st be something inside very precious to them," replied John.

"But what is it? Apparently the house itself is abandoned by all save
ourselves."

"I don't know the answer, but my watch tells me it's far in the night.
We've had our sleep and rest, and we must try to slip by the Uhlans and
get away. Now's the time too."

"Right you are, John," said Wharton, as he felt once more of his
precious pocket. "We can't linger, and risk being caught in a trap
here."

"But I hear somebody still moving about the chateau," said Carstairs.
"Wait a minute, boys."

He looked through the empty keyhole, and announced that he saw a faint
light or the reflection of a light in the hall.

"Something's on foot," he said. "If their officers are sleeping here I
should think they'd take the lower rooms, but it seems to me that
they're fond of the top of the house, overfond of it."

John who was peeping out at the window once more announced that the
Uhlans were still keeping a vigilant watch. They were riding slowly back
and forth, and he had no doubt there were others in the rear of the
chateau.

"But I repeat we mustn't linger," said Wharton. "Suppose we hold our
automatics ready and slip out."

"Suits me," said John, and he cautiously unlocked the door. The three
with their hands on their weapons stepped into the hall, where they
noticed the faint glimmer of light, of which Carstairs had spoken. They
stood there silently for a moment or two, pressing themselves against
the wall, where they would be in the shadow.

"I think the light comes from above," said Carstairs. "You'll notice
that the little stairway leads upward, apparently to the roof."

Wharton held up his hand, and the three were so still they scarcely
breathed.

"Don't you hear it?" whispered Wharton. "That sound from the roof, the
sputtering and crackling."

"I do hear it," said John, listening with all ears. "It's a faint sound,
almost like the light crackling of fire. What does it mean Wharton?"

"The wireless."

"The wireless?"

"Yes, while we were sleeping the Germans were installing a wireless
outfit on the roof, and it's talking. I tell you, boys, it's talking at
a great rate, and it's saying something. You mayn't have noticed it, but
the chateau stands on a hill, with a clear sweep, and our wireless here
is having a big talk with distant stations. We've been sleeping, but the
Germans never sleep."

"I suppose you know what you're talking about, Wharton,