Part 41 (2/2)
He lifted the hat from the Princess' head, and the light of a near-by street lamp, that shone above the walls, fell full on the coils of high piled hair, and the fair face below it.
Both men cried out in astonishment, and, kneeling, kissed her hand.
Then they pressed on, finding almost immediately the path by which they had entered.
Meanwhile, the commotion in the garden near the palace had increased, and now the Duke of Lotzen's stern voice cut sharply into the night, from one of his windows.
”What the devil is all this noise?” he demanded.
”Thieves, Your Highness,” some one answered from below-”five of them in madame's apartments-they escaped into the garden.”
The Duke made no reply, at least which they could hear; and the Princess laughed.
”He's off for madame,” she said; ”and we are thieves-rather clever of Bigler to have us killed first and recognized later.”
”He didn't see you,” said Armand; ”he recognized me, and thinks this is the chance he missed at the De Saure house.”
A moment later they came into the wide drive-way, and face to face with the Count and a bunch of a dozen men.
He gave a shout that rang through the garden.
”Seize them!” he cried; ”kill any that resist!” knowing very well that it would require the killing of them all. He, himself, drew his revolver and stepped to one side-a safer place than in the fighting line, and one where he could get a surer shot at the Archduke, if it were necessary.
But even twelve men hesitate to close with five, whose swords are ready; and in the instant's pause, Dehra, flinging off her hat, sprang between Bigler and the Archduke, and covered the former with her pistol.
”G.o.d in Heaven! the Princess!” he cried, and stared at her.
”Will you play with treason, my lord Count?” she asked. ”Drop that revolver!-drop it, I say!-and you men, stand aside!-into line, so!-return swords!-now, by the left flank, march!-fall in behind, Count, if you please-march!”
With a laugh and a shrug he obeyed.
”The Regent commands,” he said.-”Attention! salute!” and with hands to visors the column went by; while Dehra, fingers at forehead in acknowledgment, watched it pa.s.s and go down the drive toward the Palace.
Then she turned, and put out her hand to the Archduke.
”I'm tired, dear,” she said, ”very tired--Captain De Coursey, will you bring the carriage to the gate?”
XVIII ON TO LOTZENIA
”It is a most amazing situation,” said the Amba.s.sador-as he and the Archduke sat in the latter's headquarters, the following morning-”and one guess is about as likely to be right as another. It's difficult to believe Spencer honest, and yet she seemed to play straight last night.
She is of the sort who fiercely resent a blow and go to any length to repay it. And you think Bigler's interruption was not prearranged?”
”It impressed me that way,” said Armand. ”In fact, I'd say I am sure of it, if I had any but Lotzen or Spencer to deal with.”
”And you saw enough of the book to be satisfied it is the Laws?”
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