But a moment later the murmur of voices was heard—voices that were unmistakably American. Some one asked:
“Is your squad stationed here?” 111
“About here, yes, Sir,” was the answer, coming out of the darkness.
“It’s Chunky!” cried Jerry.
“That’s Bob!” added Ned, joyously.
And a moment later there came into the dim light of the flashlights the stout chum himself, escorted by three soldiers. He seemed to be all right, and he carried something that was not a grenade, in one hand.
“Where have you been, Chunky?” demanded Jerry. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Yes,” added the lieutenant, “will you please explain why you did not report back with the rest of us?”
Bob seemed a trifle surprised at the rather stern order, but he smiled and answered:
“Why, I thought, as long as we got back all right, I was relieved from duty, so I went to get something to eat.”