he sentry did not look in their direction.

"That's what I call luck," whispered Hal.

From behind the sounds of confusion became more audible, indicating the
rapid approach of the crowd. At the same time lights flared up in the
huts, and an officer stepped to the entrance of one only a few feet from
the four friends.

He espied them on the instant, and then the lieutenant acted.

"Quick!" he cried, and jumped toward the horses.

A revolver cracked, and a bullet whined over Hal's head even as he
leaped forward.

With a bound all four fugitives were among the horses, and almost with a
single movement each threw himself into a saddle.

But at that moment the camp came to life. Armed men sprang up on
all sides.

In the very act of digging his heel into his horse's flank, the
lieutenant pulled up.

"It's no use," he said quietly to his friends. "To move is certain
death."

Then came a voice from right before them.

"Surrender!" it cried. "Surrender or you are dead men!"

CHAPTER VI.

THE OLD CASTLE.

Lieutenant Anderson raised a hand.

"We surrender," he said quietly.

The officer approached, a revolver held ready for instant use.

"Dismount!" he ordered shortly.

The four companions slid to the ground. A squad of soldiers
surrounded them.

"Search them for arms," was the next command, and they were relieved of
their weapons.

"To the castle!" ordered their captor. "Forward, march!"

With the four prisoners in the center, the soldiers moved away.

"Looks like we were into it pretty steep this time," said Hal, as they
were being led away.

"Silence!" came the sharp command of the German officer.

They moved along for several minutes without a word except for an
occasional command from the officer.

At length a grim, gray wall loomed before them in the darkness, and
without a stop the prisoners were hurried across a little bridge, led
across a courtyard and escorted within the structure.

A fear-inspiring place it was, but the four captives entered without a
tremor, their heads held high and their step firm. Any spirit of
foreboding they may have felt was not manifested in their carriage.

Down dark and dirty corridors they were led, and after many sharp turns,
their guards stopped before what appeared to be a hole in the side of the
wall. Into this opening the prisoners were thrust without ceremony, and a
door behind them was closed with a bang.

It was several minutes before the