“It would be tough,” Hal agreed. “And, once there, I am afraid we would have to stay until after the war. I don’t imagine there is much danger of anyone escaping from that place now.”
“Nor I,” said Chester. “If we hope to get away, we shall have to do it before we get to Berlin.”
But it seemed that the lads, if they had any hopes of escape, were doomed to disappointment. They were carefully guarded, and, while they were made comfortable, there was never a moment that they were not beneath some watchful eye.
Several times they were allowed to leave their canvas prison and stroll about outside, but on each of these excursions the German officer in whose custody they had been placed accompanied them; and finally from General Von Kluck came the order for them to be sent to Berlin.
“I sort of hate to see you go,” the German officer told them, upon informing them of their fate. “We have gotten along famously together. However, I am sure you will be well treated in Berlin, and that when you are released at the end of the war you will be able to deny some of the tales of German cruelty to their prisoners.”
“From the treatment we already have received we can deny them now,” said Hal.
“Indeed we can,” Chester agreed.
“Come,” continued the officer, “what do you say to a little walk around? You will not start on your journey until to-night.”
Accompanied by their guard the boys once more started on an excursion through the huge German camp. For an hour or more they walked about, discussing the war in its various phases, but finally the officer told them that it was time for him to report for duty, and they started back toward their temporary prison.