However, that was something to be attempted later, if at all.  His chief concern now was for the soldier he had thrown.  And now he made his way back, and found to his dismay that the man was beginning to recover his senses.  As Fred came back he stretched, yawned, and sat up, with the most ludicrous mixture of fright and wonder in his eyes.  Fred had his gun, and at the sight of that the soldier spoke indignantly.

“Give me back my gun!” he said, testily.  “It is against the rules for anyone to touch my gun.  If you let the corporal catch you with that, there’ll be trouble.  I promise you!”

Fred had hard work to control his features.  He wondered if the man was really a little simple-minded, or if the effects of his fall still confused him.  He finally decided that both theories were right.  For a moment he hesitated, wondering what to do.  He wanted to get back into the passageway, and he did not want the German to see him doing it.  As he thought, he studied the entrance attentively.  And he was startled suddenly to find that he could not see it!  Had something happened?  Had the door closed automatically?  If that were so, he was in a nice fix, and he would soon join Boris as a prisoner.

But then he realized that the seeming disappearance of the opening was simply the result of clever screening, by means of bushes.  It had deceived him for the moment.  He saw that the door was so contrived that anyone emerging from it would seem to anyone even a few feet away, to be simply coming out from behind a bush.  And then he got his great idea, an idea that made him turn his head, so that the soldier would not see the grin he could not suppress.

“Here, give me that gun!” said the soldier, again.  He was more impatient than before, and his tone was one of anger.  He struggled to his feet, too, and stood, swaying uncertainly, still weak and very dizzy as the result of his fall.

“Beware!”

The word came in a sepulchral, heavy voice from directly behind the soldier.  He swung around, greatly puzzled.

“Who’s there?” he called, sharply.

“I am everywhere!” said the same voice.

But now it came from the very ground at his feet.

And then the voice spoke, swinging around, as the soldier turned, like a dancing dervish, trying always to face the voice, only to have it come from some new quarter.

“Attend carefully to what I say!” said the mysterious voice.  “You have risked death by coming to this spot!  But I am merciful, and I wish to preserve all soldiers who fight for their fatherland!  I am the spirit of this place!  I command you to go!  Go up the gully.  Stand with your back turned to this place and count one hundred.  Then, and only then, you may return.  Your gun will be here, and you may then go in peace.  This ground is sacred to me.  On your life, when you have regained your gun, go!  Do not look back!  Do not hesitate!  And, above all, tell no one what you have seen!  I have spoken!”