“It mustn’t be found twenty miles west of here; and this revolver must be hidden,” I added, as I gave him the weapon I had taken at Schirmskad.
“I understand. God keep us all.”
“God keep us all,” I repeated, assuming that to be another secret sign. As I rode off, I saw him return to the coppice where the other saddle was and carry it back to the barn.
I rode leisurely in the direction of the village, on the look-out for some sign of the police and running over in my mind the story I should tell.
Such of the villagers as were about gaped at me and two or three children followed. As I was playing a part and did not know whose eyes might be upon me, I thought it best to play thoroughly.
“Which is the priest’s house?” I asked one of the women; and she pointed it out. I beckoned to the children and throwing them some kopecks bade them tell the Father I wished to speak to him.
He came out and I raised my hat and said in a voice loud enough for others to hear: “I am the Englishman who passed through the village yesterday and spoke with you, Father. I have had all my money taken from me and have thought it best to come to you.”
“Come into the house,” he said gravely. As I dismounted and fastened my horse to the railing, he drew a woman aside and whispered to her; then led the way to the door. “I have sent for the police agents,” he told me. “They have been some half hour in the village.”
“I am quite ready;” and as we sat waiting I told him hurriedly what had passed with Jacob Posen, and that I thought Volna’s horse should be hidden.
“Do you really need any money?” he asked.