Schubert said nothing, but eyed the Jew with a perfectly blank face, as if he watched to see whether the man would damn himself or not.
"Take your money!" repeated Fred. But the Jew turned his back and busied himself with bottles at the side-table.
"He knows better!" Schubert laughed. "He understands by this time our
German hospitality!"
"All right," answered Fred. "We'll go out without paying!"
"Not at all," retorted Schubert. "The mess shall pay bill in full! You stay here until I have said what I have to say to you! The rest of your party may go, but you stay! You can explain to the others afterward."
He leaned forward, reached a bottle of beer off the table, knocked off the neck, and emptied the contents down his throat at a draught. Behind his back we exchanged glances.
"I'll listen," said Fred.
"You alone?"
"No, we all stay. All or none!"
Schubert made a contemptuous gesture with his thumb toward Brown, who had fallen dead drunk on the floor.