"Good morning!" said Hamerton, as a preliminary to further conversation.
"Ja," came the response.
"Are you bringing the writing materials?"
"Ja."
Without waiting to be questioned further the men took the plate that they had left overnight and went out.
"That fellow won't break his jaw through too much talking," commented the Sub. "One blessing, they didn't trouble us during the night. I'll start tunnelling this very evening."
An hour later the door was opened again. This time there were two different soldiers. One of them carried a broom, which he gave to Hamerton and signed that he should clean out his cell.
"I speak German," announced the Sub.
"Ja," came the reply in a tone meant to imply that the information was not of the slightest interest to the taciturn fellow.
They waited till Hamerton had completed his task. The broom and the breakfast utensils were placed outside the cell, and the Sub was ordered to follow his jailers.