“Well, the secret service men made an investigation and discovered that Gebauer and this prisoner had once been in a questionable business deal in Germany. Gebauer was wanted there for swindling several people, and this chap had been bought off to keep silent, but had never received a large part of the money promised to him by Gebauer. Then the American authorities dipped deeper into the matter, and I understand they have now come to the conclusion that Gebauer’s cowardice was largely put on, and that he was in a plan with some German sympathizers to play into the enemy’s hands. As a consequence Lieutenant Max Gebauer, pro-German, is now languishing in a military prison.”
“And you can bet he isn’t a lieutenant any more!” declared Ben.
“Well, that explains some things, but it doesn’t explain how you learned that he and Nat Poole attacked me,” said Dave. “Of course, I imagined it might be them, but I wasn’t sure. I really didn’t think they would go so far.”
“Nat says he was dragged into it. But, of course, that may be all talk. Nat always did like to squirm out of a tight place,” went on Roger.
He then related how the money lender’s son had been in the great fight and almost lost his life. His injuries had necessitated his being sent to the hospital, and there, while in a fever, he had continually spoken about Dave and of the attack on the young lieutenant.
“He went on so awfully that the nurse notified one of the doctors, and he in turn called in an army officer. In his rational moments Nat was closely questioned, and in the end he broke down and made a complete confession.
“He said that he wanted to get square with you for the way he had been treated, but he had not imagined that Gebauer would go so far. He had struck you once, but it was only a light blow, and Gebauer had given you the crack that almost finished you. And he insisted that it was Gebauer who rolled you into the opening of the mine. He said he was scared at this, and remonstrated, but Gebauer would not listen to him. He even made a search for your body, but, of course, did not find it. He said he was terribly worried, and I shouldn’t wonder but what that was so.”
“It was a dastardly thing to do!” declared Dave. “And I am glad that both Gebauer and Nat have been caught. I guess each of them will get what is coming to him without my making any charge against them.”
“I don’t know about that, Dave. Perhaps you’ll have to see headquarters on that point,” answered Roger.
Of course all the others were glad to see our hero. Captain Obray came up to shake hands, and so did Frank Andrews and a number of the other fighting engineers. All had their stories to tell, and all praised Dave greatly for what he had accomplished at the German headquarters and during the fight when he was trying to get back to the American lines.