The barrister bowed with cool courtesy, and accepted the offered chair.
"I probably have the honor of being familiar to you, Herr Major," he began. "As counsel for your wife, I had occasional cause to meet you personally in that suit for divorce."
He stopped, and seemed to expect an answer, but Major Falkenried only bowed in mute assent. Wallmoden now began to be attentive. He could now understand the strangely irritable mood in which he had found his friend upon his arrival.
"I come to-day also in the name of my former client," continued the lawyer. "She has asked me--may I speak freely?"
He cast a glance at the Secretary, but Falkenried said shortly:
"Herr von Wallmoden is my friend, and as such is familiar with the case. I beg you to speak without restraint."
"Very well, then--the lady has returned to Germany after long years of absence, and naturally wishes to see her son. She has already written to you on that behalf, but has not received an answer."
"I should consider that a sufficient answer. I do not desire this meeting, and therefore shall not permit it."
"That sounds very harsh, Herr Major. Frau von Falkenried has surely----"
"Frau Zalika Rojanow, you mean to say," interrupted the Major. "She resumed her maiden name, so far as I know, when she returned to her country."