"Hoffmeier----"
"Herr Hoffmeier. I plead with you that you do not give us up--I am a Russian, the wounded man an American. We claim the protection of Swiss neutrality----"
"The German captain claims that you are spies----"
"It is not true. I was taken into Germany against my will, by the man who was drowned--an agent of the German Government, with the money in the valise yonder which we have recovered."
And breathlessly, in as few words as possible, she told him her story. He listened, attentively, aware of the fact that his captive was struggling bravely against her weakness, against terror of the horrors through which she had passed. In the midst of their conversation a sailor entered, touching his cap.
"Herr Lieutnant Zapp of the Bodensee patrol and His Excellency General Graf von Stromberg----"
Tanya stared past the man toward the door of the cabin as though expecting to see the terrible old man following the messenger.
"Herr Hoffmeier----" she pleaded, "his power is without limit. It is death for me----"
Hoffmeier turned and dismissed the man.
"I will be on deck in a moment."