But for that, my astonishment at seeing Volna would have drawn some sign of recognition before my instinctive caution could have prevented it. As it was, however, my gaze fastened on Colonel Bremenhof.
“It’s you, is it?” I said, and I jumped up and stepped toward him.
He retreated, and the two warders interposed quickly and pushed me back. But the incident had served a purpose. It prevented the bully’s noticing Volna’s start of dismay on recognising me.
“That’s right,” I sneered. “Keep your bulldogs about you. It’s not safe to come near me without some one to take care of you.”
His anger and chagrin were intense. I knew afterwards what he had hoped to gain by bringing Volna to my cell; and the failure of the plan galled him.
“This is the fellow, Volna, who was found with your uncle——” he began, when I broke in.
“Have you communicated with my friend General von Eckerstein?”
“Silence, prisoner,” he cried, angrily. “Now, Volna, I want you——”
“Am I a show for all Warsaw to see? I have suffered your brutality——”
“Silence, I say. Disobedient scoundrels get the lash here.”