CHAPTER 2

Carla's heart was pounding anxiously as the Masked Robber approached her. The loyal Anna had climbed out during the fight and was now standing against the front wheel of the coach.

Carla had heard the refined voice of the Masked Robber. She had also realized from Michael's demeanor that he had encountered a master swordsman. She knew that this fine art was largely restricted to the upper class, and therefore felt relieved at the realization that she was not dealing with bush robbers.

She could clearly distinguish the perfectly built figure in front of her. His face was covered with a mask, and he was dressed in black from head to toe. A pistol was sticking out of his belt, and she inferred that the sword was transferred back into its sheath in the saddlebag of his horse.

"I hope the little skirmish did not upset you too much," said the Masked Robber casually and politely.

"I am still alive," she replied slightly breathless, "but I do not know whom to thank for my rescue."

He laughed.

"As I have already informed our friend Michael, I am known as the Masked Robber and also as your friend," he added hastily. "That is an explanation that you will have to be satisfied with."

"But I do not understand the clothing you are wearing and the mask!"

"I have already told you that I cannot tell you more. I suggest that you inform me about yourself now. Firstly, where are you headed?"

She hesitated for just a moment. She was completely reassured by his attitude.

"I am heading to the governor."

"Then please climb back into the coach?"

She barely saw the movement he made in front of her, but immediately afterward, one of the black-clad men jumped onto the box. The Masked Robber himself walked behind the coach, and she heard him talking to his other followers. A few moments later, he climbed onto the steps of the coach and closed the door behind him.

"I just checked if the casualties were completely out of reach of earthly help," he calmly informed her after taking his place opposite her. She could not see him in the darkness now. "Unfortunately, we will not get any information from them. Most likely, their comrades will come back and remove them."

While he was talking, the coach started moving. Carla had been looking through the small window at the coach box.

"That is precisely what he looked like!" she suddenly exclaimed.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Just before Te Kruyght caught up with us, they shot the coachman. Then I saw a crouched figure up here."

The Masked Robber laughed softly.

"At that point, one of my men was already at the coach. It was he who jumped up and brought the horses under control. If it were possible, he would have driven away from the pursuers, but he could not manage it. Fortunately, we were nearby and could appear on the scene before they could harm you."

"But where are you from? How is it that you know my name?"

"Once again, I must disappoint you." The Masked Robber's voice remained soft and polite. "If you do not mind, I will now claim the reward for my rescue work."

Carla von Starrenberg stiffened slightly. She had not expected anything like this.

"Your reward?" she asks hesitantly.

"Yes," he responds. "You must tell me what happened, where you come from, and why this attack was launched against you."

She sighs with relief and straightens her hair slightly. "I will tell you," she begins.

"Your Highness," Anna unexpectedly interjects, apparently having fully recovered meanwhile. "How do you know that we can trust these people?"

The Masked Robber turns to her. In the darkness, he shrugs.

"The information I am requesting is already in the possession of your enemies," he says calmly. "I can do nothing with it, except perhaps something to your advantage."

"He is right," Carla says. "Be at ease, Anna. I feel that we have discovered a friend."

"Thank you," says the Masked Robber gallantly.

"I am a princess of Lutzburg," Carla resumes. "My parents died years ago and my only brother, who was then the crown prince, and I were left in the care of my uncle, Franz von Starrenberg. Anna and Rudolf Kaltner, the man lying at our feet who sacrificed his life for me, took care of us. When I was about four years old, they told me that my brother had died and that my uncle Franz had now become the king of Lutzburg.

On my sixteenth birthday, four years ago, Anna told me the truth. Franz von Starrenberg is a cruel autocrat, and Lutzburg is suffering under his tyranny. Anna and the others were afraid that he would eliminate me, and so they kept the truth from me all these years, but they finally realized that something had to be done about it. They told me that my brother was not really dead, but that Rudolf had discovered years ago that Franz von Starrenberg was planning to kill the young crown prince. A friend of Rudolf's, who was still married to my father, then fled with Frederick and hid him.

Rudolf stayed in contact with them for a while, but then suddenly there was no news. We do not know if Frederick is still alive, but we do know that Franz von Starrenberg has spies all over the world looking for him and that he will not rest until he has established whether the true king of Lutzburg is still alive.

So, Anna, Rudolf, and I fled Lutzburg. Fortunately, I had enough money of my own to cover our travel expenses. We have been wandering the world for four years now. Since I come from a royal house, I am received kindly and generously in every country. I never reveal my true purpose, but I sincerely hope that Frederick will one day hear of my presence and then come into contact with me. My behavior may seem a bit crazy to you because, if he is still alive, he could have returned to Lutzburg a long time ago and come looking for me there. Yet, I am convinced that he is not dead, but just being held back by circumstances."

For a moment, it seems as if she cannot continue due to her emotion.

The Masked Robber does not speak immediately. Then he says compassionately. "And is it only on a world journey that you have ended up here?"

"No. Usually, I send messengers ahead of me and make arrangements for my reception. But I learned from a friend in this country that there is a strong possibility that Frederick may be here."

"And how accurate is the information?" the Masked Robber inquires.

"I still have to find out. But tonight, I am convinced that I am finally on the right track. As you can see for yourself, there has already been an attempt to stop me. It is clear to me that these people who attacked me tonight and who know who I am, must also realize that the crown prince of Lutzburg may be here."

"But who are these Arnoldt te Kruyght and Michael Leeuwberglanz? They may be noblemen, and I doubt whether your uncle would send such high-ranking spies around the world."

"I do not know them. I only know that the Te Kruyght's are my uncle's most loyal supporters. However, I have been allowed so little freedom outside the walls of the palace that I hardly know anyone from the high society in Lutzburg. Yet, it must also be an indication to you that something is going on."

"Yes." The Masked Robber nods his head. "Your suspicion is probably well-founded." As he speaks, he leans out the window and stares into the darkness. "We are already close to the city," he says when he sits back.

"And what happens next?" she asks eagerly.

"No one knows of your arrival, of course?"

"No."

"I will accompany you to the Castle, and drop you off there. It is the governor's official residence. I am sure that you will be able to convince him of your identity."

"And you?"

Carla has visited the royal houses of almost every civilized country in the world during the past four years. Yet, she grew up lonely and never really had any friends. Here, in a moment when everything seemed lost, this man appeared. And now that she suddenly realizes that he will go his own way and that she will probably never see him again. It feels as if he is her only support here in this foreign land.

"I have other work to do," the Masked Robber replies. "You can surely understand, or rather, you could surely already deduce from my appearance that I do not make a habit of appearing in public."

"Why do you lead this existence?" Carla exclaims. "Michael Leeuwberglanz said he has heard your name often. You are not a bandit. What..."

"I am a legend," he says calmly, and there is no sarcasm in his voice. "Can you tell me from whom you got the message that your brother may be in the Cape?"

Without hesitation and with full confidence, Carla answers. This time, Anna does not try to prevent her mistress from providing the information.

"His name is Karel Stach. He is a leather harness maker in Meul Street."

"Karel Stach?" mutters the Masked Robber in thought.

At that moment, the coach comes to a stop. The Masked Robber opens the little door and gets out. Carla leans out the window. One of the Masked Robber's gang has already approached with the large black stallion, the Masked Robber's steed.

"But will I not see you again?" Carla exclaims anxiously.

The Masked Robber laughs softly.

"You will be completely safe, Princess Carla von Starrenberg," he said cheerfully. "Just never let it be known that you were in my company tonight. Tell no one about this. Just say that...