“If you will ride in front with me, I shall be honored, sir,” said Hal to the colonel.
The lad had reason for this. He intended to do all the talking done by the fugitives. He felt certain that should the colonel ride with Harding and Chester he must certainly discover that Harding was an imposter. Of Chester, however, he had no fear, for Chester’s command of the German tongue was as perfect as Hal’s own.
“Colonel,” said Hal, as he started the car, “I have been long in the east and am not altogether familiar with the roads here. You will perhaps point out the shortest route as we go along?”
“Of course,” said the colonel. “By the way,” he added, “have you an idea of the nature of your dispatches?”
Hal hesitated. He could not be sure of his ground and he was at a loss what to say. However, he knew that the German colonel would require an answer, so he took a long chance.
“I am not exactly sure, sir,” he replied, “but I believe that they have something to do with a possible retirement of our troops all along the western front.”
The colonel looked at him sharply.
“You mean a realignment, sir?” he said sharply.
“Why, yes, sir,” returned Hal.
The colonel’s face lost its sternness.