t he was an abject of
great interest.

Some time later he came to the conclusion that he had reached the
quarters of officers in high position. He was evidently away from the
main army, and from the nature of his surroundings he came to the
conclusion that he was to be questioned by those in high places.

The officer who had captured him and who spoke English, made his way to
a large tent, and was evidently making his report of what had taken
place.

Bob could not catch a word of what was being said, but he noted that
the officers constantly threw glances towards him.

A few minutes later he found himself amongst a number of men, whom he
couldn't help realising occupied important commands.

To his surprise these men seemed to speak to him quite freely, and
appeared to desire to be on friendly terms. They told him they were
naturally chagrined at the failure of their plans, but congratulated
him on his coolness and courage in giving warning to his men. After
this, they tried to draw him into conversation about the numbers of the
Allies, and of their plans of warfare. As may be imagined, however,
Bob was very careful of what he said, and gave them only the vaguest
generalities.

One thing, however, struck him very forcibly; instead of being treated
harshly, each seemed to vie with the other in showing him kindnesses.
Good food was brought to him, and excellent wine was placed before him.

He, like others, had heard of the harshness with which English
prisoners were treated; thus, when he found himself regarded rather as
an honoured guest than as a prisoner of war, his astonishment was great.

Nearly all the officers spoke English, and they laughed and chatted
with him freely. They told him that all the reports he had heard about
the bitterness of the Germans towards the English were so many lies.
Of course, they said, now they were at war they meant to fight it out
to the end, but it was impossible for them to feel bitterly towards the
English, with whom they had for so many years been friendly. They also
pretended to speak freely of their plans, evidently with the intention
of leading him to copy their example.

To his surprise, moreover, he found himself a little later in a
well-appointed tent of his own, and whilst it was guarded jealously, he
was surrounded with comforts which he had never expected.

It was nearly midnight, and he was just on the point of falling asleep
when an officer came to him.