"
Hal descended the stairs quietly. As quietly he passed through the
room that in days of peace apparently had served as a parlor, and moved
toward a door beyond, under which a light streamed.
"Guess she's in there," said Hal.
He laid a hand on the knob and opened the door.
As he did so there was an exclamation of alarm. Hal, in the light
beyond, saw a form disappear into another room. The old woman ran
toward him
"What do you mean by coming in here without knocking?" she exclaimed
furiously.
"Why --why, I didn't know --" Hal began.
"Of course you didn't know," shouted the woman. "But I'll have you
understand that you can't make free of my house, though you be the
Kaiser himself."
From the folds of her skirt she suddenly produced a large revolver,
which she leveled squarely at the lad. Hal stepped back.
"Here, my good woman," he said. "Put down that gun. Don't you know
that a single shot will arouse the whole German army. You couldn't
escape."
The woman hesitated, and the revolver wavered. Before she could bring
it to bear again, had such been her intention, Hal seized her arm,
twisted sharply, and the revolver fell to the floor with a clatter.
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