Roger took the gun into the living tent and Ernest remade the pack. During the search, Mrs. von Minden had not spoken, though she eyed the work with keenest interest.
"Now," said Roger, "I will tell you both frankly that I don't care to have a family row carried on in this camp."
"I'm not trying to row, certainly," exclaimed von Minden. "It's all this woman."
"The woman is your wife, isn't she?" asked Ernest.
"In name only. I tell you I finished with women, years ago."
"But I haven't finished with you yet," commented his wife.
"What can you do to me?" sneered Crazy Dutch.
"I can do what They tell me. And They tell me to hang on to you like grim death until They bid me stop. I shall follow you and that strong box to the end of the earth, Otto!"
"But why! But why! You've always been glad enough to be rid of me before."
Mrs. von Minden, her pink sunbonnet pushed back to her shoulders, her eyes gleaming, took a menacing step toward her husband, and her voice rose hysterically.
"I know you! I know you! With your sneaking ways and your secret letters. I know that you're a dirty German spy. I know what that box holds. But what I want out of it is my marriage certificate and whatever else They tell me. I can't read German and They can. I can't throw fear into your black heart but They can. And if I told you the way They have interpreted some of your acts to me, you would crawl on your hands and knees to me."
Von Minden watched the woman with a stolid face. "Who are They?" he growled.
"They are the spirits of the dead. The great ones of the Universe are talking to me now, Otto von Minden! They directed me here. The hand of Fate is in it. Listen! You have not long to live, Otto. And all that you have lived for will be dust and ashes. All the work that you have done will be cast to the four winds of Heaven, while this man," pointing to Roger, "will found your empire for you. You have planted in intrigue and you will die in shame. Otto, let me go through the strong box."
"Clarissa," exclaimed Von Minden, with for the first time a note of pity in his voice, "you've gone crazy."
His wife smiled sardonically. "I'm going to see what is in the strong box, if I follow you to China," and with this she turned on her heel and disappeared into her tent. Nor did she come out again that night.