“Are you sure there is no mistake?” asked Paul; as Katinka crossed to Madame Drakona.
“My instructions are too precise to admit of that.”
“By whose instructions do you act?” I asked.
“I cannot answer that,” was the reply.
“Do you mean that any charge is preferred against this lady?”
“I have only to do my duty, sir.”
I turned to Paul. “Could you not telephone to Colonel Bremenhof?”
Katinka took this to herself. “You hear your orders, Paul,” she snapped. Even in that moment her spite predominated.
“I do not need your advice, sir,” he said; and this perfectly obvious step was not taken, for no reason apparently except that I had suggested it.
“Can I wait for my daughter to return, sir?” asked Madame Drakona.