Page:The Jail, Experiences in 1916.pdf/33

 "Oh, no, no, no", said Preminger deprecatingly. "But where are we to put this litter?"

"I will lend you a trunk if you will let me have it back", I offered.

"There is one more room?" asked the Captain pointing to the closed door.

"Yes, my wife and daughter are there", and I made as if to open. "No, we won't go there, we have nothing to do with your ladies", announced Preminger.

"Ready?" asked the Captain.

"Yes. Just a report that we have completed the search, and we must tie the bundles together a little. Hi, officer."

I lent them a trunk. The volunteer officer tied up the bundles. Suddenly he said to Preminger: "Lieutenant, this knight has the red and white colours on his shield." On the wall hung Schwaiger's picture "The Long, the Broad and the Sharp-Sighted". The knight who is riding across the foot-bridge has actually got a red and white shield. The volunteer officer fastened his little foxy eyes upon it.

"Lieutenant", he pointed out afresh, "has it any special significance that the colours there are red and white?" "Keep quiet, and see about getting ready", snarled the Captain. The foxy little eyes were lowered with injured reluctance and the little volunteer officer went on packing and tying up.

The report was read in a minute. I made it as easy for them as possible. I did not want the letters to be counted, I brought the trunk, the twine, the packing paper,—when a man has had such guests for five whole hours in his house, he has a slight desire for solitude and peace at the end of it.

"I draw your attention to the fact", I remarked to Preminger,