 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 Paul Hansen. Thoroughly Ruxton by Philip Viral Migueles. Chapter 31. The Cauldron Bubbles. Gaelard came into his awful a trifle pale and more than a trifle agitated. The news received that his bank had been staggering, yet had served to arouse a rage in his breast that stiffened all the sinews of his being. The first intimation of Faishi's double-dealing had come thus belated to his ken. He found himself practically undermined before his least suspicion had been aroused. His secretary glanced up at him instinctively wondering if the warning note received that morning from the bank had been confirmed. He saw that it had. Gaelard threw down a bundle of papers and leaned on the desk. I might have known better than to deal with that dago count, he said. They are born to fatten on the world at large and the U.S. in particular. As the list improved since noon the secretary rose and went to the ticker where the white paper tape was coiled yards long in a basket. It was going off when I looked at it last, he imported, scanning the figures printed on the narrow strip of ribbon, still dragging a little heavily. I'd expect that as part of the luxe had Gaelard seating himself beside the desk and idly strumming with his fingers. It's something I suppose to have found out as soon as this what my olive oil associate is doing. I'll put a crimp in him for this that the devil himself couldn't iron out. I hope you will, sir, exclaimed his secretary earnestly. I have felt all along that you are trusting the count too far, putting too much of the management in his hands. Gaelard scowled. Without him and his uncle's connections in Paris we couldn't have put a finger in the pie. White right, sir, but hasn't he got you to put in more than a finger, I mean in the past few days? That's the joker, Gaelard admitted. My share before was comparatively small, all he would let me have. Now I've got an arm in the pie and maybe part of my shoulder. He must have held me off before to make me eager, and now he has let me in up to the hill for this. But what about your note, sir, said the eager assistant returning from the ever-busy ticker that was blithesomely tapping out fortune or ruin on the tape. They have not fallen into his hands. That's the one uncertainty. I shall not be able to determine where they are for several days. Tyson has let them go, the ingrate. If Faishi gets them at all it will be in a roundabout manner. I doubt if he'll take them personally. He'd prefer to have someone else put on the screws. But he'll beat him, of course, at the final moment. To a pulp, said Gaelard, rising and striking the desk with his fist, I'd rather go stone-broken, get out in the street to dig sewers than have him down me now, the treacherous hound. Perhaps, said the secretary timidly, you might be wiser to let me sell your curb securities, while the loss is reasonably small. Not a share, Gaelard told him decisively. I've taken losses enough. This is merely a dip in the market. That's well known everywhere. I shall need some profits on that Q&P to fight this business through. And metal reductions is due for a rise on the dividend payable this week. I'll take a profit on them both. He went to his inner office, restlessly, closed the door behind him, and began to pace the floor. His thoughts had gone straight to thoroughly in Faishi's aspirations for her hand. He was instantly hot all through recalling a scene of the princess and her count together at Alice van Kirk's. He had likewise read of her adventure with Stiverin's car, and this had increased his impatience. He thought of his letter written and sent to thoroughly after their drive in the park. There had been no answer. He turned to a heap of mail that was neatly piled on his desk, and potted over rapidly in search that availed him not at all. Again he paced the room. That Faishi had mixed their business with affairs concerning thoroughly, with purpose to eliminate himself, had not yet occurred to his mind. But now that the die was cast by the count, the plan to beat him thoroughly in their financial deal, and so perhaps forcibly eject him from thoroughly circle, was royally welcomed to his mind. He paced for an hour, working out his plans, then started for Alice van Kirk's. He encountered Faishi outside the office door, the count having just arrived for a moment's conversation. Ah, so very early you departed, your business plays, said he. It is not impossible at trifling conference. I'm rather in a hurry, Gailord answered. Anything new perhaps you can tell me here. Very good, the building is your office, eh? And Faishi shrugged resignedly. I have only to inform you this option which we hold. It is demanded we shall cable the money, not later than the seventeenth. And this is important, you shall know. Gailord colored wrathfully. But you said the end of the month. Ah, yes, this was of my wish, of my hope, but also I am helpless. This is the cable from Paris. He produced the cable in question. Gailord read it with a blur of red before his eyes. He felt convinced that his friend, the count, had requested this demand, for no other purpose than that of destroying all possible chance for him, Gailord, to meet his obligations. He saw more than words upon the yellow slip. He saw ruin, smoking about him, and his structures prone on the ground. Yet one gleam of hope still shone through it all, and with characteristic American stoicism, he accepted the outlook with scarcely a sign that Faishi could have enjoyed. All right, he answered carelessly, handing back the message. Is that all you can think of today? Enough for me, replied the count mirthlessly, smiling. I shall be obliged to call upon all my resource, everything, yourself. Ah, you Americans have such untold monies. Sel, I have no more intelligence. I must also go. His gentle hint that Gailord must command a very large sum of money in a week to meet his obligations, or be wrecked, was not at all lost on his business associate, who felt the barb of the count's little shaft defusing poison through his system. They went to the elevator together, parting below in the hallway of marble that led to the Broadway entrance. Each was anxious to escape the other, and both took cabs, a block apart, and started to race uptown to the Van Kirk mansion. They were doomed to double exasperation. Not only did they once more meet at Alice's home and exchange the venom of jealous hatred, disgust, and distrust, but Alice and Thurley were away for a ride in the park, and had left no word as to when they might return. Both men went off wrathfully to inundate the place with flowers. Alas for plans, the quiet ride intended by Alice and Thurley for a little slipping away together for a much-needed calm and subsistence of nerves and pulses had been a metamorphosized almost at the moment of departure into one more extraordinary experience. Grand Duke Carl Wilhelm, youthfully confident that American men as were absolutely informal and different from those of civilized community, had translated Thurley's hospitable remarks with a literal license positively touching. He had come unexpectedly this afternoon because he wished to come and he had found an earlier arrival on the scene in American tailoring a bit impractical. Indeed, he apologized profusely for this somewhat tardy appearance when the dictates of his heart and sentimental system would have urged him to the scene the very next morning after his formal introduction. Alice and Thurley with one accord had invited him into the carriage. He sat himself down by the princess, and with alacrity that could leave no doubt of the happiness he declared to be his portion, he forthwith desired to know of Thurley and Madame Van Kirk if their tongues were accustomed to French. His joy could scarcely have been concealed when he learned that Alice was helpless and Thurley fluent in the Gaelic language. Nevertheless, he continued for a time to address them both in German. He was a pleasant youth despite the fact that he had fallen hopelessly in love. His observations as quaint as a child amused his companions immeasurably. The buildings, the American women, and the brilliant winter sunshine astonished him in nearly equal degrees. He announced, however, that of the three he preferred the women. Is it very difficult to become an American citizen, he asked quite seriously? Could one be made of me? Alice replied that five days usually bestowed the manners, clothes, and many madness and five years the vote upon all foreign aspirants to this red, white, and blue preeminence. Ah, said the Duke. And how far from New York are Zemormans? About five minutes walk from Trinity Church, said Alice gravely. She added that the sect of Brigham Young and his followers was three thousand miles to the westward. And so many beautiful women here, said the Duke, solemnly shaking his head. One must live here longer to comprehend the American men, thoroughly regarded the Duke amusedly. And should you like to become a Mormon? His eyes glowed with all his youthful fire and pent up eloquence as he turned them reproachfully upon her. Princess, he said in French. After this discovery of you, her color mounted with the undulating beauty of a zephyr over a meadow of clover. I thought it was your discoveries of our women, you know, that aroused your interest in that obsolete religion. Her answer was in German. He adhered to the tongue that he knew obscured his observations from Alice. For the others, yes, for me, ah, but happiness, I have known since I came upon you in your home. But you shall tell me, Princess, must you live always here to be content? Thoroughly smiled and replied in the tootin' tongue, I hope to be contented wherever I may live. His eyes became imploring. Have you no little word for me alone in French? How little she answered, there is always non, you know. Ah, how hopeless I am, he declared, those who have traveled far to find you. Do you treat them always thus? She could not resist the temptation. Her answer was in the tongue he desired. You are certain you came to New York to find me? He readen, but did not for a second drop his glance, held magnetized by her own. How could it be otherwise? Have not the fates quickly brought me to your side and given me back my joy a thousandfold? But your excellency, not Carl, when I asked it so earnestly, when I searched no farther in all America to satisfy my heart? There are so many things to talk about before you return to her at Zagotha. She said, her own glance falling in the uninterrupted ardor of his eyes. Do you not very soon return? How shall I say? Unless you say it for me, princess, there are beauties of the land, beauties of the people, beauties of the life in her at Zagotha as you would be certain to know. Will these not appeal to you and call you presently there? Call me there, your excellency? You shall make me yet to curse that word, excellency, gracious princess, though you are, he told her warmly. Why shall I hesitate to confess to you the love grown wild for utterance in my heart? Is it treachery to your love of America for me to begs that you go to her at Zagotha at my side, my princess, and duchess and companion? Good gracious, a dearly in English, a turning suddenly to gaze outside where carriages by scores were rolling by. Oh, your excellency, perhaps it is someone you know. His eyes followed hers to a land now where two women were bowing and smiling. You know them, said Alice, bowing, as she spoke, at the custers? We'll have to be careful, my dear, or our friends will think we have cut them. Thoroughly immediately began in her animated way a description of various friends in whom the duke was interested, less than in Mars, theoretical policeman. It was anything to interrupt to install his uncomfortably ardent declarations. Alice, with her customary grasp on the situation, rose to the moment's requirements superbly. She had readily divine more than half of the cause for Thoroughly's abrupt discomforture. She had seemed absorbed in the passing show, but all her faculties had nevertheless been focused on the looks and speeches of their guest whose obvious madness had thoroughly had much more amused than alarmed her. She was naturally in possession of all the facts and developments resultant from Thoroughly's interview with Baron von Hochhaus, and far more than her protégé was pleased at the turn of affairs. She was planning such a dinner as Gotham Swelldom had never yet experienced. She meant it to be the one sensation and triumph of the season. Already a brilliant success was promised, and now she felt as if the gods of chance had cast to her hand the most amazing combination of drawing cards conceivable in her princess and the duke. She thoroughly expected Sagacious New York to discover his excellency with its normal celerity for obtaining and printing news. She had scarcely a doubt that even this ride would discover his identity in a measurable degree. It did. In the briefest time their carriage was attracting such attention as almost to interfere with pleasure's traffic. In their eagerness to have a second, a third, or even a fourth good look at the brilliant young couple, delightedly conversing as they rode, a dozen women ordered their drivers back and forward most eccentrically to give them their coveted view. It became the topic of the park. The topmost notch of thoroughly skill, more than ably, abetted by Alice's maneuvers, was required to subdue and manipulate the young duke's ardor sufficiently to conceal it from outside observation. Thoroughly talked like a fountain, spilling crystalline water of roses. It was like that, a fragrant bright nothingness of conversation as nearly endless as she could make it, and all of it chaining the senses of the duke more and more by its unintentional charm. The drive became a trial before, at last it was ended, and his excellency went his way duly shadowed by one of Zagorsky's brood, who had waited for hours for his man. Mindless of everything and boyishly joyous Carl Wilhelm already made acquainted with the New York habit of wooing through the offices of roses, proceeded at once to send such a mass of fragrant beauty back to thoroughly as even Alice had rarely beheld. To conclude a day hardly less exciting than some of its predecessors, the late edition of The Evening Star appeared with a wondrously ingenious sensation to the effect that Princess Thervinian, her fiance, Grand Duke Carl Wilhelm of Saxon Hertz and Heimer had been riding that day in Central Park. The young duke, so the story stated, had chartered a vessel to break all transatlantic records in Hastening, New York word to the errant princess known to have run away from Herzegotha recently. She fled it related from a mating repulsive to her spirit in as much as she had never seen her royal suitor. Their dove-like happiness had now been established in the prettiest royal romance known in years. The results had been brought about, continued at the bend of fact and fiction by the timely arrival of some mighty potentate from Kaiser Wilhelm himself, said to be Baron Hochhaus von Sieglitz from Berlin who is still so journeying in Gotham. A wedding journey back to Herzegotha soon and the private yacht of Kaiser Wilhelm was the next development to be expected. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Paul Hansen. Thoroughly Ruxton by Philip Viral-Migels. Chapter 32 A Baited Trap The wonderful weather broke. The days had been like jewels of a rosary and were counted to the cross. The skies, a bitter wind and a snow that turned to rain and sleet, marked the first of the winter's footsteps treading north. Behind this desolating bleakness there were scores of jewel days to come granting forgetfulness of all but sunshine, yet all the world seemed an endless dreariness in face of this attack. There had been another of the crowded days and nights for Alice and Princess Thoroughly with another session at the opera and supper afterward made more than merely interesting by redoubled efforts on the part of Thoroughly's undiscouraged admirers to alter a royal romance. More flowers had come, more letters, more declarations, and even a sparkling gem of poetry from tireless algae-dearborn. Saturday morning pinching and acrid with dirty remnants of snow still clinging in the shadows and protected spots where the wind had hurled the flakes brought about two incidents of exceptional significance in the fates of all concerned with Princess Thoroughly. At ten o'clock a giant liner in from Liverpool landed four of the pick of Germany's police and Herzegotha's secret service officers who were met by Baron von Hochhaus. They had followed him as swiftly as possible and without delay were placed in charge of several men engaged by the Baron himself and began at once the search for the truant young woman whom Thoroughly so closely resembled. The duke had already been found and was kept in sight and guarded day and night. The Baron also made an effort to protect Thoroughly from the lawless creatures known to be upon her trail. The second incident appeared to be far less pretentious. It was simply the arrival of a letter for Thoroughly sent through the Major's office in the well-known calligraphy of Edith Steck. It bore no sign of forgery. On the contrary it convinced the Princess instantly that her cousin had written every word and written in anguish and alarm. Dear Lady Bountiful, you will never forgive me, I know, for what I have found myself obliged to do and for being once ill. I am back in New York as you will notice from the date and address above. Don't be angry with me, please, for I was simply obliged to come. I was robbed in Lakewood, robbed of every penny I had in the world, all that you and your beautiful friend provided. I hardly even know how it happened, simply that it was taken from my room while I was absent and that, despite the efforts of all the hotel officials, nothing could be found of the thief or my funds. I had done quite well for several days but was feeling a slight relapse when this occurred. A kind and generous woman here gave me money to return to New York and I have come to the old address for shelter, knowing of no other where I would be even slightly welcome. I am ashamed to write you such a confession and should have tried to creep back to my old quarters and work and conceal the facts where I not so ill and incapable of giving any sort of promise of rent to the woman here who has once more received me under her roof. I do not ask you to come but I felt I must at least acquaint you with these melancholy facts. It seems so needless for the world to be filled with women such as I. God bless you for all you have done is the prayer of your grateful Edith. A more clever adaption of words, phrases and characteristics called from a bright and cheerful letter could scarcely be imagined. It was Edith throughout as thoroughly instantly conceited. A great gush of sympathy, affection and compassion surged to her heart in such bitter cold as this for Edith to be housed in the wretched old hovel where thoroughly had found her before was insupportable and for Edith so to blame herself and apologize for being overtaken by calamity was poignantly affecting. It was like her, like herself denying ways to attempt this return to New York and work instead of informing any one of her plight before she left the warmth and comfort of her place among the pines. Oh, I'll scold her for that, said thoroughly to herself. Treating me as if I were an ogrece when all the poor dear had to do was let me know of her trouble. She's got to go back at once. She went to Alice immediately and gave her the letter. Alice was horrified. Merciful heavens! She said what awful things happened to the poor. Why couldn't some rich old woman have sustained this wretched loss? Why couldn't they come and rob me, for instance, instead of a girl like that? We'll send James down at once. To drive me? Of course, if you wish to, thoroughly answered. But I went before in the cars and I'd just as soon do so again. In fact, to arrive there in a carriage it's hardly the thing that Edith's cousin would do. Very well, said Alice, if you must go, child. A morning like this you may let James drive you somewhere near and wait to drive you home. Perhaps that might be better, thoroughly agreed. I'd like to take a few things, anyway, just a few flowers and things and I wish I had an oil stove. The room must be colder than a barn a day like this, but perhaps I can send her one in. But she mustn't be there long, said Alice, send her right back to Lakewood today if she's well enough to go, poor dear. She deserves it now if she didn't before. Thoroughly was feverishly eager for the start. She changed her dress while Alice was phoning for the carriage. In a wild, stinging sleep once more hurled upon the city she was presently driven away with a promise to return by one o'clock. The ride was long and cold, but thoroughly was warmed by the tender emotions of her being and her indignation at the unknown thieves who had brought about Edith's discomfort. She alighted at last a block from the house. She had visited before and trudged sturdily down the slippery walk entirely unprotected from the storm. So filled were her arms with bundles. The place seemed forsaken and forbidding, its windows curtained, its aspect one of chill and dreariness thoroughly shivered for Edith as she mounted the steps and rang the bell. After waiting a time that seemed very long she rang again and a faint sound of stirring within renewed her confidence that her cousin would soon be discovered. Then the door was opened and a little old woman blocked the way. Miss Steck said thoroughly, I came to see Miss Steck. Is she in? May I go right up? Third floor, rear, rasped the housekeeper shortly and turned it once to disappear in the darkened hall below. Breathlessly thoroughly stumbled up the dimly lighted stairs coming all rosy and panting to the door she remembered as having been Edith's before. Not a soul had she seen, not a sound had she heard in all the ghostly place. It had never occurred to her mind to be daunted or to hesitate a moment on her way. She waited a moment only to catch an easier breath then knocked on the soiled disfigured panel of the barrier. Come in, said a weak half-muffled voice and thoroughly overburdened with her flowers, fruits and comforts entered impetuously. Instantly something heavy, blinding and pungent with a stifling odor was thrown about her head. She dropped her bundles obeying an instinct to fight for air and struggled in a blanket held roughly round and over her face while her arms were pinion to her sides. Edith, she called or tried to call more and more stifled and fast succumbing to some dizzying engulfing lethargy. She felt a sense of being closely surrounded by and gripped in the jaws of countless wolves before blackness descended upon her. Her last sensation was of the room turned hideously ebb and crushed in upon her walls and ceiling and then she knew no more. A large automobile with a limousine body closely curtain had driven up to the curb outside and halted there. Five minutes later three wrapped figures supporting between them what appeared to be a helpless invalid descended the steps made a hurried entrance to the car with their charge and were rapidly driven away. End of Chapter 32 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 Paul Hansen Thoroughly Ruxton by Philip Viral Miguels Chapter 33 A Still Alarm At one o'clock with the storm increasing in fury and threatening to become a blizzard Alice Van Kirk was already impatient and blaming herself for having permitted Thoroughly to respond so recklessly in person to the needs of her unfortunate cousin. She remembered the dread with which she had permitted Thoroughly's visit to the place on the former occasion with a sense of uneasiness and indefinable premonition expanding in her more subconscious self as she thought of the weather of Thoroughly's unprotected condition and her beauty that marked her at once for attention. She rebuked herself anew for permitting the girl to undertake another of these doubtful excursions alone. She stood by the window commanding a view of the avenue as well as the cross street running east eagerly scanning every carriage that might contain the princess. Countless important trifles were neglected. She owned herself frankly worried or she might in reason have expected Thoroughly home. By half-past one, with the avenue all but deserted in the fury of the gale and driving snow Alice was fidgeting, feverish, and thoroughly distressed. She felt so utterly helpless. She was aggravated by the knowledge that the house where Edith lived was a horrid place without a telephone and without proper heat for such a day. Thoroughly would be certain to contract a cold if nothing worse occurred to make this adventure the last of its kind that should ever be permitted. Alone with her servants Alice felt more than ever isolated and haunted by multiplying fears. At two o'clock unable to endure the uncertainty longer and possessed of all manner of suggestions and suspicions she ordered one of the servants to go at once with the car to the place of Edith's residence and determine what had happened. Phone me at once before starting home she instructed concealing her agitation as best she might and insist that Miss Thoroughly return without delay even though her task is unfinished. She was certain Thoroughly would come before the man could reach the house. She told herself she felt relieved now that something had been done. Nevertheless she oscillated back to the window times innumerable straining her eyes to peer far down the avenue gloom to detect the form of James and the dark maroon of her carriage. When the phone bell finally jangled its demand for attention her nerves were all on edge. She hastened to the instrument. Well, hello, hello, is that you, John? You coming home? Like the voice of a ghost, hard riding on the storm the hollow reply came back. I couldn't find nothing of her, ma'am. Not there, ma'am. The house was apparently empty, ma'am. No one to open the door. Nothing alive about the place, ma'am. Alice felt a sudden overwhelming confirmation of her nebulous fears. Something sank in her bosom, leddenly. Are you sure you had the right number, John? And she gave it again with most distinct particularity. There could be no doubt that John had applied for admission to the house that Edith had named. Alice all but moaned, but she demanded, Where is James? Driving up and down, ma'am, to keep his horse from freezing he hasn't seen nothing of Miss Thurley. He's stopping where she posted him, ma'am, to wait. Alice hesitated, a settled conviction of disaster to Thurley taking unopposed possession of her being. John, she called, why didn't you ask at the other houses near? Go and do so at once, and phone again. So I did, ma'am, John replied, across the wire. I knocked up three of the neighbors, and two knows nothing at all, ma'am, and the third old person says all the parties in the house. I referred to, moved out, and went away this morning, ma'am, taking a sick one with him and going in a car. When, cried Alice sharply, was it after Miss Thurley arrived? The old party didn't say, ma'am, not having seen Miss Thurley arrive, but four persons left before twelve o'clock, one as she says, being apparently queer and so weak she had to be carried. Oh, Alice swayed where she stood, but grasped at the mastery of self and voice with all her strength. You and James may both come home. She did not hear his thank you, ma'am, as she hung the receiver on the hook. She simply stood stock still and stared at the instrument, which had crystallized her alarms. She was utterly faint and felt a sense of helplessness together with a wild, unreasoning wish to rush at once to the house herself, do something, anything, pervading all her being. Her conviction that Thurley was the victim of some fiendish plot was absolute. She had felt a premonition from the first and its warning had been unheeded, so vague and senseless had it appeared. Yet it did not seem possible that anything actually harmful, malignant, could have come to the girl in a time so brief as this. It's the princess business, she exclaimed aloud. In a sudden lucubration where her mind was groping for a reason, the bear and the duke, the others, she thought, were some way responsible. There was something political, something hidden in a matter involving so much to hurt Segotha, but what, why take Thurley, whom the bear and knew to be an American girl? Her thoughts ran wild as she stood there big-eyed with fear and helplessness. The runaway princess might have died and the kingdom require her double. So much was at stake, as the bear and had said, as he himself had requested, Thurley to continue in her role. But what to do and how to discover anything and how to save the trusting girl she had grown so dearly to love? Her natural thought was the chief of police and all the scions of the law. She even started toward the phone to alarm every station in town. But she halted instantly to advertise the disappearance of the girl like this might be exceedingly unwise. It would warn the possible conspirators who might have committed some act of violence. It would wholly divulge the final facts as to who Miss Thurley was. Moreover, it might not be a case for the bungling police, especially if the Baron or the Duke was concerned. But something must be done and done at once to stand here inactive, paralyzed with dread and fear of some terrible thing that had happened was the action of a child. There must be something. There had to be something to do. Yet to whom could she turn and what could she say how act swiftly and effectively to get the Princess back? The phone bell rang again and she started galvanically, her hand flying quickly to her heart. A wild hope surged through her fears. It might be Thurley. With a nervous hand she caught the black receiver and placed it to her ear. Hello? Hello, said a cheery voice across the wire. Is that you there, Alice? This is Robly. Such a gem of a day. I thought perhaps I'd find you in and you'd let me come just to celebrate putting my wrist back in commission. What do you say? She had never felt so glad in her life for the thought of a man to give her help. Of all persons in the world, including her absent husband, none could have been more welcome in her helpless plight than Robly Stivert. Oh, come at once, she answered in the instrument. Trust as soon as you can. She would trust no more to the wires which not infrequently leak, but sank into a chair already made weaker for the very thought of leaning on someone else. She had nearly ten minutes in which to calm herself before Robly was admitted below. He was directed at once to Alice's one particular real home room where he had no sooner entered than he realized something was amiss. Alone, he said, as he gave her his hand, the right hand offered for the first time since his accident, your pale, not ill, I hope. Sit down, said Alice, so absolutely colorless and smile-less that Stivert was alarmed. Something dreadful has happened, Robly, heaven must have sent you to the phone, I need you so. Nothing has happened to Miss Thurley, he said, his own dearest thought thus prompt to apply the worry accurately. What is it then? Heaven knows, I wish I knew, she said, and rapidly, briefly, she reviewed the entire morning's events, including the statement of the servant John who was due to arrive at any moment. I don't know what to think or how to act, she presently concluded, having risen to walk erratically and nervously about the room. I am simply convinced she was lured to the house in question on a blind and has been abducted, spirited away if it isn't something worse. I hailed your coming as a godsend, now tell me what to do. Stivert's face had assumed a set expression of intensity heightened by pallor. The depth of his feeling for Thurley had never been gauged before, and the grip at his heart could not measure it now as it was at length to be measured. Who in heaven's name could have a motive, a reason for desiring to abduct her, he asked? That is the first thing to know. You have read in the papers that Grand Duke Carl and Baron von Hochhaus are both in town, said Alice, both having come to America in record-breaking haste to search for Princess Thurvinia. Yes, but these newspaper rumors, both the Baron and the Duke have been at this house, Alice interrupted. The Duke has all but insisted that Thurley go at once with him to hurt Segotha. Stivert stared at her blankly. They've both been here. It's not a newspaper yarn. The whole thing might be a sort of political intrigue. The Baron also demands or requests, requests entirely, said Alice, who had checked herself at the very brink of revealing the truth concerning Thurley's origin. Don't you see that almost anything terrible could have happened must all have been a trick? Stivert had risen, even as Alice once more sank in her chair. Perhaps I haven't any right to interfere, he said, but Thurley chose a life for herself, perhaps even escape from her country in the Duke. She is more to me than perhaps you realize. Her wishes and her rights, rights to freedom and the liberty to go unmalested to give her kindness and sympathy to the afflicted, have got to be respected. Such conduct as this would be unpardonable, even in Emperor William himself. I mean to get to the bottom of this no matter what sacrifice or who may be involved, I will find her. I'll help her. I'll get her back if they shoot me down for my pains. But do something now, this minute, said Alice, before it is all too late. We haven't any time for walking up and down and talking. What do you advise? The first thing to do is to make ourselves sure that something is wrong. Some plot, some trap has been laid. The letter you say was from a girl she sent to Lakewood some time ago and Edith Stack, who wrote that she had been robbed and had therefore returned and was ill and greatly in need at her old address. The address for thoroughly had gone to Sear before. Stiverant went to the phone and snatched the receiver from the hook. Give me the Western Union Telegraph Company in a hurry, he demanded a moment later. I haven't time to look up the number. What is it, said Alice, what do you mean to do? Wire to Edith Stack at Lakewood. You said she's at the pines. If she's there, alright, we'll know it was all a job. But her letter mailed right here in town. Perhaps a clever forgery, it's possible. Hello, Western Union, take a message please and make it a special with paid reply and charge me any price you like but get it off and the answer back in an hour. Yes, Robby Stiverant. Alright, ready? Miss Edith Stack, Hotel Pines, Lakewood, New Jersey. Kindly wire your condition at once, important. Reply paid, sign it, Robby Stiverant. And he added Alice's address. Thank you, rush it please, goodbye. But why the girl's condition, said Alice excitedly. What will she think? Anything she pleases, perhaps. That some situation depends on her health. The main idea is to find out at once whether she is there or not. Then why not use the long distance phone? Oh, I am an ass, he declared. And back he shot to the instrument was presently making his demands. Fully twenty minutes of time were consumed before the connections could be made. Both Robby and Alice were pacing restlessly to and fro in the meantime, speculating, surmising, attempting to deduce from the little they knew what might be lying beneath the deed so boldly and unexpectedly committed. James and John had both returned and were neglected while Stiverant waited on his wire. Then at length the bell rang out its call and the Hotel Pines was on the farther end the clerk's voice sounding so clearly that Alice could distinguish every word. Miss Deck is here, yes, sir, said the voice. Stood at the desk not five minutes ago asking for a letter. Shall I call her to the phone? No, thank you, no, said Stiverant. Is she well? Oh, she said so, and she looks it. Thank you, kindly let her know a wire is on the way, asking about her health and tell her the phone was a second thought and not to bother with an answer. This is Mr. Stiverant speaking. Thank you. I think of nothing further. Bye. He turned to Alice. My suspicion is confirmed. Thoroughly was lured to the house by a forgery without a doubt. I want to see James and John a moment then I'm going myself to the house. I'll get you the letter, said Alice. I'm sure it was left in Thoroughly's room. End of chapter 33. 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 Paul Hansen. Thoroughly Ruxton by Philip Viral Miguels. Chapter 34. A Shattered Hope. New York is filled with houses of indifference, degraded and degrading old shells, where any one of however dubious of a calling may rent a shelter, alleged to be furnished, and be certain no questions will be asked, no matter what the use, to which the apartment may be adapted. The house where Edith Steck had found her miserable lodging was one of this character, as Stivert realized as soon as he entered the door. He was therefore handicapped at the outset, since no one resident therein would divulge the slightest fact that might be concealed by ignorance or art. The same dull little female creature who had admitted thoroughly opened the door at his knock. She was either half death or half idiotic or an excellent actor of the part. By dint of repeated questions and not a little flattery, Stivert elicited the information that she was not the landlady that the latter was out and had been for two or three days, and also that some perfect lady had occupied the room once rented to Miss Steck for several days. The perfect lady had been veiled when she came and had never been seen by this informant who was merely a servant in the place. This was deception number one for she herself was proprietor of the utterly neglected house. Stivert paid her a dollar to take him to the room in question, alleging that a young woman friend had called there that morning and left a trifle behind. The trifle was on the floor when he came to the place. The bunch of roses thoroughly had carried to comfort a comfortless soul, convinced that no one else could have taken them there, Stivert took them eagerly then glanced about the place. It was simply a wretched little back-haul cave, dirty, ill-smelling, abominably furnished with rickety old junk and littered everywhere with half-smoked cigarettes. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, to furnish the slightest clue as to recently departed occupants save the roses already secured. What other parcels thoroughly had brought had been carried away with herself. When Stivert left, he possessed the meager intelligence that the perfect lady of the veil was tall and that several men had called to pay her their respects at various times. His most skillful corkscrew methods could extract no more than that. As a matter of fact, the whismed little woman knew almost no more herself. She had seen little of her recent guest and nothing of her departure. Stivert acknowledged to himself that he was almost as much in the dark as he had been half an hour earlier. He felt certain that Thurley had actually been in the room and dropped her roses at the moment of some attack. He was convinced it was she who had been seen placed helplessly in an automobile. But concerning the motive, Thurley's condition when abducted, where she was taken and the perpetrators of the outrage, he was helplessly at sea. He telephoned to Alice relating the little he had managed to discover, then informed her that he could he would call by eight at the latest, deliberately set to work to discover, if possible, the abiding place of Wank in Baron von Hochhaus. Some hazy idea of comforting the Baron possibly surprising from him even the nearest hint concerning Princess Thurvinia was in his mind together with a wonder at himself for daring to resume so far as to meddle with the state affairs of a foreign kingdom and its royal truance. He only knew he loved this glorious girl who had come to his assistance in the park. He only knew he must serve her now if it lay in his power with the final drop of blood in his heart. But his search was vain. For more than two hours he was driven up and down from one small high-class hostelry to another before at last he was rewarded by the information that two Germans neither one named Wank or Baron Hochhaus but who might have registered under pseudonyms might have been the parties sought had stayed in this house two days. They had gone together but no one knew where as neither received or expected letters here and had left no future address. It was nearly half past eight at night and the storm still raged savagely when he came again to Alice van Kirk's to be mocked by his evening's search. Both Wank and Baron von Hochhaus had arrived five minutes before him and Alice had just come down. Tempted to send in his name and requested mission to the conference, Stavrant curbed the impulse and went to the great empty drawing room to wait impatiently the outcome of this wholly unexpected development. Alice in the reception room had scarcely more than greeted her, she wished to visit her concealing as best she might her state of agitation when the servant acting on instructions quietly announced Robby's arrival. She hesitated a moment on the point of asking Stavrant in then resolved on a course whereby she might a little sound the Baron and possibly discover vital facts by the policy of permitting him to reveal the purpose of his visit and continue to act as if nothing had occurred. The Baron was laboring under rigidly suppressed emotions. Grave fears were entertained by himself and Wank concerning not only the young Duke Carl but also Princess Thervinia still missing and perhaps never to be found. At most his secret service officers had learned that some young woman exceedingly beautiful and unknown had recently succumbed to sudden illness in Jersey City under conditions that vaguely suggested she might have been the royal runaway they sought. And Grand Duke Carl readily run to cover upon his second visit to the van Kirk mansion had madly proclaimed his love for Miss Thurley whom alone he wished to wed. The Baron was thus doubly bewildered in her rest if the Princess still lived and was discovered these two must wed and be returned to Hurtsegoth a fourth with. If it should be discovered beyond a paradventure on the other hand that Princess Thervinia had paid for her folly with her life, it might not be altogether preposterous to resuade Miss Thurley as her double to assume her royal place. The adjustment of the matter so delicate was not a simple affair. The Baron was not in the least discomforted now to discover thoroughly temporarily absent from the scene. I shall approach the subject of my appearance frankly he said to Alice as soon as mere conventional greetings had been exchanged. And perhaps it is as well to request permission to ask a few questions of yourself at once. Please feel quite at liberty to do so said Alice making her excitement and feeling of doubt with a smile but perhaps I may be able to assist you. Please acquit me of any desire to intrude personal curiosity in a matter most exceedingly grave he begged courteously and permit me to apologize in advance for the necessity of pursuing my country's requirements in a matter of some delicacy. Alice nodded and he continued perhaps Miss Thurley was already acquainted you with the substance of our last conference. Oh yes to some extent that is well and should save considerable time. May I now inquire what attitude of mine Miss Thurley expressed or betrayed concerning his excellency the Sion Duke? Why said Alice I think she hardly knew herself. He was honored by a carriage visit with yourself and Miss Thurley recently he drove with us yes I am aware of his instant infatuation with and high regard for your protégé. Is it possible now or might it ever be possible for Miss Thurley to requite his esteem, his love in a word should occasion arise to make such an outcome desirable or expedient? Alice was certain now the genuine princess was dead and thoroughly politically required. She was almost equally convinced that Thurley had actually been abducted for this reason and the Baron was here to make all possible amends without however relinquishing his captive. She answered in cautiously was this the reason you desired and requested her to continue in the role somewhat thrust upon her by an overzealous public he colored slightly. Certainly not at the time of that request no such necessity seemed even remotely suggested believe me madam there may be no such necessity now perhaps I am premature in preparing for any such emergency I have merely asked you as a question Alice felt a little the constraint of his position she was all upon a bolder stroke a young woman like Thurley might learn to care very dearly for any handsome young man but not Baron Hodgehouse by force he looked his genuine surprise by force most certainly not my dear Mrs. Van Kirk Miss Surley's entire cooperation if not voluntary spontaneous response to the young Duke exalted emotion would be an absolute essential to the furtherance of any such development as fancy and necessity might pre-suggest at this perhaps untimely moment Alice had almost hope for proof that the Baron had procured Thurley's spiriting away she could have been certain at least of the girl's comfort security and freedom from violence or danger now she underwent a doubt so entirely candid was the Baron's speech and demeanor and tried another tact is not the matter the question after all one to be answered only by Miss Thurley herself most certainly in its finality yet I've welcomed this opportunity of questioning yourself her confidant and friend as a diplomatic force step should occasion arise for any such negotiations later it is highly probable that such a proposition may never be broached again I sincerely trust there may be no such necessity indeed my next inquiry may occasion some astonishment for its opposing character Alice was thoroughly puzzled and losing a species of hope to which she had clung since if Thurley had to be carried off because of foreign politics better far she should be in the hands of the Baron than caught in the toils of conspirators wholly unknown she grew impatient to demand all the Baron knew yet still she smiled your next inquiry she said directed also to me it is perhaps just as well directed to you he leaned a little closer in ze event of our state's desire in some matter would it be too much to request miss Sirley to refuse to see more of the Duke to discourage him finally once and for all dismiss him this friendship at most bidding him return forthwith to her Zagatha is there to resume the obligation of his life Alice gazed at him blankly amazed at such a question on the heels of what had preceded the Baron gave her no time to reply I perceive I have too far presumed upon your relationship with Miss Thurley he hastened to add may I beg the privilege of an interview with Miss Sirley herself Alice's final hope was gone and with it her wish or need for further concealment she rose abruptly but Baron Von Hodgehouse Thurley is not here she is gone she has disappeared I have the most terrible fears for her safety her life I hope that you had abducted her caused her abduction anything but this horrible uncertainty in dread the Baron too had risen his face betrayed his complete astonishment and shock gone he repeated abduction you do not mean to say she went this morning to assist an ailing friend or so she thought the letter that summoned her was evidently a forgery a blind I'm fearfully distraught Mr. Stiver and has been the only one to help me he has just come in from a fruitless search of the house where she went this morning the Baron's distress was more than mere compassion the Baron's grave concern he had feared for some such development he had known of the dangers impending and surrounding the putative princess when requesting Thurley to continue the role he'd even made efforts toward the discovery and apprehension of Zagorsky and her following but had felt the discovery of the genuine princess Carl to be more immediate pressure upon himself and his men now that this outcome had established the menace to princess and Duke he was startled as well as afflicted with a sense of guilt yet he dared not betray his convictions as to what had happened to Alice van Kirk's protege I am shocked at this intelligence he said in all sincerity believe me I shall make every possible endeavor to assist you in discovering and recovering your companion excluding myself you have no suspicions as to who might commit such an outrage how could I have said Alice she hadn't an enemy in the world I was certain it must be something political something I may have brought upon her by permitting a silly world to believe her your princess their vineyard the Baron took a quick impatient turn down the length of the rod and back his perturbation was obvious his rage against Zagorsky was consuming that such a thing could happen in daylight here in your city he said the punishment should be so swift and terrible for crimes of this dastardly nature you shall have my help did you say Mr. Stiverndt has come I steam him your friend I may see him now I wish you to see him please said Alice but he is not aware that Miss Thurley is not princess their vineyard a matter which I prefer to leave undisturbed if possible the suggestion meets my entire approval and desires of the Baron and Stiverndt was summoned to the room the meeting between himself and the Baron was cordial then in the briefest time he was made acquainted with the Baron's innocence in the present matter and his earnest desire to promote the greatest possible activity for Thurley's return to her friends Hotchhouse did not however cast an illuminating ray upon the facts in his and Wank's possession concerning Zagorsky and Wank remaining in the farthest corner of the room was barely aware that important complications had developed Stiverndt related all he had found at the house and room where the trap had been prepared adding a brief account of the means whereby he had discovered that Edith Steck was still at Lakewood reflecting that death could have claimed Princess Thurvinia the Baron was thoroughly disturbed and incensed convinced that an effort would be made to entrap or even assassinate the Duke he became a wary sagacious element in the game primarily actuated by his country's needs and relentlessly pledged to the conservation of its integrity no matter what the sacrifice to other beings or their nations and yet for the adequate punishment of Zagorsky and her lawless followers he would almost have given a hand or an arm to be lopped from his sinewy body his agitation seemed to Stiverndt a confirmation of Thurley's royal character there was nothing to be done that night however save to counsel Stiverndt to avoid the municipal police and report for a conference the following day with the secret agents imported to search for the Princess the address for which Robly had searched all evening was readily supplied together with the names under which both the Baron and Wank were registered after which with every assurance of his lasting friendship and zealous action in this calamity Hotchhouse withdrew leaving Alice and Stiverndt as well blindly groping for a hope or a clue upon which to proceed in the morning End of Chapter 34 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 Paul Hanson Thurley-Ruckston by Philip Viral Miguel Chapter 35 The Ice-Blue Eyes When Thurley awoke the day and sun was obliquely breaking through the clouds and storm and streaming coldly in at the window of a barren room the features of which suggested the hazy continuance of an ugly dream of the Baron her mind was dazed and uncertain she was ill and faint only the dimmest shadows of memory came to restore the morning's occurrences vaporous ghosts of her last sensation at Edith's room haunted her half-illumined mind she closed her eyes vaguely convinced that she was lying in her bed and must soon arouse and prepare to go down to her work with major fits she felt she'd overslept dreaming some wondrous experience like a modern fairy story wherein she had almost been a princess almost been she opened her eyes again feeling something strangely hard in her hand it felt like a chain but she did not immediately raise it to the sea she was still too weak too indifferent the sunlight pained her eyes what a strange room it was after all with its broken ceiling its ragged walls and the shattered chair and table a pain went through her head as certain functions of her heart and blood resumed their normal ways with a hurtful throb she suddenly surged through the dullness of her brain she sat up suddenly turning actively and staring with blazing eyes at a woman who sat upon a second bed a foot removed from her own confusion rushes of blood to her brain disordered recollections and new alarms plunged pel-mel into the cavities of her skull congesting her brain with illness a tumult of thoughts and emotions a sickening sense of revulsion overwhelmed all else momentarily as she recognized but failed for a second to place the eyes at which she was gazing then she knew them those poisonous ice blue eyes so intently fastened upon her that night in the horse show box a shudder of cold and weakness and disgust passed rapidly through her frame for the woman smiled and her smile was worse than her eyes said thoroughly as she sank on the pillow of the couch once more wracked by pains and haunting dread come to at last said Zagorsky in German her utterance one of sneering contempt didn't know where you were at first or how it happened think how you can pass the time guessing where you are and why you come she laughed abominably it wouldn't be so comfortable and warm if I didn't have to stay in the room myself I can tell you that so thank your fortunate stars I am here the vapors and ghosts of memory and thoroughly's mind became real substance with painful clarity all events of the morning crowded back in their sequence like a series of shocks and again she felt herself being stifled and blotted from existence she was wholly at loss to understand the situation or the reasons for anyone's attack upon herself however and found women here so utterly repellent that nameless fears were her portion once more she became aware that something foreign lay in the grasp of her hand she drew the hard thing upward as she once more rose to a sitting position it was a light steel chain secured to a girdle of similar metal fastened about her waist she was still fully dressed a new sense of chill went down her spine what does all this mean she said her hand going up to her cheek and forehead what have I done to be chained here like an animal you've been one laughed the woman mirthlessly a pampered pretty animal useless if not even dangerous if you have the brains to understand me which is doubtful and quite properly chained at last the other end of the chain was fastened to the bed which was of iron this thoroughly comprehended in one discerning glance half formed fears of what it might all imply became inescapable dreads as she once more faced the poisonous light balefully gleaming in the woman's eyes the sun ray was withdrawn as a cloud obscured the great cold orb and a chilly draft that an odorous oil stove could neither dispel nor greatly modify swept like another inimicable presence across the girl's warm cheek have I ever harmed you she inquired ill again with an intention that appeal query a reason would be wasted on this malignant looking being have I ever harmed anyone at all harmed ha thoroughly tried another attack will you tell me where I am didn't I tell you to guess and occupy your mind all that thoroughly could recall seemed very far away she wondered how far it really was she asked is it permissible where the time of day nearly five o'clock thank you Saturday Saturday thoughts of Alice and how she might be worrying crept between the baffled conjectures alarms and turmoil and Thurley's brain and aroused her to something approximating anger this is infamous she said it was cowardly and human she remembered Edith you haven't brought Miss Stack here too in her wretched condition the woman reveled in her captive's impotent warmth Miss Stack is still in lake wood useless to the cause Thurley looked at her puzzled alike by this statement concerning Edith and the reference to a cause her active mind swiftly flashing from one speculation to another effort to fathom the feeling of animosity against herself which the woman manifestly harbored still in lake would she repeated but her letter oh a dim and wavering light was vouchsafed to her groping mentality she comprehended first in the somewhat hazy manner that Edith had never written the letter that a trap had been laid with Edith as the bait that something lay behind it all too profound for immediate solution it wove in fantastic elusive forms about the masquerade the belief of all New York that she was Princess Thurvinia yet why even then this clear vivid memories of the woman's eyes at the horse show this woman's chilling eyes the intensity of her gaze the hatred in her face and the awe and creep she had then inspired blazed up with singular intensity as if to reveal much more but faded again and left the mystery black she was tempted for a moment to cry out protestingly Princess Thurvinia merely a poor Cinderella granted an hour of butterfly existence from a life monotonously gray and dull before but she banished the thought at once she knew it would be so utterly in vain and futile the story would not be credited it would appear the nearest childish subterfuge of anyone similarly situated precisely what the real Princess might attempt in hope of escape subconsciously aware that the chain and the woman's watchful presence argued unusual precautions against her escape therefore unusual importance doubtless in her capture and remembering also the Baron's request that she continue in her role she was momentarily more and more convinced that something political lay behind the affair of which she was the victim the Baron had said she might perform a great service to his country her fright gave way to thinking, planning, impossible things, wondering why she was kept alive at all speculating as to Baron Von Hatchhaus and how much she might have known of dangers surrounding the Princess indignation succeeded number of lesser emotions in her being and yet she was weak and could not long retain anger adequate to the indignities here thrust upon her what to do was the question not what might have been done was escaped by any means possible chain as she was and probably under the constant watchfulness of this icy-eyed woman who suggested some species of vampire yet unnamed she sank on the pillow ill again in a slight degree from the reflex action of the drug employed to blanket her senses she could think of little more clearly thus and realized the uselessness of questioning the woman who would certainly reveal nothing of the slightest importance the day was fast-graying into gloom she could see far out through the dirty pains of the window across the dreary landscape of denuded trees and snow she had known it for open country at the first waking glance the wind was swaying the trees snow wraiths drifted homelessly across the desolation there was not a house in sight she looked about the wretched room on that particular side of the couch without a motion of her head wondering just how far above the snow the earth was the window her thoughts went straying off to robbly stivernt involuntarily some way she felt that if she could only let him know where she was he would come though death itself should bar the way she knew she would go to him it was such a plight and the thought warmed her heart like a flame of sacred fire if she only knew where she was if she only knew if she could only tell him tell him tell her secondary drowsiness overcame her and she slept there like a child it was less than an hour before she once more started to her senses awake promptly and blinking at a smoky lamp on the rickety table near the wall the windows were heavily curtain not a ray of light could have found its way to the outer darkness of the land two figures cast great shadows on the floor one the woman's the other a man's the latter bore some steaming dishes in his hands and on his arm with a waiter's universal skill it was he they called pelevin and accomplished being with a mind he always said above the roles for which the world had cast him at the slight sound made by thoroughly in propping herself on an arm the woman turned get up she commanded I am hungry we dine thoroughly was staring at pelevin whose face was sure betoken better things than a questionable association with this woman he did not turn however till he had placed all the dishes on the table then as he went he cast a look on the captive girl that seemed she fancied friendly if not indeed compassionate all while Zagorsky's back was turned will you drink tea or coffee asked the woman arranging the dishes on the table I am generous a good provider coffee if you please said thoroughly who trusted it might be as good as the bear suggestion promised she was painfully hungry she rose from the bed discovering her chain to be fully ten feet in length even as the woman strode to the door and balled to pelevin to bring two cups of coffee then presently with Zagorsky seated close to her side thoroughly assuaged her appetite on mutton stew with bread and butter the fare though exceedingly limited as to variety was nevertheless acceptable being well cooked and comfortingly hot the coffee and two large heavy cups was brought a few minutes later and once more pelevin disappeared it seemed thoroughly utterly incongruous to sit here calmly eating with such a being under such conditions but she was a healthy hungry young woman and to starve would be the greatest folly Zagorsky was not a communicative or loquacious person thoroughly felt that queries and treatings or demands would be alike wasted on the creature and therefore both being greatly in need of bodily sustenance there was nothing said during the progress of the meal the same inherent shrinking from the adventures was constantly present in thoroughly subconscious thoughts and movements get a sheer determination that she would not needlessly grieve or otherwise waste her strength possessed her absolutely and supplied her with courage hope and a wisdom rare and helpful way there was new resolve and a steady re-nerving resentment in her being she took one look at Madame Zagorsky almost as if with a thought in mind of pouncing upon her fighting it out and then perhaps leaping from the window but the wild idea faded instantly leaving her sober sense of throne and aware of the heavy odds against her arrows from the table and her angry glance which was also girlishly wistful sped along the twisted links of the chain that bound her to the bed she almost started at the sight of a link supplied by strands of wire the chain had either been broken or two short pieces had once been spliced together the wire being passed at least four times between the iron links then twisted hard and nipped off close and bent down level with the strands Thurley's breath came faster merely with the thought of things perhaps made possible could she once but tamper with the link then Zagorsky faced about and Thurley sank on the edge of the bed with her eyes averted from the woman's despite all the sleep she had taken that day she presently felt herself heavy again she made an effort at first rather slight than more determined to cast the feeling off a few minutes later she was exerting the utmost willpower and mental goading of which she was capable to divest her brain of the lethargy creeping upon it the effort was in vain her struggle impotent she felt herself dimmed as by some heavy cloud expunging her life with her last protesting lucubrations she realized that the drowsiness was wholly unnatural and was helplessly certain the coffee had been drugged with one despairing fear of what the night might bring upon her a fear that fought but had not the force to battle down the narcotic she felt herself drooping head downward on the bed and was once more inert and unconscious End of Chapter 35 Chapter 36 An Offer of Help Zagorsky being herself a heavy sleeper once that condition of inactivity was achieved proposed taking no chances with her captive she had no mind or inclination for sitting up awake or otherwise assuming needless responsibilities with an important captive well drugs were cheap and certain at length made certain she was wrapped in the folds and weavings of the baleful stuff employed she closed the door upon her went actively down the stairs and strode unexpectedly in upon the three of her following smoking in the kitchen of the house over the dishes of their dinner in as much as she nearly always approached them in this stealthy manner the three were not unduly surprised she sat near the stove for the night was cold and the house leaked air like a sieve so she said eyeing the man before her with her penetrative stare you are all convinced I know nothing of my business and there are all of a mind to murder the girl and get away she had heard no more than a word on entering yet had diagnosed the state of their minds unerringly it was not yet certain said the man called Max I was willing some matter should be discussed with you to decide or at least show cause for this dangerous delay ah said Zygorski you were willing that I the brains and all of this enterprise should squeak like a mouse at the conference of lions the fellow Jan was in a sullen mood he was not to be immediately brow beaten into his customary submission we shall presently have the whole pack down upon us he said we are not in Europe they manage things differently here in America have I not reason to know we should be satisfied to obliterate this much of the power and oppression now take no chances of her escape and work for us a grand duke afterward you mean to murder and run with our business half accomplish corrected Zygorski malevolently it is your usual cowardly method I say I shall get some both by midnight of tomorrow at the latest for escape chain blogs do not vanish smoke through a keyhole and re-embodied themselves outside to roll away she is a bird in hand in sister Jan averting his gaze from the ice blue eyes he dreaded if you find the task too severe for delicate hands it is business that must be done do you threaten ask the woman quietly let one of the three if you dare appear above the head of the stairs between this hour and eight in the morning or all the three if you have the courage between you but eight o'clock said Pellevin this is very late I sleep late answered Zygorski have I inconvenienced myself for years to bring this capture to myself for no reason now when at last I have earned my mornings or a pose I repeat it eight o'clock the girl may sleep till nine Jan continued sullen and wedded to his topic instead of the Duke appearing at the broken meal you will have a posse on our heels may be different what purpose does it serve to keep the princes here alive several purposes best known to myself answered the woman leader of the business even you should perceive there may be a final necessity of showing this girl to the Duke at the window of the meal before he will enter the trap but mark my word he will not come alone van poten tatens a grave is worse too in a cordon of police think you hutch house is unwary think you carville him goes about in unprotected free to blunder to our trap max took his pipe from his mouth he is still in hiding from wink and the baron he supplied he is little minded for more than a portion here in the land of the free I have only one question to ask said Zagorski calmly who engineered this capture of the princess who brought about its success who have been the failures here to for she rose and stood facing the table her back to the stove ba of the three of you at least endowed with brains in this association yet I had not thought even you reduced to common hurried murder in your utter lack of finesse I know my duty growled the man we'll see what we shall see a threat she demanded as before if it comes to that at least fling it out like a man threats said Jan suddenly puffing at his pipe only she waited but he did not complete his sentence I understand she said more soothingly herself a little fearful of this blood desiring man when the hour arrives it shall be you no other that has the deal the honor the glory of the stroke is it a promise all agree I am all and I agree in a way of magnificence all her own and that being settled an hour for consultation the council sat till midnight resolving there by the glowing stove the plans for assuring the coming of the Duke to meet a waiting doom there were no more hints of mutiny but all agreed that instantly upon the possible appearance of deliverance sent for thoroughly the knife and the hands of Jan should do its work no matter what the after consequences to any in the band Zagorsky retired a little after twelve thoroughly was sleeping like the princess of legend bound by a magic spell in its corner the oil stove rank with emanations glowed all night like a beacon set to lure trusting ships on the reef at eight in the morning a thunderous and long continued pounding on the door roused thoroughly from her torpor while still her captor rasped a song of sleep it was pelevin ready to bring the breakfast but desiring the dishes full of the evening before the door was locked a precaution Zagorsky had taken on her own initiative less Jan be overzealous in the night she was roused at last reluctantly and heavily emerging from her hibernation which thoroughly duly noted the day had officially begun it was destined to be a day of dullness dread and desolation broken but once in the morning when the breakfast things had gone Zagorsky was summoned to the room below in pelevin return for the earthenware cups over which the woman had lingered the door had been left a trifle open Zagorsky desiring to hear any sounds that might be of moment above the man thus alone with thoroughly abruptly placed utensils once more on the table he turned to the girl with a face transformed to one of contrition and shame ah, your highness he whispered in a tragic undertone suffused with intense emotion I can no longer bear that you shall regard me also with hatred and dreads a suspicion and horde these others may inspire I've waited to tell you declare my loyalty my friendship my wish to assist you to escape in doubt on his knees the fellow sank his hands held imploringly before him thoroughly was startled more than surprised by the abruptness of his actions something in his face the previous evening had a little prepared her mind for some such declaration yet she hardly knew what were best to do in the moment that might be vowsh saved them oh if you could only could really help me she said her voice barely more than a whisper but what can I possibly do your friends he said eagerly let's him know your royal fiance in an hour I must go to the village for meat a letter a note to the dukes a brave young duke let me take it if only a line but I have no paper so my other friend she answered eagerly if I tell them oh to ruin everything he interrupted imploringly if so many come are seen from here your life must pay the forfeit on the instant this is predetermined let's the duke come alone he only and I can help ah a part of a letter he had snatched an old letter from his pocket and torn away the second sheet but a stub of pencil only this he likewise produced with grime from a pocket of his vest write it, write it quick there's not a moment to lose and already I know where to find him the tears rolled swiftly from his eyes it is so little I may do but your life shall be saved I shall not have lived in vain I shall have not suffered shame degradation for nothing he dashed away the tears but the write thoroughly was deeply affected by the fellow's outburst of emotion she felt new hope in the day quickly kneeling by the table she turned once more to the man where am I where shall I tell him to come the village of north winning Long Island whispered rapidly tell him you are captive in the old mill one mile out to the eastward where he shall come at nine o'clock tonight but come alone on peril of your life tell him you will go with no one else and to bring no help nearer than the village thoroughly started to write in feverish haste she paused but tonight at nine I may be drugged again and fast asleep I am the cookie whispered I shall leave out the drug you shall then pretend to sleep and leave the rest to me she wrote again but stopped to inquire this house some mill at the front which you have not seen ah if we waste the time he had risen and now tiptoed to the door and listened there intently it is nearly done I must appear below there there said thoroughly signing the note and she placed it at once in his hand he read it hurriedly it was written in German dear Carl Robly I am captive in an old mill one mile out to the east from village of east winning Long Island you must come alone to save me bring no one with you nearer than the village and at nine tonight it is important that you come alone you must remember that or it seems I am sentenced yours thoroughly Carl Robly he said inquiringly but his name thoroughly reddened she had thought by this means it might be possible to get the intelligence also to Stiveron who far more than all the dukes in the world might move effectively a nickname she told the man without the slightest hesitation no one calls him so but myself the better then then he will know it is from yourself, agreed Pelavan hurriedly tucking the note in his pocket the blessing of the God if I shall be able to help you my princess again the tears welled swiftly to his eyes and kneeling he kissed the hem of her skirt then hastened to his dishes made a noisy clatter at the table and sprang through the door to stumble awkwardly down the stairs which Madame Zagorsky was ascending End of chapter 36 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 Paul Hansen Thurley Ruxton by Philip Viral Miguel Chapter 37 The Baron and a Knight That morning brought little of comfort or hope to Alice van Kirk and nothing of relief to Robby Stivernd No news had arrived the mystery of Thurley's disappearance and whereabouts remained absolutely unbroken Stivernd felt doubly despairing he had learned sufficient from the conference with the Baron to realize that Princess Thurley was tremendously essential to the integrity and future of her Tsigautha and was thoroughly convinced that should she be discovered and returned after this she must soon complete her alliance with the youthful Duke and completely withdraw from his own existence Nevertheless, his fanatical desire to serve her to be, if possible the one particular Knight to reach her side and deliver her out of whatsoever dangers might impend increased upon him hourly if the fates decreed that his love must be forever hopeless it would not be thereby lessened come what might that day in the park had knitted a bond between them that nothing could ever wholly sever a strange conviction that Thurley's doom hung close and loose above her head had haunted his thought since the very hour when he heard of the way she had gone he had fretted with wild and increasing impatience because of this conviction he was nearly beside himself to be baffled impotently ignorant of what he ought to do this enforced inactivity and stupid waiting while a Knight went by seemed enough to drive him crazy of what avail was his eager love when he made not the slightest move stifling an hourly repeated impulse to seek the aid of the city's police he could scarcely wait this Sunday morning for the time appointed to meet the Baron at his rooms when he came there at last the Baron was no wiser concerning Thurley than at Alice's previous night two of his men were still to report he could only advise further patience Wank was still away at 11 o'clock his two men came with vital news and were interviewed in private they had found Princess Thurvinia that royally erratic young person was lying dangerously ill unknown and unsuspected at the home loyal if humble subjects of her Tsigatha living in unromantic Weehawken she was unaware of the presence either of Wank, the Baron or the Duke in New York and was too reduced to care vastly disturbed by this intelligence and yet in a measure relieved Hodgehouse was still tremendously concerned with the fate of Thurley Rockston the Princess might yet succumb to his kingdom bereft while the young Duke ignorant of Thurley's disappearance was still persistent in his declarations that he loved no one else in the world there was nothing to communicate to Stivernd indeed the Baron's perturbation grew with the very fact his men had brought him no report concerning the abducted girl he had much to do to maintain the secrecy hedging of the Princess about to provide her the finest medical attendance to arouse the Duke to his highest sense of duty and if possible aid with all his power in saving the girl he knew to be an imminent danger of her life if not already slain he could only tell Stivernd to wait later he went to Weehawken skillfully disguised since he felt convinced that his movements were closely observed by Zagorski's agents doubtless on his trail at three o'clock a message from out in Long Island arrived for the young Duke Carl it was quietly intercepted by the Baron's agents and brought to his quarters at once Carl Wilhelm none the wiser half an hour later the Baron returned and the message was placed in his hands Stivernd having been twice to Alice's was once more waiting and growing momentarily more desperate Wank had not only appeared but had not sent the slightest word no sooner had Hutchhaus glance the message over than he strode to Stivernd's room he was thoroughly aroused but incisively keen of wit he had leaped at the truth of things as a tiger leaps on its prey here it is at last he said as Robby sprang to his feet prepared to blurt out his impatience with methods so lacking in action I rather sought that something in this manner might appear but I didn't expect man what do you think of this he held up the note to read what is it something from this it's a bit of correspondence addressed to Grand Duke Carl and intercepted by my orders interrupted the Baron listen Excellency I have found mist thoroughly and send you immediate words that you may hasten to her rescue for you alone will she trust so great is her present apprehension for her life and so great is the warrant for her fears she is a captive in the hands of political enemies of her small village called North Winig on Long Island 100 miles out nearby and is at an old mill one mile to the eastward of the village where she informs me one of the band has revealed a secret loyalty and desire to render her assistance though through him only will her rescue be possible you must come alone tonight at nine o'clock bringing no assisting friends nearer than the village proper lest you excite suspicion and thereby sacrifice her life on the instant be under Zavindo at the stroke of nine Zavindo at the rear of the mill and do not for the love of heaven attempt her rescue by force of numbers or come otherwise and alone so one man loyal to her highness is expected to go out tonight and return at nine hence one man approaching will arouse no suspicion I shall await your advent myself in the village for God and Herzegortha ought to wank post script I enclose confirmatory note from Stiverant white with excitement and crouching as if for a spring of action snatch the paper from the barons fingers pardon he said but where is it where village of north my dear young friend admonish the Baron quietly wait don't you see wait said Stiverant wildly I've done nothing but wait all day I want to get started don't you understand I do said the Baron perfectly there is more you have not heard at all this also Vasan closed he held up thoroughly his note and read it puzzled at once by its presence in the letter and the method of the address dear Carl Robly what cried Stiverant more excited than before it's half addressed to me perhaps she expected thought that I Baron I'll take a force of men I mean that we I shall go a car to fetch her back there may be no railway in miles can your men be ready at once Mr. Stiverant sit down commanded the Baron sternly can't you see this is merely a trap Stiverant halted in the act of throwing on his coat and the sable trailed on the floor a trap it's thoroughly appeal and it's half addressed to me I don't understand there's nothing to do but get there as soon as the Lord will let me why should you call it a trap this letter was sent to the Duke I told you that it was but right here Robly his name isn't Rob it's and it's signed here auto wink your man I know but nevertheless that's the lie of it man the Baron interrupted wank it is true is over there somewhere and has made no report but he's under another name and on no account would send me a line or a line to the Duke with his own name actually attached you mean I mean that was my orders absolute orders first of all he would never in a case like this send a line to anyone save myself while it is perfectly preposterous for him to urge the Duke into such a nooses this a trap a clumsy trap in this sort of bait I've expected a stiver and pale but good heavens Baron how could this note from thoroughly not a forgery you think I'm not prepared to say it may be genuine it may be all a lie this wank note is a forgery and clever as the fiends it sums up all a trap my son to compass a double murder Stiver went white about the mouth murder sit down urged the Baron more quietly this is a matter of life and death to the beautiful woman I feel you would serve to see utmost limits of your strengths my life my life I mean it sir Zen in the name of the heaven you implored be calm a little and assist me as far as you may you think she's alive she may be there that that village north winning it is the barest hope in the world it is far more likely she is far away in another direction God alone knows where and yet it is all we have at present and you might at least investigate though the dangers I warn you are great the younger man was confident I'll simply take a dozen men picked fighters gunfighters at that and clean up so I feared it was dryly remarked and the Baron screwed up his mouth if she is there at all and alive your course would ring her nail the instant your men appeared it is no idle threat that part of the letters that warns the Duke he must be certain to come alone his friends no closer sense of village of what avail are friends a mile away then I'll go alone though all the demons out of the Hades and be quietly captured there beneath the window then they find you are not so Duke but then you wouldn't expect with a letter as false as this that miss thoroughly as you called her would be standing at the window waiting to leap into your arms Slyverine saw the situation yet clung to a species of hope good heavens man do you expect me to do nothing if she's there at all and in momentarily danger of her life I've got to take a chance that's all and give yourself none commented the Baron dryly if you mean to help in this affair go over if you please to Norse Winig with your car and your man and ascertain if possible whether or not any strangers have recently come to that neighborhood in particular circumstances and are occupying any old meal and then Zen report to me or at most adopt some sane expedient for the safe delivery of the captive should you find her actually imprisoned and the lives thereabouts but you demanded Slyverine in the meantime you are certainly as deeply interested perhaps more deeply interested where will you be with your man what will they be doing scouring the darkest farthest corners of all new york since a Baron endeavoring to retrieve any time we may lose by sending you off to this village then you think she isn't there the Baron smiled it would be almost too good to be true I shall go and see said Slyverine God grant I may find her safe he flew on his coat which had fallen to a chair ah men to that answered the Baron his fine old mouth slightly twitching in his eyes suspiciously moist then he placed his hands on Robly's shoulders don't take the slightest unnecessary risk my boy he added serve her as far as you like with your life if you must but be certain first it is a service my affection for you is great to sacrifice another life you take no risks no risks that can do no good in the end Slyverine was greatly affected his fine young face took on an expression approximating sublimity I would go through anything to serve her he said simply and because she has written Robly here I am certain she lives and sent this note and expects well someone at nine o'clock tonight the Baron could say no more he wrung the young man's hand with tremendous intensity and watched him go out at the door then he sank on a chair limp and wretched staring at the carpet he knew what the dangers were into which this youth would plunge the dangers into which he confessed he had feared thoroughly ruckston would fall God help us all he murmured I must serve her to gossip first End of chapter 37