"You are under arrest. It is forbidden to bring kodaks or cameras of any kind within these walls."
"I didn't know that," said Bill. "I simply wanted to take a few photos of the place."
"You'll have to explain all that to the Commandant," said the Tommie, as he led the way.
The whole thing had happened so suddenly that neither Bob nor Pud had time to say a word before they saw Bill turn to follow the soldier.
"May we not go with our friend?" asked Bob of the Tommie.
"I was about to ask that you accompany us, for though you are not under arrest, I'll have to bring you along as witnesses."
"Don't worry, Pud," said Bob. "It'll be all right. We're not at war and we were not doing anything very wrong."
"That's all very well," said Pud also in a low tone. "They may take us for spies and keep us locked up here all summer."
"Oh, Tommyrot," said Bob, though at heart he did not know just what was liable to happen.
In the meantime, the party went along the walk until they came to a big door. They entered and soon were asked to seat themselves in a large room in which there were many desks with officers seated and busily writing. Gold lace, silver spurs, bright officer's swords, red caps, and the air of discipline and business that characterized the whole room did not fail to have its effect on the boys. Nor did they fail to notice that each of the doors was guarded by soldiers with fixed bayonets standing at attention. The Tommy who was escorting them took them up to one of the desks and said,