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He was interrupted by Her Grace of Schallberg who raised her hand for silence. It was Paul Zulka who bowed low over the Duchess's hand. He was totally oblivious to all other claims upon his attention for the nonce. "Do you know that gentleman, Paul?" As Trusia questioned him, he turned about in mystification.
"Johann, the messenger," she answered, "who should have been in Schallberg two hours ago. There, he's skulking behind that white oak. Johann!" she commanded imperiously. Seeing that concealment was no longer practicable, the fellow sulkily came from his hiding-place and stood, with sullen countenance, in the path beside them. "Find out what he is doing here, Major Carter."
You've been pretty loose up here, you know," he touched his forehead by way of illustration. "Perhaps I may save you the worry of framing up questions my account may cover everything." "Did I talk much rot?" asked Carter. "Yes, rather. Calling all the time for Trusia said Carrick was a King and lots more of the same kind. Who was Trusia?" "The Duchess of Schallberg."
We pulled you out of the very claws of a Cossack." "But the girl? But Her Grace of Schallberg?" It was pitiable how abject a strong man could become. "If that was the Duchess of Schallberg, Cal, a second Russian picked her up, apparently unconscious, and made off with her toward the Austrian shore. Just why he went that way no one seemed to know. His comrades fired after them.
Still the Minister was not satisfied to relax his intimate investigations. Her Grace of Schallberg appeared an interested listener and had lost not a syllable of what had been said. The remaining Counselors were patiently expectant of translation as English was a closed door to them. Josef on the other hand would have gladly welcomed a divertisement though clearly afraid to inaugurate one.
Carter strove to make his reply partake of easy nonchalance, but his throat tightened so that he could feel his face go red and hot. It was as if Paul had intimated that he, Calvert Carter, would seek and be refused by the Duchess of Schallberg. He was thankful the Krovitzer was not looking just then. Had he been wise, Carter would have said no more.
It lay before that bristling veteran who turned a questioning glance to Her Grace of Schallberg. "I have seen it," she said. "Is it is it the missing star?" he asked in a hesitating manner, as though an affirmative answer was more than he could hope for. "It is," she replied with slightly inclining head.
She leaned forward from her place at the table to speak to Count Sobieska. In doing so, her eyes met Carter's. They were filled with a gentle regard a more than friendliness. "With whom?" asked her Minister of Private Intelligence anxiously, for this city was the centre of international intrigue and espionage. "You remember General Vladimar, the former Russian commandant at Schallberg? It was he.
"You ought to know me better. I never take 'no' for an answer." Carter's pride glowed in his face as he made this reply. "The Duchess of Schallberg," announced Zulka, "will marry the King of Krovitch to unite the two houses. She has pledged herself." This seemingly irrelevant announcement was made through a swirling cloud of smoke. "So?"
"Privy Counselors with their families and households, Army Staff, Duchess's Attendants and Aides-de-Camp, and so forth." "But the inn's full, too, Paul. The landlord " "Thought you were a spy. That's why Josef recommended Schallberg.
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