John Buchan

“ Men will be detailed to watch you day and night and to see that you undergo the full rigour of the battlefield. You will have the same experience as other people, no more, no less. I believe in a righteous God and I know that sooner or later you will find death—death at the hands of your own people—an honourable death which is far beyond your deserts. ”

“ And what a bag of vermin to lay out on the lawn!' He flung back his head and laughed.
'Mr Ivery——' Blenkiron began, but was cut short.
'Drop that name. All that is past, thank God! I am the Graf von Schwabing, an officer of the Imperial Guard. I am not the least of the weapons that Germany has used to break her enemies.'
'You don't say,' drawled Blenkiron, still fiddling with his Patience cards.
The man's moment had come, and he was minded not to miss a jot of his triumph. His figure seemed to expand, his eye kindled, his voice rang with pride. ”

“ For years you've done your best against the decencies of life. You have deserved well of your country, I don't doubt it. But what has your country deserved of the world? One day soon Germany has to do some heavy paying, and you are the first instalment.'
'I appeal to the Swiss law. I stand on Swiss soil, and I demand that I be surrendered to the Swiss authorities.' Ivery spoke with dry lips and the sweat was on his brow.
'Oh, no, no,' said Blenkiron soothingly. 'The Swiss are a nice people, and I would hate to add to the worries of a poor little neutral state . ”

“ I had not troubled much about you, for I had no special dislike of you. You are only a blundering fool, what you call in your country easy fruit.'
'I thank you, Graf,' Blenkiron said solemnly.
'But since you are here you will join the others . . . One last word. ”

“ I found a little table on which I could lean my back, for I was dropping with fatigue.
Blenkiron sat at the writing-table and in front of him were little rows of Patience cards. Wood ashes still smouldered in the stove, and a lamp stood at his right elbow which lit up the two figures. ”

“ Ivery laughed. 'You have never done me justice, I fear; but I think you will do it now. Your gang is helpless in my hands. General Hannay . . .' And I wish I could give you a notion of the scorn with which he pronounced the word 'General'.
'Yes—Dick?' said Blenkiron intently.
'He has been my prisoner for twenty-four hours. And the pretty Miss Mary, too. You are all going with me in a little to my own country. You will not guess how. We call it the Underground Railway, and you will have the privilege of studying its working. . . . ”

“ I wanted to watch Ivery's face.
Blenkiron gathered up his Patience cards, slipped them into a little leather case and put it in his pocket.
'I've one thing more to tell you. The Wild Birds have been summoned home, but they won't ever make it. We've gathered them in—Pavia, and Hofgaard, and Conradi. Ehrlich is dead. ”