"You prefer, then," he said, "to become a charge upon our German
hospitality. But I can say that your refusal will not make terms harder
for you. Lieutenant von Arnheim, take him back to the other prisoners."
"Thank you, sir," said John, and he gave the military salute. He could
understand the old man's point of view, rough and gruff though he was,
and he was not lacking in a certain respect for him. The general
punctiliously returned the salute.
"You've made a good impression," said von Arnheim, as they walked away
together.
"I gather," said John, "from a reference by the general, that you're a
prince."
Von Arnheim looked embarrassed.
"In a way I am," he admitted, "but ours is a mediatized house. Perhaps
it doesn't count for much. Still, if it hadn't been for this war I might
have gone to your country and married an heiress."
His eyes were twinkling. Here, John thought was a fine fellow beyond
question.
"Perhaps you can come after the war and marry one," he said. "Personally
I hope you'll have the chance."
"Thanks," said von Arnheim, a bit wistfully, "but I'm afraid now it will
be a long time, if ever. I need not seek to conceal from you that we
were turned back today. You know it already."
"Yes, I know it," said John, speaking without any trace of exultation,
"and I'm willing to tell you that it was one of the results I saw from
the aeroplane. Can I ask what you intend to do with the prisoners you
have here, including myself?"
"I do not know.
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