"Before your English carcase is flung to the dogs of Erzerum," he sputtered, "you will have time to--to repent your insolence."
He swung round again, slammed the door behind him, ordered Hussein outside to lock it, and clattered down the steps.
Frank dropped the stool and sat down, smiling at the feeble end of the German's explosive sentence. But the smile soon passed. His English spirit would not allow him to be cowed by Wonckhaus's threat, but remembering his isolated situation he could not help feeling uneasy. It was well for his peace of mind that he was not aware of what German frightfulness had already accomplished in Belgium.
It was not long before he began to feel the effects of Wonckhaus's malice. The cold weather had set in, and the Armenian winter is excessively cold. His apartment had been warmed by a nargal or charcoal stove. This was not replenished.
"The fire has gone out," he said to the Arab, when he brought his dinner.
"Fuel is very dear, effendim."
"I have still some money; I will pay."
"It cannot be bought, effendim. It is all required for the troops, who are slaying tens of thousands of Russians in the bleak mountains."
"Buy me some blankets, then."
"That also is impossible, effendim. Our brave soldiers need all the blankets in the frosty heights. Why does not your nobility send for those wasted rugs?"