Instead he went to work with a will, ripping off the deflated tires and attaching others. He worked fast and furiously, and with the skill of one accustomed to the task.
"What are we to do now? Rush him?" whispered Arthur. "We can do it while he is bending over like that, and the two of us ought to be able to hold him down, too."
"We can't take any chances," Paul whispered back grimly. He showed Arthur a horseshoe that he had retained. "He's a German officer and an enemy, and we have a right to do anything we can to damage the enemy. I'm going to hit him with this. If I do it right, he won't be able to move for some time."
Arthur shuddered a little. The idea of actually attacking a man from behind in such a way was unpleasant. But he realized that Paul, who had a reputation for gentleness, could like the idea as little as he did himself, and also that it was vitally necessary to secure possession of the car, though even yet Paul's whole plan had not come to him.
"All right!" he said. "Come on, then!"
"No; wait until he has finished! We might as well let him do the work, and have the car ready.
"But he will do the tires on this side first! He will be on the other side of the car afterward."
"No, he won't. He's got to come back to side when all the tires are on because the jack is on this side. Don't you see?"
"Oh, yes. I didn't think."
They waited breathlessly while the German worked. There was something oddly familiar about him, but his long, flowing overcoat prevented them from seeing him very well. He wore a uniform cap, fortunately, instead of a helmet, which would have given him a much better chance since it would have been very difficult for Paul to do what he planned with a helmet in the way.