She paused and then with a hard contemptuous smile replied: "So that you may find a chance to escape on the way? I can trust you no longer."
"Did I not come here knowing full well the charge you have made against me? Should I have come if I were guilty? Be reasonable."
"I do not trust you," she repeated.
"It is sheer madness," I cried in desperation. "You are wasting hours that may mean everything to both of us for all our lives. Name what conditions you please, and I will accept them. I will go to him with you under arrest, if you like. Will that prove to you I am in earnest?"
She paused and then nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes. If you dare to do that."
I crossed to the telephone to call up Feldermann.
She watched me closely and as I passed her, shrank out of my way lest I should touch her. I affected not to notice the gesture and stood at the instrument with my back to her.
But the next instant I heard her open the door and turned to meet her eyes fixed on me with a glance of vindictive triumph. "You shall be arrested, as you say," she cried, and rushed away slamming the door behind her.
Just then the answer came through. "Is that Herr Feldermann?"
"Yes. What is it? Who are you?"