CHAPTER XIX
THE MAID'S STORY
"I have really very little to tell you," said the actress after a longsilence, in which she had been making strenuous efforts to recoverself-possession. "I know very little. I have known, of course, for along time that there was to be special interest attaching to theproceedings here to-night, and for Signor Praga's sake I had learned allthat I could."
"I wish to know the particular facts in connection with your taking theplace of the countess, that's all," for the time was slipping by and myanxiety on Minna's account was growing to fever heat.
"I was merely told that I had to play the part of another woman, andthat I was to be paid for doing so. More than that, I was given tounderstand that in the event of the matter being carried throughsuccessfully I should gain the favor of some of those high inauthority."
"Do you mean you were doing this for money only?"
"No, but because I believed there was some other great advantage to begained."
"Did you tell Praga?"
"No. Why should I tell him everything? I did not know for certain untilmy return to-night what was really intended. I might have drawn backthen if I could--if I had not also known that I should be dealing a blowat you and revenging myself."
"How did you get possession of the countess's domino, and when did youtake her place by the side of the man guarding her?"
"I did not get her domino. The one I wore was ready for me when Iarrived here to-night. Some one had described exactly the dress theCountess Minna was to wear, and everything was ready for me when Iarrived."
"Did you know it was the Countess Minna you were to personate?"
"Yes. I was not told, but I guessed; and when they told me that youwould come up to me and lead me forward to the throne, I knew of courseall that was meant. I did not do all I was told to do, however. I was tohave kept my mask on and to have walked across the room with you to thedais, and then have thrown it off, to shame and confuse you before everyone."
"And why didn't you?"
"I preferred to enjoy my revenge privately. And I had it when I saw yourlook of dismay on catching sight of my face."
"And how was the change effected?"
"Simply and easily enough. Some of those in the secret began to crowdand crush round the Countess Minna; others resented this, a confusionwas caused, and in the moment I slipped into her place, while some onemade up to look like the man with her went up and led her, as he said,to a place of refuge from the pressure of the crowd."
"Where did they take her?" I asked anxiously.
"I don't know. I know no more than yourself what happened afterward. Ihad not been in my place more than a few minutes before you came up tome. You know the rest."
"Who told you all our plans and made this thing possible?"
For it was clear that I had been betrayed by some one in our closestconfidence--some one who knew even of the secret mark on Minna's domino.It was no mere case of her having been seen and recognized while at theball; for the dress had obviously been ready before Minna herself hadarrived.
"I was not told," replied my companion.
Whoever it was, the betrayal had been complete. I had been allowed tothink that my ruse of substituting the waiting-maid Marie for hermistress had been successful; and just when I had thought everythingsafe I had the mine sprung right under my feet. They had reckoned Ishould be all unconscious of such a stroke, and unfortunately they hadreckoned correctly.
But who was the traitor? This was no plan that could be laid in an hour.It showed that from the first there had been some leakage by which mywhole scheme was carried over to my enemies; and it appeared to me thatit must lie between two people, the Baroness Gratz and the waiting-maidMarie.
"Who gave you your instructions?" I asked sharply.
"I will not tell you," was the equally sharp reply, and though pressedshe held to her refusal.
"Have you seen the Count von Nauheim here to-night?"
"No, he is not here."
"How do you know?"
"I overheard surprise expressed at his absence."
"Can you give any clew as to where I shall find the Countess Minna?"
"No, none whatever. I know no more than you yourself."
It was useless to ask any more questions. It was clear that she had beenused as a tool for this particular task, and had been trusted nofurther. I must seek my information elsewhere; from either von Nauheim,if I could find him, or from Baron Heckscher.
But I was altogether unwilling to see the latter until sufficient timehad passed for von Krugen and Praga to have secured the person of theDuke Marx.
It was a sheer impossibility, however, for me to remain inactive whileMinna was in the hands of her enemies, and I resolved to try to tracevon Nauheim. From what the actress told me, it appeared probable eitherthat his accident in the carriage with me had hurt him sufficiently toprevent his coming to the ball, or else that he had found it difficultto escape from the hands of the men whom he had planned should hold me.In either event he would be unable to get to Minna, and so long as thatwas the case her danger was proportionately less.
But I must find him if possible; for the suspense of the presentuncertainty was maddening.
I crossed to Steinitz, and telling him to follow me I threaded my waythrough the laughing, gossiping, excited throng and made my way to thenearest exit.
In the ante-room through which I had to pass a group of men werestanding deep in conversation. Among them were several of the leaders ofthe movement, and I recognized, to my annoyance, Kummell and Beilageramong them.
Kummell was, as usual, gesticulating rather wildly, and on catchingsight of me he stepped forward and barred my progress.
"Here is the traitor, gentlemen," he cried angrily. "We have caught himin the very act of trying to sneak away. You won't pass here, my finefellow, I can tell you."
It was the very climax of irony that this man, who should have been sovaluable an ally, should in this way be perpetually crossing andthwarting me. In my angry mood at the moment I could have found it in meto strike him.
"That has yet to be proved," I answered as quietly as my anger wouldpermit.
An audible sneer ran round the group.
"I will prove it, for I will stop you," and he planted himself right infront of me, put his arms akimbo, and stared me insolently in the face.
"Good!" exclaimed one or two of the others.
I took off my mask before I answered. His insulting, swaggering mannerwas almost more than I could brook, although I knew the other men weredeliberately endeavoring to provoke a fight, and, further, that it wouldbe the height of folly for two men who were in reality heart and soultogether in pursuit of the same object to go out and try to kill eachother.
"You can scarcely be in earnest, Herr Kummell," I said, after a pause."I have already told you once to-night that later on I shall be ready tohold myself at your disposal, should you wish it. We are still in theprecincts of the palace, and the business of the night is one on whichyou and I are in heart agreed. There are those here whom nothing wouldplease better than to see us two crossing swords; and it is they who arethe traitors"--I looked round at the rest--"and if any one of them isminded to make this quarrel his own he will not find me backward. Butwith you and Herr Beilager I will not fight at present."
"I shall not allow you to pass for all your big words," said the littlehot-headed fool in the same tone.
"The work I have is too urgent to be delayed now. Stand aside, if youplease," I answered sternly.
"You shall not pass here."
"'Fore God, sir, take care, or you will drive me to do that which I mayregret." I thundered the words out, and putting on as stern and fierce alook as I could I moved on. He stood his ground a moment, but thenwinced and retreated a step.
At this a taunting, jeering laugh came from one of the rest.
I wheeled round instantly upon the group, and, not knowing which of themen it was, I picked out the biggest o
f them and, walking up to him tillmy face was close to his, I stared him dead in the eyes for someseconds.
"Did you do me the honor to speak, sir?"
"No, I did not," he answered.
I turned to the rest.
"One of you gentlemen either spoke or sneered. Which of you was it? I amrather anxious to show him that it is not altogether safe to play inthis way with me." I stared at each of them in turn, but none said aword.
"To-morrow, Herr Kummell," I said then to the little man, whosefierceness had very much abated, "you may look for the explanation Ihave promised you; and as soon as the business on which I am urgentlyengaged is finished I shall be at your service," and with that I swungforward out of the place, nor was there any longer the least attemptmade to interfere with me.
The incident ruffled my temper considerably, and I went hurriedly outinto the night and set off at a sharp pace for the Gramberg house, whenSteinitz came up and whispered a word or two about the need for caution.
"Won't you drive home?" he asked. "To walk seems like inviting anattack."
"No, I'll walk. The air will do me good. No one will be expecting me todo so; and I will be on my guard."
In truth I did not know what my opponents' next move against me mightbe. It was not at all improbable that, as they had now the knowledgewhich would enable them to accuse me of imposture, they would deem itneedless to run any risks by attacking me with violence. They couldprobably get at me by some kind of legal process.
I did not care in the least. I had no thought except the overpoweringdesire and resolve to find Minna and rescue her. I was indifferent toall else.
It was therefore with intense pleasure that I learned when I reached thehouse that there was important news. The maid, Marie, had arrived thereabout half an hour previously, and was waiting in feverish anxiety totell me her story. I was no less anxious to hear it.
"Tell me as plainly and as shortly as you can," I said, "everything thathas passed since you left the palace with the baroness up to thismoment."
"The first thing I noticed was that there was a stranger on the box ascoachman, and that there were also two strangers on the board behind. Wedrove away slowly through the lines of people and until we had goneabout half a mile. Then the carriage turned away to the right, and beganto thread a number of streets, the pace gradually increasing until theoutskirts of the town were reached. There the carriage stopped with ajerk, and a stranger sprang in and took his seat opposite to us.
"'Do not be alarmed, ladies,' he said, 'but the Prince desires youshould call first at the house of Baron Heckscher to complete certaindetails.' I made no opposition, because you had told me not to speak aword if I could avoid doing so; and thus we drove on for about half anhour at a rapid pace."
"Do you know the road?" I asked.
"Yes, it was the Linden road. Then the carriage turned in through someside gates," continued the girl, "and we drew up at the door of a largehouse."
"'You will come in,' said the man, alighting and leading the way. Inoticed a large number of men about, who took careful heed of us, as wewere led into a room at the far end of a long corridor. There we wereleft for a few minutes alone, when the stranger came back to us.
"'I have to tell you now,' he said to the baroness, 'that it will benecessary for you to remain here some time. Reasons of State have madeit desirable that you should be separated from those whom you havehitherto looked on as your friends; but, of course, no harm will come toyou, and the detention will only be for a few hours. You will not needan attendant, baroness, as this young woman'--waving his hand towardme--'can transfer to you the services she is accustomed to render to hermistress, the Countess Minna.'
"'What do you mean, sir?' I asked, for I could not keep quiet.
"'That it is perfectly well known to me that you are not the CountessMinna von Gramberg, but merely her waiting-maid. You will therefore begood enough to attend to the baroness,' and with that he went out of theroom."
"And the baroness?" I asked eagerly.
"I was so overcome at learning that the scheme had got known to them,and that, therefore, the danger to my dear young mistress was as greatas ever, perhaps greater, that I did not know what to say, or think, ordo. The baroness seemed to think I had been guilty of treachery, but,your Highness, I would die sooner than be the means of any harm comingto my mistress," cried the girl, with what appeared to me to be theenergy of truth, and with the tears in her eyes.
"'Have you told any one of this change?' the baroness asked me, and,despite my utter protests, I could not make her believe that I had not.I sat there utterly miserable, only thinking and fearing what mighthappen to my mistress.
"The baroness would not speak to me, and hour after hour passed in thisawful suspense. They brought us food, but I could not touch it, thoughthe baroness ate some, and told me to do the same. But I could not. Thedreadful thought of my mistress' danger seemed to shut out everythingelse, even anger at these suspicions of treachery."
"Well, how did you get away?" I asked as she paused. "Stay, will youknow the house again? And could you guide me to it?"
"Yes, your Highness," was the ready answer.
I sent for Steinitz and told him to have a carriage got ready for me atonce.
"After we had been thus for some hours," the girl resumed when I turnedto her again, "I thought I heard the sound of a horse galloping up tothe house, and about an hour later the same man came to our room.
"'You can get ready to go. We have done with you,' he said bluntly tome. 'I regret it is impossible to release you yet, baroness; but yourniece will certainly have need of you, and you will probably wish to bewith her again.'
"'Can I not go to my mistress?' I asked, in distress at the thought ofher being in this man's power.
"'No, you can return to the Prince von Gramberg, and tell him the nexttime he plans a coup to do it more shrewdly.'
"I wrung my hands in despair and prayed and begged of him to let me goto the countess; but he scowled and frowned me down and ordered me to besilent. Then he led me away alone to where a carriage was waiting forme, and after I had been driven back to the city they set me down, and Ihurried here as fast as I could."
I had already resolved to go to the place, although it was almostcertain I should not find Minna there.
"Get ready to go with me. You will take your place by the coachman anddirect him where to drive;" and after a rapid change of dress I armedmyself and set out for the house where the girl had been detained,bidding the man drive as fast as his horses could travel.