“What is the charge against us?” I demanded.
“Do your duty, you, Drougoff,” he said, viciously.
M. Drougoff signed to his men.
“Go forward, Helga. You can waste a little time yet,” I whispered.
She did splendidly again. She clung to me for a moment as if overcome, and then with passionate distress bade me good-bye.
The men held aloof during this; and when she went to them she contrived very cleverly to get rid of a little more time.
But the way was clear at length, and Drougoff stepped towards me.
I drew back and put my hand in my pocket.
“You will come no further, monsieur, or your life will be the forfeit.”