Astonished, the boys crept carefully to the opening to peer through and to listen. It was as Jimmie had said. The Rat and the man who had followed the boys in New York were standing near the middle of a small apartment. On the floor sputtered and flickered a candle.
As the boys gathered about the opening The Rat was speaking.
"——And so," the boys heard, "I settled for the red head. No person could survive a fall like that. But they got us after all, by shooting into the machinery. We had to land. Then the soldiers got me and brought me here. I'm mighty glad you happened to show up!"
"Yes," replied the one whom the boys had named "Hungry," "I felt you'd want me. After landing at Antwerp I made good time, but I was surprised when they nipped me and put me in here with you!"
"Now," continued The Rat, "they're waiting the arrival of some high officer, so they can have a trial. The boys will get theirs. Maybe I'll be searched, and I don't want them to find this package."
As he spoke he drew from its place of concealment at his waist a flat package about the size of a long business envelope.
"What I want you to do is to carry this for me until after the examination is over," The Rat went on. "I think you'd better let me hang it down your back. It will be out of the way there!"
Intently the boys watched the adjustment of the flat package. Ned greedily eyed every movement, with fingers itching to get possession of the parcel. However, he knew that the opening through which they peered was too small for him to negotiate, and it was out of the question to expect The Rat to hand him the envelope. Again The Rat spoke:
"Now, if my story goes with this new man, and they hold the boys and let us go, we'll be all right. If, however, they decide to let the boys go and hold us, I'll have this dynamite handy in my pocket," here he indicated his coat pocket, which bulged suspiciously, "and at a favorable moment I'll throw it. If I can get Ned Nestor, so much the better. The red head is out of the way, and that'll settle the two who are most dangerous. In the excitement, we'll slip through the crowd."