"So you decline to talk?" said the Crown Prince. "Well, it matters not."
He motioned to one of his staff. "See that this prisoner is hanged by the
neck at sunrise," he said.

The officer saluted and motioned to Chester to precede him from the tent.
There was nothing for it but to obey and the lad walked out.

Now it happened that in some unaccountable manner the Germans had
neglected to relieve Chester of his revolvers. The lad's right hand
rested upon the weapon in his belt. But he was unable at this moment to
draw with any degree of hope, for the German officer was directly behind
him and Chester knew he would be shot down before he could turn and fire.
Also, should he succeed in gaining the drop on the German by a quick
move, he was in the very heart of the German camp and the sound of a shot
would bring a thousand men on his heels.

The lad bided his time.

Perhaps half a mile from the quarters of the German Crown Prince,
Chester's captor motioned him into a tent. Chester entered without a
word. What hopes he might have had of suddenly flashing his revolver on
his captor disappeared, for the man entered close behind him.

He clapped his hands.

A moment later a second officer appeared in the tent and stood at
attention.

"Call a guard of four men and have this tent surrounded," instructed
Chester's captor.

The man saluted and left the tent. He was back within a few moments,
however, and saluting said:

"The tent is surrounded, sir."

"Very well," said Chester's captor. "You may go."

Again the man left the tent; then Chester's captor said:

"Now, I guess you will be safe here until morning; after that you will be
safe for all time."

"Thanks," said Chester, dryly.

The German left the tent.

Chester now took stock of his surroundings. Outside he could hear his
guards pacing up and down.

"If I could get one of them in here at a time," the lad told himself,
"perhaps I could dispose of them. I'll try it."

Approaching the entrance, he poked his head out.

"Get back inside there," a gruff voice exclaimed, and Chester beheld a
large German soldier with his rifle pointed squarely at his head.

"Look here," said Chester. "I want a drink of water."

"Get back inside," was the sharp reply. "I'll get it for you."

Chester moved back in the tent. Five minutes later the German soldier
stuck his head inside.

"Here's your water," he said, holding forth a tin cup.

Chester's right hand rested on h