"No! By God, no!" he cried, with a savage clenching of the fists.
Von Berger remained gazing out at the autumn scene.
"Think again."
But no answer was forthcoming. Von Salzinger's attitude remained, only now it seemed as if his clenching fists were a threat to the man at the window.
"Think again, Herr von Salzinger. Berlin gives no second chance."
The frigidity of the words became a threat that was insupportable. Von Salzinger was a Prussian. Self-preservation counted with him before all things. He saw every hope that had ever been his slipping from his tenacious grasp. To refuse—to refuse. He knew all it meant. He must accept or—kill this man.
His clenching fists relaxed.
"Very good, Excellency. If those are my orders I must execute them."
"Those are your orders."
Von Berger had turned about, and Von Salzinger beheld that terrible gleam in his eyes which Vita had once so painfully witnessed.