It was sinister, tinged strongly with the beliefs of an old and
wicked past. He too, like his master, was of the Middle Ages.
"And so in all these deeds you were serving Prince Karl of Auersperg?"
said John.
"To the death. It was a false escape that I planned for you at the
chateau. You were to have been shot down, but by an unlucky chance you
escaped in the water."
"I've surmised that already."
"I'm an aviator, not so great as your friend Lannes, but no mean one
nevertheless. It was I who pursued him, when you were with him in the
_Arrow_ near Paris, and wounded him."
"I've surmised that, too."
"And when Prince Karl coveted Mademoiselle Julie Lannes--and I do not
blame him--I was of the most help to him in that matter so near to his
heart. Do you understand that it was a great honor he offered
Mademoiselle Lannes, to make her his morganatic wife? He need not have
offered her so much."
The great pulse in John's throat beat heavily and his hand pressed the
automatic, but he compressed his lips and said nothing.
"I see that my words anger you," continued Weber, "but from my point of
view I am right. I serve my overlord!"
"What message were you sending by the wireless from the tower?"
"Doubtless you have guessed it. I was sending word to the detachment now
on the road from Zillenstein to come here for Mademoiselle Lannes, her
maid and you.
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