Instinctively he went to the narrow but tall window and glanced at the heavens.

Then he knew that impulse had made him look for Lannes and the _Arrow_, and he laughed at his own folly.

Even if Lannes knew where they were he could not slip prisoners out of a house, surrounded by watchful German troops.
He heard the heavy key turning in the lock, and a silent soldier brought him food, which he put upon the table.

The man remained beside the door until John had eaten his supper, when he took the dishes and withdrew.
He had not spoken a word while he was in the room, but as he was passing out John said: "Good-bye, Pickelbaube! Let's have no ill feeling between you and me." The German--honest peasant that he was--grinned and nodded.

He could not understand the English words, but he gathered from John's tone that they were friendly, and he responded at once.