Part 8 (1/2)
More than once he paused and looked across the Neuer Markt above the trees and the roofs, towards the western sky, with a sudden grave wistfulness. He was thinking of some one in the west. It was a.s.suredly not of war that this soldier wrote. Then, again, his attention would be attracted to some pa.s.ser in the street below. He only gave half of his attention to his letter. He was, it seemed, a man who as yet touched life lightly; for he was quite young. But, nevertheless, his pen, urged by only half a mind that had all the energy of spring, flew over the paper. Sowing is so much easier than reaping.
Suddenly he threw his pen aside and moved quickly to the window which stood open. The shoemaker had gone out, closing the door softly behind him.
It was to be expected that he would turn to the left, upwards towards the town and the Langga.s.se, but it was in the direction of the river that his footsteps died away. There was no outlet on that side except by boat.
It was almost dark now, and the trees growing close to the window obscured the view. So eager was the lodger to follow the movements of his landlord that he crept in stocking-feet out on to the roof. By lying on his face below the window he could just distinguish the shadowy form of a lame man by the river edge. He was moving to and fro, unchaining a boat moored to the steps, which are more used in winter when the Pregel is a frozen roadway than in summer. There was no one else in the Neuer Markt, for it was the supper hour.
Out in the middle of the river a few s.h.i.+ps were moored: high-prowed, square-sterned vessels of a Dutch build trading in the Frische Haaf and in the Baltic.
The soldier saw the boat steal out towards them. There was no other boat at the steps or in sight. He stood up on the edge of the roof, and after carefully measuring his distance, with quick eyes aglow with excitement, he leapt lightly across the leafy s.p.a.ce into the topmost boughs, where he alighted in a forked branch almost without sound.
At dawn the next morning, while the shoemaker still slept, the soldier was astir again. He s.h.i.+vered as he rose, and went to the window, where his clothes were hanging from a rafter. The water was still dripping from them. Wrapt in a blanket he sat down by the open window to write while the morning air should dry his clothes.
That which he wrote was a long report--sheet after sheet closely written. And in the middle of his work he broke off to read again the letter that he had written the night before. With a quick, impulsive gesture he kissed the name it bore. Then he turned to his work again.
The sun was up before he folded the papers together. By way of a postscript he wrote a brief letter.
”DEAR C.--I have been fortunate, as you will see from the enclosed report. His Majesty cannot again say that I have been neglectful. I was quite right. It is Sebastian and only Sebastian that we need fear. Here they are clumsy conspirators compared to him. I have been in the river half the night listening at the open stern-window of a Reval pink to every word they said. His Majesty can safely come to Konigsberg. Indeed, he is better out of Dantzig. For the whole country is riddled with that which they call patriotism, and we treason. But I can only repeat what his Majesty disbelieved the day before yesterday--that the heart of the ill is Dantzig, and the venom of it Sebastian. Who he really is and what he is about you must find out how you can. I go forward to-day to Gumbinnen. The enclosed letter to its address, I beg of you, if only in acknowledgment of all that I have sacrificed.”
The letter was unsigned, and bore the date, ”Dawn, June 10.” This and the report, and that other letter (carefully sealed with a wafer) which did not deal with war or its alarms, were all placed in one large envelope. He did not seal it, however, but sat thinking while the sun began to s.h.i.+ne on the opposite houses. Then he withdrew the open letter, and added a postscript to it:
”If an attempt were made on N.'s life--I should say Sebastian. If Prussia were to play us false suddenly, and cut us off from France--I should say nothing else than Sebastian. He is more dangerous than a fanatic; for he is too clever to be one.”
The writer s.h.i.+vered and laughed in sheer amus.e.m.e.nt at his own misery as he drew on his wet clothes. The shoemaker was already astir, and presently knocked at his door.
”Yes, yes,” the soldier cried, ”I am astir.”
And as his host rattled the door he opened it. He had unrolled his long cavalry cloak, and wore it over his wet clothes.
”You never told me your name,” said the shoemaker. A suspicious man is always more suspicious at the beginning of the day.
”My name,” answered the other carelessly. ”Oh! my name is Max Brunner.”
CHAPTER VII. THE WAY OF LOVE.
Celui qui souffle le feu s'expose a etre brule par les etincelles.
It was said that Colonel de Casimir--that guest whose presence and uniform lent an air of distinction to the quiet wedding in the Frauenga.s.se--was a Pole from Cracow. Men also whispered that he was in the confidence of the Emperor. But this must only have been a manner of speaking. For no man was ever admitted fully into the thoughts of that superhuman mind.
De Casimir was left behind in Dantzig when the army moved forward.
”There will be a great battle,” he said, ”somewhere near Vilna--and I shall miss it.”
Indeed, every man was striving to get to the front. He who, himself, had given a new meaning to human ambition seemed able to inspire not only Frenchmen but soldiers of every nationality with fire from his own consuming flame.
”Yes! madame,” said de Casimir; for it was to Desiree that he spoke, ”and your husband is more fortunate than I. He is sure of a staff appointment. He will be among the first. It will soon be over. To-morrow war is to be declared.”
They were in the street--not far from the Frauenga.s.se, whence Desiree, always practical, was hurrying towards the market-place. De Casimir had seemed idle until he perceived her.
Desiree made a little movement of horror at the announcement. She did not know that the fighting had already begun.