An Imperial Marriage

  CHAPTER XXX

  THE END

  As soon as we three were left alone, I drew an easy chair close to thedoor, threw myself into it and begged a cigar from Borsen.

  "Now, Herr Borsen, what has von Felsen told you?" I asked sharply. "I'mdead beat and want to get to bed. We'll have this thing over as soon aspossible. I'm going to let him tell you why he wouldn't allow me to sendfor Feldermann just now, and I'll sit here and check what he says. Hecan tell you as much as he likes."

  "You don't appear to understand that you have to explain your connexionwith the Polish party," he retorted.

  "My explanation is easy. I had two objects--one, to save the Baron vonRingheim; the other, to catch von Felsen tripping. I have succeeded inboth. He knows that and more than that. And I can of course proveeverything."

  "What does this mean?" he asked von Felsen, who was staring at me indire fear about what I meant to tell.

  "I gave him twenty-four hours in which to get out of the country. Lethim tell you under what circumstances. That'll clear the ground."

  Von Felsen was too frightened to attempt a reply, however; and he sateyeing us both uneasily, and pulling at his fingers with little nervousjerks.

  "The matter's a thousand times more serious than you think, Borsen, andif I did the right thing, I should send straight for the police and handhim over to them. But if he makes a clean breast of it, and if thethings are done which I require, I'm willing to hold my tongue."

  "You think you are in a position to make terms," cried Borsen with someshow of indignation.

  "I don't think it. I know it. You have two things to get into yourhead. In the first place, that this fellow is a most infernalscoundrel, and that I have found him out; and in the second, that I amin possession of that paper which was stolen from the Count's office,and of the set of duplicate keys which enabled the thief to steal it."

  "What do you mean?" He was intensely excited on the instant.

  "Look there;" and I pointed at von Felsen, who was cowering down in hischair in a condition of abject terror.

  "Do you mean that he----? My God, is it possible?" he criedhorror-struck.

  "Yes, that is just what I do mean. Let him tell you himself. If hewon't then, I will; and I shall add the rest. The rest is blackerstill."

  It was some time before von Felsen could bring himself to speak, andthen he gave a long rambling story of how he had been in Ziegler'spower, and had been forced to disclose secret after secret, until thetheft of the papers had been the climax. Questions from me brought outthe rest--that he had brought Baron von Ringheim to Berlin; had let himknow where Althea was in order to entrap me; and all the rest of it,including my abduction by Dragen, and the attempts on my life.

  Borsen was almost unnerved. He sat with his head buried in his hands ashe listened, and at the end his face was grey and drawn, and he lookedacross at me with a deep sigh of anguish. "We are in your hands, Mr.Bastable. It will ruin the Count."

  "There is even worse yet, if it has to be told," I replied grimly.

  "What are your terms?"

  "A pardon for Baron von Ringheim and the restoration of his estates--youhave already obtained the promise of that, you know--and the clearanceof all complications affecting myself; a confession that he lied toHagar Ziegler in accusing me of her father's murder; a letter from younow that you have heard von Felsen's confession; and a writtenundertaking that you will be responsible for his safe keeping until allis settled."

  "You shall have them to-morrow," he said after a pause.

  "Thank you, I prefer to have them now."

  "But I cannot promise all this on my own account."

  "Then we'll have the police here. I don't mean to lose sight of thatscoundrel again until I know where I stand."

  "I must see the Count first."

  "Then see him to-night. You have my last word."

  "You might take my word of honour, I think."

  "I don't doubt you, but I'll take nothing but the actual evidence. Youmight not be able to prevail with the others."

  "I'll go to him," he agreed.

  He went at once, and I locked the door behind him and sat smoking insilence.

  "Do you mean to accuse me of that murder?" asked von Felsen after a longpause.

  "Yes, if I don't get my own way. And of everything else."

  Not another word passed between us until Borsen returned after an houror so and brought what I needed. The rest of the business was very sooncompleted.

  I wrote a very short note to Althea, telling her that all was now welland that I would see her early on the following morning, and then turnedto consider my last problem--where to sleep that night. It seemed avery trifling thing indeed, but it was to have consequences none theless.

  Count von Felsen had insisted upon his son going to his house, andBorsen was to take him. I could not stay where I was; I was notinclined to run the risk of going to my own house lest Dragen or any ofthe men with him should come to make trouble; and in my bootless andgenerally dishevelled condition, I was doubtful of being received intoany hotel.

  I explained the position to Borsen, and he agreed to take me in thecarriage with him and von Felsen and drop me at an hotel, where he wouldvouch for me. Lander accompanied me.

  The matter was thus soon settled with the hotel people, and Borsenreturned to the cab. I was just entering the lift, feeling as tired asa dog, when he came rushing back.

  "He's gone," he exclaimed excitedly.

  "Who's gone?"

  "Von Felsen. He bolted while I was talking to the people here."

  "Perhaps that's the best way out of it all. Anyway, I'm too dog-tiredto look for him to-night. I'll see you in the morning;" and with that Ileft him staring blankly after me as the lift started.

  It was close to noon before I rose, and I should not have woke then hadit not been that some one was thumping vigorously at my door. I openedit and found Feldermann waiting impatiently to see me.

  Dragen had been arrested, and the whole story of my treatment by him andhis fellow-scoundrels had been told to the police by one of the gang,who had made a full confession. Feldermann had been to Borsen, as vonFelsen's name had been mentioned, and he had come to me to learn what Ishould do.

  "I can't tell you yet," I replied. I could not. I wished to see Altheafirst and ascertain her wishes as to our movements. For my part I wasanxious to get away from Berlin as soon as possible. The last few dayshad been quite strenuous enough to satisfy me, and I realized thenecessity of putting as great a distance as possible between myself andthe Polish party.

  "Has von Felsen turned up?" I asked him.

  He shook his head and grinned. "I think we could trace him. I have aclue, but it may not be desirable to follow it up."

  "Which means?"

  "I expect you know more than they have told me; but I know enough tomake me doubt whether his father is very anxious to see him again. Ofcourse if you take steps against these men, it may have to come out, thewhole of it."

  "What's the clue?"

  "That Jew girl, Hagar Ziegler, left the city this morning for Hamburg,with a companion. There's a boat sails to-day for Philadelphia."

  "And the sex of the companion?"

  He shrugged his shoulders and smiled significantly. A woman--apparently."But only one berth has been booked for a woman, by wire of course;although, by a coincidence, a steerage passage has been reserved for amale passenger."

  "And what does Herr Borsen propose to do?"

  "Nothing. And you?"

  "Nothing," I replied, adopting the same laconic tone.

  He looked relieved. "And Dragen and the rest? Are you eager to push thecharge hard against them?"

  "What has Borsen said to you about that?"

  "Nothing," he said again, looking at me very meaningly.

  "You have something to say on your own account then?"

  "No more than a perso
nal opinion as a friend of yours. I have a sort ofidea that if the whole matter were dropped, the other things you wishmight be more easily arranged."

  I understood and smiled. "Is that a bargain?"

  He nodded. "Speaking as your friend I should think you may regard it assettled."

  "The brutes meant to take my life. They ought to be punished."

  "I think you may leave that to us."

  "Very well, I will," I agreed.

  "I'm glad you see it as I do," he said as he rose. "Oh, by the way, areyou leaving Berlin?"

  "Probably. Why?"

  "Oh, there was a row and some fighting in a riverside warehouse theother evening, and a man was found with a bullet in his head in an openboat."

  "Suicide?"

  "I suppose so. No proof of anything else. The affair was political, wethink. We caught one or two of those concerned, but some escaped. Idon't suppose we shall catch them. They are either out of the countryby this time or will be before we can lay hands on them."

  "I expect you're right, Feldermann. I had an idea that there wassomething to be done against the _Wundervoll_, you know. She was tohave been moored just off that warehouse, and I got Bassett--the man whofollowed me on my old paper, you know--to print a word of warning fromParis."

  He gave a little start of surprise. "They wouldn't thank you if theyknew; but I don't suppose you'll delay your going to wait for theirthanks." And with that he left me.

  I got up, then, borrowed a pair of boots, telephoned to Althea that Ihad been detained, had my breakfast and drove to my house and dressedmyself in decent clothes, and packed a trunk and returned with it to thehotel, where I found Borsen awaiting me.

  He had heard the result of my interview with Feldermann and had come toarrange for the papers to be handed over.

  "They are in Brussels," I said; "but I am going through there myself,and the little interval will just allow time for your part of the matterto be concluded. By the way, that State concert is to-night, isn't it?"

  "Yes, and if the new Prima pleases the Court, it's very likely theannouncement of the Baron's pardon will be made by His Majesty. And themore likely, because the Prince von Graven will be present with hisfuture bride, the Princess von Altenwelt. I suppose you know that theImperial marriage is now definitely settled. Everything is going yourway."

  "I hope to-morrow that way will be the way toward England; in which caseyour messenger can meet me in Brussels."

  "You might do worse than take the Baron with you. A temporary absencewould be a good thing."

  I hurried off to Althea, with this budget of good news; but only to meetwith a disappointment. She was not at home, and Chalice had justreturned from a final rehearsal with Herr Grumpel and was busy with thedressmakers trying on her costume for the evening.

  She received me with very scant courtesy. She was in high spirits aboutthe concert, but in a bad temper about her dress. "I can't see you now,Herr Bastable. I haven't a moment."

  "Where is Althea?" I asked.

  "Would you believe that she could have been so inconsiderate as to gorushing off at a time like this, when every minute is precious to get mycostume perfect for this evening? I could cry with vexation. No oneever thinks about me, and I have to do everything for myself, and forthem too. And there isn't the slightest need. At the risk ofsacrificing everything, I went out to that horrible farm yesterday andarranged for the Baron to remain there."

  "She has gone to her father, then?"

  "Yes. Imagine doing such a thing! And all these things here to besettled! And she really has good taste in such things. I do wishpeople would not be so selfish. I can't understand it. I shall neverbe ready, I know."

  "How did you find the Baron?"

  "Why, of course there was no need at all for me to go to him. I thinkit was horrid of you to make me waste the time in rushing out there atall."

  "I will go out there now myself. By the way, did Althea say anything toyou about your leaving Berlin for a time?"

  "About _my_ leaving?" she cried with positively indignant surprise."Directly after my appearance when every one will be talking about me!Herr Bastable!"

  "Her father will go and she will go with him. You can scarcely remainby yourself, can you?"

  "Are you all mad or in league to ruin me? Why, to go away at such amoment would be----" The tragedy of such a prospect was obviously tooterrible to be put in words.

  "But the Court will prefer you to be away for a time," I said rising."Our letter to the Emperor did all that we hoped, and the Imperialmarriage is now definitely settled. The happy pair will be among theguests to-night to witness your triumph. I hope it will be great enougheven to satisfy you."

  She was a singular girl. She showed her lovely teeth in a smile, castdown her eyes, sighed, and then looked up and held out her hand. "Ididn't understand you at first. Of course you mean that I should showthat I really do feel the separation keenly. Oh, I wish I had alwayshad some one so clever to advise me."

  "I should not break my heart if I were you," I replied gravely.

  She flashed a quick glance at me. "I shall get over it; but don't youthink we might contrive to let it leak out that, if I really must go, itis because I am so--so upset."

  "We can try," I laughed.

  "You have a knack of putting things so nicely, Herr Bastable," she saidas we shook hands. "Do that if you can for me. Oh, by the way, there'sa letter for you from Althea. I quite forgot it."

  It was only a line to say that she had gone out to her father andintended to bring him back with her; and she hinted that until we knewmore of his feeling toward me it might be better for me not to see him.Would I wait for her return?

  I set off to see Bassett and get the papers which I had given him overnight, and then hurried on all the preparations for my leaving the city.I went two or three times to see if Althea had returned, but it was notuntil quite late in the evening that I saw her.

  "I was sure you would understand my going off to my father," she saidwhen we met.

  "Of course. It is just what I would have had you do. How is he?"

  "Surprisingly well. Just like himself; but I have persuaded him to goto bed. Besides, I thought you would rather tell me all there is totell alone. I am dying to know it all. I never passed such a day ofsuspense in my life."

  "It is all just what you would wish it to be, except perhaps in onerespect. I'll tell you that presently;" and I went on with a longdescription of everything except the truth about Heir Ziegler's murder.

  She put many questions, and insisted upon having all the details, hertell-tale face showing how intense was her interest.

  "And now what is there I shall not like?" she asked at length.

  I looked very grave. "It is about you and----"

  I paused and appeared reluctant to speak of it. "I tried very hard toarrange so that---- You will give me credit for having done my best inyour interests, I'm sure; but----"

  "What is it?" she cried impatiently.

  I sighed and then asked hesitatingly: "It was made a sort of conditionyou know, and although he was willing to leave everything else to you, Icouldn't get any relief."

  "But what is it?" she cried again.

  "I scarcely like to---- It's so difficult that---- But I'm afraidyou'll have to--to give in. You know how hard I tried to save you fromthat--well, from von Felsen; but--I don't like putting it on the groundthat it would help me; but it would really mean that. Would thatmarriage----?" I paused as if in great embarrassment.

  "Tell me. This is cruel," she said quickly.

  "Could you make the sacrifice?"

  "You said he had left the country."

  "I wasn't speaking of----"

  She did not let me finish. She laid her hand on my arm and looked upall smiles and blushes into my eyes. "It would serve him right if Irefused, sir. To frighten me like this!"

  "Does the condition frighten you then?"

  She crept into my a
rms and laid her head on my shoulder with a littlesigh.

  There was no need for any other answer; and we were nearly caught inthis silent enjoyment of our victory by Chalice, who came rustling in totell us of hers.

  "It's been an absolute triumph," she announced boisterously. "TheKaiser was so delighted with my voice that he sent for me to say that heshould pardon the Baron on my account. He is the loveliest man in theworld."

  And to this hour she believes that it was that and that only which hadsecured the Imperial clemency.

  THE END

  Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London

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