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The people are frenzied." He went on, dilating on the rumors. Still Haeckel labored. The King! The Crown Prince! There was something that he was to do. It was just beyond him, but he could not remember. Then, by accident, the other man touched the hidden spring of his memory. "There are some who think that Mettlich " "Mettlich!" That was the word.
"The truth is also," he observed a moment later, "that the boy has very few pleasures. He is alone a great deal." General Mettlich raised his shaggy head. Many years of wearing a soldier's cap had not injured his heavy gray hair. He had bristling eyebrows, white new, and a short, fighting mustache. When he was irritated, or disagreed with any one, his eyebrows came down and the mustache went up.
"I'm damned if I know why," observed the old King. "She doesn't appear to have a single human quality." Human quality! General Mettlich eyed his king with concern. Since when had the reigning family demanded human qualities in their governesses? "She is a thoughtful and conscientious woman, sire," he said stiffly. It happened that he had selected her. "She does her duty.
Karl waited until the machine drove away. He had gone to the doorstep with the Chancellor, desiring to do him all possible honor. But Mettlich unaccustomed to democratic ways, disapproved of the proceeding, and was indeed extremely uncomfortable, and drew a sigh of relief when it was all over.
His intention was to put up at some inn in a village not far from the lodge and to reach Karl by messenger early in the morning, before the hunters left for the day. Then, all being prepared duly and in order, Mettlich himself would arrive, and things would go forward with dignity and dispatch. In the mean time he sat back among his furs and thought of many things.
"And now, sire," he said, "since we are friends and no longer enemies, you will, I know, release that mad boy of mine." "When do you start back?" "Within an hour." "Before that time," said Karl, "you shall have him, Chancellor." And with that Mettlich was forced to be content. He trusted Karl no more now than he ever had. But he made his adieus with no hint of trouble in his face.
She had no affection for Annunciata, and as to the boy, let them look out for him. Let Mettlich guard his treasure, or lose it to his peril. The passage under the gate was not of her discovery or informing. Nikky had gone back to his lodging, where his servant was packing his things.
Mettlich of the Iron Hand had held them, would continue to hold them. The King, meanwhile, lay dying, Doctor Wiederman in constant attendance, other physicians coming and going. His apartments were silent. Rugs covered the corridors, that no footfall disturb his quiet hours. The nursing Sisters attended him, one by his bedside, one always on her knees at the Prie-dieu in the small room beyond.
Me I can think of a pleasanter: the tolling of the cathedral bell, at a certain time, will be music to my ears!" Old Adelbert stood, staring blindly ahead. At last he went out into the street, muttering. "They shame us before the people," he said thickly. The order of the Council had indeed been issued, a painful business over which Mettlich and the Council had pondered long.
Until late that night General Mettlich and the King talked together. The King had been lifted from his bed and sat propped in a great chair. Above his shabby dressing-gown his face showed gaunt and old. In a straight chair facing him sat his old friend and Chancellor. "What it has shown is not entirely bad," said the King, after a pause. "The boy has initiative. And he made no attempt at evasion.
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