But the old man was
obstinate in his resolve; he must do what was required of him, he
must not even run the risk of slighting the commandant's wishes;
after all, no great harm could come to him.
When he reached the steps he saw the count in the front seat, beside
the chauffeur, grinning; and the prince's harsh voice, made soft
as possible, called from the shadowy interior of the car:
"Come in, baron. The general has sent for you in a hurry. We will
take you like lightning. How fine your beeches look against the
sky. What?"
The old man stepped into the dusky car. It rolled down the long
aisle, between the smooth gray columns, beneath the fan-tracery of
the low arches, out on to the stony highway. Thus the tree-lover
was taken from his sanctuary.
He did not return the next day, nor the day after. His wife, tortured
by anxiety, went to the district headquarters. The commandant was
away. The aide could not enlighten her. There had been no message
sent to the baron--that was certain. Major Barenberg and Captain
Ludra had been transferred to another command.
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