She gasped for breath and seemed unable to speak. Greifenstein looked at his brother. ‘I cannot imagine how she knew your name,’ he said. ‘Did you know her before?’
Rieseneck had turned white again and stood twisting his fingers as though in some terrible distress. Greifenstein had not noticed his manner before, and gazed at him now in considerable surprise. He fancied that Rieseneck feared discovery and danger to himself.
‘What is the matter!’ he asked impatiently. ‘You are safe enough yet—’
While he spoke Clara endeavoured to rise, supporting herself upon one hand, and staring wildly at Rieseneck. The presentiment of a great unknown evil came upon Greifenstein, and he laid his hand heavily upon his brother’s arm.
‘What is the meaning of this?’ he asked sternly. ‘Do you know each other?’
The words roused Rieseneck. He drew back from his brother’s touch and answered in a broken voice:
‘Let me go. Let me leave this house—’
‘No!’ exclaimed the other firmly. ‘You shall not go yet.’
Again he grasped Rieseneck’s arm, this time with no intention of relinquishing his hold.
‘Let him go, Hugo!’ gasped Clara. She struggled to her feet and tried to unloose the iron grip of her husband’s fingers, straining her weak hands in the useless attempt. ‘Let him go!’ she repeated frantically. ‘For God’s sake let him go!’