Half an hour later they were challenged by the American pickets, which had been thrown even further forward than where the boys had passed through the lines. They stated their mission and were at once sent under guard to the officer of the day.
"Oh, it's you!" was the lieutenant's salutation as he saw who it was. "Did you get what you went after?"
"Yes, sir," from Donald. "The enemy has halted at Tejeria, fifteen miles away."
"Well done. I'll send an orderly to carry the report to headquarters. You boys are entitled to a rest."
"Where's Billie?" asked Adrian, looking around after the orderly had departed.
"Who?"
"Billie. Our chum."
"Oh, yes," replied the lieutenant. "He's disappeared."
"Disappeared?"
"Yes. He went into this house here," pointing to the building before which he had stationed himself, "and when I went in later to see how he was coming on with his wounded horse, I found the horse standing in the middle of the patio, but your chum had disappeared."