“Where are we going?” “To England, child--in the Yellow Dove,” he laughed. Doris started away from him, her eyes suddenly brilliant with excitement, and the prisoner, who had lain without movement, showed sudden signs of activity, his eyes frowning and his head wagging in anxiety. “He wants to speak,” said Doris. Hammersley bent over his cousin. “Will you promise not to shout?” Von Winden nodded quickly. So Hammersley untied the bandages that held the handkerchief in the prisoner’s mouth and helped him to a sitting posture. “You must not go,” he stammered quickly in German. “It is impossible. You will fail. I warn you.” “Why do you think so?” “The machines are guarded, and the spark-plugs of your Taube have been removed and hidden.” “H’m,” said Hammersley thoughtfully. “Excellenz neglects nothing.” “You would go to your death.” “Perhaps. Thanks for the warning,” said Hammersley bluntly. “I’m going just the same.” Von Winden looked at him in amazement. “You do not believe me?” he asked. “It is the truth, I tell you.” “I shall find a way.” “But there is no way. You think that I am trying to persuade you to escape by the mountains so that you may be captured with the papers?” “Yes. I could not escape that way now. You know it.” “Perhaps not, but what you plan is insane.” “Fortune favors the fool. I’ve made up my mind.” “Then you deserve to be shot,” said Udo. “In the forest at least you would have a chance--_Ach_--!” He gave a guttural exclamation and then: “Bind me and leave me then--quickly. It’s good-by.” “Good-by, Udo,” said Hammersley with a smile. “We’ll meet again, when Hesse-Nassau is an English province.” “Bah, Cyril,” said von Winden. “I have always said that you were a fool.” Hammersley replaced the gag and bound it into place with great care, smiling the while. Then he removed the belt which contained his cousin’s supply of cartridges and fastened it around his own body above Lindberg’s, loading the two weapons with care and placing them in their holsters. Doris watched these preparations anxiously, but Hammersley made her eat her fill of chocolate and biscuits and when they had finished, he went to the corner of the cavern and brought forth a large and heavy parcel which he put on the table and opened. Doris saw that Captain von Winden was straightening on the couch trying to see what it contained. Hammersley did not even glance in his direction. He seemed to know by instinct that Udo’s curiosity had gotten the better of his dignity. He opened the package deliberately and spread the contents out upon the table. “Spare parts of the Taube, Udo. I’ve had them here for weeks. I’ll let you have a peep at ’em if you like. A socket-wrench, spark-plugs, bolts, nuts and wire--by Jove--we might have used that on Udo.” “You are afraid that what he says is true,” whispered Doris anxiously. “Von Stromberg is prepared for you.” “I wonder,” he said. CHAPTER XXI HARE AND HOUNDS