CHAPTER XXXI.
BERLIN ONCE MORE.
By dint of persuasion the German officer succeeded in gaining theconsent of General Von Kluck to allow the boys to take the dog withthem. That Marquis was just as pleased to go as the boys were to havehim, was plainly evident. When they left their tent for the last time,and whistled to him to follow, he bounded after them with enthusiasm.
The train on which the boys were to be taken back to Berlin did notleave until well along toward midnight, but, with some 5,000 otherprisoners, British, French and Belgians alike, they were bundledaboard early. Heavily guarded, and without a weapon of any kind ordescription, there was no fear of a break for liberty, in spite of thelarge number of prisoners.
The lads were shoved into a car already loaded down with prisoners andtook their positions at the far end, the dog between them. In spite ofmisfortune, the prisoners all were far from unhappy. They joked andchatted as though they were on a pleasure trip.
Finally, after much delay, the train started with a jolt, tumblingmen all over each other as it gradually gathered momentum. They werehurled hither and yon, but they only laughed.
The trip was necessarily slow, for the train, time after time, wasswitched on to a siding to permit of the movement of German trooptrains carrying soldiers from the western theater of war to the east,or from the east to the west.
Consequently, it was late the following night when the train finallypulled in, and the prisoners were ordered to get out. Under theleveled rifles of a strong German guard, they stepped to the ground,and, after being divided into squads at the direction of the Germanofficer in command, were marched away.
Hal, Chester and Marquis were among the last to leave the train. Asthe dog tumbled out after them, there was an exclamation from a Germanofficer.
"What have we here?" he demanded, approaching the boys. "A dog, eh?Well, we haven't time to fool with dogs," and he leveled his pistol atMarquis.
Marquis drew back his lips in a snarl, even as Hal stepped forward tostay the German's hand.
"This dog was allowed to come with us by special command of GeneralVon Kluck," he said quietly.
"So you say," was the reply. "But how am I to know that you speak thetruth?"
"The very fact that he was allowed in the car should be sufficientproof of that," said Hal quietly.
The German officer lowered his weapon.
"I guess you are right," he said. "I beg your pardon."
He appraised the boys with a critical eye, and then became morefriendly.
"You are British officers?" he asked.
"We are attached to the staff of General French," Chester replied.
"So? and at your age? I presume you have seen considerable action?"
"Considerable," replied Hal, with a smile; "at Liege, Louvain, thebattle of the Marne, and some other skirmishes."
"You have been in luck," said the officer. "And here I have been, eversince the war broke out, receiving prisoners as they are sent on.Worse luck!"
"Cheer up," said Chester, smilingly, "you probably will get yourchance before the war is over."
"I hope so," replied the German, and continued: "I am going to arrangefor you to come with me--yes, and the dog, too," as he saw Hal glanceat his canine friend. "You can tell me stories of the war. Besides, Iam interested to know how it is that two so young should have seen somuch fighting."
"If I may make so bold," said Hal, "you are not so old yourself."
"True," said the German, with a pleasant smile. "But I am twenty," headded proudly.
"Then we are not much younger than you," said Chester.
"Well, maybe not; but you seem to have had a whole lot more fun."
His other work disposed of, the German turned to the two lads.
"Come with me," he said, and the boys followed him.
"I am at liberty to accept your parole," said the young German, "ifyou are prepared to give it."
Chester glanced quickly at Hal, and the latter replied.
"We appreciate your offer very much, but we decided long ago that wewould give our parole to no one."
"Oh, well," said the German, with a laugh, "it doesn't matter. Thereis no chance of your getting out of Berlin, anyhow. However, since yourefuse, it will be necessary to keep more careful watch over you."
The officer bundled the two boys and the dog into a taxi, and theywere soon riding along the streets.
"I am taking you to my home," said the young officer. "While there,you will be treated as my guests, except that you will always beguarded."
"We understand," said Chester quietly.
"Looks natural along here," said Hal suddenly, nudging Chester.
"It certainly does," said Chester, with a smile, for he had at thatmoment recognized the spot where he, Hal, Lieutenant Anderson andCaptain Derevaux had met for the first time--the spot where the Frenchand British officer had been set upon by a gang of young thugs.
"What, you have been in Berlin before?" questioned the German officerin some surprise.
"Oh, yes," said Hal. "We spent one vacation here with my mother."
He thought it best not to let the German know how they had escapedfrom the German capital following the outbreak of the war. Chesteralso made no reference to this.
All the streets which the taxi traversed were familiar to the boysnow, and they pointed out different places of interest to each otheras they sped along. Finally the taxi drew up and stopped.
The young German leaped lightly to the ground, and stood there as theboys emerged from the taxi. Looking up, the lads beheld a handsome andcommodious house.
"My home," said the lieutenant simply, "and yours, so long as you areforced to remain in Berlin."
The lads followed their captor up the steps, and into a prettilyfurnished hall, where a servant, summoned by the officer, hurried awaywith word for Mrs. Strauss, for, as Lieutenant Heinrich Strauss, theofficer now introduced himself to the boys.
A few moments later a pleasant-faced woman appeared in the hall. Theboys were quickly introduced to her, and she made them welcome,adding:
"I am sure the general also will be pleased to have you with us."
Both lads looked questioningly at the young officer, who hastened toexplain.
"General Strauss is my father, in command in Berlin. Perhaps were itnot for that, I would not have ventured to bring you to my home. Youwould have to have gone with the other prisoners."
"Thanks," said Chester. "I am sure we both appreciate it."
"Indeed we do," agreed Hal.
Before either the young lieutenant or his mother could reply, therecame a heavy footstep without; a moment later the door was thrownquickly open, and a German officer, huge in stature, and imposing inhis uniform, draped with gold and lace, strode in. At sight of the twoboys he came to a sudden pause.
"What have we here?" he demanded, in a great, booming voice.
"Two of my prisoners, sir," said the lieutenant, stepping forward andsaluting.
"Your prisoners, sir? Do you mean that they are spies whom you havecaptured in Berlin?"
"No, sir. They came with the last trainload of prisoners."
"Then, why are they not with the others?" demanded General Strausssternly.
"Why, sir," stammered the lieutenant, "I--I----"
"Enough," said the general in a softer voice, his eyes twinklingalthough this he endeavored in vain to hide. "You mean that you are upto some of your old tricks--that your sympathies have gotten the upperhand of your better judgment. Do you know what I should do with you,sir?"
The lieutenant made no reply, and the father continued:
"I should have you court-martialed for disobeying the command of yoursuperior officer. But I won't do it this time. However, it is a verygood thing that our emperor--God bless him--is a very good friend ofyour father. Otherwise----"
He broke off and shrugged his shoulders significantly, then continued:
"Then no doubt that big gray dog I stumbled over outsid
e--and whichalmost bit me--is the property of your prisoners."
Hal stepped forward and saluted.
"He is, sir," he said.
The old general eyed the lad for some minutes in silence. Hal borethe scrutiny without flinching. Then the general turned to Chester andrepeated the process. Chester also met his gaze squarely.
"Humph!" ejaculated the German commander; then turned suddenly to hisson.
"When you have introduced us," he said, "we shall all go in and havesomething to eat!"