"And are the two hours up, sir," asked one of the men.
Chester glanced at his watch.
"Not quite," he returned.
"How much to go, sir?"
"A little more than five minutes."
The man's face darkened.
"And we'll be relieved at the end of that time without having done any fighting," he said. "Here we sit down here in the dark and the other fellows have all the fun."
"You're liable to get yours yet," said Chester. "If I mistake not, the Germans are returning to the attack. I hear the sounds of firing from above."
Chester was right. The Germans again had advanced to the charge.
Above, Hal and Captain Leroux were issuing orders to their men for what each believed would be the final effort. Should this attack be repulsed, both had some slight hopes that they would not be compelled to face another—that French reinforcements would arrive before the Germans could advance again. But, also, neither was sure in his own mind that the approaching attack of the foe could be beaten off.