“How fast did it go?”
“Couldn't say, your Royal Highness. The papers, leastways the Daily Courier, said eighty miles an hour.”
They talked German over that for a time.
“Couldt it standt still? Op in the air? That is what I want to know.”
“It could 'ovver, your Royal Highness, like a wasp,” said Bert.
“Viel besser, nicht wahr?” said the Prince to Von Winterfeld, and then went on in German for a time.
Presently they came to an end, and the two officers looked at Bert. One rang a bell, and the portfolio was handed to an attendant, who took it away.
Then they reverted to the case of Bert, and it was evident the Prince was inclined to be hard with him. Von Winterfeld protested. Apparently theological considerations came in, for there were several mentions of “Gott!” Some conclusions emerged, and it was apparent that Von Winterfeld was instructed to convey them to Bert.
“Mr. Schmallvays, you haf obtained a footing in this airship,” he said, “by disgraceful and systematic lying.”
“'Ardly systematic,” said Bert. “I—”