“I am willing from this moment to devote all my energies to the cause of the allies.”
“Granted. But what are your wishes in the matter of reward?”
“I should like you to use your influence to obtain me the honour of an order.”
Heideck was unable to conceal his astonishment at this strange request.
“Such distinctions are, as a rule, only given in Germany for acts of bravery or for services which cannot be adequately requited in hard cash.”
“What I am willing to do requires bravery.”
“You are only going to help me to find out the spies in Antwerp.”
“But they are dangerous people to make enemies of—people whose tools would be capable of anything.”
“Rest assured, M. Penurot, that your reward will correspond with the services rendered. You know that I have no order to bestow, and besides, I do not quite understand of what importance a decoration can be to you.”
“You rate my sense of honour too low, Herr major! But in order that you may understand me, I will tell you a secret. I am in love with a lady of very good family, and her people would be more ready to welcome me, if I had an order.”