"That’s the place," he said, "though I don’t know what we’ll do when we get there." "Events will shape themselves," said Chester. "That’s what worries me. If I could shape them according to my own needs and desires it would be much better." "Don’t croak, Hal." "I’m not croaking. I’m merely remarking." "You remark a whole lot on the style of Anthony Stubbs, if you ask me," declared Chester. "Come on, let’s go into the hotel." Hal made sure that his revolvers were ready in his pockets before he followed Chester through the door. Both lads kept their caps well over their eyes, for while there was little danger of their being suspected, their countenances lacked the heavy sluggishness of the Germans—a fact which should it be noticed, might call for questions. At one side of the small lobby was a desk. Chester approached it. A man rose to greet him. "We want a room for the night," said Chester gruffly in German, using the commanding and ill-bred tone always affected by German officers in talking to inferiors in rank or civilians. The man threw wide his arms. "I’m sorry, Herr Captain," he said humbly, "but all the rooms are occupied." "What!" said Chester angrily. "I said that my friend and I desire a room, and a room we will have if we have to trundle your guests out into the street." "But——" protested the hotel clerk. "Silence!" thundered Chester. "Now answer me. You have a room of your own, have you not?" "Yes, Herr Captain, but——" "Silence!" cried Chester again. "Your key, if you please." Again the man seemed on the point of protesting, and Chester stepped quickly toward him. "Your key," he said again, and extended his hand. The clerk’s hand reached to his pocket, and he extended a key to Chester. "Yes, Herr Captain," he said humbly. "Now lead the way to our room," commanded Chester, "and in future know that when an officer of the emperor commands, it is for you to obey." "Yes, Herr Captain," said the man as he led the way toward the rear of the hotel. There he preceded Hal and Chester up a flight of stairs and turned to the left. They walked down a long hall until they reached a door at the extreme end. Here the guide stopped, turned to Chester and opened his mouth to speak. "Silence!" said Chester sharply. "Open the door." The hotel clerk shrugged his shoulders in a manner that meant he washed his hands of the outcome and tried the knob of the door. The door swung inward and the clerk stood aside to allow Hal and Chester to pass. It was dark in the room as the lads stepped across to the threshold. But hardly had they set foot in the room when a brilliant light shot forth. For a moment the lads were blinded, but they were conscious of a startled ejaculation from the hotel clerk, who still stood without. "Ha!" he exclaimed. "I thought so. Now for it, my dear Herr Captain."