It was what they had expected.

After a few moments the general spoke again, this time more kindly, with his eyes full upon Chester.

“You,” he said, “appear to be too young for this sort of business.  How do you happen to be mixed up in such desperate work?”

“It’s too long a story to go into, general,” replied Chester quietly.  “Besides, as we have not much longer to live, Colonel Anderson and I would rather be left to ourselves.”

The general seemed about to make an angry reply; then changed his mind, and asked: 

“Are you English?”

“No, I am not,” replied Chester.  “I am an American.”

“I thought so,” declared the general.  “Well, it’s too bad, but if you will mix up in business that does not concern you, you must pay the penalty.  Orderly!”

His orderly entered and came to attention.

“Have these prisoners closely confined,” was the command.  “Station a detail of five men and see that they are not unguarded a single moment.  Then present my compliments to Colonel Frestung and tell him to have a firing squad ready at sunrise.  These men are spies and must die.”

Again the orderly saluted and motioned the prisoners to precede him from the general’s quarters.

With heads erect and shoulders squared, Chester and Colonel Anderson marched out ahead of him.  Each realized the futility of a break for liberty and each was determined to live his last moments and die the death of a soldier.

Outside a squad of soldiers surrounded them and they were led to a large tent, which was to be their last prison.  Inside they found comfortable chairs, a table and several books.

“They seem to take pains to make it pleasant for a man about to die,” remarked Colonel Anderson.  “We should be able to spend a profitable day.”

“So we should,” was the reply.  “I wonder if Hal and Uncle John got through safely?” he remarked somewhat irrelevantly.

“I guess we can bank on that,” said the colonel.  “They got through if there was a possible chance.”

“I hope that Hal does not venture into the Austrian lines in an attempt to rescue us,” declared Chester.  “It would be sticking his head into the lion’s mouth.”

“Nevertheless, that is what he is likely to do,” asserted Colonel Anderson.  “It is not like him to keep quiet when some one is in danger.”

“That’s what worries me,” confessed Chester.  “There is no use of his being killed, too.”

“Oh, well,” said the colonel, “whatever happens is beyond our power to remedy.  Let’s talk about something pleasant.”

And so they did, whiling away the rapidly flying hours with stories and reminiscences; and the shadows deepened as darkness approached.

“It seems to me that we could get out of this place some way,” declared Chester suddenly.

“It seems to me that you are wrong,” said, the colonel grimly.  “There are five guards outside, each armed to the teeth.  What chance would we have?”