“He was there when that happened, but he got out very quickly,” answered August Besswig.
After that he was questioned at some length regarding Gebauer, but made evasive answers. It was evident that he knew something about Gebauer which he did not wish to mention, but what it was there was no telling. At last Dave had the interpreter bring the interview to an end.
“That German prisoner is a foxy one,” was Roger’s comment. “I believe he could tell a great deal if he wanted to.”
“That’s exactly my idea, too,” answered Dave. “One thing is certain, he and Gebauer have something in common.”
“Exactly, Dave. And the next question is—has that to do with the present or the past?”
“Oh, I’m inclined to think it has something to do with the past,” replied Dave. “From what I can find out, this Besswig is nothing but a private soldier who was forced into the army. That being so, it is not likely that he would have anything to do with Gebauer if the latter were up to some shady work for the Government. I think it concerns something that took place in the past, and it looks to me as if it was something which Gebauer wants this Besswig to keep quiet about.”
Dave thought he might have another interview with the prisoner later; but on the following day August Besswig was marched off to a camp twenty miles distant and he had no opportunity for further talk with the fellow. He tried to keep an eye on Gebauer, but his duties as an engineer prevented this, and consequently he did not know an important fact, which was that two days later Gebauer got a twenty-four-hours leave of absence and hurried off to find out what had become of August Besswig and to go to see the prisoner.
When Gebauer came back to camp he was in both a thoughtful and an ugly mood. He smoked one cigarette after another in a nervous manner, and then interviewed Nat Poole.
“Your friend Porter seems to be a pretty fresh sort of individual,” grumbled the lieutenant, as he paced up and down in front of Nat.
“Don’t call him a friend of mine, Max,” was the quick reply of the money lender’s son. “I like him about as much as I like a hop-toad.”