"I couldn't sleep, so I got up and dressed, and opened my window to
stand looking out at the stars, till just now I heard a door across the
courtyard open, and three men in cloaks came out."

"Officers' patrol--going to visit the sentries."

"No; your father, Captain Murray, and some one else. I think it was the
doctor; he is short and stout."

"Then father's going to escape," said Frank, in an excited whisper.

"Escape! Bah!" replied Andrew, in a tone full of disgust. "How could
he as a gentleman? Can't you see what it means? They're going to a
meeting."

"A meeting?" faltered Frank.

"Oh, how dull you are! Yes, a meeting; they're going to fight!"

Frank, who had leisurely obeyed his companion's command to get up and
dress, now began to hurry his clothes on rapidly, while Andrew went on:

"I don't know how they've managed it, because your father was under
arrest; but I suppose the officers felt that there must be a meeting,
and they have quietly arranged it with the Germans. Of course it's all
on the sly. Make haste."

"Yes. I shan't be a minute. You have warned the guard of course?"

"Done what?" said Andrew.

"Given the alarm," panted Frank.

"I say, are you mad, or are you still asleep? What do you mean?"

"Mad! asleep! Do you think I don't know what I'm saying?"

"I'm sure you don't."

"Do you think I want my father to be killed?"

"Do you think your father wants to be branded as a coward? Don't be
such a foolish schoolboy. You are among men now. I wish I hadn't come
and woke you. They'll be getting it over too before I'm there."

He made a movement toward the door, but Frank seized him by the arm.

"No, no; don't go without me," he whispered imploringly.

"Why not? You'd better go to bed again. You're just like a great
girl."

"I must go with you, Drew. I'm afraid I didn't hardly know what I was
saying; but it seems so cold-blooded to know that one's own father is
going to a fight that may mean death, and not interfere to stop it."

"Interfere to stop it--may mean death! I hope it does to some one,"
whispered Andrew fiercely. "There, let go; I can't stop any longer."

"You're not going without me. There, I'm ready now."

"But I can't take you to try and interfere. I thought you'd like me to
tell you."

"Yes, I do. I must come, and--and I won't say or do anything that isn't
right."

"I can't trust you," said Andrew hastily. "It was a mistake to come and
te