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Page 36
"You have nothing with which to reproach yourself, Mr. Scott. You did
what anyone naturally would have done under such circumstances. It has
been a chance, the one dangerous possibility out of a hundred, that has
gone against us."
John stood up. His despair was gone. All his natural courage came
flowing back in a torrent, and Weber saw in his eyes the glow of a
resolution, stern, tenacious and singularly like that of Lannes himself.
"I mean to get her back," he said quietly. "As you said, the one
dangerous chance in a hundred has gene against us, and to offset it the
one favorable chance in a hundred must come our way."
"What do you mean to do?"
"I don't know yet. But we can't remain in this hotel. It's no time to be
seeking our comfort when our duty lies elsewhere."
He took the candle again, holding it in a hand that was perfectly
steady, and led the way down the hall and the stairway to the little
lobby. He did not speak, because he was trying to think rapidly and
concisely. If he followed the strict letter of command he would return
that night to the hospital camp, and yet he could remain and say that he
was delayed by the enemy. He was willing to be untrue to his military
duty for Julie's sake, and his conscience did not reproach him.
"Is the snow diminishing, Weber?" he asked, as they came again into the
little lobby.
"Somewhat, I think, Mr. Scott," replied Weber as he went to the window.
"Are you thinking of pursuit?"
"Such an idea has been in my mind."
"But where and how?"
"My thought is vague yet."
"It's like an Arctic land outside. All footsteps, whether of men or
horses, have been hidden by the snow. There is certainly no trail for us
to follow."
"I know it, Weber, but it seems to me that Mademoiselle Lannes is
calling to me. She tells me to bring her back."
The Alsatian glanced at John, but the young man's face was earnest. It
was evident that he believed what he said.
"Mademoiselle Lannes may be calling to you," he said, "but how can you
go, and where?"
"I don't know," repeated John obstinately, "but I mean to find her."
He walked irresolutely back and forth and his eye fell upon the register
again. Certainly it had been moved once more. He had remembered just how
it lay after he saw Weber's name there, and now it was turned much
further to one side. He snatched up the candle and held it over the open
pages. Then he saw written in a heavy hand just beneath Weber's name:
_Prince Karl of Auersperg, Zillenstein, Tyrol.
Luitpold Helmuth Schwenenger, " "
Captain Max Sanger, Dantzig, Prussia.
Suite of His Highness, twenty persons._
John understood thoroughly. He uttered a fierce cry of anger and grief,
and Weber looked eagerly over his shoulder.
"We know now who has come," he said.
"Yes, we know," exclaimed John, "and I could wish that it had been
anybody else! I hate this man! To me he represents all that is evil in
the Old World, the concentrated wickedness of feudalism and I fear him,
though not for myself! Weber, I can't bear to think of Julie Lannes in
his hands! If it were von Arnheim or that young Kratzek or any normal
German it would be different, but this man, Auersperg, is not of our
time! He belongs to an older and worse age!"
"He is very hard and determined," said Weber. "In my secret work for
France I have seen him more than once, and I know his character and
family history thoroughly. An immense pride of birth and blood. Great
courage and resolution and a belief that he, as a prince of the old
stock, entitled to what he wishes."
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