Arms and the Woman

"If an honest man's love can do it," said I. "Now, get on your hat and

coat. You must go to the capital with me. The King would send for you

in any case. The next train leaves at five, and to save Gretchen,

these proofs must be in the Chancellor's hands to-morrow morning."

"Yes, my presence will be necessary. Perhaps I have committed a crime;

who knows?" His head fell in meditation. "Herr, and this other

sister, has she been happy?"

"Happier than ever Gretchen."

He had the sleigh brought around. Stahlberg was to ride my horse back

to the village and return with the sleigh. We climbed into the seat,

there was a crunching of snow, a jangle of bells, and we were gliding

over the white highway. As I lay back among the robes, I tried to

imagine that it was a dream, that I was still in New York, grinding

away in my den, and not enacting one of the principal roles in a court

drama; that I was not in love with a woman who spoke familiarly to

kings and grand dukes and princes, that I was not about to create a

Princess of whom few had vaguely heard and of whom but one had really

known; that Phyllis and I were once more on the old friendly grounds,

and that I was to go on loving her till the end of time--till the end

of time.

"You have known this sister?" asked the innkeeper.

"For many years," said I.

And those were the only words which passed between us during that

five-mile drive. At the station I at once wired the Chancellor that

the proofs had been found, and requested him to inform the King and

Prince Ernst. And then another eight hours dragged themselves out of

existence. But Gretchen was mine!

The King was dressed in a military blouse, and, save for the small

cross suspended from his neck by a chain of gold, there was nothing

about him to distinguish his rank. He strode back and forth, sometimes

going the whole length of the white room. The Chancellor sat at a long

mahogany table, and the Prince and Mr. Wentworth were seated at either

side of him. The innkeeper stood before the Chancellor, at the

opposite side of the table. His face might have been cut from granite,

it was so set and impressive. I leaned over the back of a chair in the

rear of the room. The King came close to me once and fixed his keen

blue eyes on mine.