Trusia: A Princess of Krovitch

  X

  THE GLIMMER OF SUSPICION

  It was Paul Zulka who bowed low over the Duchess's hand. He was totallyoblivious to all other claims upon his attention for the nonce.

  "Do you know that gentleman, Paul?"

  As Trusia questioned him, he turned about in mystification. Notexpecting to see Carter there or anywhere, it required time for hismental processes to adjust themselves to the detached conditions,unfavorable to a recognition.

  That the Krovitzer had not instantly identified his former clubmate wascausing the latter some uneasiness. He knew it would be impossible forZulka to have forgotten his existence completely after two years ofalmost daily social intercourse. A greater fear followed on the heels ofthis first misgiving. Carter's mouth set firm and hard as he consideredthe possibility of an intentional snub. If such were the case his fatewas undoubtedly sealed, for he had invoked this very test--this meetingwas to vouch for his sincerity. His mind went rapidly back over thewhole period of his acquaintance with the Krovitch nobleman, to recallif there had been any indication of such a poltroon trait in PaulZulka's character. He was, in justice, forced to deny the existence ofany such.

  In the flash of an eye it had all happened. Forgetting court etiquettein his rush, Zulka grasped his friend's hand and shook it vigorously.

  "You," he said half doubting his own senses. "Here? Will wonders nevercease? Carrick, too," and a friendly nod greeted the grinning andrelieved Cockney. The recognition was complete.

  "Mea Culpa!" said Zulka, suddenly remembering his grievous breach ofdecorum, turning now to bow deeply with a humility which seemed but halfsincere. Of course Trusia forgave him for she seemed vastly pleased withthe favorable outcome of the meeting.

  "Carter a spy!" Paul exploded, when the status of affairs was dulyexplained to him. "I would as soon suspect our loyal old Josef there."

  The face of the latter, since Zulka's advent, had been a study, thoughthis allusion to him had been received with his accustomed smirk.

  Sobieska, for the time being no further interested in the proceedings,was openly watching the mask-like face. It was as though a suspiciousmind, aroused by the vigorous and unsustained charges, had, as areflex, determined to probe the motives to their devious sources. Toosubtle to display the uneasiness he felt at this surveillance, Josefappeared the personification of innocence and candor.

  Colonel Sutphen, willing to make amends, and aware that Carter andCarrick had not yet been formally acquitted, arose and addressed HerGrace.

  "I think we may take it, Highness, that this gentleman and his--hisservant are vindicated." The word servant caused him some difficulty ashe was not prepared to relegate Carrick to such servile rank. It mightbe of some significance to note that both Josef and Sobieska displayed acovert interest in this hesitation in the usually downright Chancellor.