The Game and the Candle Part 33

A sharp whistle pierced above the whining purr of the motor, a shouted command. Allard started up, bewildered, and the black mood fell from him as a m.u.f.fling garment cast aside. They had emerged again into the city, at the same gait.

"The police, sire," he warned reproachfully. "We must stop."

"I will not. Let them try to catch us."

"They will know the car."

"Then we will pay the fine, to-morrow. If they threaten worse I will pardon you."

The irony of that might have brought Allard's laugh if he had not been distracted by the view ahead.

"Not possible, sire; there is a regiment crossing at the head of the square. If we are examined--"

Adrian sullenly shut off the power and came to a standstill. He had no desire to have his amus.e.m.e.nt ended and made an anecdote all over the Empire.

"Tell them you are on my affairs," he directed, as the two pursuing officers galloped toward them. "Or anything you choose. I will not go through a police station farce to-night, do you understand?"

Allard did laugh that time, the relief of waking to reality still tingling in his veins.

"Then I must go alone, if they insist. May I ask to take the driver's seat and claim his responsibility?"

"For what? They would take the machine. Do you expect me to walk alone to the palace?"

"Good heavens, no!" Allard exclaimed vehemently.

The two riders came panting up as Adrian replied with an expressive shrug.

"You are under arrest, messieurs," was the crisp announcement.

Allard leaned out into the light of the street lamp, taking off his mask and shaking his coat unb.u.t.toned from top to bottom. Perhaps a memory of Rosal's admiration prompted the last move.

"For over-speeding?" he inquired sweetly.

"Certainly; monsieur was going at least forty miles an hour."

"Ah, but my errand was important. I am Monsieur Allard, of the household of his Imperial Majesty."

John Allard's name was linked with Stanief's on every tongue in the capital that night. Moreover, he stood up as he spoke and his coat fell apart, revealing the confirming l.u.s.ter of jewels and his elaborately careful dress.

"We are desolated, Excellency," the man stammered.

"Oh, you were quite right, but I a.s.sure you that it would be a mistake to carry this further. I am on an errand for--some one not to be questioned. Just fail to remember that you saw me, and there will be no trouble."

He held out a hand in which a yellow coin gleamed alluringly. The officer coughed, and stooped.

"Yes, Excellency. Graciously excuse our stupidity; it is true that the light misled us as to the speed of your Excellency's car."

"Exactly. Good night."

"Good night, Excellency."

"Allard, Allard," drawled Adrian, throwing his levers, "bribery and deception! And under my eyes."

"I obeyed orders, sire," he retorted demurely. "May I drive?"

"_La belle excuse!_ However, I admit the coercion. No, you may not drive; I will consider your reputation the rest of the way."

This time they turned home, at a more modest pace. Again they ran the gauntlet of the brilliant, sullen streets, and Allard's heart lost a beat with each halt made necessary by the crowd or each glance from the knots of men gathered on the corners. At the sleepy garage they at last arrived, and left the automobile.

It was but a short distance to the palace, and they walked in silence until almost before the door, when Adrian paused for an instant.

"You guard me so carefully, with so much energy, my inconsistent Allard," he observed, the lighter manner of the last hours hardened into his usual coldness. "Have you then not thought what it would mean to your beloved Regent if I were removed?"

"Sire, if I thought of that it would be to guard you with double care,"

Allard flashed, shocked and deeply wounded. "Surely I owe so much." And after a moment, recovering a little, "For that matter, even the Baron Dalmorov admits the protection that the Regent draws around your Imperial Majesty. Sire, if the Grand Duke planned treason, has he not had ample opportunities before now?"

"Are you trying to convince me that some one still exists who possesses a sense of duty?"

"Perhaps you will more readily credit a sense of honor, sire."

"Perhaps. So it is a point of honor to take care of me?"

"Yes, sire."

Adrian turned and went on without comment. The guard at the door saluted Allard without regarding the uninteresting figure of the chauffeur, and they pa.s.sed into the safety of the palace.

When they were once more in the little salon and had slipped off their wraps, the impression seized Allard that his companion was rather pale and fatigued. Either from the pallor or from recent excitement Adrian looked younger than usual as he stood pus.h.i.+ng back the dark hair disordered by his mask, and the watcher was pierced by remorse and something of Stanief's wide pity for the one so warped by circ.u.mstance and environment. Very kind to him the Emperor had been, the Emperor who next week would send away the only two men who cared for him and stand splendidly desolate in his treacherous court. The pathos of it beat down resentment. And being transparent, Allard's gray eyes betrayed the softened thoughts as they encountered the other's.

"Well?" Adrian questioned, as if to a spoken phrase.

"You will not believe me, sire, but--I would guard you if nothing compelled."

Adrian made a movement of surprise, then smiled at Allard with almost his cousin's charming grace.

"Why should I not believe you, who are truth itself? Thank you, Allard.

Pray come with me; it is time to rest, I fancy."

Allard hurriedly put away their motoring garments, and presently they went from the room.

But the Emperor was not one around whom gentle illusions long could cling; sword-like he slipped through such gauzy fabrics. As they parted for the night he regarded Allard keenly, with even a suggestion of amused cruelty.

"If you have found me indecorously frivolous to-night," he said, "remember how near we are to next week. It will be a robust sense of honor that survives next week, Allard. You can not conceive how earnestly I desire my day for which I have waited so long."

Allard stiffened to the rigidity of self-control; comprehending all the allusion to Stanief, he found no reply he dared give.