Part 43 (1/2)
”I shall not give back the paper,” she repeated. ”It contains the defence of my honour and my children's. I shall die, but he shall not have it.”
The second day after Von Sinen's arrival, Cosel called Zaklika to her.
He looked awful--pale, angry, and silent. When he looked at people, they shrank from that face full of hate, seeing in it a grief only looking for the opportunity to change into madness.
They could not talk long in the house, being surrounded by spies.
Zaklika used to come and go as though he had business to do, carrying something out and then bringing it back. Only thus could they speak.
Cosel said to him,--
”Do they watch you, too?”
”Not yet.”
”You must leave me, and be entirely free.”
Zaklika s.h.i.+vered and stared at her.
”I? Leave you? And what am I to do with myself? to what shall I devote my life? Then I can only die.”
”No,” said Cosel, ”it is only the beginning of my imprisonment. You must be free in order to help me to get back my freedom.”
Zaklika became thoughtful.
”Speak, then,” said he after a while.
”You will know where I am. I trust you, you must think about means; you will try and free me. There are still a few thousands with Lehman; I will give you a word to him--you will take the money.”
Zaklika was indignant that she should offer him money.
”It is not for you, but you must have it to free me.”
She looked at him. He nodded obediently.
”In the first place, go and try to find out whether they will let you go; you may tell them that you do not wish to serve me any more. Do what you please. Carry in your breast my treasure that I entrusted to you. Do you understand me?”
She extended to him her trembling hand.
”Only you do I trust, for only in you is a human soul. Do not betray me, like the rest!”
”I?” exclaimed Zaklika, indignantly, and his eyes shone so fiercely that Cosel retreated. ”I?” repeated he, trembling. ”I can die, but not betray.”
”Then you must be free, without arousing suspicion. Go!”
Zaklika went out, and he did not reappear until the next day towards evening, when he brought with him a new servant, and took his leave from his mistress.
Cosel had enough strength to play a scene of anger, for the landlord and his wife listened at the door.
He left the room, and went to an official complaining that Cosel did not want to let him go, to which he had right, for he was a Polish n.o.bleman, therefore a free man.
The Prussian laughed, for he knew how many Polish n.o.blemen had been caught by the Prussians, and obliged to serve in their army, but he did not say anything. Perhaps, had Zaklika not been so pale and looked so miserable, he would have forced him to accept service in the regiment of gigantic grenadiers, but Zaklika was looking wretched, and it would have cost much to feed him up.