“This is the outpost,” he whispered. “Six men and two machine guns. They are about to change guards.” He chuckled. “And they do not expect us.”
“Can we move around them?” Stan asked.
“We could, but I think we should stay. An officer is coming out to inspect the guard. He’s coming from Villa Sachetti.” Stan could almost see Allison’s sardonic smile. “Nice spot for a surprise party, eh?”
“Swell,” Stan answered. “We’ll take over the post. Allison can be the decoy to lure the officer in close. He speaks German.”
“Good, very good,” Arno said eagerly. “Will we use the short knives on them?”
“No shooting if we can help it. We’ll shove in close and have a look.” Stan began moving down the pathway with Allison at his side. The party kept very close together so as to be able to give signals to each other without speaking.
After edging forward a short distance they were halted by a gruff laugh ahead. Getting down low they peered through the starlight and spotted the sentries. They were grouped close together, four seated, two standing. The two men standing up moved off, one to the left and one to the right. Stan got his crew into a close huddle.
“Allison and I will do our commando stuff on the two guards walking post. I take the one on the right, Allison the other. You boys stay right here. We’ll be back soon.” Stan spoke in a low whisper.
One of the seated Germans suddenly sprang to his feet. He stood looking into the night toward the party of raiders. Tony started to move forward. Stan pulled him back. The German walked up the pathway a few feet and halted, listening. The boys turned their faces away and remained perfectly still. After a minute or so the man went back and sat down. Stan gave Allison a signal and they moved off the pathway. They left their tommy-guns and carried only their pistols, knives, and short lengths of rope.
Stan moved silently along in a direction that would cut across the beat walked by the sentry. Soon he spotted his man moving at a slow walk along what appeared to be a pathway. Stan moved in and halted beside a bush. There he remained without moving a muscle. The sentry had reached the end of his beat and was turning back. Stan ducked his head to make sure no light was reflected from his face. Tensing his muscles he waited.