The Vagrant Duke. Gibbs George

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СКАЧАТЬ said Boris Rylov and Leo Garshin.

      CHAPTER I

      INTRODUCING PETER NICHOLS

      The British refugee ship Phrygia was about to sail for Constantinople where her unfortunate passengers were to be transferred to other vessels sailing for Liverpool and New York. After some difficulties the refugee made his way aboard her and announced his identity to the captain. If he had expected to be received with the honor due to one of his rank and station he was quickly undeceived, for Captain Blashford, a man of rough manners, concealing a gentle heart, looked him over critically, examined his credentials (letters he had happened to have about him), and then smiled grimly.

      "We've got room for one more – and that's about all."

      "I have no money – " began the refugee.

      "Oh, that's all right," shrugged the Captain, "you're not the only one. We've a cargo of twenty princes, thirty-two princesses, eighteen generals and enough counts and countesses to set up a new nation somewhere. Your 'Ighness is the only Duke that has reached us up to the present speakin' and if there are any others, they'll 'ave to be brisk for we're sailin' in twenty minutes."

      The matter-of-fact tones with which the unemotional Britisher made this announcement restored the lost sense of humor of the Russian refugee, and he broke into a grim laugh.

      "An embarrassment of riches," remarked the Grand Duke.

      "Riches," grunted the Captain, "in a manner of speakin', yes. Money is not so plentiful. But jools! Good God! There must be half a ton of diamonds, rubies and emeralds aboard. All they're got left most of 'em, but complaints and narvousness. Give me a cargo of wheat and I'm your man," growled the Captain. "It stays put and doesn't complain," and then turning to Peter – "Ye're not expectin' any r'yal suite aboard the Phrygia, are ye?"

      "No. A hammock for'rad will be good enough for me."

      "That's the way I like to 'ear a man talk. Good God! As man to man, I arsk you, – with Counts throwin' cigarette butts around an' princesses cryin' all over my clean white decks an' all, what's a self-respectin' skipper to do? But I 'ave my orders to fetch the odd lot to Constantinople an' fetch 'em I will. Oh! They're odd – all right. Go below, sir, an' 'ave a look at 'em."

      But Peter Nicholaevitch shook his head. He had been doing a deal of quiet thinking in those starry nights upon the Dnieper, and he had worked out his problem alone.

      "No, thanks," he said quietly, "if you don't mind, I think I'd rather preserve my incognito."

      "Incognito, is it? Oh, very well, suit yourself. And what will I be callin' your Highness?"

      "Peter Nichols," said the Grand Duke with a smile, "it's as good as any other."

      "Right you are, Peter Nichols. Lay for'rad and tell the bos'n to show you up to my cabin."

      So Peter Nichols went forward, avoiding the cargo aft, until within a day's run of the Bosphorus when he found himself accosted by no less a person than Prince Galitzin who had strolled out to get the morning air. He tried to avoid the man but Galitzin planted himself firmly in his path, scrutinizing him eagerly.

      "You too, Highness!" he said with an accent of grieved surprise.

      The Grand Duke regarded him in a moment of silence.

      "It must be evident to you, Prince Galitzin, that I have some object in remaining unknown."

      "But, Your Highness, such a thing is unnecessary. Are we not all dedicated to the same misfortunes? Misery loves company."

      "You mean that it makes you less miserable to discover that I share your fate?"

      "Not precisely that. It is merely that if one holding your liberal views cannot escape the holocaust that has suddenly fallen there is little hope for the rest of us."

      "No," said the Grand Duke shortly. "There is no hope, none at all, for us or for Russia."

      "Where are you going?"

      "To America."

      "But, your Highness, that is impossible. We shall all have asylum in England until conditions change. You should go there with us. It will lend influence to our mission."

      "No."

      "Why?"

      "I am leaving Russia for the present. She is outcast. For, not content with betraying others, she has betrayed herself."

      "But what are you going to do?"

      Peter Nicholaevitch smiled up at the sky and the fussy, fat, bejeweled sycophant before him listened to him in amazement.

      "Prince Galitzin," said the Grand Duke amusedly, "I am going to do that which may bring the blush of shame to your brow or the sneer of pity to your lips. I am going to fulfill the destiny provided for every man with a pair of strong hands, and a willing spirit – I am going to work."

      The Prince stepped back a pace, his watery eyes snapping in incomprehension.

      "But your higher destiny – your great heritage as a Prince of the Royal blood of Holy Russia."

      "There is no Holy Russia, my friend, until she is born again. Russia is worse than traitor, worse than liar, worse than murderer and thief. She is a fool."

      "All will come right in time. We go to England to wait."

      "I have other plans."

      "Then you will not join us? Princess Anastasie, my daughter, is here. General Seminoff – "

      "It is useless. I have made up my mind. Leave me, if you please."

      Prince Galitzin disappeared quickly below to spread the information of his discovery among the disconsolate refugees and it was not long before it was known from one end of the Phrygia to the other that the fellow who called himself Peter Nichols was none other than the Grand Duke Peter Nicholaevitch, a cousin to his late Majesty Nicholas and a Prince of the Royal blood. Peter Nichols sought the Captain in his cabin, putting the whole case before him.

      "H-m," chuckled the Captain, "Found ye out, did they? There's only a few of you left, that's why. Better stay 'ere in my cabin until we reach Constantinople. I'd be honored, 'Ighness, to say nothin' of savin' you a bit of bother."

      "You're very kind."

      "Not at all. Make yourself at 'ome. There's cigarettes on the locker and a nip of the Scotch to keep the chill out. Here's a light. You've been worryin' me some, 'Ighness. Fact is I didn't know just how big a bug you were until to-day when I arsked some questions. You'll forgive me, 'Ighness?"

      "Peter Nichols," corrected the Grand Duke.

      "No," insisted the Captain, "we'll give you yer title while we can. You know we British have a bit of a taste for r'yalty when we know it's the real thing. I don't take much stock in most of my cargo aft. And beggin' yer 'Ighness's pardon I never took much stock in Russia since she lay down on the job and left the Allies in the lurch – "

      "Captain Blashford," said the Grand Duke quietly. "You can't hurt my feelings."

      "But I do like you, 'Ighness, and I want to do all that I can to 'elp you when we get to anchor."

      "Thanks."

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