“I am at your service, Count,” he responded, with as much show of indifference as he could command.
“We need not stop,” Zarka proceeded, for the Lieutenant had halted and faced round. “What I have to say,” he continued, “is a simple affair. It is merely to warn you off forbidden ground. You understand?”
“Hardly.” The sternness of Von Tressen’s face as he answered showed that he had at least a suspicion of what the other was driving at. “I should like to know where I have trespassed.”
“I am referring to Fräulein Harlberg,” Zarka said bluffly. The suave manner was gone, politeness was a negligible factor now.
“Kindly explain yourself, Count,” Von Tressen said, with a touch of defiance.
“Certainly,” Zarka returned, with a confident smile. To be forced to speak out was manifestly nowise distasteful to him. “I have to request, Lieutenant,” he proceeded in a sharp tone of authority, “that you will discontinue your woodland rambles with the Fräulein.”
Von Tressen flushed hotly. “By what right, do you make that demand?”
“I have a perfect right to do so,” Zarka returned coolly. “But for the moment it is enough that I am commissioned by Herr Harlberg to convey this request to you.”
“If Herr Harlberg objects to my escort for his daughter,” Von Tressen retorted warmly, “he may tell me so himself. As for your demand, Count, I regard it as an insult. I am a soldier and noble, and——”
“No doubt,” Zarka interrupted with a deprecating wave of the hand. “We need not go into that. It is not the question. If you choose to ignore the communication of Herr Harlberg’s wishes, so be it. Now, Lieutenant, I have to inform you that I object.”