The words, the sneering lash of the Herr Doktor's tone, held the American aviator and nurse silent.
"Treachery is afoot. These cousins of yours, Fräulein Belinda—the sergeant-major and the corporal—they are in this conspiracy, too? I have had my eye on them. The evidence I may put before Herr Major von Brandenburg will be of a most convincing character."
He had entered and closed the door behind him. He stood with his cloak thrown back and now counted off upon his fingers the points of his case quite as though he were instructing a hospital class of fledgling surgeons.
"First: An American aviator, flying for France—'Frank Sanderson, Pilote Aviateur'—is found within our lines, dressed in the uniform of a German officer, claiming the name and honors of the most unfortunate Herr Lieutenant August Gessler. What is this American? A spy! His punishment? Death!
"Second," pursued the sonorous if harsh voice of the Herr Doktor: "Erard, a Frenchman, a party to this vile conspiracy, knowing the American aviator; having already paid the just penalty for the murder of the orderly Vontromp."
His words were punctuated by several dull but near-by explosions in succession. Belinda shuddered and again cowered close to Sanderson's side. The latter's arm supported her.
"Do not be so disturbed, Fräulein Belinda," Herschall said. "They are only bombs being dropped by the dastardly French. An air attack is being made in this direction. If they blow us all up in this château so much the better. Yes?"
As Herschall spoke, he glanced from the high barred window as though to sight the squadrons of the air.
It was what Renaud had promised. He thought he could bring it about. An air attack in force in the vicinity to frighten the Germans and give the aviator and the nurse a chance to make for the wood.
"Third and fourth," went on the doctor: "Two young fools whom you claim as cousins, Fräulein. Whether your relationship to them is such or not, you have evidently quite turned their heads. I caught one of them just now standing guard at the door of this room. He dared even try to forbid my entrance.