I am Hillars,
the man you seek."
And I had forgotten his very existence! What did he know? What had he
seen?
"You may inform Count von Walden," continued Dan, "that I shall await
his advent with the greatest of impatience. Now let me add that you
are treating this gentleman with much injustice. I'll stake my life on
his courage. The Princess Hildegarde is alone responsible for what has
just happened."
"The Princess Hildegarde!" I cried.
Hillars went on: "Why she did this is none of your business or mine.
Why she substituted herself concerns her and this gentleman only. Now
go, and be hanged to you and your Prince and your Count, and your whole
stupid country. Come, Jack."
The fellow looked first at me, then at Dan.
"I apologize," he said to Dan, "for mistaking this man for you." He
clicked his heels, swung around, and marched off.
"Come," said Dan.
I dumbly followed him up to my room. He struck a match and lit the
candle.
"Got any tobacco?" he asked, taking out a black pipe. "I have not had
a good smoke in a week. I want to smoke awhile before I talk.
Pages:
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176