I warned you." Even
the duke could not find fault with a man for sparing an old friend.
"Wise Herbert" understood how to answer them all.
Colonel Falkenried's stay was limited, and there was so much to be done
that he had scarcely time to breathe.
Audiences with the duke, consultations with prominent military
officials, hours spent with certain members of foreign embassies, all
these had to be crowded into a few days. Wallmoden was scarcely less in
demand until everything was arranged. The ambassador, and more
especially Colonel von Falkenried, had reason to be contented with the
result, for they had acquired everything which they demanded for their
government, and could count with full reliance on the duke. It was
whispered that some matter of more than ordinary import was on the
tapis, but none of the gossipers knew what, and the few who did know
kept their own counsel.
The author of "Arivana" was the favorite of the day, and people began to
discuss his very erratic behavior. Almost immediately after his
glittering triumph he had turned his back upon all who had done him
homage, friends and sycophants alike, and gone to the "wilderness," as
Prince Adelsberg explained to every one; where that wilderness lay, no
one knew, for Egon had given his word to his friend that he would not
reveal his retreat, and Hartmut had promised in return that as soon as
he had had a little quiet and rest he would come back.
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