“That is as it may be,” I told him.
“Say, what barracks are you fellows from?”
“You needn’t worry about that yet. You’ll hear all about that in the morning.”
“Oh, all right! But you beat it now, quick!” and they turned to go. But I had an idea of making further use of them.
“Say,” I called, “we want to get into Spandau. Is it likely that we shall be stopped? Are there many sentries about there? Which is the best road to take?”
“Plenty. Walk straight on and then turn to your left across the railway.” They went away.
When I looked about for the grip, which I had put down in order to get at my pocket-book, I found it gone. Kent had walked on. Tynsdale was still hovering close to me.
“Where’s that portmanteau?” I asked him excitedly. “I put it down here.”
“I don’t know,” he answered. “Didn’t see it at all. Where did you put it down?”