"You see," continued Hochwald easily, "we have indeed come to the parting of the ways. Beyond Bodolz--safety, if I go with you. Refuse me now, Herr Markov, and you will never pass the Bahnhof."
"And when I denounce you----"
Hochwald laughed.
"I shall merely say that I am an agent of the Government who has followed you here from Munich. They may arrest me but His Excellency will forgive me much if I bring him this excellent proof of my fealty." He paused with a shrug and turned to Tanya. "If the Fräulein will deign to advise--Herr Markov is somewhat undetermined."
With a sinking heart Tanya assented, crawling back miserably under the hay. Herr Markov climbed up to his seat and they drove on, Hochwald following boldly some paces in the rear.
At Bodolz, a soldier stood in the middle of the road. And even while Herr Markov was wondering what he should say to him, Herr Hochwald strode forward toward a corporal who stood leaning against the railroad gate smoking a pipe.
"Fodder and farm produce for the abbey at Enzisweiler," he said soberly. "I came up last night."
The soldier nodded, and then inquired, "You've seen nothing of a man driving a donkey hitched to a piano organ?"
"No--nothing."
"Pass, Father."