“There must have been a mistake!” at length declared the officer impatiently. “We cannot delay the train longer. Permit them to proceed!”
“But I swear I discovered in their luggage a suspicious parcel!”
“It is not here! The young gentlemen do not seem to have it! In the face of their apparently correct passports and this courteous request from their friend, von Moltke, I am not justified in holding them longer! Young men, you may resume your journey!”
Thanking the officer in grateful acknowledgment of his courtesy the lads again found their compartment. Scarcely had they regained their former position before the train again began to move.
“Now, Ned,” began Harry, as the wheels once more clicked over the rail joints, “produce! Let’s have the secret!”
“Produce nothing!” declared Ned. “I have nothing to produce!”
“The package, man, the mysterious package of contraband spy literature!” demanded Harry in a serious tone. “What secrets are you carrying out of this country to help the English?”
“I tell you I have nothing at all! I don’t know what that package contained, nor do I know where it came from!”
“That’s all right, too!” declared Jack. “But where did it go to so suddenly? That’s the interesting part! What did you do with it?”
“Honestly, boys,” protested Ned, “I haven’t got it. I saw that fellow fish it out of my kit. I saw him put it on the table. When I turned back after glancing at the door the package was gone!”