"Trouble is, Germans may already be quartered there," said Hal.
"Well, we'll have to take a chance," said Chester grimly.
"Right. So the sooner we try the better."
Hal led the way, and knocked on the door. Came the sound of hurried footsteps within, and a moment later the door was thrown open. An old woman poked her head out.
"What do you want?" she demanded.
"A place to sleep," replied Hal, in excellent German, although the woman had spoken in French.
"There is no place here for you!" exclaimed the woman, and would have shut the door.
But Hal was too quick for her. He shoved a foot in the door, and thus prevented its closing.
"Come, my good woman," he said. "We mean you no harm, but we must have a place to spend the night."
"How many of you are there?" asked the woman.