"We hope, sir," said Hal, walking up to the German commander, "that you will see fit to stay the execution."
"In that event, you will have to consider yourselves prisoners and stand trial as spies," was the reply.
The lads bowed their heads in assent.
The general threw wide his arms in a sudden gesture.
"Captain Eberhardt shall go free," he said.
He turned, and with a word, dismissed the firing squad.
Captain Eberhardt approached the lads and grasped each by the hand before the very eyes of the general.
"I can never thank you half enough," he said, and there were tears in his eyes.
"Oh, that's all right," said Chester. "We couldn't do less."
General Steinbach turned upon Hal and Chester.