He entered the tent with Chester close behind him.
Within powerful arms seized them and dragged them down; and before they could cry out gags were stuffed in their mouths. In vain the lads struggled to free themselves. They were soon safely bound.
Up to this time the tent had been in darkness, but now someone struck a light. Hal and Chester gazed at their captors. All were attired in regulation army uniforms, but their faces were masked. One man, who seemed to be the leader, was short and chunky. The others were taller. The small man approached the lads and spoke.
"If you will give me your words to make no outcry, I shall have the gags removed," he said in a shrill, quavering voice, plainly disguised.
Hal considered this point a moment; then nodded his head in token of assent. Chester did likewise.
"All right," said the little man and beckoned the others to remove the gags.
Their mouths free of the evil-tasting cloths, Hal and Chester breathed easier.
"Now," said Chester, "perhaps you will explain what this is all about."
The little man shook his head.
"No," he replied, "all I can tell you is this! You shall be kept confined here until your removal to Paris can be arranged. Then you will be sent to London and put aboard a vessel for New York. That's all I can say."