"And you----?"
"Mademoiselle had whispered, 'Do nothing! Obey!' And I went with them, carrying the suit-case until we came to an empty machine standing by the roadside----"
"Liederman's----" explained Zoya Rochal.
"I see," muttered Rowland. And then, to Picard, "They had passed the German border when you returned?"
"Yes, Monsieur--a matter of three or four miles perhaps. The machine slowed down upon a hill and I slipped out and ran into a wood, coming back as fast as I could run."
"You saw no one?" asked Zoya Rochal.
"No, Madame. I knew where the sentries were stationed on the frontier and avoided them."
Shestov and Barthou now came with Liederman, drawing on clothing as they ran, their faces wan in the growing light as the details of the situation were explained to them.
"Your note, Monsieur Shestov," said Rowland coolly, handing it to him. "We took the liberty of reading it, As you will see, there's little time to lose."
The tall Russian frowned as he read while the impatient Barthou questioned anxiously.