ursuit. Your illness marred my plans. The war continues to
mar them."

"How?"

He smiled.

"The insect _has_ curiosity, then? Schloss Szolnok has proved safe. I
have no desire to take unnecessary risks."

"You were pursued?"

He nodded. "Yes. And I managed to get away--here, but the other end of
this pass is now strongly guarded. I could have gone through when I
first came, but you were very ill. You would probably have died if I had
gone on. Now it is too late. You see," he said with a shrug, "I am quite
cheerful about it."

She turned and examined him with an air of timidity.

"You mean that--that to save my life you--you have sacrificed all hope
of winning through to Germany?"

"With you, yes--for the present," he smiled.

She turned away and leaned upon the wall.

"I--I think that I--I have done you some injustice, Herr Hauptmann," she
murmured with an effort.

"Thank you."

"But I cannot understand. The papers which passed you through
Hungary--signed by General Von Hoetzendorf----"

"Unfortunately are of no further service. An order for my arrest has
been issued in Vienna."

"Your arrest? For taking me?"

"For many things----" And he shrugged.

"What do you propose to do?"

"Remain here for the present," he said slowly. "It is doubtful if anyone
would think of seeking us here. The Schloss has an evil name along the
countryside. None of the peasants dares to come within a league of the
place."

"And I--?" she asked.

"It seems, Countess Strahni," he said slowly, smiling at her, "that our
positions are now reversed--you the captor--I the prisoner. And yet, as
you see," with a shrug, "I am making no effort to escape. You have led
captivity captive."

His phrases were too well spoken, and the look in his eyes disturbed
her.

"You--you wish me to understand that I am free to go----"

"Hardly that," he interrupted with a short laugh. "Only this morning you
said that you would kill me if you dared. I do not relish the notion of
being delivered into the hands of the police."

"You think that I would do that?" she questioned.

"Wouldn't you?"

"I don't know. I----"

"I am sure of it. I am no longer under any illusions with regard to your
sentiments toward myself. This morning I uncovered my heart to you--and
you plunged a dagger into it. It was too much--beyond my deserts. I am
no man for a woman to spit upon, Countess Strahni. You are still a
prisoner--as completely under my power as t