Part 58 (1/2)
”For G.o.d's sake!” shrieked the Prince in horror. ”Cannot General Falkenried be notified?”
”That is the question. I fear that it will not be possible. I have sent out warnings upon two different routes, but our direct connection with R---- is cut off; the enemy has the mountain pa.s.ses in possession; the messengers will have to make a wide circuit and cannot arrive there in time.”
Egon was silent in deepest consternation. The pa.s.ses were, indeed, occupied by the hostile forces. Eschenhagen's regiment had been sent to clear the way, but that might take several days.
”We have considered all possibilities,” continued the General, ”but there is no way out of it--nothing but a slight hope that the surrender has been delayed in some way; but Falkenried is not the man to allow himself to be kept waiting. He will hasten the finale and then he is lost with perhaps thousands with him.”
He resumed his walk through the room. One could see how the fate of his endangered comrades went to the heart of this iron man.
The Prince, too, stood helpless, but suddenly a thought flashed upon him. He drew himself up.
”Your Excellency.”
”Well?”
”If it should be possible to send a dispatch over the pa.s.ses, a good horseman might possibly get to R---- by to-morrow morning. Of course, he would have to ride for life and death----”
”And through the midst of the enemy--nonsense! You are a soldier and must tell yourself that it is impossible. The foolhardy rider would not get half a mile--he would be shot down.”
”But if a man could be found who would be willing to make the attempt in spite of everything? I know such a man, Your Excellency.”
The General frowned angrily.
”Does that mean that you wish to offer yourself for this useless sacrifice? I would have to prohibit that, Prince Adelsberg. I know how to value the courage of my officers, but I shall not give them permission for such impossible enterprises.”
”I do not speak of myself,” said Egon earnestly. ”The man of whom I am thinking belongs to the Seventh Regiment, and is at present upon sentinel duty on the Capellenberg. It was he who reported the prisoner.”
The General had grown thoughtful, but he shook his head incredulously.
”I say it is impossible; but what is this man's name?”
”Joseph Tanner.”
”Private?”
”Yes, he entered voluntarily.”
”You know him, then?”
”Yes, Your Excellency; he is perhaps the best rider in the whole army; dauntless to foolhardiness, and capable to act in such a case with the circ.u.mspection of an officer. If the thing can possibly be done, he will do it.”
”And you believe--such a thing cannot be commanded--it is, indeed, an act of despair--you believe that the man would take this message of his own free will?”
”I stand for it.”
”Then, indeed, I cannot nor dare not say no where so much is at stake.
I will order Tanner up immediately.”
”May I not take the order to him?” Egon quickly interrupted.