ith a heavy lock in which
the key remained.

It contained only some boxes, and John surmised that it was a storeroom.
But it seemed to suit their purpose admirably, and, bringing blankets
from one of the bedrooms, they made their beds on the floor.

John was the last to go to sleep. The others were slumbering soundly
before he lay down, but he stood a little while at the single window,
looking out. The window was closed ordinarily with a heavy shutter,
which was now sagging open. The boughs of a great tree waved almost
against it.

The night was clear, but John saw nothing unusual outside. The chateau,
and all its buildings and grounds were bathed in clear moonlight. The
only sound was the soothing murmur of leaves before a light wind. It was
hard to realize that a great war was sweeping Europe, and that they were
in the thick of it.

But utter exhaustion claimed him, too, and soon three instead of two
were sleeping soundly.

CHAPTER XIII

ON THE ROOF

John was awakened by the measured thud of heavy boots. It resembled the
goosestep of the German army, and he turned over in order to stop the
unpleasant dream. But it did not stop, and he sat up. Then it was
louder, and it also had an echo.

His heart thumped wildly for a moment or two. The tread was inside the
house, and it was made by many men. He slipped to the window, and his
heart thumped more wildly than ever. The lawn was covered with German
troops, most of them on horseback, the helmets of the Uhlans glittering
in the moonlight. Officers stood on the steps at the main door, and at
the edge of the vineyard were cannon.

John thought at first that they were lost. Then he remembered their
precaution in securing an obscure and isolated room. The Germans might
not trouble themselves about ransacking an abandoned house. At least
there was hope.

He awoke his comrades in turn, first clasping his hands over their
mouths lest they speak aloud.

"We have fellow guests," he said. "The Germans are sharing the house
with us."

"Yes, I hear their boots on the steps," said Wharton. "What are we to
do?"

John again resumed the leadership.

"Do nothing," he replied. "Do nothing as hard and continuously as we
can. Our door is locked. It's natural that it should be so, only we must
slip out the key, so it will appear that the owners having locked the
door, took the key away with them. Then we'll lie quiet, and see what
happens."

"It's the thing to do,