He approached the door and peered about. There was no one in sight. He picked up the jailer's keys and, stepping into the corridor, closed the door behind him and locked it. "Now if I can just avoid detection till I get out of here," he told himself. Quietly he walked along the corridor, to where he knew the door to be. In a room just beyond he heard voices. He approached carefully and peered in. In a far corner, half a dozen German soldiers were busily engaged with a pack of cards. They were so engrossed in their game that they paid no attention to Frank as he stepped quietly into the room, walked boldly across it and disappeared through the door on the opposite side. Outside Frank drew a long breath. "So far so good," he muttered. Getting into the open was now a simple matter. Frank knew full well that a careful watch was not being kept, so now he walked boldly on. Turning eastward and feeling that he was free at last, he broke into a quick trot. This almost proved his undoing, for suddenly a voice out of the darkness challenged him. "Who goes there?" "Friend," replied Frank. The challenger approached. One glance at his British naval uniform was enough. The man attempted to bring his gun to bear, but Frank was too quick for him. Jumping suddenly forward, he knocked up the weapon, and then, with two terrific punches, laid the man low. But the sound of this scuffle had attracted half a dozen other figures and now Frank found himself surrounded. "They will have to fight to take me back there," he said through clenched teeth, and not waiting for his foes to come to the attack, he plunged into the midst of them. When Jack and Lord Hastings advanced toward the struggling knot of men they had no idea what was going on; but Frank, over the shoulders of his foes, saw them. "Jack! Lord Hastings!" he cried. His two friends were taken aback, but Jack was the first to recover himself. "It's Frank!" he cried, and dashed forward. Lord Hastings was not a moment behind him, and these reinforcements, seeming to be two German officers, disconcerted Frank's adversaries, who drew off. But the sound of Jack's voice speaking in English convinced them that something was wrong, and they sprang forward again. "Crack!" With a single movement Jack had drawn his revolver and fired. One man fell. "Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!" The firing became general, but the Germans were taken at a disadvantage as their opponents had been the first to draw. Three Germans only now remained on their feet, and as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank advanced upon them they turned and fled. "Quick!" cried Lord Hastings. "Follow me! We'll have the whole garrison upon us in a moment!" He turned and dashed back along the dark road, Frank and Jack following. From behind came the sounds of a terrible commotion. The garrison was aroused, and the fugitives realized that speed was the only thing that would save their lives.