Quickly, but silently, the boys made their way from the room and descended the stairs. Stepping lightly upon a chair, Hal secured the two swords, suspended in their scabbards with a pair of army belts, and, leaping lightly down, passed one to Chester.
Quickly the lads strapped the swords around them and quietly they opened the front door and closed it softly behind them. Then, with a swaggering air, they descended the front steps, to bump squarely into one of the guards.
The guard drew back respectfully and saluted.
“I beg your pardon, sir,” he said, addressing Chester. “I saw you go out once before, but I didn’t see you return.”
“You must be more careful,” said Chester, imitating the lieutenant’s voice. “My friend and I came in a few moments ago and I didn’t see you anywhere.”
“But I was right here, sir, or at least, only a few steps away,” protested the soldier.
“Well, I’ll pass over it this time,” said Chester, “but don’t let it happen again. The prisoners might escape.”
“Thank you, sir,” replied the soldier, saluting again. “But the prisoners will not escape while I am on guard. Never fear, sir.”
The lads bade the soldier good night and walked slowly away. Once around the first corner, however, they increased their pace, and soon had put considerable distance between them and the Strauss home, where, even now, the old general, having failed to find his maps at headquarters, was again raging about, swearing that his documents had been stolen.