"Who is there?" called out Walter.
Next came a tap, low, broken, unassertive, as if made by fingers that trembled and failed.
"Who the devil is there?" he shouted again.
"Anna von Schwertfeger."
He jumped up and opened the door.
There she stood, ashen-grey, and only red about the mouth and eyelids.
"The colonel has just driven to Baron von Platow's, and will be back in three hours. He has bidden me tell you, Lilly, that when he returns he does not wish to find you in his house or on his estate."
"And what has he bidden you tell me?" sneered Walter von Prell.
Fräulein von Schwertfeger, without heeding him, took Lilly's hand.
"Come," she said, "there's not much time. We must begin packing at once."