Part 38 (1/2)
So, with sudden resolve, I took the Nord Express once more back across Europe, and four days later found myself again in my old room at the Emba.s.sy, where Stoyanovitch brought me a command to audience from the Emperor.
How can I adequately describe the interview, which took place in a s.p.a.cious room in the Palace of Tzarskoie-Selo.
”So your friend Madame de Rosen was unfortunately dead before you reached Yakutsk,” remarked His Majesty gravely, standing near the window in a brilliant uniform covered with glittering decorations, for he had just returned from an official function. ”I heard of it,” he added.
”The Governor-General Vorontzoff reported to me by telegraph. Indeed, Trewinnard, I had frequent reports of your progress. I am sorry you undertook such a journey all in vain.”
”I beg of Your Majesty's clemency towards the dead woman's daughter Luba,” I asked.
But he only made a gesture of impatience, saying:
”I have already demanded a report on the whole case. Until that comes, I regret I cannot act. Vorontzoff will see that the girl is not sent farther north, and no doubt she will be well treated.”
In a few brief words I described some of the scenes I had witnessed on the Great Post Road, but the Emperor only sighed heavily and replied:
”I regret it, I tell you. But how can I control the loyal Cossacks sent to escort those who have made attempts upon my life? I admit most freely that the exile system is wrong, cruel--perhaps inhuman. Yet how can it be altered?”
”If Your Majesty makes searching inquiry, he will find some terrible injustices committed in the name of the law.”
”In confidence, I tell you, I am having secret inquiry made in certain quarters,” he replied. ”And, Trewinnard, I wish you, if you will, to make out for me a full and confidential report on your journey, and I will then have all your allegations investigated.”
I thanked him. Though an autocrat, he was yet a humane and just ruler-- when he was allowed to exercise justice, which, unfortunately, was but seldom.
”My journey had a tragic sequel in Yakutsk, Sire,” I said presently, ”and upon my return to England I was met with still another misfortune-- a misfortune upon which I desire to consult Your Imperial Majesty.”
”What?” he asked, opening his eyes widely. ”A further misfortune?”
”I regret to be compelled to report that her Imperial Highness the Grand d.u.c.h.ess Natalia has disappeared,” I said in a low voice.
His dark, heavy brows narrowed, his cheeks went pale, and his lips compressed.
”Disappeared!” he gasped. ”What do you mean? Describe this latest escapade of hers--for I suppose it is some ridiculous freak or other?”
”I fear not, Sire,” was my reply. Then, having described to him the facts as I have related them here to you, my reader, omitting, of course, all reference to Richard Drury, I added: ”What I fear is that Her Highness has fallen victim to some revolutionary plot.”
”Why? What motive can the revolutionary party have in making an attempt upon her--a mere giddy girl?”
”The fame motive which incited the attempt in Petersburg, in which her lamented father lost his life,” was my quiet reply.
His Majesty touched a bell, and in answer Stoyanovitch appeared upon the threshold and saluted.
”If General Markoff is still here I desire to see him immediately.”
The Captain saluted, backed out and withdrew.
I held my breath. This was, indeed, a misfortune. I had no wish that Markoff should know of the inquiries I was inst.i.tuting.
”May I venture to make a request of Your Majesty?” I asked in a low, uncertain voice.
”What is it?” he asked with quick irritation.
”That General Markoff shall be allowed to remain in ignorance of Her Highness's disappearance?”