Part 10 (1/2)

The general now summoned one of his staff, and turned the lads over to the latter with this injunction:

”Have them sent to Posen Instruct Couarded, but treated with kindness”

He bowed gravely to both lads, who saluted and followed the other officer from the German commander's quarters

”You will reht,” said the officer to the three friends, ”and you probably will start on your journey aboutabout that ti to his tent, where their wounds were dressed and a guard was stationed over them Then they were left to themselves

Alexis, who up to this time had not spoken, at last opened his mouth

”What's this all about?” he deibberish What's it all about, anyhow?”

The conversation between the lads and the Gerlish

Chester broke into a laugh

”Outlandish gibberish!+” he exclaiue sounds, you wouldn't call anything gibberish It's fortunate you speak Gerreed ”But what's it all about?”

”Simply,” said Hal, ”that we are to be taken to Posen, where ill be held prisoners till after the war”

Alexis uttered a loud Russian imprecation

”I was in hope,” he said, ”that when I went into East Prussia it would be as part of an ar for the Germans ever to drive out”

”It can't be helped now,” said Chester briefly

”It would have been helped if you had let retfully

All day long the three were kept close inside the tent Not once were they perht fell, and food was placed before the their ht when the German officer once more entered the tent and informed them it was time for them to leave

They followed the officer into the open air, where a large body of men were ready to move Quickly they were led to horses, and were soon in the saddle Then, closely guarded, they were led away at a swift trot

The German camp was some miles from the nearest railroad station, and it took several hours to cover this distance At last, however, they were conducted aboard a train, where, under heavy guard, they continued their journey

It ell along toward the next evening when the train, after many stops, finally pulled into Posen With a number of other prisoners, the three friends and Marquis, who had been allowed to accompany them, were taken from the train and turned over to another squad of troops In the center of these they were led to a large and massive castle at one end of the town Here they were thrust into a dark though well-appointed roouard informed them, was to be their prison

”So this is where we are to spend the next few years, eh?” said Chester

”The outlook is not very bright,” replied Hal, ”but we shall have to an a careful survey of their prison There were two large s in the rooht streamed The ere heavily barred Hal and Chester tested the bars Alexis, however, after one look, sat down in deep disgust If his wounds bothered him any, he did not seem to mind the one of the heavy iron bars