When Pascale Auber is forced out of the airship of the evil Dr. Simpelstur, she finds herself rescued by a handsome Ruritanian diplomat, Theo von Hentzau. Pascale soon realizes that Theo is hiding something - something to do with the evil doctor, th...
Theo blushed and followed the priest into the office. I began rifling through the closet, straining to hear the conversation going on in the next room.
I heard the priest's raised voice say, "von Hentzau?" disbelievingly. Theo's reply was too quiet and unassuming to make out.
"Here, try this," I said, pushing a smock into Baud's arms.
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"Too big," he protested, blocking out all of one of Theo's sentences save "Just a name, you know - it's not doing any harm, really. . ."
I made a face and shoved another smock into Baud's arms. Baud stuck his tongue out at me, but pulled the black smock on over his head, turning himself momentarily into a clichéd picture of an artist.
Theo was now saying "Ruprecht? Ruprecht would never . . ."
The Archduke's name was Ruprecht! Perhaps I was, at last, on the cusp of learning something useful. I leaned in closer, straining to hear the conversation - and nearly got cold-cocked by door swinging open again.
The priest strode out first, asking, "Well, did you find a suitable size?"
Theo von Hentzau followed half a step behind, looking sheepish. I turned to hear Baud's answer, holding my breath.
"Oh yes," Baud said, happily, holding out his black-draped arms.
I let out a sigh of relief. I would be able to tell mother in good conscience that Baud was happily ensconced in a new school.
"Excellent," confirmed the old man. "Would you like to spend the afternoon meeting your schoolmates?"
Baud looked over at me. I was delighted to see his eyes bright and his expression hopeful. "May I, Pascale?"
I looked over at Theo, who nodded. Then I said, "Very well, but I want you home for supper. Do you think you can take yourself home, or do you want me to come for you?"
Baudoin shook his head. "I can get home if you give me money for the train."
I started to dig through my reticule, but Theo drew a handful of large bills out of his breast pocket.
Baudoin's eyes grew wide, then narrowed in suspicion. Theo peeled off a single bill, saying, "Catch a steam-hackney; there is a cab stand on the corner."
Baud frowned but did not protest. That much money would buy him a snack as well as a trip home. He crumpled the banknote in his fist, which then disappeared under his voluminous artists' robe.
Fr. Barnard turned his attention back to me. "Miss Auber, have your parents wire the school the fees. Young Baudoin, let me show you to the sports field where you will meet your classmates." The man turned to lead Baudoin outside, but then seemed to change his mind. He turned back. "Oh, and Hentzau?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Honesty is generally considered to be the best policy, hmm?"
Theo's cheeks bloomed very red as the old man walked away.
