For the most part the prisoners appeared a silent and thoughtful crowd. A few of them were decidedly sullen, as if ready to break out at any moment, and these the guards watched closely, for it was remembered that on one occasion a prisoner had suddenly gone violently insane, killing one of his captors and then inflicting injury on himself from which he had later died. On another occasion several prisoners had made a wild dash for liberty but had been shot down before they could get any great distance.
When the prisoners came up close to where Dave and his chums were standing, the officer in charge for some reason or other called a temporary halt. Then began a good-natured gibing between the soldiers on both sides, a few of the Americans being able to talk German and one or two of the prisoners answering in broken English.
Dave was looking over the brought-in men and noting how starved and ill-clad they were when he became interested in one man who was gazing with wide-open eyes at the Americans. Following this man’s gaze, Dave saw that the prisoner was looking intently at Lieutenant Gebauer.
“Gebauer! Max Gebauer! What are you doing here?” called out the German in his guttural language.
At the mention of his name Lieutenant Gebauer gazed at the prisoner, and Dave felt certain that he started as he did so. Then, with swift steps, Gebauer came to the prisoner’s side. There was a low exchange of words which Dave could not catch, even had he known the German language better than was the case. Gebauer looked much annoyed, while the prisoner’s features betrayed great astonishment.
A short argument ensued, but in the midst of this the American lieutenant suddenly put up his hand and motioned for the prisoner to keep quiet. Then, as he stepped back, he made other motions as if to draw a wallet from his pocket and count out imaginary bank-notes. Then he placed a finger across his lips, turned and walked away.
Roger, Phil, and Ben, as well as Dave, saw all of these actions, and were of course tremendously interested. They realized at once that Gebauer and the German prisoner were well acquainted.
“It’s as plain as day that Gebauer wants that fellow to keep his mouth shut about something,” remarked Phil, when the prisoners had resumed their march to the rear.
“Yes. And it’s equally plain that he proposes to pay the fellow for doing it,” returned Dave.
“What do you suppose it is all about?” came, with a puzzled look, from Ben.