“You know very well it was not that. To kiss the icon meant that you belonged to the Orthodox Church. And it was to save my boy from that that we have gone through so much. But at least I have kept him from such a step as you chose to take.”
“My conscience, like my life, is at your service, madame.”
“But mine is not at yours!” she cried, turning on him. “Understand that, Count, if you please. But we will not discuss the subject. I do not wish to appear ungrateful.”
“Count!” came from Fräulein von Staubach in an awful whisper, as she clutched Cyril’s arm, “pray do not speak German. I believe we are followed. Several times I am certain that I have heard something moving among the bushes.”
“It may be some of the Jews, who have taken refuge here,” said Cyril reassuringly. “At any rate, it cannot be any one in pursuit of us, for those fellows were much too drunk to come, and there is no one in authority to organise a chase, even if we had been recognised, which we were not. Very likely it is some poor wretch who is as much afraid of us as we of him.” He raised his voice, and called out loudly in Thracian, “Who are you? Is there any one there?” but no answer came. “You see, it must have been an animal,” he said.
“A wolf!” gasped Fräulein von Staubach.
“A wolf won’t think of attacking us if we keep together. Besides, I have the knife and a revolver if he should prove aggressive. Allow me to relieve you of his Majesty, madame. We may have a good deal farther to go yet.”
They went on and on into the depths of the wood, much to the disgust of Fräulein von Staubach, who expressed her objections loudly; but the Queen, conscious that the farther journey was consequent upon her own action, said nothing, and plodded on valiantly. At length a red light became visible among the trees in front, and Cyril turned into a narrow path which led towards it.
“It cannot be a house,” he said; “but it may be a woodcutters’ camp, and they would probably give us shelter for the night.”
But as they approached the light, a figure burst from the bushes in front of them, and ran headlong towards the glow.