“Very well,” she agreed, the dimple sparkling. “You have been so kind that it is impossible for me to refuse you anything!” “There is one thing I can’t understand. Your English astonishes me. Where did you learn to speak it so perfectly?” “Ah, that is a long story! Perhaps I shall one day tell it to you—if we ever meet again.” “We must! I demand that as my reward!” [Pg 78] [Pg 78] She held up a warning finger as steps sounded along the passage; but it was only the landlady bringing the wine. That good woman was exuberant—a trifle too exuberant, as Stewart’s companion told her with a quick glance. The dinner proceeded from course to course. Stewart had never enjoyed a meal more thoroughly. What meal, he asked himself, could possibly be commonplace, shared by such a woman? The landlady presently dispatched Hans to the station to inquire about the train, while she herself did the serving, and the two women ventured to exchange a few words concerning their instructions. Stewart, listening, caught a glimpse of an intricate system of espionage extending to the very heart of Germany. But he asked no questions; indeed, some instinct held him back from wishing to know more. “Spy” is not a pretty word, nor is a spy’s work pretty work; he refused to think of it in connection with the lovely girl opposite him. “We shall have the police with us soon,” said the landlady, in a low tone. “Hans will run at once to tell them of Madame’s arrival.” “Why do you keep him?” Stewart asked. “It is by keeping him that I avert suspicion. If there was anything wrong here, the police tell [Pg 79]themselves, this spy of theirs would discover it. Knowing him to be a spy, I am on my guard. Besides, he is very stupid. But there—I will leave you. He may be back at any moment.” [Pg 79] He came back just in time to serve the coffee, with the information that their train would not arrive until seven-thirty; then he stood watching them and listening to their talk of home and friends and plans for the future. Stewart began to be proud of his facility
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