“I don’t wonder,” said Hal dryly.

“It’s a wonder he didn’t administer a dose of poison right then,” said Chester.

“Yes,” continued the captain, “it made him mad, and he informed me that I might as well die, because if I didn’t I would be shot anyhow.”

“Shot!” ejaculated Chester.  “What for?”

“That’s what I asked him.  He replied that I had been declared a spy, and that I was to be put to death as soon as I was well enough to face a firing squad.  He said they didn’t want to do it while I was so ill.”

“Very considerate of them,” commented Hal.

“Just what I told the surgeon.  Well, naturally, with this sentence hanging over my head I didn’t get well any quicker than I had to.  Every day I could feel myself getting better, but I pretended to get worse.  I contracted all the ailments you ever heard of, and I was a sore puzzle to the surgeon.  He had several others look me over, but they couldn’t agree on what was the matter with me, although they did agree I was a very sick man and had only a few days to linger on this earth.  Yet all this time, mind you, I was shamming and getting better every day.”

“You must be a pretty good actor,” said Chester.

“Well, I’m not so bad,” replied Captain Anderson modestly.  “But to continue.  I finally became afflicted with St. Vitus’ dance, and later with a queer ailment that wouldn’t allow me to keep still.  I’d hop out of bed and wander about, with the surgeons or nurses on my heels, and then I’d fall down in a fit.  This continued for several days, and finally they became tired of following me about, figuring, I suppose, that a man in my condition couldn’t go very far, anyhow.”

“This was what I had been waiting for, but I didn’t put the plan I had decided upon into execution at once.  I waited for a good chance.  At last, it came.  The surgeon was a young chap and smooth shaven, which was lucky for me.  Also he was about my build, and there was some slight resemblance between us.  This day he was with me alone.  Not a soul was present save us two.  As he turned his back to look into his medicine case, I struck him heavily in the back of the neck.

“He toppled over without a sound.  Quickly I exchanged clothes with him and put his body in my bed, after which I picked up his case and walked boldly out of the hospital.”

“Great Scott!” cried Chester.  “You had plenty of nerve!”

“Well,” continued the captain, “no one interfered with me and I walked about at will.  I kept edging closer and closer to the firing line, figuring that I would make a break for liberty at the first opportunity.  It came sooner than I expected.

“There had been a big battle, and all surgeons and nurses were rushed to the front to look after the wounded.  I went along.  The battle was over, and we immediately went forth to attend to the wounded.  Again I went along, only this time I didn’t stop going.  When I figured I was far enough ahead I broke into a run.