"But you? Why do you not go?"
"I have to find Fräulein Althea."
"She would not have you sacrifice my future in this way. Oh, how selfish you all are! All in league against me!"
"I have warned you, and can do no more now. If you do not go out and arrange for him to be kept safely where he is, you may as well leave Germany by the next train for all the hope you will ever have of succeeding here. That is my last word; if you wish to sing at that concert, you will go instantly and do what I have said."
I turned to leave her then, and as I reached the door it was opened quickly from without and a woman of about thirty entered. She started at seeing me, and stood holding the handle of the door and staring at me.
"Fräulein Steiner!" exclaimed Chalice, in some dismay.
"Lotta told me Herr Bastable was here. I came to see."
"Yes, I am Herr Bastable."
"I beg your pardon," she said, nervously stepping back and making as if to close the door again.
"I will come with you," I said, following her out. "Probably you wish to telephone to Fräulein Ziegler that I am here. With your permission I will speak to her myself."