Page:The Iron Hand by Hall Caine.djvu/5

 the breast of his tunic and bringing out papers). Look, here is her letter. This is a portrait of the baby I've never seen. And this is the boy. Only two years old, sir. Such a bright little fellow. We call him Albert (pronounced Al-bare), after the King.

—(trying not to hear him)—Don't speak to me. Don't! Don't!

—If you were a father you would know what It means, sir. But you can save my life, and you will— won't you?

—Once more, will you give me the password?

(after a great struggle) —I can't! It's Impossible! I should be a traitor. (to corporal)—Remove the Private Jonniaux to the room below and keep him there until further orders.

—My God! They are going to shoot me!

(to his guard)—Achtung! Vorwarts!

(The guard lay hold of Private Jonniaux).

(shouting, as they are dragging him away) —You are killing me! Assassin! Murderer! Curse you! Curse you!

—Oh, God! Oh, God!

(after Private Jonniaux has been removed and his cries have died down) —Well? Brute as I am, do you think I desire such scenes? Quite the contrary. Come, give me the password and your comrade's life shall be saved even yet.

—You are a soldier yourself—if our positions were reversed would you do such a thing?

(with a shrug) —Perhaps not.

(flaming up) —Then why do you ask me? Do you think Belgian soldiers are less loyal? Look! (Pointing to one of the portraits on the walls) —This is the portrait of my father. He died for his country—do you expect his son to betray it? That is the portrait of the first King of the Belgians. He gave it to my grandfather for helping to found Belgium—do you want his grandson to help to destroy it? That (pointing to the portrait over the Captain's head, drawing up and saluting) is the portrait of my own King, Albert the Brave, the Immortal! He sacrificed his throne to save the honor of his kingdom—do you ask me to sacrifice my King and degrade the name of my country?

—You have no country now, my man, and if you have a King, he Is a King without a kingdom.

—Better a King without a kingdom than a Kaiser without a conscience.

(shouting him down) —Halts Maul!

(with the same deadly calm)—War is war and I must have that password.

—Never from me, never!

—We'll see. If I have failed perhaps somebody else will be successful. (To sergeant)—Bring in the younger of the two ladles.

(Sergeant goes out by door on right).

(aghast)—You can't mean that? To threaten a wife In order to force her husband—it's incredible, impossible! War is war, you say ... Is this what you call war—war on women? (Drawing himself up). But no matter! Belgian women can be brave. Haven't they proved that a thousand times already—(taking off his cap)—my brave countrywomen, God bless them! (Throwing his cap away). Go on, then. Send for my wife. You'll see.

(at door, right) —Mme. Victor Lambotte.

—Bring her in.

(Nadine enters with looks of fear. She goes up to Victor.)

—Victor!

(laying hold of her hand)—Courage, Nadine!

—How long is it since you were married, Madame Lambotte?

(after a moment in which Nadine has stood silent and bewildered)—Answer him. Don't be afraid.

—A little more than a year, sir.

—Just before the beginning of the war?

—Only three days before, sir.

—And how long is it since your husband left you to join the army?

—Exactly a year to-day, sir.

—Then you were parted during your honeymoon?

—Yes, he brought me back to his mother's house and then went away with the first regiment.

—And how often have you seen him since?

—Only once until to-night, sir.

—Naturally, it was a great grief to you to be separated so soon?

(with emotion)—Yes, sir.

(in a whisper)—Be strong, don't