Before either the young lieutenant or his mother could reply, there came a heavy footstep without; a moment later the door was thrown quickly open, and a German officer, huge in stature, and imposing in his uniform, draped with gold and lace, strode in. At sight of the two boys he came to a sudden pause.
“What have we here?” he demanded, in a great, booming voice.
“Two of my prisoners, sir,” said the lieutenant, stepping forward and saluting.
“Your prisoners, sir? Do you mean that they are spies whom you have captured in Berlin?”
“No, sir. They came with the last trainload of prisoners.”
“Then, why are they not with the others?” demanded General Strauss sternly.
“Why, sir,” stammered the lieutenant, “I—I——”
“Enough,” said the general in a softer voice, his eyes twinkling although this he endeavored in vain to hide. “You mean that you are up to some of your old tricks—that your sympathies have gotten the upper hand of your better judgment. Do you know what I should do with you, sir?”
The lieutenant made no reply, and the father continued: