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No, they are not men; they are beasts, reptiles." So she spoke of Alexis Durnief and Alexander, the czar. I could scarcely recognize this woman who could hate others with such intensity. "Do you think, princess," I said, slowly, "that if Stanislaus were alive, he would approve of such a method of taking revenge for the wrong done to him, and to his sister?"
He has taught me a lesson in hospitality that is as new as it is unique." "Perhaps she will explain the strange affair herself." "I have no doubt that she will, your majesty." "I have sent for her. She will remain here in the palace as long as danger threatens her. She should be here by now." "May I inquire of your majesty whom you sent?" "The captain of the palace guard." "Captain Durnief?"
Of Durnief, I had not thought again, for when the czar told me that he had been sent after the princess, I had every confidence that the man would be arrested before he could gain admittance to Zara's presence. Later, at Canfield's office, I had received the report that he had been taken.
"This is glorious news to awaken to glorious! I cannot repay you the debt I owe you, Derrington." "Now that you have heard the good news, can you bear to hear some that is not so good, monsieur?" "What! Is there bad news also?" "Necessarily, there must have been some fatalities." "Ah! Some one was killed? Some friend of mine?" "Yes. Some one has killed himself." "Durnief?" "No. He is a prisoner."
Then recollection came, for I heard your voice. It recalled to me my senses. I remembered who Dubravnik was. Is it not strange that I should have forgotten? Even for a moment, is it not strange that I should have forgotten?" "No, dear, no," I replied. "Then I found the sword, in the snow. I remembered that I wanted to kill Durnief, and I put the point against his back.
Then a short pause, which was followed by the thudding sound of a blow heavier than its predecessors, and instantly following it, the tensioned muscles of Durnief relaxed. His arms fell from their clasp around me.
Why did she not grasp the sword, and send its point through one of us? It did not much matter to me, then, which one she might choose for its sheath. Soon, however, I heard a sound directly above me a sound which a stick might make in smiting the ground, and I felt that Durnief shuddered. In another instant it came again, and his arms relaxed, but only to tighten about me the more convulsively.
"Yes." I looked at my watch, replaced it in my pocket, and then said calmly: "Captain Durnief will not return with the princess, your majesty." Then I saw the heavy frown of rising anger. I knew my man, for kings and emperors are less than men of the world when it comes to studying them. Their own opportunities for observing others are so much more limited.
For I could read the czar like a book, and I already knew much concerning the villainy of Durnief; "but it was he who informed your majesty that SHE was one." "By heaven, Derrington, you know too much! I begin to think that the days of your usefulness are past, in St. Petersburg. There seems to be no limit to the authority you assume, and now you have begun to dictate to me. I will not have it.
The man had endeavored to kill him; had twice snapped a pistol in his face and still held it in his hand when the emperor tore it from his grasp and struck him on the head with it. Who would not do the same? I repeat all this as my excuse for still feeling that affection for him which our intercourse had taught me. The real criminal in the case of the story of Yvonne was Durnief.
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