“Soup——” began the jailer, but he said no more.
Straightening up suddenly, Frank caught the man by the throat with a vise-like grip, while he clapped his other hand over his mouth, stifling an outcry. Then, suddenly, he drew back his right fist, and before the German could free himself, struck him full on the point of the jaw.
The German toppled over like a log.
Frank picked him up gently and laid him on the bed, where he gagged him with his handkerchief.
“Now to get out,” he said.
He approached the door and peered about. There was no one in sight. He picked up the jailer’s keys and, stepping into the corridor, closed the door behind him and locked it.
“Now if I can just avoid detection till I get out of here,” he told himself.
Quietly he walked along the corridor, to where he knew the door to be. In a room just beyond he heard voices. He approached carefully and peered in.
In a far corner, half a dozen German soldiers were busily engaged with a pack of cards. They were so engrossed in their game that they paid no attention to Frank as he stepped quietly into the room, walked boldly across it and disappeared through the door on the opposite side.
Outside Frank drew a long breath.