Clear the Track! Part 44

The two men again shook hands warmly, then Wildenrod went. In the ante-room, a servant came forward with this announcement:

"Baron von Wildenrod, you will find upon your desk a note from Castle Eckardstein, which came about a half hour ago. We did not dare to disturb you, and the messenger was not to wait for an answer."

"It is well," said the Baron, abstractedly. He had other things on his mind now--that expression which had been dropped just now, Dernburg's hint, that he might possibly give up the management of Odensburg very shortly. Had this been nothing but an ebullition of anger, a pa.s.sing whim, that one was not to take in earnest? No, the man was cut to the quick; if he was actually forced into a prolonged battle with his workmen, it was likely, yea, certain, that he would put that thought into action,--and Oscar von Wildenrod would step into his place. Was it indeed true that the hotly contested goal was so close at hand? Oscar's eyes flashed. Oh, he would have no sentimental scruples like his future father-in-law--that rebellious Odensburg should learn to know its new master, this he vowed to himself.

Not until he entered his own room and saw the note lying on his desk, did he recall the servant's message, and with some surprise he picked up the communication. From Castle Eckardstein? What could they have to say to him from there? The new proprietor knew, or at all events suspected, who had stood in the way of his acceptance with Maia, and surely would not make the attempt to renew neighborly relations.

Oscar broke open the seal, ran his eye over the first lines and stopped. Quickly he turned the page over, looked at the signature, and turned pale. "Frederick von Stettin!" he murmured. "What evil spirit leads him to Eckardstein, and what does he want of me?"

He began to read uneasily, with sinister looks. "It is a very grave and painful matter that I must discuss with you," wrote Herr von Stettin.

"I have long hesitated as to the way in which this should be done, and have finally adopted the mildest expedient, for I cannot and will not forget the friends.h.i.+p that bound me to your father. Therefore I only say to you that I know your past, from the moment when you left Germany, up to your last stay at Nice. When we again met there unexpectedly, I procured this knowledge--never mind how. Under the circ.u.mstances, you will readily comprehend why I challenge you to vacate the place that you now occupy at Odensburg. They say that you are the betrothed of the daughter of the house: but you yourself best know how you have forfeited the right to link your fate with that of a pure young girl. It were a crime against Herr Dernburg and his family if I should allow such a thing to happen without opening his eyes.

Spare me the bitter necessity of having to come forward as your accuser. Leave Odensburg! A pretext for your departure will be found--it will then be your affair to dissolve your connection with the family from a distance, in any way you see proper. I will allow you a respite of eight days; at the end of that time, if you are still at Odensburg, I must speak, and Dernburg learns the truth. I leave you time in which to make good your retreat: it is the only thing that I can do for the son of an old friend.

"Frederick von Stettin."

Oscar let the note drop. He had not known who was the uncle and former guardian of both the Counts Eckardstein. During that brief and abruptly broken-off intercourse last summer, the name had not been called, and when Stettin himself arrived, shortly before Count Conrad's death, the relations with Odensburg had already become so strained that no notice was taken of the visitors of one family by the other. But Wildenrod knew the grave and discreet man from the visits he had paid to his father of old. He was not one to deal in mere threats; were he to refuse to retire as requested, he would do what he deemed his duty, without any hesitation, and then--then all was lost!

Oscar jumped up and paced the floor with disordered steps. Just when he had stretched forth his hand to grasp the highest prize, then had come this crus.h.i.+ng blow. Should he yield?--should he, in secret, cowardly flight, turn his back upon Odensburg, of which he had just felt himself to be the lord and master? Never!

Eight days' respite was allowed him: it was a long time: what might not happen meanwhile? He had so often, already, stood on the verge of a precipice, whence it seemed as if a fall were inevitable, and he had always been saved by some rash resolve, or unheard-of streak of luck, now the thing to do was to put this luck once more to the test. In the midst of the wild whirl of thoughts and plans that stormed through his soul, only one thing stood out before him, clear and plain: he must make sure of Maia at any price, must chain her so firmly to him, that no power of earth, not even her father's, could tear her from him. She was the s.h.i.+eld that would cover him from any attack, she, whose whole soul he had captivated, whose every thought and feeling belonged to him--this love was to be his salvation.

Oscar again took up the letter and read it once more from beginning to end, then crushed it and threw it into the fireplace. The paper flamed up and was quickly consumed, while the Baron threw himself back in his chair and with lowering countenance gazed into the fire, ever devising new plans.

A half hour might have thus elapsed, when the door opened, and the servant, coming in, announced:

"Mr. Runeck, the engineer."

"Who?" cried Wildenrod, starting up.

"Herr Runeck wants to speak to you, Baron, about something important."

It actually was Egbert, who followed closely behind the servant. He entered without waiting for an answer, and said, with a slight bow:

"Pray do not refuse to listen to me, Baron von Wildenrod, for the business that brings me is both weighty and urgent."

Oscar had leaped to his feet, and now silently motioned to the servant to withdraw. He did not, for an instant, deceive himself as to the significance of this appearance of Runeck, but Stettin's letter had prepared and steeled him against whatever might come. He no longer took into account one danger the more or less; so far as he was concerned, the question was already "To be or not to be?"

"What brings you to me?" he asked coldly. "You will readily apprehend, Herr Runeck, that, after what has pa.s.sed, your appearance is rather a surprise to me. I did not suppose that you would ever again cross the threshold of Odensburg.

"My coming has to do with yourself alone," replied Egbert in the same tone, "and in your own interest I desire you to listen to me."

"I am listening," was the curt answer.

"No introduction should be needed," began Runeck. "You know what was spoken about, that time on the Whitestone, between your sister and myself. I was then convinced that she shared your life, innocently, in utter ignorance as to its tenor, and, for her sake alone, have I kept silent so long."

"For Cecilia's sake!" exclaimed Oscar with a mocking laugh. "I understand that perfectly. She certainly has a claim to such consideration upon your part."

Egbert drew back a step, and his brow contracted threateningly.

"What do you mean to imply? I demand an explanation of that speech."

Again came that short, mocking laugh from Wildenrod's lips, as he retorted: "Act no comedy with me; I know perfectly that to which I referred. What would poor Eric have done if he had suspected that his beloved friend had stolen from him the affections of his bride? Who knows from what bitter experiences sudden death saved him?"

"That is a shameful supposition," cried Egbert, indignantly, "and you wrong your sister as you do me. You talk as if an understanding existed between us. Eric's betrothed was as unapproachable, for me, as is now his widow. As to my feelings, I am bound to render no one an account."

"Not even Cecilia's brother?"

"Such a brother--no!"

"Herr Runeck, you are in my own room," reminded Oscar, with sharpness.

"I know that, but I have not come to exchange civilities with you, but to have a settlement made that can be postponed no longer."

"About what?" asked Wildenrod, as he stood there motionless, with arms crossed.

"Is it possible that I shall have to explain it to you first?"

"If I am to understand--a.s.suredly."

Runeck made a gesture of impatience, but restrained himself and with apparent composure went on: "It refers, in the first place, to that occurrence in Berlin, at the residence of Frau von Sarewski, that doubtless concerned all of those present. But as I did not belong to that circle of society and knew none of the partic.i.p.ants intimately, I did not concern myself further about the matter. Not until you made your appearance at Odensburg and I recognized the danger that threatened both Eric and his father, through you, did I inquire further. I learned that the matter had been subjected to proof, and that nothing saved you but your speedy departure and the urgent desire of the partic.i.p.ants to ward off a public scandal. The proofs then obtained I have now in my hands, and witnesses are at my disposal. In face of this will you actually play the ignorant?"

Oscar made no further attempt at denial, but his eyes flashed with deadly hatred, as fiercely as though he would annihilate his accuser.

It was not the accusation itself, which left him no way of escape whatever, but it was the tone of unutterable contempt in which it was made, that provoked the Baron to the utmost. All the pride and insolence of his nature revolted against it. He drew himself up to his full height. "And what object have you in saying all this to me? I have long known what I had to expect of you, and shall know how to defend myself. What signify threats? Why have you not dealt the blow long since?"

"Because I supposed that you would sooner or later leave Odensburg.

Neither Eric's marriage nor his death gave you a right to make it your permanent home. Just yesterday I learned that you and Maia were betrothed, and you will understand well when I tell you that this engagement shall not be consummated. I forbid the banns."

"Really! And with what right?"

"With the right of an honest man, who will not consent to see the daughter of Eberhard Dernburg and his Odensburg become the spoil of a villain."

Wildenrod shrank back and his face became as livid as that of a corpse.

"Be on your guard!" gasped he with half stifled voice, raising his fist as if to strike. "You will answer to me for this speech."

"That will I, but not in the way you mean," said Egbert, fixing his eye firmly upon him. "Such battles are only fought out in the courts of justice, where one renders an account only through witnesses and proofs.--Do not look so earnestly at that revolver, which hangs yonder above your desk, Baron von Wildenrod. I readily believe it to be loaded, but I am on my guard--at the first step you take in that direction, I shall cast myself upon you."

Oscar's eye had indeed turned to the revolver, and a crazy idea had darted into his mind, only, however, to be rejected instantly. What good would it do if he did shoot down his adversary? Stettin was bringing up the same accusation, Victor von Eckardstein likewise knew about it, and who knows how many more besides--the net was drawing its meshes about him from every side.

"I offer you one way out--the last," began Runeck again. "Leave Odensburg forever--this very day, for Maia shall not be called your betrothed a single hour longer. Whatever people may then guess, n.o.body will know the full truth, and your sister and Maia will be spared the worst. I shall say nothing, if you give me your word that you will go."

"No," said Wildenrod, with a composure that boded no good.

"Baron von Wildenrod----"

"No, I tell you."

"Then I shall go straightway to Herr Dernburg and reveal everything to him. Your game is lost; give it up!"