“Let us be off,” he said; “there is nothing more to do.” He turned toward the door—then stopped and reached for the sword.
“Others are coming,” he said;—“we’ll fight it out right here.”
There was the quick tramp of feet on the porch, and a sergeant and two police entered. Their looks of bewildered surprise, as they recognized the Archduke and his Aide, were so comical that even Bernheim smiled, though his words were curt enough.
“Salute, men!” he said, “don’t you know His Royal Highness?”
The sergeant’s hand went up.
“Your pardon, sir,” he stammered, “but we heard shots—and this house is supposed to be unoccupied. I am sorry——”
Armand motioned him to silence.
“There is nothing to pardon, sergeant,” he said; “you are doing your duty very properly, and you come in good time. You will search this place thoroughly, including the grounds; remove the dead and wounded immediately; see that all knowledge of the affair is suppressed, and report to me at noon to-morrow.”
The officer saluted again. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“Where are our capes, Colonel?”