“I cannot get rid of my melancholy forebodings. And you, yourself, Mr. Heideck—please be straightforward with me! When the adjutant was standing there a little while ago, and when every one of his words showed the want of circumspection in our generals, I watched your face, and I read more from its expression than you have any idea of. I will not try to enter into your secrets, but I should be grateful if you would be candid with me. You are not the person for whom you here give yourself out.”
He did not hesitate for a moment to confess to her the truth.
“No, I am a German officer, and have been sent here by my superiors to study the Anglo-Indian army.”
Edith’s surprise was evidently not great.
“I had an inkling of it. And now please answer my question quite as straightforwardly. Do you believe that the British army will be victorious?”
“I would not permit myself to give an opinion on this point, Mrs. Irwin.”
“But you must have an idea. And I would give a great deal to know what it is.”
“Well, then—I believe in English bravery, but not in English victory.”
She heaved a deep sigh, but she nodded her head in assent, as if he had only expressed her own conviction. Then she gave him her hand and said softly—
“I thank you for your confidence, and as a matter of course no one shall ever learn from me who you are. But now I must insist more than ever that you leave us for your own safety’s sake.”