The Shadow of the Czar Page 7

  CHAPTER II

  CZERNOVESE POLITICS

  "Well," said Trevisa, puzzled by Paul's long silence, "what think youof this fair vestal throned in the east?"

  "My wonder is how you, her private secretary, compelled by your officeto attend her daily, have avoided falling in love with her."

  "By steeling my heart and playing the philosopher. Princesses are notfor common mortals like myself. Give me blue blood and a title, and Imight aspire. The sovereign of Czernova must not marry a commoner, onpain of forfeiture of the crown. Her consort must be one of royal ornoble birth."

  "Ah! is that the law?" asked Paul, with affected carelessness.

  "So runneth the statute of Czernova," replied the secretary.

  "_The sovereign must not marry a commoner!_" Why had he come toCzernova? Better to have remained in ignorance of her fate, than, onfinding her, to learn that she could never be his.

  "You said," he remarked, after an interval of silence, "that themarriage of the princess with the duke will secure the stability ofher throne. In what way?"

  "The explanation will require a long lecture on Czernovese politics.You will esteem me a bore."

  "Not at all. Go on."

  "To begin then. This principality of Czernova represents the lastfragment of the ancient kingdom of Poland; it is one of the oldpalatinates, and the Lilieskis were its palatines.

  "On the fall of Poland, in 1795, Czernova formed part of the shareallotted to Russia, and received exceptional treatment from thatpower, the reason being that the Lilieski of that day, a handsomeyoung fellow, was one of the favorites of the Empress Catherine. Shenot only permitted him to retain his palatinate, but even created himPrince, and set her hand and seal to a new constitution framed byLilieski himself, which conferred upon Czernova all the rights of afree and independent state. The Russians of to-day aver that theEmpress must have signed the document without reading it, or at leastwithout understanding what she was granting. Be that as it may, thePoles of Czernova, having obtained a Charter of Liberty, haveresolutely refused to assent to any modification of its provisions."

  "But seeing that Russia is a hundred times the stronger, what hasprevented her from annexing Czernova?"

  "The rescript of the Congress of Vienna to the effect that 'Czernovashall be governed according to the Charter granted by Catherine II.'The Powers are therefore pledged to maintain the _status quo_.

  "So much for the political frame-work. Now for the people.

  "The Czernovese consist of diverse elements, but the two chiefnationalities are Poles and Muscovites.

  "The Poles are the original inhabitants of the country, passionatelyattached to their liberty, and Catholics to a man. They form amajority in the principality; but for the two past decades there hasbeen a steady influx of immigrants from Russia, which, if continued inthe same ratio, will inevitably result in the Russification ofCzernova.

  "These Muscovites, it need scarcely be said, belong to the GreekChurch, the head of which is the Czar; their sympathies are of coursepro-Russian, and if the Emperor Nicholas were to prepare to-morrow forannexation very few of them would lift a finger to prevent it.

  "Here, then, is the crux of the political situation.

  "Czernova is occupied by two races alien in blood, language, religionand ideals. They can no more unite than fire with water. In the Diet,Poles and Muscovites form two hostile factions; the debates areacrimonious; swords are sometimes drawn, and the scenes occurring lacknone of the fiery picturesqueness that was wont to characterize theold Polish Diet of Warsaw."

  "A difficult matter," interjected Paul, "to find a ruler who shall beacceptable to both factions."

  "Well, as things are at present," replied Trevisa, emphasizing thelast two words, "the Princess Natalie satisfies the requirement. ThePoles love her for her nationality; and the Muscovites, if they do notlove, are at least disposed to tolerate a ruler whom they believe tobe a member of their own Church. It is a guarantee that their owncreed will not be persecuted, for you know how intolerantly the RomanChurch behaved in old Poland.

  "Now it is the princess's secret faith which constitutes the comingperil.

  "When the Muscovites learn that she is a Catholic--and the truthcannot remain much longer hidden--it is doubtful whether their loyaltywill be able to stand the shock. They may rise in arms and endeavor toseat the Duke of Bora on the throne, who has three recommendations intheir eyes; he is of the Greek Church, a Muscovite on the mother'sside, and connected, as I have said, with the blood-imperial ofRussia.

  "Hence, in the opinion of the cabinet, the necessity for the marriageof the princess with the duke; their joint occupation of the throne isthe only thing that can keep Pole and Muscovite from cutting eachother's throats. A son born of this marriage will tend to unite theinterests of both parties."

  Barbara with a son! And by the duke! The thought set Paul's blood onfire.

  "The cabinet of course are united on the question of this marriage?"he asked.

  "They mayn't like it, but, as I have said, they feel its necessity. Ican name two ministers, however, who, outwardly assenting, aresecretly opposing the match."

  "And they are--?"

  "Cardinal Ravenna and Marshal Zabern."

  Ravenna! It was rather surprising to find Barbara including among herministry the ecclesiastic who had formerly inspired her with aversion.Then Paul's surprise ceased when he reflected that the cardinal wasmaster of her secret history, and would therefore require to beconciliated. An uneasy suspicion began to form in his mind thatBarbara was the innocent victim of a Jesuitical conspiracy--that shehad been duped into believing herself a princess by ecclesiastics whointended to make use of her as a tool.

  "A Latin cardinal," he said. "I can understand that he would opposethe marrying of the princess to a Greek heretic. But Zabern--who ishe?"

  Trevisa smiled.

  "You will not be long in Czernova without learning who Zabern is. Heis the Warden of the Charter, the most subtle character in thecabinet, the idol of the Czernovese Poles, whose motto is 'Trust inGod and Zabern--especially Zabern.' Ask the Muscovites who Zabern is,and they will blaspheme and tell you that he is the incarnation of thedevil. And as the slaying of the devil would be a holy act, theirpious attentions in this respect have compelled the marshal to goabout with chain-mail beneath his clothing."

  "And Zabern, you say, is opposed to the match? But if the princesshas set her mind upon it, how does Zabern propose to play his game?"

  "His first card is the Pope."

  "The Pope?"

  "Yes. The princess, being a Catholic, is debarred by the canons of herChurch from marrying the duke, inasmuch as he is her first cousin. Thepapal dispensation is necessary before the union can be celebrated."

  "And should the Holy Father refuse to grant it?"

  Trevisa's face assumed a very grave expression.

  "Then the princess will indeed be in a dilemma. If she marries withoutpapal sanction the union will be deemed null and void by her Catholicsubjects. All the Polish clergy will be set against her, and you knowwhat that means. On the other hand, if she submits to the will of thePope, and dismisses her ducal suitor, she will put herself in graveperil. The coronation takes place within four months from now, and theMuscovites are fully expecting to see the duke seated side by sidewith her in that ceremony. Disappointment will cause an armed risingon their part, and then--and then--I greatly fear there will be an endto the princess's rule."

  "How so? Why should not her adherents prevail?"

  "They would, if left to themselves, for they are the more numerousparty. But, behind the Muscovite faction, and filling the minds of theministers with secret fear, looms the colossal shadow of the Czar. Ifthere should be riots, and the Poles should take to burning andkilling, the Muscovites will cry to Nicholas to protect his own kithand kin, and then, good-bye to Czernovese liberty. The Czar will havewhat he has so long sought--a pretext for annexation. Heaven avertsuch a calamity, but one cannot prophesy a bright fu
ture for Czernovaunless this marriage takes place."

  Trevisa had scarcely finished this exposition of Czernovese politicswhen he happened to see a lady well known to him entering the hotel.Asking Paul to excuse his absence for a few minutes, he went off topay his devoirs.

  Paul, not unwilling to be left alone, sat thinking of Barbara. Whatwould be the state of her feelings when she learned that he was alive?She had accepted his love prior to the knowledge of her high rank. Itwas not likely that under her changed circumstances she would considerherself bound by her past promises. Granting, however, that she stillloved him; granting that the Duke of Bora would be so heroic as toefface himself, marriage was impossible without the forfeiture of thatsceptre, which rightfully or wrongfully she now held, and to thissacrifice Paul felt that he could never consent, even if Barbaraherself were willing.

  His duty was clear. He must live his life apart from her. But beforehe left Czernova he must have an interview with her. He must see heronce more face to face and alone, and he thought of this meeting withfeelings of pleasure and pain.

  Looking up from this reverie, whom should he see at a little distancebut the Duke of Bora, attended by Count Radzivil. The pair were makingtheir way along the balcony of the hotel, apparently with theintention of taking a seat or calling for wine at one of the manylittle tables spread about.

  As the duke drew near, a spirit of latent defiance took possession ofPaul. This was the man destined to rob him of Barbara--Barbara whobelonged of prior right to himself. It was clearly state-policy thatdictated her attitude towards the duke. Paul found it impossible tobelieve that the delicately-minded and intellectual Barbara could feelany genuine love for this great, clumsy barbarian.

  "Let him keep to Natalie, and leave me Barbara. What sort of a lovermust he be? Where were his eyes two years ago, that he did notperceive that the returning princess was not his first love? Barbaramust have played her part well so to impose upon him. But was hedeceived? Does he know the truth, and knowing, make use of it tointimidate Barbara into marrying him?"

  A thought which did not tend to increase Paul's amiability.

  As the duke passed he eyed Paul askance, and then wheeling round witha suddenness that formed a marked contrast with his previous slowness,he exclaimed in a voice of thunder,--

  "You have neither stood nor saluted, sir!"

  Paul regarded the fierce Bora with a look of calm surprise. What righthad this Czernovese grandee to demand a salute from him--an Englishofficer?

  "You have neither stood nor saluted, sir!"

  "Why should I?"

  The duke's black eyes flashed savagely; his face grew as dark asnight.

  "Are you mad or drunk? Report yourself a prisoner at the Citadel."

  "Again I ask, why should I?"

  Bora gripped his sword-handle with an air compounded of amazement andfury. A whispered word from Radzivil seemed to exercise a moderatingeffect upon him.

  "Permit me to give my name," said the minister, stepping forward witha courteous bearing. "I am Count Radzivil, premier of Czernova. May Iask a like favor?"

  "I am an Englishman, Captain Woodville of the 24th Kentish. May I askwho is this--ah!--gentleman?"

  An Englishman! Bora immediately recognized his error. Misled by Paul'suniform he had taken him for one of his own officers. The duke couldill bear ridicule, and if this story got abroad he would be thelaughingstock of Czernova.

  "Permit me to reveal my dignity," he began stiffly.

  "Your--? But proceed, sir."

  "I am the Duke of Bora, commander-in-chief of the Czernovese army.Your English uniform being so similar to the Czernovese--"

  "Pardon me. You mean that the Czernovese is so similar to theEnglish."

  "That I not unreasonably took you for a Czernovese officer."

  And with a scowl the duke drew aside, deeming that he made asufficient apology, and Paul, had he chosen, might have boasted thathe was the only man who had ever drawn an apology from the duke.

  "Woodville? Woodville?" murmured the premier with a musing air."Surely not the Captain Woodville who conducted the defence of theAfghan fortress of Tajapore?"

  "The same," replied Paul modestly.

  The duke glanced askance at Paul with a feeling of jealousy, the meanjealousy of the man who had done Nothing, against the man who had doneSomething.

  Paul's breast was without a single decoration. The duke's breast was aglitter of stars and crosses, none of which had been gained by actualservice in war. Bora felt the irony of the contrast, and grew morebitter. Radzivil, however, was full of genuine affability.

  "Captain Woodville, it gives me great pleasure to meet you," he said,extending his hand. "Had we known of your intention to visit Czernovayou should have been met with a guard of honor, and received in amanner worthy of your fame. It was wrong of you to slip privately intoSlavowitz. Englishmen are always welcome at the court of the princess.The princess, sir, takes a great interest in English affairs, so muchso that some of our free-speaking newspapers (for as you are perhapsaware, we have no censorship of the press in Czernova) have venturedto term her an Anglomaniac; Anglophile would be a more suitable term.At her initiative we have modelled the forms of our Diet upon thelines of your House of Commons. For example, we give three readings toa Bill. The princess has a great admiration for the English. You maynot know that she has an Englishman for her private secretary."

  "You allude to Trevisa. My friend, count. We studied together at thesame university."

  "Really now, this is a very interesting coincidence," said Radzivil,tapping his snuff-box pleasantly. "Your grace," he added, turning tothe duke, "Captain Woodville is an old friend of Trevisa's."

  But Bora affected not to hear. He hated the secretary, and as acorollary, all who were the friends of the secretary.

  "Trevisa is an admirable acquisition," continued the premier, "and hasdone us good service in many ways. Your grace remembers that importantcipher despatch which fell into our hands some time ago. It baffledthe experts. But Trevisa succeeded in unravelling it. He is the authorof a work on cryptography, I believe, though I am ashamed to say Ihaven't yet read it. The princess has no more loyal servant thanTrevisa. He is more Czernovese than the Czernovese themselves, andwill take a pride in describing to you the resources of our littlestate. We may not count for much among the Great Powers, but we are agood deal stronger than most people suppose."

  "'_Esse quam videri_,'" smiled Paul.

  "Your grace, Captain Woodville honors you. He is quoting the motto ofthe ducal House of Bora."

  Now this little Latin sentence was the same as that inscribed on thegolden band of the seal which Paul had found in the secret corridor ofCastel Nuovo.

  He happened at that moment to be wearing the signet affixed to hiswatch-chain, and scarcely knowing that he did so, he drew it forth andlooked at it.

  The duke, attentive to Paul's action, caught sight of the sparklingsapphire. He started, took a step forward--another--a third--his eyesall the time resting upon the gem.

  "How came you possessed of that seal?"

  There was something so peculiarly aggressive in the duke's manner thatan angry retort trembled on Paul's lips.

  "Did you not receive it from a lady?"

  Then the truth flashed upon Paul. This signet must have belonged tothe duke, inasmuch as it bore his motto. An historic heirloom, it hadbeen given by him to the Princess Natalie, and had been lost by her inthe secret passage where Paul had found it. No wonder that Bora wasincensed at its re-appearance in this fashion! Jealousy caused him todraw an altogether erroneous conclusion, and unfortunately it wasimpossible for Paul to set him right without entering into theparticulars of his sojourn at Castel Nuovo.

  "A lady gave you that ring."

  "There your grace errs."

  "That's a lie," cried Bora savagely.

  "Softly, your grace," remonstrated Radzivil, glancing nervouslyaround. "Let us have no scandal in public." With difficulty Paulrestrained his anger.
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br />   "Your grace's language is extremely offensive, but I am willing tomake all allowances. I do not wish to quarrel with you. This seal wasnot given to me by a lady. I found it, and you claim it as yours. I amquite willing to restore it."

  Bora took Paul's self-restraint for cowardice.

  "You found it? Where? When? Under what circumstances?"

  "Those are questions that I must decline to answer."

  "You refuse?"

  "Most certainly."

  "Then you shall fight me."

  Paul, thoroughly roused by the duke's arrogant manner, was not at allaverse to accepting this challenge.

  Then he thought of Barbara. The affair could not be hidden. She wouldlearn that his first act on coming into Czernova was to fight a duelwith her future consort. He would thus appear in her eyes as abrawling swashbuckler presuming on her affection to protect him fromthe consequences of his acts.

  "No, your grace, I shall not fight," he replied quietly.

  "Finding it easier to meet Afghans than a Czernovese," sneered Bora."Have you ever noticed, Radzivil, how brave these English are againstall the savage races of the world,--how reluctant to face theEuropean? If you will not fight I cannot, of course, compel you. But Ican at least brand you as a coward."

  And lifting the cane that he carried he brought it down heavily acrossPaul's cheek.

  "Your grace!" exclaimed Radzivil, and filled with disgust and anger hewalked away to the far end of the balcony.

  The bronze had faded from Paul's face leaving it deadly white save fora livid stripe on the left cheek.

  "Will you fight me now?" said the duke with a sneering smile andraising his cane again, "or does your cowardice require a furtherstimulus?"

  "Fight you? Yes, by heaven!" said Paul, with a deep inspiration. "Sendyour second here without delay to meet mine. I hold no further parleywith you. My sword shall speak for me."

  A gleam of ferocious joy passed over the duke's face.

  "My second shall attend yours within an hour. But first a caution toRadzivil. He hath too talkative a tongue, and this matter must be keptsecret."

  He turned from Paul, who sat down, the cynosure of many eyes. Theloungers on the balcony, the hotel-attendants, the passers-by on theboulevard, had seen the duke's action, and concluded that in his usualsweet fashion he was simply chastising the impertinence of one of hisown subordinates.

  And as Paul sat there thinking, first of the insult he had received,and then of the fair, graceful head of Barbara pillowed on the breastof this savage, he felt the devil of hatred rising within him.

  "By God, I'll kill him!" he muttered between his set teeth. "I shallbe doing Barbara a service. He to marry her, forsooth!"

  The Duke of Bora, not at all ashamed of his display of passion, vexedonly that Radzivil should have shown such marked disapproval, movedforward to the table where the premier sat with wine before him.

  The latter durst offer no more than mild remonstrances, for heoccupied a delicate position. It was not polite to make an enemy ofone destined to be the Prince Consort of Czernova.

  "Your grace, you forget that duelling is forbidden by the law."

  "I am the heir-apparent, and above the law," returned Bora haughtily.

  "You will not find the princess taking that view of the matter.Remember how earnest she was in advocating the Anti-duelling Act. Forone of her own ministers to fly in the face of it is to treat her withcontempt. Your grace is acting very unwisely--acting in a manner,pardon me for saying it, that may lead to the forfeiture of her hand."

  "Bah! my good Radzivil, be but discreet and she will never hear of it.Remember," he added with a menacing air, "if her Highness becomescognizant of this affair I shall know who was her informant."

  He tossed off a glass of wine, and shot a ferocious glance in Paul'sdirection.

  "Who could avoid blazing forth?" he presently remarked. "Do you know,Radzivil, that that sapphire seal was a gift of mine to Natalie?Whenever I have had occasion to refer to it she has lookedembarrassed--why?"

  "Probably because she lost it, and has not liked to say so; andinasmuch as it is now in the Englishman's hands it is evident that hemust have found it."

  "The finding of the seal would be a very innocent matter; why, then,does he refuse to state the circumstances?"

  Radzivil did not reply, as he might very well have replied, that themildest-natured individual would have taken umbrage at the duke'sinsolent manner. He merely remarked,--

  "What would your grace infer?"

  "That the seal was given to yon fellow by Natalie herself."

  "Your grace must be mistaken. This is Captain Woodville's first visitto Czernova. When and where could the princess have seen him?"

  "Where? Why not in Dalmatia? Ah! light at last," muttered Bora,grinding his teeth and gripping his sabre-hilt with a murderous looktowards the distant Paul.

  "Your grace, explain."

  "Why did Natalie extend her stay in Dalmatia from three to six months?There is the cause," he added, indicating Paul.

  "A secret amour with him at a time when she was affianced to you! Youwrong the princess," said Radzivil coldly.

  "Wait!" exclaimed the duke, excitement gleaming from his eyes. "Whydid she return so melancholy in mood that I almost doubted whether shewere the lively Natalie of former days? There is the cause!" he added,again indicating Paul.

  "Your grace, this is midsummer madness."

  "Before that ill-starred tour she was ever ready to marry me; now, shecontinually defers our nuptials. Why? There is the cause!" with thesame gesture as before. "She clothes her _corps du garde_ in a newuniform. Why? To do honor to her hero--her lover."

  "Her lover?" dissented Radzivil. "And yet she has kept him at adistance for two years?"

  "She knows that my sword is sharp, and that I brook no rivals. Whoaspires to the princess answers to me. Ha! her desire for anAnti-duelling Act is now explained. The measure is to enable her loverto walk securely in Czernova. She would protect him from my sword. Shethinks he may safely venture here now. She has doubtless beencorresponding with him since her return from Dalmatia, their commonfriend, Trevisa, acting as intermediary, being well qualified for suchoffice. To an affianced princess engaged in a clandestine _affaire ducoeur_, an adept at cipher-writing is a very useful auxiliary."

  He again glared in Paul's direction with such ferocity of countenancethat the premier, thinking that he was about to jump up for thepurpose of making an onslaught upon Paul, tried to divert the duke'sthoughts by turning to another topic, and accordingly snatched at theword "cipher."

  "Trevisa, as you say, is an adept at cipher-writing, but at presenthis knowledge is somewhat at fault."

  "To what do you allude?"

  "To a cryptographic problem recently set him by Zabern. Four weeks agoa tavern-brawl between some Poles and Muscovites rose so high as tocall for the intervention of the night watch, who marched theoffenders to the guard-house. The customary search taking place, therewas found upon one of the men a Russian passport made out to one IvanRussakoff, which name the man declared to be his."

  Radzivil had succeeded admirably in diverting the duke's attention.Anger faded from his face. Paul and the duel seemed to be forgotten ina new interest.

  "This Russakoff wore a caftan, in the lining of which was concealed alarge sheet of paper folded twice, and covered on both sides, not withwords but with rows of numerals.

  "In the morning the offenders were released with the exception ofRussakoff, who was asked to explain the meaning of the paper. But thishe refused to do. He averred that he was an agent travelling for acloth merchant of Warsaw named Pascovitch; and, as a matter of fact,he carried a portfolio containing specimens of cloth. Inquiries showthat there is a cloth merchant of that name at Warsaw, that Russakoffis his agent, and that the tailoring establishments of Slavowitz haveconsiderable dealings with this Pascovitch."

  "They let the fellow go after that, I presume?"

  "Not so. The matter came to Zabern's e
ars, and he had the man broughtbefore him.

  "'What do these numerals mean?' Zabern asked.

  "'They are the secrets of my business,' answered Russakoff.

  "'Without doubt,' said the marshal. 'Your business is that of a spy.Your cloth-selling is a mere cloak to conceal your real calling.'Zabern kept him under examination for a long time. Russakoff refusedto give the meaning of the mysterious paper; he failed to account forcertain portions of his time spent at Slavowitz; and the marshal,convinced that the fellow is a spy in the service of Russia, hasremoved him for greater security to the Citadel where he now is. Thepaper has been entrusted to Trevisa for decipherment, and there thematter rests for the present."

  "And you say the cipher puzzles Trevisa?"

  "He can make no headway with it at all."

  The duke seemed rather pleased than otherwise at Trevisa's failure.

  "Zabern sees a spy in every man who comes from Russia," he sneered.

  "Well, we shall soon know the truth. Zabern talks of employing therack and the thumbscrew to-day."

  "That's illegal," said the duke with a frown.

  "So's duelling," retorted the premier.

  Bora seemed on the point of making an angry reply, but checked himselfand said,--

  "And this supposed spy was arrested a month ago, you say? If Zaberndeems this a matter of such importance, why was not I, a minister,informed of it?"

  "The affair falls within Zabern's department, as he is the Ministerfor Justice. I myself did not hear of it till yesterday, and then itwas by accident. And," added the premier, weakly smiling at theacknowledgment that he was not master in his own cabinet, "you knowZabern's way of acting without the knowledge of his colleagues, andthe princess's reply to our plaint 'Zabern is privileged.'"

  None knew this better than the duke himself, and there passed over hisface a dark look, which implied that when he should come to occupy amoiety of the throne there would be a considerable curtailment ofZabern's privileges.

  Tossing off the remainder of his wine at one gulp, the duke rose togo, accompanied by Radzivil.

  After their departure Paul observed a little book lying on the floorof the balcony near the table where the two men had been sitting, andconcluded that it had been unknowingly dropped by one of them. Whilehe was wondering whether to let it lie, or to send it after them by awaiter, Noel Trevisa made his appearance, his long absence suggestingthat he had had a very interesting time with his fair lady friend.

  He noticed the book and, moved by curiosity, picked it up and found itto be a pocket-edition of the poet AEschylus containing the Greek textof the seven plays without translation, note or comment.

  While casually turning over the leaves Trevisa suddenly stopped andknitted his brows in perplexity.

  "Now who has put himself to all this trouble, and what is the objectof it?" he muttered.

  "My book, Sir Secretary."

  Looking up Trevisa caught the keen black eyes of the duke fixedsuspiciously upon him.

  "I still keep up my knowledge of the classics, you perceive," remarkedBora, as the book was returned to him.

  "You study them very attentively, too, I observe," said the secretary;"it isn't every student that takes to counting the exact number ofwords in a Greek play."

  Bora stared hard at Trevisa as if detecting a hidden meaning in hisreply, and then turned away, obviously ill at ease.

  Trevisa rejoined Paul, and catching sight of the red line on hisfriend's cheek he instantly inquired the cause.

  "The signature of John the Strong," replied Paul, grimly, proceedingto explain.

  In describing the recent fracas Paul, not wishing to refer to CastelNuovo, suppressed the incident of the seal, making it appear that hisnon-salute of the duke was the cause of the quarrel.

  Trevisa listened with a look of the utmost consternation.

  "The damned savage!" he muttered. "Paul, you are rushing to certaindeath. The duke is mighty with the sabre. There is not his equal inall Czernova."

  "Small praise, seeing that Czernova is but small."

  "He has already fought thirty duels, seven of which ended fatally forhis opponent."

  "He won't fight more than his thirty-first. And, Noel, you must be mysecond."

  "Dare I? The princess is sternly opposed to duelling. Under the latePrince Thaddeus it was frightfully prevalent; Poles and Muscoviteswere for ever challenging and fighting each other. After her accessionZabern carried a bill making the duels a penal offence."

  "And yet the duke, though aware of this, gives a challenge! Humph!law-maker, law-breaker! And what are the penalties for infringing thelaw?"

  "Imprisonment for principals and seconds alike. If one should fall thesurvivor is to be put on his trial for murder. You are between thedevil and the deep sea, Paul. If the duke should win, you die; if youshould win, you die all the same at the hands of the Czernovese law,unless you take to immediate flight."

  What a picture was suggested by these last words! The duke lying dead,Barbara in mourning, and himself red-handed, flying from justice! Andyet there seemed no way out of the affair consistent with a soldier'shonor.

  "Listen, Paul, I have the ear of the princess. A word from me as towhat is about to happen, and--"

  "Would you have the duke point at me as the craven who shirked a fightby creeping behind the skirts of the princess, and begging forprotection? Anything but that! But Noel, you must not lose the favorof the princess on my account. Let me find some other second."

  "No, Paul, I were no true friend, if I did not stand by you in thisaffair. Here comes Baron Ostrova, the duke's secretary, and presumablyhis second, since he has usually acted as such in Bora's _affairesd'honneur_. What instructions, Paul?"

  "This evening. At six. Sabres. To the death."

  And Paul went on smoking as quietly as if a duel were an everydayevent with him.