orning just as the machine
came around to the door Goritz found himself confronted by two men in
uniform.

Marishka, who had been waiting, trembling, in her room above, came
running down the stairs and threw herself upon their mercy, telling her
story and begging their intercession.

But even as she spoke she realized that the very wildness of her
narrative was against its verity in the minds of these rustic policemen.

"It is an extraordinary tale," said the elder man, "and one which of
course must be investigated--an abduction!"

"If you will permit me," said Goritz smiling calmly. "This lady is my
wife. I am taking her to the north for the baths. As you observe, she
is the subject of delusions----"

"It is not true," cried Marishka despairingly. "I beseech you to
listen--to investigate----"

"I regret," said Goritz, with a glance at his watch, "that I have no
time to delay. I am Lieutenant von Arnstorf of the Fifteenth Army Corps,
bearing a safe conduct from General von Hoetzendorf, which all police
officers of the Empire are constrained to respect. Read for yourself."

And he handed them the magic paper which already had done him such
service. The men read it through with respect and not a little awe,
bestowing at the last a pitying glance upon Marishka, which too well
indicated their delicacy in interfering in the affairs of one in such
authority.

"And you will not summon the mayor? What I tell is the truth. In the
name of the Holy Virgin, I swear it."

One of the men crossed himself and turned away. Goritz had already laid
his fingers firmly upon her arm and guided her toward the machine.

"Come, Anna," he said in a sober, soothing tone, "all will be well--all
will be well."

And so Marishka, with one last despairing glance in the direction of the
two officers, permitted herself to be handed into the machine by Captain
Goritz who, before the automobile departed, handed a piece of money to
the girl who had done Marishka this service. The last glimpse that
Marishka had of the police officers showed them standing side by side,
their fingers at their caps. Her case was hopeless. She had no friend,
it seemed, in all Hungary, and she abandoned herself to the depths of
her despair. How could she have expected to cope with such a man as
this?

Goritz said nothing to her of warning or of reproach, but in the same
afternoon, after drinking a cup of coffee which he urged upon her, she
became drowsy and slept