“Please keep your voice lowered as much as you can while I instruct you,” begged Major Nixon.
“You are thinking of those German spies who are said to be everywhere?” ventured Frank, who had heard much talk along these lines ever since arriving at Dunkirk.
Indeed, the stories that passed current concerning spies were astonishing. Most of them Frank did not believe in at all, for he knew they were founded on the fears of the people. At the same time the secret agents of the Kaiser were certainly vigilant as well as bold, and if one had to err at all it were better to be on the safe side.
“In times past I haven’t taken much stock in the wild stories that have been going around,” said the soldier, smiling; “but we certainly know there are spies in Dunkirk at this very hour. In fact, you boys have had pretty strong evidence that your operations while here have been watched day by day.”
“Yes,” remarked Billy, “and after what happened last night we are ready to believe almost anything, sir. I remember reading that sometimes the walls have ears, and I guess it may be so.”
“Under such conditions then it is best that we get our heads close together and talk in very low tones,” said the officer. “There are guards posted all around the stockade now, and yet in spite of that precaution some of those German spies are smart enough to play the game.”
“Anchors and aëroplanes, but this is exciting enough to please even a fellow built like you are, Billy!” muttered Pudge, who was mopping his red forehead with his handkerchief, though the others did not consider it any too warm there in the hangar of the great seaplane.
“I am unable to tell you at this minute the exact hour when the start will be made,” Major Nixon whispered. “Much depends on the state of the weather, and the arrival of the fleet of aëroplanes from across the Channel, for most of them will come from England, you understand.”
“Conditions being favorable, then,” observed Frank, “you believe that by another morning the start of the raiding party will take place?”
“Yes, undoubtedly,” came the answer. “We wish to take advantage of the unusually good weather conditions. Then, besides, we have learned through certain sources of information that the Germans on their own hook are planning an extensive dash with their aëroplanes and dirigibles on the coast cities on the Channel. It is in hopes of balking that, as well as accomplishing other results that more than thirty seaplanes will make this stupendous raid on their submarine bases at Ostend, Zeebrugge and Blankenberghe.”