A WASTREL
It was scarcely dawn when I rode out of Buyda on my way back to Schönvalhof. With a feeling of relief I struck the high road and entered the open country. Buyda, beautiful city though it undoubtedly was, had become hateful to me as a veritable net of sinister intrigue, with that great relentless spider sitting in the midst marking down his prey.
I reached Schönvalhof without incident, and before many people were astir. The house was closed, and I was considerably reassured (for I had my fears), after ringing a loud peal at the bell, to see presently Lindheim’s face at the window. He seemed more relieved than even I, and ran down to let me in.
“A delightful night I have passed!” he exclaimed. “I made sure when midnight came and you had not returned, that you had paid the penalty of your rashness. Well, what news?”
I related the events of my day in Buyda; my interview with Rallenstein, my visit to the Baroness and meeting with Count Furello, and lastly, the episode of the fan.
“You will not think me a broken reed, my dear Lindheim,” I said in conclusion, “when you learn I have only called in here on my way to the Geierthal. That girl is in awful danger, is quite helpless in the hands of these villains, and I should be worse than a coward if, after having received that appeal, I should ignore it and make no attempt to save her.”
“I quite agree with you,” he said, “but fear you can do nothing. There is no law to which you can appeal, which is not at once over-ruled by the higher law of political expediency. Count Furello is, as we know, the Jaguar’s paw. Although he holds a good position in his part of the country, they say Rallenstein knows enough against him to bring him to the scaffold to-morrow if he wished. No doubt he has been watching us here, superintending the work of his confederates, and has only left because he was wanted for this business, and his master sent for him. You will run a great risk, my friend.”
“That is nothing,” I replied; “any present danger is better than a life-long self-reproach. My only regret is that it involves my deserting you.”
He laughed. “Not necessarily. For, if you are determined to go, I would ask you to let me come with you.”
“You!” I thought a moment. “I am not sure that it would be a bad move for you. You cannot stay here much longer.”