A Modern Mercenary. Prichard Kate

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СКАЧАТЬ the three present lieutenants, viz. Unziar, Varanheim, and Adolf, had joined on the same day, and by way of supporting the traditions of their immediate predecessors each instantly agreed to challenge each of the others, the result of which would in all probability have been the speedy occurrence of three fresh vacancies, in the list of officers.

      Wallenloup heard of this and sent for the lieutenants, whom he considered too valuable to be thus easily lost.

      'Gentlemen,' he began, 'I am about to enforce an old order that expressly forbids quarrels amongst the members of our corps. If you want to fight, fight some one else. There are plenty of men who stand badly in need of being killed. Turn your attention to them. But if any trouble should arise between any two of you, come to me. There has been enough of this kind of scandal about us lately, and therefore for the future we will do the thing quietly with a pack of cards, or, if you prefer it, with dice. The man who loses can – go. There is the river, or for choice, his own pistol. You understand me?'

      Varanheim looked at Unziar and Unziar looked at Adolf, and they smiled.

      'I think,' said little Adolf, 'we might find others to brawl with.'

      'The river is abominably cold,' added Unziar.

      'And the same dish is served for us all,' concluded Varanheim.

      Wallenloup laughed.

      'I have laid the alternative before you, gentlemen,' he said, 'the cards or the dice.'

      This was the story that rose in the minds of the men round the mess table, and a minute later they joined in a simultaneous shout of laughter. Adiron's big face was flushed as he called for a special brand of champagne wherein to drink the Colonel's health.

      'He's magnificent – the old man!' he said when he could speak. 'Let him alone. He's equal to any mortal occasion! He reminds me of the day when his Imperial Majesty over the border complimented him on the appearance of the Guard, saying he should feel proud to number us amongst the regiments of the German army. "And I can assure your Majesty that the feeling of admiration is entirely reciprocal," says the C.O. "We should be happy to incorporate your army in ours!"'

      The men had heard the story often before, but it was greeted with all the relish of novelty, a quality which lives eternally in any anecdote that tells on one's own side.

      Before the laughter had subsided another man entered the room. He was, perhaps, nearer thirty than twenty, and the face under his dull, colourless hair was singularly pale, but there was promise of great strength in the long angular body.

      'My congratulations, Unziar.' Colendorp turned to the new-comer.

      'Thanks. By the way, have you heard of Insermann? Gone out, they tell me.'

      'Yes. And have you heard of the new appointment?'

      'No. But it's Abenfeldt, of course. The Colonel as good as promised him last year.'

      'Ever heard of Lieutenant Rallywood of the frontier?' demanded Colendorp in his slow way.

      'Yes, I do happen to know him.' Unziar looked round in some surprise. 'He was the frontier fellow who undertook to be my second at the station when I fought De Balsas because he insisted that our trains were inferior to those in Germany. Rallywood – you don't mean to say?' a slow comprehension dawning upon him. 'But it's impossible! The fellow's an Englishman. How could such a thing be possible? On the frontier, yes, but not in the Guard!'

      Colendorp was a silent, reserved man, disliked by persons who met him casually in society, but to those who inhabited with him the quarters at the Palace he stood as the impersonation of the grim spirit of the Guard. He drew away from the table and crossed his legs.

      'The idea has at length occurred to one man,' he with his glance on Unziar's pale face, 'to M. Selpdorf, in fact.'

      Unziar looked back at his interlocutor, his eyes hardening.

      'Of course,' he said, bringing out each word distinctly, 'Rallywood must be got rid of.'

      'It will offend M. Selpdorf if his nominee be interfered with,' went on Colendorp.

      'I have already undertaken that little matter,' put in Adolf eagerly.

      There was an undercurrent of meaning in all this of which each man present was fully aware. Unziar was presumed to have very strong private reasons to propitiate rather than to offend the powerful Minister. But this happened to be a typical instance in which the interests of the corps over-rode those of the individual. Moreover the custom of the Guard required the individual most concerned to prove his loyalty at such times.

      Colendorp continued to gaze at Unziar.

      'We are much obliged to you, Adolf,' he said courteously; 'but in compliment to his comrades I feel sure that Unziar will hardly wish to allow any other to undertake this special matter.'

      Adolf would have spoken again, but Unziar stopped him.

      'As a personal favour, Adolf, leave it to me,' he said.

      Adiron, who had thus far taken no part in the discussion, now struck in.

      'But remember, Unziar, that you must act with caution. For obvious reasons there must be no apparent design. The dispute, whatever it may turn upon, must appear to come about naturally. Above all, it must not take place here.'

      'Precautions from Adiron!' remarked Colendorp with a thin smile. 'The affair becomes serious indeed!'

      'We cannot afford to offend England while Elmur is at work in this country. She is at this moment our very good friend,' Adiron observed apologetically. 'There will be many public occasions – at the Palace ball, for example.'

      'You may trust me to keep up appearances,' said Unziar. 'Then it is understood that I arrange the affair of Captain Rallywood at the Palace ball if possible. The matter may safely be left in my hands.'

      Once more the folding doors were thrown back, and between the crimson portieres appeared the face of Colonel Wallenloup, charged with a strange expression. He advanced a step or two into the room, then turned to introduce a man behind him.

      'Captain Rallywood, gentlemen,' he said.

      CHAPTER IV

      DANGER SIGNALS

      A week later Rallywood returned from the frontier to take up his appointment in the Guard. Advised by a note from Wallenloup that his quarters were not yet in readiness for him at the Palace, he drove direct to the Continental on his arrival in Révonde.

      Here presently Counsellor dropped in upon him. Rallywood was in his dressing-room, transforming himself as rapidly as possible into the likeness of an English gamekeeper; for a magnificent festivity in the shape of a masked ball was about to take place at the Palace. All the world had been invited, and as many of the world as could go were going, each with his or her own dream or purpose, as the case might be.

      Major Counsellor sat and surveyed his friend, occasionally offering suggestions and remarks.

      'Are you aware that the Guard of Maäsau never condescends to show itself in Révonde in any costume but its own blazing uniform? I see you have your edition of it lying on the chair over there. Why are you not conforming with their amiable peculiarities?'

      Rallywood had his back to Counsellor at the moment.

      'So СКАЧАТЬ