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Claiborne did not move; he smiled upon them, recrossed his legs, and settled his back more comfortably against the mantel-shelf. "I really forget where he said he would be at this hour. He and his man may have gone to Washington, or they may have started for Vienna, or they may be in conference with Baron von Marhof at my father's, or they may be waiting for you at the gate. The Lord only knows!"
Your father and mother picked me up and brought me in out of the rain. Your Storm Valley is giving us a taste of its powers." And Shirley went forward to greet Baron von Marhof. Oh, sweetly fall the April days! My love was made of frost and light, Of light to warm and frost to blight The sweet, strange April of her ways. Eyes like a dream of changing skies, And every frown and blush I prize.
But perhaps an Ambassador from a great power made the request, perhaps, for example, it was Baron von Marhof." "Good Lord!" Armitage laughed aloud. "I beg your pardon! I really beg your pardon! But is the Ambassador looking for me?" "I don't know, Mr. Armitage. You forget that I'm only a traitor and not a spy."
All the members of the diplomatic corps had withdrawn at once as a mark of respect and sympathy for Baron von Marhof, and at midnight the ball-room held all of the company that remained. Armitage had not sought Shirley again. He found a room that had been set apart for smokers, threw himself into a chair, lighted a cigar and stared at a picture that had no interest for him whatever.
Her thoughts flew at once to the scene at the house of the Secretary of State a week before, when Baron von Marhof had learned of the death of his sovereign; and by association she thought, too, of Armitage, and of his, look and voice as he said: "Long live the Emperor and King! God save Austria!" Emperors and kings! They were as impossible today as a snowstorm.
Chauvenet shifted uneasily from one foot to another under the gaze of the five people who waited for his answer; then he screamed shrilly: "You are the devil an impostor, a liar, a thief!" Baron von Marhof leaped to his feet and roared at Chauvenet in English: "Who is this man? Whom do you believe him to be?" "Answer and be quick about it!" snapped Claiborne.
"Take my horse and ride down to Storm Springs and tell Baron von Marhof and Judge Claiborne that Captain Claiborne has found John Armitage, and that he presents his compliments and wishes them to come to Mr. Armitage's house at once. Tell them that Captain Claiborne sent you and that he wants them to come back with you immediately." "But Armitage not Marhof for God's sake, not Marhof."
He saw within the grim face of Baron von Marhof and unconsciously lifted his hat, though the Ambassador was deep in thought and did not see him. Armitage struck the pavement smartly with his stick as he walked slowly on, pondering; but he was conscious a moment later that some one was loitering persistently in his wake. Armitage was at once on the alert with all his faculties sharpened.
And as though to escape from the thing of which his counsel had hinted, Baron von Marhof took his departure at once. Shirley met her brother on the veranda. His arrival had been unheralded and she was frankly astonished to see him. "Well, Captain Claiborne, you are a man of mystery. You will undoubtedly be court-martialed for deserting and after a long leave, too." "I am on duty.
"I don't like the combination of terms. If treason and rebellion are synonyms of democracy, we Americans are in danger." "No; you are a miracle that is the only explanation," replied Marhof. "But a man like Karl what if he were to reappear in the world! A little democracy might solve your problem." "No, thank God! he is out of the way. He was sane enough to take himself off and die."
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