“A robber! A robber!” shrieked the girl, and continued to cry out until she had aroused the whole household. All came running to the spot, and with them the Russian soldiers that had just arrived.
“Vot is it, Bena?” questioned Herr Schaumberg, although he knew only too well.
“A robber!” wailed the girl. “He knocked me down! He wanted to murder me!”
“I saw nobody,” answered the hotel keeper. “You must be mistaken.” He was now addressing the girl in German.
“No, no, I saw him, Herr Schaumberg, indeed I did!”
“How did he look?” The hotel keeper thought to gain time for Gilbert by asking a number of questions.
“I could not see very well, it was so dark.”
“Perhaps it was Frederick the stableman.”
“No, it was a stranger, and he carried a hand-bag.”
“And are you sure you are not dreaming?”