“Of course he will—for Ladislas’ sake,” said Katinka, turning to deliver her last shot as she went out.
“What does she mean?” asked Volna with a start. “She has so many barbs in her speeches. But it doesn’t matter—nothing matters until we find mother. Where do you think they have taken her? How can we find out? Oh, I feel half distracted.”
“I think Colonel Bremenhof holds the key,” I said, very quietly.
She was bending over a small table and looked up instantly and sharply, hesitated and then replied: “This must be explained. They have told you—about him?”
There was just a suggestion of a challenge in her tone; but the question gave me an opening to make the explanation of my position, which had to be made somehow.
“Oh, yes. Ladislas told me.”
“Ladislas?” Surprise and a dash of indignation in the tone.
“No one could have a truer friend than you have in Ladislas.”
To my consternation she broke in with a laugh: “Why do you tell me this?”
“He is my friend also, one of my closest friends. I am under a deep obligation to him. He saved my life—I think I told you—at the peril of his own; and to-day he told me not only about Colonel Bremenhof but—but everything.”