"Of Alison and Lieutenant Fernow. They have come in conflict; Henry has challenged the Professor, who denies him satisfaction until the end of the war. Henry meditates revenge--they must not meet a second time."
Jane was horrified at this tidings, but she soon recovered her self-possession.
"You are right," she said with intensest bitterness. "They must not meet a second time; a fight between them and for my sake, would be worse than murder. Henry is in error; only one single word is needed to undeceive him; to-morrow I was going to speak that word; now there is not a moment to lose. Summon him here immediately!"
Atkins shook his head. "But Henry is nowhere to be found, I have already searched the whole castle for him in vain."
"And Walter? For God's sake where is Walter?"
Atkins elevated his eyebrows. "Lieutenant Fernow has gone to the mountains," he said gravely, "On some secret service, and alone, Henry knows that. If he follows--Jane, I need not tell you what calamity I fear."
For a moment Jane stood there rigid as a statue; then by a powerful effort, she roused herself from her stupor, and regained the whole decision of her character.
"I know Henry! He must not go until I have spoken with him; we must have him back at any price. I believe"--she placed her hand on her forehead, despite the bewildering anguish, striving to collect her thoughts,--"I believe there is only a single pass leading from here to the mountains. Did they not tell us so this morning?"
"Only one, and the Germans hold that; but Henry will hardly seek that path; he knows that the guards would be sure to repel him."
"So he could only go as far as the path. He must be there; I will seek him!"