human
And how do you think you can help me?
gpt
Now do listen to me a moment. I don't think anything of the sort. It's splendid of you, Nessa. But----
human
I can't leave you in the lurch, Jack, and I won't,
gpt
If there was the faintest use in your stopping, I wouldn't ask you to go. There isn't. On the contrary, it would make matters infinitely more awkward. It was getting awkward just now, and that's why I took that man out. I've told him that you take me for an Englishman, and that Freibach knew us in London when we were engaged, and----
human
That's true.
gpt
Yes; but he understands it differently--that I was in London as a German spy.
human
He doesn't!
gpt
Indeed he does, and it altered his tune entirely. I said I wanted to get you off my hands as soon as possible----
human
Is that also true?
gpt
At the present moment, yes.
human
Thank you. Almost enough to make me say I'll go,
gpt
Naturally. But it is true, for this reason. When we get to Osnabr𡡷k there will probably be a telegram from old Gratz; these people are likely to want something more than that, however; and I am sure to be detained while they communicate with him. But he can't let me down, even if he guesses I've helped myself to those tickets, because I'm necessary to him for the von Erstein affair: a much more vital matter to him than the tickets. The whole thing will be cleared up and I shall be able to follow you home. Very likely catch you up before you leave Rotterdam.
human
Then if it's going to be so easy, why shouldn't I stop?
gpt
For the simple reason that the papers for you are only to be used on this particular date, and there would be no end of a fuss in getting any others.
human
You really and truly wish me to go on?
gpt
If you care a rap for my safety you won't hesitate another moment.
human
If I do, I won't go a step farther than the first town across the frontier, and if you don't join me soon I shall come back, she declared.
gpt
I shall. I'll tell every one that you've got into all this solely on my account and that I'm quite ready to go even to an internment camp.
human
Let it go at that, Nessa. The first town you'll stop at will be Oldenzaal, and I'll come to you there. You're due there about five in the morning; but you won't get there by that time if we keep stopping in this fashion. It can't be Osnabr𡡷k yet; there's half an hour before we're due there. I wish they'd hurry up.
gpt
Can't be anything wrong, can there?
human
Probably a troop train. It's all right, we're off again.