"Let us say ten, monsieur," Burton pleaded. "It is, you will admit, a serious matter."
"Ten, then; not a minute more."
At the end of the ten minutes the captain called for an answer.
"The general wishes to know, monsieur, what guarantee he has for safety."
"The word of a German officer," snarled the captain. "Be quick!"
Waiting a minute or so, Burton said--
"The general has a little difficulty in making up his mind--pardonable at his age. You give him another ten minutes, monsieur?"
"Three; not a second more," cried the German, completely hoodwinked by Burton's tone, and unaware of the vital consideration in Burton's mind--the return of Captain Rolfe to head-quarters.
"Very well, monsieur. I will bring the general's answer in three minutes."
The marquise and Pierre were holding their breath. The same thought possessed them both; to what lengths would this audacious Englishman go?