Apart from the concern he felt for her safety, she was utterly essential to his plans. It was necessary that he should get in touch with Varensky; without Varensky and his four hundred veterans he was helpless. When his food-trains arrived, he would need them. He made repeated efforts to rediscover the mildewed barracks; every time he missed his direction. For fear of spies, he did not dare to ask; he remembered Santa's warning, that to be seen with Varensky meant death. Day faded. Darkness fell. She had not returned.
It was nearing midnight when word reached him that the first of his trains was in the freight-yard. It had been given the right of way from Holland and had been rushed straight through under an armed guard. He was powerless to turn the information to account. Wearied with anxiety, he had begun to prepare for bed, when, without knocking, the door was burst open. Captain Lajos entered. His face was haggard. He was fierce and breathless.
“You've heard?”
“I've heard nothing.”
“She's been captured.”
“By whom?”
“Prince Rogovich.”
Hindwood clapped his hand to his forehead. Either he or this man was mad.
“It's impossible. Rogovich is dead.”
“And I tell you he's at the Palace. He was there behind the tapestry this morning. She's with him now and he's torturing her.”