United States or Pitcairn Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
But the pall of old Adelbert's gloom penetrated at last even through the boy's abstraction. "I hope your daughter is not worse," he said politely, during one of his visits to the ticket-booth. "She is well. She recovers strength rapidly." "And the new uniform does it fit, you?" "I do not know," said old Adelbert grimly. "I have not seen it recently."
He left early, and often came home after midnight in a curious frame of mind, a drunkenness of excitement that was worse than that of liquor. Herman could not help him. But he eyed the old soldier appraisingly. He guessed shrewdly the growing uneasiness behind Adelbert's brave front. If now one could enlist such a man for the Cause, that would be worth doing.
A King who mopped his eyes with a very dirty handkerchief. A weary little King, too, with already a touch of indigestion! Behind them, in the house on the Road of the Good Children, Haeckel, in an access of fury, ordered the body of the concierge flung from a window. It lay below, a twisted and shapeless thing, beside the pieces of old Adelbert's broken sword.
And that night, in the concierge's bureau, he was treated to many incidents, all alike. The Government took, but gave nothing. As well expect blood out of a stone. Instances were given, heartlessness piled on heartlessness, one sordid story on another. And as he listened there died in old Adelbert's soul his flaming love for his sovereign and his belief in him.
There, on a ledge, lay the white tapers, and one he lighted, shielding it from the draft in the hollow of his great hand. Then he led the way to the top of the house. Here were three rooms. One, the best, was Herman Spier's, a poor thing at that. Next to it was old Adelbert's. As they passed the door they could hear him within, muttering to himself.
And in this fashion, too, commenced that odd friendship between him and the American lad that was to have so vital an effect on the very life itself of the Crown Prince Ferdinand William Otto of Livonia. Late that evening, old Adelbert's problem having been solved, Pepy the maid and Bobby had a long talk. It concerned itself mainly with kings.
And because old Adelbert's mind was in Bosnia, and because one hears with the mind, and not with the ear, he did not hear the sharp question of the sentry who ran down the stairs and paused for a second at the cloak-room. Well for Olga, too, that old Adelbert did not hear her reply. "He has not passed here," she said, with wide and honest eyes; but with an ear toward old Adelbert.
He will be cared for as my own child, until we get him beyond the boundaries. Then he will be safely delivered to those who know nothing of his birth. A private fund of the Republic will support and educate him." Old Adelbert's hands twitched. "He is but a child," he said, "but already he knows his rank." "It will be wise for him to forget it." His tone was ominous.
It was no laughing matter then." "It is the way of the old to live in the past," a student said. Then, imitating old Adelbert's majestic tone: "We, we live in the future. Eh, comrades?" He turned to the old soldier: "You have not seen the bulletins?" "Bulletins?" "There will be no marching, my friend. The uniform now that is a pity. Perhaps the tailor " His eyes mocked. "No marching?"
"I'd like to carry that for you, if you don't mind." "Carry it?" "I am very strong," said the American boy stoutly. So Adelbert gave up his basket, and the two went up. Four long flights of stone stairs led to Adelbert's room. The ascent took time and patience. At the door Adelbert paused. Then, loneliness overcoming prejudice, "Come in," he said. The bare little room appealed to the boy.
Word Of The Day