“You’re my good angel,” he said; “you came at the psychological moment; another instant and I would have sent them all to the devil.”
She slipped her arm around his neck, and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
“And then the sunrise,” she whispered, with a shudder.
He caught her to him.
“And even Paris is better than that, my duchess!” he cried; “Paris or anywhere, with you.”... Presently he laughed. “I should like to see Dehra’s face when she opens that book,” he said.
Madeline Spencer sprang up, pointing to the clock.
“We are wasting time,” she exclaimed. “Don’t you see that we must go to Dornlitz this very night—that, now, to-morrow will be too late.”
“You’re right!” he said; and, with wrinkled brow and half-closed eyes, sat, thinking—then: “We may not use a special train, for we must go disguised; but the express for the South passes Porgia at four o’clock; we will take it; if it’s on time we shall be in Dornlitz at seven in the evening, which will allow us an hour to get to the Summer Palace—after eight o’clock not even I would be admitted, in the absence of the Regent. Should we be delayed, as is very likely, we can go out early the following morning. The American won’t know we left here, and will not be in any state to return—and even if he is, it’s not probable he will leave before late to-morrow night, which will bring him to the Capital about noon—long after we have been in the library and got the Book.” He strode to the door and shouted into the corridor for Durant.... “Captain,” said he, “have the fastest pair and strongest carriage before the door at once. Madame and I are off instantly for the Capital; but see that no one in the Castle knows it; close the gates, and let none depart. In half an hour, send four of your trustiest men to cut the telephone line, in various places, between Porgia and Dalberg Castle; keep it cut all day, and prevent, in every way possible, any messages reaching the Castle. If the Regent, or the American Archduke, leave by train before to-morrow night, wire me immediately. Do you understand?—then away.... Come along, Duchess, only ten minutes to dress!”
With a laugh he swung her up in his arms and bore her to the doorway, snatched a kiss, and left her.