"What kind of behaviour is this?" growled the major. "Salute, pigs!"
Instead of the expected salute, the Germans saw two steady right hands pointing revolvers at their heads.
"Merely a little joke, major," said Kenneth quietly: "a little play-acting. You and your friend shall be in the cast. You shall pretend to be prisoners."
The major swelled with astonishment and rage. Hellwig, who had fixed his eyes on Kenneth, changed colour, and made a sudden grab for his revolver. But a peremptory voice from behind his chair caused him to sink back and slowly turn his amazed eyes.
"Hands up!"
The old servingman had suddenly become straight. His hands no longer trembled, his voice had lost its quaver. Covered by two revolvers, taken aback by the suddenness of surprise, the Germans were paralysed for a few moments. The major recovered himself first, and was opening his mouth to shout when Granger deftly slipped a table napkin between his teeth, drew it tight, and knotted it behind. From under the table he lifted several short pieces of cord, and in two minutes the infuriated officer was firmly bound to his chair.
Hellwig, meanwhile, whose face was the colour of the soldier's uniform, had sat limply watching Granger's quick and dexterous movements. He was dealt with in his turn.
"Call the sergeant in," said Granger to Kenneth.
The man came at the summons, found himself looking down the muzzles of two revolvers as he entered at the door, and was soon sitting between the others, the third guest at an empty board.
The distant sound of trotting horses drew the captors hurriedly to the window, and brought a gleam of hope into the captives' eyes.