It was hard for Hans to lie still and say nothing, but the first thing in life is to know when to hold one's tongue, and Hans knew it was useful to listen.
Early in the morning they came to a town, through whose gate they entered. The sleigh drew up before a great building. A French soldier came quickly to greet the travellers, one of whom sprang out and entered the house with him.
"Coffee," ordered the other. "We are freezing."
In a few moments several soldiers appeared. They ordered Hans from the sleigh; handcuffs were locked on his wrists, and he was marched away, the second traveller and driver following.
Hans asked the soldier near him in what town he was.
The man laughed mockingly.
"Where you are," said he in bad German, "is none of your business, old man. What you are, you and I know."
He thrust out his under lip and shrugged his shoulders.
"Old man, what you are I can tell you—a spy of the King of Prussia and a prisoner of the Emperor Napoleon!"
Then he held up his hands to imitate a gun, and half closing his eye pretended to take aim at the prisoner.