Part 7 (2/2)

I did as I was bid, he followed, and the door was locked behind us The precaution was needless, for the sight of Stumm's profile at the platform end would have kept out the most brazen I wondered if I had woken up his suspicions I ence if he suddenly tried me in German, and that wouldn't be easy, for I knew it as well as I knew Dutch

We moved into the country, but the ere blurred with frost, and I saw nothing of the landscape Stumm was busy with papers and let me alone I read on a notice that one was forbidden to snorance of German I pulled out ruffly bade me put it away, as if he were an old lady that disliked the sot very bored, for I had nothing to read and my pipe was verboten People passed now and then in the corridors, but no one offered to enter No doubt they saw the big figure in uniforht he was the deuce of a staff santed solitude I thought of stretchingup to do it when soht

He earing a heavy ulster and a green felt hat He saluted Sturily, and sentleuess I'otten a delicate stomach '

Stuoing to pitch the intruder off the train Then he seemed to halt and collect hirin

'Why, it's Colonel Stumm,' he cried (He pronounced it like the first syllable in 'stoain, Colonel I had the honour ofyour acquaintance at our Embassy I reckon Aht' And the new-comer plumped himself down in the corner opposite me

I had been pretty certain I would run across Blenkiron somewhere in Germany, but I didn't think it would be so soon There he sat staring atout platitudes to Stu in his effort to keep civil I looked ht line

'Things are getting a bit dead at Salonika,' said Mr Blenkiron, by way of a conversational opening

Stumm pointed to a notice which warned officers to refrain fro e

'Sorry,' said Blenkiron, 'I can't read that toe of yours But I reckon that that notice to trespassers, whatever it signifies, don't apply to you and entle the American with suspicious eyes

'He is a Dutchman,' said Stumm; 'South African Dutch, and he is not happy, for he doesn't like to hear English spoken'

'We'll shake on that,' said Blenkiron cordially 'But who said I spoke English? It's good American Cheer up, friend, for it isn't the call thatwapiti, as they say out west in my country I hate John Bull worse than a poison rattle The Colonel can tell you that'

I dare say he could, but at that ot up to leave 'Good day to you, Herr Blenkiron,' he cried over his shoulder 'If you consider your coe travellers They don't distinguish between the different brands'

I followed him in a hurry, but was recalled by Blenkiron's voice

'Say, friend,' he shouted, 'you've left your grip,' and he handed n of recognition, and the last I saw of hi sunk in a corner with his head on his chest as if he were going to sleep He was a man who kept up his parts well

There was a rey military kind-and we started at a terrific pace over bad forest roads Stu me a few sentences on the journey

'I haven't made up my mind about you, Brandt,' he announced 'You ood man If you are a knave, ill shoot you'

'And if I am a fool?' I asked

'Send you to the Yser or the Dvina You will be respectable cannon-fodder'

'You cannot do that unless I consent,' I said

'Can't we?' he said, s wickedly 'Remember you are a citizen of nowhere Technically, you are a rebel, and the British, if you go to the they have any sense You are in our power, my friend, to do precisely e like with you'

He was silent for a second, and then he said, meditatively: