“Yes. Come along, Guy,” Jack answered. “Slip out at once. There is no one about.”
“I’m ready,” Guy whispered back, and, dropping from the window, was standing close at Jack’s side in a twinkling.
Taking him by the sleeve Jack led him along close to the wall till he reached his former post, when he placed a bandolier and a rifle in his hands.
“Slip the belt on, Guy,” he said shortly; “we have no time to lose.”
“What! Where did you get these, Jack?” Guy asked hoarsely.
“Stole them, old chap!” Jack chuckled. “I stole them from the guard-house a few minutes ago. Steady, man! What are you doing?”
The last hurried exclamation followed the accidental dropping of Guy’s rifle, which clattered loudly on the pavement.
Instantly the two sentries became alert, and one of them called out harshly: “Wie gaat daar?”
“Come along! Quick!” Jack whispered, “Follow me! We must get out of this at once.”
Darting down the street they came to a turning, and waited there to see what would happen. As they did so, the sentry who had challenged walked quickly towards the hospital, evidently determined to solve the cause of the mysterious sound. Finding nothing, he looked up at the windows, and then looked in at the open one and asked if anyone inside had heard anything. The reply was unsatisfactory, for he at once shouted that something was wrong, and called to the hospital attendant to bring a light. At the same moment the men off guard emerged hurriedly from the hut, and by simple force of habit went to the rack for their rifles.