hot at us. So we brought
them here."

"Do you know who they are?" asked Lord Hastings, smiling a bit to
himself.

"No, sir; but I would take them for a couple of German spies, sir."

"H-m-m," muttered Lord Hastings. He stroked his chin a moment and then
asked: "And what do you intend to do with them?"

"Turn them over to Colonel Masterson, sir, who will return about
midnight. He is stopping here, sir."

Lord Hastings seemed to consider the matter a few moments, and then,
with a gesture, he turned on his heel, remarking:

"Well, I can't see that it is any of my business."

"Very good, sir," said the boys' captor.

Frank and Jack had remained quiet up to this time, but now the former
took a step after his commander, exclaiming:

"Aren't you going to get us out of this, sir? You can explain that we
have done no wrong."

Lord Hastings turned toward him.

"I have this officer's word," he said, indicating the boys' captor,
"that you were captured under suspicious circumstances. I thought I knew
you--both of you--but it may be that I have been mistaken. Stranger
things have happened than for a man to sell out to the enemy. I cannot
interfere with the officer in the performance of his duty."

"But, sir----" began Jack.

Now the officer interrupted.

"You know them?" he asked of Lord Hastings.

"I thought I did," was the reply. "It would seem that I have been
mistaken."

"I should say it does," said the officer. "Certainly they were making
their way down the river for no good purpose."

"I am afraid I must agree with you. However, I shall not interfere. You
may do as you think best with them."

"Very good, sir." The officer motioned the boys to precede him to the
stairs at the far end of the room. "Up with you," he commanded.

Frank hung back.

"Prod him up a bit there, men," instructed the officer.

A second man advanced and pushed his revolver against Frank's ribs.

"Move along," he commanded gruffly.

"Now look here----" began the lad, but Jack interrupted him.

"Come, Frank, don't be a fool," he said.

He led the way up the stairs, and Frank, still grumbling, followed. At
the top of the steps the boys were marched into a small room. The door
closed behind them and a key turned in the lock.

"Now," said Frank, turning to his friend, "what is the meaning of all
this?"

"You know just as much about it as I do," was the reply.

"But a word from Lord Hastings would have settled all this."

"