“Then you shall have it now,” Reist said, facing them with a momentary reassertion of his old self. “I accept. In an hour I will ride out to Solika. But I shall do this thing my own way. Tell me only how I can communicate with you at Althea.”
“It is easy,” Hassen exclaimed. “I will explain.”
He drew Reist on one side. The Countess and Domiloff exchanged quick glances. Then there came suddenly from below the sound of a measured tramping of feet in the square, halting before the great mail-studded door. Marie moved swiftly to the window.
“It is Ruttens,” she announced, hurriedly, “the temporary commander of police. He has forty or fifty men with him, and they have formed a cordon around the door.”
Hassen’s hand flew to his sword. He looked towards Domiloff.
“What does this mean?” he exclaimed. “Have we been betrayed, Domiloff?”
“It is not you they seek,” he said. “Reist, find out what they want.”
There was the sound of heavy footsteps upon the stairs. Marie sprang towards the door, but she was too late. A servant had already thrown it open.
“Colonel Ruttens,” he announced.