"Bram Stoker - Dracula's Guest" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stoker Bram)

voice of the young officer, "A dog, as I said. If aught else
were said we should only be laughed at."

I was then mounted behind a trooper, and we rode on into
the suburbs of Munich. Here we came across a stray carriage
into which I was lifted , and it was driven off to the Quatre
Saisons--the young officer accompanying me, whilst a trooper
followed with his horse, and the others rode off to their
barracks.

When we arrived, Herr Delbruck rushed so quickly down the
steps to meet me, that it was apparent he had been watching
within. Taking me by both hands he solicitously led me in.The
officer saluted me and was turning to withdraw, when I recog-
nized his purpose and insisted that he should come to my
rooms. Over a glass of wine I warmly thanked him and his brave
comrades for saving me. He replied simply that he was more
than glad, and that Herr Delbruck had at the first taken steps
to make all the searching party pleased; at which ambiguous
utterance the maitre d'hotel smiled, while the officer plead-
duty and withdrew.

"But Herr Delbruck," I enquired, "how and why was it that
the soldiers searched for me?"

He shrugged his shoulders, as if in depreciation of his own
deed, as he replied, "I was so fortunate as to obtain leave
from the commander of the regiment in which I serve, to ask
for volunteers."

"But how did you know I was lost?" I asked.

"The driver came hither with the remains of his carriage,
which had been upset when the horses ran away."

"But surely you would not send a search party of soldiers
merely on this account?"

"Oh, no!" he answered, "but even before the coachman arriv-
ed, I had this telegram from the Boyar whose guest you are,"
and he took from his pocket a telegram which he handed to me,
and I read:

Bistritz.
Be careful of my guest--his safety is most precious to
me. Should aught happen to him, or if he be missed, spare
nothing to find him and ensure his safety. He is English
and therefore adventurous. There are often dangers from
snow and wolves and night. Lose not a moment if you sus-
pect harm to him. I answer your zeal with my fortune.