human
You will appreciate the seriousness of the position to us, Herr Lassen, and that we are compelled to investigate it,
gpt
Certainly.
human
We are to understand that Baron von Gratzen has employed you on a special mission, knowing that you are an Englishman?
gpt
I have already given you the facts, but of course I am not at liberty to explain to you all his Excellency's reasons. He would not have given me that authority otherwise.
human
It is unfortunately too mutilated to be intelligible.
gpt
It was couched in the widest terms. It was to notify to all concerned that I was to be allowed to go where I pleased and that every assistance was to be afforded me. You can still see a part of the official stamp.
human
It is most extraordinary. Incomprehensible.
gpt
Not if I were free to explain why it was given to me.
human
Who gave it you?
gpt
Baron von Gratzen wrote it himself in my presence. If you know his handwriting, there is enough of it left unburnt for you to identify it.
human
I do not.
gpt
Again in my presence he handed it to his secretary, Herr von Welten, to be stamped, and von Welten gave it to me as I left the office. You have heard that he was at the station and himself reserved this compartment for Miss Caldicott and me.
human
That's the most remarkable thing of all.
gpt
On the contrary, it was a perfectly natural step. There was a matter I had to arrange before leaving, and his chief was anxious to know that it had been done exactly in accordance with my instructions.
human
What was that?
gpt
That is a question to be put to the Baron. My lips are sealed.
human
And you an Englishman! It sounds incredible.
gpt
Do you suppose I should have telegraphed to Baron von Gratzen if it were incredible?
human
And your companion, Miss Caldicott, is going to England?
gpt
Certainly. You have been quite courteous and I have no objection whatever to show you her papers; and I took them out and handed them over.
human
You will see that they also bear the official hallmark of Baron von Gratzen's office.
gpt
Both tickets are through to Rotterdam, I notice. Are you going to England also?
human
My instructions are to see Miss Caldicott across the frontier, and to return to Berlin as soon as my task is finished, unless his Excellency sends for me sooner.
gpt
Of course you understand that you will have to remain at Osnabr𡡷k while this is being investigated?
human
That is for you to decide, and so far as I myself am concerned it is not of the least consequence. But it's different with Miss Caldicott. It is essential that her journey should not be interrupted.
gpt
I shall not go on without you,
human
I must ask you to recall that, Miss Caldicott, if you please. I shall, of course, be placed under some sort of restraint until this gentleman----
gpt
I am Captain Brulen,
human
Until Captain Brulen has satisfied himself. His Excellency's instructions are that you proceed at once; and for you to remain there would be extremely invidious and possibly unpleasant.
gpt
I shall not go on if you're stopped,
human
If you persist in your refusal, Miss Caldicott, it will compel me to take a line I should deeply regret. My instructions _must_ be carried out; they were very peremptory.
gpt
I don't care what you do. I won't go on without you,
human
Any delay at Osnabr𡡷k will render it impossible for me to see you across the frontier personally, and I shall have to ask Captain Brulen to detail some one for the purpose, Miss Caldicott. I can, of course, rely upon your doing that?
gpt
I won't go, cried Nessa obstinately.
human
And if you send me as a prisoner, I'll come straight back. I've made up my mind absolutely.