The Prince of Gravas; a story of the past

Preface

SEVERAL years ago while traveling abroad, we spent some time in roaming through the less frequented parts of Germany. One day, after having wandered quite a distance from our inn, we were caught in a thunder-storm. After some search, we came upon a rather sequestered, ruinous-looking castle. We were not only hospitably received, but had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of its owner,

the Baron von . We shall not soon forget the

evening that followed, nor the strange, spectral aspect of the dimly candle-lit room, with its dingy, armorial decorations, old rusty suits of armor that had probably stood there since the building of the castle. Nor still less the strange, weird tale of our host, that made us almost forget the raging storm without, except when some blast, more fierce than the rest, made the castle shake to its very foundations. That story, which the reader is about to hear, shall be told to him even as we heard it, from our host’s own lips.

The Stoiy the Baron Told

Chapter I

Perhaps it may seem strange to you, perfect strangers, that I should make a confidant of you, but after the strange experience of the morning, I feel as if I must talk to some one, or I should go mad. My only natural request is that you should keep my identity and that of my castle a secret. I have long been a student of those strange, unseen powers which the world calls occult, and to-day I have had, indeed, a most thrilling, a most wonderful experience.

You have, no doubt, heard of that faculty, which is gradually being recognized by the world under the name of Psychometry, that faculty, hitherto ridiculed, which is capable of perceiving the past existence or life of a body through mere contact with it.

Among my other studies I have naturally followed this also. Sometime ago, wishing to follow this line more particularly, I wrote to a friend of mine, residing in the Capital, requesting him to send me a collection of objects, of whose past history I was ignorant. His collection was a most curious one, and my investigations with it proved highly satisfactory. Probably, the most striking member of the collection was a gigantic mummy. Where my friend procured it, I do not know. Its reception occasioned mingled surprise and amusement, and I finally determined to keep it as a curiosity. The original owner of it must have been a magnificient specimen of manhood, for the shrunken mummy, as it lay in its box, was over six feet tall, and it must have shortened several inches. After placing it in my study, I ceased to give it much attention, being engaged with the other articles of the collection.

Yesterday evening, after having finished my work for the day, I was sitting in my study. The sun had just gone down. I had watched it from my open window. I had watched the light fade and die away, and it reminded me forcibly of the lives of men. How they die, leaving a bright name behind them like the after-glow of the sunset, and then, how their memories grow dim, until the twilight steals on, and they are forgotten. With a start I broke from my reflections, to discover that my gaze was riveted upon the casket of the mummy. I could not take it away, try as I would, I could think of nothing else. Presently, I found myself making vague conjectures concerning the body within it. Whence came it ? To what civilization did it belong ? How was it torn from its last resting-place, and sent to satisfy the idle gaze of the curious ? Suddenly the thought flashed into my mind, why not Psychometrize it, and so learn its past ? I no longer doubted the truth of my investigations ; past experiments had dispelled doubt. It was then too late to begin, so I postponed action until the morning. For the rest of the evening I could think of nothing else, and, finally, retired to rest.

This morning, immediately after breakfast, I began making preparations. My head servant, Wilhelm, to whom such things were not new, had orders to preserve the strictest silence in the castle for the remainder of the day, and to prepare my study. The ventilation and illumination were carefully arranged, and, after the necessary preparation of my person, I entered the study. Then I began to unwrap the mummy. Covering after covering.

wrapping after wrapping, were unwound ; the air was filled with a strong smell of spices, and finally the mummy itself lay revealed before me. Its appearance, indeed, justified my conception of its heroic size. In life, its owner must have belonged to a race of giants, or have been a king among men. I examined it more closely and my attention was attracted to the skull, upon the side of which was a broad scar, or wound of some kind, over which, however, the scalp seemed to have healed. It attracted my attention, because I could not but think that the blow which inflicted it must have crushed a less strong skull.

After waiting until the disturbed dust had settled, I arranged myself opposite to the body and with my eyes gazing fixedly at the dead face, I began operations. Gradually the objects around assumed a hazy aspect. My thoughts began to run riot ; nothing was fixed or constant, save the dead man’s face. Then I was no longer conscious of anything save that. The face grew until it filled the whole field of my vision ; it became so large that I could no longer see it as a whole. Then I was no longer conscious of anything. I must have slept.

Gradually I became conscious of some rhythmic sounds ; they had a strange way of swelling out, and then dying away. In some way I realized it must be a religious chant, and soon I felt I was standing in a great hall ; and, in the presence of a great multitude, the ritual for the dead was being performed. Vaguely I realized, too, that I was in some way concerned. On my right, and in the middle of the great hall was a throne, and upon it was seated a young woman of wonderful beauty. She was clad in rich garments of mourning, and from time to time arose, in response to some solicitation on the part of a man, who was apparently the high priest, whereupon the multitude prostrated themselves. He stood upon a raised platform, directly in front of me, and the bier w/th the dead lay before him.

The strange monotonous chanting still proceeded, seemingly to come from everywhere, and yet i could notice no one singing I looked around me. On my right hand was a man to whom I instinctively had a feeling of aversion. He was tall and of hne physique. His hair was of the deepest black. The lower part of the face was covered with a pointed beard of the same color ; his face somehow lO had a decidedly sinister look, and once, when he turned and looked in my direction, I marveled that eyes could look so evilly. His attire, like my own, was princely in its elegance, though both were of the same sombre hue that pervaded the place. I noticed, tooi upon the other side of the hall, opposite to where we stood, a considerable number of men, whom from their attire I judged to be nobles ; while in the center, surrounding the Queen, were double rows of priests. On my left, at some distance from us, and extending from one side of the hall to the other, were several files of soldiers in a familiar uniform. Behind them, in the background, stood a dense multitude of people.

Suddenly the chanting ceased, and the priests slowly and solemnly approached the bier, and bore it away, while the multitude gave way to lamentations. Then the Queen arose, and in a loud voice called upon the Prince of Gravas to come and swear fealty to her. The tall dark-haired man beside me arose and knelt before her. I watched him, while the name continued to ring in my ear. The Prince of Gravas ! the Prince of Gravas ! How familiar it seemed. He had just kissed her

II hand, and she had proclaimed him the new Prince of Gravas.

Suddenly, like a flash of light, it dawned upon me. No longer was my mind clouded. Now I knew what that name meant ; I knew why we were here. I knew that the dead man, over whom the last rites had just been recited, was my father, and he who stood beside me, and whom the Queen had just made Prince — yes, and who was now coming toward me, was — my brother. As clearly as if it had just happened, I remembered our quarrel of two years ago, and how he, with his lying smile, had turned my father against me. And I, too proud to ask even for justice, had gone into the wars then just beginning, and won much glory. For though but a youth, I was exceedingly strong, being gifted beyond my fellow-men. And how, when I returned, a friend of my father’s, Lord Zelad, had welcomed me into his household, and so, for two years, I had dwelt among strangers, an outcast from my own.

I thought of all this when he came up and looked scornfully at me with his evil black eyes, and I looked back defiance at him.

He made as if he would speak, but he thought better and passed on, and I slowly fob lowed him. For my mind was sorely wrought, and I marked but little whither my steps led me. At length I stood in the open air, and presently Lord Zelad joined me. He bade me accompany him, as he wished to speak with me. He motioned to his company and we started toward his quarters. Presently we left the temple and found ourselves in the less frequented streets. Here Lord Zelad took my arm and, observing caution, began to speak to me in a lowered tone. He told me that the day after my father’s death the Queen had sent for him, and, after pledging him to secrecy, had solicited his assistance. She had grave reason to fear that treason was at work among some of her powerful subjects. She needed certain information, which must be obtained at considerable risk. To obtain this, a man of unquestionable courage and fidelity was needed. She had asked him for such a man. And Lord Zelad asked me if I wished to accept such an undertaking. The danger of it was great, and it might bring me in fresh disfavor with my brother, the present Prince of Gravas. With his newly acquired position, he had now become no small power at court. Furthermore, he warned me if I allowed my errand to be discovered I must expect to be disavowed by the Queen. “ Now, Almar,” he went on, laying his hand affectionately upon my arm, “ you must know that I care greatly for you and am loath to send your father’s son on such an errand ; yet the Queen’s need is great, and if you are successful, be assured you will not go unrewarded.”

By this time we had almost reached our quarters and I hastily reviewed his suggestion. I was weary of doing nothing, and in a mind to grasp at anything that promised adventure. Moreover, though my father had, for all I knew, passed away without sending me his forgiveness, yet I knew he would have spurned one of the house of Gravas who had held back when the Queen was in need. So revolving these things in my mind, I made him aware of my willingness to do the Queen’s bidding. He embraced me cordially and bade me present myself, without further loss of time, to the Queen. Giving me some further directions, we parted, he toward his quarters and 1 to the Queen.

Chapter II

PRESENTLY I found myself approaching the palace. I did not enter at the main gate, but, obedient to Lord Zelad’s directions, I turned and sought a less prominent entrance, to which he had directed me. I soon discovered it, and, after being examined by the guard, was allowed to enter. This part of the palace was strange to me, though I had sometimes visited the Court before that unfortunate quarrel with my brother. Lord Zelad had bidden me station myself near a certain window, and wait until some one came for me.

My position was a rather concealed one, and I could easily watch the inmates as they passed through the gates. The women of the castle would stop to chat merrily with the guards. After a while, I grew weary of watching them, and then I fell to thinking of the Queen, and what she wanted of me. I remembered quite well the day my father had been chosen regent, to reign for the Queen, then but a little girl, and I thought how faithfully he had performed his trust, and how often the little Queen would grow angry when she might not have her own way, and stamp her tiny foot, for even then she was a wilful little creature who would stop at nothing to win her end. Though she could not help loving my father, yet ofttimes she vexed him sorely with her whims. But for some months past, during which time he had, through his illness, been unable to come to Court, she had taken the reins in her own hands and had held them not unwisely.

Here I chanced to raise my eyes to an upper window of the castle, and discovered a young woman, who was evidently trying to attract my attention. Finding she had caught my eye, she laughed saucily, and nodded to me. Now, indeed, I have ever preferred the field to the Court, and had but small acquaintance with the ways of women, especially such as make bold to court speech with men with whom they have no proper acquaintance, so I turned away and looked at the gate.

As I watched the people, I found myself, presently, wondering whether she was still there, or whether she had taken my rebuke to heart. I was too proud to look, and yet I felt my curiosity growing stronger. At last I turned my head ever so little, so that I could just see. She was still there, and her quick eye had caught my movement ; she smiled as graciously as before, and nodded again. Now I was vexed that I should be so easily entrapped, and since I could not rebuff her, I would try another way ; so looking deliberately at her, I made her a most formal bow, whereupon the jade broke into laughter and ran away.

This made me quite out of humor, for a man who has been in the wars does not relish being made the laughing stock of a slip of a girl. Besides, I was getting impatient, for I never could abide waiting, being used to action. I began to think the Queen could not be in such very great need, if she took so long a time to send for me. Then I tried to look out of the window again, but I could not interest myself.

Suddenly I heard a light step behind me. Yes, I was quite sure it was a step. Without betraying myself, I continued to look out of the window, and listened carefully. I could hear some one approaching very stealthily. Well, I remarked to myself, at least, I shall not be caught napping. I waited until they were quite close, and then turned suddenly, throwing myself on guard. Judge of my surprise and chagrin to find myself greeted with a hearty burst of laughter, and to find there before me the same chit of a girl. Indeed, she was so amused that it was sometime before she could speak, while I, realizing my ridiculous position, felt myself getting very warm in the face, and feeling quite angry. Presently, when she had ceased laughing somewhat, she looked coquettishly at me, and inquired, “And pray what brings you here ?” Now, this looked so much to me like sheer wantonness, that I was fast losing my temper ; so I told her that that was my own affair, and I hoped none of hers ; at which she grew a little red and became serious. Then she said, rather warmly, “ Methinks if you are as much a stupid in war as in love, it will be likely to remain your own affair.”

Now, I confess this reply surprised me greatly, so I asked her what she meant. “ Well,” she replied, “ are you or are you not here by appointment?” Not knowing how much she might know, I feared to commit myself, so I said : “And, suppose I were, what then?” “Well, then,” replied she, “you have a message ; what is it ?” This proved to me 2 i8

that everything was all right, and I replied as Lord Zelad had directed me ; whereat she laughed lightly, and bade me follow her. She led me up a flight of stairs, and through several chambers, and finally into a small one, where she directed me to wait, remarking, with a twinkle in her eye : “And mind you that you are less stupid than you were before, lest the Queen have to hunt you also.” And when I would have answered her, she ran away, laughing merrily. Such was my first meeting with Izeil.

This time I had not long to wait. She was gone but a few moments, when the thick tapestry on my left parted, and she reappeared, cautiously beckoning me to enter. The new chamber was comparatively in darkness, and before 1 became thoroughly accustomed to the light, I found myself face to face with the Queen. She was reclining upon a couch of rare furs. I think for the first time in my life I realized how great her beauty really was.

Great, liquid eyes, that seemed in the dimmed light of the chamber to sparkle while she spoke. Eyes that seemed to change in color while you watched them, and when a man had once looked into their depth he became their slave. And she lay there upon her couch, watching me from under her long lashes. Then her face lighted with a wondrous smile, and she beckoned me to come nearer. I did so, and, obeying her look, I seated myself beside her upon a low stool. At last she spoke, and I know not why, but I started at the sound of her voice. She was telling me that she needed some one to go on a dangerous mission, and that Lord Zelad had chosen me. And, looking straight at me, she asked me if I would go. I stammered “Yes.’' I remember she smiled slightly, and began to tell me the details of the situation.

She told me how the kingdom was divided between the two great houses and their friends and followers. How the present heads of these houses, the two Princes of Gravas and Alcazeda, had each been aiming to secure the throne through marriage witli her. She told me how the Prince of Gravas, my brother, had of late apparently given up and withdrawn his suit ; how an understanding seemed to have been reached between these two old-time rivals. And now a suspicious thing had happened. Through her friends she had learned that my brother had invited the Prince of Alcazeda to hunt the boar in his famous boar forest. It was evident that a plot was being hatched, and that the hunt was a mere device under which to cover it. Far removed from the capital, the conspirators might plot in safety.

Now, my mission was this — no one knew the estates of Gravas better than I. When the conspirators left the capital, I should follow them, and learn the extent of their treason. But she warned me if I went, I went at my own peril, for her power did not extend beyond the city walls. If discovered, I must bear the whole responsibility ; she could not endanger herself by endeavoring to protect me. Here she paused and waited for me to speak.' Somehow, the more I looked at her, the more confused I became. I told her that it was the duty of a soldier to face danger, and as for the responsibility, I was ready to assume whatever responsibility there might be. And all the while I spoke, she watched me furtively through her half-closed lids, and when I had finished she laughed a musical little laugh, and, rising, stood over me. Somehow, I could no longer avoid her gaze ; it seemed to fascinate me. Then she asked could she trust me ; and when I would have answered, she gave me her hand to kiss, and then I was alone. Of how long I sat I had no recollection, but I was aroused anon by the return of Izeil, who could not forbear making sport of me, and who asked me mischievously if I had never seen a woman until I came to the palace, whereupon I answered, right smartly, “At least none of her kind,” and thereat she laughed approvingly, and, telling me I should receive full instructions from Lord Zelad, she showed me out of the palace. As we parted, she gave me her hand, as the Queen had done, but I was much the more inclined to kiss her cheek, though when I would have done so, she gave me a playful slap and ran away. And so I wended my way toward Lord Zelad's quarters.

Chapter III

That night I left the capital, and under cover of the darkness rode far until morning. I went alone, for the nature of rny errand demanded that I should go unaccompanied. I rode hard, since it was necessary to gain entrance to the castle before the arrival of my brother. Four days later found me secreted in his castle. It is not necessary to relate how, by long night rides, I reached the castle, how by suborning an old servant, who, in earlier times, had shown much fondness for me, I gained access, and how, with him, I arranged a plan by which to discover the plots of the conspirators. On the evening of that day, the Prince Alcazeda and my brother, who had arrived in the forenoon, were to sup alone for the purpose of arranging their plans. With the aid of Mateza, I had so concealed myself behind the tapestry, that I could both hear and see all that might happen. Presently the two

Princes entered ; my brother advanced and 22 seated himself with his back toward me, while Alcazeda sat facing me. I watched him as he ate. Though I had not seen him for sometime, yet I readily recognized the restless grey eyes, the neatly pointed beard, formerly quite brown, but becoming tinged with grey. His bearing was decidedly patrician, and there was a look in the eye, and a something in the manner, which bespoke the unquenchable ambition of the man.

By this time they had finished eating, and the servants, after having been bidden to throw open the windows and admit the evening air, retired, leaving them to their wine. Alcazeda drank but sparingly, with the evident intention of attending strictly to the business at hand, while my brother drank continually, though the wine seemed to have no effect upon him, save an added lustre to his black eye, and a recklessness to his manner. His attainment to my father s rank and position had given full scope to the baser qualities of his nature, and, indeed,

I wondered not that the Queen feared and detested him. Overbearing and selfish to the utmost, his handsome face betrayed a character that knew neither fear nor mercy. And as I watched him, I was glad that my sword was no farther off than my side. They talked for over an hour.

I could not help noticingr the contrast afforded by the two men. It was evident that each feared and distrusted the other, and that their co-operation would extend only as far as dethroning the Queen. Alcazeda’s manner, as opposed to that of his host, was that of a calculating, crafty diplomatist, who never lost sight for an instant of the issues at stake, while my brother was impetuous, headstrong, but none the less shrewd and cunning. And from their talk I gleaned that this was their plot: Alcazeda was to demand the hand of the Queen in marriage ; his demand was to be seconded by Gravas and their entire combined followers. The Queen could hardly dare to resist such a universal demand, and, if she did, then pressure was to be exerted upon her. The Prince of Gravas, for his share, was to be appointed Regent in his father’s place, with absolute power until the Queen should marry. There was much talk of details, but these I gathered to be the main features of the plot.

I must confess that, at the time, I was not a little surprised to find my brother so evidently overreached by the wily Alcazeda, who, in my opinion, had certainly gotten the advantage, but of that anon. After they had reached the above conclusion, my brother proposed a toast to the future consort of the Queen, and Alcazeda in turn, toasted the new Regent. Then he bade my brother good-night, and the latter summoned a servant to show him to his apartment.

Here I found I had misjudged my brother sorely. Indeed, with all I knew of him, I found I had never given him just credit for his duplicity, for no sooner had the sound of the retreating footsteps died away, than he seized a huge goblet of wine, and raising it, cried, ironically, “To the future consort of the Queen ! Yes !’* And then he emptied it at a single draught. “ But,” he exclaimed, with a fierce, diabolical ring in his voice, “ not the Prince of Alcazeda, not if I know it.” Then throwing himself into a chair, he burst into a contemptuous laugh, “And he thought the wine had gone to my head, the fool. And that he could overreach me ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! He must have a long arm that can overreach Gregar, the Prince of Gravas ! Overreach me !” And he laughed ; and, indeed, I could see that the wine was beginning to take effect, even upon him, though, to do him justice, I have never seen any man who could have drunk what he did that night, and still have kept his feet. “Yes,” he continued, striking the table fiercely with his fist, and filling another huge goblet, “ yes, to the future consort of the Queen” — drinking — “but it won’t be my dear friend, Alcazeda — no, it will be his dear friend — the Regent, the Prince of — no, by the gods, it will be King, for once Regent, some fine night I shall quietly carry off this beautiful Queen, and then my fine Alcazeda will be seized and declared outlawed for having committed my crime, and all his possessions will be mine — and then there will be no Queen — no, nobody,” and he sank into his seat, and making another effort to fill his goblet he exclaimed, in a thick voice, “ and then they will make me King, and then I — I marry the Queen — the Queen — mine — and” — His head slowly dropped forward on the table, and he was soon in a heavy slumber.

Feeling that this was a suitable time, I stole from my hiding place and left the apartments. As quietly as I could, I made my way toward the unfrequented part of the castle, in which I had been hiding, and went to sleep. Early the following morning I was awakened by Mate?a.

He told me the entire castle was astir, some one of Alcazeda’s men had seen and recognized me, as I left my brother’s room, and, his master being asleep, had said nothing until this morning. Whereupon, Alcazeda had sought my brother, and the latter had, in a great rage, ordered the castle to be searched. However, as they had not found me, the Prince had declared the man must have been mistaken, and so the matter rested, although the guards had everywhere been doubled. You may imagine this was very unwelcome news to me, and I ate my breakfast in silence. Then I bade Mateza, as soon as he saw a chance, to bring my horse ; and he left me.

Now, I was much in doubt as to whether I should wait until the night fell, or whether I should make a bold dash at once. Delay was dangerous ; detection more so. While still uncertain I heard loud voices directly without. Peeping from the window I discovered that three of Alcazeda’s men had detected Mateza’s attempt to bring my horse, and were endeavoring to wrest it from him. The loss of my horse would be fatal, and, drawing my sword, I dashed out, and was upon them almost before they noticed me. Then two of the rascals, seeing me, turned and fled, while the third, less fortunate than the others, finding he could not shake the old man off, turned and dealt him a heavy blow upon the head, felling him to the ground. At this I grew fearfully angry, for it pained me much to think that he should have come to grief through me, and before the rascal could turn upon me, I cleft him through the skull. Then I turned to poor old Mateza, but he had gotten a fatal blow.