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She lunched with a friend, the wife of a member of the Austrian Embassy who had often quite unconsciously given her valuable information, but she could add nothing to her knowledge to-day. She knew Baron Petrescu had fought a duel and had been wounded, but she did not know who his opponent was.
Why you should have been spied upon I neither know nor care; but every word you said to the King last night was heard, and out of them came this story, that you had agreed to betray to his Majesty all those who favor the cause of Princess Maritza. No; hear me out, Countess; I swore it was a lie. Petrescu, Stefan, and I came together.
"We have no way of retreat, Captain," said Petrescu, and the look in his face told Ellerey plainly enough that, loyal as he was, he had little hope of success. "Circumstances have forced matters to an issue, and we must stand or fall as the fates decide."
"Fly, Princess, while there is time," Ellerey shouted. The last words were spoken almost in a whisper, and they maddened him. Here was death, butchery, and she was in the midst of it. "Maritza! Go, dear! Go!" he cried. "Let me hold them back for a moment. I will follow. Petrescu! Dumitru!"
Her whole ambition was forgotten for a moment in the thought of the man beside her. Ellerey did not answer. There was no time. The soldiers were upon them. With Petrescu on one side and Dumitru on the other Ellerey threw himself before the Princess. The final struggle had commenced, and so fierce was the resistance of these three men that the soldiers hesitated and fell back a pace.
He had met his match, a foeman worthy of his steel, as consummate a swordsman as himself; and if for a moment there was a sense of disappointment, it was quickly followed by one of keen satisfaction not unmingled with a feeling of friendship for his antagonist. There was that in Baron Petrescu which he had received no credit for, even from his friends.
"Has the Countess ever failed you in the past?" Ellerey cried. "Shame on you all for the thought. Her loyalty shall be proved on the instant." "You can do nothing to-night," said Petrescu. "Soldiers are in every street," said a chorus of voices. "Therefore give me wine to renew my strength," Ellerey cried, and he seized the tankard held out to him. "It is madness to go now," said Petrescu.
As he went toward the staircase, determined to leave the palace at once, Ellerey saw Baron Petrescu leaning against the marble balustrade talking to one of his companions. There were certain men at Court who appeared to follow the Baron like his shadow.
"I came to meet Baron Petrescu, but I am not minded to step blindly into a nest of cut-throats." He strode on as alert now as he had been indifferent before, and it was not until they had nearly reached the end of the street that his companion spoke. "One moment," he said. "By that light yonder we are to wait. You do not trust me, Captain Ellerey?" "I have not said so."
No, Captain, the Countess bid me come to rescue the Princess, and you, to aid your escape out of Wallaria if need be, and her command is my law. Do we understand each other, Captain Ellerey?" They looked into each other's eyes for a moment. "Do you understand why I forced a duel upon you?" Petrescu went on.
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