Two of the privates, after several efforts, succeeded in bursting open the little door. Then, with his revolver in his hand and followed by the sergeant and three privates, Captain Miles entered. Several breathless minutes passed. And then they reappeared, but not alone. Sheepish, sullen, and securely handcuffed, three Germans stepped out between their burly guards.
“Come on!” called Captain Miles to the Scouts, a grin of satisfaction on his cheery face.
Danny and the Scouts obeyed with alacrity.
“Well, we’ve caught Fritz and his pals, all right,” said Captain Miles, “thanks to ‘Danny the Detective.’”
The three Germans stared at Danny with an expression of such loathing that it made cold shivers run down his back.
Two sentries were posted with fixed bayonets each side of the tower door, for the fourth spy was to be caught before the tower was investigated.
The party moved over to the Abbot’s House. Captain Miles, the sergeant, and four privates climbed through the ruined window, and disappeared into the darkness. The group outside stood listening breathlessly. They heard the iron door creak as it swung back on its rusty hinges. Then silence.
But suddenly a yell rent the air, followed by a great explosion. Then silence again. The young officer, accompanied by the privates and constables, climbed through the window and dashed across the dark house into the passage. Feverishly the Scouts waited without. The minutes seemed to drag by like hours. What had happened? Then a sound fell on their ears. Heavy, shuffling steps were crossing the rough floor of the house.
“Here, give us a hand,” said a voice within. The Scouts were ready.
One by one the members of the first party were passed through the window. They were badly wounded. Several were unconscious. Laying them on the grass, the Scouts turned to Dick for instructions. Each received his orders promptly and clearly. One sped off for a doctor, another to telephone for an ambulance, another to fetch such articles as could be borrowed to render first aid to the wounded men.