Act One, Part Two
Corridor led on to corridor in the unfamiliar labyrinth of the palace. The men heard no sounds of pursuit from behind them, but that was small comfort when any turning might well disclose a whole troop of guards ahead of them. They needed to find a way out of here, and fast. But where?
And then, as they were rushing along a section of corridor, a door to their left opened and a woman emerged. Instantly Jim swept her up and bore her back through the door, one of his hands covering her mouth. Artie was right on Jim's heels and closed the door behind them all. He listened for a moment and, satisfied that no one was around, Artie turned to the startled woman and addressed her in Pterovnian.
"My profoundest apologies, dear lady. We mean you no harm. We only wish to know the nearest way out of the… Cat!"
Even the unflappable James West was surprised by that one. "Why are you hollering about a cat, Artie?"
"No, Jim. Look! This is Catalina! You remember: Mireje and Andreshko's governess, Señora Reyes."
Jim took a good look at the woman he was holding, then released her. "Lo siento, señora," he apologized.
"Señor West, Señor Gordon! What are you doing?"
"We're, um…" Artie rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "We're here for the royal wedding."
"Ah, sí, of course that. But running about the palace looking for a way out?"
"It's a long story," said Jim.
"Very long," Artie agreed. "But you'll help us, won't you, Cat? For old time's sake?" He smiled winsomely at the little widow.
She chuckled. "You mean in memory of our previous acquaintance, and how you thoroughly confused me back then?"
"Well… yes…" Just as King Stepanko had come under the influence of a love philter three years ago and had fancied he'd fallen in love with Mireje at first sight, so Artie had fallen instantly for Catalina Reyes after drinking a certain glass of wine. Both men had been delivered from the effects of the philter — but it was the manner in which Artie had broken the king's spell that had the agents in danger of the dungeon even now.
Artie explained all this to the woman as succinctly as possible. Once he was done, she frowned but nodded. "I see. You wish to escape the king's wrath, and wish me to help you."
"Exactly."
She thought a bit longer, then nodded again. "Sí, I will help you. But you must do precisely what I tell you, without question. Agreed?"
Both men agreed.
"Then come." She opened the door and peered outside into the empty corridor, then set forth leading the way.
…
Corridor again led on to corridor. After walking in silence for a while, the señora inquired conversationally, "You are aware that I have remarried?"
"Yes," said Artie, "Anushche — that is, the king's cousin Zernkje Anje — mentioned that in one of her letters to us."
Catalina smiled in delight. "She told you of my wedding?"
"Indeed she did! Now, your new husband — he's the king's majordomo, isn't that right?"
Now she blushed a bit and patted her hair. "Sí, Ruvenko Duzko. The Pterovnians now call me Zerinje Duzche — and my husband pronounces my Christian name as Katalinje!"
Jim frowned. "Zerinje?"
"Meaning 'Missis,' yes," Artie supplied.
"And Anushche's title is…"
"Zernkje."
"Meaning 'Lady.' "
"Right, Jim."
He shook his head. "I'm glad I've got you along to translate for me, Artie. In Spanish I'd be fine, but in Pterovnian…!"
"I still have some trouble myself," Catalina admitted. "Oh, but you must meet my husband before you leave, Señor Gordon! I think you will approve."
"Ah?"
"¡Sí, sí! Ruvenko is an older gentleman with a touch of gray at the temples and impressive mustachios. He reminds me," and as she said this, she smiled at Artie, her eyes twinkling, "very much of a certain man I once knew, a man whose name at the time was Don Pablo Martínez."
"He… he, ah…" For a moment, Artie found himself struck speechless, for Don Pablo Martínez had been his disguise that memorable night of the infernal love philter!
Seeing a need for a change of subject, Jim broke in with, "Is it much farther, señora?"
"Not much farther, no, Señor West," she replied. Turning again to Artemus, she remarked, "I, ah, have heard that you also have married. That the woman from your past, she who turned down your proposal of marriage, returned and reconsidered her answer."
A beatific smile lit Artie's face. "Oh yes, indeed she did!"
The señora glanced around. "But she is not here for the wedding?"
"Ah. No. No, my Lily is an actress and she was going to be on a tour just now, so she's back home in the States." He didn't bother to go into the additional details of how he had implored Lily to remain in America for fear the king would not only seek to arrest Artie and Jim, but might well trump up some sort of charges against Artie's beloved wife to boot.
"Ah," said Catalina. "That is a pity. I should have liked to meet her."
They walked on in silence again for a while until the woman stopped before a door and said, "Aquí. Here we are."
Artie frowned. "Are you sure?"
And Jim added, "This doesn't look like an exit, señora. It looks like a door to any of the rooms of the palace."
"Nevertheless, señores, I assure you that once you pass through this door, you will need to fear the king's wrath no longer." She drew open the door and led the way inside.
It was an opulent room; that was no surprise. It was also a room filled with music, with food and drink, and with people. In particular, there were many people here whom Jim and Artie recognized: Captain Andreshko, Dr Rodin, Zernkje Anje.
Oh, and incidentally standing quite close to the door that Catalina was now closing firmly behind West and Gordon, standing in fact close enough to the agents to be able to touch them, was the regally robed figure of King Stepanko.
His Majesty stared at the pair for a stunned second, then grinned magnificently as he leaned still closer and whispered to them, "Surprise!"