"
"That is meddling."
"Call it what you like, my Colonel."
"Well, in case she is what you consider insulted, what will you do?" a
challenge in his tones.
"Report the matter to the police."
Wallenstein laughed.
"And if the girl finds no redress there," tranquilly, "to the
chancellor."
"You would go so far?"
"Even further," unruffled.
"It looks as though you had drawn your saber," with irony.
"Oh, I can draw it, Colonel, and when I do I guarantee you'll find no
rust on it. Come," and Carmichael held out his hand amicably, "Gretchen
is already in love with one of her kind. Let the child be in peace.
What! Is not the new ballerina enough conquest? They are all talking
about it."
"Good night, Herr Carmichael!" The colonel, ignoring the friendly hand,
saluted stiffly, wheeled abruptly, and left Carmichael staring rather
stupidly at his empty hand.
"Well, I'm hanged! All right," with a tilt of the shoulders. "One enemy
more or less doesn't matter. I'm not afraid of anything save this fool
heart of mine. If he says an ill word to Gretchen, and I hear of it,
I'll cane the blackguard, for that's what he is at bottom. Well, I was
looking for trouble, and here it is, sure enough."
He saw a carriage coming along. He recognized the white horse as it
passed the lamps.
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