When Karl Steinmetz joined them they were silent.
"I suppose," he said in English, "that we may rely upon the discretion
of the Frauelein Catrina?"
"Yes," answered the girl; "you may, so far as Osterno is concerned. But
I would rather that you did not visit our people here. It is too
dangerous in several ways."
"Ah!" murmured Steinmetz, respectfully acquiescent. He was looking
straight in front of him, with an expression of countenance which was
almost dense. "Then we must bow to your decision," he went on, turning
toward the tall man striding along at his side.
"Yes," said Paul simply.
Steinmetz smiled grimly to himself. It was one of his half-cynical
theories that women hold the casting vote in all earthly matters, and
when an illustration such as this came to prove the correctness of his
deductions, he only smiled. He was not by nature a cynic--only by the
force of circumstances.
"Will you come to the castle?" asked the girl at length, and Steinmetz
by a gesture deferred the decision to Paul.
"I think not to-night, thanks," said the latter. "We will take you as
far as the gate."
Catrina made no comment. When the tall gate-way was reached she stopped,
and they all became aware of the sound of horses' feet behind them.
"What is this?" asked Catrina.
"Only the starosta bringing our horses," replied Steinmetz.
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