“If you detain us a minute longer, my man, you will go galloping back to Sofia in custody for that order to be executed. You and your men know perfectly well that this is General Kolfort, and that this is his carriage.”
He stepped away from the carriage window, and I saw him consult with a couple of his men.
“If I break my orders you will hold me harmless, General?”
“Of course we shall. Tell him so, General.”
“Yes,” assented the latter, but very slowly and regretfully, for the new turn of the matter was all against his wishes.
“You can give me back that order,” I said then. “And I shall make it my business to see that you are commended for your care in carrying out your instructions. Tell the coachman to drive on.”
“Thank you, sir. I wish to do no more,” said the fellow, saluting, as he handed me the paper, and then called to the driver to proceed.
“A very excellent soldier that, very wooden, but human at bottom in his fear for himself,” I said quietly to my prisoner, as we passed the last of the patrols, who all saluted us.
“Curse you!” cried the General, in the bitterness of his chagrin and disappointment.
I laughed; I could afford to now that the danger was passed; and my satisfaction was the more genuine because the danger had been more serious than I had anticipated. Moreover, it suggested to me to take a precaution which I had neglected before starting.