An atmosphere of suspicion had
been created about him and he considered his life in much more danger
there than it had been when he was first a prisoner.
The door closed again quickly and softly, but somebody was inside the
room, somebody who had a light, feline step, and John felt the prickling
of the hair at the back of his neck. He longed for a weapon, something
better than only his two hands, but he was reassured when the intruder,
speaking French, called in a whisper:
"Are you awake, Mr. Scott?"
It was surely not the voice and words of one who had come to do murder,
and John felt a thrill of recognition.
"Weber!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, it's Weber, Mr. Scott."
"How under the sun did you get here, Weber?"
"By pretending to be a German. I'm an Alsatian, you know, and it's not
difficult. I'm doing work for France. It's terribly dangerous. My life
is on the turn of a hair every moment, but I'm willing to take the risk.
I did not know you were here until late tonight, when I came to the
chateau to see if I could discover anything further about the numbers
and movements of the enemy. You must get away now. I think I can help
you to escape."
There was a tone in Weber's voice that aroused John's curiosity.
"It's good of you, Weber," he said, "to take such a risk for me, but why
is it so urgent that I escape tonight?"
"I've learned since I came to the chateau that the Prince of Auersperg
is much inflamed against you.
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