Part 36 (1/2)
The lad stepped quickly across the room and lifted the German to his feet.
”I'm going to remove your gag,” he said quietly, ”but I want you to understand that if you make an outcry you'll never live to make a second. Do you understand?”
The German signified that he did.
”All right, then,” said Hal, ”out comes the gag. Chester, keep your gun in the middle of his back. We can afford to take no chances.”
”Now,” said Hal, ”I want you to show yourself at the door and order your men there away.”
The German eyed the lad angrily.
”So you want me to help you escape, eh?” he said. ”Well, I won't do it.”
”We're desperate,” said Hal quietly. ”If you don't I give you my word you shall be shot.”
”Pooh!” sneered the German. ”One shot and you will all be killed.”
”But you won't be here to see it done,” returned Hal. ”Now I am not going to waste time with you. I shall count three, and if you have not decided by that time to do as I order, you will die. Chester, do you understand?”
”You bet I do,” declared Chester.
”Very well,” said Hal. ”One! Two!” Still the German made no move.
”Three!” said Hal.
The hammer on Chester's revolver clicked.
”Hold on!” cried the German. ”I give in!”
Chester drew a breath of relief. He couldn't have shot the man down in cold blood and he knew it. He lowered his revolver a trifle, but still kept the man covered.
”Go to the door and order your men away from here,” Hal ordered the prisoner.
The German strode toward the door.
”Careful,” said Chester in a low voice. ”One false move and it will be your last.”
Again he pressed his revolver against the German's back.
”Do you think I'm a fool?” exclaimed the prisoner. ”I'm not going to be killed if I can help it. Take that gun away.”
”Not until you have done as commanded,” returned Chester quietly.
The German opened the door and stepped outside. Chester, still feeling perfectly safe in his German uniform, accompanied him.
”Men,” said the German, addressing the soldiers, ”I find that I shall not have need of you tonight. You will a return to your quarters.”
The soldiers, who had stood at attention as the officer addressed them, at command from a minor officer, wheeled and marched away.
Chester marched his captive back inside.