Just then an officer came bustling up, followed by another bunch of Tommies, and Jack understood what had happened when he saw in their midst the very same tall man in khaki who had tried to pry into their affairs.
“There they are, Captain!”
“German spies they must be!” called out another voice.
“Ten to one they signalled to that same airship where to drop the bally old bombs!” cried a third soldier, angrily.
Loud outcries attested to the ugly temper of the gathering crowd. There could be no telling to what ends that mob might go, sooner or later. Despite the fact that they were amenable to military orders they might get beyond the control of authority, and start to wreak summary vengeance upon the boys, neither of whom showed any signs of being alarmed.
“Captain,” said Jack, quietly, though he had to raise his voice so as to be heard above the rising clamor, “we are just what we say, American boys. We have made our way into Ypres in order to see your commanding officer. It is foolish for any one to connect us with that German Zeppelin, when we were in just as much danger as the rest. Please take us to Headquarters without any delay. We have something to show the general; and after he has seen it you will find that he’ll extend the honors of the camp to us.”
The captain must have known that if he held back much longer the excited men were apt to get out of bonds, and do something that would not be according to military discipline; so he evidently determined to follow the advice of the boy who seemed to be able to retain his presence of mind, regardless of the overhanging difficulties.
CHAPTER XXII.
AT HEADQUARTERS IN YPRES.
“Both of you boys come with me,” the British captain told them, evidently capable of acting on the spur of the moment. “I’ll see that you get to Headquarters all right.”