"Why ?" "O," said Maurice carelessly, "I thought it not unlikely that you might have a few lying around loose." The Colonel roared.

"You Americans beat the very devil with your questions.

Well, I am politely known as Count Mollendorf, if that will gratify you." "What! brother of Mollendorf of the king's police ?" "God save the mark! No; I am an honest man--some of the time." Maurice laughed; the old fellow was amusing, and besides, this conversation helped to pass away the time.
"Wake up, Jack; here's entertainment," he said.
A scowl added itself to the stern expression on Fitzgerald's face.
"I trust that none of your teeth are loose," ventured the Colonel.
"If they are, they'll be tight enough ere many days have passed," was the threatening reply.
"Beware the dog!" cried the Colonel, and he resumed his place at the head of the little troop.
Maurice took this opportunity to bend toward Fitzgerald.

"Have you anything of importance about you ?" he whispered significantly.
"Nothing.

But God send that no chambermaid change the sheet in my bed at the hotel." "Are they--" "Silence." Fitzgerald saw the trooper next with his hand to his ear.
After a time the Colonel sang out: "Fifteen miles more, with three on the other side, men; we must put more life into us.