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'I am sure that the air of Sagan is as loyal as ourselves, and will do for you all that we should wish it to do. For answer the Duke shook his head feebly; and, calling Colendorp to his side, passed up the long hall through a rustling silence. Although secretly dismayed at the effect produced by her rash championship of Madame de Sagan, Valerie kept up a semblance of self-possession.
She must secure an ally, a friend powerful enough to back her up against all comers a great nation who will make the cause of Maäsau's freedom her own, and help us to preserve the traditions of our country. Elmur half expected the soldier to point this speech for himself by a glance towards the representative of Germany, but Colendorp sat unresponsive and black-browed, and gave no sign.
Colendorp accepted both in silence, but took a seat with a certain slow unwillingness that was suggestive. Colendorp was at the best unpliable. His manner put an edge on Sagan's temper. He plunged into his subject. 'Yes, I sent for you, Captain Colendorp, because I believe you to be a faithful Maäsaun.
'I have to beg the favour of your attention for a moment, the Count's words rang out. 'Captain Rallywood reports that an officer of his Highness's Guard is missing Captain Colendorp. Inquiries have been made but he cannot be found. It seems that he was last seen leaving the billiard-room. If anyone in the hall can give us further information, will they be good enough to do so?
'But remember, Unziar, that you must act with caution. For obvious reasons there must be no apparent design. The dispute, whatever it may turn upon, must appear to come about naturally. Above all, it must not take place here. 'Precautions from Adiron! remarked Colendorp with a thin smile. 'The affair becomes serious indeed!
Had it been Adiron Adiron, as true a man, would have feigned agreement and blown the plot afterwards. But never Colendorp! He was narrow-minded, poor, embittered, scenting insult in every careless word, proud, loyal, desperate. Mentally his vision was limited; he could see but one thing at a time, but he saw it very large. Sagan's treachery passed by him in that moment of mad feeling.
Unziar was presumed to have very strong private reasons to propitiate rather than to offend the powerful Minister. But this happened to be a typical instance in which the interests of the corps over-rode those of the individual. Moreover the custom of the Guard required the individual most concerned to prove his loyalty at such times. Colendorp continued to gaze at Unziar.
'Captain Rallywood, may I ask what you hope to gain by making a scandal in the Guard? he asked. 'Justice, perhaps. Colendorp had no reason to take his life, my lord. 'You will not find many to agree with you. The man was always ill-conditioned. He had debts and the pride of the devil. His affairs came to an impossible pass, I conclude. In any case a man has a right to his own secrets.
But it's Abenfeldt, of course. The Colonel as good as promised him last year. 'Ever heard of Lieutenant Rallywood of the frontier? demanded Colendorp in his slow way. 'Yes, I do happen to know him. Unziar looked round in some surprise.
'Yes, his affairs came to an impossible pass, perhaps. For the rest, this seems to me less like Colendorp's secret than the secret of some other man. Rallywood met the red eye full of smouldering wrath. 'Pardon me, my lord, but in the name of the Guard, I protest against burial of Captain Colendorp in this place. 'I have given my orders, answered Sagan.
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