"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.