He did not look up when they entered, his little, wicked black eyes, which had become dull and covered with a bluish glaze, remained fixed as though he were listening, and his heavy lower lip sagged.
"Wildresse," said General Delisle.
There was no response; a soldier stirred the prisoner to attention with the butt of his piece.
"Stand up," he said.
Wildresse, aroused, got to his great feet stupidly, looked around, caught sight of Philippa, and silently snarled—merely opened his mouth a little way till his upper lip curled back, emitting no sound whatever—then he caught sight of the green uniform of General Count Cassilis, and instantly the old glare blazed up in his eyes.
"By God, the Cossack!" he growled; and the heavy voice vibrated ominously through the room.
Warner led Philippa to a chair as General Delisle seated the Countess. Wildresse, his heavy arms hanging inert, stood looking from one man to another, as they found scats in turn, on sofas or on chairs—Delisle, Warner, Cassilis, Gray.
"Make your statement," said General Delisle dryly. And he added: "If it is a long one, you may seat yourself."
Wildresse shot a terrible look at the Russian Military Observer.
"For the last time," he said hoarsely, "will you do something for me? ... For the last time?"