It was just what Jack had been telling himself. In fact, the actions of the old couple could be set down as mighty suspicious. All the while they talked in those low tones they were looking toward the barred door, and then up in the direction of the loft, just as guilty persons might be expected to do.
Of course, in those trying times, for a Belgian to be caught having secret connection with the enemy was equivalent to signing his own death warrant, for there would be little mercy shown, no matter how old and infirm he or she chanced to be. If, therefore, this couple were treading on this dangerous ground, their confusion and nervousness when the boys asked lodging could be readily understood; they had expected a visit from the spy, and were afraid that the so-called Americans might learn of his presence.
Jack was puzzled to know what might be the right course for them to pursue under such extraordinary conditions. He felt sorry for that old couple. Necessity might have forced them to accept a bribe and betray their own kind.
Then again the idea of treachery was so repellent that the boy could find no palliation for the dastardly crime. A spy may be a brave man, taking his life in his hand in order to gain secret information that will improve the chances of the cause he advocates; a traitor is a sneak who, for gain, turns on his best friend.
Accordingly Jack hardened his heart against that old couple. They had appealed to his sympathy on account of their age and apparent infirmity; but even that must not be used as a cloak to defend their base conduct. Many lives of brave fighting men among the Allies might be lost through the information they were even now confiding to that heavy-set young German spy.
Jack again lay flat so as to watch, and Amos copied his example. It was not easy to ask questions and hear the answers; so that perhaps he could gather up more information by using his own eyes.
Apparently those below were more than ever alarmed over the possibility of interruption from some source. Even as the two boys in the loft overhead renewed their eavesdropping tactics they saw that the old man had pressed a finger on his lips as though he would entail silence on the other two.
After that he glided over and carefully lifted the table that stood in one part of the apartment, and which was different from the larger one at which they had partaken of that evening meal some time before.
Amos, seeing what he was doing, glued his eye more eagerly than ever to the crevice, not wishing to lose a single thing. He watched the old man cast aside a piece of rag carpet that had covered this section of floor. Then to the surprise of the boys he lifted a regular trap in the floor, disclosing a dark aperture.
Why, it was just like one of those old-time stories Amos could remember reading, that pertained to haunted mansions, traps in the floor, secret chambers, and passages, and even tunnels leading out from the cellars underneath. The boy could almost believe he must be dreaming, and yet, as he put out his hand and felt Jack alongside, he knew it was the real thing.