CHAPTER XIV. THE NEWS COMES TO STRELSAU
ON leaving No. 19, Rischenheim walked swiftly some little way up theKonigstrasse and then hailed a cab. He had hardly raised his hand whenhe heard his name called, and, looking round, saw Anton von Strofzin'ssmart phaeton pulling up beside him. Anton was driving, and on the otherseat was a large nosegay of choice flowers.
"Where are you off to?" cried Anton, leaning forward with a gay smile.
"Well, where are you? To a lady's, I presume, from your bouquet there,"answered Rischenheim as lightly as he could.
"The little bunch of flowers," simpered young Anton, "is a cousinlyoffering to Helga von Tarlenheim, and I'm going to present it. Can Igive you a lift anywhere?"'
Although Rischenheim had intended to go first to the palace, Anton'soffer seemed to give him a good excuse for drawing the more likelycovert first.
"I was going to the palace to find out where the king is. I want to seehim, if he'll give me a minute or two," he remarked.
"I'll drive you there afterwards. Jump up. That your cab? Here you are,cabman," and flinging the cabman a crown, he displaced the bouquet andmade room for Rischenheim beside him.
Anton's horses, of which he was not a little proud, made short work ofthe distance to my home. The phaeton rattled up to the door and bothyoung men got out. The moment of their arrival found the chancellor justleaving to return to his own home. Helsing knew them both, and stoppedto rally Anton on the matter of his bouquet. Anton was famous for hisbouquets, which he distributed widely among the ladies of Strelsau.
"I hoped it was for my daughter," said the chancellor slyly. "For I loveflowers, and my wife has ceased to provide me with them; moreover, I'veceased to provide her with them, so, but for my daughter, we should havenone."
Anton answered his chaff, promising a bouquet for the young lady thenext day, but declaring that he could not disappoint his cousin. Hewas interrupted by Rischenheim, who, looking round on the group ofbystanders, now grown numerous, exclaimed: "What's going on here, mydear chancellor? What are all these people hanging about here for? Ah,that's a royal carriage!"
"The queen's with the countess," answered Helsing. "The people arewaiting to see her come out."
"She's always worth seeing," Anton pronounced, sticking his glass in hiseye.
"And you've been to visit her?" pursued Rischenheim.
"Why, yes. I--I went to pay my respects, my dear Rischenheim."
"An early visit!"
"It was more or less on business."
"Ah, I have business also, and very important business. But it's withthe king."
"I won't keep you a moment, Rischenheim," called Anton, as, bouquet inhand, he knocked at the door.
"With the king?" said Helsing. "Ah, yes, but the king--"
"I'm on my way to the palace to find out where he is. If I can't seehim, I must write at once. My business is very urgent."
"Indeed, my dear count, indeed! Dear me! Urgent, you say?"
"But perhaps you can help me. Is he at Zenda?"
The chancellor was becoming very embarrassed; Anton had disappeared intothe house; Rischenheim buttonholed him resolutely.
"At Zenda? Well, now, I don't--Excuse me, but what's your business?"
"Excuse me, my dear chancellor; it's a secret."
"I have the king's confidence."
"Then you'll be indifferent to not enjoying mine," smiled Rischenheim.
"I perceive that your arm is hurt," observed the chancellor, seeking adiversion.
"Between ourselves, that has something to do with my business. Well, Imust go to the palace. Or--stay--would her Majesty condescend to helpme? I think I'll risk a request. She can but refuse," and so sayingRischenheim approached the door.
"Oh, my friend, I wouldn't do that," cried Helsing, darting after him."The queen is--well, very much engaged. She won't like to be troubled."
Rischenheim took no notice of him, but knocked loudly. The door wasopened, and he told the butler to carry his name to the queen and beg amoment's speech with her. Helsing stood in perplexity on the step. Thecrowd was delighted with the coming of these great folk and showed nosign of dispersing. Anton von Strofzin did not reappear. Rischenheimedged himself inside the doorway and stood on the threshold of the hall.There he heard voices proceeding from the sitting-room on the left. Herecognized the queen's, my wife's, and Anton's. Then came the butler's,saying, "I will inform the count of your Majesty's wishes."
The door of the room opened; the butler appeared, and immediately behindhim Anton von Strofzin and Bernenstein. Bernenstein had the young fellowby the arm, and hurried him through the hall. They passed the butler,who made way for them, and came to where Rischenheim stood.
"We meet again," said Rischenheim with a bow.
The chancellor rubbed his hands in nervous perturbation. The butlerstepped up and delivered his message: the queen regretted her inabilityto receive the count. Rischenheim nodded, and, standing so that the doorcould not be shut, asked Bernenstein whether he knew where the king was.
Now Bernenstein was most anxious to get the pair of them away and thedoor shut, but he dared show no eagerness.
"Do you want another interview with the king already?" he asked with asmile. "The last was so pleasant, then?"
Rischenheim took no notice of the taunt, but observed sarcastically:"There's a strange difficulty in finding our good king. The chancellorhere doesn't know where he is, or at least he won't answer myquestions."
"Possibly the king has his reasons for not wishing to be disturbed,"suggested Bernenstein.
"It's very possible," retorted Rischenheim significantly.
"Meanwhile, my dear count, I shall take it as a personal favor if you'llmove out of the doorway."
"Do I incommode you by standing here?" answered the count.
"Infinitely, my lord," answered Bernenstein stiffly.
"Hallo, Bernenstein, what's the matter?" cried Anton, seeing that theirtones and glances had grown angry. The crowd also had noticed the raisedvoices and hostile manner of the disputants, and began to gather roundin a more compact group.
Suddenly a voice came from inside the hall: it was distinct and loud,yet not without a touch of huskiness. The sound of it hushed the risingquarrel and silenced the crowd into expectant stillness. Bernensteinlooked aghast, Rischenheim nervous yet triumphant, Anton amused andgratified.
"The king!" he cried, and burst into a laugh. "You've drawn him,Rischenheim!"
The crowd heard his boyish exclamation and raised a cheer. Helsingturned, as though to rebuke them. Had not the king himself desiredsecrecy? Yes, but he who spoke as the king chose any risk sooner thanlet Rischenheim go back and warn Rupert of his presence.
"Is that the Count of Luzau-Rischenheim?" called Rudolf from within. "Ifso, let him enter and then shut the door."
There was something in his tone that alarmed Rischenheim. He startedback on the step. But Bernenstein caught him by the arm.
"Since you wish to come in, come in," he said with a grim smile.
Rischenheim looked round, as though he meditated flight. The nextmoment Bernenstein was thrust aside. For one short instant a tall figureappeared in the doorway; the crowd had but a glimpse, yet they cheeredagain. Rischenheim's hand was clasped in a firm grip; he passedunwillingly but helplessly through the door. Bernenstein followed; thedoor was shut. Anton faced round on Helsing, a scornful twist on hislips.
"There was a deuced lot of mystery about nothing," said he. "Whycouldn't you say he was there?" And without waiting for an answer fromthe outraged and bewildered chancellor he swung down the steps andclimbed into his phaeton.
The people round were chatting noisily, delighted to have caught aglimpse of the king, speculating what brought him and the queen to myhouse, and hoping that they would soon come out and get into the royalcarriage that still stood waiting.
Had they been able to see inside the door, their emotion would have beenstirred to a keener pitch. Rudolf himself caught Rischenheim
by the arm,and without a moment's delay led him towards the back of the house. Theywent along a passage and reached a small room that looked out on thegarden. Rudolf had known my house in old days, and did not forget itsresources.
"Shut the door, Bernenstein," said Rudolf. Then he turned toRischenheim. "My lord," he said, "I suppose you came to find outsomething. Do you know it now?"
Rischenheim plucked up courage to answer him.
"Yes, I know now that I have to deal with an impostor," said hedefiantly.
"Precisely. And impostors can't afford to be exposed." Rischenheim'scheek turned rather pale. Rudolf faced him, and Bernenstein guarded thedoor. He was absolutely at their mercy; and he knew their secret. Didthey know his--the news that Rupert of Hentzau had brought?
"Listen," said Rudolf. "For a few hours to-day I am king in Strelsau. Inthose few hours I have an account to settle with your cousin: somethingthat he has, I must have. I'm going now to seek him, and while I seekhim you will stay here with Bernenstein. Perhaps I shall fail, perhapsI shall succeed. Whether I succeed or fail, by to-night I shall be farfrom Strelsau, and the king's place will be free for him again."
Rischenheim gave a slight start, and a look of triumph spread over hisface. They did not know that the king was dead.
Rudolf came nearer to him, fixing his eyes steadily on his prisoner'sface.
"I don't know," he continued, "why you are in this business, my lord.Your cousin's motives I know well. But I wonder that they seemed to yougreat enough to justify the ruin of an unhappy lady who is your queen.Be assured that I will die sooner than let that letter reach the king'shand."
Rischenheim made him no answer.
"Are you armed?" asked Rudolf.
Rischenheim sullenly flung his revolver on the table. Bernenstein cameforward and took it.
"Keep him here, Bernenstein. When I return I'll tell you what more todo. If I don't return, Fritz will be here soon, and you and he must makeyour own plans."
"He sha'n't give me the slip a second time," said Bernenstein.
"We hold ourselves free," said Rudolf to Rischenheim, "to do what weplease with you, my lord. But I have no wish to cause your death, unlessit be necessary. You will be wise to wait till your cousin's fate isdecided before you attempt any further steps against us." And with aslight bow he left the prisoner in Bernenstein's charge, and went backto the room where the queen awaited him. Helga was with her. The queensprang up to meet him.
"I mustn't lose a moment," he said. "All that crowd of people know nowthat the king is here. The news will filter through the town in no time.We must send word to Sapt to keep it from the king's ears at all costs:I must go and do my work, and then disappear."
The queen stood facing him. Her eyes seemed to devour his face; but shesaid only: "Yes, it must be so."
"You must return to the palace as soon as I am gone. I shall send outand ask the people to disperse, and then I must be off."
"To seek Rupert of Hentzau?"
"Yes."
She struggled for a moment with the contending feelings that filled herheart. Then she came to him and seized hold of his hand.
"Don't go," she said in low trembling tones. "Don't go, Rudolf. He'llkill you. Never mind the letter. Don't go: I had rather a thousand timesthat the king had it than that you should.... Oh, my dear, don't go!"
"I must go," he said softly.
Again she began to implore him, but he would not yield. Helga movedtowards the door, but Rudolf stopped her.
"No," he said; "you must stay with her; you must go to the palace withher."
Even as he spoke they heard the wheels of a carriage driven quickly tothe door. By now I had met Anton von Strofzin and heard from him thatthe king was at my house. As I dashed up the news was confirmed by thecomments and jokes of the crowd.
"Ah, he's in a hurry," they said. "He's kept the king waiting. He'll geta wigging."
As may be supposed, I paid little heed to them. I sprang out and ran upthe steps to the door. I saw my wife's face at the window: she herselfran to the door and opened it for me.
"Good God," I whispered, "do all these people know he's here, and takehim for the king?"
"Yes," she said. "We couldn't help it. He showed himself at the door."
It was worse than I dreamt: not two or three people, but all that crowdwere victims of the mistake; all of them had heard that the king was inStrelsau--ay, and had seen him.
"Where is he? Where is he?" I asked, and followed her hastily to theroom.
The queen and Rudolf were standing side by side. What I have told fromHelga's description had just passed between them. Rudolf ran to meet me.
"Is all well?" he asked eagerly.
I forgot the queen's presence and paid no sign of respect to her. Icaught Rudolf by the arm and cried to him: "Do they take you for theking?"
"Yes," he said. "Heavens, man, don't look so white! We shall manage it.I can be gone by to-night."
"Gone? How will that help, since they believe you to be the king?"
"You can keep it from the king," he urged. "I couldn't help it. I cansettle with Rupert and disappear."
The three were standing round me, surprised at my great and terribleagitation. Looking back now, I wonder that I could speak to them at all.
Rudolf tried again to reassure me. He little knew the cause of what hesaw.
"It won't take long to settle affairs with Rupert," said he. "And wemust have the letter, or it will get to the king after all."
"The king will never see the letter," I blurted out, as I sank back in achair.
They said nothing. I looked round on their faces. I had a strangefeeling of helplessness, and seemed to be able to do nothing but throwthe truth at them in blunt plainness. Let them make what they could ofit, I could make nothing.
"The king will never see the letter," I repeated. "Rupert himself hasinsured that."
"What do you mean? You've not met Rupert? You've not got the letter?"
"No, no; but the king can never read it."
Then Rudolf seized me by the shoulder and fairly shook me; indeed I musthave seemed like a man in a dream or a torpor.
"Why not, man; why not?" he asked in urgent low tones. Again I lookedat them, but somehow this time my eyes were attracted and held by thequeen's face. I believe that she was the first to catch a hint of thetidings I brought. Her lips were parted, and her gaze eagerly strainedupon me. I rubbed my hand across my forehead, and, looking up stupidlyat her, I said:
"He never can see the letter. He's dead."
There was a little scream from Helga; Rudolf neither spoke nor moved;the queen continued to gaze at me in motionless wonder and horror.
"Rupert killed him," said I. "The boar-hound attacked Rupert; thenHerbert and the king attacked him; and he killed them all. Yes, the kingis dead. He's dead."
Now none spoke. The queen's eyes never left my face. "Yes, he's dead."said I; and I watched her eyes still. For a long while (or longit seemed) they were on my face; at last, as though drawn by someirresistible force, they turned away. I followed the new line they took.She looked at Rudolf Rassendyll, and he at her. Helga had taken out herhandkerchief, and, utterly upset by the horror and shock, was lying backin a low chair, sobbing half-hysterically; I saw the swift look thatpassed from the queen to her lover, carrying in it grief, remorse, andmost unwilling joy. He did not speak to her, but put out his hand andtook hers. She drew it away almost sharply, and covered her face withboth hands.
Rudolf turned to me. "When was it?"
"Last night."
"And the.... He's at the lodge?"
"Yes, with Sapt and James."
I was recovering my senses and my coolness.
"Nobody knows yet," I said. "We were afraid you might be taken for himby somebody. But, my God, Rudolf, what's to be done now?"
Mr. Rassendyll's lips were set firm and tight. He frowned slightly, andhis blue eyes wore a curious entranced expression. He seemed to me to beforgetful of everything, even of
us who were with him, in some one ideathat possessed him. The queen herself came nearer to him and lightlytouched his arm with her hand. He started as though surprised, then fellagain into his reverie.
"What's to be done, Rudolf?" I asked again.
"I'm going to kill Rupert of Hentzau," he said. "The rest we'll talk ofafterwards."
He walked rapidly across the room and rang the bell. "Clear those peopleaway," he ordered. "Tell them that I want to be quiet. Then send aclosed carriage round for me. Don't be more than ten minutes."
The servant received his peremptory orders with a low bow, and left us.The queen, who had been all this time outwardly calm and composed,now fell into a great agitation, which even the consciousness of ourpresence could not enable her to hide.
"Rudolf, must you go? Since--since this has happened--"
"Hush, my dearest lady," he whispered. Then he went on more loudly,"I won't quit Ruritania a second time leaving Rupert of Hentzaualive. Fritz, send word to Sapt that the king is in Strelsau--he willunderstand--and that instructions from the king will follow by midday.When I have killed Rupert, I shall visit the lodge on my way to thefrontier."
He turned to go, but the queen, following, detained him for a minute.
"You'll come and see me before you go?" she pleaded.
"But I ought not," said he, his resolute eyes suddenly softening in amarvelous fashion.
"You will?"
"Yes, my queen."
Then I sprang up, for a sudden dread laid hold on me.
"Heavens, man," I cried, "what if he kills you--there in theKonigstrasse?"
Rudolf turned to me; there was a look of surprise on his face. "He won'tkill me," he answered.
The queen, looking still in Rudolf's face, and forgetful now, as itseemed, of the dream that had so terrified her, took no notice of what Isaid, but urged again: "You'll come, Rudolf?"
"Yes, once, my queen," and with a last kiss of her hand he was gone.
The queen stood for yet another moment where she was, still and almostrigid. Then suddenly she walked or stumbled to where my wife sat, and,flinging herself on her knees, hid her face in Helga's lap; I heard hersobs break out fast and tumultuously. Helga looked up at me, the tearsstreaming down her cheeks. I turned and went out. Perhaps Helga couldcomfort her; I prayed that God in His pity might send her comfort,although she for her sin's sake dared not ask it of Him. Poor soul! Ihope there may be nothing worse scored to my account.