return; Mr. Merrick had been refused the
privilege of using the telegraph or mails. During one of their strolls
they had met the correspondent of an American newspaper, but when the
man learned they were suspects he got away from them as soon as
possible. He did not know Mr. Merrick and his own liberty was too
precarious for him to argue with Colonel Grau.

"I'm beginning to think," said Uncle John, "that we're up against a hard
proposition. Letters and endorsements from prominent Americans seem to
have no weight with these Germans. I'd no idea our identity could ever
be disputed."

"We must admit, sir," returned the captain, reflectively, "that the spy
system in this war is something remarkable. Spies are everywhere; clever
ones, too, who adopt every sort of subterfuge to escape detection. I do
not blame Grau so much for caution as for lack of judgment."

"He's a blockhead!" cried Mr. Merrick testily.

"He is. I'm astonished they should place so much power in the hands of
one so slow witted."

"He has insulted us," continued Uncle John. "He has dared to arrest
three free-born Americans."

"Who came into a troubled country, occupied by a conquering army,
without being invited."

"Well--that's true," sighed the little millionaire, "but what are we
going to do about it?"

"Wait," counseled the captain.

The next day dawned dark and rainy and the weather had a depressing
effect upon the prisoners. It was too damp to stir out of doors and the
confinement of the hotel rooms became especially irksome. Not only were
they anxious about their own fate but it was far past the time when they
should have heard from Henderson and Rondel. Patsy's nerves were getting
beyond her control; Uncle John stumped around with his hands thrust deep
in his pockets and a frown wrinkling his forehead; the captain smoked
innumerable pipes of tobacco and said not a word. Von Holtz, noting the
uneasiness of his charges, discreetly forbore conversation and retired
to a far corner where he hid behind a book.

It was nearing evening when a commotion was heard on the stairs,
followed by the heavy tramp of feet in the corridor. A sharp rap sounded
on the door of their sitting room. Uncle John stepped forward to open
it, when in stalked a group of German officers, their swords and spurs
clanking and their cloaks glistening with rain-drops. At sight of the
young girl off came cap and helmet and with one accord they bowed low.

The leader was