"Nor by hanging either I hope," said Weber.
"Now I must hurry. If I'm not sent away immediately on another mission it's likely I'll see you tomorrow."
He disappeared almost at once. He seemed to John to have some mysterious power of melting into the air, or of re-embodying himself. It was terrifying for the moment, but John shook himself and laughed. "Lightness of foot and silence are the two great assets in his trade," he said to himself.
He wrapped himself in his blanket and again sought sleep which came readily enough despite the distant shots and the flashing white lights. But he was awakened at the first upshoot of dawn, and the whole army was soon on its feet, its front spreading a long distance across the green country. They had hot coffee and good hot food, and then turned to their duty, John at the same time telling them of the return of Weber, over which both Wharton and Carstairs rejoiced.
"It's a good omen," said Carstairs. "We'll take it that way and let it point to our success today."
"We need it," muttered Wharton, who was looking through glasses, "and a lot more just as good. If I don't make any mistake the German nation is advancing against us in a solid mass."
Carstairs had observed the same fact.
"They seem to be quite numerous," he said.
"Now's your chance," said John, "to prove not only that one Englishman is as good as any other two Europeans, but as good as four."
"Looks like it," said Carstairs coolly. "I'm bound to admit that we can get all the fighting we want. But our men are ready and willing. Listen to the bagpipes of those Highlanders."