"And on the other hand they may be the most innocent fellows in the world," added Spouter. "Remember, not all the German-Americans in this country are unpatriotic."
The three soon reached a point where they could catch sight of Duval's shack. They approached with caution so that they might not be seen from the single back window of which the rough building boasted. As the boys drew closer they saw that the window had been raised several inches. Evidently there was a good fire going inside of the shack, and with so many occupants the place had become overly warm.
"Then it's all settled, and you'll attend to the matter?" they heard one of the Germans remark, as they crawled up close to the building.
"Yes, I'll do it," answered Tony Duval. "But I'll be running a big risk."
"Not if you are careful," said another of the Germans.
"And don't forget that you are being well paid for your work," added a third German, "and that you are doing this for the country in which your mother was born."
"I should not want to be caught," grumbled Tony Duval. "If I was, the authorities might hang me."
"Poof! be not so chicken-hearted," said the German who had first spoken. "Now it is all arranged, be careful that you do not disappoint us," he added sternly.
The three cadets had listened to this talk with intense interest. Now Jack could not resist the temptation to peer in at one corner of the window. He saw one of the Germans returning a wallet to his pocket, and saw Tony Duval take up several bank bills from the table and place them away in his hunting jacket. All of the Germans were on their feet, and now turned to the door, which one of them flung wide open.
"It's all over; get back as far as you can to the woods," whispered the oldest Rover boy, and led the way with the others at his heels.