"It was most kind of you, Herr Lieutnant Hoffmeier. We are thankful for your assistance. We have come to relieve you of our prisoners."
"Bitte?" said Hoffmeier.
"Our prisoners," repeated Von Stromberg. "We have come for them."
"There is doubtless some misunderstanding," said the Swiss officer politely. "I have no prisoners of yours. As Herr Lieutnant Zapp will doubtless tell you----"
"Come, Herr Lieutnant," broke in Von Stromberg, "we do not wish to delay you or indeed to be delayed. Our time is short."
"And mine. I have a patient who must go to the hospital at once."
"And you have the temerity to say that you will not relinquish these prisoners to me?"
Hoffmeier bowed.
"You have not mistaken my meaning."
"And you are willing to accept the consequences of this action?"