"I wish to know how soon I am to see your mistress," he exclaimed, impulsively, sitting up and striking his companion's arm byway of emphasis. To his surprise the hand was dashed away, and he distinctly heard the soldier gasp. "I beg your pardon!" he cried, fearing that he had given pain with his eager strength.
"You startled me I was half asleep," stammered the other, apologetically. "Whom do you mean by my mistress?"
"Her Royal Highness, of course," said Lorry, impatiently.
"I cannot say when you are to see the Princess," said his companion after waiting so long that Lorry felt like kicking him.
"Well, see here, my friend, do you know why I agreed to leave that place back there? I said I wouldn't go away from Graustark until I had seen her. If you fellows are spiriting me away--kidnapping me, as it were,--I want to tell you I won't have it that way. I must know, right now, where we are going in this damnable storm."
"I have orders to tell you nothing," said the soldier, staunchly.
"Orders, eh! From whom?"
"That is my affair, sir!"
"I guess I'm about as much interested in this affair as anybody, and I insist on knowing our destination. I jumped into this thing blindly, but I'm going to see my way out of it before we go much farther. Where are we going?"
"You--you will learn that soon enough," insisted the other.
"Am I to see her soon? That's what I want to know."
"You must not insist," cried the soldier.
"Why are you so anxious to see her?" he asked, suddenly.
"Don't be so blamed inquisitive," cried Grenfall, angrily, impatiently. "Tell me where we are going or I'll put a bullet into you!" Drawing his revolver he leaned over, grasped the guard by the shoulder and placed the muzzle against his breast.
"For God's sake, be calm! You would not kill me for obeying orders! I am serving one you love. Are you mad? I shall scream if you keep pressing that horrid thing against my side." Lorry felt him tremble, and was at once filled with compunction. How could he expect a loyal fellow to disobey orders?
"I beg your pardon a thousand times," he cried, jamming the pistol into his pocket. "You are a brave gentleman and I am a fool. Take me where you will; I'll go like a lamb. You'll admit, however, that it is exasperating to be going in the dark like this."
"It is a very good thing that it is dark," said the soldier, quickly. "The darkness is very kind to us. No one can see us and we can see no one."