CHAPTER XIII
THE KINGDOM OF HESSE-WEIMAR
"Has Monsieur le Baron any trunks to be examined? This is theHesse-Weimar Customs."
These words, spoken in a respectful but guttural voice, startled Juvefrom the deep sleep into which he had fallen after a very unpleasantnight. The detective opened his eyes and stretched himself.
The pale light of dawn struggled through the windows of the sleepingcar, the curtains of which had been carefully drawn. Outside nothing wasto be seen, for besides the mud which covered the windows a heavy foglay over the country.
The train came to a standstill, and before Juve stood an individualdressed in an elegant blue and yellow uniform plentifully covered withgold braid. Juve looked around to see the man who was being addressed bythe title of Monsieur le Baron and finally came to the conclusion thatit was himself to whom the man was speaking.
"Why do you call me Monsieur le Baron?" The man touched his hatdeferentially and seemed very surprised at the question.
"Why, Monsieur ... it's the custom. No one but the nobility travel firstclass."
Juve smiled and replied:
"That's all right, my friend, but in the future call me simply,'Marquis.'"
The official again saluted and seizing Juve's valise traced on it thecabalistic chalk mark which allowed it to pass the frontier.
* * * * *
The evening before, the detective had taken his seat in the 10.50express from the Gare du Nord in Paris for Cologne and Berlin. He hadthe good luck to find that a sleeping car had been attached to the endof the train which would take him directly to Glotzbourg. At thefrontier he changed into a local, which jogged peacefully along,stopping every few minutes at small stations. The country ofHesse-Weimar spread out attractive and varied. Numerous small hillscrowned with woods succeeded the green valleys they passed through. Thehouses were Swiss in architecture and seemed built for comfort andelegance. The little Kingdom seemed to breathe peace, simplicity andwell-being. On his arrival at Hesse-Weimar, Juve had not been withoutsome apprehension. During his last interview with Monsieur Annion hehad put forward the opinion that an investigation in Hesse-Weimar woulddo much to clear up the mystery surrounding the affair. As a matter offact, it was more to gain time than for any other reason that Juve hadsuggested this. He had not mentioned to his chief that his real objectin going to Glotzbourg was to try to obtain a clue as to the real orapparent disappearance of the King Frederick-Christian II.
The formal declaration of the grotesque Wulf had reassured the Frenchauthorities as to the fate of the King, but to Juve, who knew thatFandor was installed at the Royal Palace, the search for the real Kingwas of paramount importance.
"Glotzbourg.... All out!"
The detective seized his bag, hurried out of the car, hailed a cab anddrove to the Hotel Deux-Hemispheres, which had been recommended by hiscolleague. After engaging his room Juve asked the porter to telephone tothe police to find out when Heberlauf could see him. While waiting forthe reply he took a bath and changed his clothes.
* * * * *
After having washed and shaved, he was about to go down to the lobby ofthe Hotel when a knock came at the door.
"Come in!" he cried.
A very tall and thin individual with a parchment-like face entered andbowed ceremoniously.
"To whom have I the honor...?" Juve inquired.
"I am Monsieur Heberlauf, head of the police at Hesse-Weimar.... Have Ithe pleasure of speaking to Monsieur Juve?"
Juve, surprised at the visit, excused the disorder of the room and triedto make his guest comfortable.
"Monsieur Wulf advised me of your intended visit to our Capital."
In a very few moments Juve was able to size up his man, who seemed onlytoo anxious to impart information about himself and his affairs. Whilequite as simple-minded as Wulf, he appeared far more sinister. Juve alsodivined without much difficulty that his wife, Madame Heloise Heberlauf,was the best informed woman in the kingdom regarding gossip and scandal.
"In fact," declared the chief of police, "I can be of very littleassistance to you, Monsieur. But my wife can give you all theinformation you need."
Juve made it clear to Monsieur Heberlauf that he wished to obtain anentry to the Court as soon as possible.
Monsieur Heberlauf replied that nothing would be easier than apresentation to the Queen. It happened that she was receiving in theafternoon, and Madame Heberlauf would take the necessary steps for hisintroduction. He ended by saying:
"Do come and lunch with us without ceremony. You will have plenty oftime afterward to dress for the reception.... Have you a Court costume?"
Juve had overlooked that item.
"No, I haven't," he replied. "Is it indispensable?"
"It is, but don't worry, Madame Heberlauf will take charge of that. Shewill be able to find you the necessary garments." The luncheonengagement made for twelve o'clock sharp, the Chief of Police, now moresolemn than ever, rose and took his leave.
* * * * *
"Well, Monsieur Juve, don't you think that looks fine?"
Juve was anxiously regarding himself in the glass, examining the effectof his costume, while Madame Heberlauf, a fat little red-faced woman,was circling around, eyeing him from every angle and clapping her handswith pleasure at the success of her efforts.
The lunch had been bountiful, and thoroughly German. Preserved fruit wasserved with the fish, and gooseberry jam with the roast. Juve was nowcostumed in knee breeches and a dress coat which permitted him to enterthe presence of royalty.
"Don't be late," Madame Heberlauf advised, "for the Queen is verypunctual, and there are a number of formalities to go through before youcan be presented to her."
The Palace of the King was on the outskirts of the town, and was reachedby a drive through a Park which the inhabitants had named Pois dePulugne. It was built upon the top of a hill and had a fine view overthe surrounding country. The garden surrounding the Palace had beenartistically laid out, a fine lawn stretching away from the mainentrance. The building itself was a miniature copy of Versailles. Havingleft his carriage at the gate Juve followed Madame Heberlauf'sinstructions and made his way to the left wing of the Palace. Upon hiscard of introduction was written the title "Comte," for, as MadameHeberlauf had explained, the Queen had a penchant for meeting members ofthe nobility. "Your welcome will be made much easier if you are thoughtto be noble," Madame Heberlauf had explained. As it was imperative thatthe reason for Juve's visit should be kept from the Court, he hadarranged a little story with Madame Heberlauf.
The Comte Juve was a Canadian explorer who, after a trip throughAfrica, was coming to spend some time at Glotzbourg and was anxious tomeet the reigning family.
"God forgive us the lie," exclaimed Monsieur Heberlauf, "but as MonsieurJuve's mission is in the interest of the King Frederick-Christian, weare thoroughly justified in the deception."
* * * * *
The Queen's chamberlain, Monsieur Erick von Kampfen, after carefullyexamining Juve's credentials, led the detective into a drawing-room inwhich were already gathered a number of persons. An officer, in awonderful uniform, came forward and introduced him to several of hiscompanions.
* * * * *
"Princesse de Krauss, duc de Rutisheimer, colonel ..."
Juve was not surprised at this. The excellent Madame Heberlauf hadwarned him that such was the usage of the Court, and that before beingadmitted to the presence of the sovereign, the guests were introduced toone another. Juve was on his guard against committing the slightestimprudence, but his new friends were quickly at ease with him and veryamiable in their attentions. He was soon surrounded by a number of youngwomen begging for details of his explorations. Among these people Juvepicked out the Princesse de Krauss, a stout woman with exaggeratedblonde hair and red spots on her face, barely disguised under a thicklayer o
f powder. She seemed to be ready for a more personal conversationwhich Juve insensibly brought to bear upon the royal couple.
"Will His Majesty the King be present at the Queen's reception to-day?"
The Princess looked at Juve in amazement, and then burst out laughing.
"It is easy to see you have just arrived from the middle of Africa, oryou would know that His Majesty the King is in Paris.... Surely you mustknow that, since you tell me that you came through Paris on your wayhere."
The Duchess de Rutisheimer, a rather pretty and distinguished lookingwoman, drew the detective apart and whispered behind her fan:
"Our King is a gay bird, Count, and we know very well why he goes toParis."
The Duchess spoke with such an air of annoyance that Juve could hardlyprevent a smile.
"One might criticise His Majesty for going so far away to seek what wasso close to hand."
"Ah, indeed, you are right," the Princess sighed, "there must besomething about these Parisian women. ... I heard that the dressmakersof the Rue de la Paix are going to bring out some Spring models whichare so indecent ..."
M. Erick von Kampfen, the chamberlain, entered the room at this momentand announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen, kindly pass into the gallery. Her Majesty theQueen will be ready to receive you in a moment."
Behind him came the little Duc Rudolphe, who was informing some of hisfriends as though it were a fine piece of scandal:
"The Grand Duchess Alexandra hasn't come yet ... and they are wonderingif she will come."