“I hope we can help you out,” replied the boy.
“What I want to know is this: What did you do with the package?”
“What package?” puzzled Ned, unable to grasp the other’s meaning.
“The package so much desired by your friend Mackinder!”
Instantly the boys comprehended the statement. They were unable to understand how this man should know anything of the mysterious package unless Mackinder had told him. They glanced at each other in apprehension.
“Haven’t we got clear of that thing yet?” spoke up Jimmie.
“If you please, sir,” said Ned, “we don’t really know anything about the package. A package was found in our baggage when we were searched at the border between Belgium and Holland. It was stolen by some person whom we believe to be this man Mackinder, who has since been trying to get us to deliver it to him, although we have not had it.”
“I presume that you understand him to be an officer in the British army?” inquired the commander kindly.
“We heard so from von Kluck,” replied the boy.
“Do you know what was in the package?”