"I am deeply sorry, but you cannot be allowed to leave the house.
Those are the agents of the police."
Footsteps and men"s voices were in the hall.
"They dare not keep me here!"
"While your delusions remain, I fear they will not let you go. But if you give me that letter, I will do what I can for you."
"If I could believe you," I cried with agitation; and I took another paper from my pocket.
"I should like to be your friend, and will," he said, hurriedly.
I gave him the false letter, and cried, "I can escape this way. Detain them here."
I ran towards the window, tripped intentionally, and half-falling flung the inkstand through the gla.s.s.
"Stop," cried Gustav, in a loud voice. "This is not what I want."
The crash of the gla.s.s brought the men into the room, and one of them ran and placed himself between the window and me.
Glancing out, I saw James Perry pa.s.s the house, running at full speed.
My ruse had succeeded. The signal had been heard, although Gustav suspected nothing, and all I had now to do was to waste a little time while I waited for his Excellency.
I took advantage of my apparent fall to thrust Gareth"s letter into my bosom. Brutal as the police might be, they still had women searched by women; and my one piece of tangible evidence was safe for the time.
I got up, holding my handkerchief to my hand, as though I had cut it in falling, and sitting down breathed hard, as one does in pain or agitation.
"This lady attempted to escape by the window, Lieutenant Varga, and has apparently hurt herself in consequence," said Count Gustav, to the man who was seemingly in charge of the party.
It was best for me of course to say nothing; so I just gripped my hand and swayed backwards and forwards in imaginary pain.
"It is a case for us then, Excellency?" asked the man.
"Let your men see that this lady does not leave the room, and I will explain the matter to you as we go over the house."
Nothing could have suited me better. The two left the room, and I threw myself on the couch. I did not care thirty cents what story he concocted.
They were absent a few minutes, and the official returned alone, bringing my hat and cloak.
"I shall have to ask you to accompany us, madam," he said, with some touch of pity in his tone. "I have no doubt all can be explained. But you have a letter I must ask you to give me."
"I shall not give it you. And I shall not go with you."
"You will only make my duty more painful by refusing."
"I can"t help that."
He signed to his men, and as they came and stood by the couch I heard another carriage drive up to the door.
"On second thoughts, I will go with you," I said, and got up.
"I am obliged to you," was the reply, with a grave bow. He waited while I put on my hat. I was really listening for General von Erlanger"s voice. I heard it at length.
"I am ready," I declared; and he opened the door, only to start back in surprise and to draw himself up stiffly as his Excellency entered.
"What is this?"
"Ah, I am glad your Excellency has arrived in time to see me being arrested as a lunatic," I said, sweetly, as I put my hand in his.
"Good-bye."
The General gave me first a grim smile, and then glanced round at the police officials.
Count Gustav, not knowing who had arrived, came in then, and the General turned to him slowly, but with instant appreciation of the position.
It was indeed a very interesting situation; and Count Gustav looked exceedingly uncomfortable.
CHAPTER XXI
HIS EXCELLENCY TO THE RESCUE
I have said somewhere that I did not take General von Erlanger"s importance at his own estimate of it; but what occurred that morning might well have induced me to reconsider that opinion. Certainly none of those present in the room shared it. They all, including Count Gustav himself, stood in considerable awe of him.
A slight wave of the hand sent Lieutenant Varga and his men out of the room; and until they had gone and the door closed behind them, not another word was spoken.
I threw my cloak over the back of a chair, sat down, and began to study Count Gustav"s face. He stood leaning against a cabinet, alternately frowning and smiling as he strove to think what line to take.
"Miss von Dreschler is of course my friend." This use of my name chased the smiles away. "I know her to be anything but a lunatic--she is saner than a good many of us, indeed--so that I am sure you would wish to explain this, Count."
"You know her by that name, then?"
"Oh, yes. I know her history."
"Do you know what has occurred in this house?"
"She will tell me in a moment if I ask her."
"Certainly, I will--if Count Gustav desires it," I chimed in.
"She has preferred a very odious accusation against me, General, and has shown such a strange prejudice, as the result of certain delusions she entertains, that I deem it necessary for the state of her mind to be inquired into."
"What is the accusation?"
"Nothing less than that I have endeavoured to compa.s.s the death of my brother."
"Yes, that is grave enough and odious enough. To whom has the accusation been made?"