"Go on!" roared the subaltern. "If you waste time I'll have you flogged."
"It's near the second big cellar," he said promptly. "I heard that."
The Countess clutched her chaplain's arm. "They'll find it," she whispered. "Oh, that traitor. And to think we put up with him and his dirty family."
"Show the way."
It did not take them long to find out which of the two blind alleys off the big cellar was hollow. The listeners heard the officer order his men to begin. Ian's bricklayers were good workmen, though, and gave them plenty to do. The subaltern swore at the thickness of the wall. At last they gave a whoop of delight.
"Potatoes," cried a voice in German. "Trust them to know a good potato when they see it.
"Take them all out, every sack. Let the Polish swine starve. I'll make that lying Count smart for this."
"Will you?" said the Countess, and so loud that the priest feared they would hear her.
There was much running to and fro as they took up their booty.
"Oh, for ten armed men," whispered the Countess. "I'd teach them to loot us."