Truxton King | Page 8

a despised and discredited
man in his own country, he still is a power among people high in the
government of more than one empire. The Duke of Perse realised this
when he compelled his daughter to accept him as her husband. The fair
Ingomede is less than twenty-five years of age; the Iron Count is fully
sixty-five."
"She ought to be rescued," was King's only comment, but there was no
mistaking the gleam of interest in his steady grey eyes.
"Rescued?" repeated the old man, with a broad grin. "And why? She is
mistress of one of the finest old castles in Austria, Schloss Marlanx,
and she is quite beautiful enough to have lovers by the score when the
Count grows a little blinder and less jealous. She is in Edelweiss at
present, visiting her father. The Count never comes here."
"I'd like to see her if she's really beautiful. I've seen but one pretty
woman in this whole blamed town--your niece, Herr Spantz. I've
looked 'em over pretty carefully, too. She is exceedingly attract--"

"Pardon me, sir, but it is not the custom in Graustark to discuss our
women in the public drinking places." King felt as if he had received a
slap in the face. He turned a fiery red under his tan and mumbled some
sort of an apology. "The Countess is a public personage, however, and
we may speak of her," went on the old man quickly, as the American,
in his confusion, called a waiter to replenish the tankards. The steely
glitter that leaped into the armourer's eyes at this second reference to
his niece disappeared as quickly as it came; somehow it left behind the
impression that he knew how to wield the deadly blades he wrought.
"I'd like to hear more about her," murmured Mr. King. "Anything to
pass the time away, Mr. Spantz. As I said before, I journeyed far to
reach this land of fair women and if there's one to be seen, I'm properly
eager to jump at the chance. I've been here two days and I've seen
nothing that could start up the faintest flutter around my heart. I'm sorry
to say, my good friend, that the women I've seen in the streets of
Edelweiss are not beauties. I won't say that they'd stop a clock, but
they'd cause it to lose two or three hours a day, all right enough."
"You will not find the beautiful women of Edelweiss in the streets, sir."
"Don't they ever go out shopping?"
"Hardly. The merchants, if you will but notice, carry their wares to the
houses of the noble and the rich. Graustark ladies of quality would no
more think of setting foot in a shop or bazaar than they would think of
entering a third class carriage. Believe me, there are many beautiful
women in the homes along Castle Avenue. Noblemen come hundreds
of miles to pay court to them."
"Just the same, I'm disgusted with the place. It's not what it's cracked
up to be. Saturday will see me on my way."
"To-morrow the garrison at the fortress marches in review before the
Prince. If you should happen to be on the avenue near the Castle gate at
twelve o'clock, you will see the beauty and chivalry of Graustark. The
soldiers are not the only ones who are on parade." There was an
unmistakable sneer in his tone.

"You don't care much for society, I'd say," observed Truxton, with a
smile.
Spantz's eyes flamed for an instant and then subtly resumed their most
ingratiating twinkle. "We cannot all be peacocks," he said quietly.
"You will see the Prince, his court and all the distinguished men of the
city and the army. You will also see that the man who rides beside the
Prince's carriage wheel is an American, while Graustark nobles take
less exalted places."
"An American, eh?"
"Yes. Have you not heard of John Tullis, the Prince's friend?"
"Another seven-year-old?"
"Not at all. A grown man, sir. He, your countryman, is the real power
behind our throne. On his deathbed, the Prince's father placed his son in
this American's charge and begged him to stand by him through thick
and thin until the lad is able to take care of himself. As if there were not
loyal men in Graustark who might have done as much for their Prince!"
King looked interested. "I see. The people, no doubt, resent this
espionage. Is that it?"
Spantz gave him a withering look, as much as to say that he was a fool
to ask such a question in a place so public. Without replying, he got to
his feet and made ready to leave the little garden.
"I must return. I have been away too long. Thank you, sir, for your