"Captain Prescott, of the American Army, arrested both and made the charges against Noyez," De Verne responded. "You will hear him now?"
As it was their first meeting Captain Cartier shook hands with
Dick, who then told what he had overheard.
"Noyez, a German spy!" exclaimed Captain Cartier. "Truly, it seems incredible."
"It is worse! It is an infamous charge!" cried Noyez passionately.
"Yet our American comrade must be truthful, a man of honor," said
Captain Cartier, in a bewildered tone.
"May I suggest, sir," Dick interposed, "that it will be easy to decide. If Lieutenant Noyez was in the German trenches by orders of his superiors, or with their knowledge, then that would establish a first point in his favor. But if he was there without either orders or permission, then plainly he must have gone there on treasonable business."
"That is absolutely fair!" declared Captain Cartier. "I will send at once for Noyez's captain, and we shall hear what he says."
In dejected silence Noyez awaited the arrival of Captain Gaulte, who promptly declared that he had no knowledge of any authority for his lieutenant to visit the enemy's lines. Gaulte had, in fact, supposed that Noyez was back of the lines on over-night leave, for which he had applied.
"The business looks bad!" cried Captain Cartier, with troubled face.
"Quite!" agreed Captain Gaulte more calmly.