“I couldn’t sleep, so I got up and dressed, and opened my window to stand looking out at the stars, till just now I heard a door across the courtyard open, and three men in cloaks came out.”
“Officers’ patrol—going to visit the sentries.”
“No; your father, Captain Murray, and some one else. I think it was the doctor; he is short and stout.”
“Then father’s going to escape,” said Frank, in an excited whisper.
“Escape! Bah!” replied Andrew, in a tone full of disgust. “How could he as a gentleman? Can’t you see what it means? They’re going to a meeting.”
“A meeting?” faltered Frank.
“Oh, how dull you are! Yes, a meeting; they’re going to fight!”
Frank, who had leisurely obeyed his companion’s command to get up and dress, now began to hurry his clothes on rapidly, while Andrew went on:
“I don’t know how they’ve managed it, because your father was under arrest; but I suppose the officers felt that there must be a meeting, and they have quietly arranged it with the Germans. Of course it’s all on the sly. Make haste.”
“Yes. I shan’t be a minute. You have warned the guard of course?”