Presently a captain of the cavalry came along the street.
"Ah, Von Rausen," a major in the infantry exclaimed, "are you here? I have not seen you since the day you marched from Coblentz."
"No, indeed, major," the other said, salutingas a Prussian officer always does, to his superior in rankthe other infantry officers all rising, and saluting in turn. "We have just come in from Hagenau."
"Are you in a hurry?" asked the major. "If not, sit down and let us talk."
The cavalry officer accepted the invitation and, for a few minutes, their talk ran upon mutual friends. Then the major said:
"By the way, do you know what we are here for? We were bustled off at a moment's notice; no one knows why, except of course
the colonel, and he has not thought necessary to tell us and, naturally, we have not asked him."
"Do you not know?" Captain Von Rausen said. "It is no secretat least, no secret from us, but a secret from the people here. I will speak in French; no doubt there are plenty of spies about."
"There is no one in hearing," the major said, "except those two stupid-looking lads, munching bread and cheese."
"The more likely to be spies," Von Rausen said. "Fellows who look like fools are just the people chosen."
"Well, speak in English then, Von Rausen," the major said; "we both understand it, and we should be safe, then, if all Saverne were listening."
"Yes, that will be safe.
"Well, then, the general received information, yesterday, that that corps of franc tireurs who cut up our cavalry near Blamont, the other day, are hid up in some village in the woods, four or five miles from here; no doubt with the intention of making an attempt to blow up the tunnel. The idea is a daring one and, if the plan had succeeded, it would have done us incalculable harm. As it is, we are safe; and tomorrow night we shall, I believe, make an expedition, and sweep the woods clear of these troublesome gentry.
"These franc tireurs will be mischievous if we do not give them a sharp lesson. The general's proclamation gave notice that every one of them taken would be shot, and our colonel is just the man to carry out the order."
"This is indeed important," the major said. "But how did we get the information? Is it certain?"
"Quite certain. A scoundrel of a schoolmaster at Grunsdorfa village somewhere up in the woodsturned traitor; and sent a letter to the general, bargaining that he should be taken on as a spy, at some fabulous salary, and offering to begin by leading the troops to the village where these franc tireurs are hidden."
"An infamous scoundrel!" the major said warmly. "Of course, one cannot refuse to deal with traitors, when the information is of importance; but one longs to put a pistol bullet into them. Badly as the French have come out in many particulars, since the war began, there is not one which gives me such a mean idea of them as the number of offers which have been sent in to supply information, and betray their countrymen."
"Put on your boots, Percy," Ralph said, in a low voice. "It is time for us to be off. Don't hurry; and above all, if they should take it into their heads to address us suddenly in French, or English, don't start or seem to notice."
The major was, however, so absorbed in the information he had receivedand so confident that the English, in which it had been told, would be unintelligible to anyone who might overhear itthat he paid no attention to the boys whoone of them limping badlywent slowly down the street; stopping, occasionally, to look in at the shop windows. It was not until they were fairly outside the town, and out of sight of the German sentries, that they either spoke or quickened their pace.
"The franc tireurs of Dijon may thank their lucky stars that they sent down spies to Saverne today, Percy; and especially that we, of all the members of the corps, were selected. If we had not been where we were, just at that moment, and if we had not understood English, it would have been all up with the corps, and no mistake."
"What an infamous scoundrel, as the major said, that schoolmaster must be, Ralph! What do you think the commandant will do?"
"He has nothing to do but to retreat, as quickly as we can go, Percy; but if it costs him half the corps, I hope he will hang that schoolmaster, before he goes."
"I hope so, too," Percy said; and scarcely another word was spoken, until they reached the village.
It was still early, scarcely two o'clock, and Major Tempe was drilling the whole corpsthe two detached companies having arrived that morningwhen the boys, having again put on uniform, approached him.
Major Tempe nodded to them, as they came up.
"You are back early," he said. "You are excused from drill. I will see you at my quarters, when it is over."
"If you please, major," Ralph said, respectfully, "you had better dismiss the men, at once. We have news of the highest importance to tell you."
The major looked surprised but, seeing by the boys' faces that the news was very serious, he at once dismissed the men; telling them to keep near, as they might be wanted. Then, calling his officers, he proceeded at once with the Barclays towards his quarters.