Again it was the question of the man at the head of the table.
"He dared not have his—nephew interrogated, sir."
"And if he dared not?" It was still the same speaker.
Von Salzinger shrugged.
"There can only be one interpretation, sir."
"You mean—betrayal of Borga's secrets."
"Yes, sir."
The man at the head of the table turned to Von Berger with a smile that never reached his eyes.
"Tell him," he said imperiously.
"Your contention loses all its apparent force in the light of—facts," said Von Berger coldly. "Agents have been set to work upon the matter. From the moment of Von Hertzwohl's complaint, in justice to you as Borga's commandant, the closest secret enquiries have been made. On the occasion of Hertzwohl's visit to your command his nephew did accompany him. This nephew is certainly his most trusted engineer, and is the actual inventor of the U-light. There is no shadow of doubt about these matters. Your suspicions are groundless and cannot be accepted in your defence."