Part 10 (1/2)

Lieutenant Anderson raised a hand.

”We surrender,” he said quietly.

The officer approached, a revolver held ready for instant use.

”Dismount!” he ordered shortly.

The four companions slid to the ground. A squad of soldiers surrounded them.

”Search them for arms,” was the next command, and they were relieved of their weapons.

”To the castle!” ordered their captor. ”Forward, march!”

With the four prisoners in the center, the soldiers moved away.

”Looks like we were into it pretty steep this time,” said Hal, as they were being led away.

”Silence!” came the sharp command of the German officer.

They moved along for several minutes without a word except for an occasional command from the officer.

At length a grim, gray wall loomed before them in the darkness, and without a stop the prisoners were hurried across a little bridge, led across a courtyard and escorted within the structure.

A fear-inspiring place it was, but the four captives entered without a tremor, their heads held high and their step firm. Any spirit of foreboding they may have felt was not manifested in their carriage.

Down dark and dirty corridors they were led, and after many sharp turns, their guards stopped before what appeared to be a hole in the side of the wall. Into this opening the prisoners were thrust without ceremony, and a door behind them was closed with a bang.

It was several minutes before the four companions could accustom their eyes to the semi-darkness, but finally they were able to make out the few objects that furnished the cell, for such it proved to be.

There were three broken chairs and two dirty-looking mattresses, one of the latter at each end of the cell. Also there was a small table.

”Pretty dismal looking place, this,” remarked the doughty French captain, after a hasty glance about.

”Dismal and dirty it certainly is,” said Hal.

”How long do you suppose we shall have to stay here?” asked Chester.

”Until they get ready to let us out,” replied the young English lieutenant dryly. ”Which may not be a very satisfactory answer, but it's the best I can do.”

”What do you suppose they will do with us?” queried Hal.

”You've got me. If they don't take us out and shoot us as spies, we are likely to lie here till we rot.”

”Surely they would be afraid to do that.”

”Don't fool yourself that they are afraid to do anything.”

”But we can prove we are not spies.”

”Can we? How? With the trouble we have made, they won't be able to kill us off quick enough.”