"Goltz!" He gave a little whistle. "Come in at once; but who are these?" He indicated us with a wave of his hand.
"Ah," said Mr. Smith, "who are they? Let me present to you Messieurs Stevens and Carruthers; Baron von Sluben. Now let us go in for one minute. By the way, Baron, will you 'phone to Ducrot, to look after some bodies near his house? He will be pleased to find Goltz among them--oh no, not dead. Tell him to treat them with the greatest kindness and attention, as a mark of his affection to the man they did not kill."
We moved into the house, Baron Sluben leading the way. He threw open a door, and we entered a very large room, which was packed with men and a few ladies, all in evening dress.
I touched Mr. Smith's arm.
"We shall be awfully out of it, in these clothes," I said.
"I don't think you need worry, Victor, you will always be conspicuous, whether you like it or not."
He knew my weakness.
Most of the occupants looked up as we entered, and a general hum of welcome arose.
"May I present to you Monsieur Stevens, who has just bested Goltz in the prettiest way imaginable; and Monsieur Carruthers, who accounted for two of our enemies," said Mr. Smith.
The hum of welcome changed to a cry of astonishment.