“You know the way!” said the man who had discovered him. “Just don’t come back!”

“Or else we’ll have to put you on that train to Germany!” the other added.

They had reached the edge of the forest, but Silbermann was mistaken if he thought the guards would then leave him alone. They continued to escort him. Once again he stopped.

“I’m not going,” he declared with desperate energy. “I won’t stay longer than one day. I promise you I’ll travel on immediately. I have everything. Money, papers. I’m not a poor man. You have to understand, they’ll arrest me. If I can’t stay here I’ll have to kill myself. Belgium is my last hope. Gentlemen, I beg you, I’ve never broken the law in my life!”

“You have to go back. There’s no point in talking. You have to go back!”

“Écoutez,” Silbermann began again, turning to the first guard. “I’ll give you five thousand marks! That’s a fortune…”

“You must be crazy. Allez.” the man answered calmly.

“Listen, it’s a good opportunity for you, and for me it would mean my life. I’ll give you ten thousand—five for each!”

His shoulder felt a shove.

“Shut your mouth,” said a rough voice, though Silbermann thought he detected a slight hesitation.

“Fifteen thousand,” he raised his offer. “And I assure you I’ll never say a word about it—that’s in my own interest. Be reasonable, and be human! There are two of you, I’ll give each of you the money right away. Think about it, seven thousand five hundred marks…”

“We’re in Belgium here,” the guard said, and Silbermann wasn’t sure whether he was referring to a higher value placed on morals or a lower value of Germany currency.

“Ten thousand apiece…” Silbermann raised the offer. “That’s enough to retire on and buy a house if you want.” Since he was now discussing the business aspect of the negotiation, his voice was noticeably calmer and more self-assured.

The guards said nothing. If only they don’t distrust each other … Silbermann was afraid. They can’t see each other’s face, and therein lies the danger.

“We can arrange it very quickly,” he said. “I leave Belgium, and you can look out for each other, because you’re both…”

“Be quiet,” said the second guard curtly. Perhaps he wanted to make clear to his colleague that he was no less principled than the one who had first refused.

A misunderstanding between these two is going to be the end of me, thought Silbermann, despairing. He tried again: “Gentlemen, you are…”

But now the guard on his right shook his arm. “Will you finally shut up!” he snarled.

“If you keep on like that we’ll hand you over to the German guards,” added the one to his left.