The Kaiser had invested in strong gates for privacy and behind them a drive swept towards the front entrance. The boys leaped out of the carriage and dashed up the steps to the door.
It seemed that there were other visitors present since a small army of carriages lined the drive. Faro who was not looking forward to the unavoidable encounter with Amelie, was thankful that with others present, this would be a formal occasion.
The two boys had already disappeared inside the lodge while a footman ushered the newcomers into a waiting-room, through a hall with walls overburdened with trophies of the hunt.
Deer, wild boar and eagles in glass cases stared down on them. Stepping cautiously across a fierce-headed tiger-skin rug, Faro felt depressed by the presence of so many dead things.
Watching his expression with some amusement, the Colonel said, 'Wilhelm tells us that your Balmoral is like this.'
'It is indeed,' said Faro and left it at that.
An equerry arrived, bowed and greeted the new arrivals. 'Her Highness is resting at present. She has been informed of your arrival and will receive you shortly.'
The Colonel indicated chairs and ordered schnapps. As they sat by the sunny window Faro was not kept long in doubt of the identity of those other important visitors, who were just leaving.
'Count von Bismarck,' said the Colonel.
And Faro caught a glimpse of the legendary man of German politics, immensely tall and imposing as he came down the steps. Noticing the Colonel at the window, he saluted him gravely and, stepping into the leading carriage, drove off, followed by his retinue.
The Colonel sighed. 'A pity we didn't arrive earlier. I am sure he would have enjoyed a meeting with you. He is also a friend of Amelie, I expect he has business with her regarding Luxoria. Honest Otto they call him, since he has acted as broker between the European powers. He has built up a web of alliances and even enjoys a good press in your native land. On meeting your Queen Victoria, he was very impressed. Told everyone: "What a woman! There is someone I could have dealings with."
‘Twenty years ago, he made it his business to win over the German princes and created a unified Germany with Berlin as the capital. The Reich has become Europe's largest state, dominated by Prussia. And it is always growing. Bismarck is a Junker like myself and that helped him achieve greatness, so some say.'
With a deep sigh he added, 'Alas, poor Bismarck.'
'Why do you say that? He doesn't sound like a man who needs anyone's pity.'
'Not on the surface, but I know a thing or two. Wilhelm isn't happy about him. They do not see eye to eye, Mr Faro. Bismarck is a politician of the old school, anti-socialist. Wilhelm has more modern ideas of extending our social security system. I am afraid when it comes to open warfare between the two, Bismarck may have to go. He will accept the inevitable with great dignity and Wilhelm will make it all very polite. That it is time for him to take honourable retirement.'
The door opened. A woman appeared, leaning on her servant's arm; a woman with regal presence, tall and slender, quite lovely, Faro thought, but with the fragility of crystal.
Her eyes sought him out, smiling.
He went forward and, bowing, realised that his image of her all these years had changed. It was like an out-of-focus painting, the colours of which had been disturbed, their margins blurred.
He looked up, confused.
She smiled at him. Her lovely eyes were undeniably all that remained of his memory of the Grand Duchess Amelie.
'Welcome to Mosheim, Inspector Faro,' she said and held out her hand.
Chapter 26
Amelie was used to hiding her emotions. That intimate glance of recognition and adoration faded swiftly and formality took its place.
George ran to her side, led her to a sofa and sat with his arm around her. They talked together for a few moments, laughed and kissed while the Colonel answered Anton's numerous questions about sport and shooting and pet animals. Faro suddenly found himself in the midst of a family circle from which he was excluded by more than his inability to follow the voluble German of this reunion.
Glad to retreat to the window and look down on the track through the forest towards the distant town, he knew he had served his purpose, his mission fulfilled. George was safe home again and he longed to be released, to breathe freely with no more anxieties in his life than catching the next train to Heidelberg.
Watching the little group, he was relieved that meeting Amelie again had touched no chord of lost love. His brief role in her life had been over long ago, played out almost before it began.
Was Amelie experiencing the same feelings of relief, ignoring him completely, involved only in the joy of having her son at her side again? Aware of his isolation, the Colonel approached.
'Perhaps you would care to retire for a while, Mr Faro. A room has been prepared for you.'
Faro shook his head. 'That is most kind, but I will not be needing it. I intend to leave shortly if you will provide me with a carriage to the railway station.'
The Colonel smiled. 'We cannot permit you to leave us so soon, Mr Faro.' And watching Faro's expression, he said, 'You must be our guest until tomorrow. My sister is arriving with a friend and you may perhaps travel back to Heidelberg in their carriage.'
He beamed. 'Will that not please you, no more trains for a while, Mr Faro? Besides, we wish to have your company for a little longer. We do not wish to lose such a good friend and one deserving a well-earned rest after his travels.'
Smiling, the Colonel regarded him. 'A room and a
