“My dear fellow, of course I will. What’s the trouble?”
“You will give me your word it shall go no farther?” He nodded, and I felt I could trust him. “Our friend Von Lindheim is under a cloud. He is being hunted down for political reasons. Holds a dangerous secret, and his life is not worth twelve hours’ purchase.”
Strode whistled. “Bad as that?”
“Yes; you don’t know what vindictive fiends these Government people are. Now, if he is to save his life he must get away out of the country.”
“I should think so. I’m your man; this is rather exciting. What can I do?”
“You have a passport?”
“Yes. Ah, I see.”
“I have an idea if he travelled in your name it might put the bloodhounds off the scent. He speaks English perfectly, as you hear. It is but a chance, still I can’t see a good fellow like that done to death in cold blood without an effort to save him. He ought to slip away quietly at once.”
“Yes,” he drawled, but I could see he was thinking it out. “We had better head for my diggings, potting what we can on our way. I’ve an idea an Eilwagen passes about a mile below the house between four and five. That might do for him. We can talk it over as we go.”
Whereupon we called Von Lindheim and communicated the plan to him. The situation and his chances were discussed as we went; details of his flight and the safest route were arranged. The cottage, a literal shooting-box, was soon reached, a curiously bare little place furnished simply with necessaries, and, with the exception perhaps of one armchair, none of the luxuries of life. Here Strode provided an excellent luncheon, considering the resources of the place, fish and game and ham, with an assortment of delicatessen and a capital bottle of wine. Then we equipped Von Lindheim for his journey, making him as much like a travelling Briton as possible, towards which an old suit of Strode’s went a long way. Everything that could be was changed, even down to the linen, which now bore the Englishman’s name, proof positive of his identity. Then, furnished with the all-important passport, a travelling bag, a flask and sandwiches, he set off with us to intercept the Eilwagen, which was soon to pass through the valley below.