'You will learn that soon enough, monsieur.'
'And to where must I accompany you?'
'To the police station—first.'
'First—and where afterwards?'
'That is as may be—but I have not come here to answer your questions—especially if asked in such a tone.'
'I am an officer in Her Britannic Majesty's service.'
'Officers in Her Britannic Majesty's service do not usually come to Belgium with such papers as have been found among your baggage.'
'The fellow is mad!' exclaimed Goring, on which the gendarme uttered a growl and struck the brass hilt of his sword significantly with his left hand.
'If monsieur is a British officer perhaps he has his cards about him?' he said, after a little pause.
'Of course I have,' replied Goring, and proceeded in haste to investigate, but in vain, the pockets of his coat.