ARMS AND THE WOMAN

A Romance

by

HAROLD MacGRATH

New YorkDoubleday Page & Company1905Copyright, 1899, byS. S. Mcclure Co. Copyright, 1899, byDoubleday and Mcclure Co. 

To her, that is to say, to the hand that rocked the cradle. 

ARMS AND THE WOMAN

CHAPTER I

The first time I met her I was a reporter in the embryonic state andshe was a girl in short dresses. It was in a garden, surrounded byhigh red brick walls which were half hidden by clusters of green vines, and at the base of which nestled earth-beds, radiant with roses andpoppies and peonies and bushes of lavender lilacs, all spilling theirdelicate ambrosia on the mild air of passing May. I stood, straw hatin hand, wondering if I had not stumbled into some sweet prison offlowers which, having run disobedient ways in the past, had been placedhere by Flora, and forever denied their native meadows andwildernesses. And this vision of fresh youth in my path, perhaps shewas some guardian nymph. I was only twenty-two--a most impressionableage. Her hair was like that rare October brown, half dun, half gold;her eyes were cool and restful, like the brown pools one sees in theheart of the forests, and her lips and cheeks cozened the warmvermilion of the rose which lay ever so lightly on the bosom of herwhite dress. Close at hand was a table upon which stood a pitcher oflemonade. She was holding in her hand an empty glass. As my eyesencountered her calm, inquiring gaze, my courage fled precipitately, likewise the object of my errand. There was a pause; diffidence andembarrassment on my side, placidity on hers. 

"Well, sir?" said she, in a voice the tone of which implied that shecould readily understand her presence in the garden, but not mine. 

As I remember it, I was suddenly seized with a great thirst. 

"I should like a glass of your lemonade, " I answered, bravely layingdown the only piece of money I possessed. 

Her stern lips parted in a smile, and my courage came back cautiously, that is to say, by degrees. She filled a glass for me, and as I gulpedit down I could almost detect the flavor of lemon and sugar. 

"It is very good, " I volunteered, passing back the glass. I held outmy hand, smiling. 

"There isn't any change, " coolly. 

I flushed painfully. It was fully four miles to Newspaper Row. I wasconscious of a sullen pride. Presently the object of my errandreturned. Somewhat down the path I saw a gentleman reclining in acanvas swing. 

"Is that Mr. Wentworth?" I asked. 

"Yes. Do you wish to speak to him? Uncle Bob, here is a gentleman whodesires to speak to you. "

I approached. "Mr. Wentworth, " I began, cracking the straw in my hat, "my name is John Winthrop. I am a reporter. I have called to see ifit is true that you have declined the Italian portfolio. "

"It is true, " he replied kindly. "There are any number of reasons formy declining it, but I cannot make them public. Is that all?"

"Yes, sir; thank you;" and I backed away. 

"Are you a reporter?" asked the girl, as I was about to pass by her. 

"Yes, I am. "

"Do you draw pictures?"

"No, I do not. "

"Do you write novels?"

"No, " with a nervous laugh. 

There is nothing like the process of interrogation to make one personlose interest in another. 

"Oh; I thought perhaps you did, " she said, and turned her back to me. 

I passed through the darkened halls of the house and into the street. 

I never expected to see her again, but it was otherwise ordained. Wecame together three years later at Block Island. She was eighteen now, gathering the rosy flowers of her first season. She remembered theincident in the garden, and we laughed over it. A few dances, two orthree evenings on the verandas, watching the sea, moon-lit, as itsprawled among the rocks below us, and the even tenor of my way ceasedto be. I appreciated how far she was above me; so I worshipped hersilently and from afar. I told her my ambitions, confidences sowelcome to feminine ears, and she rewarded me with a small exchange. She, too, was an orphan, and lived with her uncle, a rich banker, who, as a diversion, consented to represent his country at foreign courts. Her given name was Phyllis. I had seen the name a thousand times inprint; the poets had idealised it, and the novelists had embalmed it intender phrases. It was the first time I had ever met a woman by thename of Phyllis. It appealed to my poetic instinct. Perhaps that wasthe cause of it all. And then, she was very beautiful. In the autumnof that year we became great friends; and through her influence I beganto see beyond the portals of the mansions of the rich. Matthew Prior'sChloes and Sir John Suckling's Euphelias lost their charms. Henceforthmy muse's name became Phyllis. I took her to the opera when I didn'tknow where I was going to breakfast on the morrow. I sent her rosesand went without tobacco, a privation of which woman knows nothing. 

Often I was plunged into despair at my distressed circumstances. Moneyto her meant something to spend; to me it meant something to get. Herincome bothered her because she could not spend it; my income wasmortgaged a week in advance, and did not bother me at all. This wasthe barrier at my lips. But her woman's intuition must have told herthat she was a part and parcel of my existence. 

I had what is called a forlorn hope: a rich uncle who was a planter inLouisiana. His son and I were his only heirs. But this old planterhad a mortal antipathy to my side of the family. When my mother, hissister, married Alfred Winthrop in 1859, at the time when the North andSouth were approaching the precipice of a civil war, he considered allfamily ties obliterated. We never worried much about it. When motherdied he softened to the extent of being present at the funeral. Hetook small notice of my father, but offered to adopt me if I wouldassume his name. I clasped my father's hand in mine and said nothing. The old man stared at me for a moment, then left the house. That wasthe first and last time I ever saw him. Sometimes I wondered if hewould remember me in his will. This, of course, was only when I hadtaken Phyllis somewhere, or when some creditor had lost patience. Onemorning in January, five years after my second meeting with Phyllis, Isat at my desk in the office. It was raining; a cold thin rain. Thewindow was blurred. The water in the steam-pipes went banging away. Iwas composing an editorial which treated the diplomatic relationsbetween this country and England. The roar of Park Row distracted me. Now and then I would go to the window and peer down on the livingstream below. A dense cloud of steam hung over all the city. I sworesome when the copy boy came in and said that there was yet a column anda half to fill, and that the foreman wanted to "close up the pageearly. " The true cause of my indisposition was due to the rumors rifein the office that morning. Rumors which emanate from the managingeditor's room are usually of the sort which burden the subordinate oneswith anxiety. The London correspondent was "going to pieces. " He hadcabled that he was suffering from nervous prostration, supplementing arequest for a two months' leave of absence. For "nervous prostration"we read "drink. " Our London correspondent was a brilliant journalist;he had written one or two clever books; he had a broad knowledge of menand affairs; and his pen was one of those which flashed and burned atfrequent intervals; but he drank. Dan's father had been a victim ofthe habit. I remember meeting the elder Hillars. He was a picturesqueindividual, an accomplished scholar, a wide traveller, a diplomatist, and a noted war correspondent. His work during the Franco-Prussian warhad placed him in the front rank. After sending his son Dan to collegehe took no further notice of him. He was killed while serving hispaper at the siege of Alexandria, Egypt. Dan naturally followed hisfather's footsteps both in profession and in habits. He had been myclassmate at college, and no one knew him better than I, except it washimself. The love of adventure and drink had ended the life of theone; it might end the life of the other. 

The foreman in the composing room waited some time for that requiredcolumn and a half of editorial copy. I lit my pipe; and my thoughtsran back to the old days, to the many times Dan had paid my debts andto the many times I had paid his. Ah, me! those were days when loveand fame and riches were elusive and we went in quest of them. Thecrust is hyssop when the heart is young. The garret is a palace whenhope flies unfettered. The most wonderful dreams imaginable are dreamtclose to the eaves. And when a man leaves behind him the garret, healso leaves behind the fondest illusions. But who--who would stay inthe garret!

And as my thoughts ran on, the question rose, Whom would they send inhis place--Dan's? I knew London. It was familiar ground. Perhapsthey might send me. It was this thought which unsettled me. I wasperfectly satisfied with New York. Phyllis lived in New York. Therewould be time enough for London when we were married. Then I began tobuild air castles. A newspaper man is the architect of some splendidstructures, but he thoughtlessly builds on the sand when the tide isout. Yes, foreign corresponding would be all well enough, I mused, with Phyllis at my side. With her as my wife I should have the envy ofall my fellow craftsmen. We should dine at the embassies and theattachés would flutter about us, and all London would talk of thebeautiful "Mrs. Winthrop. " Then the fire in my pipe-bowl went out. The copy boy was at my elbow again. 

"Hang you!" said I. 

"The foreman says he's coming down with an axe, " replied the boy. 

It was like churning, but I did manage to grind the copy. I wassatisfied that the United States and Great Britain would not go to warover it. 

The late afternoon mail brought two letters. I opened the one fromPhyllis first. It said:

"DEAR JACK--Uncle Bob has a box for the opera to-night, but he has beensuddenly called to Washington; politics, possibly, but he would notsay. Aunty and I want you to go with us in his stead. Ethel and herfiancé, Mr. Holland, will be together, which means that Aunty and Iwill have no one to talk to unless you come. Carmen is to be sung. Please do not fail me. 

"PHYLLIS. "

Fail her! I thought not. 

Then I read the second letter. I read it three or four times, and eventhen I was not sure that I was not dreaming. I caught up my pipeagain, filled it and lit it. I read the letter once more. I wassolemnly informed that my uncle was dead and that I was mentioned inthe will, and that if I would kindly call at the Hoffman House thefollowing morning a certain sum of money would be given to me. Iregretted that I had reached that age when a man's actions must bedignified, although alone; otherwise I dare say I should have dancedthe pas seul. Whatever my uncle's bequest might be, I believed that itwould make me independently rich. I am ashamed to admit that I did notfeel sorry at the news of his sudden departure from this life. It isbetter to be rich than to be ambitious. It is better to have at handwhat you want than to work for it, and then not get it. Phyllis wasscarcely an arm's length away now. I whistled as I locked up my desk, and proceeded down stairs and sang a siren song into the waxen ears ofthe cashier. 

"You have only twenty coming this week, Mr. Winthrop, " said he. 

"Never mind, " I replied; "I'll manage to get along next week. " It wasonly on very rare occasions that I drew my full pay at the end of theweek. 

I dined at a fashionable restaurant. As I sipped my wine I built oneof my castles, and Phyllis reigned therein. There would be a trip toEurope every summer, and I should devote my time to writing novels. Mypicture would be the frontispiece in the book reviews, and waysideparagraphs would tell of the enormous royalties my publishers werepaying me. I took some old envelopes from my pocket and began figuringon the backs of them as to what purposes the money should be put. Itcould not be less than $50, 000, perhaps more. Of course my uncle hadgiven a harbor to a grudge against me and mine, but such things arealways forgotten on the death bed. It occurred to me that I never hadknown before what a fine world it was, and I regretted having spokenill of it. I glanced across the way. The sky had cleared, and thelast beams of the sun flamed in the windows of the tall buildings. Fortune, having buffeted me, was now going to make me one of herfavorite children. I had reached the end of the long lane. 

As I left the restaurant I decided to acquaint Phyllis with my goodluck and also my desire that she should share of it. I turned into aflorist's and had a dozen roses sent up to her. They were AmericanBeauties. I could afford it now. 

I found Phyllis thrumming on the piano. She was singing in a low voicethe aria from "Lucia. " I stood on the threshold of the drawing-roomand waited till she had done. I believed her to be unaware of mypresence. She was what we poets call a "dream of loveliness, " atangible dream. Her neck and shoulders were like satin, and the headabove them reminded me of Sappho's which we see in marble. From whereI stood I could catch a glimpse of the profile, the nose and firm chin, the exquisite mouth, to kiss which I would gladly have given up anynumber of fortunes. The cheek had that delicate curve of a rose leaf, and when the warm blood surged into it there was a color as matchlessas that of a jack-rose. Ah, but I loved her. Suddenly the musicceased. 

"There is a mirror over the piano, Jack, " she said, without turning herhead. 

So I crossed the room and sat down in the chair nearest her. I vaguelywondered if, at the distance, she had seen the love in my eyes when Ithought myself unobserved. 

"I thank you for those lovely roses, " she said, smiling and permittingme to press her hand. 

"Don't mention it, " I replied. It is so difficult for a man to sayoriginal things in the presence of the woman he loves! "I have greatnews for you. It reads like a fairy tale, you know; happy everafterward, and all that. "

"Ah!"

"Yes. Do you remember my telling you of a rich uncle who lived in theSouth?"

"Is it possible that he has left you a fortune?" she cried, her eyesshining. 

"You have guessed it. "

"I am very glad for your sake, Jack. I was beginning to worry aboutyou. "

"Worry about me?"

"Yes. I do not understand how a newspaper man can afford to buy rosesfour or five times a week--and exist. " She had the habit of beingblunt and frank to her intimate friends. I secretly considered it anhonor when she talked to me like this. "I have told you repeatedly tosend me flowers only once a week. I'd rather not have them at all. Last week you spent as much as $30 on roses alone. Mr. Holland doesnot do that for Ethel, and he has a million. "

"I'm not Holland, " I said. "He doesn't--that is--I do not think he--. "Then I foundered. I had almost said: "He doesn't care as much forEthel as I do for you. "

Phyllis pretended not to note my embarrassment. The others came inthen, and conversation streamed into safer channels. 

When we entered the box at the opera the curtain had risen. Phyllisand I took the rear chairs. They were just out of the glare of thelights. 

"You are looking very beautiful to-night, " I whispered lowly. I wasbeginning business early. There was no barrier at my lips. 

"Thank you, " she replied. Then with a smile: "Supposing I were to saythat you are looking very handsome?"

"Oh, " said I, somewhat disconcerted, "that would be ratherembarrassing. "

"I do not doubt it. "

"And then it would not be true. The duty we men owe to a beautifulwoman is constantly to keep telling her of it. "

"And the duty we women owe to a fine-looking man?" a rogue of a dimplein her cheeks. 

"Is to explicitly believe all he says regarding your beauty, " Ianswered, evading the question. "A man may tell a woman that she isbeautiful, but a woman may not tell a man that he is fine-looking, thatis, in public. "

"The terms are not fair. "

"That may be true, but they make the wheels of the social organizationrun smoother. For instance, if I met a strange woman and she told methat I was handsome, I shouldn't be able to speak again the wholeevening. On the other hand, a beautiful woman, after you say that youare delighted to meet her, expects the very next remark to concern hergood looks. "

"Your insight is truly remarkable, " she said, the dimple continuing itselusive manoeuvres. "Hush; here comes Carmen. "

And our voices grew faint in the swell of melody. Mrs. Wentworth wasentranced; her daughter was fondly gazing at the back of her fiancé'shead; Phyllis had turned her face from me to the stage. As for myself, I was not particularly interested in the cigarette girl. It wasrunning through my head that the hour had arrived. I patted my glovesfor a moment, then I drew a long breath. 

"Phyllis!" said I. There was a quaver in my voice. Perhaps I had notspoken loud enough. "Phyllis!" said I again. 

She turned quickly and gave me an inquiring and at the same timenervous glance. 

"What is it?"

"I want to tell you something I have never dared to tell you till now, "I said earnestly. The voice on the stage soared heavenward. "I loveyou. Will you be my wife?"

Ah, me! where were those drooping eyelids, that flush, that shy, sweetglance of which I had so often dreamt? Phyllis was frowning. 

"Jack, I have been afraid of this, " she said. "I am so sorry, but itcannot be. "

"Oh, do not say that now, " I cried, crushing my gloves. "Wait awhile;perhaps you may learn to love me. "

"Jack, I have always been frank to you because I like you. Do yousuppose it will take me five years to find out what my heart says toany man? No. Had I loved you I should not have asked you to wait; Ishould have said yes. I do not love you in the way you wish. Indeed, I like you better than any man I know, but that is all I can offer you. I should be unkind if I held out any false hopes. I have often askedmyself why I do not love you, but there is something lacking in you, something I cannot define. Some other woman will find what I havefailed to find in you to love. "

I was twisting my gloves out of all recognition. There was a singingin my ears which did not come from the stage. 

"Look at it as I do, Jack. There is a man in this world whom I shalllove, and who will love me. We may never meet. Then he shall be anideal to me, and I to him. You believe you love me, but the love youoffer is not complete. "

"Not complete?" I echoed. 

"No. It would be if I returned it. Do you understand? There is inthis world a woman you will truly love and who will return your love inits fulness. Will you meet? That is in the hands of your destinies. Shall I meet my ideal? Who knows? But till I do, I shall remain anold maid. "

I nodded wearily. A dissertation on affinities seemed ill-timed. 

"And now, " she said, "this beautiful friendship of ours must come to anend. " And there were tears in her eyes. 

"Yes, " said I, twisting and untwisting the shreds of my gloves. Itseemed as though the world had slipped from under my feet and I waswhirling into nothingness. "My heart is very heavy. "

"Jack, if you talk like that, " hastily, "you will have me crying beforeall these people. "

Unfortunately Ethel turned and saw the tears in her cousin's eyes. 

"Mercy! what is the matter?" she asked. 

"Jack has been telling me a very pathetic story, " said Phyllis, with apity in her eyes. 

"Yes; something that happened to-night, " said I, staring at theprogramme, but seeing nothing, nothing. 

"Well, " said Ethel, "this is not the place for them, " turning her eyesto the stage again. 

The concluding acts of the opera were a jangle of chords and discords, and the hum of voices was like the murmur of a far-off sea. My eyesremained fixed upon the stage. It was like looking through a brokenkaleidoscope. I wanted to be alone, alone with my pipe. I was gladwhen we at last entered the carriage. Mrs. Wentworth immediately beganto extol the singers, and Phyllis, with that tact which is given onlyto kind-hearted women, answered most of the indirect questions put tome. She was giving me time to recover. The direct questions I couldnot avoid. Occasionally I looked out of the window. It had begun torain again. It was very dreary. 

"And what a finale, Mr. Winthrop!" cried Mrs. Wentworth, "Yes, indeed, " I replied. To have loved and lost, and such a woman, was my thought. 

"The new tenor is an improvement. Do you not think so?"

"Yes, indeed. " No more to touch her hand, to hear her voice, to waitupon her wishes. 

"It was the most brilliant audience of the season. "

"Yes, indeed, " I murmured. Those were the only words I couldarticulate. 

The carriage rumbled on. 

"Does Patti return in the fall?"

"Yes. " Five years of dreaming, and then to awake!

And then the carriage mercifully stopped. 

Mrs. Wentworth insisted that I should enter and have some coffee. Ihad so few words at my command that I could not invent even a flimsyexcuse. So I went in. The coffee was tasteless. I put in four lumpsof sugar. I stirred and stirred and stirred. Finally, I swallowed thecontents of the cup. It was very hot. When the agony was past I roseand made my adieu. 

Phyllis came to the door with me. 

"Forget what I have said, " I began, fumbling the door-knob. "I supposeI was an ass to think that you might love me. They say that it is amalady. Very well. With a few prescribed remedies I shall recover. "

"You are very bitter. "

"Can you blame me, " clicking the latch back and forth, "when all theworld has suddenly grown dark?"

"There are other eyes than mine, " gently. 

"Yes; but they will light other paths than those I shall follow. "

"Jack, you are too manly to make threats. "

"That was not a threat, " said I. "Well, I shall go and laugh at myselffor my presumption. To laugh at yourself is to cure. There is no morewine in the cup, nothing but the lees. I'll have to drink them. A wryface, and then it will all be over. Yes, I am bitter. To have dreamedas I have dreamed, and to awake as I have! Ah, well; I must go onloving you till--"

"Till she comes, " supplemented Phyllis. 

"You wrong me. It is only in letters that I am versatile. Forgive mybitterness and forget my folly. "

"Oh, Jack, if you knew how sorry I am! I shall forgive the bitterness, but I will not forget what you term folly. It's something any womanmight be proud of, the love of an honest, dear, good fellow. Goodnight. " She held her hand toward me. 

"Good night, " I said, "and God bless you!" I kissed the palm of herhand, opened the door, and then stumbled down the steps. 

I do not remember how I reached home. 

It was all over. 

My beautiful castle had fallen in ruins about my ears. 

CHAPTER II

In my bedroom the next morning there was a sad and heavy heart. Theowner woke up, stared at the ceiling, then at the sun-baked bricksbeyond his window. He saw not the glory of the sun and the heavens. To his eyes there was nothing poetic in the flash of the distantchurch-spires against the billowy cloudbanks. The gray doves, circlingabout the chimneys, did not inspire him, nor the twittering of thesparrows on the window ledge. There was nothing at all in the worldbut a long stretch of barren, lonely years. And he wondered how, without her at his side, he ever could traverse them. He was driftwoodagain. He had built upon sands as usual, and the tide had come in; hiscastle was flotsam and jetsam. He was drifting, and he didn't carewhere. He was very sorry for himself, and he had the blue devils theworst kind of way. Finally he crawled out of bed and dressed becauseit had to be done. He was not particularly painstaking with theprocedure. It mattered not what collar became him best, and he pickedup a tie at random. A man generally dresses for a certain woman'sapproval, and when that is no longer to be gained he grows indifferent. The other women do not count. 

My breakfast consisted of a cup of coffee; and as the generous nectarwarmed my veins my thoughts took a philosophical turn. It is fate whowrites the was, the is, and the shall be. We have a proverb for everyjoy and misfortune. It is the only consolation fate gives us. It islike a conqueror asking the vanquished to witness the looting. Allroads lead to Rome, and all proverbs are merely sign posts by which wepursue our destinies. And how was I to get to Rome? I knew not. Hopeis better than clairvoyance. 

Was Phyllis right when she said that I did not truly love her? Ibelieved not. Should I go on loving her all my life? Undoubtedly Ishould. As to affinities, I had met mine, but it had proved aone-sided affair. 

It was after ten by the clock when I remembered that I was to meet thelawyer, the arbiter of my new fortunes. Money is a balm for mostthings, and coupled with travel it might lead me to forget. 

He was the family lawyer, and he had come all the way North to see thatI received my uncle's bequest. He was bent, gray and partially bald. He must have been close to seventy, but for all that there was ayouthful twinkle in his eyes as he took my card and looked up into myface. 

"So you are John Winthrop?" he said in way of preliminary. You mayhand a card case full of your name to a lawyer, and still he willinsist upon a verbal admission. 

"I have always been led to believe so, " I answered smartly, placing myhat beside the chair in which I sat down. "How did you manage tolocate me in this big city?"

"Your uncle had seen some of your signed articles in New York papers, and said that in all probability I should find you here. A fewinquiries set me on your track. " Here he pulled out a lengthy documentfrom his handbag. "I confess, however, " he added, "that I am somewhatdisappointed in your looks. "

"Disappointed in my looks!" was my cry. "What sort of a duffer wereyou expecting to see?"

He laughed. "Well, your uncle gave me the idea that I should find agood-for-nothing hack-writer, a dweller in some obscure garret. "

"If that is the case, what under the sun did he send you up here for?"

The merriment went out of the old man's face and his eyes became grave. "Of that anon. Let me proceed with my business and read the will toyou. You will find it rather a remarkable document. "

I settled back in my chair in a waiting attitude. To tell the truth, Iwas somewhat confused by all this preamble. To his son my uncle leftthe bulk of his property, which amounted to more than a million. I waslistless. The head overseer received the munificent sum of $50, 000; tothe butler, the housekeeper and the cook he gave $10, 000 each. I beganto grow interested. He was very liberal to his servants. Severalother names were read, and my interest assumed the color of anxiety. When the lawyer stopped to unfold the last flap, I spoke. 

"And where in the world do I come in?"

"In the sense you understand, you do not come in. "

I stared at him in amazement. "I don't come in?" I repeated vaguely. "Ah, " reaching down for my hat, "then I go out, as it were;" asbrilliant as a London yellow fog. "What the devil does all this mean?"I started to rise. 

"Wait!" he commanded. "'To my nephew, John Winthrop, I bequeath thesum of $1, 000 to be presented to him in person immediately after thiswill is probated, and with the understanding that he shall make nofurther demand upon my son and heir in the future. ' That is all, "concluded the lawyer, folding the document. "I have the check in mypocket. "

"Keep it, " said I, rising. A hot flush of indignation swept over me. I understood. It was his revenge. To have a man make sport of youafter he is dead and gone, leaving you impotent and with never a chanceto retaliate! "Keep it, " I said again; "throw it away, or burn it. Iunderstand. He has satisfied a petty revenge. It is an insult notonly to me, but to my dead parents. You are, of course, acquaintedwith the circumstances of my mother's marriage. She married the manshe loved, disregarding her brother's wishes. "

"I knew your mother, " said the lawyer, going to the window and lookingout and beyond all that met his gaze. 

"To think, " I went on, cooling none, "that my mother's brother shoulddie in this manner, nourishing so small and petty a spite! When he didthis he knew that I should understand his motive. In the first place, I never dreamed that he would remember me in his will; neverentertained the least idea of it. I am independent; I am earning alivelihood, small, but enough and to spare. I'll bid you goodmorning. " I took a step toward the door. 

"Young man, sit down, " said the old man, coming back to his chair. "Iwant to talk to you for a few minutes. Your uncle was a peculiarlyvindictive man. What he considered a wrong he neither forgot norforgave. His son pleaded with him not to put in that final clause. Heoffered even to share with you. Your uncle swore he would leave it allto the stablemen first. This journey was forced upon me, or I shouldnot have taken it. This is my advice to you: Accept the check, in theprivacy of your room tear it up, or light a cigar with it; that's aboutall it's worth. You will feel no little satisfaction in lighting acigar with it, that is, if you are anything like me. Think of it! athousand dollars to light your cigar. It is an opportunity not to bemissed. When you grow old you will say to your grandchildren: 'Once Ilit a cigar with a thousand-dollar check. ' The oldest inhabitant willbe silenced forever; it may become history. And then, too, if thereare spirits, as Scripture says there are, your uncle's will writhe atthe performance. I trust that you will forgive me my part in thematter. I have taken a fancy to you, and if you will accept myfriendship I shall be happy to accept yours. Your uncle's revenge willnot be a marker to the restitution his son will make. "

"Restitution?--his son?"

"Yes. To my sincere regret he is an invalid who may or may not livethe year out. He has already made a will, in which he leaves all toyou. The will is in my safe at home. I return to-night, so I may notsee you again in this world of sin and tribulation. " The merry twinklehad returned to his eyes. "I am very old. "

"It is worth all the trouble to have met you, " said I. "You shouldhave made the jolt very easy. "

So we shook hands, and he gave me a cigar, around which was wrapped thecheck. He winked. Then he laughed, and I joined him, though mylaughter resembled mirth less than it did the cackle of a hen which wasdisturbed over the future of her brood. 

I left him and went down into the wine room and ordered a stiff brandyand soda. When that disappeared I ordered another. I rattled the icein the glass. "Ha, ha, ha!" I roared, as the events of the pasttwenty-four hours recurred to me. There must have been a suicidalaccent to my laughter, for the bartender looked at me with someconcern. I called for another brandy and shot the soda into it myself. I watched the foam evaporate, "Ha, ha, ha!"

"Hard luck?" the bartender asked sympathetically. 

"Yes, " said I. I seemed to be speaking to several bartenders wholooked at me with several varieties of compassion. 

"Have another on me, " said the bartender. 

I had another, and went out into the street. I walked down Broadway, chuckling to myself. What a glorious farce it all was! My fortune!Phyllis my wife! What if she had accepted me? I laughed aloud, andpeople turned and stared at me. Oh, yes! I was to travel and writenovels and have my pictures in book reviews, and all that! When Iarrived at the office I was on the verge of total insanity. I wasobliged to ask the paragrapher to write my next day's leader. It wasnight before I became rational, and once that, the whole world donnedcap and bells and began capering for my express benefit. The more Ithought of it, the more I laughed. What a whimsical world it was! Andwas there anything in it so grotesque as my part? I took the checkfrom my pocket and cracked it between my fingers. A cigar was in mymouth. Should I light it with the check? It was for $1, 000. Afterall, it was more than I had ever before held in my hand at once. Butwhat was a paltry thousand, aye a paltry ten thousand, to a man'spride? I bit off the end of my cigar, creased the check into a taper, and struck a match. I watched it burn and burn. I struck another. Iheld it within an inch of the check, but for the life of me I could notlight it. 

"The devil take it!" I cried. I flung the cigar out of the window andlaid the check on my desk. Courage? Why, it needed the courage of amillionaire to light a cigar with a $1, 000 check!

The office boy, who came in then, was salvation. The managing editorwanted to see me. I sprang up with alacrity; anything but the sight ofthat figure 1 and the three demon eyes of that $1, 000 check!

"Winthrop, " said the managing editor to me as I entered his office, "you've got to go to London. Hillars has gone under----"

"Not dead!" I cried. 

"No, no! He has had to give up work temporarily on account of drink. If it was any other man I'd throw him over in short order. But I feelsorry for Hillars, and I am going to give him another chance. I wantyou to go over and take care of him if possible. The London work isnot new to you. You can handle that and Hillars too. If you can keephim in check----"

I shuddered. The word "check" jarred on my nerves. 

"What's the matter?" asked the editor. 

"A temporary chill, " I said. "Go on. "

"Well, if you can manage to keep him in check for a month or so he'llbe able to get on his feet again. And it will be like a vacation toyou. If anything happens to Hillars you will be expected to remainpermanently abroad. Hillars suggested you in his letter. Will you beready to go next Monday?"

"To-morrow if you like, " I answered readily enough. Here was anopportunity not to be missed. To see new scenes and faces is partiallyto forget old ones. 

"Very well. I'll give you some letters which will help you. Ouroffice is in the Strand. Hillars will find you lodgings. He hasbachelor quarters in the west end of the town, where congenial spiritscongregate. Come in to-morrow and we'll talk it over. "

I was much pleased with the turn of events. If I could get away fromNew York I might forget Phyllis--no, not forget her; I loved her toowell ever to forget her; but the prolonged absence would cure me of mymalady. 

Before going to bed that night I lit a cigar, but not with the check. On sober second thought I calculated that the sum would pay up all mydebts and leave me a comfortable margin. A man can well pocket hispride when he pockets a thousand dollars with it. And why not? I wasabout to start life anew and might as well begin on a philosophicalbasis. Who knew but my uncle had foreseen the result of his bequest;my rage, my pride, and finally lighting a cigar with his check? Itreally might make his spirit writhe to better effect if I becamebenefited. Sober second thought is more or less a profitableinvestment. 

On the morrow everything was arranged for my departure. I was to leaveSaturday morning. 

It was a beautiful day, crisp and clear, with a bare ground which rangto the heel. In the afternoon I wandered over to the Park and sat downon a bench, and watched the skaters as they glided to and fro. Icaught myself wishing that I was a boy again, with an hour's romp onthe sheeny crust in view. Gradually the mantle of peace fell upon me, and there was a sense of rest. I was going to forgive the world thewrong it had done me; perhaps it would feel ashamed of itself andreward me for my patience. So Hillars was "going to pieces. " It isstrange how we men love another who has shared and spent with us ourlate patrimonies. Hillars and I had been friends since our youth, andwe had lived together till a few years back. Then he went toWashington, from there to Paris, thence to London. He was a betternewspaper man than I. I liked to dream too well, while he was alwaysfor a little action. Liquor was getting the best of him. I wonderedwhy. It might be a woman. There is always one around somewhere when aman's breath smells of whisky. A good deal of this woman's temperancebusiness is caused by remorse. I was drawing aimless pictures in thefrozen gravel, when I became aware that two skaters had stopped infront of me. I glanced up and saw Phyllis and Ethel, their eyes likestars and their cheeks like roses. 

"I was wondering if it was you, " said Ethel. "Phyllis, where is mycavalier?"

"I believe he has forsaken us, " said the voice of the woman I loved. 

"Will you not accept part of the bench?" I asked, moving along. 

The girls dropped easily beside me. 

"I was just wishing I was a boy again and was in for a game of hockey, "said I. "I am going to London on Saturday. Our foreign correspondenthas had to give up work on account of ill health. "

"You haven't----" Phyllis stopped suddenly. 

"Oh, no, " said I intuitively. "I am growing rusty, and they think Ineed a vacation. " I was glad Ethel was there with her voluble chatter. 

"Oh, a foreign correspondent!"' she cried. 

"Yes. "

"You will have a glorious time. Papa will probably return to B----when the next administration comes in. It is sure to be Republican. "There are a few women who pose as Democrats; I never met one of them. "You know papa was there twenty years ago. I suppose you will behob-nobbing with dukes and princes. "

"It cannot be avoided, " I said gravely. "I do not expect to remainlong in London. When my work is done perhaps I shall travel andcomplete my foreign polish. "

"Oh, yes!" said Phyllis. "I forgot to tell you, Ethel, that a fortunehas been left to Jack, and he need not work but for the love of it. "

I laughed, but they thought it a self-conscious laugh. Somehow I wasnot equal to the task of enlightening them. 

"It is jolly to be rich, " said Ethel, clicking her skates together. "It's a bother at times, however, to know what to do with the money. Ibuy so many things I do not need just because I feel compelled to spendmy allowance. "

"It must be very inconvenient, " I observed. 

"And now that you are a man of leisure, " said Phyllis, "you will writethat book you have always been telling me about?"

"Do you wish it?" I asked. 

"I do. What I have always found lacking in you is application. Youstart out to accomplish something, you find an obstacle in your pathand you do not surmount it; you do not persevere. "

My pulse beat quickly. Was there a double meaning to what she said? Icould not tell, for her eyes remained averted. 

I sighed. "It would be nice to become a successful author, but when aman is as rich as I am fame tarnishes. " I took out an envelope from mypocket. 

"What is that?" asked Phyllis. 

I turned over the back and showed it to her. 

"Figures!" she laughed. "What do they mean?"

"It is what I am going to do with my fortune, " said I. I was holdingout my vanity at arm's length and laughing at it silently. 

"Your air castles will be realized now, " said Phyllis. 

"I shall build no more, " said I. "The last one gave me a very badfall. "

Phyllis looked away again. A vague perfume from her hair wafted pastmy nostrils, and for a space I was overwhelmed with sadness. Soon Idiscerned Mr. Holland speeding toward us. 

"I shall not see you again, " I said, "so I'll bid you good-bye now. Ifyou should chance to come abroad this summer, do not fail to look meup. "

"Good luck to you, " said Ethel, shaking my hand. "You must bring homea Princess or a Duchess. " Then she moved off a way, thoughtfully. 

"You must write to me occasionally, Jack, " said Phyllis, "if only oncea month. I shall always be interested in your career. "

The smile faltered as she put out her gloved hand. 

"You will make some man happy, Phyllis, " I said. 

"Good-bye. "

"Good-bye. "

And then--and then they sped away, and I followed them with dimminggaze till I could see them no more. I trudged home. . . . 

I stood on the upper deck. The spires and domes of the city faded onmy sight till all merged into a gray smoky patch on the horizon. Witha dead cigar clenched between my teeth I watched and watched with acallous air, as though there had been no wrench, as though I had notleft behind all I loved in the world. And yet I gazed, the keen saltair singing past my ears, till there was nothing but the sea as far asthe eye could scan. 

Thus I began the quest of the elusive, which is a little of love, alittle of adventure, and a little of all things. 

CHAPTER III

Hillars hadn't been down to the office in two days, so the assistantsaid. 

"Is he ill?" I asked, as I carried a chair to the window. 

"Ill?" The young man coughed affectedly. 

"Do you believe it possible for him to come in this afternoon?"

"It is quite possible. One does not use the word impossible in regardto Hillars. It is possible that he may be in St. Petersburg by thistime, for all I know. You see, " with an explanatory wave of the hand, "he's very uncertain in his movements. For the last six months he hasbeen playing all over the table, to use the parlance of the rouletteplayer. I have had to do most of the work, and take care of him intothe bargain. If I may take you into my confidence----, " with somehesitancy. 

"Certainly, " said I. "I want you to tell me all about him. He was myroommate at college. Perhaps I can straighten him up. "

"The truth is, the trouble began last September. He came back from theContinent, where he had been on an errand, a changed man. Hillarsalways drank, but never to an alarming extent. On his return, however, he was in a bad shape. It was nearly November before I got him soberedup; and then he went under on an average of three times a week. Iasked him bluntly what he meant by it, and he frankly replied that ifhe wanted to drink himself to death, that was his business. When heisn't half-seas over he is gloomy and morose. From the first I knewthat something had gone wrong on the mainland; but I couldn't trap himfor a farthing. No man at his age drinks himself to death withoutcause; I told him so, but he only laughed at me. I'd give a good dealto know what the truth is; not from curiosity, mind you, but to findthe disease in order to apply a remedy. Dan's father died of drink. "

"No, " said I coldly; "he was shot. "

"Oh, I know that, " was the reply; "but give a conditioned man the samewound and he will recover, nine times out of ten. The elder Hillarswas so enervated by drink that he had no strength to fight the feverwhich came on top of the bullet-hole. Something happened over there;and it's pounds to pence there's a woman back of the curtain. It issome one worth while. Hillars is not a man to fall in love with abarmaid. "

I began to respect the young man's wisdom. 

"So you believe it to be a woman?"

"Yes. The wind blows from one point at a time. There are four pointsto the vane of destiny; there is ambition for glory, ambition forpower, ambition for wealth, and ambition for love. In Hillars's case, since the wind does not blow from the first three, it must necessarilyblow from the fourth. You know him better than I do; so you mustcertainly know that Hillars is not a man to drink because glory orpower or wealth refused to visit him. "

"You are a very discerning young man, " said I, whereat he laughed. "Did he get my cable?"

"No. I thought that it was some order from headquarters and opened itmyself. I put it in his desk. I spoke to him, but he was too drunk topay any heed to what I said. Well, I must be going. I am getting outa symposium of editorials from the morning papers on the possibility ofa Franco-Russian alliance. It must be at the cable office in half anhour. If you are going to wait, you'll find the Berlin and Paris filesin the next room. I'll see you later, " and he departed. 

It was five of the clock. The Strand was choked. Here and there I sawthe color of martial attire. Save for this, and that the buildingswere low and solid, and that most of the people walked slower, I mighthave been looking down upon Broadway for all the change of place I saw. There is not much difference between New York and London, except in thematter of locomotion. The American gets around with more rapidity thandoes his English cousin, but in the long run he accomplishes no more. It is only when one steps onto the Continent that the real differencein the human races is discerned. Strange as this may seem, it is notdistinguishable in a cosmopolitan city. My eyes were greeted with thesame huge wearisome signs of the merchants; the same sad-eyed "sandwichmen;" the same newsboys yelling and scampering back and forth; the samerumble of the omnibuses, the roar of the drays, and the rattle of thecabs. I was not much interested in all I saw. Suddenly my roving eyesrested upon a familiar face. It was Hillars, and he was pushingrapidly across the street. Any one would have instantly marked him foran American by the nervous stride, the impatience at being obstructed. I went into the fire-room, intending to give him a little surprise. Idid not have long to wait. The door to the main office opened and hecame in, singing a snatch from a drinking song we used to sing atcollege. The rich baritone that had once made the old glee club famouswas a bit husky and throaty. I heard him unlock his desk and roll backthe lid. There was a quiet for a moment. 

"Dick!" he called. "Hi, Dick! Well, I'm hanged!"

Evidently he had discovered my cable. 

"Dick isn't in, " said I, crossing the threshold. 

In a moment our hands were welded together, and we were gazing intoeach other's eyes. 

"You old reprobate!" I cried; "not to have met me at the station, even. "

"Bless my soul, Jack, this cable was the first intimation that you werewithin 3, 000 miles of London. But it does my heart good to see you!"pumping my hand again. "Come out to dinner with me. Now don't beginto talk till we've had something to eat; I'm almost famished. I knowall the questions you want to ask, but not now. There's a Bohemianjoint a block above that'll do your heart good to see. We'll havechops and ale, just like we did in the old days, the green and saladdays, I would they were back again"--soberly. "Oh, I've a long storyto tell you, my son; time enough when we get to my rooms; but not aword of it now--not a word. It will all be forgotten in ten minuteswith you. We'll rake up the old days and live 'em over for an hour orso. I'm glad that I suggested you in my letter. What did the old mansay about my nervous prostration?"--with half a laugh. 

"He put quotation marks around it, " I answered. "I wanted to see youparticularly. They told me that you were rolling downhill so fast thatif some one did not put a fulcrum under you, you'd be at the bottom inno time at all. I'm going to be the lever by which you are to berolled uphill again. "

He smiled grimly. "If any one could do that--well, here we are;" andwe entered the chop house and took a table in one of the side rooms. "Woods, " he said to the waiter, "chops for two, chipped potatoes, andfill up those steins of mine with ale. That will be all. I broughtthose steins from across, Jack; you'll go crazy over them, for they arebeauties. "

A college-bred bachelor, nine times out of ten, has a mania forcollecting pipes or steins, or both. Dan and I had been affected thisway. During the year I had studied at Heidelberg I had gatheredtogether some fifty odd pipes and steins. I have them yet, and many apleasant memory they beget me. As for the steins of Dan, they werebeyond compare. 

"I'll tell you a story about them, " said Dan, after he had taken a deepswallow of the amber ale. "Few men can boast of steins like these. Not many months ago there was a party of men and women, belonging tothe capital of a certain kingdom, who attended a dinner. It was one ofthose times when exalted personages divest themselves of the dignityand pomp of court and become free and informal. There were twenty ofthese steins made especially for the occasion. By a circumstance, overwhich I had no control, I was the only alien at this dinner. Thesteins were souvenirs. How I came by two was due to the lady whom Itook down to dinner, and who presented hers to me after having--afterhaving--well, kissed the rim. Do you see the crest?" pointing to theexquisite inlaid work. 

"Why, " I said eagerly, "it is the crest of----"

"Yes, a noted King, " Dan completed. "And these were made by hisexpress command. But never mind, " he broke off. "It's merely a partof the story I am going to tell you when we get to my rooms. I amalways thinking of it, night and day, day and night. Talk to me, orI'll be drinking again. This is the first time I've been sober in amonth. It's drink or morphine or something like. Do you ever seeanything of the old glee boys?"

"Once in a while. You know, " said I, lighting a cigarette, "all thefellows but you and I had money. Most of them are carrying on thebusiness of their paters and ornamenting dinner parties and cotillions. "

"I thought that you had a rich uncle, " said Dan. 

"I did have, but he is no more, " and I told him all about the bequest. 

He laughed so long and heartily over it that I was glad for his sakethat it had happened. Already I was beginning to look wholly upon thehumorous side of the affair. 

"It is almost too good not to be printed, " he said. "But his son maysquare matters when he dies. "

"I do not want matters squared, " I growled. "I can earn a living for afew years to come. I shan't worry. "

"By the way, is that Miss Landors whom you used to rave about in yourletters married yet?"

"No. " Miss Landors was Phyllis only to her intimate friends. I calledthe waiter and ordered him to replenish my stein, Dan watching mecuriously the while. "No, Miss Landors is not married yet. "

"I have often wondered what she looked like, " he mused. 

"When do you go on your vacation?" I asked irrelevantly. 

"In a week or ten days; may be to-morrow. It's according to how long Istay sober. "

I was sorry that he had recalled to me the name of Phyllis. Itdampened my sociability. I was not yet prepared to take him into myconfidence. The ale, however, loosened our tongues, and though we didnot talk about our present affairs we had a pleasant time recountingthe days when we were young in the sense that we had no real trouble. Those were the times when we were earning fifteen and twenty the week;when our watches were always in durance vile; when we lied to the poorwasherwoman and to the landlady; when we would always be "aroundto-morrow" and "settle up" with our creditors. 

"There was no ennui those days, " laughed Hillars. 

"True. Do you remember the day you stayed in bed because it wascheaper to sleep than work on an empty stomach?"

"And do you remember the time I saved you from jail by giving theSheriff my new spring overcoat to pay a washerwoman's bill of sixmonths' standing?"

"I hung around Jersey City that day, " said I. And then there was moreale; and so on. It was nine when at last we rose. 

"Well, we'll go back to the office and get your case, " said Dan. "Where's your trunk?"

"At the Victoria. "

"All your luggage must be sent to my rooms. I will not hear of yourgoing elsewhere for lodging while in town. I have a floor, and youshall share it. It's a bachelor's ranch from basement to garret, inhabited by artists, journalists, one or two magazine men, a clevernovelist, and three of our New York men. There is no small fry savemyself. We have little banquets every Friday night, and they sometimeslast till Saturday noon. I've taught the Frenchman who represents theParis _Temps_ how to play poker, and he threatens to become myFrankenstein, who will eventually devour me. " Hillars laughed, and itsounded like the laughter of other days. "Jack, I think you will do megood. Stay with me and keep me away from the bottle if you can. Noman drinks for pure love of liquor. My father never loved it, and Godknows what he was trying to forget. For that's the substance of itall, to forget. When you start out to the point of forgetfulness, youmust keep it up; regret comes back threefold with soberness. It seemssilly and weak for a man who has been buffeted as I have, who issupposed to gather wisdom and philosophy as a snowball gathers snow asit rolls down hill, to try to drown regret and disappointment inliquor. A man never knows how weak he is till he meets the one womanand she will have none of him. "

And somehow I got closer to Hillars, spiritually. There were two ofus, so it seemed, only I was stronger, or else my passion did not burnso furiously as his. 

The apartments occupied by Dan were all a bachelor could wish for. Thewalls were covered with photographs, original drawings, beer steins, pipes, a slipper here, a fan there, and books and books and books. Ifelt at home at once. 

I watched Hillars as he moved about the room, tidying up things a bit, and I noticed now more than ever how changed he was. His face hadgrown thin, his hair was slightly worn at the crown and temples, andthere were dark circles under his eyes. Yet, for all these signs ofdissipation, he was still a remarkably handsome man. Though not sorobust as when I last saw him, his form was yet elegant. In the olddays we had called him Adonis, and Donie had clung to him long afterthe Cambridge time. 

"Now, " said he, when we had lighted our pipes, "I'll tell you why I'mgoing to the dogs. I've got to tell it to some one or go daft; and Ican't say that I'm not daft as it is. "

"It is a woman, " said I, after reflection, "who causes a man to drink, to lose all ambition. "

"It is. "

"It is a woman, " I went on, holding the amber stem of my pipe beforethe light which gleamed golden through the transparent gum, "who causesa man to pull up stakes and prospect for new claims, to leave the newcountry for the old. "

"It is a woman indeed, " he replied. He was gazing at me with a newinterest. "If the woman had accepted him, he would not have been here. "

"No, he would not, " said I. 

"In either case, yours or mine. "

"In either case. Go on with your story; there's nothing more to add tomine. "

Some time passed, and nothing but the breathing of the pipes was heard. Now and then I would poke away at the ashes in my pipe bowl, and Danwould do the same. 

"Have you a picture of her?" I asked, reaching for some fresh tobacco. 

"No; I am afraid to keep one. "

To me this was a new phase in the matter of grand passions. 

"A likeness which never changes its expression means nothing to me, " heexplained. "Her face in all its moods is graven in my mind; I have butto shut my eyes, and she stands before me in all her loveliness. Doyou know why I wanted this vacation? Rest?" His shoulders went up andhis lips closed tighter. "My son, I want no rest. It is rest which iskilling me. I am going across. I am going to see her again, if onlyfrom the curb as she rolls past in her carriage, looking at me but notrecognizing me, telling her footman to brush me aside should I attemptto speak to her. Yet I would suffer this humiliation to see thatglorious face once more, to hear again that voice, though it were keyedto scorn. I am a fool, Jack. What! have I gone all these yearsfree-heart to love a chimera in the end? Verily I am an ass. She is aPrincess; she has riches; she has a principality; she is the ward of aKing. What has she to do with such as I? Three months in the year shedwells in her petty palace; the other months find her here and there;Paris, St. Petersburg, or Rome, as fancy wills. And I, I love her! Isit not rich? What am I? A grub burrowing at the root of the tree inwhich she, like a bird of paradise, displays her royal plumage. 'Masters, remember that I am an ass; though it be not written down, yetforget not that I am an ass. ' The father of this Princess oncerendered the present King's father a great service, and in return theKing turned over to his care a principality whose lineal descendantshad died out. It was with the understanding that so long as heretained the King's goodwill, just so long he might possess theprincipality, and that when he died the sovereignty would pass to hischildren. The old King died, and his son sat upon his father's throne. The father of the Princess also died. The King of to-day made the sameterms as his father before him. The Princess Hildegarde accepted them, not counting the cost. Last spring she was coronated. Shortly beforethe coronation, Prince Ernst of Wortumborg became a suitor for herhand. The King was very much pleased. Prince Ernst was a cousin ofthe Princess Hildegarde's father, and had striven for the principalityin the days gone by. The King, thinking to repair the imaginary wrongsof the Prince, forced the suit. He impressed upon the Princess that itwas marry the Prince or give up her principality. She gave herconsent, not knowing what to do under the circumstances. Prince Ernstis a Prince without principality or revenues. In marrying the Princesshe acquires both. I shall tell you how I became concerned. "

Hillars laid his smoking pipe in the ash pan. He got up and roamedabout the room, stopped at the window and stared at the inken sky, thenreturned to his chair. 

CHAPTER IV

I shall tell Hillars's story as he told it. He said:

Last August I went to B----. My mission was important and took me tothe British Legation, where I am well known. I was most cordiallyinvited to attend a ball to be given the next evening. The notables ofthe court were there. For a few moments the King let his sun shine onthe assemblage. It was a brilliant spectacle. At midnight I saw forthe first time a remarkably beautiful woman. I was looking well myselfthat night. All women like to see broad shoulders in a man. Itsuggests strength--something they have not. Several times this youngwoman's eyes met mine. Somehow, mine were always first to fall. Therewas a magnetism in hers mine could not withstand. Later, an attachécame to me and said that he wished to present me to her Serene Highnessthe Princess Hildegarde of--let us call it Hohenphalia. He whisperedthat she had commanded the introduction. I expected to see somered-faced dowager who wanted to ask me about my country and bore mewith her guttural accents. To my intense pleasure, I found myself atthe side of the beauty whom I had been admiring. There was a humorouslight in her eyes as she put some questions to me. 

"Do you speak German?" she asked in that language. 

"Poorly, your Highness, " I answered. 

"Perhaps, then, you speak French?"

"As I do my mother tongue, " said I. 

"I am interested in Americans, " she said. 

"Collectively or individually?" I tried to say this with perfectinnocence, but the smile on her lips told me that I had failed. 

"Yes, I was sure that you would interest me. "

She tapped the palm of her hand with the fan she held. "Shall I tellyou why I desired to meet you?"

I nodded. 

"I have heard it said that the American bows down before a title; and Iam a woman, and curious. "

Said I, laughing: "Your Highness has been misinformed. We never bowdown to a title; it is to the wearers that we bow. "

This time her eyes fell. 

"This sort of conversation is altogether new to me, " she said, openingthe fan. 

"I hope that I have not offended your Highness, " I said. 

"Indeed, no. But it seems so strange to have any one talk to me withsuch frankness and deliberation. Have you no fear?"

"There is seldom fear where there is admiration. If you had used theword awe, now----"

Soft laughter rippled over the fan. She had the most wonderful eyes. 

"Are all Americans brave like yourself?" she next asked. 

"Brave? What do you call brave?"

"Your utter lack of fear in my presence, in the first place: I amcalled dangerous. And then, your exploits in the Balkistan, in thesecond place. Are you not the M. Hillars whose bravery not so long agowas an interesting topic in the newspapers? I know you. "

"This is truly remarkable, " said I. "The only thing I did was to leada regiment out of danger. "

"The danger was annihilation. If a Captain or a Colonel had done it, we should have thought nothing of it; but an utter stranger, who hadnothing in common with either cause--ah, believe me, it was a verygallant thing to do. "

"This is positively the first time I was ever glad that I did thething. " I placed my hand over my heart. "But, after all, that is nothalf so brave as what I am doing now. "

"I do not understand, " said she puzzled. 

"Why, it is simple. Here I am talking to you, occupying your time andkeeping those fierce Generals at bay. See how they are gnawing theirmustaches and biting their lips and asking one another who I am. Thereare as many as five challenges waiting for me the moment I depart fromyour side. "

There was mischief in her eye. 

"Then you shall stay with me, find me an ice and waltz once with me, for if anything happened to you I should always have myself to blame. "

I waltzed with her, and the perfume of her hair got into my head, and Igrew dizzy. When the dance came to an end, I went into the smokingroom. Suddenly it went through my brain that the world had changed inan incredibly short time. I tried to smoke, and for the first time inmy life, tobacco was tasteless, I was falling in love with a Princess. I confess that it did not horrify me; on the contrary, I grew thrilledand excited. There was a spice here which hitherto had been denied me. The cost was unspelled. I fell as far as I could fall. Theuncertainty of the affair was in itself an enchantment. 

Well, the next day I strolled up the Avenue of Legations and saw her onhorseback. She was accompanied by an elderly man with a face like aneagle's. There were various decorations on his breast. As thePrincess saw me, she bent her head. She remembered me. That was allthat was necessary for my transportation. Later, I was informed thather escort was Prince Ernst of Wortumborg, who was destined to becomeher lord and master. I did not care who he was; I knew that I hatedhim. 

For a week I lingered on. I met her time and again; alone onhorseback, at the various embassies and at the opera. At thesemeetings I learned a great deal about her. She was known to be themost capricious woman at court, and that she was as courageous as shewas daring; and that the Prince might consider himself lucky if he gother, King's will or no King's will. She had little liking for herintended. She treated him contemptuously and held his desires in utterdisregard. One fine morning I was told that the Prince was beginningto notice my attentions, that he was one of the most noted pistol shotsand swordsmen on the Continent, and that if I had any particular regardfor my epidermis I would cease my attendance on the Princess at once. This, of course, made me more attentive than ever; for I can hold myown with any man when it comes to pistols, and I can handle the rapierwith some success. 

It was one night at the opera that the climax was brought about. I satin one of the stalls diagonally across from the royal box, where shesat. She saw me and gave me the barest nod of recognition. Perhapsshe did not wish to attract the attention of the royal personages whosat with her; for the nod struck me as clandestine. Between the firstand second acts a note was handed to me. It was not addressed, neitherwas it signed. But it was for me; the bearer spoke my name. As nearas I can remember, the note contained these words:

"A carriage will await you two blocks south; it will be without lights. You will enter it exactly ten minutes after the opera is ended. "

That was all, but it was enough. When I returned to my seat I foundthe Princess gazing intently at me. I made an affirmative gesture andwas rewarded with a smile which set my blood to rushing. I made littleout of the last act. I could not dream what the anonymous note hadbehind it. I suspicioned an intrigue, but what use had she for me, anAmerican, a very nobody? Something unusual was about to take place andI was to be a witness or a participant of it. That was as far as mytalent for logical deduction went. Promptly at the stated time I stoodat the side of the carriage. It was the plainest sort of an affair. Evidently it had been hired for the occasion. The door opened. 

"Step in, monsieur, " said a low voice in French. I obeyed. The horsestarted. As we spun along the pavement a light flashed into thewindow. The Princess sat before me. There was a ringing in my ears, and I breathed quickly. But I said no word; it was for her to speakfirst. 

"Monsieur is an American, " she began. "The American is of a chivalricrace. "

"That should be the aim of all men, " I replied. 

"But it is not so. Monsieur, I have been studying you for the pastweek. To-night I place my honor and my fame in your hands; it is foryou to prove that you are a knight. I trust you. When I have saidwhat I shall say to you, you may withdraw or give me your aid, as youplease. "

"I am grateful for your confidence, your Highness, " said I. "What isit that you wish me to do?"

"Have patience, monsieur, till the ride is done, " she said. "Do notspeak again till I permit you. I must think. "

The journey was accomplished in half an hour. 

"It is here, monsieur, that we alight, " she said as the carriagestopped. 

I was glad that her opera cloak was of dark material and that she worea veil. 

The building before which we stood was on the outskirts of the city. Far away to my left I could see the flickering lights of the palaces; ayellowish haze hung over all. Once within the building I noted withsurprise the luxurious appointments. Plainly it was no common inn, aresort for the middle and traveling classes; whether it was patronizedby the nobility I could only surmise. 

"We shall continue to speak in French, " she said, as she threw back hercloak and lifted her veil. "Monsieur has probably heard that thePrincess Hildegarde is a creature of extravagant caprices; and heexpects an escapade. "

"Your Highness wrongs me, " I protested. "I am an obscure American;your Highness does not share your--that is----"

I stopped, not wishing to give the term escapade to anything she mightdo. As a matter of fact she has caused her royal guardian, the King, no end of trouble. She went to Paris once unattended; at another timeshe roamed around Heidelberg and slashed a fencing master; she haddonned a student's garb. She is said to be the finest swordswoman onthe Continent. Yet, notwithstanding her caprices, she is anoble-minded woman. She does all these things called social vagariesbecause she has a fine scorn for the innate hypocrisy of the socialorganization of this country. She loves freedom not wisely but toowell. To go on:

"Monsieur wrongs me also, " she said. "In what are termed my escapadesI am alone. You appealed to me, " with a directness which amazed me, "because of your handsome face, your elegant form, your bright eyes. You are a man who loves adventure which has the spice of danger in it. My countrymen----. " She crooked one of her bare shoulders, which shonelike yellow ivory in the subdued light. This rank flattery cooled me. A woman who has any regard for a man is not likely to flatter him inrespect to his looks on so short and slight an acquaintance. "Monsieur, " she proceeded, "this is to be no escapade, no caprice. Iask your aid as a desperate woman. At court I can find no one tosuccor me, save at the peril of that which is dearer to me than mylife. Among the commoners, who would dare? An Englishman? It is toomuch trouble. A Frenchman? I would trust him not quite so far as thedoor. You are the first American, not connected with the legation, Ihave ever met. Will you help me?"

"If what you ask me to do is within my capabilities, I am yours tocommand. "

"The reward will be small, " as if to try me. I laughed. I was soinsanely happy, I suppose. "There will be danger, " she persisted;"secret danger: there will be scandal. "

"The more danger, the merrier, " I cried. 

"Ah, yes, " smiling; "it is the man of Balkistan. "

I leaned over the table and inhaled the ineffable perfumes whichemanated from her person. "Tell me, from what must I succor thePrincess? Is she a prisoner in a castle over which some ogre rules?Well, then, I'll be Sir Galahad. "

My jesting tone jarred on her nerves. She straightened in her chair. 

"Monsieur is amused, " she said coldly. 

"And he asks a thousand pardons!" I cried contritely. "Command me, "and I grew chilled and serious. 

"You have heard that I am to wed Prince Ernst of Wortumborg?"

"Yes. " I gnawed the ends of my mustache. 

"Monsieur, it is against my will, my whole being. I have no desire tocontribute a principality and a wife to a man who is not worthy of oneor the other. I refuse to become the King's puppet, notwithstandinghis power to take away my principality and leave me comparativelywithout resources. I detest this man so thoroughly that I cannot hatehim. I abhor him. It is you who must save me from him; it is you whomust also save me my principality. Oh, they envy me, these poorpeople, because I am a Princess, because I dwell in the tinsel glitterof the court. Could they but know how I envy their lives, their homes, their humble ambitions! Believe me, monsieur, as yet I love no man;but that is no reason why I should link my life to that of a man towhom virtue in a woman means nothing. He caused my mother greatsorrow. He came between her and my father. He spoiled her life, nowhe wishes to spoil mine. But I will not have it so. I will give up myprincipality rather. But first let me try to see if I cannot retainthe one and rid myself of the other. Listen. To-morrow night therewill be a dinner here. The King and the inner court will hold forth. But they will cast aside their pomp and become, for the time being, ordinary people. The Prince will be in Brussels, and therefore unableto attend. You are to come in his stead. "

"I?" in astonishment. 

"Even so, " she smiled. "While the festivities are at their height youand I will secretly leave and return to the city. We shall goimmediately to the station, thence to France. "

I looked at her as one in a dream. "I!--You!--thence to France?"

CHAPTER V

Hillars went to the sideboard and emptied half a glass of brandy. Coming back to his chair he remained in a reverie for a short time. Then he resumed his narrative. 

The Princess looked up into my face and smiled. 

"Yes; thence to France. Ah, I could go alone. But listen, monsieur. Above all things there must be a scandal. A Princess elopes with anAmerican adventurer. The Prince will withdraw his suit. The King mayor may not forgive me; but I will risk it. He is still somewhat fondof me, notwithstanding the worry I have caused him. This way is theonly method by which I may convince him how detestable this engagementis to me. Yet, my freedom is more to me than my principality. Let theKing bestow it upon whom he will. I shall become a teacher oflanguages, or something of that sort. I shall be free and happy. Oh, you will have a merry tale to tell, a merry adventure. You will returnto your country. You will be the envy of your compatriots. You willrecount at your clubs a story such as men read, but never hear told!"She was growing a bit hysterical. As she looked at me she saw that myface was grave. 

"Is there no other way?" I asked. "Can it not be accomplished withoutscandal?"

"No. There must be scandal. Otherwise I should be brought back andforgiven, and no one would know. In a certain sense, I am valuable. The Hohenphalians love me; I am something of an idol to them. The Kingappreciates my rule. It gives him a knowledge that there will be nointernal troubles in Hohenphalia so long as matters stand as they nowdo. Still, there are limits to the King's patience; and I am about totry them severely. But monsieur hesitates; he will withdraw hispromise. "

"No, your Highness, " said I, "I have given my word. As for thescandal, it is not for myself that I care. It will be a jollyadventure for me; and then, I shall have such a clever story to tell myfriends at the clubs. "

She saw that I was offended. "Forgive me, monsieur; I know that youwould do no such thing. But let me explain to you. At the station wewill be intercepted by two trusted and high officials at court. "

"What!" I exclaimed; "do they know?"

"No; but I shall write to them anonymously, the note to be placed intheir hands immediately we leave the premises. "

I looked at the woman in wonder. 

"But this is madness!" I cried. 

"Directly you will see the method in the madness. Without theirknowing there could be no scandal. They will try to stop us. You willover-power and bind them. There will also be several other witnesseswho will not be participants. Through them it will become known that Ihave eloped with an American. Oh, it is a well-laid plan. "

"But, supposing I am overpowered myself, thrown into jail and I knownot what?" All this was more than I had bargained for. 

"Nothing of the kind will happen. Monsieur will hold a pistol in eachhand when the carriage door is opened. You will say: 'I am a desperateman; one of you bind the other, or I fire!' It will be done. You willspring upon the remaining one and I will help you to bind him likewise. Oh, you will accomplish it well; you are a strong man; moreover, youare rapid. "

I sat in my chair, speechless. Here was a woman of details. I hadnever met one before. 

"Well, does monsieur accept the adventure or does he politely decline?"There was a subtle taunt in her tones. That decided me. 

"Your Highness, I should be happy to meet a thousand Uhlans to do youservice. What you ask me to do is quite simple. " I knew that I shouldlose my head in case of failure. I rose and bowed as unconcernedly asthough she had but asked me to join her with a cup of tea. 

"Ah, monsieur, you are a man!" And she laughed softly as she saw methrow back my shoulders. There was unmistakable admiration in hereyes. "And yet, " with a sudden frown, "there will be danger. You mayslip; you may become injured. Yes, there is danger. "

"Your Highness, " said I lowly, compelling her eyes to meet mine, "it isnot the danger of the adventure or its results that I most fear. " Iwas honest enough to make my meaning clear. 

She blushed. "I said that I trusted monsieur's honor, " was herrejoinder. "Come, " with a return of her imperiousness; "it is timethat we were gone!" She drew on her cloak and dropped the veil. "Imight add, " she said, "that we will remain in France one hour. Fromthere you may go your way, and I shall go secretly to my palace. "

And the glamour fell away like the last leaves of the year. 

I had to wake up the driver, who had fallen asleep. 

"Where shall I say?" I asked. 

"To your hotel. I shall give the driver the remaining instructions. "

"But you haven't told me, " said I, as I took my place in the carriage, "how I am to become a guest at the dinner to-morrow evening. "

"I spoke to the King this morning. I said that I had a caprice. Hereplied that if I would promise it to be my last he would grant it. Ipromised. I said that it was my desire to bring to the dinner a personwho, though without rank, was a gentleman--one who would grace anygathering, kingly or otherwise. My word was sufficient. I knew beforeI asked you that you would come. Twenty-four hours from now we, thatis, you and I, will be on the way to the French frontier. I shall beever in your debt. "

Silence fell upon us. I knew that I loved her with a love that wasburning me up, consuming me. And the adventure was all so unheard offor these prosaic times! And so full of the charm of mystery was shethat I had not been a man not to have fallen a victim. Whatpossibilities suggested themselves to me as on we rode! Once acrossthe frontier I should be free to confess my love for her. A Princess?What of that? She would be only a woman--the woman I loved. Itrembled. Something might happen so that she would have to turn to me. If the King refused to forgive her, she was mine! Ah, that plaincarriage held a wonderful dream that night. At length--too shortly forme--the vehicle drew up in front of my hotel. As I was about to alighther hand stretched toward me. But instead of kissing it, I pressed mylips on her round white arm. As though my lips burned, she drew back. 

"Have a care, monsieur; have a care, " she said, icily. "Such a kisshas to be won. "

I stammered an apology and stepped out. Then I heard a low laugh. 

"Good night, Mr. Hillars; you are a brave gentleman!"

The door closed and the vehicle sped away into the darkness. 

I stood looking after it, bewildered. Her last words were spoken inpure English. 

With the following evening came the dinner; and I as a guest, anervous, self-conscious guest, who started at every footstep. I waspresented to the King, who eyed me curiously. Seeing that I wore amedal such as his Chancellor gives to men who sometimes do his countryservice, he spoke to me and inquired how I had obtained it. It was anaffair similar to the Balkistan; only there was not an army, but a mob. The Princess was enchanting. I grew reckless, and let her read my eyesmore than once; but she pretended not to see what was in them. Atdinner a toast was given to his Majesty. It was made with those steinsI showed you, Jack. 

The Princess said softly to me, kissing the rim of the stein she held:"My toast is not to the King, but to the gentleman!" I had both steinsbundled up and left with the host, together with my address. 

It was not long after that the eventful moment for our flight arrived. I knew that I was basely to abuse the hospitality of the King. Butwhat is a King to a man in love? Presently we two were alone in thegarden, the Princess and myself. She was whispering instructions, telling me that I was a man of courage. 

"It is not too late to back out, " she said. 

"I would face a thousand kings rather, " I replied. 

We could see at the gate the carriage which was to take us to thestation. Now came the moment when I was tried by the crucible andfound to be dross. I committed the most foolish blunder of my life. My love suddenly overleapt its bounds. In a moment my arms were aroundher lithe body; my lips met hers squarely. After it was done she stoodvery still, as if incapable of understanding my offence. But Iunderstood. I was overwhelmed with remorse, love, and regret. I hadmade impossible what might have been. 

"Your Highness, " I cried, "I could not help it! Before God I couldnot! It is because I love you better than anything in the world--youcannot be of it!--and all this is impossible, this going away together. "

Her bosom heaved, and her eyes flashed like a heated summer sky. 

"I will give you one minute to leave this place, " she said, her tonesas even and as cold as sudden repression of wrath could make them. "Itrusted you, and you have dared to take advantage of what seemed myhelplessness. It is well indeed for you that you committed thisoutrage before it is too late. I should have killed you then. I mighthave known. Could ever a woman trust a man?" She laughedcontemptuously. "You would have made me a thing of scorn; and Itrusted you!"

"As God is my judge, " I cried, "my respect for you is as high as heavenitself. I love you; is there nothing in that? I am but human. I amnot a stone image. And you have tempted me beyond all control. Pardonwhat I have done; it was not the want of respect--. "

"Spare me your protestations. I believe your minute is nearly gone, "she interrupted. 

And then--there was a crunch on the gravel behind us. The Princess andI turned in dismay. We had forgotten all about the anonymous note. Two officers were approaching us, and rapidly. The elder of the twocame straight to me. I knew him to be as inexorable as his formermaster, the victor of Sedan. The Princess looked on mechanically. 

"Come, " said the Count, in broken English; "I believe your carriage isat the gate. "

I glanced at the Princess. She might have been of stone, for all thelife she exhibited. 

"Come; the comedy is a poor one, " said the Count. 

I followed him out of the garden. My indifference to personal safetywas due to a numbness which had taken hold of me. 

"Get in, " he said, when we reached the carriage. I did so, and he gotin after me. The driver appeared confused. It was not his fare, according to the agreement. "To the city, " he was briefly told. "Yourhotel?" turning to me. I named it. "Do you understand German?"

"But indifferently, " I answered listlessly. 

"It appears that you understand neither the language nor the people. Who are you?"

"That is my concern, " I retorted. I was coming about, and notunnaturally became vicious. 

"It concerns me also, " was the gruff reply. 

"Have your own way about it. "

"How came you by that medal?" pointing to my breast. 

"Honestly, " said I. 

"Honestly or dishonestly, it is all the same. " He made a move to detachit, and I caught his hand. 

"Please don't do that. I am extremely irritable; and I might throw youout of the window. I can get back to my hotel without guidance. "

"I am going to see you to your lodgings, " asserted the Count, rubbinghis wrist, for I had put some power into my grasp. 

"Still, I might take it into my head to throw you out. "

"You'd better not try. "

"Are you afraid?"

"Yes. There would be a scandal. Not that I would care about the deathof a miserable adventurer, but it might possibly reflect upon thevirtue of her Highness the Princess Hildegarde. "

"What do you want?" I growled. 

"I want to see if your passports are proper so that you will have nodifficulty in passing over the frontier. "

"Perhaps it would be just as well to wake the American Minister?" Isuggested. 

"Not at all. If you were found dead there might be a possibility ofthat. But I should explain to him, and he would understand that it wasa case without diplomatic precedent. "

"Well?"

"You are to leave this country at once, sir; that is, if you place anyvalue upon your life. "

"Oh; then it is really serious?"

"Very. It is a matter of life and death--to you. Moreover, you mustnever enter this country again. If you do, I will not give a pfennigfor your life. "

He found my passports in good order. I permitted him to rummagethrough some of my papers. 

"Ach! a damned scribbler, too!" coming across some of my notes. 

"Quite right, Herr General, " said I. I submitted because I didn't care. 

My luggage was packed off to the station, where he saw that my ticketwas for Paris. 

"Good morning, " he said, as I entered the carriage compartment. "Thedevil will soon come to his own; ach!"

"My compliments to him when you see him!" I called back, not to beoutdone in the matter of courtesy. 

"And that is all, Jack, " concluded Hillars. "For all these months notan hour has passed in which I have not cursed the folly of that moment. Instead of healing under the balm of philosophy, the wound grows morepainful every day. She did not love me, I know, but she would havebeen near me. And if the King had taken away her principality, shewould have needed me in a thousand ways. And it is not less thanpossible that in time she might have learned the lesson of love. Butnow--if she is the woman I believe her to be, she never could love meafter what has happened. And knowing this, I can't leave liquor alone, and don't want to. In my cups I do not care. "

"I feel sorry for you both, " said I. "Has the Prince married her yet?"

"No. It has been postponed. Next Monday I am going back. I am goingin hopes of getting into trouble. I may never see her again, perhaps. To-morrow, to-morrow! Who knows? Well, I'm off to bed. Good night. "

And I was left alone with my thoughts. They weren't very good company. To-morrow indeed, I thought. I sat and smoked till my tongue smarted. I had troubles of my own, and wondered how they would end. PoorHillars! As I look back to-day, I marvel that we could not see theend. The mystery of life seems simple to us who have lived most of it, and can look down through the long years. 

CHAPTER VI

During the first year of my residence in London there happened fewevents worth chronicling. Shortly after my arrival Hillarsdisappeared. His two months' vacation stretched into twelve, and I wasdirected to remain in London. As I knew that Hillars did not wish tobe found I made no inquiries. He was somewhere on the Continent, butwhere no one knew. At one time a letter dated at St. Petersburgreached me, and at another time I was informed of his presence at MonteCarlo. In neither letter was there any mention of her Serene Highness, the Princess Hildegarde of Hohenphalia. Since the night he recountedthe adventure the wayward Princess had never become the topic ofconversation. I grew hopeful enough to believe that he had forgottenher. Occasionally I received a long letter from Phyllis. I alwayspromptly answered it. To any one but me her letters would have provedinteresting reading. It was not for what she wrote that I cared, itwas the mere fact that she wrote. A man cannot find much pleasure inletters which begin with "Dear friend, " and end with "Yours sincerely, "when they come from the woman he loves. 

In the preceding autumn I completed my first novel. I carried itaround to publishers till I grew to hate it as one hates a Nemesis, andwhen finally I did place it, it was with a publisher who had juststarted in business and was necessarily obscure. I bowed politely tomy dreams of literary fame and became wholly absorbed in myjournalistic work. When the book came out I could not but admire theexcellence of the bookmaking, but as I looked through the reviews andfound no mention save in "books received, " I threw the book aside andvowed that it should be my last. The publisher wrote me that he wassurprised that the book had not caught on, as he considered the storyunusually clever. "Merit is one thing, " he said, "but luck isanother. " I have found this to be true, not only in literature, but inall walks of life where fame and money are the goals. Phyllis wrote methat she thought the book "just splendid"; but I took her praise with agrain of salt, it being likely that she was partial to the author, andthat the real worth of the book was little in comparison with the factthat it was I who wrote it. 

One morning in early June I found three letters on my desk. The firstwas from Hillars. He was in Vienna. 

"MY DEAR SON, " it ran, "there is another rumpus. The Princessdisappeared on the 20th of last month. They are hunting high and lowfor her, and incidentally for me. Why me, is more than I canunderstand. But I received a letter from Rockwell of the AmericanLegation warning me that if I remained in Austria I should beapprehended, put in jail, hanged and quartered for no other reason onearth than that they suspect me having something to do with herdisappearance. Due, I suppose, to that other miserable affair. ThoughI have hunted all over the Continent, I have never seen the PrincessHildegarde since that night at B----. Where shall I find her? Ihaven't the least idea. But as a last throw, I am going to theprincipality of Hohenphalia, where she was born and over which sherules with infinite wisdom. The King is determined that she shall wedPrince Ernst. He would take away her principality but for the factthat there would be a wholesale disturbance to follow any such act. IfI ever meet that watch dog of hers, the Count von Walden, the dufferwho gave me my congé, there will be trouble. The world isn't largeenough for two such men as we are. By the way, I played roulette atthe Casino last night and won 3, 000 francs. Well, au revoir or adieuas the case may be. They sell the worst whiskey here you ever heardof. It's terrible to have an educated palate. 

"HILLARS. "

So he was still desiring for something he could never have! I got outof patience with the fellow. Even if she loved him, what chance had heagainst the legions of the King? Hillars was a wild-headed fellow, and, if at liberty, was not incapable of creating a disturbance. Itmight land him in jail, or on the gallows. The phlegmatic German isnot particular whom he hangs. In that wide domain there is always somepetty revolution going on. In each of those petty kingdoms, orprincipalities, or duchies, there are miniature Rousseaus and Voltaireswho shout liberty and equality in beer halls and rouse the otherwisepeaceful citizens to warfare; short, it is true, but none the lesswarfare. Military despotism is the tocsin. When the King presses anunwilling subject into the army, upon his discharge the unwillingsubject, usually a peasant, becomes a socialist. These Rousseaus andVoltaires have a certain amount of education, but they lack daring. Ifa man like Hillars, who had not only brains but daring, should getmixed up in one of these embroglios, some blood would be spilled beforethe trouble became adjusted. Still, Hillars, with all his love ofadventure, was not ordinarily reckless. Yet, if he met the Princess, she would find a willing tool in him for her slightest caprice. Whatever happened the brunt would fall upon him. My opinion, formedfrom various stories I had heard of the Princess, was not veryflattering to her. The letter and its possibilities disturbed me. 

The second letter was from headquarters in New York. 

"DEAR WINTHROP--We want a good Sunday special. Her Serene Highness thePrincess Hildegarde of Hohenphalia has taken it into her head todisappear again. Go over and see Rockwell in B----; he will give you agood yarn. It has never been in type yet, and I daresay that it willmake good reading. London seems particularly dull just now, and youcan easily turn over your affairs to the assistant. This woman's lifeis more full of romance than that of any other woman of the courts ofEurope. The most interesting part of it is her reputation is said tobe like that of Caesar's wife--above reproach. Get a full history ofher life and of the Prince whom she is to marry. If you can get anyphotographs do so. I know how you dislike this sort of work, pryinginto private affairs, as you call it, but with all these sensationalsheets springing up around us, we must keep in line now and then. Doyou know anything about Hillars; is he dead or alive? Take all thetime you want for the story and send it by mail. "

"The Princess Hildegarde!" I cried aloud. "The deuce take the woman!"

"What's that?" asked my assistant, who had overheard my outburst. 

"Oh, I am to go across on a special story, " I said with a snarl, "justas I was fixing for a week's fishing. I've got to concern myself withthe Princess Hildegarde of Hohenphalia. "

"Ah, the Princess Hildegarde?" said the young fellow, pushing back hishat and elevating his feet, a trick he had acquired while being rearedin his native land, which was the State of Illinois, in America. "Youwant to be careful. Every one burns his fingers or singes his wingsaround that candle. "

"What do you know about her?" I asked. 

"A little. You see, about six months ago I discovered all regardingHillars and his fall from grace. It was through the Reuter agency. Hillars got badly singed. An elopement of some sort between him andthe Princess was nipped in the bud. He was ordered to leave thecountry and warned never to return, at the peril of his liberty. Adescription of him is with every post on the frontier. As for thePrincess she is an interesting character. She was educated in thiscountry and France. She speaks several languages. She is headstrongand wilful, and her royal guardian is only too anxious to see hermarried and settled down. She masquerades in men's clothes when itpleases her, she can ride a horse like a trooper, she fences andshoots, she has fought two duels, and heaven alone knows what she hasnot done to disturb the tranquility of the Court. For a man she lovedshe would be a merry comrade. I saw her once in Paris. She is anextraordinarily beautiful woman. A man takes no end of risk when heconcerns himself with her affairs, I can tell you. Hillars--Well, Isuppose it's none of my business. He must have had an exciting time ofit, " concluded the young man. 

"I'll leave you in charge for a week or so, " said I. "What little newsthere is at the Houses you can cover. I'll take care of anything ofimportance that occurs abroad. I might as well pack up and get outto-night. A boat leaves Dover early in the morning. "

Then I picked up the third and last letter. It was from Phyllis. Itcontained the enjoyable news that the Wentworths were coming abroad, and that they would remain indefinitely at B----, where Mr. Wentworthhad been appointed chargé d'affaires under the American Minister. Theywere to visit the Mediterranean before coming to London. They would bein town in October. The mere thought of seeing Phyllis made my heartthrob. 

The next morning I put out from Dover. It was a rough passage for thattime of the year, and I came near being sea-sick. A day or so in Parisbrought me around, and I proceeded. As I passed the frontier I noticedthat my passports were eagerly scanned, and that I was closelyscrutinized for some reason or other. 

A smartly dressed officer occupied half of the carriage compartmentwith me. I tried to draw him into conversation, but he proved to beuntalkative; so I busied myself with the latest issue of the Paris_L'Illustration_. I never glanced in the direction of the officer butwhat I found him staring intently at me. This irritated me. Theincident was repeated so many times that I said:

"I trust Herr will remember me in the days to come. "

"Eh?" somewhat startled, I thought. 

"I observed that you will possibly remember me in the days to come. Or, perhaps I resemble some one you know. "

"Not in the least, " was the haughty retort. 

I shrugged and relit my pipe. The tobacco I had purchased in Paris, and it was of the customary vileness. Perhaps I could smoke out MeinHerr. But the task resulted in a boomerang. He drew out a huge chinapipe and began smoking tobacco which was even viler than mine, if thatcould be possible. Soon I let down the window. 

"Does the smoke disturb Herr?" he asked, puffing forth great clouds ofsmoke. There was a shade of raillery in his tones. 

"It would not, " I answered, "if it came from tobacco. "

He subsided. 

Whenever there was a stop of any length I stepped out and walked theplatform. The officer invariably followed my example. I pondered overthis each time I re-entered the carriage. At last my irritation turnedinto wrath. 

"Are you aware that your actions are very annoying?"

"How, sir?" proudly. 

"You stare me out of countenance, you refrain from entering intoconversation, and by the way you follow me in and out of the carriage, one would say that you were watching me. All this is not commonpoliteness. "

"Herr jests, " he replied with a forced smile. "If I desire not toconverse, that is my business. As for getting in and out of thecarriage, have I no rights as a passenger?"

It was I who subsided. A minute passed. 

"But why do you stare at me?" I asked. 

"I do not stare at you, I have no paper and tried to read yours at adistance. I am willing to apologize for that. "

"Oh, that is different, " I said. I tossed the paper to him. "You arewelcome to the paper. "

I covertly watched him as he tried to read the French. By and by hepassed the paper back. 

"I am not a very good French scholar, and the French are tiresome. "

"They would not have been if they had had a General who thought more offighting than of wearing pretty clothes. "

"Oh, it would not have mattered, " confidently. 

"Prussia was once humbled by a Frenchman. " I was irritating him with apurpose in view. 

"Bah!"

"The only reason the French were beaten was because they did not thinkthe German race worth troubling about. "

He laughed pleasantly. "You Americans have a strange idea of thedifference between the German and the Frenchman. "

This was just what I wanted. 

"And who informed you that I was an American?"

He was disconcerted. 

"Why, " he said, lamely, "it is easily apparent, the difference betweenthe American and the Englishman. " Then, as though a bright idea hadcome to him, "The English never engage in conversation with strangerswhile traveling. Americans are more sociable. "

"They are? Then I advise them to follow the example set by theEnglishman: Never try to get up a conversation while traveling with aGerman. It is a disagreeable task;" and I settled back behind my paper. 

How had he found out that I was an American? Was I known? And forwhat reason was I known? To my knowledge I had never committed anyoffence to the extent that I must be watched like a suspect. What hisobject was and how he came to know that I was an American was a mysteryto me. I was glad that the journey would last but an hour or solonger. The train arrived at the capital late at night. As I went toinquire about my luggage I saw my late fellow passenger joined byanother officer. The two began talking earnestly, giving me occasionalside-long glances. The mystery was deepening. In passing them Icaught words which sounded like "under another name" and "positive itis he. " This was anything but reassuring to me. At length theydisappeared, only to meet me outside the station. It got into my headthat I was a marked man. A feeling of discomfort took possession ofme. Germans are troublesome when they get an idea. I was glad to getinto the carriage which was to take me to my hotel. The driver seemedto have some difficulty in starting the horse, but I gave this noattention. When the vehicle did start it was with a rapidity whichalarmed me. Corner after corner was turned, and the lights went by inflashes. It was taking a long time to reach my hotel, I thought. Suddenly it dawned upon me that the direction we were going wascontrary to my instructions. I tried to open the window, but itrefused to move. Then I hammered on the pane, but the driver was deaf, or purposely so. 

"Hi there!" I thoughtlessly yelled in English, "where the devil are yougoing?"

No one paid any attention to my cries. It was becoming a seriousmatter. The lights grew fewer and fewer, and presently there were nolights at all. We were, I judged, somewhere in the suburbs. I becamedesperate and smashed a window. The carriage stopped so abruptly thatI went sprawling to the bottom. I was in anything but a peaceful frameof mind, as they say, when the door swung open and I beheld, standingat the side of it, the officer who had accompanied me from the frontier. 

"What tomfoolery is this?" I demanded. I was thoroughly incensed. 

"It means that Herr will act peacefully or be in danger of a brokenhead, " was the mind-easing reply of my quondam fellow passenger. Thedriver then came down from the box, and I saw that he was the officerwho had joined us at the station. 

"If it is a frolic, " I said, "one of your beer hall frolics, the soonerit is ended the better for you. "

The two laughed as if what I had said was one of the funniest thingsimaginable. 

"Get out!"

"With pleasure!" said I. 

Directly one of them lay with his back to the ground and the other waslocked in my embrace. I had not spent four years on the college campusfor intellectual benefits only. And indignation lent me additionalstrength. My opponent was a powerful man, but I held him in a grip ofrage. Truthfully, I began to enjoy the situation. There is somethingexhilarating in the fighting blood which rises in us now and then. This exhilaration, however, brought about my fall. In the struggle Iforgot the other, who meantime had recovered his star-gemmed senses. Acrack from the butt of his pistol rendered me remarkably quiet anddocile. In fact, all became a vacancy till the next morning, and thenI was conscious of a terrible headache, and of a room with a windowthrough which a cat might have climbed without endangering its spine--avery dexterous cat. 

"Well, " I mused, softly nursing the lump on my head, "here's the devilto pay, and not a cent to pay him with. "

It was evident that, without knowing it, I had become a very importantpersonage. 

CHAPTER VII

I saw some rye bread, cold meat and a pitcher of water on the table, and I made a sandwich and washed it down with a few swallows of thecool liquid. I had a fever and the water chilled it. There was a lumpon the back of my head as large as an egg. With what water remained Idampened my handkerchief and wound it around the injury. Then I made asystematic search through my clothes. Not a single article of mybelongings was missing. I was rather sorry, for it lent a deepersignificance to my incarceration. After this, I proceeded to take aninventory of my surroundings. Below and beyond the little window I sawa wide expanse of beautiful gardens, fine oaks and firs, velvet lawnsand white pebbled roads. Marble fountains made them merry in theroseate hue of early morning. A gardener was busy among some hedges, but beyond the sound of my voice. I was a prisoner in no common jail, then, but in the garret of a private residence. Having satisfiedmyself that there was no possible escape, I returned to my pallet andlay down. Why I was here a prisoner I knew not. I thought over all Ihad written the past twelvemonth, but nothing recurred to me whichwould make me liable to arrest. But, then, I had not been arrested. Ihad been kidnapped, nothing less. Nothing had been asked of me; I hadmade no statement. It had been all too sudden. Presently I heardfootsteps in the corridor, and the door opened. It was mine enemy. Helocked the door and thrust the key into his pocket. One of his eyeswas decidedly mouse-colored. The knuckles of my hand were yet sore. Ismiled; he saw the smile, his jaws hardening and his eyes threatening. 

"I am sorry, " I said. "I should have hit you on the point of yourchin; but I was in a great hurry. Did you ever try raw meat as apoultice?"

"Enough of this, " he snapped, laying a pistol on the table. I wasconsidered dangerous; it was something to know that. "You must answermy questions. "

"Must?"

"Must. "

"Young man you have no tact. You are not an accomplished villain, "said I, pleasantly. "You should begin by asking me how I spent thenight, and if there was not something you could do for my materialcomfort. Perhaps, however, you will first answer a few questions ofmine?"

"There are only two men whose questions I answer, " he said. 

"And who might they be?"

"My commander and the King. I will answer one question--the reason youare here. You are a menace to the tranquility of the State. "

"Oh; then I have the honor of being what is called a prisoner of State?Be careful, " I cried, suddenly; "that pistol might go off, and then theAmerican Minister might ask you in turn some questions, disagreeableones, too. "

"The American Minister would never know anything about it, " said he, gruffly. "But have no fear; I should hesitate to soil an innocentleaden bullet in your carcass. "

"Be gentle, " I advised, "or when we meet again I shall feel it my dutyto dull the lustre of your other eye. "

"Pah!" he ejaculated. "We are indebted to the French for the wordcanaille, which applies to all Americans and Englishmen. "

"Now, " said I, climbing off the pallet, "I shall certainly do it. "

"I warn you not to approach me, " he cried, his fingers closing over thepistol. 

"Well, I promise not to do it now, " I declared, going over to thewindow. I found some satisfaction in his nervousness; it told me thathe feared me. "What place is this; a palace?"

"Answer this question, sir: Why did you cross the frontier when youwere expressly forbidden to do so?"

"I forbidden to cross the frontier?" My astonishment wasindescribable. "Young man, you have made a blunder of some sort. I amnot a Socialist or an Anarchist. I have never been forbidden to crossthe frontier of any country. Your Chancellor is one of the bestfriends I have in the world. I went to school with his son. "

He rocked to and fro on the table, laughing honestly and heartily. "You do not lack impudence. Are you, or are you not, the Londoncorrespondent of the New York ------?"

"I certainly am. "

"You admit it?" eagerly. 

"I see no earthly reason why I should not. "

"When did you last visit this city?"

"Several years ago. "

"Several years ago?" incredulously. 

"Exactly. Have you ever seen me before?"

"No. But it was a little less than two years ago when you were here. "

"It is scarcely polite, " said I, "to question the veracity of a man younever saw before and of whom you know positively nothing. " Suddenly myhead began to throb again and I grew dizzy. "You hit me rather soundlywith that pistol. Still, your eye ought to be a recompense. "

He replied with a scowl. 

"Perhaps your name is ------"

"Winthrop, John Winthrop, if that will throw any light on the subject. "'

"One name is as good as another, " with a smile of unbelief. 

"That is true. What's in a name? There is little difference, afterall, between the names of the nobility and the rabble. "

"You are determined to irritate me beyond measure, " said he. A Germanis the most sensitive man in the world as regards his title. 

"Grant that I have some cause. And perhaps, " observing him from thecorner of my eye, "it is because you smoke such vile tobacco. "

Remembering the incident in the railway carriage, he smiled in spite ofthe gravity of the situation. 

"It was the best I had, " he said; "and then, it was done inself-defence. I'll give you credit for being a fearless individual. But you haven't answered my question. "

"What question?"

"Why you returned to this country when you were expressly forbidden todo so. "

"I answered that, " said I. "And now let me tell you that you may go onasking questions till the crack of doom, but no answer will I give youtill you have told me why I am here, I, who do not know you or whatyour business is, or what I am supposed to have done. "

He began to look doubtful. He thumped the table with the butt of thepistol. 

"Do you persist in affirming that your name is Winthrop?"

"These gardens are very fine. I could see them better, " said I, "ifthe window was larger. "

"Perhaps, " he cried impatiently, "you do not know where she is?"

"She?" I looked him over carefully. There was a perfectly sane lightin his eyes. "Am I crazy, or is it you? She? I know nothing aboutany she!"

"Do you dare deny that you know of the whereabouts of her SereneHighness the Princess Hildegarde, and that you did not come here withthe purpose to aid her to escape the will of his Majesty? And do youmean--Oh, here, read this!" flinging me a cablegram. 

The veil of mystery fell away from my eyes. I had been mistaken forHillars. Truly, things were growing interesting. I bent and picked upthe cablegram and read:

"COUNT VON WALDEN: He has left London and is on his way to the capital. Your idea to allow him to cross the frontier is a good one. Undoubtedly he knows where the Princess is in hiding. In trapping himyou will ultimately trap her. Keep me informed. "

The name signed was that of a well-known military attaché at theEmbassy in London. I tossed back the cablegram. 

"Well?" triumphantly. 

"No, it is not well; it is all very bad, and particularly for you. Your London informant is decidedly off the track. The man you arelooking for is in Vienna. "

"I do not believe you! It is a trick. "

"Yes, it is a trick, and I am taking it, and you have lost a point, tosay nothing of the time and labor and a black eye. If you had askedall these questions yesterday I should have told you that Mr. Hillars----"

"Yes, that's the name!" he interrupted. 

"I should have told you that he is no longer the London representativeof my paper. It is true that the description of Hillars and myselftallies somewhat, only my hair is dark, while his is light, what thereis left of it, and he is a handsomer man than I. All this I shouldhave told you with pleasure, and you would have been saved no end oftrouble. I presume that there is nothing left for you to do but tocarry me back to the city. To quell any further doubt, here are mypassports, and if these are not satisfactory, why take me before PrinceO----, your Chancellor. "

He was irresolute, and half inclined to believe me. 

"I do not know what to do. You know, then, the gentleman I am seeking?"

"Yes. "

"Would he enter this country under an assumed name?"

"No. He is a man who loves excitement. Whatever he does is doneopenly. Had it been he instead of me, he would have thrown you out ofthe carriage at the first sign on your part that you were watching him. He is a very strong man. "

"If he is stronger than you, I am half glad that I got the wrong man. You strike a pretty hard blow. But, whether you are the man I want, ornot, you will have to remain till this afternoon, when the Count willput in appearance. I daresay it is possible that I have made amistake. But I could not do otherwise in face of my instructions. "

"The Princess seems to me more trouble than she is worth. "

"It is possible that you have never seen her Highness, " he said, hinting a smile. "She is worth all the trouble in the world. "

"If a man loved her, " I suggested. 

"And what man does not who has seen her and talked to her?" he replied, pacing. 

"The interest, then, you take in her discovery is not all due to thatimposed upon you by Count von Walden?" I could not resist this thrust. 

"The subject is one that does not admit discussion, " squaring hisshoulders. 

"Suppose we talk of something that does not concern her? All this is ablunder for which you are partly to blame. I have a bad lump on myhead and you have a black eye. But as you did what you believed to beyour duty, and as I did what every man does when self-preservationbecomes his first thought, let us cry quits. Come, what do you say toa game of cards? Let us play ecarte, or I will teach you the noblegame of poker. To tell you the truth, I am becoming dreadfully bored. "

"Believe me, I bear you no ill will, " he said, "and I am inclined toyour side of the story. Whoever you are, you have the bearing of agentleman; and, now that we have come to an understanding, I shalltreat you as such. I have a pack of cards downstairs. I'll go and getthem. This is not my house, or I should have placed you in betterquarters. I shall leave the door unlocked, " a question in his eyes. 

"Rest assured that I shall return to the city as I came--in a carriage. And to be honest, I am anxious to see the Count von Walden, who posesas the Princess's watchdog. "

And when he came back and found me still sitting on the pallet, hisface cleared. 

We played for small sums, and the morning passed away rather pleasantlythan otherwise. The young officer explained to me that he held animportant position at court, and that he was entitled to prefix Baronto his name. 

"The King is getting out of all patience with her Highness, " he said. "This makes the second time the marriage has been postponed. Suchoccurrences are extremely annoying to his Majesty, who does not relishhaving his commands so flagrantly disregarded. I shouldn't besurprised if he forced her into the marriage. "

"When he knows how distasteful this marriage is to her, why does he notlet the matter go?"

"It is too late now. Royalty, having given its word, never retractsit. Events which the King wills must come to pass, or he loses a partof his royal dignity. And then, a King cannot very well be subservientto the will of a subject. "

"But has she no rights as a petty sovereign?" I asked. 

"Only those which the King is kind enough to give her. She is but atenant: the rulers of Hohenphalia are but guests of his Majesty. It isto be regretted, but it cannot be helped. "

That afternoon, as I lay on my pallet, it seemed to me that in someunaccountable way I was destined to become concerned in the affairs ofher Serene Highness. I had never seen the woman, not even a picture ofher. Certainly, she must be worth loving, inasmuch as she was worthtrouble. I have always found it to be the troublesome woman who hasthe largest train of lovers. Troublesome, they are interesting;interesting, they are lovable. 

It was more than a year since last I saw Phyllis; yet my love for herknew no diminution. I began to understand why Hillars traveled allover the Continent to get a glimpse of the woman he loved. With thepleasant thought that I should see Phyllis again, I dozed. I was halfasleep when I was aroused by loud voices in the corridor. 

"But I do not believe him to be the man, " I heard my jailer declare. 

"Bah! I know there is no mistake, " roared a voice which was accustomedto command. "He's been trying to hoodwink you. Watch the surprise inhis face when he sees me, the cursed meddler and scribbler. It wouldbe a pleasure to witness his hanging. Come, show him to me. "

"Yes; come along, my dear old warhorse, " I murmured, turning my facetoward the wall. "There is a nice little surprise party in herewaiting for you. "

The door opened. 

"Unlocked!" bawled the Count. "What does this mean, Baron?"

"He gave his word as a gentleman, " was the quiet reply. 

"Gentleman? Ach! I'll take a look at the gentleman, " said the Count, stepping up to the pallet and shaking me roughly by the shoulder. "Wake up!"

I sat up so as not to miss the comedy which was about to set its scenesupon the grim visage of the Count. As his eyes met mine his jaw fell. 

"A thousand devils! Who are you?"

"I couldn't swear, " said I, meekly. "Everybody hereabouts insists thatI am some one else. The situation warrants a complete explanation. Perhaps you can give it?" I should have laughed but for those flashingeyes. 

"You are a blockhead, " he said to his subaltern. 

"He is the man, according to your London correspondent, " responded theother with some show of temper. "I cannot see that the fault lies atmy door. You told me that he would enter the country under an assumedname. "

"I presume the affair is ended so far as I am concerned, " I said, shaking the lameness from my legs. 

"Of course, of course!" replied the Count, pulling at his graymustaches, which flared out on either side like the whiskers of a cat. 

"I should like to return to the city at once, " I added. 

"Certainly. I regret that you have been the victim of a blunder forwhich some one shall suffer. Your compatriot has caused me a deal oftrouble. "

"I assure you that he is in no wise connected with the present matter. According to his latest advices he is at Vienna. "

"I should be most happy to believe that, " was the Count's rejoinder, which inferred that he didn't believe it. 

"My friend seems to be a dangerous person?"

"All men of brains, coupled with impudence, are dangerous; and I giveyour friend credit for being as brave as he is impudent. But come, mycarriage is at your service. You are a journalist, but you willpromise not to make public this unfortunate mistake. "

I acquiesced. 

When the Count and I parted company I had not the vaguest idea that weshould ever hold conversation again. 

The result of the adventure was, I sent a very interesting story to NewYork, omitting my part in it. This done, I wired my assistant inLondon not to expect me for some time yet. 

The truth was, I determined to hunt for Hillars, and incidentally forher Serene Highness the Princess Hildegarde of Hohenphalia. 

CHAPTER VIII

As I came along the road, the dust of which had been laid thatafternoon by an odorous summer rain, the principal thing which struckmy eyes was the quaintness and unquestioned age of the old inn. It wasa relic of the days when feudal lords still warred with one another, and the united kingdom was undreamt of. It looked to be 300 years old, and might have been more. From time to time it had undergone variousrepairs, as shown by the new stone and signs of modern masonry, theslate peeping out among the moss-covered tiles. It sat back from thehighway, and was surrounded by thick rows of untrimmed hedges, and waspartly concealed from view by oaks and chestnuts. The gardens werefull of roses all in bloom, and their perfumes hung heavy on the moistair. And within a stone's throw of the rear the Danube noiselesslyslid along its green banks. All I knew about the inn was that it hadbeen by a whim of nature the birthplace of that beautiful, erratic andirresponsible young person, her Serene Highness the PrincessHildegarde. It was here I thought to find Hillars; though it was idlecuriosity as much as anything which led me to the place. 

The village was five miles below. I could see the turrets of thecastle which belonged to the Princess. She was very wealthy, and ownedas many as three strongholds in the petty principality of Hohenphalia. Capricious indeed must have been the woman who was ready to relinquishthem for freedom. 

The innkeeper was a pleasant, ruddy-cheeked old man, who had seenservice. He greeted me with some surprise; tourists, he said, seldommade this forgotten, out-of-the-way village an objective point. Ireceived a room which commanded a fine view of the river and a stretchof the broad highway. I was the only guest. This very lonelinesspleased me. My travel-stained suit I exchanged for knickerbockers anda belted jacket. I went down to supper; it was a simple affair, and Iwas made to feel at home. From the dining-room I caught a momentaryflash of white skirts in the barroom. 

"Ah, " I thought; "a barmaid. If she is pretty it will be a diversion. "

In the course of my wanderings I had seen few barmaids worth looking attwice. 

When the table was cleared I lit a cigar and strolled into the gardens. The evening air was delicious with the smell of flowers, still wet withrain. The spirit of the breeze softly whispered among the branchesabove me. Far up in the darkening blues a hawk circled. The west wasa thread of yellow flame; the moon rose over the hills in the east;Diana on the heels of Apollo! And the river! It was as though Naturehad suddenly become lavish in her bounty and had sent a stream ofmelting silver trailing over all the land. There is nothing morebeautiful to see than placid water as it reflects a summer's twilight. The blue Danube! Who has heard that magic name without the remembranceof a face close to your own, an arm, bare, white, dazzling, resting andgleaming like marble on your broadcloth sleeve, and above all, thedreamy, swinging strains of Strauss? There was a face once which hadrested near mine. Heigho! I lingered with my cigar and watched thenight reveal itself. I lay at the foot of a tree, close to the water'sedge, and surrendered to the dream-god. Some of my dreams knew thebitterness of regret. "Men have died and worms have eaten them, butnot for love. " Yet, no man who has loved and lost can go through hisallotted time without the consciousness that he has missed something, something which leaves each triumph empty and incomplete. 

And then, right in the midst of my dreams, a small foot planted itself. I turned my head and saw a woman. On seeing the bright end of mycigar, she stopped. She stood so that the light of the moon fell fullupon her face. 

My cigar trembled and fell. 

"Phyllis!" I cried, springing to my feet, almost dumbfounded, my heartnigh suffocating me in its desire to leap forth. "Phyllis!--and here?What does this mean?"

The woman looked at me with a puzzled frown, but did not answer. Then, as I started toward her with outstretched arms, she turned and fledinto the shadows, leaving with me nothing but the echo of her laughter, the softest, sweetest laughter! I made no effort to follow her, because I was not quite sure that I had seen anything. 

"Moonlight!" I laughed discordantly. 

Phyllis in this deserted place? I saw how impossible that was. I hadbeen dreaming. The spirit of some wood-nymph had visited me, and for abrief space had borrowed the features of the woman I loved. In vain Isearched the grove. The vision was nowhere to be found. I went backto the inn somewhat shaken up. 

Several old veterans were seated in the barroom, smoking bad tobaccoand drinking a final bout. Their jargon was unintelligible to me. 

"Where's your barmaid?" I asked of the inn-keeper. 

His faded blue eyes scanned me sharply. I read a question in them andwondered. 

"She went into the garden to get a breath of fresh air, " he said. "Shedoes not like the smoke. "

It annoyed me. I had seen some one, then. What would Phyllis, proudPhyllis, say, I mused, when she heard that a barmaid was her prototype?This thought had scarcely left me when the door in the rear of the baropened and in came the barmaid herself. No, it was not Phyllis, butthe resemblance was so startling that I caught my breath and stared ather with a persistency which bordered on rudeness. The barmaid wasblonde, whereas Phyllis was neither blonde nor brunette, but stoodbetween the extremes, and there was a difference in the eyes: I couldsee that even in the insufficient light. 

"Good evening, fraulein, " said I, with apparent composure. "And whatmight your name be?"

"It is Gretchen, if it please you, " with a courtesy. I had a vagueidea that this courtesy was made mockingly. 

"Gretchen? I have heard the name before, " said I, "and you remind meof some one I have seen. "

"Herr has been to the great city?"

B---- is the greatest city in the world to the provincial. 

"Yes, " said I; "but you remind me of no one I ever saw there. "

She plucked a leaf from the rose she wore and began nibbling at it. Her mouth was smaller than the one belonging to Phyllis. 

"The person to whom I refer, " I went on, "lives in America, where yourcompatriots brew fine beer and wax rich. "

"Ah, Herr is an American? I like Americans, " archly. "They are soliberal. "

I laughed, but I did not tell her why. All foreigners have a greatlove of Americans--"They are so liberal. "

"So you find Americans liberal? Is it with money or with compliments?"

Said Gretchen: "The one when they haven't the other. "

A very bright barmaid, thought I. 

Then I said: "Is this your home?"

"Yes, " said Gretchen. "I was born here and I have tended the roses forever so long. "

"I have heard of Gretchen of the steins, but I never before heard of aGretchen of the roses. "

"Herr must have a large store of compliments on hand to begin thisearly. "

"It is a part of my capital, " said I. "Once in Switzerland Icomplimented an innkeeper, and when my bill was presented I found thatall extras had been crossed off. "

Gretchen laughed. It was a low laugh, a laugh which appeared to me ashaving been aroused not at what I had said, but at something which hadrecurred to her. I wanted to hear it again. 

So I said: "I suppose you have a stein here from which the King hasdrunk; all taverns and inns have them. "

Gretchen only smiled, but the smile was worth something. 

"No; the King has never been within five miles of this inn. "

"So much the worse for the King. "

"And why that?"

"The King has missed seeing Gretchen. "

It was then Gretchen laughed. 

"I have never heard compliments like Herr's before. "

"Why, I have any amount of them. I'll drink half a litre to yourhealth. "

She filled one of the old blue earthen steins. 

"I haven't seen your roses in the gardens, but I'll drink to those inyour cheeks, " said I, and I drew back the pewter lid. 

"How long does Herr intend to stay?" asked Gretchen. 

"To the day is the evil thereof. "

"Ah, one must be happy with nothing to do. "

"Then you have the ambition common to all; to sit around and let otherswait upon you?"

"No, that is not my ambition. I wish only to wait upon my own desiresand not those of the--the others. "

"It is all the same, " said I. "Some must serve, others must be served. "

When I went upstairs to my room it was my belief that a week or so atthe inn would not hang heavy on my hands. I had forgotten for themoment the Princess, or that I was hunting for Hillars. It is strangehow a face may upset one's plans. Gretchen's likeness to Phyllis, whomI loved, upset mine for many days to come. 

As I gazed from my window the next morning I beheld the old innkeeperand Gretchen engaged in earnest conversation. He appeared to bepleading, nay, entreating, while she merely shook her head and laughed. Finally the old man lifted his hands to heaven and disappeared aroundthe wing. When I came down Gretchen was in the gardens culling roses. She said they were for the table. 

"Very well, " said I; "give me one now. "

"You may have them all at the table. "

"But I shall not want them then. "

She gave me an enigmatical glance, then cut a rose for me which waswithered and worm-eaten. 

"Gretchen is unkind, " I observed. 

"What matters it whether the rose be fresh or withered? It dies sooneror later. Nothing lasts, not even the world itself. You wish a rose, not because it is a rose, fresh and fragrant, but because I give it toyou. "

"You wrong me, Gretchen; I love a rose better than I love a woman. Itnever smiles falsely, the rose, nor plays with the hearts of men. Ilove a rose because it is sweet, and because it was made for man'spleasure and not for his pain. "

"That sounds like a copy-book, " laughed Gretchen. "The withered roseshould teach you a lesson. "

"What lesson?"

"That whatever a woman gives to man withers in the exchange; a rose, awoman's love. "

Said I reproachfully: "You are spoiling a very pretty picture. What doyou know about philosophy?"

"What does Herr know about roses?" defiantly. 

"Much; one cannot pick too many fresh ones. And let me tell you alesson which you should have learned among these roses. Nature teachesus to love all things fresh and beautiful; a rose, a face, a woman'slove. "

"Here, " holding forth a great red rose. 

"No, " said I, "I'll keep this one. "

She said nothing, but went on snipping a red rose here, a white onethere. She wore gloves several sizes too large for her, so I judgedthat her hands were small and tender, perhaps white. And there was agrace in her movements, dispite the ungainly dress and shoes, whichsuggested a more intimate knowledge of velvets and silks than ofcalico. In my mind's eye I placed her at the side of Phyllis. Phyllisreminded me of a Venus whom Nature had whimsically left unfinished. Then she had turned from Venus to Diana, and Gretchen became evolved: aDiana, slim and willowy. A sculptor would have said that Phyllis mighthave been a goddess, and Gretchen a wood nymph, had not Nature suddenlychanged her plans. What I admired in Phyllis was her imperfectbeauties. What I admired in Gretchen was her beautiful perfections. And they were so alike and yet so different. Have you ever seen a bodyof fresh water, ruffled by a sudden gust of wind, the cool blue-greentint which follows? Then you have seen the color of Gretchen's eyes. Have you ever seen ripe wheat in a sun-shower? Then you have seen thecolor of Gretchen's hair. All in all, I was forced to admit that, froman impartial and artistic view Gretchen the barmaid was far morebeautiful than Phyllis. From the standpoint of a lover it wasaltogether a different matter. 

"Gretchen, " said I, "you are very good-looking. "

"It would not be difficult to tell Herr's nationality. "

"Which means----?"

"That the American says in one sentence what it would take a German ora Frenchman several hundred sentences to say. "

Gretchen was growing more interesting every minute. 

"Then your mirror and I are not the only ones who have told you thatyou are as beautiful as Hebe herself?"

"I am not Hebe, " coldly. "I am a poor barmaid, and I never spill anywine. "

"So you understand mythology?" I cried in wonder. 

"Does Herr think that all barmaids are as ignorant as fiction andill-meaning novelists depict them? I have had a fair education. "

"If I ever was guilty of thinking so, " said I, answering her question, "I promise never to think so again. "

"And now will Herr go to his breakfast and let me attend to my duties?"

"Not without regret, " I said gallantly. I bowed to her as they bowedin the days of the beaux, while she looked on suspiciously. 

At the breakfast table I proceeded to bombard the innkeeper. I wantedto know more about Gretchen. 

"Is Gretchen your daughter?" I began. 

"No, I am only her godfather, " he said. "Does Herr wish another egg?"

"Thanks. She is very well educated for a barmaid. "

"Yes. Does Herr wish Rhine wine?"

"Coffee is plenty. Has Gretchen seen many Americans?"

"Few. Perhaps Herr would like a knoblauch with salt and vinegar?"

It occurred to me that Gretchen was not to be discussed. So I made foranother channel. 

"I have heard, " said I, "that once upon a time a princess was born inthis inn?"

The old fellow elevated both eyebrows and shoulders--a deprecatingmovement. 

"They say that of every inn; it has become a trade. "

If I had known the old man I might have said that he was sarcastic. 

"Then there is no truth in it?" disappointedly. 

"Oh, I do not say there is no truth in the statement; if Herr willpardon me, it is something I do not like to talk about. "

"Ah, then there is a mystery?" I cried, with lively interest, pushingback my chair. 

But the innkeeper shook his head determinedly. 

"Very well, " I laughed; "I shall ask Gretchen. "

He smiled. The smile said: "Much good it will do you. "

Gretchen was in the barroom arranging some roses over the fireplace. Her hands were bare; they were small and white, and surprisingly wellkept. 

"Gretchen, " said I, "I want you to tell me the legend of the inn. "

"The legend?"

"Yes; about the Princess who was born here. "

Gretchen laughed a merry laugh. The laugh said: "You are an amusingperson!"

"Ah, the American is always after legends when he has tired ofcollecting antiquities. Was there a Princess born here? Perhaps. Atany rate it is not a legend; history nor peasantry make mention of it. Will Herr be so kind as to carry the ladder to the mantel so I may windthe clock?"

I do so. Even at this early stage I could see that Gretchen had thefaculty of making persons forget what they were seeking, and by themere sound of her voice. And it was I who wound the clock. 

"Gretchen, " said I, "time lags. Make a servant out of me this morning. "

"Herr does the barmaid too much honor, " with lowered eyes. 

"I, am in the habit of doing anything I please. "

"Ah, Herr is one of those millionaires I have read about!"

"Yes, I am very rich. " I laughed, but Gretchen did not see the point. 

"Come, then, with me, and you shall weed the knoblauch patch. "

She was laughing at me, but I was not to be abashed. 

"To the patch be it, then!" I cried. "An onion would smell as sweetunder any other name. "

So Gretchen and I went into the onion patch, and I weeded and hoed andhoed and weeded till my back ached and my hands were the color of thesoil. Nothing was done satisfactorily to Gretchen. It was, "There, you have ruined the row back of you!" or "Pull the weeds more gently!"and sometimes, "Ach! could your friends see you now!" I suppose that Idid not make a pretty picture. The perspiration would run down myface. I would forget the condition of my hands and push back my hair, which fell like a mop over my brow, whereat she would laugh. Once Itook her hand and helped her to jump over a row. I was surprised atthe strength of her grasp. 

"What does Herr do for a living, he works so badly as a gardener?"

"I am a journalist, " I answered, leaning on my hoe and breathingheavily. 

"Ach! one of those men who tell such dreadful stories about kings andprinces? Who cause men to go to war with each other? Who rouse theignorant to deeds of violence? One of those men who are more powerfulthan a king, because they can undo him?" She drew away from me. 

"Hold on!" I cried, dropping the hoe; "what do you know about it?"

"Enough, " sadly. "I read the papers. I always look with fear upon oneof those men who can do so much good, and yet who would do so muchevil. "

I had never looked at it in that light before. 

"It seems to me, Gretchen, " I said quietly, "that you are about as mucha barmaid as I am a weeder of knoblauches. "

The color of excitement fled from Gretchen's cheeks, her eyes grewtroubled and she looked away. 

"Gretchen has a secret, " said I. "It is nothing to me what Gretchen'ssecret is; I shall respect it, and continue to think of her only as abarmaid with--with a superior education. " I shouldered the hoe. "Come, let us go back; I'm thirsty. "

"Thank you, Herr, " was the soft reply. Then Gretchen became as dumb, and our return to the inn was made in silence. Once there, however, she recovered. "I am sorry to have put you at such a disadvantage, "glancing at my clothes, which were covered with brown earth. 

"Let that be the least of your troubles!" I cried gayly. Then I hummedin English:

 So, ho! dear Gretchen, winsome lass, I want no tricky wine, But amber nectar bring to me, Whose rich bouquet will cling to me, Whose spirit voice will sing to me From out the mug divine So, here's your toll--a kiss--away, You Hebe of the Rhine! No goblet's gold means cheer to me, Let no cut glass get near to me-- Go, Gretchen, haste the beer to me, And put it in the stein!

I thought I saw a smile on her lips, but it was gone before I wascertain. 

"Gott in Himmel!" gasped the astonished innkeeper, as I went into thebarroom. I still had the hoe over my shoulder. 

"Never mind, mein host. I've been weeding your knoblauch patch as amethod of killing time. "

"But--" He looked at Gretchen in dismay. 

"It was I who led him there, " said Gretchen, in answer to his inquiringeyes. 

A significant glance passed between them. There was a question in his, a command in hers. I pretended to be examining the faded tints in thestein I held in my hand. 

I was thinking: "Since when has an innkeeper waited on the wishes ofhis barmaid?"

There was a mystery after all. 

CHAPTER IX

I took my pipe and strolled along the river bank. What had I stumbledinto? Here was an old inn, with rather a feudal air; but it was onlyone in a thousand; a common feature throughout the Continent. And yet, why had the gods, when they cast out Hebe, chosen this particular innfor her mortal residence? The pipe solves many riddles, and then, sometimes, it creates a density. I put my pipe into my pocket andcogitated. Gretchen had brought about a new order of things. Aphilosophical barmaid was certainly a novelty. That Gretchen wasphilosophical I had learned in the rose gardens. That she was alsoused to giving commands I had learned in the onion patch. Hitherto Ihad held the onion in contempt; already I had begun to respect it. Above all, Gretchen was a mystery, the most alluring kind of mystery--awoman who was not what she seemed. How we men love mysteries, whichare given the outward semblance of a Diana or a Venus! By and by, myjournalistic instinct awoke. Who are those who fear the newspapers?Certainly it is not the guiltless. Of what was Gretchen guilty? Theinn-keeper knew. Was she one of those many conspirators who abound inthe kingdom? She was beautiful enough for anything. And whence camethe remarkable likeness between her and Phyllis? Here was a mysteryindeed. I had a week before me; in that time I might learn somethingabout Gretchen, even if I could solve nothing. I admit that it istrue, that had Gretchen been plain, it would not have been worth thetrouble. But she had too heavenly a face, too wonderful an eye, toodelicious a mouth, not to note her with concern. 

I did not see Gretchen again that day; but as I was watching the moonclimb up, thinking of her and smoking a few pipes as an incense to hershrine, I heard her voice beneath my window. It was accompanied by thebass voice of the inn-keeper. 

"But he is a journalist. Is it safe? Is anything safe from them?"came to my ears in a worried accent, a bass. 

So the inn-keeper, too, was a Socialist!

Said an impatient contralto: "So long as I have no fear, why shouldyou?"

"Ach, you will be found out and dragged back!" was the lamentation in athroaty baritone. Anxiety raises a bass voice at least two pitches. "If you would but return to the hills, where there is absolute safety!"

"No; I will not go back there, where everything is so dull and dead. Ihave lived too long not to read a face at a glance. His eyes arehonest. "

"Thanks, Gretchen, " murmured I from above. I was playing the listener;but, then, she was only a barmaid. 

"And it is so long, " went on the contralto, "since I have seen a man--astrong one, I wish to see if my power is gone. "

"Aha!" thought I; "so you have already laid plans for my capitulation, Gretchen?"

"But, " said the bass voice once more, "supposing some of the militaryshould straggle along? There might be one who has seen you before. Alas! I despair! You will not hide yourself; you will stay here tillthey find you. "

I fell to wondering what in the world Gretchen had done. 

"I have not been to the village since I was a little girl. Dressed asI am, who would recognize me? No one at the castle, for there is noone there but the steward. Would you send me away?"

"God forbid! But this American? You say you can read faces; how aboutthe other one?"

Silence. 

"Yes; how about him?"

Said Gretchen: "We are not infallible. And perhaps I was then much toblame. "

"No; we are not infallible; that is the reason why you should take nochance, " was the final argument of the innkeeper. 

"Hush!" said Gretchen. 

"Confound the pipe!" I muttered. It had fallen over the window sill. 

Five minutes passed; I heard no sound. Glancing from the side of thewindow I saw that Gretchen and the innkeeper were gone. 

Yes, there wasn't any doubt about it; Gretchen was a conspirator. Thepolice were hunting for her, and she was threatened with discovery. Itwas beyond my imagination what she could have done. Moreover, she wasrather courting danger; the military post was only five miles down theriver. The one thing which bothered me was the "him" who had suddenlyintruded upon the scene, invisible, but there, like Banquo's ghost. Perhaps her beauty had lured some fellow to follow her fortunes and hisover-zeal, or lack of it, had brought ruin to some plot. 

"Gretchen, " said I, as I jumped into bed, "whoever he was, he must havebeen a duffer. "

Her Serene Highness the Princess Hildegarde was in Jericho, and Hillarsalong with her, where I had consigned them. 

Next morning Gretchen waited upon me at breakfast. She was quiet andanswered my questions in monosyllables. Presently she laid somethingat the side of my plate. It was my pipe. I looked at her, but theleads of my eyes could not plumb the depths in hers. 

"Thanks, " said I. "It dropped from my window last night, while I wasplaying the disgraceful part of eavesdropper. " I dare say she hadexpected anything but this candid confession. It was very cunning inme. She knew that I knew she knew. Had I lied I should have committedan irreparable blunder. 

As it was she lifted her chin and laughed. 

"Will you forgive me?"

"Yes; for you certainly wasted your time. "

"Yes, indeed; for I am just as much in the dark as ever. "

"And will remain so. "

"I hope so. A mystery is charming while it lasts. Really, Gretchen, Idid not mean to play the listener, and I promise that from now on----"

"From now on!" cried Gretchen. "Does not Herr leave to-day?"

"No; I am going to spend a whole week here. "

There was a mixture of dismay and anger in her gaze. 

"But, as I was going to say, I shall make no effort to pry into youraffairs. Honestly, I am a gentleman. "

"I shall try to believe you, " said she, the corners of her mouthbroadening into a smile. 

She condescended to show me through the rose gardens and tell me whatshe knew about them. It was an interesting lecture. And in theevening she permitted me to row her about the river. We were gettingon very well under the circumstances. 

The week was soon gone, and Gretchen and I became very good friends. Often when she had nothing to do we would wander along the riverthrough the forests, always, I noticed, by a route which took us awayfrom the village. Each day I discovered some new accomplishment. Sometimes I would read Heine or Goethe to her, and she would grow raptand silent. In the midst of some murmurous stanza I would suddenlystop, only to see her start and look at me as though I had committed asacrilege, in that I had spoiled some dream of hers. Then again Imyself would become lost in dreams, to be aroused by a soft voicesaying: "Well, why do you not go on?" Two people of the opposite sexesreading poetry in the woods is a solemn matter. This is notappreciated at the time, however. It comes back afterward. 

In all the week I had learned nothing except that Gretchen was not whatshe pretended to be. But I feared to ask questions. They might havespoiled all. And the life was so new to me, so quiet and peaceful, with the glamour of romance over it all, that I believe I could havestayed on forever. And somehow Phyllis was fading away, slowly butsurely. The regret with which I had heretofore looked upon herportrait was lessening each day; from active to passive. And yet, wasit because Gretchen was Phyllis in the ideal? Was I falling in lovewith Gretchen because she was Gretchen, or was my love for Phyllissimply renewing itself in Gretchen? Was that the reason why theportrait of Phyllis grew less holding and interesting to me? It was acomplex situation; one I frowned over when alone. It was becomingplainer to me every hour that I had a mystery all of my own to solve. And Gretchen was the only one to solve it. 

I shall never forget that night under the chestnuts, on the bank of thewide white river. The leaves were gossiping among themselves; they hadso much to talk about; and then, they knew so much! Had not they andtheir ancestors filtered the same moonbeams, century on century? Hadnot their ancestors heard the tramp of the armies, the clash of thesabre, the roar of the artillery? Had not the hand of autumn and thehand of death marked them with the crimson sign? Ah, the leaves! Itis well to press them in books when they themselves have such finestories to tell. 

"Gretchen, " said I, echoing my thoughts, "had I been born a hundredyears ago I must have been a soldier. Napoleon was a great warrior. "

"So was Blücher, since it was he who helped overcome the littleCorsican. "

The Germans will never forgive Napoleon. 

"But war is a terrible thing, " went on Gretchen. 

"Yes, but it is a great educator; it teaches the vanquished how littlethey know. "

"War is the offspring of pride; that is what makes it so abhorred. "

"It is also the offspring of oppression; that is what makes it sogreat. "

"Yes; when the people take up arms it is well. War is the torch ofliberty in the hands of the people. Oh, I envy the people, who are sostrong, yet know it not. If I were a man I would teach the people thata king has no divine right, save when it is conferred upon him by them. "

"Gretchen, I'm afraid that you're a bit of a Socialist. "

"And who is not who has any love for humanity?"

"A beautiful woman who is a Socialist, Gretchen, is a menace to theKing. Sometimes he fears her. At large, she is dangerous. He seeksher, and if he finds her, he takes away her liberty. " All this wassaid with a definite purpose. It was to let Gretchen know that I knewher secret. "Gretchen, you are an embryo Socialist; a chrysalis, as itwere. "

"No, Herr, " sadly; "I am a butterfly whose wings have been clipped. "

I had not expected this admission, "Never mind, " said I. "Gretchen, I do not want you to call me Herr;call me Jack. "

"Jack!" she said. It became an uncommon name now. 

"Whatever your true name may be, I shall never call you anything butGretchen. "

"Ah, Jack!" She laughed, and the lurking echoes clasped the music ofthat laughter in their wanton arms and hurried it across the river. 

"Sing to me, " said I. 

Then imagine my surprise--I, who had heard nothing but German fall fromher lips?--when in a heavenly contralto she sang a chanson from "LaFille de Madame Angot, " an opera forgotten these ten years!

 "_Elle est tellement innocente!_"

She had risen, and she stood there before me with a halo of moonshineabove her head. The hot blood rushed to my ears. Barmaid, Socialist, or whatever she might be, she was lovable. In a moment I was kissingher hand, the hand so small, so white, and yet so firm. A thousandinarticulate words came to my lips--from my heart! Did the handtremble? I thought so. But swiftly she drew it from my clasp, all thejoy and gladness gone from her face and eyes. 

"No, no!" she cried; "this must not be; it must not be!"

"But I----" I began eagerly. 

"You must not say it; I command you. If you speak, Gretchen will beGretchen no more. Yes, the King seeks Gretchen; but will you drive heraway from her only haven?" with a choking sound. 

"Gretchen, trust me. Shall I go to-morrow? Shall I leave you inpeace?" Somehow I believed myself to be in danger. "Speak!"

There was an interval of stillness, broken only by the beating ofhearts. Then:

"Stay. But speak no word of love; it is not for such as I. Stay andbe my friend, for I need one. Cannot a woman look with favor upon aman but he must needs become her lover? I shall trust you as I havetrusted other men. And though you fail me in the end, as others havedone, still I shall trust you. Herr, I conspire against the King. Forwhat? The possession of my heart. All my life I have stood alone, soalone. "

"I will be your friend, Gretchen; I will speak no word of love. Willthat suffice?"

"It is all I ask, dear friend. And now will you leave me?"

"Leave you?" I cried. "I thought you bade me stay?"

"Ah, " putting out her hand; "you men do not understand. Sometimes awoman wishes to be alone when--when she feels that she--she cannot holdback her tears!"

Gravely I bent over her hand and kissed it. It seemed to me as I letthe hand fall that I had never kissed a woman on the lips. I turnedand went slowly down the path. Once I looked back. I saw somethingwhite lying at the foot of the tree. Heaven knows what a struggle itwas, but I went on. I wanted to take her in my arms and tell her thatI loved her. When I reached the inn I turned again, but I saw nothing. I sat in my room a long time that night, smoking my pipe till thecandle gasped feebly and died in the stick, and the room was swallowedin darkness. 

I did not know, I was not sure, but I thought that, so long as I mightnot love Phyllis, it would not be a very hard task to love her image, which was Gretchen. You see, Phyllis was so very far away and Gretchenwas so near!

CHAPTER X

I lowered the glasses. I discerned them to be cavalrymen, pettyofficers. They were mounted on spirited horses. 

"Gretchen, " said I, "they are cavalrymen. They do not wear theHohenphalian uniform; so, perhaps, it would be just as well for you togo to your room and remain there till they are gone. Ah, " said I, elevating the glasses again; "they wear his Majesty's colors. You hadbest retire. "

"I refuse. They may be thirsty. "

"I'll see to that, " I laughed. 

"But--" she began. 

"Oh, Gretchen wishes to see new faces, " said I, with chagrin. 

"If it pleases you, sir, " mischievously. 

"What if they are looking for--for--"

"That is the very reason why I wish to see them. "

"You are determined?"

"I am. "

"Very well, " said I; "you had best eat an onion. "

"And for what purpose?"

"As a preventive to offensive tactics, " looking slyly at her. 

Her laugh rang out mockingly. 

"Do you not know that aside from dueling, the German lives only for hisbarmaid, his beer and his knoblauch? Nevertheless, since you wish it Iwill eat one--for your sake. "

"For my sake?" I cried in dismay. "Heaven forfend!"

"Does Herr----"

"Jack, " said I. 

"Does Herr Jack think, " her eyes narrowing till naught but a line oftheir beautiful blue-green could be seen, "that one of those would daretake a liberty with me?"

"I hope he will not. I should have the unpleasant duty of punching hishead. " If I could not kiss Gretchen nobody else should. 

"You are very strong. "

"Yes; and there are some things which add threefold to a man'sstrength. "

"Such as ----" She looked at me daringly. 

"Yes, such as ----" Her eyes fell before my glance, A delicate veil ofrose covered her face for a moment. I wondered if she knew that it wasonly because I clinched my fists till the nails cut, that I did not dothe very thing I feared the stragglers coming down the road might do. "Come, " said I, peremptorily; "there is no need of your welcoming themhere. "

So we entered the inn; and she began furbishing up the utensils, justto tease me more than anything else. 

Outside there was a clatter of hoofs, the chink of the spur, intermingled with a few oaths; and then the two representatives of theKing came in noisily. They gazed admiringly at Gretchen as she pouredout their beer. She saw the rage in my eyes. She was aggravating withher promiscuous smiles. The elder officer noticed my bulldog pipe. 

"English?" he inquired, indifferently. The German cannot disassociatean Englishman and a briarwood bulldog pipe. 

"English, " I answered discourteously. It mattered nothing to mewhether he took me for an Englishman or a Zulu; either answered thepurpose. 

He wore an eyeglass, through which he surveyed me rather contemptuously. 

"What is your name, fraulein?" he asked turning to Gretchen. 

"Gretchen, " sweetly. 

"And what is the toll for a kiss?"

"Nothing, " said Gretchen, looking at me. The lieutenant started forher, but she waved him off. "Nothing, Herr Lieutenant, because theyare not for sale. "

I moved closer to the bar. 

"Out for a constitutional?" I asked, blowing the ash from the live coalin my pipe. 

"We are on his Majesty's business, " with an intonation which impliedthat the same was none of mine. "Gretchen, we shall return to-night, so you may lay two plates at a separate table, " with an eye on me. Hecouldn't have hated me any more than I hated him. "Then, there is noway of getting a kiss?"

"No, " said Gretchen. 

"Then I'll blow you one;" and Gretchen made a pretty curtesey. 

I nearly bit the amber stem off my pipe. They were soon gone, and Iwas glad of it. 

"Herr Jack is angry, " said Gretchen. 

"Not at all, " I growled. "What right have I to be angry?"

"Does Herr Jack wish Gretchen always to be sad?"

"Certainly not: but sometimes your joy is irritating. You are sad allday, then some strangers come, and you are all smiles. Your smiles donot come in my direction as often as I should like. "

"Well, then, look at me, " said Gretchen. 

The smile would have dazzled an anchorite, let alone a man who didn'tknow whether he loved her for certain, but who was willing to give oddsthat he did!

"Gretchen!" I cried, starting toward her. 

But with a low laugh she disappeared behind the door. Gretchen was awoman. As a man must have his tobacco, so must a woman have hercoquetry. It was rather unfair of Gretchen, after what I had promised. It was like getting one in a cage and then offering sweetmeats at asafe distance. 

It now became a question of analysis. So I went to the river and satdown in the grass. A gentle wind was stirring the leaves, and thesunbeams, filtering through the boughs, fell upon the ground in goldensnowflakes. What was Gretchen to me that I should grow jealous of hersmiles? The night before I could have sworn that I loved her; now Iwas not so sure. A week ago all the sunshine in the world had comefrom Phyllis's face; a shadow had come between. Oh, I knew thesymptoms. They were not new to me. They had visited me some fiveyears back, and had clung to me with the tenacity of a creditor to aman with expectations. When a man arrives at that point where he wantsthe society of one woman all to himself, the matter assumes seriousproportions. And a man likes to fall in love with one woman andcontinue to love her all his days; it is more romantic. It annoys himto face the fact that he is about to fall in love with another. In mycase I felt that there was some extenuation. Gretchen looked likePhyllis. When I saw Gretchen in the garden and then went to my roomand gazed upon the likeness of Phyllis, I was much like the bachelorHeine tells about--I doddered. 

The red squirrel in the branches above me looked wisely. He waswondering how long before the green burrs would parch and give himtheir brown chestnuts. I was contemplating a metaphysical burr. Iwanted to remain true to Phyllis, though there wasn't any sense in mydoing so. Had Gretchen resembled any one but Phyllis I never shouldhave been in such a predicament. I should have gone away the day aftermy arrival. Here I was going into my second week. My assistant inLondon was probably worrying, having heard nothing from me during thattime. As matters stood it was evident that I could not be true eitherto Phyllis or Gretchen, since I did not know positively which I loved. I knew that I loved one. So much was gained. I wanted to throw up acoin, heads for Phyllis, tails for Gretchen, but I couldn't bringmyself to gamble on the matter. I threw a stick at his squirrelship, and he scurried into the hole in the crotch of the tree. A momentlater he peered at me, and, seeing that nothing was going to follow thestick, crept out on the limb again, his tail bristling with indignation. 

"If it hadn't been for Gretchen, " said I, "you would have been a potpielong ago. "

He must have understood my impotence, for he winked at me jeeringly. 

A steamer came along then, puffing importantly, sending a wash almostat my feet. I followed it with my eye till it became lost around thebend. Over there was Austria and beyond, the Orient, a new world to me. 

"If I could see them together!" I mused aloud. 

The squirrel cocked his head to one side as if to ask: "Austria andTurkey?"

"No, " said I, looking around for another stick; "Phyllis and Gretchen. If I could see them together, you know, I could tell positively thenwhich I love. As it is, I'm in doubt. Do you understand?"

The squirrel ran out to the end of the limb and sat down. It was anact of deliberation. 

"Well, why don't you answer?"

I was startled to my feet by the laughter which followed my question. A few yards behind me stood Gretchen. 

"Can't you find a better confidant?" she asked, "Yes, but she will not be my confidant, " said I. I wondered how muchshe had heard of the one-sided dialogue. "Will you answer the questionI just put to that squirrel of yours?"

"And what was the question?" with innocence not feigned. 

"Perhaps it was, Why should Gretchen not revoke the promise to whichshe holds me?"

"You should know, Herr, " said Gretchen, gently. 

"But I do not. I only know that a man is human and that a beautifulwoman was made to be loved. " Everything seemed solved now thatGretchen stood at my side. 

But she turned as if to go. 

"Gretchen, " I called, "do not go. Forgive me; if only you understood!'"

"Perhaps I do understand, " she replied with a gentleness new to me. "Do you remember why I asked you to stay?"

"Yes; I was to be your friend. "

"This time it is for me to ask whether I go or stay. "

"Stay, Gretchen!" But I was a hypocrite when I said it. 

"I knew that you would say that, " simply. 

"Gretchen, sit down and I'll tell you the story of my life, as they sayon the stage. " I knocked the dead ash from my pipe and stuffed thebowl with fresh weed. I lit it and blew a cloud of smoke into the air. "Do you see that, Gretchen?"

"Yes, Herr, " sitting down, the space of a yard between us. 

"It is pretty, very; but see how the wind carries it about! As itleaves my throat it looks like a tangible substance. Reach for it andit is gone. That cloud of smoke is my history. "

"It disappears, " said Gretchen. 

"And so shall I at the appointed time. That cloud of smoke was afortune. I reached for it, and there was nothing but the air in myhand. It was a woman's love. For five years I watched it curl andwaver. In it I saw many castles and the castles were fair, indeed. Istrove to grasp this love; smoke, smoke. Smoke is nothing, given acolor. Thus it is with our dreams. If only we might not wake!"

Gretchen's eyes were following the course of the languid river. 

"Once there was a woman I thought I loved; but she would have none ofit. She said that the love I gave her was not complete because she didnot return it. She brought forth the subject of affinities, andventured to say that some day I might meet mine. I scoffed inwardly. I have now found what she said to be true. The love I gave her was thebud; the rose-- Gretchen, " said I, rising, "I love you; I am not ahypocrite; I cannot parade my regard for you under the flimsy guise offriendship. "

"Go and give the rose to her to whom you gave the bud, " said Gretchen. The half smile struck me as disdainful. "You are a strange wooer. "

"I am an honest one. " I began plucking at the bark of the tree. "No;I shall let the rose wither and die on the stem. I shall leaveto-morrow, Gretchen. I shall feel as Adam did when he went forth fromEden. Whatever your place in this world is it is far above mine. Iam, in truth, a penniless adventurer. The gulf between us cannot bebridged. "

"No, " said Gretchen, the smile leaving her lips, "the gulf cannot bebridged. You are a penniless adventurer, and I am a fugitive from--thelaw, the King, or what you will. You are a man; man forgets. You havejust illustrated the fact. His memory and his promises are like thesmoke; they fade away but soon. I shall be sorry to have you go, butit is best so. "

"Do you love any one else?"

"I do not; I love no one in the sense you mean. It was not writtenthat I should love any man. "

"Gretchen, who are you, and what have you done?"

"What have I done? Nothing! Who am I? Nobody!"

"Is that the only answer you can give?"

"It is the only answer I will give. "

There was something in Gretchen's face which awed me. It was power andresolution, two things man seldom sees in a woman's face. 

"Supposing, Gretchen, that I should take you in my arms and kiss you?"I was growing reckless because I felt awed, which seems rather aremarkable statement. "I know you only as a barmaid; why, not?"

She never moved to go away. There was no alarm in her eyes, thoughthey narrowed. 

"You would never forgive yourself, would you?"

I thought for a moment. "No, Gretchen, I should never forgive myself. But I know that if I ask you to let me kiss your hand before I go, youwill grant so small a favor. "

"There, " and her hand stretched toward me. "And what will your kissmean?"

"That I love you, but also respect you, and that I shall go. "

"I am sorry. "

It was dismal packing. I swore a good deal, softly. Gretchen was notin the dining-room when I came down to supper. It was just as well. Iwanted to be cool and collected when I made my final adieu. Aftersupper I lit my pipe (I shall be buried with it!) and went for a jauntup the road. There was a train at six the next morning. I would leaveon that. Why hadn't I taken Gretchen in my arms and kissed her? Itwould have been something to remember in the days to come. I was aman, and stronger; she would have been powerless. Perhaps it was thecolor of her eyes. 

I had not gone up the highway more than 100 yards when I saw the lonelyfigure of a man tramping indirectly toward me and directly toward theinn. Even in the dusk of twilight there was something familiar aboutthat stride. Presently the man lifted up his voice in song. The"second lead, " as they say back of the scenes, was about to appearbefore the audience. 

Evidently Hillars had found "Jericho" distasteful and had returned toprotest. 

CHAPTER XI

"Hello, there!" he hailed, seeing but not recognizing me; "have youseen any cavalry pass this way?"

"No, I have not, " I answered in English. 

"Eh? What's that?" not quite believing it was English he had heard. 

"I said that no cavalry has passed this way since this afternoon. Arethey looking for you, you jail-bird in perspective?"

He was near enough now. "Well, I be dam'!" he cried. "What the devilare you doing here, of all places?"

"I was looking for you, " said I, locking my arm in his. 

"Everybody has been making that their occupation since I left Austria, "cursing lowly. "I never saw such people. "

"What have you been doing this time?"

"Nothing; but I want to do something right away. They have beenhounding me all over the kingdom. What have I done? Nothing, absolutely nothing. It makes me hot under the collar. These Germanblockheads! Do they think to find the Princess Hildegarde by followingme around? I'd give as much as they to find her. "

"So you haven't seen anything of her?"

"Not a sign. I came here first, but not a soul was at the castle. Nobody knows where she is. I came here this time to throw them off thetrack, but I failed. I had a close shave this noon. I'll light outto-morrow. It isn't safe in these parts. It would be of no use totell them that I do not know where the princess is. They haveconnected me with her as they connect one link of a chain to another. You can kill a German, but you can't convince him. How long have youbeen here?"

I did not reply at once. "About ten days. "

"Ten days!" he echoed. "What on earth has kept you in this ruin thatlong?"

"Rest, " said I, glibly. "But I am going away to-morrow. We'll gotogether. They will not know what to do with two of us. "

"Yes, they will. You will be taken for my accomplice. . . . Hark!What's that?" holding his hand to his ear. "Horses. Come, I'm notgoing to take any risk. "

So we made a run for the inn. In the twilight haze we could see twohorsemen coming along the highway at a brisk gallop. 

"By the Lord Harry!" Hillars cried excitedly; "the very men I have beendodging all day. Hurry! Can you put me somewhere for the time being?The garret; anywhere. "

"Come on; there's a place in the garret where they'll never find you. "

I got him upstairs unseen. If no one but I knew him to be at the inn, so much the better. 

"O, say! This'll smother me, " said Dan, as I pushed him into thelittle room. 

"They'll put you in a smaller place, " I said. "Hang it all Jack; I'drather have it out with them. "

"They have their pistols and sabres. "

"That's so. In that case, discretion is the better part of valor, andthey wouldn't appreciate any coup on my side. Come back and let me outas soon as they go. "

I descended into the barroom and found the two officers interrogatingthe innkeeper. They were the same fellows who had visited the innearlier in the day. Gretchen was at her place behind the bar. She waspaler than usual. 

"Ah, " said the innkeeper, turning to me, "am I not right in saying thatyou are the only guest at the inn, and that no American has been here?"

I did not understand his motive, for he knew that I was an American. 

"It is perfectly true, " said I, "that I am your only guest. "

"Ah, the Englishman!" said the lieutenant, suspiciously. "We arelooking for a person by the name of Hillars whom we are charged toarrest. Do you know anything about him?"

"It is not probable, " said I, nonchalantly. 

I glanced at Gretchen. I could fathom nothing there. 

"Well, " snarled the lieutenant, "I suppose you will not object to myseeing your passports?"

"Not in the least, " said I. But I felt a shock. The word "American"was written after the nationality clause in my passports. I was in forsome excitement on my own account. If I returned from my rooms sayingthat I could not find my passports they would undoubtedly hold me tillthe same were produced. "I'll go and bring them for you, " said I. Iwanted some time in which to mature a plan of action, if action becamenecessary. 

There was rather a sad expression in Gretchen's eyes. She understoodto a fuller extent than I what was likely to follow when it was foundthat I had misrepresented myself. I cursed the folly which had led meto say that I was English. And I swore at the innkeeper for meddling. As I left the room I smiled at Gretchen, but she did not answer it. Perhaps I was gone five minutes. In that time I made up my mind toshow the passports, and trust to luck for the rest. When I came backGretchen had engrossed their attention. They took no notice of me. Ihave never understood how it came about, but all at once the lieutenantbent forward and kissed Gretchen on the cheek. She started back with acry, then looked at me. That swift glance told me what to do. I tookthe lieutenant by the collar and flung him into the corner. Thesurprise on his face was not to be equaled. Then, as he rose to hisfeet, the veins in his neck swelled with rage. 

"I'll pay you for that, you meddling beef-eater!" he roared. 

"Don't mention it, " said I, with an assumption of blandness which I didnot feel. "That was simply gratuitous. It is a sample of what I shalldo to you if you do not immediately ask this lady's pardon for thegross insult you have just offered her. "

"Insult! To kiss a common barmaid an insult!" he yelled, now purpling. "Why--why--what is this woman to you--this tavern wench, this--"

"Be careful, " I warned. 

Gretchen was calmly wiping her cheek; but her eyes were like polishedemeralds. 

"You came here, I believe, " said I, "to see if my passports wereproper. "

"Damn you and your passports! Are you a gentleman?"

"Would you recognize one if you saw him?" I laughed. 

"Can you fight?"

"Certainly, " said I, thinking of the weapons nature in her kindness hadgiven to me. 

"Good! Otto, have the horses brought around. We will cut for thebarracks and get the colonel's weapons--the rapiers. "

The word "rapier" sent an icy chill up my spine. A duel!

"The devil!" said I, under my breath. I knew less about fencing than Idid about aerial navigation, which was precious little. The fact thatGretchen was now smiling aggravated the situation. I could not helpthe shudder. Why, the fellow would make a sieve out of me!

"Will you look at my passports now?" I asked. "You may not have theopportunity again. "

"Your passports from now on will be void, " was the retort. "But Ishall be pleased to give you a passport to the devil. I shall killyou, " complacently. 

"Think of my family, " said I, a strange humor taking possession of me. 

"You should have thought of your family before you struck me thatblow, " he replied. 

My laughter was genuine; even Gretchen smuggled a smile. Thelieutenant had taken my remark in all seriousness. 

"You will not run away?" he asked. 

"I shall probably be obliged to run away to-morrow, " said I, smoothly. "I should not be able to account for your presence here. But I shallawait your return from the barracks, never fear. " All this was merebravado; honestly, I shrunk within my clothes and shivered in my shoes. But I had an unfailing mental nerve. Some call it bluff. 

Gretchen had been whispering to the innkeeper. When he moved from herside, she was smiling. 

"What the deuce is she smiling about?" I wondered. "Does the womantake me for a modern D'Artagnan?"

"Innkeeper, " said the lieutenant, "if this man is not here when Ireturn, I'll take satisfaction out of your hide. "

The innkeeper shrugged. "I have never heard of an Englishman runningaway. "

"And I have seen many a German do that, " I put in. "How am I to knowthat your going to the barracks is not a ruse?"

He gasped. The words would not come which would do justice to hisfeelings. He drew off one of his gloves and threw it into my face. Itstung me. I should have knocked him down, but for the innkeeperstepping between. 

"No, Herr, " he said; "do not disable him. "

"You had best go to the barracks at once, " said I to the lieutenant. My clothes were too small for me now, and I did not shiver in my shoes. My "Yankee" blood was up. I would have fought him with battle axes. 

"Herr, " said the innkeeper, when the two had made off for the barracks, "you are a man of courage. "

"Thanks, " said I. 

"Do you know anything about rapiers?" he asked. 

"I know the handle from the blade; that's all. But that does not makeany difference. I'd fight him with any weapon. He struck me; andthen--then, he kissed Gretchen. "

"I have wiped it off, Herr, " said Gretchen, dryly. Then she passedfrom the room. 

I went upstairs too. I looked out of my window. There was moonlight;possibly the last time I should ever see moonlight in the land of theliving. Nothing but a mishap on my opponent's part, and that early inthe combat, would save my epidermis. The absurd side of the affairstruck me, and I laughed, mirthlessly, but none the less I laughed. Ifit had been pistols the chances would have been equal. A German doesnot like pistols as a dueling apparatus. They often miss fire. Asword is a surer weapon. And then, the French use them--thepistols--in their fiascoes. Rapiers? I was as familiar with therapier as I was with the Zulu assegai. I unstrapped my traveling caseand took out Phyllis's photograph. I put it back. If I was to have alast look at any woman it should be at Gretchen. Then I got out mycane and practiced thrusting and parrying. My wrist was strong. 

"Well, " I mused, "there's consolation in knowing that in two hours Ishall be either dead or alive. "

I flung the cane into the corner. To pass away the time I paced backand forth. It passed too quickly; and it was not long ere I heard theclatter of the returning cavalrymen. Some one knocked at my door. Iswung it open and--was thrown to the floor, bound and gagged in a tenthof a minute. 

"Put him on the bed, " whispered the leader of my assailants. When thiswas done the voice added: "Now you can go to the stables and wait theretill I call you. "

It was the innkeeper. He surveyed me for a moment and scratched hischin. 

"Will Herr keep perfectly quiet if I take the handkerchief from hismouth?" he asked. 

I nodded, bewildered. 

"What in tophet does this mean?" I gasped. I did not say tophet, butit looks better in writing. 

"It means nothing and everything, " was the answer. "In the firstplace, Herr will fight no duel. The man with whom you were to fightwas sent on an errand to this out-of-the-way place as a punishment fordueling at the capital. I know him by reputation. He is a brawler, but a fair swordsman. He would halve you as I would a chicken. Thereis another who has a prior claim on him. If there is anything left ofHerr Lieutenant at the end of the fray, you are welcome to it. Yes, there will be a duel, but you will not be one of the principals. It isall arranged. "

"But I do not understand, " I cried. 

"It is not necessary that you should. " He laughed and rubbed his handsin pleasurable anticipation. "There is a young man downstairs, whoarrived a few moments before the lieutenant. He has a special affair. There were words. Herr Lieutenant is mad enough to fight a wholecompany. "

"Then, why in heaven's name am I up here in this condition?" I cried. "Let me go and be the young man's second; though I can't for the lifeof me see where he has come from so suddenly, and I might say, opportunely. Come, cut me loose. "

"It is too late!"

"Too late?"

"Yes. Herr Lieutenant has been informed that you ran away. "

"Ran away!" I roared. "You told him that I ran away? Damn yourinsolence! I'll break every bone in your body for this!" I cried, straining at the ropes. 

"The ropes are new, " said he; "you'll hurt yourself. "

"You told him that I ran away?" This was too much. 

"Yes. Ah, but you will be surprised. The duel will last five minutes. Herr Lieutenant will thrust; the thrust will be parried. He willfeint; useless. Thrust on thrust; parry on parry. Consternation willtake the place of confidence; he will grow nervous; he will try all hislittle tricks and they will fail. Then his eyes will roll and hisbreath come in gasps. Suddenly he thinks he sees an opening; helunges--ach! the fool; it is all over!" The old man's voice quiveredwith excitement. He had passed his time in the barracks and had seenmany a sword skirmish. 

"Well, are you going to take off these ropes?"

"No. You would break every bone in my body. "

"Damn it, man!" I groaned, in exasperation. 

"You will soon be out of breath. "

Oh! could I have but loosened those cords!

"Stahlberg, who left the service a year ago, will act in the capacityof second. " Stahlberg was at the head of the vineyard. "I shall watchthe affair from the window here; the scene of action will take place inthe clearing beyond. It will be an affair worth witnessing. "

"And where is Gretchen?"

"Where she should be; at the bar, a dutiful bar-maid. " Then I heardnothing but the deep cachinations of the innkeeper. There wassomething in the affair which appealed to his humor. I could not seeit. For ten minutes my vocabulary was strictly unprintable. 

"Will you kindly tell me what the meaning of all this is?"

"Herr Winthrop, the idyl has come to an end; the epic now begins. "

CHAPTER XII

The golden summer moon was far up now, and the yellow light of it cameinto the window and illumined the grim face of the innkeeper, throwinga grotesque shadow of him onto the floor. The leaves rustled andpurred against the eaves. As the branches moved so did the light anddarkness move over the innkeeper's visage. He was silent andmeditative. 

"An epic?" I said. 

"An epic. "

"Innkeeper, " said I, "if I give you my word of honor not to molest youor leave this room, will you let me be a witness?"

He passed into the gloom, then back into the light. 

"This is no trick?" suspiciously. "I have a deal of regard for mybones, old as they are. "

"On my honor. "

"Well, I'll do it. It is in the blood of us all. But a false move onyour part, and I promise you that this knife shall find a resting placein you. "

He cut the ropes and I was free. But my arms ached. 

The two of us took our stand by the window and waited for theprincipals in the drama about to be enacted in the clearing. I confessthat my conscience was ill at ease; why, I knew not. I was dreadingsomething, I knew not what. The inn-keeper's hand trembled on my arm. 

"Sh! they come, " he whispered. 

As I looked beyond his finger I saw four figures advance over thesward. One of them, a slight boyish form, was new to me. The fellowwalked briskly along at the side of Stahlberg, who was built on theplan of a Hercules. When they came to the clearing they stopped. Theseconds went through the usual formalities of testing the temper of theswords. Somehow, I could not keep my eyes off the youngster, who wasgoing to do battle with the veteran; and I could not help wonderingwhere in the world he had come from, and why in the world he had chosenthis place to settle his dispute in. There were plenty of convenientplaces in the village, in and around the barracks. He took hisposition, back to me, so I could not tell what he was like. The moonshone squarely in the lieutenant's face, upon which was an expressionof contempt mingled with confidence. My heart thumped, for I had neverseen a duel before. 

"I do not know where you came from, " I heard the lieutenant say; "butyou managed nicely to pick a quarrel. It is all on your own head. Itis too bad that cur of an Englishman had to run away. "

The innkeeper's knife was so close that I could feel the point of itagainst my ribs. So I gave up the wild idea of yelling from the windowthat I hadn't run away. 

The lieutenant's opponent shrugged. He placed himself on guard; thatwas his reply. Suddenly the two sprang forward, and the clash ofswords followed. I could not keep track of the weapons, but I couldsee that the youngster was holding his own amazingly well. Neither wastouched the first bout. 

"Two minutes, " murmured the old rascal at my side. "It will be overthis time. "

"You seem to have a good deal of confidence in your young man, " said I. 

"There is not a finer swords--swordsman in the kingdom, or on thecontinent, for that matter. There! they are at it again. "

Step by step the lieutenant gave ground; the clashing had stopped; itwas needle-like work now. Gradually they began to turn around. Theblades flashed in the moonshine like heat lightning. My pulse attuneditself to every stroke. I heard a laugh. It was full of scorn. Thelaugh--it recalled to me a laugh I had heard before. Evidently theyoungster was playing with the veteran. I became fascinated. Andwhile the innkeeper and I watched a curious thing happened. Somethingseemed to be slipping from the youngster's head; he tried to put up hisfree hand, but the lieutenant was making furious passes! A flood ofsomething dimly yellow suddenly fell about the lad's shoulders. Oh, then I knew! With a snarl of rage I took the inn-keeper by the throatand hurled him, knife and all, to the floor, dashed from the room, thence to the stairs, down which I leaped four at a time. Quick as Iwas, I was too late. The lieutenant's sword lay on the grass, and hewas clasping his shoulder with the sweat of agony on his brow. 

"Damnation!" he groaned; "a woman!" Then he tottered and fell in thearms of his subordinate. He had fainted. 

"This will make a pretty story, " cried the young officer, as he laidhis superior lengthwise, and tried to staunch the flow of blood. "Here's a man who runs away, and lets a woman--God knows whatsort--fight his duels for him, the cur!"

I never looked at him, but went straight to Gretchen. Stahlberg gaveme a questioning glance, and made a move as though to step between. 

"Stand aside, man!" I snapped. "Gretchen, you have dishonored me. "

"It were better than to bury you"--lightly. "I assure you he caused meno little exertion. "

Yet her voice shook, and she shuddered as she cast aside the sword. 

"You have made a laughing stock of me. I am a man, and can fight myown battles, " I said, sternly. "My God!" breaking down suddenly, "supposing you had been killed?"

"It was not possible. And the man insulted me, not you. A woman?Very well. I can defend myself against everything but calumny. Have Imade a laughing stock of you? It is nothing to me. It would not havealtered my--"

She was very white, and she stroked her forehead. 

"Well?" said I. 

"It would not have altered my determination to take the sword in handagain. "

She put her hand to her throat as though something there had tightened. 

"Ah, I am a woman, for I believe that I am about to faint! No!"imperiously, as I threw out my arms to catch her. "I can reach thedoor alone, without assistance. "

And so we went along. I did not know what to do, nor yet what to say. A conflict was raging in my heart between shame and love; shame, that awoman had fought for me and won where I should have lost; love, thatstrove to spring from my lips in exultation. I knew not which wouldhave conquered had I not espied the blood on Gretchen's white hand. 

"You are wounded!" I cried. 

She gazed at her hand as though she did not understand; then, with alittle sob and a little choke she extended her arms toward me andstumbled. Was ever there a woman who could look on blood withoutfainting? Gretchen had not quite fainted, but the moon had danced, shesaid, and all had grown dim. 

"Gretchen, why did you risk your life? In God's name, what manner ofwoman are you, and where did you learn to use the sword? Had you nothought of me?" I was somewhat incoherent. 

"No thought of you?" She drew the back of her hand over her eyes. "Nothought of you? I did it because--because I did not--I could not--youwould have been killed!"

I was a man--human. I loved her. I had always loved her; I had neverloved any one else. I was a coward to do what I did, but I could nothelp it. I crushed her to my breast and kissed her lips, not once, butmany times. 

"How dare you!" weakly. 

"How dare I, Gretchen, dear Gretchen?" I said. "I dare because I loveyou! I love you! What is it to me that you have dishonored me in theeyes of men? Nothing. I love you! Are you a barmaid? I care not. Are you a conspirator? I know not, nor care. I know but one thing: Ilove you; I shall always love you! Shall I tell you more? Gretchen, you love me!"

"No, no! it cannot be!" she sobbed, pushing me back. "I am the mostwretched woman in the world! Do not follow me, Herr; leave me, I begyou to leave me. I have need of the little strength left. Leave me, leave me!"

And she passed through the doorway into the darkness beyond. I did notmove from where I stood. I grew afraid that it was a dream, and thatif I moved it would vanish. I could yet feel her lithe, warm bodypalpitating in my arms; my lips still tingled and burned with the flameof hers. An exultant wave swept over me; she loved me! She had nottold me so, but I knew. She had put her heart before mine; my life wasdearer to her than her own. I could have laughed for joy. She lovedme! My love overwhelmed my shame, engulfed it. Then--

"I know you, " said a harsh voice at my elbow. It startled me, and Iwheeled swiftly. It was the lieutenant's brother officer. "I thoughtfrom what I heard of you that you were a man worth trouble and caution. Ach! you, the man we have scoured the country for? I should not havebelieved it. To let a woman fight for him! And she--she is more thana woman--she is a goddess!" with enthusiasm. "If I was betrothed toher I'd find her if I had to hunt in heaven and hell for her. And whatdoes she see in you?" He snapped his fingers derisively. "I warn youthat your race is run. You cannot leave a railway station within theradius of a hundred miles. The best thing you can do is to swim theriver and stop in the middle. The Prince is at the village, and heshall know. Woe to you, you meddler!"

"Young man, " said a voice from over my shoulder, from the doorway, "youshould by right address those impertinent remarks to me. I am Hillars, the man you seek. "

And I had forgotten his very existence! What did he know? What had heseen?

"You may inform Count von Walden, " continued Dan, "that I shall awaithis advent with the greatest of impatience. Now let me add that youare treating this gentleman with much injustice. I'll stake my life onhis courage. The Princess Hildegarde is alone responsible for what hasjust happened. "

"The Princess Hildegarde!" I cried. 

Hillars went on: "Why she did this is none of your business or mine. Why she substituted herself concerns her and this gentleman only. Nowgo, and be hanged to you and your Prince and your Count, and your wholestupid country. Come, Jack. "

The fellow looked first at me, then at Dan. 

"I apologize, " he said to Dan, "for mistaking this man for you. " Heclicked his heels, swung around, and marched off. 

"Come, " said Dan. 

I dumbly followed him up to my room. He struck a match and lit thecandle. 

"Got any tobacco?" he asked, taking out a black pipe. "I have not hada good smoke in a week. I want to smoke awhile before I talk. "

I now knew that he had been a witness to all, or at least to the largerpart of it. 

"There is some tobacco on the table, " I said humbly. I felt that I hadwronged him in some manner, though unintentionally. "The PrincessHildegarde!" I murmured. 

"The very person, " said Hillars. He lit his pipe and sat on the edgeof the bed. He puffed and puffed, and I thought he never would begin. Presently he said: "And you never suspected who she was?"

"On my word of honor, I did not, Dan, " said I, staring at the fadeddesigns in the carpet. The golden galleon had gone down, and naughtbut a few bubbles told where she had once so proudly ridden the watersof the sea. The Princess Hildegarde? The dream was gone. Castles, castles! "I am glad you did not know, " said Dan, "because I havealways believed in your friendship. Yet, it is something we cannothelp--this loving a woman. Why, a man will lay down his life for hisfriend, but he will rob him of the woman he loves. It is life. Youlove her, of course. "

"Yes. " I took out my own pipe now. "But what's the use. She is aPrincess. Why, I thought her at first a barmaid--a barmaid! Then Ithought her to be in some way a lawbreaker, a socialist conspirator. It would be droll if it were not sad. The Princess Hildegarde!" Ilaughed dismally. "Dan, old man, let's dig out at once, and close thepage. We'll talk it over when we are older. "

"No, we will face it out. She loves you. Why not? So do I. " He gotoff the bed and came over to me and rested his hands on my shoulders. "Jack, my son, next to her I love you better than anything in theworld. We have worked together, starved together, smoked and laughedtogether. There is a bond between us that no human force can separate. The Princess, if she cannot marry you, shall not marry the Prince. Ihave a vague idea that it is written. 'The moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves on. ' We cannot cancel a line of it. "

"Dan, you will do nothing rash or reckless?"

"Sit down, my son; sit down. Premeditation is neither rashness norrecklessness. Jack, life has begun with you; with me it has come to anend. When there is nothing more to live for, it is time to die. Buthow? That is the question. A war would be a God-send; but theseso-called war lords are a lazy lot, or cowardly, or both. Had I aregiment, what a death! Jack, do you not know what it is to fight theinvisible death? Imagine yourself on the line, with the enemythundering toward you, sabres flashing in the sunlight, and leadsinging about your ears. It is the only place in the world to die--ona battlefield. Fear passes away as a cloud from the face of the sun. The enemy is bringing you glory--or death. Yes, I would give a gooddeal for a regiment, and a bad moment for our side. But the regimentnon est; still, there is left--"

"Dan, what are you talking about?" I cried. 

"Death; grim, gaunt and gray death, whose footstep is as noiseless asthe fall of snow; death, the silent one, as the Indian calls him. "

He knocked the ash from his pipe and stuffed the briar into his pocket. 

"Jack, I am weary of it all. If I cannot die artistically, I wish todie a sudden and awful death. What! Do I look like a man to die inbed, in the inebriates' ward? For surely I shall land there soon! Iam going to pieces like a sand house in a wind storm. I suppose I'mtalking nonsense. After all, I haven't as much to say as I thought Ihad. Suppose we turn in? I'm tired. You see, those fellows moved mearound to-day. "

CHAPTER XIII

Hillars and I stood in the middle of the road. He held the binoculars. 

"How many can you make out?" I asked. 

"Four; all on horseback. There's a coach of some sort following onbehind. But everything is blurred and my hand trembles; the whiskeyhere is terrible. Here, look for yourself, " handing the glasses to me. "Tell me what you see. "

"There's one with a white cap--ah, it is Count von Walden! There aretwo soldiers in the Hohenphalian uniform; cavalry. I do not know whothe fourth fellow is. "

"Describe him to me, " said Hillars, trying to roll a cigarette with histrembling fingers. "Curse it!" throwing away the rice paper, "I've gotso bad that I can't roll a cigarette. Well, what's he look like?"

"He's in civilian dress; little black mustache and an imperial. "

"Look anything like Napoleon III?"

"You've hit it. Who is he?"

"They say he's Prince Ernst of Wortumborg, " said Hillars; "but it is myopinion that he's the devil on a furlough. "

"Then he is the man--" I began. 

"He is. Your love affair is all over once he gets here; unless--" Danlooked at the sky as though he was undecided about the weather. 

"Unless what?" I asked. 

"O, just unless, " said he. "I'd give 5 pounds for a glass of home-madewhiskey. "

"You've got a plan of some sort, " said I. "Speak it out. "

"It wasn't a plan; it was just an idea. It's gone now. Maybe it willcome back later. Are you going to stay here, or come with me andtackle a bottle of the innkeeper's Rhine wine? The German vinegar usedto make you hilarious. "

"What's the coach for?" I asked. "Are they going to carry us off likea couple of chickens?"

"I presume it is for her Serene Highness. I wonder how they found outshe was here? Probably the lieutenant you were going to fight, butdidn't, informed them. At any rate, the coach will not be for us. ThePrince will not bother with you and me while the Princess is here. Idon't know what they will do with us; possibly nothing, possibly put usin jail. Come along; I'm thirsty. "

It was late in the afternoon of the day following. I had not seen herSerene Highness, the Princess Hildegarde--Gretchen. She had remainedin her room, and all efforts of mine to hold communication with her hadproved futile. I had stood at her door and supplicated; she had toldme to go away. The innkeeper had scowled when I suggested that hecarry a note to his mistress. He had refused. 

"The Princess receives no notes, " he had said. "Gretchen--it was adifferent matter. "

And Hillars had slept till after noon. It had been a bad morning forme. The wounded lieutenant had been carried away the night before, andthere had not been anything for me to do but wander about--waiting. 

"Will you help me with the Rhine wine?" asked Hillars. 

"No. My head is fuddled enough as it is. "

"Then you must let me do all the talking. "

"And why you?"

"I shall know better how to irritate them, " with a laugh. "They willnot take any particular interest in you when they set eyes on me. Homosum! I am the man they are looking for. They will find plenty of me. I shall be a syndicate in myself; where they expect to find one man, they will find a dozen, all alive and kicking. It will be good sport. "

"What the devil are you up to?" I demanded. 

"Wait and see; wait and see. Come, let us receive them in the hall. The affair must be conducted on the line of court etiquette. First, weshall try to avert hostilities by the aid of diplomacy; if that failsthe Princess herself will be made to vindicate us. And why not?"

"You are not going to drag her in!" I exclaimed. 

"My dear Jack, of course not. The Prince and the Count will do thatfor us. You understand that she is concerned in all that is to takeplace, do you not? Well, then, it will cost her but little. "

"But this fellow, the Prince!" I cried. "Let us get out while there istime. "

Dan regarded me seriously. 

"You aren't afraid of him; what do you want to run away for? My son, there will be some very good sport before this is done. You will missit by running away. "

"It's meeting the man who is to marry her--the woman I love. That isthe reason. "

"To marry her--the woman I love!" he repeated softly. "Yes, it ishard. But it isn't any worse for you than for me. "

"Forgive me, Dan! You know--"

"Yes, yes; I know, " crossly. "Hang it! can't I punch it into your headthat I am taking all this trouble on your account? If it were not foryou, do you suppose I'd wait? The Prince shall never marry thePrincess. Will that satisfy you? Now, look pleasant, as thephotographer says, for here they are. "

The Count entered first, then the Prince, who was followed by twocavalrymen. Hillars and I stood silently by our chairs, and waited. The Prince, a man with a hooked nose, black eyes with half-shut lids, regarded me curiously. He had the air of one amused. 

When his eyes grew accustomed to the semi-darkness of the room, theCount sounded a note of satisfaction. 

"Ah! so you are here? You have given me a devil of a chase. "

"I return the compliment, Herr General, " said Hillars, with agood-humored smile. "But, may I ask, what the devil have you beenchasing me for?"

For reply the Count turned to the cavalryman. 

"Arrest that man and bind him, " he said. 

"You might make the order wholesale, " said I stepping over to the sideof Hillars. 

"I told you there would be some sport, " whispered Dan. He put his armacross my shoulders. 

"And who, in the name of Weimer, are you?" bawled the Count. Hescrutinized me intently; then a light of recognition broke over hisface. "The other one! A nest of them!"

"Count, " interposed the Prince, seating himself at the table, "let mehave a short talk with them before you act. There may be extenuatingcircumstances. Anything of this sort amuses and interests me. Let ususe a little diplomacy in the matter. "

"Yes, " said Hillars; "let us lie a little. "

"And who can do it better than a journalist?" the Prince laughed. 

"Diplomatists, " Hillars sent back. 

"What is her Serene Highness to you?" resumed the Prince. 

"Nothing--positively nothing. "

"Then you are afraid to acknowledge your regard for her?"

"I?" Hillars dropped his arm from my shoulders. "I am not afraid ofanything--not even the Count here. " Then he laughed. "If her SereneHighness was anything to me, your Highness, I should not be afraid tosay so before the King himself. "

"You impudent--" But a wave of the Prince's hand silenced the Count. 

"Have patience, my friend. This is not impudence; it is courage andprudence. I believe, " re-addressing Hillars, "that once you were onthe point of eloping with the Princess Hildegarde. "

Hillars thrust his hands into his pockets. 

"So they say. "

"And yet you deny your regard for her!"

"Oh, as to that affair, " said Hillars, easily, "it was the adventuremore than anything else. It is not every man in my position who hassuch a chance. And then, perhaps, I saw a good newspaper story. " Themuscles in his jaws hardened, despite the airy tone he used. 

"I see that there is nothing to be gotten from you. " Then the Princedirected his glance to me. "And you, sir; what is she to you? What isher Serene Highness to you?"

"She is everything in the world to me, " said I. 

The consternation which followed cannot be described here. The Countstepped back, dumb-founded. Hillars regarded me as though he thought Ihad suddenly gone mad. The countenance of the Prince alone remainedunruffled. 

"Count, " he said, laughing, "it seems that the Princess gathers loversas a woolen coat does teasels. Her lovers--there must now be alegion!"

"You lie!" said Hillars, in an oddly suppressed tone. "You know thatyou lie. "

The Prince's lips drew to a thin line, but that was all. 

"Still, who will disprove it?" he asked. 

"If you will allow me, " said a voice behind us. 

We beheld the Princess framed in the doorway. There was a pallor and alook of utter weariness in her face. At the sight of her the Countuncovered and the Prince rose. 

"Your arrival is quite timely, " said he. "Here are two champions ofyours. Come, which do you love?"

A fury sprang to my head, and I said, "You have too much confidence inour patience. I warn you that I have no fear of the sabres back ofyou. "

The same sabres leapt from their scabbards and fell stiffly againsttheir owners' shoulders, instinctively. 

"Has it come to this, " said the Princess, a superb scorn in her eyes, "that my honor must needs be defended by strangers and aliens?" Forthe briefest space her glance plunged into my eyes. She moved towardthe Prince. "And you, sir, are to be my husband?"

"It is the will of the King, " said the Prince, a mocking smile on hislips. 

How I lusted for his blood!

"And though my honor is doubtful, " went on the woman I loved, "youstill would marry me?"

"Your Highness, " said the Prince, with a bow which entailed thesweeping of his hands, "I would marry you were your honor as--"

"Hell!" roared Hillars in English. 

But he was a moment too late. My hands were around the throat ofPrince Ernst of Wortumborg, and I was shaking him till his teethchattered on each other like castanets. Surely I would have throttledhim but for the intervention of the Count and the cavalrymen. TheCount swung his arm around my neck, while the cavalrymen, their sabrepoints at Hillars' breast, wrenched loose my hands. I stood glaring athim, panting and furious. He leaned against the table, gasping andcoughing. Finally he recovered his composure. 

"Count, I was wrong; you were right. These fellows are dangerous. "

"I will fight you on any terms!" I fired back at him. 

"I shall send you one of my lackeys, " he replied. "Take them away, andshoot them if they resist. "

"Liberate the gentlemen, " said Gretchen. 

The Count gazed at her in amazement. 

"Liberate them?" he cried. 

"I command it. "

"You?" said the Prince. 

"Yes. This is my principality; these are my soldiers; I command here. "

This was a coup indeed. 

"But we represent his Majesty!" cried the Count, still holding me bythe throat. I was all but strangled myself. 

"I care not whom you represent, " said Gretchen. "I am obedient only tothe King, not his minions. Release the gentlemen. "

The Count's arm slowly unwound. Hillars pressed down the sabre pointswith his hands and shook off the hand of one of the cavalrymen. 

"If it be Your Highness' will, " he said, "we will throw these intrudersinto the road. Might is right, " waving his hand to the door which ledto the barroom. 

The innkeeper and three others filed into the room, grimly andsilently. They were armed. 

For the first time the Prince lost patience. 

"This is all very well, Your Highness, " he sneered. "You misunderstandthe limits of your power to command. "

"Not in any part, " said Gretchen. "I am sovereign here, notwithstanding the King's will is paramount to my own. These peopleare my people; these soldiers are fed of my bounty; this is my countrytill the King takes it back. You will act further at your peril. "

CHAPTER XIV

A bar of sunlight suddenly pervaded the room; red sunlight, lighting inits passing a tableau I shall never forget. Gretchen stood at her fullheight, her arms held closely to her sides and her hands clenched. Onher face there was that half smile called consciousness of triumph. Hillars was gazing at her with his soul swimming in his eyes. And I--Ihad a wild desire to throw myself at her feet, then and there. Overthe hard-set visage of the innkeeper the bar of sunlight traveled; overthe scowling countenance of the Prince, over the puzzled brow of theCount, and going, left a golden purple in its wake, which imperceptiblydeepened. 

The Prince was first to speak. "I protest, " said he. 

"Against what?" asked Gretchen. 

"It is the King's will that you become my wife. He will not toleratethis attitude of yours. Your principality is in jeopardy, let me tellyou. "

"Does the fact that I have promised the King to become your wifedetract from my power? Not a jot. Till you are my husband, I ammistress here--and after. "

"As to that, we shall see, " said the Prince. "Then you intend to keepyour promise?"

"Is there man or woman who can say that I ever broke one?"

"Your Highness, what are your commands?" It was the innkeeper whospoke. His fingers were twitching about the hammer of his carbine. Henodded approvingly toward me. My assault upon the Prince had broughtme again into his good graces. 

Gretchen did not answer him, but she smiled kindly. 

"Ah, yes!" said the Prince. "This is that Breunner fellow. "

The innkeeper made a movement. The Prince saw it, and so did I. Prince Ernst of Wortumborg was never so near death in all his life asat that moment. He knew it, too. 

"Your Highness has a very good memory, " said the innkeeper, dryly. 

"There are some things it were best to forget, " replied the Prince. 

"I am pleased that Your Highness shares my opinion, " returned the oldfellow. The muzzle of the carbine was once more pointed at the ceiling. 

The rest of us looked on, but we understood nothing of these passes. Even Gretchen was in the dark. 

"We met long ago, " said the innkeeper. 

"Yes; but I have really forgotten what the subject of Our discussionwas, " said the Prince, regarding the innkeeper through half-closedlids. "Perhaps he can explain. "

"It is very kind of Your Highness, " said the innkeeper, laughingmaliciously. "But I am old, and my memory serves me ill. "

The Prince shrugged. "But we have drifted away from the presentmatter. Your Highness, then, promises to bend to the will of the King?"

"Yes, " said Gretchen. "I gave the King my promise because I hadwearied of resistance, having no one to turn to--then. I shall marryyou, though I detest you; but I shall be your wife only in name, andnot in the eyes of God. "

"The latter sacrifice was not asked of you, " smiled the Prince. 

"I shall depart this day for the capital, " continued Gretchen. "I warnyou not to inflict your presence upon me during the journey. Now go. The air while you remain is somewhat difficult to breathe. "

The Prince surveyed the menacing faces which surrounded him, thengathered up his hat and gloves. 

"I see that Your Highness will be a dutiful wife, " he said, smoothingthe silk of his hat with his elbow. He blew into his gloves andcarefully drew them over his hands. "A pleasant journey to YourHighness, " he added. "Come, Count. And these?" waving his hand towardHillars and me. 

"They have my fullest protection. "

He smiled villainously, then walked to the door with a measured tread. At the door he turned. There was a flash of rage in his eyes, but hequickly subdued it. 

"Auf wiedersehen!" with a sweeping glance which took in all of us, andparticularly me. 

He passed out, the Count following him soberly. The two cavalrymenthrust their sabres into the scabbards with a clank, and made as thoughto follow. 

"Wait, " said Gretchen. "I shall have need of you. You will escort meto the station. Now you may go. "

They saluted gravely. They appreciated the situation. The Princesswas their bread and butter. 

"Your Highness, " said Hillars, "there has been a mistake. "

"A mistake?" repeated Gretchen, wonderingly. 

"Yes. They have made you a Princess, whereas they should have made youa Queen. Will you forgive me the trouble I have caused?"

"It is I who must ask forgiveness of you, " she said, with a sad smile. "You may kiss my hand, sir. "

Hillars remained somewhat long over it. 

"And how comes it that you gentlemen know each other?" she asked. 

"Damon and Pythias, Your Highness, " answered Hillars. "We were broughtup together, and we have shared our tents and kettles. I recommendPythias to you as a brave gentleman. " Then he came to me. "You are abrave fellow, Jack, " grasping my hand. "Good luck to you. I had anidea; it has returned. Now, then, innkeeper, come with me. "

"With you, and where?" asked the innkeeper. If there was one thing forwhich he could not account, it was the presence of Hillars at the inn. 

"Never mind where, but come, " answered Hillars, gayly. He bent andwhispered something into the old fellow's ear. It was something whichpleased him, for he screwed his lips into a smile, and took the whitehand of the whisperer in his brawny fist and nigh crushed it. 

"Well, well! it doesn't matter where you came from. Here, you, " to thetrio behind him, "go back to the stables. " They filed out. Then theinnkeeper took Hillars by the arm. "Come along; time passes. "

"And where are you going?" I asked anxiously. Hillars should not havepassed from my sight but for Gretchen. 

"We'll be back shortly, " he answered. "You will know all about then, my son. "

He stood on the sill of the door, a handsome picture. His gray eyessparkled, his face was full of excitement and there was a color in hischeeks. There was no sign here of the dissipated man of the nightbefore. It was Hillars as I had seen him in the old days. But for his19th century garb, he might have just stepped down from a frame--agallant by Fortuny, who loved the awakened animal in man. The poisewas careless, but graceful, and the smile was debonair. His eyes wereholding Gretchen's. A moment passed; another and another. 

Then: "Long live and God bless her Serene Highness the PrincessHildegarde!" And he was gone. 

And as he disappeared a shadow of some sort passed before my eyes, anda something dull and heavy pressed upon my heart. Presently came thesound of beating hoofs, and then all became still. 

Gretchen and I were alone. 

Gretchen appeared to be studying the blue veins in her hands which shelistlessly held before her. An interval of three or four minutespassed, still she remained in that pathetic attitude, silent andmotionless. 

"Gretchen, " said I, "have you nothing to say?"

"Yes. " Her eyes raised to the level of mine, and I saw that they weredeep in tears. "Herr, I shall say to you that which I have never saidto any man, and that which I shall never say to any man again. I maysay it now because it is sinless. I love you! I love you, and, lovingyou, God knows what the future without you shall be. Yes! I love you. Take me once in your arms and kiss me, and let me go--forever. "

Then with a smile which partly shielded a sob, her arms went around myneck and her face lay close to mine. Heaven knows which was thegreater, the joy or the pain. 

"Gretchen, think!" I cried, distractedly. "What is a Prince or a Kingto you and me, who love?"

"There is honor, " gently. She caressed my cheek with her fingers. 

"Honor!" I cried, vehemently. "Is it honorable to marry the man you donot love and break the heart of the one you do?"

She did not answer, but her arms fell from my neck, and she approachedthe window. The passing river was reflected in her eyes. Her reveriewas a short one. 

"Listen, Herr; I will tell you why it is honorable. The Prince and theKing? I fear the one as little as I do the other. It is not thePrince, it is not the King, it is not the principality. Herr, I havecome near to being a very wicked woman, who was about to break the mostsacred promise a sovereign can make. Before I came here a delegationof my people approached me. On bended knees they asked me not tovoluntarily return the principality to the King, who was likely to givethem a ruler rapacious or cruel or indifferent. And while theyunderstood what a sacrifice it meant to me, they asked me to bend mywill to the King's and wed the Prince, vowing that I alone should berecognized as their sovereign ruler. Since my coronation they saidthat they had known the first happiness in years. Herr, it was sopathetic! I love my people, who, after all, are not adopted since Iwas born here. So I gave my promise, and, heaven forgive me, I wasabout to break it! There are some things, Herr, which the publicandoes not understand. One of these is the duty a sovereign owes to thepeople. The woman in me wishes to follow your fortunes, though theycarry her to the ends of the world; but the sovereign sees but onepath--honor and duty. What is one human heart to a hundred thousand?A grain of sand. Herr, let mine be broken; I shall not murmur. Alas!to be a princess, a puppet in this tinsel show of kings and queens! Itis my word and the King's will which have made my happiness animpossibility. Though I love you, I wish never to see you again. Ishall be wife but in name, yet I may not have a lover. I am not awoman of the court. I am proud of my honor, though the man who is tobe my husband doubts that. "

"No, Gretchen, " said I, "he does not doubt it, but he wishes me to doso. I believe in your innocence as I believe in your love. "

"It is sad, is it not, " said she, "that we must go through our daysloving each other and all the world standing between? I have neverloved a man before; I did not want to love you. I did not know that Iloved you till I saw that your life was in danger. Yet I am glad thatI have lived for a brief second, for till a woman loves she does notlive. I am brave; do you be likewise. I shall go back to the world, and who shall know of the heart of fire beneath the ice! Not even theman I love. Kiss me; it is the last kiss I shall take from the lips ofany man. "

And it seemed to me that our souls met in that last kiss, melted andbecame one. Her hands dropped to her side, and swiftly she sped fromthe room. 

She had entered the coach. The cavalrymen were perched upon the box. There was a crack of the lash, and the coach rolled away. I watchedit, standing in the road. A cloud of yellow dust partially obscured itfrom view. Half a mile beyond rose a small hill. This the coachmounted, and the red gold of the smoldering sun engulfed it. Was it aface I saw at the window? Perhaps. Then over the hill alldisappeared, and with it the whole world, and I stood in emptiness, alone. 

Gretchen had gone. 

CHAPTER XV

I was wandering aimlessly through the rose gardens, when the far-offsound of galloping hoofs came on the breeze. Nearer and nearer itdrew. I ran out into the highway. I saw a horse come wildly dashingalong. It was riderless, and as it came closer I saw the foam of sweatdripping from its flanks and shoulders. As the animal plunged towardme, I made a spring and caught the bridle, hanging on till the brutecame to a standstill. It was quivering from fright. There was a gashon its neck, and it was bleeding and turning the white flakes of sweatinto a murky crimson. 

"Good Lord!" I ejaculated. "It's one of the cavalry horses. Hillarsor the innkeeper has been hurt. "

I was of the mind to mount the animal and go in search of them, whenStahlberg, who had come to my assistance, said that I had best wait. Aquarter of an hour passed. Then we could see another horse, perhapshalf a mile away, coming toward the inn at a canter. From what I couldsee in the pale light, the horse carried a double burden. A sheet ofice seemed to fall on my heart. What had happened? Had Dan and thePrince come to blows? Alas, I could have cried out in anguish at thesight which finally met my gaze. The innkeeper held the reins, and, propped up in front of him, was Hillars, to all appearances dead. 

"Gott!" cried the innkeeper, discovering me, "but I am glad to see you, Herr. Your friend has been hurt, badly, badly. "

"My God!" I cried. The hand and wrist of the innkeeper which encircledHillars were drenched in blood. 

"Yes. A bullet somewhere in his chest. Help me down with him. He isnot dead yet. I'll tell you the story when we have made it comfortablefor him. "

Tenderly we carried the inanimate form of poor Hillars into the inn andlaid it on the sofa. I tore back his blood-wet shirt. The wound wasslightly below the right lung. The bullet had severed an artery, for Icould see that the blood gushed. We worked over him for a few moments, and then he opened his eyes. He saw me and smiled. 

"There wasn't any regiment, old man, but this will suffice. My handtrembled. But he'll never use his right arm again, curse him!"

"Dan, Dan!" I cried, "what made you do it?"

"When I am a man's friend, it is in life and death. He was in the way. He may thank liquor that he lives. " The lids of his eyes contracted. "Hurts a little, but it will not be for long, my son. I am bleeding todeath inside. Jack, the woman loves you, and in God's eyes, Princessor not, she belongs to you. You and I cannot understand these thingswhich make it impossible for a man and a woman who love each other towed. Let me hold your hand. I feel like an old woman. Give me amouthful of brandy. Ah, that's better! Innkeeper, your courage is notto be doubted, but your judgment of liquor is. Any way, Jack, Isuppose you will not forget me in a week or so, eh?"

"Dan!" was all I could say, bending over his hand to hide my tears. 

"Jack, you are not sorry?"

"Dan, you are more to me than any woman in the world. "

"Oh, say! You wouldn't--hold me up a bit higher; that's it--youwouldn't have me hang on now, would you? I haven't anything to livefor, no matter how you put it. Home? I never had one. The onlyregret I have in leaving is that the Prince will not keep me company. Put an obol in my hand, and Charon will see me over the Styx. 

 "And when, like her, O Saki, you shall pass Among the guests star-scattered on the grass, And in your joyous errand, reach the spot Where I made one--turn down an empty glass!

"Well, hang me, Jack, if you aren't crying! Then you thought more ofme than I believed; a man's tears mean more than a woman's. . . . Aman must die, and what is a year or two? How much better to fold thetent when living becomes tasteless and the cup is full of lees! . . . The Prince was a trifle cruel; but perhaps his hand trembled, too. Innkeeper, you're a good fellow. "

"Herr is a man of heart, " said the grizzled veteran, sadly. 

"Tell Jack how it happened, " said Dan; "it hurts me. "

On leaving me, Hillars and the innkeeper, after having taken a pair ofpistols, had mounted the cavalry horses despite the protests of theowners, and had galloped away in pursuit of the Prince and Count vonWalden. They caught sight of them a mile or so ahead. They wereloping along at a fair speed. It took half an hour to bring the twoparties within speaking distance. Although the Prince and von Waldenheard them, they never turned around, but kept on straight ahead. Thismade Hillars' choler rise, and he spurred forward. 

"One moment, gentlemen, " he cried. "I have a word with you. "

They galloped on unheeding. When Hillars got in front of them theymerely veered to either side. 

"Ah!" said Hillars, choking with rage. With a quick movement he bentand caught the bridle of the Prince's horse. The Count, seeing thatthe Prince was compelled to rein in, did likewise. The Prince lookeddisdainful. 

"Well, what is it?" asked Von Walden. "Speak quickly. Has yourscribbling friend run away with Her Highness?"

"My remarks, most noble and puissant Count, " said Hillars, bowing, satirically, to the neck of his horse, "I shall confine to the stillmore noble and puissant Prince of Wortumborg. "

"This is an unappreciated honor, " sneered the Prince. 

"So it is, " replied Hillars, lightly. "When an honest man speaks toyou he is conferring an honor upon you which you, as you say, cannotappreciate. It appears to me that Your Highness has what we in Americacall malaria. I propose to put a hole through you and let out this badsubstance. Lead, properly used, is a great curative. Sir, yourpresence on this beautiful world is an eyesore to me. "

"One excuse is as good as another, " said the Prince. "Did Her Highnessdelegate you to put me out of the way?"

"Oh, no; but since you have brought her name into it, I confess that itis on her account. Well, sir, no man has ever insulted a woman in mypresence and gone unscathed. In English speaking lands we knock himdown. This being Rome I shall do as the Romans do. I believe I calledyou a liar; I will do so again. Is the object of my errand plain?"

"As I said to your friend, " smiled the Prince, "I will send a lackeydown here to take care of you. Count, we shall hardly get to thestation in time to catch the train. Young man, stand aside; you annoyme, I have no time to discuss the Princess or her lovers. Release myhorse!"

"What a damned cur you are!" cried Hillars, losing his airy tone. "ByGod, you will fight me, if I have to knock you down and spit upon you!"Then with full force he flung his hat into the face of the Prince. 

"You have written finis to your tale, " said the Prince, dismounting. 

"Your Highness!" exclaimed the Count, springing to the ground, "thismust not be. You shall not risk your life at the hands of this damnedadventurer. "

"Patience, Count, " said the Prince, shaking off the hand which theCount had placed upon his shoulder. "Decidedly, this fellow is worthconsideration. Since we have no swords, sir, and they seem to bewoman's weapons these days, we will use pistols. Of course, you havecome prepared. It is a fine time for shooting. This first light oftwilight gives us equal advantage. Will it be at ten or twenty paces?I dare say, if we stand at twenty, in the centre of the road, we shallhave a good look at each other before we separate indefinitely. "

"Your Highness insists?" murmured the Count. 

"I not only insist, I command. " The Prince took off his coat andwaistcoat and deposited them on the grass at the side of the road. Hillars did likewise. There was a pleased expression on his face. "Ido believe, Count, " laughed the Prince, "this fellow expects to killme. Now, the pistols. "

"If you will permit me, " said the innkeeper, taking an oblong box fromunder his coat. "These are excellent weapons. "

The Prince laughed. "I suppose, innkeeper, if the result is disastrousto me, it will please you?"

The innkeeper was not lacking in courtesy. "It would be a pleasure, Iassure you. There are certain reasons why I cannot fight you myself. "

"To be sure. "

"It would be too much like murder, " continued the innkeeper. "Yourhand would tremble so that you would miss me at point-blank. Theregoes the last of the sun. We must hurry. "

With a grimace the Count accepted the box and took out the pistols. 

"They are old-fashioned, " he said. 

"A deal like the innkeeper's morals, " supplemented the Prince. 

"But effective, " said the innkeeper. 

The Count scowled at the old fellow, who met the look with phlegm. Asan innkeeper he might be an inferior, but as a second at a duel he wasan equal. It was altogether a different matter. 

The Count carefully loaded the weapons, the innkeeper watching himattentively. In his turn he examined them. 

"Very good, " he said. 

The paces were then measured out. During this labor the Prince gazedindifferently toward the west. The aftermath of the sun glowed on thehorizon. The Prince shaded his eyes for a spell. 

"Gentlemen, " he said, "I believe the Princess is approaching. At anyrate here comes the coach. Let us suspend hostilities till she haspassed. "

A few minutes later the coach came rumbling along in a whirlwind ofdust. The stoical cavalrymen kept on without so much as a glance atthe quartet standing at the side of the road. Hillars looked after thevehicle till it was obscured from view. Then he shook himself out ofthe dream into which he had fallen. He was pale now, and his eyebrowswere drawn together as the Count held out the pistol. 

"Ah, yes!" he said, as though he had forgotten. "There goes the womanwho will never become your wife. "

"That shall be decided at once, " was the retort of the Prince. 

"She will marry the gentleman back at the inn. "

"A fine husband he will make, truly!" replied the Prince. "He not onlydeserts her but forsakes her champion. But, that is neither here northere. We shall not go through any polite formalities, " his eyessnapping viciously. 

The two combatants took their places in the centre of the road. Thepistol arm of each hung at the side of the body. 

"Are you ready, gentlemen?" asked the Count, the barest tremor in hisvoice. 

"Yes, " said the Prince. 

Hillars simply nodded. 

"When I have counted three you will be at liberty to fire. One!"

The arms raised slowly till the pistols were on the level of the eyes. 

"Two!"

The innkeeper saw Hillars move his lips. That was the only sign. 

"Three!"

The pistols exploded simultaneously. The right arm of the Prince swungback violently, the smoking pistol flying from his hand. Suddenly oneof the horses gave a snort of pain and terror, and bolted down theroad. No attention was given to the horse. The others were watchingHillars. He stood perfectly motionless. All at once the pistol fellfrom his hand; then both hands flew instinctively to his breast. Therewas an expression of surprise on his face. His eyes closed, his kneesbent forward, and he sank into the road a huddled heap. The Princeshrugged, a sigh of relief fell from the Count's half-parted lips, while the innkeeper ran toward the fallen man. 

"Are you hurt, Prince?" asked the Count. 

"The damned fool has blown off my elbow!" was the answer. "Bind it upwith your handkerchief, and help me on with my coat. There is nothingmore to do; if he is not dead he soon will be, so it's all the same. "

When the Prince's arm was sufficiently bandaged so as to stop the flowof blood, the Count assisted him to mount, jumped on his own horse, andthe two cantered off, leaving the innkeeper, Hillars' head propped upon his knee, staring after them with a dull rage in his faded blueeyes. The remaining horse was grazing a short distance away. Now andthen he lifted his head and gazed inquiringly at the two figures in theroad. 

"Is it bad, Herr?" the innkeeper asked. 

"Very. Get back to the inn. I don't want to peter out here. " Then hefainted. 

It required some time and all the innkeeper's strength to put Hillarson the horse. When this was accomplished he turned the horse's headtoward the inn. And that was all. 

"Dan?" said I. 

The lids of his eyes rolled wearily back. 

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Bury me. "

It was very sad. "Where?" I asked. 

"Did you see the little cemetery on the hill, across the valley? Putme there. It is a wild, forgotten place. 'Tis only my body. Whocares what becomes of that? As for the other, the soul, who can say?I have never been a good man; still, I believe in God. I am tired, tired and cold. What fancies a man has in death! A moment back I sawmy father. There was a wan, sweet-faced woman standing close besidehim; perhaps my mother. I never saw her before. Ah, me! thesechimeras we set our hearts upon, these worldly hopes! Well, Jack, it'scurtain and no encore. But I am not afraid to die. I have wronged noman or woman; I have been my own enemy. What shall I say, Jack? Ah, yes! God have mercy on my soul. And this sudden coldness, this suddenease from pain--is death!"

There was a flutter of the eyelids, a sigh, and this poor flotsam, thisdrift-wood which had never known a harbor in all its years, this friendof mine, this inseparable comrade--passed out. He knew all about itnow. 

There were hot tears in my eyes as I stood up and gazed down at thismystery called death. And while I did so, a hand, horny and hard, closed over mine. The innkeeper, with blinking eyes, stood at my side. 

"Ah, Herr, " he said, "who would not die like that?"

And we buried him on the hillside, just as the sun swept aside the rosycurtain of dawn. The wind, laden with fresh morning perfumes, blew upjoyously from the river. From where I stood I could see the drab wallsof the barracks. The windows sparkled and flashed as the gray mistssailed heavenward and vanished. The hill with its long grassesresembled a green sea. The thick forests across the river, almostblack at the water's edge, turned a fainter and more delicate hue asthey receded, till, far away, they looked like mottled glass. Onlyyesterday he had laughed with me, talked and smoked with me, and now hewas dead. A rage pervaded me. We are puny things, we, who strut thehighways of the world, parading a so-called wisdom. There is only onephilosophy; it is to learn to die. 

"Come, " said I to the innkeeper; and we went down the hill. 

"When does the Herr leave?"

"At once. There will be no questions?" I asked, pointing to thevillage. 

"None. Who knows?"

"Then, remember that Herr Hillars was taken suddenly ill and died, andthat he desired to be buried here. I dare say the Prince will findsome excuse for his arm, knowing the King's will in regard to dueling. Do you understand me?"

"Yes. "

I did not speak to him again, and he strode along at my heels with anair of preoccupation. We reached the inn in silence. 

"What do you know about her Serene Highness the Princess Hildegarde?" Iasked abruptly. 

"What does Herr wish to know?" shifting his eyes from my gaze. 

"All you can tell me. "

"I was formerly in her father's service. My wife----" He hesitated, and the expression on his face was a sour one. 

"Go on. "

"Ah, but it is unpleasant, Herr. You see, my wife and I were not onthe best of terms. She was handsome . . . A cousin of the late Prince. . . . She left me more than twenty years ago. I have never seen hersince, and I trust that she is dead. She was her late Highness'shair-dresser. "

"And the Princess Hildegarde?"

"She is a woman for whom I would gladly lay down my life. "

"Yes, yes!" I said impatiently. "Who made her the woman she is? Whotaught her to shoot and fence?"

"It was I. "

"You?"

"Yes. From childhood she has been under my care. Her mother did sodesire. She is all I have in the world to love. And she loves me, Herr; for in all her trials I have been her only friend. But why doyou ask these questions?" a sudden suspicion lighting his eyes. 

"I love her. "

He took me by the shoulders and squared me in front of him. 

"How do you love her?" a glint of anger mingling with the suspicion. 

"I love her as a man who wishes to make her his wife. "

His hands trailed down my sleeves till they met and joined mine. 

"I will tell you all there is to be told. Herr, there was once a happyfamily in the palace of the Hohenphalians. The Prince was rather wild, but he loved his wife. One day his cousin came to visit him. He was afascinating man in those days, and few women were there who would notgive an ear to his flatteries. He was often with the Princess, but shehated him. One day an abominable thing happened. This cousin lovedthe Princess. She scorned him. As the Prince was entering the boudoirthis cousin, making out that he was unconscious of the husband'sapproach, took the Princess in his arms and kissed her. The Prince wastoo far away to see the horror in his wife's face. He believed her tobe acquiescent. That night he accused her. Her denials were in vain. He confronted her with his cousin, who swore before the immortal Godhimself that the Princess had lain willing in his arms. From that timeon the Prince changed. He became reckless; he fell in with evilcompany; he grew to be a shameless ruffian, a man who brought his womeninto his wife's presence, and struck her while they were there. And inhis passions he called her terrible names. He made a vow that whenchildren came he would make them things of scorn. In her greattrouble, the Princess came to my inn, where the Princess Hildegarde wasborn. The Prince refused to believe that the child was his. Mymistress finally sickened and died--broken-hearted. The Prince died ina gambling den. The King became the guardian of the lonely child. Heknows but little, or he would not ask Her Highness--" He stopped. 

"He would not ask her what?"

"To wed the man who caused all this trouble. "

"What! Prince Ernst?"

"Yes. I prayed to God, Herr, that your friend's bullet would carrydeath. But it was not to be. "

"I am going back to London, " said I. "When I have settled up myaffairs there I shall return. "

"And then?"

"Perhaps I shall complete what my friend began. "

I climbed into the ramshackle conveyance and was driven away. Once Ilooked back. The innkeeper could be seen on the porch, then he becamelost to view behind the trees. Far away to my left the stones in thelittle cemetery on the hillside shone with brilliant whiteness. 

CHAPTER XVI

There were intervals during the three months which followed when Ibelieved that I was walking in a dream, and waking would find megrubbing at my desk in New York. It was so unreal for these days;mosaic romance in the heart of prosaic fact! Was there ever the like?It was real enough, however, in the daytime, when the roar of Londonhammered at my ears, but when I sat alone in my room it assumed thehazy garments of a dream. Sometimes I caught myself listening forHillars: a footstep in the corridor, and I would take my pipe from mymouth and wait expectantly. But the door never opened and thefootsteps always passed on. Often in my dreams I stood by the riveragain. There is solace in these deep, wide streams. We come and go, our hopes, our loves, our ambitions. Nature alone remains. Should Iever behold Gretchen again? Perhaps. Yet, there was no thrill at thethought. If ever I beheld her again it would be when she was placedbeyond the glance of my eye, the touch of my hand. She was mine, aye, as a dream might be; something I possessed but could not hold. Heigho!the faces that peer at us from the firelight shadows! They troop alongin a ghostly cavalcade, and the winds that creep over the window silland under the door--who can say that they are not the echoes of voiceswe once heard in the past?

I was often on the verge of sending in my resignation, but I wouldremember in time that work meant bread and butter--and forgetfulness. When I returned to the office few questions were asked, though myassistant looked many of them reproachfully. I told him that Hillarshad died abroad, and that he had been buried on the continent at hisrequest; all of which was the truth, but only half of it. I did mybest to keep the duel a secret, but it finally came out. It was thetopic in the clubs, for Hillars had been well known in political andliterary circles. But in a month or so the affair, subsided. Theworld never stops very long, even when it loses one of its best friends. 

One late October morning I received a note which read:

"JOHN WINTHROP:

"Dear Sir--I am in London for a few days, homeward bound from a trip toEgypt, and as we are cousins and 'orphans too, ' I should like thepleasure of making your acquaintance. Trusting that I shall find youat leisure, I am, "Your humble servant, "PHILIP PEMBROKE. "

"Ah, " said I; "that Louisianian cousin of mine, who may or may not livethe year out, " recalling the old lawyer's words. "He seems to hang onpretty well. I hope he'll be interesting; few rich men are. He writeslike a polite creditor. What did the old fellow say was the matterwith him? heart trouble, or consumption? I can't remember. " I threwthe note aside and touched up some of my dispatches. 

Precisely at ten o'clock the door opened and a man came in. He wasfashionably dressed, a mixture of Piccadilly and Broadway in taste. Hewas tall, slender, but well-formed; and his blonde mustache shone outdistinctly against a background of tanned skin. He had fine blue eyes. 

"Have I the pleasure of speaking to John Winthrop of New York?" hebegan, taking off his hat. 

I rose. "I am the man. "

He presented his card, and on it I read, "Philip Pembroke. "

"Philip Pembroke!" I exclaimed. 

"Evidently you are surprised?" showing a set of strong white teeth. 

"Truthfully, I am, " I said, taking his hand. "You see, " I added, apologetically, "your family lawyer--that is--he gave methe--er--impression that you were a sickly fellow--one foot in thegrave, or something like. I was not expecting a man of your build. "

The smile broadened into a deep laugh, and a merry one, I thought, enviously. It was so long since I had laughed. 

"That was a hobby of the old fellow, " he replied. "When I was a boy Ihad the palpitation of the heart. He never got rid of the idea that Imight die at any moment. He was always warning me about violentexercises, the good old soul. Peace to his ashes!"

"He is dead?"

"Yes. When I took to traveling he all but had nervous prostration. Isuppose he told you about that will I made in your favor. It was doneto please him. Still, " he added soberly, "it stands. I travel a deal, and no one knows what may happen. And so you are the John Winthrop mydad treated so shabbily? Oh, don't protest, he did. I should havehunted you up long ago, and given you a solid bank account, only I knewthat the son of my aunt must necessarily be a gentleman, and, therefore, would not look favorably upon such a proceeding. "

"Thank you, " said I. The fellow pleased me. 

"And then, I did not know but what you cared nothing for money. "

"True. A journalist doesn't care anything about money; the life is tooeasy and pleasant, and most of the things he needs are thrown in, asthey say. "

This bit of sarcasm did not pass; my cousin laughed again that merrylaugh of his. 

"I think we shall become great friends, " he said. "I like frankness. "

"My remark in its literal sense was the antithesis of frankness. "

"Ah, you said too much not to be frank. Frankness is one of thereasons why I do not get on well with the women. I can't lie in theright place, and when I do it is generally ten times worse than theplain truth. "

"You're a man of the world, I see. "

"No, merely a spectator. "

"Well, you have the price of admission; with me it's a free pass. Someday we will compare notes. "

"Who is your banker?"

"Banker? I have none. I distrust banks. They take your mite andinvest it in what-nots, and sometimes when you go for it, it is notthere. "

"And then again it multiplies so quickly that you have more than youknow what to do with; eh?"

"As to that I cannot say. It is hearsay, rumor; so far as I know itmay be so. Experience has any number of teachers; the trouble is, wecannot study under them all. Necessity has been my principalinstructor. Sometimes she has larruped me soundly, though I was amodel scholar. You will go to luncheon with me?"

"If you will promise to dine with me this evening?" And I promised. 

For an hour or more we chatted upon congenial topics. He wassurprisingly well informed. He had seen more of the world than I, though he had not observed it so closely. As we were about to leave, the door opened, and Phyllis, Ethel and her husband, Mr. Holland, entered. For a moment the room was filled with the fragrance ofOctober air and the essence of violets. They had been in town a week. They had been "doing" the Strand, so Ethel said, and thought they wouldmake me a brief visit to see how "it was done, " the foreigncorresponding. Mr. Wentworth and his wife were already domiciled atB----, and the young people were going over to enjoy the winterfestivities. Phyllis was unchanged. How like Gretchen, I thought. 

While Ethel was engaging my cousin's attention, I conducted Phyllisthrough the office. 

"What a place to work in!" said Phyllis, laughing. The laugh awakeneda vague thrill. "Dust, dust; everywhere dust. You need a woman tolook after you, Jack?"

As I did not reply, she looked quickly at me, and seeing that my facewas grave, she flushed. 

"Forgive me, Jack, " impulsively; "I did not think. "

I answered her with a reassuring smile. 

"How long are you to remain in town?" I asked, to disembarrass her. 

"We leave day after to-morrow, Saturday. A day or two in Paris, andthen we go on. Every one in New York is talking about your book. Iknew that you were capable. "

"I hope every one is buying it, " said I, passing over her lastobservation. 

"Was it here that you wrote it?"

"Oh, no; it was written in my rooms, under the most favorablecircumstances. "

"I thought so. This is a very dreary place. "

"Perhaps I like it for that very reason. "

Her eyes were two interrogation points, but I pretended not to see. 

"What nice eyes your cousin has, " she said, side glancing. 

With a woman it is always a man's eyes. 

"And his father was the man who left you the fortune?"

"Yes, " I answered, with a short laugh. Of course, I had never toldPhyllis of that thousand-dollar check. 

"You must run over this winter and see us, " she said. "I anticipatenothing but dinners, balls and diplomatic receptions. I have neverbeen there, it will all be new to me. Think of seeing Egypt, the HolyLands, Russia, France and Spain, and yet not seeing the very heart ofthe continent! Thank goodness, I know the language. "

"And will she not be a sensation?" joined in Ethel. 

"A decided sensation, " said I, scrutinizing the beautiful face so nearme. What if they met, as probably they would--Phyllis and Gretchen?"Phyllis, " said I, suddenly, "where were you born?"

"Where was I born?" with a wondering little laugh; "in America. Wheredid you suppose?"

"Eden, " said I. "I wasn't sure, so I asked. "

"I do not know how to take that, " she said, with mock severity. 

"Oh, I meant Eden when it was Paradise, " I hastened to say. 

"Yes, " put in Pembroke; "please go back, Miss Landors, and begin theworld all over again. "

"Phyllis, " said I, in a whisper, "have you ever met that remarkableaffinity of yours?" I regretted the words the moment they had crossedmy lips. 

"Yes, you are changed, as I said the other night, " distrustfully. "There is something in your voice that is changed. You have growncynical. But your question was impertinent. Have you found yours?"

I was expecting this. "Yes, " I said. "Once I thought I had; now I amsure of it. Some day I shall tell you an interesting story. "

"We came up to ask you to dine with us this evening, " she said, trailing her brown-gloved finger over the dusty desk. "Are you atliberty?"

"No. I have only just met my cousin, and have promised to dine withhim. "

"If that is all, bring him along. I like his face. "

We passed out of the file room. 

"Phyllis, we must be going, dear, " said Ethel. 

I led Phyllis down the narrow stairs. A handsome victoria stood at thecurb. 

"I shall be pleased to hear your story, " said she. 

It occurred to me that the tale might not be to her liking. So I said:"But it is one of those disagreeable stories; one where all should endnicely, but doesn't; one which ends, leaving the hero, the heroine, andthe reader dissatisfied with the world in general, and the author (whois Fate) in particular. "

I knew that she was puzzled. She wasn't quite sure that I was notreferring to the old affair. 

"If the story is one I never heard before, " suspiciously, "I shouldlike to hear it. "

"And does it not occur to you, " throwing back the robes so that shemight step into the victoria, "that fate has a special grudge againstme? Once was not enough, but it must be twice. "

"And she does not love you? Are you quite sure? You poor fellow!" Shesqueezed my hand kindly. "Shall I be candid with you?" with thefaintest flicker of coquetry in her smile. 

"As in the old days, " said I, glancing over my shoulder to see now nearthe others were. A groom is never to be considered. "Yes, as in theold days. "

"Well, I have often regretted that I did not accept you as anexperiment. "

Then I knew that she did not understand. 

"You must not think I am jesting, " said I, seriously. "The story is ofthe bitter-sweet kind. The heroine loves me, but cannot be mine. "

"Loves you?" with a slight start. "How do you know?"

"She has told me so, " lowering my voice. 

Frankness of this sort to a woman who has rejected you has a peculiareffect. The coquetry faded from her smile, and there was a perceptiblecontraction of the brows. Her eyes, which were looking into mine, shifted to the back of the groom. No, I shall never understand awoman. She should have been the most sympathetic woman in the world, yet she appeared to be annoyed. 

"What's all this between you and Phyllis?" asked Ethel, coming up. 

"There is nothing between her and me, " said I. 

"Well, there should be, " she retorted. "That is the trouble. "

My observation was: "I have always held that immediately a woman getsmarried she makes it her business to see that all old bachelors arelugged out and disposed of to old maids. "

"I shall never forgive that, " Phyllis declared; "never. "

"Then I shall always have the exquisite pleasure of being a supplicantfor your pardon. It is delightful to sue pardon of a beautiful woman. "

Phyllis sniffed. 

"Forgive him at once, " said Ethel, "if only for that pretty speech. "

Mr. Holland pulled out his watch suggestively. 

"Well, " I said, "I see that I am keeping you from your lunch. Good-by, then, till dinner, when I shall continue at length on the evils--"

"William, " interrupted Ethel, addressing the groom, "drive on. "

And so they left us. 

"Shall we go to lunch now?" I asked of Pembroke. 

"Yes, " rather dreamily I thought. "Do you know, " with suddenanimation, "she is a remarkably beautiful woman?"

"Yes, she is. " After all, the sight of Phyllis had rather upset me. 

"I had a glimpse of her in Vienna last winter, " went on Pembroke. "Inever knew who she was. "

"Vienna!" I exclaimed. 

"Yes. It was at a concert. Her face was indelibly graven on mymemory. I asked a neighbor who she was, but when I went to point herout she was gone. I should like to see more of her. "

So Gretchen had been in Vienna, and poor Hillars had never known!

I took Pembroke to the club that afternoon, and we dallied in thebilliard room till time to dress for dinner. Dinner came. But Phyllisforgot to ask me about the story, at which I grew puzzled, consideringwhat I know of woman's curiosity. And she devoted most of her time toPembroke, who did not mind. Later we went to the theatre--someproduction of Gilbert and Sullivan. Whenever I glanced at Phyllis Ifell to wondering how Gretchen would have looked in evening dress. Yes, Phyllis was certainly beautiful, uncommonly. For years I hadworshipped at her shrine, and then--how little we know of the heart. Iwas rather abstracted during the performance, and many of my replieswent wide the mark. 

As we were leaving the foyer, Phyllis said: "Jack, a man has beenstaring me out of countenance. "

"Pembroke?" I laughed. 

"No. And moreover, the stare was accompanied by the most irritatingsneer. "

"Point him out to me when we reach the street, " I said, humoring what Ithought to be a fancy, "and I'll put a head on him. "

The sneer was probably meant for an ogle. Beauty has its annoyances aswell as its compensations. As we came under the glare of the outsidelights, Phyllis's hand tightened on my arm. 

"Look! there he is, and he is making for us. "

At the sight of that face with its hooked nose, its waxed mustache andimperial, I took a deep breath and held it. In the quick glance I sawthat his right arm hung stiffly at his side. I attempted to slip intothe crowd, but without success. He lifted his hat, smiling into theastonished face of Phyllis. 

"The Princess Hildegarde--" But with those three words the sentence onhis lips came to an end. Amazement replaced the smile. He steppedback. Phyllis's eyes expressed scornful surprise. What she understoodto be rudeness I knew to be a mistake. He had mistaken her to beGretchen, just as I had mistaken Gretchen to be Phyllis. It was asituation which I enjoyed. All this was but momentary. We passed on. 

"Was the man crazy?" asked Phyllis, as we moved toward the carriages, where we saw Pembroke waving his hand. 

"Not exactly crazy, " I answered. 

"The Princess Hildegarde; did he not call me that?"

"He did. "

"He must have mistaken me for some one else, then. "

"The very thing, " said I. "I wonder what he is doing here in London?"

"Mercy! do you know him?"

"Slightly. " We were almost at the carriage. "I am sorry to say thathe is a great personage in this very court which you are so soon tograce. "

"How strange! I'm afraid we shan't get on. "

Pembroke and I dismissed our carriage. We were going back to the club. Ethel and her husband were already seated in their carriage. 

Said Phyllis as I assisted her to enter; "And who is this PrincessHildegarde?"

"The most beautiful woman in all the world, " I answered withenthusiasm. "You will meet her also. "

"I do not believe I shall like her either, " said Phyllis. "Goodnight;" and the door swung to. 

Pembroke and I made off for the club. . . . Perhaps it was myenthusiasm. 

CHAPTER XVII

I had just left the office when I ran into Pembroke, who was in the actof mounting the stairs. It was Saturday morning. Phyllis had lefttown. 

"Hello!" he cried. "A moment more, and I should have missed you, andthen you would not have learned a piece of news. "

"News?"

"Yes. I have made up my mind not to go home till February. "

"What changed your plans so suddenly?" I asked. 

"My conscience. "

"In heaven's name, what has your conscience to do with your plans?"

"Well, you see, my conscience would not permit me to meet such aremarkable woman as Miss Landors without becoming better acquaintedwith her. " He swung his cane back and forth. 

"This is very sudden, " said I, lighting a cigar. "When did it happen?"

"What time did she come into your office the other day?"

"It must have been after eleven. "

"Then it happened about eleven-fifteen. " Pembroke's eyes were dancing. "Do you--er--think there are any others?"

"Thousands, " said I, "only--" I turned the end of my cigar around tosee if the light had proved effective. 

"Only what?"

"Only she won't have them. "

"Then there is really a chance?"

"When a woman is not married there is always a chance, " said I, wisely. "But let me tell you, cousin mine, she has a very high ideal. The manwho wins her must be little less than a demigod and a little more thana man. Indeed, her ideal is so high that I did not reach it by a goodfoot. "

Pembroke looked surprised. "She--ah--rejected--"

"I did not say that I had proposed to her, " said I. 

"If you haven't, why haven't you?"

"It is strange. " As his face assumed an anxious tinge, I laughed. "Mydear relative, go ahead and win her, if you can; you have my bestwishes. She is nothing to me. There was a time--ah, well, we all canlook back and say that. If it isn't one woman it's another. "

Sunshine came into Pembroke's face again. "Ideal or not ideal, I amgoing to make the effort. "

"Success to you!" patting his shoulder. He was good to look at, and itwas my opinion that Phyllis might do worse. We miss a good deal inthis world by being over particular. 

We were coming into Trafalgar. Nelson stood high up in the yellow fog. 

"Nature is less gracious than history sometimes, " mused Pembroke, gazing up. "She is doing her best to dull the lustre of the oldgentleman. Ah, those were days when they had men. "

"We have them still, " said I. "It is not the men, but theopportunities, which are lacking. "

"Perhaps that is so. Yet, it is the great man who makes them. "

I was thinking of Hillars. "I would give a good deal for a regimentand a bad moment for our side. " There was no mighty column in hismemory, scarcely a roll of earth. "What do you want to do?" I asked. "Shall we hail a cab and drive to the park?"

"Just as you say, if it is not interfering with your work. "

"Not at all. "

"Have a cigar, " said Pembroke, after we had climbed into the cab andarranged our long legs comfortably. The London cab is all very wellfor a short and thin person. "These came to me directly from Key West. "

"That is one of the joys of being rich, " said I. "Gold is Aladdin'slamp. I have to take my chances on getting good tobacco in thiscountry. "

"Talking about gold--" he began. 

"Don't!" I entreated. 

"I was about to say that I drew on my bankers for 20, 000 pounds thismorning. "

"You intend to go in for a figure abroad, then?"

"Oh, no. I deposited the money in another bank--in your name. "

"Mine? Deposited 20, 000 pounds in my name?" I gasped. 

"Just so. "

"I understood you to say, because you thought me to be a gentleman, that you weren't going to do anything like this? Have I done somethingto change your opinion?"

"Of course not. And I never said that I should not do it. You may ormay not use it, that is as you please. But so far as I am concerned, it will stay there and accumulate interest till the crack of doom. Itisn't mine any more. If I were not almost your brother, I dare say youmight justly take offense at the action. As it is, " complacently, "youwill not only accept the gift, but thank me for it. "

"How old are you?" I asked. 

"Exactly twenty-five. "

"I thought that you could not be older than that. Aren't you afraid tobe so far away from home?"

Pembroke lay back and laughed. "You haven't thanked me yet. "

"I must get a new tailor, " said I. "What! shall I pay a tailor to makea well-dressed man out of me, and then become an object of charity? DoI look, then, like a man who is desperately in need of money?"

"No, you don't look it. That's because you are clever. But what isyour salary to a man of your brains?"

"It is bread and butter and lodging. "

He laughed again. To laugh seemed to be a part of his business. "Jack, I haven't a soul in the world but you. I have only known youthree days, but it seems that I have known you all my life. I have somuch money that I cannot even fritter away the income. "

"It must be a sad life, " said I. 

"And if you do not accept the sum in the spirit it is given, I'lldouble it, and then you'll have trouble. You will be a rich man, then, with all a rich man's cares and worries. "

"You ought to have a trustee to take care of your money. "

"It would be a small matter to bribe him off, Jack, of course, you donot need the money now, but that is no sign you may not in the days tocome. I have known many journalists; they were ever improvident. Iwant to make an exception in your case. You understand; the money isfor your old age. "

"Let me tell you why a newspaper man is improvident. He earns moneyonly to spend it. He has a fine scorn for money as money. He caresmore for what a dollar spent has bought than what five saved might buy. "

"Poor creditors!" was the melancholy interpolation. 

I passed over this, and went on: "It is the work which absorbs hiswhole attention. He begins at the bottom of the ladder, which is inthe garret. First, he is running about the streets at two and three inthe morning, in rain and snow and fog. The contact with the lowerclasses teaches him many things. He becomes the friend of thepoliceman and the vagabond. And as his mind grows broader his heartgrows in proportion. It is the comparing of the great and small whichmakes us impartial and philosophical. Well, soon the reporter getsbetter assignments and shorter hours. He meets the noted men and womenof the city. Suddenly from the city editor's desk his ambition turnsto Washington. He succeeds there. He now comes into the presence ofdistinguished ambassadors, ministers and diplomatists. He acquires apolish and a smattering of the languages. His work becomes a featureof his paper. The president chooses him for a friend; he comes andgoes as he wills. Presently his eye furtively wanders to Europe. Thehighest ambition of a journalist, next to being a war correspondent, isto have a foreign post. In this capacity he meets the notable men andwomen of all countries; he speaks to princes and grand dukes andcrowned heads. In a way he becomes a personage himself, a man whomgreat men seek. And he speaks of the world as the poet did of the fallof Pompeii, 'Part of which I was and all of which I saw. ' Ah, " as mymind ran back over my own experiences, "what man with this to gainwould care for money; a thing which would dull his imagination and takeaway the keen edge of ambition, and make him play a useless part inthis kingly drama of life!"

"I like your frankness, " said Pembroke. "I have no doubt thatjournalism is the most fascinating profession there is. Yet, you mustnot accuse the rich of being ambitionless. I have known of rich menlosing their all to make papers for men who are ambitious to be foreigncorrespondents. " The young fellow was brimming with raillery. "I havenever tried to run a newspaper, but I am, notwithstanding your tirade, ambitious. I am desirous to wed Miss Landors. "

The cab was now rolling along the row. 

"A truly great ambition, " I admitted. "After all, what greaterambition is there than to marry the woman you love? Philip, I willaccept your gift in the spirit it is given, and I'll make use of it inthe days to come, when I am old and rusted. I understand your motive. You are happy and wish every one to be. "

"That's the idea, " said he, leaning back and spreading an arm behind myshoulders. 

"But not all the money in the world, nor all the fame for that matter, would make me happy. " Gretchen was so far away! "Very well; we'll goto Paris together; that is as far as I go. To follow her you will haveto go alone. "

"And why can't you go the rest of the way?"

"Work. I must be back in town in three days. You must not forget thatI have had my vacation; there is plenty to be done. "

"Now that you are comparatively wealthy, why not give up the grind, asyou call it?"

"The truth is, I must work. When a man works he forgets. "

"Then you have something to forget?"

"Every man who has reached the age of thirty has something to forget, "said I. 

I was gloomy. In my pocket I had the only letter I had ever receivedfrom Gretchen. Every hour fate outdoes the romancer. The story shehad written for me was a puzzling one. And the finis? Who could say?Fate is more capricious than the novelist; sometimes you can guess whathe intends for an end; what fate has in store, never. Gretchen'sletter did not begin as letters usually do. It began with "I love you"and ended with the same sentence. "In November my marriage will takeplace. Do not come abroad. I am growing strong now; if I should seeyou alas, what would become of that thin ice covering the heart offire; we have nothing to return, you and I. I long to see you; I darenot tell you how much. Who knows what the world holds hidden? Whilewe live there is always a perhaps. Remember that I love you!"

"Perhaps, " I mused absently. 

"Perhaps what?" asked Pembroke. 

"What?" I had forgotten him. "Oh, it was merely a slip of thetongue. " I poked the matting with my cane. "It is high noon; we hadbest hunt up a lunch. I have an engagement with the American militaryattaché at two, so you will have to take care of yourself till dinner. "

Let me tell you what happened in the military club that night. I waswaiting for Col. J---- of the Queen's Light, who was to give me theplan of the fall maneuvers in Africa. Pembroke was in the billiardroom showing what he knew about caroms and brandy smashes to a trio oftanned Indian campaigners. I was in the reading room perusing theevening papers. All at once I became aware of a man standing beforeme. He remained in that position so long that I glanced over the topof my paper. 

It was Prince Ernst of Wortumborg. He bowed. 

"May I claim your attention for a moment?" he asked. 

Had I been in any other place but the club I should have ignored him. I possessed the liveliest hatred for the man. 

"If you will be brief. "

"As brief as possible, " dropping into the nearest chair. "It hasbecome necessary to ask you a few questions. The matter concerns me. "

"Whatever concerns you is nothing to me, " I replied coldly. 

He smiled. "Are you quite sure?"

I had turned the sword on myself, so it seemed. But I said: "Ianswered some of your questions once; I believe I was explicit. "

"As to that I can say you were; startlingly explicit. It is a delicatematter to profess one's regard for a woman before total strangers. Itis not impossible that she would have done the same thing in yourplace. Her regard for you--"

I interrupted him with a menacing gesture. "I am extremely irritable, "I said. "I should regret to lose control of myself in a place likethis. "

"To be sure!" he said. "This is England, where they knock one anotherdown. "

"We do not murder on this side of the channel, " I retorted. 

"That is unkind. Your friend was a very good shot, " with a significantglance at his useless arm. "But for my arm, and his nerves, which werenot of the best order, I had not lived to speak to you to-night. "

"So much the worse for the world, " said I. "Your questions?"

"Ah! Who was that remarkably beautiful woman under your distinguishedcare Thursday evening?"

"I see that our conversation is to be of the shortest duration. Whoshe was is none of your business, " rudely. I unfolded my paper andbegan reading. 

"Perhaps, after all, " not the least perturbed by my insolence, "it werebest to state on paper what I have to say. I can readily appreciatethat the encounter is disagreeable. To meet one who has made a thingimpossible to you sets the nerves on edge. " He caught up his operahat, his cane and gloves. He raised the lapel of his coat and sniffedat the orchid in the buttonhole. 

Some occult force bade me say, "Why do you wish to know who she was?"

He sat down again. "I shall be pleased to explain. That I mistook herfor another who I supposed was on the other side of the channel was anatural mistake, as you will agree. Is it not strange that I shouldmistake another to be the woman who is so soon to be my wife? Is therenot something behind this remarkable, unusual likeness? Since when aretwo surpassingly beautiful women, born in different lands, of differentparents, the exact likeness of each other?"

Now as this was a thing which had occupied my mind more than once, Iimmediately put aside the personal affair. That could wait. I threwmy paper onto the table. 

"Do you know, sir, " said I, "that thought echoes my own?"

"Let us for the moment put ourselves into the background, " said thePrince. "What do you know about her Serene Highness the PrincessHildegarde; her history?"

"Very little; proceed. "

"But tell me what you know. "

"I know that her father was driven to a gambler's grave and that hermother died of a broken heart, and that the man who caused all thiswishes to break the heart of the daughter, too. "

"Scandal, all scandal, " said the Prince. "Who ever heard of a brokenheart outside of a romantic novel? I see that the innkeeper has beenholding your ear. Ah, that innkeeper, that innkeeper! Certainly someday there will come a reckoning. "

"Yes, indeed, " said I. "Beware of him. "

"It was twenty years ago, " said the Prince. "It is beyond the recall. But let me proceed. Not many years ago there was a Prince, a very badfellow. "

"Most of them are. "

"He married a woman too good for him, " went on the Prince, as though hehad not heard. 

"And another is about to do likewise. "

"There was some scandal. When the Princess was born, her fatherrefused to believe her to be his child. Now, it came to pass, as theysay in the Bible, which I assure you is a very interesting book, thatthere were vague rumors immediately after the birth of PrincessHildegarde that another child had been born. "

"What!" I was half out of my chair. "Another child?"

"Another child. The fact that the Prince swore that when children camehe would make them counterparts of their kind and loving father, lentcolor to the rumor that the Princess had had one spirited away toescape this threatened contamination. And one of the nurses wasmissing. Whither had she gone remained a mystery, and is still amystery, for she never has returned. Did she spirit away the otherchild, the other girl? I say girl advisedly; if there had been a son, the mother would have retained him. Two years after this interestingepisode, the Princess died, and dying, confessed the deception. Butthe curious thing is, nobody believed her. Her mind was not strong, and it was thought to be a hallucination, this second child. Now letme come to the present time. Twins are generally alike; one mirrorsthe other; when they mature, then comes the deviation, perhaps in thecolor of the hair and the eyes. Behold! here are two women, but fortheir hair and eyes were one. Tell me what you know of the other. " Hebent forward with subdued eagerness. 

"Do you think it possible?" I cried excitedly. 

"Not only possible, but probable. She is a Princess; at least sheshould be. "

Then I told him what I knew about Phyllis. 

"America! Born in America! It cannot be. " He was baffled. 

"I have known her for eight years, " said I. "She was born in Americaas certainly as I was. "

"But this likeness? This rumor of another daughter? Ah, there issomething here I do not understand. And this uncle of hers, thisWentworth; who is he?"

"A retired banker, very wealthy, and at present with the Americanministry at your own capital. "

"To him we must go, then. " He rose and walked the length of the room, stopped a moment at the chess table in the corner, then resumed hischair. "You are wondering, no doubt, what it is to me, all this?"

"I confess you have read my mind correctly. "

"Then listen. I am a Prince without a principality; a Prince bycourtesy, my brother ruling the principality of Wortumborg. Thus beingwithout a principality, I am necessarily without revenues. I mustreplenish my very low exchequer by a marriage, a marriage not sodistasteful as it might be. " He met my darkening eyes with serenity. "Since Thursday night I have not been so certain of my wife's dowry. If there are two Princesses, twins, they must govern jointly, or onemay abdicate in favor of the other. Her Serene Highness the PrincessHildegarde is the one who will be most likely to relinquish her claimsto Hohenphalia. If your friend is proved to be her sister--" Hestroked the orchid reflectively. 

"Well?" I cried, my pulse quickening. 

"I shall withdraw my claim to the hand of the Princess Hildegarde. Ido not care to rule half a principality or share half its revenues. There are better things left than that. It is my hope, however, thatno proofs can be found, and that your banker-diplomatist will showconclusively that his niece was born in America. Until this questionis definitely settled, my fortunes shall not undergo any risks. Thisis what I wanted to say to you, why I wanted to know who your friendwas. Will you help me to get at the bottom of things? We are bothconcerned; the result will mean all or nothing to you and me. Ah, believe me, but you are a favored mortal. The friendship of the one, and the love of the other! No; do not look angry. With all my sins, it cannot be said that I lack frankness and truthfulness. You love thePrincess Hildegarde; I offer you an equal chance to win her. Is notthat remarkable good nature? Till the affair is settled my marriage ispostponed. Now, to our personal affair. You cannot blame me if I giveyou all my honest hatred. I am at your service, after, of course, therespective positions of the Princesses are assured. I should take morepleasure in shooting you, or running a sword through your body, than Itook in the affair with your friend. His courage was truly admirable. I had nothing against him. But you have grievously wounded myself-love; we forgive all wrongs but that. I warn you that the affairwill not be conducted after the French mode. You have perhaps afortnight in which to improve your markmanship. The matter which shallcarry us abroad will conclude within that time. I shoot and fence withmy left hand as well as I did with my right. "

"I shall be only too happy to meet you, " I replied. "I prefer thepistol, there is less exertion, and it is quicker. "

"You shall have every advantage, " said the Prince. "You will have thatto nerve your arm which I shall not have--a woman's love. " With a bowwhich was not without a certain dignity and grace, he walked from theroom. 

Phyllis a Princess? Gretchen free? I sent for my coat and hat andwent out. I forgot all about my appointment with Col. J---- of theQueen's light and that I had left Pembroke playing billiards in astrange club, where I myself had been but a guest. The crisp Octoberair blew in my face as I rapidly walked up the mall, and it cooled thefever in my veins. But my mind ran on rather wildly. Gretchen free?Phyllis a Princess? Gretchen's little word, "perhaps, " came back andsang into my ears. Yet, win or lose, I was to meet the Prince inmortal combat. If Phyllis was not proven Gretchen's twin sister, Ishould care but little for the Prince's bullet. On the otherhand--Well, I should trust to luck. Before I was aware of mydestination, I stood fumbling the key in the door of my apartment. Iwanted my pipe. At eleven by the clock, Pembroke came in. 

"Hang your apologies!" he said. 

CHAPTER XVIII

"Phyllis, " said I, "do you remember the day we first met?"

We were in the morning room of the Wentworth mansion at B----. Phyllis, Pembroke and I sat before the warm grate, while Mrs. Wentworthand Ethel stood by one of the windows, comparing some shades of ribbon. My presence at B---- was due to a wire I had sent to New York, whichinformed headquarters that I was on the track of a great sensation. The return wire had said, "Keep on it. "

"When first we met?" echoed Phyllis. "Why, it was at Block Island. "

"Oh, " said I, "I do not refer to the time when you had shouldered theresponsibilities of a society bud. I mean the time when theintroduction was most informal. You were at the time selling lemonadewithout license and with very little lemon. "

"Selling lemonade?" cried Pembroke. 

"Never mind him, Mr. Pembroke, " laughed Phyllis. 

"It was a long time ago, " I went on. "I was a new reporter. Mr. Wentworth had to be interviewed. It was one of those hot days in May. The servant at the door said that Mr. Wentworth was in the backyard--he called it the garden--where I soon found myself. You had asmall table, a glass and a pitcher. I suppose every time your unclegot thirsty you sold him a glass. You wore short dresses--"

"Terrible!" cried Phyllis, shielding her face with the hand-screen. 

"And looked as cool as the ice in the pitcher, and as fresh as theflowers which lined the walls. I thought that if I bought a glass ofyou I might make my approach to your uncle an easier task. So I lookedat you and smiled, and you giggled. "

"Giggled!" cried Phyllis, indignantly. 

Pembroke was laughing. 

"Yes, actually giggled, " I went on. "I laid down a twenty-five-centpiece, and you poured but some water which had had nothing more than amild flirtation with a lemon, and I gulped it down. I held out myhand, and you said that there wasn't any change. I smiled a falsesmile. Let me make a confession. "

"Well?" mockingly from Phyllis. 

"It was my last quarter. It was very pathetic. I had to walk fourmiles down town. I did not know your uncle well enough or I shouldhave borrowed carfare from him. "

"And I took your last penny?" said Phyllis, gently. "Why did you nottell me then?"

"I was twenty-two and proud, " said I. "Where are you going?" for shehad risen. 

"I'll be back in a moment, " she said, as she left the room. When shereturned she put out her hand. On the palm lay two bright Americandimes. 

"What's this?" I asked. 

"The change. "

"Very good!" laughed Pembroke. 

I said nothing, but took out my wallet. In opening it to put in thedimes, something fell to the floor. It was Gretchen's rose. 

"What is that?" asked Phyllis, as I stooped to pick it up. 

"It is the end of a story, " I answered. I busied myself with the firetill the poker grew too hot. 

"How many romances commonplace wallets contain?" said Pembroke, sententiously. 

"I have two in mine, " said I. 

Pembroke looked at Phyllis, but the fire seemed to be claiming herattention. Then he looked at me, but I was gazing at Phyllis. He wasin a puzzle. 

"Do you know, Miss Landors, " he said, "that I never dreamed to meet youagain when I saw you in Vienna last year?"

"Vienna?" said she. "I have never been to Vienna. "

I suddenly brought down my heel on Pembroke's toes. 

"Ah, a curious mistake on my part. I suppose the ball at the ministryto-night will be your first on the continent?"

I gazed admiringly at him. He had not even looked at me. He wascertainly clever. 

"Yes, " said Phyllis, "and already I believe I am going to have whatthey call stage fright, though I cannot understand why I should feelthat way. "

"Possibly it's a premonition, " said I, absently. 

"And of what?" asked Phyllis. 

"How should I know?" said I, mysteriously. 

"What in the world is going on?" she demanded. "You step on Mr. Pembroke's toes, you prophesy, and then you grow mysterious. "

My glance and Pembroke's met. He burst out laughing. A possiblecontretemps was averted by the approach of Mrs. Wentworth, who asked usto have a cup of chocolate before we went out into the chill air. Finally we rose to make our departure. While Pembroke was biddingEthel a good morning, Phyllis spoke to me. 

"The last flowers you sent me were roses, " she said softly. 

"Were they?" said I. "I had forgotten. Shall I send you some for thisevening?"

It was something in her eyes that I did not understand. 

"Thank you, but Mr. Pembroke has promised to do that. " And then sheadded: "So you have really had two romances?"

"Yes, " said I; "and both ended badly. "

"Let us hope that the third will be of happier termination, " shesmiled. The smile caused me some uneasiness. 

"There never will be a third, " I said. "It is strange, is it not, whenyou think that there might have been--but one? You will give me awaltz to-night?"

"With pleasure. Good morning. "

Pembroke and I passed down the broad stairs. On the street we walked ablock or so in silence. 

Finally Pembroke said: "What the deuce made you step on my foot? Andwhy does she not want me to know that she was in Vienna last winter?"

"Because, " said I, "Miss Landors never was in Vienna. "

"But, man, my eyes!"

"I do not care anything about your eyes. "

"What makes you so positive?"

"Knowledge. "

"Do you love her?" bluntly. 

"No. "

"Because--?"

"There is another. Pembroke, to-night will be pregnant withpossibilities. You will see the woman you love and the woman I love. "

"What do you mean?"

"Have you ever heard of her Serene Highness the Princess Hildegarde ofHohenphalia?"

"So high?"

"Yes. "

"Then the woman I saw in Vienna--"

"Was the Princess. "

"But this remarkable likeness?"

"Perhaps I had best tell you all. " And when I had done, hisastonishment knew no bounds. 

"Great George, that makes Miss Landors a Princess, too!"

"It does, truly. Herein lies the evil of loving above one's station. In our country love is like all things, free to obtain. We are in acountry which is not free. Here, those who appear to have the greatestliberty have the least. "

"And she knows nothing about it?"

"Nothing. "

"Why tell her?" he asked, fearful of his own love affair now. 

"It is a duty. Some day she might learn too late. This afternoon Ishall visit the Chancellor and place the matter before him and ask hisassistance. He must aid me to find the proofs. "

Pembroke began kicking the snow with his toes. 

"I wish you had not told me, Jack. "

"It is for the best. You and I are in the same boat; we ride or sinktogether. "

At luncheon his mind was absent and he ate but little. And I ate lessthan he. It was going to be very hard for me to meet Gretchen. 

The Chancellor waved his hand toward a chair. We were very goodfriends. 

"What is it now?" he asked, smiling. "I dare not stir up theantagonists against the government to give you a story, and aside fromthe antagonists it is dull. "

"I will find the story in the present instance, " said I. And in thefewest words possible I laid before him the object of my visit. 

"This is a very strange story, " he said, making a pyramid of hisfingers and contemplating the task with a careful air. "Are you notletting your imagination run away with you?"

"Not for a moment. I ask you to attend the ball at the Americanministry this evening, and if the likeness between the two women doesnot convince you, the matter shall drop, so far as I am concerned. "

"Has Herr Wentworth any idea of the affair?"

"It is not possible. What would be his object in keeping it a secret?"

"Still, it is a grave matter, and without precedent. We must movecarefully. You understand that there was no knowledge of anotherchild, only rumor; and then it was believed to be an hallucination ofthe mother, whose mind was not very strong. "

"Do you believe, " I asked, "that two persons born of differentparentage, in different lands, may resemble each other as these two do?"

"No. I shall let you know what stand I'll take when I have seen themtogether. And what will His Majesty say?" he mused. "I'm afraid thematter will assume many complications. And I might add that you seemparticularly interested. "

A slight warmth came into my cheeks. 

"Your Excellency understands that a journalist always takes greatinterest in affairs of this sort, " was my rejoinder. 

"Yes, yes!" pleasantly. "But this so-called sister; has she not livedmost of her life in America, your own country?"

"Your Excellency, " said I, honestly, "whether she regains her own ornot is immaterial to me, from a personal standpoint. "

"Well, one way or the other, I shall decide what to do to-night. But, mind you, there must be proofs. Though they may look enough alike tobe two peas in a pod, that will give your friend nothing you claim forher. The fate of your Princess rests in the hands of Herr Wentworth. Have the two met?"

"No; but during the short time they have been in the city they havebeen mistaken for each other. And why do you call her my Princess?"

"She is not ours yet. It was a strange story, as I remember it. Inthose days we had our doubts, as we still have, of another child. Bythe way, who suggested the matter to you?"

I recounted my interview with the Prince. 

"Ah, " said the Chancellor; "so it was he? He is a greedy fellow andcareful. I can readily understand his object. He wants all ornothing. I shall help you all I can, " he concluded, as I reached formy hat. 

"I ask nothing more, " I replied; and then I passed from the cabinetinto the crowded anteroom. It was filled with diplomats and soldiers, each waiting for an audience. They eyed me curiously and perhapsenviously as I made my way to the street. "Yes, indeed, what will theKing say?" I mused on the way back to my rooms. What could he say?

That night Pembroke and I arrived at the ministry a little after ten. I was in a state of extreme nervousness. 

"I'm in a regular funk, " said Pembroke. "Supposing your Princess doesnot come?"

"It is written that she will come. "

"Well, I'm glad that I looked you up in London. I would not havemissed this adventure. "

We found Phyllis in a nook under the grand staircase. I gave a slightexclamation as I saw her. I had never seen her looking so beautiful. 

"Come and sit down, " said she, making room for us. "I have had acurious adventure. "

"Tell us all about it, " said Pembroke. 

"I have had the honor of being mistaken for a Princess, " triumphantly. 

"Who could doubt it!" said I, with a glance I could not help, whichmade her lower her eyes. 

"Moreover, " she continued, this time looking at Pembroke, "thegentleman who committed the error was the Austrian Ambassador. What acompliment to take home!"

"And who was the Princess?" I felt compelled to ask, though I knewperfectly well. 

"The Princess Hildegarde. Do you recall the night in London, " to me, "when the same thing occurred? I am very anxious to meet this Princesswho looks so like me. "

"You will have that pleasure immediately after the opera, " said I. 

Pembroke's eyes said something to me then, and I rose. 

"There is Mr. Wentworth. I wish to speak to him. Will you excuse me?"

"With pleasure!" laughed Pembroke. 

I threaded my way through the gathering throng to the side of Mr. Wentworth. 

"How d'y' do, Winthrop?" he said, taking me by the arm. "Come into theconservatory. I want you to see some of the finest orchids that evercame from South America. The girls are looking well to-night. Isuppose you noticed. "

"Especially Phyllis. " Our eyes met. 

When we entered the conservatory, he suddenly forgot all about theorchids. 

"Jack, I'm worried about her--Phyllis. You see, she is not my niece. There's a long story, This morning a gentleman visited my department. He was Prince Ernst of Wortumborg. He began by asking me if Phylliswas my niece. That started the business. He proceeded to prove to me, as far as possible, that Phyllis was a Princess. I could not say thatit was all nonsense, because I did not know. Some twenty years ago, astrange thing happened. I occupied the same residence as to-day. Itwas near midnight, and snowing fiercely. I was looking over somedocuments, when the footman came in and announced the presence of astrange woman in the hall, who demanded to see me. The woman was youngand handsome, and in her arms she carried a child. Would I, forhumanity's sake, give a roof to the child till the morrow? The womansaid that she was looking for her relatives, but as yet had not foundthem, and that the night was too cold for the child to be carriedaround. She was a nurse. The child was not hers, but belonged to awealthy family of the south, who were to have arrived that day, but hadnot. The thing seemed so irregular that I at once consented, thinkingto scan the papers the next day for an account of a lost or stolenchild. She also carried a box which contained, she said, the child'sidentity. Now, as I am a living man, there was nothing in that box toshow who the child was; nothing but clothes, not a jewel or a trinket. I looked through the papers in vain. And the woman never appearedagain. Much against my will I was forced to keep the child. I am gladI did, for I have grown to love her as one of my own. I had a marriedsister who died in Carolina, so I felt secure in stating that Phylliswas her daughter, therefore my niece. And that is positively all Iknow. And here comes a fellow who says he knows who she is, and, moreover, that she is a Princess. What do you say to that?"

"What he said was true, " gloomily. Without proofs Gretchen remained asfar away as ever. I told him what I knew. 

"I must see this Princess before I move. If they look alike, why, letthings take their course. As a matter of fact, Phyllis is to shareequally with Ethel. So, whether or not she proves to be a Princess, itwill not interfere with her material welfare. And, by the way, Jack, isn't there a coldness of some sort between you and Phyllis?"

"Not a coldness, " said I; "merely an understanding. Let us be gettingback to the ballroom. I am anxious to see the two when they meet. "

I left him in the reception room. As I was in the act of crossing thehall which led to the ballroom, I was stopped. It was the Prince. 

"Well, " he said, smiling ironically, "the matter is, sadly for you, definitely settled. Your friend may in truth be a Princess, but thereare no proofs. In the eyes of men they are sisters; in the eyes of thelaw they are total strangers. I shall not ask you to congratulate meupon my success. I shall now wed the Princess Hildegarde with a senseof security. Come--have you seen her yet? She does not know that youare here. It will be a surprise and a pleasure. As to that othermatter, I shall send a gentleman around to your rooms in the morning toarrange the affair. "

I shivered. I had forgotten that I had accepted a challenge. 

"Take me to her, " said I. "She will be happy indeed to see me, as youknow. " I laughed in his face. "How convenient it would be for both ofus--her and me--should my bullet speed to the proper place! Believeme, I shall be most happy to kill you. There are many things on theslate to wipe out. "

"I see that you are a gentleman of spirit, " said he, smoothing thescowl from his brow. "Ah, there she stands. Look well, my friend;look at her well. This is probably the last night you will see her, save as my wife. "

The sight of that dear face took the nerves from me, and left metrembling. Even in the momentary glance I detected a melancholy castto her features. She was surrounded by several men, who wore variousdecorations. 

"Your Highness, " said the Prince, mockery predominating his tones, "permit me to present to you an old friend. "

Was it because her soul instinctively became conscious of my presenceand nerved her for the ordeal, that she turned and smiled on me? ThePrince appeared for a moment crestfallen. Perhaps the scene lacked adenouement. Oh, I was sure that implacable hate burned under thatsmile of his, just as I knew that beneath the rise and fall ofGretchen's bosom the steady fire of immutable love burned, burned as itburned in my own heart. It was a defeat for the Prince, a triumph forGretchen and me. The greeting took but a moment. I stepped back, strong and hopeful. She loved me. I knew that her heart was singingthe same joyous song as my own. 

"Ah, here you are!" said a voice behind me, giving me an indescribablestart. "I have been looking high and low for you. You have forgottenthis dance. "

It was Phyllis. 

And then a sudden hush fell upon the circle. The two women stood faceto face, looking with strange wonder into each other's eyes. 

CHAPTER XIX

Phyllis and I were sitting in one of the numerous cozy corners. I haddanced badly and out of time. The music and the babel of tongues hadbecome murmurous and indistinct. 

"And so that is the Princess Hildegarde?" she said, after a spell. 

"Yes; she is your double. Is she not beautiful?"

"Is that a left-handed compliment to me?" Phyllis was smiling, but shewas colorless. 

"No, " said I. "I could never give you a left-handed compliment. "

"How strange and incomprehensible!" said she, opening her fan. 

"What?--that I have never, and could never, give you a--"

"No, no! I was thinking of the likeness. It rather unnerved me. Itseemed as though I was looking into a mirror. "

"What do you think of her?" suppressing the eagerness in my voice. 

"She is to be envied, " softly. 

And I grew puzzled. 

"Jack, for a man who has associated with the first diplomatists of theworld, who has learned to read the world as another might read a book, you are surprisingly unadept in the art of dissimulation. "

"That is a very long sentence, " said I, in order to gain time enough tofathom what she meant. I could not. So I said: "What do you mean?"

"Your whole face was saying to the Princess, 'I love you!' A glancetold me all. I was glad for your sake that no other woman saw you atthat moment. But I suppose it would not have mattered to you. "

"Not if all the world had seen the look, " moodily. 

"Poor Jack, you are very unlucky!" Her voice was full of pity. "Ifeel so sorry for you, it is all so impossible. And she loves you, too!"

"How do you know?"

"I looked at her while she was looking at you. "

"You have wonderful eyes. "

"So I have been told. I wonder why she gave you that withered andworm-eaten rose?"

"A whim, " I said, staring at the rug. I wondered how she came tosurmise that it was Gretchen's rose? Intuition, perhaps. 

"Do you love her well enough, " asked Phyllis, plucking the lace on herfan, "to sacrifice all the world for her, to give up all your ownhappiness that she might become happy?"

"She never can be happy without me--if she loves me as I believe. " Iadmit that this was a selfish thought to express. 

"Then, why is it impossible--your love and hers? If her love for youis as great as you say it is, what is a King, a Prince, or aprincipality to her?"

"It is none of those. It is because she has given her word, the wordof a Princess. What would you do in her place?" suddenly. 

"I?" Phyllis leaned back among the cushions her eyes half-closed and asmile on her lips. "I am afraid that if I loved you I should followyou to the end of the world. Honor is a fine thing, but in her case itis an empty word. If she broke this word for you, who would bewronged? No one, since the Prince covets only her dowry and the Kingdesires only his will obeyed. Perhaps I do not understand what socialobligation means to these people who are born in purple. "

"Perhaps that is it. Phyllis, listen, and I will tell you a romancewhich has not yet been drawn to its end. Once upon a time--let me callit a fairy story, " said I, drawing down a palm leaf as if to read thetale from its blades. "Once upon a time, in a country far from ours, there lived a Prince and a Princess. The Prince was rather a badfellow. His faith in his wife was not the best. And he made a vowthat if ever children came he would make them as evil as himself. Notlong after the good fairy brought two children to her godchild, thePrincess. Remembering the vow made by the Prince, the good fairycarried away one of the children, and no one knew anything about itsave the Princess and the fairy. When the remaining child was twoyears old the Princess died. The child from then on grew like a wildflower. The Prince did his best to spoil her, but the good fairywatched over her, just as carefully as she watched over the child shehad hidden away. By and by the wicked Prince died. The child reachedwomanhood. The good fairy went away and left her; perhaps she now gaveher whole attention to the other. " I let the palm leaf slip back, anddrew down a fresh one, Phyllis watching me with interest. "The childthe fairy left was still a child, for all her womanhood. She waswillful and capricious; she rode, she fenced, she hunted; she was asunlike other women as could be. At last the King, who was herguardian, grew weary of her caprices. So he commanded that she marry. But what had the fairy done with the other child, the twin sister ofthis wild Princess? Perhaps in this instance the good fairy died andleft her work unfinished, to be taken up and pursued by a conventionalnewspaper reporter. Now this pro tem fairy, who was anything but good, as the word goes, made some curious discoveries. It seems that thegood fairy had left the lost Princess in the care of one of a foreignrace. Having a wife and daughter of his own, he brought the Princessup as his niece, not knowing himself who she really was. She becamewise, respected, and beautiful in mind and form. Fate, who governs allfairy stories, first brought the newspaper reporter into the presenceof the lost Princess. She was a mere girl then, and was sellinglemonade at--at twenty-five cents a glass. She--"

"Jack, " came in wondering tones, "for mercy's sake, what are youtelling me?"

"Phyllis, can you not look back, perhaps as in a dream, to an old inn, where soldiers and ministers in a hurry and confusion moved to and fro?No; I dare say you were too young. The Princess Hildegarde ofHohenphalia is your sister. " I rose and bowed to her respectfully. 

"My sister?--the Princess?--I, a Princess? Jack, " indignantly, "youare mocking me! It is not fair!"

"Phyllis, as sure as I stand before you, all I have said is true. Andnow let me be the first to do homage to Your Serene Highness, " takingher hand despite her efforts to withdraw it, and kissing it. 

"It is unreal! Impossible! Absurd!" she cried. 

"Let me repeat the words of the French philosopher, who said, 'Asnothing is impossible, let us believe in the absurd, '" said I. 

"But why has Uncle Bob kept me in ignorance all these years?"unconvinced. 

"Because, as I have said before, he knew nothing till to-day. I haveeven spoken to the Chancellor, who has promised to aid in recoveringyour rights. "

"And does she know--the Princess Hildegarde? My sister? How strangethe word feels on my tongue. "

"No; she does not know, but presently she will. "

Then Phyllis asked in an altered tone, "And what is all this to youthat you thrust this greatness upon me?--a greatness, I assure you, forwhich I do not care?"

I regarded her vaguely. I saw a precipice at my feet. I could nottell her that in making her a Princess I was making Gretchen free. Icould not confess that my motive was purely a selfish one. 

"It was a duty, " said I, evasively. 

"And in what way will it concern the Princess Hildegarde's affairs--andyours?" She was rather merciless. 

"Why should it concern any affair of mine?" I asked. 

"You love her, and she loves you; may she not abdicate in my favor?"

"And if she should?" with an accent of impatience. 

Phyllis grew silent. "Forgive me, Jack!" impulsively. "But all thisis scarcely to be believed. And then you say there are no proofs. "

"Not in the eyes of the law, " I replied; "but nature has written it inyour faces. " I was wondering why she had not gone into raptures at theprospect of becoming a Princess. 

"It is a great honor, " she said, after some meditation, "and it is verykind of you. But I care as little for the title as I do for thisrose. " And she cast away one of Pembroke's roses. It boded ill for mycousin's cause. 

Presently we saw the giver of the rose loom up in the doorway. He wassmiling as usual. 

"It is supper, Jack, " he said; "I'm afraid you'll have to go. "

"Does he know?" whispered Phyllis as we rose. 

"Yes. "

She frowned. And as they went away I mused upon the uncertainty ofplacing valuable things in woman's hands. 

The next person I saw was the Chancellor. 

"Well?" I interrogated. 

"There can be no doubt, " he said, "but--" with an expressive shrug. 

"Life would run smoother if it had fewer 'buts' and 'its' and'perhapses. ' What you would say, " said I, "is that there are noproofs. Certainly they must be somewhere. "

"But to find them!" cried he. 

"I shall make the effort; the pursuit is interesting. "

The expression in his eyes told me that he had formed an opinion inregard to my part. "Ah, these journalists!" as he passed on. 

Everything seemed so near and yet so far. Proofs? Where could they befound if Wentworth had them not? If only there had been a trinket, akerchief, even, with the Hohenphalian crest upon it! I shook my fistsin despair. Gretchen was so far away, so far!

I went in search of her. She was still surrounded by men. The womenwere not as friendly toward her as they might have been. The Princewas standing near. Seeing me approach, his teeth gleamed for aninstant. 

"Ah, " said Gretchen, "here is Herr Winthrop, who is to take me in tosupper. "

It was cleverly done, I thought. Even the Prince was of the same mind. He appreciated all these phases. As we left them and passed in towardthe supper room, I whispered:

"I love you!"

CHAPTER XX

When I whispered these words I expected a gentle pressure fromGretchen's fingers, which rested lightly on my arm. But there was nosign, and I grew troubled. The blue-green eyes sparkled, and the whiteteeth shone between the red lips. Yet something was lacking. 

"Let us go into the conservatory, " she said. "It was merely a ruse ofmine. I want no supper. I have much to say to you. "

Altogether, I had dreamed of a different reception. When I entered thedoorway, and she first saw me, it was Gretchen; but now it wasdistinctly a Princess, a woman of the world, full of those deviceswhich humble and confuse us men. 

Somehow we selected, by mutual accord, a seat among the roses. Therewas a small fountain, and the waters sang in a murmurous music. Itseemed too early for words, so we drew our thoughts from the marble andthe water. As for me, I looked at, but did not see, the fountain. Itwas another scene. There was a garden, in which the roses grew inbeautiful disorder. The sunbeams straggled through the chestnuts. Near by a wide river moved slowly, and with a certain majesty. Therewas a man and a woman in the garden. She was culling roses, while theman looked on with admiring eyes. 

"Yes, " said the Princess, "all that was a pretty dream. Gretchen was afairy; and now she has gone from your life and mine--forever. My dearfriend, it is a prosaic age we live in. Sometimes we forget and dream;but dreams are unreal. Perhaps a flash of it comes back in after days, that is all; and we remember that it was a dream, and nothing more. Itis true that God designs us, but the world molds us and fate puts onthe finishing touches. " She was smiling into my wonder-struck face. "We all have duties to perform while passing. Some of us are born withdestinies mapped out by human hands; some of us are free to make lifewhat we will. I am of the first order, and you are of the second. Itis as impossible to join the one with the other as it is to makediamonds out of charcoal and water. Between Gretchen and the PrincessHildegarde of Hohenphalia there is as much difference as there isbetween--what simile shall I use?--the possible and the impossible?"

"Gretchen--" I began. 

"Gretchen?" The Princess laughed amusedly. "She is flown. I beg younot to waste a thought on her memory. "

Things were going badly for me. I did not understand the mood. Itbrought to mind the woman poor Hillars had described to me in his roomsthat night in London. I saw that I was losing something, so I madewhat I thought a bold stroke. I took from my pocket a withered rose. I turned it from one hand to the other. 

"It appears that when Gretchen gave me this it was as an emblem of herlove. Still, I gave her all my heart. "

"If that be the emblem of her love, Herr, throw it away; it is notworth the keeping. "

"And Gretchen sent me a letter once, " I went on. 

"Ah, what indiscretion!"

"It began with 'I love you, ' and ended with that sentence. I have wornthe writing away with my kisses. "

"How some men waste their energies!"

"Your Highness, " said I, putting the rose back into my pocket, "didGretchen ever tell you how she fought a duel for me because her lifewas less to her than mine?"

The Princess Hildegarde's smile stiffened and her eyes closed for thebriefest instant. 

"Ah, shall I ever forget that night!" said I. "I held her to my heartand kissed her on the lips. I was supremely happy. Your Highness hasnever known what a thing of joy it is to kiss the one you love. It isone of those things which are denied to people who have their destiniesmapped out by human hands. "

The Princess opened her fan and hid her lips. 

"And do you know, " I continued, "when Gretchen went away I had awonderful dream?"

"A dream? What was it?" The fan was waving to and fro. 

"I dreamed that a Princess came in Gretchen's place, and she threw herarms around my neck and kissed me of her own free will. "

"And what did she say, Herr?" Certainly the voice was growing morelike Gretchen's. 

I hesitated. To tell her what the dream Princess had said would undoall I had thus far accomplished, which was too little. 

"It will not interest Your Highness, " said I. 

"Tell me what she said; I command it!" And now I was sure that therewas a falter in her voice. 

"She said--she said that she loved me. "

"Continue. "

"And that, as she was a Princess and--and honor bound, it could neverbe. " I had to say it. 

"That is it; that is it. It could never be. Gretchen is no more. ThePrincess who, you say, came to you in a dream was then but a woman--"

"Aye, and such a woman!" I interrupted. "As God hears me, I would giveten years of my life to hold her again in my arms, to kiss her lips, tohear her say that she loved me. But, pardon me, what were you going tosay?"

"Your dream Princess was but a woman--ah, well; this is Tuesday;Thursday at noon she will wed the Prince. It is written. "

"The devil!" I let slip. I was at the start again. 

"Sir, you do him injustice. "

"Who?--the Prince?" savagely. 

"No; the--the devil!" She had fully recovered, and I had no weaponleft. 

"Gretchen, did you really ever love me?"

There was no answer. 

"No; I do not believe you did. If you had loved me, what to you wouldhave been a King, a Prince, a principality? If you broke that promisewho would be wronged? Not the King, not the Prince. "

"No, I should not have wronged them, but, " said the Princess rising, "Ishould have wronged my people whom I have sworn to protect; I shouldhave wronged my own sense of honor; I should have broken those tieswhich I have sworn to hold dear and precious as my life; I should haveforsaken a sacred duty for something I was not sure of--a man's love!"

"Gretchen!"

"Am I cruel? Look!" Phyllis stood at the other end of theconservatory. "Does not there recur to you some other woman you haveloved? You start. Come; was not your love for Gretchen pique? Who isshe who thus mirrors my own likeness? Whoever she is, she loves you!Let us return; I shall be missed. " It was not the woman but thePrincess who spoke. 

"You are breaking two hearts!" I cried, my voice full ofdisappointment, passion and anger. 

"Two? Perhaps; but yours will not be counted. "

"You are--"

"Pray, do not lose your temper, " icily; and she swept toward theentrance. 

I had lost. 

As the Princess drew near to Phyllis the brown eyes of the one met theblue-green eyes of the other. There was almost an exclamation onPhyllis's lips; there was almost a question on Gretchen's; both paled. Phyllis understood, but Gretchen did not, why the impulse to speakcame. Then the brown eyes of Phyllis turned their penetrating gaze tomy own eyes, which I was compelled to shift. I bowed, and the Princessand I passed on. 

By the grand staircase we ran into the Prince. His face wore adissatisfied air. 

"I was looking for Your Highness, " he said to Gretchen. "Your carriageis at the curb. Permit me to assist you. Ah, yes, " in English, "it isHerr Winthrop. I regret that the interview of to-morrow will have tobe postponed till Monday. "

"Any time, " said I, watching Gretchen whose eyes widened, "will beagreeable to me. "

Gretchen made as though to speak, but the Prince anticipated her. 

"It is merely a little discussion, Your Highness, " he said, "which HerrWinthrop and I left unfinished earlier in the evening. Good night. "

On the way to the cloak room it kept running through my mind that I hadlost. Thursday?--she said Thursday was the day of her wedding? Itwould be an evil day for me. 

Pembroke was in the cloak room. 

"Going?" he asked. 

"Yes. "

"Well, let us go together. Where shall it be--Egypt or the steppes ofSiberia?"

"Home first, " said I; "then we shall decide. "

When we got into the carriage we lit cigars. For some reason Pembrokewas less talkative than usual. Suddenly he pulled down the window, anda gust of snow blew in. Then up went the window again, but the cigarwas gone. 

"Has anything gone wrong?" I asked. 

"'One more unfortunate. . . . Make no deep scrutiny!'" he quoted. "Jack, she wouldn't think of it, not for a moment. Perhaps I was atrifle too soon. Yes, she is a Princess, indeed. As for me, I shallgo back to elephants and tigers; it's safer. "

"'The Bridge of Sighs, '" said I. "Let us cross it for good and all. "

"And let it now read 'Sighs Abridged. '"

He asked me no questions, and I silently thanked him. Once in ourrooms, he drank a little more brandy than I thought good for one "whomay or may not live the year out. " I told him so. He laughed. Andthen I laughed. Both of us did it theatrically; it was laughter, butit was not mirth. 

"Cousin, " said I, "that's the idea; let us laugh. Love may sit on thewindowsill and shiver to death. "

"That fellow Anacreon was a fool, " said Pembroke. "If the child ofVenus had been left then and there, what a lot of trouble might havebeen averted! What do you say to this proposition; the north, thebears and the wolves? I've a friend who owns a shooting box a fewmiles across the border. There's bears and gray wolves galore. Eh?"

"I must get back to work, " said I, but half-heartedly. 

"To the devil with your work! Throw it over. You've got money; yourbook is gaining you fame. What's a hundred dollars a week to you, andjumping from one end of the continent to the other with only an hour'snotice?"

"I'll sleep on it. "

"Good. I'll go to bed now, and you can have the hearth and the tobaccoto yourself. "

"Good night, " said I. 

Yes, I wanted to be alone. But I did not smoke. I sat and stared intothe flickering flames in the grate. I had lost Gretchen. . . . Tohold a woman in your arms, the woman you love, to kiss her lips, andthen to lose her! Oh, I knew that she loved me, but she was aPrincess, and her word was given, and it could not be. The wind sangmournfully over the sills of the window; thick snow whitened the panes;there was a humming in the chimneys. . . . She was jealous of Phyllis;that was why I knew that she loved me. . . . And the subtle change inPhyllis's demeanor towards me; what did it signify? . . . Gretchen wasto be married Thursday because there were no proofs that Phyllis washer sister. . . . What if Gretchen had been Phyllis, and Phyllis hadbeen Gretchen. . . . Heigho! I threw some more coals on the fire. The candle sank in the socket. There are some things we men cannotunderstand; the sea, the heavens and woman. . . . Suddenly I broughtboth hands down on my knees. The innkeeper! The innkeeper! He knew!In a moment I was rummaging through the stack of time tables. The nextsouth-bound train left at 3:20. I looked at the clock; 2:20. My dresssuit began to fly around on various chairs. Yes; how simple it was!The innkeeper knew; he had known it all these years. I threw my whitecravat onto the table and picked up the most convenient tie. In tenminutes from the time the idea came to me I was completely dressed intraveling garments. I had a day and a half. It would take twentyhours to fetch the innkeeper. I refused to entertain the possibilityof not finding him at the inn. I swore to heaven that the nuptials ofthe Princess Hildegarde of Hohenphalia and the Prince Ernst ofWortumborg should not be celebrated at noon, Thursday. I went into thebedroom. 

"Pembroke?"

"What is it?" came drowsily. 

"I am going on a journey. "

"One of those cursed orders you get every other day?" he asked. 

"No. It's one on my own account this time. I shall be back intwenty-four hours. Goodby!" And I left him there, blinking in the dimlight of the candle. 

I rushed into the street and looked up and down it. Not a vehicle insight. I must run for it. The railway station was a long way off. Afine snow pelted my face. I stopped at the first lamp and pulled outmy watch. It was twenty minutes to three. What if the time-tables hadbeen changed? A prayer rose to my lips; there was so much in thebalance. Down this street I ran, rounding this corner and that. Iknocked down a drunken student, who cursed me as he rolled into thegutter. I never turned, but kept on. One of the mounted police saw merushing along. He shaded his eyes for a moment, then called to me tostop. I swore under my breath. 

"Where are you going at such a pace and at this time of morning?" hedemanded. 

"To the station. I beg of you not to delay me. I am in a great hurryto catch the 3:20 south-bound train. If you doubt me, come to thestation with me. " An inspiration came to me. "Please see, " I addedimpressively, "that no one hinders me. I am on the King's business. "

"His Majesty's business? Ach! since when has His Majesty chosen anEnglishman to dispatch his affairs? I will proceed with you to thestation. "

And he kept his word. When he saw the gateman examine my ticket andpassports and smile pleasantly, he turned on his heel, convinced thatthere was nothing dangerous about me. He climbed on his horse andgalloped away. He might have caused me no end of delay, and time meanteverything in a case like mine. Scarcely had I secured a compartmentin a first-class carriage than the wheels groaned and the train rolledout of the station. My brow was damp; my hands trembled like anexcited woman's. Should I win? I had a broken cigar in my pocket. Ilit the preserved end at the top of the feeble carriage lamp. I hadthe compartment alone. Sleep! Not I. Who could sleep when the carwheels and the rattling windows kept saying, "The innkeeper knows! Theinnkeeper knows!" Every stop was a heartache. Ah, those eight hourswere eight separate centuries to me. I looked careworn and haggardenough the next morning when I stepped on the station platform. Iwanted nothing to eat; not even a cup of coffee to drink. 

To find conveyance to the inn was not an easy task. No one wanted totake the drive. Finally I secured a horse. There was no haggling overthe price. And soon I was loping through the snowdrifts in thedirection of the old inn. The snow whirled and eddied over the stubblefields; the winds sang past my ears; the trees creaked and the riverflowed on, black and sluggish. It was a dreary scene. It was bittercold, but I had no mind for that. On, on I went. Two miles were leftin the rear. The horse was beginning to breathe hard. Sometimes thesnow was up to his knees. What if the old man was not there? Theblood sank upon my heart. Once the horse struck a slippery place andnearly fell, but I caught him in time. I could now see the inn, perhaps a mile away, through the leafless trees. It looked dismalenough. The vines hung dead about it, the hedges were wild andscrawny, the roses I knew to be no more, and the squirrel had left hissummer home for a warmer nest in the forest. A wave of joy swept overme as I saw a thin stream of smoke winding above the chimney. Some onewas there. On, on; presently I flew up the roadway. A man stood onthe porch. It was Stahlberg. When I pushed down my collar his jawdropped. I flung the reins to him. 

"Where is the innkeeper?" I cried with my first breath. 

"In the hall, Herr. But--"

I was past him and going through the rooms. Yes, thank God, there hewas, sitting before the huge fireplace, where the logs crackled andseethed, his grizzled head sunk between his shoulders, lost in somedream. I tramped in noisily. He started out of his dream and lookedaround. 

"Gott!" he cried. He wiped his eyes and looked again. "Is it a dreamor is it you?"

"Flesh and blood!" I cried. "Flesh and blood!"

I closed the door and bolted it. He followed my movements with amixture of astonishment and curiosity in his eyes. 

"Now, " I began, "what have you done with the proofs which you took fromyour wife--the proofs of the existence of a twin sister of the PrincessHildegarde of Hohenphalia?"

CHAPTER XXI

The suddenness of this demand overwhelmed him, and he fell back intothe chair, his eyes bulging and his mouth agape. 

"Do you hear me?" I cried. "The proofs!" going up to him with clenchedfists. "What have you done with those proofs? If you have destroyedthem I'll kill you. "

Then, as a bulldog shakes himself loose, the old fellow got up andsquared his shoulders and faced me, his lips compressed and his jawsknotted. I could see by his eyes that I must fight for it. 

"Herr Winthrop has gone mad, " said he. "The Princess Hildegarde neverhad a sister. "

"You lie!" My hands were at his throat. 

"I am an old man, " he said. 

I let my hands drop and stepped back. 

"That is better, " he said, with a grim smile. "Who told you thisimpossible tale, and what has brought you here?"

"It is not impossible. The sister has been found. "

"Found!" I had him this time. "Found!" he repeated. "Oh, this is notcredible!"

"It is true. And to-morrow at noon the woman you profess to love willbecome the wife of the man she abhors. Why? Because you, you refuseto save her!"

"I? How in God's name can I save her?" the perspiration beginning tostand out on his brow. 

"How? I will tell you how. Prince Ernst marries Gretchen for herdowry alone. If the woman I believe to be her sister can be proved so, the Prince will withdraw his claims to Gretchen's hand. Do youunderstand? He will not marry for half the revenues of Hohenphalia. It is all or nothing. Now, will you produce those proofs? Will youhelp me?" The minute hand of the clock was moving around with deadlyprecision. 

"Are you lying to me?" he asked, breathing hard. 

"You fool! can't you see that it means everything to Gretchen if youhave those proofs? She will be free, free! Will you get those proofs, or shall your god-child live to curse you?"

This was the most powerful weapon I had yet used. 

"Live to curse me?" he said, not speaking to me, but to the thought. He sat down again and covered his face with his hands. The minutewhich passed seemed very long. He flung away his hands from his eyeswith a movement which expressed despair and resignation. "Yes, I willget them. It is years and years ago, " he mused absently; "so long agothat I had thought it gone and forgotten. But it was not to be. Iwill get the proofs, " turning to me as he left the chair. "Wait here. "He unbolted the door and passed forth. . . . It was a full confessionof the deception, written by the mother herself, and witnessed by herphysician, the innkeeper and his wife. Not even the King could contestits genuineness. 

"Where is this Dr. Salzberg?"

The innkeeper leaned against the side of the fireplace, staring intothe flames. 

"He is dead, " briefly. 

"Who was he?"

"Her late Highness's court-physician. Oh, have no fear, Herr; thisnew-found Princess of yours will come into her own, " with a bittersmile. 

"And why have you kept silent all these years?" I asked. 

"Why?" He raised his arms, then let them fall dejectedly. "I lovedthe Princess Hildegarde. I was jealous that any should share hergreatness. I have kept silent because I carried her in my arms tillshe could walk. Because her father cursed her, and refused to believeher his own. Because she grew around my heart as a vine grows around arugged oak. And the other? She was nothing to me. I had never seenher. My wife spirited her away when it was night and dark. I took theproofs of her existence as a punishment to my wife, who, without them, would never dare to return to this country again. Herr, when a manloads you with ignominy and contempt and ridicule for something you arenot to blame, what do you seek? Revenge. The Prince tried to crushthis lonely child of his. It was I who brought her up. It was I whotaught her to say her prayers. It was I who made her what she isto-day, a noble woman, with a soul as spotless as yonder snowdrift. That was my revenge. "

"Who are you?" I cried. For this innkeeper's affection and eloquenceseemed out of place. 

"Who am I?" The smile which lit his face was wistful and sad. "Thelaw of man disavows me--the bar sinister. In the eyes of God, who isaccountable for our being, I am Gretchen's uncle, her father's brother. "

"You?" I was astounded. 

"And who knows of this?"

"The King, the Prince--and you. "

I thrust a hand toward him. "You are a man. "

"Wait. Swear to God that Her Highness shall never know. "

"On my honor. "

Then he accepted my clasp and looked straight into my eyes. 

"And all this to you?"

"I love her. "

"And she?"

"It is mutual. Do you suppose she would have put her life before mineif not? She knew that the lieutenant would have killed me. "

"Ach! It never occurred to me in that light. I understood it to be afrolic of hers. Will you make her happy?"

"If an honest man's love can do it, " said I. "Now, get on your hat andcoat. You must go to the capital with me. The King would send for youin any case. The next train leaves at five, and to save Gretchen, these proofs must be in the Chancellor's hands to-morrow morning. "

"Yes, my presence will be necessary. Perhaps I have committed a crime;who knows?" His head fell in meditation. "Herr, and this othersister, has she been happy?"

"Happier than ever Gretchen. "

He had the sleigh brought around. Stahlberg was to ride my horse backto the village and return with the sleigh. We climbed into the seat, there was a crunching of snow, a jangle of bells, and we were glidingover the white highway. As I lay back among the robes, I tried toimagine that it was a dream, that I was still in New York, grindingaway in my den, and not enacting one of the principal roles in a courtdrama; that I was not in love with a woman who spoke familiarly tokings and grand dukes and princes, that I was not about to create aPrincess of whom few had vaguely heard and of whom but one had reallyknown; that Phyllis and I were once more on the old friendly grounds, and that I was to go on loving her till the end of time--till the endof time. 

"You have known this sister?" asked the innkeeper. 

"For many years, " said I. 

And those were the only words which passed between us during thatfive-mile drive. At the station I at once wired the Chancellor thatthe proofs had been found, and requested him to inform the King andPrince Ernst. And then another eight hours dragged themselves out ofexistence. But Gretchen was mine!

The King was dressed in a military blouse, and, save for the smallcross suspended from his neck by a chain of gold, there was nothingabout him to distinguish his rank. He strode back and forth, sometimesgoing the whole length of the white room. The Chancellor sat at a longmahogany table, and the Prince and Mr. Wentworth were seated at eitherside of him. The innkeeper stood before the Chancellor, at theopposite side of the table. His face might have been cut from granite, it was so set and impressive. I leaned over the back of a chair in therear of the room. The King came close to me once and fixed his keenblue eyes on mine. 

"Was this the fellow, Prince, " he asked, "who caused you all thetrouble and anxiety?"

I felt uneasy. My experience with Kings was not large. 

"No, Your Majesty, " answered the Prince. "The gentleman to whom yourefer has departed the scene. " The Prince caught the fire in my eye, and laughed softly. 

"Ah, " said the King, carelessly. "It is a strange story. Proceed, "with a nod to the Chancellor. 

"What is your name?" the Chancellor asked, directing his glance at theinnkeeper. 

The innkeeper gazed at the King for a space. The Prince was watchinghim with a mocking smile. 

"Hermann Breunner, Your Excellency. "

The King stood still. He had forgotten the man, but not the name. 

"Hermann Breunner, " he mused. 

"Yes, Your Majesty, " said the innkeeper. 

"The keeper of the feudal inn, " supplemented the Prince. 

The glance the innkeeper shot him was swift. The Prince suddenlybusied himself with the papers. 

"Are you aware, " went on the Chancellor, who had not touched theundercurrent, "that you are guilty of a grave crime?"

"Yes, Your Excellency. "

"Which is punishable by long imprisonment?"

The innkeeper bent his head. 

"What have you to say in your defense?"

"Nothing, " tranquilly meeting the frowning eyes of the King. 

"What was your object in defrauding the Princess--" the Chancelloropened one of the documents which lay before him--"the PrincessElizabeth of her rights?"

"I desired the Princess Hildegarde to possess all, " was the answer. Itwas also a challenge to the Prince to refute the answer if he dared. "I acknowledge that I have committed a crime. I submit to HisMajesty's will, " bowing reverentially. 

The King was stroking his chin, a sign of deep meditation in him. 

"Let Their Highnesses be brought in, " he said at last. 

The Chancellor rose and passed into the anteroom. Shortly he returned, followed by Gretchen. I could see by the expression in her face thatshe was mystified by the proceeding. 

"Her Highness the Princess Elizabeth is just leaving the carriage, "announced the Chancellor, retiring again. 

Gretchen looked first at the King, then at the Prince. As she saw theinnkeeper, a wave of astonishment rippled over her face. 

"Be seated, Your Highness, " said the King, kindly. 

She knew that I was in the room, but her eyes never left the King. 

The Prince was plucking at his imperial. The innkeeper's eyes wereriveted on the door. He was waiting for the appearance of her whom hehad wronged. Presently Phyllis came in. Her cheeks were red, and hereyes sparkled with excitement. Wentworth nodded reassuringly. Theinnkeeper was like one stricken dumb. He stared at Phyllis till Ithought his eyes would start from their sockets. 

"Your Majesty has summoned me?" said Gretchen. 

"Yes. Explain, " said the King to the Chancellor. 

"Your Highness, " began the Chancellor, "it has been proved by thesepapers here and by that man there, " pointing to the innkeeper, "thatyour mother of lamented memory gave birth to twins. One is yourself;the other was spirited away at the request of your mother. We shallpass over her reasons. It was all due to the efforts of this cleverjournalist here--" Gretchen was compelled to look at me now, while theKing frowned and the Prince smiled--"that your sister has been found. "

Gretchen gave a cry and started to go to Phyllis with outstretchedarms; but as Phyllis stood motionless she stopped, and her arms fell. 

"Your Highness, " said the King to Phyllis, "it is your sister, thePrincess Hildegarde. Embrace her, I beg you. "

The King willed it. But it occurred to me that there was a warmthlacking in the embrace. Gretchen lightly brushed with her lips thecheek of her sister, and the kiss was as lightly returned. There wassomething about it all we men failed to understand. 

"Moreover, " said the King, "she desires you to remain the sovereignPrincess of Hohenphalia. "

"Nay, Your Majesty, " said Gretchen, "it is I who will relinquish myclaims. Your Majesty is aware that I have many caprices. "

"Indeed, yes, " said the King. "And I can assure you that they havecaused me no small anxiety. But let us come to an understanding, onceand for all. Do you wish to abdicate in favor of your sister?"

Gretchen gave me the briefest notice. 

"Yes, Your Majesty. "

Phyllis was regarding me steadfastly. 

"This is final?" said the King. 

"It is. "

"And what is your will?" to Phyllis. "Yes, the likeness is trulyremarkable, " communing aloud to his thought. 

I could not suppress the appeal in my eyes. 

"Your Majesty, " said Phyllis, "if my sister will teach me how to becomea Princess, I promise to accept the responsibility. "

"You will not need much teaching, " replied the King, admiringly. 

"You will do this?--you, my sister?" asked Gretchen eagerly. 

"Yes. " There was no color now in Phyllis's cheeks; they were as whiteas the marble faun on the mantel. 

"Remember, Your Highness, " said the King, speaking to Gretchen, "thereshall be no recall. "

"Sire, " said the Prince, rising, "I request a favor. "

"And it shall be granted, " said the King, "this being your wedding day. "

It was Gretchen who now paled; the hands of the innkeeper closed; Iclutched the chair, for my legs trembled. To lose, after all!

"Ah, " said the Prince, "I thank Your Majesty. The favor I ask is thatyou will postpone this marriage--indefinitely. "

"What!" cried the King. He was amazed. "Have I heard you aright, ordo my ears play me false?"

"It is true. I thank Your Majesty again, " said the Prince, bowing. 

"But this is beyond belief, " cried the King in anger. "I do notunderstand. This marriage was at your own request, and now youwithdraw. Since when, " proudly, "was the hand of the PrincessHildegarde to be ignored?"

"It is a delicate matter, " said the Prince, turning the ring on hisfinger. "It would be impolite to state my reasons before Her Highness. Your Highness, are you not of my opinion, that, as matters now stand, amarriage between us would be rather absurd?"

"Now, as at all times, " retorted Gretchen, scornfully. "It has neverbeen my will, " a furtive glance at the King. 

"But--" began the King. He was wrathful. 

"Your Majesty, " said the innkeeper, "you are a great King; be agenerous one. "

All looked at him as though they expected to see the King fly at himand demolish him--all but I. The King walked up to the bold speaker, took his measure, then, with his hands clasped behind his back, resumedhis pacing. After a while he came to a standstill. 

"Your Highness, " he said to Phyllis, "what shall I do with this man whohas so grossly wronged you?"

"Forgive him. "

The King passed on. I was not looking at him, but at the innkeeper. Isaw his lip tremble and his eyes fill. Suddenly he fell upon his kneesbefore Phyllis and raised her hand to his lips. 

"Will Your Highness forgive a sinner who only now realizes the wrong hehas done to you?"

"Yes, I forgive you, " said Phyllis. "The only wrong you have done tome is to have made me a Princess. Your Majesty will forgive me, but itis all so strange to me who have grown up in a foreign land which isdearer to my heart than the land in which I was born. "

I felt a thrill of pride, and I saw that Mr. Wentworth's lips hadformed into a "God bless her!"

"It is a question now, " said the King, "only of duty. "

"And Your Majesty's will regarding my marriage?" put in the Prince, holding his watch in his hand. It was ten o'clock. 

"Well, well! It shall be as you desire. " Then to me: "I thank you inthe name of Their Highnesses for your services. And you, Mr. Wentworth, shall always have the good will of the King for presentingto his court so accomplished and beautiful a woman as Her Highness thePrincess Elizabeth. Hermann Breunner, return to your inn and remainthere; your countenance brings back disagreeable recollections. Ishall expect Your Highnesses at dinner this evening. Prince, I leaveto you the pleasant task of annulling your nuptial preparations. Goodmorning. Ah! these women!" as he passed from the room. "They are ourmothers, so we must suffer their caprices. "

And as we men followed him we saw Gretchen weeping silently onPhyllis's shoulder. 

The innkeeper touched the Prince. 

"I give you fair warning, " he said. "If our paths cross again, one ofus shall go on alone. "

"I should be very lonely without you, " laughed the Prince. "However, rest yourself. As the King remarked, your face recalls unpleasantmemories. Our paths shall not cross again. "

When the innkeeper and the Chancellor were out of earshot, I said: "Sheis mine!"

"Not yet, " the Prince said softly. "On Tuesday morn I shall kill you. "

CHAPTER XXII

The affair caused considerable stir. The wise men of diplomacy shooktheir heads over it and predicted grave things in store forHohenphalia. Things were bad enough as they were, but to have a womanwith American ideas at the head--well, it was too dreadful to think of. And the correspondents created a hubbub. The news was flashed toParis, to London, thence to New York, where the illustrated weekliesprinted full-page pictures of the new Princess who had but a few monthssince been one of the society belles. And everybody was wondering whothe "journalist" in the case was. The Chancellor smiled and saidnothing. Mr. Wentworth said nothing and smiled. A cablegram from NewYork alarmed me. It said: "Was it you?" I answered, "Await letter. "The letter contained my resignation, to take effect the moment my namebecame connected with the finding of the Princess Elizabeth. A week orso later I received another cablegram, "Accept resignation. Temptationtoo great. " In some manner they secured a photograph of mine, and Ibecame known as "The reporter who made a Princess;" and for many daysthe raillery at the clubs was simply unbearable. But I am skipping theintermediate events, those which followed the scene in the King'spalace. 

I was very unhappy. Three days passed, and I saw neither Phyllis norGretchen. The city was still talking about the dramatic ending ofPrince Ernst's engagement to the Princess Hildegarde, Twice I hadcalled at the Hohenphalian residence to pay my respects. Once I wastold that Their Highnesses were at the palace. The second time I wasinformed that Their Highnesses were indisposed. I became gloomy anddisheartened. I could not understand. Gretchen had not even thankedme for my efforts in saving her the unhappiness of marrying the Prince. And Phyllis, she who had called me "Jack, " she whom I had watched growfrom girlhood to womanhood, she, too, had forsaken me. I do not knowwhat would have become of me but for Pembroke's cheerfulness. 

Monday night I was sitting before the grate, reading for the hundredthtime Gretchen's only letter. Pembroke was buried behind the covers ofa magazine. Suddenly a yellow flame leaped from a pine log, and in itI seemed to read all. Gretchen was proud and jealous. She believedthat I loved Phyllis and had made her a Princess because I loved her. It was the first time I had laughed in many an hour. Pembroke lookedover his magazine. 

"That sounds good. What caused it?"

"A story, " I answered. "Some day I shall tell you all about it. Haveyou noticed how badly I have gone about lately?"

"Have I!" he echoed. "If I haven't had a time of it, I should like toknow!"

"Well, it is all over, " said I, placing a hand on his shoulder andsmiling into his questioning eyes. "Now if you will excuse me, cousinmine, I'll make a call on her Serene Highness the Princess Hildegarde. "

Just then the door opened and Pembroke's valet came in. He handed acard to me, and I read upon it, "Count von Walden. " I cast it intoPembroke's lap. 

"That's the man. He is the inseparable of the Prince of Wortumborg. "Then to the valet, "Show him up. "

"What's it all about?" asked Pembroke. 

"Honestly, I should like to run away, " I said musingly. The snow onthe housetops across the way sparkled in the early moonshine. "It'sabout a woman. If I live--ah!" I went to the door and swung it open. The Count gravely passed over the threshold. 

"Good evening, " he said, with a look of inquiry at Pembroke. 

"This gentleman, " said I, as I introduced him, "will second me in theaffair to-morrow morning. I suppose you have come to make the finalarrangements?"

"Pardon me, " began Pembroke, "but I do not understand--"

"Oh, I forgot. You are, " I responded, "to be my second in a duelto-morrow morning. Should anything happen to me, it were well to havea friend near by, better still a relative. Well, Count?"

"The Prince desires me to inform you that he has selected pistols atyour request, and despite the fact that he has only the use of his lefthand, he permits you to use either of yours. There will be one shoteach, the firing to be drawn for on the grounds. The time is six, theplace one mile out on the north road, in the rear of the Strasburg inn. I trust this is entirely satisfactory to you?"

"It is, " I answered. 

"Then allow me to bid you good night. " He bowed and backed toward thedoor. He remained a moment with his hand on the knob, gazing into myeyes. I read in his a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "Goodnight, " and he was gone. 

Pembroke stared at me in bewilderment. "What the devil--"

"It is a matter of long standing, " said I. 

"But a duel!" he cried, impatiently. "Hang me if I'll be your secondor let you fight. These are not the days of Richelieu. It is puremurder. It is against the law. "

"But I cannot draw back honorably, " I said. "I cannot. "

"I'll notify the police and have them stop it, " he said withdetermination. 

"And have us all arrested and laughed at from one end of the continentto the other. My dear cousin, that man shot the dearest friend I hadin the world. I am going to try to kill him at the risk of gettingkilled myself. He has also insulted the noblest woman that ever lived. If I backed down, I should be called a coward; the people who respectme now would close their doors in my face. "

"But you have everything to lose, and he has nothing to gain. "

"It cannot be helped, " said I. "The woman I love once fought a duelfor me; I cannot do less for her. You will be my second?"

"Yes. But if he wounds you, woe to him. "

"Very well, I'll leave you, " said I. 

It was not far to the residence of Their Highnesses, so I walked. Itwas a fine night, and the frost sang beneath my heels. I had neverfought a duel. This time no one would stand between. I was glad ofthis. I wanted Gretchen to know that I, too, was brave, but hithertohad lacked the opportunity to show it. It was really for her sake, after all, even though it would be something to avenge poor Hillars. And I wondered, as I walked along, would Gretchen and Phyllis love eachother? It was difficult to guess, since, though sisters, they wereutter strangers in lives and beliefs. Soon my journey came to an end, and I found myself mounting the broad marble steps of the Hohenphalianmansion. My heart beat swiftly and I had some difficulty in findingthe bell. 

The liveried footman took my card. 

"Present it to her Highness the Princess Hildegarde, " I said, as Ipassed into the hall. 

"Her Serene Highness has left town, I believe, Your Excellency. HerSerene Highness the Princess Elizabeth is dining at the palace. "

"Gone?" said I. 

"Yes, Your Excellency. " He examined my card closely. "Ah, allow me todeliver this note to you which Her Serene Highness directed me to doshould you call. "

My hands shook as I accepted the missive, and the lights began towaver. I passed out into the cold air. Gone? And why? I walked backto the rooms in feverish haste. Pembroke was still at his reading. 

"Hello! What brings you back so soon?"

"She was not at home, " I answered. I threw my coat and hat on thesofa. I balanced the envelope in my hand. For some moments Ihesitated to open it. Something was wrong; if all had been wellGretchen would not have left the city. I glanced at Pembroke. He wenton with his reading, unconcerned. Well, the sooner it was over, thebetter. I drew forth the contents and read it. 

"Herr Winthrop--Forgive the indiscretion of a Princess. On my honor, Iam sorry for having made you believe that you inspired me with thegrand passion. Folly finds plenty to do with idle minds. It was acaprice of mine which I heartily regret. There is nothing to forgive;there is much to forget. However, I am under great obligations to you. I am positive that I shall love my sister as I have never loved a humanbeing before. She is adorable, and I can well comprehend why youshould love her deeply. Forgive me for playing with what the Frenchcall your summer affections. I am about to leave for Hohenphalia toprepare the way for the new sovereign. Will you kindly destroy thatone indiscreet letter which I, in the spirit of mischief, wrote youlast autumn?

"The Princess Hildegarde. "

The envelope reminded me of a rusty scabbard; there was a very keenweapon within. I lit my pipe and puffed for a while. 

"Cousin, " said I, "I have a premonition that I shall not kill PrinceErnst of Wortumborg at six o'clock to-morrow morning. "

"What put that into your head? You are not going to back down, afterall, are you?"

"Decidedly not. Something strikes me that I shall miss fire. "

"Pshaw!" exclaimed Pembroke. "I have been thinking it over, and I'vecome to the conclusion that it would not be a bad plan to rid thisworld of a man like your Prince. It'll all come out right in the end. You will wed the Princess Hildegarde just as sure as--as I will not wedher sister. " He spoke the last words rapidly, as though afraid of them. 

"I shall never marry the Princess Hildegarde, " said I. "She has gone. "

"Gone? Where?"

"It matters not where. Suffice it is that she has gone. Pembroke, youand I were very unfortunate fellows. What earthly use have Princessesfor you and me? The little knowledge of court we have was gotten outof cheap books and newspaper articles. To talk with Kings andPrincesses it requires an innate etiquette which commoners cannotlearn. We are not to the manner born. These Princesses are butcandles; and now that we have singed our mothy wings, and are crippledso that we may not fly again, let us beware. This may or may not be mylast night on earth. . . . Let us go to the opera. Let us be originalin all things. I shall pay a prima donna to sing my requiem from thefootlights--before I am dead. "

"Jack!" cried Pembroke, anxiously. 

"Oh, do not worry, " said I. "I am only trying to laugh--but I can't!"

"Are you truly serious about going to the opera?" he asked. 

"Yes. Hurry and dress, " said I. 

I leaned against the mantel and stared into the flickering tongues offlame. A caprice? I read the letter again, then threw it into thegrate and watched the little darts of light devour it. Now and then aword stood out boldly. Finally the wind carried the brown ashes up thechimney, I would keep the other letter--the one she had asked for--andthe withered rose till the earth passed over me. She was a Princess; Iwas truly an adventurer, a feeble pawn on the chess-board. What had Ito do with Kings and bishops and knights? The comedy was about toend--perhaps with a tragedy. I had spoken my few lines and was goingbehind the scenes out of which I had come. As I waited for Pembrokethe past two years went by as in a panorama. I thought of the oldlawyer and the thousand-dollar check; the night at the opera withPhyllis; the meeting of Hillars and his story. "When there is nothingmore to live for, it is time to die. " If there was such a place asElysium in the nether world, Hillars and I should talk it all overthere. It is pleasant to contemplate the fact that when we are dead weshall know "the reason why. "

"Come along, " said Pembroke, entering. 

So we went to the opera. They are full of wonderful scenes, thesecontinental opera houses. Here and there one sees the brilliantuniforms, blue and scarlet and brown, glittering with insignias andsoftened by furs. Old men with sashes crossing the white bosoms oftheir linen dominate the boxes, and the beauty of woman is often lostin the sparkle of jewels. And hovering over all is an oppressivefragrance. Pembroke's glasses were roving about. Presently he touchedmy arm. 

"In the upper proscenium, " he said. 

It was Phyllis. The Chancellor and the Grand Duke of S---- were withher. 

"We shall visit her during the first intermission, " said I. 

"You had better go alone, " replied Pembroke. "I haven't the courage. "

The moment the curtain dropped I left the stall. I passed along thecorridor and soon stood outside the box in which Phyllis sat. Iknocked gently. 

"Enter!" said a soft voice. 

"Ah, " said the Chancellor, smiling as he saw me. "Duke, I believetheir Majesties are looking this way. Let us go to them. I am pleasedto see you, Herr Winthrop. Duke, this is the gentleman who has turnedus all upside down. "

The Duke bowed, and the two left me alone with Phyllis. 

There was an embarrassing silence, but she surmounted it. 

"Why have you not been to see me?" she asked. "Are you done with menow that you have made me a Princess?"

"I did call, but was told that you were indisposed, " said I. 

"It was because I did not see your card. I shall never be indisposedto my friends--the old ones. However, they will be crowding in hereshortly. Will you come and see me at four to-morrow afternoon?"

"Is it important?" I was thinking of the duel when I said this. 

"Very--to you. You have a strange funereal expression for a man who isabout to wed the woman he loves. "

"Your sister has left town?" not knowing what else to say. 

"Only for a few days; at least so she told me. Have you seen her?"

"No, I have not. A Princess!" dropping into a lighter tone. "Youcarry your honors well. It was to be expected of you. I might havemade you a Queen, but that would not have changed you any. "

"Thank you. Do you know, a title is a most wonderful drawingapparatus? Since Thursday it has been a continued performance ofpresentations. And I care absolutely nothing for it all. Indeed, itrests heavily upon me. I am no longer free. Ah, Jack, and to thinkthat I must blame you! I have been longing all the evening for thelittle garden at home. Yes, it will always be home to me. I am almostan alien. I would rather sell lemonade to poor reporters who had onlytwenty-five-cent pieces in their pockets than queen it over a peoplethat do not interest me and with whom I have nothing in common. " Shesmiled, rather sadly, I thought, at the remembrance of that gardenscene so long ago. 

"Time has a cruel way of moving us around, " said I, snapping the claspson my gloves, and pulling the fingers and looking everywhere but ather. I was wondering if I should ever see her again. "When is thecoronation to take place?"

"In June. The King does not wish to hurry me. You see, I must learnto be a Princess first. It was kind of him. And you will be atHohenphalia to witness the event?"

"If nothing happens. We live in a continual uncertainty. "

She regarded me somewhat strangely. 

"Is there a significance in that last sentence?"

"No, " I answered. I felt compelled to add something. "But here comesome of your new admirers. Their glittering medals will make me feelout of place if I remain. I shall do my best to accept yourinvitation. "

"Jack, you are hiding something from me. Are you going to leave thecity to search for her?"

"No, " said I. "The truth is, " with a miserable attempt to smile, "Ihave an engagement to-morrow morning, and it is impossible to tell howlong it will last. Good night. "

Fate played loose with me that night. As I was turning down thecorridor I ran into the Prince. He was accompanied by Von Walden andan attaché whom I knew. 

"Good evening, " said the Prince. "Do you not prefer the French opera, after all?"

"All good music is the same to me, " I answered, calmly returning hisamused look with a contemptuous one. "Wagner, Verdi, Gounod, or Bizet, it matters not. "

The attaché passed some cigarettes. Only the Prince refused. 

"No thanks. I am not that kind of a villain. " He laughed as heuttered these words, and looked at me. 

I would have given much to possess that man's coolness. 

"Till we meet again, " he said, as I continued on. "Shall I addpleasant dreams?"

"I am obliged to you, " I answered over my shoulder, "but I never havethem. I sleep too soundly. "

"Cousin, " said I, later, "what was that opera?"

"I forgot to bring along a program, " said Pembroke. 

CHAPTER XXIII

When Pembroke and I arrived at the Strasburg inn, on the north road, neither the Prince nor Von Walden were in evidence. I stepped from ourcarriage and gazed interestedly around me. The scene was a picturesqueone. The sun, but half risen, was of a rusty brass, and all east wasmottled with purple and salmon hues. The clearing, a quarter of a mileaway, where the Prince and I were to settle our dispute, was hiddenunder a fine white snow; and the barren trees which encircled it stoodout blackly. Pembroke looked at his watch. 

"They ought to be along soon; it's five after six. How do you feel?"regarding me seriously. 

"As nerveless as a rod of steel, " I answered. "Let us go in and ordera small breakfast. I'm a bit cold. "

"Better let it go at a cup of coffee, " he suggested. 

"It will be more consistent, that is true, " I said. "Coffee andpistols for two. "

"I'm glad to see that you are bright, " said Pembroke. "Hold out yourhand. "

I did so. 

"Good. So long as it doesn't tremble, I have confidence of the end. "

We had scarcely finished our coffee when the Prince, followed by VonWalden, entered. 

"Pardon me, " he said, "for having made you wait. "

"Permit me, " said I, rising, "to present my second; Mr. Pembroke, HisHighness Prince Ernst of Wortumborg. "

The two looked into each other's eyes for a space, and the Princenodded approvingly. 

"I have heard of Your Highness, " said my cousin, with a peculiar smile. 

"Some evil report, I presume?" laughed the Prince. 

"Many of them, " was the answer. 

The Prince showed his teeth. "Count, these Americans are a positiverefreshment. I have yet to meet one who is not frankness itself. Atyour pleasure!"

And the four of us left the inn and crossed the field. The first shotfell to me. Pembroke's eyes beamed with exultant light. Von Walden'sface was without expression. As for the Prince, he still wore thatbantering smile. He was confident of the end. He knew that I was atyro, whereas he had faced death many times. I sighed. I knew that Ishould not aim to take his life. I was absolutely without emotion;there was not the slightest tremble in my hand as I accepted thepistol. There is nothing like set purpose to still the tremors of aman's nerves. I thought of Hillars, and for a moment my arm stiffened;then I recalled Gretchen's last letter. . . . I fell to wonderingwhere the bullet would hit me. I prayed that his aim might be sure. 

"Many persons think that I am a man without compassion, " said thePrince, as we were about to step to our places. "I have an abundanceof it. You have everything to lose, and I have nothing to gain. If itis your desire, I shall be happy to explain that you wish to withdraw. But say the word. "

He knew what my reply would be. "Withdraw, " said I, "and have youlaugh at me and tell your friends that I acted the poltroon? Really, you do me injustice. "

"And do you hate me so very much?" mockery in his eyes. 

"Not now. I did hate you, but hatred is a thing we should not wasteany more than love. I have taken the bird and the nest from yourhands; that is more than enough. You are merely an object for scornand contempt and indifference now. No; I have no wish to withdraw. "

"You read between the lines, " he said. "Indeed, I should like nothingbetter than to have the privilege of calling you a poltroon and acoward and to tell your Princess of it. " He sauntered back to hisplace leisurely. 

"Aim the slightest to the left, " whispered Pembroke; "the wind willcarry it home. "

I pressed his hand. A moment later I stood facing the Prince. Ilifted the pistol and fired. Had the Prince been ten feet to the righthe must have been hit. I threw the smoking pistol aside, let my armsfall and waited. I could see that Pembroke was biting his lip to hidehis anxiety and disappointment. Slowly the Prince leveled the weaponat my breast. Naturally I shut my eyes. Perhaps there was a prayer onmy lips. God! how long that wait seemed to me. It became so tediousthat I opened my eyes again. The pistol arm of the Prince appeared tohave frozen in the air. 

"It is getting cold, " I cried. "Shoot, for God's sake shoot, and endit!"

In reply the Prince fired into the air, took the pistol by the barreland flung it at my feet. The rest of us looked on dumfounded. 

"They are all of the same kidney, Count, these Americans, " said he. "They would be dangerous as a nation were it not for their love ofmoney. " Then to me: "Go tell your Princess that I have given your lifeto you. "

"The devil take you!" I cried. The strain had been terrible. 

"All in good time, " retorted the Prince, getting into his coat andfurs. "Yesterday morning I had every intention of killing you; thismorning it was farthest from my thoughts, though I did hope to see youwaver. You are a man of courage. So was your friend. It is to beregretted that we were on different sides. Devil take the women; goodmorning!"

After the Count had gathered up the pistols, the two walked toward theinn. Pembroke and I followed them at a distance. 

"I wonder if he had any idea of what a poor shot you were?" musedPembroke. "It was a very good farce. "

"I aimed ten feet to the right, " said I. 

"What?"

"Yes. "

"Then you knew--"

"Pembroke, " said I, "I had no intention of killing him, or evenwounding him. And I never expected to leave this place alive. Something has occurred during the last twenty-four hours which we donot understand. "

"He was taking great risks. "

"It shows the man he is, " said I; and the remainder of the distance wasgone in silence. 

The carriages were in the road, a short way from the inn. Pembroke andI got into ours. As the Prince placed a foot on the step of his heturned once more to me. 

"Pardon me, " he said, "but I came near forgetting to tell you why I didnot kill you this morning. In some way your Princess came into theknowledge that we were going to fight it out as they did in the olddays. She came to my rooms, and there begged me to spare your life. There was a condition. It was that she get down on her knees tosue--down on her knees. Ah, what was your life compared to the joy ofher humiliation! Not in the figure of speech--on her living, mortalknees, my friend--her living knees!" The carriage door banged behindhim. 

It was only because Pembroke threw his arms around me that I did notleap out of the carriage. 

"Sit still, Jack, sit still! If she begged your life, it was becauseshe loves you. "

And, full of rage, I saw the carriage of the Prince vanish. As thecarriage vanished, so vanished the Prince from the scene of myadventures. It was but recently that I read of his marriage to thedaughter of a millionaire money lender; and, unlike the villain in thedrama, pursues the even tenor of his way, seemingly forgotten byretribution, which often hangs fire while we live. 

"There are some curious people in this world, " said Pembroke, when hehad succeeded in quieting me. 

I had no argument to offer. After a time I said: "To-morrow, cousin, we shall return to America, our native land. When we are older it willbe pleasant to recount our adventures. "

Arriving at our rooms, we found them in possession of a lieutenant ofthe guard hussars. He was drumming on the hearthstone with the end ofhis sword scabbard. As we entered he rose and briefly saluted us. 

"Which of you two gentlemen is Herr Winthrop?" he asked. 

"I am he, " said I. 

"His Majesty commands your immediate presence at the palace. "

"The King?"

"Yes. "

"Have you any idea what his desires are?"

"A soldier never presumes to know His Majesty's desires, only hiscommands. Let us begone at once, sir. I have been waiting for anhour. His Majesty likes dispatch. "

"It cannot be anything serious, " said I to Pembroke, who wore a worriedfrown. 

Perhaps the King had heard of the duel. I was in a mood to care butlittle what the King had heard, or what he was going to do. The thinguppermost in my mind was that Gretchen had begged my life of thePrince--and then run away!

At the palace the Chancellor met me in the anteroom. His face wasgrave almost to gloominess. 

"Have you ever seen a King angry?" he asked. "Ah, it is not a pleasantsight, on my word; least of all, to the one who has caused a King'sanger. "

"You alarm me, " I said. "Have I done aught to bring the anger of theKing upon my head?"

"Ah, but you have! The King is like a bear in his den. He walks backand forth, waving his hands, pulling his mustache and muttering direthreats. "

"Might I not take to my legs?" I asked. After all, I cared more than Ithought I should in regard to what the King might do to me. 

The Chancellor gave my back a sounding thump, and roared with laughter. 

"Cheerful, my son; be cheerful! You are a favorite already. "

"You bewilder me. "

"You have powerful friends; and if the King is angry you need have nofear. "

"I should like to know--" I began. 

"Ah!" interrupted the Chancellor, "the audience is ended; it is ourturn. The Austrian Ambassador, " he whispered as a gray-haired manpassed us, bowing. There was an exchange of courtesies, and once moreI stood before the King. 

"I believe you have kept me waiting, " said the King, "as Louis oncesaid. " He gazed at me from under knotted eyebrows. "I wish, "petulantly, "that you had remained in your own country. "

"So do I, Your Majesty, " I replied honestly. The Chancellor shook withlaughter, and the King glared at him furiously. 

"What is your name?" asked the King in a milder tone. He was holding amissive in his hand. 

"John Winthrop, " I answered. I was wondering what it was all about. 

"Were you born in America?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. "

"Is your family an honored one in your country?"

"It is, " I answered proudly. 

"Then, why in heaven's name do you scribble?" cried the King. 

"In my country one may have an honored name and still be compelled toearn a competence. "

"Ah, yes! After all, scribbling is better than owning a shop. " Thisis the usual argument of Kings. "Can you trace your pedigree very farback?" the King proceeded. 

"My ancestors came over in the Mayflower, " said I. 

"The Mayflower?" said the King, puzzled. 

"All the Americans, " explained the Chancellor, "went over in theMayflower. The ark and the Mayflower were the largest ships ever putto sea, Your Majesty. " To hide his smile, the Chancellor passed overto the window and began drawing pictures on the frosted panes. 

Continued the King: "If you loved one of my countrywomen, would you bewilling to sacrifice your own country? I mean, would you be willing toadopt mine, to become a naturalized citizen, to uphold its laws, toobey the will of its sovereign, and to take up arms in its defense?"

My knees began to knock together. "I should be willing, " I answered, "if I should never be called upon to bear arms against the country inwhich I was born. "

"I should never ask you to do that, " replied the King. 

"No; His Majesty has too wholesome a respect for America, " theChancellor interpolated. 

"Prince, " said the King, "go and finish your window panes. "

The Chancellor meekly obeyed. 

"This is your answer?" said the King to me. 

"Yes, Your Majesty. "

"Then marry the Princess Elizabeth, " he said, tossing the missive to me. 

"Yes, marry her, " said the irrepressible Chancellor; "and some day theKing will put a medal on your breast and make you a baron of the realm. Your Majesty, come and help me with this last pane. "

The Princess Elizabeth? I glanced at the writing on the envelope. Itwas Gretchen's. "And, Your Majesty, " I read, "it is true that theylove each other. Permit them to be happy. I ask your forgiveness forall the trouble I have caused you. I promise that from now on I shallbe the most obedient subject in all your kingdom. Hildegarde. " Idropped the letter on the table. 

"Your Majesty, " I began nervously, "there is some mistake. I do notlove Her Highness the Princess Elizabeth. "

The King and his Chancellor whirled around. The decorations on thepanes remained unfinished. The King regarded me with true anger, andthe Chancellor with dismay. 

"I love the Princess Hildegarde, " I went on in a hollow voice. 

"Is this a jest?" demanded the King. 

"No; on my honor. " For once I forgot court etiquette, and left off"Your Majesty. "

"Let me see the letter, " said the Chancellor, with a pacific purpose. "There is some misunderstanding here. " He read the letter and replacedit on the table--and went back to his window. 

"Well?" cried the King, impatiently. 

"I forgot, Your Majesty, " said the Chancellor. 

"Forgot what?"

"The letter was written by a woman. I remember when I was a boy, " wenton the Chancellor tranquilly, "I used to take great pleasure in drawingpictures on frosted window panes. Women always disturbed me. "

"Perhaps, Your Majesty, " said I, "it is possible that HerHighness . . . The likeness between her and her sister . . . Perhaps, knowing that I have known Her Highness Phyllis . . . That is, thePrincess Elizabeth . . . She may believe that I . . . " It was veryembarrassing. 

"Continue, " said the King. "And please make your sentencesintelligible. "

"What I meant to say was that Her Highness the Princess Hildegarde, believes that I love her sister instead of herself . . . Ithought . . . She has written otherwise . . . " And then I founderedagain. 

"Prince, " said the King, laughing in spite of his efforts to appearangry, "for pity's sake, tell me what this man is talking about!"

"A woman, " said the Chancellor. "Perhaps Her Highness the PrincessHildegarde. . . . That is, I believe. . . . She may love thisman . . . Perhaps thinking he loves the other. . . " He was mockingme, and my face burned. 

"Prince, do not confuse the man; he is bad enough as it is. " The Kingsmoothed away the remnant of the smile. 

"Your Majesty is right, " said I, desperately. "I am confused. I knownot what to say. "

"What would you do in my place?" asked the King of the Chancellor. 

"I should say in an ominous voice, 'Young man, you may go; but if youever enter our presence again without either one or the other of theHohenphalian Princesses as your wife, we shall confiscate your propertyand put you in a dungeon for the remainder of your natural days. ' Iput in the confiscation clause as a matter of form. Have you anyproperty?"

"What I have, " I answered, my confidence returning, "I can put in mypockets. "

"Good, " said the King. "What the Chancellor says is but just. See toit that his directions are followed. "

"Now, my King, " concluded the Chancellor, "put a medal on him and lethim go. "

"In time, " replied the King. "You may go, Herr Winthrop. "

"Go and scribble no more, " added the Chancellor. 

I could hear them laughing as I made my escape from the room. It couldnot be expected of me to join them. And Gretchen was as far away asever. Phyllis love me? It was absurd. Gretchen had played me thefool. She had been laughing at me all the time. Yet, she had beggedmy life of the Prince, and on her knees. Or, was it a lie of his? Oh, it seemed to me that my brain would never become clear again. 

In the afternoon at four I was ushered into the boudoir of Her Highnessthe Princess Elizabeth. It was Phyllis no longer; Phyllis had passed;and I became conscious of a vague regret. 

"I am glad, " she said, "that you were able to come. I wanted to speakto you about--about my sister. "

"Your Highness--"

She laughed. "Our interview shall end at once if you call me by thattitle. Sir, " with a gaiety which struck me as unnatural, "you arewitnessing the passing of Phyllis. It will not be long before sheshall pass away and never more return, and the name shall fade till itbecomes naught but a dear memory. Phyllis has left the green pasturesfor the city, and Corydon followeth not. "

"Phyllis, " said I, "you are cutting me to the heart. "

"But to the matter at hand, " she said quickly. "There is amisunderstanding between you and my sister Hildegarde. She sent methis letter. Read it. "

It differed but little from the one I had read in the King's chamberthat morning. I gave it back to her. 

"Do you understand?"

"I confess that I do not. It seems that I am never going to understandanything again. "

Phyllis balanced the letter on the palm of her hand. "You are so veryblind, my dear friend. Did you not tell her that there had beenanother affair? Do you not believe she thinks your regard for hermerely a matter of pique, of consolation? It was very kind of her tosacrifice herself for me. Some women are willing to give up all to seethe man they love made happy. My sister is one of those. But I shallrefuse the gift. Jack, can you not see that the poor woman thinks thatyou love me?" Phyllis was looking at me with the greatest possiblekindness. 

"I know not what she thinks. I only know that she has written me thatshe is sorry for having played with my affections. Phyllis, if sheloved me she would not leave me as she has done. "

"Oh, these doubting Thomases!" exclaimed Phyllis. "How do you knowthat she does not love you? Have you one true proof that she does not?No; but you have a hundred that she does. "

"But--"

"Do you love her?" demanded Phyllis, stamping her foot with impatience. 

"Love her? Have I not told you that I do?" gloomily. 

"And will you give her up because she writes you a letter? What hasink to do with love and a woman? If you do not set out at once to findher, I shall never forgive you. She is my sister, and by that I knowthat you cannot win her by sitting still. Go find her and tell herthat you will never leave her till she is your wife. I do not mean toinfer, " with a smile, "that you will leave her after. Go to her as amaster; that is the way a woman loves to be wooed. Marry her and behappy; and I shall come and say, 'Heaven bless you, my children. ' Ihave accepted the renunciation of her claims so that she may be free towed you. If you do not find her, I will. Since I have her promise toteach me the lesson of being a Princess, she cannot have gone far. Andwhen you are married you will promise to visit me often? I shall bevery lonely now; I shall be far away from my friends; I shall be in aprison, and men call it a palace. "

"I will promise you anything you may ask, " I said eagerly. A new hopeand a new confidence had risen in my heart. I wonder where man got theidea that he is lord of creation when he depends so much upon woman?"And you will really be my sister, too!" taking her hands and kissingthem. "And you will think of me a little, will you not?"

"Yes. " She slowly withdrew her hands. "If you do not find her, writeto me. "

"Your Highness, it is my hope that some day you will meet a Prince whowill be worthy of you, who will respect and honor you as I do. "

"Who can say? You have promised the King to become a subject ofHohenphalia. "

"Yes. "

"Then you will be a subject of mine. It is my will--I am in asovereign mood--that you at once proceed to find Hildegarde, and I willgive her to you. "

We had arrived at the head of the stairs. The departing light of thesmoldering sun poured through the stained windows. The strands of herhair were like a thousand flames, and her eyes had turned to gold, andthere was a smile on her lips which filled me with strange uneasiness. I kissed her hands again, then went down the stairs. At the foot Iturned. 

"Auf wiedersehen!"

"Good-by!"

My ear detected the barest falter in her voice, and something glistenedon her eyelashes. . . . Ah! why could not the veil have remainedbefore my eyes and let me gone in darkness? Suddenly I was lookingacross the chasm of years. There was a young girl in white, a tableupon which stood a pitcher. It was a garden scene, and the air wasrich with perfumes. The girl's hair and eyes were brown, and therewere promises of great beauty. Then, as swiftly as it came, the visionvanished. 

On reaching the street I was aware that my sight had grown dim and thatthings at a distance were blurred. Perhaps it was the cold air. 

CHAPTER XXIV

Immediately Pembroke and I journeyed to the feudal inn. When wearrived a mixture of rain and snow was falling. But I laughed at that. What if I were drenched to the skin with chill rain and snow, my heartwas warm, warmer than it had been in many a day. Woman is infalliblewhen she reads the heart of another. Phyllis said that Gretchen lovedme; it only remained for me to find her. Pembroke began to grumble. 

"I am wet through, " he said, as our steaming horses plodded along inthe melting snow. "You might have waited till the rain let up. "

"I'm just as wet as you are, " I replied, "but I do not care. "

"I'm hungry and cold, too, " he went on. 

"I'm not, so it doesn't matter. "

"Of course not!" he cried. "What are my troubles to you?"

"Nothing!" I laughed and shook the flakes from my sleeves. "Cousin, Iam the happiest man in the world. "

"And I'm the most dismal, " said he. "I wish you had brought along anumbrella. "

"What! Ride a horse with an umbrella over you? Where is your sense ofromance?"

"Romance is all well enough, " said he, "when your stomach is full andyour hide is dry. If you can call this romance, this five-mile ridethrough rain and snow, you are gifted with a wonderful imagination. "

"It is beautiful here in the summer, " defensively. 

"I wish you had waited till then, or brought a mackintosh. YourPrincess would have kept. " He shoved his head deeper into his collar, and began to laugh. "This is the discomfort man will go through forlove. If she is a true woman she will feed you first and explainafterward. But, supposing she is not here?"

"Where else can she be?" I asked. 

"The world is very large--when a woman runs away from you. "

This set me thinking. If she shouldn't be there! I set my teeth andgave the horse a cut, sending him into a gallop, which I forced him tomaintain till the end. At length we turned into the roadway. A man Ihad never seen before came out. 

"Where is the innkeeper?" I asked, my heart sinking. 

"He is not here, " was the answer, "Is Her Highness the Princess Hildegarde--"

"Her Highness?" he cried, in astonishment. "She has never been here. This is an inn; the castle is in the village. "

"How long have you been here?" asked Pembroke. 

"Two weeks, Your Highness. " Doubtless he thought us to be highpersonages to be inquiring for the Princess. 

"Is Stahlberg here?" I asked. 

"He is visiting relatives in Coberg, " was the answer. 

"Do you know where Her Highness is?"

"No. " It occurred to me that his voice had taken to sullen tones. 

"When will the innkeeper be back?"

The fellow shrugged his shoulders. "I cannot say, Your Highness. Theinn is not open for guests till March. "

"Jack, " said Pembroke in English, "it is evident that this fellow hasbeen instructed to be close-lipped. Let us return to the village. Thecastle is left. " He threw some coins to the servant and they rattledalong the porch. "Come. " And we wheeled and trotted away. 

I cannot tell how great was my disappointment, nor what I did or said. The ride back to the village was a dreary affair so far as conversationwent. At the castle we found not a soul. 

"It is as I expected, " said Pembroke. "Remember that Her Highness isaccustomed to luxury, and that it is not likely for her to spend herwinter in such a deserted place. You're a newspaper man; you ought tobe full of resources. Why don't you telegraph to all the news agenciesand make inquiries? She is a personage, and it will not be difficultto find her if you go at it the right way. "

I followed his advice, and the first return brought me news. Gretchenwas at present in Vienna. So we journeyed to Vienna, futilely. Thencommenced a dogged, persistent search. I dragged my cousin hither andthither about the kingdom; from village to train, from train to city, till his life became a burden to him and his patience threadbare. AtHohenphalia, the capital, we were treated coldly; we were not known;they were preparing the palace for the coronation of Her SereneHighness the Princess Elizabeth; the Princess Hildegarde might be inBrussels. At Brussels Her Highness was in Munich, at Munich she was inHeidelberg, and so on and so on. It was truly discouraging. Thevaguest rumor brought me to the railway, Pembroke, laughing andgrumbling, always at my heels. At last I wrote to Phyllis; it was theone hope left. Her reply was to the effect that she, too, did not knowwhere her sister was, that she was becoming a puzzle to her, andconcluded with the advice to wait till the coronation, when Gretchenwould put in appearance, her presence being imperative. So weeksmultiplied and became months, winter passed, the snows fell from themountains, the floods rose and subsided, summer was at hand with herwhite boughs and green grasses. May was blooming into June. StillGretchen remained in obscurity. Sometimes in my despair I regrettedhaving loved her, and half resolved to return to Phyllis, where (and Iflushed at the thought!) I could find comfort and consolation. Andyet--and yet!

"I shall be a physical wreck, " said Pembroke, when we finally returnedto B----, "if you keep this up much longer. "

"Look at me!" was my gloomy rejoinder. 

"Well, you have that interesting pallor, " he admitted, "which womenascribe to lovers. "

Thrusting my elbows on the table, I buried my chin in my hands andstared. After a while I said: "I do not believe she wants to be found. "

"That has been my idea this long while, " he replied, "only I did notwish to make you more despondent than you were. "

So I became resigned--as an animal becomes resigned to its cage. Iresolved to tear her image from my heart, to go with Pembroke to thejungles and shoot tigers; to return in some dim future bronzed, gray-haired and noted. For above all things I intended to get at mybooks again, to make romances instead of living them. 

There were times when I longed to go to Phyllis and confide my troublesto her, but a certain knowledge held me back. 

One morning, when I had grown outwardly calm, I said to Pembroke:"Philip, I shall go with you to India. "

"Here is a letter for you, " he replied; "it may change your plans. "

My mail, since leaving the journalistic field, had become so small thatto receive a letter was an event. As I stretched forth a hand for theletter my outward calm passed swiftly, and my heart spoke in a voice ofthunder. I could not recall the chirography on the envelope. Thehand, I judged, which had held the pen was more familiar with flays andscythes. Inside of the envelope I discovered only six words, but theymeant all the world to me. "She is here at the inn. " It was unsigned. I waved the slip of paper before Pembroke's eyes. 

"She is found!" I cried. 

"Then go in search of her, " he said. 

"And you will go with me?"

"Not I! I prefer tigers to princesses. By the way, here is an articlein the Zeitung on the coming coronation of Her Serene Highness thePrincess Elizabeth of Hohenphalia. I'm afraid that I shan't be presentto witness the event. " He thrust the paper into my hands andapproached the window, out of which he leaned and stared at the gardenflowers below. . . . "When I asked her why it could not be, sheanswered that she had no love to give in return for mine. " Presentlyhe rapped his pipe on the sill and drew in his head. His brow waswrinkled and his lips were drawn down at the corners. With some shameI remembered that I had thought only of myself during the past fewmonths. "Jack, " he said, "I have gone around with you for theexcitement of it, for the temporary forgetfulness, and because I wantedto see you well cared for before I left you. The excitement took mymind from my own malady, but it has returned to-day with all its oldviolence. There is the same blood in our veins. We must have onewoman or none. I must get away from all this. We are at the partingof the ways, old man. To-night I leave for India. The jungle is agreat place. I am glad for your sake that you are not to go with me. Sometimes one gets lost. "

"She may change her mind, " I said, putting a hand on his. "Most womendo. "

"Most admit of exceptions, " he replied, regarding me with earnest eyesas if to read what was going on behind mine. "There are some women whonever change. Her Highness is one of these. As I remarked before, shehas no love to give me; it is gone, and as it is gone without reward, she will make no attempt to recall it to give to another. I love herall the more for that. The game fate plays with our hearts is a cruelone. For one affinity there are ten unfinished lives. Her Highnessloves a good man. "

My hand fell from his, and I went over to the window. This was thefirst intimation he had given to me that he knew the secret, the secretwhich had made me so sad, the secret which I tried not to believe. 

"You are determined to go to India?" I said, without turning my head. I could find no other words. 

"Yes. It will be the best thing in the world. "

"You will promise to write?"

"Whenever I strike the post. Marry and be happy; it is the lot of thefew. "

That night he started for Bombay, by the way of England, and the nextmorning I put out for the feudal inn. 

CHAPTER XXV

I was passing along the highway, a pipe between my teeth. It was thebeginning of twilight, that trysting hour of all our reveries, when theold days come back with a perfume as sweet and vague as that whichhovers over a jar of spiced rose leaves. I was thinking of the yearwhich was gone; how I first came to the inn; of the hour when I firstheld her in my arms and kissed her, and vowed my love to her; of theparting, when she of her own will had thrown her arms about my neck andconfessed. The shadows were thickening on the ground, and the voicesof the forests were hushed. I glanced at the western sky. It was likea frame of tarnished gold, waiting for night with her diadem of starsto step within. The purple hills were wrapping themselves in robes ofpearly mists; the flowing river was tinted with dun and vermilion; andone by one the brilliant planets burst through the darkening blues ofthe heavens. The inn loomed up against the sky, gray and lonely. Behind me, far away down the river, I could catch occasional glimpsesof the lamps of the village. Presently there came a faint yellow glowin the east, and I knew that Diana was approaching. 

 She tosses loose her locks upon the night, And, through the dim wood Dian threads her way. 

A wild sweetness filled the air. I was quite half a mile from the inn, yet I could smell the odor of her roses, Gretchen's roses. It was along and weary year which had intervened. And now she was there, onlya short way from my arms. But she did not know that I was coming. Amillion diamonds sprang into the air whenever I struck the lush grasseswith my cane. Everywhere I breathed the perfume of her roses. Theyseemed to hide along the hedges, to lurk among the bushes, red rosesand white. On the hill, across the valley, I saw the little cemeterywith its white stones. I arrested my steps and took off my hat. Thedust of Hillars lay there. I stood motionless for some time. I hadloved the man as it is possible for one man to love another. I had notthought of him much of late; but in this life we cannot always stand bythe grave of those who have gone before. He had loved Gretchen with alove perhaps less selfish than mine, for he had sacrificed his lifeuselessly for her that she might--be mine! Mine! I thought. And whowas I that she should love me instead of him? All the years I hadknown him I had known but little of him. God only knows the hearts ofthese men who rove or drift, who, anchorless and rudderless, beat uponthe ragged reels of life till the breath leaves them and they passthrough the mystic channel into the serene harbor of eternity. Asudden wave of dissatisfaction swept over me. What had I done in theworld to merit attention? What had I done that I, and not he, shouldknow the love of woman? Why should I live to-day and not he? From outthe silence there came no answer; and I continued on. It was life. Itwas immutable, and there was no key. 

The lights of the inn cheered me and lifted the gloom. Should I enterby stealth or boldly? I chose the second method. Gretchen and theinnkeeper were in the old hall. I entered and threw my traps into acorner. As they turned and saw me consternation was written on theirfaces. 

"I have found you at last, " I said, holding out a hand to each of them. The innkeeper thrust his hands behind his back and sauntered leisurelytoward the window. Gretchen showed signs of embarrassment, and hereyes were studiously fixed on the cracks which yawned here and there inthe floor. My hands fell unnoticed. 

"You have been looking for us?" she asked in even tones. "Why haveyou?"

Vaguely I gazed at her, at the innkeeper, then at my traps in thecorner. It was apparent that I was an intruder. I struck my foreheadin anger and despair. Triple fool that I was! I was nothing to her. She had told me so, and I had not believed. 

"Yes; why?" asked the innkeeper, turning around. 

"I believe, " said I, my voice trembling, "that I am an unwelcome guest. Is it not so?"

"Oh, as for that, " said the innkeeper, observing Gretchen, "this is apublic inn, on the highway. All wayfarers are of necessity welcome. "

"Go, then, and prepare me a supper, " said I. "I am indeed hungry, having journeyed far. " I wanted him out of the room. 

The innkeeper appeared not to have the slightest intention of leavingthe room to do my bidding. 

"Yes, Hermann, " said Gretchen, coloring, "go and prepare HerrWinthrop's supper. "

"Thank you, " said I, with a dismal effort to be ironical. 

The innkeeper, a puzzling smile on his lips, passed out. 

"Gretchen, " I burst forth, "in heaven's name what does this mean? Ihave hunted for you day after day, week after week, month after month. I have traveled the four ends of the continent. I have lived--Oh, I donot know how I have lived! And when I do find you, it is for this!"My voice broke, and I was positively on the verge of tears. 

"And was all this fair to her?" asked Gretchen, coldly. 

"To her? I do not understand. "

"I mean, was all this fair to my sister?"

"Gretchen, " a light piercing the darkness, "has she not written to you?"

"A long time ago. She wanted to see me on an important matter, but Icould not change my plans at the time. I shall see her at the palacenext week. Ought you not to be with her instead of here?"

"Why should I be with her?"

Gretchen laughed, but the key was false. 

"Are you not going to marry her? Surely, it is easy after the King hasgiven his permission. Have you already fallen out of love with her, after all your efforts to make her a Princess? Truly, man is asunstable as sand and water! Ah, but you fooled us all to the top ofour bent. You knew from the first that she was a Princess; but youcould not find the proofs. Hermann and I were the means to the end. But who shall blame you? Not I! I am very grateful to you for havinggiven to me a sister. And if you fooled me, I returned measure formeasure. It is game and quit. Time hung heavy on my hands, and thevictory, however short, was amusing. "

"I never loved her!" I cried. Where were the words I needed?

"So much the worse for you, " disdainfully. "But here comes Hermann toannounce your supper. "

"I shall not break the bread of inhospitality, " said I, in thebitterness of my despair. I gathered up my traps--and then I let themtumble back. The needed words came with a rush to my lips. I wentclose to her. "Why did you humiliate yourself in begging my life ofthe Prince? Why, if my life was nothing to you? Answer. Why did youstoop to your knees to that man if I was worthless to you? Why?"

Her cheeks grew red, then white; her lips formed words which she couldnot speak. 

"Herr Winthrop's supper is ready, " announced the innkeeper. 

"Go and eat it!" I said childishly. 

"Your appetite is gone then?" imperturbably. 

"Yes, and get you gone with it!"

The innkeeper surveyed me for a space. "Will you kindly tell me fromwhom you received the information that Her Highness was at the inn?"

I produced the unsigned letter. He read it carefully, while Gretchenlooked on nervously. 

"Ach!" said the innkeeper, "that Stahlberg! He shall be dismissed. "

Unhappily for him, that individual was just passing along the corridor. The innkeeper signaled him to approach. 

"How dared you?" began the innkeeper, thrusting the letter underStahlberg's nose. 

"Dare?--I?--Herr, " said the big fellow, "I do not understand. What isit you accuse me of?"

"This, " cried the innkeeper: "You have written to Herr Winthrop andtold him that Her Highness was at the inn. And you were expresslyforbidden to do so. "

Stahlberg looked around blankly. "I swear to heaven, Herr--"

"Do not prevaricate!" the innkeeper interrupted. "You know that youwrote this. "

"Stahlberg, " I cried excitedly; "tell me why you wrote this note to meand I'll see that you are taken care of the rest of your days. "

"I forbid him!" commanded Gretchen in alarm. 

"As God hears me, Herr, " said Stahlberg stoutly. "I wrote not a lineto you or to any one. "

"Oh!" cried the innkeeper, stamping. "And you deny that you havewritten here that you saw Her Highness in the garden three nights ago?"

Gretchen was beginning to grow terrified for some reason. I myself wasfilled with wonder, knowing well enough that nothing about a garden hadbeen written in the note I had received. 

"Do you dare deny, " went on the implacable old man, "that you havewritten here that you saw Her Highness in the garden, and that she wasweeping and murmuring this man's name?"

"Oh!" cried Gretchen, gazing wildly at the door. 

The innkeeper suddenly took the bewildered giant by the shoulders andpushed him from the room, following him swiftly; and the door closednoisily behind them. 

My heart was in flames. I understood all now, though I dare sayGretchen didn't. All at once, her head fell on the back of the chairfrom which she had but lately risen. She was weeping silently anddeeply. I did not move, but stood watching her, drinking in withexultation the loveliness of a woman in tears. She was mine, mine, mine! The innkeeper had not really known her heart till the night inthe garden to which he so adroitly referred; then he had made up hismind that things were not as they should be, and had sent me thatanonymous note. Mine at last, I thought. Somehow, for the first timein my life I felt what is called masterful; that is to say, not allheaven and earth should take her away from me now. Softly I passedover to her side and knelt at her feet. I lifted the hem of her gownand pressed it to my lips. 

"My Princess!" I murmured, "all mine. " I kissed her unresisting hand. Then I rose and put my arms around her. She trembled but made noeffort to withdraw. "I swear to you, Gretchen, that I will never leaveyou again, not if the King should send an army against me, which hewill never do, since he has commanded that I marry you. Beware! It isa dangerous thing to trifle with a King's will. And then, even if theKing should change his mind, I should not. You are mine. I shouldlike to know if I haven't won you! Oh, they do well to call youPrincess Caprice. Oh, Gretchen, " falling back to humble tones, "what aweary year has been wasted. You know that I love you; you have neverreally doubted it; you know that you have not. Had you gone to yoursister when she wrote to you, she would have told you that it was foryou alone that I made her a Princess; that all my efforts were to makeyou free to wed. Gretchen, you will not send me away this time, willyou? You will be kind and bid me to stay?"

"She loves you, " whispered Gretchen. 

This admitted no reply. I simply pressed my lips to her hair. Thesobs were growing audibly less. 

"I read it in her eyes, " persisted Gretchen. 

"Gretchen, answer me: do you love me?"

"Yes. "

I placed my hands against her temples, and turned her head around sothat those blue-green eyes, humid and tearful, looked into mine. 

"Oh, I cannot deny it. If I wrong her in accepting your love, it isbecause I cannot help it. I love you better than all the world; sowell do I love you that--" Her head sank on my heart, and her sobsbegan afresh. 

"That what, Gretchen?" I asked. 

"Nothing. " By and by she said; "Keep faith with me, and I promise tolove as few women can. "

Then I kissed her lips. "Gretchen?"

"What is it?"

"I have an idea that we shall be very happy. Now let us go and maketerms of peace with the innkeeper. "

We found him alone in the barroom. 

"Gretchen, " said I, "read this note. "

As her eyes ran over those six words, she blushed. 

"Hermann, " she said, "you have betrayed me. "

"And when will Your Highness order me out to be shot?" asked he, smiling. 

"At sunrise; but I shall blindfold the soldiers and take the chargesfrom their guns. I forgive you. "

"Now, Hermann, " said I, "fill me up a stein. " I held it high above myhead. "A health! Long live the King! Long live Her Serene Highnessthe Princess--"

"Elizabeth, " said Gretchen, gently. "I fear she has lost somethingwhich is never to be found again. "

I drained the stein, and as I set it down I thought: Phyllis is so faraway and Gretchen is so near!

"Let us go into the garden, " said I. 

For a long time we wandered here and there, saying nothing. I wasthinking that I had found a castle at last which neither tides norwinds nor sudden awakenings could tumble down. 

"Gretchen, you must never take up the sword again. "

"Only in my lord's defence. " From the movement of her arm, which clungto mine, I knew that she was laughing. 

The moon had risen, the round and mellow moon of summer. The silvermists of night wavered and sailed through the aisles of the forests, and from the river came the cool fresh perfume of the river rush. 

"And so you really love me?" I asked. 

"I do. "

"Why do you love me?"

"Because, " said Gretchen.