30 Suspense and Thriller Masterpieces. Гилберт Кит Честертон

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      Chapter 13 THE KINGDOM OF HESSE-WEIMAR

      "Has Monsieur le Baron any trunks to be examined? This is the Hesse-Weimar Customs."

      These words, spoken in a respectful but guttural voice, startled Juve from the deep sleep into which he had fallen after a very unpleasant night. The detective opened his eyes and stretched himself.

      The pale light of dawn struggled through the windows of the sleeping car, the curtains of which had been carefully drawn. Outside nothing was to be seen, for besides the mud which covered the windows a heavy fog lay over the country.

      The train came to a standstill, and before Juve stood an individual dressed in an elegant blue and yellow uniform plentifully covered with gold braid. Juve looked around to see the man who was being addressed by the title of Monsieur le Baron and finally came to the conclusion that it was himself to whom the man was speaking.

      "Why do you call me Monsieur le Baron?" The man touched his hat deferentially and seemed very surprised at the question.

      "Why, Monsieur … it's the custom. No one but the nobility travel first class."

      Juve smiled and replied:

      "That's all right, my friend, but in the future call me simply, 'Marquis.'"

      The official again saluted and seizing Juve's valise traced on it the cabalistic chalk mark which allowed it to pass the frontier.

      The evening before, the detective had taken his seat in the 10.50 express from the Gare du Nord in Paris for Cologne and Berlin. He had the good luck to find that a sleeping car had been attached to the end of the train which would take him directly to Glotzbourg. At the frontier he changed into a local, which jogged peacefully along, stopping every few minutes at small stations. The country of Hesse-Weimar spread out attractive and varied. Numerous small hills crowned with woods succeeded the green valleys they passed through. The houses were Swiss in architecture and seemed built for comfort and elegance. The little Kingdom seemed to breathe peace, simplicity and well-being. On his arrival at Hesse-Weimar, Juve had not been without some apprehension. During his last interview with Monsieur Annion he had put forward the opinion that an investigation in Hesse-Weimar would do much to clear up the mystery surrounding the affair. As a matter of fact, it was more to gain time than for any other reason that Juve had suggested this. He had not mentioned to his chief that his real object in going to Glotzbourg was to try to obtain a clue as to the real or apparent disappearance of the King Frederick-Christian II.

      The formal declaration of the grotesque Wulf had reassured the French authorities as to the fate of the King, but to Juve, who knew that Fandor was installed at the Royal Palace, the search for the real King was of paramount importance.

      "Glotzbourg… . All out!"

      The detective seized his bag, hurried out of the car, hailed a cab and drove to the Hotel Deux-Hemispheres, which had been recommended by his colleague. After engaging his room Juve asked the porter to telephone to the police to find out when Heberlauf could see him. While waiting for the reply he took a bath and changed his clothes.

      After having washed and shaved, he was about to go down to the lobby of the Hotel when a knock came at the door.

      "Come in!" he cried.

      A very tall and thin individual with a parchment-like face entered and bowed ceremoniously.

      "To whom have I the honor… ?" Juve inquired.

      "I am Monsieur Heberlauf, head of the police at Hesse-Weimar… . Have I the pleasure of speaking to Monsieur Juve?"

      Juve, surprised at the visit, excused the disorder of the room and tried to make his guest comfortable.

      "Monsieur Wulf advised me of your intended visit to our Capital."

      In a very few moments Juve was able to size up his man, who seemed only too anxious to impart information about himself and his affairs. While quite as simple-minded as Wulf, he appeared far more sinister. Juve also divined without much difficulty that his wife, Madame Heloise Heberlauf, was the best informed woman in the kingdom regarding gossip and scandal.

      "In fact," declared the chief of police, "I can be of very little assistance to you, Monsieur. But my wife can give you all the information you need."

      Juve made it clear to Monsieur Heberlauf that he wished to obtain an entry to the Court as soon as possible.

      Monsieur Heberlauf replied that nothing would be easier than a presentation to the Queen. It happened that she was receiving in the afternoon, and Madame Heberlauf would take the necessary steps for his introduction. He ended by saying:

      "Do come and lunch with us without ceremony. You will have plenty of time afterward to dress for the reception… . Have you a Court costume?"

      Juve had overlooked that item.