The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 188: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

184 “His majesty is engaged, your high- ness.” “IT am accustomed to be obeyed, Colonel Vilda,” returned JXalkov aus- terely. The colonel drew himself up at the tone, paused, and then bowed. “T will take your highness’ message,” he said, and left us. “You have seen the emperor, mon- sieur? ” said the prince to me. ce Yes.” “What passed between you?” he de- manded, with much of his customary arrogant insistence. “It was a_ confidential interview, monsieur.” “Tf it concerned me I have a right to know.” “T must ask you to excuse my say- ing anything. You and I began as friends; then we had a pretty sharp burst as antagonists; now, if you please, we must be neutrals—I have nothing further to say to you.” ““T have yet to see his majesty, mon- sieur.” Even now he was ready to threaten me in his indomitable doggedness. I took no notice, and presently Colonel Vilda returned. “His majesty is unable to see your highness,” he announced. “I will not take that answer,’ de- clared the prince vehemently. “ The matters are too urgent, and affect his majesty himself too vitally, for me to take it. “JT have been his loyal adviser and faithful minister for many years. I am not to be thrown aside on the bare word of hirelings and traitors.” He was fast losing self-control in his passion when he checked himself and sald: “Give my humble greetings to his majesty; tell him I am ill and perhaps dying, and solicit most earnestly that he will see me. Say it may be the last time on earth I may ever speak to him.” “‘ His majesty was very decided,” said the colonel. “ His majesty does not know either how ill I am or how urgent my business is. Should I be here like this, if it were not?” : Colonel Vilda went in again, and this THE ARGOSY. time the interval before his return passed in silence. When he came back, Helga was with him. I saw she had been weeping, and that the tears were still in her eyes. “They are tears of joy and gratitude, Harper,” she whispered, taking my arm, and then started as she saw Prince Kalkov. “His majesty deeply regrets to hear of your highness’ illness,” said the colonel, “and he counsels your imme- diate return to your house, where he will communicate with you.” The old man listened with frowning brows and unmoved firmness. “It is not true,” he declared dog- gedly. “It is as I say, your highness; and his majesty further bade me say that as your health has broken down, he will immediately relieve you of all your offi- cial duties.” “He cannot mean this—and with- out even seeing me,” he cried. “His majesty is too overcome by news which has reached him to-day to be able to endure the strain of an inter- view with your highness, and _ has re- tired to his private apartments.” “ My God, after all my years of ser- vice!” “Come, Harper,” whispered Helga; and we hurried out, glad to escape the sight of our enemy’s overthrow. On the way to the hotel she told me all the emperor had said to her; the re- grets he had expressed; the sorrow he felt; the promises he made; and his hopes for her future happiness. “As a princess,” I asked, “or as a9 She glanced up and smiled and ran on into the hotel, leaving me unan- swered. At the hotel Ivan was waiting, anx- 1ous concerning our journey to Siberia, and overjoyed at seeing us together again. “Has your highness mands?” I asked Helga. “ Harper! ” “Well, has Mrs. Denver any wish- es?” “ We are not going to Siberia, Ivan,” she said to him. “ Everything has come right.” ” any com- COL ElOOO (COL