Winterfeld sat leaning back in the sofa-corner. Quite contrary to his wont, he welcomed his friend neither by word nor gesture. He hardly listened to his speech, but said now, in a dull low voice:
"I am glad you have come, Max. I was just thinking of going over to you to tell you a piece of news."
Max became attentive.
"What is the matter? Has anything disagreeable happened to you?"
"Yes. I am leaving R----, probably for good."
"Leaving R----? The deuce! What is the meaning of this? Do you wish to go?"
"I do not wish, I am obliged, I have this morning received information that I am transferred to the capital, to the Ministry of the Interior."
"To the Ministry?" repeated Max. "Does that mean promotion, or----"
"No; it is a stroke of policy on the part of the Governor," broke out George, bitterly. "I am to be sent out of Gabrielle's way; any future meeting between us is to be made impossible. Raven gave me notice that he should use his power unsparingly. He has lost no time in keeping his word."
"You believe that this transfer originated with your chief?" asked the young doctor, who was as grave as his friend by this time.