"Remain at hand to come if I call," he told them. Then to me he said, shutting the door: "I am merely obeying orders. Major Gessler is away for a time, and my instructions were to detain you until he returned."
"Why is not the major here? He was prepared for my coming by a telegram from Baron Heckscher."
"You must put your questions to him. I only obey orders. But there has been some ugly business here in regard to the Countess Minna von Gramberg. She left the place secretly with her aunt and the Count von Nauheim, about three hours ago, and the major is gone in pursuit of them."
The news set me on fire.
"I must go after them!" I cried. "Don't try to stop me. Where have they gone?"
"My orders are that you remain here," he answered stolidly, "and I cannot disobey them."
"But I have come to fetch the countess. This is the authority to Major Gessler to deliver her up to me," and, snatching the baron's letter from my pocket, I handed it to the officer.
He took it slowly, examined it carefully, and held it out again.
"It is addressed to my superior officer, I cannot open it," he said, with the same deliberate coolness.
I tore open the envelope and gave him the letter.