Part 5 (1/2)

”No, it isn't that,” replied Frank. ”I got satisfaction for that then and there, and I don't hold grudges. It's something altogether outside of personal matters. Have you heard any details about how Nick made his escape?”

”Only a bit here and there,” answered Fred. ”I suppose it will all come out later on. But it seems that he has a lot of information about the German plans and he's now at headquarters being questioned by the officers.”

Frank turned the conversation into other channels, because although he had the gravest reasons for believing Rabig to be a traitor, he did not want to do the fellow an injustice or voice his suspicions until he was able to confirm them by absolute proof.

Fred pa.s.sed on after a few minutes and the boys looked at each other.

”Did you hear what Fred said about Nick's 'important information'?”

asked Frank.

”Important misinformation,” growled Bart.

”Bunk,” declared Billy.

”Of course, Nick has an advantage in understanding German,” said Frank cautiously, ”and a loyal fellow in his situation might have picked up something that would be of advantage to our people, though it isn't likely, for the Germans guard their secrets pretty well.”

”What's the use of talking?” burst out Bart. ”We fellows are all onto Rabig. We know at this minute that he'd like nothing better than to see the United States licked by Germany. Don't we know that he let that German prisoner escape? Don't you know that he was talking in the woods at night with that German spy that you shot? I tell you straight, Frank, that if Rabig escaped it was because the Germans let him escape. If he has information, it is because the Germans filled him up with just the kind of information they wanted our officers to believe.”

”I think Bart's right,” remarked Billy. ”It'll be the best day this regiment ever saw when Rabig's stood up before a firing squad.”

”In my heart I believe the same,” a.s.sented Frank. ”But the tantalizing thing is that we haven't a bit of legal proof. Rabig had that cut on his hand to explain the escape of the prisoner. He seemed to be sleeping in his bunk that night I got back from the woods. So far he has an alibi for everything. We can't prove that he let himself be captured. We can't prove that the Germans let him escape. As for the information he claims to have, our suspicions are based only on what we know of the man's character.”

”That legal stuff doesn't make a hit with me,” growled Bart. ”Some day I'll break loose and take it out of him myself. My fingers itch every time I see him. I'd hoped I'd never have to see him again.”

”You're doomed to be disappointed, then,” grinned Billy, ”for here he comes now.”

They looked in the direction he indicated and saw Rabig coming along the company street.

His step was swaggering and he looked immensely satisfied with himself.

Bart's fist clenched.

”Nothing doing, Bart,” Frank counseled in a low tone. ”Hold your horses. I know just how you feel. I had to lick him once and maybe you'll have your turn. But not now. I want to find out whether he knows anything about Tom.”

”All right,” said Bart, ”but it comes hard.”

Nick saw them standing there, and for a fraction of a second seemed to be of two minds about keeping on. He hated them all cordially and he had no doubt of the feeling with which they regarded him. But his hesitation was only momentary, and he came on with just a little additional swagger in his gait.

He would have pa.s.sed without stopping but Frank spoke to him pleasantly enough.

”h.e.l.lo, Nick!” he said. ”See you've got back.”

”That's plain enough to see,” responded Nick surlily.

”Papa's little suns.h.i.+ne,” murmured Billy under his breath.

”Huns seem to have fed you pretty well,” remarked Frank.

Rabig only grunted and looked at Frank suspiciously.