Part 34 (1/2)
”Husband?” he burst in eagerly.
”She believes him to be. There was a ceremony of marriage; and believing in him, she would not let me bring her to you, because he had made her take an oath not to do so.”
”The villain!” he exclaimed with intense pa.s.sion.
”I fear that the reason is what you think.”
”You know who he is?” The hard eyes were fierce and gleaming as he asked.
”I know who it is not,” I answered.
”You know who it is, then?”
”You must not ask me. I cannot tell you yet.”
”You shall tell me.”
”If you think you can force me, try;” and I faced him, with a look to the full as resolute as his.
”Why won't you?”
”For Gareth's sake. I am thinking of what, in your present desperate mood, you cannot--her happiness.”
”I am thinking of her honour.”
”No. You are thinking of murder, Colonel Katona. You came here to do it, believing that you knew who had betrayed her.”
”He shall pay for it with his life.”
”There may be a heavier penalty to exact than that.”
”Show me that, and as there is a G.o.d it shall be exacted.”
”I will show it you, but at my own time and in my own way. No other.”
”You are playing with me, and s.h.i.+elding the villain here.”
”I am doing neither. The man you seek is not Count Karl.”
”You are lying,” he cried again vehemently. ”See this;” and he drew out a crumpled letter and thrust it toward me.
But I would not look at it and got up. ”If I am lying, there is no longer need for you to speak to me of this. If I am not lying, you are a coward to insult me so, even in your pa.s.sion. Leave the house as you came and probe this for yourself. My servants are within call, if you do not go.” I picked up his revolver and handed it to him. ”Here is your weapon.”
He made no attempt to touch it but looked up at me. ”You are a daring girl,” he muttered.
”Ernst von Dreschler's daughter does not lie, Colonel Katona,” I answered, with deliberate emphasis.
”Forgive me. I spoke out of my mad misery. I will not disbelieve you again. G.o.d knows, I am not myself to-night.”
”You can trust me or not, as you please. But if you trust me, it will have to be absolutely. I believe I can see a way through this trouble which will be best for Gareth--best for all. It is of Gareth I think in this. She would trust me.”