“I don’t know why you’ve done this,” I said to the man who held me and had given the orders. “I kept faith with you and you arrest me in return for it.” I was on fire with anxiety, but I spoke coolly.
“We can do without you now; and mean to see you give no trouble,” was the answer.
“Very well; but if you cross the garden in a body like this, there’ll be no call for me to give it you; you’ll find it for yourself. You’ll be seen; the alarm will be given, and you may look out for resistance.”
“Who is there to resist, fool-head? There are only three men in the house, and we’ve got two of you here,” he growled with a chuckle at his own cunning. “You come with us to the house; that’s all you’ve got to do; and come quietly, or maybe you won’t reach it. This is the army’s night, and we’re not in a mood to be soft to those who resist us.”
With that we moved on along the garden and I was in a fever of apprehension lest we should be seen by someone in the house. But the inmates were apparently fast asleep, and we reached the entrance without being observed.
This increased my captors’ suspicions.
“I thought your caution was overdone, friend spy,” he said.
“Then you’re a fool,” I answered, bluntly. “There’s a dog about and if he scents you, he’ll soon let everyone know. You’d better let me keep him quiet.” I had told Chris to stay, and knew he would remain till I called him.
We had entered the house then and stood in the broad, stone-flagged passage; and I spoke loud enough to warn our men in the cellars beyond. I and the two men holding me were in advance and Karasch and the others close behind.
“You hold your tongue. I’m in command here,” said the soldier in a bullying tone.