“Because we feared we would be detained.”

“And is that a sufficient cause for attacking a squad of German troops?”

“We considered it so,” replied Hal.

“Enough!” exclaimed General Steinberg.  “It is my belief you are all spies.  You shall be shot to-morrow at sunrise!”

Turning to the officer who had escorted them to his hut, he commanded: 

“Return them to their cell and see that they are well guarded!”

“But, general,” the young captain spoke up, “these boys are in no way to blame.  They are perfectly innocent!”

“Shoot us if you like, but spare them,” pleaded the lieutenant.

“Bah!” exclaimed the general.  “One is as guilty as the other!”

With a wave of his hand he signified that the interview was ended.

“Take them away!” he ordered.

“It’s all my fault!” exclaimed Captain Derevaux when they were back in the cell once more.  “I should not have permitted you boys to accompany us.”

“It is not!” denied Hal and Chester together.  “Whatever may befall us is no discredit to you.  Had we not come with you, we probably should have tried to escape the country alone.”

“But if you had not been captured in our company you would be in no danger of being shot,” declared Lieutenant Anderson.  “I cannot forgive myself that I consented to your coming.”

“Never mind that,” said Hal.  “You tried to help us, and that we go to our deaths to-morrow morning is not due to you.”

“Fool that I was!” cried the Frenchman.  “Had I kept my presence of mind in Steinberg’s hut our position would not be so desperate.  It was my salute that caused all this trouble.”

“Come, come, never mind that,” soothed Chester.  “It couldn’t be helped.  Besides, I am sure he had his mind made up to shoot us, anyhow.  Let’s not think about it.”

It was perhaps an hour later that the huge cell door once more swung slowly open.  Uncle Billy stepped quickly inside and closed the door after him.

“Sh-h!” he whispered, holding up a warning finger and coming close.

Silently he went to the table and, one after another, produced from some place about his person four revolvers.

“When I brung yo’al yo’ dinnah t’night,” he explained, “I’se gwine ter leave de’ door open.  I’se gwine ter p’tend ter lock it, but it ain’t gwine ter be locked.

“At nine o’clock t’night de’ watch am changed, an’ fer five minutes there ain’t no guard in de’ hall.  That am when yo’al slip out an’ sneak down de’ hall.  When yo’al gits out o’ de cas’le, jes’ yo’al sneak roun’ to de right, an’ dere’ll be frien’s dere.”

Uncle Billy again put a warning finger to his lips.

Hal opened his mouth to ask a question, but with a soft “sh-h” Uncle
Billy silenced him.

Then, after several furtive glances about, the old negro stole quickly from the cell, closing the door softly behind him.