An American cavalier : a novel

Front matter

^ V

o o'

-Pa u ^ r

BOOK I. The Problem

CHAPTER PAGE

I. “Schemes o’ Mice and Men,” . . . . i

II. Prince Kroupieve 12

III. An Humble Ambassador, 28

IV. Edgemere, 41

V. • The Fatted Calf, ' 59

VI. Rodion’s Surprising News, 71

VII. The Offer of Russia, 77

VIII. Mr. Harlowe and his Discovery, ... 88

IX. Countess Mura Naletoff, 103

X. Dale’s Astounding News, . . . . 118

Between Books.

BOOK II. The Demonstration

I. Foreign Methods, 137

II. Lines of Battle, i^9

III. Dale’s Discovery, i6i

IV. Domestic Anxieties, 171

V. A Random Shot, 182

VI. A Surprising Change, 194

VII. Verbal Fence, 209

VIII. A Memorable Day, 219

iii

IV

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

IX.

Mr. Harlowe’s Sacrifice,

PAGE

• 235

X.

An Awful Blunder, .

. . . 246

Between Books.

CHAPTER I. “ SCHEMES o’ MICE AND MEN.”

It was a motley throng, in which the foreign element predominated.

Moreover it was an impatient throng, for La Tourainey for which it waited on this bright morning in the early summer of 1893, was slow in warping into her berth.

The huge steamer, after the unrestrained freedom of her dash across the great water waste, in her voyage from Havre, seemed to be resisting efforts to put restrictions on her liberty, like a mettlesome horse, quivering with the joy and excitement of a swift gallop over the turf, refusing to be stabled.

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This throng was uncomfortable as well as motley; the overspreading roof and the sides, except where they were pierced with openings, made the wharf dark and drear, for the sun, however bright outside, did not penetrate to relieve the dampness which wilted collars and made light clothes heavy. Moreover it was given little rest, for, from time to time, the ’longshoremen and the wharfingers elbowed it from place to place, what time the drivers of heavy trucks, passing and repassing, jealous of their rights of way, did not compel it to seek safety between piled-up boxes and barrels by loud shouts and many oaths.

Close to that opening in which, inquiry had informed them, the broad gangway for the descent of passengers from the steamer slowly approaching would be placed, stood two foreigners, who rarely spoke to each other, but who were stealthily observant of all things occurring about them, and who carefully scrutinized all faces their eyes could reach.

The few words they did exchange discovered that they were Russians. An ethnologist might have read their nationality in their faces, probably would have done so readily; but the ordinary person, judging them, as is the wont, rather by their clothes than by their features, would have said they were Frenchmen, since Paris had put its stamp on their garments, and especially

SCHEMES 0‘ MICE AND MEN^ 3

as they were waiting the incoming of a French steamer.

A short distance away, concealed by a mound of barrels, one of which at the end of a row he had rolled over so as to make a space through which he could peer unobserved, stood a man of middle age, unmistakably an Italian. Well dressed, he was evidently of a grade superior to those of his countrymen who, in recent years, have supplanted the Irish laborers as the navvies ” of the nation, yet something about him suggested to experienced eyes the trusted domestic of higher position in families of circumstance. He wore plain gold rings in his ears. Except when he turned with eager, all-expectant air to look behind him, which was frequently, his eyes were upon the two Russians, who were evidently unaware of his presence.

The weary watching and waiting were relieved, at least so far as our Italian was concerned, by the approach of two of his countrymen — great hulking fellows, beetle-browed, who, with their naturalization, had taken on the swagger and hitching shoulders of the Bowery — formidable looking fellows, whom one would have preferred to meet on the pavements of Broadway with a policeman in sight, rather than in a dark alley under the cover of the night.

But our watchful Italian greeted them with

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manifest relief and satisfaction. He exchanged a few rapid words with them, gave them some money in little packages, at which he did not look — denoting that the payment was in consequence of prearrangement — and drawing them close to the opening in the mound of barrels he had made, pointed out the two Russians he had been watching. Then he gave them some instructions, to which they were keenly attentive, and to their comprehension of which they testified by short, quick nods of the head. This done, he motioned them away vigorously.

Withdrawing, and separating immediately, the two men took up stations where they could closely observe the Russians while they appeared to be only idlers. In the meantime, the attention of the watchkil Italian was attracted by an altercation between a policeman on duty at the pier and the driver of a hack, who was endeavoring to turn his horses’ heads to the street. Quickly gliding to the side of the officer, the Italian slipped a bill into the hand of that functionary, saying in tolerable English:

“ That is my carriage, and I would crave the favor that it should stand here.”

The officer, with a presence of mind born of long experience, and frequent practice perhaps, without abating in the slightest his tone of authority, as his fingers closed on the bill, con-

** SCHEMES O' MICE AND MEN." 5

tinued to direct the movements of the driver, with this difference only, that, while heretofore his orders had been to the end of sending the hack up the pier, they were now such as finally placed the vehicle in a more eligible spot than the driver had been striving to attain. Having accommodated this matter, which he seemed to regard as important, the Italian turned to go back to his point of observation, but was immediately made aware that the altercation had served to attract the attention of the Russians, for one was clearly, if stealthily, pointing out the Italian to his companion. So our friend with the rings in his ears made no further effort to escape the observation of the Russians.

By this time the great ship was nearly in place. The two Russians separated; one taking his stand on the stringpiece on one side of the opening and the other on the opposite side, from which points they could not fail to see the faces of all the passengers descending from the ship.

The Italian stood immediately in front of the opening, heedless of the orders of the officer to clear a space for the gangway. As soon as it was placed in position he sprang forward, displaying a card to the officer stationed at the foot, nodding, and smiling, and in a moment was on the deck, where he again displayed his card to an officer of the ship. That officer, glancing at it carelessly, nodded, and the Italian pushed his way among the passengers who were crowding about.

These movements were not lost upon the Russians, who signaled to each other.

Beyond the circle of passengers crowding about the gangway and near the door opening upon the companion way, stood a lady, looking anxiously toward the wharf — a lady upon whose face were not only anxiety, but perplexity and apprehension — a lady whose distinction was proclaimed in her carriage; whose high claims to blond beauty were not to be denied nor gauged by classical standards, and whose tall form, slight and willowy to elegance, was yet commanding.

Perceiving the lady from a distance the Italian hastened to her, and, bowing low, announced his presence by a single word:

“ Madame! ’’

The lady turned quickly. If her face was beautiful when clouded by perplexity and apprehension, it was indescribably charming when irradiated by the glad light that leaped into her eyes, and the smile which dimpled her cheeks and chin.

'' Pietro! ” she exclaimed, her tone evincing her joy at seeing him.

They talked rapidly in French, and with facility, though it was plain that it was the native tongue of neither, but probably because it was common ground on which they could meet.

SCHEMES O' MICE AND MEN!' 7

"'Come!” she said. “We will go. I am but an indifferent sailor, and would leave the ship as soon as possible.”

“ Mme. la Comtesse will listen to me? ” asked the Italian, whom she had called Pietro, in a tone of utmost respect.

Indeed, yes,” replied the lady with animation. “ The only one of my retinue who has proved faithful to me! Why not?”

Pietro, bowing low, said, still in French:

“ There are on the wharf two men of madame's nation. I have seen them in Paris about madame's hotel — only two days before I left Paris on madame’s orders, for this country. They watch for somebody. I fear it is for madame, by the orders of ”

The lady interrupted Pietro as an expression of fear, even terror, stole over her face. Clutching the arm of Pietro in her agitation, she exclaimed:

“ My God, even here already, and I am but arrived! ”

“ Mme. la Comtesse must not distress herself,” said Pietro quickly, in a confident yet respectful and sympathetic tone. “ Pietro will baffle her enemies, and the city of New York is not like London even, for it is easily done. Every precaution is taken.”

The lady, reassured, cast a grateful glance upon her servant.

AN AMERICAN CA VALTER.

Then are we to go now? she asked, apparently putting herself unreservedly into Pietro’s hands.

When we have had madame’s baggage examined and put into the carriage. She cannot have much? ” he said inquiringly.

'' No; a trunk and a satchel.”

‘‘ Madame’s trunks and cases that I brought over with me are already in the house I have selected for madame’s residence.”

And if there are spies here, they know that already,”-said the countess; but it was tentatively.

‘‘ Madame would reproach me for want of care,” replied Pietro. I am sure nothing is known. His spies did not even know I was in this country until they saw me here to-day.”

'' Then my departure from Paris was known? ”

It could not be otherwise.”

No, Pietro,” she said, I reproach you for nothing but devotion to a woman followed by misfortune.” She laid her hand upon his and smiled adorably.

Pietro bowed, highly pleased, and said:

Madame is known at the house as Mme. Thompson! ”

‘‘ Ah, yes! That was the name chosen.”

Does Mathilde accompany madame? ”

No,” replied the lady, speaking with asperity for the first time. Like all the rest, except you,

SC//£Af£S O' MICE AND MEN.'* 9

my faithful Pietro, my maid was a spy upon me in the pay of ”

This time it was Pietro who repressed utterance of the name.

“ It is best to mention no names. May I have the keys, so that I can have the examination made? ''

The lady handed him the keys, and Pietro left her, saying “ I will return soon.’' The countess found a chair where, somewhat secluded, she could sit.

As Pietro passed down the gangway to the wharf, he was sensible that his reappearance caused signals between the two Russians, who still maintained their posts of observation. Reaching the wharf he cast a quick glance about him and, satisfied that his countrymen were there, began the search for his mistress’ trunk and satchel.

The search was soon ended and, securing an examination, he had the trunk and satchel conveyed to the hack in waiting for him, and returned to the lady.

Together, with no effort at concealment, they descended the gangway, the lady on the arm of her servant, to the suppressed excitement of the two Russians, who exchanged almost imperceptible signals of recognition of the person for whom they had waited.

Immediately they left their posts. One went lo AN AMERICAN CA VALIER,

to a carriage standing near by, and spoke briefly to the driver; it must have been in directing attention to Pietro^s coach, for the driver looked at it attentively. The other Russian followed leisurely, a short distance behind Pietro and the countess.

The Italian helped the lady into the coach and, without a word of instruction to his driver, sprang in and slammed the door, whereupon the driver touched up his horses into as smart a gait as the crowded condition of the pier warranted.

The Russian who had followed them turned quickly and ran to the coach by the side of which his companion was standing, but immediately came into violent contact with a man running at full speed. Together they fell, rolling on the floor of the wharf, the Russian underneath and unable to regain his feet. The other Russian, realizing the accident his companion had met with, immediately sprang to his coach-door, but, singularly, just as he was about to step in, another running man struck him, stumbled, and to save himself caught the Russian by the waist, with the result of also bringing him to the floor.

By the time either could regain their feet, the coach containing Pietro and the countess had passed beyond the possibility of pursuit.

The two Russians met at the door of their coach crestfallen, their driver looking down upon them with a broad grin. The two Italians were there schemes o* mice and men:

too, one of them making abject apologies, and the other declaring loudly and volubly that he had been interrupted in a pursuit.

The two Russians heeded them not, but one said to the other:

“ It was well done.’’

‘‘The Italian is very clever,” replied the other.

They then entered their coach and were driven away slowly.

Chapter II. Prince Kroupieve

Diplomat and statesman; favorite and confidant of his Imperial Master, Alexander; ruler of a principality, one half of which he owned, Prince Alexis Kroupieve looked it all.

In the summer of 1893 this Russian nobleman of high distinction and great power was a visitor also to the United States. Rumor credited him with vast and special powers from the Czar anent the treaty at that time pending between the two countries. If it were so, presentation of that mission had not been made to our foreign department, and our government had no official knowledge of either the coming or the presence of the distinguished person. The Russian embassy maintained an inviolable taciturnity, but treated the illustrious visitor with almost royal honors.

On a certain day late in July Prince Kroupieve occupied luxurious apartments in one of those large hotels clustering about the main entrance of Central Park, in this great metropolis of ours. At the moment of his introduction to the reader he was seated in a large easy-chair near the center

PRINCE UROUPIEVE.

of the room, a small table drawn up at his elbow, which was littered with papers and letters; but with these papers, however, he was less concerned than with the man standing, much embarrassed, in front of him a few feet away.

But if Maurice Hanford, chief of Hanford’s Detective Agency, as he proudly announced on all proper occasions, was embarrassed, he was yet far more angry, a fact indifferently noted by the prince, but most carefully by Rodion Michaelovitch, warily watching from his station near the windows, and with alarm, for Rodion, during his seven weeks’ residence in this country, had observed, with no little bewilderment, that the average American displayed an independence that resented an address such as Prince Kroupieve was accustomed to employ toward those whom he regarded his inferiors.

Rodion, who was man of confidence, ready and prompt servant, chief of spies, anything of service needed to Prince Kroupieve, in fact, doubted whether the average American regarded himself as inferior to anybody; therefore, concealing his alarm, he stood with his hand in his pocket grasping a revolver, prepared to go to the defense of his master, should that master’s tone and words goad the average American, Hanford, into an overt act of violence.

It might have been supposed that under such circumstances Rodion, having been in this country much longer, and therefore better informed than his master, would have advised the prince to adopt a different address; but to advise was something Rodion did not dream of doing; to obey and to defend the prince was his duty. So it was that he watched, ready to act if necessity required interference.

“ So,” continued the prince, magnificent displeasure on his face, and with that precise and deliberate enunciation marking the foreigner, more learned in the language he uses than practiced in its speech, “ so, after five weeks, with ample means at your command, you report that the person sought for cannot be found; that you do not know, even, that she is in this city or has left it — even that she is in this country or has left it. Surely, sir, you are a very accurate hound! ”

‘‘ That’s a fact,” replied Hanford doggedly. “ I don’t know whether she ever came to the city.”

My good sir,” said the prince with increased contempt, ‘‘ my spies had not difficulty in watching her embark from that port in France, nor in watching her land in this city of New York of yours.”

The emphasis, suggesting that Hanford was merely a spy, differing only from those possessed by the prince in being less shrewd and efficient, stung the detective into this retort:

PRINCE KROUPikVE, i5

“Then such fly spies as yours should have followed her until they knew where she planted herself.”

“ They naturally supposed that the very efficient police of this great city would inform itself of the presence of a stranger, at least of her distinction,” replied the prince haughtily, and in a tone implying censure of the police authorities.

Hanford had not a high opinion of the efficiency of the police force, — had not had, indeed, since that day when the authorities had permitted so valuable a member of the detective bureau as himself to sever his relations with it without protest, — but his anger and resentment drove him to its defense, and at the same time to a declaration of patriotism.

“ See here, sir,” he said sternly, recovering from his embarrassment as he lost his temper, “America isn’t Russia, by a long shot. The police here, nor anywhere else in this broad country, don’t spy after people doing no wrong and under no suspicion. There is no complaint, no charge, no warning against this woman, from any government or police of any country. You don’t make any charge. All there is of it is that you want to locate her. There’s such a thing as liberty in this country, and if you’re going to stay here long, you want to learn that right away. It ’ll save you a lot of trouble.”

l6 A AT AMERICAN CAVALIER.

“ And increase my difficulties/’ sneered the prince, while Rodion was horrified at the bold reply.

“ I don’t know anything about your difficulties, and I don’t care; but I do know you insult every American citizen when you think anything else.”

‘‘Enough! Silence, dog!” haughtily commanded the prince.

“ Stop that ! ” angrily replied the detective. “ I am no more of a dog than you are. Calling people dogs may do where you come from, if they’ll let you. But I won’t, and you won’t find many here that will, either.”

The counter command, utterly beyond the experience of the Russian nobleman, so much astonished him that he was not even angered, and while he stared at this unheard-of specimen of humanity, Hanford, feeling that he had sufficiently declared the manhood of the general American, passed on to a declaration of his own particular manhood, growing very doubtful in his grammar-:

“ And I want you to understand that I am none of your dirty spies. I’m a detective, I am, doing a straight business, and I’m beginnin’ to have big doubts whether this ’ere job of yourn is straight or not.”

“Enough!” commanded the prince, and turning to Rodion, said, “ Pay him what he demands.”

PRINCE NRO C/P/A F£.

‘‘ I demand nothing,” promptly retorted Hanford, so angry as to lose all sense of gain. “ If youVe got any good of my five weeks’ work, you’re welcome to it. I make you a present of it, and drop the job. But as I believe you’re up to no good yourself. I’m goin’ to keep an eye on you. Good-morning! ”

And the champion of American manhood and American detectives took himself and his manhood out of the room, strode angrily down the stairs, and, pausing only to warn the clerk at the desk that he’d better look after the fellow calling himself Prince Kroupieve, as he (Hanford) had “ crossed ” on him, and didn’t believe he was any good, walked out of the hotel and out of this story at one and the same moment.

As the door closed upon Hanford, the prince rose from his chair and paced up and down the room, deep in thought, the while Rodion stood at the window motionless, patiently awaiting the prince’s pleasure.

It is to be feared that Hanford’s expressed opinion of the prince was born solely of his anger — anger caused by the arrogant and contemptuous treatment he had received. Certainly the appearance and manner of the prince did not warrant it. Surely, in every motion he carried the air of dignity, consequence, authority, and distinction of the man accustomed to the deference l8 an AMERICAN CAVALIER.

of his fellow-men, and to power and the exercise of it. About him was the atmosphere of a great world, and his haughtiness, ingrained as it was, was the haughtiness of conscious superiority. But that his features were too hard and rugged, and animated by a cruel and cynical expression, he would have been called handsome. Even the sneer which lurked habitually under his black, waxed, and pointed mustache could not lessen the dignity of his face, and no man would deny that high spirit and determination were essential characteristics of the man, nor that the habit of command sat well upon him.

Suddenly he turned from his pacing up and down, upon his patient attendant.

“ Ha, Rodion! ’’ he exclaimed.

‘‘ Yes, master,” was the submissive reply.

“ You have had an example of the liberty which the babes drink in with their milk in this favored land.”

The habitual sneer became more marked.

“ Liberty, with its attendant consequence — independence — that permits a spy to insult his superior, and denies the superior the right of immediate punishment. Liberty, independence, justice! Great are thy names! ”

“ There are no superiors here,” modestly commented Rodion.

True, Rodion Michaelovitch! All are base-

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born, even the very rich man at whose palace in Newport I dined last week. But stop! It is the inferiors who are the superiors; the superiors are the inferiors.”

In what way, master? ”

In all ways — in sarcasm or sincerity. What I find is this: The lower classes, and what they call here the great middle class, have no reverence for rank. It is the rich alone who prostrate themselves before the person of rank, whom idleness or affairs of nations drift to their shores, envying the titles their stern republican constitution denies them. Pah! ”

He crossed the room to the windows and looked out as he added:

There is more respect for the fellow who has just left us, for he really believes in his equality. He is your true American republican.”

He was silent at the window as he watched the throng passing up and down.

‘‘It is wonderful!” finally he remarked, rather to himself than to his attendant. “ This swarming multitude, alike prosperous in appearance. No poverty, no classes, no distinctions! They go up and down and the authorities take no heed. Men come from all the world, and no one says to them: ‘Who are you?’ ‘Why do you come here?’ ‘What is your business?’ ‘Where are you going? ’ Men go out of the country into all

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the world, and no one asks: ' For what purpose? ’ I am told that there are in this great city, every night, one hundred and twenty-five thousand strangers, and the Government does not know that they are here — not even the name of one of them, nor where they come from, nor where they go to. Not one of them does the Government dare to question, unless he has committed crime, or there is strong proof that he has. The Government exists by the consent and selection of the governed, and yet it is strong. Is the republican right, after all? ”

“ It would not do for Russia.”

Yet the Russian emigrates to this country, becomes a citizen, is presented with the same freedom, and is one of them, scrupulously obeying their laws and customs — as good a citizen as the rest. Let us be philosophical. We condemn the theory, and hold freedom to be dangerous; yet here, where liberty is guaranteed, property is protected, life is safe, the bomb an incident punished almost with ferocity when discovered, the country grows in population and wealth beyond any nation on earth, and there is no anarchy.”

“ And no Siberia,” quietly remarked Rodion. The prince regarded Rodion contemplatively. “ And no privilege for class. I cannot find the Countess Naletoff, though I am convinced she is in this city.”

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“ In St. Petersburg we would know within twenty-four hours every inmate of every house. But here, liberty not only does not know, but prevents the search.’'

“ Yes; liberty defeats me, the representative of absolutism. But Alexis Kroupieve will not be defeated. The prince, diplomat, representative of imperial powers may be, but not Alexis, the man and politician. Money and energy can do as much in the land of liberty as in the land of absolutism.”

He crossed the room to a table on which there was a curiously mounted box, from which, after unlocking it with a key from his chain, and opening it, he took a photograph. Calling Michaelovitch to him, he said:

“ Have as many copies of this made as is necessary. Fill the city with spies. Give each one a copy, and let the opera, the theaters, restaurants, hotels, shops, the railroad stations, the cars, the streets, the drives, the parks, the parades, be haunted night and day until she is found.”

‘‘ And when she is — what then? She cannot be seized.”

Not yet. There is a way to be made, but not yet. Found, she shall be watched every moment, until the prince, the representative of imperial power, has found the way not now possible. Go, then, on this business, Rodion Michaelovitch.

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But stop! Admit the Dale; I have business with him/’

He laughed low and contemptuously.

“ Dale! Another shrewd American citizen, who laughs at spies, and does not know that I employ him as one of mine.”

Michaelovitch patiently waited for further remark, but, hearing none, bowed low and left the room. The prince walked to the window, looked out a moment, and, turning, spoke aloud:

“ Money, energy, and patience will accomplish my desire. No, beautiful Countess of Naletoff, you cannot escape your destiny, though you fly Russia, and hide under the folds of the Stars and Stripes. The arms of Alexis Kroupieve are long and his power wide.”

The door opened, and there entered a person who presented in himself contradictions. If the snow-white hair curling crisply and closely over his head, and the snow-white mustache elaborately curled at the ends, suggested the dignity of years, his tall, slight, elegant figure, the vivacity of his manner, the extreme youthfulness of the fashion of his clothes, and the gayety of his speech contradicted the suggestion, and left the observer puzzled to know whether he was a youthful old man or a youthful man prematurely old.

“ Ah, Dale! ” cried the prince, his tone and manner changing instantly upon the entrance of

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his caller, who with easy, yet respectful, familiarity dropped into a low chair. “ I greet you with pleasure, my friend Dale. This heat, so excessive, affects you not — so fresh, so cool.”

“ Fresh I may be, prince — undoubtedly am; but cool — I repel the idea as a base insinuation of flattery, and accept it as a tribute to my costume, especially contrived to delude spectators and deceive myself. No, Your Serene Highness, I am warm; and I must cut this hot town and seek my brother-in-law, which, being liberally interpreted into intelligible English, means a cool country house by the water-side.”

“Ha!” said the prince, seating himself in the chair where we found him when this chapter opened. “ Let me send for a cigar and a cooling drink.”

He made a motion as if to touch a bell on the table at his side, but Dale vivaciously put up both hands in protest.

“ Don’t! ” he cried; “ I never smoke until after lunch, nor drink until after dinner.”

“Ha! Wherefore the years pass over your head with no touch of their withering frost.”

“ But a heavy fall of snow,” replied Dale with a laugh, laying his hand on his hair.

“ But who is this brother-in-law. I have not heard of him — this brother-in-law, for whom you would forsake me? ”

‘‘ Forsake you, prince — never! Yet something is due to one’s family, if he possesses such a necessary appendage to respectability. I have been back in this country three weeks, after three years’ absence, and have not put in an appearance to inform it that its ornament is alive and kicking.”