“I applaud your sentiments, young M’sieu,” said the officer, gravely. “I have a boy of about your age at my home near the Mediterranean, where with his mother he lives at peace. Not for anything would I wish him here, to have his young soul harrowed by these terrible sights and sounds. It is bad enough for old campaigners like myself, who have seen service in Algiers. We have already sent the great news to our commander, whose heart will sing with joy, for he must know France has been saved this day. And now I myself will accompany you to where you left your comrade and your car, that I may say farewell to you as you go from us.”
CHAPTER XXIV
HEADED FOR PARIS
Somehow or other Thad felt strangely drawn toward the French colonel who had been so kind to them. Perhaps the fact that he had just told them of his own son had something to do with it. At any rate, it seemed that the soldier entertained a sincere affection for boys, thus telling that his own heart was still young.
As he walked at the other’s side an idea came to Thad, who evidently believed in the old adage, “strike while the iron is hot,” for it was a favor he wished to ask, and one that might prove of considerable advantage to them later on.
“Would it be possible for you to give us some idea concerning the roads around Paris, M’sieu?” he asked, in that persuasive tone of his.
“Nothing would please me better,” came the quick reply. “I understand why you make the request. Yes, it would be easily possible for a stranger to lose his way, and wander far out of his course. Stay, I can do better than that. Even now I remember that I have a small road map in my possession, such as will give you all the information you require.”
He soon put the article mentioned in Thad’s possession, and proceeded to show him several courses, which, if followed religiously, would land them safely in the great French capital.
Giraffe was deeply interested. As a scout he had always shown considerable ability with regard to negotiating strange paths. Then, besides, it must not be forgotten that Giraffe was the only one of the four who had already been to Paris.
He scanned that little map, and listened closely to all the officer said. Doubtless Giraffe, with his woodcraft education in mind, was fixing the details of that road chart in his mind, so that on occasion he could recall it almost as plainly as print. This is always possible when one has learned to remember details, a feature of scout education.
Later on Giraffe meant to have something to say about that same chart; but for the present he contented himself with listening, and taking it all in.