Part 38 (1/2)

”That'll do,” said the _wachtmeister_.

Hamm turned away briskly. The expression of his face and eyes showed that he considered the situation serious. Serious for Oberle, but equally serious for himself. Neither the captain nor the lieutenant was in barracks at the moment. If there was trouble the captain would not fail to ask why he had not been warned. Hamm crossed the courtyard, thinking over what he ought to do, and recalling a remark of the brigadier of Obernai. When Gottfried was at Obernai a fortnight before, he had said to him: ”You are going to have Oberle's son in your regiment. Keep an eye on him. I shall be surprised if he does not create some disturbance. He is the counterpart of his grandfather, a madman who hates Germans, and who is quite capable of any folly.”

But before taking zealous action it was necessary to know some details. This was easy: the rue des Balayeurs faced the gateway.

Hamm brushed his blue tunic with his hand, left the barracks, and made his way to a large house on the left with green shutters.

”Left in a cab, before midday, carrying a bag,” was the answer Jean's landlady gave him.

”What address did he give?”

”Rue de la Mesange.”

”Any number?”

”I don't know; anyway I heard none.”

Hamm's suspicions became more definite. The _wachtmeister_ no longer hesitated. He hastened to the captain's quarters in the Herderstra.s.se.

The captain was out.

Disappointed and warm from his sharp walk, Hamm took a short cut to the barracks, through the University gardens. He suddenly remembered that close by in the rue Grandidier, lived Lieutenant Farnow. It is true the lieutenant did not belong to the 2nd squadron, but Hamm knew of his engagement. It had been talked of among the officers. He made his way to the superb stone house and mounted to the first floor.

”The lieutenant is dressing,” replied the orderly to his question.

Von Farnow in s.h.i.+rt and trousers was dressing before paying certain calls, and going to the officers' casino. In trousers and s.h.i.+rt he was leaning over his toilet-table with its bevelled gla.s.s, was.h.i.+ng his face. The room was perfumed with eau-de-cologne, brushes and manicure set were strewn round him. He turned as the door opened, his face all wet.

”What is the matter, Hamm?” he cried, seizing a towel.

”I took upon myself to call upon you, lieutenant, as the captain is not there, and Oberle----”

”Oberle? What has he done?” Farnow interrupted nervously.

”He has not put in an appearance since half-past eleven this morning.”

Farnow, who was drying his face, threw down the towel violently on the table, and approached the non-commissioned officer. He remembered Madame Oberle's fears. ”He thinks as I do,” thought Hamm.

”Has not come back? Have you been to the rue des Balayeurs?”

”Yes, lieutenant; he left the house in a cab at ten minutes to twelve.”

The young lieutenant felt as though death's icy hand was on his heart. He closed his eyes for a moment, and with a violent effort regained his composure.

”There is only one thing to do, Hamm,” he said. He was deadly pale, but not a muscle of his face quivered. ”You must warn your captain, and he will do what is prescribed in such cases.”

Farnow turned calmly, and looked at the ornamental clock on his desk.

”One-forty--you must be quick.”

The _wachtmeister_ saluted and withdrew.

The lieutenant ran to the adjoining study, and asked to be connected with the Strasburg station. Ten minutes later the telephone bell rang, and he learnt that a volunteer of the 9th Hussars, in uniform, had reached the station at the last moment with a valise portmanteau and taken a first-cla.s.s ticket to Russ-Hersbach.