"I don't care a rap for Herr von Steinhardt or Herr von anybody else," the German cried. Then he said curtly to a cringing secretary beside him:
"Has he been searched?"
The secretary cast a frightened look at the sentry.
"No, Herr Major," said the secretary.
"Well, take him away and strip him and bring me anything you find!"
The sentry spun on his heel like an automaton.
The moment had come to play my last card, I felt: I could not risk being delayed on the frontier lest Stelze and his friends should catch up with me. I was surprised to find that apparently they had not telegraphed to have me stopped.
"One moment, Herr Major," I said.
"Take him away!" The fat man waved me aside.
"I warn you," I continued, "that I am on important business. I can convince you of that, too. Only ..." and I looked round the office. "All these must go."