The train had backed into the shed trucks first. They were still coupled to the engine. The load was very heavy; the question was whether he could get up speed in time to escape. Some of the Germans were awake: the sentry was at the door; the feat seemed impossible, and Kenneth dismissed the idea, feeling glad that he had not suggested it to Harry. But before leaving the engine he looked into the tank, and saw that it was half full of petrol.
A hiss called him to the door. The sentry was being changed. The new man was grumbling at having had to leave his bed. The voices in the further shed had ceased.
"All gone to bed?" asked the sentry who was being relieved.
"Yes," replied the other, yawning.
"Schneider won five marks of me this afternoon. He said he'd give me my revenge. Well, I'll beat him to-morrow."
He went into the shed: there was a rustling for a few moments: then all was silent, except for the heavy tramp of the sentry as he paced slowly up and down.
The two Englishmen went back to the quarry wall, and were replacing the boards.
"I say!" whispered Harry.
"What is it?"
"It's mad, perhaps; but I wondered if we couldn't run off with the train."