He gazed at the two closely to see what effect his words had; but if he expected to find an expression of fear upon either face, he was disappointed. Colonel Anderson and Chester eyed him steadily, though neither spoke.

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," a.s.serted 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?"

"Well, I don't know," confessed Chester. "I was just thinking."

"Think while you have a chance," said the colonel with a slight grin.

"Looks like our thinking days were about over."

Chester's eyes roamed about the tent. His eyes sparkled.

"We might as well have a little fun, anyhow," he remarked. "How hard do you think you could hit a man with that chair you are sitting on?"

Colonel Anderson felt the chair carefully with his fingers.

"Well, pretty hard, I guess," was his reply. "What's the idea?"

"Think you could hit him so hard he wouldn't have time to cry out?"

"Yes; if I was particular how I handled it."

"Well, we'll have a try at it then," declared Chester.

"Try at what? What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you. I'll step out of the tent. The first guard in sight will order me to get back inside. I'll protest. Then he'll put me in. When he lets loose of me, you whack him over the head with that chair, and be careful how you do it."

"Yes, but the other guards?"

"I guess we can work that all right. I have noticed that no two of the guards are in front of the tent at the same time--they are walking around all the time. When you have disposed of the first man, we'll work the same trick on the other."

"And then what?"

"Why then," said Chester simply, "we'll put on their uniforms and walk out of here."

"By Jove!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the colonel. "Now I wonder--"

He broke off and for some moments was lost in thought. Then he got quietly to his feet, determination written upon his strong features.

"It may work," he said. "We'll try it. But we'll have to move quickly and silently; and we shall have to don the uniforms almost in a single jump."

"All right," said Chester. "Ready?"

"All ready," replied the colonel with a nod.

He picked up the heavy chair and swung it once about his head. Then he took up a position at the side of the tent, just out of view from the entrance.

Chester walked boldly from the tent.

"Get back in there," came a harsh command in Austrian.

Chester paid no heed and continued to gaze straight ahead into the rapidly descending darkness.