"I do not envy his headache when he wakes up," thought Maurice.
He had detected the vinous odor of the sleeper's breath."These headaches, while they last, are bad things.I know; I've had 'em.
I wonder," lifting the stein and draining it, "who the duffer was who said that getting drunk was fun? His name has slipped my memory; no matter." He set down the stein and banged the lid.
The sleeper stirred."Rich," he murmured; "rich, rich! I'm rich!
A hundred thousand crowns!"
"My friend, I'm not in the position to dispute with you on that subject," said Maurice, smiling.He rapped the stein again.
The sleeper raised his head and stared stupidly, "Rich, aye, rich!" He was still in half a dream."Rich, I say!""Hang it, I'm not arguing on that," Maurice laughed.
The other swung upright at this, his round, oily face sodden, his black eyes blinking.He threw off the stupor when he saw that it was a man and not the shadow of one.
"Who the devil are you?" he asked, thickly.
Maurice seldom forgot a face.He recognized this one."Oho!" he said, "so it's you, eh? I did not expect to meet you.Happily Ihad you in mind.You are not employed at present as a porter at the Grand Hotel? So it is you, my messenger!""Who are you and what are you talking about? I don't know you.""Wait a moment and I'll refresh your memory." Maurice theatrically thrust a cigar between his teeth and struck a match.
As the flame illumined his features the questioner started."So you do not recognize me, eh? You haven't the slightest remembrance of Herr Hamilton and his sprained ankle, eh? Sit down or I'll break your head with this stein, you police spy!"dropping the bantering tone.
The other sat down, but he whistled sharply; and Maurice saw the dozen or so rise from the other tables and come hurriedly in his direction.He pushed back his chair and rose, his teeth firmly embedded in the cigar, and waited.
"What's the trouble, Kopf?" demanded the newcomers.
"This fellow accuses me of being a spy and threatens to break my head.""O! break your head, is it? Let us see.Come, brothers; out with this fellow."Maurice saw that they were about to charge him, and his hand went to his hip pocket and rested on the butt of the revolver which the Colonel had given him."Gentlemen," he said, quietly, "I have no discussion with you.I have a pistol in my pocket, and I'm rather handy with it.I desire to talk to this man, and talk to him I will.Return to your tables; the affair doesn't concern you."The intended assault did not materialize.They scowled, but retired a few paces.They saw the movement toward the hip pocket, and they noted the foreign twist of the tongue.Moreover, they did not like the angle of the speaker's jaws.They shuffled, looked questioningly at one another, and, as if all of a single mind, went slowly back to their chairs.Kopf grew pale.Indeed, his pallor was out of all proportion with the affair, which Maurice took to be no more than a comedy.
"Brothers," he said, huskily, "he will not dare.""Don't you doubt it for a moment," interrupted Maurice, taking out the revolver and fondling it."Any interference will mean one or more cases for the hospital.Come, I'm not the police,"to Kopf."I am not going to hurt you.I wish only to ask you a few questions, which is my right after what has passed between us.We'll go to my hotel, where we shan't be disturbed."Together they left the hall.As they passed through the bar-room Stuler looked questions, but refrained from asking them.Maurice put away the revolver.As they went out into the street he drew Kopf's arm within his own.
"What do you want?" asked Johann, savagely.
"First.What is your place in this affair?""What affair?"
"The abduction."
"I had nothing to do with it, Herr, on my honor.I was only a porter, and I supposed my errand was in good faith.""How about the gentle push you gave me when the door opened? My friend, I'm no infant.Lies will do you no good.I know everything, and wish only to verify.You are a police spy, in the employ of the duchess." Maurice felt the arm draw, and bore down on it.
"If I was, do you suppose I'd fool my time on this side of the Thalians?" Johann shrugged.
"I'm not sure about that," said Maurice, puffing into Johann's face."When cabinet ministers play spy, small fry like you will not cavil at the occupation.And you are not in their pay?"Johann glared."I want to know," Maurice went on, "what you know;what you know of Colonel Beauvais, his plans, his messengers to the duchy, what is taking place underneath."Johann's face cleared and a cunning light brightened his eyes.
"If that is all you are after, I'll tell you.I'm a spy no longer; they have no more use for me, despite their promises.
I'll play them off for quits."
"If that's all," repeated Maurice, "what did you think I wanted to ask you?"Johann bit his lip."I'm wanted badly by the chancellor, curse you, if you must know.I thought he might be behind you.""Don't worry about that," said Maurice, to whom this declaration seemed plausible."We'll talk as we go along."And Johann loosened his tongue and poured into Maurice's ear a tale which, being half a truth, had all the semblance of straightforwardness.What he played for was time; to gain time and to lull his captor's suspicions.Maurice was not familiar with the lower town; Johann was.A few yards ahead there was an alley he knew, and once in it he could laugh at all pursuit.It might be added that if Maurice knew but little of the lower town, he knew still less about Johann.
