Part 33 (1/2)

And so Captain Hertz, of the Third Lancers, had not done quite the usual growl, when he got the order to march at once with his troop, selecting such a route as would bring him to the Inn a few minutes before four o'clock, taking care to approach it from the West; and to halt there and await further instructions.

He had confided to his subaltern that it was a crazy sort of proceeding to be manuvring against old Scartman's Inn; but if it had to be done, it was at least considerate to choose as the objective point, a place where they could have a good meal to eat, and the keeper's pretty daughters to philander.

And between thinking of the victuals and the damsels, the Captain so hurried the march that they reached the Inn unnecessarily early; yet they had no reason to regret it, for the tap-room was cool and pleasant, the food to their taste, and the girls' cheeks prettier and softer than ever-though it would seem that, lately, the last were becoming much more difficult to taste.

”What's got into the hussies?” Hertz demanded, rubbing his face, as the Lieutenant and he went out into the courtyard; ”They used to be mild enough.”

”You've been falling off in looks the last year, my dear fellow,” Purkitz laughed-”can't say I much blame the girl-I've no finger marks on my cheek, you see!”

”Huh!” grunted Hertz, ”solid bra.s.s; wouldn't show the kick of a mule.-What in Heaven's name are we sent here for any way!-'await further orders'-that may mean a week.”

”And why not,” the Lieutenant laughed; ”the victuals are delicious, and the girls--”

”Oh, go to the devil!”

”And even father, himself, will do for company in a pinch.”

The Captain laughed, too. ”Not if I can get away-did you ever see such a countenance? It positively makes me ill.”

”Poor old Scartman,” said Purkitz; ”he's a good man, but there is no denying that 'the Lord made him as ugly as He could and then hit him in the face.'”

From the eastward, came the sound of a galloping horse.

”Our orders, I hope,” Hertz exclaimed. He glanced at his watch. ”A quarter of four-I wonder what silly business we're to be sent on, now.”

The hoof-beats drew swiftly nearer, but from where the two officers were standing, the high wall of the courtyard obscured the road, and they sauntered slowly across toward the gateway. As they reached it, a big black horse swept around the corner and was upon them before the rider could draw rein.

Hertz gave a cry of warning and sprang aside, tripped on his spur, and sprawled in the deep dust; while Purkitz's wild jump landed him with both feet on his superior's back, whence he slid off and brought up on Hertz's head, thereby materially augmenting the fine flow of super-heated language that was bubbling from the Captain's dirt-filled mouth-nor did the loud guffaw and the shrieks of feminine laughter, that came from the house, serve to reduce either the temperature or the volume.

Meanwhile, the cause of it all-a slender, sinuous woman, black gowned and black veiled-sat the big horse motionless and silent, waiting for the human tangle to unloose itself.

Coated with dust-his uniform unrecognizable, his face smeared and dirty-Hertz scrambled up.

”What in h.e.l.l do you--a woman!” he ended, and stood staring.

”Yes, my man, a woman,” said she, ”and one very sorry for your fall-you are the landlord, I presume.”

Lieutenant Purkitz gave a shout, and leaned against the gate.

”Landlord!” he gasped, ”landlord!-that face-oh, that face!” and went off into a fit of suppressed mirth.

The woman looked at him and then at Hertz, and though the thick veil hid her features completely, there was no doubt of her irritation.

The Captain bowed. ”Madame will pardon the ill manners of my clownish servant,” he said, indicating Purkitz; ”I am Captain Hertz, of Her Highness' Third Lancers. Yonder is the landlord; permit me to call him.”

She leaned down and offered him her hand.

”A thousand apologies, my dear Captain, for my reckless riding and my awkward tongue-there is small excuse for the former, I admit, but my veil may explain the latter.-You are not hurt?”

A voice so soft and sweet must have a face to match it, and Hertz went a step nearer.