“Sergius was to look for us here,” said Ladislas, in explanation. “What has happened?”
I told him briefly as we continued the flight.
“We shall get away,” he said confidently. “Sergius knows his work. He has not his equal in Warsaw,” and it looked at that moment as though his confidence was well grounded.
Volna was very calm, but the glances she kept casting behind bore witness to her anxiety.
“I hope you are right,” I replied to Ladislas; “but you should not have come.”
“Were we likely to desert you, Mr. Anstruther?” asked Volna.
“You could do no good, and the risk is too great.”
“We had to know what happened to you. I could not rest.”
I understood then the meaning of her former words. It was never too late for her last desperate sacrifice should our plan go wrong. “The risk is too serious,” I repeated.
It was churlish to reproach them for an act which sprang from a chivalrous regard for my safety; but they had made a grave mistake. They had rendered my escape much more difficult.