As they turned toward the stable Dick thought he saw another form through the half-open door of the kitchen, but the vision was so uncertain that he dismissed the thought and busied himself with his horse.
"Dot money opened the old crab's eyes, yes?" chuckled Fritz.
"Seemed to me he closed them," said Dick. "I'm afraid it isn't wise to show more than one coin at a time, Fritz."
"Dot old feller couldn't do notings," boasted the German boy. "And besides I don't always got so much to show."
"Oh, I guess everything is all right," replied Dick, "but I thought the old man looked rather interested at your display of good money."
"Veil, id don't do him any no good," returned Fritz. "He gets enough for vat fer meals he gives us, und dot's all."
The boys now walked up to the house, and entered the kitchen. Again Dick thought he saw someone in the front room, but he couldn't investigate, and besides, what of it? There were undoubtedly others in the house.
The farmer appeared to have prepared the meal himself, and as he set it before them he plied them with questions.
"Some," replied Dick, his mouth full of hot potato.
"Sure," said Fritz, and Dick kicked him in the shins.
"Hear them British is about knocked out," continued their host.
"They will be before long," Dick answered. "They are getting enough of this chasing up and down the country, and finding food scarce and enemies plentiful."
"No, there are a few good for nothing Tories left," said Dick.
"That's kind o' hard talk," the old man drawled.
"They ought to be called worse than that," Dick returned sharply.
Fritz choked at the very thought of such a possibility, and Dick began to look about for the cause of the farmer's long conversation. At that instant there came a long whistle from outside the house, and with a bound the farmer reached the door and stood in front of it. Dick sprang from his stool, grabbed the old man roughly about the shoulders, and hurled him from his position at the door. He ran outside, followed by Fritz, who had started to his comrade's assistance, and discovered their two horses going at a gallop down the road, led by a young man on a third horse.
"So that's their little game," cried Dick.
"Come on, ve'll catch him," yelled Fritz, and started headlong in pursuit.
