Part 39 (1/2)

”My next report to your Excellency I hope will be on the result of our endeavors here.

”Your obedient servant, ”K 1.”

Von Salzinger raised his eyes from the paper. They encountered the profile of the Prince. He regarded it for some moments without friendliness. Then he changed his expression to one of official cordiality.

”Stryj is a capable man,” he hazarded.

The reply came without a change in the direction of the Prince's gaze.

”He seems successful in the things of lesser importance. Von Hertzwohl has slipped through his fingers. He may be capable. We shall see. But we want the--body--of Von Hertzwohl. This man has made no attempt to communicate with his daughter--yet. Do you know what that means? I doubt if you do. It means that your first visit to her alarmed them. It warned the Prince, through this man Farlow, that there was danger. You, with your attempt at liaison, are responsible for that. Perhaps that will appeal to your--imagination. Herr von Salzinger, you have made two mistakes. The second is more serious than the first. If we do not secure the person of this man you will be recalled to Germany.”

The calmness with which he spoke robbed his words of none of their significance. With his final p.r.o.nouncement his cold eyes were turned full upon his companion, searching his gross face with a glance of inflexible resolve.

Von Salzinger's spirit was tame. But the lash and unjust condemnation goaded him.

”Discipline must be observed, Excellency,” he said, with a thickness which warned the other of the effect of his words. ”If I am recalled, then I must obey. But it is the authority in Berlin which is to blame for his escape. I came here to track this other, Farlow, and the work at his yards. Von Hertzwohl was still in the Baltic when I visited the Princess. There was no suggestion at the time that the Berlin authority would be sufficiently blundering to permit his escape. It would be more just to find the scapegoat amongst those who were responsible in Berlin. I submit that this matter was in your department, Excellency, of which you are the sole head.”

Von Berger's reply came with a flicker of the eyelids.

”Those who are responsible for acts which jeopardize the ends of the Fatherland will reap the consequent punishment--whoever they be. No distinction will be made. That is the discipline of our country, Herr von Salzinger.” Then he pointed to a chair.

The other accepted the silent order. But it was with an ill grace. Von Salzinger, for all his discipline, was no weakling. At that moment he was ready to rebel against the iron rod which Von Berger wielded. It would have required but one more sting to set the man's headstrong pa.s.sions loose, whatever, in the end, it might have cost him.

But the Prince was alive to the danger signal. His understanding of human nature was something more than a study--it was an instinct. A secret purpose lay behind his charge. The value of the terror of authority upon a Prussian subject was well understood by him, and none knew better than he that rank and position afforded no emanc.i.p.ation from its peculiar claims. The danger signal, however, warned him that in the present case he was dealing with a man of hot pa.s.sion and physical bravery. To gain full effect for his charge he must not jeopardize his purpose by risking an outbreak of pa.s.sion. The effect would come after Von Salzinger's private reflection through the inborn discipline that was his.

The two men sat facing each other. The truculent regard of Von Salzinger would not be denied. But Von Berger gave no sign. He was entirely master of himself as always, just as he knew he was master of the position at the moment, and of this man.

”That which has happened to us is a greater disaster than the defeat of our armies could have been,” he said slowly. ”You, as well as everybody else, must realize this. If you do not you must be made to. That is why I have talked plainly. That is why you have indiscreetly permitted your anger to get the better of you. Now you must listen to me while I show you how we can achieve that which Berlin has failed to do, and which this man Stryj has failed to do. I mean lay our hands upon Prince von Hertzwohl. The woman up-stairs has been condemned to death.”

”To--death?”

The square figure of Von Salzinger was erect, and his eyes were alight with a horror unusual to him. Then his feelings subsided under incredulity. ”But that is a threat--merely.”

Von Berger shook his head.

”It is a reality. She will die, if we do not get her father. It is part of my plan for trapping him. The news of her death will be whispered through certain channels which we know will convey it to him--wherever he be. Listen, this is the plan, and this is the work which will be a.s.signed to you.”

Half an hour later the Prince rose from his chair and crossed to the window. He stood with his back towards his companion. He had talked long and earnestly in his cold, even voice. Now he waited.

”Well?” he said at last without looking round at the still rec.u.mbent figure behind him. ”That is the duty allotted to you. You accept the position?”

For answer Von Salzinger sprang to his feet. His face was purple with shame. The diabolical nature of the plan had sunk deeply into the half-savage heart of the man and found some small grains of genuine manhood there. Even he was revolted, and the habit of discipline tottered and crumpled.

”No! By G.o.d, no!” he cried, with a savage clenching of the fists.

Von Berger remained gazing out at the autumn scene.

”Think again.”