A BIT OF SCIENCE
As Jimmie announced the willingness of the two lads to accompany the German forces he was looking straight at Dave. The lad from the Northwest thought he caught the slightest tremor of Jimmie's eyelid, but was not positive. However, acting on the assumption that he was correct and that Jimmie had some purpose in declaring in so positive a manner his intentions, Dave thought best to offer no remonstrance.
With senses keenly alert the two boys watched closely the actions of the group of officers and soldiers about them.
Their stay in this place would be short, for it would not take long to change engines and have the troops moving westward again. A second section of the train was following closely. The boys knew that no time would be lost by those in charge of the movement of troop trains.
Therefore they were especially anxious to discover some means of escape, if possible. None, it seemed, presented itself.
Hedged round by a ring of soldiers who were fully armed, the boys could see others at a short distance patrolling the station grounds. An open space of some considerable area was occupied just now by small groups of soldiers who had left the train by permission and were walking about for exercise. Electric lights were mounted on poles to give illumination to the grounds.
The Kaiser and his party again resumed their interrupted progress toward the rear of the train, leaving an officer with the boys.
"What are they waiting for, Jimmie?" asked Dave, peering about.
"Search me," replied the red-headed lad. "They've got the engine coupled on, I guess, and I'm ready to go."
"Do you mean to go all the way to Verdun?" asked Dave anxiously.