f . '
The Princess Dehra
BY JOHN REED SCOTT.
Copyright, 1908, by John R*ed Scott
S-_
0
Mile. d’Essolde looked at him
in contemptuous scorn—though,
in truth, she was more inclined
to laugh; she never could he an
gry with her Irishman, for long.
“You savage,” she said, “you
brutal savage; don’t ever speak
to ine again.”
P’ Jjfe stepped forward and of
fered #hin arm, with all the suav
ity he knevfsft well.
** “Never again after dinner,
mademoiselle,” he said sadly;
“meanwhile, the pleasure is
mine.”
* And to his surprise she took
his arm; and when the others’
backs were turned, she looked
up and smiled, the impudently
provoking smile he hod suffered
under so long, and had at last
punished.
“My compliments, Monsieur
Ralph, on your adroit profici
ency, —and the tone and man
ner were as provoking as the
smile—“it is quite unnecessary
to refer to what it proves.”
“As much so, as to refer to
what enables one to recognize
proficiency,” he agreed.
“And if all the men I know are
like you, sir—”
He bent down.
“Now that is an inference I’m
curious to hear.”
“Do you want them to be like
you?” she asked, eyes half closed
and glances sidelong—“ because,
if you do, it would be rather easy
to oblige you—and may be not
unpleasant—and I can begin
with his highness of Lotzen—
truly it’s a pity, now, I ruined
my frock so needlessly this morn
ing, in the iaponiea walk;” and
giving him no time for reply, she
dropped his arm and glided
quickly into the chair the be
Avigged and poAvdered footman
was holding for her.
No mention of the Twisted
Pines was made until the coffee
Avas being served; then the prin
cess motioned for the liquor also
to he put on the table, and dis
missed the servants.
Drawing out her'case, and
lighting a Nestor, she smiled at
the archduke, and at his nod
passed the cigaret across;—and
when Colonel Moore looked in
quiringly at Mile. (l’Essokle, she
shrugged her pretty shoulders
and gave him hers.
“You knoAv what it implies,
Klise,’’ Debra remarked.—“No?
—then ask Colonel Moore to toll
you sometime—now, Avo’re to
hear the explanation that ex
plains—the Tale of the Veiled
Lady of the Inn,” and she looked
at, Armand. ....
When he had finished, the
princess offered no comment, but
frowned and played with her cig
aret, ; and the archduke, ever glad
for any excuse to look at her,
and very ready to be silent the
better to look, Avatched her in
undisguised devotion.
‘‘What’s the plot behind it?”
she demanded, suddenly; “I
can’t make it out—it’s absurd to
fancy that woman honest, though
1 m perfectly sure Lotzen has the
book. Hut why—Avhy should he
want, to show it to us ? Not out
of love nor friendship, surely;
nor bravado, either; our dear
cousin isn’t given to any such
Avcakness. So it must be simply
a rather clumsy attempt to lure
you to the Ferida for slaughter
—and that, again, seems unlike
ly; for Ferdinand isn’t clumsy,
nor would he want you murdered
in his palace; and as to the pro
vision that you need not go—or
that you may take a dozen Avith
you if you wish—ami if you
don’t go, that she preferred Col- |
onel Moore, or sb.no one Avith
brains and a sword—all that, l
say, is too amazingly inconsist- !
out with anything except entire
honesty for my poor brain to i
solve.”
^ “Don’t try, my dear,” the
arc.fitlpke laugher. “We will
give you the solution tomorrow.”
She laid aside her eigaret, and,
folding her arms on the table,
surveyed him in displeased sur
prise.
“Surety, Armand, you don’t
ineau that you are going?” she
asked.
lie nodded, smilingly.
“Why not?” he asked—“the
Colonel and I, with a few good
blade®, and the veiled lady’s
promise to protect us.”
“But it’s absurd, perfectly ab
surd, for you to take such risk.
At the best, you are obligated
only to look, to make no attempt
tonight to recover the book; and
at the' worst you can only fight
your way out of the trap. In the
one case, Colonel Moore can do
the looking as well as you—in
the other, their plot to kill you
TT
will have failed and your sub
stitutes will be given some excuse
by Spencer and let go in peace
—oh, it’s worse than absurd for
you to go, Armand,”—she saw
from his expression that her
argument was futile—“and you
know it, too; and you’re going
only because you like the excite
ment, and to show Lotzen, like a
big boy, you’re not to be dared.”
The archduke laughed at her
indulgently.
“May be I am, little gird,” he
said; “blit I’ve made up my
mind to fight this business out
myself, and that sends me to the
Ferida tonight. I’ll take every
precaution-”
“Except the proper one of
staying away,” she interrupted.
“You re struggling for a crown,
man, and mad rashness has no
place in the game. Play it like
Lotzen, in the modern way, not
like the middle ages—he uses its
methods, true enough, but lets
others execute his plans and face
the perils.”—She put out her
hand to him.—“Come, dear, be
reasonable,” she begged; “be
kind; even the wildest idem of
leadership does not obligate you
to go.”
He took her hand and held it,
with the firm, soft pressure of
abiding affection, looking tbe
while into her fair face, flushed
now with the impetuous earnest
ness of her fear for him.
“I thing it does, Dehra,” he
said gravely. “It is our duty to
the country to find the laws and
settle the succession at the quick
ets possible moment-”
“Yes, it is, but-”
And there are but three in
the kingdom who have ever seen
the book, you and Lotzen and
myself; and there must be no
question as to its absolute identi
fication, before you as regent re
sort to force to recover it—force
that may necessitate the taking
of the Ferida by assault. There
fore, dear, 1 must go, for 1 must
see tin* book. Assume, just for
illustration, that Colonel Moore
brings a description that seems to
correspond to the laws; you, as
regent, formally accuse the Duke
of Lotzen of having the book and
demand its instant surrender;
and upon his indignant denial
that he has it, and his offered
readiness to have his palace
searched, you order me, as gov
ernor of Dornlitz, to have my
rival’s residence invaded and
subjected to the- ignominy of a
mandat de perquisition; or,
again, he may deny the book
without demanding a search, and
submit to it only under protest;
or he may refuse to permit the
search and oppose it by force.
And whichever the case may be,
the book will not be found—he
will take very careful precau
tion, as to that, you may be
sure. And what will my position
be then, with the house of
nobles?—when our only explana
tion, for such fruitless insult, is
that some one saw a book, which
he described to us,, and which we
thought was the taws. Indeed,
though it hadn’t <-‘curred to me
before, it may be just such a
condition that fie is playing
for-”
“But, my dear Armand,” the
Princess interrupted, “would it
be any advantage even if we
could say that you saw it?”
“An incalculable advantage,
Dehra; I know the book—there
could not be any chance for mis
take; and it would then be my
word against Lotzen's, an even
break, as it were ; whereas, other
wise, it will be his word against
our guess. Yet, indeed, in this
aspect, it’s very doubtful if we
ought to resort to open measures
against him, even if I saw the
book. It wonItl be a question tor
careful consideration and coun
sel with all our friends—and it is
but right that I should be able
to avsure them that I, myself, saw
it, and recognized it beyond a
doubt. It’s wwrth all the danger
it may involve; though I don’t
anticipate any—the more I think,
the more l believe we have solved
thq riddle. Lotzen wants some
one to see the book—he much
prefers it shouldn’t be I; he
fancies 1 will gladly send a sub
stitute; and he takes me for a
hot-headed fool, who then will
promptly play out for him the
rest of his game, landing him on
the throne and myself beyond
the border.”
The princess had listened with
growing conviction that he was
right; now she turned to Moore.
“And what is your best judg
ment ?” she asked.
“That his highness has the
argument,” was the prompt re- '
ply; “and I confess I was hither
to of yoiir mind, and urged him,
all I might, to let me go in his
stead. Now, J am convinced not
only that we should verify Mrs.
Spencer’s story, but that the
archduke must do it.”
“And because he has seen the
book, and can identify it beyond
doubt?"
“Exactly that, your highness;
such identification is vital."
Dehra nodded and sipped her
cordial mediatively; while Ar
rnand watched her in sudden dis
quiet; he had seen that look on
her face a few times only, and
it always presaged some amazing
decision that was immutable—
and not always to his approval.
When she raised her eyes, it was
with the conquering smile that
he had never yet stood out
against for long.
“Armand," said she, “you
and Colonel Moore have per
suaded me; it is right for you to
go, and I’ll go with you-"
“What! You !’’ the archduke
cried—“are you crazy, child?"
“Not in the least, dear; only
very sensible to your cogent logic
—who can identify the book, so
well as I, who have known it all
my life; you have seen it but
once, you know."
“But the danger!"
“There isn’t any danger, you
said—and if there were, the re
gent of Valeria will be the best
sort of protector for you.”
“But you will have to—go into
Madeline Spencerj apartments
—may be remain there half the
night," he protested.
“And much more seemly for
me then for you, my dear, and
imfch less—tempting."
He joined in her laugh, but
shook his head and turned to
Moore.
“Colonel, will you oblige me
by telephoning Mrs. Spencer we
shall not be there tonight; word
it any way you wish."
“Colonel Moore," said the
princess sharply, “you will do
nothing ot the sort. 1 lie regent
of Valeria requires the attend
ance of the governor of Dorn
litz and yourself to the Ferida
palace this night—and in the in
terval, you both will hold your
selves here in readiness.”
Armand would have protested
again, but she cut him short with
a peremptory gesture.
“It is settled,” she said; then
added, almost vehemently:
“surely, you can’t think 1 want
to see that awful woman!—but
it’s the only sure way to block
Lotzen’s game. The nobles will
take my word as to the book—
and so will the army, and the
people, too. No, I must go.”
CHAPTER XVII.
Into the Tiger’s Cage.
They had gone into the library
for a rubber of bridge, until it
was time to start for the Ferida.
Now there came a chime from
the mantel, and Delira glanced
at the old French clock that her
Bourbon ancestors had brought
with her—among wagon loads of
clothes and furniture—when she
came to be wife to Henry the
Third.
“Well, Armand,” she said, “if
we are to be at our dear cousin's
rear gate at 11, I suppose it’s the
last moment for me to change my
gown, this one isn’t especially
appropriate—have you anything
in particular to suggest?”
“Nothing,” he smiled, “noth
ing; except that you don’t make
yourself any more attractive
than is absolutely unavoidable. ”
“And that I conceal my iden
tity as much as possible, I sup
pose ? ’ ’
* “Undoubtedly—and the more
effective the concealment, the
better.”
She laid aside the cards she
was shuffling and arose.
“Will you come with me,
Elise?” she asked. “You can
help me with the disguise.”
Moore closed the door behind
them, and going ov>er to a side
table poured out a very stiff
drink.
} don t like it! he said, turn
ing around, the glass half emp
tied. and tossing off the remain
der; “I don’t lika it, a little
bit! ’
“Then it’s appalling to think
what you would take if you did
like it,” the archduke comment
ed.
The colonel laughed and
poured out a trifle more.
“The liquor is all right,” he
laughed; “it’s this notion of her
highness I don't like.”
Armand had begun to deal soli
; taire, but he stopped and tossed
the cards together.
“I wonder if Mademoiselle
d’Essolde could persuade her to
! give it up?” he said.
J “She wouldn’t try—*‘-she, too,
wanted to go. I blocked that,
j however; I told her that one fool
i ish virgin was as much as we
[ could look after in this mess, and
[that she would best stay home
ami trim the lamps. It wasn't a
happy remark, I fear, but it did
the business—you will have to
give me another message for her
tomorrow. Meanwhile, I must
go over and do a bit of dre&
changing myself—shall I need a
mask f”
"I don’t know; better take
one.”
The archduke was in the uni
form of a general officer, dark
green evening coat and trousers,
with buff waistcoat; and un
adorned save for the narrow gold
cord on the shoulder, the insignia
on the sleeves, and the braid
on the leg seam. Because Dehra
liked him best in the Red Huz
zar dress, he always wore it when
he dined with her; for tonight,
however, it was entirely too
showy and hampering, and he
had chosen the one quietest in
tone and best suited for quick
action.
Left alone, he tried the soli
taire again; but it got on his
nerves, and after a minute of list
less playing, he sprang up, with
an exclamation of disgust, and
began to pace the floor. Pres
ently Moore returned, in the fa
tigue uniform of the general
staff, with its easy-fitting packet,
and was immediately sent back
to telephone the secret police to
spread a loose cordon around the
Ferida, with a dozen men loit
ering in close vicinity to every
gate. There was no anticipating
what they were about to encoun
ter, so it was well to provide for
tne worst, it was ms duty to
protect the regent whether she
wished it or not; and though he
might not take them inside with
her, yet if the occasion arose, a
pistol shot would bring them
very quickly. ..SEf' ‘
“It’s growing late,” he re
marked, as the adjutant came
back; “if we are to be there on
time we must start.”
He was going toward the bell
when voices in the next room told
him the princess was coming;
and she entered—a slender offi
cer in a long military coat, and
a soft felt service hat.
The two men mechanically
raised their hands in salute, and
she acknowledged it with formal
motion and a merry langh.
“Will I pass?” she asked.—
“See, the hat covers my hair,
and its wide brim shadows my
face; the coat reaches almost to
my feet, and its big collar quite
hides the back of my head; and,
as for what’s under the coat, see
again”—and loosing the frogs,
she swung it back, disclosing the
tunic of her blue guards, and, be
low it, the close fitting knee
skirts, and high spiral putees of
a shooting suit.
“And is that as unattractive
as you could make yourself?”
the archduke asked, with affect
ed seriousness, as he fastened her
coat and adjusted her sword.
“It’s as unobstrusive as I
could make myself—some day, if
you wish, sir, I’ll show you just
how unattractive I can be.”
But he only laughed, and, tak
ing her hand, hurried her to the
carriage.
On the drive, lie told her brief
ly how they were to reach Mrs.
Bpencer’s apartments, and cau
tioned her, as tactfully as he
could, against doing anything
which might serve to disclose her
identity.
Don t worry, dear, she said,
“I’m going simply to see the
book; I shall not even speak
without permission—you are in
command, not I;” and she found
his hand, and held it; rather
sorry now that she had ordered
her adjutant inside with them,
when he was about to mount his
horse to follow.
“Will there be others with
us?” she asked, presently.
“Yes, Captain De Coursey and
Lieutentant Marsov, of the
Cuirassiers; both guaranteed by
Colonel Moore to be skillful
swordsmen, and friendly to me
as against Lotzen.”
“And besides,” the adjutant
added, “devoted tu an adven
ture, and in diseietion unsur
passed.”
“Will you tell them who I
am?” she asked.
The archduke hesitated. . . .
“No, not unless it becomes nec
essary ; it would ou’y make them
unduly nervous; but if trouble
come, the must know.”
“I can protect myself, a little
while,” said she, Slapping her
sword in laughing bravado;
though indeed she was very clev
er with the foils.
(To be Continued Xext Week?)
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