"Yes, there are we going!" replied the officer. "There is headquarters where we take all distinguished prisoners, especially relatives of the Kaiser. And others who have red hair," he added with a chuckle.
Turning in at a great gate, flanked on either side by immense stone posts, the party clattered up the path to the very castle itself. At the entrance they were halted by a sentry, who permitted them to pass through after receiving an answer to his challenge.
The boys gazed with frank curiosity at the scenes about them. It seemed like a page clipped from a story book. There they recognized the many features about which they had read but scarcely believed existed.
Jimmie was helped down from his position, while the other boys dismounted without assistance. For a few moments they found walking very difficult, owing to the strange experience of riding horseback.
"I wish they had couches for travelers!" announced Jimmie. "I feel rather tired somehow! This has been a hard day!"
Ned was at once overtaken with remorse at his forgetfulness of Jimmie's shaken condition. He was quickly busy with arrangements for his chum's comfort. The other lads gathered about, eager to help.
"I say, officer," Ned called out, "this boy needs rest."
"And he shall have it!" a man at Ned's elbow spoke.
The lad was astonished to see one of the men who had breakfasted with them, and who appeared to be the Kaiser's chief aide.