The remark brought forth the first ripple of laughter in that party. It was such an unexpected thing. Who cared about a couple of wheels? Escorting prisoners of war to the detention camp was certainly of more importance than recovering a pair of bicycles.
"Never mind the wheels," replied Alfred. "We have better business to attend to just now."
The German lieutenant, who understood the language, enjoyed the remarks quite as much as the guards, for he laughed in spite of the disaster to his troops. Thereupon he and Alfred had quite a conversation on the way.
The village was entered and passed. Frisky now darted from one side of the column to the other and yelped his approval.
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Frisky, making fun of these poor fellows," said Alfred.
"No, he oughtn't to!" shouted Ralph, in reply, and the smile faded from the face of the German lieutenant.
The names of the soldiers and officers were taken down, their clothing searched, and one by one they passed into the enclosure to remain until the end of the war, unless exchanged.
"I suppose we are out of a job now," said Ralph to the corporal. "To whom shall we turn over the guns?"
The corporal designated two soldiers to take the guns and cartridge belts. "Before you go, just give me your name and the detachment to which you belong," he said.