"But this is an outrage!" protested Stewart, his face crimson. "This lady is my wife--I won't stand by and see her insulted. I warn you that you are making a serious mistake." "She shall not be insulted. Besides, it is necessary." "I don't see it." "That is for me to decide," said the other bluntly, and he put his whistle to his lips and blew two blasts. A door at the farther end of the shed opened and a woman entered. She was a matronly creature with a kind face, and she smiled encouragingly at the shrinking girl. "Frau Ritter," said the officer in German, "you will take this lady into the office and disrobe her. Bring her clothing to me here--all of it." Again Stewart started to protest, but the officer silenced him with a gesture. "It is useless to attempt resistance," he said, sharply. "I must do my duty--by force if necessary. It will be much wiser to obey quietly." The girl rose to her feet, evidently reassured by the benevolent appearance of the woman. "Do not worry, Tommy," she said. "It will be all right. It is of no use to argue with these people. There is nothing to do but submit." "So it seems," Stewart muttered, and watched her until she disappeared through the door. "Now, sir," said the officer, sharply, "your clothes." Crimson with anger and humiliation, Stewart handed them over piece by piece, saw pockets turned out, linings loosened here and there, the heels of his shoes examined, his fountain-pen unscrewed and emptied of its ink. At last he stood naked under the flaring light, feeling helpless as a baby. "Well, I hope you are satisfied," he said, vindictively. With a curt nod, the officer handed him back his underwear. "I will keep these for the moment," he said, indicating the little pile of things taken from the pockets. "You may dress. _Your_ clothes, at least, are American!" As he spoke, the woman entered from the farther door, with a bundle of clothing in her arms. Stewart turned hastily away, struggling into his trousers as rapidly as he could, and cursing the careless immodesty of these people. Sullenly he laced his shoes, and put on his collar, noting wrathfully that it was soiled. He kept his back to the man at the table--he felt that it would be indecent to watch him scrutinizing those intimate articles of apparel. "You have examined her hair?" he heard the man ask. "Yes, Excellency." "Very well; you may take these back." Not until he heard the door close behind her did Stewart turn around. The officer was lighting a cigarette. The careless unconcern of the act added new fuel to the American's wrath. "Perhaps you will tell me the meaning of all this?" he demanded. "Why should my wife and I be compelled to submit to these indignities?"