“What was all the explosion?” demanded Chester.
“Well,” said Harding, “when a man strikes a match in a mine there is bound to be an explosion. I struck the match.”
“I know that,” agreed Chester, “but how does it happen that we are still alive? You might have brought the whole mine in on us.”
“I’ve worked in mines before,” said Harding. “These little local blasts don’t amount to much if you keep away from the flare. However, a man never knows when he hears the blast just how serious it may be. That’s why the German guards are in such confusion. I am not worried because I know the nature of the blast, and the other prisoners are not worried for the same reason. Hear them fight!”
The sounds of the struggle carried plainly to the ears of the three friends.
“Somebody will be killed,” declared Chester.
“Naturally,” said Harding quietly, “but it will be in a good cause and they know it. Don’t mistake me, boys; every man there knows that I am not doing this just to try to save my own skin. The word has been passed.”
“It has?” exclaimed Hal in surprise.
“Of course, and I pride myself in the fact that it was done cleverly if you didn’t see it.”
“I didn’t see anything,” said Chester.