Part 45 (1/2)
He did not finish, for Stadinger already stood upon the threshold, having followed the servant closely, and said in a peculiarly suppressed tone: ”I come about a family affair also, Herr Chief Forester, but it is a sad one. I cannot wait, but must speak to you immediately.”
”But what is it?” asked Schonan, mystified. ”Has something happened?
The Prince is not at Rodeck so far as I know.”
”No, mein Herr. His Highness is in town, but Herr Rojanow is there and sends me. He begs you and Herr von Eschenhagen to come to Rodeck immediately, and you, gracious lady”--he glanced at Frau von Eschenhagen, whom he knew from her former visits to Furstenstein--”you would do well to come likewise.”
”But why? What has happened?” cried Schonan, now really disturbed.
The old man hesitated; he had apparently been charged to break the news gradually. Finally he said: ”His Excellency, Herr von Wallmoden, is at the castle, and the Frau Baroness also.”
”My brother!” interrupted Regine with apprehension.
”Yes, gracious lady. His Excellency fell out of the carriage, and now he lies there unconscious, which means to the physician we called in great haste that the matter is dangerous.”
”In G.o.d's name! we must go at once, Moritz,” cried the frightened lady.
Herr von Schonan had already grasped the bell rope and pulled it.
”The carriage as quick as possible!” he cried to the servant. ”How did it happen, Stadinger? Tell us what you know.”
”The Herr Baron was coming from Ostwalden with the gracious lady, intending to come to Furstenstein,” responded Stadinger. ”The road, you know, leads through the Rodeck tract not far from the castle. Our Forester, who was with some of his subordinates in the Wald, fired a few shots, and a wounded deer dashed across the road in wild flight just by the carriage. The horses took fright and ran--the driver could not hold them. The two Foresters who saw it ran after them. They heard the Frau Baroness beg her husband: 'Remain seated. Herbert! for G.o.d's sake, no, do not jump,' but His Excellency seemed to have lost his head entirely. He tore the door open and jumped. At the wild pace they were going he fell, of course, with full force, and against a tree. The driver succeeded in bringing his horses to a standstill not far at a bend of the road. The Frau Baroness, who was not hurt, hastened to the place of misfortune as quickly as possible, and she found the poor gentleman there seriously injured and unconscious. The Forester's people carried him to Rodeck, which was near by. Herr Rojanow has looked after everything that could be done at the moment, and now he sends me to bring you the news.”
It was natural that under the pressure of this heart-rending news the recent bitter family quarrel should cease instantly. In great haste they made ready for departure. Antonie was called and informed, and as soon as the carriage drove up the Chief Forester and his sister-in-law hastened downstairs.
Willibald, who followed with Stadinger, detained him on the steps for a moment and asked in a low tone: ”Has the doctor given his opinion? Do you know anything more about it?”
The old man nodded sadly, and answered also in low tones: ”I stood near when Herr Rojanow asked him in the ante-room. There is no hope--the poor Excellency will not live through the day.”
CHAPTER XLII.
The little hunting castle of Rodeck, which lay so cold and lonely in the first December snowy days, had seldom seen such excitement as to-day.
It was about noon when the two Foresters, whose firing was the innocent cause of the disaster, brought the injured Amba.s.sador to the house.
They had known that the longer march to Furstenstein was impossible, so they turned toward Rodeck, which lay scarcely a quarter of an hour's walk from the place of the accident.
Hartmut Rojanow, who was at the castle, was immediately called, and had made the necessary arrangements with quick decision. The rooms which Prince Adelsberg usually occupied were put at the disposal of the Baroness, and a messenger was despatched on horseback for the nearest physician, who, fortunately, was easy to reach.
When the doctor's statement allowed no hope, Stadinger was sent to Furstenstein to summon the relatives, who soon arrived, but only to find Herr von Wallmoden dying. He did not regain the consciousness which he had lost in that awful fall; he lay there immovable, recognizing no one; and when the day drew to a close all was over.
The Chief Forester, with Willibald, returned to Furstenstein toward night. He had sent a telegram before leaving Furstenstein, to notify the Emba.s.sy of the sad accident which had befallen its chief, and now had to follow it with the announcement of his death.
Frau von Eschenhagen had remained at Rodeck with her brother's widow.
To-morrow preparations would be made to carry the body to the Residenz, and the two ladies wished to remain at his side until then.
Adelaide, who had proved so courageous during the danger, and who had done her full duty at the bedside of her husband, seemed, now that this duty was over, to give way entirely under the sudden and prostrating blow. She was stunned and dazed by the awful accident.