"What are they going to do with us?" Hal asked one of their guards.
"Shoot you in the morning, I suppose," was the answer. "Persons found between the two armies in civilian clothes cannot hope for mercy."
"But we are not spies!" cried Chester.
"Perhaps not; but I don't believe that will make any difference."
The guard would talk no more.
"Our only chance is that they believe we were trying to get to Liège simply to get out of the country," whispered Chester. "If they knew we were just returning from a mission, we would be bound to die."
"Looks to me as though we were bound to die, no matter what they know," was the reply.
The boys got little sleep that night. They realized just how near they were to death, and, while their courage never faltered, they nevertheless had practically given up all hope.
At the first streak of dawn they were led to the quarters of the division commander, and their case was disposed of with remarkable rapidity. Their protests availed nothing, and they were sentenced to be taken out and shot.
With a firm step the two lads walked to the place of execution, surrounded by their guards. But the hearts of both were heavy.