The boy realized that the safety of one of the United States' greatest naval secrets lay, for the time being, in his hands.
[CHAPTER XIV.]
A PLOT OVERHEARD.
"Say, didn't that boy move?"—the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
Apparently, however, his ruse succeeded. The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
"He's off; sound as a top."
"A good thing," rejoined the other, "both for us and for him."