Hal and Chester re-entered the automobile and continued their journey toward the enemy’s country.
“By the way, Hal,” said Chester, “don’t you think it would be wise to discard these American uniforms?”
“Hardly,” said Hal. “We don’t want to be shot as spies, you know. In regulation uniform, the worst they can do if they capture us is to make us prisoners of war. But with a spy it’s different.”
“That’s true enough,” Chester agreed, “and still we have often found it convenient to enter the enemy’s lines in civilian attire.”
“I am against it in this case,” Hal argued, “because we are working against time, in the first place. If we are taken prisoner, well and good. In fact, I am sure that we shall be captured.”
“You are, eh?”
“Yes.”
“Then it seems to me that our mission is doomed to failure,” said Chester.
“Not at all. I believe that we shall have more chance of making our escape if we are apprehended as American officers than if we are taken as possible spies. The life of a spy, or even a suspect, you know, is short.”
“Looks to me,” said Chester dryly, “as though the lives of Lieutenants Paine and Crawford were going to be short, no matter how you figure it.”