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He'll probably be over to the consulate to-morrow to have his passports looked into. Good night." So Hans Grumbach passed out of his mind; but for all that, fortune and opportunity were about to knock on Carmichael's door. For there was a great place in history ready for Hans Grumbach. The day promised to be mild. There was not a cloud anywhere, and the morning mists had risen from the valleys.
Carmichael gave him a brief summary of events, principal among which was the amazing restoration of the Princess Hildegarde. When he had finished, Grumbach remained dumb and motionless for a time. "And what is her serene highness like?"
"Not yet, Highness; later," Grumbach said. "But if not Hildegarde I believe I must be growing mad!" "Patience, your Highness!" said Carmichael. "Patience!" wearily. "You say patience when my heart is dying inside my breast? Patience? Who, then, is this woman I have called my child?" "God knows, Highness!" Hans stood bowed before this parental agony. "But what proof have you that she is not?
You can't remember? Think!" tensely now. "What's all this nonsense about?" she cried, with a nervous laugh. "It's only a scar." She went on with the kneading. She patted the dough into four squares. These she placed on the oven-stove. She wiped her hands on a cloth for that purpose, and sighed contentedly. "There! It's a fine mystery, isn't it?" "Yes." But Grumbach was shaking as with ague.
"I know all that," Grumbach replied, dumping the ash into his palm and casting it into the paper-basket. "I suppose that when conscience drives we must go on. But the princess has been found. The best thing you can do is to put your passports into immediate use and return to the States. You can do no good here." "Maybe."
The consul went over the papers, viséed them, and handed them to their owner. "You will have no trouble going about with those," Carmichael said listlessly. "How long will you be in Dreiberg?" "I do not know," said Grumbach truthfully. "Is there anything I can do for you?" "There is only one thing," answered Grumbach, "but you may object, and I shall not blame you if you do.
"They are waiting outside." "The duke agrees. He will give us an audience at eight-thirty. I had a time of it!" "Did you mention my name "No. I went roundabout. I also obtained his promise to say nothing to Herbeck till the interview was over. Again he demurred, but his curiosity saved the day. Now, Hans, the full story." Grumbach spread out on the bed the contents of the bundle.
At a desk by the window sat Carmichael, deep in a volume of Dumas. No one ever hurried here; no one ever had palpitation of the heart over business. The clerk lifted his head. "Mr. Carmichael?" said Grumbach in English. The clerk indicated with his pen toward the individual by the window. Carmichael read on. Grumbach had assimilated some Americanisms.
Presently two police officers came along and went into the hotel. Grumbach turned with a sigh and followed them. Doubtless they had come to look over his passports. And this happened to be the case. The senior officer unfolded the precious document. "It is not yet viséed by your consul," said the officer. "I arrived late last night. I shall see him this morning," replied Grumbach.
A voice bade him enter. Ah, it was the German-American, whose papers had puzzled his excellency. "You wished to see me, Herr Grumbach?" "Yes," said Grumbach, offering a chair. Hermann accepted the courtesy with dignity. His host drew up another chair to the opposite side of the reading-table. The light overhead put both faces in a semishadow. "You are Hermann Breunner," began Grumbach. "Yes."
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