rently--"would you dare to argue with me?--Here, one of
you, take his bag. Has the woman any baggage? No. Then march them to
the----"

A tall young lieutenant, in the uniform of the Prussian Imperial Guard,
dashed up breathlessly.

"Ah, I was told the train had arrived!" he cried. "Yes, I am in search
of those two----"

"Thank goodness you are here, Von Halwig!" began Dalroy.

The Guardsman turned on him a face aflame with fury. "Silence!" he
bellowed. "I'll soon settle _your_ affair.--Take his papers and money,
and put him in a waiting-room till I return," he added, speaking to the
officer of reserves who had affected the arrest. "Place the lady in
another waiting-room, and lock her in. I'll see that she is not
molested. As for this English _schwein-hund_, shoot him at the least
sign of resistance."

"But, Herr Lieutenant," began the other, whose heavy paunch was a
measure of his self-importance, "I have orders----"

"_Ach, was!_ I know! This Englishman is not an ordinary spy. He is a
cavalry captain, and speaks our language fluently. Do as I tell you. I
shall come back in half-an-hour.--Fraeulein, you are in safer hands.
You, I fancy, will be well treated."

Dalroy said not a word. He saw at once that some virus had changed Von
Halwig's urbanity to bitter hatred. He was sure the Guardsman had been
drinking, but that fact alone would not account for such an amazing
_volte-face_. Could it be that Britain had thrown in her lot with
France? In his heart of hearts he hoped passionately that the rumour was
true. And he blazed, too, into a fierce if silent resentment of the
Prussian's satyr-like smile at Irene Beresford. But what could he do?
Protest was worse than useless. He felt that he would be shot or
bayoneted on the slightest pretext.

Von Halwig evidently resented the presence of a crowd of gaping
onlookers.

"No more talk!" he ordered sharply. "Do as I bid you, Herr Lieutenant of
Reserves!"

"Captain Dalroy!" cried the girl in a voice of utter dismay, "don't let
them part us!"

Von Halwig pointed to a door. "In there with him!" he growled, and
Dalroy was hustled away. Irene screamed, and tried to avoid the
Prussian's outstretched hand. He grasped her determinedly.

"Don't be a fool!" he hissed in English. "_I_ can save you. He is done
with. A firing-party or a rope will account for him at daybreak. Ah!
calm yourself, _gnaediges Fraeulein_. There are consolations, even in
war."

Dalroy contrived, o