Arms and the Woman

I was wandering aimlessly through the rose gardens, when the far-off

sound of galloping hoofs came on the breeze. Nearer and nearer it

drew. I ran out into the highway. I saw a horse come wildly dashing

along. It was riderless, and as it came closer I saw the foam of sweat

dripping from its flanks and shoulders. As the animal plunged toward

me, I made a spring and caught the bridle, hanging on till the brute

came to a standstill. It was quivering from fright. There was a gash

on its neck, and it was bleeding and turning the white flakes of sweat

into a murky crimson.

"Good Lord!" I ejaculated. "It's one of the cavalry horses. Hillars

or the innkeeper has been hurt."

I was of the mind to mount the animal and go in search of them, when

Stahlberg, who had come to my assistance, said that I had best wait. A

quarter of an hour passed. Then we could see another horse, perhaps

half a mile away, coming toward the inn at a canter. From what I could

see in the pale light, the horse carried a double burden. A sheet of

ice seemed to fall on my heart. What had happened? Had Dan and the

Prince come to blows? Alas, I could have cried out in anguish at the

sight which finally met my gaze. The innkeeper held the reins, and,

propped up in front of him, was Hillars, to all appearances dead.

"Gott!" cried the innkeeper, discovering me, "but I am glad to see you,

Herr. Your friend has been hurt, badly, badly."

"My God!" I cried. The hand and wrist of the innkeeper which encircled

Hillars were drenched in blood.

"Yes. A bullet somewhere in his chest. Help me down with him. He is

not dead yet. I'll tell you the story when we have made it comfortable

for him."

Tenderly we carried the inanimate form of poor Hillars into the inn and

laid it on the sofa. I tore back his blood-wet shirt. The wound was

slightly below the right lung. The bullet had severed an artery, for I

could see that the blood gushed. We worked over him for a few moments,

and then he opened his eyes. He saw me and smiled.

"There wasn't any regiment, old man, but this will suffice. My hand

trembled. But he'll never use his right arm again, curse him!"

"Dan, Dan!" I cried, "what made you do it?"

"When I am a man's friend, it is in life and death. He was in the way.

He may thank liquor that he lives." The lids of his eyes contracted.

"Hurts a little, but it will not be for long, my son. I am bleeding to

death inside. Jack, the woman loves you, and in God's eyes, Princess

or not, she belongs to you. You and I cannot understand these things

which make it impossible for a man and a woman who love each other to

wed. Let me hold your hand. I feel like an old woman. Give me a

mouthful of brandy. Ah, that's better! Innkeeper, your courage is not

to be doubted, but your judgment of liquor is. Any way, Jack, I

suppose you will not forget me in a week or so, eh?"