CHAPTER lI.—THE CITY OF THE PLAIN

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 69

CHAPTER lI.— THE CITY OF THE PLAIN

"This isn't such a vast improvement on London," was Trafford's growling comment as he , strolled the streets of Weidenbruck the evening of his arrival amd the last day of the year. " Weidenbruck is a city of the plain," said Sa-unders, who was accompanying hdm in his perambulations ; " its climate and inhabitants are alike detestable. As soon as this skating competition is over we take the mountain railway to Weissheim and the glories of pine and enow and sunshine." Trafford buried his chin in the warm collar of his overcoat, and grunted a grunt of modified' enthusiasm. The cold indeed was poignant, foi the unfrozen flood of the Niederkessel lent the atmosphere a touch of moisture that gave malice to' tihe shrill froet, a penetrating venom to the spiteful breeze that swept the long length and broad breadth of the straight prosaic - Bahnhofstrasse. The trams tihat rushed -noisily up and down this, thoroughfare were the only thing* th^it still moved on wheel*. Cabs, carriages, omnibuses, perambulators even had discarded wheels in favour of runners, for the snow was down, and— it would be monit/hs before the mercury crept up again to thawing point. Arc lamps ehone coldly from an interminable line of iron masts, while a cheerier glow blazed from the windows of innumerable shops which sjtiH displayed their attractive wares for the benefit of s.uch as braved the bitterness of a December night at Weidenbruck. And pedestrians ! were by no means scarce, despite the shrewdness of the damp breeze, for Weidenbruck gets its winters regularly, and I its good citizens have raised the scienceof wrapping up to the level of a fine art. A gust from a side &treat blew a whirl of powdered) saiow in the faces of the Englishmen. Trafford swore, but without undue bitterness. SaundeTS spared a side glance at his companion. He was genuinely fond 1 of Trafford, had be^n genuinely shocked at the narrowness of his escape from tragic ruin, and was genuinely glad when his morbid companion began to take intelligent interest in his surroundings, even thoug-h that interest manifested itself m irritable comments and deprecatory grunts. Saundsrs hadi chaffed the wouldbe suicide, had poured cruel scorn on his inamorata, and preached the cold gospel of w«r!dliness and pelfi^h pleasure ; but if he had spoker cynically it had been because cynicism seemed the right remedy rather than because his own nature wae bitter. Beyond having rather a high, opinion of hib own abilities and a predilection for new clothes Saunders was a man of much merit. j " If it's cold here what will it be 5000tt higher up?" demanded Trafford with dlspondent logic. f "Hot," retorted the other. "There* the sun shines unob-cured by mist, and the air is dsry and bracing. The thermometer may stand at zero, but your warm gloves will be a mockery and your greatcoat an offence." " Then why come to this cellar of a town ? " "Because this skating competition happens to be held here." returned Saunder.-*, "and the 'King's Cup' is the impoitant event in the sporting calendar of Grimland. Women and children go mad over it. The winner, who may be yourself, is looked upon as a king among m<n ; a demigod to be honoured with the burnt-offer-ings of the rich and the bright glances of the fair." "I can dispense with the Jatter," Gneered Trafford. " I once jicssas&ed a heart, but it perished with other illusions a w-eek a#o in Grosvonor square. It is hardly likely to recover animation in ?o chilly a sr-ot as this. But, seriously. I did i.ot coma to Grimland merely for but because you l>inted at political troubles ; and I have taken yoirr advice lit-erally, and brought my revolver." " Keep it loaded then,"' paH Sauiders curtly. '"I hear Father Beinhardt has rsturn-cd." " Who is he? " "A ic-negade priest. In tlie trouVes of 1904 h-"eloue.J with th? Queen, who h?d been plotting her husband's downfall v. ith the Schattenbergs." "His Majesty's opposition?" put in Trafford, who knew something of the country's turbid history.

"Yes, kinsmen of. King Kari's^ who. have always cherished, a secret claim to the throne. They very nearly made their claim good, too, in 1904." "Only one Robert Saucders intervened," interjected Trafford> with an envious glance at his companion. "Providence upheld the ruling dynasty with a firm band," said Saunders, "and the rebellious family, the Schattenbergs, were pretty well wiped out in the process. Two alone survived — Prince Stephen,, who was too young to participate in the trouble, and wh< subsequently died of diphtheria at Weissheim, and the Princess Mathilde; a gixJ of one-and-twenty, who escaped over the Austrian frontier." "And wthat is she doing?" inquired Trafford,' with some approach to curiosity. "No one exactly knows. Unless sha has altered in three years she is a beauti- | ful young woman, with a bold spirit and a reckless disregard of human life. She lives in the public imagination, partly because of her bright eyes and partly because she is a possible alternative to King Karl, who has the demerit of being a respectable mdddle-a^d man../ If, as. is rumoured, she if, ia. alliance with Father Bernhardt, there will tertainly be trouble, for- the ex-priest is a man of energy ,and resource-. ftioreover, he was onoe«».TeMgious man, and believed himself damned, when he ran away with Kinp Karl's fickle Consort ; and a. man who is looking -forward to eternaJ damnation is as dangerous in his way as a Moslem fanatic seeking Paradise." Trafford said nothing, but breathed a silent prayer that the- renegade priest might indeed be ;-n; -n Grimland. For Tvafford was one of those curiously-consti-tuted people — racer now than they used to be — who value excitement without counting the cost. Saunders he had always regarded with a deep, if unmalicious, envy Saunders had won his cricket Blue at college, and performed prodigies at Lord's before enthusiastic men and women. Saunders had played a conspicuous, almost heroic, part in the Grimland troubles of 1904. He, Trafford— "Looney" Trafford, as they had called nim — had achieved limited athletic successes at Oxford by sheer devil, and pluck and infectious energy. But the highest honours had never been hds, though men had loved him more dearly perhaps than the more successful Saunders : for he could sing a rousing song, dance a spirited war-dance, kin-die bonfires In "unexpected ;-'aces and. with -the most expensive furniture. ' His was an ardent, effervescing nature, and now tbat the tragedy of a- tumultuous but misplaced passion had -robbed life of its normal interest and' savour, his ideas of a diverting holiday were of » distinctly reckless nature, - , Wandering down. _th» Bahnhofstrasse they purchased a few picture post-cards at a stationer's,' a meerschaum pipe at an elegant tobacconist*, where they sold Havannah boxes, and finally halted before a big corner shop, where all the paraphernalia appertaining to winter sports were 'displayed in interesting and attractive profusion. "I thought you'd got a good pair of skates," said Saunders. "So I have," returned the other ; but there are two styles of skating — the English and the Continental, — and I am one of those rarely gifted individual^ who can skate both equally well, and I intend to take advantage of that fact at this competition. But I need a different pair of skates, for each style." "Do you think- you're really very good?" asked Saunders, smiling. He was accustomed to refer to Ms own abilities in eulogistic terms, but was not used to his companion doing so. "If you were to" ask that question in the Fen country, w.here I was born a-nd 'ured, they'd laugh at you," was Trafford's serious reply. "All right ; let's go in and buy something from. Frau Krabb," said Saunders, leading the way into the shop. Within was a jumble of wooden luges, steel -framed toboggans, and granite curl-ing-stones ; from the low ceiling hung numberless pah's of skis, like stalactites from a cavern roof ; while bunches of skates adorned the balusters of the dcap staircase leading to the upper floor.. f Frau Krabb, the proprietress, was /being accosted by another customer The customer in question was a young officer in a shiny shako and a fine fur-trimmed Kiir-coat of grey-blue frogged with black. He was a sufficiently attractive object in his picturesque uniform, but though his carriage was energetic and manly the face that showed beneath the military headgear was by no means that of a typical soldier. It was a dark, oval face with a wisp of a black moustache, big lustrous eyes, and a small, pretty nioutn, adorned with the- whitest and most regular of fc^eth. It was a proud, sensitive face, more remarkable for its beauty than its strength, but for all that good to behold for its intelligence, refinemetift, and glow of youthful health. " f 4ood evening, Frau Krabb," began the Eoklier, genially saluting. "Aie my skates r-eady yet?" "'They were ready at 4 o'clock, as promised, Herr Capta-in," replied the woman, a piump person with more fat than features. The Captain passed bis finger critically along the -edge of the newly-ground blades, and expressed himself satisfied. "And you will the Kinefs Cup.- Herr Captain, of course?' continued Frau Krabb, smiling a fat smile into her customer's face. "I'm going to have a good try at it," was the guarded reply. "I'd sooner win the King's Cup than the Colonelcy of the Guides. No. one has practised his 'rockiug- turns' and 'counters' co assiduously as I, and I'm feeling as fit as a fiddle — which counts for more than a little in a skating competition." 0 "You look it ; " said th© woman admiringly. "I've got. to meet Franz Schmolder of Warzdori," went on the soldier ■nusuigly,

_' "and Captain Einstein, of the 14tb, go it does not do to be too confident. There's an Englishman, too, competing, but I don't fear him. The English style of skating is too stiff and stilted to be of any use in elaborate figures, though pretty enough for big, simple movements and combined skating. Sohmolder's the I fear, though Einstein's a big, powerful skater, with the nerve of a demon." j " Herr Schmolder has a strained knee," ' said the woman, "and Captain Einstein's nerve is not so good as it was. He is too fond of Rhine wine and Kirschwasser, and though he has ? big frame it is not full of the best stuffing. | "I'd like, tc win better than anything in the world," said the young officer in ' tones of the deepest earnestness, his eyes lighting up wonderfully at the golden prospect. i " You will win/ said Frau Krabb> simply. "I have two kronen with myj \ man on you, and you have my prayers." ; " God answer them ! " 6add' the soldier piously. Then in a moment of enthusiasm he bent down and kised the comi-: . cal upturned face of the, old shop-woman-I "Pray for me with all your soul," ho said, " for I want that cup, Mother of Heaven ! I must have that cup." And slinging his skates on his shoulder the pfficer was about to leave the shop when. Saunders accosted him. " Hullo,' Yon" HugelweiLsr! *' said the latter.. . ' ■ The soldier's eyes brightened with recognation. He had met the Englishman at Wedssheim a> few years previously, and J was proud of tne acquaintance, for Saun- ! dtaTs was a name to conjure with in Grimland'. " Herr Saunders ! " he cried. " I an* charmed to meet you again. You are his Majesty's guest, I presume?" "I am at the Neptunherg — yes. Permit me to present my friend; Hew Trajx ford. Trafford, my friend, Ulrich Salva-. j tor yon HugelweHer,' captain in hit : Majesty's third regiment of Guides." The two shook hands. " Delighted to make your acquaintance," said the Grimlander. "But what are you requiring at Fran Krabb's?" j " Some skates for to-morrow's competition," replied Trafford. I . "HimmelJ" ejaculated Hugelweiler » : "so you are thf English competitor. You had better not ask me to choose your ! Gkatas or I should Certainly select. a>. faulty pair." i Trafford laughed. " You are indeed; a dangerous rival, '*- he said. j, "I wish to succeed," said the soldier simply. "Perhaps success means more to me than to you; but I don't think I r am a bad sportsman." 1 "I will not tempt your probity," said Trafford. "I will select my own w-ares " ! Yon Hugelweiler waited till the pur1 chase was complete, expressing his approval of the other's choice, and then the three men sallied forth into the nipping air of the BaJinhofstraese. i "Where are -you going?" asked Sauni ders of the Grrimlander. ! "" Back to barracks," replied the capI tain. "Will you accompany me?" 1 Saunders consulted his watch. ! " Trafford and I are dining in an hour's time," he said, "but we will walk part of the way witb you. I _wisih to show my friend a bit of the town." I Turning to the left they entered on© of the numerous lanes which proclaim th© i city's antiquity with gabled front and mullioned window. Hi-lit, ill-paved under I the trampled snow, and -6meuin.g nofcioe1 ably of garlic-, bouillon, and worse, tha thoroughfare — the Scbugas&e — led t< the- ■ j spacious Soldatenplatz, wherein was situated the fine banracks of the King's Guides. They ha* 7 been walking but afew minutes when a tall figure, heavily i muffled in a black coat, strode '•apidly; past them. Trafford had s brief vision of piercing eyes shifting furtively under a woollen cap as the man cast a light- ' ning glance behind him. TheD as the i figure vanished abruptly into a mean door- ! way gaunders and yon Hugelwedler ex- [ changed glances. j "So he is back," 6aid the foronsr, "Then theTe is certain to be trouble." J "Nothing is more certain," said th# ' captain calmly. I " Who is back?" demanded the puzzled 1 ■ Trafford. " Father BernWdt," replied his fnend. ' And Trafford heaved c sigh of thankfulness. (To be continued.)

— Jane: "Please, sir, there's a man who wants " The Minister: "Now, Jane, you know I can't be bothered witA visitors. '* Jane: "He says he- is poor, and if you will on ly — _" The Minister: "Send, him away, Jane, at once. I declare it is very annoying. While writing this serrnob on charity I have been interrupted three times. Send him away."