"True," said Stubbs. He reached in his pocket and produced two papers, one of which he passed to Hal. "This may help a little," he explained.
Hal looked at the paper. He found it was made out in the name of John Lawrence and that it purported to be an identification of John Lawrence as an accredited correspondent of the New York Gazette.
"I've got two or three more back there," said Stubbs, waving an arm in the general direction of his quarters. "They have often come in handy."
"I see," said Hal. "Then these papers are what you are figuring on to gain us the freedom of the Austrian lines."
"Freedom to a certain extent, yes," replied Stubbs. "Now for the other part of my plan. To be perfectly frank, you know just as much about it as I do. I have no plan beside getting in the Austrian lines. Events must shape themselves after that."
"But do you suppose these papers will satisfy the Austrian commander?"
"They will after I have talked to him for five minutes."
"I hope so," said Hal.
They had now passed the Italian outposts, unmolested, and rode across the open toward the Austrian lines. Some time later they were halted by an Austrian sentinel.
"Take us to the general," commanded Stubbs.