"I'm coming to that. Before we start, we'll draw up a couple of maps of supposed Italian positions—which, of course, will be directly the opposite of how things are here; we'll take down false figures of the Italian strength and other such things. We'll tell the Austrian commander, when we are taken before him, that we are German secret agents, and we'll get away with it. Fortunately, I think we know the phrase that will get us by."
"What do you mean?" asked Hal.
"Why, the one you used on Robard in Rome," said Chester. "'From the
Wilhelmstrasse.'"
"By Jove! I believe you are right," declared Hal.
"I am certain of it," replied Chester. "So, you see, we will overcome suspicion, and will have freedom of the Austrian camp—practically. Now, what do you think of the plan?"
"Well, it has its advantages," replied Colonel Anderson, "and if we are careful and cautious, it may work. In lieu of a better, I guess we may as well act upon it. Now, who is going to draw these maps? A map I would draw wouldn't look like much."
"I guess that is up to me," said Chester. "I am rather handy with a pencil."
He set to work and an hour later produced the result of his labors.
"Fine," said the colonel, after gazing at the maps. "And you have laid them out, names and all. If the Austrians were to advance with the belief that these were authentic, we'd eat 'em alive."
"I hope they do it," said Chester. "Now it's up to you to get the other figures."