The Prince of Graustark

  CHAPTER XVI

  THREE MESSAGES

  Miss Guile lowered her head for an instant. Robin could see that herlip was quivering. A vast pity for her took possession of him and hewas ashamed of what he now regarded as unexampled meanness of spirit onhis own part. She lifted her shamed, pleading eyes to search his, as ifexpecting to find succour in their fearless depths. She found themgleaming with indignation, suddenly aroused, and was instantlyapprehensive. There was a look in those eyes of his that seemedprophetic of dire results unless she checked the words that were risingto his lips. She shook her head quickly and, laying a hand upon hisarm, turned to the waiting magistrate.

  "My name is--Oh, is there no way to avoid the publicity--" she sighedmiserably--"the publicity that--"

  "I regret, Mademoiselle, that there is no alternative--" began theJudge, to be interrupted by the banging of the court-room door. Helooked up, glaring at the offender with ominous eyes. The politeattendant from the outer corridor was advancing in great haste. He wasnot only in haste but vastly perturbed.

  Despite the profound whack of the magistrate's paper weight on thehollow top of the desk and the withering scowl that went with it, theattendant rushed forward, forgetting his manners, his habits and hispower of speech in one complete surrender to nature. He thrust into thehand of the Judge a slip of paper, at the same time gasping somethingthat might have been mistaken for an appeal for pardon but which morethan likely was nothing of the sort.

  "What is this?" demanded the Judge ferociously.

  "Mon dieu!" replied the attendant, rolling his eyes heavenward.

  The magistrate was impressed. He took up the slip of paper and readwhat was written thereon. Then he was guilty of a start. The nextinstant he had the prosecutor up beside him and then the advocate.Together they read the message from the outside and together theylifted three pairs of incredulous eyes to stare at the culprits below.There was a hurried consultation in excited whisperings, intermittentstares and far from magisterial blinkings.

  Robin bent close to Bedelia's ear and whispered: "We must have killedsome one, the way they are acting."

  Her face was glowing with triumph. "No. Luck is with us, Mr. Schmidt.You'll see!"

  The magistrate cleared his throat and beamed upon them in a mostfriendly fashion.

  Robin grasped the situation in a flash. His own identity had beenrevealed to the Judge. It was not likely that the daughter of WilliamBlithers could create such lively interest in a French court ofjustice, so it _must_ be that Gourou or Quinnox had come to the rescue.The court would not think of fining a prince of the royal blood, law orno law!

  "M'sieur, Mademoiselle, will you be so good as to resume your seats? Anextraordinary condition has arisen. I shall be obliged to investigate.The trial must be interrupted for a few minutes. Pardon the delay. Ishall return as quickly as possible. _Sergent!_ See that Mademoiselleand M'sieur are made comfortable."

  He descended from the bench and hurried into the corridor, followedclosely by the prosecutor and the advocate, both of whom almost trod onhis heels. This may have been due to the fact that they were slightermen and more sprightly, but more than likely it was because they wereunable to see where they were going for the excellent reason that theywere not looking in that direction at all.

  Policemen and attendants, mystified but impressed, set about to makethe culprits comfortable. They hustled at least a half dozen roomychairs out of an adjoining chamber; they procured palm-leaf fans andeven proffered the improbable--ice-water!--after which they betookthemselves to a remote corner and whispered excitedly at each other,all the while regarding the two prisoners with intense interest. Eventhe despairing footman and chauffeur exhibited unmistakable signs oflife.

  "I fancy my friends have heard of our plight, Mr. Schmidt," she said,quite composedly. "We will be released in a very few minutes."

  He smiled complacently. He could afford to let her believe that herfriends and not his were performing a miracle.

  "Your friends must be very powerful," he said.

  "They are," said she, with considerable directness.

  "Still, we are not out of the scrape yet, Miss Guile," he remarked,shaking his head. "It may be a flash in the pan."

  "Oh, please don't say that," she cried in quick alarm. "I--I should dieif--if we were to be sent to--"

  "Listen to me," he broke in eagerly, for an inspiration had come tohim. "There's no reason why you should suffer, in any event. ApparentlyI am a suspected person. I may just as well be a kidnapper as not. Youmust allow me to inform the Judge that I was abducting you, so thathe--"

  "How absurd!"

  "I don't in the least mind. Besides, I too have powerful friends whowill see that I am released in a day or two. You--"

  "You cannot hope to convince the Judge that you were abducting me in myown automobile--or at least in one belonging to my friends, who areirreproachable. I am very much obliged to you for thinking of it, Mr.Schmidt, but it is out of the question. I couldn't allow you to do itin the first place, and in the second I'm sure the court wouldn'tbelieve you."

  "It was I who suggested running away from those detectives," heprotested.

  "But I jumped at the chance, didn't I?" she whispered triumphantly. "Iam even guiltier than thou. Can you ever forgive me for--"

  "Hush!" he said, in a very low voice. His hand fell upon hers as itrested on the arm of the chair. They were in the shadows. She looked upquickly and their eyes met. After a moment hers fell, and she gentlywithdrew her hand from its place of bondage. "We are pals, Bedelia," hewent on softly. "Pals never go back on each other. They sink or swimtogether, and they never stop to inquire the reason why. When it comesto a pinch, one or the other will sacrifice himself that his pal may besaved. I--"

  "Please do not say anything more," she said, her eyes strangely seriousand her voice vibrant with emotion. "Please!"

  "I have a confession to make to you," he began, leaning still closer."You have taken me on faith. You do not know who or what I am. I--"

  She held up her hand, an engaging frown in her eyes. "Stop! This is noplace for confessions. I will not listen to you. Save your confessionsfor the magistrate. Tell him the truth, Mr. Schmidt. I am content towait."

  He stared for an instant, perplexed. "See here, MissGuile,--Bedelia,--I've just got to tell you something that--"

  "You may tell me at Interlaken," she interrupted, and she was now quitevisibly agitated.

  "At Interlaken? Then you mean to carry out your plan to spend--"

  "Sh! Here they come. Now we shall see."

  The magistrate and his companions re-entered the room at that instant,more noticeably excited than when they left it. The former, rubbing hishands together and smiling as he had never smiled before, approachedthe pair. It did not occur to him to resent the fact that they remainedseated in his august presence.

  "A lamentable mistake has been made," he said. "I regret that M'sieurand Mademoiselle have been subjected to so grave an indignity. Permitme to apologise for the misguided energy of our excellent _sergents_.They--"

  "But we were exceeding the speed limit," said Robin comfortably, nowthat the danger was past. "The officers were acting within theirrights."

  "I know, I know," exclaimed the magistrate. "They are splendid fellows,all of them, and I beg of you to overlook theirunfortunate--er--zealousness. Permit me to add that you are notguilty--I should say, that you are honourably discharged by this humblecourt. But wait! The _sergents_ shall also apologise. Here! Attend. Itdevolves upon you--"

  "Oh, I beg of you--" began Robin, but already the policemen, who hadbeen listening open-mouthed to the agitated prosecutor, were bowing andscraping and muttering their apologies for enforcing a cruel and unjustlaw.

  "And we are not obliged to give our names, _M'sieur le judge?_" criedMiss Guile gladly.

  "Mademoiselle," said he, with a profound bow, "it is not necessary toacquaint me with something I already know. Permit me to again expressthe most unbounded regret that--"


  "Oh, thank you," she cried. "We have had a really delightfulexperience. You owe us no apology, M'sieur. And now, may we depart?"

  "Instantly! LaChance, conduct M'sieur and Mademoiselle into the fresh,sweet, open air and discover their car for them without delay._Sergents_, remain behind. Let there be nothing to indicate that therehas been detention. Mademoiselle, you have been merely making aphilanthropic visit to our prison. There has been no arrest."

  Robin and Miss Guile emerged from the low, forbidding door and stoodside by side on the pavement looking up and down the street in searchof the car. It was nowhere in sight. The chauffeur gasped withamazement--and alarm. He had left it standing directly in front of thedoor, and now it was gone.

  "It is suggested, M'sieur," said the polite LaChance, "that you walk tothe corner beyond, turn to the left and there you will find the car inplain view. It was removed by two gentlemen soon after you condescendedto honour us with a visit of inspection, and thereby you have escapedmuch unnecessary attention from the curious who always infest thevicinity of police offices." He saluted them gravely and returned atonce to the corridor.

  Following leisurely in the wake of the hurrying servants, Robin andBedelia proceeded down the narrow street to the corner indicated. Theywere silent and preoccupied. After all, _who_ was to be thanked for thetimely escape, his god or hers?

  And here it may be said that neither of them was ever to know who sentthat brief effective message to the magistrate, nor were they ever toknow the nature of its contents.

  The men were examining the car when they came up. No one was near.There was no one to tell how it came to be there nor whither itsunknown driver had gone. It stood close to the curb and the engine wasthrobbing, proof in itself that some one had but recently deserted hispost as guardian.

  "The obliging man-hunters," suggested Robin in reply to a low-voicedquestion.

  "Or your guardian angel, the great Gourou!" she said, frowningslightly. "By the way, Mr. Schmidt, do you expect to be undersurveillance during your stay at Interlaken?"

  There was irony in her voice. "Not if I can help it," he said. "Andyou, Miss Guile? Is it possible that two of the best detectives inParis are to continue treading on your heels all the time you are inEurope? Must we go about with the uncomfortable feeling that some oneis staring at us from behind, no matter where we are? Are we to beperpetually attended by the invisible? If so, I am afraid we will findit very embarrassing."

  They were in the car now and proceeding at a snail's pace toward theArc de Triomphe. Her eyes narrowed. He was sure that she clutched herslim fingers tightly although, for an excellent reason, he was not byway of knowing. He was rapturously watching those expressive eyes.

  "I shall put a stop to this ridiculous espionage at once, Mr. Schmidt.These men shall be sent kiting--I mean, about their business beforethis day is over. I do not intend to be spied upon an instant longer."

  "Still they may have been instruments of providence to-day," hereminded her. "Without them, we might now be languishing in jail andour spotless names posted in the Place de l'Opera. Bedelia Guile andRex Schmidt, malefactors. What would your father say to that?"

  She smiled--a ravishing smile, it was. His heart gave a stupendousjump. "He would say that it served me right," said she, and then: "Butwhat difference can it possibly make to you, Mr. Schmidt, if thedetectives continue to watch over me?"

  "None," said he promptly. "I suppose they are used to almost anythingin the way of human nature, so if they don't mind, I'm sure I sha'n't.I haven't the slightest objection to being watched by detectives, if wecan only keep other people from seeing us."

  "Don't be silly," she cried. "And let me remind you while I think ofit: You are not to call me Bedelia."

  "Bedelia," he said deliberately.

  She sighed. "I am afraid I have been mistaken in you," she said. Herecalled Gourou's advice. Had he failed in the test? "But don't do itagain."

  "Now that I think of it," he said soberly, "you are not to call me Mr.Schmidt. Please bear that in mind, Bedelia."

  "Thank you. I don't like the name. I'll call you--"

  Just then the footman turned on the seat and excitedly pointed to a carthat had swung into the boulevard from a side street.

  "The man-hunters!" exclaimed Robin. "By jove, we didn't lose them afterall."

  "To the Ritz, Pierre," she cried out sharply. Once more she seemedperturbed and anxious.

  "What are you going to call me?" he demanded, insistently.

  "I haven't quite decided," she replied, and lapsed into moody silence.

  Her nervousness increased as they sped down the Champs Elysees andacross the Place de la Concorde. He thought that he understood thecause and presently sought to relieve her anxiety by suggesting thatshe set him down somewhere along the Rue de Rivoli. She flushedpainfully.

  "Thank you, Mr. Schmidt, I--are you sure you will not mind?"

  "May I ask what it is that you are afraid of, Miss Guile?" he inquiredseriously.

  She was lowering her veil. "I am not afraid, Mr. Schmidt," she said. "Iam a very, very guilty person, that's all. I've done something I oughtnot to have done, and I'm--I'm ashamed. You don't consider me a bold,silly--"

  "Good Lord, no!" he cried fervently.

  "Then why do you call me Bedelia?" she asked, shaking her head.

  "If you feel that way about it, I--I humbly implore you to overlook myfreshness," he cried in despair.

  "Will you get out here, Mr. Schmidt?" She pressed a button and the carswung alongside the curb.

  "When am I to see you again?" he asked, holding out his hand. She gaveit a firm, friendly grip and said:

  "I am going to Switzerland the day after tomorrow. Good-bye."

  In a sort of daze, he walked up the Rue Castiliogne to the PlaceVendome. His heart was light and his eyes were shining with a flamethat could have but one origin. He was no longer in doubt. He was inlove. He had found the Golden Girl almost at the end of his journey,and what cared he if she did turn out to be the daughter of old manBlithers? What cared he for _anything_ but Bedelia? There would be apretty howdy-do when he announced to his people that their Princess hadbeen selected for them, whether or no, and there might be such a thingas banishment for himself. Even at that, he would be content, forBedelia was proof against titles. If she loved him, it would be forhimself. She would scorn the crown and mock the throne, and they wouldgo away together and live happily ever afterward, as provided by themost exacting form of romance. And Blithers? What a joke it would be onBlithers if he gave up the throne!

  As he approached the Ritz, a tall young man emerged from the entrance,stared at him for an instant, and then swung off at a rapid pace in thedirection of the Rue de la Paix. The look he gave Robin was one ofcombined amazement and concern, and the tail end of it betrayedunmistakable annoyance,--or it might have been hatred. He looked overhis shoulder once and found Robin staring after him. This time therecould be no mistake. He was furious, but whether with Robin or himselfthere was no means of deciding from the standpoint of an observer. Atany rate, he quickened his pace and soon disappeared.

  He was the good-looking young fellow who had met her at the steamshiplanding, and it was quite obvious that he had been makinginvestigations on his own account.

  Robin permitted himself a sly grin as he sauntered into the hotel. Hehad given _that_ fellow something to worry about, if he hadaccomplished nothing else. Then he found himself wondering if, by anychance, it could be the Scoville fellow. That would be a facer!

  He found Quinnox and Dank awaiting him in the lobby. They were visiblyexcited.

  "Did you observe the fellow who just went out?" inquired Robin,assuming a most casual manner.

  "Yes," said both men in unison.

  "I think we've got some interesting news concerning that very chap,"added the Count, glancing around uneasily.

  "Perhaps I may be able to anticipate it, Count," ventured Robin. "I'vean idea he is young Scoville, the chap who is supposed to be in
lovewith Miss Blithers--and _vice versa_," he concluded, with a chuckle.

  "What have you heard?" demanded the Count in astonishment.

  "Let's sit down," said Robin, at once convinced that he had stumbledupon an unwelcome truth.

  They repaired to the garden and were lucky enough to find a tablesomewhat removed from the crowd of tea-drinkers. Robin began fanninghimself with his broad straw-hat. He felt uncomfortably warm. Quinnoxgravely extracted two or three bits of paper from his pocket, andspread them out in order before his sovereign.

  "Read this one first," said he grimly.

  It was a cablegram from their financial agents in New York City, and itsaid: "Mr. B. making a hurried trip to Paris. Just learned Scovillepreceded Miss B. to Europe by fast steamer and has been seen with herin Paris. B. fears an elopement. Make sure papers are signed at once assuch contingency might cause B. to change mind and withdraw ifpossible."

  Robin looked up. "I think this may account for the two man-hunters,"said he. His companions stared. "You will hear all about them fromGourou. We were followed this afternoon."

  "Followed?" gasped Quinnox.

  "Beautifully," said the Prince, with his brightest smile. "Detectives,you know. It was ripping."

  "My God!" groaned the Count.

  "I fancy you'll now agree with me that she is Miss Blithers," said Dankforlornly.

  "Cheer up, Boske," cried Robin, slapping him on the shoulder. "You'llmeet another fate before you're a month older. The world is absolutelycrowded with girls."

  "You can't crowd the world with one girl," said Dank, and it was quiteevident from his expression that he believed the world contained nomore than one.

  "I had the feeling that evil would be the result of this foolish tripto-day," groaned Quinnox. "I should not have permitted you to--"

  "The result is still in doubt," said Robin enigmatically. "And now,what comes next?"

  "Read this one. It is from Mr. Blithers. I'll guarantee that you do nottake this one so complacently."

  He was right in his surmise. Robin ran his eye swiftly over thecablegram and then started up from his chair with a mutteredimprecation.

  "Sh!" cautioned the Count,--and just in time, for the young man was onthe point of enlarging upon his original effort. "Calm yourself, Bobby,my lad. Try taking six or seven full, deep inhalations, and you'll findthat it helps wonderfully as a preventive. It saves many a harsh word.I've--"

  "You needn't caution me," murmured the Prince. "If I had the tongue ofa pirate I couldn't begin to do justice to _this_," and he slapped hishand resoundingly upon the crumpled message from William W. Blithers.

  The message had been sent by Mr. Blithers that morning, evidently justbefore the sailing of the fast French steamer on which he and his wifewere crossing to Havre. It was directed to August Totten and read asfollows:

  "Tell our young friend to qualify statement to press at once. Announcereconsideration of hasty denial and admit engagement. This isimperative. I am not in mood for trifling. Have wired Paris papers thatengagement is settled. Have also wired daughter. The sooner we gettogether on this the better. Wait for my arrival in Paris." It wassigned "W. B."

  "There's Blitherskite methods for you," said Dank. "Speaking ofpirates, he's the king of them all. Did you ever hear of suchconfounded insolence? The damned--"

  "Wait a second, Dank," interrupted the Count. "There is still anotherdelectable communication for you, Robin. It was directed to R. Schmidtand I took the liberty of opening it, as authorised. Read it."

  This was one of the ordinary "_petits bleu_," dropped into thepneumatic tube letter-box at half-past two that afternoon, shortlybefore Robin ventured forth on his interesting expedition in quest oftea, and its contents were very crisp and to the point:

  "Pay no attention to any word you may have received from my father. Hecables a ridiculous command to me which I shall ignore. If you havereceived a similar message I implore you to disregard it altogether.Let's give each other a fighting chance."

  It was signed "Maud Blithers."