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The other stared at Peter of Blentz for several seconds while the atrocity of his chief's plan filtered through his brain. "My God!" he exclaimed at last. "You mean that you wish me to murder Leopold with my own hands?" "You put it too crudely, my dear Coblich," replied the other. "I cannot do it," muttered Coblich. "I have never killed a man in my life. I am getting old. No, I could never do it.
All had depended upon the finding of the king, and he had been so sure that it could be accomplished in time, for Coblich and Maenck had had but a few hours in which to conceal the monarch before the search was well under way. Armed with the king's warrants, his troopers had ridden through the country, searching houses, and questioning all whom they met.
"With your permission, I shall go at once and dispatch troops to search the forest for Leopold. Captain Maenck will command them." "Good, Coblich! Maenck is a most intelligent and loyal officer. We must reward him well. A baronetcy, at least, if he handles this matter well," said Peter. "It might not be a bad plan to hint at as much to him, Coblich."
But not once has he said that he is Leopold. Instead, he has proved his kingship by his acts." Nine o'clock found Barney Custer pacing up and down his apartments in the palace. No clue as to the whereabouts of Coblich, Maenck or the king had been discovered.
That he should have escaped upon the very eve of the arrival at Blentz of the new physician is most suspicious. None but you, Coblich, had knowledge of the part that Dr. Stein was destined to play in this matter," concluded Prince Peter pointedly. Coblich looked the Regent full in the eye.
"Peter and Coblich have known it from the first, and then there is Kramer, the loyal old shopkeeper of Tafelberg, who followed Coblich and Maenck all night and half a day as they dragged the king to the hiding-place where we found him. Other than these there may be those who guess the truth, but there are none who know." For a moment the king sat in thought.
The American saw that the two were pressing Butzow much too closely for safety and that Coblich had now recovered from the effects of the blow and was in pursuit, drawing his saber as he ran. Barney thrust the king behind him and turned to face the enemy, at Butzow's side. The three men rushed upon the two who stood between them and their prey.
A score of the nobles rose as though to protest, but before any could take a step the attention of all was directed toward the sorry figure of a white-faced man who scurried up the broad center aisle. It was Coblich.
"That Prince Peter of Blentz, Captain Ernst Maenck, and old Von Coblich be tried, convicted, and hanged for high treason," replied the American. "That is easy," said the king. "I should do so anyway immediately I resumed my throne. Now get up and give me my clothes. Take this cot and I will take the bed. None will know of the exchange." "Again you are too fast," answered Barney.
Troopers were scouring the country about Lustadt as far as Blentz in search of Maenck and Coblich. Could they locate these two and arrest them "with all found in their company," as his order read, he felt sure that he would be able to deliver the missing king to his subjects in time for the coronation at noon. Barney looked straight into the eyes of old Von der Tann.
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