'Enough,' she said; 'I will sign the order. When shall he leave?'
'It will take me twelve hours to collect my men, and it had best be
done at night. To-morrow midnight, if you please?' answered the
Baron.
'Excellent,' she said. 'My door is always open to you, Baron. As
soon as the order is prepared, bring it me to sign.'
'Madam,' he said, 'alone of all of us you do not risk your head in
this adventure. For that reason, and to prevent all hesitation, I
venture to propose the order should be in your hand throughout.'
'You are right,' she replied.
He laid a form before her, and she wrote the order in a clear hand,
and re-read it. Suddenly a cruel smile came on her face. 'I had
forgotten his puppet,' said she. 'They will keep each other
company.' And she interlined and initiated the condemnation of
Doctor Gotthold.
'Your Highness has more memory than your servant,' said the Baron;
and then he, in his turn, carefully perused the fateful paper.
'Good!' said he.
'You will appear in the drawing-room, Baron?' she asked.
'I thought it better,' said he, 'to avoid the possibility of a
public affront. Anything that shook my credit might hamper us in
the immediate future.'
'You are right,' she said; and she held out her hand as to an old
friend and equal.
CHAPTER IX - THE PRICE OF THE RIVER FARM; IN WHICH VAINGLORY GOES
BEFORE A FALL
THE pistol had been practically fired.
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