Trusia: A Princess of Krovitch

  IX

  IF ZULKA WERE HERE

  "I've 'arf a notion to knock your block for a bloomin' sneak." Carrickhalted suddenly in the doorway of the cell to face Josef. The Cockney'sfists were clenched in a manner which promised that action wouldimmediately follow declaration. Carter intervened peremptorily whileJosef discreetly withdrew out of reach of the tough, bunched knuckles.

  Led by the Duchess of Schallberg, they traversed a stone-flagged, archedpassageway, which brought them to the main hall of the castle. A moderndwelling of average size could have been erected there without entirelyexhausting the spaciousness of the hall.

  Tattered banners, gray with antiquity, hung like memories on the walls.Below these, crumbling with age, were the antlers of ancestral deer,while arms and armor of heroic mold glimmered from the shadowy nichesfilled by them for generations.

  Crossing the hall, the party led by Trusia approached a tapestried-hungarchway, whose single sentry raised the heavy folds to admit her towhatever lay beyond.

  Preceded by Her Grace, and followed closely by Josef, Carter and Carrickentered the Council Chamber of Schallberg.

  At one end of its many-pillared room, a dais held a double throne, whosehigh, broad back was carved with many heraldic devices of pastintelligence. Its intricate traceries were capped by a lion rampant,which had pawed the air for generations.

  Directly from the steps of the throne ran a heavy table at which wereseated three Privy Counselors. A fourth seat was vacant. For Her Graceof Schallberg? Evidently not, for she mounted the two broad steps andseated herself on the throne, bowing graciously to the trio of ministerswho had risen at her entrance. With a gesture that indicated that Carterand Carrick should stand facing these, their judges, she settled herselfback in the high chair, while the accused found themselves with theirbacks to the door. Josef, with mocking deference, placed himself at theend of the table as the prosecutor. He unburdened himself of thepurloined articles which he now placed before him in a little pile.

  Admitting the seriousness of the situation so far as himself and his manwere concerned, Carter could not but confess that the scene was apicturesque one, and that the very element of danger gave it a touch ofpiquancy. Here were himself and Carrick, fresh from the greatest shrineof modernity, after having been cast into a mediaeval dungeon, now beinghauled before a trinity of gold-laced judges on a charge of being spies.

  He glanced admiringly toward Her Grace, whose tempting chin was cuppedin her pink palm, while the deep lace of her half sleeve fell back fromthe round elbow propped by the broad arm of the throne. Her eyes dreamedof far-away things, until, telepathically, she became aware of Carter'sardent gaze.

  Recalled to the duty before her, she blushed guiltily at herabstraction.

  "Josef says these strangers are spies. You must judge," she saidtrenchantly to her Counselors.

  Carter could have knelt before her as she spoke, for her voiceproclaimed her disbelief.

  "This," she said turning to Calvert as she indicated the stern-facedveteran nearest the throne, "this is Colonel Sutphen, the HereditaryChancellor of Krovitch and member of our Privy Council."

  MOUNTED THE STEPS AND SEATED HERSELF ON THE THRONE]

  Carter bowed gravely, but received no other acknowledgment than a frigidglare from the veteran. Josef had undoubtedly prejudiced Sutphenagainst the accused. This was more plausible than to suppose that theColonel had become rancorous merely because the unconscious Trusia hadnot been more promptly surrendered to him, for it was he who hadreceived her from the automobile. Proudly meeting the glaring eyes ofSutphen, Carter turned with relief to Her Grace of Schallberg. He caughtthe faint smile of amused comprehension which hovered about her lips;she had seen and enjoyed that duel of glances, as an ancient suzerainemight have delighted in a tourney in her honor. As her eyes met those ofthe American, he smiled.

  "Seated beside Colonel Sutphen is Count Muhlen-Sarkey, the Holder of thePurse."

  This Privy Counselor was a moon-faced and rotund individual, who, in hisefforts to preserve a fitting severity of expression in keeping with theduty before him, had succeeded only in appearing monstrously depressed.He smiled eagerly, responsively, to Carter's bow, bobbing his head likea gleeful sparrow. As a matter of fact, the proceedings were to him ajoke--something to relieve the monotony of his existence. Yet thismodern Falstaff, as Carter afterward learned, was among the bravest ofthe brave, meeting death with this same cheery smile, and following thegrim monarch with a jest.

  The only remaining member of the Council present was Count Sobieska,Minister of Private Intelligence, who, from under half closed Orientaleyes, acknowledged the presentation with a dignified, but non-committal,inclination of the head. He seemed preoccupied in his own passivity, andwas a man in the fullest triumph of life,--the years that enrich atforty. Lithe-looking as a panther--a somnolent animal now to allappearances--an occasional gleam of the half masked eyes suggested thatthis show of indifference concealed a mind of no inferior order. Hisnose was thin and arched like an Arab sheik's, and the close black hairwas chafed from his temples in a seeming baldness. The iron firmness ofhis square jaw was not effaced beneath his well-trimmed beard. Hishands, lightly folded over the hilt of a sword held between his knees,were long, slim, and muscular. Evidently a tireless friend or animplacable enemy, his was the strongest personality of the threeCounselors present, despite his seeming air of ennui.

  Bowing to Carter, he had turned an indifferent scrutiny upon Josef, who,though smiling, would have apparently foregone the inspection. All eyeswere upon the accuser, however. Trusia's voice broke the silence as sheaddressed him.

  "You may speak, Josef." There was a trace of regret in her voice. "Ifear you have been over-zealous."

  "Listen, Highness," he said. He was anxious to convince; over-anxious,it seemed. "These men, in their accursed machine, flew past the sentriesat the frontier, disregarding all commands to halt, even the shotsfired."

  "That is true," replied Carter. "We could take no chances. We had nodesire to meet Russians just then."

  An inquiry half parted Trusia's lips as she turned to hear Carter'sconfirmation, but checking her curiosity, she signed for Josef toproceed.

  "Then they came to Posner's Inn. You know, Highness, what preparationswere going forward there. These the spies noted. They even tried tobribe Posner into telling where Count Zulka could be found. They knewthere was a heavy price upon his head. The cursed Russians." Carterstarted in surprise at this information regarding his friend. Josefpointed a triumphant finger at him. "See," he said, "it is true as Ihave said." Turning to Her Grace he continued, "If you attribute yourfall from your horse to an accident, there are others who do not. It waspart of their plan. Had not the highways been so well guarded they wouldhave carried you to the Russian salt mines, a prisoner." Josef'svehemence had cost him his breath. He paused to regain it.

  To all appearances the Minister of Private Intelligence had been theleast interested of the auditors. He now spoke quietly with reference tothe belongings lying upon the table. Doubtless his keen eyes had alreadyinventoried them.

  "Have you found any proofs?" he asked, with a wave of his hand towardthe group of miscellany.

  At this question, Josef faced about with a conciliatory smile.

  "No more than was to be expected, Excellency, upon the person of a spyof the undoubtedly superior intelligence that Russia would send on amission to Krovitch just now. A fortune in bills--presumably for bribes,a road map of our country, and the name of 'Zulka' written across thecapital, Schallberg."

  At the reference to Zulka's name used in connection with the allegedplot, Trusia gave a slight start and a reproachful look clouded hereyes.

  Frankly, fearlessly, he met her glance as well as the steel-like glintfrom Sobieska.

  "He was my friend," the American said, as though no further explanationcould be demanded.

  "He was their quarry," retorted Josef vehemently. "Else why thequestions to Posner and attempts to bribe, the fortune in
bills, thename written significantly across the capital's, the city where tofriends and foes he was best known. Had his friend been as careful,"continued Josef, who already tasted triumph and liked the flavor, "wewould have no more clues. His passion for acquisition, however, hasgiven us additional material." He held up the star with evident dramaticintent.

  As Sutphen and Muhlen-Sarkey recognized it they started in genuinesurprise.

  "King Stovik's star," cried Sutphen.

  Sobieska held out an indolent hand into which the eager Josef dropped itfor examination. First the obverse, then the reverse were inspected withapparently slight interest. To Carter's appreciation of character,however, it was evident that not the slightest scratch on its surfacehad escaped those drooping eyes, as it was passed on to the gapingHolder of the Purse, whose chubby hands received it as though it werethe relic of a saint. The jovial face was for the first time honestlygrave. Reverently he transferred it to the Hereditary Chancellor. It laybefore that bristling veteran who turned a questioning glance to HerGrace of Schallberg.

  "I have seen it," she said.

  "Is it--is it the missing star?" he asked in a hesitating manner, asthough an affirmative answer was more than he could hope for.

  "It is," she replied with slightly inclining head.

  "Then who is he?" asked the bewildered Sutphen, rising from his seat andpointing impulsively at Carrick.

  "Only an English peasant, Excellency, who has stolen the missing star,"Josef insinuated.

  "Are you sure? Are you sure?" persisted the Colonel, who was strugglingwith a grave doubt, which was now inclining his judgment in favor of thecaptives.

  Josef, comprehending the nature of the perplexity and fearing he mightlose a partisan, advanced an argument whose significance did not thenappeal to Carter.

  "A medal, Excellency, even that medal may pass easily from one person toanother without ownership having any special value. Papers, valuablepapers, would be guarded faithfully from father to son because theyalone would be incontestable proof. We know what we have already found.Look at this uncouth fellow," said Josef, indicating Carrick with asneer. "Remember, he is a servant, and judge if there be any chance thathis possession of the star should cause you any doubts? Was it with suchas he the Line was maintained?"

  That he had stilled any uneasiness in the minds of the Counselors causedby the display of the medal, Josef was now satisfied. He paused for afinal effort.

  Sobieska spoke quickly to Carrick in an unintelligible language to bemet with a look of honest mystification.

  Josef smiled ironically.

  "Your Lordship surely did not expect to catch such clever rogues by soinnocent a ruse? They hardly would confess to a familiarity withRussian. Such an admission would convict them. Indulge them in French.One of the pair has that much linguistic ability. Besides, we have sofar conducted our investigations in that diplomatic language."

  "You are presumptuous, sir," said Trusia sharply. "_You_ have no part inthe conduct of this matter. You are simply a witness." Josef bowed lowin meekness.

  Without deigning a reply to the old fellow, Sobieska spoke next infairly good English to the Cockney.

  "What is your nation--birthplace?"

  "England; Whitechapel, London," replied Carrick with naturaltaciturnity.

  "Where did you get that?" continued the Minister, pointing to themedal.

  "My guv'nor left it to me when he croaked."

  His questioner's eyelids were raised the merest shade innon-comprehension of the vernacular.

  "Your governor," he said slowly as if seeking a key to relationship.Josef smiled. The latter's exultation was that of one enjoying apossible misconstruction which might attend a literal interpretation ofwhat he knew was idiomatic.

  "Guvnor is the Whitechapel slang for father. My man many years ago toldme he had received it in that way--the death of his parent," explainedCarter coming to the rescue.

  The stately Krovitzer bowed in acknowledgment of the explanation thencontinued his questioning.

  "Where did he get it?" His sleepy eyes were probing deep.

  "How the hell should I know," replied the irritated Cockney, who swiftlyresented this prying into his affairs. Remembering himself instantly, heturned with a fine red in his face to the girl on the dais. "I beg yourpardon, Your Grace, for forgetting myself. It was none of 'is business,"he said, defending his lapse.

  "Was he English, also?" pursued Sobieska relentlessly.

  "Sure."

  "His name?"

  "Mark Carrick," was the almost surly answer.

  "His business?"

  "Scrivener."

  "Why did you come to Krovitch?" The question was advanced suddenly,unexpectedly, as if to catch the chauffeur off his guard.

  "I'm Captain Carter's man; you'd better arsk him." Carrick wasdisplaying renewed signs of impatience.

  Sobieska paused. He gravely turned to his associates, and, for theirinformation, translated fairly and without comment what the chauffeurhad said into French, with which language Sutphen and Muhlen-Sarkeyseemed conversant.

  "That you might correct any misstatements," he explained calmly toCarter.

  "There was no need," replied the American. "You have been mostimpartial."

  Evidently not yet satisfied with the results obtained from hispreliminary investigations, he turned again to the Englishman, whoseemed not a little mystified to find his domestic history sointeresting to these lordly foreigners.

  "Where is your father buried?" inquired Sobieska courteously.

  "Dunno, sir. I was awye when 'e died. Landlidey said as 'ow a strangegent came, buried 'im an' took 'is hinsurance pipers awye with 'im. Sed'e was the guvnor's brother."

  "Did you ever see this uncle?" he asked suavely.

  "No, sir. Never knew I 'ad one. Guvnor sed 'e was the only child."

  "Did you claim the insurance?"

  Carrick paused long before replying. When he spoke again his tone wasdecidedly hostile.

  "What's all this got to do with my bein' a spy? These things about myguvnor an' me are personal matters. I don't see as 'ow I'm bound toanswer such questions." His face reddened slowly and then he addedimpressively, "This much I'll admit to my own discredit, though."

  Sobieska bent forward even more closely in anticipation.

  "The guvnor an' me," continued Carrick, "didn't allus 'it hit offtogether, so you see I didn't know much about 'is affairs. I saidhinsurance pipers, because they looked like 'em to me. They might not'ave been, but the guvnor set a great store by 'em. Captain Carter cantell as 'ow I told 'im all this at Santiago." He turned to his masterfor confirmation.

  "It is true," said the latter.

  Still the Minister was not satisfied to relax his intimateinvestigations. Her Grace of Schallberg appeared an interested listenerand had lost not a syllable of what had been said. The remainingCounselors were patiently expectant of translation as English was aclosed door to them. Josef on the other hand would have gladly welcomeda divertisement though clearly afraid to inaugurate one. For some subtlereason he was very uneasy. Since Carrick's assertion that a stranger hadpurloined valuable papers from his father, the Gray Man had seemed tofear an unexpected revelation of some sort. Sobieska seemed to scentthis secret fear and was willing to play with Josef's susceptibility.

  "When did your father die?" asked the Count after a pause which hadthreatened to become intense, during which Josef had shifted uneasily.

  "Fifteen years ago come the seventh of August."

  "Where?"

  "Twelve Tottinam Plyce, Whitechapel."

  "Is the landlady living?"

  "Now 'ow the devil should I know? I beg your pardon, again, Your Grace,but this man is badgerin' me orful." Her smile asked him to be patientso he turned to his inquisitor patiently.

  "I 'aven't seen 'er since," he replied.

  Josef felt this line of investigation had gone far enough and determinedto stop it at all hazards. He coughed. Sobieska turned to himinquiringly, an amused
smile in his eyes.

  "Is all this important, Excellency?" the Gray Man asked deprecatingly,intimating that the issue had been forgotten. With a quiet drawl,containing both a reproof and a demurrer, Sobieska corrected him.

  "Interesting," he said as he shot a covert glance at Josef which alsoheld a challenge. Then as though in tacit compliance with the suggestionhe turned not discourteously to Carter.

  "Where did you get the title of Captain your man gave you a while ago?"

  "I have no real right to it, never claim it," replied the American,"though at one time I bore it as of right in the Spanish-American war.It is the American habit never to let a man forget a title he has oncewon through merit."

  Sobieska bowed.

  "What brought you to Krovitch? It is outside the usual route oftourists."

  For the fraction of a second the men gazed steadily at eachother--possible antagonists appraising the other's chances. The questionhad been as hitherto in French for the benefit of the other auditors.

  Careful to keep any appearance of apology from what he might say, yetscorning any other medium than the truth, Carter explained the motivefor his coming to Krovitch. "An American's love of adventure--a wish tojoin your insurrection."

  Even his inquisitor was startled by the boldness of the reply. TheCounselors leaped to their feet and laid suggestive hands upon theirswords. Trusia's face went white, while her hand clutched in terror ather throat. Then, seeing that Carter was in danger, with an effort shequickly recovered herself.

  "Put up your swords, my lords," she commanded in distress. "Let himexplain."

  "What insurrection?" thundered a bristling Sutphen, seating himselfstiffly erect, on the edge of his chair.

  "I told you they were spies," Josef almost shouted in gratification."Why else would they say such a thing except as a play for yourconfidence. Where would they learn our secret?"

  Carter turned to Trusia.

  "Pardon me, Your Grace, for my inept choice of words. I meantrestoration, not insurrection." He bowed low as to the sovereign ofKrovitch as he supposed her to be. Then raising his head he continued,"As for your secret, the world has already heard the rumors of theapproaching war."

  Then with effective repression he added, "My country's wars have alwaysbeen for Freedom and Righteousness, never for aggrandizement. Anation's sentiments will animate her citizens. I heard rumors of asister country in distress and longed to help her. I heard rumors. Ifind them confirmed. I am no spy. I am Adventure's cadet."

  "How then did he hear or know of Count Zulka?" sneeringly suggestedJosef. Carter noticed that again the momentarily favorable impressionhad been destroyed. Josef for some strange reason was aggressivelyopposed to a vindication of the two strangers in Krovitch.

  "Your Grace, there was a club in New York City," Carter explained toTrusia, "of which Paul Zulka and myself were members. We were goodfriends. One year ago he left hurriedly. Knowing from his ardentlyexpressed love for his birthplace and his outspoken hate for Russia thathe would be in the front rank of any fight of Krovitch's, I naturallysought him for my voucher."

  The chubby Purse Holder was anxious to question the accused. "What isthe name of this club?" he asked.

  "It is the Racquet Club."

  The Holder of the Purse leaned back. With a satisfied air, Sutphenturned to him.

  "That the club to which your nephew, Count Paul, belonged?" he asked.

  "Yes," he said genially. "I am Paul Zulka's uncle," he explained toCarter.

  "Did he ever mention a Calvert Carter as among his associates there?"queried a lenient Trusia.

  The Holder of the Purse spread out two fat palms deprecatingly.

  "How should I remember?" he said helplessly. "These English names arehard to bear in mind. Such things, ach! as I have had to remember in thelast year." The burden was evidently appalling. "Yet," he added kindly,that he might do no injustice, "it might be so that he did."

  "If Count Zulka were here"--began Carter confidently. He was interruptedby Her Grace of Schallberg who raised her hand for silence.