“I have no money, and I was hungry,” said the man. “I came here to pick up something I could sell for a few sous, and get some bread. Then I heard voices and afraid to be seen I crawled under there. Let me go and I shall never bother you again.”
Billy laughed in his face.
“They say a lame excuse is better than none,” he remarked, “but when Frank pulled that fierce-looking gun out of your pocket I saw a bright coin fall to the floor. Here it is, and a gold coin in the bargain. An English sovereign at that. I wonder why anyone should go hungry long in Dunkirk these days with all that money in his pocket? Don’t try to trick us, my man. We know why you were hidden in that locker, and you don’t need to be told what a spy can expect when caught in the act.”
The man shut his teeth hard together, and gave a little groan, but said nothing. He evidently expected that the fate he may have dared so often had at last found him out.
CHAPTER XII.
FRANK MAKES A BARGAIN.
“What’s the next thing on the program, Frank?” asked Billy.
“I must go to town and see Major Nixon,” came the prompt reply.
“You mean so as to hand this prisoner over to his charge, don’t you?”
“I want to get in touch with the civil authorities, and make certain arrangements looking to his detention for several days,” explained Frank.