Von Moll turned to the men behind him and pointed to Smith.
“Arrest that man,” he said.
Two of the sailors stepped forward and crossed the hall towards Smith.
“Say,” said Donovan, “is this a rehearsal for a cinema? and when do you reckon to have the camera operating?”
“That man,” said von Moll, pointing to Smith, “is a deserter from the service of the Emperor and a spy. He pays the penalty.”
Donovan deliberately cut the end off his cigar and struck a match. Then he looked up at von Moll.
“Seems to me,” he said, “that there’s some kind of misunderstanding. I’m not blaming you, Captain, not at all. But this is a neutral State, and according to international law you can’t butt in and arrest citizens without applying for an extradition order in the regular way.”
“You talk like a fool,” said von Moll. “This is war.”
He gave a fresh order to his men.