"We expect to go to Paris tomorrow, and we are sorry not to be able to see him," Alfred told her.
They at once returned to Dunkirk, and awaited anxiously until four o'clock. Before they had an opportunity to speak to the officer in charge, he shook his head, to indicate that there was no room. They lingered about, but it appeared to be a hopeless task. Four tracks ran by the station office, and these were constantly filled with empty cars, then loaded up, and drawn out. They watched the proceedings until the sun went down, when tired and hungry, they crossed the street, entered a coffee house, and ate a hurried supper.
As they were moving out the doorway, Ralph stopped. Turning to Alfred, he said: "We are chumps; that's about the size of it."
"Why so?" asked Alfred.
"We have the permits, haven't we? Why are we waiting for that fellow at the station to get us an assignment?" replied Ralph.
"That's a fact; let's make our own assignment; come on," answered Alfred. "Is this train going south?" he asked, addressing a soldier who was about to enter a half-filled compartment.
"Aw! I dare say it is," was the jolly response.
"Get aboard," said Alfred.
Unabashed, they swung themselves up on the running board, and entered the compartment. The occupants glanced at them for a moment, and seeing the trim uniforms, at once became inquisitive.
"How did you happen to be directed to this train?" asked one of them.