"Yes!" she wheeled upon him. "I am from Europe. I am for liberty." "Come, then," said Kammerer, quietly reaching out and taking away the revolver from her hand. "We're friends. How came you to be in this country, here?" She smiled at him bitterly. "Because of my zeal. There were powers who wanted me out of Washington. Ask Captain Carlisle as to that. But this man I met later on the boat, as you know. He--brought me here--as you have heard!" "It iss outrage!" broke in Kammerer. "It iss crime!" "We'll call him to account," interrupted Carlisle. "Why did you stop us? We'd have killed him the next minute. I'll kill him yet." "I was afraid you _would_ kill him," she said simply. "Well, why not? What has he done to us,--our men,--to you?" "I could not see it done." "You'll see worse done. We'll do it yet. You must not stand in our way." His hand closed over his own revolver butt, and he made a half motion forward. "No!" she said, and stepped before him. Carlisle would have put her aside. "What do you mean? They'll be out here in a minute,--we'll have to fight if they catch us here. Do you want to see us killed? Quick! Out of the way!" His voice, raucous in anger, rasped at her ears, low as it was pitched. "No," she still replied. "Let me do the thinking. Keep quiet! I'll get you out. There's been blood enough shed now." "You are magnificent, Madam!" said Carlisle. "But you are visionary. Get out of our way. I claim him. Leave him to me." "No, I claim him myself. Leave him to me!" "In God's name, what next!" exclaimed the young Northerner bitterly. "Are we all mad? Haven't you had trouble enough already with this man? You don't make yourself clear. What do you want of him?" "I'm entirely clear about it myself. I can't get away from here now, but I'm safe here now. For all of you to stay would mean trouble, certainly. If those men knew you were planning escape there would be more men killed. But you don't belong here. Very well. I'm obliged to stay for a time. So, I'm just going to take the position of commander. I'm just going to parole you two. You're free to go if you like!" Carlisle turned toward the big German, Kammerer, and broke into a laugh. "Did you ever see anything like this?" he demanded. But the assent of the other shone in his eyes. "The lady hass right," he said. "What she said iss wise, if it can be done." "But, Madam, what will become of _you_?" said Carlisle at last. Her answer was instant. She turned back to the door. "Judge Clayton!" she called out, loud and clear. "Mr. Yates! All of you, come here!"