"Splendid, Belke! I knew we could count on you! It's lucky you have a chest broad enough to hold all your decorations! For you will get them--never doubt it. But what is all this about staying on shore? What else are you needed for? And who the devil has given you such orders?" "Herr Tiel," I said. "I was placed under his orders, as you will remember, sir." "But what does he want you for? And how long does he imagine the British are going to let you stay in this house of yours unsuspected? They are not idiots! It seems to me you have been extraordinarily lucky to have escaped detection so far. Surely you are not going to risk a longer stay?" "If it is my duty I must run the risk." "But is it your duty? I am just wondering, Belke, whether I can spare you, with this attack coming on, and whether I ought to override Herr Tiel's orders and damn the consequences!" I knew his independence and resolution, but just at that moment there passed before my mind's eye such a distinct, sweet picture of Eileen, that I was filled with a resolution and independence even greater than his. "If it were not my duty, sir," I said firmly, "clearly and strongly pointed out by Herr Tiel, I should never dream of asking you to spare me for a little longer." "He was then very clear and strong on the question?" "Extremely." "And this other scheme of his--do you feel yourself that it is feasible enough to justify you in leaving your ship and running such a terrible risk? Remember, you will be a man lost to Germany!" I have put down exactly what he said, though it convicts me of having departed a little from the truth when I answered-- "Yes, it will justify the risk." After all, I had confidence enough in Tiel's abilities to feel sure that I was really justified in saying this; but I determined to press him for some details of his plans to-morrow. Wiedermann stood silent for a moment; then he held out his hand and said in a sad voice-- "Good-bye! But my mind misgives me. I fear we may never meet again." "That is nonsense, sir!" I cried as cheerfully as I could. "We shall meet again very soon. And if you wish something to cheer you, just study those plans!" And so we parted, he descending the bank without another word, and I setting out along the path that by now was beginning to feel quite familiar. I did not even pause to look back this time. My boats were burnt and I felt it was better to hurry on without dwelling longer on the parting. Besides, there was a meeting awaiting me. When I reached the end of the road, I found that Tiel had been spending the time in turning the car, and now he and Eileen stood beside it, but apparently not conversing. "All right?" he asked. "Yes," I said. "I met Wiedermann and gave him all the plans."