“They may pass on to the next house and go down that way, sir,” one of the men suggested.
“They’ll find Sergeant Bowers there,” replied Chester significantly.
“They may go the other way, sir.”
“They can’t,” said Hal. “I noticed as we came in that there are only three houses whose roofs are close enough to be jumped. The only danger of our losing them is that they will pass the next house and descend in the one at the end. You men get out of here quick and guard the end house.”
“You mean to stay here alone, sir?”
“Exactly,” said Hal. “Now hurry.”
“Guess I’ll try it,” he said at last.
The men waited no longer.
For some moments Hal stood quietly at the foot of the ladder debating whether he should await the return of the Germans there or whether he should risk a shot and open the trap door.
He mounted the ladder rapidly and cautiously pushed up the trap-door. A strange sight met his eyes.