Page:Ruth of the U.S.A. (IA ruthofusa00balm).pdf/296

 "They are both dead," Ruth said quietly. It was plain that von Forstner had been Dittman's master and that Dittman, for the moment at least, accepted Ruth as a friend of von Forstner's, as the soldier had.

"What shall I order done?" Dittman appealed to Ruth, rising.

"Take Hauptmann von Forstner's body to the house, of course," Ruth directed. "Who is at the house?" she inquired.

"Besides the servants, this morning only Herr Adler."

"Who is Herr Adler?"

"Why, he is Hauptmann von Forstner's secretary."

"Then why did he not himself come at once?"

"Word arrived that Herr Hauptmann was dead," Dittman explained. "Herr Adler did not think that you would require him here, gnädiges Fräulein. Since Herr Hauptmann was dead it was more necessary than ever for Herr Adler to remain at the house. Oberst-Lieutenant von Fallenbosch communicates by telephone at this time in the morning; immediately he must be informed."

"Of course," Ruth said.

She was aware that Dittman was observing her more and more curiously, not so much because of her questions and of her ignorance of the household affairs of Captain von Forstner, she thought, as because of her accent. Dittman apparently was not surprised that the lady companion of his master did not know about Adler; and even the fact that she spoke German with an undisguisable foreign accent did not stir suspicion, but only curiosity. Ruth apparently had taken the right tone with this puffing under-