Truxton King | Page 9

kindness to an old man. Good day, sir, and--"
"Hold on! I think I'll walk over with you and have another look at that
broadsword. I'm--"
"To-morrow, sir. It is past time to close the shop for to-day. Come
to-morrow. Good day."
He was crossing the sidewalk nimbly before King could offer a word of

remonstrance. With a disappointed sigh, the American sank back in his
chair, and watched his odd companion scurry across the square.
Suddenly he became conscious of a disquieting feeling that some one
was looking at him intently from behind. He turned in his chair and
found himself meeting the gaze of a ferocious looking, military
appearing little man at a table near by. To his surprise, the little man's
fierce stare maintained its peculiarly personal intentness until he,
himself, was compelled to withdraw his own gaze in some little
confusion and displeasure. His waiter appeared at his elbow with the
change.
"Who the devil is that old man at the table there?" demanded young Mr.
King loudly.
The waiter assumed a look of extreme insolence. "That is Baron
Dangloss, Minister of Police. Anything more, sir?"
"Yes. What's he looking so hard at me for? Does he think I'm a
pickpocket?"
"You know as much as I, sir," was all that the waiter said in reply. King
pocketed the coin he had intended for the fellow, and deliberately left
the place. He could not put off the feeling, however, that the intense
stare of Baron Dangloss, the watch-dog of the land, followed him until
the corner of the wall intervened. The now incensed American glanced
involuntarily across the square in the direction of Spantz's shop. He saw
three mounted soldiers ride up to the curb and hail the armourer as he
started to close his doors. As he sauntered across the little square his
gaze suddenly shifted to a second-story window above the gun-shop.
The interesting young woman had cautiously pushed open one of the
shutters and was peering down upon the trio of red-coated guardsmen.
Almost at the same instant her quick, eager gaze fell upon the tall
American, now quite close to the horsemen. He saw her dark eyes
expand as if with surprise. The next instant he caught his breath and
almost stopped in his tracks.
A shy, impulsive smile played about her red lips for a second, lighting

up the delicate face with a radiance that amazed him. Then the shutter
was closed gently, quickly. His first feeling of elation was followed
instantly by the disquieting impression that it was a mocking smile of
amusement and not one of inviting friendliness. He felt his ears burn as
he abruptly turned off to the right, for, somehow, he knew that she was
peeping at him through the blinds and that something about his tall,
rangy figure was appealing to her sense of the ridiculous.
You will see at once that Truxton King, imaginative chap that he was,
had pounced upon this slim, attractive young woman as the only
plausible heroine for his prospective romance, and, as such, she could
not be guilty of forwardness or lack or dignity. Besides, first
impressions are always good ones: she had struck him at the outset as
being a girl of rare delicacy and refinement.
In the meantime, Baron Dangloss was watching him covertly from the
edge of the Café garden across the square.
CHAPTER II
A MEETING OF THE CABINET
At this time, the principality of Graustark was in a most prosperous
condition. Its affairs were under the control of an able ministry, headed
by the venerable Count Halfont. The Duke of Perse, for years a resident
of St. Petersburg, and a financier of high standing, had returned to
Edelweiss soon after the distressing death of the late Princess Yetive
and her American husband, and to him was entrusted the treasury
portfolio. He at once proceeded to endear himself to the common
people by the advocacy of a lower rate of taxation; this meant the
reduction of the standing army. He secured new and advantageous
treaties with old and historic foes, putting Graustark's financial credit
upon a high footing in the European capitals. The people smugly
regarded themselves as safe in the hands of the miserly but honest old
financier. If he accomplished many things by way of office to enhance
his own particular fortune, no one looked askance, for he made no
effort to blind or deceive his people. Of his honesty there could be no

question; of his financial operations, it is enough to say that the people
were satisfied to have their affairs linked with his.
The financing of the great railroad project by which Edelweiss was to
be connected with the Siberian line in the north, fell to his lot at a time
when no