"Pardon me, I am not at liberty to show them. But I trust you will make this repugnant duty as little unpleasant as possible. It is inevitable," and a glance at the men around him emphasized his meaning.
"Where are your instructions from? At whose instigation is this unwarrantable liberty taken with us?" I asked, with as grand an air as I could assume.
"I can say no more now than that you must really do what I wish. You will surely see the uselessness of resistance."
His tone changed slightly, and he showed a little more authority.
Minna had turned very pale, and sat trembling.
"We had better go," she said in reply to a glance from me.
"I comply—under protest, mind," I said to the official. "I shall hold you responsible for this outrage."
He spread out his hands and shrugged his shoulders by way of reply; and, when we left the carriage, he and his men walked on each side of us to the waiting-room. He came in alone with us, signing to the others to stay outside, and he gave utterance to the most voluble apologies for his unpleasant duty.
At that moment the whistle sounded, and the train started.
"You said there was plenty of time for this to be explained before the train went," I cried angrily.