Part 17 (1/2)

”All the better for you, if he doesn't,” said the officer. ”That's enough of your lip, my lad. Keep a quiet tongue in your head. Remember you're a prisoner, and don't try giving orders to me.”

CHAPTER XIV

THE TRAP

The bullet that sang over their heads effectually broke up the threatened trouble between d.i.c.k Mercer and Jack Young on one side, and the telephone linemen on the other. With one accord they obeyed that guttural order, ”Hands oop!”

They had been so interested in one another and in the cut wire that none of them had noticed the practically noiseless approach of a great grey motor car, with all lights out, that had stolen up on them. But now, with a groan, d.i.c.k and Jack both knew it for one of the Bray Park cars. So, after all, d.i.c.k's flight had been in vain. He had escaped the guards of Bray Park once, only to walk straight into this new trap. And, worst of all, there would be no Jack Young outside to help this time, for Jack was a captive, too. Only--he was not!

At the thought d.i.c.k had turned, to discover that Jack was not beside him.

It was very dark, but in a moment he caught the tiniest movement over by the hedge, and saw a spot a little darker than the rest of the ground about it. Jack, he saw at once, had taken the one faint chance there was, dropped down, and crawled away, trusting that their captors had not counted their party, and might not miss one boy.

Just in time he slipped through a hole in the hedge. The next moment one of the headlights of the grey motor flashed out, almost blinding the three of them, as they held up their hands. In its light four men, well armed with revolvers, were revealed.

”Donnerwetter!” said one. ”I made sure there were four of them! So! Vell, it is enough. Into the car with them!”

No pretence about this chap! He was German, and didn't care who knew it. He was unlike the man who had disguised himself as an English officer, at the house of the heliograph, but had betrayed himself and set this whole train of adventure going by his single slip and fall from idiomatic English that Harry Fleming's sharp ears had caught.

d.i.c.k was thrilled, somehow, even while he was being roughly bundled toward the motor. If these fellows were as bold as this, cutting telephone wires, running about without lights, giving up all secrecy and pretence, it must mean that the occasion for which they had come was nearly over. It must mean that their task, whatever it might be, was nearly accomplished--the blow they had come to strike was about ready to be driven home.

”'Ere, who are you a shovin' off?” complained one of the linemen, as he was pushed toward the motor. He made some effort to resist but the next moment he pitched forward. One of the Germans had struck him on the head with the b.u.t.t of his revolver. It was a stunning blow, and the man was certainly silenced. d.i.c.k recoiled angrily from the sight, but he kept quiet. He knew he could do no good by interfering. But the sheer, unnecessary brutality of it shocked and angered him. He felt that Englishmen, or Americans, would not treat a prisoner so--especially one who had not been fighting. These men were not even soldiers; they were spies, which made the act the more outrageous.

They were serving their country, however, for all that, and that softened d.i.c.k's feeling toward them a little. True, they were performing their service in a sneaky, underhanded way that went against his grain. But it was service, and he knew that England, too, probably used spies, forced to do so for self-defence. He realized the value of the spy's work, and the courage that work required. If these men were captured they would not share the fate of those surrendering in battle but would be shot, or hung, without ceremony.

A minute later he was forced into the tonneau of the car, where he lay curled up on the floor. Two of the Germans sat in the cus.h.i.+oned seat while the two linemen, the one who had been hit still unconscious, were pitched in beside him. The other two Germans were in front, and the car began to move at a snail's pace. The man beside the driver began speaking in German; his companion replied. But one of the two behind interrupted, sharply.

”Speak English, dummer kerl!” he exclaimed, angrily. ”These English people have not much sense, but if a pa.s.serby should hear us speaking German, he would be suspicious. Our words he cannot hear and if they are in English he will think all is well.”

”This is one of those we heard of this afternoon,” said the driver. ”This Boy Scout. The other is riding to London--but he will not go so far.”

He laughed at that, and d.i.c.k, knowing he was speaking of Harry, shuddered.

”Ja, that is all arranged,” said the leader, with a chuckle. ”Not for long--that could not be. But we need only a few hours more. By this time to-morrow morning all will be done. He comes, Von Wedel?”

”We got the word to-night--yes,” said the other man. ”All is arranged for him. Ealing--Houndsditch, first. There are the soldiers. Then Buckingham Palace. Ah, what a lesson we shall teach these Englis.h.!.+ Then the buildings at Whitehall. We shall strike at the heart of their empire--the heart and the brains!”

d.i.c.k listened, appalled. Did they think, then, that he, a boy, could not understand? Or were they so sure of success that it did not matter? As a matter of fact, he did not fully understand. Who was Von Wedel? What was he going to do when he came? And how was he coming?

However, it was not the time for speculation. There was the chance that any moment they might say something he would understand, and, moreover, if he got away, it was possible that he might repeat what he heard to those who would be able to make more use of it.

Just then the leader's foot touched d.i.c.k, and he drew away. The German looked down at him, and laughed.

”Frightened?” he said. ”We won't hurt you! What a country! It sends its children out against us!”

His manner was kindly enough, and d.i.c.k felt himself warming a little to the big man in spite of himself.

”Listen, boy,” said the leader. ”You have seen things that were not for your eyes. So you are to be put where knowledge of them will do no harm--for a few hours. Then you can go. But until we have finished our work, you must be kept. You shall not be hurt--I say it.”