I rushed out, hot with anger. I caught Steinbock by the collar just in
time to prevent his lips from touching her cheek. I flung him to the
floor, and knelt upon his chest. I am ashamed to confess it, but I
recollect slapping the fellow's face as he struggled under me.
"You scoundrel!" I cried, breathing hard.
"Kill him!" whispered her Highness. She was furious; the blood of her
marauding ancestors swept over her cheeks, and if ever I saw murder in
a woman's eyes it was at that moment.
"Hush, Hildegarde, hush!" The English girl caught the princess in her
arms and drew her back. "Don't let me hear you talk like that. It is
all over."
"Get up," I said to Steinbock, as I set him free.
He crawled to his feet. He was very much disordered, and there were
livid welts on his face. He shook himself, eying me evilly. There was
murder in his eyes, too.
"Empty your pockets of those thousand crowns!"--peremptorily.
"I was certain that I smelled tobacco," he sneered. "It would seem
that there are other bridegrooms than myself."
"Those crowns, or I'll break every bone in your body!" I balled my
fists. Nothing would have pleased me better at that moment than to
pummel the life out of him.
Slowly he drew out the purse. It was one of those limp silk affairs so
much affected by our ancestors. He balanced it on his hand. Its ends
bulged with gold and bank-notes. Before I was aware of his intention,
he swung one end of it in so deft a manner that it struck me squarely
between the eyes. With a crash of glass he disappeared through the
window. The blow dazed me only for a moment, and I was hot to be on
his tracks. The Honorable Betty stopped me.
"He may shoot you!" she cried. "Don't go!"
Although half through the window, I crawled back, brushing my sleeves.
Something warm trickled down my nose.
"You have been cut!" exclaimed her Highness.
"It is nothing. I beg of you to let me follow. It will be all over
with that fellow at large."
"Not at all." Her Highness' eyes sparkled wickedly. "He will make for
the nearest frontier. He knows now that I shall not hesitate a moment
to put his affairs in the hands of the police."
"He will boast of what he has done."
"Not till he has spent those thousand crowns." She crossed the room
and knelt at the side of Leopold, dashing some water into his face.
Presently he opened his eyes. "He is only stunned. Poor Leopold!"