CHAPTER VI
MY "COUSIN"
My short conversation with von Nauheim, the sudden change in hisattitude toward me, and the slight indications of his real feelingswhich I had observed did more than anything which had yet occurred toimpress me with the deadly seriousness of the task I had undertaken. Iwas convinced that as the result of this visit to Munich some freshdevelopment of treachery had been planned, and that he was closelyconcerned as either principal or tool. Fortunately for me he was a poordiplomatist, and as my former knowledge of him gave me a sufficient clewto his real character, he could not so dissemble his manner as tomislead me. Without that clew he might have tricked me, of course, as hehad tricked, others. Apparently his interests lay entirely in carryingforward the plot to place the girl he was to marry on the throne. Hewould certainly secure her fortune, while as her consort he would enjoya position of magnificent power, infinitely alluring to a man of hisnature. Moreover, he was the chosen representative of one of the mostinfluential sections of Bavarian society, whose power must be anenormous factor in any struggle.
Then I had been a good deal impressed by his momentary flash ofsincerity when he had been speaking of the King's mad excesses. He wasthen expressing a sincere opinion, I was sure, though whether his ownor inspired by others for whom he was acting I could not say. But thethought kept recurring to me with ever-increasing suggestiveness.
The key to his conduct lay, I was convinced, in Munich--and to Munich Iwould go at any risk. That there would be risk a child could see; andthe nature of it would depend on the character of this man's treachery,the people with whom he was co-operating, and the length they wereprepared to go in silencing me.
I regarded it as quite possible that I should not return. If, as wassupposed, the death of the Count Gustav had been deliberately planned, Imight take it for granted that I should be pursued with almost equalhostility. This I had read plainly in the man's manner, and it preparedme to believe that he himself in some way had been connected withGustav's murder.
But there was another very serious consideration. If I was put out ofthe way and no one at the castle had proof of von Nauheim's treachery,what would be Minna's position? Obviously it must at once become one ofconsummate peril. Ought I to go away, therefore, without warning her ofthe man's true character, and without arranging some definite plan ofaction? Yet how was I to warn her without telling her what I knew andhow I knew it--in other words, unless I took her into my confidence asto who I was?
It will be easily understood how these thoughts perplexed me as I mademy way up the broad stairway of the castle to the room where she was toreceive me, and how infinitely the embarrassment was magnified by theunwonted emotions which her presence now, as formerly, roused in mybreast.
She greeted me with sweet cordiality, and the eyes, which had anindescribable fascination for me, wore now an expression of almostanxious alarm as their gaze rested on my very grave face. The BaronessGratz was with her, a circumstance which made me unwilling to speakplainly and added to my embarrassment.
I inquired after the health of the two and uttered one or twocommonplaces, when Minna, after a pause, during which she had mostattentively studied my looks, exclaimed:
"You have not come only to say these things, cousin. Your face tells meplainly enough there is something urgent."
"That is true. I have much to say that concerns you very closely."
She was very quick and understood me.
"You wish to speak to me alone. I am sure you will not object, aunt, ifmy cousin and I speak together in the window there"--and she rose andwalked toward a large bay window at the far end of the room, andmotioned to me to sit beside her.
The old baroness looked surprised and a little indignant. It was nooccasion to stand on trifles, but I did not wish to offend her at a timewhen her help might be urgently needed--perhaps within a few hours; so Imade a low deferential bow and said:
"You will understand this rather unusual step, baroness, when I tell youthat I have already declined to hold this interview with my cousin evenin the presence of the Count von Nauheim, and that my object is merelyto have direct from my cousin's lips alone her wishes and intentions asto the future."
"I understand, Prince," she replied, with her stately bow; but I thoughtI could detect some symptoms of alarm. Whether this was merely awe ofme, or the evidence of some other hidden fear, I could not decide. Butthe whole atmosphere of the palace reeked so foully with intrigue that Idid not know whether she was true or in von Nauheim's plot.
As I took my seat by Minna's side she welcomed me with a little smile,which, sad and wan though it was, seemed like a little messenger ofconfidence. Then she put a hand on my arm and said wistfully:
"You will treat me quite frankly, cousin? I have been relying on that sostrongly."
"As frankly as I can, but remember very little yet. Moreover, it is yourfrankness that is to be tested. Do you think you can trust mesufficiently to do as you said when I saw you last--tell me the whole ofyour wishes unreservedly?"
"Certainly I will," she replied instantly. "I have been waiting to do soever since the day of my dear father's funeral."
"I understood that I was to await some sign from you. You said as much,"I reminded her.
"True; but your message to me, that you would seek an interview as soonas practicable, has kept me waiting till now. I have been impatient; butit does not matter now," she ended, with a smile.
"Who gave you my message?" I asked. I had sent none, of course, butguessed that it was a ruse of von Nauheim's to keep us apart while hewas away in Munich.
"The count himself," answered the girl in some astonishment, and with alook of quick suspicion. "Did you not send any?"
"There has been some misunderstanding," I said quietly. "But I waswaiting to hear from you, and I was to the full as impatient as youcould have been."
She cast her eyes down and frowned, and her little foot tapped quicklyon the floor.
"It must be as you say--he misunderstood you--or else he was afraid ofmy speaking plainly to you while he was away." The first sentence wasspoken with hesitation, the second quickly and with a touch ofindignation, and directly afterward her pulse quickened and she saidvolubly: "Cousin Hans, I can tell you what I dared not tell my father. Iam afraid of the count. You have asked me what I wish. I have twowishes--to be released from this marriage, and to stop all this hatefulintrigue for the throne. I am not fit for it. I do not wish it. I amonly afraid and harassed and distracted. Oh, I long with a regret Icannot put in words for the days of quiet and peace when none of thiswas ever thought of! Then I had not a care or grief, and now life is allfear and sorrow. I am the most miserable girl on earth."
She lifted her hands and let them fall again on her lap with a gestureeloquent of despair, and now that the momentary excitement had passedher voice grew heavy with the accents of sorrow.
I was silent, not quite knowing how to meet such an outburst of griefand confidence.
More than that, however: I had heard with a rush of joy, which I darednot let her see, the outcry against the marriage. At that moment thefeeling seemed to me like a guilty one, but I vowed to myself that if itcost me every drop of blood in my body I would save her from it. But Isat now grave, silent, and thoughtful, while the little pathetic glancesof appeal for help which she cast at me shot right into my heart andthrilled me till I could scarcely hold myself under restraint.
When I did not reply--and I did not because I dared not trustmyself--she sighed deeply, and said in a tone even more despairing thanbefore:
"I suppose your silence means that you also are against me. Oh, thisambition! What a curse it is! What has it not cost us? But for it mybrother would be alive to-day. My dear father was just as surely anotherof its victims. I am forced to sacrifice all I care for on earth and towed a man whom I fear. And now you, fresh from a life of books, on whomI built so much, are caught by the same madness, the fever burns in yourblood, and you join this mad hue-and-cry after ruin
. Ambition--ah, myfather often rated me for my lack of it; but what has it brought to usbut death, and what does it promise but misery? Cousin Hans, I beseechyou with all my heart and soul do not join with those against me. Try tosee this with my eyes, and do not urge me. I know you will think me weakand a child, a feeble, helpless coward; but I cannot go on. You are nowmy only hope. Cousin, do say you will not side against me!"
As she spoke her hands clasped my arm as if clinging to me for help, andshe gazed into my face with such yearning appeal that had I been astone, or the stern, self-contained man I had tried to appear, I musthave been moved. And I was no stone where she was concerned.
"God forbid that I should force you," I said, my voice scarcely steady,despite my efforts to control it. "Do not doubt that I am with you inwhatever you decide."
"Oh, thank God, thank God! How I have hoped it! Now I have a friendindeed."
No words of mine can describe the radiant look that came on her face asshe cried this; and the smile she gave me lives in my memory as one ofthe loveliest sights my eyes have ever beheld.
After this outburst of emotion we sat silent some minutes--she, in allinnocence of relief, keeping my hand between her own two; and I, on myside, drinking in, until I was intoxicated, the sweetness of emotionssuch as had never stirred my heart before.
I made the first movement--a slight attempt to withdraw my hand. She letgo, and then, with another smile of frank pleasure and trust, she said:
"Not only my cousin, but my friend."
"There is yet much to do," I said gently.
"But we shall do it together. I am no longer alone with all against me,even my dear father. Tell me what is first to be done. I know that youwill be successful, for you have given me hope. Will you tell the Countvon Nauheim that the marriage project is at an end, or shall I? I will,if you wish, though I have been afraid of him; but no longer, for youare on my side."
Sweet as these renewed protestations of trust were to my ears andsenses, they were not without embarrassment.
"If you trust me, you will have to do so wholly," I said; "and you mustdo as I wish, even if it is altogether distasteful to you."
"I will do whatever you tell me," she assented readily.
"Then in the first place we must act as if this conversation had alterednothing."
"Do you mean...?" she began, with a frown of repugnance, and thenstopped.
"I mean that for the present your relations with the count must remainas they have been. Do not ask all my reasons. But for the present it isnecessary that no one, you understand, no one shall have any thoughtthat we are not going on with your father's scheme." I told her then ofvon Nauheim's visit to Munich and its result, and that before we settledanything we must know more. "I should be deceiving you," I added, "if Idid not tell you that grave risks have yet to be run in this matter, andthe danger to some of us may prove greater than we can avert. I cannottell you all my thoughts, but I am going to Munich----"
"Ah, no, not there, cousin. That is where Gustav was killed."
"They will not kill me," I answered, smiling to reassure her. "It isessential for me to go that I may probe certain matters to the bottom.Then I shall know better what to do for the best."
"You will never come back. They will not let you," she wailed, wringingher hands.
"We are not children to foster silly fears," I said. "Of course thereare risks in going, but there is certain failure if I do not go. And Igo forewarned, with your brother's fate to caution me to be wary, andwith the knowledge that you depend upon me to rouse my wits. Do notfear. I shall return and bring with me a plan of action. But if by anychance I should not, you will know there is danger for you. I shallleave Captain von Krugen here, and if on any day he does not hear fromme, that very day you and the Baroness Gratz must leave the castle underhis care, cross the French frontier, and fly to Paris. I shall leavefull directions as to this with von Krugen. From Paris your cause can bebest fought. But above all things be careful not to let your whereaboutsbe known to any one except the captain. He will know from me how toact."
She sat trembling and agitated.
"Why not say at once that the marriage has been broken off, that theplot is abandoned, and cross the frontier immediately?"
"Because I hope to win our way to a far different ending than exile.That is well enough as a last resource of a helpless woman; but thesemen will find me--well, I will utter no big words till I know more andhave done something. I am looking for a stroke of double cunningsomewhere, and I do not expect to look in vain. In my view you are safeso long as these men believe we have no suspicion of them; but theirattitude toward you may change at any moment. And now remember that evenvon Krugen, honest and stanch as I believe him, must know nothing of ourabandonment of the plot on which he has set his hopes. I am compelled tomislead even him, and the secret must be yours and mine--ours only. Youpromise?"
"From the bottom of my heart," she answered earnestly, putting her handinto mine. "When shall I see you again?" she asked suddenly. "I can bebrave when you are with me, and I will try not to play the coward inyour absence. But"--with a sigh--"I have no friend but you."
"Yes, you have a stanch and brave friend in Captain von Krugen," Ianswered, "and I shall be back within a few days."
I spoke cheeringly and as though with absolute conviction.
"You have opened a new gate of hope for me, cousin," she said as I rosefrom beside her. "But the thought of your leaving me is almost likeshutting it again."
"It shall never be shut, if I can help it, until you have passed throughto a safe and happy life."
I spoke earnestly as I felt, and with that I left her.
I had much to do before I could set out on my journey, and one matterespecially troubled me. I must stop von Fromberg from selling theproperty of which the old lawyer had spoken to me, and I was at a losshow to communicate with him. To send a letter through the post I darednot; to go to him myself was impossible; yet whom could I trust to carrya letter or message? If the sale were not stopped, suspicion wouldcertainly be created; and after much consideration I resolved to word aguarded letter addressed to Henri Frombe, and entrust it to Steinitz. Ihad meant to take him with me to Munich lest I should need assistance,but this other matter was more urgent.
I sent for him now and charged him on his honor to take the letter, andhimself to place it in M. Frombe's hands when no one else was present;to ask no questions, and to answer none; but simply to bring back to medirect to Munich the reply, and not to breathe a word to a soul aboutthe mission.
"My life may depend on your loyalty," I said when I gave him the packet,"and probably also that of the Countess Minna, and most certainly thewhole future of our scheme," and I exacted a pledge of loyalty.
It was a risk, of course, but then risks were all about me, and I couldnot avoid taking some. All I could hope to do was to manage to selectthe smaller ones.
Then I had a close and, to a point, confidential conference with vonKrugen; and I explained clearly what he was to do in the event ofanything happening to me at Munich.
"If there is no treachery there will be no danger in this journey ofmine; but if there is, and I am only too sure of it, then we know thatthose who are playing traitor will try to get rid of me in order torender my cousin helpless and in their power. That you must prevent; andher safety will rest almost solely with you."
"But the Count von Nauheim?" he asked in some surprise.
"You will trust no one but yourself, captain," I returned significantly.
"If I had proof that he was a traitor!" he growled.
"I am going to get proofs concerning everything. Unless this is allgenuine, our scheme is bound to be shipwrecked."
His face grew very dark and lowering.
"My place is by your side in Munich," he said.
"If I can find the traitors, you may share in their punishment; butmeanwhile your place is here in Gramberg to guard my cousin. And if youshould have even a thought of danger while I am awa
y, call me back atonce. But if my calculations are correct there will be no immediatedanger for her."
"Your Highness will not reckon on me in vain. But I would to God I couldbe with you there. You are taking your life in your hands, and ought notto go alone."
"If there is that amount of danger, better I alone than you with me;but I am well prepared, and shall not suffer things to reach thatpass"--and I repeated at great length and detail all that I wished himto do in the event of his having to fly to Paris.
At the close of the interview he gave me a solemn pledge to carry out mywishes, and showed many signs of loyal regard for myself, mingled withgenuine anxiety as to the issue of this journey to Munich. Then I sentword to von Nauheim that I should be ready to start with him on thefollowing day, and I passed a sleepless, tossing night seeking to piecetogether in a connected whole the fragments of the problem as Ipossessed them, and to estimate the actual perils and risks of what Iknew must be an eventful journey.