Boy Scouts -- Juvenile fiction; Courage -- Juvenile fiction; Spy stories; World War, 1914-1918 -- England -- Juvenile fiction
"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 tomorrow 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 English!
Then the buildings at Whitehall. We shall strike at the heart of their
empire–the heart and the brains!"
Dick 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 Dick, 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 Dick 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."
Dick did not answer. He was thinking hard. He wondered if Jack would
try to rescue him. They were getting very near Bray Park, he felt, and
he thought that, once inside, neither Jack nor anyone else could get him
out until these men who had captured him were willing. Then the car
stopped suddenly. Dick saw that they were outside a little house.
"Get out," said the leader.
Dick and the telephone man who had not been hurt obeyed; the other
lineman was lifted out, more considerately this time.
"Inside!" said the German with the thick, guttural voice. He pointed to
the open door, and they went inside. One of the Germans followed them,
and stood in the open door.
"Werner, you are responsible for the prisoners, especially the boy,"
said the leader. "See that none of them escape. You will be relieved
at the proper time. You understand?"
"Ja, Herr Ritter!" said the man. "Zu befehl!"
He saluted, and for the first time Dick had the feeling that this
strange procedure was, in some sense, military, even though there were
no uniforms. Then the door shut, and they were left in the house.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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