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Updated: May 5, 2025
Occasionally Grumbach wiped his forehead, and, absently, the inner rim of his hat. Perhaps the three of them waited twenty minutes; then the chancellor came in. He bowed cordially and drew chairs about his desk. He placed Grumbach in the full glare of the lamp. Carmichael and the sub-chief were in the half-light. The chancellor was last to seat himself.
"Now, while we are waiting," resumed the duke, his agitation somewhat under control, "the proof, the definite proof!" "Her highness stumbled one night," said Hans, "and fell upon the fire. I snatched her back, but not before her left arm was badly burned." The Gipsy nodded. "I saw it, Highness." And that was why Grumbach went to the military ball with opera-glasses! Carmichael was round-eyed.
There was a jest in Carmichael's eyes. "Yes," replied Gretchen, her lips unsmiling. "The poor lady who lived on the top floor of my grandmother's house was rich. She left me a thousand crowns." Carmichael and Grumbach: "A thousand crowns!" "And what will you do with all that money?" asked Hans. "I am going to study music." "I thought you were going to be married soon," said Carmichael. "Surely.
He was not angry with Grumbach; rather he seemed to be drawn to him more closely than ever. Mad with love. That was the phrase. He conned it over and over; mad with love. That excused many things. How strangely the chess-men were moved!
There was never any escort; a footman and a driver. The little one was always greatly pleased, and she would call me Hans. I was in love those days." Grumbach laughed with bitterness. "Yes, even I. Her name was Tekla, and she was a jade. I wanted to run away, but I had no money. I had already secured a passport; no matter how. It was the first affair, and I was desperately hurt.
"Man, I can give you the crowns, but God knows I have no longer the power to give you immunity." "So?" The Gipsy shouldered his bundle. "For God's sake, wait!" begged the clock-mender. But the Gipsy walked out, unheeding. Two days later, in the afternoon. "Grumbach," said Carmichael, "what the deuce were you looking at the other night, with those opera-glasses?" "At the ball?"
"You have me a bit dazed," Carmichael admitted. "I ought to know what this blunder is, to have something to stand on." Grumbach shook his head. "Later every question will be answered. And remember, at this interview Herbeck must not be present. It will have to be broken to him gently." "Very well; I promise to see his highness this afternoon."
Not one man in a thousand would have gone through what he did and lived." "Is he an American?" "By adoption. And may I ask a favor of your highness?" "Two!" merrily. "May I present him? It will be the joy of his life." "Certainly. All brave men interest me." Grumbach rose up, uncovered, thinking that the riders were going to pass him.
And deeper, firmer, became his belief and conviction that Grumbach's affair vitally concerned her highness. What blunder had been made? He would soon know. He welcomed the knock on his door. Grumbach came in, carrying under his arm a small bundle. He was pale but serene, like a man who had put his worldly affairs in order. "Well, Captain, what did his Highness say?" "Where are your companions?"
"And, Highness," added Grumbach, "despatch some one for Gretchen, who lives at number forty the Krumerweg." "The goose-girl? What does she know? Ah, I remember. She is even now with her highness. I shall send for them both." Gretchen? Carmichael's bewilderment increased. What place had the goose-girl in this tragedy?
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