Truxton King | Page 5

up materially since the Americans began to come. They don't
want a thing if it is cheap."

"I'll give you a hundred dollars for it, Mr.--er--" he looked at the sign
on the open door--"Mr. Spantz."
"Good day, sir." The old man was bowing him out of the shop. King
was amused.
"Let's talk it over. What's the least you'll take in real money?"
"I don't want your money. Good day."
Truxton King felt his chin in perplexity. In all his travels he had found
no other merchant whom he could not "beat down" two or three
hundred per cent. on an article.
"It's too much. I can't afford it," he said, disappointment in his eyes.
"I have modern blades of my own make, sir, much cheaper and quite as
good," ventured the excellent Mr. Spantz.
"You make 'em?" in surprise.
The old man straightened his bent figure with sudden pride. "I am
armourer to the crown, sir. My blades are used by the nobility--not by
the army, I am happy to say. Spantz repairs the swords and guns for the
army, but he welds only for the gentlemen at court."
"I see. Tradition, I suppose."
"My great-grandfather wrought blades for the princes a hundred years
ago. My son will make them after I am gone, and his son after him. I,
sir, have made the wonderful blade with the golden hilt and scabbard
which the little Prince carries on days of state. It was two years in the
making. There is no other blade so fine. It is so short that you would
laugh at it as a weapon, and yet you could bend it double. Ah, there was
a splendid piece of work, sir. You should see the little toy to appreciate
it. There are diamonds and rubies worth 50,000 gavvos set in the
handle. Ah, it is--"
Truxton's eyes were sparkling once more. Somehow he was amused by

the sudden garrulousness of the old armourer. He held up his hand to
check the flow of words.
"I say, Herr Spantz, or Monsieur, perhaps, you are the first man I've
met who has volunteered to go into rhapsodies for my benefit. I'd like
to have a good long chat with you. What do you say to a mug of that
excellent beer over in the Café garden? Business seems to be a little
dull. Can't you--er--lock up?"
Spantz looked at him keenly under his bushy brows, his little black
eyes fairly boring holes into King's brain, so to speak.
"May I ask what brings you to Edelweiss?" he asked abruptly.
"I don't mind telling you, Mr. Spantz, that I'm here because I'm
somewhat of a fool. False hopes led me astray. I thought Graustark was
the home, the genesis of Romance, and I'm more or less like that chap
we've read about, who was always in search of adventure. Somehow,
Graustark hasn't come up to expectations. Up to date, this is the slowest
burg I've ever seen. I'm leaving next Saturday for Vienna."
"I see," cackled Spantz, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "You thought
you could capture wild and beautiful princesses here just as you pleased,
eh? Let me tell you, young man, only one American--only one
foreigner, in fact--has accomplished that miracle. Mr. Lorry came here
ten years ago and won the fairest flower Graustark ever produced-the
beautiful Yetive--but he was the only one. I suppose you are surprised
to find Graustark a solid, prosperous, God-fearing little country, whose
people are wise and happy and loyal. You have learned, by this time,
that we have no princesses for you to protect. It isn't as it was when Mr.
Lorry came and found Her Serene Highness in mediæval difficulties.
There is a prince on the throne to-day--you've seen him?"
"No. I'm not looking for princes. I've seen hundreds of 'em in all parts
of the world."
"Well, you should see Prince Robin before you scoff. He's the most
wonderful little man in all the world."

"I've heard of nothing but him, my good Mr. Spantz. He's seven years
old and he looks like his mother and he's got a jewelled sword and all
that sort of thing. I daresay he's a nice little chap. Got American blood
in him, you see."
"Do not let any one hear you laugh about him, sir. The people worship
him. If you laugh too publicly, you may have your hands full of
adventures in a very few minutes--and your body full of fine steel
blades. We are very proud of our Prince."
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Spantz. I didn't mean lesé majesté. I'm bored,
that's all. You wouldn't blame me for being sore if you'd come as far as
I have and got as little for your pains. Why, hang it all, this morning