 CHAPTER VIII. THE ABDUCTION OF A PRINCESS. That afternoon they went to the palace grounds and inquired for the chief's steward. After a few moments they were shown to his office in a small dwelling house just inside the gates. The steward was a red-faced little man, pleasant and accommodating. He could speak German, in fact he was a German by birth, and they had no difficulty in presenting their request. Mr. Frosch, Jacob Frosch, was at first dubious, but their frank eager faces soon gained for them his consent to see that part of the great park open to the public. Beyond certain lines they were not to trespass. Anguish asked how they could be expected to distinguish these lines, being unacquainted, and the steward grimly informed them that the members of the royal guard would establish the lines so plainly that it would be quite clear. He then wrote for them a pass to the grounds of the royal palace of Groestark, affixing his seal. In giving this last to them he found occasion to say that the princess had instructed him to extend every courtesy possible to an American citizen. It was then that Anguish asked if he might be permitted to use his camera. There was an instant and emphatic refusal and they were told that the pass would be rescinded if they did not leave the camera outside the gates. Reluctantly Anguish deposited his luckless box in the steward's office and they passed into the broad avenue which led towards the palace. A guard who served also as a guide stepped to their side before they had taken ten paces. Where he came from they never knew, so instantaneous was his appearance. He remained with them during the two hours spent in the wonderful park. The palace stood in the north-western part of the grounds, possibly a half mile from the base of the mountain. Its front faced the mountain side. The visitors were not permitted to go closer than a quarter of a mile from the structure, but attained a position from which it could be seen in all its massive ancient splendor. Anguish, who had studied churches and old structures, painted the castles on the Rhine and was something of a connoisseur in architecture, was of the opinion that it had been standing for more than five hundred years. It was a vast, medieval mass of stone, covered with moss and ivy, with towers, turrets and battlements. There had been a moat in bygone days, but modern ideas had transformed the waterway into solid, level ground. This they learned afterwards. Broad avenues approached in several directions, the castle standing at the far side of a wide circle or parade ground. The open space before the balconies was fully three hundred yards square and was paved. From each side stretched the velvety green with its fountains, its trees, its arbors, its flowers, its grottoes and its red-legged soldiers. The park was probably a mile square and was surrounded by a high wall, on the top of which were little-guard houses and several mass cannon. In all their travels, the Americans had not seen a more delightful bit of artifice and they wandered about with the serene content that would have appealed to anyone but their voiceless guide. He led them about the place, allowing them to form their own conclusions, draw their own inferences and make their own calculations. His only acts were to salute the guards who passed and to present arms when he had conducted his charges to the edge of forbidden territory. When they had completed their tour of inspection, their guide rapidly led the way to the wall that encircled the grounds, reaching it at a point not far from the castle itself. Here was situated another large gate through which they did not pass. Instead they ascended some steps and came out upon the high wall. The top of this wall was several feet wide and walking was comparatively safe. They soon understood the guide's design. The object was to walk along this wall until they reached the main gate. While this peculiar course was to be taken, they could not imagine at first. Anguish's fertile brain came to the rescue. He saw a number of women in a distant part of the grounds and, remembering their guide's haste in conducting them to the wall, rightly conjectured that it was against custom for visitors to meet and gaze upon members at the royal household. The men and women, none of whom could be plainly distinguished from the faraway wall, were undoubtedly a part of the castle's family and were not to be subjected to the curious gaze of sightseers. Perhaps her royal highness, the princess of Grawstark, was among them. They reached the main gate and descended, anguished securing his camera, after which they thanked the steward and turned to feed the guide, that he had disappeared as if the ground had swallowed him. Well, it's a fair the sales observed anguish as they walked down the street, glancing back at the frowning wall. It all goes to make me wonder why in the name of heaven we have never heard of this land of Grawstark, said Laurie, still thinking at the castle's grandeur. My boy, there are lots of things we don't know. We're too busy. Don't you remember that but one half the will knows how the other half lives? Old wager, there are not twenty-five people in the United States who know there is such a country as a Grawstark. I don't believe that a single soul over there has heard of the place. Vouchsape, Laurie, very truthfully. I'll accept the amendment, said anguish. Then he proceeded to take a snapshot of the castle from the middle of the street. He also secured a number of views of the mountainside, of some odd little dwelling houses, and two or three interesting exposures of red-robed children. Everybody from the children up wore loose robes, some red, some black, some blue, but all in solid colours. Beneath these robes were baggy trousers and blouses among the men, short skirts among the women, all wore low boots and a sort of turban. These costumes, of course, were confined to the native civilians. At the hotel the garb of their aristocrats was vastly different. The women were gowned after the latest Viennese patterns, and the men, except those of the army, wore clothes almost as smart as those which covered the Americans. Miss Guggensocker, or whatever her name might be, and her carriage companion were as exquisitely gowned as any woman to be seen on the boulevards or in Hyde Park of an afternoon. It was late in the afternoon when they returned to the hotel. After dinner, during which they were again objects of interest, they strolled off towards the castle, smoking their cigars and enjoying the glorious air. Being a stranger in a strange land, Laurie acted on the romantic painter's advice and also stuck a revolver in his pocket. He laughed at the suggestion that there might be use for the weapon in such a quiet, model, well-regulated town that Anguish insisted. I've seen a lot of these fellows around town who look like genuine brigands and cutthroats, and I think it just as well that we, they prepared, asserted he positively, and his friend gratified what he called a whim. At ten o'clock the slender moon dropped behind the mountain and the valley, which had been touched with its tender light, gradually took on the slumberness and stillness of a star-lit night. The town slumbered at eleven, and there were few lights to be seen in the streets or in the houses. Here and there strolled the white uniformed police guards, occasionally soldiers hurried, barred forward. Now and then, belated citizens moved through the dense shadows on the sidewalks, but the Americans saw still life in its reality. Returning from their stroll beside the castle walls, far to the west of where they had entered the grounds that afternoon, they paused in the middle of Castle Avenue near the main gate and looked down the dark, deserted street. Far away could be seen the faint glare from their hotel, one or two street lamps burned in the business part of the city, aside from these evidences of life. There was nothing but darkness, silence, peacefulness about them everywhere. Think of Paris or New York at eleven o'clock, said Laurie, a trifle lord by the solitude of the sleeping city. It's as dead as a piece of prairie land, said his friend. Gad, it makes me sleepy to look down that street. It's a mile to the hotel too Laurie, we'd better move along. Let's lie down near the hedge, smoke another cigar and wait till midnight. It is too glorious a night to be lost in sleep. Urge Laurie, whose heart was light over the doors of the day to come. I can dream just as well here, looking at that dark old castle with its own little tower light, as I could if I tried to sleep in a hard bed down at the hotel. Anguish, who was more or less a badreiner himself, consented. And after lighting fresh cigars, they threw themselves on the soft dry grass near the tall hedge that fenced the avenue as it near the castle grounds. For half an hour they talked by fits and starts. The two silences were common, broken only by brief phrases, which seemed so to disturb the one to whom they were addressed that he answered gruffly and not at all politely. Their cigars, burnt to mere stubs, were thrown away and still the waking dreamers stretched themselves in the almost impenetrable shade of the hedge. One thinking at the face he had seen. The other picturing in his artist's eye the painting he had bound to create from the moonlit castle of an hour ago. Someone coming, murmured the painter, half rising to his elbow attentively. Soldiers said the other briefly. They'll not disturb us. They'll not even see us, I should say. It's as dark as Egypt under the hedge. They'll pass if we keep quiet. The figures of two men could be seen approaching from the city, dim and ghostly in the semi-blackness of the night. Like two thieves, the Americans waited for them to pass. To their exceeding disconfiture, however, the pedestrians halted directly in front of their resting place and seated themselves leisurely upon a broad flat stone at the roadside. It was too dark to see if they were soldiers, notwithstanding the fact that they were less than 15 feet away. He should be here at 12, said one of the newcomers in a low voice and in fairly good English. The other merely grunted. There was a silence of some duration broken by the first speaker. If this job fails and you are caught, it will mean years of servitude. But in that case we are to have 10,000 gavos apiece for each year we lie in prison. It's fair pay not only for our failure, but for our silence, said the other, whose English was more difficult to understand. Anguishes fingers grip Laurie's leg, but there was no sound from either of the thoroughly aroused dreamers. A plot, as I live, thought each with a thrill. We must be careful to speak only in English. There are not 20 people in idolise who understand it, but the night has ears. It is the only safe tongue. Gettos speaks it well. He should be here. It was the first speaker who uttered these words, little knowing that he had listeners other than the man to whom he spoke. A dark figure shot across the roadway, and almost before the Americans were aware of it, the party numbered three. Ah, Gettos, you are punctual. I have found it ever a virtue, responded the newcomer. Have you secured your man? I have your shh, call me Michael, on your life. They are ready and willing to undertake the venture. Yes, but they do not understand the true conditions. I have told them that we are to rob the castle and carry the booty to Ganlock before morning. They do not know the real object of the raid then. That is, as I desire, are they trusty and experienced men? The best or the worst that I could find in Vienna. Not one understands our language, and they are so ignorant of our town that they are entirely dependent on me. They know nothing whatever of the princess, Michael, and will do only as they are told, realizing that if caught, they will be guillotined. I have told them it is the royal palace we are to rifle. Ostrom here and I are the only ones. Accept yourself and the men who will aid us inside the castle. Who knows the truth, sir? It cannot fail unless those inside prove false or unworthy, said the horse-forced Ostrom. Anguishes' fingers were gripping Laurie's leg so fiercely that the blood was ready to burst out, but he did not feel the pain. Here, then, was some gigantic plot in which the person of the princess herself was to be considered. Was it an assassination? You have five of these Viennese. Yes, two to stand beneath the window to receive the booty as we lower it to the ground, one to stand guard at the west gate, and two to attend the carriage and horses in the ravine beyond the castle. And these men arrive. This morning I kept them in my sister's home until an hour ago. They are now in the ravine awaiting Ostrom and myself. Are you sure, Michael, that the guards and the cook have been made to understand every detail? The faintest slip will mean ruin. They are to be trusted fully. Their pay is to be high enough to make it an object to be infallible. The guard, Ducham, will leave the gate unwatched and you will chloroform him with his consent, of course. You will enter, as I have explained before, crawl along the dark shadow of the wall until you reach the arbor that leads to the kitchen and scullery. Here another guard, Rabbo, known to Ostrom as a comrade in her Royal Highness's service, not more than a year ago, will be encountered. He will be bound and gagged without the least noise or struggle. Just as the clock strikes two, the cook will walk past the scullery window in the basement thrice, carrying a lighted candle. You will see this light through the window and you will know that all is well inside the castle. Ostrom, you will then lead the two V&E's to a place directly beneath the third window of the princess's sleeping apartment. There are several clumps of shrubbery there and under these they will hide, protected from the gaze of any watchman who is not with us. You and Gettos will be admitted to the scullery by the cook, who will conduct you to the hall leading to her Highness's bedroom. The man who guards her door is called Danox. He will knock thee at his post but will accompany you when you leave the castle. You will understand how carefully you must enter her room and how deeply she must be chloroformed. In the adjoining room, her lady-in-waiting, the Countess Dagmar, sleeps. If her door is ajar, you are to creep in and chloroform her, leaving her undisturbed. Then the princess is to be wrapped in the cloth you take with you and lowered from the window to the men below. They are to remain in hiding until you have left the castle and have reached their side. It will not be difficult if caution is observed for you to get outside of the wall and to the carriage in the ravine. I have given you this plan of action before, I know, but I desire to impress it firmly upon your minds. There must not be the slightest deviation. The precision of clockwork is necessary. The man named Michael hissed the foregoing into the ears of his companions, the paleside Americans hearing every word distinctly. They scarcely breathed, so tremendous was the restraint imposed upon their nerves, a crime so huge, so daring as the abduction of the princess, the actual invasion of the castle to commit the theft of a human being just as an ordinary burglar would steal in and make way with the contents of a silver chest, was beyond their power of comprehension. We understand fully how it is to be done and we shall get her to Gennlock on time, said Gettos confidently. Not a hair of her head must be harmed, cautionly arch conspirator. In four days I shall meet you at Gennlock. You will keep her in close confinement until you hear from me. Have you the guards' uniforms that you are to wear tonight? They are with the carriage in the ravine. Ostrom and I will done them before going to the castle. In case we are seen, they will throw observers off the track long enough for us to secure in our flight. Remember, there is to be no failure. This may mean death to you, certainly a long prison term if you are apprehended. I know it is a daring deed, but it is just of the kind that succeeds. Who would dream that mortal man could find the courage to steal a princess of the realm from her bed and spirit her away from under the very noses of her vaunted guardsman. It is the bold, the impossible plan that wins. We cannot fail if your men on the inside do their work well," said Gettos, repeating what Ostrom had said. All depends on their faithfulness. They will not be found wanting. Your cutthroats must be sent on to Chaos with the empty carriage after you have reached Gennlock in safety. You will need them no more. Ostrom will pay them, and they are to leave the country as quickly as possible. At Chaos, they will be able to join a packed train that will carry them to the Great Northern Railroad. From there, they will have no trouble in reaching Vienna. You will explain to them, Gettos. All we need them for, as you know, is to prove by their mere presence in case of capture the attempt was no more than a case of burglary conceived by a band of Viennese robbers. There will be no danger of capture if you once get her outside the walls. You can be away to Gennlock before she is missed from the castle. Nor can she be found at Gennlock if you follow the instructions I gave last night. It is now nearly one o'clock, and in half an hour she is dark as air of us. Go men, you have no more time to lose, for this must be accomplished slowly, carefully, deliberately. There must be no haste until you are ready for the race to Gennlock. Go, but for God's sake, do not harm her and do not fail. Failure means more to us than to you, Michael, half whispered the horse, Ostrom. Failure means everything to me, I must have her. Already the two Highlings were moving off toward the road that ran west of the castle grounds. Michael watched them for a moment and then started swiftly in the direction of the city. The watchers had not been able to distinguish the faces of the conspirators, but they could never forget the calm, cold voice of Michael with its quaint, jerky English. What shall we do? whispered anguish when the men were out at the hearing. God knows, answered Laurie. This is the most damnable thing I ever heard of. Are we dreaming? Did we really see and hear those men? He had risen to his feet, his companion sitting weekly before him. There's no question about it. It's a case of abduction and we have it in power to spoil the whole job. By God, but this is luck, Green. Anguish was quivering with excitement as he rose to his feet. Shall we notify Old Anglos or alarm the steward? There's no time to be lost if we want to trap these fellows. The chief devil is bound to escape, for we can't get him and the others too and they won't peach on him. Come, we must be lively. What are you standing there for? Damn it, the trap must be set. Wait, why not do the whole job ourselves? How? What do you mean? Why should we alarm anybody? We know the plans as well as these scoundrels themselves. Why not follow them riding to the castle, cap to them red-handed and then do the alarming? I'm in for saving the princess of Grawstark with our own hands and right under the noses of her wanted guardsman, as Michael says. Laurie was thrilled by the spirit of adventure. His hand gripped his friend's arm and his face was close to his ear. It is the grandest opportunity two human beings ever had to distinguish themselves. Great heaven man, we can't do such a thing, gasped anguish. It's the easiest thing in the world. Besides, if we fail we have nothing to lose. If we succeed, see what we've done? Don't hesitate old man. Come on, come on, we'll take on ourselves, as sure as fate. Have you no nerve? What kind of American are you? This chance won't come in ten lifetimes. Good God man, are we not equal to those two girls? Two, there are at least ten of them. You fool, the three guards are disposed of in advance. Two with the V&E's are left with the horses. Two are chucked off under the princess's window. And one stands at the gate. We can slug the man at the gate. The fellows under the window are harmless. And that leaves our two friends and the cook. We have every chance in the world. Can't you see? You are right, come on I'll risk it with you. We will save the princess of Grawstark. Don't you see it will be just as easy for us to enter the castle as for these robbers. The way will be clear and will be kept clear. Jove man, we need not be more than 30 seconds behind them. Is your pistol all right? By this time the new men were speeding along the grassy stretch of the road that ran beside the wall. They looked to their pistols and placed them carefully in outside coat pockets. We must throw away these heavy canes. We whispered the painter to his friend, who was a pace or so ahead. Keep it. We'll need one of them to crack that fellow's head at the gate. Gad, it's dark along here. How the devil are we to know where to go? We'll stop when we come to the gate where we climbed up the wall today. This is the only entrance I saw along the west wall and it is near the castle. Just as soon as the gang enters that gate, we'll crawl up and get rid of the fellow who stands watch. It was so dark that they could barely see the roadway and they found it necessary as they slunk along beside the wall. Occasionally they paused to listen, fearing that they might draw too close upon the men who had gone before. At last they came to a big gate and halted. Is this the gate? Whispered anguish. Yes, I'm quite sure. We are undoubtedly near the castle, judging by the distance we have come. Let us cross the road and lie directly opposite. Be careful. Like panthers they stall across the road and down a short grassy embankment. At anguish's suggestion Laurie wrapped his handkerchief tightly about the heavy end of his cane, preparing in that way to deaden the sound of the blow that was to fall upon the Vienna man's head. Then they threw aside their hats, buttoned their coats tightly and sunk down to wait, with bounding hearts and tingling nerves. The arrival of the abductors, mutely praying that they were at the right gate. End of Chapter 8 Chapter 9 of Grossdark This is a Lubrivox recording. All Lubrivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org Grossdark by George Barr McCutcheon Chapter 9 The Exploit of Glory and Anguish During the half hour spent in the grassy ditch or gutter, they spoke not more than half a dozen times in the faintest of whispers. They could hear the guard pacing the driveway inside the ponderer's gate. The sound was distinguishable. A sense of oppression came over the two watchers as the minutes grew longer and more death-like in their stillness. Each found himself wondering why the leaves did not stir in the trees, why there were no nightbirds, no crickets, no croaking frogs, no sign of life saved that steady clock-like tread inside the wall. So dark was it that the wall itself was but a deeper shadow against the almost opaque blackness beyond. No night, it seemed to them, had ever been so dark, so still. After the oppression came, the strange feeling of dread, the result of an enforced contemplation of the affair in which they were to take a hand ignorant of everything except the general plan. They knew nothing of the surroundings. If they failed, there was the danger of being shot by the guards before an explanation could be made. If they succeeded, it must be through sheer good fortune and not through prowers of mind or muscle. Once inside the castle, how could they hope to follow the abductors at a safe distance and still avoid the danger of being lost or of running into trusty guards. The longer they lay there, the more hazardous became the part that they had so recklessly ventured to play. In the heart of each, they surged a growing desire to abandon the plan. Yet neither could bring himself to the point of proposing the retreat from the inspired undertaking. Both knew the sensible, judicious act would be to alarm the guards and thus avoid all possible chance of fiasco. With misgivings and doubts in their hearts the two self-appointed guardians of the princess lay there upon the grass, afraid to give up the project, yet fearing the outcome. The dickens will be to pay Laurie if they dispose of this guard on the inside and lock the gate. Then how are we to follow, whispered anguish. Laurie was thoughtful for a while. He felt the chill of discouragement in his heart. In that case, we must lie outside and wait till they come out with the princess. We must make a sudden assault and rescue her. In the darkness, we can make them think there are a dozen rescuers. He whispered at length. After a while, anguish asked another, appalling question, the outgrowth of brain-wracking study. Suppose these fellows who will be in guards' uniform should turn about and capture us. What then? We are strangers who cannot be believed. They could slip away in the excitement and leave us in a very awkward position. Harry, if we are going to hatch up all sorts of possibilities let's give up the thing right now. I have thought of a thousand contingencies and I realise how desperate the job is to be. We must either cast discretion to the winds or we must retreat. Which shall we do? Cast aside discretion and hang our fears, said the other, once more inspired. We will take chances and hope for the best. If we see we are going to fail we can then call for the guards. The grounds are doubtless full of soldiers. The only part I am worried about is the groping through that strange dark castle. We must do some calculating and we must stick close together. By watching where they station the two B&E's we can figure about what direction we must take to get to the princess's room. Isn't that someone approaching? They strain their ears for a moment and then involuntarily spasmodically shook hands each heaving the deep breath of excitement. The stealthy rustle of moving bodies was heard faint but positive. It was a moment of suspense that would have strung the nerve of a stone image. Where were the abductors? On which side of the road and from what direction did they come? Oh, for the eyes of the cat. There was a slight shuffling of feet near the gate a suppressed shh and then deathly silence. The gate opened creaking attesting the fact followed by the heavy breathing of men. The noise of subdued activity the scent of chloroform some whispering and then the creaking of the gate. They have gone whispered anguish. Laurie's form arose to a crouching posture and a moment later he was crossing the road with the tread of a cat. There was a shadow of a family in his hand anguish followed with the drawn revolver so still was their approach that they were upon the figure of a man before they were aware of the fact. In the darkness the foremost American saw the outline of the human figure bending over a long object on the ground. He could smell chloroform the Viennese was administering the drug. His companions having left that duty for him to perform. No doubt the treacherous guardsman was lying calmly on his back bound and gagged welcoming unconsciousness with a smile of security. As soon as Laurie gained his bearings fully he prepared to fell the rich who was to stand watch anguish heard his friends figure suddenly shoot to an erect position a whirring sound as a disturbed air and then a dull thud. Something rolled over on the ground and all was still. He was at Laurie's side in an instant I hope I haven't killed him whispered Laurie quick here is the bottle of ether hold it beneath his nose I am going to pile the body at this guard crosswise on top of him he will not be able to arise if he should recover consciousness all this was done in a moment time and the two trackers were headed for the entrance the gate was a jar two or three feet with turbulent hearts they stole through keep along the wall whispered Laurie trust to luck the castle is to the left without hesitation they crept over the noiseless grass close beside the wall directly they heard sounds near at hand the abductors were binding and chloroforming the guard at the arbor after waiting for some moments they heard the party glide away in the darkness and followed the body of the guard was lying just outside the mouth of the arbor and the odor of chloroform was almost overpowering once inside the long arbor the Americans moved slowly and with greater caution there was a dim light in a basement window ahead toward the front of the castle and in the second story a faint glow came from another window they guessed it to be from the princess's room or from that of the Countess at last they saw four figures steel past the dim basement light one of them halted near the window and three crept away in the darkness presently one of them returned and all activity was at an end for the time being how near it was to two o'clock the watchers could not tell they only knew that they were within twenty feet of ghettos and ostrum and that they would not have long to wait soon a bright little blaze of light crossed the basement opening then it returned crossing a second time and the third all were still again the soft shuffle of the foot the rustle of arbor vines and the form of a man crawled up to the window with inconceivable stealth and carefulness it glided through the aperture followed by a companion lorry and anguish were at the opening a second or two later lying flat on their stomachs and listening for sounds from within the dim light was still there the window was open there was a sound of whispering lorry raised his head and peered through taking calculations while the light made it possible he saw an open door on the opposite side at the low room with steps beyond leading upward between the window and the door there were no obstacles up those steps he saw three men creep the leader carrying the dim light the door was left open doubtless to afford unimpeded exit from the building in case of emergency Harry anguish touched lorry's arm I took the two pistols from that Vienna man out there we may need them here is one for yourself go first lorry he whispered lorry stuck the revolver we slid through the window to the floor below his friend followed and they paused to listen taking anguish by the hand the other led the way straight to the spot where he remembered seeing the door boldly the two men began the breathless ascent at the stone steps the top was reached and far ahead down a narrow hall they saw the three men and the dim light moving two of them wore uniforms of guards keeping close to the wall their followers crept after them up another flight of steps they went and then through a spacious hall the Americans had no time and no desire to inspect their surroundings the wide doors at the far side of the room opened softly here the trio paused down a great marble hallway a dim red light shed its soft glow it came from the lamp at the foot of the broad staircase the cook pointed to the steps and then gave his thumb a jerk toward the left without the least sign of fear, ghettos and ostrum glided into the hall and made for the staircase the watchers could not but feel a thrill of admiration for these daring riches but now a new danger confronted them the cook remained standing in the doorway watching his fellows in crime how were they to pass him there was no time to be lost the abductors were creeping up the steps already and the cook must be disposed of he had blown out the light which he carried and was now a very dim shadow lorry glided forward and in an instant stood before the amazed fellow jamming a pistol into his face a sound a new die he hissed don't move came another whisper and a second revolver touched his ear the cook perhaps did not know their language that he certainly understood its meaning he trembled and would have fallen to the floor had not the strong hand of lorry pinned him to the wall the hand was on his throat too chloroform him harry and don't let him make a sound whispered the owner of the hand anguishes twitching fingers succeeded those of his friend on the cook's throat his pistol was returned to his pocket the bottle came again into use I'll go ahead follow me as soon as you have finished this fellow be careful and turn to the left when you come to the top lorry was off across the marble floor headed for the stairway and anguish was left in charge of the cook of whom he was to make short work now came the desperate uncertain part of the transaction suppose he were to meet the two conspirators at the head of the stairs or in the hall or that the other trader denox should appear to frustrate all it was the most trying moment in the whole life of the reckless lorry when near the top of the steps he hugged the high balustrade and cautiously peered ahead he found himself looking down a long hall at the far end of which to his right a dim light was burning there was no sound and there was no sign of the two men either to the right or to the left his heart felt like lead they evidently had entered the princess's room how was he to find that room slowly he wriggled across the broad dark hall straightening up in the shadow at the great post from this point he edged along the wall for a distance of 10 or 12 feet to the left as sound came from farther down the hall and he imagined he heard someone approaching his hand came in contact with a heavy hanging or tapestry and he quickly squirmed behind its folds finding himself against the door which moved as his body touched it he felt it swing open slightly and draw back intending to return to the hall uncertain and very much undecided as to the course to pursue his revolver was in his hand just as he was about to pull aside the curtain a man glided past quickly fired by another providence had kept him from running squarely into them they were going toward the left and he realized that they were now approaching the princess's room how he came to be ahead of them he could not imagine strange trembling seized his legs so great was the relief after the narrow escape again he felt the door move slightly as he pressed against it the necessity for a partial recovery of his composure before the next and most important step impelled him softly to enter the room for an instant breath holding to the door he stood inside and drew himself to his full height taking a long and tremulous breath there was no light in the room but through the door cracked to his left came the dim broad streak he now knew where he was this room was next to that in which the princess slept for had he not seen the light from her window perhaps he was now in the room at the countess Dagniar next door next door even now the daring ghettos and Ofstrom were crawling towards the bed at the ruler of Grawstark not he feet away his first impulse was to cross and open the door leading to the next room surmising that it would be unlocked but he remembered anguish who was doubtless by this time stealing up the stairs they must not be separated for it would require two steady cool heads to deal with the villains it was not one man's work as he turned to leave the room he thought how wonderfully well they had succeeded in the delicate enterprise so far his knees struck the door and there was a dull thump not loud in reality but like the report have begun to him a sudden ruffle in the darkness of the room and then a sleepy voice soft and quick as of a woman awakening start who is it his heart see-speaking his body grew stiff and immovable again the voice a touch of alarm in it now is that you Donox she spoke in German and the voice came from somewhere in front and to his right he could not answer could not move the paralysis of indecision that the outer door is open this time there was something like a reprimand in the tones still low he almost could see the wide open searching eyes end of chapter 9 chapter 10 of Grawstark this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Grawstark by George Barr McCutcheon chapter 10 year teeth there could be no further hesitation something must be done and instantly he gently closed the door before answering the third question in his nervousness he spoke in English advancing to the middle of the room impossible to see the woman to whom he hissed this alarming threat he only could speculate as to its effect if you utter a sound madam I shall kill you be calm and allow me to explain my presence here he expected her to shriek forgetting that she might not understand his words instead there was a deadly silence had she swooned his heart was leaving with hope but she spoke softly again tremendously and in English you will find my duels on the dressing table take them and go you will not hurt me I am not here to do you injury but to serve your princess whispered the man for God's sake do not make an outcry you will ruin everything will you let me explain go go take anything I can become no longer oh how can I expect mercy at your hands her tones were rising to a wail of terror shhh do you want to die I will assist striding to the canopy bed discernible as his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness I will kill you if you utter a sound so help me God oh she moaned listen you must aid me do you hear another heart breaking moan I am here to save the princess there is a plot to abduct her tonight ready there are men in the castle perhaps in her room you must tell me where she sleeps there is no time to be lost I am no thief before God I am telling you the truth do not be alarmed I implore you trust me madam and you will not regret it where does the princess sleep he jerked out these eager breathlessly how am I to trust you came back a whisper from the bed here is a revolver take it and kill me if I attempt the slightest injury where are you he felt along the bed with his hand keep away please please she sobbed take the pistol be calm and in heaven's name help me to save her those wretches may have killed her already the revolver dropped upon the clothes he was bending eagerly over holding the curtains back my friend is in the hall we have traced the men to the princess's door I think my God be quick do you wish to see her stolen from under your eyes you are now in the princess's room answered the voice from the bed calmer and with some alacrity is this true that you tell me as God is my witness and you are you the princess gasp the man drawing back I am where is Danox she was sitting bolt upright in the bed the pistol in her trembling fingers he is one of the conspirators one of the crooks and two other guards are in the plot can you trust me enough to leave your bed and hide in another part of the room the scoundrels have mistaken the door but they may be here at any moment you must be quick I will protect you I swear it come your highness hide something in the fierce anxious whisper of her confidence the miracle had been wrought he had composed this woman under the most trying circumstances that could have been imagined she slipped from the bed and threw a long loose silken gown about her who are you she asked touching his arm I am a foreigner an American hurry he implored she did not move for a moment but he distinctly heard her catch her breath am I dreaming she murmured faintly her fingers now clutched his arm tightly I should say not I don't like to order you around your highness but come come to the light she interrupted excitedly noiselessly she drew him across the room until the light fell across his face it was not a bright light but what she saw satisfied her he could not see her face for she stood outside the strip of dusky yellow two men lie beneath your window and two are coming to this room where shall I go very quick madam do you want to be carted off to Ganlook then don't stand there like a pardon me I won't say it I trust you fully shall I alarm the guard she whispered recovering her self-percession by no means I want to catch those devils myself afterwards we can alarm the guards an ideal American she surprised him by saying follow me she led him to the doorway stand here and I will call the countess at this side where it is dark she opened the door gently and stood in the light for a second he saw before him a graceful figure in trailing white and then he saw her face she was miss goog and slocker my god he hoarsely gasped staggering toward her you you the princess yes I am the princess she whispered smiling as she glided away from his side his eyes went round in his head his legs seem to be anywhere but beneath him he felt as though he was looking toward the ceiling for the moment he was actually unconscious then his senses rushed back recalling his mission and his danger she is sleeping so soundly that I feared to awaken her whispered a soft voice at his back and he turned the princess was standing in the doorway then pray stand back where you will be out of danger they will be here in a moment unless they have been frightened away you shall not expose yourself she said positively why should you risk your life now you have accomplished your object you have saved the princess ah yes the princess he said and I am sorry you are the princess shh she whispered softly the door through which he had first come was softly opened and they were conscious that someone was entering Laurie and the princess stood in the dark shadow over curtain she close behind his door with figure he could hear his own heart and hers beating could feel the warmth of her body although it did not touch his his heart beat with the pride of possession of power with the knowledge that he had but to stretch out his hand and touch the one woman in all the world across the dim belt of light from the opening doorway in which they stood crawled the dark figure of a man her hand unconsciously touched his back as if seeking reassurance he shivered beneath its gentle weight another form followed the first pausing in the light to look toward their doorway the abductor was doubtless remembering the instructions to chloroform the countess then came the odor of chloroform oh if anguish were only there the second figure was lost in the darkness and a faint glow of light came from the canopy bed in the corner of the chloroform holding the curtains had turned his screen lantern toward the pillow in order to apply the dampened cloth now was the time to act pushing the princess behind the curtain and in the shelter at the door post lorry leaped toward the centre of the room a pistol in each hand before him crouched the astonished desperadoes if you move you are dead men said he in slow decided tones here harry he shouted scoundrels you are trapped throw up your hands suddenly the room was a blaze of light flashing candles sprung into light from the walls while a great chandelier above his head dazzled him with its unexpected glare how he shouted half throwing his hands to his eyes something rushed upon him from behind there was a scream and then a stinging blow across the head and neck as he sunk helplessly to his knees he heard the princess wail danocks do not strike again you have killed him as he rolled to the floor he saw the two forms near the bed moving about like shadows two red objects that resembled dancing telegraph poles leaped past him from he knew not where and then there was a shout a report of the pistol a horrid yell something heavy crashed down beside him and writhed his eyes were closing his senses were going he was numb and sleepy a way off in the distance he heard harry anguish crying that settles you damn you someone lifted his head from the carpet and a woman's voice crying something unintelligible he was conscious of an effort on his part to prevent the blood from streaming over her gown a last bit of gallantry the sound of rushing feet shouts firearms oblivion when lorry regained consciousness he blinked in abject amazement there was a dull wearing sound in his ears and his eyes had a glaze over them that was slow in wearing off there were persons in the room he could see them moving about and could hear them talking as his eyes tried to take in the strange surroundings a hand was lifted from his forehead and a soft dreamlike voice said he is recovering mr anguish see his eyes are open do you know me mr lorry the unsteady eyes wandered until they fell upon the face near his pillow a brighter gleam came in to them and there was a ray of returning intelligence he tried to speak but could only move his lips as he remembered her she was in white now to see her in a garment of some dark material suggested at the night or the green of a shady hillside there was the odour of roses and violets and carnations then he looked for the fatal fearful glaring chandelier it was gone the room was becoming lighter and lighter as his eyes grew stronger a window near where he lay so it was daylight where was he how do you feel old man asked a familiar voice a man sat down beside him on the couch or bed and a big hand grasped his own still he could not answer doctor cried the voice near his head you really think it is not serious sure answered a man's voice from somewhere out in the light it is a bad cut and he is just recovering from the effect of the ether had the blow not been a glancing one his skull would have been crushed he will be perfectly conscious in a short time there is no concussion your highness I am so happy to hear you say that said the soft voice Laurie's eyes sought hers and thanked her a lump came into his throat as he looked up into the tender anxious blue eyes a thrill came over him princess or not he loved her he loved her you were very brave oh so brave she whispered in his ear her hand touching his hair caressingly my American he tried to reach the hand before it faded but he was too weak she glided away and he closed his eyes again as if in pain look up old man you're all right said anguish smell this handkerchief it will make you feel better a moist cloth was held beneath his nose and a strong odor darted through his nostrils in a moment he tried to raise himself to his elbow the world was clearing up lie still a bit Laurie don't be too hasty the doctor says you must not where am I Harry asked the wounded man weekly in the castle I'll tell you all about it presently am I in her room I know that she is in yours you are across the hall in here he whispered uncle Casper's room Casper is a count and she is the princess truly what luck what misery half moaned the other Bosch be a man don't talk so loud either there are a half a dozen in the room Laurie remained perfectly quiet for ten minutes he's staring eyes fixed on the ceiling he was thinking of the abyss he had reached and could not cross what time is it he asked at last turning his eyes toward his friend it's just seven o'clock you have been unconscious or under the influence of Aether for over four hours that guard hit you a fearful crack I heard a shot a lot of them was anyone killed did those fires escape killed there have been eight executions besides the one I attended to Lord they don't wait long here before handing out justice tell me all that happened was she hurt I should say not I have killed a man Danox got my bullet right in the head and he never knew what hit him ghastly isn't it I feel beastly queer it was he who turned on the lights and went at you with the club I heard you call and was in the door just as he hit you his finish came inside of the second you and he spoiled the handsomest rug I ever saw ruined it not in her estimation old wager she has it framed blood and all the stains will always be there as a reminder of your bravery and that's what she says she's bound to keep she was very much excited and alarmed about you until the room filled with men and then she remembered how she was a tired I never saw anything so pretty as her embarrassment when the countess and her aunt led her into the next room these people are going out so I'll tell you what happened after you left me with the cook he was a long time falling under the influence and I had barely reached the top of the stairs when I saw Danox rush down the hall then you called and I knew the jig was on in full blast the door was open and I saw him strike you I shot him but she was at your side before I could get to you the other fellows who were in the room succeeded in escaping while I was vending over you but neither of them shot at me they were too badly frightened I had sense enough left to follow and shoot a couple of times as they tore down the stairs one of them stumbled and rolled all the way to the bottom he was unconscious and bleeding when I reached his side the other fellow flew toward the dining hall where he was nabbed by two white, uniform men and throttled other men in white they were regular police officers and they pounced upon me and I was a prisoner by George I was knocked off my feet the next minute to see old Danlos himself come puffing and blowing into the hall redder and fiercer than ever now I know what you want in idol wise he shrieked and it took me three minutes to convince him of his error then he and some of the men went to the princess's room while I quickly led the way to the big gate and directed a half dozen officers toward the ravine by this time the grounds were alive with guards they came up finally with the two fellows who had been stationed beneath the window and who were unable to find the gate when I got back to where you were the room was full of terrified men and women half dressed I was still dazed over the sudden appearance of the police but managed to tell my story in full to Danlos and Count Hellfond that's Uncle Casper and then the chief told me how he and his men happened to be there in the meantime the castle physician was attending to you Danox had been carried away I never talked to a more interested audience in my life there was the princess at my elbow and the Countess pretty as a picture back with her all eyes both of them and there was the old grey haired lady the Countess Hellfond and a half dozen shivering maids with men galore Danlos and the Count and a lot of servants a great and increasing crowd the captain of the guards a young fellow named Quinox as I heard him called came in worried and humiliated I fancy he was afraid he'd lose his job you see it was this way Old Danlos has had a man watching us all day think of it shadowing us like a couple of thieves this fellow traced us to the castle gate and then ran back the reinforcements confident that we were there to rob in 20 minutes he had a squad of officers at the gate the chief trailing along behind they found the pile of tools we had left there and later the other chap in the arbour a couple of guards came charging up to learn the cause of the commotion and the whole crew sailed into the castle arriving just in time well just as soon as I had told them the full story of the plot Old Casper the chief and the captain held a short consultation the result of which I can tell in mighty few words at six o'clock they took the whole gang of prisoners down in the ravine and shot them the mounted guards are still looking for the two Viennese who were left with the carriage they escaped about an hour after you were hurt you were carried over here and laid on this couch I want to tell you Mr. Lorry you are the most interesting object that ever found its way into a royal household they had been hanging over you as if you were a newborn baby and everybody's charmed because you are a boy and are going to live as an adventure this has been a record breaker my son we are cocks of the walk Lorry was smiling faintly over his enthusiasm you are the real hero Harry you saved my life and probably hers I can tell you or anybody to give me the glory he said pressing the others hand oh that's nonsense anybody could have rushed in as I did I was only capping the climax you had prepared merely a timely arrival as the novel would say there is a little of the credit due me of course and I'll take it gracefully as an accessory a sort of bushwhacker who had only to do the shoot slap bang work and close the act you did the hero's work but what do you think of the way they hand out justice over here all but two of them dead whose plan was it to kill those men cried Lorry suddenly sitting upright everybody's I fancy helped me though come to think of it ah here is her royal highness the princess and Aunt Yvonne were at his side again while Count Caspar was coming rapidly toward them you must not sit up Mr. Lorry began the princess but he was crying did they make a confession Harry I don't know did they count did they confess great heavens I never thought of that before what was there to confess asked the Count taking Lorry's hand kindly they were caught in the act my dear sir they were not even tried I thought your police chief was such a shrewd man cried Lorry angrily what's that dangloss was a member of the party read and panting don't you know you should not have killed those men demanded Lorry they surveyed him in amazement except anguish who had buried his face in his hands dejectedly and sir I'd like to know why not blustered dangloss and sir I'd like to know since you have shot the only beings on earth who knew the men that hired them how in the name of your alleged justice you are going to apprehend him said Lorry sinking back to his pillow exhausted no reserve could hide the consternation embarrassment and shame that overwhelmed a very worthy but very impetuous noble man Baron Justo Dangloss chief of police he could only sputter his excuses and withdrawal swearing to catch the arch conspirator or to die in the attempt not a soul in the castle not a being in all gross dark could offer the faintest clue to the identity of the man or explain his motive no one knew a Michael who might have been advertedly addressed as your possible highness the greatest wonder fixation uneasiness and perplexity existed everywhere standing there with her head on her aunt's shoulder her face grave and trouble the princess asked why should they seek to abduct me was it to imprison or to kill me oh aunt Yvonne have I not been good to my people God knows I have done all that I can I could have done no more is it a conspiracy to force me from the throne who can be so cruel and no one could answer they could simply offer words of comfort and promises of protection later in the day Gruff Dangloss marched in and apologized to the Americans for his suspicions concerning them imploring their assistance in running down the chief villain and as the hours went by Count Halfont came in and sitting beside Grenfell begged his pardon and asked him to forget the deception that had been practiced in the United States he explained the necessity for travelling in Cognito at that time after which the Count entered a plea for her royal highness who had expressed contrition and wished to be absolved End of Chapter 10 Chapter 11 of Gruff's Dark this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information all to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Gruff's Dark by George Barr McCutcheon Chapter 11 Love in a Castle As the day wore on Laurie grew irritable and restless he could not bring himself into full touch with the situation notwithstanding Harry's frequent and graphic recollections of incidents that had occurred and that had led to their present condition their luncheon was served in the Count's room as it was inadvisable for the injured man to go to the dining hall until he was stronger the court physician assured him that he would be incapacitated for several days but that in a very short time he would lose the power to annoy him in the least the Count and Countess Helfont Anguish and others came to cheer him and to make his surroundings indurable still he was dissatisfied even unhappy the cause of his uneasiness and depression was revealed only by the manner in which it was removed he stretched out on the couch staring from the window his head aching his heart full of a longing that knows but one's solace Anguish had gone out in the grounds after assuring himself that his charge was asleep so there was no one in the room when he awakened from a sickening dream to shudder alone over its memory a cool breeze from an open window fanned his head kindly a bright sun gleaned across the trees turning them into gold and purple and red and green a quiet repose was in all that touched him outwardly inwardly there was burning turmoil he turned on his side and curiously felt the bandages about his head they were tight and smooth and he knew they were perfectly white how lonely those bandages made him feel a way off there in Grollstock the door to his room opened softly but he did not turn thinking it was anguish always anguish and not the one he most desired to her royal highness announced and then may I come in asked a voice that went to his troubled soul like a cooling draft to the fevered throat he turned toward her instantly all the irritation all the uneasiness all the loneliness vanishing like mist before the sun behind her was a lady in waiting I cannot deny the request of the princess he responded smiling gaily he held forth his hand toward her half fearing she would not take it the princess yet if came straight to his couch and laid a hand in his he drew it to his lips and then released it lingeringly she stood before him looked down with an anxiety in her eyes that would have repaid him had death been there to claim his next breath are you better she asked with the pretty accent I had been so troubled about you I thought you had forgotten me he said with a childish petulance forgotten you she cried quick to resent the imputation let me tell you then what I had been doing while forgetting I have sent to the for your loveage and your friends you will find it much more comfortable here you are to make this house your home as long as you are in idol wise that is how I had been forgetting forgive me he cried his eyes gleaming I had been so lonely that I imagined all sorts of things but your highness you must not expect us to remain here after I am able to leave that would be imposing I will not allow you to say it she objected decisively you are the guest of honour in Girl Stark have you not preserved its real life was it an imposition to risk your life to save one in whom you had but passing interest even though she were a poor princess no my American this castle is yours in all rejoicing for had you not come within its doors today would have found it in mournful terror besides Mr Angwish has said he will stay a year if we insist that's like Harry but I am afraid there are two rattle-brained chaps who should be in a home for inversals instead of in the castle their audacity might have blighted our rashness was only surpassed by our phenomenal good luck by chance it turned out well there were ten thousand chances of ignominous failure had we failed would we have been guests of honour no we might have been stoned from Grawstark you don't know how thin the thread was that held your fate it makes me shudder to think of the crime our act might have been ah had I but known you were the princess no chances should have been taken he said fervently and the romance spoiled she laughed so you are a princess he went on as if he had not heard her I knew it something told me you were not an ordinary woman oh but I am a very ordinary woman she'd remonstrated you do not know how easy it is to be a princess and a mere woman at the same time I have a heart a head I breathed and ate and sleep and love is it not that way with other women you breathe and eat and drink and sleep and love in a different world though your highness ah my little maid Tereze sleeps as soundly eats as heartily and loves as warmly as I so a fig for your argument you may breathe the same air but would you love the same man that your maid might love is a man the only excuse for love she asked if so then I must say that I breathe and eat and drink and sleep and that is all pardon me but someday you will find that love is a man and here he laughed you will neither breathe nor eat nor sleep except with him in your heart even a princess is not proof against a man is a man proof against a princess she asked as she leaned against the casement it depends on that he pours the princess I should say alas there is one more fresh responsibility acquired it seems to me that everything depends on the princess she said merrily not entirely he said quickly a great deal a very great deal depends on circumstances for instance when you were Miss Guggensocker it wouldn't have been necessary for the man to be a prince you know but I was Miss Guggensocker because the man was unnecessary she said so gravely that he smiled I was without a title because it was more womanly than to be a freak as I should have been had every man woman and child looked upon me as a princess I did not travel through your land for the purpose of exhibiting myself but to learn and unloan I remember it cost you a certain coin to learn one thing he observed it was money well spent as subsequent events have proved I shall never regret the spending of that half-davow was it not the means of bringing you to idol wise well it was largely responsible but I am inclined to believe that a certain desire on my part would have found a way without the assistance of the coin you don't know how persistent an American can be would you have persisted had you known I was a princess she asked well I can hardly tell about that but you must remember I didn't know who or what you were would you have come to Grawstark had you known I was its princess I'll admit I came because you were Miss Googan's lock up a mere woman I will not consent to the word mere what would you think of a man who came half way across the earth for the sake of a mere woman I should say he had a great deal of curiosity she responded coolly and not much sense there is but one woman a man would do so much for and she could not be a mere woman in his eyes Laurie's face was white and his eyes gleamed as he hurled this bold conclusion at her especially when he learns that she is a princess said she her voice so cold and repellent that his eyes closed involuntarily as if an unexpected horror had come before them you must not tell me that you came to see me but I did come to see you and not her royal highness the princess yet if of Grawstark how is I to know he cried impulsively but you are no longer ignorant she said looking from the window I thought you said you were a mere woman I am and that is the trouble I said slowly turning her eyes back to him then she abruptly sank to the window seat near his head that is the trouble I say a woman is a woman although she be a princess don't you understand why you must not say such things to me because you are a princess he said bitterly no because I am a woman as a woman I want to hear them as a princess I cannot now have I made you understand have I been bold enough her face was burning you don't mean that you he half whispered drawing himself toward her his face glowing ah what have I said you have said enough to drive me mad with desire for more she cried seizing her hand which she withdrew instantly rising to her feet I have only said that I wanted to hear you say you had come to see me is it not that something for a woman's vanity to value I am sorry you have presumed to misunderstand me she was cold again but he was not to be baffled then be a woman that you are a princess until I tell you why I came he cried I cannot I mean I will not listen to you she said glancing about helplessly yet standing still within the dangerous circle I came because I have thought of you and dreamed of you since the day you sailed from New York God can I ever forget today please do not recall she began blushing and turning to the window that kissed you through to me were you a princess then she did not answer and he paused for a moment a thought striking him which at first he did not dare to voice then he blurted it out if you do not want to hear me say these things why do you stand there oh she faltered don't leave me now I want to say what I came over here to say and then you can go back to your throne and your royal reserve and I can go back to the land from which you dreaming I came because I love you is not that enough to drag a man to the end of the world I came to marry you if I could please go against like a to me then you were within my reach but not now I can only love a princess he stopped because she had dropped to the couch beside him her serious face turned appealingly to his her fingers clasping his hands fiercely I forbid you to continue I forbid you do you hear you have thought and dreamed of you and I have prayed that you might come but you must not tell me that you love me you shall not I only want to know that you love me he whispered do you think I can tell you the truth she cried I do not love you before he had barely grasped the importance of the contradictory sentences she left aside and stood in the window her breast heaving and her face flaming then I am to believe you do he groaned after a moment I find a princess and lose a woman I did not intend that you should have said what you have or that I should have told you what I have I knew you love me or you would not have come to me she said softly you would have been selfish enough for that knowledge without giving joy in return I say what else could you have done a princess oh I would to God you were miss Guggensocker the woman I sought I mean to that she said can I trust you never to renew this subject we have each learned what had better been left unknown you understand my position surely you will be good enough to look upon me ever afterward as a princess and forget that I have been a woman unwittingly I ask you for your sake and my own to refrain from a renewal of this unhappy subject you can see how hopeless it is for both of us I have said much to you that I trust you will cherish as coming from a woman who could not have helped herself and who has given to you the power to undo her with a single word I know you will always be the brave true man my heart has told me you are you will let the beginning be the end the appeal was so earnest so noble that on a swelled in his heart and came from his lips in this promise may trust me your highness your secret is worth a thousand fold more than mine it is sacred with me the joy of my life has ended but the happiness of knowing the truth will never die I shall remember that you love me yes I know you do and I shall never forget to love you I will not promise that I shall never speak of it again to you as I lie here there comes to me a courage I did not know I could feel no no she cried vehemently forgive me you can at least let me say that as long as I live I may cherish and encourage the little hope that all is not dead your highness let me say that my family never knows when it is defeated whether in love or in war the walls which surround the heart of a princess are black and green impenetrable when she defends it my boasting American she said smiling sadly yet some prince of the realm will batter down the wall and win at a single blow that which a mere man could not conquer in ten lifetimes such is the world the prince may batter down and seize but he can never conquer but enough of this I am the princess of Grawstar you are my friend Grenfell Laurie and there is only a dear friendship between us she cried resuming her merry humour so easily that he started with surprise and not a little displeasure and a throne smiling however and a promise she reminded him from which I trust I may someday be released said he sinking back afflicted with a discouragement and a determination of equal power he could see hope and hopelessness ahead by death no by life it may be sooner than you think you are forgetting your promise already your highnesses pardon he begged they laughed but their hearts were sad this luckless American and hapless sovereign who would if she could be a woman it is now three o'clock the hour when you were to have called to see me she said again sitting unconcernedly before him in the window seat she was not afraid of him she was a princess I misunderstood you your highness I remembered the engagement but it seems I was mistaken as to the time I came at three in the morning and found me at home in an impregnable castle with ogres all about End of Chapter 11 Chapter 12 of Grouse Dark This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Christine Blashford Grouse Dark by George Barr McCutcheon Chapter 12 A War and Its Consequences Laurie was removed to another room before dinner as she had promised after they had dined the two strangers were left alone for several hours Anguish regaled his friend with an enthusiastic dissertation on the charms of the Countess Dagmar lady in waiting to the princess in conclusion he said glowingly his cigar having been out for half an hour or more because his energy had been spent in another direction you haven't seen much of her Laurie but I tell you she is rare and she's not betrothed to any of these confounded council dukes either they all adore her but she's not committed how do you know all this demanded Laurie who but half heard through his dreams asked her of course you suppose and you've known her but a day well you are progressive oh perfectly natural conversation you know explained anguish composedly she began it by asking me if I were married and I said I wasn't even engaged then I asked her if she were married you see from the title you can't tell whether a Countess is married or single she said she wasn't and I promptly and very properly expressed my amazement by Jove she has a will and a mind of her own that young woman has she's not going to marry until she finds a man of the right sort of refreshing I like to hear a girl talk like that especially a pretty girl who can deal in princes counts and all kinds of nobility when it comes to a matrimonial trade by Jove I'm sorry for the princess though sorry for the princess why? asked the other alert at once oh just because it's not in her power to be so independent the Countess says she cries every night when she thinks of what the poor girl has to contend with tell me about it I don't know anything to tell I'm not interested in the princess and I didn't have the nerve to ask many questions I do know however that she's going to have an unpleasant matrimonial alliance forced upon her in some way that is usual that's what I gather from the Countess maybe you can pump the Countess and get all you want to know in connection with the matter it's a pretty serious state of affairs I should say or she wouldn't be weeping through sympathy Laurie recalled a part of the afternoon's sweetly dangerous conversation and the perspiration stood cold and damp on his brow well old man you've chased Miss Googan's locker to earth only to find her ability pretty hopeless for you Laurie but don't let it break you up completely we can go back home after a while and you will forget her a Countess of course is different Harry I know it is downright madness for me to act like this said Laurie his jaws set and his hands clenched as he raised himself to his elbow you don't know how much I love her your nerve is to be admired but while I'm sorry for you thanks for your sympathy I suppose I'll need it and he sank back gloomily anguish was right absurdly right there was a wrap at the door and anguish hastened to open it a servant presented Count Halford's compliments and begged to leave to call shall we see the old boy asked Harry yes yes responded the other the servant understood the sign made by anguish and disappeared diplomatic call I suspect he is the prime minister I understand well we'll diploma with him until bedtime if he cares to stay I'm getting rather accustomed to the nobility they are not so bad after all friendly and all that ah good evening your excellency we are honoured the room and was advancing toward the couch tall easy and the personification of cordiality I could not retire until I had satisfied myself as to Mr. Laurie's condition and his comfort said he in his broken English he seated himself near the couch and bent sharp anxious eyes on the recumbent figure oh he's all right volunteered anguish readily be able to go into battle again tomorrow that is the way with you aggressive Americans I am told they never give up until they are dead said the Count courteously your head is better it does not pain me as it did and I'm sure I'll be able to get out tomorrow thank you very much for your interest said Laurie may I inquire after the health of the Countess Halfont the excitement of last night has not had an unpleasant effect I hope she is with the princess and both are quite well since our war gentlemen grouse dark women have nothing to acquire in the way of courage and endurance you of course know nothing of the horrors of that war but we would be thankful for the story of it your excellency war is a hobby of mine I read every war scare that gets into print said anguish eagerly we of grouse dark at present have every reason to recall the last war and bitterly to lament its ending the war occurred just fifteen years ago but will the recital tire you Mr. Laurie I came to spend a few moments socially and not to go into history at any other time I shall be it will please and not tire me I am deeply interested pray go on Laurie hasten to say for he was interested more than the Count suspected fifteen years ago Prince Ganluk of this principality the father of our princess became incensed over the depredations of the Axe Fane soldiers who patrolled our border on the north he demanded restitution for the devastation they had created but was refused grouse dark is a province comprising some eight hundred square miles of the best land in this part of the world a neighbor is smaller in area and population our army was better equipped but not so hardy for several months the fighting in the north was in our favor but the result was that our forces were finally driven back to Adelweiss hacked and battered by the fierce thousands that came over the border the nation was staggered by the shock for such an outcome had not been considered possible we had been too confident our soldiers were sick and worn by six months of hard fighting and the men of Adelweiss the merchants the laborers and the nobility itself flew to arms in defense of the city for over a month we fought hundreds of our best and bravest citizens going down to death they at last began a bombardment of the city today you can see the marks on Lily every house in Adelweiss hundreds of graves in the valley to the south attest the terrors of that siege the castle was stormed and Prince Ganluk with many of the chief men of the land met death the prince was killed in front of the castle gates from which he had sallied in the last brave attempt to beat off the conquerors a bronze statue now marks the spot on which he fell the princess his wife was my sister and as I held the portfolio of finance it was through me that the city surrendered bringing the siege to an end fifteen years ago this autumn the 20th of November to be explicit the treaty of peace was signed in Sophia we were compelled to cede a portion of territory in the far northeast valuable for its mines indemnity was agreed upon by the peace commissioners amounting to twenty million gavos or nearly thirty million dollars in your money in fifteen years this money was to be paid with interest on the 20th of November this year the people of grouse dark must pay twenty five million gavos the time is at hand and that is why we recall the war so vividly it means the bankruptcy of the nation gentlemen neither of his listeners spoke for some moments then lorry break the silence you mean that the money cannot be raised he asked it is not in our treasury our people have been taxed so sorely in rebuilding their homes and in recuperating from the effect of that dreadful invasion that they have been unable to pay the leaveies you must remember that we are a small nation and have limited resources your nation could secure thirty million dollars in one hour for the mere asking to us it is like a death blow I am not betraying a state secret and telling you of the sore straits in which we are placed for every man in the nation has been made cognisant of the true conditions we are all facing it together there was something so quietly heroic in his manner that both men felt pity anguish looking at the military figure asked you fought through the war your excellency I resigned as minister sir to go to the front I was in the first battle and I was in the last he said simply and the princess the present ruler I mean was a mere child at the time when did she succeed to the throne asked lorry all the great world does not remember our little history within a year after the death of Prince Ganlook his wife my sister passed away dying of a broken heart her daughter their only child was according to our custom crowned at once she has reigned for fourteen years and wisely since assuming full power the three years she has been ruler de facto she has been political and has done all in her power to meet the shadow that is descending and what is the alternative in case the indemnity is not paid asked lorry breathlessly for he saw something bright in the approaching calamity the session of all that part of grouse dark lying north of Adelweiss including fourteen towns all of our minds and our most productive farming and grazing lands in that event grouse dark will be no larger than one of the good-sized farms in your western country there will be nothing left for her royal highness to rule too small that the word principality will be a travesty and a jest this city and twenty five miles to the south a strip about one hundred fifty miles long think of it twenty five by one hundred fifty miles and yet called a principality once the proudest and most prosperous state in the east considering its size reduced to that ah gentlemen gentlemen I cannot think of it without tearing out a heart string and suffering such pains as mortal man has never endured I lived in grouse dark stays of wealth and fantasy God has condemned me to live in the days of her dependency weakness and poverty let us talk no more of this unpleasant subject his here is pitied the frank proud old man from the bottoms of their hearts he had told them the story with the candor and simplicity of a child admitting weakness and despondency still he sat erect and defiant his face white and drawn his figure suggesting the famous picture of the stag at bay willingly your excellency since it is distasteful to you I hope however you will permit me to ask how much you are short of the amount said Laurie considerably yet curiously our minister of finance gasp on will be able to produce fifteen million gavos at the stated time far from enough this amount has been sucked from the people from excessive leavey and has been hoarded for the dreaded day try as we would it has been impossible to raise the full amount the people have been bled and have responded nobly sacrificing everything to meet the treaty terms honorably but the strain has been too great our army has cost us large sums we have strengthened our defences and could should we go to war defeat axe vein but we have our treaty to honor we could not take up arms to save ourselves from that honest bond our leaveies have barely brought the amount necessary to maintain an army large enough to inspire respect among those who are ready to leap upon us the instant we show the least sign of distress there are about us powers that have held a loop from war with us simply because we have ordered them with our show of force it has been our safeguard and there is not a citizen of grouse duck who objects to the manner in which state affairs are conducted they know that our army is an economy at any price until last spring we were confident that we could raise the full amount due axe vein but the people in the rural districts were unable to meet the leaveies on account of the panic that came at a most unfortunate time that is why we were hurrying home from your country Mr. Laurie gasp on had cabled the princess that affairs were in a hopeless condition for her to come home and do what she could in a final appeal to the people knowing the love they had for her she came and has seen these loyal subjects offer their lives for her and for grouse duck but utterly unable to give what they have not money she asked them if she should disband the army and there was a negative wail from one end of the land to the other then the army agreed to serve on half-pay until all was tidied over public offices are giving their services free and many of our wealthy people have advanced loans on money, worthless as they may seem and still we have not the required amount cannot the loan be extended a few years asked Laurie angry with the ruler in the north taking the woes of grouse duck as much to heart as if they were his own not one day not in London Paris nor Berlin Laurie lay back and allowed anguish to lead the conversation into other channels the count remained for half an hour saying as he left that the princess and his wife had expressed a desire to be remembered to their guests her royal highness spent the evening with the ministers of finance and war and her poor head I doubt not is racking from the effects of the consultation these are weighty matters for a girl to have on her hands solemnly stated the count pausing for an instant at the door of the apartment after he had closed it the Americans looked long and thoughtfully at each other each feeling a respect for the grim old gentleman that they had never felt for man before so they are in a devil of a shape mused anguish I tell you gren I never knew anything that made me feel so badly the trouble that hangs over that girl and her people a week ago I wouldn't have cared a wrap for grouse dark but tonight I feel like weeping for her there seems to be no help for her either said Laurie reflectively grouse dark you mean no I mean yes of course who else demanded the other who certainly had not meant grouse dark I believe confound your selfish soul you'd like to see the nation the crown and everything else taken away from this helpless harassed child then you'd have a chance exclaimed anguish facing the floor half angrily half encouragingly don't say that Harry don't say that don't accuse me of it for I'll confess I had in my heart that meanest of longings the selfish base heartless hope that you have guessed it hurts me to be accused of it though so don't do it again old man I'll put away the miserable hope if I can and I'll pray God that she may find a way out of the difficulty they went to sleep that night anguish at once Laurie not for hours harboring a determination to learn more about the condition of affairs touching the people of grouse dark and the heart of their princess end of chapter 12