"Look out!" he warned the corporals. "These two scoundrels are capable of anything. And if they utter a word, then you know why you've got swords dangling at your sides!"
The two prisoners were led across the yard to the guard-house. The reservists were just collecting before the barracks. Most of them went about arm in arm, and in their uproarious spirits made passes in the air with their betassled walking-sticks.
As the little procession passed the noisy crowd, the merry songs ceased. The reservists, taken aback, stepped aside, and amid startled whispers looked after the prisoners.
Findeisen walked with bowed head. They had put his cap on right over his forehead, so that he could hardly see from under it. Wolf looked straight ahead, but walked as if in a fog. He saw nothing of what was passing before him, and stumbled as he stepped across a gutter.
The corporal on guard was going to unlock two contiguous cells for the prisoners, but one of the men in charge of them objected.
"They might communicate with each other by knocking or somehow," he said. "Better lock them up as far apart as possible."
So Wolf was put into the cell nearest to the road, and Findeisen into one at the other end of the corridor.
The corporal placed the reservist's uniform on a stool, and near by the pair of boots which had caused the dispute, still bearing traces of dust.
"Change your clothes quickly," he said. "I must take back your plain clothes with me at once."
But Wolf stood there motionless.