The key was certainly turning in the lock, and then the door was opening! A shadow appeared in the space between door and wall, and John’s first feeling was of apprehension. 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. Perhaps you spoke to him in a way that gave offense to his dignity. Ah, sir, the members of these ancient royal houses, those of the old type, consider themselves above and beyond the other people of the earth. In Germany you cannot offend them without risk, and it may be, too, that you stand in his way in regard to something that he very much desires!”
Although Weber spoke in a whisper his voice was full of energy and earnestness. His words sank with the weight of truth into John’s heart.
“Can you really help me to escape?” he asked.
“I think so. I’m sure of it. The guards in the house are relaxed at this late hour, and they would seem needless anyhow with so many sentinels outside.”
“But, Weber, Julie Lannes, the sister of Philip Lannes, is here a prisoner also. She was taken when I was. She is a Red Cross nurse, and although the Germans would not harm a woman, I do not like to leave her in this chateau. Your Prince of Auersperg does not seem to belong to our later age.”
“Perhaps not. He holds strongly for the old order, but the young von Arnheim is here also. His is a devoted German heart, but his German eyes have looked with admiration, nay more, upon a French face. He will protect that beautiful young Mademoiselle Julie with his life against anybody, against his senior in military rank, the Prince of Auersperg himself. Sir, you must come! If you wish to help Philip Lannes’ sister you can be of more help to her living than dead. If you linger here you surely disappear from men tomorrow!”