Poor Nessa! Just when she had been at the height of ecstatic delight at the near prospect of escape, this infernal thing had come to plunge her back into the abyss. It seemed to break her up.
And well it might! If it had been almost any other man than Freibach it might have been possible to face it out. Indeed, if he had been alone, or had even thought what he was doing, I believe he would have been decent enough to hold his tongue. But his surprise had betrayed us.
And that we were betrayed his companions' looks proved plainly. The man who had come in first looked up with a scowl as I shook Freibach's hand.
"What's that, lieutenant? Do you mean to say these people are English and dare to try and keep us out of here with a pretence of State business? What's the meaning of it, and what the devil are you doing here?"
My friend realized then the bad turn he had done us and looked the regret he dared not express.
I put the best face on it I could. "There is no need to adopt that tone with me, sir——"
"Isn't there? Oh! I'm accustomed to use what tone I please with you English. I'm Major Borsch of the 23rd Potsdam regiment; and it's my business to know all about you both." That he was a bully of the best Prussian type was evident. "What was that humbug about State business?"
How I regretted that burnt authority at that moment! "This lady, Miss Caldicott, is on her way to England. She has been in Berlin since before the outbreak of the war and is returning by the order of Baron von Gratzen; and acting under his instructions I am escorting her to the frontier."
He burst into loud coarse laughter which made Freibach wince. "A pretty tale, but not good enough for me. And who are you, pray, that you are detailed off as escort?" The sneer on the last word was worthy of even von Erstein.
"I am travelling as Johann Lassen. I have all my papers here. I am on a special mission for Baron von Gratzen, who gave me a written authority for that purpose."