"He has told no one, either."
"It is well. For if you had, we would kill you now."
Young Cutlip said nothing, but he knew by the hard look in the man's eyes that he told the truth. In spite of the fact that the boy knew he was in grave peril, he was perfectly cool.
He sat down again as the Germans passed from sack to sack, examining the contents. At last the first man stood up and faced the boy.
"Your father, by chance, didn't say anything about pay for this food, did he?" he asked.
"No," returned Cutlip.
The German grinned.
"Guess he knew it wouldn't do much good," he said. "Well, men, let's roll this stuff outside."
Again the men bent over the sacks.
At that moment there came a shot from without, followed by a volley. On the instant young Cutlip leaped to his feet, rushed to the door, threw it open and dashed outside.