"What's the use of going back there?" he wanted to know. "That's the place I have been trying to get away from."
"Now listen here, young man," said Stubbs, "you didn't have much luck getting away by yourself, did you?"
"No," replied Chester, "but—"
"And you won't have any better now, if you don't do as I say," declared Stubbs. "But I'll tell you. I am leaving here myself in the morning. I am going to Italy. I've dug up all the stuff I can get around here and now I'm going to have a look at the Italian army in action. If you wish, you can come along."
"Of course I'll come," said Chester. "That is, if they will let me."
"Oh, they'll let you, all right," replied Stubbs. "Say, I guess you don't know who I am! I'll tell you: I'm the war correspondent of the New York Gazette, and these fellows over here are glad to show me what favors they can. It doesn't do them any harm, and it might do them some good. See?"
"I see," agreed Chester briefly.
"All right, then. I'll take you to my lodgings and you can spend the night there with me. We'll leave early in the morning."
Chester followed the little man, though not without some misgivings.
Apparently Stubbs had not spoken without reason. Along the way they passed several officers, each of whom, after recognizing the war correspondent, gave him a formal military salute.