The officer examined the trifling haul as well as he could in the darkness, then began talking in German to one of his men. And meanwhile Tom watched him in evident suspense, and Roscoe, unmollified, cast at Tom a look of sneering disgust for his bungling error—a look which seemed to include the whole brotherhood of scouts.
Finally the officer turned upon Roscoe with his characteristic martial ferocity.
"How long you in France?" he demanded.
"Oh, about a year or so."
"Vat ship you come on?"
"I don't know the name of it."
"You come to Havre, vat?"
"I didn't notice the port."
"Huh! You are not so—vide-avake, huh?"
"Absent-minded, yes," said Roscoe.