And, as the other made no reply: "You have no right to be here on neutral territory," he added, "and my Government desires you to leave at once!"
"I have as much right here as the Huns have," said McKay in his pleasant voice.
"Exactly. And these Germans have no right here either!"
"That also is true," rejoined McKay gently, "so why has your Government permitted the Hun to occupy the Canton of Les Errues? Oh, don't deny it," he added wearily as the Swiss began to repudiate the accusation; "you've made Les Errues a No-Man's Land, and it's free hunting now! If you're sick of your bargain, send in your mountain troops and turn out the Huns."
"And if I also send an escort and a free conduct for you and your comrade?"
"No."
"You will not be harmed, not even interned. We set you across our wire at Delle. Do you accept?"
"No."
"With every guarantee--"
"You've made this forest a part of the world's battle-field.... No, I shall not leave Les Errues!"
"Listen to reason, you insane American! You can not escape those who are closing in on you--those who are filtering the forest for you--who are gradually driving you out into the eastern edges of Les Errues! And what then, when at last you are driven like wild game by a line of beaters to the brink of the eastern cliffs? There is no water there. You will die of thirst. There is no food. What is there left for you to do with your back to the final precipice?"
McKay laughed a hard, unpleasant laugh: "I certainly shall not tell you what I mean to do," he said. "If this is all you have to say to me you may go!"
There ensued a silence. The Swiss began to pace the opposite cliff, his hands behind him. Finally he halted abruptly and looked across the chasm.
"Why did you come into Les Errues?" he demanded.
"Ask your terrified authorities. Perhaps they'll tell you--if their teeth stop chattering long enough--that I came here to find out what the Boche are doing on neutral territory."
"Do you mean to say that you believe in that absurd rumour about some secret and gigantic undertaking by the Germans which is supposed to be visible from the plateau below us?"
And, as McKay made no reply: "That is a silly fabrication. If your Government, suspicious of the neutrality of mine, sent you here on any such errand, it was a ridiculous thing to do. Do you hear me, McKay?"
"I hear you."
"Well, then! And let me add also that it is a physical impossibility for any man to reach the plateau below us from the forest of Les Errues!"