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Updated: June 11, 2025
Then, because she dared not give him time to think, she made her plea, rapid, girlish, rather incoherent, but understandable enough. They would go away together and be married. She had it all planned and some of it arranged. And then they would hide somewhere, and "And always be together," she finished, tremulous with anxiety. And Nikky?
"Naturally, since you said nothing, of your identity, we could not know that you belonged to His Majesty's household. Under the circumstances, it is a pleasure to give you your freedom." Nikky, bowed again. Karl fixed him with cold eyes. "But before you take leave of us," he said ironically, "I should like the true story of the night before last.
Then he sat down and waited. Except that his ears were burning, he was very calm. "Any news?" he asked, at the end of ten minutes' unbroken silence. His prisoner said nothing. He was thinking, doubtless. Weighing things, too, perhaps life against betrayal, a family against separation. Nikky examined the letter again. It was addressed to a border town in Livonia. But the town lay far behind them.
Instantly a huge figure of a man outlined against the light from a street-lamp, crouched over the prostrate form of the fallen man. Even in the imperceptible second before he started to run toward the group, Nikky saw that the silent one, unmolested, was looking on. A moment later he was in the thick of things and fighting gloriously. His soldierly cap fell off.
The long, rather delicate nose of his family, fine hair growing a trifle thin, and a thin, straight body this was Karl, King of Karnia, and long-time enemy to Nikky's own land. He ignored Nikky's companion. "You brought a letter?" Nikky bowed, and the other man held it out. Karl took it. "The trip was uneventful?" "Yes, sire."
So Nikky looked, made sure that a man in civilian clothing was close at their heels, and led the way across the Square to the riding-school. A small crowd lined up and watched the passing of the little Prince. As he passed, men lifted their hats and women bowed. He smiled right and left, and, took two short steps to one of Nikky's long ones.
He could not even go to her. "I cannot go, Countess," he said. "She must understand. To-day, of all days " "You mean that you cannot leave the Crown Prince?" She shrugged her shoulders. "You, too! Never have I seen so many faint hearts, such rolling eyes, such shaking knees! And for what! Because a few timid souls see a danger that does not exist." "I think it does exist," said Nikky obstinately.
The Countess saw much with her curiously wide, almost childishly bland eyes; it was only now that it occurred to her to turn what she knew of Hedwig and Nikky to account. She stopped pacing the floor, and sat down. Suppose Hedwig and Nikky Larisch went away together? Hedwig, she felt, would have the courage even for that. That would stop things. But Hedwig did not trust her.
For Nikky now knew his destination, knew that he was bound on perilous work, and that the chances of his returning were about fifty-fifty, or rather less. Nevertheless, he was apparently quite calm as he examined the car. He would have chosen, perhaps, a less perilous place to attempt its mysteries, but needs must. He climbed in, and released the brakes.
But here Peter Niburg turned even paler. "Not not the police!" he stammered. "But why? You and I, my friend, will carry their insignia for some days. I have a mind to pay our debts." Peter Niburg considered. He stopped and faced Nikky. "I do not wish the police," he said. "Perhaps I have said too little. This is a private matter. An affair of jealousy." "I see!"
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