“Forward march,” commanded one, poking the muzzle of his weapon into the small of Chester’s back.
There was no help for it. The three friends obeyed.
“Where are you taking us?” demanded Hal of one of their captors.
“To Brunnoi!” came the brief response.
“Great Scott!” said Hal to Chester, in English. “We certainly couldn’t have got there quicker any other way. You don’t suppose he has learned of our mission.”
“I don’t see how that is possible,” replied Chester.
“Nor I; I suppose the thing to do is to try and convince him we are German soldiers, or else come straight out and tell him who we really are and why we are here.”
“The latter way might be best,” said Chester, thoughtfully. “For Brunnoi after all may not be such a staunch Austrian supporter as our late host would have us believe.”
“True,” said Hal. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
After an hour’s ride they came to a little clearing in the forest that covered this point of the mountain. Here they were ordered to dismount, and for half a mile proceeded on foot. As they advanced still further the lads made out the mouth of a huge cavern. Into this dark hole their captors pushed them. Down the mouth of the cavern they walked, and then suddenly came to a sharp turn. Ten more paces and they bumped into a solid wall. One of their captors stepped forward and passed his hand over the surface of the smooth rock, and it gave way before him, turning on well-oiled hinges.