"I can walk it. Get in, Herr Markov----"
She had caught up the reins of the unfortunate Fra Umberto and was about to turn the wagon when a heavy shadow from the lamp at one side of the door moved across the stable floor.
"I came to see if I----"
The monk paused and stood staring at Tanya in a kind of awe while she dropped the reins of Fra Umberto and started back, her gaze fixed on the black cowl beneath which was a pale smudge that she knew was Gregory Hochwald's face. Herr Markov looked from the one to the other in dismay and then took a pace forward toward the girl.
"You! Tanya!----" said Hochwald, coming slowly forward. "What are you doing here?"
She seemed unable to reply. The missing mustache revealed ugly lines she had never seen. He glanced quickly at the open top of the piano-organ.
"I see. You were---- You heard? You knew that it was I."
"I heard. I beg that you will let us be on our way."
"You were going--where?"
"Further on. Herr Markov has done you a service. Do me another by remaining here."