"You understand German. Listen to what they are saying," Stan whispered.
O'Malley moved closer and listened. The men seemed to be arguing hotly. Every once in a while one voice would be raised in anger. There were three men in the room. O'Malley edged the door open a bit more and peeped into the room.
After a bit he straightened and grinned at Stan. "Sure, an' the general is eatin' the tails off his staff. Some of 'em seem to think the war is lost. They been tellin' him the German people are demandin' peace at any price. I figure he's goin' to have one o' them shot."
At that moment an orderly came rushing out of the office. He charged past the boys without seeming to see them, and rushed out of the building.
"The general says if this leaks out, the Allies will invade at once. He's sure mad." O'Malley laughed softly.
A few minutes passed and the orderly returned with a squad of armed soldiers led by a lieutenant. They stomped past the boys and into the office. When they came out they were marching a captain and a major before them.
Five more minutes passed and the orderly came out. He seemed much agitated.
"You will come now," he said in husky English.
The boys followed him into the office. Herr General was a burly fellow with a bald head and a narrow chest. He had a monocle screwed into one eye which made him look fierce and tough. He glared at the boys, then snapped an order to the orderly. The man scurried away.
"Come up to my desk, you," the general snarled.