The train had not quite halted when the door was torn open, and a bespectacled, red-faced officer glared in.
"It is reported from Cologne that there are English in this carriage," he shouted.
"Correct, my friend. There they are!" said the man who had snarled at Dalroy earlier.
"You must descend," commanded the new-comer. "You are both under arrest."
"On what charge?" inquired Dalroy, bitterly conscious of a gasp of terror which came involuntarily from the girl's lips.
"You are spies. A sentry heard you talking English, and saw you examining troop-trains from the carriage window."
So that Bavarian lout had listened to the Prussian officer's taunt, and made a story of his discovery to prove his diligence.
"We are not spies, nor have we done anything to warrant suspicion," said Dalroy quietly. "I have letters----"
"No talk. Out you come!" and he was dragged forth by a bloated fellow whom he could have broken with his hands. It was folly to resist, so he merely contrived to keep on his feet, whereas the fat bully meant to trip him ignominiously on to the platform.
"Now you!" was the order to Irene, and she followed. Half-a-dozen soldiers closed around. There could be no doubting that preparations had been made for their reception.
"May I have my portmanteau?" said Dalroy. "You are acting in error, as I shall prove when given an opportunity."
"Shut your mouth, you damned Englishman"--that was a favourite phrase on German lips apparently--"would you dare to argue with me?--Here, one of you, take his bag. Has the woman any baggage? No. Then march them to the----"
A tall young lieutenant, in the uniform of the Prussian Imperial Guard, dashed up breathlessly.
"Ah, I was told the train had arrived!" he cried. "Yes, I am in search of those two----"
"Thank goodness you are here, Von Halwig!" began Dalroy.
The Guardsman turned on him a face aflame with fury. "Silence!" he bellowed. "I'll soon settle _your_ affair.--Take his papers and money, and put him in a waiting-room till I return," he added, speaking to the officer of reserves who had affected the arrest. "Place the lady in another waiting-room, and lock her in. I'll see that she is not molested. As for this English _schwein-hund_, shoot him at the least sign of resistance."