"They, too, are in this conspiracy. They lend their assistance to enemies of the Empire. With this American, and the Frenchman already passed on, I may include these young cousins in the category of my accusation to the Herr Major.
"What say you, Fräulein Belinda. Shall I do this?"
He waited for her answer; but the girl could not speak. Sanderson's lip curled with disdain as he gazed upon the Prussian.
"Why do you wreak your petty malice on a woman, mein Herr?" he asked. "I have but one good arm, and that my left one. But it can hold a sword or a pistol, whichever you may choose. Let us have it out like men."
"Oh, Frank!" gasped Belinda clinging more tightly to him.
"Fear not, Fräulein Belinda," retorted the surgeon, raising his right hand and working the clever fingers as though they were clutching at his enemy's throat. "These eyes of mine are not to guide a sword; that hand wields more delicate instruments than a pistol. I enter into no brawl with you, Herr Sanderson. Why should I fight? There is nothing to fight for. I hold the fate of all of you in my hand," and he clenched it in the empty air again.
Again a bomb exploded. This time it must have been within the premises of the château.
"I will not fight Herr Sanderson," the surgeon said directly to Belinda. "But you may save him, and with him your cousins, if you choose."
"How?" the girl gasped.
"Pay no heed to the dog," said Sanderson quickly.