The woman stared at him aghast.
"Why," she exclaimed, "it is probably my husband. He is a cavalry officer, you know," and she smiled, and made as if to pass.
But the captain again blocked her way.
"Nevertheless," he said, "I must ask you not to go to the door."
The woman gazed at him a moment in astonishment; then a queer look passed over her face.
"I see!" she exclaimed. "You are spies!"
With a scream she evaded the captain and rushed to the door.
"Come!" cried Captain Derevaux, his effort having failed. "I guess we shall have to make a run for it!"
"Out the back door!" exclaimed Lieutenant Anderson, and the four ran through the house, went down the steps three at a time, and rushed toward their horses in the stable nearby.
Hardly had they leaped into their saddles and dashed from the stable, when the woman and a German officer appeared in the back door of the farmhouse, while from around the house came the dozen troopers afoot.