An Imperial Marriage

  CHAPTER VIII

  TRAPPED

  An instant's reflection convinced me that it would be prudent to acceptvon Felsen's statement and not to drop a hint that I had recognized theman who had stolen away so stealthily. If any trick were intended, Ihad better not let him think that I suspected it.

  "I have come to talk to you seriously," I said in reply to his question.

  "You do not suppose you are very welcome here?"

  "It isn't intended to be exactly a friendly call."

  "You had better come into my other room." He said this very curtly ashe opened the door again and led me to a room across the hall. "Nowwhat is it?"

  I copied his blunt manner. "You broke the word you gave me yesterday,and I take back the pledge I gave you."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I was sent for to your father's office to-day."

  "I know nothing of that."

  "I don't believe you," I rapped out sharply.

  "I'm not going to have you here to insult me," he blustered.

  "Having failed in that trick of bringing Dormund to my house yesterday,you set your father's people on to me to see what they could do. Youdid this in the face of your promise to give up your attempt to findFraeulein Korper on condition that I said nothing to Herr Ziegler."

  "They knew all about everything without me."

  "What they are going to know next will be all about you and HagarZiegler. And Ziegler is going to know all about the other matter. Itwould have paid you better to run straight with me."

  He appeared to be taken utterly by surprise by this, having been foolenough to believe that I should not see his hand behind that summons tohis father's office. His bluster dropped away like an ill-fitting cloak."I don't know why you want to hound me down in this way. What is HagarZiegler to you?"

  "It's only my friendship for you--I wish to see you happily married," Ireplied with a grin.

  He flung me a curse for my jibe and turned away to light a cigarette.

  "Shall we send for old Ziegler, or will you come with me to him?" Iasked in the same tone. It was a delight to rack him.

  "It has nothing to do with you," he said sullenly.

  "It has more to do with you, I admit; but I might be the best man andthen----"

  "Stop it," he growled. I laughed; and after a pause he glanced round atme. "Can't we come to terms?"

  "We did, and you broke them."

  "I tell you I have not said a word," he declared with an oath foremphasis.

  I gave him a steady meaning look and replied significantly: "I saw HerrBorsen at the Count's office, and he happens to be an old friend ofmine. He had no object in telling me anything but the truth."

  He drew the inference I intended from this--that Borsen had given himaway--and he made no further attempt at denial.

  I turned to the door. "What are you going to do? Will you come with meto Ziegler's or shall I go alone?"

  "Give me two or three days to settle things."

  "Not an hour. I am going straight to Ziegler, and to-morrow Herr Borsenwill know the other side." He made no reply and I left the house.

  When I reached the Jew's I was amused to find how, in his pettyshort-sighted cunning, von Felsen had endeavoured to cut the ground fromunder me.

  Ziegler and his daughter were together and were both in high spirits.He introduced me to her, and had evidently done all he could to impressher with the fact that I was one of his best friends.

  "I have told her, Herr Bastable, that there is no man in Berlin whom Iwould trust as absolutely as I would you," he declared. "I wish her tothink of you just as I do."

  "Nothing would please me better; but I am afraid that some one who hasgreat influence with her does not share your opinion, Herr Ziegler."

  "You mean Herr von Felsen," she replied, with a frankness which I liked."I should like you to be better friends, I confess, and would doanything in my power to secure that. My father's friends must always bemine."

  "We were speaking of him as you entered," said the father. "He has justtelephoned me asking that the date for Hagar's marriage may be fixed fora week to-day."

  I could not restrain a smile at this, and Hagar, who was watching meclosely while he spoke, saw the smile. "You are surprised at this, HerrBastable?"

  "I am pleased to be able to be the first to offer my congratulations."

  "Your smile did not read quite like that," she returned with a shade ofpique in her manner.

  "I am surprised, I admit. The fact is I have just left Herr von Felsen,and, although he knew I was coming here, he did not drop a hint of thefact."

  "Had you been as close a friend of his as you are of my father's, hewould probably have told you." It was very neatly put.

  But old Ziegler had read more in my words than Hagar. I saw that by thesharp look he shot at me. He began to talk quickly about theforthcoming marriage and the necessary preparations until an excuseoffered to send his daughter out of the room.

  "Now what is it, Herr Bastable. About Hugo, I mean, of course."

  I told him at once precisely what had taken place in regard to Altheaand von Felsen, and what I had heard from Herr Borsen.

  I have never seen a greater frenzy of passion than that which tookcomplete possession of him at the news. For some moments he was like amadman in his fury. His face went livid, his eyes gleamed, his lipsworked spasmodically, he trembled violently, and with hands clenchedtight he raved against von Felsen, and abused and cursed him with avoluble energy of rage that almost made me regret the tornado I hadraised.

  I stared at him, silent from sheer amazement until the first vehemenceof his wrath had spent itself.

  "He shall marry her to-morrow or at latest the day following," he cried;and with a hand that was shaking like that of one in a palsy, he went tothe telephone to bid von Felsen come at once to the house. When thereply was that he was not at home, the old man's fury broke out again."It is a lie!" he stormed. "He knows you are here and will not come. Iwill go to him. The scoundrel, to dare to lie to me in this way. Buthe shall pay the price"; and he was still in a furious rage when I lefthim.

  Considering his opinion of von Felsen, I could not help marvelling thathe was so set upon forcing him to marry Hagar. But analysis of othermen's motives is not much in my way. Possibly he was eager that sheshould have a titled husband, and I recalled how he had appeared togloat over that prospect in one of my interviews with him. I left it atthat and returned to the consideration of my own affairs.

  Now that I had drawn von Felsen's teeth, I did not shirk the task oftelling Althea what I had heard from Herr Borsen in the morning. Shecould no longer be forced to make that hateful marriage. Ziegler wouldsee to that.

  But not for a second did I anticipate the effect of the news upon her.I had utterly failed to see the thing from her standpoint, and was blindenough to think she would be as glad as I myself was. I told her,therefore, in a somewhat jubilant tone.

  The smile which my first words brought to her face gradually died away,and gave place to an expression first of perplexity and then of distressand dismay, as she heard me out in silence.

  Then she looked up and sighed. "Oh, Mr. Bastable, don't you see?" sheasked wistfully.

  "I see that we take very different views of it," I replied gloomily.

  She noticed my keen disappointment. "Please bear with me, and forgiveme if I cannot see it as you do. But if Herr von Felsen marries thisJewess, it will make it impossible----" She paused and glanced at menervously.

  "Impossible for you to marry him, of course," I finished, smilingfatuously.

  "Impossible for me to save my father, I mean. How else can I save him?"

  I understood then and winced at the consciousness of my blundering."But did you ever seriously contemplate such a sacrifice as that wouldhave involved?"

  "I thought I had made that quite plain to you. And now----." She brokeoff with a g
esture of despair. "I would do anything to save him andChalice."

  "Fraeulein Chalice is willing to give up the Prince von Graven," Ireplied, and went on to tell her of my interview with Chalice.

  But she shook her head. "Please believe that I am convinced you havedone everything with no thought but to help me. But nothing Chalice cando will save my father."

  "I appear to have blundered all along the line," I exclaimed irritably.

  She made no reply, and thus appeared to acquiesce in my verdict ofself-condemnation. This was not soothing, to say the least. But aftera moment's pause she laid her hand on my arm with a rueful smile. "Youdon't think I am blaming you because I am silent, Mr. Bastable, do you?I am only trying to think what to do. It is so difficult. It has allbeen my fault. I ought to have made it clearer to you that I wasresolved to save my father at any cost."

  "I think that will still be done."

  "How?"

  "I have a plan, and am pretty confident about it."

  Her brows puckered in doubt, as if she were not disposed to trust myindiscretion any longer. "Had you not better tell me?" she askednervously.

  "For one thing I hope to go to Herr Borsen to-morrow with the news aboutChalice's decision, and I shall tell him then about the Ziegler affair."

  "No, no," she cried hastily. "You must not do that. That marriage mayyet be prevented in some way."

  "Not if the Jew has his way," I answered with a grim smile at therecollection of his frenzy of rage.

  "You must not breathe a word to Herr Borsen. That would shut out allhope."

  "Hope?" I echoed sharply, for the word jarred. "I did not know that hopewas the feeling you entertained in regard to von Felsen."

  She bit her lip and for an instant dropped her eyes, and I saw herfingers strain; then she looked up with a wistful smile. "Don't let meanger you, Mr. Bastable. I chose that word very unfortunately. Itsounds as if I have done you so much less than justice after all theservice you have rendered me. Forgive me, and do not punish me bythinking me ungrateful."

  "I am a churlish brute," I answered, smiling in my turn. "My head wasswollen with the thought of my own cleverness, and my temper sufferedbecause my vanity was hurt. I admit I have blundered badly; now let ustry and talk out some remedy together."

  The bright look she gave me signalled absolution. "Let us start withthis absolute condition--that my father's pardon must be obtained andChalice's future made secure."

  "I accept the conditions and still believe I can win." Her eyes flasheda question. "No, you need not doubt my discretion this time," I said inreply to the look. "I have learnt my lesson. But I cannot tell you allabout it."

  "I should like to know. I am very much of a woman in my curiosity.Besides, I should like to have firm ground for the hopes you raise."

  "I shall know in a day or so."

  "Suspense is not measured by hours, Mr. Bastable."

  "I would lessen it if I could; but at any rate I can assure you my ownsuspense will not be less than yours," I said earnestly.

  She let her eyes fall. Whether she guessed something of the feelingthat lay behind my words I could not tell. But after a pause which wasembarrassing to us both, she lifted her head and looked frankly into myeyes.

  "I know I have your sympathy--as a friend, Mr. Bastable," she saidsimply, with a stress on the word.

  "It is as a friend I speak. And because of that friendship I ask younot to take any step in regard to this monstrous proposal of yourmarriage with von Felsen until I have had time to see the result of thiseffort of mine."

  "I will never take any step at all about it unless there is no otheralternative, and not even then without telling you. I give you thatpromise freely."

  "It is a bargain, and I can ask no more than that."

  "Tell me again about Chalice," she said. I repeated all that had passedand we discussed the position fully. "I have never quite understoodChalice," she said slowly. "You think she does not care for thePrince?"

  "If so, would she be willing to give him up to secure even such a firstappearance as is offered to her?"

  "That is incomprehensible to me."

  "I think there are many reasons why she should do it. The Kaiser isonly a man after all, and a very impulsive one at that. He is quitelikely to be so charmed by the apparently spontaneous compliance withhis wishes as well as delighted by the removal of the obstacle to thisImperial marriage project, as to promote her at once to the position ofa Court favourite. And in that event you need have no fears about yourfather."

  "There is the Count von Felsen to reckon with."

  I smiled. "Unwittingly he has already done a great deal to help such anend. He must have explained to the Kaiser that your father is no longercapable of doing any real harm, or otherwise he could not have securedthe promise of a pardon for him. Depend upon it, if Fraeulein Chalicesucceeds, there will be scarcely any favour she could ask which wouldnot be granted readily."

  "You almost make me hope," she said brightly. "You are so confident."

  "If I can only succeed with my other plan at the same time there will nolonger be the remotest reason even to doubt. Besides, Count vonFelsen's plan will have been knocked on the head as well by his son'smarriage."

  But she frowned at this. "I wish that could have been postponed. Itwould have left us the other alternative as a last resource."

  "God forbid that it should ever come to that," I cried fervently; andthen fearing that if I remained longer with her I might betray myself, Iwent away.

  I was not a little humiliated at the result of the interview. Altheahad succeeded in making me appreciate not only her own point of view,but also my own motive. My motive in forcing von Felsen to marry Hagarhad had much more concern with my own selfish desire to win Althea formyself than with any regard for her interests or wishes.

  I had just fooled and flattered myself that I was acting for her, and sohad blundered into this humiliating muddle. I had put it very lightlyin saying that my vanity was hurt. I had made a big fool of myself; andwhat I had to do was to see whether I could repair the mischief.

  I started off at once for Ziegler's house. In some way I must get himto agree to the postponement of the marriage. I owed that at least toAlthea; and even if I had to break with him altogether, I must gain thatend.

  He was not at home, however, and after waiting a long time I went awayleaving word that I must see him the first thing in the morning on veryurgent business.

  I had walked a very little distance from the house when a man overtookme.

  "Herr Bastable, I think?" he said.

  "Yes. What do you want with me?"

  "I have to request you to come with me. I am a police officer."

  "Do you mean I am arrested? On what charge?"

  "It is possible you will not be detained. It is in regard to FraeuleinKorper. It is desired to put some questions to you. I can say nomore."

  It was of course useless to resist, so I turned and walked with him. Wepassed through several streets, and presently he stopped at the door ofa house in a side street.

  "This is not a police station," I objected.

  "You are to be confronted with another prisoner under arresthere--Ephraim Ziegler--who is being detained here."

  "No. Take me to the station," I demanded.

  He laid a powerful hand on my arm. "You will do as I tell you."

  He was both taller and much stronger than I; but I knew that any suchproceeding was quite against police rules, so I tried to wrest myselffree.

  The attempt was futile; and as the door was opened he seized me andthrust me inside into the arms of a couple of men, who gripped and heldme, despite the struggle I made.

  The man who had brought me shut the door quickly and, rushing forward,pressed a chloroformed cloth over my mouth and nose.

  And then--unconsciousness.