“I am sorry,” she said, as her maid brought her a cloak and hat.
“Silence there,” I cried in a loud voice. “Fall in. I am sorry my duty is so unpleasant, your highness; but I can answer no questions. Forward.”
I led the way motioning to Karasch to walk at Gatrina’s side, with two of the men in front and two bringing up the rear. The women thinking the thing real began to weep.
I had heard the soldiers coming up and they met us on the stairs. The only chance was to put as bold a face as possible on the matter and with as much show of authority as I could assume, I said:
“Is the way from the house clear? I shall take the prisoner by the back through the garden.”
I had expected to be faced by some of the men we had fought with earlier, but to my intense relief there were none but private soldiers and one sergeant; and on seeing my captain’s uniform they stood aside and saluted.
“We have not been to the back of the house, captain,” replied the sergeant.
“Is Colonel Petrosch here yet?” I asked this as I thought the mention of the name might impress him.
“No, sir.”
“Who’s in command of the soldiers in the front?”