Adventure, December 1914 — page 203: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Sinews of War “But why should Ferdinand play Aus- tria’s game when everything is working out to his advantage in despite of Austria?”’ “Tf we knew that, we would have a cer- tain key to our royal master,” returned the minister sarcastically. ‘Seriously though, Dan, it may be that Ferdinand has some plan of his own by which he thinks he can win more than through ours. That is the most likely probability.” *‘He would never miss the chance to be- come Emperor of the Balkans,” I protested. “No, but he may think to reach that end by other means than we have arranged for.”’ “But can not you find out what he is up to, Masoya?’’ I said to her. She shook her head. ‘“‘He has become crafty with me. Only this morning I protested against Gortcheff’s release; I was afraid of the danger it might mean for you—”’ she raised her eyes level to mine as she spoke, and I tingled under the message they sent—“‘but he evaded all con- versation on the subject, and he would not enter into general political discussions. He said that conditions were manifestly uncer- tain at present, and that he thought it best not to discuss questions of an international character which had yet to receive the ap- proval of the Great Powers.” “Worrying about his crown again,” I grunted disgustedly. ‘‘At any rate, we have the splendid fruits of Savoff’s victories.” The minister looked at me with a sud- den uncanny light flickering in his eyes. “I wonder,” he said softly. ‘I wonder.” ‘‘Why, man alive! You couldn’t be surer of anything than you are of those,” I cried almost angrily. “They were won cleanly by the sword, and they are held by the sword—and the more I see of this world, the more I believe that that is the best kind of title-deed.”’ “‘Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad,” he quoted. “I wonder if Ferdinand by any chance could become intoxicated by power——” Masoya scraped her chair back. ““Faugh!”’ she cried. ‘You aretoo gloomy for me, you two. I am going out for a ride, if there is still a horse in my stables.” The door burst open and Boris Kurtsky blustered in, the great hound Stoyan frisk- ing at his heels. “Uncle! Masoya! Dan!” he exclaimed. *“‘Whom do you suppose I just saw getting off the Bucharest Express?”’ 201 He paused an instant to let his surprise sink home. *‘Héléne von Anhalt, in a new frock that must have set the Austrian Secret Service back an even thousand francs.” Nobody said anything, and Boris looked disappointed. “It’s a fact, I tell you,’ he insisted. ‘I was getting off the special I came up on from Adrianople, just as the Bucharest train came in. It was so long since we had seen civilized people that some of us waited; and who should get off first but the Anhalt.” “Shall you arrest her?’’ I asked the minister. He placed his finger tips carefully to- gether and studied the flames in the grate. ‘What do you think, Masoya?” he asked suddenly. “It would be useless,’’ she said decisively. ‘“‘The woman would never have dared to return without assurance of safety. She knows the trail she left behind her.” ‘“‘This begins to look pretty bad,” I com- mented. ‘“‘At least it promises the clearing up of the mystery,” qualified the minister. ““‘Now I have a suspicion that she may Will you excuse me if I call up the Palace?’’ SJ HE RETIRED to the cubby-hole AN opening off the study, where his pri- “aa! vate telephone was located, and after a few chaffering remarks Boris betook himself off. “Shall you be going home to America, now?” she asked suddenly. “Going home?” I answered in surprise. - rf “Why?” ‘There is nothing more for you to do, is there?”’ “T don’t know,” I answered slowly. ‘Perhaps there will be a great deal for me to do. But at least I can promise you that I shall stay until your plans have worked out in one way or another. And whatever I can do to further them——”’ “But that is not fair!’”’ she exclaimed. “‘After all you have done for me? Why, nobody but you could have planned and executed that escape.”’ Before she could answer me the minister returned to the room, rubbing his hands with obvious satisfaction. “As I thought,’’ he remarked. “Quite as I suspected. She has an appointment with his Majesty at ten in the morning.” DOOLK C@