Page:The Iron Hand by Hall Caine.djvu/10

 and your comrade. I will go further—I will give you a safe conduct and see that you are all four passed through the German lines and across the Dutch frontier. No harm of any kind shall come to you. You shall be protected from the reproaches of your people. More than that, your nationality shall be concealed even from my people. No one shall question you. It shall seem that you are all German.

(Victor listens and at the same time glances furtively at the bell above the clock at R. The sound of weeping comes from below stage.)

Listen! That's your wife. She thinks you are killing her. You are. If the sergeant returns before you give me the password it will be Impossible to save any of you. No power on earth can save you then. Quick—decide. Save yourself and all that belong to you. It's your last chance.

(Victor, who is seen to be marking time, pretends to consent.)

—But how—how can I do what you say?

—Change uniforms with my lieutenant. Then, in the uniform of a German soldier, you, your comrade, your wife and your mother shall be conveyed through the imperial lines.

(who is still watching the bell over the clock)—Very well, let us change uniforms, then.

(to his own lieutenant)—Lieutenant Harnack, give Lieutenant Lambotte your overcoat and tunic, and put on his instead. (Lieutenant Harnack steps down to Victor's side—the chair on which the priest has sat being between them. They take off their military overcoats, then their tunics. Victor is seen to be doing so slowly, glancing from time to time at the bell above the clock, and listening for a sound from without. The priest is still standing with his forehead against the wall at back. The German captain is on left of the two lieutenants.)

—Quick! Lose no time. The sergeant may return at any moment now.

(Victor, having stripped off his overcoat and tunic, stands with the German tunic in his hands. He is listening intently. There is a moment of dead silence. Then comes the tramp of horses in the distance, galloping toward the house.)

—Listen ! The sergeant is coming back.

(The sound of the galloping becomes louder. Victor is looking steadfastly at the bell above the clock.)

—My people are here with my general's order. The password quick, before it is too late.

(The bell above the clock rings loudly. Victor flings down the German uniform and tramples it under his feet.)

(with a triumphant shout) —No, but my people and my King.

(outside, calling) —"The Call of the King."

(flinging the door open, in a loud voice) —"The Call of the King."

(Four Belgian officers enter. The German captain and his lieutenant throw up their hands. At the next moment the King of the Belgians enters. His officers salute.)

(flinging himself at the King's feet, and crying in a joyful voice that is, at the same time, full of sobs) —My King! My King!

(As the curtain falls the people from the room below come running up the stairs: The Baroness Lambotte, Madame Victor Lambotte, Private Jonniaux and the servants of the chateau.)