"Let me tell you something, young woman: he's at the end of his rope. Done for! No use for you to stand up for him longer. He's under guard to-night, and a woman named Josepha, his accomplice—or maybe his dupe—is already under arrest, and to-morrow, when we examine her, she'll reveal his whole rotten schemes or have to stand against a wall with him. Come, now! Throw him over. Don't risk your job, as you call it, for a German spy who's tricked you—made a fool of you. Why——"
"General Crandall!" Her face was white, and her eyes glowed with anger.
"I—I beg your pardon, Miss Gerson," he mumbled. "I am exasperated. A fine girl like you—to throw away all your hopes and ambitions for a spy—and a bounder! Can't you see you're wrong?"
"General Crandall, some time—I hope it will be soon—you will apologize to me—and to Captain Woodhouse—for what you are saying to-night." Her hands clenched into fists, whereon the knuckles showed white; the poise of her head, held a little forward, was all combative.
"Then you won't tell me what I want to know?" He could not but read the defiance in the girl's pose.
"I will tell you nothing but good-by."
"No, by gad—you won't! I can be stubborn, too. You shan't sail on the Saxonia in the morning. Understand?"
"Oh, shan't I? Who will dare stop me?"
"I will, Miss Gerson. I have plenty of right—and the power, too."
"I'll ask you to tell that to my consul—on the dock at five to-morrow morning. Until then, General Crandall, au revoir."