"Major Aufferich has gone to Laibach, sergeant," announced one of the men in a stage whisper.
"Then I can give you authority on my own responsibility, Herr Major," continued the non-com. "I will also send a man to guide you to the fishing-port."
He seemed most anxious to make amends for the affront he had occasioned in a perfectly legitimate display of zeal. The Moke pondered over the matter, until catching Farrar's eye he plainly read the sub's acceptance of the proposal.
"All right, sergeant," decided the spurious Hun. "Send a man, by all means. He can help my man to carry my luggage, but he'll find him a most uncommunicative comrade."
A thought flashed across the Moke's mind.
"What is the countersign, sergeant?" he asked.
"Good man," thought Farrar. "The old Moke's 'cuteness has developed enormously. There are no flies on him, by Jove!"
"The countersign is Scharfschutze und Huszar, Herr Major," announced the sergeant; then turning to one of his men: "Josef, conduct His Excellency to the harbour. Inform Corporal Herz that he is to signal the patrol boat to wait and embark an illustrious passenger.... Everything will now be in order, Herr Major."
The guard stood rigidly at attention until the Moke's increased party had covered the regulated distance. Then the sergeant's voice was heard ordering the men to dismiss, and with a heavy tramping of feet and clattering of accoutrements the men returned to the shelter of the block-house.
Once during the journey to the coast the Austrian offered some remark to his supposed fellow-soldier. The Moke turned on him sharply.