The soldier smacked his lips significantly and followed. “A glass of that excellent brandy after this night’s work will not come amiss,” he observed frankly.
In the room von Bertheim pointed to the suggested refreshment and his guest lost no time in helping himself.
“I have to thank you, Captain, for my life.”
Ompertz gave a deprecating wave of the arm. “Pfui! ’Twas but a natural quid pro quo, my friend,” he protested airily.
“It was more than that,” the other returned gravely.
“Well,” said the soldier, after a second draught, “time is short, and were it not, I have not come hither to bandy words about that. I have a sense of common honour and gratitude—that is nothing to boast of—and am not a midnight bravo, although I admit that an hour ago I must have looked uncommonly like one.”
“I can understand the matter,” Ludovic assured him with a smile.
“Can you? Then you will understand that you stay here in considerable danger, my enterprising young friend.”
Ludovic smiled confidently. “I hope that is past.”
“Is it?” the other retorted. “You have a singular confidence, young man, amounting almost to folly. Take my advice. You have had two miraculous escapes. Are you mad enough to fancy that his Excellency, our most noble Chancellor Rollmar, will fail a third time to brush you out of his way?”