CHAPTER VI
ZARKA PLAYS TERRORIST
Next day, as the two friends were preparing for a morning’s sport, they were surprised by a visit from no less a personage than Count Zarka himself. He came in, all smiles, to invite them to Rozsnyo.
“I really cannot allow you to live here like gipsies,” he said, “when I have a great, almost empty house, within a stone’s throw. You must be my guests while you stay in the forest.”
His manner was polished and civil to a degree which with some people would have seemed charming, yet somehow to the two men it was in the matter of sincerity absolutely unconvincing. The invitation was declined as gracefully as possible, but without hesitation. They liked the free life of the forest, Von Tressen said, the novel change in their mode of existence. Moreover, they were not prepared for visiting, and would feel uncomfortable in a big house.
Zarka forebore to press the invitation beyond the slight combating of their excuses which the appearance of sincerity demanded.
“At least,” he said with his somewhat sinister smile, “you must let me make you free of that part of the forest which is my preserve. I can promise you good sport there.”
They thanked him and could not well refuse.
“Now,” he continued, “if you will not stay at my somewhat formidable house, you will at least not refuse to come and see it. You have doubtless an hour to spare this afternoon. I have some curiosities which may interest you, and the view from my Belvidere is magnificent. I may expect you? Yes?”
Von Tressen glanced at Galabin, who, without hesitation, accepted the invitation. Whereupon with a parting volley of polite remarks and small-talk the Count wheeled his horse and with a flourish rode off.
“An interesting specimen of character,” Galabin observed as they stood watching him down the forest road. “I wonder why he wanted us to stay at Rozsnyo; that is, if he did want us, which I doubt.”