"Go back," he whispered. "They have gone upstairs, one of them remarking that they wanted the two Americans. How did they know you were here?"
The boys were now startled, indeed. Who could have informed the Germans, and why should they be so promptly hunted up? The matter evidently puzzled their friend, as well.
Alfred leaned over to the shopkeeper as he eagerly whispered: "Who is your next door neighbor? Is he a German?"
The man recoiled at the question. "Why do you ask?" he quickly responded. The boys informed him of the conversation which they overheard between their neighbor and the Uhlans.
"So that is how he repays our friendship? But where are you going," he asked, as the boys began to move down the alley.
"We must go; we don't want them to find us here," said Alfred.
"But where do you intend to go?" he again asked.
"We want to reach Huy," replied Ralph.
"But there is no railway from here to that place," was the answer.
"We know it," said Alfred. "If Captain Moreau and his men can reach Clavier we ought to be able to make our way there, too."