Meantime I turned my back upon them all to escape the gaze of the troopers, who had throughout stood stolidly regarding me, no doubt appraising in their own minds the value of the orders upon my breast. But presently the two men’s voices rose louder, and I caught scraps of their conversation.
“A thousand crowns!”—it was the major’s voice. “Ah, my Wilmina! Little did I dream of this when last I bade thee good-bye; but thou shalt see that I will keep my word. Yes, yes, the little house that I have so often promised thee shall be thine own at last!”
“I would have you remember, however, Major Verbrughen,” the lieutenant’s voice replied, “that to me belongs the credit of this arrest.”
“So! good lieutenant, I will not fail to make mention of you!” the other answered.
“It is not mention that I desire,” the lieutenant said sourly. “But for me the man might well have escaped, and I shall lay claim to the reward.”
“You?” the other cried hotly. “You will lay claim?”
“Why not?” the lieutenant answered, raising his voice. “Was it not my suggestion to search the gardens? Am I to do all the work and gain no profit by it?”
“And am I not in command here?” the major cried angrily; “and was it not to me that he surrendered? You to receive a thousand crowns? Why, ’twould be squandered at the first gaming table you sat down to!”
“And you to spend them on your Wilmina?” the lieutenant retorted with a sneer. “Why, she has forgotten your very name ere this.”
“It is false!” the major shouted, beside himself with rage.