The Vagrant Duke | Page 7

out, did they? There's only a
few of you left, that's why. Better stay 'ere in my cabin until we reach
Constantinople. I'd be honored, 'Ighness, to say nothin' of savin' you a
bit of bother."
"You're very kind."
"Not at all. Make yourself at 'ome. There's cigarettes on the locker and
a nip of the Scotch to keep the chill out. Here's a light. You've been
worryin' me some, 'Ighness. Fact is I didn't know just how big a bug

you were until to-day when I arsked some questions. You'll forgive me,
'Ighness?"
"Peter Nichols," corrected the Grand Duke.
"No," insisted the Captain, "we'll give you yer title while we can. You
know we British have a bit of a taste for r'yalty when we know it's the
real thing. I don't take much stock in most of my cargo aft. And beggin'
yer 'Ighness's pardon I never took much stock in Russia since she lay
down on the job and left the Allies in the lurch--"
"Captain Blashford," said the Grand Duke quietly. "You can't hurt my
feelings."
"But I do like you, 'Ighness, and I want to do all that I can to 'elp you
when we get to anchor."
"Thanks."
"I take it that you don't want anybody ashore to know who ye are?"
"Exactly. Most of these refugees are going to England. I have reasons
for not wishing to go with them."
"Where then do you propose to go?"
"To the United States," said the Grand Duke eagerly.
"Without money?"
"I'd have no money if I went to England unless I subsisted on the
charity of my friends. My branch of the family is not rich. The war has
made us poorer. Such securities as I have are in a vault in Kiev. It
would be suicide for me to attempt to reclaim them now. I'm going to
try to make my own way."
"Impossible!"
The Grand Duke laughed at the Englishman's expression.

"Why?"
"Yer 'ands, 'Ighness."
The Grand Duke shrugged and grinned.
"I'll risk it. I'm not without resources. Will you help me to a ship sailing
for America?"I
"Yes--but--"
"Oh, I'll work my passage over--if nobody bothers me."
"By George! I like your spirit. Give me your 'and, sir. I'll do what I can.
If the Bermudian hasn't sailed from the Horn yet, I think I can manage
it for ye."
"And keep me clear of the rest of your passengers?" added His
Highness.
"Right-o. They'll go on the Semaphore. You stay right 'ere and mum's
the word." And Captain Blashford went out on deck leaving Peter
Nichols to his cigarette and his meditations.
Many times had the Grand Duke Peter given thanks that the blood of
his mother flowed strongly in his veins. He was more British than
Russian and he could remember things that had happened since he had
grown to adolescence which had made the half of him that was English
revolt against the Russian system. It was perhaps his musical education
rather than his University training or his travels in England and France
that had turned him to the Intelligentsia. In the vast republic of art and
letters he had imbibed the philosophy that was to threaten the very
existence of his own clan. The spread of the revolution had not
dismayed him, for he believed that in time the pendulum would swing
back and bring a constitutional government to Russia. But in the weeks
of struggle, privation, and passion a new Peter Nicholaevitch was born.
The failure of his plans in the sudden flood of anarchy which had swept

over Zukovo, the treachery of those he had thought faithful and the
attempt upon his life had changed his viewpoint. It takes a truly noble
spirit to wish to kiss the finger that has pulled the trigger of a revolver,
the bullet from which has gone through one's hat. From disappointment
and dismay Peter Nicholaevitch had turned to anger. They hadn't
played the game with him. It wasn't cricket. His resolution to sail for
the United States was decided. To throw himself, an object of charity,
upon the mercies of the Earl of Shetland, his mother's cousin, was not
to be thought of.
To his peasants he had preached the gospel of labor, humility and peace,
in that state of life to which they had been called. He had tried to
exemplify it to them. He could do no less now, to himself. By teaching
himself, he could perhaps fit himself to teach them. In England it would
perhaps be difficult to remain incognito, and he had a pride in wishing
to succeed alone and unaided. Only the United States, whose form of
government more nearly approached the ideal he had for Russia, could
offer him the opportunities to discover whether or