Part 173

"Well--yes! My name is Volmark."

"Which name do you claim?" asked Delisle dryly.

"Volmark. It is useless to deny it--no good to deceive anybody."

"You are Austrian?"

"And Greek, on my mother's side."

"Greek?"

"That is--she was Eurasian."

"From--Tenedos?"

But Wildresse had suddenly caught sight of Count Cassilis.

"You!" he cried. "Now, then, will you do anything for me?"

Cassilis stared.

"Will you?" demanded Wildresse loudly.

Cassilis glanced at Delisle and tapped his forehead with a bored air.

"Oh!" shouted Wildresse. "So that's it, eh? I am crazy, am I?"

He passed a thick, dry tongue over his lips, made an effort; looked hard at Delisle:

"Yes, mon General; I am Constantine Volmark, born in Tenedos. What then, if you please?"

"You are known. No court is necessary. You will be shot immediately."

"Circumstances--in extenuation----"

"None!"

"And if I confess----"

"It is useless."

"A statement involving others, unsuspected----"

"What?"

"It is important. Nations are involved," muttered Wildresse. "An officer in your entourage--eh? Is there any immunity in such things, General?"

"No."

"No--immunity?"

"No."

"I am not permitted to make a statement?"