He was rewarded before long for his patience, for just as he was beginning to despair, an officer spied him in a moment when he was not actively engaged upon some errand.
"Here, boy," called the officer, "take this tray!" Fred took a tray from a soldier who was holding it awkwardly.
"Take it upstairs to the room on the third floor where a sentry is on guard.

He will let you in.

When the prisoner there has finished his meal, return with the tray to the kitchen.

Do not let any knife or fork or spoon stay in the room when you go.

So you will make yourself really useful and release a man who can do things for which you are too young." It seemed to Fred, as he started upstairs with his tray, that this luck was almost too good to be true.