Part 14 (1/2)
”They left no one behind, and had no wounded with them. See for yourself; there are none of your men in the village.”
At this moment the door opened and George appeared, but, mindful of the rebuff just received, he paused on the threshold, saying:
”Herr Lieutenant, I only wanted to report that this business looks worse and worse. There is not a sentinel, not a comrade to be seen in the whole accursed den. Our rascally guide has made off, and here in this house”--he darted an extremely hostile glance at Danira--”here the witchcraft is doubtless in full swing. Don't send me away again, Herr Lieutenant; it is better for us two to keep together if trouble comes.”
Danira suddenly started, and a look of mortal terror rested on Gerald as she repeated:
”Us two? For Heaven's sake! Herr von Steinach, you are here at the head of your men, or at least you have a sufficient escort?”
”No; I am alone with George, as you see.”
The girl turned deadly pale.
”And you venture thus into a hostile place? At night? This is more than foolhardy.”
”I expected to find our men here, and the message was so positive, so unequivocal----”
”Who brought it? Were you the only person summoned? Where is the guide?
Did you notice nothing suspicious on the way?”
The questions succeeded each other in such breathless, anxious haste that Gerald at last began to understand the gravity of the situation.
His hand involuntarily grasped the hilt of his sword more firmly as he replied:
”The summons was to me only, and I should have obeyed it alone had not George insisted upon accompanying me. We were not attacked on the way.
Nothing occurred to rouse our suspicions except the mysterious disappearance of our guide, but he brought me trustworthy credentials, my comrade's portfolio and notes.”
”That proves nothing. They may have been stolen, taken from a dead body. The whole story is a falsehood, a device to lure you here.”
”But who can have any interest in bringing me----” Gerald began, but Danira pa.s.sionately interrupted:--
”Do you ask that question? Marco Obrevic has sworn vengeance upon you!
He will keep his vow--you are lost!”
The young officer turned pale. The words suddenly revealed the terrible danger impending. But George, with a sort of agreeable horror, remarked:--
”Didn't I say so? Now we're in the trap.”
Gerald needed but an instant to regain his composure. He drew himself up to his full height, and the red flush of anger crimsoned his face.
”A shameful plot! Well, then, we must defend ourselves to the last breath. We will sell our lives dearly, George. The a.s.sa.s.sins won't find it so easy to destroy us.”
”I'll take care of a few of them!” cried George, in whom wrath had now gained the upper hand. ”Just let the murderous rabble come! My lieutenant and I will fight the whole band.”
”No, no; here any resistance would be vain,” replied Danira. ”If Marco comes he will come with ten times your number, and fighting would be impossible. You would be dragged down, overpowered, and then the living----”
She did not finish the sentence, but paused with a shudder, which the two men, who knew how the war was conducted on the part of the natives, could easily interpret.