Heppner murmured, with some confusion: "Settling up accounts, all of a sudden--there is some money missing; of course I had meant to replace it."
Trautvetter understood, and was beginning to pull out his purse, but he suddenly hesitated.
"Why, I have got no money left!" he cried in dismay. "Must it be at once? To-morrow afternoon you can have as much as you want."
"No, no, at once! Wegstetten has only just gone over to headquarters for a minute."
"Damnation! What are we to do?"
The sergeant-major believed Trautvetter was doing this on purpose. He became more insistent, and implored: "Trautvetter, for heaven's sake help me just for once! I beg of you! I beg of you! lend me the money!"
With a shrug the volunteer held out his open purse. There were only a few silver pieces in it.
"You can see for yourself, Herr Heppner," he said. "I am not the sort of fellow to leave you in the lurch like that."
But Heppner could not yet believe him. He begged and threatened. At last the great big fellow threw himself on the ground and clung round Trautvetter's knees: "Just this once, just this once!"
The volunteer pushed him roughly away. The sight of the blubbering giant revolted him.