nfronted him told the lad that it
would be useless for him to attempt to draw his revolver; for the
German held a pistol in a steady hand and it was levelled straight at
Chester's head.

"What are you doing here?" was the officer's next question.

"Why, I heard voices," said Chester, "and I thought I would see what was
going on."

"Curiosity has got a man into trouble many a time," said the German
quietly. "March on ahead of me."

There was nothing for it but to obey. Under the muzzle of the German
officer's revolver, Chester was marched around to the front of the tent
and then inside.

"Hello!" It was the Crown Prince who spoke. "What have we here?"

"I caught this man eavesdropping outside the tent," replied the man who
had captured Chester.

"So!" said the Crown Prince in an angry tone. He whirled upon Chester.
"And what were you doing there, sir?" he asked.

"I--why, I--" Chester stammered.

The lad was thankful in that minute for his German uniform; though he
knew it probably would go hard with him anyhow, he believed that the fact
that he was, ostensibly, a German lieutenant would give him more time;
possibly it would give Hal enough time to find and rescue him. At least,
it would preclude a search for more possible French spies.

"To what regiment are you attached?" asked the Crown Prince.

Chester took a long chance.

"Fortieth Hussars, sir," he replied quietly.

"Then what are you doing here?" demanded the Crown Prince, but continued
without giving Chester time to reply: "Surely you know the penalty of
such actions?"

"All I can say, sir," the lad declared, "is that my curiosity
overcame me."

For a moment it seemed that the face of the Crown Prince softened. Then
it became stern again.

"I can see that you are little more than a boy," he said, "but that is no
excuse. You are a soldier and you know a soldier's duty. That is not
prying into the business of your superiors." He turned to the group of
officers. "What do you say, sirs," he said, "shall I have this man court
martialed, or shall I have him returned to his regiment with a warning?"

But there was no mercy on the faces of the others and Chester
realized it.

"He should be court martialed and shot," said one.

"I agree with you," said another.

"I'm not so sure," said the Crown Prince. "The lad is young. How do I
know what I would have done in his place? No; I am tempted to have him
returned to his regiment and placed under arr