'Silence,' he whispered into her ear, 'or it will be the worse for you.'
Meantime, Rudel went to face the soldiers.
'Hallo!' cried a rough-looking soldier, who seemed in authority, 'is this the spy and deserter we are seeking?—truly a dangerous ruffian!'
The other men laughed loudly, and pressed round Rudel, who began to be frightened.
'Where's your father, boy?' asked the leader.
'He has gone away,' answered Rudel.
'You know where he is. I remember your face now; aren't you the grandson of old Peter Klinger, who holds yonder farm? Well, we are looking for his son, Rudolf Klinger, whose children we know live with the grandparents. We believe that he came here last night, and is hiding somewhere in the neighbourhood. Tell us where he is, and you shall have as many sugarplums as you can eat.'
'You are not looking for my father,' said Rudel boldly; 'he would not be a spy and deserter, and if he were I should not betray him.'
'We shall soon see that. If you don't tell us where he is you shall be shot as a deserter in his place. We have no time to waste.'
The soldiers laughed. They were accustomed to their leader's cruel jokes, but Rudel was not. He turned pale, and began to tremble a little.