"What have you to say?" demanded von Stein.
"That I am not a lawyer; but, speaking as a soldier," replied General Rousseau in an even voice, "I am happy to say that my last pigeon went before you could intercept it."
"As a soldier you knew what to report," said von Stein rather affably. "It was clever of you and you must have sent some valuable information."
If he could learn the nature of the information it might enable him to counteract some of its results; but General Rousseau's smile broadened a little at this obvious bait of flattery.
"I'm even a good enough soldier not to tell you that," he replied. "Perhaps your soldiers are learning this moment," he added proudly.
"As you have confessed——" von Stein rapped out in irritation.
"Yes," replied the General calmly, almost sweetly.
"You know the penalty?"
"Yes. I expected it. I found a way to serve France and I am ready."
Without waiting on further instructions, closing the interview himself with a certain disdainful impatience, he saluted and turned toward his guard. The full light through the large windows limned his fine, aristocratic profile and his gaunt, tall form. He was victorious in that moment and a gentleman; and the man in the chair, conscious of some quality in the Frenchman lacking in himself but admiring as soldier to soldier, exclaimed, "It is war!" and rose to his feet, saluting the man whom he had condemned, in turn.