"Now, my lads, you have already received your instructions. Change your things, and go forward at once."
The distance was farther than they had expected, and it was nearly dark before the boys entered Grunsdorf. There was no one moving in the quiet village, for a fine rain was falling as the boys walked slowly along.
"There is no one to ask, Percy. We must go into the public house, as arranged, and ask where the priest's house is. It would not do for two strangers to ask for the schoolmaster. The priest will tell us where he lives."
So saying, they entered the little cabaret, walked down a long passage leading from the door, and paused for a moment at the threshold--for in the room were some eight or ten Prussian soldiers.
"It is too late to retreat, Percy. Come in boldly."
Lifting their caps, they walked up to an unoccupied table; and called for some bread, cheese, and beer. The landlord brought the refreshments, and the boys had scarcely begun to eat when a Prussian sergeant--who had exchanged a word with the landlord, evidently in reference to them--strode up to them and, laying his hand upon Ralph's shoulder, said:
"Who are you, young fellows? The landlord says you do not belong to the village."
"We belong to a party of woodcutters, from Colmar," Ralph said, quietly.
