roof, giving orders that the house was -to be kept as silent as if it were deserted. - -The minutes were weighted now with the old fears and suspense, and -scarce a word passed between my staunch friend and myself. And when we -spoke it was in a whisper, as though the men had already come. For an -hour more nothing occurred to disturb us, and once again the flame of -hope began to kindle. But it was only to be ruthlessly quenched. - -When a glance at my watch told me that an hour and a quarter had gone -by we saw that which made us start and draw breath quickly. - -Two troopers came riding slowly up the lane, looking carefully to right -and left as they approached. The peasant’s dog barked loudly, and at -the sound they stopped, and peered curiously at the house. Then they -advanced until they stood close to the yard-gate, and both stared at -the house and spoke together. - -We held our breath in suspense. - -The closed doors and shutters puzzled them, and after a few moments one -of them dismounted, handed the reins of his horse to his companion, -pushed open the gate, and walked up towards the house. - -At that moment fortune served us a scurvy trick. Down below a roar of -laughter broke out among our men, loud enough to reach us. - -The soldier heard it too. - -We heard him strike a lusty summons on the door panels and call to -those within. Then everything was as still as the grave. - -The man knocked again, and when the door remained unopened he went back -to his companion, mounted his horse, and, giving some instructions, set -off up the lane at a quick canter. The second man drew back into the -shade of a tree and waited, keeping his eyes warily upon the house all -the while. - -“We may as well get the men posted,” said Zoiloff. “That fellow will be -back in a minute with all there are with him. We’re in for a scrimmage.” - -He went down at once to give the necessary orders, while I stayed to -watch. - -I had not long to wait. In a few minutes I heard the advancing -footfalls of horses, and a number of troopers came swinging up the lane -at the trot. I counted thirteen in all, and thanked Heaven there were -no more. - -But it meant fight, and I saw the man in command of the party taking -his observations, and giving his instructions to those under him to -surround the house. - -There was no need for me to watch longer. There would soon be plenty of -other work on hand. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -A FORLORN HOPE - - -I left the window and hurried down to tell the Princess the bad news. -Spernow was still there, sitting apart, exchanging love confidences -with Mademoiselle Broumoff, and they all started up at my sudden -entrance. - -“The troops have found us out, Princess, and there will probably be -some trouble before we get rid of them and shake them off. I wish to -impress upon you the necessity for you to remain close in the corners -of the room for fear of mishap. Spernow, will you go to Captain -Zoiloff? He is below with the men.” - -The Princess took the news very calmly. - -“Do you think they will attack the house?” she asked. - -“I fear so--or, rather, I hope so; for, if not, we shall have to attack -them, and I would rather act on the defensive.” - -“There will be danger for you,” she said earnestly, looking into my -eyes. “You will be careful--for my sake;” and she laid her hand on mine. - -“I hope it will not be serious, and I will be careful,” I replied -smiling. “But we must not be beaten.” - -“I trust no blood will be shed--no lives sacrificed. I cannot bear the -thought of that.” - -“We can have no thought but your safety.” - -“But can we not be of some use--Nathalie and I?” - -“I fear not, at present. But if there is need, depend upon it I will -not fail to ask you. Come, Spernow.” - -“Michel, let me have a gun. I would rather be by your side than cooped -up here in suspense,” cried the girl with great spirit, holding her -lover’s hand. “Now that you are with us I am not afraid.” - -“We have not come to that yet, Mademoiselle,” I said, liking her spirit -and courage. “You need not be afraid. We are quite strong enough behind -these walls to cope with the few men against us. But we must go.” - -Christina pressed my hand again, and her lips murmured a prayer for my -safety. - -Zoiloff had been busy enough with his preparations, and when we reached -him had posted his men. He had done a shrewd trick on leaving General -Kolfort’s house, and had brought away with him the men’s carbines with -a quantity of ammunition. These were now distributed in the rooms -from which the work of defence was to be carried on; and he explained -that his object was to create the impression that we were a much more -numerous party than in reality. - -“We can fire volleys from the different windows in very rapid -succession, and they’ll think the place is alive with men,” he said. -“But the main work must be done from the windows of each room on the -floor above us. There are two in the front room and one at the back, -and we can from there command the approach to the front and back doors, -and could hold the place against four times the number.” - -We went to the front room and looked out. - -The soldiers were taking matters very leisurely. Evidently they were -confident that they would have no serious difficulty in carrying the -house, even if we were inside, of which they still seemed to have -doubts. - -The leader was only a non-commissioned officer--a troop sergeant--and -he appeared to be at a loss what to do. He was consulting with the two -men who had ridden up first, and all three were gesticulating freely as -they pointed to different parts of the house and yard. - -The longer they debated, and the more time they wasted, the better -for us. If they would only let the afternoon steal away and twilight -come, we could in the last resource make a sally, have a brush at close -quarters, and then trust to our horses to save us. - -“Zoiloff, I have a plan,” I said, as an idea struck me. “That man has -made a fool’s mistake. Every horse there is in full view, and can be -picked off easily. Let our first volleys, when it comes to firing, be -for the horses. Before the men even guess our intention, every horse -will be killed or disabled, and not only will the men be unable to -follow us, but prevented from riding for help.” - -“Good!” he cried. “We’ll have every man at these two windows, and each -man shall pick out his own target. A couple of rounds well aimed and -the thing’s done. But someone must keep a lookout at the back.” - -“Nathalie will do that,” said Spernow eagerly; and he went at once to -ask her, while the men were brought into the room and their orders -given to them. We waited, watching closely for the commencement of -hostilities. - -“They don’t like the look of things,” whispered Zoiloff, smiling -grimly, “and don’t know what to do or how to start. Ah, now they’ve -settled something,” he added as the leader came towards the house, -knocked at the door, and called in a loud voice for it to be opened. - -No answer was given, of course, and after he had repeated his summons -he called: - -“If the door is not opened we shall break it in.” - -Getting no reply, he returned to his men, and sent four of them round -to the back of the house. Then one of the men called his attention to -something at the side of the yard, and eight of them went and picked up -a heavy balk of timber lying there. - -“They’re going to use it as a battering-ram,” said Zoiloff. “We must -stop that.” - -“Wait,” I said quickly. “When they are in position I’ll warn them, -and through the open windows we can then shoot the horses. Remember, -men, level your guns first at the men, and when I tell you, aim at the -horses, and shoot straight.” - -The timber was heavy, the afternoon hot, the men fatigued and with no -great zest for the business, so that they took a long time before they -had brought it round near the door. - -Then I threw up the window sharply, and called, in a ringing voice: - -“Stop! We sha’n’t allow that.” - -Looking up, the troopers found themselves covered by the guns of our -party, and, dropping the timber, they rushed like hares for cover--all -save the leader, who flung curses at them for their cowardice. - -“Now fire,” I said; and, levelling my rifle, I picked out a horse, and -we fired our first volley. - -“Quick! again!” and a second volley rang out. - -The effect was indescribable. Five horses fell at the first round, and -the rest stampeded and plunged so violently that any accurate aim the -second time was very difficult. Only three fell, but the rest broke -from their fastenings in a very frenzy of fear and galloped wildly off, -plunging across country at a speed that made any thought of pursuit -hopeless. - -The men started to follow them, but were recalled by the leader, and -came slinking back to cover like whipped dogs. - -The loss of the horses was not their only misfortune, however, for in -getting the log they had set down their carbines near the gate in a -spot which we could cover with our guns. Seeing this, I called again: - -“The man who touches one of those guns will be shot!” - -The sergeant had plenty of pluck, and, though sorely perplexed by the -turn things had thus suddenly taken, was as cool as if he had been on -parade. - -“What do you want here?” I cried. - -“I want to know who’s in the house,” he said. - -“I am. What next?” - -“Who else?” - -“I decline to say.” - -“Will you surrender without causing any more trouble?” he asked coolly. - -“If you ask that again, you’ll stand a good chance of asking no more -questions in this world,” said I drily. “You had better draw off your -men while they are still unhurt.” - -“You can’t hope to beat us off,” he said doggedly. - -“We can try.” At the reply he shrugged his shoulders. - -“If you resist you must take the consequences,” he called. - -“I am quite prepared for that.” - -He turned away then as if to walk back to his men, but I saw him -start; and then he did a really plucky thing, like the daring devil he -evidently was. When he was half-way towards his men he made a quick -rush to the guns and tried to snatch them up in his arms and bolt -with them to cover. It was wasted courage. A couple of guns rang out, -Zoiloff’s for one, and the man rolled over with a groan, shot through -the leg, with the carbines scattered round him. - -His men made no effort to go near him, and so long an interval of -inaction followed that I began to hope the struggle was already over -before it had well begun. - -“Lucky we shot those horses, or we should have had half the scoundrels -bolting for reinforcements,” muttered Zoiloff. - -“You’d better see what the men at the back are after,” I said; and even -as I spoke the little Broumoff came running excitedly to tell us they -were trying to get our horses from the shed behind. - -Zoiloff hurried out with a couple of men, and a moment later I heard an -exchange of shots. - -“Run and see what has happened, Spernow, and let me know,” I said, -and in a couple of minutes he returned to say all was well, and that -Zoiloff had wounded one of the men and scared them off. They had made -for the side of the house, he told me, and had been joined by the rest -of the troopers; unfortunately there was no window at the side, so that -we could neither watch nor threaten them. - -Another long interval passed without the troopers making a sign of any -kind, and I judged that their intention was simply to keep watch until -reinforcements could come up, and guessed that they had sent one or -more of the men away on foot in search of help. - -It was now past six o’clock, and in less than half an hour it would be -safe to make a start. I went to Zoiloff to consult. - -My plan was to make a rush upon the men and drive them away -sufficiently far to admit of our horses being put in the cart, and then -risk the chances of flight. He agreed readily, for the inaction was -vastly less to his mind than any fighting, and we made our preparations -accordingly. - -“We are seven to their nine or ten, say. The leader lies there wounded, -you have disabled a second man, and they have sent away probably two -and certainly one; and as we are armed and they are not, and we shall -catch them unawares, we can certainly beat them off. We must then get -the horses ready and be off. The sun’s low now, and, as there is a mist -rising, it will be dark enough for our purposes long before seven. And, -anyway, we can’t wait here to be trapped like rabbits as soon as they -succeed in bringing up reinforcements.” - -We set to work at once. The barricade of the back door was removed -quietly and we all mustered by it in silence. - -“Silence till we are outside,” I whispered. “Then with a rush fall on -them with more noise than force, and scare and drive them off.” - -I lifted the latch noiselessly and, opening the door, stepped out, -followed by the rest. Then with a loud shout we rushed round the house -and caught the men as they stood smoking and talking, expecting nothing -less than an attack from us. - -They fled like chaff, helter-skelter in all directions, not venturing -even a pretence at resistance. The two or three who had guns attempted -to fire, but we struck up their arms and they fled as incontinently as -the rest. - -We made a show of pursuit, but it was no more than a show, and then all -hands turned to the work of getting the horses harnessed and saddled. -Meanwhile the mist was rising fast, and promised to form a welcome veil -to our flight. - -As a precaution I told one of our men to ride some distance along the -lane to see that the road was clear, although I had no doubt that the -troopers had been effectively disposed of; and I went to fetch the -Princess and Mademoiselle Broumoff. All was ready and we were in good -heart, when the man I had sent out came scampering back with news that -filled me with sudden consternation. - -He had seen a large body of horse-soldiers at the end of the lane on -the high road, and with them were several of the men we had just beaten -off. - -I heard the news with genuine anguish of soul. We were hemmed in. -The absence of any outlet except by the lane made escape absolutely -hopeless, and for a moment I was borne down with despair. - -“We can only make a forlorn hope of it,” said Zoiloff. “Charge them and -try to make off in the confusion.” - -I bit my lip and racked my brains in the effort to find some other -than this useless, desperate scheme, and then suddenly a light beamed -through the darkness. - -“Markov, can you find your way across the fields at the back here to -the road--on horseback I mean?” - -“Yes, certainly, your Honour, but with the cart----” - -“Zoiloff, good friend, we must part now. There is only one way. You -and Markov must ride with the Princess on horseback, escaping by the -back across the fields till you strike the road. I must go in the cart -with Mademoiselle Broumoff, if she is brave enough to risk this for the -Princess;” and I looked at her eagerly. - -“I will do anything,” she assented readily. - -“It will make them think that only we six were in the house here; that -Mademoiselle Broumoff is the Princess, and that we are making the rush -to escape after the fight just now.” - -“I cannot consent to that,” said Christina earnestly. “You will be -going to certain capture.” - -I drew her aside from the rest to urge her, and Zoiloff, understanding -things with the quick instinct of a friend, led them out of the room on -the plea of hastening the preparations. - -As soon as we were alone she threw off all reserve, putting her hands -on my shoulders and gazing at me with glowing eyes. - -“Do you press me to do this?” she pleaded. - -“I must; it is your only hope of safety, and a desperate one at the -best.” - -“You love me--Gerald?” - -At the sound of my name, spoken prettily in tremulous hesitation, I -felt the blood rush to my face. - -“With my whole heart,” I cried hoarsely. - -“Do not send me from you, then; I urge you, by our love. Let us face -what has to come together. I could meet death with you, but without you -I am a coward. I cannot go.” - -“You must go, Christina,” I said in a low voice, and scarcely steadier -than her own. - -“It is sending you to death, Gerald. I cannot do it. I could not live -if harm came to you through me.” - -“No such harm as that can come. But, for God’s sake, think. If we -remain together now it can be but for a few minutes. If we fell into -these men’s hands, their first act would be to separate us. You must -go, my darling, you must.” - -She gave a deep, heavy, sobbing sigh, and let her head fall on my -shoulder. - -“It is worse than death to go alone like this.” - -“It is our only chance for a happier life. You must go, and even these -moments of delay are imperilling everything. You must go--and at once. -God knows how gladly I would have you stay with me if I dared.” - -“Then go with me. Captain Zoiloff will----” The look on my face checked -the sentence. “Oh, I cannot part with you, I cannot!” She moaned in -such agony that my heart ached. “We may never meet again.” - -“We shall meet again with you in safety, do not fear,” I said, trying -to put a ring of hope into my voice, though my heart echoed her cry. -“You must go, my dearest;” and I began to lead her to the door, for -every moment now might turn the balance between safety and capture. - -As I moved she threw herself into my arms and clung to me convulsively. -I held her to my heart; her face was close to me; my lips sought hers, -and our very souls seemed to rush together in that kiss. - -“Till death, Christina,” I whispered passionately. - -“Till death, Gerald,” she answered; and then with a long, trembling -sigh she drew from me. “Oh, how hard is fate!” - -“Come, sweetheart,” I said; and without another word I led her out -to the horses, to where good Zoiloff was waiting with gloomy growing -impatience. - -I lifted her tenderly to the saddle, and with a last yearning look and -a lingering pressure of the hand I turned away, sick and sad with the -sorrow of it all. - -Zoiloff was mounted by then, and I wrung his hand. - -“Guard her with your life, friend.” - -“With my life,” he answered to the full as earnestly as I. - -The plucky little Broumoff was already in the cart, with Spernow close -to her, and in another moment I was by her side. - -There was still no sign of any troopers, and as for my scheme it was -necessary that they should see us, I led my party round to the front. - -“When you hear the sound of our wheels, steal off at once, and make -across the fields there for the road,” I said, as a last word; “you -will be out of sight in the mist before the men have a thought that we -are not all together. Good-bye, and may God speed you!” - -“Amen to that,” came in Zoiloff’s deep voice, and for the last time I -met Christina’s eyes. - -When I reached the front of the house I waited a moment, listening -intently, and then hearing the sound of horsemen coming up the lane I -started my horses, and as soon as we were through the gate I whipped -them and dashed along the lane at a smart gallop, just as the foremost -couple of troopers loomed into sight through the shroud of the white -mist. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -A FRIEND IN NEED - - -Although I was certain that we were rushing straight upon inevitable -capture, I still had it in my mind to make a strenuous dash to get -through the soldiers, and I flogged the horses vigorously, and told my -companion to cling hard to her seat, for the cart swayed and bumped -and jolted over the rough road in a manner that threatened to send us -sprawling into the lane at every second. - -“Draw that hood over your face to conceal it as much as possible, and -remember if we are caught I shall address you as ‘the Princess,’” -I said to my companion. “I can’t tell you now what I think of your -courage.” - -She did what I asked, and her features were so concealed that, had the -troopers known the Princess by sight, they could not have seen it was -not she by my side. - -The first party numbered under a dozen men, and as we approached they -made no effort to stop us, but drew their horses aside and let us pass. - -“Are they following us?” I asked anxiously, for that would be the test -whether my ruse was to fail or succeed. - -The girl glanced back. - -“Yes. They’ve closed in behind and are galloping after us.” - -“Thank God for that!” I cried; and I laid the whip on the horses again -till they were travelling at headlong, desperate, racing speed. - -Then in the mist, as we neared the end of the lane, I saw the main body -drawn up in a mass completely blocking the road. They had evidently -heard us coming and were prepared for us, and they sat on their horses -with their carbines levelled. - -“Halt there! or we fire,” shouted someone. - -But he might as well have shouted to a mountain torrent to stop, for -my horses were smarting under the whip I had laid on so generously, -and no driver on earth could have stayed their wild rush. Indeed, the -words were scarcely out of his lips before we plunged madly right into -the midst of them, scattering them to right and left and sending them -cannoning one against the other in the utmost confusion. - -The officer in command had formed them in a bad order for such a -reckless charge as ours. The chief strength was at the sides, and in -the middle, where our horses by luck carried us, the line was only two -deep. - -The check was thus but momentary. There was a violent shock as we -dashed against the first horseman; my horses stumbled and I thought -would fall. My companion and I were jerked violently forward nearly -on to their backs, but in a second and scarcely with a pause they -recovered, and before I could realise what had happened we were through -the ranks and clear of them, with Spernow and another man close behind -us and dashing along again with barely abated fury for the main road. - -“Lie down on the floor of the cart; they may fire after us,” I cried. -The next instant the guns rang out and the bullets came whistling past -our ears. But the aim was bad, and the jolting and swaying of the cart -as it lunged over the ruts helped us. - -“Are you all right, Spernow?” I called over my shoulder. - -“Yes, but I am alone. The two behind me were stopped in that business -just now, and the other has just gone down. By God, it was splendidly -done, Count. But they’re streaming after us in full cry.” - -I was nearing the corner now, and remembered the sharp awkward turn -with something of a shudder. I did not care which way we went; but the -cattle knew the road and seemed to care, for they turned for their old -stables at Liublian with a swerve that tilted the cart to such an angle -that it was nothing less than a miracle that we did not upset. - -It righted, however, and once on the main road we darted off on our mad -flight at a speed which made the misty air sting my face with rushing -damp in it. - -I was right glad that we had turned that way. The men behind would be -sure to think I had taken it purposely, and thus we should draw off -pursuit from Christina effectually, and every mile that we could now -contrive to cover meant two miles’ start for her. - -The race could not continue for long. I knew that, and knew, too, how -it must end unless some unforeseen accident happened; but I meant to -make the most of the opportunity to lead the men as far from Christina -as possible, and with this object I flogged the horses until they flew -along like things possessed at such a speed that Spernow, though he was -well mounted, could hardly keep up with us. - -In this reckless way, up hill and down at the same headlong, breakneck -pace, our limbs and lives at hazard with every bad bit of road we -covered, we raced for some miles till we came to the foot of a steep -hill, which, I remembered, was as long as it was steep. The horses -charged at it in the same gallant, desperate way, but our pursuers had -now gained on us and were closing up fast. - -They had not fired another volley, and though at first I wondered at -this, and could not guess the cause I was soon to learn it. When we -turned in the direction of Liublian they knew that we could not escape -them, and were content to ride us down or wait till we ran against some -other body of troops. The hill now helped them, for the wild pace had -distressed my horses until they began to falter at the steep ascent, -breathing hard. I flogged them unmercifully; I would have every yard -out of them that was to be got, because it meant a yard longer start -for Christina; but my heart was sore for the brutes, for they had made -a valiant effort. - -Before we reached the crest of the hill the troops were up with us, and -the leader, pointing ahead, called to me to surrender. - -“You had better give up the struggle, Count Benderoff,” he said, riding -abreast of me. “We have another body of men at the top there.” - -But I was fighting for yards, and my answer was to cut the horses -desperately with the whip, so that they sprang forward again with a -last frantic effort. The man rode to the nearest horse, and, drawing -his revolver, placed it close to the animal’s head. - -“I shall be sorry to fire, but if you don’t stop I shall have no -alternative,” he called. - -“Shall we yield?” I said, turning to the little Broumoff, who had -maintained her seat unflinchingly, and pretending to consult her, while -I whispered, “Keep your face well concealed.” - -She nodded, and I drew the horses to a standstill. - -“We yield only under protest,” I said. - -“I am glad you spared me an unpleasant job,” replied the officer, -putting his revolver away, and saluting the “Princess.” “Your animals -have made a magnificent struggle, but you have been racing all the time -toward certain capture, Count Benderoff. Escape from the first moment -was hopeless.” We waited then in silence while his men drew up and -surrounded us. “Will you drive Her Highness into Liublian?” - -All the horses were greatly distressed, and we waited a few minutes -for them to recover, and then went forward at a slow pace. I had been -anxious to hurry before, but now I kept my animals at the walk, and -halted more than once on the steep hill. It was my cue now to waste as -much time as possible before the identity of my companion should be -discovered, and I thought with glee of the long start which Christina -would have. - -At the top of the hill the other soldiers met us, and the two officers -spoke together for a minute, discussing the incidents of our capture. -Then we went forward again at a very slow pace. - -We reached Liublian an hour and a half after leaving the homestead; -and there again fortune favoured us. No one was there to recognise my -companion, and we had to push on to General Kolfort’s house, still at -a slow pace, for I declared my horses were so beaten they could not -travel beyond a walk. I managed to occupy another hour over the drive, -and with this start, which meant nearly five hours to Christina, I felt -hopeful she would reach the frontier safely. My ruse had succeeded far -beyond my best hopes. - -As we drew up at the General’s house, I smiled to myself as I pictured -his fury at the discovery; but he was not there. He had returned -hastily to Sofia, I overheard; but the place was packed with troops, -and he had left some drastic orders for our disposal. - -I helped the plucky little Broumoff from the cart with a very -deferential air and led her into the house, Spernow in close -attendance. They took us into a room on the ground floor, where three -officers awaited us, one of them being Captain Wolasky, who, to my -surprise, gave no response to my start of recognition. - -A chair was placed for the “Princess,” and she was shrewd enough to -seat herself so that the light of the lamp left her face in the shadow. -I could have laughed at the comedy underlying the situation, but, -assuming a tone of hot indignation, I exclaimed: - -“I demand to know the reason why I am subjected to this infamous -treatment! What is the meaning of this arrest?” - -The man in the centre of the three looked up angrily: - -“It is not in my instructions to give you any such needless -information, sir. You must be fully aware of what you have done. You -are the Count Benderoff?” - -“I am the Hon. Gerald Winthrop, as well as the Count Benderoff, and a -British subject.” - -“Englishmen are much too prone to meddle in matters that don’t concern -them, and must be prepared to take the consequences,” he answered drily. - -“There may also be consequences for those who meddle with them,” I -returned hotly; and with the object of provoking him into a personal -dispute so as to waste more time, I poured out a volume of protests -and objections, together with loud and angry demands for a specific -charge; and in this way prolonged the wrangle for many minutes. - -He ordered me at length to be silent, under threat of packing me out of -the room, and then he turned to the “Princess.” - -“I much regret, Princess, to have to put you to inconvenience, but my -instructions are imperative. You will have to remain in this house for -the night; but arrangements have been made for your personal comfort, -and to-morrow General Kolfort’s intention will be explained to you.” - -She made no reply other than to bow, as if in acquiescence. - -“I must ask you to remove your disguise,” he said next, just as I was -hoping she would even then escape recognition. She made no attempt to -comply with the request, and it was repeated in a sharper tone. - -She turned to me as if to ask what to do, and, seeing the end had come, -I broke in: - -“This is another of your ridiculous proceedings,” I said warmly. “Not -only am I personally treated in this outrageous manner, but, because -I am seen driving on the highway, you must needs conclude that the -Princess Christina is with me. It is shameful.” - -“What do you mean, sir?” cried the officer hastily. - -“Simply that this young lady is no more the Princess Christina than -you are. You may as well draw your hood back to show the mistake,” -I added to Mademoiselle Broumoff, who did so then, to the complete -consternation of all the three officers. I could have smiled at their -utter bewilderment. - -“Where is the Princess Christina?” asked the chief sternly. - -“We are at least as anxious as you can be on that point,” I answered. -“If your men make blunders of this kind, and don’t know the difference -between her Highness and her friends, who can tell where she is?” - -“You will find it a hazardous work to play tricks on us!” he cried -furiously. - -“I play tricks on you, indeed! It is you who seem to be amusing -yourselves with us,” I said, with an insolent laugh. “But you will have -to answer for it, I promise you.” - -“Silence!” he shouted; and I shrugged my shoulders and threw up my -hands in response. - -He muttered some hurried instructions to Captain Wolasky, who left the -room to carry them out. I glanced at my watch. It was a quarter to ten; -three hours since Christina had started, and I calculated that, if all -had gone well, she would be at least two stages to the frontier, and -beyond hope of pursuit by any troops that could now be despatched after -her. For aught else I cared nothing. - -I edged close to Spernow, and managed to whisper to him: - -“If you get a chance try to steal off, you two, in the confusion;” -and just as I had said this Captain Wolasky came back with a file of -soldiers, and the officer at the table ordered them to lead me away. - -“You have your orders, Captain Wolasky,” he said in sharp, peremptory -tones, and I was led away, Wolasky following me. - -[Illustration: “I RODE BETWEEN TWO TROOPERS.”--_Page 299._] - -He took me out through the hall, now thronged with soldiers, to the -front of the house, where a small troop of horsemen were drawn up; and -then, halting at a spot where the light of a lamp fell full upon his -face, he looked at me with a peculiar expression in his eyes which I -did not understand, and said in an unnecessarily harsh, strident tone: - -“You have played us too many tricks for me to dare to take your parole -not to escape, sir; and if you are treated with indignity you have -yourself to blame for it. Bind the prisoner’s hands behind him!” he -said roughly to a couple of men near; and a murmur of approval came -from the troopers standing around, mingled with a good deal of strong -Russian. - -“I protest against the outrage!” I shouted, and commenced to struggle. -It was useless, of course, and I was held, and my hands fastened behind -me. “Where am I being taken? I demand to know.” - -“I’ll demand you,” said Wolasky, in a voice of passion; and, seizing -me, he pushed me forward to where a horse stood riderless. - -“Excuse this farce,” he whispered; “but it is necessary;” and he -covered the whisper with a loud imprecation and abuse of me. I was so -astonished that I forgot to resist. “Struggle,” he whispered again; -and then I set to work to play my part with a will, and fought and -struggled so desperately as they were forcing me to mount, that the -Captain appeared to lose his temper, and struck at me, taking care, -however, that the blow spent itself in the air. - -“Watch him,” he ordered, “and at the least sign of treachery, shoot -him like a dog. It doesn’t matter whether he reaches Tirnova alive or -dead, so long as he does reach there;” and again some of the soldiers -clustered about, laughed and oathed in evident glee. - -I rode between two troopers, whose horses were fastened to mine by -light chains attached to the bits, while each man held a rein; and, as -we started in this alarming fashion, some ruffian shouted after us to -keep the “damned English dog safe on the chain.” “Tie his legs under -the horse’s belly, and he’ll keep on, dead or alive,” cried another; -and a burst of ribald laughter followed, in which those about me joined. - -In this fashion we rode through Liublian, struck off to the right, and -soon after began the ascent of a steep hilly country, which made the -travelling very slow. We moved at no more than a walking pace all the -time, making, as I judged, about four miles an hour; but we kept on -all through the night, and did not halt until the sun was up, and we -reached a small village, where we dismounted and had breakfast. - -I was overpowered with fatigue, and so soon as I had eaten the food -brought to me I fell into a deep sleep. In about three hours I was -awakened and the march resumed. The sun was overpowering, and towards -midday a halt was called under some trees. Here again I slept, and -when, in the late afternoon, I awoke, I was vastly refreshed, and began -to think about the chances of escape. - -I had been treated all the time with the sternest measures. The Captain -did not come near me; and, when we halted, my legs were bound before my -hands were liberated for me to take any food. The country was of course -entirely strange, and when I asked a question of the men on either side -of me they ordered me with an oath to be silent. - -When the sun was getting low in the afternoon Captain Wolasky reined up -to my side, and, pointing to a road we passed, he said in a jeering, -insulting tone, but with the same expression I had noticed on his face -the night before: - -“That’s the road you’d like to take, Mr. Count Englishman; feast your -eyes on it, for you won’t see it again, I promise you. See, it leads -to Sofia over yonder;” and he pointed far away over the hills to where -the sun’s rays were shining on some distant buildings. - -I looked eagerly enough, for I thought I understood him, and I began to -pay special heed to the road along which they took me. - -“It’s prettier scenery than Tirnova,” he cried, with another loud -jeering laugh, as he went on again to lead the party. - -After that we travelled on a fairly level road for about two miles, -when another halt was called for the soldiers’ evening meal. My legs -were tied as before, and a good meal brought to me, and in moving to -put away the cup and platter I noticed that my legs were fastened so -loosely that I could slip them out in a moment. - -The dusk had fallen, and the mist risen, so that the whole party were -enveloped in gloom, and I heard the Captain say to the men, who were -sitting at a short distance from me: - -“We’ve a long night ride, and I shan’t halt again before dawn. You’d -better snatch an hour’s sleep.” - -I saw in a moment that the whole thing had been arranged cleverly for -my escape, and that the Captain himself had told me in his insulting -tone the road I must make for. I threw myself back and pretended to -sleep, and the man on guard over me--a fat, heavy fellow, whom the -fatigue of the ride had already worn out--first satisfied himself that -I was as sound asleep as I was when we had halted previously, and then -curled himself up to follow my example. - -With the greatest care I drew my legs out of their bonds and sat up. -The men were breathing heavily in deep slumber, while the fellow close -to me was snoring vigorously. I glanced around, and just above me on -the road I should take was the Captain’s horse tethered alone. He was -by far the fleetest and best-blooded animal in the troop, and once on -his back I could laugh at pursuit. That he had been left there was due -to no accident, I was convinced; and stealthily, inch by inch, holding -my breath in my excitement, I began to crawl toward him. - -I reached him unnoticed, and, stroking his neck, I cast off the tether, -and led him away for a few paces along the soft turf. All was dead -silence in the little camp of sleepers, and in the murky mist I could -see nothing of them and they could see nothing of me. - -I led the horse until I reckoned to be out of earshot, and then mounted -and set off at a canter, keeping on the turf as long as possible. - -Suddenly a loud shout behind me from the men announced that the fact -of my escape had been discovered, and, driving my heels into the -horse’s side, I dashed off at a rapid gallop for the road which Captain -Wolasky had said was the road to Sofia. I found it without difficulty, -of course, and paused a moment at the turning to listen for signs of -pursuit. - -I could hear nothing, but resolved to make the best of my start, and -galloped off at a pace which showed the splendid quality of the animal -under me. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -A FEARSOME DILEMMA - - -As I plunged along in my wild ride through the quickly darkening gloom, -I began to take stock of my position and shape some kind of plans. -Beyond the statement that the lane would lead me to Sofia, I had not -a notion of where I was, and the twists and turns of the road along -which I was galloping madly soon caused me to lose all knowledge of the -direction in which Sofia lay. - -But this did not trouble me very much. I was mounted on a splendid -animal; I was armed, for I found the Captain’s revolver in the holster; -and I had money in my pockets enough to more than serve any needs -likely to arise. - -I did not much fear any serious pursuit. The same timely friendship -which had led Captain Wolasky to venture so much for me would, I was -sure, suffice to induce him to lead the pursuit in any direction but -that which he knew I should take; and after I had covered a few miles I -halted and listened again for any sounds of followers. There was not a -sound, and after that I determined to proceed leisurely, and so spare -my horse for any effort should I stumble across any patrolling party of -troops. - -My wish was, of course, to push for the frontier; but, as the city lay -between me and the west road, and as moreover I knew neither how to -find a way round the city, and thus avoid the risk of crossing it, nor -my road to the frontier, should I ever be able to get through Sofia -safely, I was much puzzled what course to take. - -I could of course trust to the chance of being able to make inquiries -as I went, but there was so much risk in such a course that I feared -it. If I was to get through safely, I knew I must ride for the most -part at night, because the daylight spelt a double danger to me. -It was practically certain that the main road would be infested by -Kolfort’s men, and the chances of my being able to evade them all were -infinitesimal. - -Another scheme suggested itself to me--hazardous, no doubt--but -possibly not so dangerous as the alternative. Markov had given me -a plan of his route to the frontier, with a list of the places and -persons where he had arranged for the relays of horses; but in the -confusion and hurry of my departure from Sofia I had left this behind -me. It was not of much consequence so long as he had been present to -act as guide, but without him it had become of vital importance. My -present idea was therefore to risk a return to my own house, get the -paper, which was locked up in a secret cabinet in my library, and -perhaps remain hidden in the house during the following day, setting -out on my journey to the frontier when darkness came to help me. - -The obstacle to the scheme was, of course, the possibility that my -house might be in the possession of Kolfort’s agents, and that I might -run my head into a trap. But the house contained so many secret ways -and passages that this risk was greatly lessened; and I reckoned that -I could at least effect an entrance without being discovered, and if -I found the project impossible could leave it again. In any case, -the possession of the plan of route was so essential to me under the -circumstances that I made up my mind to run the risk of the venture. - -I had first to find my way to the city, however, and in this I was -singularly fortunate. I had ridden some three or four hours when the -moon rose, and soon afterwards, to my intense satisfaction, my cross -road came out at a point which I recognised as being some four or -five miles from my house. I quickened my pace, therefore, riding very -warily, and, wherever possible, cantering on the turf, until I came out -on the heath which was close to the mouth of the underground passage -leading under my grounds. I would not trust myself to use that because -its secret was known to Kolfort’s agents; but I chose a path which led -me to another gate of the garden. - -I dismounted there, unlocked the gate, drew my horse under the shadow -of some trees, fastened him, and, thrusting the revolver into my belt -for use in case of need, crept forward to reconnoitre the house. - -Every window at the back was in darkness, even to the kitchens, and the -place seemed empty and deserted. Keeping well within the shadow of the -walls, I stole round with the utmost caution to the front, taking care -that every footfall should be deadened by either the turf or the soft -mould of the flower beds. - -In the front there was a faint light from one window; a carriage stood -in the roadway, and, near the gates opening from the drive, I saw one -or two moving shadows of men. - -The carriage surprised and startled me. Obviously someone was taking a -keen interest in my concerns, and was inside the house; and I had to -consider whether I dared to venture any further with my plan in the -face of such added danger. A minute’s thought determined me to proceed, -however. What I had feared was the presence of a fairly large number of -men holding possession of the house; but there was no sign of this, and -if only one or two attendants were with this visitor, whoever it might -be, they would not have an easy task to capture me, while I should not -have a difficult one to avoid them. - -At the side where I stood there was a small opening into a passage that -led straight to my library, and, unlocking it very softly, I entered, -and stole along it on tiptoe, feeling my way by the wall in the pitchy -darkness. There were several doors leading off from the narrow passage -to different parts of the house, and at each of these I stood and -listened intently, venturing to unlock one or two of them with my -master-key. In this way I was able to satisfy myself that not a soul -was in the lower part of the house, and, assured by this knowledge, I -crept up the stone staircase that led to the library. - -The need for absolute silence on my part increased with every step, and -when I reached the top I drew off my heaving riding boots and moved at -a snail’s pace, my stockinged feet making no noise whatever. - -The entrance to the passage from the room had been masked very -cleverly. It was formed by a revolving panel in the wall, which swung -on well-oiled pivots and opened behind a sham cabinet, through the -painted glass doors of which care had been taken to allow of anyone who -stood in the cabinet both hearing and seeing all that went on in the -room. I moved the panel inch by inch with infinite care and caution, -and as I did so heard the sound of voices. - -I started, and almost lost my presence of mind as I recognised the -deep, gruff tone of General Kolfort, followed by the soft, dulcet, -seductive laugh of the Countess Bokara. Passing noiselessly through the -panel, I entered the cabinet, and the sight that met my eyes made me -almost cry out in astonishment. - -The wily old Russian had for once met more than his match. He was -seated in a chair with his arms fastened behind the back of it, staring -up, with leaden face and fear-filled eyes, into the face of the woman -who stood over him with a long, deadly-looking dagger in her raised -hand, passion and hate blazing in her eyes, and making the blade -tremble in her grasp so that the light quivered and danced on the steel -as the taunting, scoffing words flowed volubly from her lips. - -“Yes, you are to die. I lured you here for the purpose--lured you, as -you say, with lies about the secret proofs of this Count’s guilt which -I could put into your hands. A single movement, and my blade strikes -home to its sheath in your treacherous old heart!” - -The words came through her clenched teeth, and she looked a very -she-devil as she gloated over her helpless and cowering victim. He -might well cower, for if ever the lust for human blood was written on a -human face, it was there in every line of hers. - -“What do you want?” he asked at length. - -“Nothing but revenge. Nothing but that you shall feel before you die -some of the pain and horror you and your cursed agents and spies have -made my Prince endure for months past; nothing but to know that at last -our accounts are squared, and what you tried and failed to do with me -I have tried and succeeded in doing with you; nothing but your life, -murderer!” - -“You can name your own terms,” he said again; and I saw him glance -about him as if in desperate search of some faint hope of escape from -the menacing knife. She saw the glance too, and laughed, a fiend’s -laugh, scornful, sneering, and utterly loathsome. - -“You may look where you will, but you remember your own -condition--alone in the house. Alone, that you might not be seen with -me, or perhaps might trap me with more of your damnable treachery. -Well, you’ve had your way, and we are alone; but it’s the trapper who -is trapped, the spider who is caught in his own web. I’m glad you are -afraid of death. I thought it would be so, you are so prompt and quick -to order the deaths of others. And now you want to find proofs that -will enable you to have this Englishman put out of your way, something -to give a colour to your order for his removal; and when your men had -searched here and found nothing strong enough, you swallowed the bait -I put to you, to guide you to the place where you should find all you -wanted and more.” - -“He is no friend of yours.” - -“What is that to me? You are my enemy, and here helpless in my power. -The great, powerful, ruthless, implacable enemy of my Prince and of -Bulgaria here alone, fastened like a child to a chair by the hand of -a woman. Where is your power now? Will it help you to unfasten even a -strand of your bonds? Will it bring a single soul to your aid? Will it -stay by a second the plunge of my knife, or turn by so much as a hair’s -breadth the point from your heart? Were you as feeble as the meanest -and weakest of your victims, you could not be more helpless than alone -here with me.” - -The bloodthirsty fury of this unsexed demon was a hateful sight. Had -she plunged her knife into the man’s heart in a paroxysm of rage I -could have understood the passion which impelled her to her act of -revenge, but it was loathsome to see her standing gloating over the -wretched, quivering old man. I made up my mind to stop her; and I was -about to dash into the room to tear the knife from her grasp, for I -could stand the sight no longer, when a thought inspired by his fear -struck me. Like a flash of light a way to safety for me darted into my -mind. If he was the coward at heart she had proved him I could turn -his fears to good account, and in a moment I turned as anxious to save -his life as I was to end the intolerable sight of her cruel, tigerish, -callous gloating. - -“You have tried to murder my Prince, and now you have dragged him from -his throne to some of your vile Russian prisons,” she began again, when -I burst open the doors of my hiding-place, darted upon her before she -could recover from her start of surprise, and, pushing her back, stood -between her and the General. - -“You!” she cried in a voice choking with baffled passion, and looking -for all the world as though she would spring on me. - -“Silence!” I said sternly. “This has gone on too long already. I will -have no murder of this kind done here.” - -I heard the old man behind me give a deep sigh of relief, and, glancing -round, I saw that his head had dropped back on his shoulders. He had -fainted in the sudden relaxation of the terrible strain, and with his -dead white face upturned, open-mouthed and staring-eyed, he looked like -a corpse. - -But I could give him no more than a glance, for I dared not keep my -eyes from the wild woman before me. - -“You know he came here to find proofs to justify him in ordering your -death?” - -“I heard you taunt him with it just now; but I can protect myself.” - -“I did not come to kill him for that.” - -“I care nothing for your motives; I will not have him killed here,” I -returned in the same stern, decisive tone. - -She eyed me viciously, like a baulked tigress. - -“You will not?” The words came in a low, strenuous, menacing voice that -fitted with her tigress look. - -“No, I will not;” and at that, without another word, she flung herself -upon me, wrought up to such a pitch of madness in her reckless yearning -to do the deed she had come to do upon Kolfort that she would have -plunged the knife into my heart to clear me out of her path. She -struggled with the strength and frenzy of madness, turning the knife -as I clutched and held her wrist until it gashed my hand, while she -strained every nerve and muscle of her lithe, active body in the -desperate efforts to get past me and wrench her wrist from my grip. - -She was now in all truth a madwoman. - -It was a grim, fierce, gruesome struggle, for her strength was at all -times far beyond that of a woman, and her mania increased it until I -could scarce hold her in check. Had I been a less powerful man she -would certainly have beaten me; but I thrust her away again, though -I could not get the dagger from her, and was preparing myself for a -renewal of the struggle, when, with a scream for help that resounded -through the house, she turned her wild eyes on me, now gleaming with -her madness, and hissed: - -“He seeks the proofs to kill you! He shall have them in my dead body! -My blood is on you! My murder shall give him the proofs he needs!” - -She cried again for help in the same ear-piercing screech; and, before -I could devise her meaning, she turned the blade against herself, -plunged it into her own heart, and, with a last half-finished scream, -fell to the floor with a sickening thud. - -In an instant I saw the method in her madness. The General had seen -me in the room; he was now unconscious; there was no witness of her -self-murder; my hand was streaming with the blood from the gashes of -her knife; it was in my house it happened; her screams for help must -have been heard outside. The suggestive proofs that I had slain her -were enough to convince anyone of my guilt, and in another moment I -should have the General’s men thundering at the door, not only to stop -my flight, but to have me denounced as a murderer. - -Surely never was a man in a more desperate plight, and for the moment I -knew not in my desperation what to do. - -A glance at General Kolfort showed me he was still unconscious, and I -rushed to him and shook him in the frenzy of my despair. But he gave no -sign of returning consciousness, and the white face rolled from side to -side as the head shook nervelessly on the limp, flaccid neck. - -I clenched my hands and breathed hard in my concentrated efforts to -think coherently and form some plan of action, and I cursed aloud in my -wrath the fiend of a woman who had brought me to this pass of peril. I -had no thought for her, dead though she was, but wild, raging, impotent -hate. - -Mere flight was no use. If I were charged with this awful deed I -should be proscribed as a murderer, and the charge would dog my -footsteps wherever I went and rest on me always, till I should be -dragged perhaps to a felon’s death. These thoughts flashed like -lightning through my mind in the seconds that followed, crazing, -bewildering, and frightening me till the drops stood cold and thick on -my brow and my hands grew clammy with the dew of fear. - -Then came the sounds of men running on the gravel outside, and I -listened to them in positively fascinated, helpless irresolution. - -Another second and the men were knocking loudly at the house door; -and still I could not move. My feet were chained by a palsy of fear -to the floor, my breath came in gasps so that I was like to choke, -and when the knocking was repeated I could do no more than turn and -stare helplessly in the direction of the sound like a crazy idiot. My -brain seemed to have stayed every function except to fill me with this -awesome conviction of deadly inevitable peril. - -The knocking was repeated for the third time, and I heard the voices of -the men calling to be admitted. I felt that in a minute more the end -must come, and still I could do nothing but stare in imbecile apathy -and wait for it. - -Never can I efface the horror of that terrible moment. - -Then suddenly it seemed to pass. I thought clearly again, the instincts -of self-preservation reasserted themselves, and I cursed myself for the -invaluable time I had lost. - -But it might not even now be too late. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -GENERAL KOLFORT TO THE RESCUE - - -As I stood in a last second of desperate thought I heard the crash -of glass, and I knew the men were breaking into the house; and I -knew, too, that another minute would see them in the room where I -should be caught red-handed. The instant General Kolfort returned to -consciousness he would be the first to denounce me, despite the fact -that I had saved him from death. He would only too gladly use against -me the awful proofs of my apparent guilt which the mad woman had -afforded by her self-murder. It was just such a chance as he would -welcome. - -I dared not leave him behind me. - -I seized him, and, tearing with the strength of passion at his bonds, -tugged and wrenched until I freed his hands and lifted him in my arms. -He was still faint, though I detected now the signs of returning -consciousness. Then I extinguished the light, darted with him through -the entrance into the secret passage, and, clapping a hand over his -mouth that he should utter no sound when his senses came back, I drew -my revolver, and peering through the glass into the dark room, stood at -bay, resolved to sell my life dearly, whatever chanced. - -But I had secured a magnificent hostage for ultimate freedom, could I -only get through this mess. It would all turn on what happened when the -General’s men entered the room, and I clenched my teeth as I stared -into the darkness. - -There was no long wait. I had barely hidden myself when someone knocked -at the door of the room, paused for a reply, knocked again, and -entered. Two men came in, the faint light from the hall beyond showing -up their uniformed figures. - -“This isn’t the room; it’s all in darkness,” said one in a deep bass -voice. - -“Yes, it is; it’s the library,” said the other, who evidently knew the -house. “Are you there, General? Did you call?” - -They both waited for an answer, and, getting none, came further into -the room. - -“It can’t be it,” said the first speaker. - -“Better get a light,” returned the second. “I know it is the right -room.” - -“Well, it’s devilish odd.” Fumbling in his pocket, he got a match, -struck it and held it up, glancing round the room with the faint, -flickering light held above his head. - -“Here’s a lamp,” said his companion; “hot too, only just put out. I -don’t like this. Where can the General be?” - -“Better mind what we’re doing, Loixoff. The General won’t thank us to -come shoving our noses into his affairs.” - -“You heard the scream for help, Captain?” - -“Yes, but it wasn’t the General’s voice,” returned the Captain drily. -“And he was alone with the woman we were to take prisoner afterwards.” - -They were lighting the lamp when this little unintentional revelation -of old Kolfort’s intended treachery to the Countess Bokara was made. - -At that moment I felt my prisoner move, and I pressed my hand tightly -over his mouth and held him in a grip that made my muscles like steel, -lest he should struggle, and, by the noise, bring the men upon us. - -When they had lighted the lamp they stood looking round them in -hesitation. From where they stood the body of the dead woman was -concealed by the table. - -“The General’s been here,” said the man who had been addressed as -Loixoff. “Here are his cap and gloves.” They lay not far from the lamp. -“What had we better do?” - -My prisoner made another movement then and drew a deep breath through -his nostrils, and I felt his arm begin to writhe in my grip. I slipped -my revolver into my belt for a moment, lifted him up in my arms, -holding him like a child, put his legs between mine while I pinioned -him with my left arm so that he could not move hand or foot, and moved -my right hand up to cover both nostrils and mouth. I would stifle his -life out of him where he lay rather than let him betray me. - -I could understand the men’s hesitation. Old Kolfort was certain to -resent any interference or prying on their part into his secrets, and -they foresaw that the consequences to them might be serious if they -were to do what he did not wish. He knew how to punish interlopers. -They were afraid, and I began to hope that, after all, I should yet get -out of this plight if I could only keep my prisoner quiet. - -Even if I had to kill him I could still get the paper I had come -for; and as no one would know of my visit to the house, no glint of -suspicion would ever fall on me. At this thought I almost hoped he -would die. - -The two men stood in sore perplexity for a time that seemed an hour to -me, but may have been a couple of minutes, and then the elder one, the -Captain, said: - -“We’d better look through the other rooms.” - -“As you please,” said his companion, and he turned away while the -Captain picked up the lamp. - -“I can’t understand it,” he muttered. - -“Perhaps we’d better not try,” said Loixoff. As he spoke he started, -and I saw him stare at the spot where the Countess lay. “By God! -Captain, there’s the woman, dead!” - -They crossed the room together, and while the Captain held the lamp -down close to the body Loixoff examined it. - -“It’s that fiend, Anna Bokara,” he cried. “Now we know what that scream -meant.” - -“Is she dead?” - -“Yes; here’s a knife thrust right through her heart. There’s no pulse,” -he added after a pause. “Is this his work?” - -“It must be,” returned the Captain; and I saw them look meaningly into -each other’s eyes. - -“We’d best clear out of this,” said the Captain. “I suppose it’s only a -case of suicide after all,” he added significantly. - -“Probably,” was Loixoff’s dry answer as he rose from his knees. -“Where’s the General, do you think?” - -“I never think in these cases;” and the Captain put the lamp down, -taking care to find the exact spot where it had stood, and then -extinguished it. “We’ll wait till he calls us, Loixoff. And mind, not a -word that we’ve been here. Leave the General to make his own plans.” - -They went out, closing the door softly behind them, and I heard them -leave the house. As I pushed open the doors of the cabinet again their -steps crunched on the gravel outside as they walked away down the drive. - -I breathed freely once more. I was safe so far, and in the relief from -the strain of the last few terrible minutes my muscles relaxed, and I -leant against the wall with scarcely sufficient strength to prevent my -companion from slipping out of my arms to the floor. - -But there was still much to be done, and I made a vigorous effort -to pull myself together. I relit the lamp, but placed it so that no -gleam of the light could be seen through the windows. Then laying my -prisoner, who had fainted again as the result of my rough treatment of -him in the hiding-place, on a couch, I secured the paper of the route I -was to take to the frontier. - -Next I applied myself vigorously to restore him to consciousness. I -dashed cold water in his face, and then, getting brandy from a cupboard -in the room, I poured some down his throat, and bathed his forehead. -The effect was soon apparent; his breathing became deeper and more -regular, until with a deep-drawn sigh he opened his eyes and stared at -me, at first in a maze of bewilderment, but gradually with gathering -remembrance and recognition. - -“You’ll do now, General; but you’ve had a near shave. If I hadn’t come -in the nick of time that woman’s knife would have been in your heart,” -I said. - -He started, and terror dilated his pupils as he glanced wildly about -him. - -“You’re safe from her. She’s killed herself. Drink this;” and I gave -him more brandy. As I handed it to him he started again and stared at -the blood on my hand. He was still scared enough for my purposes. He -drank the brandy and it strengthened him, and presently he struggled -and sat up. - -I drew out my revolver, made a show of examining it to make sure that -it was loaded, and put it back in my pocket. I had run my hands over -him before to make certain that he had no weapon. - -“What are you going to do?” he asked, with a glance of fresh terror. - -“Not to use that unless you force me,” I said, with a look which he -could read easily enough. “As soon as you’re ready to listen I’ve -something to say.” - -He hid his face behind his trembling hands in such a condition of -fright that I could have pitied him had it not been necessary for me to -play on his fears. He sat like this in dead silence for some minutes, -and I waited, thinking swiftly how to carry out the plan I had formed. - -“What is it you want?” he asked at length. - -“You came here to-night to meet the Countess Bokara in the belief that -she could put into your hands such papers as would give you an excuse -to have me put to death, and when she had done it you meant to have -had her arrested. Instead of that you fell into her trap, and she was -on the point of killing you when I interfered and saved your life. -Then she turned on me and struggled to kill me in order that she might -carry out her purpose. Her failure drove her insane, and in her frenzy -of baulked revenge she plunged the knife into her own heart. You will -therefore write out a statement of these facts while they are still -fresh in your mind, sign it, and give it to me.” - -I pointed to my table, on which I had laid the writing materials in -readiness. He was fast recovering his wits, if not his courage, and he -listened intently as I spoke. I saw a look of cunning pass over his -face as he agreed to what I said, and crossed to the writing-table. He -thought he could easily disown the statement, and had been quick to -perceive the use he could make of the facts against me. But he did not -know the further plan I had, and he wrote out a clear statement exactly -as I had required. - -“Seal it with your private seal,” I said when he had signed it, his -handwriting throughout having been purposely shaky. He would have -demurred, but I soon convinced him I was in no mood to be fooled with. -“Your seal can’t be disowned as a forgery,” I said pointedly. “And -now, as your hand has recovered its steadiness, you can write this -again--this time, if you please, so that no one can mistake it;” and -while he did this I watched him closely to prevent a similar trick. - -“Good!” I exclaimed when all was finished. The second paper he had -written I folded up carefully and placed in my pocket; the first I laid -inside the dress of the dead woman, in such a position that anyone -finding the body must see the paper. - -“That will explain what has happened when the body is found,” I said -drily. “I want the facts made very plain.” He looked at me with an -expression of hate and fear and cunning combined. - -“I must go; I am not well,” he said. - -“We are going together, General,” I returned quietly. “I am willing to -assume that you are so grateful to me for having saved your life, that -in turn you wish to secure my safety. You have had me arrested once, -your men have treated me like a felon, you have filled the roads with -your agents until I cannot take a step without further fear of instant -capture, and up to this moment you have sought my life with tireless -energy; but now you are so concerned for my safety, so eager to repair -your mistaken estimate of me, and heedful for my welfare, that you are -going to see me safe to the Servian frontier. That is the part you are -cast for; and, listen to me, if you refuse, if you give so much as a -sign or suggestion of treachery, if you don’t play that part to the -letter, I swear by all I hold sacred I’ll scatter your brains with this -pistol;” and I clapped it to his head till the cold steel pressed a -ring on his temple. “Now what do you say?” - -He cowered and shrank at my desperate words, and all the horror and -fright of death with which the Countess Bokara had filled his soul came -back upon him again as he stared helplessly up at me. His dry bloodless -lips moved, but no sound passed them; he lifted his hands as if in -entreaty, only to drop them again in feeble nervelessness; and he shook -and trembled like one stricken with sudden ague. - -“You value your life, I see, and you can earn it in the way I’ve said. -So long as I am safe you will be safe, and not one second longer. That -I swear. If there is danger on the road for me it is your making, and -you shall taste of the risks you order so glibly for others. Every -hazard that waits there for me will be one for you as well. You are -dealing with a man you have rendered utterly reckless and desperate. -Remember that. Now, do you agree?” - -“Anything,” he whispered, in so low a tone that I could only catch it -with difficulty. - -[Illustration: “THE COLD STEEL PRESSED A RING ON HIS TEMPLE.”--_Page -320._] - -“Then we’ll make a start. Come first with me.” I led him upstairs to my -dressing-room, and made him wait while I exchanged the uniform I was -wearing for a civilian’s dress, and shaved off my beard and moustache. -He sat watching me in dead silence, his eyes following my every -action, much like a man spellbound and fascinated. I had saturated him -through and through with fear of me, till his very brain was dizzy and -dimmed with terror. - -When my hasty preparations were finished, I took him down to the -shooting gallery while I armed myself with a stout sword-stick of the -highest temper, testing the blade before him, and took a plentiful -supply of ammunition for my revolver. I kept absolute silence the whole -time, letting the looks which I now and again cast on him tell their -own story of my implacable resolve. He was like a weak woman in his -dread of me, and at every fierce glance of mine he started with a fresh -access of terror. - -When all was ready for my start, I drew the plan of my route from my -pocket and studied it carefully. - -“I am ready,” I said; “and now mark me. You will call up one of your -men. What is that Captain’s name who is here with you?” - -“Berschoff,” he answered, like a child saying a lesson. - -“You will call up Captain Berschoff and order him to draw off his men, -and to send your carriage, unattended, mind, up to the front door. You -will be careful that the Captain does not see me. When the carriage -comes, you will order your coachman to drive you as fast as he can -travel to the village of Kutscherf. While you are speaking to Captain -Berschoff my hand will be on your shoulder and my revolver at your -head, and if you dare to falter in so much as a word or syllable of -what I have told you, that moment will be your last on earth. Come!” - -I held my revolver in hand as we left the gallery and went to the door -of the house. - -My breath came quickly in my fast-growing excitement, for I knew that -a moment would bring the crisis on the issue of which all would turn. -When once I had got rid of his men, his sense of helplessness would -be complete, and my task would be lighter. But my fear was that in -his cunning he might even dare to play me false in the belief that I -should be afraid to make my threat good. He knew as well as I that to -shoot him right in front of his captain would be an act fraught with -consummate peril for me. - -My heart beat fast as I unfastened the heavy door, opened it, and -turning gripped him by the shoulder as he went forward on to the step -and called to Captain Berschoff. - -Then I pulled him back, closed the door to within a couple of inches, -and, planting my foot to prevent it being opened wider, I pressed the -barrel of the pistol to his head, as we stood listening to the hurried -footsteps of the approaching officer. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -THE PUSH FOR THE FRONTIER - - -“Did you call, General?” asked the captain; and as the voice came -through the door I tightened the grip on my prisoner and pressed the -barrel of the revolver harder against his head. - -He hesitated, and when no answer was given the question was repeated. - -“Yes,” said Kolfort, in an unsteady tone. - -“Shall I come in? Is anything the matter?” and I felt the door pushed -from the outside. - -“No,” in the same unsteady tone. “No, I--I do not need you. You will -take your men back to my house and--and wait for instructions.” - -“And the prisoner, General? Shall we take her with us?” - -“Tell him she has killed herself,” I whispered. - -“There is no prisoner to take, Captain Berschoff. She has--has taken -her own life. Leave that to me. Withdraw your men and send my carriage -up to the door here for me.” - -“Very good, General. Is that all?” - -“Yes, that’s all.” The words came with a sigh of relief. I shut the -door immediately, and we stood in the dark, near the window which the -two officers had broken to get into the house, and listened as the -captain walked quickly to the gates. Then came a word of command, -followed by the scraping of the carriage wheels on the drive, and the -sounds of the soldiers’ horses and the rattle of their accoutrements as -they wheeled away along the road. - -So far all was going well, and the crisis I feared had passed safely. -The carriage drew up outside the door. - -“Remember where to tell him to drive, Kutscherf,” I said sternly. -“You have half earned your life, but you must go through with it.” I -opened the door, linked my arm in his, and led him down the steps, and -together we entered the carriage. He gave his order to the coachman -through the window, and a moment later we started, turned out of the -gates, and rattled along at a brave pace for the frontier. - -General Kolfort fell back on the seat and pressed his hands to his -face, as though dizzy and weak with the long tension of fear, and -partly, I judged, ashamed of himself for his cowardice. - -“You had better try to sleep, General,” I said; “we have a long drive. -I shall be on watch, and shall not need to disturb you unless we -stumble across any of your troublesome patrols.” - -This was indeed my one source of fear now, and I leant back thinking -how we should deal with them in the event of interference. The -General’s presence would probably make everything smooth enough, but -there was always a chance that an opportunity would be given for him to -try some trick to elude me. - -We had at least sixty miles to drive, and as it was now past midnight I -reckoned we could not reach the frontier until between seven and eight -in the morning. It would be sunrise by five, and there would be thus at -least two or three hours to drive in daylight. That would be the time -of chief danger. - -It was a bright, fine night, the moon had risen, and when we had -cleared the town I resolved to urge the driver to quicken the pace of -his horses. I let down the window, and the cool night air came rushing -in and roused my companion, who sat up quickly. - -“What is the matter?” - -“Nothing; I wish your man to travel faster.” I leant out and called to -him: - -“The General says you are to drive faster; at a gallop where possible.” -He did not hear me at first, and was for checking the horses, until I -shouted the order to him again. I drew in my head, and was only just in -the nick of time to avoid trouble. - -The General had opened the door on his side and, in his desperation, -was in the very act of springing out. I caught hold of him, dragged him -back, and shut the door again. He fell in a heap huddled up at my feet. - -“A very dangerous leap for a man of your age,” I said drily. “I have -probably saved your life, for the second time to-night,” and I lifted -him up on to the seat of the carriage again. “And now, understand -me, if you had got out, I would have sprung out after you and shot -you in the highway, had it cost me my life. I thought that you would -understand by now that I’m in too dangerous a mood for you to fool -with. But I’m glad of the hint you’ve given me, and I sha’n’t forget it -for the rest of the way.” - -He made no answer, but lay back on the seat as before, and I did not -attempt to rouse him. The incident disquieted me, for it showed that -he was dead set on outwitting me, and would do so if I relaxed for a -single second the strain of his terror of my pistol. - -The carriage was now travelling at a great pace, the man urging the -horses to a gallop over every yard of level road. We reached the first -village without further incident, and I told the man where to get the -change of horses. There was a little delay in rousing the people of the -place, but once roused they set to work with a will, and in a very few -minutes we were spinning on again with the fresh cattle at the same -high speed for the next stage. - -Markov had done his work shrewdly, and had planned the route so that -for the greater part of the way we travelled without having to use the -main road. But the by-ways were rough going in many places, and this -retarded our progress. We made good time, however, and when we changed -horses for the second, third, and fourth times without being stopped, -my hopes began to rise fast that we might even reach the frontier -unchallenged. We had covered over forty miles, and yet, including the -time spent in changing horses, we had barely been four hours on the -road. - -A check came soon after the fourth change, however. We had to take to -the main road, and had covered some two or three miles, when I heard a -shout and felt the carriage checked suddenly. - -“Who goes there?” called someone, and looking out I saw we were in the -midst of a strong patrol. - -“You’d better not stop us. I’m driving express. It’s General Kolfort,” -came the coachman’s voice. - -I caught my breath, and my prisoner roused himself instantly and sat -up. I passed my arm round him and, pressing the revolver against his -ribs over his heart from behind, I said: - -“You will tell these men to allow us to pass. My pistol is within an -inch of your heart, and my finger on the trigger.” I felt him shudder. -“Let that window down, and call to them angrily. You know me.” - -He let it down, fumbling clumsily, so that with my disengaged hand I -had to help him. - -The non-commissioned officer in charge of the patrol had dismounted and -came to the window. - -“What do you mean by stopping me? Don’t you know who I am, blockhead?” -cried the General, his teeth chattering with chill and fright. - -“My orders are imperative, to stop all travellers and see their -papers,” replied the man as he saluted. - -“Well, you’ve stopped us; that’s enough.” - -“I must see your papers, if you please,” he said stolidly. - -“Do you suppose the General writes passes for himself,” I broke in. - -“We have no papers,” cried the General sharply. I saw his motive; he -wished to provoke the man to stop us. - -“Then you will have to alight,” said the soldier. - -“Very well. I suppose there’s no help for it;” and as he turned to me -the General’s face wore an expression half defiant, half cunning. “I’m -not responsible for what these blockheads do,” he said. - -“What papers do you want?” I asked, at a loss quite what to do in this -new and perplexing turn. - -“All travellers this way must carry a permit, or they are to be -stopped. Those are my orders.” - -“But surely you know General Kolfort?” - -“I must see the permit,” he answered doggedly. - -“That’s easily managed. You can write one, General.” - -The man shook his head. - -“They must be signed and countersigned,” he returned, with growing -suspicion and rising anger. - -“The fellow’s right,” said the General, turning to me with a laugh. -“It’s absurd, but he’s right.” His manner enraged me. He was trying all -he dared to play into the man’s hands. - -“I am only obeying orders,” said the sergeant; and for a moment it -seemed as if between them I should be fooled. But I knew well enough -what short work my prisoner would have made of such an interruption -under other circumstances. - -“Do you tell me you don’t know that this is General Kolfort?” I asked -very sternly. - -“I am not here to study faces, sir, but to examine permits,” was the -blunt blockhead’s answer. - -“You can at least read, then? And I presume you know the General’s -handwriting. You shall have an order signed by the General, and one -which will need no countersign to ensure its being obeyed. What’s your -name and regiment? Quick!” I said in a short tone of command. - -“Max Pullschoff, sergeant, 3rd Regiment, 2nd Army Corps,” he answered -saluting. - -“Now, General, order him to allow us to proceed at once at his peril. -This fooling has gone far enough,” and I enforced my words with a look -of menace, while I pressed the revolver hard against his ribs, and -added in a whisper, “Instantly!” - -He hesitated just one instant, trying to nerve himself to defy me, but -it was only for the instant. - -“I am General Kolfort, and I order you at your peril to delay me no -longer.” - -“I am very sorry, sir, but my orders are absolute. I can’t do it.” - -“Write an order to Captain Berschoff that the rascal has mutinied -against your authority, General, and that instantly on his return to -quarters he is to be imprisoned and flogged for mutiny. We will see -then what he says about signatures,” and I took out my pocket-book and -gave it him with a pencil. - -He glared at me viciously, but the revolver was his master, and he -wrote out the order just as I had bade him, and signed it. - -“Now, Sergeant Pullschoff, read that, and say whether in the face of it -you venture to carry this thing further.” - -The man took it, and I saw his face turn deadly white as he read it and -scanned the signature closely. - -“I have done no more than my duty, General,” he murmured; but I saw -that I had beaten him, and I pressed that advantage home. - -“If you detain us a minute longer, my man, you will go galloping back -to Sofia in custody for that order to be executed. You and your men -know perfectly well that this is General Kolfort, and that this is his -carriage.” - -He stepped away from the carriage window, and I saw him consult with a -couple of his men. - -“If I break my orders you will hold me harmless, General?” - -“Of course we shall. Tell him so, General.” - -“Yes,” assented the latter, but very slowly and regretfully, for the -new turn of the matter was all against his wishes. - -“You can give me back that order,” I said then. “And I shall make it my -business to see that you are commended for your care in carrying out -your instructions. Tell the coachman to drive on.” - -“Thank you, sir. I wish to do no more,” said the fellow, saluting, as -he handed me the paper, and then called to the driver to proceed. - -“A very excellent soldier that, very wooden, but human at bottom in his -fear for himself,” I said quietly to my prisoner, as we passed the last -of the patrols, who all saluted us. - -“Curse you!” cried the General, in the bitterness of his chagrin and -disappointment. - -I laughed; I could afford to now that the danger was passed; and my -satisfaction was the more genuine because the danger had been more -serious than I had anticipated. Moreover, it suggested to me to take a -precaution which I had neglected before starting. - -When we drew up for the next change of horses I made my prisoner write -me a formal permit to pass all patrols, as being on special service, -and I pocketed it for use in case of need. The value of it I had an -opportunity of testing within a few minutes, for we were stopped again -by another patrol of troops. But I produced the permit this time, and -it was accepted without a word of comment. - -It was now daylight; and, as we drew near the frontier, my excitement -increased. When we changed horses for the last time my spirits were as -high as my companion’s rage and chagrin were manifest. - -In less than an hour I should be across the frontier if all went -well; and all had gone so well that it would be a mere superfluity of -cowardice to anticipate any serious obstacle now. We had left the main -road, and had travelled some four miles through rough hilly cross lanes -to the point where Markov had planned for the frontier to be crossed, -when I found that the driver was in trouble with the horses. They were -going very erratically, now jibbing and plunging in the harness, and -again dashing forward at headlong speed. While they galloped I cared -nothing, and, though we bumped over the rough roads so violently -that my companion could scarcely keep on his seat, and was constantly -thrown against me, I was well contented, and laughed. The greater the -speed the better it pleased me. But when they stopped, and plunged, and -kicked with a violence quite beyond the man’s power to control, I was -anxious enough. - -Then, quite suddenly, came an overwhelming disaster which ruined -everything. We had ascended a steep hill at a slow pace, with more -than one stoppage, and were descending a slope on the other side, when -the horses bolted, and dashed away down it with a frantic fury that -threatened to smash us up at almost every stride. The pace was mad -enough to frighten a man whose nerves were in far better order than -those of my fright-wrought prisoner, and his terror paralysed him. - -There was going to be a smash; and I had scarcely time to realise the -certainty of it, and to wonder vaguely how it would affect my escape, -when it came. There were a few moments of mad, jolting, dizzying rush -down the hill, then a fearful crash as the wheels struck against some -heavy obstacle, a wild jerk that threw us both forward in a heap, -a noise of smashing glass and rending woodwork, half-a-dozen great -lurching bumps and jolts, and the carriage was on its side, dragging, -and tearing, and grinding on the rough road, till it stopped, and I -found myself lying in its ruins, with my hands and face badly cut -and bruised, and every bone in my body, as it seemed, either broken -or dislocated. I struggled out of the ruin as best I could, to find -the driver and his horses in a heap in the road, the man himself in -imminent peril of being kicked to death. I managed to haul him out of -danger, and laid him by the roadside unconscious from the effect of -his fall, and left the horses to fight it out for themselves while I -looked after General Kolfort. - -He was also unconscious; but whether from hurt or fear I could not -tell. He lay pinned underneath the carriage, and I had great difficulty -in releasing him. But I got him out, and set him beside the coachman, -just as one of the horses succeeded in kicking himself free, struggled -to his feet, and began backing and tugging to break the reins. I ran -to him, patted and soothed him, and then, cutting the reins, I knotted -them and fastened him to a tree. I meant him to carry me to the -frontier on his back, and was glad to find, when I ran my hands over -him, that he had no more serious hurts than a few surface cuts. - -But I was in truth vastly puzzled how to act. To take the General -with me any further was impossible; yet to leave him behind might -be infinitely dangerous. The instant he recovered consciousness he -would set all his wits and malice to work to have me followed; and my -perplexity was vastly increased when I saw about a mile ahead of me a -couple of horse-patrols appear on the crest of a hill, and come riding -leisurely toward us. - -There was no time for hesitation. I realised instantly the -impossibility of holding the General in my power by means of threats -in the presence of a couple of soldiers in broad daylight. There was -infinitely less danger in trusting to flight. - -I rushed to the horse, therefore, unfastened him, leapt on his bare -back, and set off at a gallop to meet the approaching soldiers. As I -glanced back I saw to my dismay that the General had been fooling me -with a sham fainting fit, for he had risen to a sitting posture, and -was endeavouring to shake the coachman back to his senses. - -At this I urged my horse forward, for I knew his next step would be -to try and make the soldiers understand that I was to be stopped and -secured. - -As I galloped I made my plans. Getting within earshot, I called to them -to hasten forward, for they had halted, and stood with their carbines -ready to stop me. - -Reining my horse up as best I could, I said, in a tone of command: - -“General Kolfort has met with an accident there, and you are to hasten -to his assistance instantly.” - -“One moment, if you please, sir. Have you your papers?” asked one of -the men. - -“Of course I have. I am riding on special service. Here is my permit;” -and I showed it to him, not letting it out of my hands, however. He -pushed his horse forward and read it. - -“It seems all right,” he said. - -“Of course it’s all right. I am on a matter of life or death, and have -to press forward with all speed. I have had to use one of the carriage -horses; but one of you had better give me yours. It is an urgent affair -of State.” - -My tone of authority, added to the permit of urgency with the General’s -signature, impressed him considerably. - -“It’s all against orders,” he said, hesitating. - -“Do you suppose this won’t justify everything?” I cried, shaking the -General’s order in his face. “You may find it awkward to refuse. The -General will soon put you right. Quick! there’s no time to lose;” and, -to act my part thoroughly, I slipped off my horse. - -He dismounted slowly, and half reluctantly; but the instant his foot -touched the ground, I let my horse loose, and, giving him a thrust in -the ribs, sent him trotting down the road, while I seized the bridle of -the other and swung into the saddle, before the man had recovered from -his astonishment. - -Then an exclamation from the second soldier attracted the attention of -us both. There was good cause; for, on looking back, I saw that three -other horse-soldiers had joined the General, who was making frantic -gesticulations to the men with me. - -“Ah! he sees me stopping, and wishes me to push on,” I said. - -“I think you had better ride back with us, if you please,” said the -soldier who had dismounted, and he made a sign to his companion, who -was still barring my path, to stop me. - -“Nonsense, he wishes me to push on.” - -“I can’t let you proceed, sir, order or no order,” he answered bluntly, -and made as if to seize my horse’s bridle, while he ordered his -subordinate to prevent my passing. - -At the same moment the men with the General fired their carbines to -call our attention, and set off towards us at full gallop. - -“At least you can wait till those men reach us,” he said, and his tone -and face showed his suspicions that something was wrong. - -Thus in a moment the position had developed into one of fresh -embarrassment and imminent peril for me. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -THE RUINED HUT - - -The two soldiers mistook me vastly if they thought I was going to allow -myself to be caught in this way like a rat in a trap, when the trap was -a mile long, and the door of it guarded so loosely. - -I had backed my horse to prevent the man on foot catching hold of the -bridle-rein, and, wheeling round swiftly, I plunged my hand into my -pocket, drew out my revolver, and, before the second soldier could -guess my intention, I sent a bullet into his horse’s head. - -He dropped like a stone, sending his rider flying on to the road, his -carbine, which he had levelled at me, going off in the air as he fell. -The other made a rush at me, but I covered him with the pistol. - -“How dare you try to stop me on State business?” I cried in a voice of -thunder. “Another step and I’ll blow your brains out.” - -He pulled up short enough at that, and I clapped my heels into the -horse’s flanks, and was off like the wind. He was a good beast, in -excellent condition and very fresh, and more than fit to carry me -the six miles which I reckoned lay between me and the frontier. The -distance was so short that I had no need to spare him, and, as I had -over three-quarters of a mile start, I did not doubt that I could win a -race in which my safety and probably my life were the stakes. - -I was in luck, too, for the soldier before dismounting had thrust back -his carbine into its leathern shoe, and in among his saddle-furniture I -found a reserve supply of ammunition. - -Turning in my saddle I saw that the three soldiers had passed the two -with whom I had had the tussle, and were galloping after me at full -speed, striving might and main to lessen the distance between us, and -I knew, of course, that old Kolfort had given them his most imperative -command to overtake and capture me at all costs. - -But a few minutes of this hot work showed me that I was better mounted -than they, and that I was gaining. They perceived this, too, and -resorted to a tactic which gave me some uneasiness. One after another -they began firing their carbines, not of course at me, for I was -hopelessly out of range, but in the hope of attracting any other patrol -parties who might chance to be in the neighbourhood. - -This was by no means to my taste. It suggested that they knew there -were more troops about, and while I dug my heels into my willing -horse’s sides, and urged him with my voice to still greater speed, I -cast ahead many anxious looks. - -A minute later, too, I was thrown into a state of much perplexity as to -my road. About half a mile in front the road forked, and I did not know -whether my way lay to the right or left, and had no time to consult the -plan of route. It would have been fatal to hesitate, however, and I was -going to leave my horse to settle the matter for himself, trusting that -he might have been stabled somewhere near the frontier and would thus -make for that point, when a very disquieting fact decided me. - -A couple of troopers were riding at a quick trot along the road to the -left, and coming in my direction. They were at a considerable distance, -and I should reach the junction long before them. I determined to trust -to fortune and take the other road. - -They soon caught sight of me, and as the men pursuing me kept up their -fire, the two in front hustled their horses into a gallop, evidently -thinking something was wrong, and intending to cut me off and stop me. - -They saw me turn into the right road, checked their horses, leapt into -the fields, and came galloping across to intercept me. This was not -practicable, however, because the point for which they were making was -nearer to me by the road than to them by the fields, and after they had -galloped half across the fields they called to me to stop. Perceiving -my advantage, my answer was to urge my horse forward, till he was -straining every nerve and flying over the ground like the gallant beast -he was. - -Then one of them reined up suddenly, and being well within range, he -sat as steady as a rock on his horse, levelled his piece, and fired. -Fortunately for me he was quite as bad a marksman as the majority of -such men are, and the bullet whistled harmlessly by me as I dashed -past at the same headlong speed. His companion had, however, come much -nearer, and when he found he could not intercept me, he too halted and -fired after me in his turn. - -He also missed me, but I felt my horse give a violent change in his -stride, and immediately begin to slacken speed. I looked around -anxiously and found, to my intense alarm and consternation, that he was -wounded, and had gone dead lame on his off hind leg. - -For the first time I was inclined to despair. Behind me were five -well-mounted men eagerly bent on my capture, and before me lay at least -three miles of unknown road--even supposing that I was riding in the -right direction--while my horse was already beginning to stagger in his -stride. But my blood was up. I would not be taken alive, and I resolved -to fight so long as I could lift a finger in self-defence. - -Flight was now out of the question, however. Wounded as he was, my -horse could not have carried me to the frontier had I been able to ease -his pace, which was of course impossible. I could fight better on foot -than on the back of a wounded horse, moreover, and I began to think -desperately of my best course. - -I drew out the trooper’s carbine, put the ammunition into my pockets, -and looked about for the most likely spot for a last stand. About half -a mile ahead of me I spied a peasant’s cottage half in ruins, lying a -little distance from the lane. Just the place for me! I urged my horse -to the last effort, and he answered gallantly, as if he understood how -dire was my need. But he was reeling badly when we reached the spot I -was heading for; and the two men behind raised a glad shout as they saw -me pull up, slip from the horse, and make a dash, carbine in hand, for -the cover of the ruined cottage. - -They both fired at me as I ran, a cowardly act that filled me with -rage. Hitherto I had tried to avoid shedding blood, but I sent that -thought to the winds now as I sprang behind the shelter of the welcome -walls and turned to settle accounts with them. Armed as I was, I -believed I could for a time hold the place against a party twice as -strong as that which was coming against me, and I was so mad in my -rage and disappointment, that I swore I would shoot without mercy any -living soul that came within range. - -The two soldiers came galloping up to the point where my horse had -now fallen, and they stood chuckling at the successful shot which had -wounded him. - -I singled out one of them--the man who, as I thought, had fired the -fatal shot--took deliberate aim, and fired. He dropped like a stone, -and his companion turned instantly and scuttled back to meet the other -three, who were now closing up fast. I smiled grimly as I thrust in -another cartridge, and was turning to look for the next quarry when my -heart gave another throb of dismay. - -The place seemed alive with troops; and I saw another horseman coming -from the opposite direction along the lane towards the cottage, and -I did not doubt that he was the advance guard of a stronger patrol -following behind. - -The four men had halted out of range and were talking excitedly -together, and I was thus at liberty to watch the newcomer, whose -movements puzzled me considerably. When he heard the shot from my gun, -and probably saw the smoke, instead of dashing forward to join the men -threatening me, or falling back upon any party behind, he scuttled off -the road and concealed himself in a small clump of trees, from which he -seemed to be scanning the cottage where I lay. No trooper out on patrol -would have acted so, and I concluded promptly that he was in some such -condition as myself, and as eager as I to escape the attentions of the -soldiers. - -Could it be possible that he was a friend? The mere thought of such a -chance in my desperate position filled me with excited pleasure, and, -stepping forward, I stood so that the sun’s rays fell right on me as I -faced him, and I waved my hand. I thought he made some motion with his -hand in reply, but he stood in the shadow of the trees, and was too far -off for me to see him clearly. Then I waved my hand again, beckoning -him to come to me, and had time to do no more before the four soldiers -began to move, and I had to step back under shelter and watch them. - -Apparently they had resolved to make a dash for the cottage, in the -endeavour to capture me with a rush. But they should never reach the -place alive. I calculated that I should have time for two shots with -the carbine and half-a-dozen more with my revolver, and if I could not -empty the four saddles my hand and eye and nerve had lost their cunning -indeed. - -They crossed into the field, and seeing that there were no windows in -the end of the building from which I could fire upon them, they kept -out of range until they were in a line with the end, and then began -their advance. A shrewd enough plan, had I been a fool to be caught -unawares, or a coward afraid to expose myself to their rickety fire. -But I was neither, and creeping out at the front I was in a position to -take a kneeling shot at them before they started the advance. I don’t -think they even saw me, for there was a relic of what had once been a -palisade projecting from the end of the house, which gave an excellent -cover, and I waited till they were well within range before I fired. -One of them fell forward, and I had reloaded and was taking careful aim -for my second shot, when with a loud shout they pulled up hastily and -made ready to fire in their turn. - -I didn’t give them time to shoot before I fired again, and again -brought one of them out of his saddle. This reduced the number -to two, and neither of them had any relish for the business. They -discharged their pieces at random, wheeled about suddenly, and galloped -back faster than they had advanced. I had given them an excellent -object-lesson in the value of good shooting, and I stood watching them -in moody curiosity to see what they would do next. - -Then I heard the sound of a galloping horse from the other end of the -cottage, and when I ran back quickly to learn the cause I had indeed a -joyful surprise. It was the horseman I had seen in the distance. - -“Took you in the rear, Count,” said a deep voice I knew so well; and -the next instant Zoiloff and I stood hand-locked, his stern face aglow -with pleasure and I with more delight in my heart than either words or -eyes could tell. Never could a friend have been so welcome, and none -more welcome than Zoiloff. I was so moved that I could not even find -words to ask the news which I was burning to learn. He saw this, and -said: - -“All is well with the Princess. She is safe at Nish, waiting for you.” -I wrung his hand afresh in my delight. - -“Never did beleaguered force hear better news,” I said. - -“The beleaguered force is doubled now,” he answered, smiling. “Though I -can’t say it seems to need strengthening, judging by results. But now -we had best be off, for the country between here and the frontier is -like a rabbit-warren with the swarming troops. We shall probably have -to hide, for we can’t hold this place till nightfall, and I very much -doubt if we can get through the pass in daylight.” - -“I have a permit that will carry us through,” I said; “but I have no -horse to carry it on.” - -“I’ll soon mend that,” he answered, and without a word he mounted again -and set off at a gallop toward the two soldiers, who stood together -holding the horses of their wounded comrades by the bridles. What -followed was a gleam of farce in the tragedy that surrounded us. The -men seeing him coming were instantly filled with alarm, for my work had -told its tale well enough on their nerves, and after making a show of -resistance and firing their carbines at him with scarcely a pretence of -taking aim, they plunged their spurs into their animals and shot away -trying to lead the other horses with them. But Zoiloff gained at every -stride, and when he fired his revolver after them they cast off the -led horses and themselves fled for their lives in sheer scatterbrained -fright. He had no difficulty in capturing one of the horses, and came -cantering back to me smiling and victorious. - -“What rabbits,” he said contemptuously. - -“What a happy thought of yours,” I replied, as I mounted, and we stole -off, keeping the cottage between us and the still flying soldiers. - -“Shall we make a dash for it and risk everything; or shall we try and -hide? Those curs will soon be after us with a larger pack in full cry, -and we may find it difficult to hide.” - -“We’ll push straight for the frontier,” I answered, “and trust to old -Kolfort’s signature to get us through. The patrols seem to be in very -small numbers, and if there’s any trouble we can show fight. But now -tell me what has happened, for I am on fire with impatience to hear -everything.” - -“Happily there’s little enough to tell, for by some means we managed -to escape all interference, and under your fellow Markov’s guidance -we reached the frontier without let or question. There was plenty of -uneasiness after we left you as to whether we should be pursued; but -thanks, I suppose, to your ruse, we were not followed, and the only -trouble afterwards was in the frontier pass. It was only watched in the -loosest manner in the world, and as Markov knew his business thoroughly -he had us all past the lookout before they had even a suspicion of -our presence. It was only a matter of a quick gallop then for a bit -and we got through. I went on to Nish with the Princess, who was much -fatigued of course, and it was at her urgent request, when you did not -come yesterday, that I returned to see if I could hear any tidings of -you. My uniform saved me from any trouble, and I was intending to go -to Sofia, when I heard the firing and stopped to see what it meant, I -saw you stand out in the sun glare just now, and though I could not -definitely recognise you at such a distance I made a guess it was you, -and rode up on the chance.” - -“You left the Princess well?” - -“In all save her anxiety for you; and that we may hope to remove in a -few hours now. But how have you fared?” - -I told him the story, and he listened with many an approving smile and -nod, looking stern and serious at the story of the Countess Bokara’s -suicide, and laughing at the trick I had served old Kolfort. - -“After all that, we are not going to be stopped now,” he said at the -close; “although we shall have need of clear heads and perhaps quick -hands before we are through. But we shall know soon. You see that -narrow road climbing the hill yonder, with that small station-house -about half-way up. Well, the frontier line runs close ahead of that;” -and he pointed to the spot. “Hullo! who comes?” he added a minute -later, as we turned a bend of the road and came upon two or three -horse-soldiers. - -We were riding at a brisk canter, and did not rein up until they -challenged us. Seeing Zoiloff’s uniform they saluted him, but the -leader turned to me and asked for my permit. - -“I am on special service,” I said quietly, producing the permit. -He read it, returned it to me, drew back for us to proceed, and we -cantered on without having wasted a minute. - -“You had your wits about you when you got that paper,” said Zoiloff, -laughing. “If those fellows had only known what that special service -was, we should have had a brush with them. Let’s hope that those at the -barrier will be as easily satisfied.” - -“It’s a nasty-looking road,” said I, when we reached the foot of the -long tortuous hill. “We’d better spare the cattle in case of a bother,” -and we pulled up to a walking pace. I scanned the station-house closely -as we came in sight of it. - -“I wish to Heaven it was night. We could steal up that path there,” -said Zoiloff, pointing to the right of the road. “That’s how Markov -managed it. It leads out again about twenty or thirty yards on this -side of the station-house yonder, and we rattled through at a gallop.” - -“How many men are stationed there, do you think?” - -“I couldn’t see more than half-a-dozen or so all told this morning when -I passed, and I stopped intentionally and chatted with the officer in -command. But in a narrow place like this six men can do a lot.” - -“I see there’s a telegraph-wire. I hope the General hasn’t managed to -send a message,” I returned uneasily. - -“I should think not, judging by the ease with which those men below -there were satisfied. But I mean to get through. Once past the -station-house, and we haven’t more than two or three hundred yards to -gallop before we’re in Servia. But I confess I never thought of the -telegraph,” and Zoiloff shook his head. - -“Well, we’ll try the papers first and the pistols afterwards, in case -of need. And they won’t find it easy to stop us.” - -But as we drew closer I saw what Zoiloff meant about the ease with -which a handful of resolute men could hold such a spot. - -“They’ve turned out to receive us,” he said, as we saw an officer -posting men to block the road. “He won’t attempt to stop me, I expect, -and while you’re showing him your permit I’ll edge past and try to -get the men out of their order so as to leave a gap for you to dash -through. Then I’ll follow you, and they may hesitate about firing on -me.” - -“Very well; but we can’t make much of a plan. Probably I may find it -best to appear to yield at first and then wait for the moment to make -the rush;” and with that we rode on slowly, watching the men ahead -of us closely, but laughing and chatting together as though the last -thought in our heads was of any chance of being stopped. And we were -both laughing heartily as at some joke when the officer in command met -Zoiloff with a salute and turned to address me. - -“Your permit, sir, if you please,” he said courteously, but as I -thought with a glance of suspicion. - -“Certainly,” I replied, and I took it out and handed it to him. As -he read it Zoiloff pushed forward and entered into conversation with -the men. There were only five of them, making six with the officer, -as Zoiloff had said, and they were on foot. I saw him push his horse -between the two at the end of the short line, and then as he chatted he -coolly turned his horse broadside on the road, thus making a big gap. -It was cleverly done, and he sat there saying something which made the -men laugh. - -“This mentions no name, sir,” said the officer, looking up from the -paper. “May I inquire your name?” - -“Certainly. I am the Hon. Gerald Winthrop, an Englishman.” The reply -perplexed him. - -“An Englishman? And on special service for General Kolfort? I don’t -wish to appear impertinent, but have you another name?” - -“I am also a Roumanian Count--Count Benderoff.” - -“Ah!” His tone told me at once that he had had some instructions about -me, and I began to prepare for emergencies. “I am placed in an awkward -position, Count, but I’m afraid I cannot allow you to pass.” - -“My business is very urgent, lieutenant.” - -“The delay will probably be only a brief one. I am expecting a -messenger from General Kolfort, and I thought you were probably from -him. No doubt the moment he arrives you will be at liberty to proceed. -But you’ll understand my position.” - -“The consequences of stopping me may be serious.” - -“So may be those of allowing you to pass, Count. But in any case I have -no alternative.” - -“But I have ridden straight from General Kolfort himself, who handed me -the permit personally.” - -“My instructions have come over the wires, and within the last few -minutes; and they are imperative not to allow you to pass until the -General himself or those he is sending shall arrive. If you will -dismount I will try to make the delay as little irksome as possible, -though one’s resources in a God-forsaken place like this are not -abundant.” - -“Do you mean you wish to arrest me?” I asked quickly. - -“Certainly not. You are at liberty to return if you please; my -instructions are merely not to allow you to pass the frontier.” - -“Quiet, mare!” I called to my horse, which was fidgeting and plunging -restlessly, as I touched her secretly with my heel, making it difficult -for him to lay his hand on the bridle. Then I laughed as if the thing -were a joke, and I gave Zoiloff a look. He understood it, and began to -edge his horse so as to leave room for me to pass. - -“It’s very ridiculous,” I said to the officer, who had drawn a little -away from me, “but I suppose there’s no help for it; and in any case I -shall be glad of some breakfast.” - -“I shall be delighted to be your host,” he replied, without a suspicion -of my intention; and he called to one of the men to come and hold my -horse. - -This made the gap in their rank larger than ever; and, causing my -horse to fidget and strain at the bit, I suddenly slackened the reins, -plunged my heels into her flanks, and darted away up the hill as fast -as she could gallop. - -“Hallo! She’s run away with him!” said Zoiloff; and he wheeled round -and dashed after me. - -It was some seconds before the officer realised how we had fooled him. -Then we heard the order given to fire after us, and the next instant -the report of the guns rang out, echoing and re-echoing among the crags -on either side of the narrow gorge. - -The bullets whistled by me; and, glancing back, I saw that Zoiloff was -following all right. A second volley was fired, but not until we had -already passed the frontier; and I did not draw rein till I was nearly -to the crest of the hill and within sight of the Servian station-house -over the crest. Then I found that Zoiloff was not so close to me as he -should have been, and I halted to wait for him. Below him I saw the -officer and two of the men had mounted and were in hot pursuit. - -Zoiloff was leaning forward curiously in the saddle, sitting very -loosely, and his horse could hardly move. I rode back to him, filled -with alarm. - -He looked up as I neared, and I saw his face was bloodless. He tried to -wave to me to go forward, but his hand fell listlessly. - -“Are you wounded, friend?” I asked. - -“No--at least not much. Go on!” he said, his voice weak and faint; and -his horse was staggering so that I thought it would fall. Meanwhile the -men behind were coming up quickly. - -“Come on to my horse,” I cried, my heart sick with pain and fear -for him, as I rode to his side and tried to lift him off. But at -that moment his horse went down heavily, and only with the greatest -difficulty did I save Zoiloff from an ugly fall. - -In a moment I dismounted. There was no time now to mount with him on my -horse, so I laid him under cover of his own fallen animal and turned -with bitter rage in my heart to check the men behind us, as well as to -revenge the hurt of my staunch friend, who had given himself to save me. - -Snatching the carbine from my saddle, I knelt down, and, firing over -the prone horse, I aimed at the foremost rider, who fell in a huddled -mass on to his horse’s shoulder and then dropped to the ground. - -I was ramming home another cartridge as the other two halted and took -aim. I crouched under shelter of the horse, and felt him quiver and -kick feebly as one of the bullets plugged into him; and then the men -came dashing forward again. - -But not for many strides, for my second shot sent the officer toppling -out of his saddle heavily to the rough road. I loaded again instantly, -for the sight of Zoiloff’s death-white face and the thought of his -wound maddened me so that I could have killed a dozen men in cold blood -to avenge him. - -The remaining trooper had little stomach for any further fight, -however, and he reined up and stood irresolute. - -“Go back, if you care for your life,” I called to him. “We are on -Servian ground, and you have no right to pursue me.” He was afraid for -his own skin to come on, and yet afraid for duty’s sake to turn back, -and I saw him open his carbine at the breech to reload. - -I did not give him time to do that, however, before I fired. I missed -the man, but struck his weapon, shattering it in his hand. This was -much more convincing than any words, and, recognising his unarmed -helplessness, he wheeled his horse round and rode off back down the -hill. - -I had won; but what a price had the victory cost! - -I bent over my wounded friend, my heart sick with my grief. - -“Fly!” he whispered. Wounded sorely as he was, his thoughts were all -for me and none for himself. - -“There is no need, my dear friend. There’s no one to follow us. Can you -bear for me to lift you on to my horse? We’re safe.” - -“I’m glad. I’m not hurt much,” he whispered, trying to smile. - -I lifted him in my arms, and, drawing my horse to a stone by the side -of the road, managed to mount with him; and then, saving him all in my -power from the jolting of the horse, I walked up the rest of the hill -and over to the Servian station-house. - -The men turned out to meet us. - -“My friend is sorely wounded,” said I. - -“I heard the firing, but my orders are not to interfere,” said the -officer in command. - -“The outrage was committed on Servian territory,” I replied. - -“I have strict orders not to cause any trouble with the Bulgarians just -at present,” he said, as if by way of apologetic explanation of his not -having come to my aid. “We don’t inquire too closely into what is done -east of the station-house.” - -“Can you give me a place where my friend can rest?” - -He looked uneasy at the question and hesitated. - -“Can’t he bear any further journey?” - -“He is badly wounded, sir,” I returned, with some indignation. - -“I can do better than give him a bed here. My men shall carry him on a -litter down to the village at the foot of the hill, where there is a -priest who knows something of surgery, and he can get medical aid.” - -“As quick as you can, for God’s sake!” I said. - -Poor Zoiloff had fainted, and lay helpless in my arms, his head resting -on my shoulder. - -The men lifted him gently off the horse, the litter was brought out, -and I helped to place him in it. - -“I’m afraid I needn’t ask for his papers,” said the officer, as the men -moved off. - -I showed him my English passport, as clearing the way for me, and, with -a mere glance at it, he returned it. - -“I hope you will have better news than I fear of your friend,” he said -warmly. - -I could not answer him; I was too broken with this new trouble. I -followed the mournful little procession, and I am not ashamed to say -that as I watched it and gazed at the white face in the litter my eyes -were more than once half blinded by tears. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -“GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN” - - -Down in that lonely Servian village, nestling beautifully at the foot -of a range of hills, a scene followed, inexpressibly sad and mournful -to me. - -We carried Zoiloff to the house of the priest, a man whose heart was as -large as his means were straitened, and together we laid my poor friend -on the low truckle bed in the barely furnished room. I helped while the -examination of his wounds was made, watching the priest’s face with an -anxiety that cannot be put in words. - -“How did it happen?” he whispered. - -“A gunshot wound somewhere in the back, I fear,” I told him. - -But there was no need for this explanation, for the blood guided him to -the wound easily enough. - -“The ball has passed through his body and through his right lung.” - -“Is there any hope?” I asked, my own heart answering the question -before it was asked. He shook his head sadly. - -“On this earth none,” he said. He stopped the bleeding, which was -comparatively slight. - -“There is very little blood,” I said, hoping against hope. - -“The bleeding is internal. No man can save him. I have done all that -can be done. Let us pray for him.” - -He laid my friend back on the bed with a touch as deft and gentle as -a woman’s, and kneeling by the bedside, he began to pray earnestly -and fervently, in a soft voice rich with the rare gem of unaffected -sympathy. Following his example, I knelt on the other side of the bed, -and, with my face buried in my hands, I tried to follow his prayers -through the tumult of my thronging emotions at the knowledge that this -brave, staunch friend must die, and that it was his friendship that had -cost him his life. - -How long the good priest prayed I know not, but after a time I was -conscious that the rich, sweet voice had ceased, and when I looked up I -was alone with my dying comrade. - -I got up from my knees, and placing the one rush chair by the bed, -sat down to watch for the end and wait lest he should return to -consciousness. - -A short time later the priest looked in and beckoned me. - -“The men who carried your friend here are still waiting; shall I keep -them any longer?” I placed my purse in his hands to give them what he -would, merely asking him to reward them generously. - -“Will he recover consciousness?” I asked. - -“It were better not, but he is in God’s hands,” he answered reverently; -and I stole back to my chair to resume my vigil. - -He looked already like a dead man, and I had to hold my ear close to -his mouth before I could catch the faintest sign of his breathing. -I felt for the pulse and could detect no flicker of it, and then I -laid my fingers gently over his heart. The beats were barely to be -discerned. As I drew my hand away I came upon a secret. A dead flower -bound by a wisp of faded ribbon was fastened close to his heart, both -flower and ribbon dabbled with his blood. - -The sight of the little withered memorial of a dead passion, so wholly -unexpected in one I had found so hard and stern, affected me deeply. -I held it a moment, wondering what lay behind, and where and who was -the woman whose heart would be stricken by the blow of his death even -as sorely as mine would be. Then I laid it so that it rested on his -faithful heart, and, taking his hand, sat with it in mine. - -The hours passed uncounted by me. Once or twice the good priest came -back to the room, and at length, when Zoiloff showed no sign of a -return to consciousness, he administered the last rites of the Church. -The sacrament was placed between the nerveless lips, and the priest and -I joined in the solemn ceremonial. - -“He will not last long. I am surprised he is still alive,” he said, -when the simple, beautiful ceremony was over. “God be merciful to him!” - -When the priest left the room I followed and asked for some brandy, as -I thought there might be some last message Zoiloff might wish to send -by me, and I hoped to rouse a final flicker of strength for the purpose. - -I poured a few drops into his mouth with a spoon, and after a few -minutes gave him a second dose. I detected, as I thought, some signs of -a rally of strength, and gave him more, and sat with his hand in mine -and my eyes on his face and waited. - -“Zoiloff, Zoiloff, my dear friend!” I called gently. - -To my delight his eyelids quivered slightly, and after a moment or -two they opened and he looked at me. He recognised me, and his mouth -moved as if to smile, and I felt a slight, very slight, pressure of -the hand. I gave him more of the spirit, and it appeared to lend him a -little strength. - -His lips moved as if to speak and his eyes brightened. - -I felt his hand move in mine as if he would lift it, and, guessing -his wish, I lifted it to his heart so that the fingers could feel the -little treasure of love that lay there. His fingers closed over it, and -he smiled again. But his strength would not suffer him to hold his arm -up, so I propped it up, that the hand might rest on the flower. - -“Can you hear me, Zoiloff? Do you know me?” - -His lips moved and his eyes seemed to assent. - -“Can I carry any message for you?” and I laid my fingers on the dead -flower to show my meaning, and then bent my ear down to his mouth. - -He seemed to make a great effort to speak, and I caught a struggling of -the breath, as I held my own in the eager strain to listen. But finding -he could not speak I gave him a few drops more of the brandy, now -convinced that he wished to say something. - -“Have you any message, dear friend?” I asked again, as I bent down. - -There came another pause of effort and then I caught a word. - -“Christina’s,” and I felt the fingers near his heart close on the -flower. - -In an instant the full knowledge of his heroic sacrifice rushed upon -me. He loved Christina; and in the nobleness of his self-denying love -he had given his life that mine should be saved for her. - -I grasped his other hand and held it, as I pressed my lips to his -marble forehead. - -Then I saw his lips move again. - -“Leave it,” and the movement of his fingers near his heart told me what -he meant. - -“On my honour, Zoiloff,” I said earnestly. “God bless you! the -staunchest friend man ever had. I never dreamt of this.” - -“Don’t tell her,” he whispered, trying to shake his head. Then I felt -his hand try to lift mine, and, divining his wish, I laid mine to his -lips, and he kissed it. This effort exhausted the little reserve of -strength, and with a sigh his eyes closed, and his hand slipped utterly -nerveless and flaccid from mine. - -I thought he was gone; but he was not, and when I held a glass to his -lips there was a faint dulling with his breath. Taking his hand again -in mine, I waited for the end. - -He lingered perhaps an hour longer till the twilight began to gloom -the little chamber, and I was hoping that he would pass away in this -peaceful slumber of unconsciousness, when I heard his breath strengthen -suddenly. He opened his eyes; the fingers on the flower at his heart -tightened into almost a firm clasp; a quiver shook his body, and -raising his head slightly from the pillow, he cried in a voice strong -enough to surprise and for an instant give me hope: - -“Christina, Chris----” The word was not finished before the spasm of -strength was spent, and he fell back again with a deep sigh. - -He was dead; and I thank God that in the last struggle of his strong -brave soul to escape he had been comforted by the love which had -controlled and impulsed every act and motive of his life, and which -he had carried locked away from the knowledge of all the world in the -deepest recess of his loyal, noble heart. - -If I had treasured him as a friend in his life, I loved him in his -self-denying death; and when I had satisfied myself that he had really -passed, I flung myself on my knees by his bier and wept like a woman. - -The room was dark when I rose from my uncontrollable passion of grief, -and I pressed my lips to his cold forehead before I drew the sheet over -the dead face and left the room. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII - -THE END - - -It was with a heavy heart that I mounted my horse and, accompanied by a -guide whom the priest found for me, set out that night for the railway -station to take the train to Nish. Even the thought that the morrow -would see me with Christina could not at first relieve the gloom of my -sorrow or take from my eyes the picture of the cold still form of my -dead friend, lying in the sombre bare room in the priest’s house. I had -left him full instructions for sending on the body to Nish, and had -given him a sum of money which made him glad with the thought of all -the charities he could dispense among the poor of the village. - -But youth is youth and love is love, and as the miles passed which -brought me nearer to Christina the drear mournfulness of my grief for -the dead began to lose its blackness beneath the glamour of my love -for the living. It was a sad tale I had to carry her after all, and -though in obedience to my comrade’s dying wish I could tell her nothing -of his love for her, I knew how she would mourn his loss. But love is -selfish; and when at length I reached Nish my heart was beating fast -with the throbbing of the delicious, delirious knowledge that we were -close together again, with no obstacle to bar the mutual avowal of our -passion, and no need to dread another parting. - -It was far too late when I arrived for me to seek her that night, and -I myself was so spent with my experiences of the last thirty hours that -I was glad to throw myself on a bed. Excited though I was, I slept -soundly for some hours, and did not awake until the sun had long been -streaming into my room. - -I hurried, of course, to the British Consul for tidings of Christina. -He told me she was staying in his house, and, at my request, sent at -once to tell her I had arrived. - -“There is great news this morning, Mr. Winthrop,” he said; “news that -will interest you as much as it has me. The Russian plot has failed. -Thanks largely to my colleague, the English Consul at Philippopoli, -General Mountkoroff has declared for the Prince, and he is even at this -minute marching on Sofia with the flower of the Bulgarian army against -the traitors who sold themselves to this Kolfort and Russia.” - -“Will the Prince return then?” - -“Assuredly he will. The Powers will stand behind Mountkoroff, and -Russia will not venture to resist.” - -“Then my friend Lieutenant Spernow will be safe,” I said, describing -briefly the plight in which I had left him. - -“You need not have a moment’s uneasiness. Russian influence for -the moment will decline to zero, and the Prince’s friends will be -paramount.” - -“Will you telegraph at once for news of him?” - -“Willingly;” and he went at once to give his instructions. The result -was all I could have wished, and later in the day telegrams arrived -from Spernow himself, saying that both he and Mademoiselle Broumoff -were safe. - -“The Princess Christina is ready to receive you,” he said when he came -back. “Will you come with me?” - -I followed him with heart beating high, and, as if he understood how -matters were, he opened the door of a room and stood back for me to -enter alone. - -She had been eagerly watching for my coming, but, thinking that -perhaps the Consul would be with me, she had put a strong restraint -upon herself, and stood waiting in an attitude of reserve. But the -colour mantling her cheeks, and the bright glow in her eyes, told me -her feelings, and as soon as she saw me enter by myself she ran to -meet me, and with a glad cry threw herself into my arms with the utter -self-abandonment of love. - -It was no moment for speech, and many minutes passed with nothing more -than an exclamation or two of delight or a few softly breathed words -of passion. All thoughts of the dangers passed, the anxieties still -present, even of my poor dead friend, were lost, and merged in the -ecstasy of holding in my arms the woman I loved beyond all else on -earth, looking into her eyes glowing with love for me, hearing my name -whispered in her moving voice, and feeling her lips pressed to mine. -It was a moment of love rapture, and so untellable in any language but -that which love itself speaks. - -When at length we drew apart, the first wild rush of excitement past, -and sat hand-locked to talk, I saw how anxiety and suspense had paled -her, and how deeply she had suffered. - -She listened intently to the story of my experiences since we had -parted; and the ebbing and flowing colour, the passing light and -shadow in her eyes, and the quick catches in her breath told of varied -feelings which the recital roused. When I came to the sad story of -poor gallant Zoiloff’s wound and death, she was moved to tears of deep -and tender regret. But we were lovers and but just reunited, and the -interchange of sympathies and mutual comfort in this our first sorrow -in common served to awake a fresh chord in the rhythmic harmony of our -love. - -For her friend, Mademoiselle Broumoff, she was still full of tender -concern, and it was a cause of rare happiness that, while we were still -together--for the interview lasted some hours--the news came over the -wires telling us that she and Spernow were safe, and coming post haste -to join us at Nish. - -There was but one shadow, besides Zoiloff’s death, that hovered in the -background. The question whether she would feel it her duty to return -to Sofia. I asked her with some dread. - -“I have been thinking of it while we talked, and since you told me -of the turn which matters have taken,” she said, her voice low and -anxious, as if she were undecided. - -I remembered my despatch to the Foreign Office urging that support -should be given to her. But it was not in my power to wish that she -should go; for I knew that it might still mean the breaking asunder of -our paths in life. - -“What do you think, Gerald?” - -“I cannot think on such a subject, I can only fear,” I replied in a -tone as low and tense as her own. “I might lose you then.” - -“Shall the woman or the Princess answer it?” she asked, her face all -womanly with the light of love. - -“The lover, Christina,” I whispered. - -“Then it is answered: my place is here,” she said softly. “The woman -is stronger than the Princess where you are concerned, Gerald; or -should I say weaker?” she added, smiling up to me. - -“We will leave it soon for the wife to decide the term,” said I, and -the answer brought a vivid blush to her face. But it pleased her, for -she sighed happily as she let her head sink contentedly on my shoulder. - - * * * * * - -It is six years since the stirring events happened of which I have just -written, sitting at my study table in my lovely English home. As I lay -the pen down and close my eyes in reverie two memory pictures come -before me. The one black-edged with the gloom of sorrow and death, the -other radiant with the glowing promise of since realised happiness. - -In that far away Servian town the bearers have just set down a coffin -by the side of a freshly-dug grave. The priest is reading the funeral -service; the white-robed choristers cluster near him; Spernow and I -stand side by side at the foot of the grave listening to the words -as they fall in rhythmic chant from the priest’s lips, and thinking -of the gallant comrade whose bones are being lowered to their last -resting-place, and I of the strange secret of his hopeless, noble, -self-denying love that is being buried with him. The final moment -comes. The sturdy bearers lift the coffin and lower it, and pull up -the ropes with a rasp that sounds like the severing of all hope; the -earth is cast down by the priest and falls clattering on the lid, and -the service goes on to its melancholy finish. The priest pronounces the -last words of prayer and blessing; stands a moment with covered face -in silent prayer, and then turns away, followed by the little choir. -Spernow and I move forward to take the last look at the coffin--a -long, lingering, memory-fraught look--and when we in our turn move -sadly away and our eyes meet, I see that my companion’s are wet with -tears. Poor, brave, noble Zoiloff, lying in that far away lonely grave! - -In the other picture Spernow and I are again among the chief figures, -but not alone now. Nathalie is by his side, Christina by mine. Again -there is the same priest and the same choir, but we stand in the lofty -chancel of a stately church, and the words are not of death but of -marriage. Around us a small group is gathered, well-wishers, relatives, -and friends, with faces bright with gladness and tongues eager to burst -out with noisy congratulations and fervent wishes for our happiness. -And when the blessing has been given, and we lead our brides down the -aisle, the mighty building resounds with the pealing notes of the -organ, and we leave the church through groups of curiously garbed men -and women. - -And at that point my reverie is broken by sounds of children’s prattle. -I look out on to the sunlit lawn to where Christina is kneeling and -listening with a smile to the cheery chatter of our two children. All -is warmth, peace, love, and rest in my English life now; and, as I -glance at my dear ones, I thank Heaven with fervent gratitude that they -are not destined to aspire to the dangerous splendour and evanescent -glory of a minor Throne. I get up quietly, and stepping through the -window into the sunlight, am hailed with a cry and rush of delight from -my little darlings and a welcome of love light from the eyes of my -beautiful wife. - - -THE END. - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - - Archaic or alternate spelling has been retained from the original. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE NAME OF A WOMAN *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Marchmont—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} -div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } - - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - - - -.tdr {text-align: right;} - -.gap {padding-left: 5em;} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; -} - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 15%; - margin-right: 15%; -} - - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - - -.caption {font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} - -.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} -.ph2 {text-align: center; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;} - -.xxlarge {font-size: 175%;} -.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} -.large {font-size: 125%;} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; - max-width: 100%; -} - -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; - padding: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - - </style> - </head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of In the Name of a Woman, by Arthur W. Marchmont</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: In the Name of a Woman</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>A Romance</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Arthur W. Marchmont</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: D. Murray Smith</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: March 2, 2022 [eBook #67546]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: D A Alexander, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE NAME OF A WOMAN ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="40%" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<h1>IN THE NAME OF -A WOMAN</h1> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_frontispiece.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">“SHE FIRED TWO SHOTS IN RAPID SUCCESSION.”—<i>Page <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</i></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> -<p><span class="xxlarge"><i>IN THE NAME OF<br /> -A WOMAN</i></span></p> - -<p><i>A Romance</i></p> - - -<p><i>By</i><br /> - -<span class="xlarge"><i>A. W. MARCHMONT</i></span><br /> - -<i>Author of</i><br /> - -<i>“By Right of Sword,” “A Dash<br /> -for a Throne,” etc.</i></p> - - -<p><i>Illustrated by</i><br /> -<span class="large"><i>D. MURRAY SMITH</i></span></p> - - -<p><i>Third Edition.</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_titlelogo.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p><span class="large"><i>NEW YORK</i><br /> -<i>Frederick A. Stokes Company<br /> -Publishers</i></span></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1900, by</span></p> -</div> - -<p class="center">ARTHUR W. MARCHMONT.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[v]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> - - -<tr><td class="tdr"><small><span class="smcap">Chapter</span></small></td><td class="tdr" colspan="2"> <small><span class="smcap">Page</span></small></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">I.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Night Adventure in Sofia</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1"> 1</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">II.</td><td> “<span class="smcap">Now You Will Have to Join Us</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11"> 11</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">III.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Princess Christina</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_21"> 21</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">IV.</td><td> “<span class="smcap">The Web is Wide, the Meshes hard to -Break</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_32"> 32</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">V.</td><td> “<span class="smcap">Spernow</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43"> 43</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Duel and After</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_54"> 54</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">At the Ball</span> </td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_67"> 67</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">At the Palace</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_79"> 79</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">IX.</td><td> “<span class="smcap">I have Unbounded Faith in You</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_90"> 90</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">X.</td><td> “<span class="smcap">In the Name of a Woman</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_101"> 101</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Betrayed</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_112"> 112</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Spy</span> </td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_123"> 123</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Face to Face</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_135"> 135</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Countess’s Ruse</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_148"> 148</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Hopeless Outlook</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_161"> 161</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVI.</td><td> “<span class="smcap">If I Were a Woman</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_171"> 171</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Dastardly Scheme</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_183"> 183</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Fight</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_194"> 194</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">My Arrest</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_202"> 202</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Warning</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_214"> 214</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Fight or Flight</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_226"> 226</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Hour of Indecision</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_236"> 236</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[vi]</span></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">In Full Cry</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_247"> 247</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Attack</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_257"> 257</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Suspense</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_267"> 267</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXVI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Forlorn Hope</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_280"> 280</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXVII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Friend in Need</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_291"> 291</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXVIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Fearsome Dilemma</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_303"> 303</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXIX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">General Kolfort to the Rescue</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_313"> 313</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Push for the Frontier</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_323"> 323</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXXI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Ruined Hut</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_335"> 335</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXXII.</td><td> “<span class="smcap">Greater Love Hath no Man</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_352"> 352</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XXXIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The End</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_358"> 358</a></td></tr> -</table> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[1]</span> - -<p class="ph2">IN THE NAME OF A WOMAN</p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br /> - - -<small>A NIGHT ADVENTURE IN SOFIA</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Help!</span>”</p> - -<p>The cry, faint but strenuous, in a woman’s voice, -rang out on the heavy hot night air, and told me that -one of those abominable deeds that were so rife in the -lawless Bulgarian capital was in progress, and I hastened -forward in angry perplexity trying to locate the -sound.</p> - -<p>I knew what it meant. I had been strolling late -through the hot, close streets between the Park and -the Cathedral, when a woman closely hooded had -hurried past me, dogged by a couple of skulking, scuttling -spies, and I had turned to follow them. Across -the broad Cathedral Square I had lost sight of them, -and, taking at random one of the streets on the opposite -side of the square, I was walking and listening for -some sound to guide me in their direction.</p> - -<p>“Help!” came the cry again, this time close to me -from behind a pair of large wooden gates, one of -which stood ajar. I pushed it open and crossed the -courtyard before a large house, loosening as I ran the -blade of the sword-stick I carried. The house was in -darkness in the front, and as I dashed round to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span> -back the cry was uttered for the third time, while I -caught the sounds of struggling.</p> - -<p>There was a light in one of the lower rooms, the -long casement window of which stood partly open, -and the beams came straggling in a thin line between -some nearly closed curtains. With a spring I caught -the ledge, and, drawing up my head level with the -window, looked in.</p> - -<p>What I saw told me that my worst fears were being -realised. The woman who had passed me in the street -was struggling with frantic effort to hold the door of -the room against someone who was fighting to get in. -Her cloak was off, and her head and face uncovered. -She was a tall, lithe, strenuous creature, obviously of -great strength and determination, and the whiteness -of the face, now set and resolute, was thrown up into -the strongest contrast by a mass of bright red hair, -some of which the fierceness of the struggle had -loosened. She was striving and straining with enormous -energy, despite the fact that she was bleeding -badly from a wound somewhere in the shoulder or -upper arm.</p> - -<p>As I glanced in, she turned her head in my direction -with the look of a tigress at bay; and I guessed that -she was calculating the possibilities of escape by -means of the window. But the momentary relaxation -of her resistance gave the men a better chance, and, -to my horror, I saw one of them get his arm in and -slash and thrust at her with his knife.</p> - -<p>She answered with a greater effort of her own, however, -and succeeded in jamming the man’s arm between -the door and the lintel, making him cry out with an -oath that reached me.</p> - -<p>But so unequal a struggle could only end in one<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> -way, and that very speedily unless I intervened; so I -scrambled on to the window ledge, and with a cry -leapt into the room. At the noise of my appearance, -mistaking me no doubt for a third ruffian come to -attack her, the woman’s courage gave out; she uttered -a cry of despair and rushed away to a corner of the -room. She released the door so suddenly that the two -men came staggering and blundering into the room, -almost falling, and I recognised them as the two -rascals I had seen following her.</p> - -<p>“Have no fear, madame; I am here to help you,” I -said, and, before the two ruffians had recovered from -the surprise of my appearance, I was upon them. One -could not stop his rush till he was close to me, and, -having him at this disadvantage, I crashed my fist into -his face with a tremendous blow, knocking him down -with such force that his head fell with a heavy thud -against the floor, and his dagger flew out of his hand -and spun clattering across the room almost to the feet -of the woman.</p> - -<p>The second was more wary, but in a trice I whipped -out my sword, held him at bay, and vowed in stern, -ringing tones that I would run him through the body -if he wasn’t outside the room in a brace of seconds. -I saw him flinch. He had no stomach for this kind of -fight, and he was giving way before me when a cry -from the man I had knocked down drew our attention.</p> - -<p>The woman, seeing her chance, had picked up the -rascal’s dagger, and with the light of murder in her -eyes, was stealing upon the fallen man.</p> - -<p>Instantly I sprang between her and him.</p> - -<p>“No, no, madame; no bloodshed!” I cried to her; -and then to the men, “Be off, while your skins are -whole!” The words were not out of my lips before<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span> -the unarmed man had already reached the door in full -flight, and his companion, seeing I meant to act only -on the defensive, and recognising the uselessness of -any further attack, followed him, though less precipitately.</p> - -<p>“Why did you stop me killing such a brute?” cried -the woman angrily, her eyes blazing. “They both -meant to murder me, and would have done it if you -had not come. They had earned death.”</p> - -<p>“But I did not come to play the butcher,” I answered -somewhat sternly, repelled by her indifference -to bloodshed.</p> - -<p>“Follow them and kill them now!” she cried vindictively. -“Do you hear? Kill them before they -carry the story of this rescue to their masters;” and -in her frenzy she took hold of my arm and shook it, -urging me toward the door.</p> - -<p>“Better see to your wound,” I returned, as I sheathed -my sword.</p> - -<p>“Bah, you are mad! I have no patience with you!” -She shrugged her shoulders as though I were little -better than a contemptible coward, and walked to the -end of the room and stood in the lamplight half turned -away from me.</p> - -<p>The pose revealed to me the full majestic grace of -her form, while the profile of her face, as thrown into -half shadow by the rather dim light of the room, set -me wondering. It was not a beautiful face. The features, -nose and mouth especially, were too large, the -cheek bones too high, the colour too pale; but it was a -face full of such power and strength and resource that -it compelled your admiration and silenced your critical -judgment. A woman to be remarked anywhere.</p> - -<p>But when she turned her eyes upon me a moment<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> -later, they seemed to rivet me with an indescribable -and irresistible fascination. In striking contrast to -the rich red hair and the pale skin, the eyes were as -black as night. The iris almost as dark as the pupil, -the white opalescent in its clearness, and fringed with -lashes and brows of deep brown. She caught my gaze -on her, and held it with a look so intense that I could -scarcely turn away.</p> - -<p>Her bosom was heaving, and her breath coming and -going quickly with her exertions and excitement, and -after a moment, without saying a word, she threw -herself into a low chair and hid her face in her hands.</p> - -<p>Who could she be? That she was a woman of station -was manifest. The richness of her dress, the appointments -of the room, told this plainly, even if her -mien and carriage had not proclaimed it; and yet she -seemed alone in the house. It was a position of considerable -embarrassment, and for the moment I did -not know what to do.</p> - -<p>I had no wish to be mixed up in any such intrigue -as was clearly at the bottom of this business; and -though I was glad to have saved her life, I was anxious -to be gone before any further developments should -involve me in unpleasant consequences.</p> - -<p>There was no more dangerous hornet’s nest of intrigue -and conspiracy than Sofia to be found in Europe -at that time, and the secret mission which had -brought me to the city about a fortnight before was -more than enough to tax all my energies and power, -without any such additional complication as this adventure -seemed to promise. My object was to get to -the bottom of the secret machinations by which Russia -was endeavouring to close her grip of iron on the throne -and country of Bulgaria, and, if possible, thwart them;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> -and I had been trying and testing by every secret -means at my command to find a path that would lead -me to my end. It must be a delicate and dangerous -task enough under the best auspices, but if I were to be -embarrassed now by the coils of any private vengeance -feud, I ran a good chance of being baffled completely.</p> - -<p>Even before this night the difficulties in my way had -appeared as hopeless as the perils were inevitable; and -I had felt as a man might feel who had resolved to -stay the progress of a railway train by laying his head -on the metals. But if this affair were as deadly as it -seemed, I might find my head struck off before even -the train came in sight.</p> - -<p>Yet to leave such a woman in this helpless plight -was the act of a coward, and not to be thought of for -a moment; and I stood looking at her in sheer perplexity -and indecision.</p> - -<p>She lay back in her seat for some minutes, making -no attempt to call assistance, not even taking her hands -from her face, and paying no heed whatever to her -wound, the blood from which had stained her dress.</p> - -<p>I roused myself at length, and, feeling the sheer necessity -of doing something, went to the door and called -loudly for the servants.</p> - -<p>“It is useless to call; there is no one in the house,” -she said, her voice now trembling slightly; and with a -deep sigh she rose from her chair, and after a moment’s -pause crossed the room to me. She fixed her eyes -upon my face; her look had changed from that of the -vengeful Fury who had repelled me with her violent -recklessness of passion to one of ineffable sweetness, -tenderness, and gratitude. Out of her eyes had died -down all the wildness, and what remained charmed -and thrilled me, until I felt myself almost constrained<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> -to throw myself at her feet in eagerness to do whatever -she bade me.</p> - -<p>“You will think me an ingrate, or a miser of my -thanks, sir,” she said in a tone rich and soft; “and yet, -believe me, my heart is full of gratitude.”</p> - -<p>“Please say no more,” I replied, with a wave of the -hand; “but tell me, can I be of any further service? -Your wound—can I not get you assistance?”</p> - -<p>She paid no heed to the question, but remained -gazing steadfastly into my eyes. Then her face broke -into a smile that transfigured it until it seemed to glow -with a quite radiant beauty.</p> - -<p>“Yes, indeed, you can serve me—if you will; but -not only in the manner you think. The servants have -deserted the house. I am alone to-night—alone and -quite in your power.” She lingered on the words, -paused, and then added: “But in the power of a man -of honour.”</p> - -<p>“How can I serve you? You have but to ask.”</p> - -<p>“I wish I could think that,” was the quick answer, -with a flash from her eyes. “But first for this,” and -she rapidly bared the wound, revealing an arm and -shoulder of surpassing beauty of form. “Can you -bind this up?” For the moment I was amazed at this -complete abandonment of all usual womanly reserve. -The action was deliberate, however, and I read it as at -once a sign of her trust and confidence in me, and a -test of my honour. The hurt was not serious. The -man’s blade had pierced the soft white flesh of the -shoulder, but had not penetrated deep; and I had -no difficulty in staunching the blood and binding -it up.</p> - -<p>“It is not a serious wound,” I said reassuringly. “I -am glad.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span>“That is no fault of the dastard who struck at me. -It was aimed at my heart.”</p> - -<p>She showed not the least embarrassment, but appeared -bent on making me feel that she trusted me as -implicitly as a child. When I had bound up the -wound she resumed her dress, taking care to put the -stains of blood out of sight; and then, with a few -swift, graceful movements, for all the stiffness of the -hurt, she coiled up the loose tresses of her hair.</p> - -<p>When she had finished she went to a cabinet, and, -taking wine and glasses, filled them.</p> - -<p>“You will pledge me?” and she looked the invitation. -“We women are so weak. I am beginning to feel -the reaction.”</p> - -<p>I was putting the glass to my lips when she stopped -me.</p> - -<p>“Stay, I wish to know to whom I owe my life?”</p> - -<p>So powerful was the strange influence she exerted -that I was on the point of blurting out the truth, that -I was Gerald Winthrop, an Englishman, when I -steadied my scrambled wits, and, mindful of my secret -mission in the country and of the part I was playing, -I replied:</p> - -<p>“I am the Count Benderoff, of Radova.”</p> - -<p>She saw the hesitation, but put it down to a momentary -reluctance to disclose my identity, for she -answered:</p> - -<p>“You will not repent having trusted me with your -name, Count.” Then, with a flashing, subtle underglance, -she added, “And do you know me?”</p> - -<p>“As yet, madame, I have not that honour, to my -regret.”</p> - -<p>“Yet I am not unknown in Bulgaria,” and she raised -her head with a gesture of infinite pride.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span>“I am a stranger in Sofia,” said I, in excuse of my -ignorance.</p> - -<p>“Even strangers know of the staunch woman-friend -of his Highness the Prince. I am the Countess Anna -Bokara.”</p> - -<p>I knew her well enough by repute, and her presence -in the house alone and defenceless was the more -mystifying.</p> - -<p>“Permit me to wish you a speedy recovery from -your wound, Countess,” and to cover the thoughts -which her words started I raised my glass. She seemed -almost to caress me with her eyes and voice as she -replied:</p> - -<p>“I drink to my newest friend, that rare thing in this -distracted country, a man of honour, the Count Benderoff, -of Radova.” As she set her glass down she -added: “My enemies have done me a splendid service, -Count—they have brought me your friendship. They -could not have made us a nobler or more timely gift. -The Prince has need of such a man as you.”</p> - -<p>I bowed but did not answer.</p> - -<p>“You are a stranger here, you say. May I ask your -purpose in coming?”</p> - -<p>“I am in search of a career.”</p> - -<p>“I can promise you that,” she cried swiftly, with -manifest pleasure. “I can promise you that certainly, -if you will serve his Highness as bravely as you have -served me to-night. You must not think, because you -see me here, seemingly alone and helpless, that I have -lost my influence and power in the country. My -enemies have done this—Russia through the vile agents -she sends here to wound this distracted country to the -death—suborning all that is honourable, debasing all -that is pure, undermining all that is patriotic, lying,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> -slandering, scheming, wrecking, destroying, working -all and any evil, bloodshed, and horror, to serve the -one end ever in their eyes—the subjugation of this -wretched people. My God! that such injustice should -be wrought!”</p> - -<p>The fire and passion flamed in her face as she spoke -with rapid vehemence.</p> - -<p>“But it is by such men as you that this can best be -thwarted—can only be thwarted. I tell you, Count, -the Prince has need of such men as you. Pledge me -now that you will join him and—and me. You have -seen here to-night the lengths to which these villains -would go. Because of my influence with the Prince, -and in opposition to Russia, I have been lured here -by a lying message; lured to be murdered in cold -blood, as you saw. You saved my life; I have put -my honour in your hands; you have offered to serve -me. You are a brave, true, honourable man. You -must be with us!” she cried vehemently. “Give me -your word—nay, you have given it, and I can claim it. -You will not desert me. Make the cause of truth and -honour yours, and tell me that my Prince and I may -rely on you.”</p> - -<p>She set me on fire with her words and glances of -appeal, and at the close she laid her hands on mine, -until I was thrilled by the infection of her enthusiasm, -while her eyes sought mine, and she seemed to hunger -for the words of consent for which she waited.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II<br /> - - -<small>“NOW YOU WILL HAVE TO JOIN US”</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tempting</span> as the offer was which my strange companion -made me, I could not bring myself to accept it -without time for consideration, and my hesitation in -replying irritated and seemed to anger her.</p> - -<p>She thrust my hands away from her with petulant -quickness.</p> - -<p>“You are a man of strangely deliberate discretion, -Count,” she said as she turned away to the end of the -room and threw herself into her chair again, from which -she regarded me with a glance half scornful, half entreating.</p> - -<p>“If I do not accept at once, believe me it is from -no lack of appreciation of the honour you offer me or -the charm with which it is offered, but circumstances -compel me to be deliberate.”</p> - -<p>“Circumstances?” she cried, with a shrug of disdain -and disappointment.</p> - -<p>“I regret that I cannot explain them.”</p> - -<p>I could not, without telling her the whole reason of -my presence in Sofia; and that was of course impossible. -My secret commission was from the British -Government, and the intrigue which I had to try and -defeat was designed to depose her Prince, and set on -the throne in his place a woman who would be a mere -tool in the hands of Russia.</p> - -<p>I am half a Roumanian by birth, my father having<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> -married the Countess of Radova, and my childhood -had been spent in the Balkan peninsula. It was on -one of my visits to the estates in Radova that I had -come across the scent of this newest Russian intrigue, -and as I had already had close communications with -the British Foreign Office and accepted one or two -missions of a secret character, I had volunteered for -this, believing that single-handed I could effect secretly -much more than could be done by the ordinary machinery -of diplomacy. The Balkan States were in a condition -of ferment and unrest; the war between -Bulgaria and Servia had ended not long previously; -Russia was keenly bent upon rendering her influence -impregnable; and as no other European Government -would interfere, our Foreign Office was loath to take -open measures.</p> - -<p>At such a juncture my services were readily accepted, -and I had arrived in Sofia a couple of weeks before, -and was just forming my plans, when this startling -incident had occurred.</p> - -<p>I had stipulated for a perfectly free hand as to the -course I should pursue, and the means I should adopt -to secure my end—a concession that had been granted -me with the one stipulation that if I failed or if trouble -arose through my agency our Foreign Office would be -at liberty to disown me.</p> - -<p>It will thus be seen how strongly I was tempted to -accept the offer which the Countess Bokara made me, -and which I knew she was in a position to carry out. -But still I hesitated, unwilling to commit myself -definitely to either side prematurely, lest such open -alliance with the one side should make me a mark for -the hostility of the other.</p> - -<p>My instincts, sympathies, English associations and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> -wishes all prompted me to accept the offer and throw -myself heart and soul into the cause of the Prince; -but I had to walk by the cooler guidance of judgment, -and it had before been in my thoughts rather to seek -an alliance with the Russian party and find among -their ranks the men and means for a counter intrigue -to thwart theirs.</p> - -<p>I resolved, therefore, not to pledge myself to this -witching woman, whose strange personality wielded -such fascinating influence.</p> - -<p>Few as were the moments that sufficed for these -reflections, they were too many for my companion’s -patience.</p> - -<p>“How came you here to-night so opportunely?” -she asked, breaking the silence suddenly.</p> - -<p>“You passed me on the other side of the Cathedral -Square, and I then observed you were being followed. -I followed in my turn, lest you should be in need of -assistance.”</p> - -<p>“There are not many men in Sofia who would have -dared to interfere in such a cause. But for you I -should be dead now,” she shuddered, “and the Prince -would have had one friend the less—or may I not say, -two friends?”</p> - -<p>“The Prince will always have a friend in me,” I returned -guardedly.</p> - -<p>She made a movement of impatience.</p> - -<p>“I want no general phrases.” Then after a pause -and in a different tone, she added: “Tell me, what -arguments are the strongest that I can use with you, -my friend? You said just now you were seeking a -career. Have you ambitions? If so, I can promise -you a splendid fulfilment of them. Do you wish -riches? They shall be yours! Have you a heart? I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> -will find you as fair a bride as man’s eyes can rest -upon. Have you judgment? Aye, have you anything—except -a commitment to the other side—and -I can prevail with you. Join us, and before three -months are over your head you shall be the Prince’s -right hand—and mine.” The subtle witchery of her -tone in the last two words was indescribable.</p> - -<p>But I would not let her prevail, though her words -and manner were well-nigh dazzling enough to carry -me out of myself. The magnetism of her mere presence -was overpowering.</p> - -<p>“You are not fair to me, Countess. A man cannot -reason coldly in the presence of such charms as you -exert,” I answered, stooping to flattery, though telling -the truth.</p> - -<p>She shook her head and tapped her foot on the -ground.</p> - -<p>“Say no, bluntly, if you will, but do not try to slip -away with words of cheap and empty flattery. I am -not appealing to you to join for my sake, gladly as I -would welcome you, but for the sake of the Prince, -for the cause of truth, for the honour and safety of -Bulgaria. Stay——” as I was about to answer, “I -have seen you act and I have read your character. I -do not make mistakes. I know you are to be trusted. -You have saved my life, at a greater risk than you -may think, for you will be a marked man now; and -I will do more than put my life in your hands—I will -tell you everything. You will not reveal it—though, -Heaven knows, betrayal is the religion of most men -here,” she exclaimed bitterly.</p> - -<p>“I would rather you told me none of your secrets,” -I said, but she swept my protest aside with a wave of -the hand.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span>“You wonder why you find me here in this house -alone at night. You must wonder; I will tell you. -It is my mother’s house—my own is across the city -near the Palace—and to-night her own maid came to -me with an urgent message that my mother had been -stricken down suddenly and was dying, and that I -must come at once. It was a lie, of course, though -for the moment it blinded me. I hurried here on foot, -too anxious even to wait for a carriage to be got ready, -and when I arrived the place was empty. While I was -wondering whether I had been betrayed, the men you -saw—to whom keys of the place had been given—entered, -and would assuredly have murdered me but -for your arrival. That is how Russia plays her cards -in Bulgaria.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know they were Russian agents?”</p> - -<p>“How do I know that when I am hungry I want to -eat? Wearied, I need sleep? Bah! do you think I -have no instincts, and do not know my enemies? -How do I know their plans and plots?” She fired -the questions at me with vindictive indignation and a -smile of surprise that I should even ask such a thing. -Then her expression changed to one of deep earnestness, -her tone hard and bitter.</p> - -<p>“I will tell you how you shall know it, too. They -have tried every other means but this to separate me -from my Prince. Threats at which I laughed; bribes -to be anything I pleased, which I scorned; hints of -his assassination, which I carried to him; everything—till -only this was left; and now this,” and she -touched her wound lightly. “And even this, thanks -to your valour, Count, has now failed. And their object, -you will ask? They have a plot to drive my -Prince from Bulgaria, because he will not be their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> -tool. You know he will not; all Europe knows it, and -knows too that the only chance for Bulgaria’s real independence -is that he shall remain on the throne here. -And remain he shall, I swear, by the great God they -all profess to worship, in spite of all their crafty intrigue -and bloodthirsty plotting. And yet, mark you, -the worst danger lies not with them, but with the fools -and traitors in Bulgaria itself whom they delude or -suborn. There is not a self-interest to which they do -not appeal, from the ambition of the fool to the corruptness -of the knave. And God knows, both knaves -and fools are plentiful enough here.”</p> - -<p>“And their scheme?” I asked, moved by her intense -earnestness.</p> - -<p>She looked at me sharply.</p> - -<p>“Then you do wish to hear it?” she asked, referring -to my former protest. “You shall. There is a -woman—a seemingly innocent, soft-natured thing, all -sweetness and grace, but a devil; with the beauty of -an angel and the heart of a vampire—a devil.”</p> - -<p>Her fury was instant, overwhelming, absorbing.</p> - -<p>“Did they propose marrying her to your Prince?” -I asked, making a shot.</p> - -<p>She darted at me a swift glance that might have -been winged with hate at the mere suggestion. Then -her eyes changed, and she laughed and said softly:</p> - -<p>“You are the man for us. Calm as a sword and as -sharp as the point. Yes, they dared even that—but I -was in the way. In another woman’s hands they -thought he might have been won round. But rather -than see him the husband of that fiend, Christina, I -myself would have plunged a dagger into his heart—and -they guessed this, I suppose, and changed the -plan. She is the Princess of Orli, as probably you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> -know—for I don’t suppose you are quite as unknowing -as you seem—and apparently is all for Bulgaria and -the Bulgarians. Like you, she is a Roumanian, and -like you, if I read you right, she is driven from her -country by the all-powerful Russian predominance—at -least, that’s what she says. Isn’t that why you -left?” she asked, with quick shrewdness.</p> - -<p>“The Russian predominance there is undoubted,” I -answered.</p> - -<p>She liked the answer and laughed.</p> - -<p>“Good! you are cautious, and I don’t blame you. -For the lips that breathe out rashness breathe in danger, -my friend. But now, will you join us? You can -see the career that awaits such a man as yourself here—at -the right hand of the Prince.”</p> - -<p>“But if the Princess Christina is opposed to Russia, -how does she threaten Bulgaria?”</p> - -<p>“Aye, if?” and she laughed scornfully. “There is -another complication. The woman has sold herself to -the Russians. She is betrothed secretly to one of the -worst of them all, a man of infinite vileness and treachery—the -Duke Sergius. And the plot is that as soon -as this Christina is on the throne, the precious pair are -to be married, and Russia triumphs in despite of anything -Europe may say to the contrary.”</p> - -<p>“I see,” and so in truth I did; for in a moment the -kernel of the whole movement was laid bare to me, as -well as the objective of all my work in Bulgaria. I -remained some moments buried in thought, and all -the time my companion’s eyes were searching my face -for a clue to my thoughts. “It is very Russian,” I -said at length, equivocally; and at the words she made -a quick gesture of impatience.</p> - -<p>“You will not give me a sign,” she cried, and jumped<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> -to her feet impulsively. “But you will join us?” she -asked. She came close to me as she waited for the -answer, and when I did not answer, she added quickly, -“Why do you hesitate?”</p> - -<p>Before I could reply, we both heard a noise somewhere -in the house.</p> - -<p>“What can that be?” I asked. “You said there -was no one in the house.”</p> - -<p>“None, that I know;” and we both stood listening -intently. “Those rascals may have left the place open -and let in some of the thieves that infest the streets.”</p> - -<p>“Those are no thieves’ footsteps,” I answered, as -quick steps were heard approaching the room.</p> - -<p>“It may be another attempt on me—but I have a -brave defender now,” she said, under her breath.</p> - -<p>I had a revolver with me and took it out of my pocket, -glancing to see that the chambers were all loaded.</p> - -<p>“You had better stand back at the end of the room -there,” and I went towards the door.</p> - -<p>At that moment it was opened quickly, and three -men in uniform entered.</p> - -<p>“Stand!” I called. “What do you want here?”</p> - -<p>“I am an agent of the Government and hold an order -for the arrest of the Countess Bokara,” answered the -leader, coming to a sudden halt when he saw me in the -way armed.</p> - -<p>“Well, you cannot execute it now.”</p> - -<p>“My orders are imperative, sir, and you will resist -me at your peril.”</p> - -<p>“I shall resist,” said I shortly. “Where’s your -order?”</p> - -<p>“I have it, that is enough,” he replied with equal -curtness.</p> - -<p>“Produce it!”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>“That is not in my instructions.”</p> - -<p>“Then I don’t believe you have it. Leave the house -before there is any further trouble.”</p> - -<p>“I must do my duty. Georgiew,” he called to one -of the two men, who had kept close to the door in fear, -but now stepped up to his leader’s side.</p> - -<p>“Who has signed your order?” asked the Countess, -interposing.</p> - -<p>“One whose authority is sufficient for me.”</p> - -<p>“But not for me,” she cried. I turned, and found -to my surprise that she had come to my side, and was -staring with fixed intensity into the man’s face. “Not -for me,” she repeated.</p> - -<p>“You must be prepared to accompany me, madame, -nevertheless, and I trust you will come at once, and -without causing trouble. We are three to one, sir, -and fully armed; resistance will be useless,” he added -to me.</p> - -<p>“If you were thirty to one I would not give way -unless you produced your authority,” I answered, my -blood beginning to heat under his manner and tone.</p> - -<p>“I ask you for the last time, madame, to come with -me,” and, with a sign to the others, he made ready to -attack me.</p> - -<p>“Aye, for the last time,” said my companion, between -her teeth, and before I could guess her intention, -she gave a startling proof of her desperate resource -and deadly recklessness.</p> - -<p>With a suddenness that took me entirely by surprise, -she snatched the revolver from me, and levelling it with -quick aim, she fired two shots in rapid succession with -deadly effect, for the two men standing near us fell -dead at our feet, shot through the head. The third, -who had kept near the door, with a coward’s prudence,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> -took to his heels incontinently, and left us alone with -the dead.</p> - -<p>“Good God! what have you done?” I cried, aghast -at her deed. “These men were soldiers.”</p> - -<p>She laughed into my scared face.</p> - -<p>“You don’t suppose death counts for much in this -country. This is only spy carrion,” and with the utmost -<i>sang-froid</i> she stooped and rifled the pockets of the -dead leader, turning the body over for the purpose, -and took from his pocket a paper which she held up -for me to read. “I was sure of it.”</p> - - - -<p class="center">“What the bearer does is by my order and authority.</p> - -<p class="center"><span class="gap">(Signed),</span><span class="gap"> <span class="smcap">M. Kolfort</span>, <i>General</i>.”</span></p> - - -<p>“General Kolfort is the implacable leader of the -Russian party, and that document was my death warrant,” -she said.</p> - -<p>In a moment I saw my danger, and she read my -thought instantly.</p> - -<p>“Yes, you are committed, my friend; now you will -have to join us,” and she smiled triumphantly in my -face. “I am glad.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III<br /> - - -<small>THE PRINCESS CHRISTINA</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> amazing turn which events had taken through -the terrible act of my companion filled me with consternation -at the possible effects to us both; and after -I had satisfied myself that the two men were dead and -so beyond help, I paced the room in anxious, perturbed -thought.</p> - -<p>She was not in the least perturbed, and filled the -minutes by going carefully through the leader’s papers -in search of anything that would tend to the confusion -of her enemies. A low exclamation of pleasure -told me that, when she found what she sought.</p> - -<p>She showed no jot or tittle of remorse at this shedding -of blood. To her the two men were no more -than a couple of wild beasts who had attacked her, -and had been killed in her self-defence. She was as -hard and callous as any public executioner could have -been.</p> - -<p>“See here!” she cried at length. “Here are proofs -enough of the villany,” and she put papers into my -hand which showed plainly enough that the whole -matter had been planned by those high in the Russian -party. One was no less than a clear but brief statement -of instructions. If the first attempt at secret -assassination failed, this endeavour by means of a pretended -arrest by men in uniform dressed to look like -officers was to be made, and the Countess was to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> -hurried to Tirnova to be dealt with there, should she -reach the fortress alive.</p> - -<p>“You will need these when the attempt is made to -implicate you. Yours is a deadly sin—to have come -between Kolfort and his vengeance—and you will -need all your wits to get out of it with your life, -even with these papers, unless you throw yourself -under the protection of the Prince and his party. As -I said, you will have to join us now, Count.”</p> - -<p>“I shall still take time to consider,” I answered -rather shortly. “You have given me plenty of food for -thought. But now, what of your immediate safety? -You cannot stay here.”</p> - -<p>“Nor you, either. You let the third man escape, -and by this time he is carrying his news of failure with -feet winged with fear. I have done with this carrion,” -and she cast a look of repugnance at the dead men, -and turning away, resumed her cloak with great haste. -“You will not decide now?” she asked, as she was -ready to go.</p> - -<p>“No, I must have time. But where will you go -now?”</p> - -<p>“I shall communicate with you. You will be a -marked man from this hour, and easy to find,” she said -significantly; “and if you are in danger sooner than you -expect, do not hesitate to let me know. Our next -meeting will be in the Prince’s palace, and the sooner -the better.”</p> - -<p>“Where will you go now?” I repeated.</p> - -<p>“Do not fear for me. You will need all your efforts -to save your own skin. Come!” She left the light -burning, and led the way out of the house by a back -entrance that opened on to a narrow alley, along which -we hurried.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>“I will see you safe to your home,” I said, when she -stopped at the mouth of it and held out her hand. -She smiled.</p> - -<p>“No, no, I am in no danger; but for you, take this -path as far as it goes, turn sharp to the right until you -come to an avenue of trees, and at the bottom of that -you will know where you are. Good-night, Count! -and once more I thank you with all my heart for your -service. But we shall both live to see my thanks in an -alliance that will do great things for the Prince and for -Bulgaria.”</p> - -<p>She gave me her hand, and though I pressed her to -let me see her safely across the city, she would not, but -put me on my honour not to follow her, and turning, -sped away, keeping in the shadow, and going at such a -speed that she was soon out of my sight.</p> - -<p>Then I followed the way she had told me, and found -myself close to the street in which my hotel was situated. -I walked slowly from that point, my brain in a -whirl of excitement at all that had happened in the -crowded hours of that night.</p> - -<p>When I reached my hotel it was only to pace my -room in restless, anxious, brain-racking thought of the -net of complications in which I found myself involved, -and the hundred dangers which appeared to have -sprung up suddenly to menace me. It was in vain that -I threw myself on my bed. I could not sleep. If I -dozed, it was only to start up at the bidding of some -dream danger, threatening me with I know not what -consequences. It was long past the dawn before I -slept, and when the servant called me, I sprang up, -thinking it was my instant arrest that was intended.</p> - -<p>But my wits were cooler and more collected for the -rest, and when hour after hour of the anxious day<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> -passed and nothing happened, I began to think I had -exaggerated the risks of my position.</p> - -<p>In the cool of the evening I rode out, and on my -return ventured to find out and pass through the street -of the previous night’s adventure. Nothing unusual -was astir. No one paid the least heed to me. I might -have been an ordinary tourist without the least interest -in anything but the scenery. So it was at my -hotel. Nothing happened that evening nor on any of -the three remaining days of the week, and I occupied -myself with the business of preparing the large house -which I had taken for my residence.</p> - -<p>Yet, even the lack of any consequences to me had a -grim significance. It seemed a fearsome thing, indeed, -that murder could be attempted openly, and two of -the would-be assassins shot dead in the effort, and yet -the life of the city flow on without the least interruption, -and, as it appeared, with never a person to ask a -question about them or show the faintest interest in the -event. Truly, as my strange companion in the adventure -had said, death counted for little in the grim game -of intrigue that was being played in the country.</p> - -<p>I had provided myself with a few letters of introduction, -and, knowing the average poverty of the people -and the high esteem set on riches, I had dropped a -number of judicious hints that I was a man of considerable -wealth. I had taken the largest house I could -find in the city, and by these means had opened a way -into a certain section of society. It had been my -original intention to use such opportunities as would -thus be afforded to carry out my original intention. -But the adventure with the Countess Bokara would -render this less necessary should I resolve to accept -the offer of close service with the Prince which she had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> -made me; and the few guarded inquiries I was able to -make as to her influence confirmed completely my -previous belief in her power to fulfil all she had -promised.</p> - -<p>Several days passed, and I was in this condition of -comparative uncertainty when, toward the close of the -week following my adventure, an incident occurred -which gave me startling proof that, for all the apparent -quietude, I myself was, as she had declared, a marked -man.</p> - -<p>I was sitting alone in a <i>café</i> one evening, my friends -having left me, when my attention was attracted to the -movements of three men, two being in uniform, at a -table in a far corner of the place. They were busily -occupied over some papers, and a constant succession -of men kept coming to them, as it seemed to me, for -some kind of instructions. As business was constantly -transacted in this way at the <i>cafés</i>, I had at first no -more than a feeling of idle curiosity; but when the -thing had continued for an hour or more, my interest -deepened, and I watched them closely, although, as I -thought, unobserved by them.</p> - -<p>At length a message was given them which appeared -to cause great surprise, and they paid their score and -hurried out of the place.</p> - -<p>I followed them, still impelled mainly by curiosity; -and as they were engrossed in conversation, talking -and gesticulating, I had no difficulty in keeping them -in sight as they passed through several streets, and at -length entered a large house which filled one side of a -small quadrangle, close on the street.</p> - -<p>I stood awhile at the corner, scanning the house -curiously, and made a mental note to ascertain to -whom it belonged, and was in the act of turning away<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> -to retrace my steps to the hotel, when a man came out -of the house, glanced about him as though in some -doubt, and then looked closely at me. He walked to -the corner of the street opposite, still looking at me, -and after a minute of doubt, crossed to me.</p> - -<p>“I am to give you this, sir,” he said, speaking with -the manner of a confidential servant.</p> - -<p>“To me? I think not. What name?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“I had no name given to me, but I was to say it was -‘In the Name of a Woman!’”</p> - -<p>“‘In the Name of a Woman?’” I repeated. It -could not be for me. I knew no such pass-word, and I -connected it instantly with what I had seen at the -<i>café</i>. I was about to send the man away, when it -occurred to me that it might be a message from the -Countess Bokara, and that, from a love of mystery, she -had chosen this exceedingly ambiguous method of communication. -I took the letter which the man held out, -therefore, and read a message written in a woman’s -handwriting:—</p> - -<p class="center">“Follow the Bearer,<br /> -<span class="gap">In the Name of a Woman.”</span></p> - -<p>I was disposed to smile, but checked myself on seeing -the servant’s eyes fixed upon me.</p> - -<p>“I am to follow you,” I said gravely.</p> - -<p>Without a word he led the way back to the house, -through the deep gloomy archway, in which I noticed -a number of servants and others lounging and waiting, -and up three or four steps into the house. Turning to -make sure that I was behind him, the man crossed a -hall, in which were more men, some in uniform, through -a curtained archway at the end, and up a broad stairway<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> -on to a wide landing-place until he paused before -a large dark oak door. He opened this quietly and -stood aside for me to enter.</p> - -<p>As I did so, some words came to my ears that were -certainly not intended for a stranger to hear.</p> - -<p>“Curse the business. I am sick of the place. The -sooner this thing’s over and Christina is on the throne -and married to Sergius, the sooner we shall be back in -Moscow and out of this beastly hole.”</p> - -<p>The voice was loud and strident, and the language -Russian; and the speaker, a young red-haired man, in -an officer’s uniform, laughed noisily. I was in the room -before the sentence ended, but I came to an abrupt -halt in my surprise, and perceiving at once the mistake -that had been made, I half turned to leave the room -again. But the man who had brought me had already -closed the door.</p> - -<p>My surprise was not one whit greater than that of -the three men in the room, however, who were standing -together by a table with their backs to the door, and -not having heard it open, did not know I was there -till the officer who had spoken turned round.</p> - -<p>“Hullo! who the devil’s this?” he exclaimed. -“What do you want, sir?” and I saw his hand go to -his sword hilt.</p> - -<p>His companions turned quickly on hearing him, and -stared at me with evident amazement.</p> - -<p>“Be quiet, Marx,” said one of them in Russian, a -much older man, and apparently in command. Then -in Bulgarian to me, “May I ask your business, sir?”</p> - -<p>“On my word, I know no more than yourself,” I -answered, keeping my eye on the red-haired man -whose threatening looks I did not at all like. “I am -here ‘In the Name of a Woman,’ I presume. A messenger<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> -accosted me a few minutes since in the street -close by and gave me a written message to follow him. -He brought me here—and that’s all I know.”</p> - -<p>“A cool devil, on my word,” exclaimed the red-headed -man, and whispered something to the third -which I could not catch.</p> - -<p>“There has seemingly been some mistake,” said the -elder man suavely. “You have not been long in the -room, sir?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly not, the door has but barely closed.”</p> - -<p>“You are too much of a gentleman, of course, to -intrude yourself upon us unannounced and listen to -our private conversation.” There was an ominous -suggestion of threat in the words, and behind them I -could detect not a little anxiety and embarrassment.</p> - -<p>One of the other officers gave a little sneering -laugh.</p> - -<p>“You wish to know whether I have overheard anything? -I speak Russian, and as I entered I could not -help hearing what was being said.”</p> - -<p>A look of concern showed on all three faces as I -spoke.</p> - -<p>“You will have the goodness to repeat what you -overheard,” said the elder man, his voice hardening -and deepening.</p> - -<p>I repeated in Russian almost word for word what -had been said, and the man whose unguarded words I -had overheard turned very white.</p> - -<p>An embarrassing silence followed.</p> - -<p>“And what meaning do you attach to the words, -sir?”</p> - -<p>“I do not see that they concern me, or that I am -called upon to give any explanation,” I answered -coolly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>“By God! you shall answer,” broke in impetuously -and passionately the red-haired man, as he made a -couple of strides toward me.</p> - -<p>His superior frowned upon him and muttered a word -of caution.</p> - -<p>I began to feel glad that I had brought my sword-stick -with me.</p> - -<p>“One moment; excuse me,” said the elder man, -whose great uneasiness was now very manifest, and -the three held a hurried consultation, in which I could -see the red-haired man urging some plan from which -the elder strongly dissented. Then the latter turned -again to me.</p> - -<p>“I must press you to answer my question, sir,” he -said.</p> - -<p>“The words could have only one possible meaning,” -I replied, seeing no use in equivocation. “The hope -was expressed that Christina, presumably the Princess -of Orli, would soon be on the throne and married to -the Duke Sergius, in order that the speaker might -be free to return to Moscow.” I spoke very deliberately.</p> - -<p>“I told you so. The fellow may be a spy and can’t -go free after that,” exclaimed the fiery officer. “Have -up the men at once and let him be secured until we -find out all about him,” and he went to the bell-pull to -summon the servants or more probably soldiers.</p> - -<p>My next act surprised him and stayed his hand, -however. I had observed a couple of heavy bolts on -the door, and thinking that I had better have three -men to deal with than thirty, I shot them into their -sockets, and setting my back to the door, said shortly:</p> - -<p>“There should be nothing in this which we cannot -settle amongst ourselves, gentlemen, and with your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> -permission I prefer to have no one else here until it is -settled.”</p> - -<p>This was too much for the two younger men. They -drew their swords at once and came toward me.</p> - -<p>“You will stand aside from that door at once, or -take the consequences,” said the red-haired man.</p> - -<p>My answer was to whip my sword from the stick -and put myself on the defensive. The door stood in -an angle of the room, excellently placed for my purpose, -as my two opponents would be much hampered -in attacking me together, and I was not afraid of what -either could do single-handed.</p> - -<p>Their anger at my resistance made them deaf to the -protests and expostulations of their superior. The -red man was the first to cross swords, and he was so -indifferent a swordsman that I could have disabled -him had not the second perceived his inferiority and -made at me in his turn.</p> - -<p>A very pretty fight followed, but infinitely perilous -to me. Even if I were successful I could not see how -possibly to escape from the house, which as I knew -was swarming with men. But I went to work with a -will, and soon had cause to thank the advantage I -gained owing to the position of the door.</p> - -<p>The object of the less furious of the two was rather to -disarm than to wound, and I noticed that he neglected -more than one opportunity of wounding me. The -other was a hot-headed fool, however, and was obviously -dead bent on killing me; but a couple of minutes later -I had an excellent chance of settling matters with him. -He was fighting in a furious, haphazard, reckless fashion, -when the second man stumbled from some cause -and was out of the fray for several passes. I made -the most of the respite, and pressing the fight to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> -utmost, I ran my assailant through the sword-arm, inflicting -a wound which caused him to drop his sword. -I kicked it behind me, and was thus free to devote my -whole attention to my other assailant.</p> - -<p>I was cleverer with the weapon than he, as I perceived -to my intense satisfaction, and was considering -where I would wound him and end the fight, when my -luck turned. I trod by mischance on the hilt of the -sword at my feet, stumbled, and, unable to save myself, -fell staggering at full length on the floor.</p> - -<p>It was all over, and I gave myself up for lost, when a -most unexpected and infinitely welcome interruption -came.</p> - -<p>A door at the other end of the room, which was hidden -by the curtains and tapestries that covered the -walls, opened, and I heard a woman’s soft clear voice, -in which vibrated a note of indignation and anger, -exclaim:</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, what is this brawling?”</p> - -<p>The others turned at the sound of the voice, and I -scrambled to my feet in an instant, gripped my weapon -again, and was once more ready against attack; though -I stared with all my eyes at the lovely face of the -queenly woman who had entered.</p> - -<p>“Put up your swords, gentlemen, instantly!” she -said; and in obedience the man who still had his -weapon sheathed it and fell back abashed behind his -superior officer.</p> - -<p>Intuitively I recognised the Princess Christina.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV<br /> - - -<small>“THE WEB IS WIDE, THE MESHES HARD TO BREAK”</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">As</span> beautiful as an angel, and with the heart of a -vampire.”</p> - -<p>This bitter description rushed to my thoughts as I -gazed at the Princess Christina. Surely never had -treachery, cruelty, and ambition a fairer guise than -hers, if treacherous and cruel she could be.</p> - -<p>But the thought started another suspicion. Had this -scene all been planned by her to catch me in the toils? -It was a dramatic enough entrance for me into her -circle, and certainly clever. It had been made to appear -as if I had forced my way into the house, had -overheard a compromising secret, had had my very life -placed in danger, and then at the critical moment it -was to her coming I owed my safety. If this were so, -I could understand why the less hot-headed of my two -assailants had first rushed to the assistance of his comrade, -but had then refrained from pressing the advantage -of the odds against me in the fight, and had not -attempted even to wound me.</p> - -<p>Could that lovely, ingenuous-looking woman have -laid such a scheme, and then have carried it out with -such shrewd stage-management, putting that little ring -of anger into her voice at all the clatter of the fight?</p> - -<p>If so the danger that had seemed to threaten me -had never existed, and I might as well do as she bade, -and put up the sword which had never been needed in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> -earnest. With a smile at the notion I sheathed it, and -waited for the next development of the comedy.</p> - -<p>Yet the anger in her eyes seemed sincere enough, and -if she was only acting she understood her business well; -for the indignation on her face and the liquid notes -of her perfect voice moved me to regret even my share -in the fracas, though it had been none of my seeking.</p> - -<p>“Major Zankoff, have you such poor command of -your subordinates that they must seek to shed blood -almost in my very presence?” At the rebuke the -eldest of the three men winced and bit his lip, but -made no reply except a bow. “You know my will, -sir!” she continued, with the mien of an empress; -“and any repetition of this forgetfulness will find me -deeply angered even against you.”</p> - -<p>“Madame, I am already punished,” replied the major, -with the bow of a courtier and the shrewdness of -a diplomat.</p> - -<p>“As for you, gentlemen,” she said, turning to the -other two, “I shall use my influence to see that you -are relieved from duties which you must surely find -irksome, since you seek relaxation in this cut and -thrust work. Be good enough to leave me.”</p> - -<p>This was a somewhat embarrassing request, for I was -by the door, and still held my foot on the fallen sword. -I was not disposed to have the door open lest others -should be brought in, and they were not willing that I -should have a chance of escape, carrying their secret -with me. The three exchanged looks, and then the -major came to the rescue.</p> - -<p>“There is a matter that needs explanation to you, -madame——” he began, when she cut him short.</p> - -<p>“I will hear nothing, Major Zankoff, until these -gentlemen have left me.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span>Another embarrassing pause followed, in which she -let her eyes glance toward me and rest a moment on -my face, with an effect I cannot describe. In an instant -it seemed as if all my doubts of her sincerity -dropped from me like a cloak. I felt absolutely assured, -not only of her purity and truth, but of my own -complete safety in trusting her, and with an impulse -that was as irresistible as it was instantaneous, I cut -the knot of the difficulty.</p> - -<p>I picked up the fallen sword, left my place by the -door, and handed it back to the owner.</p> - -<p>He flashed a curse at me out of his eyes that I should -have been the cause and witness of his humiliation, -and muttered in a tone too low to reach other ears -than mine, as he bent his head in sheathing the -weapon:</p> - -<p>“I will find you out, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Count Benderoff, Hôtel de l’Europe,” I whispered, -meeting his look with one as stern as his own, and -then stood aside for him and his companion to pass -out of the room.</p> - -<p>The Princess waited in silence until the door had -closed behind them, and then addressed me:</p> - -<p>“Why have you come to bring your quarrels here, -sir?”</p> - -<p>“I think I can best explain——” began Major -Zankoff.</p> - -<p>“I have asked this gentleman for his explanation, -Major,” she broke in, and I liked her calm assertion -of authority.</p> - -<p>“I have brought no quarrel here, Madame,” and I -explained very briefly the facts up to the moment of -her entrance.</p> - -<p>She bent her dark eyes on me during the recital, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> -gradually the colour of her cheeks deepened, until at -the close, with a flush of indignation and anger, she -cried:</p> - -<p>“You have been shamefully treated, sir—shamefully -and outrageously. Because by chance some hot-headed -idler cannot keep his tongue still, but must -blab of matters he does not understand, shall murder -be attempted? Major Zankoff, what had this gentleman -done that you should sanction this atrocious act? -We owe you an ample apology, sir; and I, the Princess -Christina of Orli”—drawing herself to her full -height—“tender it to you. I do not ask your name. -I ask nothing, but only tell you I am profoundly sorry -and deeply grieved that this should have occurred. -Major Zankoff, it is my express wish that you will see -this gentleman safely out of the house, and conduct -him to any part of the city he desires. His safety will -be your personal charge.”</p> - -<p>And with this she swept across the room and herself -held open the door for me to leave.</p> - -<p>Her beauty and grace, and, much more, the instinctive -justice of her act and implied trust in my -honour, conquered me. I did not wish to leave her, -and lingered gazing at her in admiration. This was -the Countess Bokara’s vampire. If this was how she -gained her victims, I, at any rate, was ready to be one -of them. As we stood thus, she holding the door and -I unwilling to go, our eyes met, and I was filled with -one consuming, burning impulse to serve her.</p> - -<p>Then came an interruption, which I for one welcomed -profoundly.</p> - -<p>An old man, in the uniform of a high Russian officer, -entered through the door which she had used, and -in a high-pitched voice said sharply:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span>“This is a somewhat unusual scene. What does it -mean?”</p> - -<p>I was watching the Princess closely, and saw an expression -of some disconcertment and alarm rush into -her eyes, to be as quickly forced down and followed -by what I half dared to hope was a look of solicitude -on my account. The eyes seemed to beg me to leave -while the way was still open.</p> - -<p>But I would not have gone for a fortune. I was -ten thousand times more eager to stay.</p> - -<p>Major Zankoff gave an expressive shrug of the shoulders -as he said in reply to the question: “There has -been a little misunderstanding, General.”</p> - -<p>The small, alert, piercing eyes seemed to take in the -situation at one sweeping glance that dwelt lastly on -my face.</p> - -<p>“Princess, can I have a word with you? Major -Zankoff, close the door and guard it. We want no -one in—or out,” he let the last two words drop from -his lips as though they were an after-thought and not -intended to be spoken aloud.</p> - -<p>“I am telling this gentleman that he is at liberty to -leave here, General,” she answered, lifting her head -with what I read as an intentional assertion of authority, -not made, however, without an effort.</p> - -<p>“Very good of you, very good indeed,” he replied -drily. “But as the gentleman does not seem disposed -to go, suppose we close the door. There is a draught -for one thing, and pretty situations should never be -strained. Besides, I wish to have a word with him -myself.”</p> - -<p>My wits had been somewhat mazed by the unexpected -character of the meeting with the Princess and -the whirl of strange and disturbing thoughts which she<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> -had started, but these last words of the old soldier -recalled me to myself quickly enough.</p> - -<p>“With me?” I said in surprise.</p> - -<p>“Certainly, with you,” he answered sharply.</p> - -<p>The suggestion of solicitude for me still lingered on -the Princess’s face as she left the door and went to the -old man.</p> - -<p>“I have passed my word for his safety, General,” -and she looked meaningly at him.</p> - -<p>“Do I look so fierce and terrible an object, madame, -that the gentleman will be afraid to trust himself alone -with me, think you?”</p> - -<p>“I have passed my word for his safety,” she repeated, -and turning to me, she added, “You may depend -upon that, sir,” and as she left the room she gave me a -look from her glorious eyes which seemed to say much -more than even her words.</p> - -<p>The old soldier smiled sardonically, and bowed low -to her as she passed him.</p> - -<p>“Umph! And now, sir, will you come with me; or -are you, as madame was disposed to think, afraid to -trust yourself with me? Zankoff, I do not wish to be -disturbed,” he said abruptly to the Major.</p> - -<p>He led me to a room beyond and motioned -me to a chair, near the table at which he seated himself.</p> - -<p>“You know, I presume, where you are, who I am, -and who that is we have just left!” he began.</p> - -<p>“I do not know all, but I can make a shrewd guess. -She is the Princess Christina; you, I presume, General -Kolfort, and this house, either yours or hers.”</p> - -<p>“As you say, a very shrewd guess—even for one -known to have such quick wits as the Count Benderoff, -of Radova.” He intended to surprise me, as indeed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> -he did, by the mention of my name; but I showed no -sign of this, although he looked for it.</p> - -<p>“Why did you force your way in here—unless, indeed, -you had an object which I shall only be too glad -to welcome?”</p> - -<p>“I will make another guess,” I answered. “I came -through your own contriving, General;” and this time -it was he, not I, who had to conceal surprise—for my -guess was right.</p> - -<p>He looked at me and nodded his head.</p> - -<p>“It is my business to know all newcomers to Sofia,” -he said. “And you are too notable and have started -too much comment for me not to know of you. My -agents serve me well, and I thought it was full time -for you to declare yourself. There are only two -courses open to a man making a career in this country, -as you have said you intend to do. Only two sides, -one of which a man must take. You must be either -for or against the interests of Russia—which is it to -be?”</p> - -<p>This was plain talking in all truth.</p> - -<p>“I have been in the country too short a time to -have weighed the considerations which must determine -me.”</p> - -<p>“Good; evasive but politic, though not, of course, -convincing.”</p> - -<p>“Yet true,” said I shortly.</p> - -<p>“Very well. We’ll take it at that;” and he looked -at me as if he were pondering carefully the arguments -he should use to convince and win me. “Yet you’ve -not been quite inactive, have you, although here so -short a time?”</p> - -<p>“You mean——?”</p> - -<p>“What should I mean?” he asked, throwing up his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> -hands with an indifference that was belied by the sharp -glint of his eyes.</p> - -<p>Did he know of that night adventure, after all? If -so, I had indeed walked into the spider’s web.</p> - -<p>“No, I have not been inactive, certainly not,” I -answered carelessly. “I have had to find a house -suitable for my position and my means. I am a man -of some wealth, and the work has taken time and care.”</p> - -<p>“No doubt. But I did not mean that kind of activity, -Count. My sources of information are many—and -secret. Few things are done in Sofia without my -knowing them, as well as those who do them.”</p> - -<p>“Through your spies, you mean?”</p> - -<p>He waved the term aside and passed over the question.</p> - -<p>“We have had an accident lately, rather an awkward -affair, which resulted in the death of a couple of our -agents; but a third escaped and tells a strange story. -Even your short acquaintance with Bulgarian affairs -will tell you that the consequences may be serious for -those concerned in their death.”</p> - -<p>“I can understand that. But with what object do -you make me the recipient of such a confidence?” I -asked coolly.</p> - -<p>“You have made some shrewd guesses during -our talk; I will leave you to make another in that -matter. It may be only a parable; or, on the contrary, -a matter of life or death for those concerned. -In any case, the person concerned is known to me.” -The threat was conveyed with unmistakable significance. -I understood him well enough, and he knew -that I did; but I answered lightly:</p> - -<p>“I don’t see that this affects me.”</p> - -<p>“I hope with all my heart that it never will,” he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> -said quickly, “for nothing would please me better -than to have you enrolled on our side!”</p> - -<p>He paused to let this, his first argument—an appeal -to my fears—have due weight, and watched me keenly -to note results. Apparently he was not too well -satisfied with them.</p> - -<p>“You have probably asked yourself why I am anxious, -as I confess I am, that you should be with us, -and yet if you reflect you will readily understand the -reason. I have told you that there are but two courses -open to a man who mixes in politics here. He must -take a side. There is no possible alternative—no possible -alternative. Well, I know much about you—more -than you think, and I do not wish that a man -who has shown such courage as you, on other occasions -than to-day,” he put in meaningly, “who has those -parts of head and heart that carry a man far in troubled -times like these; a man wealthy, daring, shrewd, -honorable, ambitious, resourceful, and bound to wield -influence, should enter the lists against me. Such a -man must make a leader, and these Bulgars readily -follow when the right man leads. It is all against our -cause that such qualities should be devoted to the -service of a craven Prince.”</p> - -<p>“You speak with great frankness.”</p> - -<p>He smiled and raised his eyebrows, giving a slight -toss of the head.</p> - -<p>“I can be frank with perfect safety. You are in my -power, Count.”</p> - -<p>“I have the word of Princess Christina——”</p> - -<p>“I do not mean in this house, I mean in this country,” -he interposed. “If you do not know the reach -of my hands, it is time you learnt it. No man crosses -this frontier without my knowledge, and no one recrosses<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> -it against my will. Do not mistake me; I -don’t speak at random, nor am I uttering a mere empty -boast. I am stating a plain fact. And the power -which I wield you can share, if you will.”</p> - -<p>It was skilfully turned and cleverly put, and for the -moment I was silent.</p> - -<p>“The web is wide, the meshes hard to break, Count; -and I brought you here that you might see how wide -and how hard. You were right just now in that -shrewd guess of yours—I did bring you here. First, -for that little dramatic test of your courage; next, -that you should see for yourself the glorious woman in -whose cause we fight; and lastly, that you should -understand the obstacles that lie in the path of those -who would oppose us. You say you seek a career. -Well——” He paused here and looked most keenly -at me as he added, “Englishmen have done the -same before——”</p> - -<p>I could not repress a start of surprise at the thrust, -and he stopped to enjoy it.</p> - -<p>“Yes, Englishmen—and Roumanians. But it is -very rare for a Roumanian to combine the qualities -which distinguish you, Count Benderoff. You perhaps -know the English. If I mistake not, your father was -an Englishman, and you may have met a certain Hon. -Gerald Winthrop. I have such a man in my mind -when I speak to you.”</p> - -<p>I sat gnawing my lip, my brows knitted in thought, -and had no reply, while he looked at me with a smile -at my evident consternation.</p> - -<p>Then he gave a sudden and unexpected turn to the -matter.</p> - -<p>Pushing his chair back, he rose, and said in a frank -and apparently friendly tone:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span>“I have taken you by surprise. Of course I know -that, and do not wish to push the advantage unfairly. -Don’t decide now. I want your decision to be deliberate -and the result of judgment, and not mere embarrassment. -I will make you a fair offer. The frontier -is free for you for three days—nay, for a week. -Join us within that time, or let my agents report to me -that you have crossed it. I want your services because -I value them, but I do not intend my enemies to have -them. If you really wish to make a career, I can help -you as no one else can. I want no oaths; they don’t -bind me, and in this place bind no one beyond the -limits of self-interest. If you join us, you would have -to be faithful, or your life would be a mere candle-flame -to be snuffed out at will. That is a better guarantee -than any mere oaths. If you decide to throw in -your lot with us, I shall be glad to see you at any time. -If not, I hope we shall not meet again.” And he held -out his hand.</p> - -<p>I took it, not over cordially, and left him, dismayed, -perplexed and anxious, but with an appreciation of his -power keen enough to have satisfied even him.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V<br /> - - -<small>“SPERNOW”</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">A night’s</span> reflection brought but slight relief to my -anxiety and doubt. How that wily Russian general -had succeeded so easily and promptly in discovering -all about me, I was at a loss to guess; nor was it of -much profit to inquire. He had the facts, and the -question was how he would use them; and the first -gleam of an answer came from a very small thing.</p> - -<p>He had offered me first three days in which to leave -the country, and then had extended the time to a -week. Why? I came to the conclusion at length -that he had probably a double reason, for he was not -the man to do anything without a clear reason. He -was all against my joining the party of the Prince, -and was probably resolved to go to extreme lengths -to prevent me. But he knew also, though he had been -crafty enough not to admit it openly, that I was an -Englishman; and that fact might well embarrass him -in dealing with me.</p> - -<p>Any ill-treatment of a British subject at such a -juncture might bring about just such grave complications -with our Foreign Office as might imperil the -whole Russian under-current policy. That was, therefore, -unquestionably one of my strong cards to play, -and I resolved to use it promptly.</p> - -<p>I judged that in all probability my correspondence -would be tampered with, and would, if necessary, pass<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> -under his own eyes; so I wrote a letter to a friend in -England, stating the fact plainly that I had had an -interview with General Kolfort, the Russian leader, -in which the fact that I was a British subject had been -discussed between us, and added a few words of assumed -annoyance that this should have happened, as -it might interfere with my plans in making a career -in Bulgaria. I put in some other general matter such -as might be written in a friendly letter, and finished -with a request that my correspondent would send me -two or three articles I had left in his care. This was -all fable, of course; but I wrote it to make it more -difficult for the General to suppress the letter. Then -I added a postscript, with the usual sting in it.</p> - -<p>“If you get a chance, you might drop a side hint to -Edwardes, of the Foreign Office, that I am here, and -known to be English.”</p> - -<p>I sealed the letter with careful clumsiness, so that -the envelope could easily be opened without the seal -being broken, marked it “Urgent. Strictly private,” -and then gave it to a waiter to post. If I was under -the surveillance he had suggested, I felt convinced -that nothing more was necessary to ensure its getting -immediately into the General’s hands. It would at -least give him food for thought.</p> - -<p>Then as to his second object. Why had he given -me any time at all? A Russian party, strong and -unscrupulous enough to plan the assassination of the -reigning Prince himself—as they had done—would -have thought nothing of keeping me, a mere Roumanian -Count (as I told them I was when they had me -on the previous evening), rushing me off incontinently -to the frontier, and bidding me be off about my business -under fear of a stray bullet should I attempt to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> -return. But he had given me a week to deliberate, -and I drew the inference that he was really anxious to -have an Englishman on his side, and that he meant to -use the week to bring strong inducements to bear -upon me.</p> - -<p>And through all these reflections one dazzling remembrance -flashed, as the sun will flash through thin -foliage after a summer shower—the great steady glare -caught and reflected from a myriad drops on the wet, -dancing leaves. It was the memory of the glorious -beauty of the Princess, with that look of solicitude -for me and of fear of the General which I had seemed -to catch.</p> - -<p>I had no more desire to fly the country than I had -had to leave her witching presence, and a thousand -thoughts rushed through my mind, bewildering, stirring, -fascinating me, and all urging me to stay until I -had at least probed the meaning of her look, and determined -whether I could in any way serve her. If she -really stood in need of a friend, how gladly—— And -at that point I broke the thought with a laugh at my -own silly conceit. She had a hundred, aye, a thousand -men at her command. And I was a fool.</p> - -<p>But I would not leave the country if I could help it, -and I ordered a horse and rode out, first to see how -nearly my house was ready, and then away for a gallop -in the country.</p> - -<p>On my return I learned that two officers had called -and asked for me; had left word that, as their business -was urgent, they would return early in the afternoon. -I did not know the names—Captain Dimitrieff -and Lieutenant Grassaw—and I could not think what -they wanted with me, but I resolved to wait in for -them; and while I was waiting, a servant brought<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> -me a card from another stranger—Lieutenant Spernow.</p> - -<p>The moment he entered I liked his pleasant, cheery -looks, and his frank, unrestrained, self-possessed manner -impressed me most favourably. With a smile he -offered me his hand, and said:</p> - -<p>“I have come in a quite unusual way, Count Benderoff. -I am sent, in fact, to make your acquaintance. -I am assured we shall speedily be friends.”</p> - -<p>“I am certainly at your service,” I answered, unable -to resist a smile at his singular introduction.</p> - -<p>“It has an odd sound after all, hasn’t it; and yet, -do you know, I’ve been thinking how I should put it -and rehearsing, all the way. It does sound devilish -odd from a stranger, but I do hope—for reasons that -weigh infinitely with me, I can assure you—that so odd -an introduction will really lead to friendship.”</p> - -<p>“You say you were sent to me?” I asked, cautiously.</p> - -<p>“Yes; I assure you I am frankness itself. They -never trust me with important secrets; I blurt them -out;” and he laughed, as though that were rather a -good trait. “Old Kolfort sent me—Old Kolfort for -one.”</p> - -<p>“I saw General Kolfort last evening,” I replied, -drily. “But sit down and have a cigar, and then tell -me why he is so interested in providing me with -friends.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a good straight question, but I’ll be hanged -if I can answer it. He’s such a sly old fox, with fifty -secret reasons for every plain one. Thanks, I’ll have -a cigar. Well, he sent for me this morning—you -know, I am on the Russian tack in all this business, -and that for a reason which I’m pretty sure to let out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> -before I’ve been many minutes with you; in fact, -bound to, come to think of it—and—let’s see, where -was I? Oh, yes; he sent for me, and said, ‘Lieutenant, -I have a pleasant duty for you—and an important -one. I wish you to go to Count Benderoff and make -a friend of him—he told me your hotel—and do what -you can to make his stay in Sofia pleasant, as it may -be only a very short one. You’re the best man I know -to let him see what’s worth seeing in the city, and to -let him know what’s worth knowing.’”</p> - -<p>“It promises to be a very kind act on his part.” I -spoke sincerely, and my visitor smiled at the words.</p> - -<p>“It shall be, if you’ll let me, Count, I assure you. -But that old fox always has a bitter wrapped up somewhere -in the sweet; and as I was leaving, after having -talked you over, of course, he pretended to remember -something, and said, ‘Oh, by the way, take this letter -to the Count with an apology from me. By an unfortunate -mistake it has got opened by some clumsy -idiot, and was brought to me to know what should be -done. Tell the Count I’m very sorry, but perhaps he -may not care to send it for a week or so, after all.’ -‘What is it?’ said I. ‘Of no consequence; but the -little act will be an introduction for you.’ Then I saw -it was one of those infernal things that are always being -done in this country—an intercepted letter, and I -felt inclined to fling it in his face, only I daren’t. I let -him have a word or two about choosing me for such -work, but I brought it, and I’m afraid you’ll think I’m -a regular cad to lend myself to such a thing. But I’ll -tell you why I decided to bring it in a minute; and I -hope I needn’t assure you I don’t know a word of -what’s inside.”</p> - -<p>I accepted his word without hesitation, and believed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> -in his expressions of disgust at the mission. I -took the letter readily enough, and was indeed glad -that my little ruse had succeeded so completely. Then -I gave it a finishing touch.</p> - -<p>“I suppose he’ll expect you to report what I said. -Well, here’s the answer.” I struck a match and set -fire to the letter, holding it until it was consumed. “It’s -not of the least consequence, I assure you, for I took the -precaution to send off a duplicate in proper disguise.”</p> - -<p>“The devil you did. I’m infernally glad to hear it. -I love to hear of old Crafty being licked at his own -game.” Then he started and rapped the table as he -laughed and asked: “Was that a decoy? Oh, that’s -lovely. I won’t tell him. I hate the old tyrant, and -he knows it; but he knows, too, that I’m horribly -afraid of him. And that’s what he likes. Gad, that’s -good!” and he lay back in his chair and laughed aloud -at the thought of the General being outwitted. “And -he was so damned serious, too, that I know he thought -he’d done a mighty smart thing.”</p> - -<p>He was obviously sincere, and it was impossible not -to see that he thoroughly enjoyed what he deemed a -good joke. When he had had his laugh out, he gave a -little sigh of relief as he said:</p> - -<p>“Well, that’s over, and I hope you’ll acquit me of -any personal part in the matter or humbug.”</p> - -<p>“My dear sir, I acquit you of everything except of -having done an unpleasant thing pleasantly,” I answered, -cordially.</p> - -<p>“Thanks. And now, is your stay going to be very -short in Sofia? I must tell you before you answer -that that’s a thing old Crafty told me to find out. I -suppose he has some underground reason or other? -He’s a beggar for that.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>“Frankly, I don’t know. I hope not, but I don’t -yet know.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I was surprised when he mentioned it, because -we’d heard that you’d taken a big house, and -were going to make a bit of a splash, you know. And, -by Jove, it would be a blessing, for most of the houses -here are just deadly dull.”</p> - -<p>“‘<i>We</i> heard,’ you say?”</p> - -<p>“How quick you are!” he answered with a smile, -and he had a slightly heightened colour as he went on. -“Yes, we—we two; not old Kolfort, you know. But—well, -we’ve had a chat about you more than once; -and last night, after you’d been at the General’s house, -we had a regular consultation about you—and, to tell -you the truth, that’s another reason why I’ve come.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think I understand.”</p> - -<p>“No, of course you don’t. I don’t altogether. I -think; but——” He hesitated, and pulled at his cigar -for some moments in a little embarrassment. “You -see, it’s a bit difficult to make you understand without -telling what a man doesn’t care to talk about. I suppose -something happened at the General’s that affected -you closely, and made you—hang it all! Wait a -minute, and let me try and think how I was to put it.”</p> - -<p>I smiled again at this, and watched him as he fidgeted -with his cigar somewhat nervously and uneasily.</p> - -<p>“You saw the Princess there, didn’t you? I don’t -know, but I heard something or other; and, anyway, -she must have been speaking to—to someone who -spoke to me. Doesn’t that sound rather ridiculous?”</p> - -<p>But I scarcely heard his question. The reference -to the Princess Christina had set my thoughts whirling -at the bare idea that he was in some remote way a -messenger from her, and that she was sufficiently interested<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> -in me to make these indirect inquiries as to -my movements and intentions.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I saw the Princess last night,” I said, breaking -the pause. “Do you come from her?” I was astonished -at the steadiness of the tone in which I spoke.</p> - -<p>“Well, yes; but yet not exactly—oh, hang it all, -I’d better out with it. I shall only make a mess of -things;” and he laughed gaily, and flushed. “I came -to you mainly because I was asked to do so by Mademoiselle -Broumoff, who is one of her closest companions; -and Mademoiselle Broumoff and I are, in -fact, betrothed. Now you’ve got it, Count; and that’s -why I fiddled about just now, and didn’t know quite -what to say.”</p> - -<p>“I am much mistaken if Mademoiselle Broumoff, -whose acquaintance I shall hope to make, is not an -exceedingly fortunate girl, lieutenant; and I speak -without the least affectation when I say that your -news interests me deeply.”</p> - -<p>It did, in all truth. To have as a friend someone -who was in the close confidence of the Princess herself, -was a stroke of good fortune which I could indeed appreciate; -and I resolved to bind this handsome young -officer to me by all possible bonds.</p> - -<p>“The one commission is an antidote to the other, -at any rate, I hope,” said Spernow; “and if it’s any -gratification to you to know it, you can rest assured -that the Princess takes a lively interest in you, and for -some reason or other feels herself under some sort of -obligation to you. Frankly, I don’t know what it is; -but I do know there are plenty of our fellows who’d -like to stand in your shoes in such a thing. You can’t -think how we worship that woman!” he cried, with a -flash of sudden enthusiasm.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span>“I can think of no cause for such a feeling of obligation,” -said I, speaking indifferently to hide the tingling -glow of delight at his words.</p> - -<p>“Oh, of course. By Jove, I was nearly forgetting,” -he exclaimed, with a jerk, as he plunged his hand into -his pocket and brought out a packet of papers. “Are -you engaged for to-morrow night?”</p> - -<p>“I? No indeed.”</p> - -<p>“Then you’ll be able to come all right. I’ve got -you a card for the ball at the Assembly. It’s a big -do; and most of the folks worth knowing will be there, -if you want to know them.”</p> - -<p>“Is this from the General?”</p> - -<p>“Well, not exactly, though he’ll be glad enough -for you to go. Mademoiselle Broumoff put me up -to it.”</p> - -<p>“Then I may have the pleasure of seeing her there?”</p> - -<p>“Of course, she’s going, rather; and the Princess -too. You’ll come?”</p> - -<p>“I shall be very pleased. It is just the chance I -shall welcome.”</p> - -<p>Was this another little personal attention from the -Princess, or merely a development of the policy of winning -me to the Russian side? I was turning this over, -and thinking how far I could get the answer from Spernow, -when a servant came to say that the two officers -who had called earlier in the day had returned.</p> - -<p>I told the man to show them in, and explained -matters to Spernow. He knew them, he said, but not -their errand.</p> - -<p>This was soon explained, and caused me no little -surprise.</p> - -<p>“We come from Lieutenant Ristich,” said Captain -Dimitrieff, speaking very formally and stiffly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>“And who is Lieutenant Ristich?” I asked. “I do -not know him.”</p> - -<p>“You met yesterday at General Kolfort’s house, and -he considers that you insulted him. Will you be good -enough to tell me who will act for you? The facts -have been explained to me.”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean that the lieutenant wishes to force -a quarrel upon me? I remember him now, of course; -but I know of no insult, and certainly I have no -quarrel with him.”</p> - -<p>The captain raised his eyebrows and shrugged his -shoulders.</p> - -<p>“Shall I say, then, that you prefer to apologise?” -he asked, superciliously.</p> - -<p>“Certainly not,” I returned sharply, stung by his -manner. “What I mean is that nothing passed which -need make another encounter between us necessary.”</p> - -<p>“That is an <i>impasse</i>.”</p> - -<p>“I cannot help that,” said I, indifferently.</p> - -<p>“Well, you must either fight, sir, or refuse to fight; -and in the latter case the lieutenant says he will be -driven to the extreme course of publicly insulting -you.”</p> - -<p>“This is monstrous,” I answered angrily. “It is -nothing less than forcing a quarrel upon me, as I say. -But if that is the lieutenant’s mood, and he wishes for -another lesson in swordsmanship, I’ll give it him. I -have but very few friends here in Sofia, but the matter -shall be arranged without delay. Perhaps——” I -looked across at Spernow.</p> - -<p>“Can I be of any assistance, Count?” he said, -eagerly.</p> - -<p>“I shall be deeply obliged if you will. Perhaps -these gentlemen will retire to another room for a few<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> -minutes, and then you can wait on them, and matters -can be put in course before they leave the hotel.”</p> - -<p>They went, and I explained all that was necessary -to Spernow, telling him that I attached little importance -to the affair, and that I had already proved myself -much more than a match for the lieutenant with -the sword; that as the challenged party I should -choose swords; but that the conditions were to be -made as little stringent as possible, so that the fight -could be stopped as soon as either was wounded, however -slightly.</p> - -<p>He went away then, and when he returned said that -he had made all arrangements, and that we were to -meet early the next morning at a spot just outside the -town, often used for the purpose.</p> - -<p>“Mademoiselle Broumoff will take a keen interest -in this business, Count,” he said, as he was leaving me -later. “Lieutenant Ristich is an object of her deepest -hatred; and so will the Princess for the matter of -that. He is no favourite of hers either.”</p> - -<p>“You will say nothing, of course, until it is over; -and you will get a friend to act with you, and perhaps -you will both breakfast with me afterwards.”</p> - -<p>“With pleasure. You take it coolly, Count,” he -said as we shook hands.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI<br /> - - -<small>THE DUEL, AND AFTER</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was a glorious morning, the air crisp, fresh and -clear, when I rose early, and found Spernow waiting -for me in the courtyard of the hotel. He introduced -his friend, Captain Zoiloff, who would act as my other -second in the duel.</p> - -<p>“I got Zoiloff to come because he’s well up in these -matters,” said Spernow, “and I’m not. He’ll keep us -right.”</p> - -<p>I did not take the affair of the duel seriously; my -bout with Ristich at the General’s house had shown -me my greater skill, and I had no intention of even -wounding him seriously, and no fear whatever that he -would be able to touch me. I said as much to my -companions as we walked together to the ground.</p> - -<p>“Ristich is very mad against you for some reason or -other,” said Spernow. “And he’s a hare-brained chap, -so I should look out.”</p> - -<p>“He is not much of a swordsman,” put in Zoiloff, -“but he has one or two clever strokes that have served -him well enough in other affairs of this kind;” and he -went on to describe them. But he found me a somewhat -inattentive listener, and after a short time the -talk turned to other matters.</p> - -<p>We were first on the ground, and Captain Zoiloff -promptly set to work to choose the most suitable spot, -and the positions which we should respectively take<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> -up. He displayed a manifest relish for the task, and -was evidently an old campaigner in this sort of thing.</p> - -<p>He had scarcely concluded his work when the other -party arrived, bringing with them a doctor. They -saluted us formally, and without any delay the seconds -consulted together, decided upon the ground, and selected -the weapons.</p> - -<p>While they were thus engaged Ristich and I stood -apart, and I saw that he was very pale and moody-looking, -glancing every now and again at me with -patent ill-feeling and animosity.</p> - -<p>“Ristich has got his marching orders,” said Spernow -to me, when he and Zoiloff came to explain what they -had arranged.</p> - -<p>“How do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“He is being sent back to Russia, and leaves to-day.”</p> - -<p>“I heard him declare he wanted to go,” said I.</p> - -<p>“Yes, but not in semi-disgrace. He puts it down to -you, and that’s what makes him so bitter. They tell -me he raged like a fiend when he heard it last night, -and he means mischief.”</p> - -<p>I glanced across at him. He had thrown off his uniform, -and I saw, too, that his sword-arm was bandaged. -Till that moment I had forgotten all about the wound -I had inflicted.</p> - -<p>“Stay a moment,” I cried to my seconds. “He is -wounded. I can’t fight a disabled man,” and I told -them what had occurred.</p> - -<p>“That’s his lookout,” said Zoiloff, in a very business-like -tone. “He is the challenger.”</p> - -<p>“I won’t fight a cripple,” I said resolutely; and at -that they called the other seconds aside, and a long -conference ensued, in the course of which Ristich was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> -more than once consulted. I saw him explaining matters -to his seconds, and flourishing one of the rapiers -to show that he could use it quite well.</p> - -<p>“He insists that the fight must go on,” said Zoiloff -on his return to me, “and I really don’t see that you -can object.”</p> - -<p>“But it isn’t fair,” I protested. “Under ordinary -circumstances, and with the full use of his arm, the man -isn’t my equal with the sword, and, disabled in that -way, the thing’s absurd.”</p> - -<p>“His point is that he has to leave Sofia, and that, as -he is determined to fight you, he will have no other -chance. I shouldn’t insist, Count Benderoff, if I were -in your place. It will only cause talk. The doctor -has examined the wound and says Ristich is fit to fight, -and he has shown us, as you may have seen, that he -has complete command of his sword.”</p> - -<p>“It makes me appear ridiculous to fight a wounded -man,” I urged. “Try further protest, and say I will -meet him anywhere at any time when he is well again. -I will travel to Russia if necessary.”</p> - -<p>“I am afraid that we shall only get some sneering -reply that you don’t want to fight, or something of -that sort.”</p> - -<p>“I would rather be sneered at for not fighting a -wounded man than fight one,” said I. “I will take -care of my reputation.” And they went across to -repeat the protest and deliver the message.</p> - -<p>It was as fruitless as the former one, and when Zoiloff -returned he was very angry.</p> - -<p>“I will not repeat his message,” he said; “but it -was most insulting. You must fight, Count. If we -have any more conferences we shall only have more -duels. I think you have acted most honourably; but,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> -believe me, you can only press this further at great -risk to your name.”</p> - -<p>He spoke so earnestly, and Spernow joined with -him, that I allowed myself to be persuaded, and threw -off my coat and waistcoat and made ready.</p> - -<p>We took up our positions under the shadow of some -trees, and when my opponent was close to me the look -of hate in his eyes, as they rested on mine, confirmed -what Spernow had told me of his intention and desire -to do his worst.</p> - -<p>But from the moment when our blades crossed and -the word was given us to engage, I knew that the issue -must rest with me. Ristich attacked me immediately -with great violence and impetuosity, in the hope of -finishing the matter before his weakened strength -should give out. I had no difficulty in defending myself, -however, and, had I been in the same vengeful -mood as he was, I could have run him through.</p> - -<p>My object was not that. I wished merely to wound -him slightly, or disarm him; and I tried two or three -times to do the latter, though without success. I -fought as coolly and warily as if we were in the school -trying a bout with the foils, and this coolness aggravated -my opponent intensely, so that he lost all self-control.</p> - -<p>Watching patiently for my opportunity, I found it -when he had made one of his reckless, angry thrusts, -and with a quick counter I drove the point of my -sword into his shoulder. Then I drew back instantly -and threw up my weapon off the guard. Whether he -saw this or not, or whether his rage blinded him to his -wound and to all else besides, I know not, but instantly -he thrust out his weapon with a blow aimed straight -at my heart.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span>I saved myself only by springing back, while a shout -of indignation came from Zoiloff.</p> - -<p>“A foul stroke; I call you to witness, gentlemen, a -foul and dastardly stroke,” he cried, excitedly, as he -rushed in and struck up my opponent’s sword. “Count -Benderoff has behaved splendidly, and if your sword -had gone home, Lieutenant Ristich, it would have been -murder. A most foul stroke.”</p> - -<p>In a moment he was the centre of a group, all as excited -as himself. Ristich protested that he had not -seen me draw back from the fight, that he had not felt -that he was wounded, and that he was eager to continue -the fight. But Zoiloff would not hear of it.</p> - -<p>“I withdraw my man, certainly,” I heard him say, -and he brought matters to a dramatic conclusion. “I -declare the stroke a foul one, foully dealt, and if anyone -questions that, I am ready to make good my words -now and here;” and he singled out Captain Dimitrieff -and addressed him pointedly: “What say you, Captain?”</p> - -<p>He looked very dangerous as he paused for an answer, -and the Captain clearly had no wish for a quarrel -with him.</p> - -<p>“Of course, the fight is over,” he answered, evasively.</p> - -<p>“Exactly, and we’ll leave it at that,” said Zoiloff, -drily, as he turned on his heel and came to me with -Spernow. “I never saw a more dastardly thing. I -wouldn’t have believed even a Russian would have -done such a thing.” A speech that set me wondering.</p> - -<p>“They won’t cross Zoiloff,” whispered Spernow to -me as I was dressing, rapidly. “He’s a demon at the -business. I’m glad I brought him.”</p> - -<p>“What did he mean about ‘even a Russian?’” I -asked.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span>“He hates ’em as much as I do. I’ll tell you another -time,” replied Spernow.</p> - -<p>“I congratulate you, Count Benderoff, on a lucky -escape. That man meant to murder you; and Dimitrieff -ought to be ashamed of himself for not speaking -out plainly. But they hang together in a way that’s -disgusting, these——” He checked himself suddenly, -with a quick glance at me, as though he had said more -than enough before a stranger.</p> - -<p>“I hope he really did not know I was not on -guard,” I answered.</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid it’s a hope not much stouter than a -spider’s web;” and he laughed bitterly. “The man -meant murder, and was mad when he saw you could -hold him so easily. You use the sword like a master, -Count—I should like to try the foils with you.”</p> - -<p>“Nothing would please me better than a few hints -from you,” said I, readily. “I am a good deal out of -practice.”</p> - -<p>“Then I shouldn’t care to play with you in earnest -when you are in practice,” was his deftly flattering -reply. “If we are to quarrel, I’d better pray for it to -be soon;” and his taciturn face broke into a smile.</p> - -<p>“It’s something to earn Zoiloff’s praise in these -things, Count,” said Spernow, laughing. “He’s generally -as chary of it as a coy woman of her kisses.”</p> - -<p>“You are both breakfasting with me, I hope,” I said, -as we moved off the ground. “Then we can go round -to the house I am getting ready, and, if you like, I can -have my first lesson in the shooting gallery which I -am having fitted up there.”</p> - -<p>“Nothing would give me greater pleasure; but unfortunately, -as I told Spernow, I have an engagement -which I cannot break,” said Zoiloff. “But I can be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> -with you in about a couple of hours from now, and -then I shall be at your service. I should like nothing -better than to see your gallery.” And we arranged it -so.</p> - -<p>While we were at breakfast I asked Spernow to tell -me, as he had promised, how it was that so much -hatred of the Russians existed among the very men -who were on their side. Such a fact, if it were one, -might have considerable influence upon me.</p> - -<p>“I am the worst hand in the world at explaining -things,” he answered. “But it is quite true. We -don’t trust them, but we trust each other less, Count; -that’s about the size of it, I think. We must have -some kind of steady leadership, and what is there -here? Look at the men who are at the head of things, -and what are they except a crowd of nobodies, risen -from nowhere, and setting their course solely by the -compass of self-interest. The needle points always in -that direction, and all the rest goes running round it.”</p> - -<p>“But why trust Russia?”</p> - -<p>“Why not? So far as we can see, the one steady -influence in this country is directed by her. We hate -Russia, but we are afraid of her; and where else can -we look for any hope of help?”</p> - -<p>“The Prince,” I suggested.</p> - -<p>“He is as powerless as his poorest subject, and he -has round him a crew that are after nothing but their -own personal ends. They yell about patriotism and -independence and all the rest of it, but would sell -themselves to-morrow to the highest bidder. They -only don’t sell themselves, because nobody thinks them -worth buying. The only real power is wielded by -Russia, and I suppose we think it’s better to make -friends in advance with what must be the controlling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> -hand in the country. It’s not a very high game, is it—but -where’s a better? Men like Zoiloff would only -too gladly jump at a chance of something better.”</p> - -<p>“And the Princess Christina?”</p> - -<p>“Ah!” And his face lighted with enthusiasm. -“We do all but worship her, not only for herself, but -because we have come to believe she will in some way -do what we want to see done—draw out the best that -lies in Bulgarian life. She is truth itself, and right, -justice, and honour are the cardinal articles of her -faith.”</p> - -<p>I looked at him in surprise and began to see there -was more in him than I had at first thought.</p> - -<p>“You think more seriously of these matters than I -had believed,” I said.</p> - -<p>“I?” and he laughed. “Ah, it does not do for us -Bulgarians to let the Russians believe we take either -our affairs or ourselves too earnestly. But some of us -are sound enough in heart at least. Enough of politics, -however; why should I bore you with them?” -And he turned away to lighter topics, rattling off a -dozen stories of the latest gossip and tittle-tattle about -the society of the city.</p> - -<p>I did not check him, for it struck me that he was -anxious rather that I should retain my first impressions -of him than begin to look on him as taking a serious -interest in the affairs of the country.</p> - -<p>After breakfast we went round to my house and I -showed him the alterations I had made. He took the -keenest interest in everything, declaring that my wealth -would make me at once an important figure in Sofia, -and that in a few weeks I should have half the city -flocking to my doors.</p> - -<p>When Zoiloff came we went to the shooting gallery,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> -and both the men were vastly interested in everything -I had done. I had had the place fitted as a gymnasium, -with every kind of appliance that money could -provide; many of them sent specially from England.</p> - -<p>“I did not know that you Roumanians cared for -these things at all,” said Zoiloff. “I have not done -you justice.”</p> - -<p>“I am half an Englishman,” I answered, purposely—for -I had begun to alter radically the original part -for which I had cast myself. If I was to stay in Sofia, -I felt that I must wrap round me the protection which -that magic formula, British subject, alone could give. -The announcement surprised them both.</p> - -<p>“Ah, that accounts for it,” exclaimed Zoiloff. “You -English are a wonderful people. But why do you -come to Sofia? Pardon me, I have no right to put -such a question,” he added hastily.</p> - -<p>“I am also half a Roumanian; and the freedom of -Bulgaria is essential for the independence of that -country.”</p> - -<p>I turned away as I spoke, and pretended not to notice -the swift, shrewd look which both men turned -upon me.</p> - -<p>“I shall hope to know much more of you, Count -Benderoff,” said Zoiloff, with so much earnestness that -I thought my words had touched the chord in him I intended.</p> - -<p>“I think it is my turn to be surprised in you,” said -Spernow. “And I hope that we three may come to -understand each other well.”</p> - -<p>Were these invitations from them both to speak -more openly? I thought so, but felt that for the present -I had said enough.</p> - -<p>“Shall we try the foils?” I asked.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span>“With pleasure,” agreed Zoiloff; and while he was -making ready he glanced round the spacious gallery -and added: “What a magnificent hall you have here; -there is room to drill half a company of soldiers, as well -as train a band of athletes!”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” I answered with a laugh. “It would be a -fine house for a revolutionary movement.” And at -this they both started, and again shot shrewd, searching -glances at me; but I was busy selecting the foils.</p> - -<p>“You English are a wonderful people,” said Zoiloff -again, but this time very drily.</p> - -<p>We set to work then with our fencing, and to my -surprise, and much to Zoiloff’s admiration, I proved -slightly the better swordsman. He had not a spark of -jealousy or envy in his composition, and when I had -beaten him for the third or fourth bout in succession, -he only laughed and said:</p> - -<p>“I am your first recruit, Count; and you are a master -I am well content to work from—and follow.”</p> - -<p>“Good,” exclaimed Spernow, “I will be the second—if -you will have me, Count.”</p> - -<p>“My dear Spernow, I could wish no better friends -or comrades in any work than you two.” At this answer -Zoiloff, taciturn and reserved though he was by -nature, offered me his hand impulsively, and said with -great earnestness, as I took it:</p> - -<p>“Now I am sure we understand each other, and shall -work together for the same cause, Count;” and the -warmth of his hand-grip told me that in him I should -have a firm friend.</p> - -<p>Spernow was not nearly so skilful a swordsman, and -knew it; but he was anxious to learn, and we arranged -that we three should make a rule of meeting daily for -such practice; and when we were separating I said:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span>“As you can see, I take a great interest in these -things, and I should like you to do me the favour of -bringing with you such friends of yours as you think -would like to come and would help us by taking an -interest in the work here.”</p> - -<p>Zoiloff’s dark eyes lighted meaningly as they held -mine.</p> - -<p>“You would soon have a large circle of friends, -Count.”</p> - -<p>“Every friend of Bulgaria would be a friend of mine,” -I answered.</p> - -<p>“You mean all that that implies?”</p> - -<p>“I mean all that that implies; and the wider interpretation -you give to it the better I shall be pleased.”</p> - -<p>“It should be a day of good omen for the country -when your house is thrown open for that purpose. A -party of really patriotic Bulgarians is no mere dream-project—though -they will be young men, mostly. By -Heavens, but I am glad Spernow induced me to go out -with you this morning.”</p> - -<p>When they had gone, I stayed to think over all the -chances which this unexpected turn of matters suggested. -It might yet be checkmate indeed to Russian -plans, if we could find the means to form such a party -of young ardent patriots from within the very ranks -of those supposed to be devoted to Russian interests. -There were possibilities calculated to satisfy the wildest -ambitions and effect the most drastic changes.</p> - -<p>It would be a perilous task enough at the outset, for -I could not doubt that, should the project get wind, -as was most probable in that land of spies and treachery, -General Kolfort would spare no efforts and stop at no -measures to crush it under the wheels of his enormous -power.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>But it was worth the effort. To me it was infinitely -more welcome than any secret counter-mining intrigue, -such as I had had in contemplation. It would be a -real sturdy stroke in the cause of freedom, and, if once -successful, no man could tell how far or wide or deep -its glorious effects might not be felt.</p> - -<p>It roused me till the blood coursed quickly through -my veins and my pulse beat with feverish throbs, for -in it I saw the real interest and honour of the Princess -Christina herself. The men who had been with me -were both pledged to the eyelids to serve her, I knew; -and I knew further that every man they brought to the -house to join us would have the same enthusiasm in -her behalf. Who could tell but that by these means -I might yet be the agent to place her on the throne, -but without the hampering restrictions of any Russian -marriage?</p> - -<p>This thought was whirling in my head as I walked -back to my hotel, there to receive another startling -surprise.</p> - -<p>Some one was waiting to see me, had been waiting -for two hours, on important business.</p> - -<p>“I am Major Grueff, and am the bearer of a letter to -Count Benderoff, of Radova. Have I the pleasure of -speaking to him?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, what is it?” I asked, concealing my surprise.</p> - -<p>“His Highness has given you a captain’s commission -in the Sofia Regiment, Count, of which I am the -Major in command, and has requested me to carry back -your answer to this letter.”</p> - -<p>I opened it and found it a request that I should wait -upon the Prince on the following day.</p> - -<p>There was no doubt as to the meaning of this. It -was the Countess Bokara’s work; and as I penned my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> -reply, that I should gladly accept his command, I called -to mind her declaration that our next meeting would -be at the Prince’s palace.</p> - -<p>“I am glad to welcome you to the regiment, Count,” -said the major; but he spoke in a tone I did not like, -and I conceived an instinctive but invincible prejudice -against him. “And, as I have been so long waiting, -I will get you to excuse my hurrying away.”</p> - -<p>I did not attempt to stay him; for I wished to be -alone to think over this new development.</p> - -<p>If I accepted the captaincy, what could it mean except -that I committed myself to the Prince’s side? And -this at the very moment when the other and vastly -more congenial plan had begun to take shape in my -mind.</p> - -<p>I thought I could see again the alluring but cruel -face of the Countess Bokara, and hear the ring of -triumph in her voice as she had turned to me after her -cold-blooded deed:</p> - -<p>“Now you will have to join us!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII<br /> - - -<small>AT THE BALL</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> ball that night was a very brilliant affair, and -when I arrived the rooms were already somewhat -crowded. I found Spernow waiting for me near the -entrance.</p> - -<p>“You are a little late, Count; we began to fear that -perhaps you were not coming. Mademoiselle Broumoff -is anxious for me to present you at once. Will -you come with me?”</p> - -<p>As we threaded our way through the throng, he told -me the names of many of those present, but I was -looking everywhere for the Princess, and felt disappointed -at not seeing her.</p> - -<p>Mademoiselle Broumoff was sitting alone in a corner -at the far end, and I saw her eyes light up as she -caught sight of us. She was not pretty, but her face -was bright and clever, with an ever-changing play of -expression that made it very attractive; while a pair -of deeply set thoughtful eyes spoke of great intelligence.</p> - -<p>As soon as I had been presented, she made a place -for me at her side and sent Spernow away with a reminder -that he had a number of duty dances with important -partners.</p> - -<p>“You have kept him from them so long, Count, that -he will have a busy time,” she said with a smile.</p> - -<p>“I have kept him? I have but this minute arrived.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span>“Of course, that is the reason. I had commissioned -him to bring you straight to me, and you are late.”</p> - -<p>“I did not know that such an honour was depending -on my arrival, or I would have been earlier,” I said -with a bow.</p> - -<p>“I have been most anxious, and half feared you -meant to disappoint us;” and in a light strain we -chatted pleasantly. I soon perceived that my companion -was bent upon creating a favourable impression, -while on my side I was not less desirous of making a -friend of one who was so close an intimate of the -Princess. We danced the next waltz together, and at -the close of it she asked me to lead her to one of the -conservatories.</p> - -<p>I observed that she was careful to select a quiet corner, -where we could speak without fear of being -overheard, and after a moment’s pause she said earnestly:</p> - -<p>“I have been really anxious to know you, Count.”</p> - -<p>“I am flattered,” I answered.</p> - -<p>“No, not that,” she replied impulsively, with a slight -shake of the head. “I mean more than that. Michel -has told me all that has passed between you—especially -this morning at your new house. Captain Zoiloff is a -man to trust implicitly, you know that?”</p> - -<p>“I formed that opinion strongly,” I said, beginning -to wonder what she was going to say.</p> - -<p>“Michel tells me you are half English. Is that a -secret?”</p> - -<p>“No, certainly not. We English are not afraid to -own our nationality, as the actions of many of us -show too prominently sometimes, I fear.”</p> - -<p>“But Englishmen of wealth do not commonly choose -Bulgaria as a place of residence—at least not without<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> -some strong motive.” And her eyes searched my face -for the truth.</p> - -<p>“Eccentricity has never yet been denied to us.”</p> - -<p>“Is it in your case eccentricity—only?”</p> - -<p>“I am also half a Roumanian,” I said, repeating the -answer I had given in the morning to Zoiloff.</p> - -<p>“And the Roumanians are all but Russians.”</p> - -<p>“Is not the Princess Christina a Roumanian?” I retorted. -“And also of the Russian Party here?”</p> - -<p>“Do you think that?” she asked quickly, turning -the battery of her eyes full on me again.</p> - -<p>“What time or means have I had to learn how to -distinguish between appearances and facts?”</p> - -<p>She laughed—a very silvery, sweet laugh.</p> - -<p>“You fence as cleverly with your tongue as with -your sword, Count. What do you want to know?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing that cannot be told me voluntarily, -mademoiselle.”</p> - -<p>“Why do we all trust you instinctively?” she asked. -A quiet feminine thrust.</p> - -<p>“I am happy if you do,” I parried; and at the reply -she shrugged her shoulders, and a shadow of impatience -crossed her expressive face.</p> - -<p>There was a pause, in which she looked down and -played with her fan.</p> - -<p>“We wish to trust you entirely,” she said next, in a -low, earnest voice. “The Princess wishes it.” A swift -glance shot up to notice the effect of this.</p> - -<p>“I have no more earnest wish in life than to serve -the Princess,” I declared, the words coming from my -heart.</p> - -<p>“To serve her is to serve the cause of freedom and -the cause of Bulgaria.”</p> - -<p>“Freedom as the Russians interpret it?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span>“Freedom as the English love it,” she answered, in -a tone that vibrated with enthusiasm, her eyes flashing -and her cheeks colouring. “The freedom that we true -Bulgarians read and dream of, crave and would die -for,” she added, her voice deep and low with feeling.</p> - -<p>A long pause followed, in which my thoughts were -busy. Had the Princess Christina inspired this feeling, -and was this strange girl an agent in pressing me to -join such a movement? My heart beat fast at the -thought.</p> - -<p>“Is that a cause you would serve, Count?” she -asked.</p> - -<p>“These are strange things to hear from those whom -I find all gathered under the wings of the Russian -Eagle!” I said cautiously.</p> - -<p>“There may be stranger yet to hear,” she returned -sharply.</p> - -<p>“The Prince who is on your throne is no friend of -Russia.”</p> - -<p>“The Prince has never gained the confidence of true -Bulgarians. The men he keeps about him are patriots -in nothing but name; and he has neither the wit to -winnow the false from the true, nor the courage to set -the false at defiance.”</p> - -<p>“You would play for a big stake?”</p> - -<p>“And make our lives the counters. Is not that -enough?” The retort was given with a show of bitterness. -“You English are cold and calculating.”</p> - -<p>“We are cautious, certainly.”</p> - -<p>“Yet you should hate the Russians.”</p> - -<p>“No one has accused us of loving them.”</p> - -<p>She made another pause before replying:</p> - -<p>“Perhaps I have been too rash and have surprised -you; but we thought from what Michel told me of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> -what passed this morning at your house, that—well, -that all was as we wished, and that you were already -with us.”</p> - -<p>“You thought this?” I asked, purposely putting -an emphasis on the pronoun. She understood me and -smiled.</p> - -<p>“The Princess and I both thought it,” and I heard -this with delight.</p> - -<p>“You did not hear more than the truth, mademoiselle.”</p> - -<p>“Then we are to be friends in it all?” she cried; -and her face was radiant with pleasure as she turned -her eyes once more full upon me.</p> - -<p>“Show me how I can serve the Princess, and I will -do it with my whole heart, and if need be with my -life.”</p> - -<p>“She will be here to-night, and you can tell her. -The news will have the pleasanter savour coming -direct from you.”</p> - -<p>She knew how to fire me, and I would have given -half my fortune to have known what lay behind the -meaning glance of her eyes, which started thoughts I -would not silence, and yet dared not indulge.</p> - -<p>As I sat there, half bewildered, I saw a tall, fair, truculent-looking -man forcing his way arrogantly among -the people and coming in our direction, while he -looked about him on all sides in search of someone.</p> - -<p>“Who is that?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“A man to fear, Count—the worst enemy we have, -Duke Sergius. A man whose eyes we have always to -blind.”</p> - -<p>At that moment he caught sight of my companion -and he hurried his pace, a heavy frown darkening his -sensual, insolent features.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>“I have had much trouble in finding you, mademoiselle. -I might almost have thought you were trying -to avoid me. The waltz we were to dance together -has commenced.”</p> - -<p>Mademoiselle Broumoff smiled ingenuously at him -and said:</p> - -<p>“I scarcely thought you were in earnest when you -put my name on your programme. You do not generally -honour me by remembering it.”</p> - -<p>“I have something particular to ask you,” he replied, -with such selfish insolence that I could have kicked -him. He caught something of this expression in my -face as he looked casually at me, and his glance deepened -into a steady stare as he tried to frown me down. -But I returned his look with one in which I tried to -convey some of the dislike and contempt I felt at his -attitude, and, perceiving it, mademoiselle rose hastily, -put herself between us, and drew his attention by -placing her hand on his arm and saying, as she bowed -to me:</p> - -<p>“I am ready now.”</p> - -<p>As they moved off I heard him ask who I was, but -could not catch the reply.</p> - -<p>I hated the look of the man, and tried to persuade -myself that the feeling was not in any way prompted -by what I knew about his design upon the Princess -Christina. If I had before needed any inducement to -drive me into opposition to him, my hasty prejudice -would have supplied it; and I sat now absorbed in -thought, chewing the cud of all that had passed between -the Princess’s staunch little emissary and myself, -and wishing for the hour and the means to thwart -him. They would come, I felt, and I nursed my anger -and fed my animosity as I sat there piecing together<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> -the threads of the net that was closing round me, and -drawing me forward upon a path that would lead I -could not say whither.</p> - -<p>Spernow’s voice roused me.</p> - -<p>“You are not dancing, Count. Won’t you let me -find you some partners? There are plenty here who -wish to know you. Well, have you and Nathalie -had an interesting conversation?” he asked in a lower -voice, dropping into the seat at my side. “I know -how anxious she was for it.”</p> - -<p>“I hope great things from it,” I answered.</p> - -<p>“Are you to be presented to the Princess?”</p> - -<p>I looked at him in surprise, not understanding the -question.</p> - -<p>“Oh, the presentation was to hinge upon the result -of your talk with her.”</p> - -<p>“Then probably I shall be presented,” I returned, -smiling.</p> - -<p>“Good, very good; nothing could be better, indeed. -Come, then, and let us go in search of partners. But -don’t fill up your card, you may need a gap or two in -it presently.” I guessed his meaning, but said nothing -as I went with him back to the dancing hall, was -introduced to several people, and for an hour danced -and chatted as though I had no other object in life.</p> - -<p>I was not too much engrossed by my partners, however, -to miss the entrance of the Princess Christina, -and more than once when I passed close to her in the -course of a dance I caught her gaze fixed upon me -with evident interest. Once especially was I certain -of this, when she and Mademoiselle Broumoff were in -close and earnest conversation; and it was with a thrill -of pleasure that I felt that I was the subject of their -talk.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span>Soon after this Spernow came to me and said that -the Princess was anxious that I should be presented -to her; and with a fast-quickening pulse I went with -him to where she and her companion were sitting.</p> - -<p>Almost directly I had made my bow Mademoiselle -Broumoff rose and said to Spernow:</p> - -<p>“This is our dance, Michel,” and as the pair went -away I took her place by the side of the beautiful -woman who exercised so overpowering a fascination -upon me.</p> - -<p>“A more conventional meeting than our first, Count,” -she said.</p> - -<p>“A very brilliant scene,” I replied naïvely; for now -that I was alone with her I felt like a tongue-tied -clown. My stupid answer surprised her, as well it -might, and I saw a look of perplexity cross her face. -After an awkward pause, I added: “Your coming -then saved my life.”</p> - -<p>“Scarcely that; but I have since heard the particulars -of that matter, and I have been ashamed that you -should have suffered such treatment in my name. I -am glad of an opportunity of assuring you of my -regret.”</p> - -<p>“I would gladly suffer much worse on your behalf,” -I blurted out nervously, and the answer brought another -pause, during which I struggled hard to overcome -my embarrassment and self-consciousness. I -desired above all things in the world to win the favour -of my companion, and yet I sat like a fool, at a loss -for the mere commonplaces of conversation. She -would think me a dolt or an idiot.</p> - -<p>How long my stupid silence would have lasted I -cannot tell; but the Princess in a movement of her -fan dropped her dance card, and, in returning it to her<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> -I looked up, and caught her eyes upon me lighted with -a rare smile.</p> - -<p>“Do you return it to me without your name upon -it?” she asked.</p> - -<p>“May I have the honour?” I murmured.</p> - -<p>“What is a ball for, but dancing?” she smiled. -“But if you write your name there it will be a sign -and token.”</p> - -<p>“Of what?” I asked stupidly.</p> - -<p>“Of much that my dear little friend Mademoiselle -Broumoff tells me she has said to you to-night.”</p> - -<p>“What is a ball for, but dancing?” I repeated her -words as I took the card and wrote my initials against -a waltz. “It will make the dance memorable to me,” -I added, under my breath.</p> - -<p>“I shall read it for one thing as a token that you -have acquitted me of all responsibility for the scene at -General Kolfort’s house.”</p> - -<p>“There was no need for any token of that, Princess,” -I replied, beginning to shake off my paralysing nervousness.</p> - -<p>“And of the rest?”</p> - -<p>“That I desire nothing better than to be enrolled -among your friends.” I spoke from my heart then, -and the words pleased her.</p> - -<p>“There may be many dangers, and more difficulties.”</p> - -<p>“I am prepared for both—if I can serve you.” I -looked straight at her for the first time, and her eyes -fell.</p> - -<p>“I could have no more welcome friend,” she said -softly.</p> - -<p>This time the pause that followed was due as much -to her embarrassment as to mine, and I noted this with -a touch of delight.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span>“You had a long conference with General Kolfort?” -she asked, a minute later.</p> - -<p>“Yes; he threatened me with all the power of his -enmity if I did not decide to ally myself on his side, -and gave me a week in which to do so or leave the -country.”</p> - -<p>“And your decision?” she asked quickly.</p> - -<p>“Has been made to-night.”</p> - -<p>“To do what?”</p> - -<p>“To devote myself without reserve to your interests.”</p> - -<p>“I am glad—and proud.”</p> - -<p>No answer that she could have made could have -filled me with more supreme pleasure.</p> - -<p>“I had feared a quite different result from news -which reached me to-day. You know your affairs are -pretty freely discussed just now.”</p> - -<p>“What news was that?”</p> - -<p>“I heard that you had received a captain’s commission -in the Prince’s own household regiment. Is that -so?”</p> - -<p>“It was unsolicited by me; and I learnt it only to-day. -I have not yet accepted it. I am to see His -Highness to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“You will find him a good man, but sorely distracted -by doubts and fears. All willing to serve -Bulgaria; but afraid of Russian influence, and unable -to choose good advisers here. His nerves have been -shaken by the plots against his life, and his judgment -shattered till he cannot appraise the men about him. -Were matters different he would be an ideal ruler for us.”</p> - -<p>“And what of the other influences round him?” I -asked guardedly; but she understood me and replied -openly:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span>“You mean the woman whose life you saved. I cannot -understand her. Her ruling passion seems to be -her hate of me. And a woman with a passion, be it -jealousy, hate, or love, is no safe guide.” I detected a -note of sadness in her tone. “You ran a great risk -that night, Count, a fearful risk.”</p> - -<p>“There was little danger that I saw.”</p> - -<p>“I do not mean the seen danger; that may have -been small for a man whose bravery and skill with -weapons are such as yours. But the unseen dangers—the -consequences that may always pursue and overtake -you when you least think of them. It is such terrible -deeds as that which fill me with dismay and dread of -the future. How can a cause hope to prosper, the -foundations of which are secret murder, implacable -violence, and such desperate bloodshed? And these -things are done in my name, and apparently with my -sanction. Did not General Kolfort threaten you with -the consequences of your act?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but I do not take his threats too seriously. It -is one thing to assassinate a Bulgarian woman, another -to murder a British subject.”</p> - -<p>“When you have been longer in this distracted -country you will see the distinction differently. But -we must talk no longer in this strain here. Too many -eyes are upon us and too many ears open. Balls are -for dancing, Count,” she added in a light tone and with -a smile.</p> - -<p>I understood that I was dismissed, and rose and -walked away. I was in no mood for dancing, and I -went into one of the conservatories to think over what -had passed between us, and remained there until it was -time to claim her for the waltz she had promised me.</p> - -<p>We danced it almost in silence, save for a commonplace<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> -or two about the ball and the people present; -but at the close she said earnestly:</p> - -<p>“I am leaving almost directly. I shall be at home -to-morrow afternoon, and shall be interested to know -your impressions of the Prince.” Then in a lower -voice: “You must be careful, Count. Accept the -commission in the regiment; but do not pledge yourself -to His Highness’s service. You will not find it -necessary. Maintain as strict a neutrality as possible; -and then see General Kolfort and tell him what you -are doing. It might be well to see him before you go -to the Palace. Emphasise the fact of your British -nationality. You have a difficult part to play; how -difficult you do not yet see, perhaps. But your success -and your safety will always be of the deepest concern -to me. Remember that, always.”</p> - -<p>She spoke earnestly, and in her eyes, as I glanced -into them, I saw again that look of solicitude which at -our previous meeting had moved me so strangely.</p> - -<p>And the sweetness of her voice, the touch of her -hand, and the tender softness of her glance, were -haunting me all through the night, and urging me to I -know not what strenuous efforts in her behalf.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII<br /> - - -<small>AT THE PALACE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next morning I was up early and went for a long -ride. It was likely to be a critical day for me, and I -had to try and look well ahead to see where I was -being carried by the new set of the tide in my affairs.</p> - -<p>My conversation with the Princess Christina had -had a great effect upon me. For one thing it had -made me more resolved than ever to devote myself to -her, whatever might be the consequences; but her -words of warning, her evident belief that there was -danger for me, and above all her pleasure at my -declaration of loyalty to her, had roused all my instincts -of caution, while they had strengthened my -feelings towards her.</p> - -<p>She was shrewd, clear-cut in her views of men and -things, devoted to the cause of Bulgaria, and openly -allied to the Russian party, whose rough and violent -methods she had nevertheless so indignantly decried. -What then was her object? Was she playing the -doubly hazardous game of attempting to use the Russian -influence and power for an end opposed to theirs?</p> - -<p>That was the only solution I could see. And it was -one which I knew must involve her in a course fraught -with such peril, that only a woman of iron nerve and -implacable will could contemplate it without fear. -And yet she was brave enough to take such a course -without, so far as I knew, a single man trained in state-craft<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> -and intrigue to help her. Could I take such a -<i>rôle</i>? The mere thought of the possibility filled me -with enthusiasm not unmixed with much embarrassment.</p> - -<p>If my surmise was right, I felt that her scheme was -just that which our Foreign Office would do their -utmost to assist; and, in helping her to gain the throne -on such terms, I should be fulfilling in the best possible -way the object of my presence in the country. -But I knew, too, that open help from the British Government -was impossible. That had been made unmistakably -plain to me, and I must make it equally clear to -her. Her advice to make the most of my British -nationality might have been prompted by a belief that -our Government would help her, and I must show her -the groundlessness of any such hope.</p> - -<p>At the same time, the course she had indicated -agreed best with my own views: to maintain an open -neutrality between the contending sections while devoting -myself to her interests. Her whole object must -be put fully before me, however; and I resolved to -speak very frankly that afternoon. The prospect of -the close association with her was infinitely alluring, -and it required more than a single effort to drag my -thoughts away from dwelling upon this to the more -practical consideration of other matters. To secure -that friendship I would willingly venture all that I -had in the world; and I had but to think of it for my -heart to be thrilled and my senses dazzled.</p> - -<p>But what of the Duke Sergius and the story of the -secret betrothal? The man was a selfish, sensual brute, -as I had seen for myself. Was it possible that she -would even go to the length of sacrificing herself in a -marriage with such a man to secure her end? Then I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> -recalled a sentence of Mademoiselle Broumoff’s: “A -man whose eyes we have always to blind;” and I -repeated it over and over again, till at last I grew to -read it by the light of my own wild, vague thoughts -and hopes—that there was no betrothal, but that the -pretended agreement to it was a part of the subtler -plot which my Princess was weaving. The thought of -such a betrothal was maddening to me, and I worked -myself up until I thought I would rather pick a quarrel -with him and run him through the heart than see her -condemned to be the wife of such a brute.</p> - -<p>I was cooler, however, when I returned to my hotel, -and my wits were clear and wary enough as I set out -for General Kolfort’s house. I was well received, but -he made haste to show me that he knew already of the -fact of my captain’s commission.</p> - -<p>“I am glad to see you, Count Benderoff—or shall I -say Captain?”</p> - -<p>“Choose your own form of salutation, General. It -was of that matter I came to see you,” I returned.</p> - -<p>“Is that all?”</p> - -<p>“All?” I asked, as if in astonishment.</p> - -<p>“Do you accept the commission in the service of the -Prince—or rather of the lady who has offered it you—or -in mine?”</p> - -<p>“In neither; but as an honour offered to a rich -British subject who has taken up permanent residence -in Sofia.” His shrewd old eyes lighted at this reply, -which he had certainly not expected.</p> - -<p>“So that is your line, eh?” he said drily. “Considering -that they know nothing of the Hon. Mr. -Winthrop’s existence, they have acted a little by accident -in honouring a British subject. Don’t you -think so?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span>I smiled. “At any rate they have made me the offer, -and I have decided to accept it. But I preferred to -come and tell you, after our interesting little conversation -of three days ago.”</p> - -<p>“That means, then, you will remain in Sofia?”</p> - -<p>“My house is nearly ready for my occupation, and I -shall hope to be honoured by your presence in it as my -guest.”</p> - -<p>“Umph! You have not forgotten our conversation, -I see.”</p> - -<p>“It was scarcely one to be forgotten.”</p> - -<p>“And I understand you claim the rights of a British -subject.”</p> - -<p>“I am half a Roumanian, General, with considerable -possessions there,” I returned, equivocally.</p> - -<p>“You are a very ambitious, or a very reckless, or a -very clever young man, Count. You have thought over -your course well?”</p> - -<p>“I am not given to act on impulse.”</p> - -<p>“Yet cleverer men than you have tried unsuccessfully -the dangerous policy of attempting to ride on two -horses at once.”</p> - -<p>“I can but fail,” I answered, indifferently.</p> - -<p>“Then you decline to enrol yourself in my service?”</p> - -<p>“I neither decline nor accept, General.” The reply -was unwelcome, and he sat a moment with brows -knitted.</p> - -<p>“You will fail, sir, as certainly as you make the attempt. -But I must know, in view of future possibilities, -whether you claim the status of a British subject or that -of a Roumanian Count, or whether, again, I am to regard -you merely as a captain in a Bulgarian regiment.”</p> - -<p>“I shall be in the unique position of enjoying all -three,” said I, and noticed with some amusement the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span> -effect of this answer; and then added with a laugh, and -in a light tone: “I don’t expect you to take me too -seriously, General Kolfort.”</p> - -<p>“If you are a British subject, I can ask your Government -to recall you; if a Roumanian Count, I can use -other influence to deal with you; while, if you are -merely a Bulgarian officer, you will be responsible to -me for the deed which you have already committed.” -His tone was tense, concentrated, and full of earnestness. -“Understand me; I do not alter. If you will not join -me, you shall not stay in Bulgaria. I am not to be trifled -with.”</p> - -<p>“I can appreciate that, for you have already had my -correspondence tampered with, in order to prevent certain -news reaching England. I have committed no act -for which I am not quite prepared to answer—openly; -and all I demand is that fair play which we English -claim as the right of all—whether English, Roumanian, -or Bulgarian.”</p> - -<p>He listened to this with a grim smile on his hard face.</p> - -<p>“You mean that you are ready to risk breaking yourself -on the wheel. Very well; I confess I looked for -a somewhat different decision, judging by what has -passed in the last two days—your conversations -with various people; but remember, and, indeed, you -are not likely to forget, what I have told you is my firm -resolve. If you stay, you must join us.”</p> - -<p>I left him then, feeling that I had created pretty -much the impression I desired—that, in dealing with -me, he would have to regard me as a British subject; -and that, coupled with the fact of my increasingly close -relations with the Princess and those about her, would -suffice to secure my safety for a time.</p> - -<p>With the reigning Prince I was at a loss what line to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> -take. It was difficult to decide beforehand; but I was -resolved to go to the length of refusing the captaincy in -the regiment if the conditions attached to its acceptance -were in any way embarrassing to my freedom.</p> - -<p>But my interview with him was a surprise to me.</p> - -<p>He received me alone, and spoke with a freedom I -had not expected, giving as the reason for his attitude -my rescue of the Countess Bokara; and when I told -him as I did, for there was now no longer any reason -for concealing the fact, that I was an Englishman, his -frankness increased. He jumped to the conclusion that -I had some sort of credentials from the British Government, -and it was only with difficulty that I disabused -him of the idea.</p> - -<p>He had the most engaging personality of any man I -ever met. He was strikingly handsome; every movement -was marked by a courtly but unstudied and -natural grace; his voice was toned in perfect accord -with his courteous and kindly bearing; and his manner -so sympathetically receptive as to impress you with the -conviction that all you said had the utmost interest and -importance for him. A courtier to the finger-tips, and -yet withal a prince, it was impossible not to be charmed -with him. I might have been his most intimate friend -instead of the merest stranger who had come to thank -him for a favour just bestowed. There was something -lacking, however—strength; and therein, without doubt, -lay the secret of his failure.</p> - -<p>“What reason can a wealthy Englishman have for -settling in a place like this, unless he bears a commission -of some kind?” he asked, while indulging his hope -that I was indeed charged with the duty of aiding him.</p> - -<p>“Had I such a mission, your Highness, should I not -have come straight to you?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span>“I suppose so, but yet it seems strange. I suppose -they know in England how matters are with me, and -what must eventually happen if nothing is done.”</p> - -<p>“All Europe knows of the difficulties of your position,” -I answered diplomatically.</p> - -<p>“And all Europe does nothing but look on with -folded hands, leaving me helpless to kick against the -pricks. Do they think I bear a charmed life to withstand -for ever the plots against my life that are being -daily formed, and that I can go on for ever avoiding -the poison or the dagger or the bullet that my enemies -have ever in readiness for me? Do they take me for -a zealot so tired of living that I am willing to keep my -life always on offer to the first hand daring and shrewd -enough to take it? And all this for a freedom which -they mouth about and will not help, and for a people -who have been corrupted to hate me, though I have -doubled their country, led them to victory, and saved -them from overwhelming disasters. By Heaven! the -ingratitude of this people is as colossal as their selfishness.”</p> - -<p>I said nothing, and in a moment his bitterness -passed, and he smiled.</p> - -<p>“This is poor hearing for one who has come generously -to offer me his services, and who has already -placed me under a load of obligation. But at least I -will be frank with you, Count Benderoff. I can give -you this commission, give it gladly, and welcome you -for what I believe you to be—an honourable man; but -your services are of no use to me. They come too -late—too late.”</p> - -<p>“I do not understand your Highness.”</p> - -<p>“It shall not be for want of plain dealing with you, -then. The dear friend whose life you saved, and who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> -has brought you to me, is urging—the impossible. She -does not know it, or cannot realise it, or will not—what -you will; but, mark me well, my days in this ungrateful -country are numbered. You will not use the information -I give you—but I have resolved to abdicate.”</p> - -<p>“To abdicate?” I cried, for this was news indeed.</p> - -<p>“Yes; to abdicate. That is my fixed and irrevocable -resolve. Had you brought me the promise of help -from England, I would stay and fight it out, and strive -to realise those high hopes with which, under God, I -declare I accepted the throne. But what can I do -alone, or almost alone, against a people who plot and -plan to depose or murder me, who have tired already -of the puppet ruler which other Powers imposed upon -them, and against the cursed canker of this Russian -intrigue? In all the land I cannot now tell who is -friend and who foe. In my very household the air -reeks with conspiracy and intrigue. I know not -whether any man I meet by chance may not be sent -to do murder. I never lie down at night without wondering -whether I shall see the next morning’s sun. I -never taste a meal without the thought of poison. I -never speak a word without the expectation that it will -be carried to the ears of my implacable and ruthless -foes. And never a sun rises and sets again without I -know that the deadly work of corruption has been carried -a stage farther.”</p> - -<p>“Such thoughts as these, your Highness, grow by -brooding.”</p> - -<p>“Good God, man, they are the natural germs with -which this Eastern air is crowded and polluted. No, -no; these are no idle fears. Russia is relentless, and -I am powerless to resist her. I will not be her tool. -I could stay in safety and in what the world calls pomp<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> -and honour, a great Prince, if I would but stoop to -do her bidding. I will not; and therefore my choice to -abdicate or die. Would God it could have been different!”</p> - -<p>I was silent in the rush of thoughts these utterances -roused.</p> - -<p>“You will not tell the Countess Bokara this? It is -my grief, the bitterest irony of all my position, that I -am driven thus to mislead the one friend who has been -staunch to me, the truest friend God ever gave to a -disappointed man, a foiled and thwarted Prince. I -have told you—it will, indeed, be public knowledge in -a few weeks from now, and Europe will reap the crop -which her vacillation has sown—that you may not be -buoyed up with false hopes from this grant of the -commission. It would be a Greek gift, indeed, did I -not tell you the truth—that you have nothing to hope -from it. I can guess, of course, what the result will -be. You will be drawn to the Russian net. That is -a vortex which sucks in everything.”</p> - -<p>“What is that?”</p> - -<p>I turned like a needle to the magnet as I heard the -ringing tones of the Countess Bokara, who had entered -the room unknown to us.</p> - -<p>“Who will join the Russian party—you, Count Benderoff?” -she cried eagerly, almost fiercely, as she came -quickly forward. “No. Prince, I will answer for him. -He dare not,” she added.</p> - -<p>“How much did you hear, Anna?” he asked rather -uneasily.</p> - -<p>“Enough to rouse my indignation, that was all.”</p> - -<p>“I was telling the Count that there is no hope to be -gained in my service, and there is but one side here -for a man of action.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>“Prince, Prince, why will you always damp the -enthusiasm of those who would be your friends and -adherents? Why this constant tone of depression? -These everlasting fears and forebodings? There is no -cause for them, Count. We are on the eve of a stroke -that will change everything—everything—and foil -these coward traitors and restore in all its former -strength the Prince’s influence. There is no monopoly -of craft and guile in these Russians! A clear head, a -strong hand, a loyal heart, and a daring sword, can change -all. We are not so hopeless but that a clever <i>coup</i> can -save our cause and make us once again all-powerful.”</p> - -<p>The Prince threw up his hands with a gesture of -weakness.</p> - -<p>“It is too late,” he murmured, despondently. “Too -late.”</p> - -<p>“It shall never be too late while I live,” she cried, -desperately. “It shall never be said that you were -beaten by a woman. Force her from the path, by fair -means or foul—and forced she shall be—and all the -flimsy superstructure of this clumsy plot falls like a -shattered dream. Never shall Bulgaria be crushed -beneath that woman’s heel while I have strength in my -right arm, or there remains a knife or a bullet in all the -land. I swear it.”</p> - -<p>She uttered the vengeful words with all the vehement -force of her violent temper, and as I looked at -her I could see the thoughts of murder lighting her -strained, glowing features, and brightly gleaming eyes.</p> - -<p>But while they stirred repugnance in me they seemed -only to add to the Prince’s despondency.</p> - -<p>“There has been too much blood shed already,” he -said, in a tone of rebuke.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_088.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">“THE COUNT HAS MY PERMISSION TO RETIRE.”—<i>Page <a href="#Page_89">89</a>.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>“Too much; aye, so much that one woman’s life -more will make no difference. So they thought when -they planned that mine should be the life—and shall I -be softer than they?”</p> - -<p>The Prince looked at me with an expression I was -quick to read, and I made a movement as if to leave.</p> - -<p>“I shall see you again shortly, Count, and you will -take up your military duties at your early convenience. -Meanwhile, I depend upon your discretion. All that -you have heard here is for yourself alone.”</p> - -<p>“Absolutely. I understand,” I answered, and took -my leave.</p> - -<p>“You cannot go like this,” broke in the Countess. -“I have yet much to say to you. I need your advice -and help.”</p> - -<p>“Madame, I have urgent matters that call for attention -immediately,” I replied, and the Prince thanked -me with a look.</p> - -<p>“And are not these matters urgent?” she cried, -indignantly.</p> - -<p>“The Count has my permission to retire,” said the -Prince, with sudden dignity.</p> - -<p>“When do you return, sir?” asked the Countess. “I -must see you at once. I cannot brook delay. I am on -fire when I think of all you must help me to achieve.”</p> - -<p>“My duties will bring me here constantly;” and as -I withdrew I could not decide whether my admiration -of her courage and staunchness to the Prince or my -loathing of the deadly methods by which she was prepared -to prove it were the greater. Admirable as a -friend, she was hateful as a woman; and as she watched -me go she appeared like a beautiful dangerous fiend, -till her face turned to the Prince and her eyes glowed -with the intense love for him which was the inspiring -passion of her strange, reckless nature.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX<br /> - - -<small>“I HAVE UNBOUNDED FAITH IN YOU”</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">All</span> my impressions of the interview with the Prince -were quickly overshadowed by the one overpowering -fear that the Princess was in imminent personal danger -from the fury of the Countess Bokara. The Princess -was regarded by her as the central pivot on which the -whole Russian intrigue turned, and to take her life -was the openly avowed object of that dangerous -woman’s passion.</p> - -<p>That any attempt would be subtly planned and fearlessly -carried out I knew well enough, and it was for -the perfecting of such a scheme that she sought my -help. This was indeed the crowning irony of the situation. -I, who would give my life to save the Princess’s, -was to be this reckless fury’s accomplice in a -plot to murder her, in order to keep on the throne a -Prince who had solemnly declared to me his unalterable -decision to resign it.</p> - -<p>Yet there was one ray of consolation. It was probable -that I should be able to hold her scheme in check -long enough to secure the safety of her intended -victim, and I could at once urge upon the latter the -necessity for the greatest caution. It was with this -thought in my mind that I made my visit to the -Princess in the afternoon.</p> - -<p>Her house was a large one standing by itself in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> -centre of the town, and I scanned it curiously. I -noticed with satisfaction that great precautions had -been taken. All the windows in the lower part were -barred heavily; and the defences might have been -planned with the express view of preventing just such -an attempt as was in contemplation. The Russians -had obviously done the work, knowing the need for -guarding jealously the woman on whom so much -depended.</p> - -<p>On that score I had no apprehensions, therefore, and -I resolved to question the Princess closely as to the -state of affairs within, and whether she was absolutely -sure of those who formed her household.</p> - -<p>She received me very graciously.</p> - -<p>“Your interview with the Prince has made you -thoughtful, Count,” she said, after a few minutes. -“Was my forecast right? and what have you done?”</p> - -<p>“I have accepted the commission in his regiment, -but I have not pledged myself to support his cause—indeed, -he said that I should probably find myself -bound in the end to commit myself to the Russian -party.”</p> - -<p>“It is singular that a man who showed himself so -brave, and at first so capable, should be unable to read -what is as plain as a book to other people.”</p> - -<p>“His reading is that the one possible future for the -country is for it to pass into the power of Russia.”</p> - -<p>“I know that. It is his besetting weakness.” She -said this very thoughtfully, and then her face and eyes -lighted as she added with vehemence: “And it is -wrong—utterly and wholly wrong. The merest counsel -of despair. By the help of Heaven we will live to -prove it so; and if I have not counted on you in vain, -you shall help us in the glorious work.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>She turned her eyes upon me with a look that infected -me with her enthusiasm. “You will help us, -will you not?”</p> - -<p>“With everything I possess, even to my life.”</p> - -<p>“I know it; I am sure of you. Would to heaven -we had more men like you with us! I am going to -trust you—put perhaps our lives in your keeping, -for I know well enough the dangers of the work. But -I trust you—absolutely.” She held out her hand as -she said this with an air and tone of implicit confidence, -and I carried her fingers to my lips.</p> - -<p>“Show me how to help,” I said, my voice unsteady -with emotion.</p> - -<p>“Openly we are all allied to the Russians in a scheme -which is to make me the reigning Princess, independent -of all Russian influence. This is the veil which hides -their real intentions. Secretly there is an engagement -that I shall become the wife of the Duke Sergius, -admitting him to a half share of the throne, and thus -Russianising it completely. To make sure of me, it -is arranged that we be married secretly, the union only -to be announced after my accession. The object for -this is of course to bind me irrevocably to them beforehand; -and it is expected that while I am seemingly -independent, all that is national and patriotic in Bulgaria -will be rallied to my support. We should thus -get a firm hold of the throne and of all classes of the -people without the suspicion of too great Russian -predominance. Do you see that?”</p> - -<p>I did; and my looks showed that I did not relish it.</p> - -<p>“It is a shrewd scheme, no doubt,” I said.</p> - -<p>She gazed at me steadily, almost reproachfully, I -thought. But I did not like the scheme, and would -not pretend that I did.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>“Is it a plan you will help?” she asked. I was silent -and cast my eyes on the ground.</p> - -<p>“Is it a plan you will help?” she repeated.</p> - -<p>“You place me in a position of great difficulty, -Princess,” I replied, slowly.</p> - -<p>“Will you help me in it?” she repeated.</p> - -<p>“With such powerful influence behind you, you will -not need my help that I can see,” I returned, ungraciously, -for the scowling brutal face of Duke Sergius -was in my thoughts.</p> - -<p>Her eyes were still bent steadily upon me, and a side -glance showed me their expression had changed.</p> - -<p>“You are not frank with me, Count Benderoff,” she -said, after a pause; and at that I looked up and said -bluntly:</p> - -<p>“If I offend you I am sorry; but I will not stir a -finger to help the man you mean—the Duke Sergius.”</p> - -<p>Her face was breaking into a smile, when she checked -it, and I saw a faint wave of colour rise to her -cheek.</p> - -<p>“What do you know of Duke Sergius?” she asked. -Again a pause.</p> - -<p>“Little or nothing, Madame; but I will not serve in -any cause where his interests are to be advanced.”</p> - -<p>“Why do you not like him? You knew I was betrothed -to him?”</p> - -<p>She seemed suddenly bent on rousing my temper -against the man.</p> - -<p>“I had heard of it.”</p> - -<p>“Yet, knowing it, you have not hitherto refused to -help me!” Was she playing on my passion, that she -persisted in her questioning? “You must have some -reasons,” she continued, when I remained silent; “what -are they?” and to my astonishment the smile which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> -she had before checked now passed beyond control -and lighted her face rarely.</p> - -<p>“You must not press me for my reasons,” I said -quickly; and the light in her eyes may have reflected -the thought behind it, for again the colour mantled -her cheeks.</p> - -<p>“Then you will not help me?” she said in a low -voice that witched me.</p> - -<p>“You? With my life!”</p> - -<p>The passion in my tone made her cast down her -eyes, till, with a still deeper colour on her face, she -lifted them and said gently:</p> - -<p>“Forgive me; I was but testing you. And if you -blame me, think what store I may set upon an assurance -of fidelity that is purely personal to me. Call it -caprice if you will, a mere woman’s caprice, that I -should thus seek to probe your real thoughts and -resolves.”</p> - -<p>“There was no need to test me where you were -concerned,” I replied; and again the earnestness of -my tone appeared to embarrass her. In the short -silence that followed I sat with but the loosest rein -upon the hopes and thoughts that were so much to me.</p> - -<p>“No; the Duke Sergius does not come into the -scheme as we plan it,” she said; “and I thought -indeed that what Mademoiselle Broumoff told you -would have made you understand this. I would do -much for this country; and if it were necessary that I -should marry him—which, thank God, it is not—I -might force myself to go even to that extreme. But -in my life there can be no thought of marriage. I -should be baser than the base if, having taken this -charge upon me, I should ever turn from it by any -thought of myself.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span>She spoke in a tone of lofty exaltation, a strange -contrast indeed to what she had termed her “mere -woman’s caprice;” and I held my peace.</p> - -<p>“Our plan is this,” she resumed: “to use the Russian -ladder, and then kick it over. To make them -pledge themselves before Europe to support me on the -throne, and then to use the power of the throne for -rallying the Bulgarians to defend themselves and their -country against their real enemies.”</p> - -<p>“You have mapped out a dangerous counterplot, -Princess; but I like it, and if I can help, I will. How -will you prevent the secret marriage?”</p> - -<p>“We shall have to leave that to be disposed of when -the time comes. As you were warned, he is a man -whose eyes we have ever to blind.”</p> - -<p>“Are you sure of the people about you?”</p> - -<p>“Of some—indeed, of many; but it is in that you -can be of such help to us. I have heard of the suggestions -you made so guardedly, that your house shall be -the rendezvous of the movement to which those shall -be brought who are known to be true to the country, -and can be trusted. Such a meeting-place will be invaluable, -especially where, as in your case, there is a -plausible excuse for any such gatherings.”</p> - -<p>“You mean?”</p> - -<p>“We propose to form a kind of gymnasium club—at -least, propose that you should form it among the -young men of the city whom we can ascertain to be -faithful. Of these men you will necessarily become -the leader; so you see you will have an important part -to play, my friend.”</p> - -<p>“It is shrewd,” I said, perceiving at once its many -possibilities, as I recalled Zoiloff’s words. “But how -far are your plans advanced? Time presses.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span>“Much farther advanced than you think. We have -been working all the time this Russian scheme has been -in progress, so that we should be ready when that -reaches its climax. But matters will move faster now, -and in a few weeks all should be prepared. It is a -strong point that the very craft of General Kolfort -itself has helped us. We have, as it were, a free hand -for making our preparations. He is as anxious as we -are that those Bulgarians who are opposed to the -Prince, and would help me, but fear Russia, should be -secured to us; and this has given us just the cover for -our work that we needed. We shall triumph, Count, -for the cause of truth is ours, and Bulgaria shall be -free;” and her voice rang with earnestness.</p> - -<p>I sat silent in thought for some moments.</p> - -<p>“You have thought of the dangers to yourself?”</p> - -<p>“I can but die, and where could one find a nobler -end?” Her face shone with the light of willing martyrdom.</p> - -<p>“You think the General has no suspicion?”</p> - -<p>“He cannot have as yet. There will come a moment -when his eyes will be opened, no doubt, and then -the danger may be real enough. But I am prepared to -face anything for the cause.”</p> - -<p>I thought of that moment, and my heart feared for -her; but I knew of the other danger from that wild -woman, the Countess Bokara; and I must put her on -her guard.</p> - -<p>“It is not of the dangers we must think, Count, but -of the great end to be achieved,” she added. “To -dwell on nothing but risks may make cowards of the -bravest.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_096.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">“SHE TURNED SWIFTLY AND LOOKED AT ME.”—<i>Page <a href="#Page_97">97</a>.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span>“True; but we must at all events give enough heed -to the dangers to be able to guard against them. Have -you thought of the steps the Prince and those about -him might take against you?”</p> - -<p>“You may have influence with her,” she answered, -understanding me readily. “And I have had a half -hope that you may be able to make her understand how -hopeless are her efforts. Can you do this?”</p> - -<p>“I am not hopeful. She is a woman of wild and -vehement passions.”</p> - -<p>“She is mad; she hates me so violently that if she -dared she would herself plunge a knife into my heart. -She clings to the shadow of power which she wields -through the Prince with all the tenacity of ambition -venomed by malice. I know it, but I do not fear her,” -she said proudly. “She is the greatest enemy this -country has, even in this hour when its enemies throng -every street, and are found in every house. Daring, -unscrupulous, reckless, and saturated with the lust of -power, she would use the Prince for the pursuit of her -own ends, and those only, however cleverly masked by -a boasted love of the country.”</p> - -<p>The Princess was a very woman after all, I saw, for -it was easy to read the personal dislike which breathed -through her indignation.</p> - -<p>“She may be very dangerous, Princess,” I said warningly.</p> - -<p>She turned swiftly and looked at me, reading in my -voice my genuine alarm for her. After a moment, her -face softened into a smile, and she put her hand on -my arm.</p> - -<p>“You are warning me, I see, against something you -know but cannot tell me. I will not ask you. I will -do more, for your sake, and to relieve your fears on my -account. I will be very cautious. You have a most -difficult part to fulfil at present; I understand that.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> -But I will guard against any such risks as you appear -to contemplate. Your ready zeal for the cause is very -welcome to me, Count—more welcome, perhaps, than -I have been able to show you. For the sake of what -you say, I will be very cautious.”</p> - -<p>Her eyes rested a moment on my face, holding me -in a thraldom of silent admiration. Then she added -sweetly: “But you must not let your fears for me -print themselves so legibly on your face. We shall go -forward together in this matter to victory, my friend. -That is the thought to carry with you. Heaven will -not suffer us to fail, let the risks and difficulties be what -they may. We are close comrades now; and I feel that -you have been sent just at the moment when such a -man was absolutely necessary. And when we have -gained the victory, you will play a large part in the far -greater work that lies ahead. I have unbounded faith -in you.”</p> - -<p>“I do not need the spur of ambition to serve you, -Princess; but, by the help of heaven, your faith in me -shall never prove unfounded.” I spoke with intense -earnestness, and then rose to leave. She rose, too, and -gave me her hand, which I again carried to my lips; -and it pleased me to think that her fingers trembled -as my lips touched them.</p> - -<p>I had reached the door when she said suddenly:</p> - -<p>“Oh, there is one thing which I have not mentioned. -We have a kind of watchword which you -should know. Our friends are banded together ‘In -the Name of a Woman,’ Count.”</p> - -<p>I started with a touch of alarm.</p> - -<p>“But General Kolfort knows of that. It was with -that formula I was accosted by the messenger who led -me to his house.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>“He chose it,” she answered, with a smile of reassurance. -“It is intended to mark off those who are -for me as distinguished from those solely devoted to -Russia, the good men and true for whom he thinks I -can best act as his decoy.” I understood her. “You -will not forget it and all that it means, as I have explained -to you to-day.”</p> - -<p>“I am not likely to forget all that it means to me,” -I said, and a quick glow on her face made me think she -understood me, too, and was not displeased. With a -little flush of pleasure I turned again to leave, when -the door was opened, and a servant announced the -Duke Sergius.</p> - -<p>He came in hurriedly, with a look of vexation on his -coarse, broad face, which deepened instantly to anger -as his eyes fell upon me.</p> - -<p>“They told me you were engaged, Princess, as I -see,” he said, with a sneer at me; “but I had a matter -of urgency to discuss with you, so I bade your -servants announce me.”</p> - -<p>“Your urgency will cost my servants their places,” -she answered, the expression of her face hardening into -cold austerity—so different from anything I had seen -during our interview.</p> - -<p>“I did not think it could be anything very important,” -he answered, paying no heed to her words. -“Who is this gentleman?” and he turned and glowered -at me.</p> - -<p>Not only a bully, but a cad, was my thought, as I -returned his look with generous interest.</p> - -<p>The Princess murmured our names formally and -coldly.</p> - -<p>“I have heard something of you, Count, from General -Kolfort.” He spoke as if it had been nothing to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> -my good. “If I mistake not, I saw you at the ball -last night.”</p> - -<p>“I was there,” I answered curtly.</p> - -<p>“I want a word or two with you, sometime, and will -wait upon you.” Had I been a servant at whom he -was flinging an order, he could not have put more -offensive patronage into his tone.</p> - -<p>“If you will write your business I will see if I have -time to give you an appointment,” I answered with -intentional brusqueness. He was not accustomed to -be addressed in such a tone, and he started and flushed -with anger. I took no notice, but with a bow to the -Princess I murmured, “I have the honour to wish you -good day, Madame,” and, ignoring the Duke entirely, -I went away, leaving him staring angrily after me.</p> - -<p>“I hate the brute,” I said to myself as I went into -the street; and in truth I seemed to find a special -cause of offence in the fact that I had had to leave him -alone with the Princess. “I wish to Heaven he’d -quarrel with me,” I muttered; and, indeed, the wish -was to have a fulfilment that at the moment I had no -cause to anticipate or hope.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X<br /> - - -<small>“IN THE NAME OF A WOMAN”</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> result of my interview with the Princess will -be readily understood. It made me more devoted to -her than ever. The sweetness of her manner, the -charm of her rare beauty, the loftiness of her aims, the -faith and confidence she had shown in me, and the -many signs of her reliance upon me had enslaved me. -In a word, I was in love with her. She was far above -me, and there was no hope that I could ever win her -for my wife. There were a thousand obstacles in the -way. But there was nothing to stop my loving her.</p> - -<p>So far I had never met one to touch my heart and -kindle the myriad flames of inspiring passion which -throbbed and thrilled in me now with such ecstasy at -the mere thought of this rare and wonderful pearl -among women.</p> - -<p>I gave heed to no thought of consequences—never -paused to think what the end of such a passion might -be, nor where it might lead me. She had changed -every habit of my mind. Usually cautious, calculating, -and self-reserved, I heeded nothing now but the -delicious knowledge that I loved her and could serve -her, and help her to gain the high and noble end she -had in view. And serve her I vowed I would with -every faculty I possessed, and, if the need were, at the -cost of every drop of blood in my body. I flung -every other consideration to the winds and dizzied my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> -brain with dreams of the delight it would yield me to -feel that I could be the means of helping her.</p> - -<p>That she depended upon me and trusted me was in -itself a delirium of pleasure, and, come what might, I -would never fail nor falter in her service. Others -might have their aims and objects in this wild business -of the intrigue, I would serve Christina, and Christina -only, “In the Name of a Woman.” Whatever it -should be to others, to me it had a real and inspiring -meaning, and for me it was destined to be no mere -watchword or formula, but the guiding principle of -every act and thought and the lode star to determine -my life.</p> - -<p>But I would guard my secret jealously; it should be -mine and mine only. The fire must burn, but it -should be down in the centre of my heart; and on the -surface no prying eyes should pierce the mask of -reserve with which I would conceal my passion.</p> - -<p>All this came to me clearly in the frank self-communing -of the night, and with it a full admission -of the real cause for my hatred of the Duke Sergius. -It was not so much the man himself I detested—detestable -though I believed him—but the future husband -of Christina, using and defiling that fair shrine -for the sordid purpose of his selfish policy. He and -those in league with him would use the rarest and -fairest of God’s women as a tool for their own base -ends. The mere thought of it was an abomination of -desecration.</p> - -<p>But they would have to reckon with me, and in my -new love-madness I piled up oath upon oath that I -would spoil their plans and thwart their designs -against her.</p> - -<p>“I have unbounded faith in you.” The words rang<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> -in my ears like the strain from some angel’s song, and -filled me with such enthusiasm that I longed for the -moment of action, and could scarce find patience to -wait through the lingering hours of darkness that I -might begin my work; and I lay, my brain simmering -with plots and plans against the two men, Sergius and -Kolfort, who were thus leagued against Christina.</p> - -<p>By the morning, however, I was cooler, and in a -fitter frame of mind to face the thousand difficulties -of the position.</p> - -<p>Spernow was with me early, and I had my first lesson -in the necessity of keeping my feelings out of sight. -He had heard of my interview with the Princess, and -came eager to learn the result. I knew very well by -this time that that very shrewd little Mademoiselle -Broumoff was at the bottom of his eagerness, and I -was on my guard.</p> - -<p>I told him that the Princess had convinced me of -the soundness of her policy, and that I should do all -in my power to help her.</p> - -<p>“Is she not all I said of her?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“She is a woman with a mission,” I answered somewhat -coldly. “But her mission is a high and bright -one in the interests of Bulgaria and freedom, and, as -those are interests in which I feel a deep concern, I -shall give her all the help in my power.”</p> - -<p>The studied deliberateness of my tone perplexed -him, for he looked at me in some surprise and disappointment.</p> - -<p>“Is that all you thought of her, my dear Count? -You must have a cool head—for you have filled her -with enthusiasm.”</p> - -<p>This was sweet music to me indeed; but I replied -indifferently:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span>“I base my opinions on my judgment;” and I -smiled as if in deprecation of enthusiasm. “But now -I have much to do to-day. I take possession of my -house, and I wish to have a consultation with you and -Captain Zoiloff as to certain plans. Will you bring -him to me there at noon? We have to discuss the -future form of our new association.”</p> - -<p>As soon as he had left me I hurried to meet the officers -of my regiment, and my reception by them was exceedingly -cordial and friendly—partly due, as I afterwards -learnt, to my duel with Ristich, who had been a -much hated man; and also because of my reputation -as a man of wealth. I gave one prompt proof of this -by asking the whole of my brother officers to dine -with me at an early date.</p> - -<p>By noon I was back at my house to meet Zoiloff and -Spernow, and after we had had some practice with the -foils and in pistol shooting we set to work upon the -serious business of the conference.</p> - -<p>We arranged that I should be the head of the organisation, -with Zoiloff next in charge under me; and he -threw himself with keen ardour into the work.</p> - -<p>“I cannot tell you how glad I am to have you with -us in this, Count,” he said, when we had debated and -settled details. “Now that you have come, you seem to -be just the man we were waiting for; and this place -of yours will be a magnificent rendezvous.”</p> - -<p>“Shall we have many join us?”</p> - -<p>“We do not want too many, but all will be carefully -picked, and every man will be one wielding influence -over others.”</p> - -<p>“How will General Kolfort view the scheme?”</p> - -<p>“All he will know will be that here is in training a -band of young men all working for the object which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> -he desires, and all capable of giving the greatest help -to the movement. The real secret will be in as few -hands as possible. When he knows more it will be too -late for him to interfere,” he said with a smile.</p> - -<p>“That will be the hour of danger,” I returned.</p> - -<p>“Rather the hour of triumph. Think what it must -mean in a country like ours to have, say, five hundred -young men in this city, each influencing many more, -drawn from all classes, high and low, all joined by the -strongest ties for one common object, and all looking -upon one man as their leader—‘In the Name of a -Woman.’ You will wield a tremendous power, Count. -God grant you use it wisely,” he said, earnestly. “But -I have no doubt of that. I should not be here if I -had.”</p> - -<p>“I shall wield it only for the one object.”</p> - -<p>“It will turn the scale in any crisis,” said Spernow.</p> - -<p>“It will free the country,” said Zoiloff.</p> - -<p>I said nothing, but was thinking of the help it would -render to my Princess.</p> - -<p>One thing troubled me. The General had declared -that he would not permit me to remain in the country -unless I pledged myself to join him; and give that -pledge I would not. Neither would I leave the country. -And when my two companions had left, I sat -pondering a way out of the difficulty. There was but -one way that I could see—to have him satisfied by some -indirect means that I had espoused the cause of the -Princess, and leave him to draw the inference for himself -that in serving her I intended to serve him and -his party also.</p> - -<p>In this connection I thought of Spernow. He was -the General’s agent specially told off to sound me, and -it would be quite possible for him to give a report sufficiently<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> -plausible to effect what was wanted. But who -should coach Spernow? The answer came with the -question. Without doubt it must be Mademoiselle -Broumoff, and it remained only for me to get an interview -with her and tell her what to do.</p> - -<p>Inwardly I tried to persuade myself that this might -be a sufficient reason for me to seek another interview -with the Princess; but I put the temptation away from -me, strong as it was, reflecting that any too great -eagerness on my part to see her would only defeat the -very end I had in view—to be of real help. I must -raise no suspicions anywhere by seeking to see her too -often.</p> - -<p>I was thinking this matter out when a servant -brought me the card of the Duke Sergius. I started -as I saw it, and for a moment was inclined to send an -excuse. But reflecting that I must now take my share -in helping to blind his eyes, I went to him.</p> - -<p>“I have not adopted the somewhat roundabout way -you suggested yesterday for having an interview with -you, Count Benderoff, but have come direct to you. I -am accustomed to go straight to a point.”</p> - -<p>“Yes?” My tone was curt.</p> - -<p>“You and I must understand one another a little -better. I have heard of you from General Kolfort, -who seems inclined to take you rather seriously; and I -may say at once that since I saw you yesterday I have -changed my opinion about you. The Princess Christina -spoke to me pretty frankly concerning you.”</p> - -<p>“Yes?” I said again; I hated to hear him even -speak her name so glibly.</p> - -<p>“I looked on you before as a sort of superior spy—sent -here, probably from England, to see what was -going on. But I now understand that we are to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> -friends to work together. I am glad to hear it.” He -spoke with a sort of blustering bluntness that he may -have intended for an engaging frankness.</p> - -<p>“I do not know that I am much concerned what -opinion you take the trouble to form about me,” I -answered, coldly.</p> - -<p>“Hang it all, man, can’t you see I have come in a -friendly spirit to talk over together the things we have -in common? Why do you receive me like this?” He -spoke sharply, and, I thought, angrily; and when I did -not answer immediately, he added with a laugh that -had no mirth in it: “You don’t suppose I am in the -habit of hawking round my friendship?”</p> - -<p>“Have I suggested anything of the kind?”</p> - -<p>“You make it very difficult for me to enter into -things with you.”</p> - -<p>“I have seen you twice, sir,” I answered deliberately. -“The first time at the ball the other evening, when you -were good enough to scowl at me, and yesterday at the -Princess Christina’s house, when your words were a -kind of scowl expressed audibly. We Englishmen are -not accustomed to read such actions as the preliminaries -of a friendship.”</p> - -<p>He started at the word Englishmen, and his eyes -lighted with swift anger. Obviously he hated everything -English; nor did I wish him to make an exception -in my case. I think he read as much in my eyes.</p> - -<p>“You Englishmen take very queer views of many -things,” he answered, after a short pause. “But I -thought you were more a Roumanian, and thus a friend -of my country?”</p> - -<p>“I have the honour to be a Roumanian Count,” I -said, tersely.</p> - -<p>“Do you wish to quarrel with me, Count Benderoff?”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> -But before I could reply, he added: “But there, that -must be ridiculous, for the Princess tells me I may look -upon you as a man devoted to her cause, and, therefore, -to mine. I shall not be unmindful of those who -help us, I would have you understand that—though I -wish you did not make it so difficult for me to tell -it you.”</p> - -<p>“I am not working for any hope of material reward -at your hands,” I answered equivocally. His patronising -tone galled me.</p> - -<p>“No matter. That will not prevent your accepting it -when the time comes. Few men do that, I find—even -Englishmen. But now I wish us to be friends and -comrades, Count. Do you see any reason against it?”</p> - -<p>“We have not begun auspiciously,” said I drily.</p> - -<p>“Hang it!” he cried with an oath. “You are as -diffident as a girl in her teens. I don’t find men inclined -to quarrel with my offers of friendship, I can tell -you. I am not without power and influence, I can -assure you;” and he smiled boastfully.</p> - -<p>I made no response to his offer. I could not.</p> - -<p>“You have made a good choice of a house, Count,” he -said, after another pause. “I congratulate you. And -where is the room where you are going to lure the coy -pigeons to be trained in the service of the Princess -Christina?” Evidently she had told him of the project.</p> - -<p>“I will show it you, if you like,” I said, rising.</p> - -<p>“Nothing will please me better,” he said, following -me from the room. “Egad, a splendid hall!” he exclaimed -in genuine admiration as we entered it. “Men -tell me, too, that you know how to use the sword well. -From all accounts you easily spitted that fool Ristich -the first time at old Kolfort’s, and did just what -you liked with him when you met him on the ground.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>“He was wounded, and in my opinion unfit to fight. -I protested against his doing so, as you may have -heard; but he insisted, and left me no option.”</p> - -<p>He examined all the arrangements and gymnastic -apparatus with obvious interest, making many comments -to show his appreciation of everything.</p> - -<p>“This is a novel thing for Sofia,” he said, after a -while. “And a devilish shrewd device to draw in the -young bloods of the place. They will make a hero of -you, Count. A splendid thought, and one that shows -what an acquisition you will be to us. A pistol range, -too; magnificent! May I try a shot or two?” He -spoke with assumed indifference, but I caught a glance -which told me he wished to surprise me with a display -of his skill in shooting.</p> - -<p>“By all means,” I answered readily, not at all unwilling -to see what he could do, and to show him also -that I knew how to handle a pistol pretty well.</p> - -<p>He was a good shot, and took a pride in his work, -laughing boastfully when he sent his bullet three times -in succession into the bull’s-eye of the small target.</p> - -<p>“I’m strange to the pistol, of course; but that’s not -bad for a first attempt, eh? I’m a bit out of practice, -too, for I haven’t a place like this to keep my hand in.” -There was a sneer at me in this.</p> - -<p>“Come to the further mark,” I said, putting him half -a dozen paces to the rear. “You shoot well.”</p> - -<p>He tried from the further mark and hit the target -each time, but only once got on to the bull’s-eye.</p> - -<p>“It’s a long distance, and the light’s rather bad. Do -you shoot much?”</p> - -<p>“Well, a little. I have only had two or three shots -here;” and I picked up a revolver carelessly. “I am -sorry you found the light bad.” I turned, then levelled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> -the pistol and fired half-a-dozen shots in rapid succession.</p> - -<p>“You have missed,” he cried, laughing gleefully.</p> - -<p>“I think not. You will find the six bullets in a ring -round the bull’s-eye. I never miss.” I spoke with intentionally -boastful swagger.</p> - -<p>He went up to the target and examined it, and then -turned to me:</p> - -<p>“By the Lord, you’re a wonderful shot. Where did -you learn that trick?”</p> - -<p>The unfeigned surprise and admiration in his tone -pleased me. He would know now, at least, that I was -not a man to be trifled with; from that moment his -manner towards me changed, and his bluster and -swagger decreased.</p> - -<p>“I am very fond of pistol practice,” I answered -quietly.</p> - -<p>He went up to the target again and stood before it, -scrutinising the marks of the bullets as though I had -performed a miracle.</p> - -<p>“I never saw anything like it. It’s wonderful,” I -heard him mutter to himself. Then in a louder tone -to me: “I should like to come here for practice, -Count.” But I had no mind for that.</p> - -<p>“It would not do, I am afraid. If we are to make -this business a success, I must be as slightly associated -with you as possible.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that is true—and shrewd enough. You won’t -want recruits if you can teach them to do that,” -pointing to the target. “And are you equally clever -with the foils?” I could have found it in me to laugh -at the change in his manner. He was like a man who -had come to bully and had unexpectedly been whipped.</p> - -<p>“No, a long way from it. Would you like to try?”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> -But he declined on the plea that he had no time. His -refusal surprised me, for I had heard that he was a -splendid fencer, and was somewhat curious to see how -far he was my superior. I concluded that he was unwilling -to show me how really skilful he was, and had -to content myself with the evident impression my skill -with the revolver had produced.</p> - -<p>He left me soon afterwards, expressing another hope -that we should be friends; but I was as guarded in my -reply as I had been before, and certainly no more cordial.</p> - -<p>I was glad of the visit, however. He had solved the -difficulty which had been perplexing me. It was evident -that the Princess had said enough to lead -him to think that I was working on his side, and I -was convinced that he would say as much to General -Kolfort, and thus unwittingly render me a service.</p> - -<p>That our dislike was mutual I had no doubt. He -had come resolved to patronise and, perhaps, to ride -rough shod over me in his swaggering, overbearing -way; and his performance with the pistol had been -intended to intimidate me, by proving that he was as -dangerous to quarrel with as he was powerful as an -ally. But my display had changed all that; and in a -degree had humiliated him in my eyes at the very -moment when he was keen to appear most formidable.</p> - -<p>He was a man to take such a rebuff badly; and for -the future I felt he would be no friend of mine. -Whether he would dare to be an enemy depended -upon his skill as a swordsman; and that he had carefully -kept hidden from me.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, he had cleared one tangle from the -skein of my difficulties, and I was therefore glad of the -visit. Whether he would seek to show his enmity -openly I did not trouble to ask myself.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br /> - - -<small>BETRAYED</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next few days were crowded ones for me. The -organisation of our conspirators went forward with -astonishing success—the fruit, of course, of the previous -efforts of Zoiloff and those working with him; and -when we held our first big meeting to inaugurate our -new “Club,” we had nearly three hundred splendid -young fellows zealous to pledge themselves to the -finger-tips in the cause of the Princess Christina.</p> - -<p>Each of them had been presented privately to me, -and each promised unreservedly to follow my leadership. -All were animated by the most patriotic enthusiasm, -and many of them were in a position to influence -considerable numbers of their compatriots.</p> - -<p>The scheme of the Gymnasium Club evoked great -praise, and I was surprised by the ardour with which -they threw themselves into the task of athletic training. -All the details of this were managed by Zoiloff -and a few carefully chosen men under him; and after -the first meeting these leaders supped with me, and -many were the exuberant anticipations of success that -found expression. Zoiloff himself threw aside his -customary reserve, and led on the rest to praise me.</p> - -<p>“It is the finest movement ever started in Bulgaria, -Count,” he said to me when Spernow and he and I -were alone. “And it will spread like a heath on fire, -from here to every town and centre in the country.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> -In a month we shall have such power and influence as -never before was wielded by anyone here;” and Spernow -was equally enthusiastic.</p> - -<p>“I am astonished, I think, by what I have seen to-night,” -I said.</p> - -<p>“Ah, you don’t know my countrymen,” exclaimed -Zoiloff, whose eyes shone and sparkled with the fire of -feeling. “They have been crushed under the curse of -the Crescent; they have groaned under the oppression -till the fire of patriotism has flickered low indeed, for -there seemed no gleam of hope; they have suffered, -God alone knows how bitterly and drearily, till the -iron was like to enter their souls and corrode every -generous instinct and fervour; but, thanks be to God, -those instincts are not dead, and we shall rouse them -into an activity that will startle Europe and save the -Balkan States. We have done much in the past few -years, as you know; but that is nothing to what we -shall yet achieve. Were the Prince other than he is, -the hand of Russia weighing less heavily on him, and -their dastardly work of suborning and sapping the -truth and honour of the prominent men of the country -less deadly, we should not now be cowering and -cringing under the talons of the Eagles. Think what -it has been to work always under leaders whom we -doubted and distrusted for traitors. But that is -changed at last. We will have no more of the old -leaders. It is the age of young men; and, by the God -that made us all, we’ll never stay nor falter now till the -glorious end is reached.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” said Spernow, in a rousing tone of concentrated -earnestness. “Good, and true, every word -of it.”</p> - -<p>“No looking back, that is the spirit I honour!” I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span> -exclaimed, infected by their enthusiasm, and thinking -of the Princess.</p> - -<p>“A toast!” cried Zoiloff, jumping to his feet, his -eyes flashing, and his rough, rugged features aglow, as -he raised his glass on high. “May the hand that holds -this glass blight and rot if it ever falters or turns from -the righteous cause—In the Name of a Woman.”</p> - -<p>“Amen to that,” said I earnestly, as Spernow and -I repeated his words, and finished solemnly together—“In -the Name of a Woman.”</p> - -<p>“I have never dared before to be enthusiastic, but -you have inspired me, Count. We have a leader in -you who will carry us far, and whom all will come to -trust as I do;” and Zoiloff gave me his hand, holding -mine in a grip that trembled under his excitement.</p> - -<p>There was, however, a source of danger that these -two knew nothing of, and I could not tell them—the -fear of the Countess Bokara’s violence.</p> - -<p>For the few days I had succeeded in evading her I -calculated that she would attempt nothing by herself, -but would endeavour first to use me for the work. She -had said as much when I had seen her in the presence -of the Prince; and it was, of course, obvious that if -she could secure my aid her task would be vastly -easier. I had the <i>entrée</i> to the Princess Christina’s -house, as she knew, and could thus, were I so minded, -render her just the kind of assistance she needed. But -I knew she would act soon.</p> - -<p>My anxiety on the score of General Kolfort’s intention -to get me out of his way had been removed as -the result of the visit of Duke Sergius coupled with -what the General had heard from Spernow, and probably -from the Princess herself. He did not send for -me and I did not seek him, but on the morning following<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> -the meeting at my house he put himself in my -way as I was returning from my military duties.</p> - -<p>We were both on horseback, and I was passing him -with a salute, when he reined up his horse and -stopped me.</p> - -<p>“You have not come to me, Count,” he said curtly.</p> - -<p>“And do not propose to come, General,” I answered -in a similar tone.</p> - -<p>“I was not wrong in my estimate of you, I find.”</p> - -<p>“I do not recall it for the moment,” said I indifferently.</p> - -<p>He looked at me and smiled grimly.</p> - -<p>“Good. A little open antagonism to me is your -shrewdest course. I understand you. You are what -I thought—a very clever young man. And you can -assure everyone that you are not pledged to me—openly. -I understand you, I say.”</p> - -<p>“As a well-known judge of men your opinion is -flattering, General,” I answered ambiguously.</p> - -<p>His smile broadened.</p> - -<p>“Very non-committal, as usual. And yet——” And -here his smile vanished, and his eyes took an expression -of deep penetration. “Be careful that your -cleverness and ambition don’t carry you too far. If -that time should come and I have to act, remember -that I warned you. I know what you are doing, and -am watching you carefully.” Then in a lighter tone he -added: “I am glad to hear such good accounts of your -military work, and glad, too, that I have not to compel -you to leave a country that has such sore need of the -valuable services which a man like you can render it.”</p> - -<p>And with a salute he passed on, leaving me to digest -the irony and hidden meaning of his last words. I -rode on thoughtfully to my house. The impression<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> -he left on my mind was perhaps just such as he had -designed—that the attempt to trick him was indeed -like playing with fire on the top of a powder magazine. -And I was profoundly uneasy as I thought of what -that might mean to the woman whose safety and success -were now infinitely more to me than my own.</p> - -<p>At my house a surprise was in store for me. A carriage -was at the door, and the servants told me that a -lady was awaiting me.</p> - -<p>I went to the room at once and found the Countess -Bokara. She rose with a smile as she held out her hand.</p> - -<p>“You look magnificent in your regimentals, Count. -And I suppose you have been too busy with your new -duties and new friends to think it worth while to see -me. And you don’t seem over-pleased that I am here -now,” she added, for my face clouded at the sight of -her. She was a bird of ill-omen, as I knew.</p> - -<p>“What is your object in honouring me with this -informal visit?”</p> - -<p>“Informal! Where is the need of formality between -you and me?” she asked quickly.</p> - -<p>“In Sofia the tongues of gossip run glibly.”</p> - -<p>“You have soon developed into an authority on the -manners of the people here. Spare me your cant, I -beg of you. What do you suppose I should care if all -the old gossips in the city talked me over till their -tongues ached? You ask why I am here. I wish to see -you, that is all.”</p> - -<p>“I am at your service,” I answered, with a bow.</p> - -<p>“Are you? That’s just what I wish to know,” she -replied, putting a significant meaning to my conventional -phrase. “You have not given much evidence of -it as yet. I should rather think you have even forgotten -your promise to serve me.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span>“I am, at any rate, ready to listen to you.”</p> - -<p>She looked at me piercingly during a rather long -pause.</p> - -<p>“If I thought——” she began, but checked herself -abruptly.</p> - -<p>“Your thoughts are always shrewd,” I returned.</p> - -<p>At the reply she looked up and laughed, with such -an expression of malignity that it made her face hateful, -for all the beauty of her eyes.</p> - -<p>“You little know how shrewd this time, Count Benderoff, -or you would drop that insipid conventionality, -I promise you.”</p> - -<p>“You are pleased to speak in riddles.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, because you act them,” she retorted, almost -fiercely. “But I promise to be plain enough before I -leave you. I will drop the one if you will drop the -other—but, there, you’ll have to, as you’ll soon see.”</p> - -<p>“I do not pretend to understand you,” said I.</p> - -<p>“Well, then, I’ll try to make you. You are not -generally dull. Tell me plainly, if you can, on what -side are you in all these matters? The question is -merely to give you a chance of being frank with me, -for I know much.”</p> - -<p>“I seek the same object as yourself—the freedom of -Bulgaria.”</p> - -<p>“Aye. In the Name of a Woman, you mean? You -think I do not know your canting phrase.”</p> - -<p>I was on my guard now, and did not let her see my -surprise at her words.</p> - -<p>“I have the honour to bear a commission in the -Prince’s own regiment, as you know,” I answered -evasively.</p> - -<p>“The commission I got for you. Of course I know. -But what do you mean by that empty answer? Are<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span> -you for or against me? For Heaven’s sake try to speak -frankly! Nothing else will serve either you or me in -this.” And she stamped her foot with a gesture of -impatience.</p> - -<p>“So far as our aims are in common, I am with you.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think an answer like that will satisfy me? -I am beginning to understand you; and if my reading -is right, you and those with you may well take heed -for yourselves.”</p> - -<p>“If you have come to threaten me——” I began, -when she broke in:</p> - -<p>“I have not come to threaten. I have come to have -a clear understanding; that is all. And I will have it,” -she said, impetuously. “I will give you another chance. -What did the Prince say to you when you were with -him?”</p> - -<p>“I do not know there was anything——”</p> - -<p>“For the love of Heaven, man, drop this conventional -cant and speak as plainly as you can if you wish. What -did he say to you about this mad intention of his to -abdicate?”</p> - -<p>“Intention to abdicate?” I echoed, as if taken by -surprise.</p> - -<p>“Which means that he did tell you, and you would -now pretend that he did not.” And, yielding to a -sudden storm of passion, she broke out into a torrent -of indignant reproaches of what she termed my breach -of trust in not telling her.</p> - -<p>I did not interrupt her, and gathered that she had -only just heard from the Prince what he had said to -me. I understood now the cause of her visit and the -reason of her passion.</p> - -<p>“As his Highness told me in confidence, I could -not betray it,” I said as soon as I could get a word in.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> -“He no doubt told you that he laid a charge of -secrecy upon me.”</p> - -<p>“And you did nothing to dissuade him, nothing to -stop him from a madly suicidal step. You, who pretend -to pose as a disinterested friend of Bulgaria devoted -to him and to me! And do you think, knowing -me as you do, for all your flippant lip-service to the -jargon of conventionality, that I will let this thing be? -Do you think that I am so powerless a fool that I cannot -stop it? Oh, I am a mad woman when I think of it!” -she cried desperately. “It can be stopped and must -be—do you hear? must; and you must help me.”</p> - -<p>“I cannot see how I can help you.”</p> - -<p>She had risen from her chair and was pacing the -room in her anger and now came close to me, and in a -tone of concentrated energy and fierceness said:</p> - -<p>“The death of that woman Christina will stop it; -and in that you can help, aye, and you shall help me.” -Her face was ablaze with rage and hate as she uttered -the Princess’s name.</p> - -<p>“The Prince himself is opposed to any more bloodshed,” -I said bluntly. “The sentiment does him infinite -honour, and I share it.”</p> - -<p>“You dare to say that to me? To set me at defiance? -To go back upon the pledge you gave? Are -you a coward, Count Benderoff?”</p> - -<p>“I will be no party to the assassination of the -Princess,” I answered sternly.</p> - -<p>“You defy me?” And, laying her hand on my arm, -she stared into my eyes for some moments in silence, -and then, her lips curling and her face so hard and set -that the nostrils dilated with the vehemence of her -anger, she added: “I could kill you.”</p> - -<p>Clearly it was to be open war between us, and I prepared<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> -for it. I drew my arm away and answered -coldly:</p> - -<p>“I think, Madam, this interview has lasted long -enough.”</p> - -<p>She started as if I had insulted her, and I looked for -another passionate outbreak. But it did not come. -Instead of that her expression underwent a complete -change and she laughed.</p> - -<p>“Poor fool!” she cried in a bantering tone. “Do -you know where I shall go straight from here if you -turn me away? Wait a moment and I will tell you.” -She paused, paying no heed to my gesture of anger. -“In the Name of a Woman, eh? This excellent house, -this sumptuous display of wealth, this clever, shrewd -Englishman, with his hatred of plots, this attractive -idea of a gymnasium club—what does it all mean?” -And she leered at me with a look infinitely cunning.</p> - -<p>I kept my face quite impassive as I met her eyes.</p> - -<p>“Would you like to tell me the inner secret, or -shall I tell you? I know—I know everything.” She -paused again, but I gave no sign; and then the rage -began to return to her face, and her tone grew -vehement again. “It is a lie—and a lie against the -man whose eyes I can open with a word. You are -working and plotting for the Princess, In the Name of -a Woman, are you not? And these Russian fools and -dolts think you are working for them at the same -time. But I know your real intent. To fool them up -to the moment when you can throw off the disguise—to -put this precious Princess on the throne, and then -to snap your fingers in the face of the old dotard, Kolfort, -and obey only the Princess. This marriage, on -which he counts so much, is never to take place; but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> -when you have rallied and organised these members of -your club, as you call it, you reckon you will be strong -enough to throw over the Russians and declare for -what you call Bulgarian independence. Independence, -forsooth, with such a woman as Christina on the -throne.”</p> - -<p>I knew now the extent of the sudden peril, but I -thrust the fear that filled my soul for Christina’s sake -out of sight and laughed.</p> - -<p>“You have a lively imagination, Madam!”</p> - -<p>“Yes; turn it aside with a scoff or a sneer if you -think you can. But do you believe General Kolfort -will think it nothing more than the subject of a sneer -when he learns it?” She was disappointed that I -showed no sign of fear.</p> - -<p>“You can take your own course, and if you think to -help yourself or the Prince by filling the air with your -fables, do so.”</p> - -<p>“You are a coward, Count Benderoff,” she cried -hotly, “to play thus on my helplessness. I know that -I cannot help my Prince or strengthen his position by -telling what I know, and what you dare not deny, to -be true. But if I cannot help my cause, I can at least -revenge myself, and I will. A word from me and -where will be all your plots and plotters? Your club -will exercise then in the yards of the gaols and -behind the walls of Tirnova fortress. I tell you, you -dare not play me false.”</p> - -<p>I knew the grip she had on me now could tighten in -a moment into strangulation, with the ruin of every -man and woman among us; but I maintained my impassive, -stern expression.</p> - -<p>“If you choose to spread these tales, I cannot stay -you,” I answered.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span>“Will you help me to my revenge upon the woman -Christina?”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean by revenge?”</p> - -<p>“Death,” she cried fiercely.</p> - -<p>“I would slay you with my own hand first,” I answered, -the passion in me rushing to utterance.</p> - -<p>She laughed again vindictively and hatefully.</p> - -<p>“So it is true, then, she has bewitched you. I might -have known it. I told you and warned you that she -was a vampire using up men’s lives with the unpitying -remorselessness of a wild beast. And you are her -latest lover, I suppose!”</p> - -<p>The slander suggested by her words maddened me.</p> - -<p>“I can hear no more, Madam,” I said sternly.</p> - -<p>She threw up her head with a gesture of pride.</p> - -<p>“Do you order me to leave your house—knowing -the consequences?”</p> - -<p>I was in sore perplexity. She was a devil and she -looked it as she stared at me, her lovely eyes glowing -with rage and hate and menace.</p> - -<p>“If you have more to say it must be at another time, -when you are in a different mood,” I returned.</p> - -<p>She seemed about to burst forth again in her wild, -vehement way, but as suddenly changed her mood and -said:</p> - -<p>“I understand. You wish to find a bridge over as -dangerous a chasm as a man ever yet had to cross. I -will see you again; but next time it will be to hear -from you that you accept my terms. You are not a -man to walk open-eyed to sheer ruin. I will go.”</p> - -<p>And as she left me, sweeping out of the room, with -a challenging, defiant, triumphant smile, I could -almost have found it in me to kill her.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII<br /> - - -<small>THE SPY</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> soon as the door closed behind the Countess -Bokara, I threw myself into a chair in a condition of -unspeakable dismay, rage, and chagrin at this most -unexpected turn.</p> - -<p>It spelt ruin to everything and everybody concerned -in our scheme. I had seen and heard quite enough of -General Kolfort to know full well that the merest hint -of such a plot as ours would drive him instantly to -desperate extremes. He would put in force every -engine of the powerful machinery at his instant disposal -to crush and punish us. And that he could -crush us as easily as he would pinch a fly between his -fingers there was not a doubt. His power was practically -absolute, and he would use it mercilessly, like the -man of iron that he was.</p> - -<p>Nor was that the worst. There was a traitor somewhere -in our midst; a recreant who had carried the -secret in hot haste to this vengeful woman. I could -not hazard even a guess as to whose was the treachery, -but that it threatened the future of the scheme, should -even she herself be silenced, was as patent as the fingers -on one’s hand.</p> - -<p>Yet what to do I could not see, plague and rack my -wits as I would, as I sat alternating between moods of -consternation, rage, and searching reflection.</p> - -<p>In the afternoon I had a horse saddled and rode out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> -of the town for a gallop in the country, in the hope -that some solution of the problem would suggest -itself; and the ride cooled and sobered me.</p> - -<p>Two things were imperative. We must find the -leakage and blind the traitor as to our real intentions. -Our future safety rested on that being done without -delay; and for this purpose I must see Zoiloff and -consult with him. As soon as we discovered the Judas -among us we could take measures to deal with him. -If possible, that should be done by cunning; but, failing -that, averse as I was to bloodshed and violence, -force must be used. But an idea occurred to me by -which he could be effectively hoodwinked, and I stored -it by for use should the occasion come.</p> - -<p>As to the Countess Bokara, there were two courses. -One was for me to appear to play into her hands and -so gain time for our own plans to ripen—a line of action -vastly repulsive to me, with all its necessary paraphernalia -of deceit and lies; the other, to kidnap her and -put her into safe keeping until the crisis should be -passed. I knew that I could lure her to my house, and -that then the necessary measures could be taken; but -the cowardice of the plan made me entertain it only -with disgust.</p> - -<p>In the case of a man I would not have hesitated for -a moment; indeed I would never have let him leave -the house that day. But with a woman I could scarcely -bear the thought of it, although this woman was vastly -more dangerous than many men.</p> - -<p>I sought keenly for some other scheme, and for a -moment entertained the idea of going to the Prince -himself, telling him all frankly, and begging his aid to -deal with her. But I abandoned it. I remembered he -had said he would stand by the throne if he could make<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span> -sure of efficient help, and I calculated that his vacillation -would cause him to turn now and claim the help -of our party in his defence. A worse than useless -effort, as I knew, owing to the impossibility of rallying -to his cause the men who had been turned from him -by his weakness. Not only could we do no good for -him, but we should imperil the great patriotic rising for -no purpose.</p> - -<p>I was therefore driven back upon the distasteful -course of duping the woman who had thus threatened -us.</p> - -<p>“Would to heaven she were a man!” And each -time the thought broke from me in involuntary utterance, -I pictured how easy it would then be to act.</p> - -<p>As I was riding back, moody and thoughtful, I met -the carriage of the Princess. She caught sight of me -when I was still at a distance, and her lovely face was -wreathed with a radiant smile as she checked her horses -and greeted me. Mademoiselle Broumoff was by her -side, and her keen, sharp eyes were quick to read -trouble in my face.</p> - -<p>“You look very thoughtful, Count,” said the Princess, -“as if heavy military affairs were weighing upon you.”</p> - -<p>“I have been thinking out the answer to a very ingenious -problem set me this morning,” I said, trying -to speak lightly.</p> - -<p>“It has been a trying problem for your horse, I -should think,” she said, glancing at his flanks, which -were covered with foam, for I had ridden hard.</p> - -<p>“Not more so than for his rider, I assure you.”</p> - -<p>“I hope it has not distressed you as much.”</p> - -<p>“The Count carries the sign of that in his face,” -said the little Broumoff, earnestly. “I hope it is no -more than a military problem.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span>“All problems in Bulgaria have their military side,” -I answered gravely.</p> - -<p>The Princess’s eyes showed concern. She understood.</p> - -<p>“We must not let your horse stand while he is so -heated with his problem, Count. If you would like -to see me, I shall be at home in an hour from -now.”</p> - -<p>“With your permission, I will call,” I said, and -saluted her as she drove on. “I will have the searchlight -of her woman’s wit on the matter,” was my -thought as I rode home; and, despite the grave and -critical reason for the interview, I was yet half disposed -to be glad of it, so much store did I set on the opportunity -of being in her presence. I could scarcely wait -with patience for the minutes to run out until I could -start for her house.</p> - -<p>Mademoiselle Broumoff was still with her when I -arrived.</p> - -<p>“You have news of some kind for me, Count?” said -the Princess.</p> - -<p>“Unfortunately, I bring you bad news, Madame.”</p> - -<p>“It could not come by a more unwilling messenger, -I am sure.”</p> - -<p>“On my honour, that is true,” I said earnestly, -touched by her gentle thought.</p> - -<p>“And half its sting will be blunted since I hear it -from you. What is it? Tell me frankly.”</p> - -<p>“Its sting cannot but be sharp enough to wound. -I fear we have a traitor somewhere high up in our -ranks;” and with that I told her what had passed -in my interview with the Countess Bokara.</p> - -<p>“It is ugly news indeed,” she said at the close, profoundly -moved. “And as dangerous as it is ugly. -What think you of it, Nathalie?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span>Mademoiselle Broumoff had turned pale with sudden -consternation.</p> - -<p>“I cannot think. It is too dreadful. What does the -Count propose?”</p> - -<p>The Princess turned eagerly to me for my counsel.</p> - -<p>“We must either blind the Countess Bokara or get -her away to a place of safety until we have had some -time to act. But the leakage must be traced.”</p> - -<p>“Who can it be, Nathalie?” cried the Princess, in a -tone of dismay. “Have you tried to cure this mad -woman of her prejudice against me, Count?”</p> - -<p>“I have had as yet no opportunity. Since my first -meeting with her, I have seen her only once for a few -minutes in the presence of the Prince until this morning, -when she came to confound me with this news, -and to urge me to join her in assassinating you.”</p> - -<p>“She chose her companion curiously,” said the Princess, -with a smile of confidence that went straight to -my heart. “I hope my safety may never be in less -trusty hands than yours.”</p> - -<p>I did not trust myself to answer with more than a -look, and as I turned my eyes away I caught the little -Broumoff eying us keenly. Then the Princess startled -us both.</p> - -<p>“I have made up my mind; I will see her,” she said.</p> - -<p>“Christina, it is impossible!” cried Mademoiselle -Broumoff quickly. “She would murder you with her -own hand.”</p> - -<p>“The Count will guard against that at least, and he -will arrange the interview. Will you not?”</p> - -<p>“I would do much to serve you, but this would be -a hazardous step, and one that can scarcely lead to any -good. You can have but the faintest idea of her -hatred of you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>“Then I can learn it for myself. I will see her;” -and her tone was decision itself. I continued my -attempt to dissuade, but without success, and she -would not rest until I had agreed to arrange a meeting -at my house. One stipulation I insisted upon—that -I should be present.</p> - -<p>“I should wish that,” she assented. “I do not -mean to run any risks, and I should feel safe only if -you were there, Count.” The words were sweet -enough to my ears, but they did not allay my alarm -on the score of the interview. I yielded all against -my judgment, and arranged to try to get the Countess -Bokara to my house on the following afternoon.</p> - -<p>When that was settled I lingered on, inventing pretext -upon pretext for my stay that I might steep my -senses in the charm of her presence, the light of her -eyes, and the music of her voice. Nor did she seem -unwilling for me to stay, as I noticed with rare delight.</p> - -<p>But under all the pleasure of this fascinating dalliance -a current of earnest thought was running in my -head, and when I left her I had already formed a plan, -for which I proceeded at once to make preparations.</p> - -<p>I had no hope that the Princess would reap any -benefit from the coming interview, for I could not see -a possibility of any good resulting. But I resolved -that if she failed I would have my own plan in readiness. -If the Countess Bokara came to the house, she -should not leave it again except to pass into some place -of security until our plans were complete.</p> - -<p>I sent at once in quest of Zoiloff, therefore, and, -having explained everything that had happened, outlined -my scheme.</p> - -<p>“You are sure that she really knew, and was not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> -merely making a shrewd guess?” he asked. “I cannot -think of any man among us who would turn blabber. -But if I find him——” He left the sentence unfinished, -but the threat was the more expressive.</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes, there are twenty ways of dealing with a -man,” said I; “but a woman is different.”</p> - -<p>“A traitor is a traitor, never mind the sex; and I -see no cause for mercy for one more than another,” he -growled into his beard, his look very set and stern. -“But what is your plan?”</p> - -<p>“That we prepare a couple of rooms here in my -house, and keep her until we can find some other place -equally safe and secret.”</p> - -<p>“Is this secret? Are you sure of your servants? -May we not look for the leakage among them?”</p> - -<p>“Spernow found them for me,” was my answer.</p> - -<p>“Would you change them?”</p> - -<p>“Every man and woman to-morrow, if you can fill -their places.”</p> - -<p>“I can do that,” he assented quickly. “Wait—better—can -you let me see them all? I may spot the -traitor, or at all events separate the sheep from the -goats.”</p> - -<p>I rang the bell and sent for my steward. When he -came I told him to get the servants all together, and -send them in to me one at a time, as I wished to question -them separately about a certain paper which I said -had been mislaid.</p> - -<p>They came in one by one, and we so arranged the -position that each stood in a strong light for Zoiloff to -be able to watch them as I put a short string of questions. -He put a black mark against three whom he regarded -as suspicious. The rest, he declared, were above -question.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>“My opinion is that one of those three men is false -and a spy, presumably in the service of this woman. I -expect they have been eavesdropping when you and I -and Spernow have been together, and perhaps have -caught some unguarded words. The thing is very -ugly. What shall we do?”</p> - -<p>“Fool them with their own tactics,” said I readily, -thinking of my original idea. “Let us have a hurried -meeting of men whom we can trust, have it to-night, -explain the position hurriedly, and pretend that we -are disclosing to them the real object of the plot—to -work nominally for the Princess, but really for the -Russian party—and have these suspects so placed that -they can hear what is going on. Then catch them in -the very act; and send them packing with this new -version of the thing in their minds, after a pretty good -fright, and under oath not to reveal the story.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, it will serve; but it will want adroit management,” -said Zoiloff.</p> - -<p>“You say my steward is a man to be trusted?”</p> - -<p>“Absolutely. I know him well.”</p> - -<p>“Good. Then leave that part to me, while you -hurry off and bring in about a dozen of our men. Let -their arrival be a little dramatic, to give colour to the -drama, so that the spies may think the meeting too -important to be missed; and I will answer for the -rest.”</p> - -<p>As soon as he had gone I called my steward and -told him plainly that there was a spy in the house, and -that we suspected one of the three men I named. -Then I outlined the arrangements he was to make—to -get as many of the other servants out of the house -as he could without creating suspicion, and to give -those who remained work to do in other parts of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> -house, so that the three should be free to spy upon us; -that then he should set them separately some light -kind of work close to the room in which I directed the -meeting was to be held, of which he was to drop a -hint. He was a shrewd fellow, and entered readily -into the matter.</p> - -<p>“One of them is no traitor, sir,” he said, naming -him. “I can answer for him with my life. I have -known him for many years, and I am sure of him. -The others I do not know and do not like.”</p> - -<p>“Never mind, test all three; and as the clock -strikes eleven be at hand to watch them and await my -orders.”</p> - -<p>He went at once to do as I ordered; and that he -did the work shrewdly the sequel showed.</p> - -<p>Zoiloff returned very soon with Spernow and another -man, and I received them in the room which had been -prepared as the stage for our little drama. When the -others came, I noticed with a smile that each was -cloaked; and in all we made a party of fourteen. We -smoked and had wine until I calculated that the spies -would be at their posts; and then, speaking in a tone -lowered but sufficiently distinct to reach any eaves-dropper, -I told them that the hour had come when we -thought it necessary to make a most important disclosure -of our plans. While working apparently for -the Princess, we were, in fact, Russian agents pledged -to the Czar, and bent upon putting the Princess upon -the throne solely in his Majesty’s interests; and I went -on to declare that the hour had come to strike the -blow, and so on.</p> - -<p>A discussion followed, in which objections were -raised and answered, while I kept my eye upon the -clock until the hand was approaching the hour of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> -eleven, when I rose and declared that this was the -moment when each man must declare himself.</p> - -<p>My rising was, in fact, an agreed signal, and Zoiloff, -Spernow, and another man stole noiselessly to the spots -where I knew any listeners would be sure to post -themselves.</p> - -<p>As the clock was on the point of striking, the two -doors and a window opening to a conservatory beyond -were flung open, and one of the spies was caught in -the very act of eavesdropping.</p> - -<p>“We are betrayed, Count,” cried Zoiloff in a voice -of thunder, dragging in the man, who, shivering and -white with fear, wriggled and struggled to free himself -from his stern-faced captor.</p> - -<p>A solemn hush fell on the room, while the trembling, -panic-stricken wretch was placed in the midst of -the men who closed round him. The silence was grim -enough to have tried stronger nerves than his.</p> - -<p>“What is the meaning of this?” I asked sternly, -breaking the silence.</p> - -<p>“I was not listening, my lord; indeed——”</p> - -<p>“Don’t lie to me. What did you hear? Quick, -speak the truth, for your life hangs on it.”</p> - -<p>“I heard nothing, I swear I did not. I was -only——”</p> - -<p>“Silence!” I thundered, “if you have nothing but -lies to tell.” He threw himself at my feet and begged -for mercy.</p> - -<p>“Speak the truth, then,” I said.</p> - -<p>He glanced all round the ring of stern, hard-set faces -and threw up his hands, and then clasped them before -his face in despair.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, you have seen for yourselves; what -say you?” I asked.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span>“There is but one punishment for such an act—death!” -cried Zoiloff, in such a ringing, merciless tone -that the rascal’s heart may well have sunk within him. -“Death, if he will not speak.”</p> - -<p>“Death, if he will not speak,” echoed the rest.</p> - -<p>At this Zoiloff drew his sword, and at the clash of -the steel in the dead silence the wretch moaned.</p> - -<p>“Will you speak, or die?” I said, after a moment.</p> - -<p>“I heard only a little,” said the man after a struggle, -his lips so dry and parched that he could only -speak with an effort.</p> - -<p>“Tell it!” I thundered again; and word by word -he told us that he heard me declare that we were -Russian agents, and all that followed.</p> - -<p>His fear of the death that he believed imminent was -sickening to behold, and made me anxious to close the -scene.</p> - -<p>“You have heard this wretch’s confession, gentlemen; -what say you?”</p> - -<p>“He must die!” cried Zoiloff. “In the name of -the Czar I claim his life. Every Russian interest in -the country is in peril while he lives.”</p> - -<p>“You will vote, if you please,” I said. And we -went through a form of writing each man’s decision on -paper.</p> - -<p>“The verdict is unanimous,” I said, glancing at the -paper. “You must die. I would have spared your -life, but I am powerless against all present.”</p> - -<p>At that he clung to me, clutching at my hands and -at my coat, praying, beseeching, imploring, and vowing -that he would never say a word of what he had overheard.</p> - -<p>“Whose spy are you?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“I am in the service of the Countess Bokara.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span>“Wait;” and I left the room, wishing to confer with -my steward as to the other two suspects. The steward -assured me that he had found them just where they -had been directed to remain. I went back to the -room, and the wretch broke out again with cries and -wailings and prayers.</p> - -<p>I could bear no more of it, and put an end to the -scene at once.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, I have heard some strange reports with -regard to this man. We will, with your leave, postpone -his punishment, and I will be answerable for his -safe custody.”</p> - -<p>“Deal with him as you will, Count,” said Zoiloff. -Calling in the steward, I gave the man into his keeping, -and they left the room together.</p> - -<p>The meeting broke up soon after; and Zoiloff remained -only a minute to exchange congratulations -upon the success of the ruse.</p> - -<p>“We have the spy, and to-morrow we will deal with -his employer;” and his look was as black as a thunder-cloud -as he spoke.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII<br /> - - -<small>FACE TO FACE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Soon</span> after Zoiloff had left me I sent for the spy. It -was part of the scheme that he should be liberated at -once, in order that, if he pleased, he should carry the -news that he had heard to his employer.</p> - -<p>The interview was short. I told him I had determined -to spare his life and set him free if he would -take a solemn vow never to reveal what he had heard, -and to leave the country at once. There was no mistaking -the genuineness of his terror, and he was eager -to take any oath I wished to impose. As I dismissed -him I said, with all the sternness I could concentrate -into my voice and looks:</p> - -<p>“Remember that from this hour you are a marked -man. Every Russian agent in this country will know -you; your every action will be watched, and every -word you speak will be noted. One breath of treachery, -one single suggestion of further deceit, and you -are a dead man. Your life hangs on the thinnest of -threads. And if ever you feel tempted to break your -oath, recall this night and the stern faces of the ring -of men who voted that you should die. Go!”</p> - -<p>He staggered out of the room, reeling like a broken-witted -drunkard.</p> - -<p>After my regimental work on the following day -Zoiloff came to me, looking worn and wearied.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>“I have been at work all night,” he said; “but I -have done good. I have found a place where this -woman, Bokara, can be held in absolute safety for ten -years if necessary, if once we can get her there.”</p> - -<p>And he told me that one of our party, named -Kroubi, had a large house in the middle of his estate, -in a tower of which just such a prison as we sought -could be found.</p> - -<p>“You are sure of the man?”</p> - -<p>“As of myself. And he himself will be her keeper.”</p> - -<p>“She is a woman of rare fascination.”</p> - -<p>“Would she fascinate me, think you?” he asked, a -smile on his rugged face.</p> - -<p>“There are not many men like you, Zoiloff,” said I, -warmly, for during our intercourse he had won upon -me strangely. He was such a staunch, genuine, -thorough fellow.</p> - -<p>“That is pleasant hearing from you,” he answered. -“But you need have no fear on Kroubi’s account. -Every impulse of his strong character which is not -devoted to our cause is absorbed by his hatred of -women.”</p> - -<p>“We will trust him, then,” I agreed. “And now -let us consider how to get her to his place.” And -when we had threshed this out and made our plans the -time for the Countess Bokara’s visit was close.</p> - -<p>I felt both anxious and excited. The whole future -of our plans hung, as I knew, in the balance, while the -risks of the interview between her and the Princess -seemed to grow as the time approached.</p> - -<p>The Princess arrived first, and I went to her immediately.</p> - -<p>“Has she come?” was her first question, eagerly asked.</p> - -<p>“It is not yet time; but I think she will come. Do -you know what happened here last night?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>“I have heard something, but would rather hear it -all from you. It was good news, I believe—but it was -sure to be, you are so zealous in my cause,” she said. -“Tell me everything.”</p> - -<p>I told her and she listened, deeply interested, her -eyes watching my face as I spoke. At the close she -smiled and said:</p> - -<p>“One would think from your telling, Count, that you -had been merely a bystander instead of the prime -mover in it all.”</p> - -<p>“Captain Zoiloff did more than I, for it was he who -detected the miscreant. The rest was simple enough.”</p> - -<p>“Then should I keep my feelings and words of -thanks for him, and think of you as one who serves -me, as it were, by routine.”</p> - -<p>“We are all devoted to your service, Princess,” I -said.</p> - -<p>“No one more faithful than the others?”</p> - -<p>“None less faithful than myself, I hope.”</p> - -<p>“I like that standard. Pray Heaven that you are -right, for then I am a lucky woman indeed;” and her -eyes shone with a light that was like to dazzle me.</p> - -<p>“You will be on your guard this afternoon with the -Countess Bokara,” said I, after a pause I found embarrassing.</p> - -<p>“I am always on my guard—except, I think, with -you,” she added, musingly.</p> - -<p>“I mean, you will not let her approach too close to -you. I know her to be a dangerous woman, capable -of any madness.”</p> - -<p>“You will be there,” she said, with an accent of -trust in me which I read with delight.</p> - -<p>“But still she must not come too near you. Infinite -mischief might be wrought in a single unguarded -moment.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span>“You think she may even try to murder me in your -presence?”</p> - -<p>“I believe her capable of any desperate deed; that -is why I urge you,” I cried, very earnestly.</p> - -<p>She smiled, let her eyes rest on mine with a look -that seemed as tender and warm as a ray of summer -morning sunshine, while a faint blush tinged her -cheeks.</p> - -<p>“I will not cause you a moment’s needless anxiety; -you have had too many on my account already,” she -said gently; and in the pause that followed a servant -entered to say that the Countess Bokara was waiting -to see me.</p> - -<p>We had arranged that I should see her first alone, -and I found her in a mood of jubilant and boastful -confidence.</p> - -<p>“I knew you would come round to my views, Count, -though I confess I did not think the effect of what I -said yesterday would be felt quite so quickly. I was -disposed to give you at least three or four days, but I -like you better for your promptness.” She spoke exultingly.</p> - -<p>“I am not so confident as yourself that our interview -will end to your liking,” I answered.</p> - -<p>“I am confident, and have even more reason for it -than you at present dream. You may prepare yourself -for great news.”</p> - -<p>“I am not good at riddles. What news do you -mean?”</p> - -<p>“That I do not consider your help so necessary as -I once thought.”</p> - -<p>That there was some new danger beneath her words -I was certain, but what it was I could not guess.</p> - -<p>“I do not understand you,” I said shortly.</p> - -<p>“A child could see that. I like the look of perplexity<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> -and fear on your face;” and she laughed in a -hard, sneering tone. “You have been very useful to -me, after all, though you do not know it. What you -showed me yesterday gave me the clue; and I have -been merciful—in a way, very merciful. Death is -ever sweetest to a woman when it comes, or seems to, -from the hand of one she loves.”</p> - -<p>“You have a pleasant wit, and your laugh fits it -well,” I said drily.</p> - -<p>“A jibe moves you more quickly than a threat, my -friend. And this is a jibe in which you have had unwittingly -a big share;” and her bitter tone was in full -harmony with the hard, confident glance which she -levelled at me. “Did you think I could be merciful -even to those I hate?”</p> - -<p>“Have you come to do no more than discuss your -own qualities?”</p> - -<p>“I have not come to be your dupe,” she retorted -fiercely. “You have discovered my spy, I find, and I -congratulate you on the clever stroke with which you -have blinded his eyes. But it is too late, Count.”</p> - -<p>“The man was caught last night in the very act of -spying, and narrowly escaped with his life. He confessed -you had employed him.”</p> - -<p>She waved her hand, as though the matter were -nothing.</p> - -<p>“He had served his turn, let him go. I have no -longer need of him; and, of course, you would have -killed him had your last night’s meeting been anything -but a clever ruse. But you scared his poor wits out of -him—not a very brilliant or difficult achievement perhaps—and -by now he is off to the frontier as fast as -his shaky legs will carry him. But that is nothing. -Tell me, Count, what would you do if within an hour -you were to hear that your Princess had fallen dead?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span>“Probably I should seek out her murderess, and kill -her,” I replied hotly.</p> - -<p>“Good; then I was right. You do love her, eh? -Then listen. She trusts you, of course, trusts you -blindly and implicitly; and if you sent her a little -pretty gift, a little gentle act of courtesy from so gallant -and faithful a servant, would she prize it, think -you?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t wish to discuss such matters with you,” I -answered; but in my heart felt glad indeed that the -Princess was safe in my house at that very moment.</p> - -<p>“You don’t wear your heart on your sleeve, you -mean. Men of your sort always think they do not. -And yet the knowledge of the love of such a man -would be precious to many women. That is how you -have been useful to me. Now can you read the -riddle?”</p> - -<p>I thought I could, but made no reply.</p> - -<p>“Yesterday, when I was here, you showed me what -you could not hide from my eyes, that this woman had -drawn you to her, as she has drawn hundreds of others. -But this time she has dared to draw you from allegiance -to me;” this with a touch of sudden passion, -which passed instantly as she continued in a tone of -exquisitely modulated softness, suggestive of the purr -of a tigress.</p> - -<p>“When I left you I saw how I could use the secret -I had surprised. By now I have done my work, so I -may speak frankly. I shall not want your aid now. -Thinking that the Princess might be pleased with a -little token from her latest lover—you need not wince, -it does not matter now who knows your secret—I sent -her in your name a little emblem of your devotion. -And what more fitting emblem could there be than a -rare and beautiful rose?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span>“It was an unwarrantable liberty, Madam,” I cried, -with a flush of anger. She laughed at my indignation.</p> - -<p>“But it was more than an emblem of devotion, for -it carried in its soft, sweet petals the essence—of instant -death. You know these things are common in -this East of ours. One scent of that rose, enjoyed, no -doubt, with a murmur of your name, and a thought of -your welcome little courtesy—and I and my Prince -were rid of her forever.” A light of malignant triumph -flashed out of her large dangerous eyes as she finished: -“I shall not need your dagger now, nor the other -weapons of your trade.”</p> - -<p>“You mean that the Princess is dead?” I asked -quietly.</p> - -<p>“The news will soon be spread abroad noisily -enough; and you may find it sufficiently embarrassing -to explain your share in it.”</p> - -<p>“You have the malice of a devil.”</p> - -<p>“It was a sweet death for her. Was I not right -when I said I was merciful?” she cried, with another -hateful laugh. “And now I have come to warn you, -that you may fly if you wish while there is yet time.” -She gloated in triumph over my silence, which she -read as that of consternation.</p> - -<p>“You are a brave woman,” I said at length. “If -what you said were true you might have guessed that -you would not leave this house alive.”</p> - -<p>“It is true,” she cried daringly.</p> - -<p>“Yes, as to intent, perhaps. But the Princess herself -is safe, and here in this house waiting to see -you.”</p> - -<p>“It is false,” she said fiercely. “I don’t believe -you;” and she stared at me, the veritable type of -disconcerted fury.</p> - -<p>“It is true,” I replied shortly; adding sternly: “And<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> -true, too, that though you failed in the act, you shall -answer for the intent.”</p> - -<p>She was magnificent in her rage, as she stood at bay, -staring open-eyed at me; and for many moments not -a word was spoken by either of us.</p> - -<p>“Let me see her!” she exclaimed at length.</p> - -<p>“Not alone,” said I significantly. I rang the bell.</p> - -<p>“Tell the Princess Christina we will wait upon her,” -I said to the servant, and a minute later the two were -face to face, while I looked on, all anxiety and apprehension -as to the result.</p> - -<p>They stood for a moment looking at one another; -the Princess calm and dignified, in an attitude of -queenly grace, her speaking, lustrous eyes alight with -the hope with which she had sought the interview. -But the hope was quickly clouded with a dash of anticipative -disappointment, caused by the Countess -Bokara’s vehement passion and hate which envenomed -her fiery glances, and spoke in every straining movement -of her lithe sinuous body.</p> - -<p>“Your Highness surely does me great honour in -this reception,” said the Countess scornfully, breaking -the short silence.</p> - -<p>“I am sorry we have not met before,” was the -mild, temporising reply. “I would have gladly seen -you to remove your too evident prejudice against me.”</p> - -<p>“I have heard that you are accustomed to rely much -upon the attractions of your beauty. But I am not a -man.”</p> - -<p>“I am desirous only of disarming by mutual understanding -so powerful and, as I have too much reason -to know, so bitter an enemy. Tell me, Countess, why -are you so bitter against me?” The tone was very -gentle, almost solicitous, but I could see that the -other’s sneer had gone home.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>“Why should I tell you what you must know full -well?”</p> - -<p>“If people speak truly of you we have assuredly the -same end in view—the welfare of Bulgaria.”</p> - -<p>“I am not half a Russian, and the tool of tyrants.”</p> - -<p>“Am I?” and the Princess’s eyes flashed. “Your -agent has discovered our real designs and carried them -to your ears. You know now our cause is the cause -of freedom, and that we are no more the tools of Russia -than you can be. Why, then, say this? And why -my enemy?”</p> - -<p>I was astonished and not a little dismayed by her -frankness.</p> - -<p>“Your conversion has been rapid. It is but a few -nights since your friends, impelled by zeal for you and -for your cause, tried to murder me.”</p> - -<p>“That was not done with my knowledge. God -knows I would not spill a drop of blood. What would -your death profit me or the end I have in view? Do -you think I am so mad as to wish the country to believe -I desire to rule by terror, the sword, and the -secret dagger?”</p> - -<p>“They do believe it!” cried the Countess in a tone -of hate; “and they do not wish you to rule at all. -Who has called you to take the place of the Prince, to -plot against him, and to drive him from the throne? -What are you doing but nurturing and fostering the -villainous ingratitude of the people, that by this act of -double treachery you may mount the throne?”</p> - -<p>“You forget, the Prince is himself resolved to abdicate,” -I interposed.</p> - -<p>“And why?” she asked hotly, turning upon me. -“Why, but that the plots which the Princess here -and those in league with her have organised against his -life are driving him away?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span>“This is no work of mine, Countess. Before my -name was ever mentioned, before the thought of my -ever taking the throne was ever suggested, the Prince’s -position had become untenable.”</p> - -<p>“Because your allies, these hateful Russians, had -made it so in preparation for your coming, or the -coming of some other tool.”</p> - -<p>“But now that you know I am acting not for, but -against, them, the cause of your enmity, if this be the -cause, is removed.”</p> - -<p>“Do you wish me to join you, then, to swell the -train of your slaves?”</p> - -<p>“I wish to disarm your hostility.”</p> - -<p>“To suborn me from my allegiance to my Prince, -you mean?” Her answers were growing in bitterness -and vehemence each time she spoke. “Your Highness -mistakes me. I am no traitor to my sovereign.”</p> - -<p>“But the Prince is bent on abdicating.”</p> - -<p>“Because you and others are driving him to it. You -ask why am I your enemy. This is the reason, or one -that will serve.”</p> - -<p>“You have others.”</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_144.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">“MY INTERPOSITION WAS ILL-TIMED AND UNFORTUNATE.”—<i>Page <a href="#Page_145">145</a>.</i></p> - -<p>“Yes, I hate you. Is that what you wish me to say? -I hate you. Is it as musical for you to hear it as for -me to speak it? I hope it is. I hate you, and thank -my God that I have a chance of telling you the truth -to your face.” Her passion, only lightly held in restraint, -broke its bounds now, and her eyes flamed, and -her lips quivered with the rush of it. “What have you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> -ever done in regard to me that has not earned that -hate? Where are the men, good and true to the Prince -and myself, that you have lured away from me? What -are your actions, one and all, but those of deadly antagonism -to me? Am I a craven sheep that I shall see -my friends alienated, my Prince threatened, my cause -destroyed, and my very life attempted, and only bleat -a few baa-words of thanks to you for your gracious -thoughts of me? God has not inspired my heart with -that meekness, and while I have breath to breathe, a -voice to speak, and hands to do, I will be your enemy. -Is that enough, your Highness?” She spoke with such -furious vehemence that at the close she was breathless; -and she clenched her hands, and glared with hate at -the Princess.</p> - -<p>“I have not done the things you say. I could not -do them,” said the Princess, in a tone whose calmness -did not hide from me the ache of disappointment in -her heart.</p> - -<p>“It is easy to deny. It costs but a breath,” was the -sneering answer. “But you ask me will I cease to be -your enemy?” she added, her eyes flashing dangerously. -“I will—on one condition.”</p> - -<p>“What is that?”</p> - -<p>“One that will at least test your sincerity. Give up -this enterprise of yours; cease to persecute my Prince, -and I will cease to be your enemy.” She put the conditions -with a leer of malice, and stood waiting for -the answer with a curling lip and insolent mien.</p> - -<p>“I am not persecuting the Prince, and from my heart -I declare that if Bulgaria could be freed by him I would -serve him only too gladly.”</p> - -<p>“I think no good can come of prolonging this interview,” -I said, for I could not bear to hear the ring of -insult in every word which the Countess uttered. But -my interposition was ill-timed and unfortunate. Turning -partly toward me the Countess said, in a tone of -simulated submission, the irony of which was maddening:</p> - -<p>“Your Highness’s newest and most faithful adviser -would spare your ears the blunt utterances of truth<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> -from my rough lips. A renegade is always solicitous -to temper the wind for his latest mistress.”</p> - -<p>I drew a deep breath of rage at the insult and the -foul slander insinuated with such devilish adroitness.</p> - -<p>“The Count is right, Madam, I must admit my defeat,” -said the Princess haughtily.</p> - -<p>“I must ask you to withdraw, Countess,” said I -sternly.</p> - -<p>She laughed with wanton insolence.</p> - -<p>“I am no servant of yours to be bade to do this or -ordered to do that. I came to this interview to please -you, I shall leave it to please myself;” and she drew -herself up to her full height in defiance. Then she -laughed again a loud, ringing laugh, forced, of course, -but a clever parody of spontaneous merriment. “Upon -my word, this is a pretty scene, and I have vastly enjoyed -it. I have, alas! no weapon with me save my -tongue, or there should have been a different ending, -I do assure you. But that I can use. You have shrunk -from the truth to-day, as the Count here shrank yesterday, -when I discovered the secret of his warm allegiance -to you.”</p> - -<p>“Silence, Madam!” I cried hastily, fearing what her -rash tongue would say.</p> - -<p>“Is he not earnest, your Highness? Is he not a -man to be proud of? To warm a woman’s heart? I -told you just now of men you had won away from my -Prince and me—here stands the latest of those renegades, -a man who loves you.” She uttered the words -with an accent of assumed sincerity. “I congratulate -you, Princess, upon your conquest. I cannot hope to -regain for my Prince a man who is aflame with a newborn -passion for you.”</p> - -<p>“This is monstrous,” I cried, my face flushed with -anger and concern. “If you do not leave the room, I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> -shall summon my servants that they may remove -you.”</p> - -<p>She faced me unflinchingly.</p> - -<p>“You dare not,” she said.</p> - -<p>“Then be silent, and end these ill-timed jibes, and -leave the room.”</p> - -<p>“Jibes? Is that a jibe?” And she raised her arm -and waved it to where the Princess Christina stood, -her face covered with deep ruby blushes. “An unconventional -love avowal, at any rate. You are a brave -man, Count Benderoff, and I do believe that much -rarer thing, a modest one; but at least you should not -quarrel with me because I tell the Princess that you -love her, and let you see by the surest token that a -woman can give that she loves you in return.”</p> - -<p>At this the Princess sank upon a chair and concealed -her face in her hands, between the white fingers of which -the deep red glow was showing.</p> - -<p>I turned away and would not let her think I had -seen it.</p> - -<p>“Your cowardice and insolence have drained my -patience,” I said fiercely to the Countess. “Come,” -and I went to the door.</p> - -<p>She stood a few seconds, as if hesitating whether to -defy me longer, and glanced in infinite triumph at the -troubled figure of the Princess.</p> - -<p>“If the interview has not accomplished your object,” -she cried, “at least it has not been without interest;” -and with a last insolent, exultant laugh, she swept out -of the room, followed closely by me, more resolved -than ever to cage this angry, dangerous tigress.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV<br /> - - -<small>THE COUNTESS’S RUSE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> we crossed the hall she turned to leave the house -by the front door, where Zoiloff was standing.</p> - -<p>“I have something still to say to you,” I said -shortly, as I opened the door of the room where I had -seen her before this futile interview.</p> - -<p>“You wish to thank me, I suppose, for having been -the means of revealing to each of you the other’s -love,” she answered, with another of her flaunting -laughs; though she changed quickly and said: “You -may spare your thanks. I had a purpose—and you -will soon learn the reason. I am a dangerous woman, -for all your contempt of me.”</p> - -<p>“Too dangerous to be at liberty, Countess,” I -answered curtly. “It is to tell you that I have brought -you here.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean? That you will dare——” -The words died away as she read my purpose in my -eyes, and the first symptom of fear I had ever seen in -her showed itself, only however to be at once crushed -out of sight. One of her bitter sneers followed. “So -I have put my foot in a trap, you think, and your -lovely Princess is but a paltry decoy. A truly royal -part for the august ruler that is to be!”</p> - -<p>“Your railing falls on unheeding ears, Countess. I -have made my decision.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span>“You are an ingrate, my lord the Count; and in -your haste to strike at me you are forgetting the wound -you do to your Princess.”</p> - -<p>“Your insulting references will not turn me from -my course,” I said shortly, my anger against her burning -like a fever.</p> - -<p>“Then shall I say you honour yourself and the -woman you love by imprisoning me for discovering -and revealing your love secret; and that you give -proof of your courage by keeping me here that you -may stay and gloat over your victim?” I saw her -start as some fresh thought struck her, and she looked -sharply at me and appeared to search her memory -rapidly. Then she smiled the same exultant smile that -I had noticed before, while a dangerous light came -back to her eyes.</p> - -<p>“I will not attempt to escape.”</p> - -<p>“It will be useless—the house is sufficiently guarded, -and we have prepared for your reception.”</p> - -<p>“I am content if you but give me your company, -for you are a man on whose feelings it is a delight to -play, and should make a pleasant gaoler.”</p> - -<p>“I shall not be your gaoler, but you will be in safe -hands. I have only to warn you that any effort to -escape my custody will be useless. You probably know -me well enough by this time to be sure of that.”</p> - -<p>“I am sure of one thing—you will not keep me -here. Let me give you my reasons.” There was again -a sudden but complete change in her manner, as she -spoke in a calm, collected tone. I distrusted her every -mood, this calmness as much as any.</p> - -<p>“I can’t stay to listen. I wish you merely to understand -that it will avail you nothing to beat against -the bars of your cage.” As I spoke I turned to leave,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> -and with a quick rush, while my eyes were off her, she -was at the door as soon as I. I put my hand to it to -prevent her opening it, and to my chagrin she locked -the door herself and put the key in her pocket.</p> - -<p>“I have that to say to you which cannot wait even -to suit the woman you love. If I must stay here, so -shall you;” and she walked to the other side of the -room and threw herself into a low chair, from which -she looked at me defiantly.</p> - -<p>This manœuvre perplexed me vastly. I was all unwilling -to remain, and yet I could not leave now without -either a struggle to get possession of the key or -by summoning assistance to have the door broken in. -I cursed myself for my folly in having allowed the key -to remain on the inside, although I could not have -foreseen this dilemma.</p> - -<p>What was her object? Had she any beyond the -desire to keep me in the room while she loaded me -with her invective and reproaches? What had been -the thought which had struck her, and which had -seemed to lead to her sudden assumption of calmness?</p> - -<p>“Do you think it strange that I should wish for your -company, Count?” she asked in a voice soft and gentle -enough to have been the medium of a love message. -“For all your ungentle treatment of me and for what -I deem your faithlessness, I can find it in me to admire -you. I have said some bitter things to you, I know. -Forget them. Take them for the ravings only of a -violent woman—or better, the revilings of a disappointed -one. It is no light disappointment to lose -such a man as you.” Her tone was one of subtle witchery, -tinctured with a sadness that might have sprung -from a genuine regret. But I knew her; and all the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> -time she was speaking with this cat-like softness I was -racking my brains for the reason of her action.</p> - -<p>“If you don’t give me that key, I shall summon help -and have the door beaten in,” I answered. “I am in -no mood for any theatrical display.”</p> - -<p>“I will make a bargain with you. To summon your -servants and have to admit to them that you have been -locked in by your own prisoner will make you very -ridiculous. The strong, clever leader of this great -movement caged by a woman! But I will not banter -you, and will not make you even ridiculous. Listen to -my reasons and you shall have the key. Refuse to listen, -and do what you please. You shall not have it from me -if I die in defending it. It will be quicker to listen.”</p> - -<p>“State them quickly. I will give you three minutes,” -I said, reflecting that what she said was true, -and as blind as a fool of a bat to her real intent.</p> - -<p>“I will put them very shortly,” she answered, speaking -in a slow, deliberate tone, altogether foreign to her -usual habit. “You love the Princess and she loves -you. You are angry with me because I have discovered -your secret; but do you suppose that the Princess -could endure that Bulgaria should think she decoyed -me here that she might imprison me? That is what -they would think first. But when the truth is known, -as it must be some day, will her woman’s heart bear -the reproach that she imprisoned me because I surprised -her and your secret and told you of it? Is your love -so guilty a thing that the bare mention of it is a reason -for consigning me to a prison unheard and untried? Is -that how a pure Princess can start her reign? Is the -avowal of such a love so base an act that anyone a witness -of it must be hurried to a gaol to silence her? -Think you these are means by which she will conciliate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> -her new people? Or, taking another reading, can you -believe that the Bulgarian people will love a ruler -whose ruthless instincts of tyranny are manifested even -before she touches the steps of the throne, by dragging -away a rival for a man’s love and thrusting her into an -impromptu gaol because the regular prisons of the -country are not available? No, I tell you; you dare -not do this thing, and your Princess dare not lend -herself to it.”</p> - -<p>I listened coldly, but not without concern, for I saw -the strain of probability that underlay her malicious -ingenuity.</p> - -<p>“You are not imprisoned for any such act as you -pretend, but because you would betray the facts your -spies have discovered; and, if you want an additional -reason, because you have dared to attempt——”</p> - -<p>I stopped, and dashed my hand to my head in horror. -In a moment I saw her cursed intention.</p> - -<p>I had said no word to the Princess about the deadly -rose which this woman had sent to her in my name; -and this fiend, guessing by her woman’s instinct that -the Princess would hurry away after what had been -said about our love, had imprisoned me here to delay -me, so that even now at the last moment the devilish -scheme might succeed. And I, like the fool I was, -had been duped by her infernal cunning.</p> - -<p>I felt like a madman. She saw by my agitation -that I had guessed her scheme, and before I could -move she sprang from her chair, and rushed to the -door to put her back to it, facing me like a wild beast -at bay, to fight for the last few moments that might -be so vital to the success of her plot.</p> - -<p>“You look agitated, Count. You are not going to -leave me?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>“Stand aside, you fiend, or I won’t answer for myself. -I know your object now. Stand aside; do you -hear?” I cried.</p> - -<p>“I will not. Touch me if you dare.” But the life -of the Princess was at stake, and I thought of nothing -else.</p> - -<p>“Zoiloff! Zoiloff!” I shouted at the top of my -voice, and, seizing the Countess by the arm, I strove -with all my force to drag her from the door. She -fought and struggled like a wild cat, and her strength -was so great that for a while she resisted all my efforts, -clinging with desperate tenacity to the handle of the -door, the lever of which gave her a secure hold.</p> - -<p>“Did you call, Count?” came Zoiloff’s answer in -muffled tones through the heavy door.</p> - -<p>“Is the Princess Christina gone?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, some minutes since;” and at the words a -light of Satanic triumph shone in my companion’s eyes, -and seemed to give her fresh strength for the struggle. -Every moment was precious.</p> - -<p>“Get help and burst this door in,” I shouted; but -even as I shouted the words the thought of the minutes -that would be thus wasted maddened me, and I -resolved to take the key from the Countess’s pocket.</p> - -<p>“You force me to this,” I said between my teeth, -and, seizing her round the waist with one arm, I held -her in a grip of iron while I plunged my hand into her -pocket. To use up the last possible moment she -struggled with frantic energy, writhing and twisting -and hindering me till I vow I could have killed her. -My blood was up, and the thought of Christina’s danger -urged me to spare no violence, and half a minute -later I had secured the key, and hurled the woman -away from me.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span>As I opened the door, Zoiloff and a couple of men -with axes had come up.</p> - -<p>“Good God! what has happened?” cried Zoiloff, -falling back before my looks.</p> - -<p>“Keep that hell-cat safe till I return,” I shouted, -and, hatless and dishevelled as I was after the tussle -for the key, I dashed out of the house, and ran at my -top speed through the street.</p> - -<p>By good fortune I met one of my grooms exercising -a horse close by the house; and before the man could -recover from his surprise I had half pulled him from -the saddle, clambered up in his place, and was clattering -at full gallop towards the Princess’s house, heedless -of all or any that came in my path.</p> - -<p>The moment I reached it I jumped off, sprang up -the steps, pealed the great bell and thundered at the -heavy knocker, never ceasing till the porter opened -the door with a half-scared face.</p> - -<p>“The Princess! Quick, man, quick, for your life!” -I cried like a madman. “Where is she?”</p> - -<p>“In her boudoir,” answered the fellow, staring at me -as if I had been a wild man, as indeed I almost was. -I ran by him and mounted the stairs with leaps and -bounds. On the landing above stood a footman, peering -down curiously at the disturbance.</p> - -<p>“The Princess’s room! Show me instantly!” and -my mien and voice were so threatening that he fell -back pale and frightened, and pointed to a door.</p> - -<p>I knocked, but did not wait for an answer.</p> - -<p>“Are you there, Christina?” I cried, excitedly, not -heeding that I used her Christian name only. “Christina!” -I cried again, when I did not see her.</p> - -<p>And then, to my inexpressible relief, she came out -from an inner room. She was holding a small package,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> -from which the outer wrapper had already been removed. -I rushed forward and tore it from her hand, -saying not a word, and heeding nothing of the look of -surprise and alarm which my wild presence and strange -act had called to her face.</p> - -<p>Then with a fervent “Thank God,” as I held the -accursed thing safe in my grip, crushing the fragile box -in my straining fingers, I fell upon a chair, and, clasping -one hand to my eyes, tried to fight my way back -to calmness.</p> - -<p>The rush of relief was an intoxicating delight, and in -my rapture at her safety I could have shed tears. For -the moment I was utterly unmanned. The agony of -suspense during the minutes since I had learnt of her -danger had well-nigh bereft me of my senses; and the -relaxation of the strain, with the knowledge of her bare -escape from death, made me as weak as a child.</p> - -<p>“You are ill, my friend. What has happened?” -she asked in her sweet, sympathetic voice, laying a -hand on my shoulder.</p> - -<p>The touch was like the balm of Gilead to my ruffled -senses, and then a sudden shame fell on me, and in a -moment I realised how strange my wild conduct must -have appeared in her eyes. I remembered, too, that in -my delirium I had called to her by her Christian name. -And at the thought my confused and dizzied wits were -more jumbled than before, and, strive as I would, I -could force no words from my tongue.</p> - -<p>My silence alarmed her.</p> - -<p>“I will summon help,” she said; but I stayed her -with a protesting hand, and thus we waited while I -struggled for some measure of composure.</p> - -<p>Many moments passed in this strained, embarrassing -silence, till I was sufficiently master of myself to make<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> -an effort to speak to her. I rose, still holding the -crushed little package as fiercely as though it were a -thing of life. She looked at me with a smile, intending -it to veil her alarm and anxiety.</p> - -<p>“Princess, I crave your pardon. I—this package—I——” -I stopped, stuttering at a sheer loss for words. -A tinge of colour mounted to her face as she said in a -tone much less warm than before, and, as I thought, -not without a note of rising indignation.</p> - -<p>“It is the package you sent me, Count Benderoff.”</p> - -<p>“No, no, it was sent to you in my name—to poison -you.” She started back and stared at me. “I will -try to explain. I have acted like a madman; I have -been almost one, I think. This thing”—holding it up -still gripped fiercely—“was sent you to-day by that -woman. By the mercy of heaven it arrived while -you were absent, and your visit to my house saved -you——” And in a shambling, jumbled, half-incoherent -way I told her what had occurred.</p> - -<p>The colour in her cheeks flowed and ebbed as I spoke, -and I saw an ever-varying light in her eyes as they -were bent upon me, now in indignation, again in horror, -and yet again in gratitude mingled with feelings which -now I almost dared to read as my heart dictated.</p> - -<p>When I finished my disjointed narrative, she thanked -me very simply, though her agitation, heightened -colour, and tender glances told me how deeply she was -moved. Leaving me for a moment, she returned with -the wrapper of the package and a card of mine, on -which were scribbled my initials in a handwriting much -like my own.</p> - -<p>“This was with the packet,” she said, giving me the -card. “But I have never seen your handwriting.” -I saw in a moment that the spy in my house<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span> -could easily have stolen the card for the Countess -Bokara.</p> - -<p>“Could your servant identify the messenger who -brought it?”</p> - -<p>“For what purpose, when we know who sent it?”</p> - -<p>“It is a case with which the courts could deal.”</p> - -<p>“No, no, no,” she cried hastily, shaking her head. -“I could not do that.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it does not matter. She is in safe keeping, -and I can mete out the punishment myself. I will -keep this evidence for future use;” and crushing packet -and card and wrapper together, I pushed them into -my pocket.</p> - -<p>“What do you propose to do, then?” asked the -Princess.</p> - -<p>“She cannot be left at liberty with our secret in her -possession.” Till I had uttered the words I did not -see their double meaning. But the Princess did instantly, -mistaking me indeed, and her face grew so -crimson that she turned away to hide her confusion. -“I mean the knowledge of our plot,” I made haste to -add, awkwardly, the explanation serving only to accentuate -my clumsy blunder, and add to our mutual -embarrassment in the pause that followed.</p> - -<p>I was mad with myself for the slip, and yet delighted -at what it helped to reveal to me. With an effort I -shook myself together, and said in a tone almost cold -and formal:</p> - -<p>“The sure and certain use she would make of her -freedom would be to tell General Kolfort that we are -duping him.”</p> - -<p>“That is a risk we must run,” she replied, her voice -low and trembling.</p> - -<p>“It is one we dare not run. It would be worse than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> -madness,” I protested hastily. The thing was impossible, -unless we meant to ruin everything.</p> - -<p>“It would have to be done in my name. And that -cannot be. You must see this.” The agitation in her -voice was evident, and she kept her face averted -from me.</p> - -<p>“Your Highness cannot mean this.” The earnestness -of my tone moved her, and she cast at me a quick -glance of appeal.</p> - -<p>“Cannot you see that it is impossible?” But I felt -I must be deaf to any appeal.</p> - -<p>“You have trusted me so completely that I should -be untrue to you and to all concerned in this matter, -Princess, if I listened to you. Believe me, it must not -be. Her captivity is our only road to safety. We -have dealt with this spy of hers, and she herself told -me that he was flying the country in a panic. She -alone holds this terrible—this knowledge of our plans, -and if she remains at large, nothing can save our -scheme from shipwreck. You know, even better than -I, what effect a word breathed in the General’s ear -would have. Believe me, I dare not let her free. No -harm shall come to her. Not a hair of her head shall -be injured; but in our charge she is and must remain. -There is no possible alternative.”</p> - -<p>She locked her fingers tightly in the stress of her -perplexity, and a strained, drawn expression showed -on her face.</p> - -<p>“No, no; it is impossible, impossible,” she cried, in -a tone of distress. “I see the dangers, but this I—I -cannot and will not do.”</p> - -<p>The mocking words which the Countess had spoken -when I was locked in the room with her gave me the -clue to the struggle in the Princess’s mind, and I dared<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> -not ask her to tell me her reasons, that I might combat -them. But with me they had no weight.</p> - -<p>“This is no matter, Princess,” I ventured to say, -“in which any considerations but the most impersonal -reasons of policy can be allowed to prevail. I beg you -earnestly to pause before taking a step that on my -soul I know must be fatal to everything.” The words -brought a look of flashing reproach.</p> - -<p>“You tell me this. Can’t you see what would be -said of me if I sanctioned such a thing? No, no, no; -I cannot, I cannot, I will not,” she cried impetuously.</p> - -<p>My eyes fell before hers, but yield I would not.</p> - -<p>“Will you permit me to withdraw now, and we can -speak of this matter another time? Meanwhile——”</p> - -<p>“Meanwhile you will do that which will compromise -me in the eyes of all Bulgaria,” she cried -vehemently.</p> - -<p>“I shall do no more than your safety and that of all -others concerned with us in this matter demands,” I -answered stubbornly. “We have no other object but -your safety and success.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think I will set my liberty on such an issue—that -I will consent to be held up to the whole country, -ay, to all Europe, as——” She stopped, and a vivid -blush spread over her face, but, drawing herself up -with head erect, she added with a truly royal air: -“Count Benderoff, as the Princess Christina and your -future Queen, I lay my commands upon you to set the -Countess Bokara at liberty without delay.”</p> - -<p>“Your Highness has no truer follower than I, and -my future Queen will have no more loyal and faithful -subject, but this command I cannot and will not obey.”</p> - -<p>I bowed low, and, raising my head, met her look -with one as firm and resolute as her own.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>We stood thus for perhaps half a minute, and then -a striking change came over her face. Her eyes fell, -and I thought I had won. But it was no more than a -change of weapons on her part.</p> - -<p>She came close to me and took my hand in both -hers, and looked then into my eyes with a soft light -that only love could kindle.</p> - -<p>“What you refuse as a command, grant me as a -favour. I plead to you as a woman to do what I ask. -I pray you by whatever regard you may have for me. -Must I plead in vain?” Her hands were trembling in -mine and her voice quivering as she sought my eyes -and held them with a look of yearning love that left -me no room for any thought but how to please her.</p> - -<p>What could I do, loving her as I did with all my -heart, but yield?</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV<br /> - - -<small>A HOPELESS OUTLOOK</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Even</span> while I was on my way from the Princess -Christina’s house I began to realise the consequences -of the mistake we were making. I had been miserably -weak to give way, and, although my head was half -giddy with the rapturous remembrance of her words -and glances, and dazed with the thought that she had -appealed to my love, I was angry with myself for having -yielded.</p> - -<p>I half dreaded to meet Zoiloff. I knew what that -sturdy fellow would say, and was inclined to fear lest -he should make a shrewd guess at the reasons which -had influenced me. One thing was certain, he must -not be present when I saw the Countess; for I knew -that she would blurt out the truth in her sneering, -vindictive tone.</p> - -<p>She would publish it, too, far and wide, and in a few -days all Sofia would ring with the secret of my love -for Christina and of hers for me. That alone was -enough to ruin the cause, since it must inevitably -rouse old Kolfort’s suspicions.</p> - -<p>When I reached the house I was told that Zoiloff -was with the Countess Bokara, and I sent for him. I -said in as few words as possible that it had been decided -to let the woman go free, and I gave some more -or less fictitious reasons of policy for it. But they did -not impose on him for an instant.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span>“It is wrong, Count, absolutely wrong, and you -should never have consented. She will ruin everything. -I propose that we just ignore the Princess’s -wish and keep that fiend close all the same.”</p> - -<p>“I have passed my word, Zoiloff.”</p> - -<p>“I am very sorry to hear it, but I haven’t; and -there’s nothing to prevent your setting her free and -my taking her again. Everything is ready, as you -know, and the thing would be easy enough.”</p> - -<p>“No, I can be no party to it,” I answered firmly, -although the notion pleased and tempted me.</p> - -<p>“Then you may as well throw up the sponge.” He -spoke angrily.</p> - -<p>“It may still be possible to blind the General’s -eyes.”</p> - -<p>“You are more sanguine than you look or your tone -implies if you think so. I don’t believe it for a -moment. There’s always something goes wrong where -a woman is concerned.”</p> - -<p>“I will send this one packing, and then we can -consult.”</p> - -<p>“There’s not much left worth consulting about,” he -answered as I left him.</p> - -<p>The Countess greeted me with a sharp, shrewd look, -and then her face showed a keen disappointment.</p> - -<p>“I have failed, I see. You needn’t tell me,” she -said.</p> - -<p>“You are not yet a murderess—at least of the Princess,” -I returned, harshly, for I hated the woman.</p> - -<p>“You have taken a long time over your rescue and -love business; but I suppose you had much to talk -about. It’s the way of lovers!” she cried with a -laugh. “Besides you had to settle what to do with inconvenient -me. I am afraid I am very much in your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> -way, Count—quite as much trouble to you as if you -had remained faithful to me.”</p> - -<p>“If I had my way you would not give me much -more trouble.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, then I was right. I knew that she would never -dare to try and keep me a prisoner. Will you see that -a carriage is ready for me?” She spoke in a tone of -indifference.</p> - -<p>“If you have any gratitude in your nature you will -remember that it is to the Princess that you owe your -liberty—to the woman whose life you have just failed -to take.”</p> - -<p>“And am bitterly regretting my failure. That is my -gratitude. But why cant to me of gratitude. Do you -suppose she has done this for my sake? Nonsense; I -told you her reasons before you went to her. Am I a -fool, that you prate to me in this childish strain? I -tell you I am an enemy, and a woman to be feared. -She is a fool to let me go, and I know it as well as you. -Were the positions reversed—but there, she has given -you a heavy task, Count, heavy enough to tax even -your cleverness; and you can lay your plans on this -one solid and sure foundation—that I will do my worst -against you and her.”</p> - -<p>I made no answer, and, ringing a bell, ordered a carriage -to be brought round at once.</p> - -<p>“You look very solemn, Count,” she said, when the -servant had left the room and I was going. “And you -have plenty of reason. But I’ll do you one favour, and -tell you that I have already begun my work, and have -told that ill-bred soldier who was here and seems to be -in your confidence the whole story of your love for -the fair Christina; and it had a very pretty effect upon -him. But it prepared him, no doubt, for this step,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> -and she laughed insolently. “At any rate you can be -frank with him without that shamefacedness with -which one man speaks to another of his love. What -he is thinking about it to-day—and I was careful to -sow the seeds of fruitful contemplation in his mind—all -Sofia will be openly talking to-morrow, including -your new Russian friends. It was injudicious of you, -wasn’t it, to leave me such a companion?”</p> - -<p>I could endure no more of her taunts, and went out -of the room, closing the door quickly to shut out the -sound of her mocking laughter. When the carriage -was announced I went back to fetch her, and, as if her -malicious instinct could always hit upon the mood -most exactly calculated to jar upon my nerves, she -was now disposed to play the high society dame, and, -with all the airs and graces of a capricious beauty, was -for delaying me to chatter idle nothings, in a tone of -empty frivol, about the weather, the recent ball, and -my health, until I cut her short by saying sternly:</p> - -<p>“The carriage is waiting for you, Countess, and I -have no time for this wearying badinage.”</p> - -<p>“I thought you might wish your servants to think -this was merely a call of ceremony;” and, as if to -irritate me with these little peltings of frivolity, she -continued to chatter in the same tone until she had -taken her seat in the carriage. Then, with a quick -change of manner, and a malignant glance at me, she -said:</p> - -<p>“When we meet again you may find the positions -reversed, Count, for I warn you to look to yourself.”</p> - -<p>I gave no sign of even having heard her, and watched -in silence as the carriage drove off.</p> - -<p>“There goes our last hope,” said Zoiloff, looking -moodily after the carriage, as though he would have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> -given all he was worth to have dashed after it, and -have torn the Countess out of it back to captivity.</p> - -<p>“Now let us consider what to do next,” I replied.</p> - -<p>“There is nothing to do next, or after,” he said, in -the same moody tone. “When such a woman holds -the future of our scheme in her hands we can do -nothing but prepare for the worst, and look out for the -best means of escape. It will soon be a case of <i>sauve -qui peut</i>.”</p> - -<p>“I shall fight on till it comes, then, and so will you, -my friend, when this mood has passed.” I took him -into my private room and, putting wine and cigars -before him, set to work to try and shape a course to -suit the altered aspect of affairs.</p> - -<p>My own opinion was not much brighter than his; -but I sought to persuade him, and myself too, that -matters might yet be mended. There was one possible -door of hope. The Countess meant to have her revenge, -and, as she had frankly said, we must base all -our plans on her implacable enmity. But she had other -ends than those of mere personal vengeance. She -hated Christina bitterly, but she loved the Russians -no better. Her aim was to keep her Prince on the -throne, and to betray us at once would certainly injure -him by forcing General Kolfort to act immediately, -not only against us, but against the Prince. -The latter would be frightened and jockeyed out of the -throne, to make room, not for Christina, but for some -more pliable tool; and the Countess was quite shrewd -enough to foresee that.</p> - -<p>“I am inclined to believe,” I said, after we had discussed -the position at great length, “that she will -seek her ends first by other means than by betraying -us to Kolfort—some scheme or other against the Princess<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> -or myself personally, perhaps; but something -which may take time to work out. She will cling to -the hope of retaining the Prince on the throne to the -last possible moment; and she may reckon, as she has -done hitherto, that by removing the Princess the Russian -scheme will be so maimed that the Prince may -be able to retrieve and retain his position—at all events -for a time. She may now include me in some such -plan of assassination. The question for us to consider -is, then, how soon we can complete our arrangements, -by hurrying them forward at fever heat, so as to make -us indifferent to what Kolfort can do.”</p> - -<p>I continued to urge this from every standpoint, until -I saw with great satisfaction that Zoiloff’s enthusiasm -began to heat again. But suddenly his face clouded, -and he said:</p> - -<p>“Are you forgetting the strange story she is going -to tell about yourself and the Princess? I know -nothing of it, of course,” he added, as though in assurance -of his faith in me. “But if such a tale should -reach old Kolfort—and she seemed mad enough to -scream it from the housetops—you can judge what he -may think.”</p> - -<p>“There is a ready answer to it,” I returned, gloomy -now in my turn at the thought behind my words.</p> - -<p>“You mean denial. I don’t like to speak of this, -Count.”</p> - -<p>“I do not mean denial only in words. They count -for little enough in a time like this,” I replied bitterly.</p> - -<p>“What then?”</p> - -<p>“The Princess’s only answer will be the hurrying -forward of her marriage with the Duke Sergius. It is -the inevitable corollary of her decision to-day.”</p> - -<p>“By God, but you are a man, Count!” cried Zoiloff,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> -with a look of genuine sympathy, as if he felt instinctively -what such words must cost me. “From this -hour I will never again question a single order you -give or decision you take.” He held out his hand, and -grasped mine in a warm pledge of earnest friendship. -“We will go on, as you say, and frustrate this she-devil -yet—or fall in the effort.”</p> - -<p>A long silence followed, in which we were both busy -with our own thoughts; and when the silence was -broken we went on with a long, detailed discussion of -the means to be adopted to quicken our preparations -and expedite the arrangements that should make us -indifferent to any action by General Kolfort.</p> - -<p>The work interested us both absorbingly, and while -Zoiloff remained with me, and my thoughts were occupied -in planning the work to be done, I was even -inclined to accept my own arguments that all was not -yet lost.</p> - -<p>But when he had left me a relapse came, and I seemed -to be overwhelmed with a sense of the weariness and -futility of it all. I had nothing now to gain. A few -hours had changed everything for me, and all my enthusiasm -had evaporated, like the sparkle from flat wine.</p> - -<p>Bulgaria might profit, but what was Bulgaria to me? -I had not been fighting for Bulgaria, but for Christina; -and what prospect was there now for her but the -gloomiest? I had gained the priceless treasure of her -love; but with the very ecstasy of the knowledge had -come the bane that I could never even win happiness -for her.</p> - -<p>I laid bare my heart to myself in this bitter self-communing. -I had tried to persuade myself before -that mine was that rare thing—the rarest on earth, -indeed—selfless love; but I knew now that that had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> -been the flimsiest gauze of self-deceit veiling the secret -hopes and desires that had urged me forward. Out of -the inmost thoughts came up now the skeletons of my -lost desires, gibbering and mouthing and mocking me -with the hopelessness of my love.</p> - -<p>If I could have made her happy, have helped her to -realise the dream of her life as the Virgin Queen pouring -on this distracted people the infinite blessings of -freedom and happiness, herself a bright, conspicuous -example of innocence and purity to all the world, I -might have been content to worship even while I served -her. But to think of her as the wife of the sensual -brute I detested, forced to submit to his loathsome -endearments, and to smile and frown upon him in his -humours, was like a very torment of hell to me. And -for her it must be ten thousand times worse. Her life, -mated with a man she abhorred, would be one long, -living lie, the canker of which must blight her every -purpose, and destroy every hope in her heart.</p> - -<p>And yet I, loving her and beloved by her, was to help -her to this life of fair-seeming misery and honoured -dishonour. I could not and would not, I cried in my -heart—and yet I knew I must. There was no escape -now from it. As I had told Zoiloff in my despair, the -hastening of the marriage was the one possible means -of averting that instant ruin in which the power of the -at present all-powerful Russian agents could involve -us all.</p> - -<p>Harder than all else to bear, however, was the -thought that I myself must pass that inexorable sentence -upon her. She had made it essential by her -shrinking woman’s fear of how her act would be read -in the eyes of Europe; but it was left for me to show -her the full consequences of what she had done.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span>In my frenzy I was tempted to regret that I had -saved her from the infinitely more merciful fate of -death. Deeply as I loved her, I would vastly rather -see her dead than the wife of the man whose wife she -was now inevitably bound to be.</p> - -<p>For a moment a wild thought rushed through my -mind—that I should induce her to fly the country with -me. But the thought was as great a treachery to her -as the act would be treacherous to those whose cause -she championed with such pure-souled enthusiasm. I -recalled with the iciness of a lover’s despair her declaration -that she would even become the wife of this -man, if no other path were open, rather than abandon -the cause she had espoused.</p> - -<p>There was no escape; and when at length I threw -myself on my bed, brain-wearied with the long wild -fighting against the inevitable, it was only that the -torture of my waking thoughts should be reproduced -with all the grotesque horrors of oppressive, sickening -dreams.</p> - -<p>I awoke with the dawn, dreading the coming of the -hour that would bring with it the ordeal of the interview.</p> - -<p>For myself my course was soon decided. I would -keep my word, and go through with the task of leading -the movement to such a successful issue as we could -yet snatch from the dangers surrounding and threatening -it. But the hour that saw her safely seated on the -throne should be my last in the country.</p> - -<p>I was revolving these gloomy thoughts over an untasted -breakfast when Spernow came.</p> - -<p>“You look ill, Count;” for the struggle had written -its effects in my face, “Yesterday’s doings have upset -you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span>“It is nothing worse than a headache,” I answered -carelessly.</p> - -<p>“I hope your nerves are not unstrung. You will need -a clear head to-day unless I have read things wrongly.”</p> - -<p>“What next?” I felt that nothing which could -happen now would either interest or trouble me. I -had lost the one thing which I desired, and life itself -might go for aught I cared.</p> - -<p>“I was at a house last night and heard something -which you must know at once. It concerns you closely, -and spells danger.”</p> - -<p>“What was it?” Feel interested I could not, feign -it I would not.</p> - -<p>“The Duke Sergius has resolved to force a quarrel -upon you. He has some deadly grievance. I heard it -incidentally, but—— Why, Count, what is the matter?”</p> - -<p>He might well be astonished. The news was the -one thing on earth that could have changed me, the -one thing that might yet change everything. In an -instant my lassitude and despair fell away like a cloak. -My blood warmed, my heart beat fast, my cheeks -glowed again, and life was worth living and risking. -Even if I were destined to go straight to my death at -the hands of the rival I hated, I should have a moment -of real enjoyable life, while, if my hand were true and -my skill what I believed it and I killed him—— I -could not stay to think, but in my eager hope that the -news might be true I plied Spernow with question -after question, testing his story, till he might well have -deemed me insane.</p> - -<p>“Of all the gifts and riches of the earth that you -could bring me, Spernow,” I cried in my vehemence, -“there is none I would have in preference to this news. -By Heaven, man, but you have made me live again!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI<br /> - - -<small>“IF I WERE A WOMAN”</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> had been together about half an hour, discussing -eagerly the news which Spernow had brought, when -Zoiloff arrived. His face showed that he too had -passed anxious hours since we parted. I received him -with a laugh and rallied him upon his looks, and then -told him the news.</p> - -<p>He had not the same intense personal interest in it -that I had, and he received it very differently; though -his friendship made him understand my feelings.</p> - -<p>“It is her first step,” he said, gravely. “We must -act warily.”</p> - -<p>“A necessity for others besides ourselves,” I -retorted.</p> - -<p>“It is not certain what form his hostility will take. -He may not care to quarrel openly with you, Count; -although, if he does, you know he is not a swordsman -to be taken lightly.”</p> - -<p>“He would serve me no ill turn were he to send his -sword through my heart,” I answered, and meant every -word I said.</p> - -<p>“That would be an ill enough turn for us, though.”</p> - -<p>“Let us go to the gallery and see. I have scarcely -closed my eyes all night, and when Spernow came he -found me hipped and down. It will be a good test -for my nerves. If I can hold my own against you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> -under such conditions, we need not be doubtful about -this other affair.”</p> - -<p>In a few minutes we were busy with the foils, and I -told Zoiloff to try with all the skill at his command to -beat me. For myself, I tried to make myself believe -for the moment that he was the man whom I might -have to meet, and I put forth every effort. I never -fenced more skilfully or with more spirit, now limiting -myself only to defensive measures and now forcing the -attack with vehement and even fiery impetuosity.</p> - -<p>“I cannot hold you, Count,” said Zoiloff, at length; -“I have not touched you once, except that graze on -the leg, and you have had me three times badly. If -this were in earnest I should be a dead man. But, remember, -you know my work now, and that I am not -the Duke’s equal with the sword.”</p> - -<p>“I must take that risk, and shall not take it without -pleasure, I assure you.”</p> - -<p>“But that’s not the only risk to be taken.”</p> - -<p>“You are in a despondent mood, my friend,” I said, -for I knew he referred to what General Kolfort might -do afterwards. “Let’s meet them one at a time. This -one faced and overcome may mean much to us; and, -at any rate, will put us in good heart for what may -follow.” My spirits were now as high as previously -they had been depressed, and once again I was full of -fight.</p> - -<p>Zoiloff told me what he had already done to expedite -our plans, and when I went to do my regimental -work even the knowledge of what I had to tell Christina -she must be prepared to do had become less -oppressive and disheartening.</p> - -<p>On my return home, however, I found a note from -Mademoiselle Broumoff, asking me to see Christina at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span> -once. “General Kolfort has been with her this morning, -and something passed which has upset the Princess -extremely. Although she has not told me that she -wishes to see you, I am sure of it. Don’t mention -this letter.”</p> - -<p>This alarmed me, and early in the afternoon I was -at her house. I found her looking troubled and agitated, -and so pale that I was filled with concern. She -received me as graciously as usual, but I could detect -a touch of shrinking reserve.</p> - -<p>“I hope you have no ill news; we cannot, of course, -expect a big scheme like ours to go forward without -an occasional check,” I said.</p> - -<p>“There must be no check—none if I can prevent it, -that is.” She spoke very sadly, and then forced a -smile to her face.</p> - -<p>“You have had some news, I see,” I said after a -pause.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I have bad news; I have had General Kolfort -here.”</p> - -<p>“His visit was probably the outcome of yesterday’s -event.”</p> - -<p>“Have you come to upbraid me with what you think -my weakness?” she cried quickly, with a swift glance -of reproach.</p> - -<p>“No, indeed not. But when the Countess Bokara -left me she declared with all the malice in her that she -would do her utmost to ruin us all. I judge that she -has commenced—that is all.”</p> - -<p>“She cannot ruin us. Let her do her worst.” It -was easy to see, however, that the first blow had been -a telling one. Then a thought struck me.</p> - -<p>“I think I can tell you the purport of General Kolfort’s -message,” I said quietly. “He is anxious to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> -push forward a certain step in his plans to bind you -to him. I mean, of course, your marriage.”</p> - -<p>Her face grew scarlet, and I guessed it was at the -remembrance of the bluntness with which the General -would have told her what he had heard about us. I -could judge well enough the way he would speak.</p> - -<p>“Have you seen him?” she asked after a pause.</p> - -<p>“No; but I foresaw what must happen,” I answered -gently. “It was inevitable. The only practical proof -you could give him of the falseness of the rumour -that that woman has set abroad.”</p> - -<p>She locked her fingers tightly together, and her face -was drawn and troubled. My heart ached for her. -Remembering my own sorrow, I could gauge the bitterness -of hers. Presently, in a low tone of despair, -she said:</p> - -<p>“The marriage is to take place in three days;” -and, hiding her face then in her hands, she abandoned -herself to emotions which she could no longer control. -I turned to the window and looked out, that she might -have time to regain some measure of calmness.</p> - -<p>Presently I heard the rustle of her dress, and I -turned round and went back to her.</p> - -<p>“You have caught me in a moment of weakness, -Count,” she said, smiling through the cloud on her -brow and in her eyes. “I think you had better leave -me.”</p> - -<p>“I came prepared for the news. Indeed, I came to -tell you myself that you must be ready to hear it.”</p> - -<p>“I would rather have heard it from you;” and she -smiled wearily. Then, laying her hands impulsively -in mine, she said sweetly but mournfully: “It is hard -to inflict sorrow like this, and I do not hide from myself, -dear friend, that this must give you pain. Believe<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> -me, that thought is not my least grief in this. If I -were only a woman,” she cried, with a deep sigh.</p> - -<p>Her words and tenderness almost unmanned me. I -had no words to reply, but stood still, holding her -hands in mine and meeting her gaze with glances that -spoke the love I felt.</p> - -<p>“I have no thought but for your happiness,” I murmured -at length.</p> - -<p>“Happiness?” she whispered; and her eyes closed -an instant as she drew a deep breath as of unbearable -pain. Then she mastered her emotion. “I must -never see you alone again, Count. I ought not to have -seen you now, but—I am a woman. I felt I must -thank you once alone, and tell you how it wounds me -to wound you thus. Others may think of me as ambitious, -cold, unwomanly, selling myself for a throne, -a heartless creature without the attributes and qualities -of my sex. But you will know the truth. You must -know it, even if I bare my inmost heart in telling you. -You will not think ill of me, though I have made you -so poor a requital for all that you have done and would -do for me. Do you think I am seeking my happiness -in this?”</p> - -<p>“Forgive me that word. If I know what you are -suffering in this it is because my own heart tells me; -and I dare not utter all that it tells me.”</p> - -<p>“You are a strong man and will fight it down.”</p> - -<p>“I shall never forget,” I cried earnestly, my voice -hoarse with passion. “And never again so long as -my heart beats will it hold a feeling such as that which -fills it now.”</p> - -<p>This pleased her, and she smiled sweetly and tenderly, -while the clasp of her fingers tightened on mine.</p> - -<p>“Would God it could have gone otherwise for us,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> -she breathed, her eyes lingering lovingly on my face, -with infinite sadness and yearning.</p> - -<p>I carried her fingers to my hot lips and kissed them -fervently.</p> - -<p>“Go, go,” she cried passionately at the touch of my -lips. “Go, or I shall bid you stay, let the consequences -be what they will.”</p> - -<p>I looked up into her radiant face, now fired with her -passion.</p> - -<p>“One touch of your lips, if only to ease my suffering.”</p> - -<p>The ruby colour flowed rich and deep over her face, -and, bending forward, she kissed me on the forehead.</p> - -<p>“Go, in pity for me, go,” she cried, excitedly.</p> - -<p>One moment longer I stood, gazing at her with my -soul in my eyes, feasting my senses on the signs of her -love, and then I tore myself away. A last glance as I -left the room showed me that she had thrown herself -back in her chair with her hands clasped in front of -her face.</p> - -<p>I rushed back to my house, my head bewildered -and dizzied with the sweet delirium of her avowed -love, and I sat like a crazy loon for hours, running over -and over again in thought all the incidents of the -scene.</p> - -<p>She loved me. Nothing could rob me of the sweetness -of that knowledge. All else that could happen -was as nothing compared to that. The plot might -succeed or fall; she loved me. Bulgaria might be free -or enslaved; she loved me. The Russians might -triumph or fail; she loved me. It was the one balm -for every sorrow, one true note of joy in every trial: -she loved me; and I was mad with the delight of it all.</p> - -<p>In the early evening Spernow came to me; and then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> -I remembered with an effort—for all memory was -swallowed up in the one delicious remembrance of her -love avowal—that I had promised to go out with him. -I did not care whether I went or stayed; what I said or -did, all was alike indifferent to me; but when he urged -me, I dressed and went with him. As we drove along -he said something, however, which brought my intoxicated -wits together.</p> - -<p>“Duke Sergius will be here to-night, Count. We -shall see what he means to do.” I laughed so loudly -that he looked at me in surprise. What cared I for the -Duke Sergius? I carried a charmed life, for Christina -loved me. He might marry her: but it was I had her -heart. If he killed me, he could not alter that. And -whether I lived or died mattered nothing now. I -hoped he would quarrel with me. “To be married in -three days.” Marriages are not made with the dead, -my lord Duke, I thought, and laughed again.</p> - -<p>“If he wants to quarrel he will find me ready -enough,” I said, boastfully and noisily; but before I -entered the house I had put a restraint upon myself -and wore my usual reserve, covering up that mad, wild, -whirling passion that was heating every vein in my -body. I soon saw, too, there was a cause to be wary.</p> - -<p>“His friends are in strong force here,” muttered -Spernow, as together we entered the room and were -greeted by our host, a man named Metzler, who led us -forward chatting pleasantly about nothing.</p> - -<p>There were about a dozen of us in all in the room, -and the first glance showed me that it was intended to -be a wet, wild night. Three or four of the men I knew -to be dare-devil scapegraces, hard drinkers and harder -players even for that city of hard drinking and high -gambling, and it was easy to see by their faces that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> -some of them had made haste to begin, for they were -already flushed and excited. It was the kind of party -where an empty glass was considered a sign of discourtesy -to the host.</p> - -<p>The Duke was gambling, but saw me enter, and when -I approached him gave me no more than a surly nod -in place of his customary rather effusive greeting. I -augured well from this, but was careful to be particularly -courteous.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes Spernow and I were seated at a table -playing some silly card game or other for fairly high -stakes. I felt no interest in it, and cared not one jot -whether I won or lost. I staked moderately and drank -very sparingly, finding my amusement in watching the -flushed eagerness of the men about me; the noisy -laughter when they won, and the muttered oaths when -fortune went against them.</p> - -<p>I glanced now and again at the other tables, and I -noticed that the Duke was in much the same mood as -myself, and twice caught him scowling angrily and -darkly at me. Each time I laughed in my heart and -smiled pleasantly with my lips.</p> - -<p>“Fortune with you, Duke?” I cried the second -time.</p> - -<p>“My turn is coming,” he answered, with an expression -that in a dog or a wolf you would call a snarl.</p> - -<p>“Well, don’t be afraid to back it when it does come. -I’m winning,” I said with another smile, as though -cards were the one absorbing thought in my head just -then. But he seemed to put his own interpretation on -my words, for he answered in a surly tone:</p> - -<p>“Ah! your luck may change;” and he turned to his -game again.</p> - -<p>After an hour or two a halt was called for supper,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> -and I observed that the Duke scrupulously avoided -me. I noticed, too, that he had begun to drink much -more freely, and while I chatted with the men about -me I kept a close watch upon all that he did.</p> - -<p>As soon as supper was finished the glasses were refilled -and the gambling began again.</p> - -<p>“Thank Heaven that’s over; now we can settle down -to business,” said one of the men near me, who had -been a high player and a heavy loser; and that voiced -the thoughts of most men in the room.</p> - -<p>An hour later I noticed that Spernow was infected -with the mania for high play. He was staking large -amounts, which I knew he could not afford to lose, and -he was losing them. I gave him a warning look or two, -but he would pay no heed; and to create a diversion I -declared that I had played enough. It was all to no -purpose, however. It did not check him, and it irritated -the men about us.</p> - -<p>For that I cared nothing, but it brought the crisis -for which I had been waiting. The men were urging -me to continue, and I was refusing, when I heard the -Duke say to a man at his table, in a voice intentionally -loud enough to be heard by all:</p> - -<p>“Nothing like cards to test a man’s pluck;” and he -accompanied the words with a sneer and a shrug of -the shoulders.</p> - -<p>I would not take the words to myself, though I -knew, as did the rest, that they were flung at me.</p> - -<p>“I would rather not play again,” I said to those -about me.</p> - -<p>“I don’t suppose we are to stop, gentlemen, to please -one man’s caprice—or cowardice, or whatever you call -it,” said the Duke insolently.</p> - -<p>“You will not mind if we resume, Count?” said our<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> -host, nervously, trying to fill the awkward pause that -followed the words.</p> - -<p>“Not in the least,” I answered, pleasantly, for all -the anger that began to stir in me. “I will look on.”</p> - -<p>“No, no, Metzler,” cried the Duke noisily. “I -object to that. Lookers-on can see too much and can -make use of their knowledge. If Count Benderoff is -too careful of his money to play, you should ask him -to retire.”</p> - -<p>“That is the third unpleasant thing you have said -about me in as many minutes,” I said, turning pointedly -to him, but speaking coolly.</p> - -<p>“Is it?” and he laughed insolently. “Well, you’re -doing a deuced unpleasant thing, and I suppose I may -express my opinion.” This time two of the other men -sniggered.</p> - -<p>“I have merely expressed a wish to play no more.”</p> - -<p>“And you do it with an air of a highly virtuous -priest with a mission to teach us how to behave ourselves. -We don’t want you Englishmen or Roumanians, -or whatever you please to call yourself, coming -here to set up any canting standard of morals. We -can look after ourselves,” he sneered, his face flushed -and his eyes glittering angrily.</p> - -<p>The situation was fast growing serious, and every -man stopped to watch us two.</p> - -<p>“I have done nothing of the kind, as you and these -gentlemen know quite well. It seems that you wish -to insult me wantonly.”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean to say that I don’t speak the truth, -Count Benderoff?” he cried, rising and coming towards -me.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_180.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">“I STRUCK HIM A VIOLENT BLOW AND KNOCKED HIM DOWN.”—<i>Page <a href="#Page_181">181</a>.</i></p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, this has surely gone far enough,” said -Metzler, his face pale, as he put himself between us<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> -hurriedly. “The Count has only expressed a desire -not to play any longer, and, of course, in my house I -should not think of urging him;” and he glanced at -the rest, as if asking them to interfere.</p> - -<p>“Our host’s views are my answer to you,” I said.</p> - -<p>But the Duke was bent on the quarrel.</p> - -<p>“A very discreet shield,” he sneered, and then his -passion broke out. “What I said I maintain,” he continued -furiously. “You have tried deliberately to -break up the party with your infernally domineering -interference. I have had far too much of your interference, -not only here but elsewhere. I’ll have no -more of it. Who are you, to come thrusting yourself -into concerns that are nothing to you? If you don’t -like our company, leave it; and if you don’t like the -country, leave that too. And the sooner the better. -This is no garbage-heap for either renegade Roumanians -or cowardly English to be carted here;” and he -laughed in my face.</p> - -<p>My blood boiled at his words, but I meant the quarrel -to go even farther yet, and after a pause of dead -silence I answered, clipping my words short:</p> - -<p>“Rather a hunting-ground where a fortune may be -picked up by any drunken, bankrupt Russian duke, -infamous enough to stoop to any cowardly baseness.”</p> - -<p>He could scarce restrain himself to hear me out -before he flung himself at me in wild, desperate -rage.</p> - -<p>I caught his arm in my left hand as it was raised, -and flinging out my right with all my strength I struck -him a violent blow on the mouth and knocked him -down.</p> - -<p>In another moment the men had thrown themselves -between us, holding him as he struggled to his feet<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> -and drew his sword, striving to get at me and cursing -wildly.</p> - -<p>I was as cool now outwardly as if nothing had happened, -and in my heart a feeling of almost wild exultation -throbbed and rushed.</p> - -<p>“You are all witnesses, gentlemen,” I said to the -men near me, “that from the first this quarrel has been -forced upon me. Lieutenant Spernow, for the present -you will act for me.”</p> - -<p>“I will have your life for this!” cried the Duke, -mad with rage.</p> - -<p>I made no reply. There was nothing more to be -gained by any further taunts.</p> - -<p>“I am sorry this has happened here and to-night,” I -said to my host. “But you must have seen it was -none of my seeking. You will excuse me if I go.”</p> - -<p>I left, and walked home with a feeling of rare pleasure -at the thought of the coming fight. If I did not -punish him for his foul insult, then surely was I what -he had said—a coward.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII<br /> - - -<small>A DASTARDLY SCHEME</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> soon as I reached home I despatched a servant -in hot haste for Zoiloff, and when he arrived I told -him what had happened.</p> - -<p>“He forced the quarrel on you?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Certainly. I was willing enough, Heaven knows; -but there was not a man in the room who would not -have to say that I bore his insults till I must have -seemed all but a coward. But I wanted to make this -thing a life and death affair. And it is that.”</p> - -<p>“You will kill him?” he asked, his dark eyes -glowing.</p> - -<p>“If I can,” I replied, shortly and sternly.</p> - -<p>“Good. But Heaven knows what will happen afterwards. -Though if the thing gets wind your meeting -may be prevented. Old Kolfort will be mad; and if -he had a tool there, as is most probable, you may be -arrested before morning.”</p> - -<p>“I never thought of that, or I would have finished -the thing on the spot.”</p> - -<p>“And gained the reputation of having killed a man -in his cups. Thank Heaven you didn’t think of it. I -suppose the man means to fight, but, like his master, -Kolfort, he’s such a snake you never know what he -does mean till he has done it.”</p> - -<p>“No man who spoke as he did could hope to escape<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> -a fight,” I replied, growing uneasy at his words. -“What do you suspect? After a blow, too, he must -fight.”</p> - -<p>“He’s the sort of man who’d be capable of anything. -He might insult you openly like that, send the -challenge, and then have you seized secretly and shut -up, and when you didn’t appear on the ground in the -morning, post you for a coward. I know him.”</p> - -<p>“It would be an infernal move!” I cried hotly.</p> - -<p>“It would be reckoned a smart Russian trick,” said -Zoiloff drily.</p> - -<p>“Then, we’ll checkmate it. We’ll have enough men -here to make my arrest impossible; or, better still, -perhaps I’ll pass the night somewhere else. You and -Spernow can arrange all the preliminaries of the meeting, -and appoint a meeting somewhere to-morrow -morning, but not fix the actual ground until that appointment -is kept by him and his seconds only. I will -be where you can readily fetch me.”</p> - -<p>“Good! Yes, we’ll do that. You’ll have choice of -weapons. What shall they be? I should choose pistols. -You’re sure to kill him.”</p> - -<p>“He shall have a chance to save his life. We’ll have -swords. But, mind, the fight is to be to the death. -No stopping for a trickle of blood!”</p> - -<p>“That’s the spirit I like,” cried Zoiloff bluntly; and -then we discussed the plan I had suggested. He told -me where I could sleep and he and Spernow could find -me in the morning.</p> - -<p>“I should be off at once if I were you—and, mind, -get a night’s rest. You’ll need all your skill, even if -we succeed in bringing him up to the scratch.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go the moment Spernow arrives.”</p> - -<p>“Then take my advice. Let your people have a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span> -horse saddled at once and kept in readiness close to -some back way out. I know these Russian dodges.”</p> - -<p>I adopted the suggestion at once, and, sending for -my head groom, Markov, told him to saddle my horse -and his, where to station himself, and to be prepared -to be away with me for the night; and, lastly, to hold -his tongue. After that I changed hurriedly into an -undress uniform, got together the one or two things I -should need, and joined Zoiloff.</p> - -<p>“I don’t like this long wait,” he said impatiently. “I -seem to smell something wrong. Why do they keep -Spernow like this? I should go, Count, if I were you.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t go till I know the man’s making a show of -fighting, at any rate.”</p> - -<p>“Picket one or two of our fellows, then, to give us -warning. The house may be surrounded before we -know anything has happened.”</p> - -<p>“It isn’t necessary. The place is like a rabbit-warren; -there’s an underground passage that lets out a -hundred yards away, and it’s there I’ve told the man -to have the horses. Half a regiment couldn’t keep me -in if I wanted to get out.”</p> - -<p>“Some infernal spy or other may have found that -out;” and then, to satisfy him, I sent out half a dozen -men to keep watch.</p> - -<p>A quarter of an hour later Spernow arrived, but not -before Zoiloff’s patience had long given out. Spernow -explained that the delay had been caused at the other -house, and not by any fault of his own.</p> - -<p>“Did anyone leave before you?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes; the meeting broke up soon after the Count -left.”</p> - -<p>“Good-night, Count,” cried Zoiloff instantly. -“Don’t lose another moment.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span>“The fight is to come off?” I asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Of course,” said Spernow, in surprise, not guessing -our suspicions.</p> - -<p>“Then good-night. Zoiloff will explain everything;” -and as I turned to leave a servant came hurrying in, -pale and excited, to say that a number of men, some -in uniform, were approaching the house, and had tried -to detain him. The next moment a furious summons -at the front door told us they had arrived.</p> - -<p>Before the noise had ceased to reverberate through -the house, I was in the underground passage, hurrying -at full speed to the place where the horses were awaiting -me. Zoiloff’s suggestion that General Kolfort -might know of the secret passage gave me a twinge of -uneasiness, and as I paused to open the little door of -outlet my fears were more than verified, for I heard the -cries of men as they entered the passage from the house -end. I held a revolver ready as I slipped out into the -night, and at a little distance to the left I caught sight -of a couple of men, just perceptible as shadows in the -gloom.</p> - -<p>Guessing that they were after me, and had not known -quite where to lie in wait, I ran swiftly in the opposite -direction, fortunately to the spot where I should find -my horse. Once in the saddle, I did not fear pursuit. -They saw me, despite all my precaution, and raised a -shout, while one of them fired a pistol, presumably as a -signal, and then I heard them come clattering after me.</p> - -<p>The shot was answered by others, and the place -seemed alive with men. But I was near to the horses -now, and could see them in the little clump of trees -where I had told Markov to wait.</p> - -<p>“Have you seen any horsemen about?” I asked, as -I sprang into the saddle.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span>“No, sir,” replied the groom, but at that moment -the sound of galloping came from both directions.</p> - -<p>There was going to be a tussle after all, it seemed.</p> - -<p>“You have your pistols. If anyone tries to stop us, -you have my orders to fire—but only at the horses, -mind. Follow me close.”</p> - -<p>We were on a small heath, and I pricked my horse -into an easy canter in the direction I had to take to -get to the place of which Zoiloff had told me.</p> - -<p>“Halt! Who goes there?” and the horseman -checked his steed with a rattle of steel that told me he -was a cavalryman.</p> - -<p>“A friend,” said I, but not drawing rein.</p> - -<p>“Halt!” came the cry again. The horseman behind -was now coming up fast, and I could hear the sounds -of the others scurrying after us on foot.</p> - -<p>“I’m in a hurry, and can’t wait,” I said.</p> - -<p>“Halt, or I shall fire,” and I heard him get his carbine; -but I was not going to be trapped by a single -cavalryman, and before he had an idea of my intention -I had carried it into execution.</p> - -<p>We were nearly abreast of him, cantering easily, -when I wheeled my horse around, dug the spurs into -his sides, dashed right against the man who had challenged -me, dragged his weapon from his hands, and -flung it on the ground.</p> - -<p>“Now,” I called to the groom, “as fast as the wind, -and bend low;” and together we rattled over the heath -at a pace that made pursuit hopeless, even had the two -men behind been inclined for a chase. But they were -not. A couple of shots were fired after us, but as the -darkness hid our forms, and the grass deadened our -horses’ footfalls, they were but random shots, not destined -to find their billets in our bodies.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span>After a sharp burst for some ten minutes, I drew -rein and listened. Not a sound. I had shaken off the -pursuit. At the same time I deemed it advisable to -take a roundabout route to our destination, and in this -Markov, who knew every square inch of the country, -was able to guide me.</p> - -<p>We reached the place without further mishap; and -Zoiloff’s name acted like a magic pass-word to secure -the accommodation we needed. Thus my Russian -friends had not even the satisfaction of robbing me of -my night’s rest.</p> - -<p>I woke in the morning, all anxiety to know how -Zoiloff and Spernow had fared, what arrangements had -been made, and whether, after all, we should succeed -in bringing off the fight without interruption.</p> - -<p>I could also take a clearer view of the seriousness of -the attempt made to capture me on the previous night. -The more I considered it the less I liked it, for I read -in it a determination on the part of General Kolfort to -remove me from his path, at all events, until after the -marriage of the Princess. He had viewed the fact of -our love as a possible stumbling-block in the path of -his policy, and was resolved to deal with it in his usual -drastic way; and it was easy enough to see that even -after the duel he would continue to pursue me.</p> - -<p>Zoiloff arrived while I was in this rather gloomy, -meditative mood.</p> - -<p>“I have been speculating all the night whether I -should find you here, Count, for I could not learn from -the men who came to your house whether they had -caught you or not. They were wild at not finding -you there, and ransacked the place from cellar to roof; -and almost the first place they searched was that underground -passage. I concluded, of course, that they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> -would have men posted at the other end, and feared -therefore that they had got you in a trap. How did -you escape?”</p> - -<p>I told him briefly what had happened, and that only -his forethought had saved me.</p> - -<p>“And what of the duel?” I concluded eagerly.</p> - -<p>“All is right, so far, I’m glad to say. Of course, -the Duke couldn’t appear to back out in the least; -and his men represented him as full of fight. We had -a bit of a tussle over the conditions, but I wouldn’t -give way. They wanted me to fix the time and place -at once; but I told them pretty plainly that to do that -might be doing no more than giving an excellent appointment -for making the arrest that had just failed, -and, in short, that it was impossible. In the end they -had no option but to agree, and we are to meet at a -little village about five miles north of here at nine -o’clock, and then settle the ground. What I propose -is that you should ride on about a couple of miles -further—I know a splendid place for a meeting there; -your man will probably know the ground; and if I -find no treachery in the wind I’ll bring them on. If -there is anything wrong, I’ll fix another spot, and let -you know somehow. But I think it’ll be all right. -The men acting for him are perfectly straight.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” I assented readily. “It’s an excellent plan.”</p> - -<p>“But what about afterwards? If you kill him, there -will be the deuce to pay; and I should think you will -have to fly the country for a while at least.”</p> - -<p>“No, I shall go back to Sofia and face it out. Men -have been killed in duels before. The fight was forced -upon me, and everything’s in perfect order. Why -should I run away?”</p> - -<p>“Russian dukes are not often killed in duels, especially<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> -when so essential to Russian schemes,” he answered -drily.</p> - -<p>“I shall take my chance of the consequences. We’re -not so feeble that they can do what they like to me. -I shall face it out.”</p> - -<p>“How would it be to stop short of killing him?”</p> - -<p>“My dear Zoiloff, if you had had said to you what -was said to me, you would view the thing as I do,” -I said sternly, and he made no reply.</p> - -<p>I called in my man then, and Zoiloff gave him precise -instructions which way we were to ride, and where to -wait; and soon afterwards he started to meet the duke -and his seconds. I mounted within a few minutes of -his departure, and as I rode at an easy pace I was very -thoughtful, though exultant at the prospect of the -encounter.</p> - -<p>It was a glorious morning. The sun was hot and -bright, but a fresh, invigorating breeze was blowing, -and the country looked beautiful. The hardy, stalwart -peasantry, men and women alike, were at work -everywhere in the fields, toiling with that industry for -which they are famed in all the East; and, save that -here and there were to be seen the ruined homesteads -which told their grim story of the fearful struggle of -a few years previously, the landscape seemed redolent -of the new blessing of content which the better rule of -the Prince had brought in its train, and full of the -promise of prosperity, if only the ban of political intrigue -could be removed—certainly a land of promise -with a great future under a ruler with such high ideals -and motives as Christina.</p> - -<p>As I thought of it, she seemed farther removed -from me than ever. She loved me, and the knowledge -was ineffably sweet; but it was a love that could have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> -no fruition; and my face darkened as I thought of the -man who was to come between us—not only to thwart -our love, but also to stand between her and the realisation -of the dream and hopes of her life for these -people. My heart was as iron towards him; and the -bare thought of his foul treachery in this dastardly -attempt to have me branded as a coward—for I did -not hesitate to accept that theory of his act—filled me -with an irresistible impulse to take his life. I recalled -his burning words of insult and contumely, and dwelt -upon them till they stabbed and pricked and stung me -to a madness of passion and loathing.</p> - -<p>We reached the little village in good time, and -halted at the trysting spot to wait for news from Zoiloff. -This was so long in coming that my patience was ebbing -fast, until I saw Spernow approaching at a hand gallop.</p> - -<p>“All is arranged, Count,” he said, after I had greeted -him. “You are to ride back about half a mile along the -road I have come. There is no sign of any interference. -But I have something for you.” He drew a small note -from his pocket and handed it to me, and turned away -to speak to my servant.</p> - -<p>I opened it quickly, little guessing the contents:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“I have heard the terrible news of your quarrel with -the Duke Sergius, and that you are to meet to-morrow. -God preserve you from danger. I am going to -ask you the hardest favour that could be put in words. -I know of your skill, and of the terrible provocation -you have received, but I beg you not to have his death -on your soul. Think of what it must mean to us all—to -me. For <i>him</i> to be killed by <i>you</i>. I pray you, -for my sake.—<span class="smcap">Christina.</span>”</p> -</div> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span>I stared at the lines in a fever of distraction. At -the very moment when the cup was at my lips, it was -to be dashed away. Just when I had fed my passion, -and had been goaded by the remembrance of the man’s -foul acts and insults to a vow of implacable vengeance, -I was to do nothing.</p> - -<p>I could not grant the wish. The man deserved to -die, and die he should if my arm were strong enough. -I could not, I would not, let him escape me. He had -forced the quarrel, and it must go through. It was a -just cause, and I was in the right throughout; and I -crushed the paper in my clenched hand and vowed the -request was impossible.</p> - -<p>Yet how could I face her afterwards and say, “I had -your plea and would not hearken to it!” Was ever -man more plagued? I paced up and down the turf -fighting the fight between my thirst for vengeance and -my love for Christina with its desire to grant her wish; -and never had I fought a harder battle.</p> - -<p>My love won, of course. I had no motives in life -but those which were inspired by my love for her; and -the thought of myself, appearing red-handed before -her, and of her turning from me in abhorrence, or gazing -at me with eyes of reproach to bid me never see -her again since I cared so little as not to grant her -wishes, was unbearable. But it was hard, cruelly hard; -and I could have ground my teeth in the stress of my -keen disappointment.</p> - -<p>I questioned Spernow as we rode together, and he -told me that Mademoiselle Broumoff had given him -the letter, and that it was to be destroyed as soon as -read.</p> - -<p>I tore it to shreds and scattered them on the passing -wind, with a smile half bitterness, half love; though<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span> -I would fain have kept the letter near my heart. Then -I fell moody and silent. There was more in the request -than Christina had foreseen. It was not unlikely -to prove my death warrant. To go into a fight -with so expert a swordsman as Duke Sergius was dangerous -enough under any circumstances and at any -time. But to fight him while bound to act only on -the defensive, and to refrain, too, from taking advantage -of such openings as he might give, magnified the -danger many times, and must make the issue less than -doubtful for me. The fight was to be to the death, -or till one of us was so wounded as to be unable to -continue it, and it was clear that, if I was not to attempt -to wound him, it was I who must be struck -down.</p> - -<p>It was certain, too, that so expert a fencer as he -would soon perceive that I was not going to press him, -and thus he could fight at his ease and wait to pick out -the moment when he could most easily plunge his -sword into my heart.</p> - -<p>If I escaped with my life, too, I had to suffer the -humiliation of defeat at his hands; and I groaned in -spirit at the bondage which my love imposed.</p> - -<p>And yet I blessed the gentleness, little regardful of -me though it was, that had inspired the plea.</p> - -<p>When we came in sight of the others, who were -already waiting for us, my mind was made up and my -decision taken. The Duke should live, even if it cost -me my life.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII<br /> - - -<small>THE FIGHT</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> I dismounted I saluted the others and glanced -sharply at the Duke, who feigned not to notice my -salute, and looked away without returning it. I hoped -I could detect an expression of genuine anxiety on his -face, as if he did not at all relish the turn things had -taken; and purposely I assumed as dark and stern an -expression as I could force into my face. Though I -was debarred from killing him, I would at least act as -if I meant to.</p> - -<p>It did not take much time to select the place and -complete the necessary preliminaries, and while I was -making ready I drew Zoiloff aside.</p> - -<p>“I must have a last word with you, my friend,” I -said earnestly. “Matters have taken a strange turn -since I saw you; I have had an urgent request from -the Princess not to kill the Duke, and I don’t hide -from myself that I am now going probably to my death. -If I am to act only on the defensive, I can’t carry on -the fight indefinitely, of course; and, if I fall, I charge -you on your honour to let the Princess know that my -last thoughts were of her.”</p> - -<p>He saw instantly how grave the prospect was, and -was more moved than I could have believed.</p> - -<p>“We have arranged that it shall be to the death, -Count. She had no right to make such a request.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> -Not knowing the conditions, such a request cannot, -and must not, be listened to. She cannot wish your -death rather than his. Women don’t understand these -things. You must not be bound.”</p> - -<p>“I have reasoned it out in my own way,” I answered -with a smile, “and I shall observe the condition.”</p> - -<p>“By Heaven, I would have had no hand in it at all -had I foreseen this. But I suppose she does not wish -you to be killed like a sheep, without an effort,” he -cried excitedly. “You can wound him, at any rate. -But die you must not. We cannot spare you, Count; -she cannot, she does not, know what she asks.”</p> - -<p>“When you think it over calmly you will see she is -right. He must not die by my hand, things being as -they are.” He knew what I meant, and had no answer -to it. He wrung my hand, much affected; and, after -a moment, growled into his moustache:</p> - -<p>“Hang the women; they spoil everything.”</p> - -<p>“Remember,” I said, warningly, “if things go badly -with me, give my message—but no reproaches. She -must know nothing except that I was beaten by the -Duke’s superior skill. On your honour, Zoiloff?”</p> - -<p>“On my honour,” he answered; and, as I was ready, -we went forward together.</p> - -<p>The Duke eyed me with a look of hate, and it was -easy to see he meant to do his worst. As our swords -crossed, and we engaged, I seemed to feel the thrill of -his passion, as if it were an electric current passing -through the steel.</p> - -<p>He fought well and cleverly, but he was not my -match. I had been trained in a better school, and -held him at bay without much difficulty. I was much -cooler, too, than he; and his fiery temper made him -too eager to press the fight.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span>He made no attempt to wound me slightly, but -sought with the vindictiveness of passion to get through -my guard and thrust his blade into my heart. My -fighting was all defensive; and after a short time my -tactics evidently puzzled him. He thought my object -was to wear him down. This cooled him, and he -began to fight much more warily and cautiously, and -with far less waste of energy and strength.</p> - -<p>The first point fell to me, partly by accident. Making -an over-zealous thrust at my body, which I parried -with some difficulty, he came upon my sword point, -which just touched his body and drew blood. The -seconds interfered; his wound was examined and found -to be slight, and we were ordered to re-engage.</p> - -<p>In the second bout he changed his tactics, and again -attacked me with great impetuosity. The result was -what might have been expected. He gave me more -than one chance which I could have taken with deadly -effect; and when he saw that I did not—for he fenced -well enough to understand this—I saw him smile sardonically. -He might well wonder why I should wish -to spare him. But each time Christina’s words were -before my eyes and ringing in my ears, and, bitterly -though I hated him, I dared not, and would not, kill -him. Then he wounded me. He thought he had -found the opportunity he sought, and his eyes gleamed -viciously as he lunged desperately at my heart. I -parried the stroke, but not sufficiently, for I felt his -sword enter my side, and for a moment I thought all -was over.</p> - -<p>But when the fight was stopped for the second time -it was found that the blow had gone home too high, -and had pierced the flesh above the heart, and close -under the shoulder. The blood made a brave show,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> -but there was no danger—nothing to prevent my -fighting on; and again we had to engage.</p> - -<p>It was now with the greatest difficulty that I could -restrain myself to act only on the defensive. The triumphant -gleam in his eyes when his sword found its -way into my body had sent my temper up many degrees. -A man of honour, having such skill of fence as -he possessed, and seeing that I was making no effort -to attack him, and was, indeed, actually letting pass -the openings he gave, would have refused to continue -a fight on such unequal terms. But he grew more -murderous the longer we fought, and more than once -made a deliberate use of my reluctance to wound him -by exposing himself recklessly in order to try and kill -me. He did it deftly and skilfully, with great caution, -step by step, as if to assure himself of the fact before -he relied and risked too much upon it; but, having -satisfied himself, he grew bolder every minute.</p> - -<p>It was no better than murder; and, strive as I would, -remembering Christina’s words and seeking to be loyal -to her, I could not stop my rising temper nor check -the rapidly growing desire to punish him for his abominable -and cowardly tactics. As the intention hardened -in my mind, so my fighting changed. My touch grew -firmer, more aggressive; I began to press him in my -turn, and to show him the dangers that he ran. He -read the thought by that subtle instinct which all -swordsmen know, and, as my face grew harder and my -eyes shone with a more deadly light, I saw him wince, -and noted the shadow of fear come creeping over his -face and into his eyes. He began to fight without -confidence and nervously, dropping the attack and -standing like a man at bay.</p> - -<p>I pressed him harder and harder, my blood growing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> -ever more and more heated with the excitement of the -fight; Christina’s words were forgotten; and springing -up again in my breast came that deadly resolve of the -previous night to kill him. He read it in my face -instantly, and it drove him to make one or two desperate -and spasmodic attempts to get at me; though I -noticed with a grim smile that now he was cautious not -to expose himself as before.</p> - -<p>I defeated his attempts without difficulty, and was -even in the act of looking out for an opening to strike, -when the remembrance of my pledge, and of what my -love would say to me if I killed him, shot back into my -mind, and at a stroke killed all the desire to kill. The -change of mood must in some way have affected my -fighting, as we know it will, for I left myself badly -guarded, and like a dart of lightning his blade came -flashing at me.</p> - -<p>I was wounded again; but, fortunately, malice, or -fear, or too great glee, made him over-confident, so -that his aim was awry, and, instead of piercing my -heart, his sword glanced off my ribs, inflicting another -flesh wound, but barely more than skin deep.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_198.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">“I RAN MY SWORD THROUGH HIS NECK.”—<i>Page <a href="#Page_199">199</a>.</i></p> - -<p>“This can’t go on,” growled Zoiloff in my ear, during -the pause. “You could have killed him half a -dozen times. We shall be here all day.” The absurd -bathos of the speech made me smile, despite the grim -situation, and the smile was still lurking on my face -when we crossed swords for the fourth time. A glance -at my opponent’s face was enough to kill any smile, -however; and almost as soon as our blades touched he -commenced again to force the fight as though he -meant to finish it off quickly. So vehement was his -attack, that for a while I needed all my nerve and skill -to defend myself; but I contented myself with defensive<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span> -tactics—for the interval had cooled my temper—until, -by a little dastardly, unswordsmanlike trick, he -tried to catch me at a disadvantage. In an instant my -passion flamed up beyond restraint, and before there -was time for me to regain control of my temper, an -opening came in his guard, and, unable to stay the -fighting instinct to take advantage of it, I ran my -sword through his neck.</p> - -<p>The blood came gushing out in a full crimson stream -from the wound and through his parted lips, dyeing -his shirt front; he staggered back, his sword dropped -from his nerveless grasp, and he fell to the ground with -a groan.</p> - -<p>I looked on more than a little aghast at my work. -If he should die! And at the thought the picture of -Christina’s face as she would meet me flashed before -my eyes, and for the moment I would have given all I -was worth to have called back that laggard thrust.</p> - -<p>Zoiloff and Spernow came and stood by me, as I -waited, sword in hand, to know if the fierce combat was -to go on still further. Then his chief second crossed -to us, and in a formal tone said:</p> - -<p>“My principal can fight no longer.”</p> - -<p>“Is the hurt dangerous? Will he die?” I asked, -and the man glanced at me in evident surprise at the -concern in my tone.</p> - -<p>“Not necessarily. The wound is severe, but the -doctor says the artery has not been touched.” Then -after a pause he added, as if in involuntary compliment -to the skill I had shown: “It is surprising that the -fight lasted so long, Count Benderoff. I can bear witness -that he owes his life to your forbearance.” And -with a bow as formal as his tone he went back to the -others.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>“We may go,” said Zoiloff; and I handed him my -sword and then dressed.</p> - -<p>“I am glad you wounded him. I feared you were -going to let him kill you. He tried his utmost, and -you had one very narrow escape,” said Zoiloff. “But -now, where are we to go?”</p> - -<p>“I should like first to make quite certain about the -nature of his wound. Will you question the surgeon -yourself? Spernow and I will wait by the horses.”</p> - -<p>“What of your own wounds? Won’t you have them -dressed? Better run no risks.”</p> - -<p>I had almost forgotten them in my excitement, but -I agreed; and as soon as the surgeon could be spared -from his attendance on the Duke he came and dressed -them rapidly. The one was a mere scratch, and the other -not by any means serious. I had been lucky indeed -to escape so lightly. “A couple of days’ rest for the -arm would be enough,” declared the doctor, who was -inclined to be garrulous about the affair until he found -that I made no response.</p> - -<p>When he had finished with me, however, I questioned -him as to my opponent’s condition. He gave me a -learned and technical description of the exact character -of the injury, and then in simple and intelligent language -told me that in all probability, if the wound -healed as it should, the Duke would be a prisoner to -his room for two or three weeks; if it healed badly, it -might be as many months. But he put his estimate -at not more than a month.</p> - -<p>“There is no danger of his death?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“Not the least, unless he is imprudent. In a month’s -time he should be quite able to fight another duel -should he feel so disposed.”</p> - -<p>I saw no wit in so grim a pleasantry, for he intended<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span> -it as such, and turned away with a hasty word of thanks -for his attention.</p> - -<p>“Where to?” asked Zoiloff when we were mounted.</p> - -<p>“Back to Sofia,” I answered promptly. “I am -going straight to General Kolfort to ascertain the -meaning of last night’s attempt on me;” and I clapped -my heels into my horse’s flanks and started at a sharp -pace for the city.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX<br /> - - -<small>MY ARREST</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">I had</span> not ridden more than a couple of miles -towards the city when a thought occurred to me and -caused me to draw rein suddenly and call to my companions -to halt.</p> - -<p>“Anything wrong?” asked Zoiloff, looking about -him anxiously.</p> - -<p>“It has just occurred to me that, as I’m going to put -my head in the lion’s mouth by going to General Kolfort, -I had better not go unprepared, and I have just -thought of a precaution I can take.”</p> - -<p>“What is it?”</p> - -<p>“I can’t at present explain to you fully, but you or -Spernow can help me. I must find some place before -I enter Sofia where I can write for an hour or two. -Where can I go?”</p> - -<p>He thought a moment, and said:</p> - -<p>“The safest place would be back to where you passed -the night. I am sure of those people, and they know -how to hold their tongues;” and, changing our direction, -we set off for the house at a brisk trot.</p> - -<p>My intention was to write out a full report now for -the British Foreign Office, giving a detailed account -of the position of matters in regard to the Russian -scheme, of the part I had played in it, and of what I -believed to be the Russian designs against me. I did -not forget the condition that if I failed the Foreign<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> -Office were to be at liberty to disown me, and that the -whole and sole responsibility of my present action lay -with me, let the consequences be what they might. -But I calculated that so far I had kept aloof from committing -the Government in any way, and could thus -claim the protection of the Foreign Office should any -personal violence be contemplated by old Kolfort.</p> - -<p>I thought out carefully what I had to say, and when -we arrived at the house set to work with a will. I gave -a clear description of the Princess’s counterplot, and -then added my reason for believing that, although it -was likely to fail now, it could yet be used for the advantage -of Bulgaria and the Balkan States generally. -The Prince had decided to abdicate, and if measures -could be taken from Downing Street to have a successor -to him ready, whether that successor should be -Princess Christina or another, and the abdication so -timed as to fit in with such a plan, it would be perfectly -feasible to checkmate the Russian move. My own -opinion, I declared, was in favour of putting the Princess -on the throne, thus apparently acting in co-operation -and concert with Russia, while at the same time -taking secret measures to prevent any marriage on her -part with a Russian ally.</p> - -<p>For myself, I asked merely that, in the event of my -being imprisoned by General Kolfort, the British representative -in Bulgaria might be instructed by telegraph -to press either for my being liberated or brought to -trial. No more to be done than would be done in the -case of an ordinary British subject.</p> - -<p>When I had completed the despatch, I drafted a telegram -announcing that it was on its way, and I instructed -my companions how they were to act. Spernow -was to take the work in hand, and to push on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> -now for the Servian frontier, and take the train there -for Nish, where I knew there was a particularly energetic -British Consul. If no communication reached -Spernow from me within twenty-four hours of his -arrival at Nish he was to send off the despatch by the -quickest available means, and twenty-four hours later—so -as to allow enough time to elapse to prevent the -letter being intercepted—the telegram was to follow. -Then Spernow was to return in hot haste to Sofia to -report to Zoiloff. He undertook the commission very -readily, asking only that Mademoiselle Broumoff should -be told of the reason for his absence, and that Zoiloff -should arrange the difficulties of getting him leave of -absence from his regiment.</p> - -<p>Zoiloff and I then resumed our ride to Sofia, discussing -very earnestly the new development of our -affairs and the possibilities which lay ahead of my -interview with the General.</p> - -<p>I scarcely thought he would venture to imprison me, -resolute and ruthless as he was in pressing his policy; -and I said as much to Zoiloff, who was, however, more -doubtful.</p> - -<p>“In any case it must make no difference to our -scheme,” I said. “You must push on without me, -and hurry forward all the preparations with the utmost -despatch. I should like you to see the Princess and explain -to her precisely what has happened this morning, -although you need know nothing of her message to me.”</p> - -<p>“I understand,” he said drily; “but I should like -to warn her against imperilling a valuable life when -she doesn’t know the facts. It may be my turn next—who -knows?”</p> - -<p>“You would act as I did, my friend,” I replied, -smiling; “I know you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span>“Well, the conditions would never be the same,” he -said bluntly; and I did not pursue the point any -further.</p> - -<p>When we reached Sofia we parted.</p> - -<p>“How shall I know what happens at the General’s?” -he asked.</p> - -<p>“If you do not hear from me, you may draw your -own conclusion that I am on my way to Tirnova. If -we are not to meet again—good-bye;” and I held out -my hand.</p> - -<p>He grasped it warmly, and with a ring of true stalwart -friendship he said: “If they shut you up it’ll go -hard with me if I don’t find you. And if they kill you -you have my oath on it you sha’n’t go unavenged, if I -have to shoot that infernal old ruffian with my own -hand. It shall be life for life.” And without another -word, as though he did not wish me to see how much -he was moved, he clapped his heels into his horse’s -flanks and cantered off.</p> - -<p>I avoided my own house purposely, lest some of the -General’s agents should be waiting there for me, for I -wished it to be unmistakably clear that my interview -with the General was by my own choice; and I did not -draw rein till I had reached the courtyard of his -house. Then, telling Markov to wait for me with the -horses in the street, I entered the house and asked for -General Kolfort.</p> - -<p>I could see that my visit caused surprise, and observed -that one or two of the soldiers present made -haste to post themselves so that my retreat would be -impossible. I was shown upstairs into the room where -I had first seen the General, and where, as usual, one -or two officers were lounging. I was kept there about -half an hour—quite long enough to irritate me—and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> -then a messenger ushered me into the General’s -room.</p> - -<p>He looked even harder and grimmer and sterner than -ever as he glanced up from his desk and fixed his eyes -on me.</p> - -<p>“What is your business with me?” he asked curtly.</p> - -<p>“That is the question I have come to put to you,” I -retorted, quite as shortly.</p> - -<p>“Why to me?”</p> - -<p>“Because I have heard, not quite incidentally, that -you have been sending to my house to inquire for me.”</p> - -<p>“You appear to have been called away suddenly.”</p> - -<p>“Driven away, I should say rather,” I retorted. -“May I ask why you have dared to make such an -attempt?”</p> - -<p>“Dared?” he returned, with a flash of his eyes at -the word.</p> - -<p>“Dared,” I repeated.</p> - -<p>“I am not answerable to you for the steps taken in -the exigencies of State.”</p> - -<p>“Exigencies of State you term it. A singular name -to describe an act which in plain terms means that when -one of your chief men has forced a quarrel on me and -challenged me, you would shut me up to prevent our -meeting, so that he might have an opportunity of -branding me as a coward.”</p> - -<p>“I do not think you a coward,” he answered slowly.</p> - -<p>“Nor does your Duke Sergius now,” said I.</p> - -<p>This touched him, for he asked with evident interest: -“What has happened this morning? A good deal may -turn on your answer.”</p> - -<p>“He is not dead, if that’s what you mean—only -badly wounded;” and I gave him a brief description of -the fight. He listened closely, but without a sign of -his feelings on his face.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span>“You seem to suggest that you could have killed -him,” he said with half a sneer.</p> - -<p>“His own second said as much to me, and offered to -bear witness to the fact that he owed his life to my -forbearance.”</p> - -<p>“A very tactful forbearance. And why did you spare -him? From what I hear, there is little love lost between -you—at least, in the common sense of the term,” -he added drily.</p> - -<p>“I had my reasons, and they are my own, if you -please. But now will you tell me the reason for your -conduct?”</p> - -<p>“I do not consider it safe for you to be any longer -at large.”</p> - -<p>The answer was given deliberately, and after a pause. -It showed that his intention was to imprison me; but -I would not let him see the unpleasant effect of the -decision. I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.</p> - -<p>“And your reasons?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“I am not accustomed to discuss reasons with -prisoners.”</p> - -<p>“Yet you will have to state them in my case. -Englishmen can’t be packed away like herrings in a -barrel to suit even your convenience.”</p> - -<p>“You are no Englishman, Count Benderoff.”</p> - -<p>“On the contrary, I am a British subject, General -Kolfort, and am resolved to claim my rights as -one.”</p> - -<p>He waved the words aside as though they were of -no account.</p> - -<p>“I warned you when you first came here——”</p> - -<p>“When you lured me here, you mean,” I corrected.</p> - -<p>“That you would have to choose in which character -I was to deal with you. Had you chosen then to stand<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> -on your British nationality—which, by the way, I -question entirely—I should have known how to deal -with you. Instead of dealing frankly with me, you -chose to remain in Sofia, mixing yourself up with intrigues -against me, and doing other ridiculous things, -until I repeat I cannot any longer allow you to remain -at large. I shall send you to Tirnova, that you may -have time to cool your inconvenient passions and clear -your head.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, I am content to go. It will be an excellent -illustration for the guidance of Europe as to -Russian policy in the Balkans.”</p> - -<p>“When Europe hears of it,” he returned significantly.</p> - -<p>I blessed my prudence as I thought of the despatch -I had sent by Spernow, and at the thought a smile -flitted across my face. He stared at me in some -doubt, not understanding my confidence.</p> - -<p>“I am afraid you think I am only a short-sighted -fool, after all, General.”</p> - -<p>“I have not formed a very high opinion of your -foresight. I know you to be brave and hold you to be -clever in your way; but a little longer foresight would -have shown you that such an ending as this was inevitable -when you decided to meddle with politics here -and to act as my secret opponent.”</p> - -<p>I began to wonder how much he knew of our plans.</p> - -<p>“I did not so lack foresight as to come to this meeting -unprepared, at any rate,” said I, significantly. “And -if you throw me into one of your confounded prisons, -the news will soon be buzzing in every Foreign Office -in Europe that Englishmen must be deprived of their -liberty in order to prove Russia’s devotion to the cause -of freedom in the Balkans.” I threw the words at him -recklessly, and all his self-restraint could not help his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> -showing that the blow went home. He had not expected -this.</p> - -<p>“I don’t believe you,” he said bluntly.</p> - -<p>“So much the worse for you; but if you were a -younger man, General Kolfort, you would not dare to -say that to my face,” I added, sternly.</p> - -<p>“You will find it no easy task to get your news out -of Bulgaria.”</p> - -<p>“If I had not known it was already safe across the -frontier, do you think I should have been fool enough -to come here;” and I laughed and shrugged my shoulders, -enjoying his embarrassment. Then I pushed my -advantage. “But now, I am ready for your men. -Where are you sending me? Tirnova?” And I got -up as though the prison were immaterial to me.</p> - -<p>He didn’t relish the piece of bluff, and sat silent and -uneasy.</p> - -<p>“You can sit down again,” he said after a pause.</p> - -<p>I threw myself carelessly into my chair again, crossed -my legs, glanced at my watch and said, lightly:</p> - -<p>“Tirnova’s over a hundred and twenty miles as the -crow flies, and if you have any regard for my health—which, -by the way, may be an important matter to you -by and by—we’d better make a start. I’m wounded, -and a long journey might have a very bad effect upon -me.”</p> - -<p>He threw me a glance of baffled rage; I saw his lips -move, and guessed that a pretty little oath had slipped -out into his moustache unchristened.</p> - -<p>“If you mean to brave me out, your journey may be -a much farther and a much quicker one,” he said after a -pause. “Mistakes have been made before now, and -explained afterwards.”</p> - -<p>“Mistake and murder are both spelt with an M,” I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> -said recklessly. “But a murdered Englishman is not -by any means easy to explain away.”</p> - -<p>A long tense silence followed. He broke it by asking -abruptly, seeking to catch me unawares:</p> - -<p>“What’s this I hear about your love for the Princess -Christina?”</p> - -<p>“How on earth can I know what your spies or my -enemies tell you?” I replied, not for a moment off my -guard.</p> - -<p>“Do you dream of making her your wife?”</p> - -<p>“Hasn’t she promised to marry the Duke Sergius?”</p> - -<p>“Is it true that you love her?”</p> - -<p>“If it were you are scarcely the man to whom I -should bring such a confidence.”</p> - -<p>“What’s your object here in Sofia?”</p> - -<p>“To be allowed to mind my own business.”</p> - -<p>“What is that business, as you call it?”</p> - -<p>“My own concern,” I retorted as sharply as I could -rap out the words. It was as clear as daylight that I -had touched him with my threat, or he would never -continue to question me. I was winning.</p> - -<p>“What does your Government want?” he asked, -after a pause to recover from his chagrin at my former -replies.</p> - -<p>“How should I know—except to have their subjects -left unmolested?” I was determined to rub this in, -and I could see he relished this last rub no better than -the first.</p> - -<p>“If you refuse to answer my questions you leave -me but one alternative,” he threatened.</p> - -<p>“Take it,” I answered lightly. “You take it, of -course, with your eyes open.”</p> - -<p>“You have been engaged in a conspiracy against the -Russian influence?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span>“I have been engaged in that conspiracy carried on -In the Name of a Woman, if that’s what you mean. -And, as you are perfectly aware, with not only your -consent, but approval and encouragement.”</p> - -<p>“You have been working secretly for another object,” -he cried angrily.</p> - -<p>“Are you accusing the Princess Christina of treachery?”</p> - -<p>“Your tongue is as skilful in fence as your sword,” -he said, smiling grimly. “But you know my meaning -perfectly.”</p> - -<p>“Then pack me off to Tirnova—if you think you -have proof to prove the unprovable; and at the same -time show your hand to the rest of Europe. No, no, -General Kolfort,” I said, smiling and shaking my head, -as though the thing were no more than a jest, “that -cock won’t fight, and you know it.”</p> - -<p>“I regard you and could deal with you as a renegade -Bulgarian officer conspiring against your Prince; a -crime that merits imprisonment.”</p> - -<p>“Very good and plausible, no doubt—were it not for -the precaution that I have taken to let people in London -know differently. But if that’s to be your line, -we shall have the gaols pretty full here, and you and I, -General, will be able to resume our interesting conferences, -hobnobbing in one of them on more equal terms -than here;” and I wagged my head at him again.</p> - -<p>The taunt enraged him. His eyes flashed fire, and -a flush of wrath tinged his dried, wrinkled, parchment -cheeks. He sprang to his feet and sounded the bell on -his table furiously.</p> - -<p>“I will put your devil-may-care humour to the test. -You shall go to Tirnova.”</p> - -<p>“As you please,” I answered, surprised now in my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> -turn, for I had not thought he would dare to push matters -to extremes. “I will tell you one thing. My arrest -will be the signal for that despatch to be forwarded. -If I do not go to Tirnova, that will not go to London.”</p> - -<p>“I care nothing for your Government,” he exclaimed, -all self-control gone in his anger. “They dare do -nothing, even if they would.”</p> - -<p>At that moment an officer entered in response to the -bell.</p> - -<p>“Arrest the Count Benderoff,” cried the General, -pointing at me a finger that trembled with rage. -“Give up your sword, sir. You are a traitor, unworthy -to bear it.”</p> - -<p>“I shall do nothing of the kind,” I said desperately. -“The man who lays a hand on me may look to himself.”</p> - -<p>“Call in your men, Captain. If he resists, shoot -him,” said the stern old man grimly, and in the moments -of waiting we looked at each other in silent -defiance. Then came the tramp of men and the clash -of arms in the room without, and a file of soldiers -marched in.</p> - -<p>“I must ask you for your sword, Count Benderoff,” -said the officer, quietly and courteously. “You will -see resistance is useless.”</p> - -<p>For a moment I still resisted and refused.</p> - -<p>“I beg you to save trouble,” he said again.</p> - -<p>“I will not,” I cried furiously. “If I am to be murdered, -it shall be done here, in the presence of my -murderer;” and I set my back to the wall and whipped -out my sword.</p> - -<p>“Shoot him down!” shouted the infuriated old man -to the soldiers, who levelled their guns dead at me. -“Now, will you give up your sword?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>“No, I’ll die first, you butcher!” I exclaimed, setting -my teeth.</p> - -<p>“Do your duty, Captain,” said the inflexible old -martinet.</p> - -<p>“Count Benderoff, let me make another request,” he -said, daring even the General’s displeasure in his reluctance -to give the command.</p> - -<p>“No; you shall butcher me here.”</p> - -<p>A moment of terrible strain followed, and then in -the room without the sounds of some confusion were -heard, and an exclamation of surprise from one or two -of the men there. Quick, light steps fled across to the -room where we stood.</p> - -<p>“Shut that door,” cried the General.</p> - -<p>But the order was too late, and the Princess Christina -came rushing in, her face deathly white with alarm -at what she saw, while with the quickness of thought -she placed herself between me and the soldiers who -covered me with their muskets.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XX<br /> - - -<small>A WARNING</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Princess looked magnificent in the fire of anger -which succeeded her alarm, as she turned to the old -Kolfort for an explanation.</p> - -<p>“I presume you will scarcely order your soldiers to -shoot me,” she said, facing him grandly, her eyes -flashing.</p> - -<p>I slipped my sword back into its scabbard, and the -General made a peremptory sign to the Captain to -withdraw his men.</p> - -<p>We waited in silence while the order was given, and -the men filed out, followed by the Captain.</p> - -<p>“Remain in the ante-room,” said the General.</p> - -<p>“You mistake me greatly, General Kolfort, if you -think your soldiers will be needed for work like this,” -cried the Princess. “Pray what is the explanation of -what I saw when I arrived?”</p> - -<p>I thought I could best give that, and said:</p> - -<p>“General Kolfort had arrested me, and when I refused -to give up my sword had ordered these men of -his to shoot me.”</p> - -<p>“Is this possible?” she cried, her indignation flaming -in her face. “And yet of course it is. I have heard -within the last few minutes of what was done last -night and of this visit of yours, Count Benderoff, and -I hurried here, fearing mischief. Thank Heaven, I -arrived in time; but I did not dream such an infamous -act would ever be attempted.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>“Infamous is a strong word, Princess,” said Kolfort -sternly.</p> - -<p>“I use it because I can find no stronger,” was the -quick, spirited retort. “By what right, and in whose -name, do you contemplate such an outrage?”</p> - -<p>“The General declared that I was a renegade officer -plotting against the reigning Prince, and that I therefore -deserved imprisonment in the fortress of Tirnova. -The General himself being, of course, so zealous a loyalist, -the thought that anyone should so conspire was -naturally repugnant to him.”</p> - -<p>I threw as much irony into my tone as I could, and -ended with an intentionally aggravating and somewhat -insolent sneer. I wished to put as ugly a complexion -as possible on his conduct.</p> - -<p>“The matter is one which you and I had better discuss -in private, Princess,” said the old man, who was -now fast recovering his habitual self-restraint.</p> - -<p>“Why in private?”</p> - -<p>“Because I prefer it, Princess.”</p> - -<p>“I see no reason. The Count is fully aware of all -our matters, is one of my most trusted advisers and -friends, and his welfare and safety touch me very -closely. The matter can be settled here and now.”</p> - -<p>“You are presuming much——”</p> - -<p>“I do not understand the word presumption in such -a case, and from you, General Kolfort,” cried Christina, -proudly, “and I will not hear it.”</p> - -<p>“If your Highness has no further need of my services, -nor of the influence of my Government in your -affairs, you have but to say so,” he said in a tone of -calculated menace. But he didn’t frighten my brave -and staunch Princess, and she answered him in a tone -of queenly dignity.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span>“If your services can go no higher than the cold-blooded -murder of my friends and adherents, I shall be -glad for your Government to release you from a position -that you fill in a manner so unworthy of Russia -and so bitterly hateful to myself.”</p> - -<p>He had drawn a blank in the attempt to intimidate -her, and was quick to see and wily enough to abandon -it.</p> - -<p>“Yet I have not been unmindful hitherto of your -interests,” he answered.</p> - -<p>“Hitherto they do not appear to have clashed with -your own plans and private animosities,” she flashed, -with a sting that festered at once.</p> - -<p>“This is rather a matter of your private feelings -than mine,” he said, with a significant glance in my -direction.</p> - -<p>“I will not affect to misunderstand you,” she answered -readily, with mounting colour. “Our interview -yesterday makes that unnecessary. That, as I read it, -is the real reason at the bottom of this last act of yours. -I gave my word then to marry the Duke Sergius, and -I would have kept it at all hazards. But I did not -mean, and will not suffer, that my marriage with the -Duke should be the death-sentence upon Count -Benderoff.”</p> - -<p>“You ‘would have kept’ your word. Do you -mean——?” He paused; and how I hung upon her -reply may be imagined.</p> - -<p>“I mean that, as the Duke has involved himself in -a quarrel, and been seriously wounded for his pains, I -cannot well become his wife the day after to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“There must be no delay,” he retorted quickly.</p> - -<p>“Delay!” she cried, her eyes flashing again brilliantly. -“Do you think if you had murdered my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> -friend here, or if you dared to thrust him into a prison, -that I would ever make a marriage that at the best -must be hateful to me?”</p> - -<p>“This friendship of yours threatens to be exceedingly -inconvenient; and if you mean to allow it to interfere -with urgent matters of State, we may as well -abandon all our plans, or look for some other means -of carrying them out.”</p> - -<p>“If a policy of murder is your only alternative, I -agree with you,” she exclaimed, taking up his challenge -instantly. “I will not have the steps of my throne -running with blood shed by Russia.”</p> - -<p>He bit his lip in chagrin and manifest embarrassment.</p> - -<p>He might well be embarrassed. He had fired his two -big guns—a threat first to withdraw from her cause and -then to throw her over—and had found them both -burst at the breech. A long pause followed, in which -I watched his face closely. He appeared to come suddenly -to a fresh decision, and changed his manner -accordingly.</p> - -<p>“Well, I am sorry to have distressed you, Princess. -What is it you wish?”</p> - -<p>“I will not have Count Benderoff, or any of my -friends, subjected to interference at the hands of your -agents. Their personal freedom and safety are my -special charge.”</p> - -<p>“The Count is at liberty to leave,” he replied on the -instant, in his more customary curt, decisive tone. -“And I trust his future actions will not bring him -again in conflict with me. He may take this as a -warning.”</p> - -<p>“I have done nothing in this case, and need no -warning,” I said warmly. “If you allege anything<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> -against me, I am prepared to take the consequences, -and demand to stand my trial.”</p> - -<p>“This is no occasion that calls for mock heroics,” he -sneered. “In my opinion you should be in Tirnova; -but the Princess has thought well to interfere in your -behalf, and I bow to her wishes—for the present. That -is all.”</p> - -<p>“For the second time I owe my safety, and probably -my life, to you, Princess,” I said, advancing to -her. “I have no words to thank you.”</p> - -<p>“If you wish to show your thanks you had better -stop that despatch you told me of,” interposed the -General, not without a note of concern in his voice.</p> - -<p>“There is no need for it if I am to remain at liberty,” -I answered, half disposed to smile.</p> - -<p>“I am ashamed there should have been this need for -my interference, Count,” said the Princess, looking at -me and smiling.</p> - -<p>“I trust that there may come a chance for me to -prove my gratitude,” I replied, scarce daring to meet -her eyes; and with that I withdrew.</p> - -<p>As I passed through the ante-chamber I was stopped -by the Captain, whose men remained there on guard.</p> - -<p>“I hope I am to let you pass, Count,” he said most -courteously.</p> - -<p>“General Kolfort has this moment said I am at -liberty to go.”</p> - -<p>“You know how strict our discipline is. Will you -wait while, as a matter of form, I obtain his confirmation?”</p> - -<p>“Most willingly,” I asserted. He went to the General’s -room, and in a moment returned smiling and -holding out his hand.</p> - -<p>“I am delighted. I know of you, of course, and,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> -believe me, I have never passed through a more embarrassing -minute in my life than that in his room.” -His manner was so unaffectedly frank and friendly that -I shook his hand cordially, and he came with me down -the stairs and out into the street.</p> - -<p>“I heard an account of last night’s proceedings from -one who was at Metzler’s house, Count; I hope you -do not judge us all by such an instance. I have just -heard also what occurred this morning;” and in his -tone and manner he contrived to convey a genuine -compliment to my skill. “The Duke is well punished.”</p> - -<p>“I shall be glad to hear how he progresses,” I said, -as my man brought my horse up.</p> - -<p>“I hear that you have an excellent shooting gallery -at your house, and that you are a remarkable shot.”</p> - -<p>“Will you care to come and see it?”</p> - -<p>“Immensely, and perhaps to try the foils with -you;” and his face lighted as though I were granting -him a great favour when I asked him to dine with me. -I rode off, thankful indeed that I was still free, speculating -whether I could in some way attach this Russian -to me; and, what was still more important, wondering -what lay behind the sudden change in old -Kolfort’s manner, and whether he was concocting some -further subtle plan against me.</p> - -<p>Before I reached my house I had resolved on an -important step, as the result of these later developments. -After I had sent to Zoiloff to let him know -what had happened, I wrote a fresh despatch to send -to London, embodying much of what I had before -written, and giving a brief description of my treatment -at the General’s hands. I urged at greater length and -with more insistence the desirability of steps being -taken immediately on the lines I had suggested, declaring<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> -that there was necessity for immediate action; -that I believed a complete change of front was contemplated -by General Kolfort; that the Foreign Office -must be prepared instantly with a successor to the -reigning Prince—otherwise a <i>coup d’état</i> would be carried -out, which I was convinced would result in Russia -being left the complete master of the position; and -that the one key to the situation would be found in -timing the Prince’s abdication with the finding of a -successor who would not be Russia’s tool. And I -declared strongly in favour of the Princess Christina.</p> - -<p>As soon as I had finished it I sent for my servant -Markov, who had been away with me the previous -night, and explained to him that he was to carry it to -Nish, and place it in the hands of the British consul -there, and at the same time deliver a letter, which I -wrote to Lieutenant Spernow. This note was to tell -him to destroy the first despatch.</p> - -<p>“When you leave Nish,” I added, explaining the -next step, “you will return to the frontier by train, -and from there to Sofia you must organize relays of -horses at distances of from ten to twelve miles, avoiding -the main road where possible, so that at any -moment I can make sure of a quick, clear journey from -here to the frontier. Spare no money in the effort to -do the work well and quickly. You must have it complete -in four days at the outside, three if possible. -Choose your agents with great care, and give no hint -for whom the work is being done. If questions are -pressed, you can say it is in connection with a wager -between Russian officers. I trust you implicitly, -Markov,” I concluded. “And if you serve me well I -will give you such a reward as will make you independent -for life.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span>He assured me earnestly of his attachment to me, -and said that, as he came from that part of the -country, he knew just the people who would do what -was needed. Then he added a characteristically Bulgarian -touch: “They know me well in those parts, -Count, and they hope that some day I shall settle -among them. I am looking forward to being able to -buy a small farm that I know of there, and marry.” I -took the hint.</p> - -<p>“Do this for me well, and I will buy the farm for -you.”</p> - -<p>“My lord is generosity itself!” cried the fellow, his -face radiant with glee, and I knew I could depend upon -a man of his kind when his personal feelings and self-interest -were running in double harness.</p> - -<p>My object was, of course, to prepare the means of -flight should that become at any moment imperative; -and such a contingency grew more probable the more -closely I reflected upon what had passed at my interview -with the General. And I explained my views to -Zoiloff, who came hurrying to me on the receipt of -my letter, and told him what I had done.</p> - -<p>The Russian officer, Captain Wolasky, dined with -me, and we spent an hour together in the shooting -gallery. I did my utmost to create a favourable impression -upon him, and appeared to be very successful; -for he expressed a warm wish that we might see -more of one another, and we parted on particularly -friendly terms. I was careful, of course, to avoid any -reference to political matters; but he himself let fall -enough to show me that his work in Sofia was exceedingly -distasteful, and that he had little sympathy with -Kolfort’s policy, and none at all with his methods.</p> - -<p>“Russia must, of course, dominate the Balkans;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> -that is the law of Nature,” he said once; “but I detest -a roundabout way of going to a mark when a straight -road could be cut with ease. That’s old Kolfort’s way, -however. He’s just like a man grubbing in a cellar for -coals, and will insist on having every little bit of rubbish -through his fingers and storing and binning it for -future use, as if he expected the day to come when -rubbish would be worth more than coal, whereas one -vigorous use of the shovel would give him all the coal -he wants at once.”</p> - -<p>I was far from displeased to find him out of conceit -with the General, but said nothing.</p> - -<p>“What could have been more abominable and disgusting -than his treatment of you to-day?” he exclaimed, -when my wine had begun to heat him. “It’s -that sort of barbarism that brings us Russians into -such ill-repute. I know what would have happened. -He would have given that order to shoot you without -turning a hair and then would have drawn up some -bogus report or other about you having made a desperate -attack upon his life, and have called upon me -to witness it. I suppose he hates you for some reason, -and that’s at the bottom of it. There are plenty of -black pages in his past, I can tell you.”</p> - -<p>“You had better not,” I answered, smiling. I did -not wish him to have the after-reflection that he had -been talking too freely. If he were inclined to give -me his confidence he should not lack opportunities; -and I pressed him warmly, therefore, to come and see -me frequently.</p> - -<p>He came the next day when Zoiloff was with me, -and again on the following day, when Spernow had returned, -and we encouraged his intimacy in every possible -way. Zoiloff, in the meantime, had made guarded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> -inquiries about him, having at first been disposed to -distrust him as a possible spy acting in General Kolfort’s -interest. He had found out that he was as genuine -as he seemed—a man with no family influence to -push his interests, of no means of his own, and constantly -standing in his own light because of his -scruples, and a blunt, rugged way of expressing them.</p> - -<p>“A man not to be bought, but to be won,” declared -Zoiloff. “And, once won, to be trusted. He may be -valuable to us;” and so indeed the event proved.</p> - -<p>On the occasion of his fourth visit I noticed that he -was reserved and seemed preoccupied, and while we -were all going through our practice in the gallery he -joined in it with small zest. We three were even -more jubilant than usual. We had been pushing forward -our preparations with the greatest energy and -activity, and Zoiloff had declared to me his belief that -in another ten days or a fortnight we might venture to -make the <i>coup</i> towards which all our efforts were bent. -Men had been sounded in all directions, and fresh adherents -had come in in large numbers, and with great -enthusiasm.</p> - -<p>I myself had not seen the Princess since the memorable -interview at the General’s house; but she knew of -all that we were doing. The marriage had been rendered -impossible for the moment because the Duke’s -wound had taken a turn for the worse, and he lay battling -almost for life. We had had no hint that our -suspicions of a change of front on Kolfort’s part had -any foundation; and our hopes ran high therefore that, -after all, we should yet carry things through with a -dash.</p> - -<p>When our fencing was over, I observed that Captain -Wolasky hung about as if waiting for Zoiloff and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> -Spernow to go; and I dropped them a hint quietly -that they had better do so.</p> - -<p>As soon as we were alone, the Captain said:</p> - -<p>“I am afraid this may be my last visit, Count.”</p> - -<p>“Oh no, I hope not. Why?”</p> - -<p>“You will not betray my confidence, I am sure. I -have received a hint that my coming here is not acceptable -to those in authority—to old Kolfort that means, -of course.”</p> - -<p>“Believe me, I am genuinely sorry. It cuts short -what I hoped would be a pleasant friendship.” I spoke -in all sincerity, for I liked him. “But I can understand -your position.”</p> - -<p>“That is not all,” he added, and then hesitated and -paused. I waited anxiously. “Of course I ought not -to say anything to you, but you have been so exceedingly -friendly. You may have heard that strange developments -are on foot?”</p> - -<p>“No, I have heard nothing.” I began to take -alarm.</p> - -<p>“I am, of course, precluded from telling you their -nature; but I should ill return your hospitality if I -were not to give you a word of warning. You may -prepare yourself for a startling change, likely to involve -very serious consequences to you personally—if -you remain in Sofia;” and his look said more than his -words.</p> - -<p>“You mean, I am in some danger?”</p> - -<p>“Very grave danger, Count, and not you only.”</p> - -<p>“I may not ask you whom you mean?”</p> - -<p>“No, I am afraid not. But there is one person in -whom report says you take a deep interest. I beg -your pardon for even referring to such a matter. But -the danger is very grave and—well, the frontier is very<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> -near, and not yet closed. I can say no more, and, indeed, -I am sure I need not.”</p> - -<p>“You have acted the part of a true friend, Captain. -How long will the frontier be open? May I ask -that?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I am expecting orders at any moment to -guard a certain line of it, and the cordon will be very -securely drawn.”</p> - -<p>This was news indeed, and for long after he had left -me I sat brooding over it deep in thought. I was right -after all, it seemed; and the cunning old Russian -spider had woven a fresh web.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXI<br /> - - -<small>FIGHT OR FLIGHT?</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">With</span> the following day came startling confirmation -of Captain Wolasky’s warning. While I was with the -regiment a letter was brought to me from the Prince -requesting me to wait upon him.</p> - -<p>I found him labouring under considerable excitement, -pacing the floor restlessly and awaiting me impatiently.</p> - -<p>“I thought you were never coming, Count,” he said, -irritably. “There seems to be no one now on whom -I can rely.”</p> - -<p>“I came the instant I received your command, your -Highness.”</p> - -<p>“Then there must have been some strange delay in -giving my message. I cannot understand it.”</p> - -<p>“Is there anything in which I can serve you?”</p> - -<p>“I wish to Heaven you could get me out of this -wretched kingdom honourably. That would serve -me.” The words burst from him in obedience to an -irresistible impulse. “I am sick and weary to death -of it all;” and he continued his restless pacing for -three lengths of the room. He stopped abruptly and -threw himself into a chair close to me.</p> - -<p>“Sit here,” he cried, pointing to the chair next him. -“I want to speak frankly to you.” He paused again, -and then laying his hand on my arm said very earnestly:<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> -“My friend, you are playing a deadly game—and, -mark me, you are going to be defeated.”</p> - -<p>“Your Highness means——?” I asked steadily.</p> - -<p>“That your ideal is magnificent and worthy of you, -full worthy of any Englishman—but impossible.”</p> - -<p>“I am flattered to hear such words from you,” I -replied cautiously, but he caught me up and answered -sharply:</p> - -<p>“For Heaven’s sake, Count, don’t answer me with -any courtly phrasings that come tripping off the lips -and mean nothing when spoken. I don’t ask you for -your confidence, unless you care to give it to me. I’ll -tell you what I know about you first.”</p> - -<p>“The Countess Bokara has no doubt——”</p> - -<p>“Yes, of course she has; she has told me all she -knows, or guesses, or suspects, or whatever it may be. -But while it was only what she said I did not think of -seeing you or interfering with you. But I have learnt -it now from another source—one vastly more important. -And that’s what I mean when I tell you that -you are steering straight for the rocks and are dead -certain to be shipwrecked. Listen to me. You are -in love with the Princess, and naturally enough people -credit you with the intention of trying to climb into -the throne by——”</p> - -<p>“It is monstrous,” I cried, unable to keep silent.</p> - -<p>“I hope your repudiation comes from your heart—I -hope it for your own sake; for there is no happiness -under such a crown as I wear, Count Benderoff,” said -the Prince bitterly. “Men think of the dazzle, the -pomp, and the grandeur, the magnificence, and forget -the dangers, the cares, the awful loneliness. If you -seek happiness, seek it not in the glitter of a king’s -garb, but in the frank enjoyment of true manliness.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> -A monarch has mighty opportunities of making others -happy, but himself is doomed to sorrow and solitude. -There is no solitude that this life can know half so -awful in its depression as that which hedges a king. -You seek advice, you find intrigue; you hunger for -the truth, and they feed you with the bitter apples of -flattery; you yearn for the sweet counsel of a friend, -and you meet the tempered phrasings of a courtier. -Your every word is weighed in the balance of your -hearer’s self-interest, your every thought is caught -still-born and distorted, your every action is judged -by the sordid standard of some intrigue, and every -motive twisted and dissected, and analysed and maligned, -till your very face becomes a mask to hide your -mind, lest your enemies should use your looks to help -the plans which their malice is spreading under your -very eyes. God, it is unbearable.”</p> - -<p>I listened in silence to this outburst.</p> - -<p>“You wonder why I speak like this to you. I can -read it in your eyes—for am I not trained to find the -truth in the face and hear the lies in the voice? Well, -I would warn you, and more, I would warn that good, -true, noble woman whom you love. Time was when -I hated her, and believed all the harm that was said of -her; but now that I have learnt her real object—to -act, not with, but against, the bloodsuckers who seek -to devour the land—I know her goodness and sincerity. -But the movement must fail. The Russians know of -it, General Kolfort best of all, and he has already taken -his measures to thwart you all. And you will find his -hand a heavy one, Count. If the Princess Christina -had succeeded in gaining the throne on her own terms—I -mean by means of the men you and those with you -were seeking to train as her adherents—she must still<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> -have failed in her object, and have doomed herself to -a lot as miserable and hopeless as mine has been. But -Kolfort does not mean her to succeed; and, I warn -you, the measures of prevention will be sharp, sudden, -and terrible in their severity.”</p> - -<p>I sat amazed and disconcerted at his words.</p> - -<p>“You wonder how I know all this, and set it down -to the Countess Bokara. Of course, she has told me; -but I have my news straight from General Kolfort -himself. You little know Bulgaria or the Bulgarians, -or you would have seen the consummate hopelessness -of trying to avoid treachery. Every man you have -added to your band has been a fresh centre of probable -treachery. The rule here is each man for himself; and -some one of the men with you was bound to ask himself -in time whether he could not gain more for himself -by carrying the news to the Russians than by -standing true to a desperate cause like your Princess’s. -Someone has betrayed you; and the betrayal began -when your love was known. They do not believe in -disinterested love in this country, Count. The peasants -may, but no one else. And when that secret -leaked out, General Kolfort’s task of suborning a -traitor became easy enough. If I knew the scoundrel’s -name I would give it you, that you might cut -his heart and tongue out for his cowardice. But, believe -me, everything is known—everything. And your -knowledge of that grim Russian leader may tell you -what to expect.” He spoke with all the earnestness -of a troubled friend; and I could not doubt him.</p> - -<p>“When did your Highness learn this?” I asked -after a pause.</p> - -<p>“Yesterday. Three days ago, the General came to -me with proposals that showed he had some fresh<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> -plans in mind. He was all for my remaining here as -reigning Prince, and offered to concede more than half -the conditions of freedom of action I had before demanded. -It was a pity to disturb the country by a -change of rulers; the country was thriving under my -wise rule; the people were growing more contented, -and the malcontents could be overawed; the advantages -of my rule were appreciated in St. Petersburg, -and the basis of achieving mutual ends might probably -be arranged with honour to me and substantial -benefit to the country; and so on for an hour or more -he prated. I asked the reason for the change of tone, -and he hummed and hesitated, and, in a word, lied. I -said I must have time to think; and he gave me till -yesterday. Last night he came with his tale prepared—that -the Princess was conspiring for an end hostile -to both my aims and those of Russia; that you were -her right hand and had been set on by her to fight and -kill the Duke Sergius, but had succeeded only in wounding -him; that your plot was to use the Russian influence -to gain the throne and then yourself marry her -and reign as her consort; and to gain this end you -were both prepared to throw the country into the -throes of a civil war which God forfend, and so on, till -I was sick to death of his intriguing slanders. I tried -to lure him on to tell me what he proposed for you, -but he contented himself with saying he had all but -completed what I might rely upon would be effectual -measures of precaution.”</p> - -<p>“May I venture to ask how your Highness answered -him?”</p> - -<p>“How should I answer him but as I have always -answered? That I would never bend the knee to -Russia; that I did not believe St. Petersburg would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> -ever sanction any such arrangement as he outlined; -and that if what he stated of the objects of the Princess -were true, I would be the first to abdicate in her -favour and join with her in her efforts, shouldering a -musket if need be, in the ranks of the men to fight for -her; and that would I, Count, if I saw the faintest -gleam of a hope of success. But there is not a chance, -no jot or tittle of hope.”</p> - -<p>“Now that we have been betrayed, that is.”</p> - -<p>“Before the betrayal the chances were not one in a -hundred; now they are not one in a million. There is -but one course for you and for her—flight, and at once.”</p> - -<p>“She will not desert the men who have stood by her. -Nor shall I,” I answered firmly.</p> - -<p>“As you will. The Russian preparations are all but -complete; Russian troops are being hurried to the -Black Sea; the slightest sign or movement on your -part will be seized on as the pretext for measures as -drastic as Russian measures commonly are; and you -yourselves, you two in particular and all associated as -leaders with you, will be treated you can guess how. -Russia knows how to treat her friends badly enough; -but no one ever yet accused her of not dealing effectively -with her enemies. You have been blind, Count; -but then a man in love is seldom anything else.”</p> - -<p>It was useless to pretend that I was not vastly -affected by what the Prince told me. I read in it ruin -and worse than ruin to everything, and my heart sank -at the prospect before Christina.</p> - -<p>“Your warnings, and more, the kindly motives that -have prompted them, have moved me deeply, your -Highness.”</p> - -<p>“They had better move you out of Bulgaria. But -that is your personal affair. I have told you, because<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span> -of the service you rendered to one who is now, I regret, -your enemy.”</p> - -<p>“Your Highness knows of the attempt on the Princess -Christina’s life,” I asked.</p> - -<p>“To my shame and sorrow, I do. She must not -think that I would have countenanced such a thing for -a moment,” he said in tone of deep pain.</p> - -<p>“She does not,” I assured him.</p> - -<p>“That you thwarted it is another service you have -rendered me, which adds to my eagerness to help you -both to safety. But even on the throne here I am -powerless to help my friends. Ay, and even my friends -are driven to inflict deeper wounds upon me than my -enemies.” His manner was that of a weak, hopeless, -dejected, sorrow-broken man. “You have spoken of -that deed, and I will tell you. Since I knew of it, I -have refused to see the Countess. I cannot see her -again; and I learn that in the mad hope of helping my -fallen cause she has been in communication with Kolfort, -leading him to think that I could be induced to -remain here. And I declare to you, Count, I do not -pass an hour, day or night, that is not care-ridden by -the fear of some yet more desperate deed she may -attempt—the consequences of which must fall on my -head. Every step she takes adds to either my danger -or my disrepute. And I can do nothing.” He wrung -his hands in weak unavailing despair.</p> - -<p>I rose to leave; and, looking up half-eagerly, he -asked:</p> - -<p>“And will the British Government do nothing?” -The question was so absolutely inconsequential, and -suggested motives behind it so utterly at variance with -his attitude and words, that I was surprised. At one -moment he was declaiming against the miseries of his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span> -position, and yet now he was clinging to the throne, -like a drowning man to a spar, with a vague reasonless -hope that even England would risk a war with Russia -to maintain him upon it.</p> - -<p>“I have not the remotest right to say a word on that -matter, your Highness; but personally I do not think -for a moment that any interference can be looked for.”</p> - -<p>“Then all is indeed lost!” he exclaimed, throwing -up his hands, and sighing heavily. “Farewell, Count, -let it be farewell; and do your utmost to snatch that -brave girl you love from the ruin that threatens to -overwhelm her.”</p> - -<p>I needed no words of his to spur me to such an effort, -and as soon as I left the Palace, in grievous trouble -at all that I had heard, I sent a message for Zoiloff to -come to me at once, and hurried home to try and strike -out some line of action to meet this most dire emergency.</p> - -<p>My impulse was to fight—to strike our blow without -a day’s delay; to take the Prince at his word—if he -had meant it; to get him to abdicate on the very next -day, and have the Princess proclaimed ruler in his -stead. Our preparations were not ready, and the <i>coup</i> -would be much less effective than if we could have had -time to complete everything. But then neither was -General Kolfort. He had not openly abandoned -Christina’s cause, and might be half afraid to oppose -her, if once on the throne, and without the aid of the -troops which the Prince had told me were being hurried -up to his support. For him to cause a civil war -was to take a step in the face of Europe which might -cost him dear, and force the other Powers to interfere—the -one step that Russia dreaded.</p> - -<p>Unprepared as we were, and much as we had to gain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> -by a few days’ delay, Kolfort had much more to gain. -When once his grip had tightened in the way he projected, -there would not remain a vestige of hope for -us. Clearly, then, if we meant to fight, we must do -it at once.</p> - -<p>It must be fight or flight.</p> - -<p>In regard to the latter, I found Markov had returned, -and he assured me he had carried out my plans to the -letter—had even improved upon them, for he had told -me he had arranged for the last stage of the journey -to be by a very slightly known route to the frontier.</p> - -<p>“I did this,” he explained, “because I heard rumours -of certain changes as to the guardianship of the frontier -roads, and I thought it well to choose the route which -would be the least difficult in case of trouble.”</p> - -<p>“You have done well, Markov, and have earned your -reward,” I said.</p> - -<p>“You will let me stay with you to the last, my -Lord?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“I wish it above all things, for I need faithful men -about me.”</p> - -<p>When Zoiloff came I explained my views, putting -bluntly the alternative of fight or flight, and he was all -for fighting. But he shook his head gloomily at the -chances.</p> - -<p>“We have left to the last the most hazardous work -of all,” he said, “and yet in some respects the most -important. I mean the winning over of some of those -men, the politicians, the men of tongues not deeds, -whose names are most before the public. They are -the most dangerous of all to meddle with, and yet -without them I fear for the result. And we cannot -draw them to us until we can show that the army is -on our side.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span>“And what of the army?”</p> - -<p>“We have done all that human effort could achieve -in the time—but we could not do impossibilities. On -the troops in Philippopoli I believe we can count -surely. General Montkouroff is Bulgarian to the -core, and where he leads the majors will follow. He -has been sounded and will act with us. But here in -Sofia there is not a regiment, except that to which I -and Spernow belong, which would not turn against us. -This disposition of the troops has all been arranged -by Russia and the traitors who are Russia’s friends. -The risk is tremendous.”</p> - -<p>“There is no alternative but flight, remember.”</p> - -<p>“And fly I will not. Come what may, we will -strike.”</p> - -<p>“If the Princess will,” said I. “We must see her -at once.” And in this mood we started for her house, -Zoiloff urging me on the way to see her alone.</p> - -<p>“You have more influence with her than all of us -put together,” he said quickly. “I will remain at hand, -and you can call me in if you cannot prevail. But you -are right, Count, and I am with you hand and heart. -We must either strike an imperfect blow at once or -abandon everything.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXII<br /> - - -<small>THE HOUR OF INDECISION</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">My</span> anticipations of the interview with Christina -were a mingling of pleasure and apprehension. I was -longing to see her. I had not set eyes on her for four -days, and, busily as the time had been filled, my -thoughts had been constantly with her. I recalled, -too, with a feeling of mixed tenderness and pain, how -she had then said we must not meet again alone, -and at the recollection my pulses thrilled again with -the sad sweetness of our acknowledged but never to be -avowed love.</p> - -<p>The knowledge of her present danger moved me -deeply. I had to tell her the ill news myself, and, in -telling it, to urge her to take the course which I knew -must put an impassable gulf between us. It had been -easy enough for me, in consultation with Zoiloff, when -we were both staggered by this new development, to -decide for the counsel of energy and to choose the -course which, while loyal to Christina, my Princess, -was traitor to Christina, my love. But if she would -fly the country, there would be no longer the barrier of -a throne between us.</p> - -<p>And in the minutes I was alone waiting for her coming, -the thought of all I was to lose in losing her, and -of all I was to gain if she would consent to flight, -threatened to make a coward of me and urged me to -plead with all a lover’s strength that she should choose -the course which would make her my wife. Away<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> -from her I could be the impassionate adviser, but in her -presence, with the light of her eyes upon my face, with -my heart glowing and throbbing with the knowledge -of my love for her and hers for me, it would be hard -to be more than a lover, and, being that, not to set -the hopes and desires of our love beyond all other -consideration.</p> - -<p>I had to wait some minutes for her; and, as they -passed, the struggle grew fiercer, the temptation -strengthened, and the fear of losing her waxed until I -was almost impelled to call in Zoiloff to prop my -stumbling resolve. There were so many arguments to -favour flight. The road was still open; the means -were instantly available; safety could be won in a few -hours—long before this Russian tyrant could strike; -the Prince had counselled, even urged it; the Russian -captain had done the same; all were convinced that -safety could lie in no other course.</p> - -<p>And if we struck and failed, what outlook was there -but humiliation, ill-usage, a prison, and possibly death? -Love was calling to us both on that frontier road, and -smiling with the promise of a life of rare delight; and -here in the city stood the gaunt shadow of menacing -defeat, with all its grim terrors and gloomy threats of -ruthless indignity, and quenchless, loveless sorrow and -separation. Is it to be wondered at that I hearkened -for the moment to the whispering invitation of love, -and closed my ears to aught beside?</p> - -<p>But before she came I had fought it back, thrusting -the temptation away from me as a thing dishonourable -and unclean, and I rose to greet her with a heart as full -of loyalty as of love. She was looking sad and -troubled, and she bowed to me merely, not giving me -her hand as on former visits.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span>“I had not thought that we should be alone again, -Count Benderoff,” she said, a little formally; and I -hoped I could detect in this reception and in the light -of her eyes when they fell upon me the sight of a personal -feeling of pleasure that needed to be held firmly -in check. I adopted a tone of formality that equalled -her own.</p> - -<p>“I had not forgotten your wish, Princess, but I have -been compelled by grave circumstances to come to you -thus. Have you heard any news? Your anxious -looks suggest that you may know what I have to -tell.”</p> - -<p>“I have heard nothing. Is there bad news?”</p> - -<p>“I grieve to say it is of the worst.”</p> - -<p>“This time, at least, you are the bearer of it,” she -replied, smiling faintly. “And I can trust you to tell -me frankly. What is it?”</p> - -<p>I told her plainly everything. First, the warning -which the Russian officer, Captain Wolasky, had given -me on the previous evening; and his strong advice that -she should fly before it was too late. Then, in great -detail, all that had passed between the Prince and -myself that morning.</p> - -<p>She was very pale and much agitated as my narrative -proceeded; but she interrupted me scarcely once, -and at the close sank back in her seat, and with her -hands across her eyes remained buried in thought.</p> - -<p>“It is hard news to hear,” she said despondently. -“You say it spells the ruin of everything.”</p> - -<p>“It is to the full as hard for me to tell as for you -to hear,” I answered gently. “But it is no moment to -flinch from the facts, however ugly. I fear it means -the ruin of everything.” At my gloomy words she -shuddered, and sat for some minutes silent in dismay.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span> -When she turned her face to me, it was so full of anguish -and pain that it made my heart ache.</p> - -<p>“How can I save those whom I have involved in -this?”</p> - -<p>“We are thinking of you, Princess,” I answered.</p> - -<p>“Oh no, no, not of me!” she exclaimed vehemently. -“For myself I care nothing. Heaven knows, my -motives have not been inspired by mere personal ambition. -I do not crave a throne, but I have longed -with a passion I cannot perhaps make you feel, to -spread the blessing of freedom among the people. For -this end I have striven; and now it seems I have failed. -Do not think of me. I will not think of myself. But -to bring others to ruin is more than I can endure. Tell -me—what do you advise? What can I do?”</p> - -<p>“There seem but two courses open,” I said, and -told her what Zoiloff and I had agreed together.</p> - -<p>“You did not think that I would fly and leave those -who have rallied to my cause to bear the brunt while I -was seeking the coward’s refuge of safety?” she asked, -half indignant that I should even have suggested it.</p> - -<p>“No, I did not,” I answered quietly; “I knew you;” -and her eyes thanked me for the words. “I should -remind you, too, that this check has come so suddenly -and prematurely for our plans that there are very few -who are really involved in any danger. We have -barely had time to throw off the veil of Russia’s sanction -of our efforts, so that there are scarcely more than -a handful of us who know the real object of the scheme; -and General Kolfort would be unable to bring home -even to them any acts against Russia. It is he who -has encouraged the plans laid ‘In the Name of a -Woman,’ and his own writing was in evidence to prove -it. You will remember my early insistence upon the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span> -necessity for obtaining his written sanction. In the -face of that I do not see that he could produce proofs -to convict anyone except our trusty Zoiloff and Spernow, -and say two or three others.”</p> - -<p>“But yourself?” she cried, in a tone of quick alarm.</p> - -<p>“I do not regard the consequences to myself as very -serious, Princess,” I said calmly.</p> - -<p>“I shall not run away,” she said, taking what I -said as an argument in favour of her seeking her own -safety, and she paused again to think. “Could I go -myself to General Kolfort; give up everything on condition -of his visiting it all on me? I am responsible.”</p> - -<p>It was a true woman’s offer, and a noble one; but I -shook my head.</p> - -<p>“I fear it would be hopeless. He would but drag -from you all that you could tell him, and then use the -information remorselessly and without a scruple against -those implicated. You would do the very thing you -seek to avoid.” Her face fell as she saw the truth of -this, and she sighed heavily.</p> - -<p>“But this alternative—what is it but a wild forlorn -hope? A desperate step with scarce a chance of success? -May not the consequences be a thousandfold -worse than the worst that can come of doing nothing? -Have you thought of what would happen -if we failed? You said just now that so far only a few -are openly embroiled; but should we not be forcing -each man to declare himself, and would not each be -marked out plainly as a target for Russian malice?”</p> - -<p>“There is the hope of success, even if it be forlorn. -There are many of us who think it better to fight and -fail than not to fight at all.”</p> - -<p>“I do not like it; I am afraid of it. The chances<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span> -are so few; the risks so enormous to others. I dare -not sanction it.”</p> - -<p>“We are men; the cause is a noble one; enthusiasm -has spread everywhere, and a lesser spirit has ere now -led a feebler movement to success. There is not one -of us, I believe, who would stand back in fear.”</p> - -<p>“There may be bloodshed,” she cried.</p> - -<p>“Much blood has already been shed in the cause of -oppression. We must think of the ends, not the -means. A bold stroke here will bring the army in the -south to your standard—and that may do everything.”</p> - -<p>“It is a momentous decision to have to make. I -cannot make it. I must have time to think.”</p> - -<p>“Every hour that delays the decision may turn the -balance between success and failure.”</p> - -<p>“If I thought we could triumph!” she cried, her -eyes flashing and her cheeks glowing for a moment. -But she paused, the light died out as quickly as it -had come, and she shook her head mournfully. “I -must have time.”</p> - -<p>“Let me send for Captain Zoiloff. Hear him.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think he can persuade me where you fail, -Count?” she asked, her eyes burning again, but with -a different emotion.</p> - -<p>“At least I would have you hear him, Princess,” I -said, dropping my eyes and speaking as evenly as I -could command my voice.</p> - -<p>While he was sent for I stood in silence, and when -he came I told him briefly what had passed. He spoke -strongly and bluntly like the sturdy fellow he was; but -he could not prevail any more than I, and he left the -room rather abruptly.</p> - -<p>The Princess looked after him with an expression of -the deepest pain, and when she turned again to me I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> -saw the tears standing in her eyes, and her voice was -all unsteady as she cried from her heart:</p> - -<p>“Does he think I would not do this if I dared?” -And throwing herself back in her seat, she pressed her -hands to her face, quite overcome with the strain of -her emotions.</p> - -<p>I waited in much embarrassment, uncertain whether -to go or stay. Some moments passed in this tense -silence, and then, to my surprise, she turned upon me -with some indignation.</p> - -<p>“Why did you bring him here to humiliate me like -this? Does it give you pleasure to stay and witness -my weakness—or what you deem weakness? Cannot -you understand what I feel? Is everything to yield -place to ambition, and are the dictates of humanity -nothing to you? Cannot you see what I am suffering, -torn in this way by the distracting doubts of such a -crisis? Do you think these tears are not as hard for -me to shed as the blood of others as innocent of wrong -as God knows I am? Why do you plague me until -I—— Oh, forgive me my wild words! I don’t know -what I am saying.” And she passed in a breath from -indignation to lament.</p> - -<p>“Permit me to leave you now, Princess,” I murmured.</p> - -<p>“Would you also leave me in anger? Have I no -friend staunch enough to bear with my moods, or true -enough to understand me? Yes, Count Benderoff, if -you wish to go the way is open to you.” And, rising, -she stood erect and proud, and made me a stately bow -as of dismissal. “I can decide and act alone, if need -be.” Yet in the very moment of her passing indignation -her lip quivered and her breath was tremulous.</p> - -<p>“As God is my judge, I have no thought but for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span> -you!” I cried, with a rush of passion at the sight of -her trouble, and I threw myself on my knee before -her. “Tell me how you wish me to act, and when I -have failed reproach me with want of staunchness, but -not till then.”</p> - -<p>My voice was hoarse and broken.</p> - -<p>As I knelt I could hear the quick catches in her -breath as she stood over me, and the very rustling of -the trembling laces of her dress seemed to speak to -me of her sufferings.</p> - -<p>“I have wronged you, or worse—I have insulted -you, Count. Ah me! I who know so well how you -are indeed my friend! Do not kneel to me. It is I -who should kneel to you.” And at that her hand, -fevered and trembling, was laid gently in mine, as if to -raise me to my feet.</p> - -<p>I kissed the fingers, the tender grace of her words of -contrition almost unmanning me, and driving out all -thought but of my love and my desire to comfort her. -I rose, and, still holding her hand, gazed into her eyes, -which shone on me through the dew of her tears in a -smile of loving confidence.</p> - -<p>“I trust you wholly,” she whispered. “Help me to -do right.”</p> - -<p>“If I were thinking of myself, I would urge you with -every means in my power to fly,” I said in low, rapid -accents of passion.</p> - -<p>“No, no, you must not counsel that,” she cried -vehemently. “We must not, dare not, think of ourselves. -Spare me that temptation.”</p> - -<p>“You cannot stay here and be safe unless we make -this desperate venture.”</p> - -<p>“And the world would say I ran away because I -feared for my safety, betraying all who have sought<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span> -to help my cause; or else that I fled to——” She -paused, her face aflame with sudden blushes. “You -would not have me do that?”</p> - -<p>“You are my world,” I answered recklessly. “Listen -one moment. In our hearts we all know, Zoiloff as -well as any, that the cause is lost. Till I fired him -again—knowing how you would shrink from flight—he -was saturated with hopelessness. When he heard -the ill news, his one thought was how you could be -saved. That is the thought of us all. The way to -the frontier is still open. I have ready at instant command -the means of securing your safety. If you will -go, I will stay to check the slanderous tongues whose -malice you dread. If you bid me I will never see you -again. But for God’s sake, I implore you, leave me at -least the solace that you are safe.”</p> - -<p>The words moved her so that for a while she could -not speak, but the clasp of her hand tightened on -mine. Then she asked tenderly:</p> - -<p>“Do you think the woman in me would know a -moment’s happiness if you were in danger?”</p> - -<p>“Then let it be a woman’s decision,” I urged passionately, -carried away by the love in her voice. “Life -is all before us.”</p> - -<p>“No. It cannot be. Cannot. Must not,” and she -shook her head and shuddered. “You know what this -temptation must be to me. Do not urge it. I cannot -listen. I dare not yield. I beg you be merciful,” she -pleaded.</p> - -<p>“Then fly and let me remain,” I said.</p> - -<p>“The Princess cannot and must not go.” The words -came all reluctantly, but were firmly spoken. I saw -my pleading of love was to fail, and my heart sank. -“But you must fly!”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span>“Christina!” The name slipped in protest from -my lips before I thought, and I feared she would resent -it; and I felt her hand start.</p> - -<p>“That is the hardest plea of all you have used,” she -said softly, with a smile of rare sweetness. “Christina -is powerless to resist you, but the Princess must decide -this. Do not use that plea again.”</p> - -<p>“I must—I cannot lose you,” I cried desperately, -“I love you so.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t, please, please don’t. If I dared to think of -myself there would be no gladlier fugitive under -Heaven’s bright sky than Christina. There, I have -bared my heart to you, as I never thought to open it. -And by the love I know you have for me, and by the -love that answers it in my heart, I entreat you help -me to be strong enough to resist you. Let us never -have to think that we placed our love before our duty—however -hard and stern. Lend me your man’s -strength; I need it so sorely.” And with a little -piteous action of entreaty she placed her other hand -on mine, and gazed full into my eyes.</p> - -<p>I stood fighting down my wildly roused passion, -trembling under its stress like a child, till I conquered it.</p> - -<p>“It shall be as you wish,” I said at length. “We -will stay and face this together. But you must not -ask me again to desert you.”</p> - -<p>“There is a higher happiness than is bounded by -our own wishes only,” she whispered.</p> - -<p>“I can know no sorrow deeper than my loss of you. -But it shall be as my Princess desires;” and I bent -and kissed her hands again.</p> - -<p>“The sorrow should be the lighter if divided,” she -whispered, with a tender reproach for the selfishness -of my words.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span>“The thought made me a coward for the moment. -And no man should be a coward whose ears have been -blessed by the words which you have spoken, and the -knowledge I have gained. Forgive the cowardice.”</p> - -<p>“I would I could as easily spare you the sorrow,” -she murmured.</p> - -<p>“To do that now would be to rob my life of its one -great happiness. Come what may for me, I shall never -love again;” and with that assurance, which brought -all the love in her heart in a rush of eloquent, speaking -tenderness to her eyes, I left her, caring little indeed -what might happen to me if our union were impossible.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIII<br /> - - -<small>IN FULL CRY</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> night that followed was a memorable one in -the history of Bulgaria and, as an incident of the great -event, it brought the crisis in our affairs.</p> - -<p>It was the night in which by the machinations of -the Russian agents the Prince was abducted, and at -the point of the pistol was forced to sign an abdication -of his throne. It is not necessary for me to write -about an event which has been often enough described, -nor to tell how the crowd of unpatriotic and -disloyal officers led their troops to surround the Palace, -ordered them to fire into it, and then breaking in -forced his Highness to leave, and hurried him off to -Nikopolis, making him a prisoner on board his own -yacht, to be landed on Russian territory.</p> - -<p>Exactly what led up to this crisis I do not know. -My opinion is that General Kolfort’s offer to maintain -him on the throne on certain relaxed conditions was -genuine and would have been fulfilled, but at the same -time the alternative plot was already in progress, and -this scheme was hastened forward on the Prince’s -refusal of the Russian terms.</p> - -<p>Had our own preparations but been a couple of -weeks more forward the issue would have been different; -but, as it was, that <i>coup</i> set the final seal on -our failure.</p> - -<p>The event took us absolutely by surprise. I had retired<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span> -for the night wondering what the morrow would -bring forth, when my household were roused by a loud -summons at the door. My first thought was that the -General had again sent his men to arrest me; and I -was for resisting to the utmost, when it was discovered -that the summons came from Zoiloff and Spernow, -who had come in hot haste to bring me the great news -and to confer with me as to our actions.</p> - -<p>The perilous nature of the crisis was obvious, and -my first thought was naturally for the Princess, with a -deep and bitter regret that she had not done what I -had urged so strongly—used the means we had to -make a dash for the frontier.</p> - -<p>Choosing half-a-dozen of my servants on whom I -knew I could rely implicitly, we armed them fully and -set out on foot for the Princess’s house. The sounds -of firing from the direction of the Palace reached us -as we made our way through the streets, in which the -people were beginning to cluster in groups drawn by -curiosity and alarm, discussing in high and excited -tones the meaning of the disturbance.</p> - -<p>No one stayed or questioned us on the way to the -Princess’s house, but when we reached it we halted in -amazement. Every window was dark, not a light -showing anywhere, while the gates and doors and forecourt -were thronged with armed men.</p> - -<p>“They’ve captured her!” exclaimed Zoiloff, instantly. -“And we are helpless against such a crowd.”</p> - -<p>“We must know the truth,” I said, my heart misgiving -me. “You are best known, Spernow; go forward -and try to ascertain the truth, whether the -Princess has been carried away, and if so, where.”</p> - -<p>He went at once; and then Markov stepped up -to me.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span>“I think I can find out all. I am sure to know -some of the men,” he said.</p> - -<p>I sent him after Spernow, and stood back in the -shadow to wait with such patience as I could command. -My excitement and fear made me like a madman, -till I felt I could almost have rushed single-handed -against the troops and tried to hack my way -into the house.</p> - -<p>“This means devilish mischief, Count,” said Zoiloff -in a hushed tone. “You will be the next.”</p> - -<p>“I care nothing for myself, but I will save her,” I -said between my teeth.</p> - -<p>Spernow came back in a few minutes.</p> - -<p>“I can learn nothing. The men have orders to hold -their tongues. But the Princess is not in the house; -at least I gather that.”</p> - -<p>“Then why the devil do they guard it?” cried Zoiloff -fiercely.</p> - -<p>“They may be waiting for orders where to go next.”</p> - -<p>“It will be to your house, Count. You mustn’t -return there, but fly at once and leave us to settle -this.”</p> - -<p>“When I leave you either I shall be dead or the -Princess will be safe,” I answered hotly. “Let us -wait for Markov; he is a shrewd, cunning fellow, and -may find out something.”</p> - -<p>“I am anxious about Mademoiselle Broumoff, -Count,” said Spernow, eager, as I could see, to get -tidings of her. I sympathised with him, as well may -be understood.</p> - -<p>“Go in quest of her at once,” I said; “and, when -you can, return to my house, and we will thresh -out some plan of action. We may have news by -then.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span>He was off like the wind, and Zoiloff and I waited -on in silence for Markov to return.</p> - -<p>He seemed an age in coming, and I strained my eyes -in trying to catch some trace of him in the crowd of -moving figures that thronged the place. I gave a deep -sigh of relief when at length I saw him come out of -the gate, stand idly a moment glancing up and down -the street, and then, as if sauntering away in obedience -to the merest curiosity, cross the road to us.</p> - -<p>“Well?” I asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>“I have news. We had better not stay longer here, -your honour,” he whispered, and walked away, speaking -rapidly as we walked. “The Princess Christina -left here some two hours ago. She is a prisoner in the -hands of General Kolfort’s men. She was roused by -them just before midnight and compelled to enter a -carriage that was in waiting, and was driven off under -a strong guard, with a considerable escort of mounted -men.”</p> - -<p>“Where have they taken her?” cried Zoiloff and I, -in a breath together, when he paused.</p> - -<p>“The actual destination is not known, but the carriage -started for the south road, that leading to Liublian; -and one suggestion is that they will carry her -to Ichtman or on to Samakovo, where there is a strong -Russian detachment.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know who was with her? Was anyone?” -I asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes; Mademoiselle Broumoff was taken from -home at the same time, and I believe was in the carriage -with the Princess.”</p> - -<p>“Did you hear anything concerning the Count?” -asked Zoiloff.</p> - -<p>“I was asked if your honour was still at liberty, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span> -advised to look out for a new master. I shall not do -that yet, sir, I hope,” he added; “not till you tell me, -at any rate.”</p> - -<p>I liked his faithfulness in choosing such a moment -to assure me of his attachment.</p> - -<p>“It may be a dangerous service for the next few -hours, Markov; but you have done excellently in this—excellently.”</p> - -<p>We were now hastening back to my house, for I had -already resolved to follow on the Princess’s trail instantly; -to rescue her at any hazard, and hurry her -across the frontier, fighting our way, if need be, through -all who challenged us. Zoiloff was with me heart and -soul; and we set about the preparations with an -energy almost feverish in its earnestness.</p> - -<p>Fortunately I had a large stud of first-rate horses, -and every man in the place who could be relied upon -was armed to the teeth and mounted, and provided with -enough rations to last through the coming day. I had -taken care to provide myself with a large sum in gold, -so as to be ready for any such emergency as the present, -and this I took with me. We numbered nearly -twenty men, all trained, vigorous, staunch fellows, and -all zealous to the heart’s-core in our cause.</p> - -<p>When we were ready I took Zoiloff aside. I knew -his resolute character and his fidelity to the Princess; -but I knew also that his career lay in Bulgaria, and that -if he were caught with me on such an enterprise the -consequences to him would be worse than disastrous, -and I did not wish to embroil him any further.</p> - -<p>“Zoiloff, I am going to speak as a friend. No one -can see the end of this business of ours. We may find -ourselves face to face with the troops and may have to -risk an encounter with them. For me it does not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span> -signify. I am an Englishman and can scramble out of -the mess somehow. For these men here there is no -great danger either. Old Kolfort won’t deal harshly -with servants who can plead that I forced them into -it. But with you it is all different. You are an officer, -and to fight against the troops is an act of deadly -treason—mutiny probably, punishable with Heaven -knows what penalties. Now, as my friend, will you -let me ask you to stay here and guard our interests in -Sofia?”</p> - -<p>He heard me impatiently and looked at me keenly.</p> - -<p>“Are you serious, Count?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes, my friendship——”</p> - -<p>“Stop, please, or I may say something I should -regret, Count,” he broke in, bluntly. “I should not -reckon that man a friend who would urge me to be a -coward. Were you any other man I would not brook -it once, and even you will put a strain on our friendship -if you breathe a word of this again. We are -wasting time. Let us to horse. I have not deserved -this of you, Count, and if I thought I had I’d shoot -myself for a cur. Are you the only man that can love -the Princess?”</p> - -<p>“Forgive me, friend. I beg your pardon,” I cried, -vastly moved by his words; and I held out my hand.</p> - -<p>“I am no rival of yours,” he said earnestly, as he -wrung it. “But if a hair of her head be injured I will -know by whom, and if it does not go hard with him I -am no man. Come, I am hot to be away.”</p> - -<p>As we were mounted, Spernow dashed up on horseback, -pale of face and wild of manner.</p> - -<p>“Nathalie has gone, too,” he exclaimed, and I told -him very briefly what we believe had occurred.</p> - -<p>In another minute we started, riding in couples and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span> -at some distance. Quietly, until we were clear of the -town, was the order I gave; then join, and forward in -full cry. The firing had not entirely ceased at the -Palace when we set out, and an occasional report -reached us as we wended our way through the city by -different streets to the point on the south road where -we were to join. So much was now astir in the city -that even our cavalcade caused little or no comment or -surprise. Strange tidings and rumours were now on the -wind, flying everywhere, and the excitement and confusion -they spread caused our movements to pass unchallenged.</p> - -<p>Once at the meeting-place we pricked our horses -into a gallop and set out, a stern determined band dead -set on revenge, and resolved every man of us to achieve -the end we had at the cost of life itself.</p> - -<p>I rode at the head, with Markov as guide; Zoiloff -and Spernow behind me, and the rest, four abreast, -keeping order like a small cavalry detachment. The -night was bright with moonlight, and the country lay -around us everywhere still and sunk in sleep. Scarce -a soul was astir in the hamlets through which our road -passed, but I took the utmost precaution to prevent -any mischance.</p> - -<p>As we reached each village, I called a halt and sent -Markov forward to see that all was clear, for I half -expected that Kolfort would have foreseen our pursuit -of Christina and have posted men to stop us. To -save time we gave Markov three minutes; and if he -did not return or fire a shot to give an alarm, we clattered -after him at full gallop.</p> - -<p>So long as it was night, there was no one of whom -we could make inquiries, and thus we were riding -somewhat at random; but as soon as the dawn should<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span> -begin to streak the east I knew the peasants would -soon be astir, and that then we might pick up a trace -or two of those we were seeking.</p> - -<p>Then Markov made a valuable suggestion.</p> - -<p>“Will your honour let me ride on ahead some half -mile or so? We are nearing Liublian now, and if I am -alone I may get news which would be refused to so -large a body of us together. I may see any danger, -too, and be able to warn you.”</p> - -<p>“A prudent thought, Markov,” I said, bidding him -ride on. “If we see you riding back to us, or if we -hear you fire a shot, we shall draw rein and wait till -you join us;” and with that he plunged ahead at full -speed, and we watched him till he was out of sight -over a rise in the road.</p> - -<p>I told Zoiloff the arrangement, and we were discussing -the situation in jerky whispers while we halted, -when one of my men came galloping up in great excitement.</p> - -<p>“My lord, we are being pursued. I had to stay -behind to get a stone out of my horse’s hoof, when I -heard the sound of horses galloping some way behind -me.”</p> - -<p>“How far behind?”</p> - -<p>“I cannot say—the night is very still. Perhaps -half a mile, or maybe a mile.”</p> - -<p>“Ride on at once and overtake Markov, and warn -him to draw into cover. Off with you! We must -find out who the horsemen are and their strength,” I -added to Zoiloff.</p> - -<p>“There is a small wood there, which will do for -cover, Count,” he replied instantly. “Let the men -ride there and take our horses, while you and I stay -on foot to watch the newcomers.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>I told Spernow to post the men in the covert, and -Zoiloff and I lay down in some bushes to wait for the -pursuers.</p> - -<p>It was an anxious moment, and we lay close together, -whispering in hurried conference. We had not long -to wait.</p> - -<p>“I hear them,” whispered Zoiloff, gripping my arm. -His ears were quicker than mine, but a moment later -I, too, caught the clatter of horses’ feet and then the -clash of accoutrements.</p> - -<p>“Troops,” I whispered; and we both peered between -the bushes, straining our ears, through the grey twilight -of the dawn.</p> - -<p>As they reached the foot of the rise near the top of -which we were concealed the party slackened speed, -first to a trot and then to a walk, to ease the horses.</p> - -<p>“I hope to Heaven none of our horses neigh,” -whispered Zoiloff earnestly.</p> - -<p>I made no reply. I was too anxious for speech, for -such a chance might ruin everything. I almost held -my breath as the first of the horsemen came into view, -and then my companion gripped my arm again in a -spasm of irresistible excitement.</p> - -<p>“Kolfort, by the luck of hell!” he breathed, and -sure enough, in the second line of three, I recognised -the grim, stern face of that implacable man.</p> - -<p>So excited was I that I almost forgot to count the -men with him, and a thousand thoughts, wild and incoherent, -rushed through my mind as the band of -horsemen came up at a quick walking pace, got abreast, -then passed on up the rise, and dipped out of sight as -they broke again into a gallop, the footfalls of the -horses dying away very quickly over the summit of -the hill.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span>“I hope to the Lord he’s going to the Princess!” -exclaimed Zoiloff as we scrambled to our feet.</p> - -<p>“More likely he wants to be in a position to prove -his absence from the city when the Prince is being -carried off,” said I. “But wherever he’s going we -must know and follow.”</p> - -<p>I ran across to where our men were posted and told -off one of them to follow hot on the heels of the party -and be ready to guide us, and I gave him enough start -of us to allow for our not being heard.</p> - -<p>“It’s clear he wasn’t following us,” said Zoiloff. -“There were only twelve men all told in the party. -What a chance we have missed! If we had only -known, we could have lined the road just where we -two lay, and they’d have walked right into the trap. -Only twelve to nearly twenty of us! and we should -have had him safe enough. God! If we could only -get hold of him, the safety of the Princess would be a -simple matter enough.”</p> - -<p>“We may do it yet,” said I as I mounted, and we -set off again in pursuit of those we had believed to be -in pursuit of us.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIV<br /> - - -<small>THE ATTACK</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was true enough of course that we had missed -a glorious chance in not surprising and overcoming -General Kolfort’s party and making him a prisoner; -but with our end in view it would have been madness -to risk an encounter when we had absolutely no knowledge -of the strength opposed to us. A defeat at such -a moment would have overthrown all our plans and -have involved the abandonment of Christina to whatever -fate might be in store for her.</p> - -<p>It was true, too, that in allowing the General to pass -and his men to get in touch with the others who were -guarding the Princess, we had increased our difficulties; -and the result of a hurried consultation with Zoiloff as -we rode forward was a decision to seek and overtake -the General’s party and try conclusions with them.</p> - -<p>For this purpose, however, we had wasted valuable -time, and the now rapidly lightening dawn greatly -lessened the chance of catching them unawares, and -vastly increased the risk. But we were in no mood to -count the chances too gingerly and we dashed along -at as rapid a pace as our horses could travel.</p> - -<p>The road was execrable—rough and uneven beyond -description, with large loose stones scattered about in -it in a way that made the going exceedingly difficult, -and in parts galloping was impossible.</p> - -<p>We had ridden in this way about half an hour, constantly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span> -having to draw rein for either the roughness of -the road or the steep hills, when we came up with the -man we had sent to warn Markov, and the other who -had been despatched to follow the General’s party.</p> - -<p>Markov had undertaken the spy work in preference -to the man I had despatched, and the change was a -good one. I had not been free from the fear that -Markov might be surprised by the General, despite -our precaution in sending to warn him, and it was good -news that he was safe.</p> - -<p>We did not stay our progress a moment. The men -rode by my side as each in turn gave me his report, -and then dropped back into the ranks behind as we -thundered forward, eager to overtake the General -before he should fall in with any other troops; and -the best news that the men brought us was that we -were gaining fast upon them, and that Kolfort was not -far ahead.</p> - -<p>This spurred us to further effort, and we were rushing -on filled with the hope of catching him, when I -saw Markov in the distance galloping wildly in our -direction. I ordered a halt instantly, and drew up to -await him.</p> - -<p>“I have tracked them, my lord,” he said hurriedly; -“but the news is bad. General Kolfort and his party -are in a house, about a mile ahead, that belongs to -him, and it is there the Princess Christina has been -carried. At least I judge so, for I slipped from my -horse and managed to find out that there were a number -of soldiers about; and I spied a travelling carriage -in front of the house with all the signs of a long -journey on it. The horses had been taken out, and I -judged it had just been left where it stopped, the -horses being taken to the stables. I saw General Kolfort’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span> -party halt there, and he and one or two with him -entered the house while the soldiers went round to the -back.”</p> - -<p>“How many soldiers in all?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“From what I heard in the city last night, I gathered -there were about a dozen in charge of the Princess; -I counted another dozen with General Kolfort—say -from twenty-five to thirty, all told, sir.”</p> - -<p>“We can do it if we surprise them,” said I, turning -to Zoiloff. “Not so good a chance as we had just now, -but still a chance.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” he agreed. “Catch them while off their -guard and probably getting food after their ride;” and -in less than a minute we were moving forward again, -Markov riding on my left.</p> - -<p>Just before we came in full view of the house, Zoiloff, -Spernow, and I rode forward to reconnoitre the ground -and plan the attack. The house lay well situated for -such an attempt. We were looking down on it from a -slight hill, and on three sides some fairly thick wood -and shrubbery shut it in, in which a couple of regiments -could have been posted had we had such a force -available. We could see three or four men in the front -of the house and in the road, left to do sentry work; -but they were lolling about chatting together, and obviously -thinking of nothing less than any such attack -in force as we meditated; and, had we dashed up the -road in a body, it was likely enough we could have -carried the place before any effective resistance could -have been offered.</p> - -<p>But we formed a far different plan. Markov led us -along the ridge of the hill fringed with trees to a point -from which we could command a view of the rear of -the house, and then I observed something that gave<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span> -me an idea and made my heart leap with exultation. -Preparations were going forward quickly to give the -soldiers their breakfast, and I saw all the things being -carried from the house to a low building across a wide -yard that looked like a barn. The soldiers were -chaffing the women and helping to carry the food and -vessels; and in a moment my plan was ready.</p> - -<p>“We shall catch them like rats in a trap,” I cried to -Zoiloff, as I pointed this out to him. “The place is -made for us and couldn’t be better. We’ll time our -visit when the men are just at breakfast yonder, and, -if a couple of our fellows can steal up unseen, that big -door can be slammed, and there won’t be more than -half a dozen left for us to deal with about the house. -We shall cage the old fox to a certainty. Let Spernow -and two men creep along this way and down -under cover of those trees to the entrance to the -yard, and post themselves there. The main portion -can get to the house through the orchard below -us”—and I pointed to the spots I meant—“and we -shall be into the place before they even dream that we -are near. Once we get close to the house, do you and -half a dozen make for the front and settle with anyone -there, making an exit from the house impossible. I’ll -enter by the back with the rest of us and square accounts -with anyone inside. The horses must be left -up here in the woods, tethered; we can’t spare a man -to stay with them.”</p> - -<p>We discussed the minor points of the attack, fixed -the moment, and left it that Spernow’s closing the -door upon the troops at breakfast should be the signal. -If things went wrong with him and the men -escaped, we settled that Zoiloff should, as arranged, -rush round to the front, but that I and the men with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> -me should hasten to Spernow’s assistance and attack -the men there.</p> - -<p>We went back to the rest of the party, led them all -into the wood on the hill from where we had made -our observations, had the horses fastened over the hill -and well out of sight of the house, and then, with arms -all ready, crept back to the edge of the wood to wait -for the moment to commence.</p> - -<p>The movement and bustle of preparation were going -on briskly below; the maids and the men were hurrying -and scurrying in all directions, and there was such -stir and life that it threatened to be impossible for us -to creep down unseen.</p> - -<p>Gradually there came a change. Things grew -quieter, and presently the servant girls went into the -house and did not return. We saw the soldiers, -laughing and joking, cross in couples and threes to the -barn; two of those who had been on guard in the -front came running round, rested their muskets against -the wall of the barn outside and joined their comrades -within; and the place was quiet and unguarded. I -gave the word to advance, and a moment later we -began to wend our way stealthily down the hill-side, -closing gradually on the house. Not a word was -spoken, and not a sound betrayed our presence. When -we reached the point where Spernow was to leave us -to get to the other end of the yard, I whispered to him -to take an extra man in case of emergencies, and then -at the head of my men I threaded my way up the side -of the orchard, with Zoiloff close in attendance.</p> - -<p>All went well. We reached a low mud wall that -parted the orchard from the homestead yard, and halted -there until Spernow should give the signal by slamming-to -the great barn door. By peering through the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span> -branches of some fruit trees I could see the spot where -he was to post himself. Just when all was about in -readiness, and he and his three men were standing at -the end of the barn, round the corner of it fortunately, -one of the soldiers came out, picked up one of the -muskets leaning against the wall, and stood a moment -laughing and chaffing with those within. He was one -of the sentries, and called to those within to be quick. -Then, whistling carelessly, he shouldered his weapon -and moved away.</p> - -<p>Moments were growing precious now. Would Spernow -wait for the man to disappear round the front at -the risk that others of the soldiers would finish and -come out, or would he act while the man was in full -view and take the risk of a shot? He was in dire hesitation; -and I could see him peep round the corner of -the barn and peer anxiously after the man.</p> - -<p>Then something seemed to decide him—he told me -afterwards he heard the men in the barn beginning to -move—and with quick, stealthy steps he and his men -rushed to the great door, slammed it to, and secured -it. The soldier was attracted by the noise, turned, -saw what had happened, raised an alarm, and was in -the act of firing at Spernow when one of the latter’s -men shot him and he fell to the ground.</p> - -<p>At the same time Zoiloff called his followers and -dashed for the front of the house, while I, seeing that -all was well with Spernow, rushed to the back door. -It was slammed in my face, but a blow from our guns -smashed it in, and after a short delay we gained the -passage.</p> - -<p>All the house was in wild alarm, and the soldiers in -it put themselves in my way, offering a stubborn resistance. -But we outnumbered them by three to one,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> -and after a scrimmage that was hot enough while it -lasted we overpowered them, struck their weapons from -their hands, bound them, and thrust them into a room -in the custody of a couple of men with strict orders to -shoot if any nonsense was attempted.</p> - -<p>Our surprise was in that respect completely and -triumphantly successful, but in regard to one of the -chief objects it failed. The way which we had chosen -for Zoiloff to make his rush to the front of the house -was blocked by some outhouses which we had not -seen, and he and his men had had to return and run -round to the other side. The delay caused was not -long, but it was fatal, for the first thing he saw on -reaching there was General Kolfort in company with -a couple of attendants, presumably officers, spurring -at topmost speed in the direction of Samakovo. He -came rushing into the house, his face black in his deep -disappointment, and told me the ill news, just as we -had finished our scrimmage with the men inside.</p> - -<p>I saw at once pursuit would be hopeless. I should -not have dared divide our little party even had there -been a good prospect of overtaking the fugitives, and -to send them on a wild-goose chase would have been -worse than madness; moreover, our horses were away -on the top of the hill, and already somewhat spent with -the fierce ride. But it took some moments to get -Zoiloff to see the uselessness of such an attempt—moments -that could ill be spared, seeing all that we -had yet to do. But I was firm, and he gave in at -length.</p> - -<p>“Take our men and secure those fellows in the barn, -or we shall have them breaking out. Find the best -horses you can, too, and have them into the carriage -as quickly as possible, and I will see the Princess and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span> -tell her to be ready at once. We dare not waste a -minute or all will be lost.”</p> - -<p>I dashed up the stairs, and after searching a couple -of empty rooms found one with the door locked.</p> - -<p>“Are you there, Princess? It is I, Count Benderoff,” -I cried, turning the key and partly opening the door.</p> - -<p>She answered me and I entered. She was calm but -pale, with the little Broumoff at her side, very agitated.</p> - -<p>“We have heard the noise, but could see nothing -from here, and have been filled with anxiety as to -what it meant. What has happened?” cried the -Princess.</p> - -<p>“I can say no more now than that when we heard -last night that you had been carried off we followed at -once, and happily are now in possession of the house; -but you must be ready to fly at once.”</p> - -<p>“What of General Kolfort? He came here only a -few minutes since and threatened me with all the terrors -of a Russian gaol. He was like a madman.”</p> - -<p>“Most unluckily he has escaped us, and may return -at any moment in force. Will you get ready at once? -Our only hope is to make for the frontier before we -can be pursued.”</p> - -<p>“I am ready now,” she cried, throwing on her travelling -wraps. “Come, Nathalie, come, the Count has -saved us.”</p> - -<p>The girl was dressed almost as quickly as the Princess, -and together we went down to the front to wait -for the carriage.</p> - -<p>“Have you had anything to eat? We have a long -journey before us.”</p> - -<p>“I could not think of food.”</p> - -<p>Without a word, I got some milk and cakes and -bread, and put them in the carriage, to which Markov<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span> -was already harnessing horses. Then I described in -the fewest possible words what had happened, and -they both listened in breathless interest.</p> - -<p>“And Michel?” asked Mademoiselle Broumoff -eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Is safe,” I answered, with a smile, “and has behaved -splendidly, like the magnificent fellow he is.”</p> - -<p>As soon as the carriage was ready I told Markov to -draw out into the road in readiness to start, and I ran -through to call off our men. Zoiloff met me excited, -hot, and breathing hard.</p> - -<p>“We have secured them all right. I filed up the -men, and when we threw open the door the caged men -were met with a line of muskets. They had no fight -in them, for they had no arms. We have bound every -man, and to make pursuit impossible I have had every -horse in the stables shot. A cruel job, but necessary; -and I have brought away the men’s arms. We may -start, Count. Our men are already away for their -horses, and will meet us at that bend in the road -above.”</p> - -<p>“Good,” said I; but I wished he had brought the -horses with us for remounts instead of shooting them.</p> - -<p>“Good, yes; but much better if that wily old devil, -Kolfort, hadn’t slipped through my fingers.”</p> - -<p>“What is the route, Markov?” I said, going out to -him. “We dare not return to Sofia. How can you -reach the nearest point on the frontier road where we -can get fresh horses for the carriage?”</p> - -<p>“We must go back to within three miles of the city, -sir, and then I can pick a way round and strike the -west road there.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t keep on this road for a yard longer than is -absolutely necessary. It is dangerous. But do your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span> -best. Push on with all speed. We shall overtake -you.”</p> - -<p>As I finished speaking Spernow came running from -the house and rushed to the carriage window. I let -the carriage stand half a minute that he might exchange -a word or two with Mademoiselle Broumoff, -who I knew was very eager to see him, and while they -were speaking the Princess looked out of the window, -beckoned Zoiloff, and gave him her hand and a word -of hearty thanks for all he had done in her behalf.</p> - -<p>It was a thoughtful, gracious act, and I was as glad -as Zoiloff himself, who stood aside with a flush on his -stern face to let the carriage pass when I gave the -word to Markov to start.</p> - -<p>“The fairest and best of all women on earth,” he -said, enthusiastically, as we three watched the carriage -dash up the hill that led from the house. “I hope to -heaven we shall get start enough to save her;” and -he glanced back anxiously along the road that Kolfort -had gone, as if he feared that pursuit might already be -on foot.</p> - -<p>And the same fear infected us all as we followed his -gaze. But there was no sign of any pursuit; and we -hurried up the hill to the spot where the men were to -meet us with our horses.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXV<br /> - - -<small>SUSPENSE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> we three hurried up the hill we discussed earnestly -our plans; and the supreme seriousness of the -failure to secure the person of General Kolfort grew -more vividly forcible the more we considered it.</p> - -<p>We could have held him a prisoner in his own house -easily and without creating any alarm at his disappearance. -And the Princess could have gained the frontier -before ever a question had been asked as to her whereabouts. -I gnashed my teeth as I thought of it.</p> - -<p>Now, however, he would raise the alarm at the first -possible moment. He knew that we were in considerable -force, and not only could he send troops after us, -but by telegraph he could send instructions to have us -intercepted at any one of a dozen points.</p> - -<p>“Does anyone know where the wires run from Ichtman -and Samakovo to Sofia?” I asked. “If we could -cut them, we might save some hours when even minutes -may be vital.”</p> - -<p>“Of course. Why didn’t we think of it before?” -exclaimed Zoiloff. “I know them. They run along -the course of the projected railway. I can find them -inside an hour. The line is to touch Liublian, and -must run close here somewhere.”</p> - -<p>“Then take a couple of men as soon as we are -mounted and rattle off across country and cut them, -and rejoin us with all possible speed. You will easily<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span> -overtake the carriage;” and the moment we met our -men he started to carry out the plan.</p> - -<p>I then arranged the order of our ride. I left Spernow -in command of the greater number of men, with -orders to follow in straggling formation until we had -passed through Liublian; then they were to close up -and keep the carriage in sight. One man was to ride -about a mile or so in the rear to watch for any signs -of pursuit. For this work I chose the man whose -horse was the fleetest and freshest, and ordered him to -keep a sharp lookout behind him, and at the first sign -of anything wrong to gallop after us at top speed to -give us the earliest possible warning.</p> - -<p>I myself took three men with me and rode forward -at once, intending to overtake the Princess and act as -immediate escort.</p> - -<p>I had little difficulty, unfortunately, in getting up -with the carriage, for Markov, with all his skill as -coachman, was only able to make a very indifferent -pace over the villainous roads. The carriage bumped -and rolled and jumped in the deep ruts and over the -stones in a way that filled me with alternate fear that -it was travelling too fast for the safety of the occupants, -and of despair that so slow a pace would make -pursuit an easy enough matter.</p> - -<p>It was a great, heavy, lumbering, travelling coach, -built for the comfort of those who were content to -travel at an easy rate; and about as little suited for the -purpose of rapid flight as anything could be. I could -have cursed it, as it lumbered along groaning, creaking, -straining, threatening to topple over at every other -lurch, and distressing the horses, powerful though they -were, until the sweat lathered on their flanks and -dripped on the rough, cruel road.</p> - -<p>“Is there a hope of getting any better carriage at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span> -Liublian?” I asked Markov, riding up to him as we -neared that place. “We shall never reach the frontier -in this thing; an open cart would be better. Try if -you can’t get something. Steal it if you can’t hire or -buy it.”</p> - -<p>“The horses are nearly done already, your Honour,” -said Markov; “although we’ve only come some seven -miles. I’ll try.”</p> - -<p>“You must be quick,” I said, as I fell back behind -again.</p> - -<p>Despite the very urgent need for haste, we entered -the place driving very leisurely, and drew up at the -inn, when Markov and I entered to make inquiries. -We were in luck. The man had a comparatively light -open cart for sale and a couple of strong young horses. -A few minutes found the bargain struck, and while my -men were refreshing themselves the horses were put -in, and Christina and her companion left the great ugly, -cumbersome carriage to take their places in the cart.</p> - -<p>“Could we get peasants’ clothes?” suggested Mademoiselle -Broumoff. “Any kind of disguise might help -us.” It was a happy thought, and the ever resourceful -Markov acted on the hint directly, and procured -cloaks and headgear.</p> - -<p>“Better put them on when we are clear of the place,” -I decided, as Markov put the bundle into the cart.</p> - -<p>“I am afraid you will find the road to safety very -rough, Princess,” I said as I helped her into the cart. -I had not spoken to her since leaving the General’s -house.</p> - -<p>“I am causing you all sore trouble,” she answered, -smiling sadly. “How shall I ever thank you enough?”</p> - -<p>“We shall have our reward when we see you safe in -Servia.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, I ought to have done what you advised<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span> -yesterday and have gone then. All this would have -been spared us.”</p> - -<p>“We could not foresee what old Kolfort had planned -for last night. I thought the road would have been as -open to-day as it was yesterday.”</p> - -<p>“It is like you to lighten the blame, but it is my -fault.”</p> - -<p>“We are ready, your Honour,” called Markov.</p> - -<p>“Forward then,” I said. “Cautiously out of Liublian, -and then press on with all the speed you can -make.”</p> - -<p>I mounted, and was in the act of starting when a -horseman was seen riding hard up the road we had -come. It was Zoiloff, and I welcomed him gladly.</p> - -<p>“I’ve done it,” he said exultantly. “I don’t know -whether there are any other wires, but I’ve cut the -main ones, and that will probably cause some delay. -But how came you to halt here?” he asked anxiously.</p> - -<p>I explained the change of vehicles, and we rode on -after the Princess.</p> - -<p>“You passed Spernow?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and left my men to follow with his. He tells -me he is to join you as soon as he is clear of Liublian; -he should be near now;” and he glanced back as I -thought with some anxiety.</p> - -<p>“We have done well so far. It was a stroke of luck -to get rid of that lumbering old carriage,” said I.</p> - -<p>“True, but we have already been a long time covering -very little ground, and must press forward. Our -pursuers won’t sleep on the road. I’m surprised we -haven’t heard from them before now.”</p> - -<p>It was unlike him to meet alarm half-way in this -fashion, but I made no answer except to urge my horse -to greater speed, so as to close up the distance between -us and the Princess.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span>Markov was now driving at a very rapid rate, the -road was much better, and I felt my spirits rise as we -covered the ground quickly. Every yard gained safely -made the prospect of escape more hopeful.</p> - -<p>“Spernow should have joined us by now,” said -Zoiloff again presently, as we were breathing the horses -up a steep hill.</p> - -<p>“We have been travelling much faster since we -changed conveyances, and his cattle may be a bit -stale,” I replied, trying to reassure him.</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid something’s going wrong with him. It’s -not like him to play the laggard in this way. Can he -have been overtaken by Kolfort’s men and surprised?”</p> - -<p>“Scarcely that. We’ve got a picket thrown out behind -and he’d have warning. If there was any sign of -danger, I told him to close up with us at once, so that -we could make a stand together. One or two of the -horses may have given out.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t like it,” said Zoiloff; and when we reached -the top of the hill we turned and looked back along -the white road, searching eagerly for some sign of -Spernow’s coming. We saw nothing, and the doubts -which made Zoiloff’s face so grave began to affect me.</p> - -<p>“I am inclined to go back,” he murmured.</p> - -<p>“We can’t spare you, Zoiloff,” said I quickly. “If -anything is wrong with him, you alone can do no good; -and if anything is to go wrong with us, we are too few -already for safety.”</p> - -<p>“I could find out what it means.”</p> - -<p>“Or be cut off yourself;” and with that we resumed -our ride, my companion’s face unusually gloomy and -thoughtful.</p> - -<p>“How far are we from Sofia, Markov; and when -do you turn off?” I asked, riding up to him.</p> - -<p>“About five miles from the city, your Honour, a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span> -little more than two from the branch road I am making -for.”</p> - -<p>“We’ve only a few minutes more on the main road,” -I said, falling back to Zoiloff; “and, once away from -it, our chances will be fifty in a hundred better. It’s -this road I’ve feared.”</p> - -<p>“Ha! Here comes news!” exclaimed my companion -suddenly, a few minutes afterwards, turning in his -saddle and looking back. “And bad news too,” he -added.</p> - -<p>A single horseman was dashing down a hill behind -us, and as we turned a number of other horsemen -reached the crest and came streaming down the hill -after him, the sunlight glistening through the cloud of -white dust as it fell on their arms.</p> - -<p>“That should be Spernow and our men,” said I -anxiously.</p> - -<p>“It is Spernow, but they’re not our men. I feared -it meant mischief. They are troopers; and I can count -a dozen of them. Tell Markov to drive like the wind. -They’re after us.”</p> - -<p>A bend in the road at that moment cut off our view, -and almost directly afterwards Markov turned away to -the left into a narrow lane, putting his horses to the -gallop.</p> - -<p>“We shall have to fight for it, Count,” cried Zoiloff. -“There didn’t seem more than a dozen troopers that -I could see, and, with Spernow, we shall be six. We -can hold them at bay in this narrow lane, and perhaps -drive them off.”</p> - -<p>At that moment a loud shout of dismay came from -Markov, and we saw him pull his horses up in a -scramble.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter?” I called, riding up.</p> - -<p>“I’ve taken the wrong lane, your Honour, cursed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span> -fool that I am,” he cried in sore distress. “I know it -now; there is no outlet. I should have driven on for -about five hundred yards farther;” and he backed his -horses as if to turn them.</p> - -<p>It spelt absolute ruin.</p> - -<p>“There’s no going back, Markov,” I said decisively. -I was calm enough now for all the trouble.</p> - -<p>“The devil!” exclaimed Zoiloff. “Well, we must -make a fight of it.”</p> - -<p>“Stay a moment. Where does this lane lead, -Markov?”</p> - -<p>“To a peasant’s homestead, with no outlet anywhere.”</p> - -<p>“Forward to that, then—at a gallop. We can hold -the house against the men with far better chances than -here,” I said to Zoiloff. “Besides, they may not have -seen us turn off the road, and may go on to the next -turning. But what of Spernow?”</p> - -<p>“He was gaining on them fast, and will escape in -any event,” said Zoiloff; “but it’s a perilous fix.”</p> - -<p>A couple of minutes later we halted in front of the -cottage, to the infinite surprise of the inmates. Markov -knew them however, and while he was explaining -things to them the rest of us set to work to put the -place in readiness to resist the expected attack. -Fortunately it lent itself well to the purpose; and, -long before the peasant owner had been pacified with -a good round sum of money, every door and window -was closed and barred, and the horses and cart had -been stabled close to the rear of the house in a shed, -the door of which we could easily command, so as to -prevent anyone trying to steal off with them.</p> - -<p>The Princess and her companion were placed in an -upper room, well out of the danger of stray bullets; -and, though we were breathless with our exertions,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> -we were quite prepared to give our visitors a warm -reception before a sign of the soldiers or of Spernow -was visible.</p> - -<p>Both Zoiloff and I kept an anxious lookout from a -window in the roof of the cottage which gave a view -of a considerable portion of the lane that led to the -homestead; but the minutes crept on until a quarter -of an hour, half an hour, an hour passed without a sign -or trace of either our friend or our enemies; and, indeed, -until we grew as anxious to see the former as to -know we had escaped from the latter.</p> - -<p>What could it mean? Zoiloff and I exchanged many -an anxious question and hazarded many futile guesses. -I was inclined to hope that the soldiers had not seen -us after all, and that in our little hiding-place we had -not only escaped them, but had been overlooked by -any other parties that might have been despatched in -search of us.</p> - -<p>At the end of an hour I sent Zoiloff down to see -that food was prepared both for the men and for our -horses; and when another hour passed without any -sign of disturbance the hopes of all of us began to -rise. The one thing that had caused me more anxiety -than anything else was the obstacle which daylight -presented to a successful flight; and when noon came -and passed, and the afternoon shadows began to -lengthen, I was glad enough; for every hour that passed -diminished the risk and increased our chances of -getting to the frontier unseen in the darkness of the -night.</p> - -<p>Moreover, the rest was just what the horses needed; -and thus on both accounts the hanging hours of safety -on that hot summer’s day were doubly precious to us. -Markov was certain that under the cover of the night -he could find his road unerringly; and though his blunder<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span> -in the morning had at first caused such a panic and -had shaken my confidence in his knowledge, I was -ready to believe him now.</p> - -<p>“I could drive it blindfolded, your Honour,” he said -earnestly, when I questioned him. “I know every -house, and cottage, and tree, almost every bump in the -road—more than that, I could find my way secretly -across the country were every road and bridle-path -choked with armed men. It is my own country!” he -exclaimed vehemently.</p> - -<p>“How long will it take you?”</p> - -<p>“It is fifty miles from the frontier to the first place -where I can get fresh horses, and perhaps fifteen from -here to that—at the outside say seventy miles. I can -do it in seven hours with such horses as are waiting for -me at every stage—probably less.”</p> - -<p>“You will be ready to start as soon as it is dusk,” I -told him, and, as the afternoon passed, I went to -acquaint the Princess with our plans.</p> - -<p>“You have left us long alone, Count,” she said with -a smile. “And I have needed you sorely. Nathalie -here is in distress for news of Lieutenant Spernow.”</p> - -<p>“You may feel assured on his account,” I said to the -girl, who was very pale and troubled. “When we saw -him last he was gaining rapidly on his pursuers, and -was not at all likely to fall into their hands.”</p> - -<p>“But where is he? Why have you no news of him?” -she wailed.</p> - -<p>“Probably he knows no more than our enemies -where we are. But he is safe. Both Captain Zoiloff -and I are convinced of that.” Her fears were not to -be stayed by words, however, and in truth I myself -had more than a misgiving on his account.</p> - -<p>The Princess was eager for the moment to come when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span> -she could start, and would have set out at once had I -not told her of the far greater security which darkness -would afford.</p> - -<p>“What time is it now?” she asked.</p> - -<p>“Just past four. At seven, or soon after, we may -venture to start; and if all goes well, as Heaven grant -it may, you will be across the frontier and in safety -before the sun rises again.”</p> - -<p>“I shall owe it to you,” she said, “as indeed I owe -so much already.”</p> - -<p>“Not more to me than to all here with us. Indeed, -this blessing of a shelter at the very nick of time we -owe to the accident of Markov’s blunder. We may -well forgive him such a happy mistake.”</p> - -<p>“Would you have me think I owe nothing to you?” -she asked in a low voice, looking at me with a glance -of love.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps I may answer that question at a future -time,” I returned in the same low tone. She blushed -and dropped her eyes and was silent.</p> - -<p>In the silence I heard the sounds of some commotion -in the house below, and I started uneasily. -“Something has happened; I must go and see what -it means!” I exclaimed; and with a hasty excuse I -hurried away.</p> - -<p>Something had indeed happened, for at the bottom -of the stairs I found Spernow and Zoiloff in excited -talk. I called them up, and together we entered the -Princess’s room, that he might tell us the story of his -experiences, and relieve at once the anxiety of his -sweetheart.</p> - -<p>On seeing him she jumped up and, regardless of our -presence, threw herself into his arms.</p> - -<p>“Are you really safe, Michel?” she asked, gazing -into his face with a look I could understand readily,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span> -and, laughing and crying by turns, she plied him with -a hundred questions.</p> - -<p>His story was of deep interest and moment to us, -and, though I was in full mood to sympathise with the -lovers, I was eager to hear it.</p> - -<p>“I can tell my story in a very few words,” he said -at length, turning to us. “Just after we left Liublian -we were attacked by a party that outnumbered us by -five to one. Our man in the rear galloped up to warn -us as you had ordered him, Count, but the troops were -right on his heels, and, as our horses were anything -but fresh, I dared not risk a race in the effort to reach -you. I determined to fight it out there and then, but -from the first we hadn’t a chance. The troops fired -not at us, but at the horses, until only two of us were -left mounted. The rest you can gather. We had -never a chance. My men resisted as long as resistance -was possible, but one after another they were surrounded, -disarmed, and secured. When all was lost -we two fled, but some dozen of the troops came pricking -after us. My companion’s horse was shot; but -almost by a miracle neither my horse nor myself was -touched, though the firing was heavy enough. When -I came down that hill yonder, I saw you, and saw you -turn into the lane. In a moment I knew the mistake -you had made, for I know this country to a yard, and -it occurred to me to pass the entrance to the lane in the -hope that the troops behind me had not seen you. I -made for the next turning, therefore—that which you -should have taken but happily did not—and to my intense -relief the men behind, thinking no doubt that I -was following you, followed me. The rest was easy -enough. My horse was fleeter than theirs, and I led -them a dance at a rattling speed for some ten miles. -Then I dismounted, and, giving my horse a whack<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span> -with my hand, sent him on without me, while I slipped -into some bushes and waited for the men to pass. -They did this, swearing prettily, as you may imagine, -and as soon as they had gone by I set off across country -in a bee-line for this place, thinking it not unlikely that -you would take refuge here for a while. And here I -am, and that’s all.”</p> - -<p>Our congratulations poured upon him, and then -Zoiloff and I went away, that he and the little Broumoff -might be together. It was the best reward we -could make him just then.</p> - -<p>“Those men will try back when they find he’s fooled -them,” said Zoiloff, “and we had better be ready.”</p> - -<p>“They’ll have to come soon,” said I, “or they’ll find -the nest empty and the birds flown.”</p> - -<p>“They’ve over two hours yet,” he returned drily, -and together we went back to our watch-window in the -roof, giving orders that the house was to be kept as -silent as if it were deserted.</p> - -<p>The minutes were weighted now with the old fears -and suspense, and scarce a word passed between my -staunch friend and myself. And when we spoke it was -in a whisper, as though the men had already come. -For an hour more nothing occurred to disturb us, and -once again the flame of hope began to kindle. But it -was only to be ruthlessly quenched.</p> - -<p>When a glance at my watch told me that an hour -and a quarter had gone by we saw that which made us -start and draw breath quickly.</p> - -<p>Two troopers came riding slowly up the lane, looking -carefully to right and left as they approached. -The peasant’s dog barked loudly, and at the sound they -stopped, and peered curiously at the house. Then they -advanced until they stood close to the yard-gate, and -both stared at the house and spoke together.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span>We held our breath in suspense.</p> - -<p>The closed doors and shutters puzzled them, and -after a few moments one of them dismounted, handed -the reins of his horse to his companion, pushed open -the gate, and walked up towards the house.</p> - -<p>At that moment fortune served us a scurvy trick. -Down below a roar of laughter broke out among our -men, loud enough to reach us.</p> - -<p>The soldier heard it too.</p> - -<p>We heard him strike a lusty summons on the door -panels and call to those within. Then everything was -as still as the grave.</p> - -<p>The man knocked again, and when the door remained -unopened he went back to his companion, -mounted his horse, and, giving some instructions, set -off up the lane at a quick canter. The second man -drew back into the shade of a tree and waited, keeping -his eyes warily upon the house all the while.</p> - -<p>“We may as well get the men posted,” said Zoiloff. -“That fellow will be back in a minute with all there -are with him. We’re in for a scrimmage.”</p> - -<p>He went down at once to give the necessary orders, -while I stayed to watch.</p> - -<p>I had not long to wait. In a few minutes I heard -the advancing footfalls of horses, and a number of -troopers came swinging up the lane at the trot. I -counted thirteen in all, and thanked Heaven there -were no more.</p> - -<p>But it meant fight, and I saw the man in command -of the party taking his observations, and giving his -instructions to those under him to surround the house.</p> - -<p>There was no need for me to watch longer. There -would soon be plenty of other work on hand.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVI<br /> - - -<small>A FORLORN HOPE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">I left</span> the window and hurried down to tell the -Princess the bad news. Spernow was still there, sitting -apart, exchanging love confidences with Mademoiselle -Broumoff, and they all started up at my sudden -entrance.</p> - -<p>“The troops have found us out, Princess, and there -will probably be some trouble before we get rid of -them and shake them off. I wish to impress upon you -the necessity for you to remain close in the corners of -the room for fear of mishap. Spernow, will you go to -Captain Zoiloff? He is below with the men.”</p> - -<p>The Princess took the news very calmly.</p> - -<p>“Do you think they will attack the house?” she -asked.</p> - -<p>“I fear so—or, rather, I hope so; for, if not, we -shall have to attack them, and I would rather act on -the defensive.”</p> - -<p>“There will be danger for you,” she said earnestly, -looking into my eyes. “You will be careful—for my -sake;” and she laid her hand on mine.</p> - -<p>“I hope it will not be serious, and I will be careful,” -I replied smiling. “But we must not be beaten.”</p> - -<p>“I trust no blood will be shed—no lives sacrificed. -I cannot bear the thought of that.”</p> - -<p>“We can have no thought but your safety.”</p> - -<p>“But can we not be of some use—Nathalie and I?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span>“I fear not, at present. But if there is need, depend -upon it I will not fail to ask you. Come, -Spernow.”</p> - -<p>“Michel, let me have a gun. I would rather be by -your side than cooped up here in suspense,” cried the -girl with great spirit, holding her lover’s hand. “Now -that you are with us I am not afraid.”</p> - -<p>“We have not come to that yet, Mademoiselle,” I -said, liking her spirit and courage. “You need not be -afraid. We are quite strong enough behind these walls -to cope with the few men against us. But we must -go.”</p> - -<p>Christina pressed my hand again, and her lips murmured -a prayer for my safety.</p> - -<p>Zoiloff had been busy enough with his preparations, -and when we reached him had posted his men. He -had done a shrewd trick on leaving General Kolfort’s -house, and had brought away with him the men’s carbines -with a quantity of ammunition. These were now -distributed in the rooms from which the work of defence -was to be carried on; and he explained that his -object was to create the impression that we were a -much more numerous party than in reality.</p> - -<p>“We can fire volleys from the different windows in -very rapid succession, and they’ll think the place is -alive with men,” he said. “But the main work must -be done from the windows of each room on the floor -above us. There are two in the front room and one at -the back, and we can from there command the approach -to the front and back doors, and could hold the -place against four times the number.”</p> - -<p>We went to the front room and looked out.</p> - -<p>The soldiers were taking matters very leisurely. -Evidently they were confident that they would have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span> -no serious difficulty in carrying the house, even if we -were inside, of which they still seemed to have doubts.</p> - -<p>The leader was only a non-commissioned officer—a -troop sergeant—and he appeared to be at a loss what -to do. He was consulting with the two men who had -ridden up first, and all three were gesticulating freely -as they pointed to different parts of the house and -yard.</p> - -<p>The longer they debated, and the more time they -wasted, the better for us. If they would only let the -afternoon steal away and twilight come, we could in -the last resource make a sally, have a brush at close -quarters, and then trust to our horses to save us.</p> - -<p>“Zoiloff, I have a plan,” I said, as an idea struck -me. “That man has made a fool’s mistake. Every -horse there is in full view, and can be picked off easily. -Let our first volleys, when it comes to firing, be for -the horses. Before the men even guess our intention, -every horse will be killed or disabled, and not only will -the men be unable to follow us, but prevented from -riding for help.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” he cried. “We’ll have every man at -these two windows, and each man shall pick out his -own target. A couple of rounds well aimed and the -thing’s done. But someone must keep a lookout at -the back.”</p> - -<p>“Nathalie will do that,” said Spernow eagerly; and -he went at once to ask her, while the men were brought -into the room and their orders given to them. We -waited, watching closely for the commencement of -hostilities.</p> - -<p>“They don’t like the look of things,” whispered -Zoiloff, smiling grimly, “and don’t know what to do -or how to start. Ah, now they’ve settled something,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> -he added as the leader came towards the house, knocked -at the door, and called in a loud voice for it to be -opened.</p> - -<p>No answer was given, of course, and after he had -repeated his summons he called:</p> - -<p>“If the door is not opened we shall break it in.”</p> - -<p>Getting no reply, he returned to his men, and sent -four of them round to the back of the house. Then -one of the men called his attention to something at -the side of the yard, and eight of them went and picked -up a heavy balk of timber lying there.</p> - -<p>“They’re going to use it as a battering-ram,” said -Zoiloff. “We must stop that.”</p> - -<p>“Wait,” I said quickly. “When they are in position -I’ll warn them, and through the open windows we -can then shoot the horses. Remember, men, level -your guns first at the men, and when I tell you, aim -at the horses, and shoot straight.”</p> - -<p>The timber was heavy, the afternoon hot, the men -fatigued and with no great zest for the business, so -that they took a long time before they had brought it -round near the door.</p> - -<p>Then I threw up the window sharply, and called, in -a ringing voice:</p> - -<p>“Stop! We sha’n’t allow that.”</p> - -<p>Looking up, the troopers found themselves covered -by the guns of our party, and, dropping the timber, -they rushed like hares for cover—all save the leader, -who flung curses at them for their cowardice.</p> - -<p>“Now fire,” I said; and, levelling my rifle, I picked -out a horse, and we fired our first volley.</p> - -<p>“Quick! again!” and a second volley rang out.</p> - -<p>The effect was indescribable. Five horses fell at -the first round, and the rest stampeded and plunged so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span> -violently that any accurate aim the second time was -very difficult. Only three fell, but the rest broke from -their fastenings in a very frenzy of fear and galloped -wildly off, plunging across country at a speed that made -any thought of pursuit hopeless.</p> - -<p>The men started to follow them, but were recalled -by the leader, and came slinking back to cover like -whipped dogs.</p> - -<p>The loss of the horses was not their only misfortune, -however, for in getting the log they had set down their -carbines near the gate in a spot which we could cover -with our guns. Seeing this, I called again:</p> - -<p>“The man who touches one of those guns will be -shot!”</p> - -<p>The sergeant had plenty of pluck, and, though sorely -perplexed by the turn things had thus suddenly taken, -was as cool as if he had been on parade.</p> - -<p>“What do you want here?” I cried.</p> - -<p>“I want to know who’s in the house,” he said.</p> - -<p>“I am. What next?”</p> - -<p>“Who else?”</p> - -<p>“I decline to say.”</p> - -<p>“Will you surrender without causing any more -trouble?” he asked coolly.</p> - -<p>“If you ask that again, you’ll stand a good chance -of asking no more questions in this world,” said I drily. -“You had better draw off your men while they are -still unhurt.”</p> - -<p>“You can’t hope to beat us off,” he said doggedly.</p> - -<p>“We can try.” At the reply he shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>“If you resist you must take the consequences,” he -called.</p> - -<p>“I am quite prepared for that.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span>He turned away then as if to walk back to his men, -but I saw him start; and then he did a really plucky -thing, like the daring devil he evidently was. When -he was half-way towards his men he made a quick -rush to the guns and tried to snatch them up in his -arms and bolt with them to cover. It was wasted -courage. A couple of guns rang out, Zoiloff’s for one, -and the man rolled over with a groan, shot through the -leg, with the carbines scattered round him.</p> - -<p>His men made no effort to go near him, and so long -an interval of inaction followed that I began to hope -the struggle was already over before it had well begun.</p> - -<p>“Lucky we shot those horses, or we should have had -half the scoundrels bolting for reinforcements,” muttered -Zoiloff.</p> - -<p>“You’d better see what the men at the back are -after,” I said; and even as I spoke the little Broumoff -came running excitedly to tell us they were trying to -get our horses from the shed behind.</p> - -<p>Zoiloff hurried out with a couple of men, and a moment -later I heard an exchange of shots.</p> - -<p>“Run and see what has happened, Spernow, and let -me know,” I said, and in a couple of minutes he returned -to say all was well, and that Zoiloff had wounded one -of the men and scared them off. They had made for -the side of the house, he told me, and had been joined -by the rest of the troopers; unfortunately there was -no window at the side, so that we could neither watch -nor threaten them.</p> - -<p>Another long interval passed without the troopers -making a sign of any kind, and I judged that their intention -was simply to keep watch until reinforcements -could come up, and guessed that they had sent one or -more of the men away on foot in search of help.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span>It was now past six o’clock, and in less than half an -hour it would be safe to make a start. I went to -Zoiloff to consult.</p> - -<p>My plan was to make a rush upon the men and drive -them away sufficiently far to admit of our horses being -put in the cart, and then risk the chances of flight. He -agreed readily, for the inaction was vastly less to his -mind than any fighting, and we made our preparations -accordingly.</p> - -<p>“We are seven to their nine or ten, say. The leader -lies there wounded, you have disabled a second man, -and they have sent away probably two and certainly -one; and as we are armed and they are not, and we -shall catch them unawares, we can certainly beat them -off. We must then get the horses ready and be off. -The sun’s low now, and, as there is a mist rising, it will -be dark enough for our purposes long before seven. -And, anyway, we can’t wait here to be trapped like -rabbits as soon as they succeed in bringing up reinforcements.”</p> - -<p>We set to work at once. The barricade of the back -door was removed quietly and we all mustered by it in -silence.</p> - -<p>“Silence till we are outside,” I whispered. “Then -with a rush fall on them with more noise than force, -and scare and drive them off.”</p> - -<p>I lifted the latch noiselessly and, opening the door, -stepped out, followed by the rest. Then with a loud -shout we rushed round the house and caught the men -as they stood smoking and talking, expecting nothing -less than an attack from us.</p> - -<p>They fled like chaff, helter-skelter in all directions, -not venturing even a pretence at resistance. The two -or three who had guns attempted to fire, but we struck<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span> -up their arms and they fled as incontinently as the -rest.</p> - -<p>We made a show of pursuit, but it was no more than -a show, and then all hands turned to the work of getting -the horses harnessed and saddled. Meanwhile the -mist was rising fast, and promised to form a welcome -veil to our flight.</p> - -<p>As a precaution I told one of our men to ride some -distance along the lane to see that the road was clear, -although I had no doubt that the troopers had been -effectively disposed of; and I went to fetch the Princess -and Mademoiselle Broumoff. All was ready and -we were in good heart, when the man I had sent out -came scampering back with news that filled me with -sudden consternation.</p> - -<p>He had seen a large body of horse-soldiers at the end -of the lane on the high road, and with them were -several of the men we had just beaten off.</p> - -<p>I heard the news with genuine anguish of soul. We -were hemmed in. The absence of any outlet except by -the lane made escape absolutely hopeless, and for a -moment I was borne down with despair.</p> - -<p>“We can only make a forlorn hope of it,” said Zoiloff. -“Charge them and try to make off in the confusion.”</p> - -<p>I bit my lip and racked my brains in the effort to -find some other than this useless, desperate scheme, -and then suddenly a light beamed through the darkness.</p> - -<p>“Markov, can you find your way across the fields at -the back here to the road—on horseback I mean?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, certainly, your Honour, but with the cart——”</p> - -<p>“Zoiloff, good friend, we must part now. There is -only one way. You and Markov must ride with the -Princess on horseback, escaping by the back across the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span> -fields till you strike the road. I must go in the cart -with Mademoiselle Broumoff, if she is brave enough to -risk this for the Princess;” and I looked at her eagerly.</p> - -<p>“I will do anything,” she assented readily.</p> - -<p>“It will make them think that only we six were in -the house here; that Mademoiselle Broumoff is the -Princess, and that we are making the rush to escape -after the fight just now.”</p> - -<p>“I cannot consent to that,” said Christina earnestly. -“You will be going to certain capture.”</p> - -<p>I drew her aside from the rest to urge her, and -Zoiloff, understanding things with the quick instinct -of a friend, led them out of the room on the plea of -hastening the preparations.</p> - -<p>As soon as we were alone she threw off all reserve, -putting her hands on my shoulders and gazing at me -with glowing eyes.</p> - -<p>“Do you press me to do this?” she pleaded.</p> - -<p>“I must; it is your only hope of safety, and a desperate -one at the best.”</p> - -<p>“You love me—Gerald?”</p> - -<p>At the sound of my name, spoken prettily in tremulous -hesitation, I felt the blood rush to my face.</p> - -<p>“With my whole heart,” I cried hoarsely.</p> - -<p>“Do not send me from you, then; I urge you, by -our love. Let us face what has to come together. I -could meet death with you, but without you I am a -coward. I cannot go.”</p> - -<p>“You must go, Christina,” I said in a low voice, and -scarcely steadier than her own.</p> - -<p>“It is sending you to death, Gerald. I cannot do it. -I could not live if harm came to you through me.”</p> - -<p>“No such harm as that can come. But, for God’s -sake, think. If we remain together now it can be but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span> -for a few minutes. If we fell into these men’s hands, -their first act would be to separate us. You must go, -my darling, you must.”</p> - -<p>She gave a deep, heavy, sobbing sigh, and let her -head fall on my shoulder.</p> - -<p>“It is worse than death to go alone like this.”</p> - -<p>“It is our only chance for a happier life. You must -go, and even these moments of delay are imperilling -everything. You must go—and at once. God knows -how gladly I would have you stay with me if I dared.”</p> - -<p>“Then go with me. Captain Zoiloff will——” The -look on my face checked the sentence. “Oh, I cannot -part with you, I cannot!” She moaned in such agony -that my heart ached. “We may never meet again.”</p> - -<p>“We shall meet again with you in safety, do not -fear,” I said, trying to put a ring of hope into my -voice, though my heart echoed her cry. “You must -go, my dearest;” and I began to lead her to the door, -for every moment now might turn the balance between -safety and capture.</p> - -<p>As I moved she threw herself into my arms and -clung to me convulsively. I held her to my heart; -her face was close to me; my lips sought hers, and -our very souls seemed to rush together in that kiss.</p> - -<p>“Till death, Christina,” I whispered passionately.</p> - -<p>“Till death, Gerald,” she answered; and then with -a long, trembling sigh she drew from me. “Oh, how -hard is fate!”</p> - -<p>“Come, sweetheart,” I said; and without another -word I led her out to the horses, to where good Zoiloff -was waiting with gloomy growing impatience.</p> - -<p>I lifted her tenderly to the saddle, and with a last -yearning look and a lingering pressure of the hand I -turned away, sick and sad with the sorrow of it all.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span>Zoiloff was mounted by then, and I wrung his hand.</p> - -<p>“Guard her with your life, friend.”</p> - -<p>“With my life,” he answered to the full as earnestly -as I.</p> - -<p>The plucky little Broumoff was already in the cart, -with Spernow close to her, and in another moment I -was by her side.</p> - -<p>There was still no sign of any troopers, and as for -my scheme it was necessary that they should see us, I -led my party round to the front.</p> - -<p>“When you hear the sound of our wheels, steal off -at once, and make across the fields there for the road,” -I said, as a last word; “you will be out of sight in the -mist before the men have a thought that we are not -all together. Good-bye, and may God speed you!”</p> - -<p>“Amen to that,” came in Zoiloff’s deep voice, and -for the last time I met Christina’s eyes.</p> - -<p>When I reached the front of the house I waited a -moment, listening intently, and then hearing the sound -of horsemen coming up the lane I started my horses, -and as soon as we were through the gate I whipped -them and dashed along the lane at a smart gallop, -just as the foremost couple of troopers loomed into -sight through the shroud of the white mist.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVII<br /> - - -<small>A FRIEND IN NEED</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Although</span> I was certain that we were rushing -straight upon inevitable capture, I still had it in my -mind to make a strenuous dash to get through the -soldiers, and I flogged the horses vigorously, and told -my companion to cling hard to her seat, for the cart -swayed and bumped and jolted over the rough road in -a manner that threatened to send us sprawling into the -lane at every second.</p> - -<p>“Draw that hood over your face to conceal it as -much as possible, and remember if we are caught I -shall address you as ‘the Princess,’” I said to my -companion. “I can’t tell you now what I think of -your courage.”</p> - -<p>She did what I asked, and her features were so concealed -that, had the troopers known the Princess by -sight, they could not have seen it was not she by my -side.</p> - -<p>The first party numbered under a dozen men, and -as we approached they made no effort to stop us, but -drew their horses aside and let us pass.</p> - -<p>“Are they following us?” I asked anxiously, for -that would be the test whether my ruse was to fail or -succeed.</p> - -<p>The girl glanced back.</p> - -<p>“Yes. They’ve closed in behind and are galloping -after us.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span>“Thank God for that!” I cried; and I laid the whip -on the horses again till they were travelling at headlong, -desperate, racing speed.</p> - -<p>Then in the mist, as we neared the end of the lane, -I saw the main body drawn up in a mass completely -blocking the road. They had evidently heard us -coming and were prepared for us, and they sat on their -horses with their carbines levelled.</p> - -<p>“Halt there! or we fire,” shouted someone.</p> - -<p>But he might as well have shouted to a mountain -torrent to stop, for my horses were smarting under the -whip I had laid on so generously, and no driver on -earth could have stayed their wild rush. Indeed, the -words were scarcely out of his lips before we plunged -madly right into the midst of them, scattering them -to right and left and sending them cannoning one -against the other in the utmost confusion.</p> - -<p>The officer in command had formed them in a bad -order for such a reckless charge as ours. The chief -strength was at the sides, and in the middle, where our -horses by luck carried us, the line was only two deep.</p> - -<p>The check was thus but momentary. There was a -violent shock as we dashed against the first horseman; -my horses stumbled and I thought would fall. My -companion and I were jerked violently forward nearly -on to their backs, but in a second and scarcely with a -pause they recovered, and before I could realise what -had happened we were through the ranks and clear of -them, with Spernow and another man close behind us -and dashing along again with barely abated fury for the -main road.</p> - -<p>“Lie down on the floor of the cart; they may fire -after us,” I cried. The next instant the guns rang out -and the bullets came whistling past our ears. But the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span> -aim was bad, and the jolting and swaying of the cart -as it lunged over the ruts helped us.</p> - -<p>“Are you all right, Spernow?” I called over my -shoulder.</p> - -<p>“Yes, but I am alone. The two behind me were -stopped in that business just now, and the other has -just gone down. By God, it was splendidly done, -Count. But they’re streaming after us in full cry.”</p> - -<p>I was nearing the corner now, and remembered the -sharp awkward turn with something of a shudder. I -did not care which way we went; but the cattle knew -the road and seemed to care, for they turned for their -old stables at Liublian with a swerve that tilted the -cart to such an angle that it was nothing less than a -miracle that we did not upset.</p> - -<p>It righted, however, and once on the main road we -darted off on our mad flight at a speed which made the -misty air sting my face with rushing damp in it.</p> - -<p>I was right glad that we had turned that way. The -men behind would be sure to think I had taken it purposely, -and thus we should draw off pursuit from -Christina effectually, and every mile that we could -now contrive to cover meant two miles’ start for her.</p> - -<p>The race could not continue for long. I knew that, -and knew, too, how it must end unless some unforeseen -accident happened; but I meant to make the most of -the opportunity to lead the men as far from Christina -as possible, and with this object I flogged the horses -until they flew along like things possessed at such a -speed that Spernow, though he was well mounted, -could hardly keep up with us.</p> - -<p>In this reckless way, up hill and down at the same -headlong, breakneck pace, our limbs and lives at hazard -with every bad bit of road we covered, we raced for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span> -some miles till we came to the foot of a steep hill, -which, I remembered, was as long as it was steep. The -horses charged at it in the same gallant, desperate way, -but our pursuers had now gained on us and were closing -up fast.</p> - -<p>They had not fired another volley, and though at -first I wondered at this, and could not guess the cause -I was soon to learn it. When we turned in the direction -of Liublian they knew that we could not escape -them, and were content to ride us down or wait till we -ran against some other body of troops. The hill now -helped them, for the wild pace had distressed my horses -until they began to falter at the steep ascent, breathing -hard. I flogged them unmercifully; I would have every -yard out of them that was to be got, because it meant -a yard longer start for Christina; but my heart was -sore for the brutes, for they had made a valiant effort.</p> - -<p>Before we reached the crest of the hill the troops -were up with us, and the leader, pointing ahead, called -to me to surrender.</p> - -<p>“You had better give up the struggle, Count Benderoff,” -he said, riding abreast of me. “We have another -body of men at the top there.”</p> - -<p>But I was fighting for yards, and my answer was to -cut the horses desperately with the whip, so that they -sprang forward again with a last frantic effort. The -man rode to the nearest horse, and, drawing his revolver, -placed it close to the animal’s head.</p> - -<p>“I shall be sorry to fire, but if you don’t stop I shall -have no alternative,” he called.</p> - -<p>“Shall we yield?” I said, turning to the little Broumoff, -who had maintained her seat unflinchingly, and -pretending to consult her, while I whispered, “Keep -your face well concealed.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span>She nodded, and I drew the horses to a standstill.</p> - -<p>“We yield only under protest,” I said.</p> - -<p>“I am glad you spared me an unpleasant job,” replied -the officer, putting his revolver away, and saluting -the “Princess.” “Your animals have made a magnificent -struggle, but you have been racing all the time -toward certain capture, Count Benderoff. Escape -from the first moment was hopeless.” We waited then -in silence while his men drew up and surrounded us. -“Will you drive Her Highness into Liublian?”</p> - -<p>All the horses were greatly distressed, and we waited -a few minutes for them to recover, and then went forward -at a slow pace. I had been anxious to hurry -before, but now I kept my animals at the walk, and -halted more than once on the steep hill. It was my -cue now to waste as much time as possible before the -identity of my companion should be discovered, and I -thought with glee of the long start which Christina -would have.</p> - -<p>At the top of the hill the other soldiers met us, -and the two officers spoke together for a minute, discussing -the incidents of our capture. Then we went -forward again at a very slow pace.</p> - -<p>We reached Liublian an hour and a half after leaving -the homestead; and there again fortune favoured -us. No one was there to recognise my companion, and -we had to push on to General Kolfort’s house, still at -a slow pace, for I declared my horses were so beaten -they could not travel beyond a walk. I managed to -occupy another hour over the drive, and with this start, -which meant nearly five hours to Christina, I felt hopeful -she would reach the frontier safely. My ruse had -succeeded far beyond my best hopes.</p> - -<p>As we drew up at the General’s house, I smiled to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span> -myself as I pictured his fury at the discovery; but he -was not there. He had returned hastily to Sofia, I -overheard; but the place was packed with troops, and -he had left some drastic orders for our disposal.</p> - -<p>I helped the plucky little Broumoff from the cart -with a very deferential air and led her into the house, -Spernow in close attendance. They took us into a -room on the ground floor, where three officers awaited -us, one of them being Captain Wolasky, who, to my -surprise, gave no response to my start of recognition.</p> - -<p>A chair was placed for the “Princess,” and she was -shrewd enough to seat herself so that the light of the -lamp left her face in the shadow. I could have laughed -at the comedy underlying the situation, but, assuming -a tone of hot indignation, I exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“I demand to know the reason why I am subjected -to this infamous treatment! What is the meaning of -this arrest?”</p> - -<p>The man in the centre of the three looked up -angrily:</p> - -<p>“It is not in my instructions to give you any such -needless information, sir. You must be fully aware -of what you have done. You are the Count Benderoff?”</p> - -<p>“I am the Hon. Gerald Winthrop, as well as the -Count Benderoff, and a British subject.”</p> - -<p>“Englishmen are much too prone to meddle in matters -that don’t concern them, and must be prepared to -take the consequences,” he answered drily.</p> - -<p>“There may also be consequences for those who -meddle with them,” I returned hotly; and with the -object of provoking him into a personal dispute so as -to waste more time, I poured out a volume of protests -and objections, together with loud and angry demands<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span> -for a specific charge; and in this way prolonged the -wrangle for many minutes.</p> - -<p>He ordered me at length to be silent, under threat -of packing me out of the room, and then he turned to -the “Princess.”</p> - -<p>“I much regret, Princess, to have to put you to inconvenience, -but my instructions are imperative. You -will have to remain in this house for the night; but -arrangements have been made for your personal comfort, -and to-morrow General Kolfort’s intention will be -explained to you.”</p> - -<p>She made no reply other than to bow, as if in -acquiescence.</p> - -<p>“I must ask you to remove your disguise,” he said -next, just as I was hoping she would even then escape -recognition. She made no attempt to comply with -the request, and it was repeated in a sharper tone.</p> - -<p>She turned to me as if to ask what to do, and, seeing -the end had come, I broke in:</p> - -<p>“This is another of your ridiculous proceedings,” I -said warmly. “Not only am I personally treated in -this outrageous manner, but, because I am seen driving -on the highway, you must needs conclude that the -Princess Christina is with me. It is shameful.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean, sir?” cried the officer hastily.</p> - -<p>“Simply that this young lady is no more the Princess -Christina than you are. You may as well draw your -hood back to show the mistake,” I added to Mademoiselle -Broumoff, who did so then, to the complete consternation -of all the three officers. I could have -smiled at their utter bewilderment.</p> - -<p>“Where is the Princess Christina?” asked the chief -sternly.</p> - -<p>“We are at least as anxious as you can be on that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span> -point,” I answered. “If your men make blunders of -this kind, and don’t know the difference between -her Highness and her friends, who can tell where -she is?”</p> - -<p>“You will find it a hazardous work to play tricks on -us!” he cried furiously.</p> - -<p>“I play tricks on you, indeed! It is you who seem -to be amusing yourselves with us,” I said, with an insolent -laugh. “But you will have to answer for it, I -promise you.”</p> - -<p>“Silence!” he shouted; and I shrugged my shoulders -and threw up my hands in response.</p> - -<p>He muttered some hurried instructions to Captain -Wolasky, who left the room to carry them out. I -glanced at my watch. It was a quarter to ten; three -hours since Christina had started, and I calculated -that, if all had gone well, she would be at least two -stages to the frontier, and beyond hope of pursuit by -any troops that could now be despatched after her. -For aught else I cared nothing.</p> - -<p>I edged close to Spernow, and managed to whisper -to him:</p> - -<p>“If you get a chance try to steal off, you two, in -the confusion;” and just as I had said this Captain -Wolasky came back with a file of soldiers, and the -officer at the table ordered them to lead me away.</p> - -<p>“You have your orders, Captain Wolasky,” he said -in sharp, peremptory tones, and I was led away, -Wolasky following me.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_298.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">“I RODE BETWEEN TWO TROOPERS.”—<i>Page <a href="#Page_299">299</a>.</i></p> - -<p>He took me out through the hall, now thronged with -soldiers, to the front of the house, where a small troop -of horsemen were drawn up; and then, halting at a -spot where the light of a lamp fell full upon his face, he -looked at me with a peculiar expression in his eyes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span> -which I did not understand, and said in an unnecessarily -harsh, strident tone:</p> - -<p>“You have played us too many tricks for me to dare -to take your parole not to escape, sir; and if you -are treated with indignity you have yourself to blame -for it. Bind the prisoner’s hands behind him!” he -said roughly to a couple of men near; and a murmur -of approval came from the troopers standing around, -mingled with a good deal of strong Russian.</p> - -<p>“I protest against the outrage!” I shouted, and -commenced to struggle. It was useless, of course, -and I was held, and my hands fastened behind me. -“Where am I being taken? I demand to know.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll demand you,” said Wolasky, in a voice of passion; -and, seizing me, he pushed me forward to where -a horse stood riderless.</p> - -<p>“Excuse this farce,” he whispered; “but it is necessary;” -and he covered the whisper with a loud imprecation -and abuse of me. I was so astonished that I -forgot to resist. “Struggle,” he whispered again; and -then I set to work to play my part with a will, and -fought and struggled so desperately as they were forcing -me to mount, that the Captain appeared to lose -his temper, and struck at me, taking care, however, -that the blow spent itself in the air.</p> - -<p>“Watch him,” he ordered, “and at the least sign of -treachery, shoot him like a dog. It doesn’t matter -whether he reaches Tirnova alive or dead, so long as -he does reach there;” and again some of the soldiers -clustered about, laughed and oathed in evident glee.</p> - -<p>I rode between two troopers, whose horses were fastened -to mine by light chains attached to the bits, -while each man held a rein; and, as we started in this -alarming fashion, some ruffian shouted after us to keep<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span> -the “damned English dog safe on the chain.” “Tie -his legs under the horse’s belly, and he’ll keep on, dead -or alive,” cried another; and a burst of ribald laughter -followed, in which those about me joined.</p> - -<p>In this fashion we rode through Liublian, struck off -to the right, and soon after began the ascent of a steep -hilly country, which made the travelling very slow. -We moved at no more than a walking pace all the -time, making, as I judged, about four miles an hour; -but we kept on all through the night, and did not halt -until the sun was up, and we reached a small village, -where we dismounted and had breakfast.</p> - -<p>I was overpowered with fatigue, and so soon as I -had eaten the food brought to me I fell into a deep -sleep. In about three hours I was awakened and the -march resumed. The sun was overpowering, and -towards midday a halt was called under some trees. -Here again I slept, and when, in the late afternoon, I -awoke, I was vastly refreshed, and began to think about -the chances of escape.</p> - -<p>I had been treated all the time with the sternest -measures. The Captain did not come near me; and, -when we halted, my legs were bound before my hands -were liberated for me to take any food. The country -was of course entirely strange, and when I asked a -question of the men on either side of me they ordered -me with an oath to be silent.</p> - -<p>When the sun was getting low in the afternoon -Captain Wolasky reined up to my side, and, pointing -to a road we passed, he said in a jeering, insulting tone, -but with the same expression I had noticed on his face -the night before:</p> - -<p>“That’s the road you’d like to take, Mr. Count Englishman; -feast your eyes on it, for you won’t see it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span> -again, I promise you. See, it leads to Sofia over yonder;” -and he pointed far away over the hills to where -the sun’s rays were shining on some distant buildings.</p> - -<p>I looked eagerly enough, for I thought I understood -him, and I began to pay special heed to the road along -which they took me.</p> - -<p>“It’s prettier scenery than Tirnova,” he cried, with -another loud jeering laugh, as he went on again to lead -the party.</p> - -<p>After that we travelled on a fairly level road for -about two miles, when another halt was called for the -soldiers’ evening meal. My legs were tied as before, -and a good meal brought to me, and in moving to put -away the cup and platter I noticed that my legs were -fastened so loosely that I could slip them out in a -moment.</p> - -<p>The dusk had fallen, and the mist risen, so that the -whole party were enveloped in gloom, and I heard the -Captain say to the men, who were sitting at a short -distance from me:</p> - -<p>“We’ve a long night ride, and I shan’t halt again -before dawn. You’d better snatch an hour’s sleep.”</p> - -<p>I saw in a moment that the whole thing had been -arranged cleverly for my escape, and that the Captain -himself had told me in his insulting tone the road I must -make for. I threw myself back and pretended to sleep, -and the man on guard over me—a fat, heavy fellow, -whom the fatigue of the ride had already worn out—first -satisfied himself that I was as sound asleep as I -was when we had halted previously, and then curled -himself up to follow my example.</p> - -<p>With the greatest care I drew my legs out of their -bonds and sat up. The men were breathing heavily in -deep slumber, while the fellow close to me was snoring<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span> -vigorously. I glanced around, and just above me on -the road I should take was the Captain’s horse tethered -alone. He was by far the fleetest and best-blooded -animal in the troop, and once on his back I could laugh -at pursuit. That he had been left there was due to no -accident, I was convinced; and stealthily, inch by inch, -holding my breath in my excitement, I began to crawl -toward him.</p> - -<p>I reached him unnoticed, and, stroking his neck, I -cast off the tether, and led him away for a few paces -along the soft turf. All was dead silence in the little -camp of sleepers, and in the murky mist I could see -nothing of them and they could see nothing of me.</p> - -<p>I led the horse until I reckoned to be out of earshot, -and then mounted and set off at a canter, keeping on -the turf as long as possible.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a loud shout behind me from the men announced -that the fact of my escape had been discovered, -and, driving my heels into the horse’s side, I -dashed off at a rapid gallop for the road which Captain -Wolasky had said was the road to Sofia. I found it -without difficulty, of course, and paused a moment at -the turning to listen for signs of pursuit.</p> - -<p>I could hear nothing, but resolved to make the best -of my start, and galloped off at a pace which showed -the splendid quality of the animal under me.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVIII<br /> - - -<small>A FEARSOME DILEMMA</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> I plunged along in my wild ride through the -quickly darkening gloom, I began to take stock of my -position and shape some kind of plans. Beyond the -statement that the lane would lead me to Sofia, I had -not a notion of where I was, and the twists and turns -of the road along which I was galloping madly soon -caused me to lose all knowledge of the direction in -which Sofia lay.</p> - -<p>But this did not trouble me very much. I was mounted -on a splendid animal; I was armed, for I found the -Captain’s revolver in the holster; and I had money in -my pockets enough to more than serve any needs -likely to arise.</p> - -<p>I did not much fear any serious pursuit. The same -timely friendship which had led Captain Wolasky to -venture so much for me would, I was sure, suffice to -induce him to lead the pursuit in any direction but -that which he knew I should take; and after I had -covered a few miles I halted and listened again for any -sounds of followers. There was not a sound, and after -that I determined to proceed leisurely, and so spare -my horse for any effort should I stumble across any -patrolling party of troops.</p> - -<p>My wish was, of course, to push for the frontier; -but, as the city lay between me and the west road, and -as moreover I knew neither how to find a way round<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span> -the city, and thus avoid the risk of crossing it, nor my -road to the frontier, should I ever be able to get -through Sofia safely, I was much puzzled what course -to take.</p> - -<p>I could of course trust to the chance of being able -to make inquiries as I went, but there was so much -risk in such a course that I feared it. If I was to get -through safely, I knew I must ride for the most part -at night, because the daylight spelt a double danger to -me. It was practically certain that the main road -would be infested by Kolfort’s men, and the chances -of my being able to evade them all were infinitesimal.</p> - -<p>Another scheme suggested itself to me—hazardous, -no doubt—but possibly not so dangerous as the alternative. -Markov had given me a plan of his route to -the frontier, with a list of the places and persons where -he had arranged for the relays of horses; but in the -confusion and hurry of my departure from Sofia I had -left this behind me. It was not of much consequence -so long as he had been present to act as guide, but -without him it had become of vital importance. My -present idea was therefore to risk a return to my own -house, get the paper, which was locked up in a secret -cabinet in my library, and perhaps remain hidden in -the house during the following day, setting out on my -journey to the frontier when darkness came to help -me.</p> - -<p>The obstacle to the scheme was, of course, the possibility -that my house might be in the possession of -Kolfort’s agents, and that I might run my head into a -trap. But the house contained so many secret ways -and passages that this risk was greatly lessened; and I -reckoned that I could at least effect an entrance without -being discovered, and if I found the project impossible<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span> -could leave it again. In any case, the possession of -the plan of route was so essential to me under the -circumstances that I made up my mind to run the risk -of the venture.</p> - -<p>I had first to find my way to the city, however, and -in this I was singularly fortunate. I had ridden some -three or four hours when the moon rose, and soon -afterwards, to my intense satisfaction, my cross road -came out at a point which I recognised as being some -four or five miles from my house. I quickened my -pace, therefore, riding very warily, and, wherever possible, -cantering on the turf, until I came out on the -heath which was close to the mouth of the underground -passage leading under my grounds. I would -not trust myself to use that because its secret was -known to Kolfort’s agents; but I chose a path which -led me to another gate of the garden.</p> - -<p>I dismounted there, unlocked the gate, drew my -horse under the shadow of some trees, fastened him, -and, thrusting the revolver into my belt for use in case -of need, crept forward to reconnoitre the house.</p> - -<p>Every window at the back was in darkness, even to -the kitchens, and the place seemed empty and deserted. -Keeping well within the shadow of the walls, I stole -round with the utmost caution to the front, taking -care that every footfall should be deadened by either -the turf or the soft mould of the flower beds.</p> - -<p>In the front there was a faint light from one window; -a carriage stood in the roadway, and, near the gates -opening from the drive, I saw one or two moving -shadows of men.</p> - -<p>The carriage surprised and startled me. Obviously -someone was taking a keen interest in my concerns, -and was inside the house; and I had to consider<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span> -whether I dared to venture any further with my plan -in the face of such added danger. A minute’s thought -determined me to proceed, however. What I had -feared was the presence of a fairly large number of -men holding possession of the house; but there was -no sign of this, and if only one or two attendants were -with this visitor, whoever it might be, they would not -have an easy task to capture me, while I should not -have a difficult one to avoid them.</p> - -<p>At the side where I stood there was a small opening -into a passage that led straight to my library, and, -unlocking it very softly, I entered, and stole along it -on tiptoe, feeling my way by the wall in the pitchy -darkness. There were several doors leading off from -the narrow passage to different parts of the house, and -at each of these I stood and listened intently, venturing -to unlock one or two of them with my master-key. -In this way I was able to satisfy myself that not a soul -was in the lower part of the house, and, assured by -this knowledge, I crept up the stone staircase that led -to the library.</p> - -<p>The need for absolute silence on my part increased -with every step, and when I reached the top I drew off -my heaving riding boots and moved at a snail’s pace, -my stockinged feet making no noise whatever.</p> - -<p>The entrance to the passage from the room had been -masked very cleverly. It was formed by a revolving -panel in the wall, which swung on well-oiled pivots and -opened behind a sham cabinet, through the painted -glass doors of which care had been taken to allow of -anyone who stood in the cabinet both hearing and -seeing all that went on in the room. I moved the -panel inch by inch with infinite care and caution, and -as I did so heard the sound of voices.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span>I started, and almost lost my presence of mind as I -recognised the deep, gruff tone of General Kolfort, -followed by the soft, dulcet, seductive laugh of the -Countess Bokara. Passing noiselessly through the -panel, I entered the cabinet, and the sight that met -my eyes made me almost cry out in astonishment.</p> - -<p>The wily old Russian had for once met more than -his match. He was seated in a chair with his arms -fastened behind the back of it, staring up, with leaden -face and fear-filled eyes, into the face of the woman -who stood over him with a long, deadly-looking dagger -in her raised hand, passion and hate blazing in her -eyes, and making the blade tremble in her grasp so -that the light quivered and danced on the steel as the -taunting, scoffing words flowed volubly from her lips.</p> - -<p>“Yes, you are to die. I lured you here for the purpose—lured -you, as you say, with lies about the secret -proofs of this Count’s guilt which I could put into -your hands. A single movement, and my blade strikes -home to its sheath in your treacherous old heart!”</p> - -<p>The words came through her clenched teeth, and -she looked a very she-devil as she gloated over her -helpless and cowering victim. He might well cower, -for if ever the lust for human blood was written on a -human face, it was there in every line of hers.</p> - -<p>“What do you want?” he asked at length.</p> - -<p>“Nothing but revenge. Nothing but that you shall -feel before you die some of the pain and horror you -and your cursed agents and spies have made my Prince -endure for months past; nothing but to know that at -last our accounts are squared, and what you tried and -failed to do with me I have tried and succeeded in -doing with you; nothing but your life, murderer!”</p> - -<p>“You can name your own terms,” he said again; and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span> -I saw him glance about him as if in desperate search of -some faint hope of escape from the menacing knife. -She saw the glance too, and laughed, a fiend’s laugh, -scornful, sneering, and utterly loathsome.</p> - -<p>“You may look where you will, but you remember -your own condition—alone in the house. Alone, that -you might not be seen with me, or perhaps might trap -me with more of your damnable treachery. Well, -you’ve had your way, and we are alone; but it’s the -trapper who is trapped, the spider who is caught in his -own web. I’m glad you are afraid of death. I thought -it would be so, you are so prompt and quick to order -the deaths of others. And now you want to find proofs -that will enable you to have this Englishman put out -of your way, something to give a colour to your order -for his removal; and when your men had searched here -and found nothing strong enough, you swallowed the -bait I put to you, to guide you to the place where you -should find all you wanted and more.”</p> - -<p>“He is no friend of yours.”</p> - -<p>“What is that to me? You are my enemy, and here -helpless in my power. The great, powerful, ruthless, -implacable enemy of my Prince and of Bulgaria here -alone, fastened like a child to a chair by the hand of a -woman. Where is your power now? Will it help you -to unfasten even a strand of your bonds? Will it -bring a single soul to your aid? Will it stay by a -second the plunge of my knife, or turn by so much as -a hair’s breadth the point from your heart? Were you -as feeble as the meanest and weakest of your victims, -you could not be more helpless than alone here with -me.”</p> - -<p>The bloodthirsty fury of this unsexed demon was a -hateful sight. Had she plunged her knife into the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span> -man’s heart in a paroxysm of rage I could have understood -the passion which impelled her to her act of -revenge, but it was loathsome to see her standing -gloating over the wretched, quivering old man. I -made up my mind to stop her; and I was about to -dash into the room to tear the knife from her grasp, -for I could stand the sight no longer, when a thought -inspired by his fear struck me. Like a flash of light a -way to safety for me darted into my mind. If he was -the coward at heart she had proved him I could turn -his fears to good account, and in a moment I turned as -anxious to save his life as I was to end the intolerable -sight of her cruel, tigerish, callous gloating.</p> - -<p>“You have tried to murder my Prince, and now you -have dragged him from his throne to some of your vile -Russian prisons,” she began again, when I burst open -the doors of my hiding-place, darted upon her before -she could recover from her start of surprise, and, pushing -her back, stood between her and the General.</p> - -<p>“You!” she cried in a voice choking with baffled -passion, and looking for all the world as though she -would spring on me.</p> - -<p>“Silence!” I said sternly. “This has gone on too -long already. I will have no murder of this kind done -here.”</p> - -<p>I heard the old man behind me give a deep sigh of -relief, and, glancing round, I saw that his head had -dropped back on his shoulders. He had fainted in the -sudden relaxation of the terrible strain, and with his -dead white face upturned, open-mouthed and staring-eyed, -he looked like a corpse.</p> - -<p>But I could give him no more than a glance, for I -dared not keep my eyes from the wild woman before -me.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span>“You know he came here to find proofs to justify -him in ordering your death?”</p> - -<p>“I heard you taunt him with it just now; but I can -protect myself.”</p> - -<p>“I did not come to kill him for that.”</p> - -<p>“I care nothing for your motives; I will not have -him killed here,” I returned in the same stern, decisive -tone.</p> - -<p>She eyed me viciously, like a baulked tigress.</p> - -<p>“You will not?” The words came in a low, strenuous, -menacing voice that fitted with her tigress look.</p> - -<p>“No, I will not;” and at that, without another -word, she flung herself upon me, wrought up to such a -pitch of madness in her reckless yearning to do the deed -she had come to do upon Kolfort that she would have -plunged the knife into my heart to clear me out of her -path. She struggled with the strength and frenzy of -madness, turning the knife as I clutched and held her -wrist until it gashed my hand, while she strained every -nerve and muscle of her lithe, active body in the desperate -efforts to get past me and wrench her wrist -from my grip.</p> - -<p>She was now in all truth a madwoman.</p> - -<p>It was a grim, fierce, gruesome struggle, for her -strength was at all times far beyond that of a woman, -and her mania increased it until I could scarce hold -her in check. Had I been a less powerful man she -would certainly have beaten me; but I thrust her away -again, though I could not get the dagger from her, and -was preparing myself for a renewal of the struggle, -when, with a scream for help that resounded through -the house, she turned her wild eyes on me, now gleaming -with her madness, and hissed:</p> - -<p>“He seeks the proofs to kill you! He shall have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span> -them in my dead body! My blood is on you! My -murder shall give him the proofs he needs!”</p> - -<p>She cried again for help in the same ear-piercing -screech; and, before I could devise her meaning, she -turned the blade against herself, plunged it into her -own heart, and, with a last half-finished scream, fell to -the floor with a sickening thud.</p> - -<p>In an instant I saw the method in her madness. The -General had seen me in the room; he was now unconscious; -there was no witness of her self-murder; my -hand was streaming with the blood from the gashes of -her knife; it was in my house it happened; her screams -for help must have been heard outside. The suggestive -proofs that I had slain her were enough to convince -anyone of my guilt, and in another moment I -should have the General’s men thundering at the door, -not only to stop my flight, but to have me denounced -as a murderer.</p> - -<p>Surely never was a man in a more desperate plight, -and for the moment I knew not in my desperation -what to do.</p> - -<p>A glance at General Kolfort showed me he was still -unconscious, and I rushed to him and shook him in the -frenzy of my despair. But he gave no sign of returning -consciousness, and the white face rolled from side -to side as the head shook nervelessly on the limp, -flaccid neck.</p> - -<p>I clenched my hands and breathed hard in my concentrated -efforts to think coherently and form some -plan of action, and I cursed aloud in my wrath the fiend -of a woman who had brought me to this pass of peril. -I had no thought for her, dead though she was, but -wild, raging, impotent hate.</p> - -<p>Mere flight was no use. If I were charged with this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span> -awful deed I should be proscribed as a murderer, and -the charge would dog my footsteps wherever I went -and rest on me always, till I should be dragged perhaps -to a felon’s death. These thoughts flashed like lightning -through my mind in the seconds that followed, -crazing, bewildering, and frightening me till the drops -stood cold and thick on my brow and my hands grew -clammy with the dew of fear.</p> - -<p>Then came the sounds of men running on the gravel -outside, and I listened to them in positively fascinated, -helpless irresolution.</p> - -<p>Another second and the men were knocking loudly -at the house door; and still I could not move. My -feet were chained by a palsy of fear to the floor, my -breath came in gasps so that I was like to choke, and -when the knocking was repeated I could do no more -than turn and stare helplessly in the direction of the -sound like a crazy idiot. My brain seemed to have -stayed every function except to fill me with this awesome -conviction of deadly inevitable peril.</p> - -<p>The knocking was repeated for the third time, and I -heard the voices of the men calling to be admitted. I -felt that in a minute more the end must come, and still -I could do nothing but stare in imbecile apathy and -wait for it.</p> - -<p>Never can I efface the horror of that terrible moment.</p> - -<p>Then suddenly it seemed to pass. I thought clearly -again, the instincts of self-preservation reasserted themselves, -and I cursed myself for the invaluable time I -had lost.</p> - -<p>But it might not even now be too late.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIX<br /> - - -<small>GENERAL KOLFORT TO THE RESCUE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> I stood in a last second of desperate thought I -heard the crash of glass, and I knew the men were -breaking into the house; and I knew, too, that another -minute would see them in the room where I should be -caught red-handed. The instant General Kolfort returned -to consciousness he would be the first to denounce -me, despite the fact that I had saved him from -death. He would only too gladly use against me the -awful proofs of my apparent guilt which the mad -woman had afforded by her self-murder. It was just -such a chance as he would welcome.</p> - -<p>I dared not leave him behind me.</p> - -<p>I seized him, and, tearing with the strength of passion -at his bonds, tugged and wrenched until I freed -his hands and lifted him in my arms. He was still -faint, though I detected now the signs of returning -consciousness. Then I extinguished the light, darted -with him through the entrance into the secret passage, -and, clapping a hand over his mouth that he should -utter no sound when his senses came back, I drew my -revolver, and peering through the glass into the dark -room, stood at bay, resolved to sell my life dearly, -whatever chanced.</p> - -<p>But I had secured a magnificent hostage for ultimate -freedom, could I only get through this mess. It would -all turn on what happened when the General’s men<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span> -entered the room, and I clenched my teeth as I stared -into the darkness.</p> - -<p>There was no long wait. I had barely hidden myself -when someone knocked at the door of the room, -paused for a reply, knocked again, and entered. Two -men came in, the faint light from the hall beyond showing -up their uniformed figures.</p> - -<p>“This isn’t the room; it’s all in darkness,” said one -in a deep bass voice.</p> - -<p>“Yes, it is; it’s the library,” said the other, who -evidently knew the house. “Are you there, General? -Did you call?”</p> - -<p>They both waited for an answer, and, getting none, -came further into the room.</p> - -<p>“It can’t be it,” said the first speaker.</p> - -<p>“Better get a light,” returned the second. “I know -it is the right room.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it’s devilish odd.” Fumbling in his pocket, -he got a match, struck it and held it up, glancing -round the room with the faint, flickering light held -above his head.</p> - -<p>“Here’s a lamp,” said his companion; “hot too, -only just put out. I don’t like this. Where can the -General be?”</p> - -<p>“Better mind what we’re doing, Loixoff. The General -won’t thank us to come shoving our noses into -his affairs.”</p> - -<p>“You heard the scream for help, Captain?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but it wasn’t the General’s voice,” returned -the Captain drily. “And he was alone with the woman -we were to take prisoner afterwards.”</p> - -<p>They were lighting the lamp when this little unintentional -revelation of old Kolfort’s intended treachery -to the Countess Bokara was made.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span>At that moment I felt my prisoner move, and I -pressed my hand tightly over his mouth and held him -in a grip that made my muscles like steel, lest he should -struggle, and, by the noise, bring the men upon us.</p> - -<p>When they had lighted the lamp they stood looking -round them in hesitation. From where they stood the -body of the dead woman was concealed by the table.</p> - -<p>“The General’s been here,” said the man who had -been addressed as Loixoff. “Here are his cap and -gloves.” They lay not far from the lamp. “What -had we better do?”</p> - -<p>My prisoner made another movement then and drew -a deep breath through his nostrils, and I felt his arm -begin to writhe in my grip. I slipped my revolver into -my belt for a moment, lifted him up in my arms, -holding him like a child, put his legs between mine -while I pinioned him with my left arm so that he could -not move hand or foot, and moved my right hand up -to cover both nostrils and mouth. I would stifle his -life out of him where he lay rather than let him betray -me.</p> - -<p>I could understand the men’s hesitation. Old Kolfort -was certain to resent any interference or prying -on their part into his secrets, and they foresaw that the -consequences to them might be serious if they were to -do what he did not wish. He knew how to punish interlopers. -They were afraid, and I began to hope that, -after all, I should yet get out of this plight if I could -only keep my prisoner quiet.</p> - -<p>Even if I had to kill him I could still get the paper -I had come for; and as no one would know of my visit -to the house, no glint of suspicion would ever fall on -me. At this thought I almost hoped he would die.</p> - -<p>The two men stood in sore perplexity for a time that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span> -seemed an hour to me, but may have been a couple -of minutes, and then the elder one, the Captain, -said:</p> - -<p>“We’d better look through the other rooms.”</p> - -<p>“As you please,” said his companion, and he turned -away while the Captain picked up the lamp.</p> - -<p>“I can’t understand it,” he muttered.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps we’d better not try,” said Loixoff. As he -spoke he started, and I saw him stare at the spot where -the Countess lay. “By God! Captain, there’s the -woman, dead!”</p> - -<p>They crossed the room together, and while the -Captain held the lamp down close to the body Loixoff -examined it.</p> - -<p>“It’s that fiend, Anna Bokara,” he cried. “Now we -know what that scream meant.”</p> - -<p>“Is she dead?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; here’s a knife thrust right through her heart. -There’s no pulse,” he added after a pause. “Is this -his work?”</p> - -<p>“It must be,” returned the Captain; and I saw them -look meaningly into each other’s eyes.</p> - -<p>“We’d best clear out of this,” said the Captain. -“I suppose it’s only a case of suicide after all,” he -added significantly.</p> - -<p>“Probably,” was Loixoff’s dry answer as he rose -from his knees. “Where’s the General, do you -think?”</p> - -<p>“I never think in these cases;” and the Captain put -the lamp down, taking care to find the exact spot where -it had stood, and then extinguished it. “We’ll wait -till he calls us, Loixoff. And mind, not a word that -we’ve been here. Leave the General to make his own -plans.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span>They went out, closing the door softly behind them, -and I heard them leave the house. As I pushed open -the doors of the cabinet again their steps crunched on -the gravel outside as they walked away down the drive.</p> - -<p>I breathed freely once more. I was safe so far, and -in the relief from the strain of the last few terrible -minutes my muscles relaxed, and I leant against the -wall with scarcely sufficient strength to prevent my -companion from slipping out of my arms to the floor.</p> - -<p>But there was still much to be done, and I made a -vigorous effort to pull myself together. I relit the -lamp, but placed it so that no gleam of the light could be -seen through the windows. Then laying my prisoner, -who had fainted again as the result of my rough treatment -of him in the hiding-place, on a couch, I secured -the paper of the route I was to take to the frontier.</p> - -<p>Next I applied myself vigorously to restore him to -consciousness. I dashed cold water in his face, and -then, getting brandy from a cupboard in the room, I -poured some down his throat, and bathed his forehead. -The effect was soon apparent; his breathing became -deeper and more regular, until with a deep-drawn sigh -he opened his eyes and stared at me, at first in a maze -of bewilderment, but gradually with gathering remembrance -and recognition.</p> - -<p>“You’ll do now, General; but you’ve had a near -shave. If I hadn’t come in the nick of time that -woman’s knife would have been in your heart,” I said.</p> - -<p>He started, and terror dilated his pupils as he glanced -wildly about him.</p> - -<p>“You’re safe from her. She’s killed herself. Drink -this;” and I gave him more brandy. As I handed it -to him he started again and stared at the blood on my -hand. He was still scared enough for my purposes.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[318]</span> -He drank the brandy and it strengthened him, and -presently he struggled and sat up.</p> - -<p>I drew out my revolver, made a show of examining -it to make sure that it was loaded, and put it back in -my pocket. I had run my hands over him before to -make certain that he had no weapon.</p> - -<p>“What are you going to do?” he asked, with a glance -of fresh terror.</p> - -<p>“Not to use that unless you force me,” I said, with -a look which he could read easily enough. “As soon -as you’re ready to listen I’ve something to say.”</p> - -<p>He hid his face behind his trembling hands in such -a condition of fright that I could have pitied him had -it not been necessary for me to play on his fears. He -sat like this in dead silence for some minutes, and I -waited, thinking swiftly how to carry out the plan I -had formed.</p> - -<p>“What is it you want?” he asked at length.</p> - -<p>“You came here to-night to meet the Countess -Bokara in the belief that she could put into your hands -such papers as would give you an excuse to have me -put to death, and when she had done it you meant to -have had her arrested. Instead of that you fell into her -trap, and she was on the point of killing you when I -interfered and saved your life. Then she turned on me -and struggled to kill me in order that she might carry -out her purpose. Her failure drove her insane, and in -her frenzy of baulked revenge she plunged the knife -into her own heart. You will therefore write out a -statement of these facts while they are still fresh in -your mind, sign it, and give it to me.”</p> - -<p>I pointed to my table, on which I had laid the writing -materials in readiness. He was fast recovering his -wits, if not his courage, and he listened intently as I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span> -spoke. I saw a look of cunning pass over his face as -he agreed to what I said, and crossed to the writing-table. -He thought he could easily disown the statement, -and had been quick to perceive the use he could -make of the facts against me. But he did not know -the further plan I had, and he wrote out a clear statement -exactly as I had required.</p> - -<p>“Seal it with your private seal,” I said when he had -signed it, his handwriting throughout having been purposely -shaky. He would have demurred, but I soon -convinced him I was in no mood to be fooled with. -“Your seal can’t be disowned as a forgery,” I said -pointedly. “And now, as your hand has recovered its -steadiness, you can write this again—this time, if you -please, so that no one can mistake it;” and while he -did this I watched him closely to prevent a similar trick.</p> - -<p>“Good!” I exclaimed when all was finished. The -second paper he had written I folded up carefully and -placed in my pocket; the first I laid inside the dress of -the dead woman, in such a position that anyone finding -the body must see the paper.</p> - -<p>“That will explain what has happened when the -body is found,” I said drily. “I want the facts made -very plain.” He looked at me with an expression of -hate and fear and cunning combined.</p> - -<p>“I must go; I am not well,” he said.</p> - -<p>“We are going together, General,” I returned -quietly. “I am willing to assume that you are so -grateful to me for having saved your life, that in turn -you wish to secure my safety. You have had me -arrested once, your men have treated me like a felon, -you have filled the roads with your agents until I cannot -take a step without further fear of instant capture, and -up to this moment you have sought my life with tireless<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span> -energy; but now you are so concerned for my safety, -so eager to repair your mistaken estimate of me, and -heedful for my welfare, that you are going to see me -safe to the Servian frontier. That is the part you are -cast for; and, listen to me, if you refuse, if you give so -much as a sign or suggestion of treachery, if you don’t -play that part to the letter, I swear by all I hold -sacred I’ll scatter your brains with this pistol;” and I -clapped it to his head till the cold steel pressed a ring -on his temple. “Now what do you say?”</p> - -<p>He cowered and shrank at my desperate words, and -all the horror and fright of death with which the -Countess Bokara had filled his soul came back upon -him again as he stared helplessly up at me. His dry -bloodless lips moved, but no sound passed them; he -lifted his hands as if in entreaty, only to drop them -again in feeble nervelessness; and he shook and trembled -like one stricken with sudden ague.</p> - -<p>“You value your life, I see, and you can earn it in -the way I’ve said. So long as I am safe you will be -safe, and not one second longer. That I swear. If -there is danger on the road for me it is your making, -and you shall taste of the risks you order so glibly for -others. Every hazard that waits there for me will be -one for you as well. You are dealing with a man you -have rendered utterly reckless and desperate. Remember -that. Now, do you agree?”</p> - -<p>“Anything,” he whispered, in so low a tone that I -could only catch it with difficulty.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_320.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">“THE COLD STEEL PRESSED A RING ON HIS TEMPLE.”—<i>Page <a href="#Page_320">320</a>.</i></p> - -<p>“Then we’ll make a start. Come first with me.” I -led him upstairs to my dressing-room, and made him -wait while I exchanged the uniform I was wearing for -a civilian’s dress, and shaved off my beard and moustache. -He sat watching me in dead silence, his eyes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[321]</span> -following my every action, much like a man spellbound -and fascinated. I had saturated him through and -through with fear of me, till his very brain was dizzy -and dimmed with terror.</p> - -<p>When my hasty preparations were finished, I took -him down to the shooting gallery while I armed myself -with a stout sword-stick of the highest temper, testing -the blade before him, and took a plentiful supply of -ammunition for my revolver. I kept absolute silence -the whole time, letting the looks which I now and again -cast on him tell their own story of my implacable resolve. -He was like a weak woman in his dread of me, -and at every fierce glance of mine he started with a -fresh access of terror.</p> - -<p>When all was ready for my start, I drew the plan of -my route from my pocket and studied it carefully.</p> - -<p>“I am ready,” I said; “and now mark me. You -will call up one of your men. What is that Captain’s -name who is here with you?”</p> - -<p>“Berschoff,” he answered, like a child saying a lesson.</p> - -<p>“You will call up Captain Berschoff and order him -to draw off his men, and to send your carriage, unattended, -mind, up to the front door. You will be careful -that the Captain does not see me. When the -carriage comes, you will order your coachman to drive -you as fast as he can travel to the village of Kutscherf. -While you are speaking to Captain Berschoff my hand -will be on your shoulder and my revolver at your head, -and if you dare to falter in so much as a word or syllable -of what I have told you, that moment will be your -last on earth. Come!”</p> - -<p>I held my revolver in hand as we left the gallery and -went to the door of the house.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[322]</span>My breath came quickly in my fast-growing excitement, -for I knew that a moment would bring the crisis -on the issue of which all would turn. When once I -had got rid of his men, his sense of helplessness would -be complete, and my task would be lighter. But my -fear was that in his cunning he might even dare to play -me false in the belief that I should be afraid to make -my threat good. He knew as well as I that to shoot -him right in front of his captain would be an act fraught -with consummate peril for me.</p> - -<p>My heart beat fast as I unfastened the heavy door, -opened it, and turning gripped him by the shoulder as -he went forward on to the step and called to Captain -Berschoff.</p> - -<p>Then I pulled him back, closed the door to within a -couple of inches, and, planting my foot to prevent it -being opened wider, I pressed the barrel of the pistol -to his head, as we stood listening to the hurried footsteps -of the approaching officer.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[323]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXX<br /> - - -<small>THE PUSH FOR THE FRONTIER</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Did</span> you call, General?” asked the captain; and as -the voice came through the door I tightened the grip -on my prisoner and pressed the barrel of the revolver -harder against his head.</p> - -<p>He hesitated, and when no answer was given the -question was repeated.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Kolfort, in an unsteady tone.</p> - -<p>“Shall I come in? Is anything the matter?” and I -felt the door pushed from the outside.</p> - -<p>“No,” in the same unsteady tone. “No, I—I do not -need you. You will take your men back to my house -and—and wait for instructions.”</p> - -<p>“And the prisoner, General? Shall we take her -with us?”</p> - -<p>“Tell him she has killed herself,” I whispered.</p> - -<p>“There is no prisoner to take, Captain Berschoff. -She has—has taken her own life. Leave that to me. -Withdraw your men and send my carriage up to the -door here for me.”</p> - -<p>“Very good, General. Is that all?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that’s all.” The words came with a sigh of -relief. I shut the door immediately, and we stood in -the dark, near the window which the two officers had -broken to get into the house, and listened as the captain -walked quickly to the gates. Then came a word -of command, followed by the scraping of the carriage<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[324]</span> -wheels on the drive, and the sounds of the soldiers’ -horses and the rattle of their accoutrements as they -wheeled away along the road.</p> - -<p>So far all was going well, and the crisis I feared had -passed safely. The carriage drew up outside the -door.</p> - -<p>“Remember where to tell him to drive, Kutscherf,” -I said sternly. “You have half earned your life, but -you must go through with it.” I opened the door, -linked my arm in his, and led him down the steps, and -together we entered the carriage. He gave his order -to the coachman through the window, and a moment -later we started, turned out of the gates, and rattled -along at a brave pace for the frontier.</p> - -<p>General Kolfort fell back on the seat and pressed his -hands to his face, as though dizzy and weak with the -long tension of fear, and partly, I judged, ashamed of -himself for his cowardice.</p> - -<p>“You had better try to sleep, General,” I said; “we -have a long drive. I shall be on watch, and shall not -need to disturb you unless we stumble across any of -your troublesome patrols.”</p> - -<p>This was indeed my one source of fear now, and I -leant back thinking how we should deal with them in -the event of interference. The General’s presence -would probably make everything smooth enough, but -there was always a chance that an opportunity would -be given for him to try some trick to elude me.</p> - -<p>We had at least sixty miles to drive, and as it was -now past midnight I reckoned we could not reach the -frontier until between seven and eight in the morning. -It would be sunrise by five, and there would be thus -at least two or three hours to drive in daylight. That -would be the time of chief danger.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[325]</span>It was a bright, fine night, the moon had risen, and -when we had cleared the town I resolved to urge the -driver to quicken the pace of his horses. I let down -the window, and the cool night air came rushing in -and roused my companion, who sat up quickly.</p> - -<p>“What is the matter?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing; I wish your man to travel faster.” I leant -out and called to him:</p> - -<p>“The General says you are to drive faster; at a gallop -where possible.” He did not hear me at first, and -was for checking the horses, until I shouted the order -to him again. I drew in my head, and was only just in -the nick of time to avoid trouble.</p> - -<p>The General had opened the door on his side and, -in his desperation, was in the very act of springing out. -I caught hold of him, dragged him back, and shut the -door again. He fell in a heap huddled up at my feet.</p> - -<p>“A very dangerous leap for a man of your age,” I -said drily. “I have probably saved your life, for the -second time to-night,” and I lifted him up on to the -seat of the carriage again. “And now, understand me, -if you had got out, I would have sprung out after you -and shot you in the highway, had it cost me my life. -I thought that you would understand by now that I’m -in too dangerous a mood for you to fool with. But -I’m glad of the hint you’ve given me, and I sha’n’t forget -it for the rest of the way.”</p> - -<p>He made no answer, but lay back on the seat as before, -and I did not attempt to rouse him. The incident -disquieted me, for it showed that he was dead -set on outwitting me, and would do so if I relaxed for -a single second the strain of his terror of my pistol.</p> - -<p>The carriage was now travelling at a great pace, the -man urging the horses to a gallop over every yard of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[326]</span> -level road. We reached the first village without further -incident, and I told the man where to get the -change of horses. There was a little delay in rousing -the people of the place, but once roused they set to -work with a will, and in a very few minutes we were -spinning on again with the fresh cattle at the same high -speed for the next stage.</p> - -<p>Markov had done his work shrewdly, and had -planned the route so that for the greater part of the -way we travelled without having to use the main road. -But the by-ways were rough going in many places, and -this retarded our progress. We made good time, however, -and when we changed horses for the second, -third, and fourth times without being stopped, my -hopes began to rise fast that we might even reach the -frontier unchallenged. We had covered over forty -miles, and yet, including the time spent in changing -horses, we had barely been four hours on the road.</p> - -<p>A check came soon after the fourth change, however. -We had to take to the main road, and had covered some -two or three miles, when I heard a shout and felt the -carriage checked suddenly.</p> - -<p>“Who goes there?” called someone, and looking -out I saw we were in the midst of a strong patrol.</p> - -<p>“You’d better not stop us. I’m driving express. -It’s General Kolfort,” came the coachman’s voice.</p> - -<p>I caught my breath, and my prisoner roused himself -instantly and sat up. I passed my arm round him and, -pressing the revolver against his ribs over his heart -from behind, I said:</p> - -<p>“You will tell these men to allow us to pass. My -pistol is within an inch of your heart, and my finger -on the trigger.” I felt him shudder. “Let that window -down, and call to them angrily. You know me.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[327]</span>He let it down, fumbling clumsily, so that with my -disengaged hand I had to help him.</p> - -<p>The non-commissioned officer in charge of the patrol -had dismounted and came to the window.</p> - -<p>“What do you mean by stopping me? Don’t you -know who I am, blockhead?” cried the General, his -teeth chattering with chill and fright.</p> - -<p>“My orders are imperative, to stop all travellers and -see their papers,” replied the man as he saluted.</p> - -<p>“Well, you’ve stopped us; that’s enough.”</p> - -<p>“I must see your papers, if you please,” he said -stolidly.</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose the General writes passes for himself,” -I broke in.</p> - -<p>“We have no papers,” cried the General sharply. I -saw his motive; he wished to provoke the man to stop -us.</p> - -<p>“Then you will have to alight,” said the soldier.</p> - -<p>“Very well. I suppose there’s no help for it;” and -as he turned to me the General’s face wore an expression -half defiant, half cunning. “I’m not responsible -for what these blockheads do,” he said.</p> - -<p>“What papers do you want?” I asked, at a loss -quite what to do in this new and perplexing turn.</p> - -<p>“All travellers this way must carry a permit, or -they are to be stopped. Those are my orders.”</p> - -<p>“But surely you know General Kolfort?”</p> - -<p>“I must see the permit,” he answered doggedly.</p> - -<p>“That’s easily managed. You can write one, General.”</p> - -<p>The man shook his head.</p> - -<p>“They must be signed and countersigned,” he returned, -with growing suspicion and rising anger.</p> - -<p>“The fellow’s right,” said the General, turning to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[328]</span> -me with a laugh. “It’s absurd, but he’s right.” His -manner enraged me. He was trying all he dared to -play into the man’s hands.</p> - -<p>“I am only obeying orders,” said the sergeant; -and for a moment it seemed as if between them I -should be fooled. But I knew well enough what -short work my prisoner would have made of such an -interruption under other circumstances.</p> - -<p>“Do you tell me you don’t know that this is General -Kolfort?” I asked very sternly.</p> - -<p>“I am not here to study faces, sir, but to examine -permits,” was the blunt blockhead’s answer.</p> - -<p>“You can at least read, then? And I presume you -know the General’s handwriting. You shall have an -order signed by the General, and one which will need -no countersign to ensure its being obeyed. What’s -your name and regiment? Quick!” I said in a short -tone of command.</p> - -<p>“Max Pullschoff, sergeant, 3rd Regiment, 2nd Army -Corps,” he answered saluting.</p> - -<p>“Now, General, order him to allow us to proceed at -once at his peril. This fooling has gone far enough,” -and I enforced my words with a look of menace, while -I pressed the revolver hard against his ribs, and added -in a whisper, “Instantly!”</p> - -<p>He hesitated just one instant, trying to nerve himself -to defy me, but it was only for the instant.</p> - -<p>“I am General Kolfort, and I order you at your peril -to delay me no longer.”</p> - -<p>“I am very sorry, sir, but my orders are absolute. -I can’t do it.”</p> - -<p>“Write an order to Captain Berschoff that the rascal -has mutinied against your authority, General, and that -instantly on his return to quarters he is to be imprisoned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[329]</span> -and flogged for mutiny. We will see then what he -says about signatures,” and I took out my pocket-book -and gave it him with a pencil.</p> - -<p>He glared at me viciously, but the revolver was his -master, and he wrote out the order just as I had bade -him, and signed it.</p> - -<p>“Now, Sergeant Pullschoff, read that, and say -whether in the face of it you venture to carry this -thing further.”</p> - -<p>The man took it, and I saw his face turn deadly white -as he read it and scanned the signature closely.</p> - -<p>“I have done no more than my duty, General,” he -murmured; but I saw that I had beaten him, and I -pressed that advantage home.</p> - -<p>“If you detain us a minute longer, my man, you -will go galloping back to Sofia in custody for that order -to be executed. You and your men know perfectly -well that this is General Kolfort, and that this is his -carriage.”</p> - -<p>He stepped away from the carriage window, and I -saw him consult with a couple of his men.</p> - -<p>“If I break my orders you will hold me harmless, -General?”</p> - -<p>“Of course we shall. Tell him so, General.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” assented the latter, but very slowly and regretfully, -for the new turn of the matter was all against -his wishes.</p> - -<p>“You can give me back that order,” I said then. -“And I shall make it my business to see that you are -commended for your care in carrying out your instructions. -Tell the coachman to drive on.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, sir. I wish to do no more,” said the -fellow, saluting, as he handed me the paper, and then -called to the driver to proceed.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[330]</span>“A very excellent soldier that, very wooden, but -human at bottom in his fear for himself,” I said quietly -to my prisoner, as we passed the last of the patrols, -who all saluted us.</p> - -<p>“Curse you!” cried the General, in the bitterness of -his chagrin and disappointment.</p> - -<p>I laughed; I could afford to now that the danger -was passed; and my satisfaction was the more genuine -because the danger had been more serious than I had -anticipated. Moreover, it suggested to me to take a precaution -which I had neglected before starting.</p> - -<p>When we drew up for the next change of horses I -made my prisoner write me a formal permit to pass all -patrols, as being on special service, and I pocketed it -for use in case of need. The value of it I had an opportunity -of testing within a few minutes, for we -were stopped again by another patrol of troops. But -I produced the permit this time, and it was accepted -without a word of comment.</p> - -<p>It was now daylight; and, as we drew near the frontier, -my excitement increased. When we changed -horses for the last time my spirits were as high as my -companion’s rage and chagrin were manifest.</p> - -<p>In less than an hour I should be across the frontier -if all went well; and all had gone so well that it would -be a mere superfluity of cowardice to anticipate any -serious obstacle now. We had left the main road, and -had travelled some four miles through rough hilly cross -lanes to the point where Markov had planned for the -frontier to be crossed, when I found that the driver -was in trouble with the horses. They were going very -erratically, now jibbing and plunging in the harness, -and again dashing forward at headlong speed. While -they galloped I cared nothing, and, though we bumped<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[331]</span> -over the rough roads so violently that my companion -could scarcely keep on his seat, and was constantly -thrown against me, I was well contented, and laughed. -The greater the speed the better it pleased me. But -when they stopped, and plunged, and kicked with a -violence quite beyond the man’s power to control, I -was anxious enough.</p> - -<p>Then, quite suddenly, came an overwhelming disaster -which ruined everything. We had ascended a -steep hill at a slow pace, with more than one stoppage, -and were descending a slope on the other side, when -the horses bolted, and dashed away down it with a -frantic fury that threatened to smash us up at almost -every stride. The pace was mad enough to frighten a -man whose nerves were in far better order than those -of my fright-wrought prisoner, and his terror paralysed -him.</p> - -<p>There was going to be a smash; and I had scarcely -time to realise the certainty of it, and to wonder -vaguely how it would affect my escape, when it came. -There were a few moments of mad, jolting, dizzying -rush down the hill, then a fearful crash as the wheels -struck against some heavy obstacle, a wild jerk that -threw us both forward in a heap, a noise of smashing -glass and rending woodwork, half-a-dozen great lurching -bumps and jolts, and the carriage was on its side, -dragging, and tearing, and grinding on the rough road, -till it stopped, and I found myself lying in its ruins, -with my hands and face badly cut and bruised, and -every bone in my body, as it seemed, either broken or -dislocated. I struggled out of the ruin as best I could, -to find the driver and his horses in a heap in the road, -the man himself in imminent peril of being kicked to -death. I managed to haul him out of danger, and laid<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[332]</span> -him by the roadside unconscious from the effect of his -fall, and left the horses to fight it out for themselves -while I looked after General Kolfort.</p> - -<p>He was also unconscious; but whether from hurt or -fear I could not tell. He lay pinned underneath the -carriage, and I had great difficulty in releasing him. -But I got him out, and set him beside the coachman, -just as one of the horses succeeded in kicking himself -free, struggled to his feet, and began backing and tugging -to break the reins. I ran to him, patted and -soothed him, and then, cutting the reins, I knotted -them and fastened him to a tree. I meant him to -carry me to the frontier on his back, and was glad to -find, when I ran my hands over him, that he had no -more serious hurts than a few surface cuts.</p> - -<p>But I was in truth vastly puzzled how to act. To -take the General with me any further was impossible; -yet to leave him behind might be infinitely dangerous. -The instant he recovered consciousness he would set -all his wits and malice to work to have me followed; -and my perplexity was vastly increased when I saw -about a mile ahead of me a couple of horse-patrols appear -on the crest of a hill, and come riding leisurely -toward us.</p> - -<p>There was no time for hesitation. I realised instantly -the impossibility of holding the General in my -power by means of threats in the presence of a couple -of soldiers in broad daylight. There was infinitely less -danger in trusting to flight.</p> - -<p>I rushed to the horse, therefore, unfastened him, -leapt on his bare back, and set off at a gallop to meet -the approaching soldiers. As I glanced back I saw to -my dismay that the General had been fooling me with -a sham fainting fit, for he had risen to a sitting posture,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[333]</span> -and was endeavouring to shake the coachman back to -his senses.</p> - -<p>At this I urged my horse forward, for I knew his -next step would be to try and make the soldiers understand -that I was to be stopped and secured.</p> - -<p>As I galloped I made my plans. Getting within -earshot, I called to them to hasten forward, for they -had halted, and stood with their carbines ready to stop -me.</p> - -<p>Reining my horse up as best I could, I said, in a tone -of command:</p> - -<p>“General Kolfort has met with an accident there, -and you are to hasten to his assistance instantly.”</p> - -<p>“One moment, if you please, sir. Have you your -papers?” asked one of the men.</p> - -<p>“Of course I have. I am riding on special service. -Here is my permit;” and I showed it to him, not letting -it out of my hands, however. He pushed his -horse forward and read it.</p> - -<p>“It seems all right,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Of course it’s all right. I am on a matter of life or -death, and have to press forward with all speed. I -have had to use one of the carriage horses; but one of -you had better give me yours. It is an urgent affair -of State.”</p> - -<p>My tone of authority, added to the permit of urgency -with the General’s signature, impressed him considerably.</p> - -<p>“It’s all against orders,” he said, hesitating.</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose this won’t justify everything?” I -cried, shaking the General’s order in his face. “You -may find it awkward to refuse. The General will soon -put you right. Quick! there’s no time to lose;” and, -to act my part thoroughly, I slipped off my horse.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[334]</span>He dismounted slowly, and half reluctantly; but the -instant his foot touched the ground, I let my horse -loose, and, giving him a thrust in the ribs, sent him -trotting down the road, while I seized the bridle of the -other and swung into the saddle, before the man had -recovered from his astonishment.</p> - -<p>Then an exclamation from the second soldier attracted -the attention of us both. There was good -cause; for, on looking back, I saw that three other -horse-soldiers had joined the General, who was making -frantic gesticulations to the men with me.</p> - -<p>“Ah! he sees me stopping, and wishes me to push -on,” I said.</p> - -<p>“I think you had better ride back with us, if you -please,” said the soldier who had dismounted, and he -made a sign to his companion, who was still barring -my path, to stop me.</p> - -<p>“Nonsense, he wishes me to push on.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t let you proceed, sir, order or no order,” he -answered bluntly, and made as if to seize my horse’s -bridle, while he ordered his subordinate to prevent -my passing.</p> - -<p>At the same moment the men with the General fired -their carbines to call our attention, and set off towards -us at full gallop.</p> - -<p>“At least you can wait till those men reach us,” he -said, and his tone and face showed his suspicions that -something was wrong.</p> - -<p>Thus in a moment the position had developed into -one of fresh embarrassment and imminent peril for me.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[335]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXI<br /> - - -<small>THE RUINED HUT</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> two soldiers mistook me vastly if they thought -I was going to allow myself to be caught in this way -like a rat in a trap, when the trap was a mile long, and -the door of it guarded so loosely.</p> - -<p>I had backed my horse to prevent the man on foot -catching hold of the bridle-rein, and, wheeling round -swiftly, I plunged my hand into my pocket, drew out -my revolver, and, before the second soldier could guess -my intention, I sent a bullet into his horse’s head.</p> - -<p>He dropped like a stone, sending his rider flying on -to the road, his carbine, which he had levelled at me, -going off in the air as he fell. The other made a rush -at me, but I covered him with the pistol.</p> - -<p>“How dare you try to stop me on State business?” -I cried in a voice of thunder. “Another step and I’ll -blow your brains out.”</p> - -<p>He pulled up short enough at that, and I clapped my -heels into the horse’s flanks, and was off like the wind. -He was a good beast, in excellent condition and very -fresh, and more than fit to carry me the six miles which -I reckoned lay between me and the frontier. The distance -was so short that I had no need to spare him, -and, as I had over three-quarters of a mile start, I did -not doubt that I could win a race in which my safety -and probably my life were the stakes.</p> - -<p>I was in luck, too, for the soldier before dismounting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[336]</span> -had thrust back his carbine into its leathern shoe, and -in among his saddle-furniture I found a reserve supply -of ammunition.</p> - -<p>Turning in my saddle I saw that the three soldiers -had passed the two with whom I had had the tussle, -and were galloping after me at full speed, striving might -and main to lessen the distance between us, and I knew, -of course, that old Kolfort had given them his most -imperative command to overtake and capture me at -all costs.</p> - -<p>But a few minutes of this hot work showed me that -I was better mounted than they, and that I was gaining. -They perceived this, too, and resorted to a tactic -which gave me some uneasiness. One after another -they began firing their carbines, not of course at me, -for I was hopelessly out of range, but in the hope of -attracting any other patrol parties who might chance -to be in the neighbourhood.</p> - -<p>This was by no means to my taste. It suggested -that they knew there were more troops about, and while -I dug my heels into my willing horse’s sides, and urged -him with my voice to still greater speed, I cast ahead -many anxious looks.</p> - -<p>A minute later, too, I was thrown into a state of -much perplexity as to my road. About half a mile in -front the road forked, and I did not know whether my -way lay to the right or left, and had no time to consult -the plan of route. It would have been fatal to hesitate, -however, and I was going to leave my horse to settle -the matter for himself, trusting that he might have been -stabled somewhere near the frontier and would thus -make for that point, when a very disquieting fact -decided me.</p> - -<p>A couple of troopers were riding at a quick trot along<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[337]</span> -the road to the left, and coming in my direction. They -were at a considerable distance, and I should reach the -junction long before them. I determined to trust to -fortune and take the other road.</p> - -<p>They soon caught sight of me, and as the men pursuing -me kept up their fire, the two in front hustled -their horses into a gallop, evidently thinking something -was wrong, and intending to cut me off and stop -me.</p> - -<p>They saw me turn into the right road, checked their -horses, leapt into the fields, and came galloping across -to intercept me. This was not practicable, however, -because the point for which they were making was -nearer to me by the road than to them by the fields, -and after they had galloped half across the fields they -called to me to stop. Perceiving my advantage, my -answer was to urge my horse forward, till he was -straining every nerve and flying over the ground like -the gallant beast he was.</p> - -<p>Then one of them reined up suddenly, and being well -within range, he sat as steady as a rock on his horse, -levelled his piece, and fired. Fortunately for me he -was quite as bad a marksman as the majority of such -men are, and the bullet whistled harmlessly by me as I -dashed past at the same headlong speed. His companion -had, however, come much nearer, and when he -found he could not intercept me, he too halted and fired -after me in his turn.</p> - -<p>He also missed me, but I felt my horse give a violent -change in his stride, and immediately begin to slacken -speed. I looked around anxiously and found, to my -intense alarm and consternation, that he was wounded, -and had gone dead lame on his off hind leg.</p> - -<p>For the first time I was inclined to despair. Behind<span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[338]</span> -me were five well-mounted men eagerly bent on my -capture, and before me lay at least three miles of -unknown road—even supposing that I was riding in the -right direction—while my horse was already beginning -to stagger in his stride. But my blood was up. I -would not be taken alive, and I resolved to fight so -long as I could lift a finger in self-defence.</p> - -<p>Flight was now out of the question, however. -Wounded as he was, my horse could not have carried -me to the frontier had I been able to ease his pace, -which was of course impossible. I could fight better -on foot than on the back of a wounded horse, moreover, -and I began to think desperately of my best -course.</p> - -<p>I drew out the trooper’s carbine, put the ammunition -into my pockets, and looked about for the most -likely spot for a last stand. About half a mile ahead -of me I spied a peasant’s cottage half in ruins, lying a -little distance from the lane. Just the place for me! -I urged my horse to the last effort, and he answered -gallantly, as if he understood how dire was my need. -But he was reeling badly when we reached the spot I -was heading for; and the two men behind raised a glad -shout as they saw me pull up, slip from the horse, and -make a dash, carbine in hand, for the cover of the -ruined cottage.</p> - -<p>They both fired at me as I ran, a cowardly act that -filled me with rage. Hitherto I had tried to avoid -shedding blood, but I sent that thought to the winds -now as I sprang behind the shelter of the welcome -walls and turned to settle accounts with them. Armed -as I was, I believed I could for a time hold the place -against a party twice as strong as that which was -coming against me, and I was so mad in my rage and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[339]</span> -disappointment, that I swore I would shoot without -mercy any living soul that came within range.</p> - -<p>The two soldiers came galloping up to the point -where my horse had now fallen, and they stood chuckling -at the successful shot which had wounded him.</p> - -<p>I singled out one of them—the man who, as I -thought, had fired the fatal shot—took deliberate aim, -and fired. He dropped like a stone, and his companion -turned instantly and scuttled back to meet the other -three, who were now closing up fast. I smiled grimly -as I thrust in another cartridge, and was turning to -look for the next quarry when my heart gave another -throb of dismay.</p> - -<p>The place seemed alive with troops; and I saw -another horseman coming from the opposite direction -along the lane towards the cottage, and I did not -doubt that he was the advance guard of a stronger -patrol following behind.</p> - -<p>The four men had halted out of range and were -talking excitedly together, and I was thus at liberty to -watch the newcomer, whose movements puzzled me -considerably. When he heard the shot from my gun, -and probably saw the smoke, instead of dashing forward -to join the men threatening me, or falling back -upon any party behind, he scuttled off the road and -concealed himself in a small clump of trees, from -which he seemed to be scanning the cottage where I -lay. No trooper out on patrol would have acted so, -and I concluded promptly that he was in some such -condition as myself, and as eager as I to escape the -attentions of the soldiers.</p> - -<p>Could it be possible that he was a friend? The -mere thought of such a chance in my desperate position -filled me with excited pleasure, and, stepping forward,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[340]</span> -I stood so that the sun’s rays fell right on me as -I faced him, and I waved my hand. I thought he -made some motion with his hand in reply, but he stood -in the shadow of the trees, and was too far off for me -to see him clearly. Then I waved my hand again, -beckoning him to come to me, and had time to do no -more before the four soldiers began to move, and I -had to step back under shelter and watch them.</p> - -<p>Apparently they had resolved to make a dash for the -cottage, in the endeavour to capture me with a rush. -But they should never reach the place alive. I calculated -that I should have time for two shots with the -carbine and half-a-dozen more with my revolver, and if -I could not empty the four saddles my hand and eye -and nerve had lost their cunning indeed.</p> - -<p>They crossed into the field, and seeing that there -were no windows in the end of the building from which -I could fire upon them, they kept out of range until -they were in a line with the end, and then began their -advance. A shrewd enough plan, had I been a fool to -be caught unawares, or a coward afraid to expose myself -to their rickety fire. But I was neither, and creeping -out at the front I was in a position to take a kneeling -shot at them before they started the advance. I -don’t think they even saw me, for there was a relic of -what had once been a palisade projecting from the end -of the house, which gave an excellent cover, and I -waited till they were well within range before I fired. -One of them fell forward, and I had reloaded and was -taking careful aim for my second shot, when with a -loud shout they pulled up hastily and made ready to -fire in their turn.</p> - -<p>I didn’t give them time to shoot before I fired again, -and again brought one of them out of his saddle. This<span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[341]</span> -reduced the number to two, and neither of them had -any relish for the business. They discharged their -pieces at random, wheeled about suddenly, and galloped -back faster than they had advanced. I had -given them an excellent object-lesson in the value of -good shooting, and I stood watching them in moody -curiosity to see what they would do next.</p> - -<p>Then I heard the sound of a galloping horse from -the other end of the cottage, and when I ran back -quickly to learn the cause I had indeed a joyful surprise. -It was the horseman I had seen in the distance.</p> - -<p>“Took you in the rear, Count,” said a deep voice I -knew so well; and the next instant Zoiloff and I stood -hand-locked, his stern face aglow with pleasure and -I with more delight in my heart than either words -or eyes could tell. Never could a friend have been -so welcome, and none more welcome than Zoiloff. I -was so moved that I could not even find words to -ask the news which I was burning to learn. He saw -this, and said:</p> - -<p>“All is well with the Princess. She is safe at Nish, -waiting for you.” I wrung his hand afresh in my delight.</p> - -<p>“Never did beleaguered force hear better news,” I -said.</p> - -<p>“The beleaguered force is doubled now,” he answered, -smiling. “Though I can’t say it seems to -need strengthening, judging by results. But now we -had best be off, for the country between here and the -frontier is like a rabbit-warren with the swarming -troops. We shall probably have to hide, for we can’t -hold this place till nightfall, and I very much doubt if -we can get through the pass in daylight.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[342]</span>“I have a permit that will carry us through,” I said; -“but I have no horse to carry it on.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll soon mend that,” he answered, and without a -word he mounted again and set off at a gallop toward -the two soldiers, who stood together holding the horses -of their wounded comrades by the bridles. What -followed was a gleam of farce in the tragedy that surrounded -us. The men seeing him coming were instantly -filled with alarm, for my work had told its tale -well enough on their nerves, and after making a show -of resistance and firing their carbines at him with -scarcely a pretence of taking aim, they plunged their -spurs into their animals and shot away trying to lead -the other horses with them. But Zoiloff gained at -every stride, and when he fired his revolver after them -they cast off the led horses and themselves fled for -their lives in sheer scatterbrained fright. He had no -difficulty in capturing one of the horses, and came -cantering back to me smiling and victorious.</p> - -<p>“What rabbits,” he said contemptuously.</p> - -<p>“What a happy thought of yours,” I replied, as I -mounted, and we stole off, keeping the cottage between -us and the still flying soldiers.</p> - -<p>“Shall we make a dash for it and risk everything; -or shall we try and hide? Those curs will soon be -after us with a larger pack in full cry, and we may find -it difficult to hide.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll push straight for the frontier,” I answered, -“and trust to old Kolfort’s signature to get us through. -The patrols seem to be in very small numbers, and if -there’s any trouble we can show fight. But now tell -me what has happened, for I am on fire with impatience -to hear everything.”</p> - -<p>“Happily there’s little enough to tell, for by some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[343]</span> -means we managed to escape all interference, and under -your fellow Markov’s guidance we reached the frontier -without let or question. There was plenty of uneasiness -after we left you as to whether we should be pursued; -but thanks, I suppose, to your ruse, we were not -followed, and the only trouble afterwards was in the -frontier pass. It was only watched in the loosest manner -in the world, and as Markov knew his business -thoroughly he had us all past the lookout before they -had even a suspicion of our presence. It was only a -matter of a quick gallop then for a bit and we got -through. I went on to Nish with the Princess, who -was much fatigued of course, and it was at her urgent -request, when you did not come yesterday, that I returned -to see if I could hear any tidings of you. My -uniform saved me from any trouble, and I was intending -to go to Sofia, when I heard the firing and stopped -to see what it meant, I saw you stand out in the sun -glare just now, and though I could not definitely recognise -you at such a distance I made a guess it was -you, and rode up on the chance.”</p> - -<p>“You left the Princess well?”</p> - -<p>“In all save her anxiety for you; and that we may -hope to remove in a few hours now. But how have -you fared?”</p> - -<p>I told him the story, and he listened with many an -approving smile and nod, looking stern and serious at -the story of the Countess Bokara’s suicide, and laughing -at the trick I had served old Kolfort.</p> - -<p>“After all that, we are not going to be stopped -now,” he said at the close; “although we shall have -need of clear heads and perhaps quick hands before we -are through. But we shall know soon. You see that -narrow road climbing the hill yonder, with that small<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[344]</span> -station-house about half-way up. Well, the frontier -line runs close ahead of that;” and he pointed to the -spot. “Hullo! who comes?” he added a minute later, -as we turned a bend of the road and came upon two -or three horse-soldiers.</p> - -<p>We were riding at a brisk canter, and did not rein -up until they challenged us. Seeing Zoiloff’s uniform -they saluted him, but the leader turned to me and -asked for my permit.</p> - -<p>“I am on special service,” I said quietly, producing -the permit. He read it, returned it to me, drew back -for us to proceed, and we cantered on without having -wasted a minute.</p> - -<p>“You had your wits about you when you got that -paper,” said Zoiloff, laughing. “If those fellows had -only known what that special service was, we should -have had a brush with them. Let’s hope that those -at the barrier will be as easily satisfied.”</p> - -<p>“It’s a nasty-looking road,” said I, when we reached -the foot of the long tortuous hill. “We’d better spare -the cattle in case of a bother,” and we pulled up to a -walking pace. I scanned the station-house closely as -we came in sight of it.</p> - -<p>“I wish to Heaven it was night. We could steal up -that path there,” said Zoiloff, pointing to the right of -the road. “That’s how Markov managed it. It leads -out again about twenty or thirty yards on this side of -the station-house yonder, and we rattled through at a -gallop.”</p> - -<p>“How many men are stationed there, do you think?”</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t see more than half-a-dozen or so all told -this morning when I passed, and I stopped intentionally -and chatted with the officer in command. But in -a narrow place like this six men can do a lot.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[345]</span>“I see there’s a telegraph-wire. I hope the General -hasn’t managed to send a message,” I returned uneasily.</p> - -<p>“I should think not, judging by the ease with which -those men below there were satisfied. But I mean to -get through. Once past the station-house, and we -haven’t more than two or three hundred yards to gallop -before we’re in Servia. But I confess I never thought -of the telegraph,” and Zoiloff shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Well, we’ll try the papers first and the pistols afterwards, -in case of need. And they won’t find it easy -to stop us.”</p> - -<p>But as we drew closer I saw what Zoiloff meant -about the ease with which a handful of resolute men -could hold such a spot.</p> - -<p>“They’ve turned out to receive us,” he said, as we -saw an officer posting men to block the road. “He -won’t attempt to stop me, I expect, and while you’re -showing him your permit I’ll edge past and try to get -the men out of their order so as to leave a gap for you -to dash through. Then I’ll follow you, and they may -hesitate about firing on me.”</p> - -<p>“Very well; but we can’t make much of a plan. -Probably I may find it best to appear to yield at first -and then wait for the moment to make the rush;” and -with that we rode on slowly, watching the men ahead -of us closely, but laughing and chatting together as -though the last thought in our heads was of any chance -of being stopped. And we were both laughing heartily -as at some joke when the officer in command met -Zoiloff with a salute and turned to address me.</p> - -<p>“Your permit, sir, if you please,” he said courteously, -but as I thought with a glance of suspicion.</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” I replied, and I took it out and handed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[346]</span> -it to him. As he read it Zoiloff pushed forward and -entered into conversation with the men. There were -only five of them, making six with the officer, as Zoiloff -had said, and they were on foot. I saw him push his -horse between the two at the end of the short line, and -then as he chatted he coolly turned his horse broadside -on the road, thus making a big gap. It was -cleverly done, and he sat there saying something which -made the men laugh.</p> - -<p>“This mentions no name, sir,” said the officer, looking -up from the paper. “May I inquire your -name?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly. I am the Hon. Gerald Winthrop, an -Englishman.” The reply perplexed him.</p> - -<p>“An Englishman? And on special service for General -Kolfort? I don’t wish to appear impertinent, but -have you another name?”</p> - -<p>“I am also a Roumanian Count—Count Benderoff.”</p> - -<p>“Ah!” His tone told me at once that he had had -some instructions about me, and I began to prepare -for emergencies. “I am placed in an awkward position, -Count, but I’m afraid I cannot allow you to -pass.”</p> - -<p>“My business is very urgent, lieutenant.”</p> - -<p>“The delay will probably be only a brief one. I am -expecting a messenger from General Kolfort, and I -thought you were probably from him. No doubt the -moment he arrives you will be at liberty to proceed. -But you’ll understand my position.”</p> - -<p>“The consequences of stopping me may be serious.”</p> - -<p>“So may be those of allowing you to pass, Count. -But in any case I have no alternative.”</p> - -<p>“But I have ridden straight from General Kolfort -himself, who handed me the permit personally.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[347]</span>“My instructions have come over the wires, and -within the last few minutes; and they are imperative -not to allow you to pass until the General himself or -those he is sending shall arrive. If you will dismount -I will try to make the delay as little irksome as possible, -though one’s resources in a God-forsaken place like this -are not abundant.”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean you wish to arrest me?” I asked -quickly.</p> - -<p>“Certainly not. You are at liberty to return if you -please; my instructions are merely not to allow you -to pass the frontier.”</p> - -<p>“Quiet, mare!” I called to my horse, which was -fidgeting and plunging restlessly, as I touched her -secretly with my heel, making it difficult for him to lay -his hand on the bridle. Then I laughed as if the thing -were a joke, and I gave Zoiloff a look. He understood -it, and began to edge his horse so as to leave room for -me to pass.</p> - -<p>“It’s very ridiculous,” I said to the officer, who had -drawn a little away from me, “but I suppose there’s -no help for it; and in any case I shall be glad of some -breakfast.”</p> - -<p>“I shall be delighted to be your host,” he replied, -without a suspicion of my intention; and he called to -one of the men to come and hold my horse.</p> - -<p>This made the gap in their rank larger than ever; -and, causing my horse to fidget and strain at the bit, -I suddenly slackened the reins, plunged my heels into -her flanks, and darted away up the hill as fast as she -could gallop.</p> - -<p>“Hallo! She’s run away with him!” said Zoiloff; -and he wheeled round and dashed after me.</p> - -<p>It was some seconds before the officer realised how<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[348]</span> -we had fooled him. Then we heard the order given to -fire after us, and the next instant the report of the guns -rang out, echoing and re-echoing among the crags on -either side of the narrow gorge.</p> - -<p>The bullets whistled by me; and, glancing back, I -saw that Zoiloff was following all right. A second -volley was fired, but not until we had already passed -the frontier; and I did not draw rein till I was nearly -to the crest of the hill and within sight of the Servian -station-house over the crest. Then I found that Zoiloff -was not so close to me as he should have been, and I -halted to wait for him. Below him I saw the officer -and two of the men had mounted and were in hot -pursuit.</p> - -<p>Zoiloff was leaning forward curiously in the saddle, -sitting very loosely, and his horse could hardly move. -I rode back to him, filled with alarm.</p> - -<p>He looked up as I neared, and I saw his face was -bloodless. He tried to wave to me to go forward, but -his hand fell listlessly.</p> - -<p>“Are you wounded, friend?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“No—at least not much. Go on!” he said, his voice -weak and faint; and his horse was staggering so that -I thought it would fall. Meanwhile the men behind -were coming up quickly.</p> - -<p>“Come on to my horse,” I cried, my heart sick -with pain and fear for him, as I rode to his side and -tried to lift him off. But at that moment his horse -went down heavily, and only with the greatest difficulty -did I save Zoiloff from an ugly fall.</p> - -<p>In a moment I dismounted. There was no time -now to mount with him on my horse, so I laid him -under cover of his own fallen animal and turned with -bitter rage in my heart to check the men behind us, as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[349]</span> -well as to revenge the hurt of my staunch friend, who -had given himself to save me.</p> - -<p>Snatching the carbine from my saddle, I knelt down, -and, firing over the prone horse, I aimed at the foremost -rider, who fell in a huddled mass on to his horse’s -shoulder and then dropped to the ground.</p> - -<p>I was ramming home another cartridge as the other -two halted and took aim. I crouched under shelter of -the horse, and felt him quiver and kick feebly as one -of the bullets plugged into him; and then the men -came dashing forward again.</p> - -<p>But not for many strides, for my second shot sent -the officer toppling out of his saddle heavily to the -rough road. I loaded again instantly, for the sight of -Zoiloff’s death-white face and the thought of his -wound maddened me so that I could have killed a -dozen men in cold blood to avenge him.</p> - -<p>The remaining trooper had little stomach for any -further fight, however, and he reined up and stood -irresolute.</p> - -<p>“Go back, if you care for your life,” I called to him. -“We are on Servian ground, and you have no right to -pursue me.” He was afraid for his own skin to come -on, and yet afraid for duty’s sake to turn back, and I -saw him open his carbine at the breech to reload.</p> - -<p>I did not give him time to do that, however, before -I fired. I missed the man, but struck his weapon, -shattering it in his hand. This was much more convincing -than any words, and, recognising his unarmed -helplessness, he wheeled his horse round and rode off -back down the hill.</p> - -<p>I had won; but what a price had the victory cost!</p> - -<p>I bent over my wounded friend, my heart sick with -my grief.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[350]</span>“Fly!” he whispered. Wounded sorely as he was, -his thoughts were all for me and none for himself.</p> - -<p>“There is no need, my dear friend. There’s no one -to follow us. Can you bear for me to lift you on to my -horse? We’re safe.”</p> - -<p>“I’m glad. I’m not hurt much,” he whispered, -trying to smile.</p> - -<p>I lifted him in my arms, and, drawing my horse to a -stone by the side of the road, managed to mount with -him; and then, saving him all in my power from the -jolting of the horse, I walked up the rest of the hill and -over to the Servian station-house.</p> - -<p>The men turned out to meet us.</p> - -<p>“My friend is sorely wounded,” said I.</p> - -<p>“I heard the firing, but my orders are not to interfere,” -said the officer in command.</p> - -<p>“The outrage was committed on Servian territory,” -I replied.</p> - -<p>“I have strict orders not to cause any trouble with -the Bulgarians just at present,” he said, as if by way -of apologetic explanation of his not having come to -my aid. “We don’t inquire too closely into what is -done east of the station-house.”</p> - -<p>“Can you give me a place where my friend can -rest?”</p> - -<p>He looked uneasy at the question and hesitated.</p> - -<p>“Can’t he bear any further journey?”</p> - -<p>“He is badly wounded, sir,” I returned, with some -indignation.</p> - -<p>“I can do better than give him a bed here. My -men shall carry him on a litter down to the village at -the foot of the hill, where there is a priest who knows -something of surgery, and he can get medical aid.”</p> - -<p>“As quick as you can, for God’s sake!” I said.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[351]</span>Poor Zoiloff had fainted, and lay helpless in my arms, -his head resting on my shoulder.</p> - -<p>The men lifted him gently off the horse, the litter -was brought out, and I helped to place him in it.</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid I needn’t ask for his papers,” said the -officer, as the men moved off.</p> - -<p>I showed him my English passport, as clearing the -way for me, and, with a mere glance at it, he returned -it.</p> - -<p>“I hope you will have better news than I fear of -your friend,” he said warmly.</p> - -<p>I could not answer him; I was too broken with this -new trouble. I followed the mournful little procession, -and I am not ashamed to say that as I watched it -and gazed at the white face in the litter my eyes -were more than once half blinded by tears.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[352]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXII<br /> - - -<small>“GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN”</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Down</span> in that lonely Servian village, nestling beautifully -at the foot of a range of hills, a scene followed, -inexpressibly sad and mournful to me.</p> - -<p>We carried Zoiloff to the house of the priest, a man -whose heart was as large as his means were straitened, -and together we laid my poor friend on the low truckle -bed in the barely furnished room. I helped while the -examination of his wounds was made, watching the -priest’s face with an anxiety that cannot be put in -words.</p> - -<p>“How did it happen?” he whispered.</p> - -<p>“A gunshot wound somewhere in the back, I fear,” -I told him.</p> - -<p>But there was no need for this explanation, for the -blood guided him to the wound easily enough.</p> - -<p>“The ball has passed through his body and through -his right lung.”</p> - -<p>“Is there any hope?” I asked, my own heart answering -the question before it was asked. He shook his -head sadly.</p> - -<p>“On this earth none,” he said. He stopped the -bleeding, which was comparatively slight.</p> - -<p>“There is very little blood,” I said, hoping against -hope.</p> - -<p>“The bleeding is internal. No man can save him. -I have done all that can be done. Let us pray for him.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[353]</span>He laid my friend back on the bed with a touch as -deft and gentle as a woman’s, and kneeling by the -bedside, he began to pray earnestly and fervently, in a -soft voice rich with the rare gem of unaffected sympathy. -Following his example, I knelt on the other -side of the bed, and, with my face buried in my hands, -I tried to follow his prayers through the tumult of my -thronging emotions at the knowledge that this brave, -staunch friend must die, and that it was his friendship -that had cost him his life.</p> - -<p>How long the good priest prayed I know not, but -after a time I was conscious that the rich, sweet voice -had ceased, and when I looked up I was alone with my -dying comrade.</p> - -<p>I got up from my knees, and placing the one rush -chair by the bed, sat down to watch for the end and -wait lest he should return to consciousness.</p> - -<p>A short time later the priest looked in and beckoned -me.</p> - -<p>“The men who carried your friend here are still -waiting; shall I keep them any longer?” I placed my -purse in his hands to give them what he would, merely -asking him to reward them generously.</p> - -<p>“Will he recover consciousness?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“It were better not, but he is in God’s hands,” he -answered reverently; and I stole back to my chair to -resume my vigil.</p> - -<p>He looked already like a dead man, and I had to -hold my ear close to his mouth before I could catch -the faintest sign of his breathing. I felt for the pulse -and could detect no flicker of it, and then I laid my -fingers gently over his heart. The beats were barely -to be discerned. As I drew my hand away I came -upon a secret. A dead flower bound by a wisp of faded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[354]</span> -ribbon was fastened close to his heart, both flower and -ribbon dabbled with his blood.</p> - -<p>The sight of the little withered memorial of a dead -passion, so wholly unexpected in one I had found so -hard and stern, affected me deeply. I held it a moment, -wondering what lay behind, and where and who -was the woman whose heart would be stricken by the -blow of his death even as sorely as mine would be. -Then I laid it so that it rested on his faithful heart, -and, taking his hand, sat with it in mine.</p> - -<p>The hours passed uncounted by me. Once or twice -the good priest came back to the room, and at length, -when Zoiloff showed no sign of a return to consciousness, -he administered the last rites of the Church. The -sacrament was placed between the nerveless lips, and -the priest and I joined in the solemn ceremonial.</p> - -<p>“He will not last long. I am surprised he is still -alive,” he said, when the simple, beautiful ceremony -was over. “God be merciful to him!”</p> - -<p>When the priest left the room I followed and asked -for some brandy, as I thought there might be some -last message Zoiloff might wish to send by me, and I -hoped to rouse a final flicker of strength for the purpose.</p> - -<p>I poured a few drops into his mouth with a spoon, -and after a few minutes gave him a second dose. I -detected, as I thought, some signs of a rally of strength, -and gave him more, and sat with his hand in mine and -my eyes on his face and waited.</p> - -<p>“Zoiloff, Zoiloff, my dear friend!” I called gently.</p> - -<p>To my delight his eyelids quivered slightly, and -after a moment or two they opened and he looked at -me. He recognised me, and his mouth moved as if -to smile, and I felt a slight, very slight, pressure of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[355]</span> -hand. I gave him more of the spirit, and it appeared -to lend him a little strength.</p> - -<p>His lips moved as if to speak and his eyes brightened.</p> - -<p>I felt his hand move in mine as if he would lift it, -and, guessing his wish, I lifted it to his heart so that -the fingers could feel the little treasure of love -that lay there. His fingers closed over it, and he -smiled again. But his strength would not suffer him -to hold his arm up, so I propped it up, that the hand -might rest on the flower.</p> - -<p>“Can you hear me, Zoiloff? Do you know me?”</p> - -<p>His lips moved and his eyes seemed to assent.</p> - -<p>“Can I carry any message for you?” and I laid my -fingers on the dead flower to show my meaning, and -then bent my ear down to his mouth.</p> - -<p>He seemed to make a great effort to speak, and I -caught a struggling of the breath, as I held my own in -the eager strain to listen. But finding he could not -speak I gave him a few drops more of the brandy, now -convinced that he wished to say something.</p> - -<p>“Have you any message, dear friend?” I asked again, -as I bent down.</p> - -<p>There came another pause of effort and then I caught -a word.</p> - -<p>“Christina’s,” and I felt the fingers near his heart -close on the flower.</p> - -<p>In an instant the full knowledge of his heroic sacrifice -rushed upon me. He loved Christina; and in the -nobleness of his self-denying love he had given his life -that mine should be saved for her.</p> - -<p>I grasped his other hand and held it, as I pressed my -lips to his marble forehead.</p> - -<p>Then I saw his lips move again.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">[356]</span>“Leave it,” and the movement of his fingers near his -heart told me what he meant.</p> - -<p>“On my honour, Zoiloff,” I said earnestly. “God -bless you! the staunchest friend man ever had. I -never dreamt of this.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t tell her,” he whispered, trying to shake his -head. Then I felt his hand try to lift mine, and, divining -his wish, I laid mine to his lips, and he kissed it. -This effort exhausted the little reserve of strength, and -with a sigh his eyes closed, and his hand slipped utterly -nerveless and flaccid from mine.</p> - -<p>I thought he was gone; but he was not, and when I -held a glass to his lips there was a faint dulling with his -breath. Taking his hand again in mine, I waited for -the end.</p> - -<p>He lingered perhaps an hour longer till the twilight -began to gloom the little chamber, and I was hoping -that he would pass away in this peaceful slumber of unconsciousness, -when I heard his breath strengthen suddenly. -He opened his eyes; the fingers on the flower -at his heart tightened into almost a firm clasp; a quiver -shook his body, and raising his head slightly from the -pillow, he cried in a voice strong enough to surprise -and for an instant give me hope:</p> - -<p>“Christina, Chris——” The word was not finished -before the spasm of strength was spent, and he fell back -again with a deep sigh.</p> - -<p>He was dead; and I thank God that in the last -struggle of his strong brave soul to escape he had been -comforted by the love which had controlled and impulsed -every act and motive of his life, and which he -had carried locked away from the knowledge of all the -world in the deepest recess of his loyal, noble heart.</p> - -<p>If I had treasured him as a friend in his life, I loved<span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">[357]</span> -him in his self-denying death; and when I had satisfied -myself that he had really passed, I flung myself on my -knees by his bier and wept like a woman.</p> - -<p>The room was dark when I rose from my uncontrollable -passion of grief, and I pressed my lips to his cold -forehead before I drew the sheet over the dead face -and left the room.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">[358]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXIII<br /> - - -<small>THE END</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was with a heavy heart that I mounted my horse -and, accompanied by a guide whom the priest found -for me, set out that night for the railway station to -take the train to Nish. Even the thought that the -morrow would see me with Christina could not at first -relieve the gloom of my sorrow or take from my eyes -the picture of the cold still form of my dead friend, -lying in the sombre bare room in the priest’s house. I -had left him full instructions for sending on the body -to Nish, and had given him a sum of money which -made him glad with the thought of all the charities he -could dispense among the poor of the village.</p> - -<p>But youth is youth and love is love, and as the miles -passed which brought me nearer to Christina the drear -mournfulness of my grief for the dead began to lose its -blackness beneath the glamour of my love for the living. -It was a sad tale I had to carry her after all, and though -in obedience to my comrade’s dying wish I could tell -her nothing of his love for her, I knew how she would -mourn his loss. But love is selfish; and when at length -I reached Nish my heart was beating fast with the -throbbing of the delicious, delirious knowledge that we -were close together again, with no obstacle to bar the -mutual avowal of our passion, and no need to dread -another parting.</p> - -<p>It was far too late when I arrived for me to seek her<span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">[359]</span> -that night, and I myself was so spent with my experiences -of the last thirty hours that I was glad to throw -myself on a bed. Excited though I was, I slept soundly -for some hours, and did not awake until the sun had -long been streaming into my room.</p> - -<p>I hurried, of course, to the British Consul for tidings -of Christina. He told me she was staying in his house, -and, at my request, sent at once to tell her I had arrived.</p> - -<p>“There is great news this morning, Mr. Winthrop,” -he said; “news that will interest you as much as it has -me. The Russian plot has failed. Thanks largely to -my colleague, the English Consul at Philippopoli, General -Mountkoroff has declared for the Prince, and he is -even at this minute marching on Sofia with the flower -of the Bulgarian army against the traitors who sold -themselves to this Kolfort and Russia.”</p> - -<p>“Will the Prince return then?”</p> - -<p>“Assuredly he will. The Powers will stand behind -Mountkoroff, and Russia will not venture to -resist.”</p> - -<p>“Then my friend Lieutenant Spernow will be safe,” -I said, describing briefly the plight in which I had left -him.</p> - -<p>“You need not have a moment’s uneasiness. Russian -influence for the moment will decline to zero, and -the Prince’s friends will be paramount.”</p> - -<p>“Will you telegraph at once for news of him?”</p> - -<p>“Willingly;” and he went at once to give his instructions. -The result was all I could have wished, and -later in the day telegrams arrived from Spernow himself, -saying that both he and Mademoiselle Broumoff -were safe.</p> - -<p>“The Princess Christina is ready to receive you,” he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_360">[360]</span> -said when he came back. “Will you come with -me?”</p> - -<p>I followed him with heart beating high, and, as if he -understood how matters were, he opened the door of a -room and stood back for me to enter alone.</p> - -<p>She had been eagerly watching for my coming, but, -thinking that perhaps the Consul would be with me, -she had put a strong restraint upon herself, and stood -waiting in an attitude of reserve. But the colour mantling -her cheeks, and the bright glow in her eyes, told -me her feelings, and as soon as she saw me enter by -myself she ran to meet me, and with a glad cry threw -herself into my arms with the utter self-abandonment -of love.</p> - -<p>It was no moment for speech, and many minutes -passed with nothing more than an exclamation or two -of delight or a few softly breathed words of passion. -All thoughts of the dangers passed, the anxieties still -present, even of my poor dead friend, were lost, and -merged in the ecstasy of holding in my arms the -woman I loved beyond all else on earth, looking into -her eyes glowing with love for me, hearing my name -whispered in her moving voice, and feeling her lips -pressed to mine. It was a moment of love rapture, -and so untellable in any language but that which love -itself speaks.</p> - -<p>When at length we drew apart, the first wild rush of -excitement past, and sat hand-locked to talk, I saw how -anxiety and suspense had paled her, and how deeply -she had suffered.</p> - -<p>She listened intently to the story of my experiences -since we had parted; and the ebbing and flowing -colour, the passing light and shadow in her eyes, and -the quick catches in her breath told of varied feelings<span class="pagenum" id="Page_361">[361]</span> -which the recital roused. When I came to the sad -story of poor gallant Zoiloff’s wound and death, she -was moved to tears of deep and tender regret. But -we were lovers and but just reunited, and the interchange -of sympathies and mutual comfort in this our -first sorrow in common served to awake a fresh chord -in the rhythmic harmony of our love.</p> - -<p>For her friend, Mademoiselle Broumoff, she was still -full of tender concern, and it was a cause of rare happiness -that, while we were still together—for the interview -lasted some hours—the news came over the wires -telling us that she and Spernow were safe, and coming -post haste to join us at Nish.</p> - -<p>There was but one shadow, besides Zoiloff’s death, -that hovered in the background. The question whether -she would feel it her duty to return to Sofia. I asked -her with some dread.</p> - -<p>“I have been thinking of it while we talked, and -since you told me of the turn which matters have -taken,” she said, her voice low and anxious, as if she -were undecided.</p> - -<p>I remembered my despatch to the Foreign Office -urging that support should be given to her. But it -was not in my power to wish that she should go; for I -knew that it might still mean the breaking asunder of -our paths in life.</p> - -<p>“What do you think, Gerald?”</p> - -<p>“I cannot think on such a subject, I can only fear,” -I replied in a tone as low and tense as her own. “I -might lose you then.”</p> - -<p>“Shall the woman or the Princess answer it?” she -asked, her face all womanly with the light of love.</p> - -<p>“The lover, Christina,” I whispered.</p> - -<p>“Then it is answered: my place is here,” she said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_362">[362]</span> -softly. “The woman is stronger than the Princess -where you are concerned, Gerald; or should I say -weaker?” she added, smiling up to me.</p> - -<p>“We will leave it soon for the wife to decide the -term,” said I, and the answer brought a vivid blush to -her face. But it pleased her, for she sighed happily as -she let her head sink contentedly on my shoulder.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It is six years since the stirring events happened of -which I have just written, sitting at my study table in -my lovely English home. As I lay the pen down and -close my eyes in reverie two memory pictures come -before me. The one black-edged with the gloom of -sorrow and death, the other radiant with the glowing -promise of since realised happiness.</p> - -<p>In that far away Servian town the bearers have just -set down a coffin by the side of a freshly-dug grave. -The priest is reading the funeral service; the white-robed -choristers cluster near him; Spernow and I -stand side by side at the foot of the grave listening to -the words as they fall in rhythmic chant from the -priest’s lips, and thinking of the gallant comrade whose -bones are being lowered to their last resting-place, and -I of the strange secret of his hopeless, noble, self-denying -love that is being buried with him. The final -moment comes. The sturdy bearers lift the coffin and -lower it, and pull up the ropes with a rasp that sounds -like the severing of all hope; the earth is cast down by -the priest and falls clattering on the lid, and the service -goes on to its melancholy finish. The priest pronounces -the last words of prayer and blessing; stands -a moment with covered face in silent prayer, and then -turns away, followed by the little choir. Spernow and -I move forward to take the last look at the coffin—a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_363">[363]</span> -long, lingering, memory-fraught look—and when we in -our turn move sadly away and our eyes meet, I see that -my companion’s are wet with tears. Poor, brave, noble -Zoiloff, lying in that far away lonely grave!</p> - -<p>In the other picture Spernow and I are again among -the chief figures, but not alone now. Nathalie is by -his side, Christina by mine. Again there is the same -priest and the same choir, but we stand in the lofty -chancel of a stately church, and the words are not of -death but of marriage. Around us a small group is -gathered, well-wishers, relatives, and friends, with faces -bright with gladness and tongues eager to burst out -with noisy congratulations and fervent wishes for our -happiness. And when the blessing has been given, -and we lead our brides down the aisle, the mighty -building resounds with the pealing notes of the organ, -and we leave the church through groups of curiously -garbed men and women.</p> - -<p>And at that point my reverie is broken by sounds of -children’s prattle. I look out on to the sunlit lawn to -where Christina is kneeling and listening with a smile -to the cheery chatter of our two children. All is -warmth, peace, love, and rest in my English life now; -and, as I glance at my dear ones, I thank Heaven with -fervent gratitude that they are not destined to aspire -to the dangerous splendour and evanescent glory of a -minor Throne. I get up quietly, and stepping through -the window into the sunlight, am hailed with a cry and -rush of delight from my little darlings and a welcome -of love light from the eyes of my beautiful wife.</p> - - -<p class="center">THE END.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> - - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> - -<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> - -<p>Archaic or alternate spelling has been retained from the original.</p> -</div></div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE NAME OF A WOMAN ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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