nd did the blackguard tell you he did not know German?" asked the
General.

"That's what aroused my suspicions, sir," replied Bob. "He was like a
character in Hamlet--he protested too much; this made me send for
Proctor, to whom I could speak German in a natural sort of way. As I
watched his face, I saw that he understood every word that was being
said, and I took steps accordingly."

"A jolly sensible thing to do," was the General's response. "Still, we
have spotted him, and, what is more, the biter's bitten; not only will
he fail to carry back the information he has gained, to the enemy, but
his papers reveal their intentions, and so you have rendered us a great
service."

A little later on, the man who had called himself Rivers, but whose
real name, according to his papers, was Werter, was shot.

"That Nancarrow is a useful man," said Colonel Sapsworth to the
General, not long after, when they were discussing the situation.

"He certainly seems to have behaved very well," was the General's
response.

"I have had my eye upon him for weeks," said the Colonel. "From the
first time I saw him, I felt he had the makings of a good soldier, and
I gave special instructions about him. Of course, I had to be careful,
and I saw to it that he was tested in various ways; but he's as plucky
as they make 'em. Of course, it was a mad thing to do to creep out
into the open, as he did, and bring back Trevanion, but it was a fine
thing all the same."

"He seems quite intelligent too," said the General.

"Yes, the way he nabbed that German was just fine; he had very little
data upon which to go, and it seems that this man Werter has been on
the loose for weeks. Nancarrow, however, spotted him, and now he will
not do any more spying. If Nancarrow doesn't get killed, he will be of
great service to us."

"We'll give him every chance," was the General's reply, "and if what
you have told me is a true indication of his quality, he shall not lack
for opportunity."

This was probably why, a few days later, Bob was placed in command of a
number of men to do outpost duty in the direction of the enemies' lines.

For three days the English had been preparing for an attack which they
hoped might be of considerable importance, but it was vital to the
fulfilment of their plans that they should not be in any way surprised
before they were ready.

It was well known that the Germans were in strong force close by, and
that any false