In another couple of minutes the two lads were sitting, as agreed, upon the step of a door close to the cafe. They could not hear all that was said; but could catch the sense, as the German officers--as is their custom--spoke in a very loud voice. They belonged to the infantry; and were, it appeared, in ignorance of the reason of their sudden move to Saverne.
Presently a captain of the cavalry came along the street.
"Ah, Von Rausen," a major in the infantry exclaimed, "are you here? I have not seen you since the day you marched from Coblentz."
"No, indeed, major," the other said, saluting--as a Prussian officer always does, to his superior in rank--the other infantry officers all rising, and saluting in turn. "We have just come in from Hagenau."
"Are you in a hurry?" asked the major. "If not, sit down and let us talk."
The cavalry officer accepted the invitation and, for a few minutes, their talk ran upon mutual friends. Then the major said:
"By the way, do you know what we are here for? We were bustled off at a moment's notice; no one knows why, except of course the colonel, and he has not thought necessary to tell us and, naturally, we have not asked him."
"Do you not know?" Captain Von Rausen said. "It is no secret--at least, no secret from us, but a secret from the people here. I will speak in French; no doubt there are plenty of spies about."
"There is no one in hearing," the major said, "except those two stupid-looking lads, munching bread and cheese."
"The more likely to be spies," Von Rausen said. "Fellows who look like fools are just the people chosen."