“Yes, I understand from what the officer said back there at the old castle that we’ll be searched body, boots and baggage.”
“And what if they find something they don’t like?”
“Perhaps they’ll put us in jail for a few months or until the war has ceased,” replied Ned. “I’m sure I don’t know what they’ll do.”
“Br-r-rh!” shivered Jimmie. “I wouldn’t turn our old friend The Rat out into a rain like this! That would be cruelty to animals!”
“Small chance anyone’ll have to turn him out now!” spoke up Jack. “That dynamite fixed him so he won’t be turned out for some time!”
“Don’t speak of it, boys,” protested Ned. “I see him yet!”
“Let’s change the subject,” proposed Jimmie, out of consideration for his chum’s feelings. “I think I see some land. Can we be coming to the border I wonder? I hope we are and that we can soon be starting home!”
“Train’s slackening speed,” announced Harry. “They’re stopping!”
It was even as the boy had said. With many a bump and groan of grinding brakes the train crawled to a standstill beside a hut built upon a rise of ground. Here was stationed a force of soldiers detailed to the work of searching and examining all who attempted to pass from Belgium to Holland. Those who were not certified as refugees or in other ways vested with proper authority to pass were promptly rejected and turned back.
A guard came running along the foot board opening doors. He shouted instructions to the inmates of the carriages, who promptly began scrambling out of the uncomfortable cars. All baggage was placed along the track to facilitate examination. The train itself was searched.