" said Carstairs, "because we can do nothing else.
But I don't believe I can go to sleep, not to the chorus of German boots
on the steps."

John slipped the big key from the lock and put it in a corner. Then he
lay down again beside the other two. They could hear better with their
ears to the floor. It was a solid and heavily built house in the
European fashion. Nevertheless they heard the tread from many parts of
it, and the sound of voices also.

"It's an invasion," whispered Carstairs. "They're all over the shop."

"Looks like it," said John, "but I've a notion that we're safe here
unless they conclude to burn the house. The German advance is so rapid
it doesn't seem likely to me they'll stay longer than tonight."

"Still I can't sleep."

John laughed to himself. He was becoming so thoroughly hardened to
danger that the complaint of Carstairs amused him.

"They've got an affection for the top of the house," said Wharton, "You
can hear them pounding through the upper rooms, and even on the roof."

"But nobody has tried our door yet," said Carstairs, "and it's a
consoling thought."

They lay a long time, and heard the continual thump of feet about the
place. It suggested at first the thought of plunder, but when John
peeped out he did not see anybody bearing things from the house. He
beheld instead a sight that caused him to summon the others. A young man
had ridden up, and, as he dismounted, all the officers, several of whom
were in the uniform of generals, paid him marked deference.

"It's a prince," whispered Carstairs. "It may be the Crown Prince
himself, but I can't say, the light isn't good enough."

"And there are other princes behind him," said Wharton. "See the
officers still kotowing. I didn't suspect that we had taken a room in a
royal residence."

"I'd give a lot to know what they're about," said Carstairs. "Something
big must be afoot."

"They're still moving about the house," said John. "We've got to wait.
That's all."

They went back to their places on the floor, and waited as best they
could, but they heard the sounds for a long time. After an interminable
period they went back to the window and saw the prince and the cavalry
riding away. The cannon too departed. A dozen Uhlans however remained
posted on horseback about the house. The noises inside ceased.

"I can't make it out," whispered Carstairs. "Why should they go away and
leave those Uhlans there guarding the house?"

"There mu