At first the old peasant hung back from accepting the proffered gold coin, though at last he took it, remarking:
"I will admit that I am poor, and yet it seems a crime to accept money from an American."
Half an hour later their host returned, bringing two hot omelettes, dark bread, potatoes and the inevitable pot of coffee.
"It is with difficulty that we keep food hidden," he murmured, in a low voice. "A dozen times the Huns have appeared and have taken from us all the food they could find. But we still have flour, potatoes and coffee hidden where they cannot find them. We shall hope to continue to exist until you Americans have helped drive the Hun from our land."
From the nearby road came the sound of moving trucks. The old man paused and shook his fist in the direction of the sound. After he had served the breakfast he climbed upon a stool, putting his eyes to the hole in the sloping roof and peering toward the road.
"Ah, the vermin!" he hissed. "A regiment of their accursed infantry marching toward the front. Oh, that your men and ours might kill them all this day!"
"Give us time, and we'll do it," Tom promised unconcernedly.
After breakfast the two chums talked almost without stopping until it was time for luncheon. In the afternoon Tom stretched, then walked toward the bed, declaring:
"When one has no chance to exercise I believe sleep to be the next best thing, even extra sleep. I believe that I can sleep until supper time. And after that—-perhaps it will be tonight, Dick, that we make our fantastic effort to place ourselves on the other side of the German battle front!"
"The sooner the better," cried Dick, "only provided that speed does not waste our chance to escape."