<h2><SPAN name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</SPAN><br/> <small>VON STROMBERG CATECHISES</small></h2>
<p class="cap">To the girl the way from Bremen to Windenberg
seemed interminable. She shared with John
Rizzio a private compartment in the train.
He was still ceremoniously polite and inclined to conversation,
but now, thoroughly realizing the danger
which faced her as well as Cyril, Doris had decided
upon a policy of silence. She would wait until she
learned what they required of her and then perhaps
some instinct or inspiration would direct her. Of one
thing she was certain, that nothing could make her
speak if she did not think it wise to do so.</p>
<p>When Rizzio commented upon the beauty of the
passing landscape she assented with a smile and then
returned to her own thoughts. Cyril, she knew, would
be at Windenberg, for it was to Windenberg that the
Yellow Dove had made its flights. She had succeeded
in eliciting that much information from her captor
the other night at dinner when he was attempting by
frankness and hospitality to minimize the brutality
of his actions. She had many reasons to believe that
he had already regretted that frankness for at every
subsequent attempt of hers to get more information
about von Stromberg, John Rizzio had turned
the subject adroitly or had remained obstinately
silent.</p>
<p>She tried to put together the scraps of information
she possessed in order to understand just what Cyril’s<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</SPAN></span>
position at Windenberg might be. He had answered
the summons of the secret messenger willingly and at
once. That much was in his favor. If they had suspected
him before, this immediate obedience must have
disarmed them. In the mind of General von Stromberg
there could be no possible reason why Cyril
should put himself at his mercy. General von Stromberg
could not know as she knew that Cyril had another
mission to perform. She looked up quickly to
find John Rizzio’s dark eyes gazing at her. He frightened
her at that moment, for it almost seemed from
the expression of his face that he had succeeded in
reading her thoughts—and in the light of his previous
omniscience even that psychic feat seemed within the
realm of possibility. But he merely smiled at her and
looked out of the window.</p>
<p>That mission of Cyril’s! What was it? The obtaining
of some information necessary to England?
Some military secret such as the machinery of ordnance
or the chemical mixture of explosive shells? Or
was it something more personal, more sinister and
dreadful—the death of some high official—perhaps the
Emperor himself? She shuddered and shut her eyes,
her mind painting unimaginable horrors. Not murder—even
for Cyril she could not connive at that. But
she must be prepared to do something for him, to help
him, if she could by false testimony or if necessary,
no matter what they did to her, by silence. If they
suspected Cyril, of course he would be kept in ignorance
of her arrival. Of all these things and others
she thought with ever-growing doubt and timidity.
And all the while in the back of her head was the idea
of her possible appeal to the American Ambassador
at Berlin.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>But if she had any hopes that an opportunity would
be given her to use the post, or even to be free from
surveillance, their arrival at Windenberg speedily diminished
them. For upon the platform of the small
station a German officer met them and conducted them
at once to a closed carriage which started off through
the village immediately. The officer and Mr. Rizzio
exchanged a few commonplaces which politely included
her, but as to the real meaning of her visit and their
possible intentions—nothing. So she sank back in her
seat and looked out through a small window at the
forest into which the road almost immediately passed,
reaching their destination in apparent calmness, the
high tension of her nerves resolutely schooled to obedience.</p>
<p>A farmhouse in the midst of meadows surrounded
by forests, with a broad hospitable door in which they
entered, seeing no one. The German officer who directed
them showed her the way to a room upstairs
and when she was in the room locked the door. She
was in the dark, for the shutters of the windows were
closed. Her first impulse at reaching a haven of privacy
even though a prison was to seek the line of least
resistance and give her nerves the relaxation they
needed in tears. But she fought the weakness down,
going to the windows and peering out through a crack
in the shutters. When she tried to open them, she discovered
that they were locked or nailed from the outside.
She had been a prisoner she knew, upon the
yacht, but the firmness with which the hard wood and
iron resisted her efforts gave her for the first time the
grim reality of her predicament. A prisoner in the
heart of a German forest with no way to turn for
help! Where was Cyril? Perhaps after all, her surmises<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</SPAN></span>
had been incorrect. They had sent him away to
Berlin. Or perhaps he had gone back in freedom to
England. Grave fears assailed her as to Rizzio and
his intentions. Once a friend, but after that an unsuccessful
lover! What did she know of him or of
these people into whose hands he was committing her?
Germans! She was ready to believe anything of them
after Belgium—the worst! Had Rizzio’s story about
bringing her to the head of the Secret Service of Germany
been a mere invention to serve other ends? He
had told her at Kilmorack House that he would never
give her up. Was this what he had meant? A blind
terror seized her which seemed for the moment to
deaden all her faculties for analysis. The room,
though chill, seemed to stifle her, its walls and ceiling
to be closing in to crush her. She stumbled to the bed
upon which she fell and lay for a long while exhausted
and at last the blessing of tears came to her and
then, sleep.</p>
<p>How long Doris slept she did not know, but she
realized that it could not have been long, for strange
ugly figures came into her dreams and strange ugly
events followed each other with lightning swiftness.
But a knock upon the door brought her back to the
terrors of her predicament and she answered it, wondering
what was to happen. It was a tall man in the
Jäger uniform bearing a tray of food—some toast,
eggs and a cup of chocolate. He entered with a smile
and a polite greeting in German, putting the tray upon
the table and then forcing open the shutters a little so
that a narrow bar of sunlight came into the room and
lay upon the bright drugget upon the floor. By its
light she examined the man. He was tall, grizzled at
the temples and walked with a slight limp. He smiled<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</SPAN></span>
at her again and she could not refrain from answering
the smile in kind.</p>
<p>“I hope the Fräulein will enjoy her lunch,” he said.
“The toast especially, for I have made it myself. I
trust that the Fräulein prefers dry toast.”</p>
<p>“Thanks, anything will do. I am not hungry.”</p>
<p>“I am sorry,” said the Forester, bowing and then
continuing in a lower tone: “The Fräulein will not
forget that the toast is excellent and that I made it
myself.”</p>
<p>She examined him curiously, wondering whether he
were not perhaps a little demented. But at the door
he bowed and disappeared and she heard the key turn
in the lock. He was apparently not too demented to
forget that she was a prisoner.</p>
<p>She was not hungry but she knew that she must eat
something to keep up her strength for any ordeal that
was in store for her, so she drew a chair to the table
and sat, pouring out the chocolate in the cup and
helping herself to the eggs.</p>
<p>All the while she thought of the strange behavior of
her servitor. Why did he lay such stress upon the excellence
of the dry toast? And why because it was
dry? She raised a piece of it with her fingers and
examined it, lifted the second piece, when a gasp of
surprise escaped her. Above the third piece of toast,
folded neatly, was a thin strip of paper. She glanced
toward the door and window and then getting up from
the table and going to a spot where observation of
her actions was impossible, opened the slip of paper.
It was in Cyril’s hand.</p>
<div class="blockquot">
<p>Don’t be frightened [she read]. You are to be
questioned. Follow these instructions. I made copy
of message in Heathcote library night of dinner<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</SPAN></span>
while waiting for you to get wraps. I hid it in right
sash of motor. Copy and original of message the
same. You and I are enemies. Therefore ignore
me. Rizzio acted for Scotland Yard. As to the rest
tell truth exactly and no harm can come to me. I
will find means later to communicate. Burn this
immediately.</p>
</div>
<p>Her heart beating high, she read the paper through
twice to familiarize herself with the instructions which
she perfectly understood. Then she found a matchbox
on the candlestick, put the paper in the hearth
and burned it. After that she sat at the table and ate.
It was there that Captain von Winden found her some
moments later when he came to request her presence
in the room on the ground floor.</p>
<hr class="tb" />
<p>During the time that Doris slept, in the living-room
downstairs General von Stromberg sat with John Rizzio.
A peaceful winter landscape looked in at the windows,
the sun slanted in a yellow rhomboid upon the
floor, a cheerful fire was burning upon the hearth and
General von Stromberg, his left hand tapping gently
upon the back of his right, was gravely listening to
John Rizzio’s story. All of the pieces of the little
game were upon the board. He was now about to move
them skillfully from one square to another until only
one piece remained, and that one piece, the victor in
all such games, was—himself.</p>
<p>“And what was his manner,” went on von Stromberg,
“when you showed your credentials?”</p>
<p>“He was surprised—very much surprised—and I
think alarmed.”</p>
<p>“And what arguments did you use to make him give
the packet up?”</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>“I threatened him with serious consequences.”</p>
<p>“Which meant <em>me</em>,” said von Stromberg grimly.</p>
<p>“Yes, Excellenz. But he refused without other
grounds than his own judgment.”</p>
<p>“And then——”</p>
<p>“Excellenz, Fräulein Mather came in. She heard
something from behind the curtain—but she gave no
sign.”</p>
<p>“Oh! She is clever?”</p>
<p>“Exceptionally so. I have brought her here of my
own volition and she will speak if properly approached,
but I hope Excellenz will be pleased to make
the interview as easy for her as possible. If any harm
should come to her——”</p>
<p>“It is not the practice of my department to do
hurt to women,” said the General quickly. Then he
laughed. “I suspect, Herr Rizzio, that you have a
tenderness in that quarter.”</p>
<p>“It is true. I hope, therefore, that you will be
patient with her.”</p>
<p>Von Stromberg waved his hand impatiently.</p>
<p>“And what happened then?”</p>
<p>“Hammersley and Miss Mather went out. I remained
in the smoking-room and then telephoned to
Maxwell to send his men at once. They came. I met
them outside the house before Hammersley emerged
and gave them my instructions to follow Hammersley’s
machine and get the papers.”</p>
<p>The older man started forward, his long acquisitive
nose eagerly scenting a clue.</p>
<p>“And how long was it after they left the smoking-room
for the machine?”</p>
<p>Rizzio pulled at his mustache a moment thoughtfully.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>“I could not say exactly,” he said after a time. “A
matter of half an hour perhaps.”</p>
<p>“Did you know what Herr Hammersley was doing
in the meanwhile?”</p>
<p>“No. I could not say. I telephoned first and then
went out. The guests were all in the drawing-room.”</p>
<p>“Did you go up to the library?”</p>
<p>Rizzio showed surprise. “No, Excellenz.”</p>
<p>“Are you sure that Herr Hammersley was in the
drawing-room with the others when you went out?”</p>
<p>“Yes, Excellenz. I am sure of it. There was no
reason for him to be anywhere else.”</p>
<p>“There was no chance of his going upstairs to the
library for ten—fifteen minutes—without your seeing
him?”</p>
<p>Rizzio straightened and pulled at his mustache.
“Excellenz, I think I understand the object of your
questions. It is not possible that Herr Hammersley
could have made a copy of the papers at Lady Heathcote’s
house.”</p>
<p>Von Stromberg paused a moment, then he asked:</p>
<p>“How long after you left the door of the house before
he came out with the lady?”</p>
<p>“Scarcely more than ten minutes.”</p>
<p>The General’s fingers tapped more rapidly.</p>
<p>“Oh,” he growled, “I see.” And then, “Tell me how
the matter was arranged that Captain Byfield should
deliver those papers.”</p>
<p>“Maxwell managed it through a cipher. The War
Office had grown suspicious and all the usual channels
were closed. Byfield was frightened and refused to
deliver further messages. So Maxwell hit upon the
scheme of the cigarette papers to be delivered to Hammersley.
I could not receive them from Byfield because<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</SPAN></span>
of your instructions not to let my interests be
known to anyone in England but Maxwell—you
thought the time was not ripe for me to play my
<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">coup</i>.”</p>
<p>“Yes,” said von Stromberg dryly, “but the time is
ripe now and you are not there to play it.”</p>
<p>“But this affair was of such importance——”</p>
<p>“Yes, yes,” the general broke in quickly, “go on.”</p>
<p>“It was the day of an anniversary always celebrated
for me by Lady Heathcote, whose house, as you know,
is one of the most exclusive in England and above
suspicion. I invited the guests and Maxwell communicated
with Hammersley, arranging the manner of the
exchange which was accomplished. My demand upon
Hammersley was made in accordance with your orders.
It was a test of his loyalty. He failed.”</p>
<p>“Do you think he had an opportunity to glance at
the papers, I mean between the time he received them
and the time of your demand of him?”</p>
<p>“Yes. He studied them for a moment behind the
curtains of an alcove in the drawing-room. I was
watching. I saw his shadow as he bent over to the
light of the lamp.”</p>
<p>“By that you mean he had a hope that they might
be spurious?”</p>
<p>“Yes, Excellenz. When it was discovered that there
was a leak, false orders were issued to test the different
departments of the War Office.”</p>
<p>“H—m. And then, Maxwell’s men followed him, and
when he was on the point of capture he turned the
papers over to the lady, who escaped through the
hedge?”</p>
<p>“As I have said before, Excellenz, the lady is clever.
She read the papers, but her loyalty to Hammersley<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</SPAN></span>
kept her silent, though at that time she suspected that
he was a German agent.”</p>
<p>“I see,” said von Stromberg, manifesting a sudden
activity with his fingers. “The lady is interested in
Herr Hammersley?”</p>
<p>“Yes, Excellenz.”</p>
<p>“More interested in him, perhaps, than she is in
you?”</p>
<p>Rizzio bowed in silence.</p>
<p>“<i lang="de" xml:lang="de">Gut</i>,” said von Stromberg rising. “That perhaps
makes matters more amusing for us—perhaps a little
more amusing for Herr Hammersley.”</p>
<p>He paced the floor with long strides while Rizzio
watched him until he stopped before the fire and spoke
again.</p>
<p>“Herr Rizzio, you have told me about the events in
Scotland when, as you say, Hammersley, acting as an
Englishman, warned the lady against you as an agent
of Germany. What I would like very much to know is
why, when you were sure he was acting for England,
you did not have him killed at once.”</p>
<p>“I tried, Excellenz, but he was too well prepared for
me. My men shot at him on the road and wounded
him slightly—but on the cliffs at Ben-a-Chielt he had
a confederate who killed one of my men. The other,
as I have related, fell over the cliffs.”</p>
<p>“But you”—put in the officer harshly—“what were
<em>you</em> doing all the while?”</p>
<p>“I shot at him and missed.”</p>
<p>“That was unfortunate—from our point of view. It
is not the custom of agents of my department to miss—at
anything, Herr Rizzio. But since Hammersley
is here, the damage, if damage there is, can be repaired.
What did you do after that?”</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>“I had reason to suspect that Hammersley was the
cause of the arrest of Captain Byfield. I had also reason
to suspect that he had informed, or would inform,
the War Office as to my connection with Germany.
Accordingly I had made arrangements to have my boat
within easy reaching distance of Ben-a-Chielt. With
the help of two other men who had been set to watch
the roads in case of surprises I kept watch on Hammersley.
Miss Mather we lost in the darkness of the
moor. This was unfortunate, as I had planned to take
her, too. But we followed Hammersley on horses to
Rudha Mor to be sure that he would obey your summons
and fortune aided us, for Doris Mather had followed
him, too, and we managed to take her without
difficulty—and brought her aboard the yacht. Hammersley’s
departure for Germany, of course, relieved
me of all responsibility on his behalf.”</p>
<p>Von Stromberg paused before the fireplace, his brows
puckering.</p>
<p>“On the whole, Herr Rizzio, you have done well.
I shall not complain. But if your story is true, I should
like you to tell me two things. The first is, why
should Herr Hammersley return to Germany to face
certain death at my hands?”</p>
<p>Rizzio shrugged his fine shoulders.</p>
<p>“Excellenz, I do not know. I did not think he
would come when I sent you my request to summon
him. The knowledge he possessed was dangerous to
me and I had made every possible plan to kill him at
Rudha Mor. Nothing that could have happened surprised
me more than when I saw him fly out in obedience
to your message. It has puzzled me. I do not
know why he came unless it was to learn something in
Germany and return to England.”</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>Von Stromberg gave a dry chuckle.</p>
<p>“The supposition does not flatter his intelligence or
mine. Aside from the difficulties of his position at
present, if he were seeking information as to the plans
of the Empire, he would have about as much chance of
getting away from here alive as you would have, Herr
Rizzio, in the same circumstances.”</p>
<p>The old man towered to his full height and brought
his huge fist down with a crash upon the table which
startled Rizzio, who fingered his mustache, his face
a shade paler.</p>
<p>“I am glad, Excellenz,” he said with a laugh, “that
I am not in Hammersley’s shoes.”</p>
<p>Disregarding Rizzio’s comment, the old man paced
the floor again, storming.</p>
<p>“The other question that I would like to ask you is,
what has become of Herr Maxwell?”</p>
<p>Rizzio started up, now in genuine concern.</p>
<p>“Have you not heard from him, Excellenz?”</p>
<p>“No,” roared the other. “Why haven’t I? You
should know.”</p>
<p>“I do not know. I saw him the day I left London
for Scotland. He was fully informed of all that had
happened. Could it be that——”</p>
<p>Rizzio paused with a deep frown.</p>
<p>“Where is he? Why has he not reported? Could
anything have happened to him? What were you
thinking?”</p>
<p>“That Hammersley perhaps—but that could hardly
be—since he always moved under cover——”</p>
<p>“<i lang="de" xml:lang="de">Du lieber Jesu!</i> Speak out! Will you?”</p>
<p>“I thought that Hammersley might have been the
cause of his arrest.”</p>
<p>“Oh, you think that? Why?”</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>“Because it was Hammersley who told the War Office
of Byfield——”</p>
<p>“What proof have you of that?”</p>
<p>“No one knew of Byfield’s connection with us but
Hammersley, Maxwell and myself.”</p>
<p>“Those were my orders. How do I know that they
were obeyed?”</p>
<p>“One doesn’t disobey orders, Excellenz, with one’s
head in a noose.”</p>
<p>“H—m. There are many necks in nooses at Windenberg.
And one of the nooses will be tightened.”</p>
<p>He had stopped before Rizzio and was scowling at
him with eyes that shot malevolence. Rizzio knew
something of von Stromberg’s methods and was sure
that he was merely trying to intimidate him, to reduce
him to a consistency which would reveal hidden weaknesses
in texture; yet, knowing this, Rizzio felt most
uncomfortable. He twirled his mustache and looked
out of the window, but his glance came back to von
Stromberg’s eyes, which never wavered or changed in
intensity, as though under the influence of some strange
hypnotic attraction.</p>
<p>“You know, of course,” the old man’s harsh voice
snapped at him, “what Herr Hammersley accuses you
of?”</p>
<p>“I can imagine, Excellenz.”</p>
<p>“He says that you have been acting for the English
Government.”</p>
<p>Rizzio started up in alarm.</p>
<p>“You do not for a moment believe——”</p>
<p>“Don’t get excited. I believe nothing—which I do
not wish to believe. But he tells a very pretty story,
Herr Rizzio.”</p>
<p>“He would,” said Rizzio easily. “I will do him the<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</SPAN></span>
credit of saying that he is skillful. But a lie will discover
itself in the end.”</p>
<p>“Exactly. I am glad you agree with me. What I
now propose to do is to set the lie in motion. The
easiest way to provoke a liar is to put him upon the
defensive. You and Hammersley shall debate the matter.
I shall be the judge of the debate. We shall see
what we shall see.”</p>
<p>He strode to the table and was about to touch the
bell when Rizzio broke in.</p>
<p>“One moment, Excellenz. I should like to know on
what he bases his accusation.”</p>
<p>“Humph! Not weakening, Rizzio?”</p>
<p>“Hardly, Excellenz,” the other smiled. “It will not
be difficult for me to verify my statements if Hammersley
will only talk.”</p>
<p>“You need not fear. He will talk.”</p>
<p>“What I wanted to know, Excellenz, was the nature
of the information received in the yellow packet.
Would you permit——?”</p>
<p>“Not yet, Herr Rizzio, not yet. The contents of
the message will come in time. For the present there
is quite enough to occupy Herr Hammersley’s mind—and
yours.”</p>
<p>Rizzio shrugged. “As you please. I would like to
know, however, before you summon him, whether his
accusation is based on my attempt upon his life.”</p>
<p>Von Stromberg chuckled. “Is not that enough to
prejudice a man—if he were honest?”</p>
<p>“Yes, if he were honest,” said Rizzio. “Did he have
any authority for his belief?”</p>
<p>“Yes, Herr Rizzio,” said the General, fixing Rizzio
with his stare. “He told me that Maxwell had learned
it from Byfield.”</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>“Byfield!” Rizzio started forward quickly. “Hammersley
is a fool. Have I not told Excellenz that
Byfield knew nothing whatever of my connection with
the affair?”</p>
<p>Von Stromberg stretched his long arms impatiently.</p>
<p>“Herr Maxwell, unfortunately, is silent. Captain
Byfield is in a position where the only questions that
can be put to him will be those at the Gates of Heaven
by his Maker.”</p>
<p>He gave the bell on the table a resounding blow and
grinned mischievously at Rizzio.</p>
<p>“You say that Herr Hammersley is a fool. He
asserts that you are one. I shall now smoke a cigar
and decide for myself which of you is correct.”</p>
<p>And, as the soldier entered, “Tell Herr Hammersley
that I wish to see him here at once.”</p>
<p>“I can only say, Excellenz,” said Rizzio, when the
man went out, “that I am willing to abide by your
verdict.”</p>
<p>“Even though it should be unfavorable to yourself?”
growled von Stromberg.</p>
<p>“That, Excellenz, is quite impossible.”</p>
<p>“I have known stranger things to happen. The
worst aspect of your case is that Herr Hammersley is
here. There was no need for him to come. You
yourself admit that. He had only to stay in England
to devote his talents to a more congenial occupation.”
Von Stromberg puffed on his cigar and leaned across
the table. “Can you tell me why Herr Hammersley
came to Germany? Answer me correctly, Rizzio, and
I will give you every masterpiece in Belgium.”</p>
<p>Rizzio frowned into the fire.</p>
<p>“I cannot say,” he replied. “I have admitted that
he has puzzled me. I can only think of one thing.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</SPAN></span>
Hammersley is a type of man who under the guise of
inefficiency does all things well. He is a sportsman.
He would do such a thing for the love of adventure,
because the danger, the excitement, appealed to him—because
it was the ‘sporting thing.’”</p>
<p>“A reason, Rizzio,” muttered von Stromberg, “but
not the real reason.”</p>
<p>Rizzio started and a smile broke at the corners of
his lips.</p>
<p>“Oh! You realize, then, that there is something else—something——?”
He paused.</p>
<p>“I realize nothing,” growled the General. “Realization,
Rizzio, is the one banality of existence! Uncertainty
is the only thing worth while. When one is certain
of anything it ceases to be interesting. That is
why Herr Hammersley, whom you call a fool in one
breath and a genius in the next, excites my profound
attention. Come, I think you will agree with me that
he is worth it.”</p>
<p>“I do not like Hammersley, Excellenz.”</p>
<p>“<i lang="de" xml:lang="de">Natürlich!</i> But that need not prevent your interest
in him, even though your interest is largely in his
death.”</p>
<p>The phrase was significant, delivered significantly,
and in spite of himself Rizzio felt the gaze of the General
piercing his veneer.</p>
<p>“I could feel no happiness in such a misfortune,”
he said gravely, “notwithstanding my dislike of him.”</p>
<p>A knock at the door interrupted further conversation
and, at a command from the General, Hammersley
entered.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</SPAN></span></p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />