The conversation continued and the lad stored up mentally the knowledge he gained by listening to the conversation.

The gathering within now seemed about to break up; but Chester delayed in his precarious position, thinking to gather every possible iota of information.  And this almost proved his undoing.

Although Chester did not know it, one of the German officers had, for some moments, been gazing at the little slit in the tent made by the point of Chester’s knife.  Now, with a murmured apology to the other officers, he strode from the tent.  Chester still had his eyes glued to the opening and did not hear soft footsteps behind him.

A harsh voice sounded in the lad’s ear.

“Get up from there!”

Chester did not lose his nerve, although he realized immediately that he was in a ticklish position, indeed.  His hand reached for his pocket as he rose slowly to his feet.

But one glance at the figure that confronted him told the lad that it would be useless for him to attempt to draw his revolver; for the German held a pistol in a steady hand and it was levelled straight at Chester’s head.

“What are you doing here?” was the officer’s next question.

“Why, I heard voices,” said Chester, “and I thought I would see what was going on.”

“Curiosity has got a man into trouble many a time,” said the German quietly.  “March on ahead of me.”

There was nothing for it but to obey.  Under the muzzle of the German officer’s revolver, Chester was marched around to the front of the tent and then inside.

“Hello!” It was the Crown Prince who spoke.  “What have we here?”

“I caught this man eavesdropping outside the tent,” replied the man who had captured Chester.

“So!” said the Crown Prince in an angry tone.  He whirled upon Chester.  “And what were you doing there, sir?” he asked.

“I—­why, I—­” Chester stammered.

The lad was thankful in that minute for his German uniform; though he knew it probably would go hard with him anyhow, he believed that the fact that he was, ostensibly, a German lieutenant would give him more time; possibly it would give Hal enough time to find and rescue him.  At least, it would preclude a search for more possible French spies.

“To what regiment are you attached?” asked the Crown Prince.

Chester took a long chance.

“Fortieth Hussars, sir,” he replied quietly.

“Then what are you doing here?” demanded the Crown Prince, but continued without giving Chester time to reply:  “Surely you know the penalty of such actions?”

“All I can say, sir,” the lad declared, “is that my curiosity overcame me.”

For a moment it seemed that the face of the Crown Prince softened.  Then it became stern again.

“I can see that you are little more than a boy,” he said, “but that is no excuse.  You are a soldier and you know a soldier’s duty.  That is not prying into the business of your superiors.”  He turned to the group of officers.  “What do you say, sirs,” he said, “shall I have this man court martialed, or shall I have him returned to his regiment with a warning?”