“No. That I shall not allow.”
“Do you dare to threaten me?”
“There are three roads here. One back to the camp; one to the left there, and one to the right. You are free to choose which you please and I will take another.”
“I shall not leave you.” He was getting very angry and dogged.
“If you are armed you may perhaps force yourself upon me.”
“I shall do as I say,” he answered, with just enough hesitation to assure me he was not armed. Then it occurred to me that it would be safer to get him away from the place and to increase the distance between him and the camp. It would be the more difficult for Petrov and the rest to find him when they returned.
“Mademoiselle,” I called. She and Karasch came out. “We are to have a companion. This gentleman desires to ride with us. This is our road;” and choosing that which led away to the right, I rode on with her, leaving the official to follow.
She had overheard the conversation and questioned me with some anxiety as to what I meant to do. She went so far even as to suggest a return to the camp.
“I have my plans. It will all come right. I should have left him at the fork of the road there had I not thought it best to get him further away.”
“But I could probably satisfy him,” she said.