‘What penetration!’ laughed von Brüning.
’But also Commander von Brüning, pay us a visit in his launch, all coming from Memmert!’
‘And you infer?’ said von Brüning.
’Why, that you must have known at Bensersiel— only three days ago— exactly when Herr Dollmann was coming back, having an appointment at Memmert with him for to-day.’
‘Which I wished to conceal from you?’
’Yes, and that’s why I’m so inquisitive; it’s entirely your own fault.’
‘So it seems,’ said he, ’with mock humility; ’but fill your glass and go on, young man. Why should I want to deceive you?’
’That’s just what I want to know. Come, confess now; wasn’t there something important afoot to-day at Memmert? Something to do with the gold? You were inspecting it, sorting it, weighing it? Or I know! You were transporting it se
