Part 16 (1/2)
Presently he began to talk in such unrestrained fas.h.i.+on that ”Mr.
Karlbeck” looked as if he would faint with apprehension, while His Royal Highness sought by every possible means to divert Edestone's attention from the broad hints and imprudent revelations that were thrown out.
They were still engaged at this, when suddenly the door was thrown open, and some one announced in a loud voice, ”The King's Messenger!”
”Karlbeck” and ”Lord Denton” sprang to their feet, their faces ashy pale, as they stood grasping the backs of their chairs. When, a moment later, Colonel Stewart, the Equerry, appeared on the threshold, they both crumpled up, and dropped into their chairs, fit subjects for the starch-pot.
The Colonel stared at them in undisguised surprise, a slow frown gathering between his eyes.
”Your Royal Highness did not mention to me this afternoon that he was dining with Mr. Edestone tonight,” he drew himself up stiffly. And it was in his mind that, on the contrary, His Royal Highness had inveighed against the American inventor as a fraud and a fakir, and had loudly urged that no attention be paid to him or his claims.
Neither did Colonel Stewart forget that certain ugly whispers had been in circulation regarding the loyalty of these two high-born Englishmen with the Teutonic names. What did it mean, then, when he found them here in the apartment of a man practically known as a German agent, and in conference with the possessor of the secret which Germany was seeking so eagerly to obtain?
Whatever his suspicions, though, he said nothing further at the time, but turned to Edestone.
”I am sorry to disturb you, Mr. Edestone, but His Majesty, the King, has ordered that certain messages be delivered to you without delay, and I should appreciate it, if you would give me a few minutes of your time.”
Then, when Edestone, after requesting Rebener's permission, had withdrawn with him into the salon, he explained that the King had instructed Sir Egbert Graves to call the following morning at nine o'clock and to state the decision of the Government in answer to the inventor's proposition.
”Will that hour be convenient to you?” asked the Colonel.
”Perfectly,” Edestone a.s.sented. Then on an impulse, he added: ”I do not leave for the Continent until eleven.”
The Equerry extended his hand. ”In that case, I shall probably not see you again. Good-bye, Mr. Edestone; I trust you will have a pleasant journey and good luck when you reach Berlin.”
It was evident that he was not to be detained. He was in no sense a prisoner, but free to go or stay as he chose. With a smile of gratification, he responded to Colonel Stewart's parting salute, and returned to the dining-room.
There he found the two discomfited members of the n.o.bility just taking their leave; while Rebener, his earlier ill-humour put aside, was playing the rather too strenuous host, and with his flushed face and over-loud manner urging them to stay and ”have another.” Wouldn't they try one of his wonderful cigars? Just one pony of his marvellous brandy?
But His Royal Highness, pale as death, was bent on getting away, and turned a deaf ear to all these hospitable suggestions; and although ”Mr. Karlbeck” did consent to gulp down a large gla.s.s of Rebener's very fine brandy, he immediately hurried off in the wake of his royal a.s.sociate.
Edestone left almost immediately, and his ”guard of honour,” to which he was getting quite accustomed by this time, having been duly a.s.sembled, he was escorted back to the hotel and a sleepy-eyed James.
CHAPTER XVIII
IN THE HANDS OF THE GERMANS
The next morning Sir Egbert Graves called. He touched first upon the occurrences of the evening before at Rebener's dinner, and Edestone was surprised to learn how fully the Government was informed concerning all that had transpired.
”His Majesty begs that you will, if possible, forget the whole distasteful episode,” Sir Egbert said, with a stern face, and a flash of contempt in his eye. ”His Royal Highness has been relieved of his commission and is in retirement, and the d.u.c.h.ess of Windthorst together with Princess Wilhelmina is leaving to join the Princess Adolph, in Berlin. By these means, and of course with your silence, upon which he counts, His Majesty hopes to keep England in ignorance of the fact that such rottenness exists in his immediate household.”
”And so that pretty young girl who crossed with me on the _Ivernia_ is in the mire too,” thought Edestone; for it seemed to him that the King's order of exile against the d.u.c.h.ess and herself could mean nothing else. Yet somehow his feeling of disdain and aversion for the traitor did not extend to the feminine members of the family. For them he had only sorrow and sympathy.
Meanwhile, Sir Egbert, as if glad to be rid of so disagreeable a subject, had taken up the direct purpose of his call.
He said that, whereas the King was unwilling to offer any terms of settlement that Germany in her present mood would be apt to consider, His Majesty thought that after she understood the position of the United States, and after her spies had reported the nature of Edestone's reception in London, and especially after the inventor should have had an interview with the Emperor, the Berlin Government might suggest something which could serve as a basis upon which to open negotiations. In such a case, His Majesty was of the opinion that Edestone, if he were willing to undertake the delicate task, would be the most suitable person to act as a go-between.
The Foreign Minister made it plain that England could promise nothing at that time; but that he had her friendly interest upon his mission, and that she would listen in the most conciliatory spirit to any proposition he might bring back.