Part 35 (2/2)
She bent forward and looked him in the eyes.
”Why might it not be to a.s.sist myself?” she asked-”to revenge myself, if you please, Armand.”
”Yes?” he said questioningly.
”Ferdinand of Lotzen and I have come to the parting place,” she said with quick bitterness-”the brute struck me yesterday; no man ever did so twice-and none ever once, that I didn't punish promptly. I did come from Paris thinking I might aid you, for some how I was sure he had that book; he was glad enough to have me; and then he was so kind and liberal I-you won't believe it I know, Armand, but it's true-I couldn't bring myself to betray him; nor should I, but for yesterday. Now I want revenge; and I can get it quickest and best through you. There, you have my true motive; and even you should not doubt it, for, G.o.d knows, a woman hates to confess that a man has struck her.”
She turned away and looked through the window, her fingers playing nervously on the sill; while the Archduke, doubtful, yet half convinced, glanced at Moore uncertainly.
Instantly the Colonel motioned to accept, and that he would go to the Ferida; and Armand smiled, and indicated that both would go-if any went; then he crossed to the great fireplace and stood before it, staring thoughtfully into the cinders. Suddenly he straightened his shoulders, and faced around-and Moore knew that the decision was made, and finally.
”Mrs. Spencer,” he said, ”we will lay aside the questions of motive and personality: You, an individual, come to me, the Governor of Dornlitz, and offer information which, if true, will lead to the recovery of an article of great value, that belongs to the Government and has mysteriously disappeared. It is my duty, as Governor, to investigate the story, and I will do it, either in person or by subordinate. If the story be true, and the article in question be recovered by your aid, then you will be ent.i.tled to the proper thanks of the Government and a suitable recompense.-So much for that. But I also wish to a.s.sure you that Armand Dalberg, himself, declines your offer and your aid; and should your information result to his personal profit and advancement, it will be a life-long regret.”
She heard him without turning-and Moore thought he detected the faintest s.h.i.+ver at the end; and, in truth, the words and tone were enough to chill even a colder heart than hers.
But when she faced him, it was with one of the soft and caressing smiles she could use with such fatal fascination, and which made Moore catch his breath and stare, though it touched the Archduke not at all.
”I thank His Royal Highness, the Governor of Dornlitz,” she said, dropping him another curtsy, ”for his consideration and trust, and the promised reward; the latter I decline.... As for Armand Dalberg, I can a.s.sure him he will owe me no obligation: it will give me a life-long pleasure to be the means of causing him a life-long regret.”
The Archduke smiled indifferently.
”To that extent, then, I shall feel less obligated,” he replied.
”Meanwhile, let us be seated, and receive madame's instruction for to-night. I shall want the Book seen by more than one person-how many can you arrange to admit?”
”How many do you wish?”
”Three, possibly four.”
”You may bring half a dozen if you like,” she said, ”though the fewer, the less chance of failure.”
”Very good-how is it to be managed?”
She drew off her gauntlets, and from one of them took a sheet of note paper-stamped with the Duke's arms-on which she had sketched roughly so much of the Ferida and its grounds as entered into her plan. Spreading it out, she explained how they were to gain entrance to her apartments; and that there might be no mistake, she went over it again, cautioning them that it must be followed with the most careful precision. At the end, she gave the map to Moore.
”Of course, I shall not expect Your Highness to-night,” she said; ”but I hope you will send Colonel Moore; it will be well to have some one who can, if necessary, use both head and sword-though I don't antic.i.p.ate the remotest difficulty in your--”
A volley of cheers from without drowned her voice. It could only be the soldiers, and yet it was such an extraordinary thing, and with the Field-Marshal, himself, within sound, that the two men looked at each other in puzzled surprise; and when the noise not only continued but actually grew louder, the Archduke frowned and went to the window.
And what he saw made him frown still more, and he swore softly to himself, as a man does, sometimes, when unpleasantly surprised and obliged to think quickly, and to act on the thinking, with a heavy penalty awaiting a mistake.
Crossing the courtyard, with Hertz and Purkitz walking on either side, were the Regent of Valeria and Mlle. d'Essolde. And even as Armand stood there, they were out of saddle and Dehra was running lightly up the steps.
”Send Scartman to us in the big room, if you please, Captain,” she called-then stopped, her eyes fixed on two horses standing a little way off-a Field-Marshal's insignia on the saddle cloth of one and a Colonel's of her Household on the other. So! so! and they were too busy with appointments at four to ride with them. She caught Mlle. d'Essolde by the arm.
”Look, Elise!” she said, ”look at those saddle cloths yonder.”
<script>