“It is quite true,” I said, “but I would prefer to use a pleasanter word. You will see from our papers that every authority on the road is directed to give us the best transport. Our own car broke down, and after a long delay we got some wretched horses. It is vitally important that we should be in Erzerum without delay, so I took the liberty of appropriating an empty car we found outside an inn. I am sorry for the discomfort of the owners, but our business was too grave to wait.”
“But the telegram says you are notorious spies!”
I smiled. “Who sent the telegram?”
“I see no reason why I shouldn’t give you his name. It was Rasta Bey. You’ve picked an awkward fellow to make an enemy of.”
I did not smile but laughed. “Rasta!” I cried. “He’s one of Enver’s satellites. That explains many things. I should like a word with you alone, Sir.”
He nodded to the staff-officer, and when he had gone I put on my most Bible face and looked as important as a provincial mayor at a royal visit.
“I can speak freely,” I said, “for I am speaking to a soldier of Germany. There is no love lost between Enver and those I serve. I need not tell you that. This Rasta thought he had found a chance of delaying us, so he invents this trash about spies. Those Comitadjis have spies on the brain ... Especially he hates Frau von Einem.”
He jumped at the name.
“You have orders from her?” he asked, in a respectful tone.
“Why, yes,” I answered, “and those orders will not wait.”