"I am sorry to have to press you, Prince," said the major, coming to meet me; "but I am most anxious to send tidings to Munich. Have you made your decision? It is nearly three hours since I spoke to you."
I saw Minna start with surprise at this mention of the time we had been together.
"It has been a complicated problem to discuss, major," I answered gravely. "But we have decided it at last. The countess will leave by the first train from Landsberg, and I shall accompany her. At the station I will hand the authority you need to you and Signor Praga."
"And your destination?" he asked.
"Is our own affair, sir," I returned stiffly.
"I merely asked so that I should know when to meet you at the station;" and he turned on his heel and left us abruptly.
"I can be ready directly," said Minna, and she ran into the house.
A few minutes later she returned, and we had breakfast together, in the middle of which a messenger from Major Gessler brought me a list of the chief trains in each direction. I chose the first that started westward; and we set out soon afterward for the station.
There Praga was waiting, and I gave him the authority which I had written out to von Krugen to release the Duke Marx, and added in a tone loud enough for the major to hear:
"I shall be in Munich to-night or to-morrow. You can see me there."