Part 38 (2/2)
”Yes, it is, but--”
”And there are but three in the Kingdom who have ever seen the Book, you and Lotzen and myself; and there must be no question as to its absolute identification, before you as Regent resort to force to recover it-force that may necessitate the taking of the Ferida by a.s.sault. Therefore, dear, I must go, for I must see the Book. a.s.sume, just for ill.u.s.tration, that Colonel Moore brings a description that seems to correspond to the Laws; you, as Regent, formally accuse the Duke of Lotzen of having the Book and demand its instant surrender; and upon his indignant denial that he has it, and his offered readiness to have his Palace searched, you order me, as Governor of Dornlitz, to have my rival's residence invaded and subjected to the ignominy of a mandat de perquisition; or, again, he may deny the Book without demanding a search, and submit to it only under protest; or he may refuse to permit the search and oppose it by force.
And whichever the case may be, the Book will not be found-he will take very careful precaution, as to that, you may be sure. And what will my position be then, with the House of n.o.bles?-when our only explanation, for such fruitless insult, is that some one saw a book, which he described to us, and which we thought was the Laws. Indeed, though it hadn't occurred to me before, it may be just such a condition that he is playing for--”
”But, my dear Armand,” the Princess interrupted, ”would it be any advantage even if we could say that you saw it?”
”An incalculable advantage, Dehra; I know the Book-there could not be any chance for mistake; and it would then be my word against Lotzen's, an even break, as it were; whereas, otherwise, it will be his word against our guess. Yet, indeed, in this aspect, it's very doubtful if we ought to resort to open measures against him, even if I saw the Book. It would be a question for careful consideration and counsel with all our friends-and it is but right that I should be able to a.s.sure them that I, myself, saw it, and recognized it beyond a doubt. It's worth all the danger it may involve; though I don't antic.i.p.ate any-the more I think, the more I believe we have solved the riddle. Lotzen wants some one to see the Book-he much prefers it shouldn't be I; he fancies I will gladly send a subst.i.tute; and he takes me for a hot-headed fool, who then will promptly play out for him the rest of his game, landing him on the Throne and myself beyond the border.”
The Princess had listened with growing conviction that he was right; now she turned to Moore.
”And what is your best judgment?” she asked.
”That His Highness has the argument,” was the prompt reply; ”and I confess I was. .h.i.therto of your mind, and urged him, all I might, to let me go in his stead. Now, I am convinced not only that we should verify Mrs. Spencer's story, but that the Archduke must do it.”
”And because he has seen the Book, and can identify it beyond doubt?”
”Exactly that, Your Highness; such identification is vital.”
Dehra nodded and sipped her cordial meditatively; while Armand watched her in sudden disquiet; he had seen that look on her face a few times only, and it always presaged some amazing decision that was immutable-and not always to his approval. When she raised her eyes, it was with the conquering smile that he had never yet stood out against for long.
”Armand,” said she, ”you and Colonel Moore have persuaded me; it is right for you to go, and I'll go with you--”
”What! You!” the Archduke cried-”are you crazy, child?”
”Not in the least, dear; only very sensible to your cogent logic-who can identify the Book so well as I, who have known it all my life; you have seen it but once, you know.”
”But the danger!”
”There isn't any danger, you said-and if there were, the Regent of Valeria will be the best sort of protector for you.”
”But you will have to-go into Madeline Spencer's apartments-may be remain there half the night,” he protested.
”And much more seemly for me than for you, my dear, and much less-tempting.”
He joined in her laugh, but shook his head and turned to Moore.
”Colonel, will you oblige me by telephoning Mrs. Spencer we shall not be there to-night; word it any way you wish.”
”Colonel Moore,” said the Princess sharply, ”you will do nothing of the sort. The Regent of Valeria requires the attendance of the Governor of Dornlitz and yourself to the Ferida Palace this night-and in the interval, you both will hold yourselves here in readiness.”
Armand would have protested again, but she cut him short with a peremptory gesture.
”It is settled,” she said; then added, almost vehemently: ”surely, you can't think I want to see that awful woman!-but it's the only sure way to block Lotzen's game. The n.o.bles will take my word as to the Book-and so will the Army, and the people, too. No, I must go.”
XVII INTO THE TIGER'S CAGE
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