They had to abandon therefore the plan to hunt Tom unaided, and Frank went direct to his lieutenant and told him just what they had learned from Dick regarding the presence of an American prisoner in the Spartacides' hands and their suspicion that it might possibly be their missing comrade. To his surprise, he learned that the lieutenant had already received a report from other sources that tallied closely with Dick's. It was intolerable that any American should be left a prisoner in the hands of desperate men who might at any moment take his life, and plans were maturing to descend on the place where he was believed to be held. An adequate force would be provided and would set out as soon as possible. With an inward prayer that the attempt would be made soon, Frank left the lieutenant's presence and hurried away to tell the good news to Billy and Bart. CHAPTER XVI RAISING THE TRAP DOOR "I hear that a detachment is getting ready to go over to look into that matter of the prisoner that Dick told us about," said Frank Sheldon, a little later when he and his comrades were coming out from mess. "I hope we're slated to go along with it," said Billy eagerly. "Here comes the corp," remarked Bart. "Let's ask him. He'll probably be in charge of it." As Corporal Wilson approached, the boys intercepted him. "I can guess what you're going to ask," he said with a smile; "and I'll answer it right now. Yes, you fellows are going with the detachment. Plans are making now, but there's so much doing right here just now that we won't be able to start until to-morrow." "To-morrow?" repeated Frank in disappointment, and his feeling was mirrored on the faces of his companions. "Sorry," said Wilson as he passed along, "but orders are orders, and we can't get off any sooner." "And who knows what may happen to Tom in the meantime?" said Billy sorrowfully. "It's exasperating," said Frank. "It makes me crazy to think of another twenty-four hours going by while we're doing nothing to help him." "The only comfort is the confidence I have in Tom's luck," said Bart "That boy sure must have a rabbit's foot around him somewhere. He has as many lives as a cat. Do you remember how he got away from that drunken German bunch that had a rope all ready to hang him? And the slick way he got away in a barrel from the prison camp? I tell you that the bullet isn't molded that will kill that boy, and don't you forget it." "I only hope you're right," returned Frank. "All the same I'll feel a whole lot easier in my mind when the old scout is with us again." Just then a litter passed them carrying a sick man to the hospital ward. "Those things are getting a little too common to suit me," remarked Frank. "The health of the boys here used to be fine. Now they say that the hospitals are getting overcrowded." "And a good many of those who go in aren't coming out again, that's the worst of it," observed Billy. "That cemetery on the hill is getting altogether too full."