Two of the soldiers closed in on Harry. He stared at them and
then at the officer, stupefied.

"What -- what's this?" he stammered.

"You're under arrest, my lad, on a charge of espionage!" said the
officer. "Espionage, and conspiracy to give aid and comfort to
the public enemy. Anything you say may be used against you."

For a moment such a rush of words came to Harry, that he was
silent by the sheer inability to decide which to utter first. But
then he got control of himself.

"Who makes this charge against me!" he asked, thickly, his face
flushing scarlet in anger.

"You'll find that out in due time, my lad. Forward march!"

"But I've got important information! I must be allowed to see
Colonel Throckmorton at once! Oh, you've got no idea how
important it may be!"

"My orders are to place you under arrest. You can make
application to see anyone later. But now I have no discretion.
Come! If you really want to see Colonel Throckmorton, you had
better move on."

Harry knew as well as anyone the uselessness of appealing from
such an order, but he was frantic. Realizing the importance of
the news he carried, and beginning to glimpse vaguely the meaning