Why should we believe you are our friend to-night ?" She sighed.

"I don't expect friendship," she answered.

"You and I are in deep water, and must find a straw that may float us all! If I can help you to escape out of the country I will.

If you can help me, you must! If you don't escape there are worse things in store for you than you imagine! If you tell your secret now, they intend to prevent your telling it to any one else afterward! And unless you tell they intend to take terrible steps to compel you! As for me--they have discovered that after all I know nothing, and am of no further use to them! They have not said so, but it is very clear to me how the land lies.
Professor Schillingschen is drunk to-night; he came home with his car and mouth bleeding, and has plied the whisky bottle freely ever since until he fell asleep an hour and a half ago.

He boasted over his cups.
They are simply using this long wait for Major Schunk, who is supposed to be coming from the coast, to gather additional evidence against you.
They have men out following your trail back by the way you came, and if they can find no genuine evidence they will invent what they need; the purpose is to get you legally behind the bars; and if you ever come out again alive that would not be their fault!" "What do you propose ?" asked Fred.
"Escape!" she answered excitedly.