Hal and Chester, during this conversation, had drawn as close to the prisoner as the armed guard would permit.
"That's what he is, all right," declared Chester.
The prisoner looked up suddenly at hearing these words, spoken in English. Then, with a sudden movement, he shook off his guards, and, apparently in a dash for freedom, sprang toward Hal and Chester.
Taken by surprise, the boys leaped back, but not before Chester, throwing up one hand to ward off what he believed was an attack, felt a little piece of paper slipped into his hand.
In spite of his surprise, his fingers closed over it involuntarily; and, at the same instant, the man grappled with him. As they struggled, the lad was surprised to hear his opponent whisper:
"Don't lose it. It must reach Grand Duke Nicholas at all costs, and at once. Much depends upon it."
Then the prisoner grew weak in the lad's grasp, and Chester realized what was expected of him.
"I've got him," he cried, and, throwing the man to the ground, fell on top of him.
The guards lifted the two to their feet, and once more the prisoner was closely surrounded. Lieutenant Strauss now signified that he desired no further information and the squad of soldiers marched away, the prisoner meantime hurling epithets at the two lads.
"A nice pair of Englishmen you are," he cried. "Traitors, that's what you are. If you hadn't stopped me I would have got away."
"Never mind him," said Lieutenant Strauss. "He's naturally angry at being foiled in his attempt to escape."
Chester, the little piece of paper still clutched in his right hand, was now impatient to be where he could read it, and for that reason pleaded fatigue. Stealing a moment when the lieutenant's attention was directed elsewhere, he slipped the paper into his pocket, as he feared that, upon close scrutiny, the lieutenant might see that he was concealing something in his hand.
Alone in their own room, before Chester could speak, Hal said:
"What on earth did you want to interfere with the prisoner for? He might have got away if it hadn't been for you. No wonder he called us traitors."
Chester only smiled for answer, put his hand in his pocket, and pulled forth the little piece of paper. Holding it up where Hal could see it, he said:
