Blood Royal Read Online Free PDF Page B

case. Till you appear and start talking, Johann, Grieg and Co. can have it all their own way: but once the Prince knows what’s happened, Johann won’t dare to touch you – that’s common sense. And now get ready. I’m coming with you .” The Duke started, and the old lady rose to her feet. “I may as well be at Vigil, and – well, it’d rather amuse me to flatten Johann.”
    Before he could answer she was gone, and, since there was no point in our waiting, we took our leave of her great-aunt and made our way back to the car.
    I was astounded at this complete change of front. Her declarations apart, three hours ago I could have sworn that the girl did not care a farthing whether Duke Paul or his cousin came to the throne. More. She had seemed to care for his honour less than he cared for it himself. This in cold blood. Such an outlook had not surprised me. To know him was to lose interest in such a man. And now…
    As Hanbury took his seat, I reflected that it was at least more pleasant to carry to Vigil one who was worth her salt.
     
    We were twenty miles from the frontier when I saw a closed car ahead by the side of the road. Of this I thought little enough, but we had encountered very little traffic, and I think that when you are moving on empty roads you always observe a car which is standing still.
    As we drew near, I could see that someone was standing beside the car and was watching us closely, as though he were more than half minded to signal to us to stop; but, when we drew nearer, I saw him turn back to his car and shake his head.
    I was wondering what was his business and for whom, if not us, he was watching, when he looked round again. The next instant he was out in the road and was waving his arms.
    Hanbury spoke over his shoulder.
    “Am I to stop?”
    “What? Yes. Stop!” cried the Duke. “Stop, man, stop! It’s the police . Good old Weber.” I heard him slap his thigh. “Marya Dresden must have told him. Oh, my aunt, what a scream!”
    I give his own words, as he spoke them, for, though as a rule, he spoke German, he very often used English and spoke it extremely well. But I cannot represent his jubilant tone or the awkwardness of the silence which succeeded his speech. The man was above shame.
    As George set his foot upon the brake, another man came running to join the first. Both wore a grey uniform which was bound with green.
    As the car stopped, they saluted.
    “Pardon, your Highness,” said the first, who had stripes on his sleeve, “but we have been sent to escort you.”
    “That’s the style,” said the Duke, and, without asking Hanbury or me, he bade them mount the Rolls and stand on her running-boards.
    The sergeant looked ill-at-ease.
    “Your Highness will excuse me,” he said, “but we were instructed that your Highness would use the police car.”
    The Duke frowned.
    The Rolls was very good-looking and moved like a bird on the wing: the other was closed and shabby and the noisy fuss of its engine promised a less pleasant ride.
    “No,” he said shortly. “I’m going to stay where I am. Get on the step, as I tell you, and your driver can follow behind.”
    “Your Highness will forgive me,” said the sergeant, “but we have had special instructions not to go by the bridge at Elsa, but to follow a devious route.”
    There was a little silence.
    Then—
    “Does the chauffeur know the way?” said the Duke.
    “Yes, your Highness, he does. And he alone. So—”
    “Then we’ll follow him,” said the Duke, lighting a cigarette.
    There was nothing more to be said, and, though George and I were raging inwardly, for the sake of the Grand Duchess we held our peace.
    One minute later we were again under way.
    Our speed was now much lower, for our pilot was not a swift car and was troubled by every rise. Very soon, moreover, it left the main road, leading us into country through which no car could hasten, for the roads were none too wide and very crooked, the hills severe and