Page:Ruth of the U.S.A. (IA ruthofusa00balm).pdf/325

 into the order of those bound to break for freedom. They were standing alone at a corner of the castle, which gave view over the ground to the east. "Out there you see the first wire—'tis often charged with electricity at night to catch us if we leap over these walls. Beyond you see the second entanglement of the same persuasion; after that—nothing at all! Do you see?"

Gerry admitted vision, as though the walls below them, the guards and the two wire barriers were merest trifles.

"We've been beyond many times," the Irishman motioned, unfolding his theory of immateriality of the apparent obstacles. "Many times."

"How?" Gerry inquired.

"By burrow, mostly. Now and then in other ways; but by tunnel is most certain. 'Tis harmless amusement for us, the enemy think; so they let us dig, though they know we're doing it, till we're ready to run out. Then they halt us and claim the reward. 'Tis arranged so."

Gerry nodded. He had heard long before, from escaped prisoners, that at certain camps the Germans made little attempt to prevent tunneling until the burrows were almost completed. The German system of rewards, by some peculiar psychology of the command, gave more credit to guards for "detecting" an escape than at first Preventing it.

"This time 'twill be different!" O'Malley promised, smacking his lips.

"Why?"

"They don't know where we're burrowing."

"How many times before haven't they known?" Gerry, asked cautiously.