Cover art
Before either lad could produce a weapon, a shrill voice
cried in German: "Hands up, there!" Page [25]
Title page
The Boy Allies
With Marshal Foch
OR
The Closing Days of the Great
World War
By CLAIR W. HAYES
AUTHOR OF
"The Boy Allies With the Army Series"
A. L. BURT COMPANY
NEW YORK
Copyright, 1919
By A. L. BURT COMPANY
THE BOY ALLIES WITH MARSHAL FOCH
THE BOY ALLIES
(Registered in the United States Patent Office)
WITH THE ARMY SERIES
By Clair W. Hayes
The Boy Allies at Liege or, Through Lines of Steel
The Boy Allies on the Firing Line or, Twelve Days Battle along the Marne
The Boy Allies with the Cossacks or, A Wild Dash over the Carpathians
The Boy Allies in the Trenches or, Midst Shot and Shell along the Aisne
The Boy Allies in Great Peril or, With the Italian Army in the Alps
The Boy Allies in the Balkan Campaign or, The Struggle to Save a Nation
The Boy Allies on the Somme or, Courage and Bravery Rewarded
The Boy Allies at Verdun or, Saving France from the Enemy
The Boy Allies under the Stars and Stripes or, Leading the American Troops to the Firing Line
The Boy Allies with Haig in Flanders or, The Fighting Canadians of Vimy Ridge
The Boy Allies with Pershing in France or, Over the Top at Chateau-Thierry
The Boy Allies with the Great Advance or, Driving the Enemy through France and Belgium
The Boy Allies with Marshal Foch or, The Closing Days of The Great World War.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
- [Good News]
- [Through the Lines]
- [Among the Enemy]
- [Chester is Indiscreet]
- [An Enemy Plot Bared]
- [An Encounter]
- [The Advance]
- [Toward Sedan]
- [The Battle]
- [The Advance Continues]
- [A New Mission]
- [Hal Meets an Obstacle]
- [Chester to the Rescue]
- [The Closing of the Net]
- [The Capture of Sedan]
- [An Unexpected Honor]
- [Stubbs Again]
- [A Message from the Enemy]
- [Hirson]
- [The German Envoys Arrive]
- [Stubbs' Scoop]
- [Spa]
- [The Kaiser Abdicates]
- [In Trouble Again]
- [A Battle]
- [The Conference Resumed]
- [Stubbs Redeems Himself]
- [The End draws near]
- [The Last Zero]
- [Conclusion]
THE BOY ALLIES
WITH MARSHAL FOCH
CHAPTER I
GOOD NEWS
"Heard the news, Hal?" asked Chester excitedly as he dashed into the small but comfortable dugout where the two boys were quartered with the Thirty-second division of American troops a few miles to the east of Rheims.
"No," replied Hal Paine, "what news?"
"Austria has sued for peace; it's the beginning of the end."
"Rats!" said Frank. "I've heard that before. I guess you're a bit premature, Chester."
"Not a bit of it," declared Major Chester Crawford emphatically. "I had the news from Colonel O'Neil himself. He says Austria has made overtures for an armistice, looking toward a permanent peace."
"Oh, an armistice," said Major Paine. "That's a horse of another color."
"But it means peace soon," protested Chester.
"It might ordinarily," Hal agreed, "but you must remember that dealing with enemies such as we have now, there is no telling what may happen. I don't know so much about the Austrians, but the Germans are a treacherous lot, and I've no doubt that long association with men of that ilk has taught the Austrians a thing or two. No, Chester, take my word for it, there is nothing to your news. Even if the Austrians have made such overtures, you may be sure there is a trick in it some place."
"By Jove! You're an optimistic sort, aren't you?" said Chester.
"Well," said Hal. "I'm not quite as credulous as you seem to be. Besides, why should Austria sue for peace now? It's true that she is getting the worst of the argument, as is Germany; but to my mind she is a long way from being compelled to throw up the sponge. Then, too, she wouldn't have the nerve to leave Germany in the lurch."
"All the same, I'm taking the news for true," declared Chester.
Hal shrugged his shoulders.
"To whom were these overtures addressed?" he asked at length.
"To President Wilson."
"Is that so? Well, it would seem that the Austrians had looked to the proper place. It would seem they knew who, perhaps, would let them down the easiest."
"But they won't be let down easily," said Chester. "What's the matter with you anyhow? You know as well as I do that they must make full reparation for the ruin they have caused."
"Exactly," said Hal, "which is the reason I say that no such overtures have been made; or if they have, they were prompted by some hidden motive."
"Personally," said Chester, "I don't care what you think. You are so confounded wise it's a wonder General Pershing hasn't resigned in your favor."
"Come, now, Chester," replied Hal. "Don't get sore. Can't you take a little joke?"
"I don't call that much of a joke. I came with a piece of news I thought you would be anxious to hear, and all you've done is scoff."
"Never mind," said Hal. "Personally, as I have said, I am inclined to the belief that you are all wrong, but at the same time I hope you are right. However, time will tell."
Chester was about to reply, but the sound of hurried footsteps without restrained him. A moment later there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," called Hal.
A lieutenant, whom the lads recognized as attached to Colonel O'Neil's staff, entered and came to attention.
"What is it, lieutenant?" asked Chester.
"Colonel O'Neil desires your presence in his quarters at once, sir," replied the lieutenant; "and, Major Paine also."
"We shall follow you at once, lieutenant," said Hal, reaching for his helmet, which lay on his cot.
The lieutenant saluted again, turned on his heel and departed. Hal and Chester followed him a few moments later.
"I thought it was about time we had something to do," said Hal as they hurried along.
"Right," Chester agreed. "We've been pretty quiet for the last week. I shall be glad to get busy again."
"Here too."
Hal Paine and Chester Crawford, natives of a small Illinois town, had been chums from early childhood. Together they had gone to school, toured the lumber country of the northwest where Hal's father owned large tracts of land; travelled extensively, and fought and played. So close had they been in their school days that their companions had dubbed them "The Boy Allies." More than one lad of more mature years had found to his sorrow that when he "picked on" one of them he had two to contend with.
At the outbreak of the great European war Hal and Chester were in Berlin with the former's mother. They were caught there by the German mobilization, and in attempting to get out of the German capitol, were separated from Mrs. Paine. Thrown thus upon their own resources, the two lads gave the first evidence of that resourcefulness which later was to stand them in good stead.
They joined forces with a French and an English officer and, after considerable excitement and adventure, reached the Belgian frontier just in time to be with the forces of King Albert when they made their desperate but futile stand at Liege.
In an unofficial capacity, the boys were able to render some little assistance to the Belgian commander, and later, through the latter's efforts, were permitted to join the Belgian forces. Several months later they found themselves commissioned lieutenants.
Hal and Chester had seen active service in all the theaters of war. They were with the British in France and Flanders; they served under General Joffre and under General Petain, French commanders, at the first battle of Verdun, when the German advance was checked just as it seemed the enemy must break through to Paris. They fought with the Cossacks on the eastern front, with the Italians in the Alps and with the Serbians and Montenegrins in the Balkans.
At the time the United States declared war on Germany, Hal and Chester were captains in the service of King George of England, serving at the time under Field Marshal Haig. With other Americans in the allied army, however, they were selected to return to the United States, where for some months they lent invaluable service to Uncle Sam in drilling raw recruits at the army training camps.
Such excellent reputations had they won, however, that when the first American expeditionary force sailed for France, Hal and Chester found themselves among them. Since their return, they had taken active parts in the American advance. They had been with the Marines at Chateau-Thierry and Belleau Wood; they had been with the heroic Thirty-second division which had won undying fame in the Argonne forest, where the American forces had been all but annihilated under the German fire.
Now they had been resting for several days.
The turning point in the great war had come and gone. The full power of American might was making itself felt on the western battle front, where the Yankee troops time and again had proved themselves the masters of the best the German emperor had to offer. The tide had turned at Chateau-Thierry in the early summer, and from that time on the Americans, under the leadership of "Black Jack" Pershing, had pressed their advantage at every opportunity.
To the unprejudiced observer it was apparent that the Germans were already beaten. True, they might fight on for days, weeks or months, but their offensive power had been broken by the million and more Americans who had been hurled against them. There was nothing at the moment to indicate that the German emperor, his advisors, or the German people, were willing to cry for peace, but it was plain that the ultimate outcome was only a question of time.
From time to time came rumors of internal disorders in Germany. These, however, could not be substantiated, and for that reason it was impossible to tell that Germany was on the eve of a revolution.
Gradually the allies and the American forces had pushed their battle lines toward the east. Much of France and of Belgium, for almost four years occupied by the Germans, had been reclaimed. Everywhere, where there was fighting, the advantage rested with the allies. No longer did the Germans dash to the attack with the impetuosity that characterized their attacks in the early dawn of the war. Their morale had been broken.
Even the crack Prussian Guards, the flower of the German army, had been decisively beaten by the Americans at Chateau-Thierry. Hurled into the battle at the last moment in an attempt to stem the advance of American soldiers and marines, they had proved unequal to the task. The Yankees had proved their masters at every turn.
There was nothing for the Germans to do but retreat. This they did, slowly, contesting every inch of the ground. Gradually, however, their retreat became faster, and at some places it developed into utter rout.
Late in July of 1918 the enemy had been cleared from the greater part of France and Belgium. In fact, in Alsace-Lorraine, American troops were on German soil and threatening the strong fortresses of Metz and Strassburg. Germans had been cleared from the Argonne forest, which, in the enemy's possession, had proved one of the greatest menaces to the allied advance.
It appeared that the time was drawing near for a decisive blow by Marshal Foch.
The time was to come sooner than either Hal or Chester could possibly have conceived, and both boys were to bear a full burden of the fighting.
At the quarters of Colonel O'Neil, Hal and Chester waited a few moments before being ushered into the former's presence. But their time came eventually, and they hurried into Colonel O'Neil's office and stood at attention.
Colonel O'Neil looked up.
"Well, how do you feel, Major?" he asked of Hal.
"Pretty well, sir."
"Good. And you, Major Crawford?"
"Very well, sir."
"Good," said Colonel O'Neil again. "I'm glad to hear it, for I've an important piece of work that must be done at once and I wouldn't feel like calling upon you unless you are perfectly fit."
"We're perfectly fit, sir," declared Chester eagerly.
"Draw up chairs here, then," said the colonel.
The boys obeyed.
CHAPTER II
THROUGH THE LINES
"I suppose," said Colonel O'Neil, "you have both heard the rumor that Austria has sued for peace?"
"Yes, sir," replied Chester, "and I have tried to convince Hal of it, but he is inclined to be skeptical."
"And with good reason," declared Colonel O'Neil. "I don't place much confidence in the report myself. Nor, it seems, do my superiors. In fact, it is in regard to that report that I have summoned you here."
Hal smiled slightly.
"To me it seems the report is too good to be true," he volunteered.
"My sentiments exactly, Major," said Colonel O'Neil. "Nevertheless, it is, of course, possible that the report is true, and if it is true, it is the beginning of the end. However, before the general staff can take advantage of the report, it must be verified absolutely. With Austria suing for peace, and Bulgaria and Turkey virtually out of the war, we can strike such a blow at the Germans on the west front as will mean the end of the war before Christmas."
"I see," said Chester, "and it is to obtain confirmation of the report that you have summoned us?"
"Exactly," declared the colonel. "It stands to reason that if Austria has made peace overtures, the German general staff will know of it. Also, for that matter, will practically every man in the German army. It would appear that if we could place a man behind the enemy's lines, he could, with caution and discretion, learn the truth of the matter. I have called you here to offer you this opportunity."
"And we accept it, of course, sir," declared Hal.
"Of course," Chester repeated after his chum.
"Good!" exclaimed Colonel O'Neil. "I knew I could depend on you. General Rowan asked me to put the mission in the most capable hands I could find, and being familiar with your records, I know that my selection could not be better."
"Thank you, sir," said Hal and Chester in a single voice.
"Now," went on the colonel, "I don't want to hamper you with a lot of foolish and needless instructions, but I do want to impress upon you that the sooner the matter is cleared up the better. You will both be granted indefinite leave of absence, but I would ask that you return at the earliest possible moment."
"We shall, sir," said Chester quietly.
"Very well, then," replied Colonel O'Neil; "that is all."
The lads saluted and left the colonel's quarters.
"Well," said Hal, as they made their way back to their own quarters, "this is an expedition after my own heart."
"Right," Chester agreed. "I suppose that it's necessary to keep some of us sitting quietly around here, but at the same time I would rather it were someone besides me."
"Same here. But I'll bet some of the rest of the fellows would be tickled to death with our luck."
"Naturally; why shouldn't they be? Now the question before the house is the best method of crossing safely into the German lines."
"And of getting safely out again," said Hal dryly.
"That goes without saying. But we've got to get there first. The return trip will be considered later."
"There are ways enough of getting there," said Hal. "Automobile, airplane, afoot or a-horseback. Take your choice."
"Airship for me," said Chester; "its quicker and promises a greater degree of success."
"I'll make that unanimous," said Hal. "Airship is my vote, too."
"Guess we'd better wait until along toward midnight, though," Chester suggested.
"Why?"
"Well, chiefly because there is less likelihood of our being discovered at that hour. Guards will be posted, of course, but we've eluded them before and we can do it again. Also, arriving within the enemy's lines after midnight, will give us the chance of mingling with the German troops without so great a risk of discovery."
"Any way suits me," said Hal. "First thing to do, now that we have decided upon our means of locomotion, is to find a plane."
"I'll commandeer one from Captain Nicholas," said Chester.
"All right. Tell him to have it ready at midnight sharp."
"Right," said Chester and hastened away.
Hal meantime returned to their quarters and threw himself down upon his bunk. He was reclining at ease when Chester entered to report the airplane arranged for.
"Captain Nicholas said he would have it in flying trim exactly at midnight," said Chester. "Now, my advice is that we discard our uniforms and climb into German attire if we can round up the necessities."
"Guess that can be done, too, without any trouble," said Hal. "We've plenty of prisoners here. All we have to do is to change with them. I should say that Captain Nicholas could attend to that, too."
"I'll suggest it to him," said Chester, and took his departure.
The lad was back within the hour with two German uniforms, which had once adorned the forms of German captains of infantry.
"Seems we're losing rank here," commented Hal with a laugh. "You might at least have robbed a couple of generals or field marshals."
"Take what you can get these days and be thankful," grinned Chester. "Also, ask no questions. According to Captain Nicholas, even this pair of captains objected strenuously to being deprived of their uniforms. I imagine a general would have put up a terrible howl."
"You're probably right," Hal agreed. "Well, we'll be satisfied with what we have. If we're discovered it won't make much difference whether we're attired as privates or the kaiser himself."
"No, a firing squad could shoot through one as well as the other," Chester replied. "Now, all we have to do is wait until midnight."
"In which event," said Hal, "I shall woo sweet morpheus for two hours and fifteen minutes."
"Two hours and fifteen minutes is right," said Chester after a glance at his watch. "I'll follow suit."
Five minutes later both lads were stretched out in their bunks fast asleep. They slept soundly, but not so soundly, however, that they did not wake at the desired minute.
At fifteen minutes to twelve, Hal opened his eyes and sat up. Chester yawned, stretched and sat up a minute later.
"Time to be moving," he said, glancing at his watch again.
"Right," Hal agreed. "I'll be inside this German uniform in three minutes by the clock."
He was; and Chester found himself suitably attired a moment later.
"Now for the plane," said the latter.
He led the way to where a two-seated biplane was being guarded by several soldiers.
"All right, men," said Hal, "you can turn in now. We'll take charge of this craft."
The soldiers saluted and took their departure.
"Let's be moving," said Chester. "Into the pilot's seat with you, Hal."
"Thought maybe you wanted to do the driving this time, Chester," said Hal.
"That's a poor joke, Hal," declared Chester. "I don't want to die right this minute, and I guess you don't, either."
"Which is the reason I'm not going to argue with you who will do the piloting," Hal declared.
He clambered into the pilot's seat, and Chester took his place in the observer's compartment.
"All set?" called Hal.
"All set," was Chester's reply.
"Let her go, then," said Hal, and the single guard who had remained gave the machine momentum with a vigorous push.
The machine moved slowly across the ground at first, then, under Hal's guiding hand, dashed on swifter and swifter. Hal touched the elevating lever and the airplane soared into the air.
Now Chester had been aloft many times, but he had never reached a point where he was not affected by the sensation of the earth dropping away from him. For a moment he clung to the side of the car. His head cleared, in a twinkling, however, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"All right, Chester," Hal called back, not taking the time to turn his head.
"All right," was Chester's reply. "Step on her, Hal."
Hal obeyed this injunction, and the plane darted in the direction of the distant enemy like a big bird.
There was no light aboard the craft that carried the two lads toward the German lines. On either side, above and below, however, Hal could see now. and then a faint twinkle, indicating that other American craft, bent upon no such dangerous mission as Hal and Chester, still were on the alert to prevent a possible surprise attack by the foe.
These lights were soon gone, however, and now all that Chester could see was the faint outline of Hal's head before him. He looked back, but the last of the American lights had been lost in the distance. Ahead, the German lines were still too far distant for a plane to be distinguishable should it be on guard aloft.
The night was very dark. For this Hal felt thankful, for it meant that, barring accidents and the rays of German searchlights, he had more opportunity of guiding his craft into the enemy lines, unobserved. Could he escape the prying eyes of the foe's sentinels of the sky, he felt that he had nothing to fear.
The distance between the German and allied lines at that point, Hal knew, was less than three-quarters of a mile. This distance was covered in a jiffy, but still Hal kept the nose of the craft pointed due east, for it was his intention to come down well within the foe's lines rather than to risk a landing near the front.
But at last he felt he had gone far enough. His hand tightened on the controls and gradually the speed of the plane slackened. Chester leaned forward, and putting his mouth close to Hal's ears, exclaimed:
"Going down here?"
"Yes," was Hal's reply. "May as well, I guess. It should be as safe as any place. Suit you?"
Chester shrugged in the darkness.
"I'm satisfied if you are," he replied. "Shoot!"
The plane began to descend.
CHAPTER III
AMONG THE ENEMY
The aircraft settled to earth in the darkness as gently as a huge bird and Hal and Chester stepped out silently. For a moment they stood trying to get their bearings.
"Where do you figure we are?" asked Chester in a low tone.
"We should be a mile due east of Sedan," was Hal's reply. "I saw the lights of the city below as we passed."
"Sedan, eh?" said Chester. "What memories of school days that name conjures up, Hal."
"So it does," was Hal's whispered response: "Of Bismarck, of Napoleon III and of the French defeat in the deciding battle of the Franco-Prussian war."
"What a glorious thing it would be if the French could strike a decisive blow at the Germans here now," muttered Chester. "It would be retribution."
"No less," Hal agreed; "and still, to my mind, it would be extremely better if the decisive blow were delivered by American troops, whether at Sedan or elsewhere."
"Right, as usual, Hal," was Chester's reply.
And although neither lad knew it then, it was to be the fortune of American troops to wrest Sedan from the hands of the invader and to be the first forces of democracy to tread the streets of the historic city.
"We've talked enough, Chester," Hal whispered. "It's time for action."
"Let's be on the move, then," Chester whispered back. "Which way?"
"Might as well head toward the city, I guess."
"How about the plane here?"
Hal shrugged in the darkness.
"We'll have to leave it, I guess. If we're not back by morning it will be discovered, of course, and a search instituted for its occupants."
"Which might lead to our discovery," said Chester.
Again Hal shrugged.
"It might, of course," he agreed.
"Then why not pull it in among the trees there?" Chester wanted to know, pointing to a clump of trees a short distance away.
"Not a bad idea," Hal declared. "I hadn't noticed the trees, myself."
"As Stubbs would say, you must be more observing," was Chester's response. "Lay hold here."
With some effort the boys wheeled the plane into the little clump of trees and then stepped forth again.
"It may do," said Hal, eyeing the hiding place carefully in the darkness. "It's invisible enough now, but I don't know how well the foliage will protect the plane in daylight."
"It's the best we can do, at all events," declared Chester. "Come, let's be on our way."
"May as well, I guess," said Hal, and led the way toward the distant city of Sedan.
From time to time the lads passed hurrying figures as they walked along, but they were not so much as accosted. In their German uniforms, they felt reasonably safe, particularly so as their features were concealed by the darkness. Once in the city, however, they knew they would have to exercise greater caution.
Nevertheless they entered the outskirts of the city with firm tread and headed directly toward the center of town. Neither had been in Sedan before and each was conscious of the utter foolishness of prowling around the edge of the city.
"We've got to get among the foe if we want to learn anything," Hal said.
A few lights still twinkled in the city, despite the lateness of the hour. On what appeared to be the main street, the lads made out a fairly large hotel.
"Guess that's our destination," said Chester, pointing.
Hal nodded.
"That's the place," he said, "though I don't know what we'll do when we get there."
"Events will shape themselves," said Chester.
"That's what worries me. If I could shape them according to my own needs and desires it would be much better."
"Don't croak, Hal."
"I'm not croaking. I'm merely remarking."
"You remark a whole lot on the style of Anthony Stubbs, if you ask me," declared Chester. "Come on, let's go into the hotel."
Hal made sure that his revolvers were ready in his pockets before he followed Chester through the door. Both lads kept their caps well over their eyes, for while there was little danger of their being suspected, their countenances lacked the heavy sluggishness of the Germans—a fact which should it be noticed, might call for questions.
At one side of the small lobby was a desk. Chester approached it. A man rose to greet him.
"We want a room for the night," said Chester gruffly in German, using the commanding and ill-bred tone always affected by German officers in talking to inferiors in rank or civilians.
The man threw wide his arms.
"I'm sorry, Herr Captain," he said humbly, "but all the rooms are occupied."
"What!" said Chester angrily. "I said that my friend and I desire a room, and a room we will have if we have to trundle your guests out into the street."
"But——" protested the hotel clerk.
"Silence!" thundered Chester. "Now answer me. You have a room of your own, have you not?"
"Yes, Herr Captain, but——"
"Silence!" cried Chester again. "Your key, if you please."
Again the man seemed on the point of protesting, and Chester stepped quickly toward him.
"Your key," he said again, and extended his hand.
The clerk's hand reached to his pocket, and he extended a key to Chester.
"Yes, Herr Captain," he said humbly.
"Now lead the way to our room," commanded Chester, "and in future know that when an officer of the emperor commands, it is for you to obey."
"Yes, Herr Captain," said the man as he led the way toward the rear of the hotel.
There he preceded Hal and Chester up a flight of stairs and turned to the left. They walked down a long hall until they reached a door at the extreme end. Here the guide stopped, turned to Chester and opened his mouth to speak.
"Silence!" said Chester sharply. "Open the door."
The hotel clerk shrugged his shoulders in a manner that meant he washed his hands of the outcome and tried the knob of the door. The door swung inward and the clerk stood aside to allow Hal and Chester to pass.
It was dark in the room as the lads stepped across to the threshold. But hardly had they set foot in the room when a brilliant light shot forth.
For a moment the lads were blinded, but they were conscious of a startled ejaculation from the hotel clerk, who still stood without.
"Ha!" he exclaimed. "I thought so. Now for it, my dear Herr Captain."
When the lights flared up, Hal and Chester both dropped their hands to their revolvers. But before either could produce a weapon, a shrill voice cried in German:
"Hands up, there!"
There was nothing for the lads to do but obey. They still had not had time to accustom their eyes to the sudden light so were unable to distinguish the owner of the voice. But gradually their vision cleared.
Chester glanced sharply at the man who had stopped them. He sat up in bed and in both hands he held a revolver squarely levelled at the two lads.
Chester gave a sudden start. At the same moment the man in the bed gave vent to a queer sound and his revolvers wavered.
Chester leaped forward and possessed himself of the two revolvers with several quick movements. One of these he levelled at the man in the bed.
"Hands up!" he commanded sharply. The man in the bed opened his mouth to speak. "Silence!" cried Chester. "Not a word." He turned to Hal, who for the moment had been staring in open-mouthed wonder. "Explain to the clerk, Hal," said Chester, "that we will take possession of this room, also of its occupant. It might be well to tell him that he should have informed us his room was occupied. We will discuss that later."
"But I tried to tell you, Herr Captain," declared the frightened clerk. "You would not listen, Herr Captain!"
"Silence!" commanded Chester. "Leave the room, and not one word about this matter as you value your life. We shall take charge of your other guest here. I've no doubt we shall all be good friends in the morning."
Still the clerk hesitated, but Hal settled the argument. He stepped quickly toward the clerk.
"Get out!" he commanded sharply.
The hotel clerk vanished.
In the meantime the man in the bed had been gazing at the two lads in astonishment. With his captured revolvers still in his hands, Chester approached him.
"Well," he said, "and what are you doing here, if I may ask?"
"By George! I don't see that it is any business of yours what I am doing here," was the reply in English. "I might ask the same of you."
"And you might get the same answer, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "Threatened to shoot us when we came in, didn't you?"
"And why shouldn't I?" demanded Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent of the New York Gazette and companion of Hal and Chester on many a perilous venture. "When a man breaks into another man's room the first thing the man in the room naturally thinks about is something with which to protect himself. I had those guns under my pillow and when I heard you come in, I pressed the electric light button and grabbed the guns."
"Well, it's fortunate you didn't use 'em, Stubbs," said Hal. "If you had shot me and I had found it out, I'd have had to lay you across my knee."
"You would, eh?" grumbled Stubbs. "I guess you would find that quite a job."
"Come, come, Stubbs," said Chester: "and you, too, Hal. We're in a ticklish position and there is no time for foolishness. What are you doing here, Stubbs?"
"Well," said Stubbs, "I'll tell you; but as you'll have to spend the night here, make yourselves comfortable. Sit down."
CHAPTER IV
CHESTER IS INDISCREET
"First," Stubbs began, when the boys had pulled their chairs close to his bed and he had propped himself up with a pair of pillows, "first I want to know what you mean, Chester, by jumping me the way you did a few minutes ago?"
"Well," said Chester, "you had a pair of guns wabbling in your hands and I was afraid one might accidentally go off. Safety first, Mr. Stubbs."
"That sounds all right," was Stubbs' dry comment, "or rather, I should say, it would sound all right if I didn't know you so well. It's my candid opinion you just jumped me because a good opportunity presented itself."
"Come, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "you know I wouldn't——"
"Oh, I do, do I?" exclaimed Stubbs sarcastically. "I know all about you, Chester, you can bet on that."
"Then maybe you can tell me what Hal and I are doing here," replied Chester.
"No, I can't do that exactly, but its a safe assertion that you are up to your old snooping tricks again."
"Then why are you here, Mr. Stubbs?" Chester wanted to know.
Stubbs smiled wryly.
"I guess you have me there, my boy," he said good-naturedly. "I'm here to snoop a little myself."
"As I thought," Hal put in. "By any chance, Mr. Stubbs, have you heard rumors that Austria has or is about to sue for peace?"
Stubbs sat up straight in bed.
"Now where did you get that idea?" he demanded.
"Because we're here in an attempt to verify that rumor," was Hal's reply.
Stubbs sighed.
"Well, there is no use trying to conceal my mission," he said; "and yet I was in hopes I was the possessor of information that would give me a 'scoop' for my paper; or an exclusive 'beat,' if you like that better."
"But surely you didn't hope to have such information if it were not known to the military authorities," protested Chester.
"And why didn't I?" demanded Stubbs, with some heat. "Let me tell you something, my boy. It's no infrequent thing for a newspaper man to gain knowledge of a certain thing long before it comes to the ears of the proper authorities."
"Then it is up to you to acquaint the proper authorities with your information," said Hal.
"Not a bit of it. Not a bit of it. My duty is to get the facts to my paper ahead of the correspondents of the other papers. That's what I'm paid for; and you can bet I'll do it if I get a chance."
"That's all beside the question right now, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester. "It seems that you are here on a mission similar to ours. Now the question is, shall we join forces or shall we work separately?"
"I don't know," said Stubbs. "You see, I've been on the ground longer than you have and have already made considerable progress. Looks to me like I'd be giving you my information in return for nothing."
"Oh, of course if that's the way you feel about it," said Chester, considerably nettled.
"Hold on, now!" protested Stubbs. "Not so fast, if you please. I didn't say I wouldn't throw in with you, did I?"
"No, you didn't say it," returned Chester significantly.
"Then don't cry until you're hurt," enjoined Stubbs. "At the same time there is another reason that tells me to let you go at this thing in your own way."
"And that, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Hal.
"That," returned Stubbs, "is because every time I get mixed up with you fellows I get in trouble. Either I'm moving forward a couple of leaps ahead of a bayonet, or I'm all snarled up in a knot of struggling Germans; and I don't like that, I tell you. I'm a peaceable man."
Hal and Chester laughed.
"Oh, yes, we know how peaceable you are," said Hal. "We're perfectly willing to bank on your courage, Mr. Stubbs."
"Well, I'm not exactly willing to bank on it myself," replied Stubbs grumblingly, but he was plainly pleased.
"Whatever you think best, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester.
"Surely, Chester," said Stubbs, "you didn't take me seriously? Surely you knew that I am willing to do whatever I can to further the cause of America and her allies. I was simply joking."
"Maybe you were," returned Chester, not at all convinced, "but all I've got to say is that you have a mighty poor way of showing it."
"Then I'll do better," said Stubbs. "Listen." He proceeded in a low tone. "I've been here for two days. I heard rumors some time ago that Austria and Germany were at the breaking point. Bulgaria, out of the war, as she has been for several weeks, it became apparent that Germany's other two allies would soon leave her in the lurch. Now Turkey doesn't matter so much, although with the Ottomans out of the war the strain on the allies will be lessened considerably. But with Austria—the kaiser's most important and powerful ally, ready to quit—the moment seems auspicious. Now, I wanted to be on the ground floor when the news broke. That's why I took a chance and sneaked through the German lines; that's why I'm here.
"That's why we're here, too," said Hal quietly.
"Now, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "you inferred that you had already learned something. What is it, if I may ask?"
"I didn't exactly say that," protested Stubbs. "However, I have found what in the newspaper business is called a 'leak' and I have hopes it will produce some news before many hours have passed."
"And what is this leak, Mr. Stubbs?"
"Why," said Mr. Stubbs, "its none other than our friend the night clerk whom you so unceremoniously ordered from the room a few minutes ago. He thinks I'm a pretty regular fellow. The reason is plain enough. I've been supplying him with tobacco for the last two days."
Both lads smiled.
"It's no wonder then," said Chester. "Tobacco is one of the luxuries in Germany to-day. But who are you supposed to be, Mr. Stubbs?"
"Me?" said Stubbs, "why I'm nothing more than a German-American who was caught in Germany by the war, who is in sympathy with the German cause and not at all anxious to get back to the States. In fact, the clerk is positive I'd be wearing a German uniform if I were not above military age."
"But you're not above the German military age, Mr. Stubbs," Hal protested.
"Well, the clerk doesn't know that," said Stubbs significantly.
"You're a pretty shrewd customer, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester. "I guess if you've managed to fool the clerk this long you'll get by, all right."
"I will, unless you get me mixed up in some of your scrapes," declared Stubbs. "But you boys must be tired. Ring the bell there for the clerk. I'll tell him that we have found we have mutual friends and that I will permit you to spend the night in my room."
The clerk returned in response to the summons and Stubbs outlined the situation. The clerk offered no protest; in fact, he offered to supply cots for Mr. Stubbs' visitors.
These arrived directly and as soon as the clerk withdrew, Hal and Chester tumbled into their beds. "There is nothing that may be done to-night," said Stubbs. "Get a good rest, boys."
In spite of the fact that it was late when they retired, all three were up bright and early in the morning and went to breakfast in the small dining room of the hotel.
As they were finishing their coffee—without sugar or cream, by the way, these being other verboten luxuries in Germany—Chester's attention was arrested by the entrance of a tall, stately German woman, accompanied by a girl of perhaps eighteen years. They sat down at a table but three removed from where the friends were seated.
Hal followed the direction of Chester's eyes and smiled.
"Don't play the gallant now," he whispered in a low voice.
Chester flushed.
"By Jove!" he said. "You're the limit. Can't a fellow look at a pretty girl without drawing some such remark from you?"
"But I know you so well," laughed Hal.
"Rats!" Chester ejaculated.
At that moment two young German officers entered the room and strode toward the table where mother and daughter—as Chester had surmised the two to be—sat. They stopped suddenly, noticing apparently for the first time that the table was occupied.
"Himmel!" one exclaimed. "Conditions are pretty bad when a man cannot find a seat at his own table."
The words were plainly audible to the mother, and daughter, and their faces turned red. The elder made as though to rise, but the girl restrained her.
"We have as much right here as they have, Mother," she said.
Chester grinned to himself. It did him good to hear the girl talk like that, for he had not been favorably impressed with the appearance of the officers—both in the uniform of captains—in the first place.
"We shall have to ask you to leave our table," said the German officer who had spoken before.
It was the girl who protested.
"We'll stay where we are," she said.
The German grew angry.
"Is this the manner in which to treat one of his majesty's officers?" he demanded.
The girl deigned no reply.
"Did you hear me?" demanded the German again.
Still no reply.
The German stepped quickly forward, and laying his hand on the back of the girl's chair, jerked it back from the table. As he did so, the girl leaped to her feet. Her hand shot out and the German staggered back, his face red where the girl's open palm had struck.
"Himmel!" he cried angrily.
He stepped forward and seized the girl by the wrist.
Now Chester had been watching these proceedings with rising indignation. When the man seized the girl's wrist, for the moment Chester lost all thought of his surroundings, threw caution to the winds and rose quickly. As quickly he stepped across the room.
"Let the girl alone," he growled angrily.
The German wheeled on him, and recognizing in the lad no superior officer, stood his ground.
"And who are you?" he demanded.
"I'll show you," said Chester angrily.
He struck out with his right fist. "Smack." The German staggered back.
CHAPTER V
AN ENEMY PLOT BARED
Hal and Stubbs were on their feet immediately. Both hurried to Chester's side. Seeing these reinforcements, the friend of the first German officer, who had advanced apparently to aid his companion, stepped back. So did the man who had gripped the girl's wrist.
For a moment the latter glared angrily at Chester. Then his hand dropped to his holster. But before he could draw a weapon, Chester whipped out his own automatic and covered him.
"None of that," the lad said angrily.
Realizing that he had been caught in a position, not to his credit, the first German sought to temporize.
"I'm sorry if I was a bit hasty," he apologized to the German girl and her mother. "The truth is, I have had little rest lately, my nerves are bad and I am easily disturbed. I apologize."
The girl accepted the apology with a slight inclination of her head. Her mother said nothing.
The German turned to Chester.
"You struck me, sir," he said, "and under different conditions I would demand satisfaction. But in this case, you acted very properly. I would have done the same in your place."
He bowed to Chester, who lowered his revolver and slowly returned it to its holster.
This was the moment for which the treacherous German had been waiting. Suddenly he whipped out his own revolver.
But Hal, too, had been on the alert. A peculiar look in the German's eye had warned the lad that the man was bent on mischief. Therefore, Hal's revolver flashed forth a second sooner than that of Chester's enemy.
"Drop that!" called Hal sharply.
The German obeyed. There was nothing else for him to do. His head dropped, and a guilty flush crept over his face. Hal stepped forward and picked up the man's revolver, which he stowed safely in his own pocket.
"I thought you betrayed your true characteristics when you insulted these ladies," said Hal. "I am sure of it now. I shall make it my business to see that this matter is reported to the proper authorities. You may go now."
Without a word, and followed by his companion, the German turned and strode toward the door. As he would have passed out, he stopped suddenly and brought his heels together and saluted sharply. His companion did likewise.
A moment later a figure in the uniform of a German general of infantry stepped into the room. He halted just inside the door, as he took in the situation about him. The others still stood as they had when Chester's opponent had left them, and the general realized instantly that something was amiss. Hal and Chester saluted as the general strode across the room without so much as a glance at them, and addressed the mother.
"What is the matter?" he asked.
It was the girl again who replied.
"That man insulted me, father," she said, indicating Chester's erstwhile foe, and in a few brief words she told how Chester had come to her assistance.
The general saluted Chester, then Hal in turn.
"I will talk with you later, sirs," he said. "Right now I have other business."
He strode across the room to where the young German officers stood, awaiting permission to take their departure. Straight the general went to the man who had accosted his daughter, stopped close to him, raised his right arm and brought his open palm stingingly across the other's face.
"Let that teach you," he said, "that a German officer does not insult women of his own race."
The German captain staggered back, but said nothing.
"You may go now," said the general. "You will hear more from me later."
The young officers left the room hurriedly.
General Knoff, for as such the general now introduced himself to Hal, Chester and Stubbs, addressed Chester quietly.
"You have befriended my wife and my daughter," he said. "I thank you, sir."
Chester saluted again, but made no reply.
"It is my wish that you all join us at breakfast," continued the general.
"We should be pleased, your excellency," said Chester politely, "save for the fact that we have just breakfasted."
"Then you shall at least have another cup of coffee with us," said General Knoff.
Chester bowed his assent, for he realized there was nothing else to do. A mere German captain did not refuse an invitation from a general—not under the iron discipline that still ruled in the armies of the kaiser.
Accordingly, the three friends seated themselves at the table with the others. Coffee was soon before them, and Chester presently found himself in animated conversation with the general's daughter, Kathryn. Stubbs conversed mostly to Frau Knoff, while the general kept Hal engaged.
For some time they talked on general topics, touching only briefly on the war. But as always with soldiers, the conversation at last turned into that channel.
Suddenly Hal's heart gave a quick thump. Here, the lad told himself, was an opportunity that was not to be overlooked. Undoubtedly, if he would, General Knoff could verify or set at naught the rumor that Austria had, or was about to, sue for peace. Hal drew a long breath, then said:
"I understand, your excellency, that our enemies are regaling themselves with a report that Austria is about to desert the emperor and sue for peace."
General Knoff set his cup down abruptly, and gazed closely at Hal.
"And do you believe that?" he asked at last.
Hal shook his head and smiled slightly.
"Why should Austria desert?" he asked. "We have the advantage at this moment, in spite of the fact that we have suffered some reverses lately. No; if the war were to end now, Germany is victorious."
"Good!" said General Knoff. "I like that talk, for it is becoming rare these days. These light reverses you speak of seem to have affected others more strongly—to have shaken their confidence. However, it is well that our foes think the slight difference of opinion between his majesty and the emperor of Austria may result in a complete breach; yes, it is well."
"You mean, your excellency," said Hal, taking another long chance, "that such rumors have been circulated intentionally—that the enemy may be taken off their guard?"
General Knoff glanced around cautiously. He waited a moment, then said:
"You will understand, of course, that it is impossible for me to answer yes to your question; at the same time, I cannot deny it."
"I understand, your excellency," replied Hal, "and you may be sure that I shall say nothing of what I know."
"You know nothing!" said the general sharply.
"Very well, your excellency," said Hal quietly. "I know nothing."
General Knoff turned the conversation into other channels. Directly he asked the name and position of Hal's and Chester's regiments. Fortunately, both lads had posted themselves in advance and their answers did not rouse the general's suspicions.
At last breakfast came to an end. The three friends made their adieus to their new friends, and retired at once to Stubbs' room.
"Well," said that worthy, when they were settled comfortably and secure against intrusion, "we've learned something, Hal. But I'll tell you, you took my breath away when you began to pump the general."
"And mine, agreed Chester.
"Well, it looked like the best way to me," declared Hal. "I figured it wasn't wise to pass up an opportunity like that."
"It worked, anyway," said Stubbs. "But the general must have been in a particularly good humor. Otherwise such a question might have meant prison, at least, for all of us."
"As it chanced," said Hal, "the general was in a particularly good humor. Chester had just put him there; and by the way, Chester, it's all right to be gallant and all that, but it strikes me you should have used a little more discretion."
"I didn't hurt anything," Chester grumbled. "On the contrary, if I hadn't interfered as I did we wouldn't know what we do now."
"That's true enough," Stubbs admitted. "But I stand with Hal. It's not wise to rush to the aid of every fair damsel in distress, especially when you're masquerading in the uniform of the enemy. It might bring a firing squad, and I have no particular fondness for firing squads."
"All the same," said Chester, "you couldn't stand by and see a boor of a Dutchman pick on a couple of helpless women."
"Careful on that Dutchman stuff, Chester," Stubbs cautioned. "Remember the Hollander has no more use for a German than you have."
"Well, all right," returned Chester sulkily, "but Hal always starts picking on me if I look at a girl."
"It's no time to be looking at girls when you are on business," declared Hal grimly. "You're altogether too susceptible to the charms of the fairer sex, Chester."
"Rats!" said Chester. "You make me tired, both of you."
"Well, we'll pass all that up," said Anthony Stubbs. "The question to consider now is whether we shall take the general's statement as sufficient to brand the Austrian peace rumor as a German plot."
"It's enough for me," declared Hal.
"Same here," agreed Chester.
"I'm perfectly satisfied myself," said Stubbs. "I am afraid the New York Gazette will lose a good story as a result, but I can't help that. I'm not going to yell peace when there is no peace. Now the thing to do, to my mind, is to get back to our own lines."
"Right," said Hal briefly. "We'll make the attempt to-night, if you are both agreeable."
The others nodded their agreement. Hal told Stubbs of the hidden airplane, and it was decided to make the return trip in that craft if the Germans had not discovered it.
"In the meantime," said Stubbs, "we'll just stick close to this room; it's safer."
And so they spent the day in the quiet little hotel of historic Sedan.
CHAPTER VI
AN ENCOUNTER
It was after dark when Hal, Chester and Stubbs left the seclusion of the hotel and started toward the spot where the lads had hidden their airplane the morning before.
There were plenty of signs of military activity in Sedan as the three friends passed along the streets, but no one interfered with them. To all intents and purposes they were precisely what they seemed—two German army officers and a civilian above the military age. And at last they came to the outskirts of the town.
"How much farther, Hal?" Stubbs wanted to know.
"Not much," was Hal's reply. "Perhaps a mile, Mr. Stubbs."
"Not far, eh?" said Stubbs with some sarcasm. "I hope you don't call that close."
"It's likely to be a whole lot farther to our lines than we have figured, if the plane is gone," Chester put in.
"And I'm willing to bet it'll be gone," declared Stubbs.
"There you go, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "Nobody could ever truthfully call you an optimist."
"I've lived too long and seen too much to be an optimist," was the little man's response. "Now, who wants to bet we won't have to hoof it back to the American lines?"
"I'll take that bet, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "just to show you that it pays to be an optimist. What'll it be?"
"Anything you say," replied Stubbs. "Make it a new pipe for me and a hat for you—when the war's over."
"Suits me," said Chester. "It's a bet."
The three walked along the dark road in silence for some moments.
"By George! it can't be much farther," declared Stubbs at last. "We've covered a mile now. Must have lost your bearings, Hal."
"Just hold your horses, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "I'm not in the habit of making such mistakes. We'll be there presently."
Stubbs grumbled to himself but made no reply.
Five minutes later Hal slackened his pace and took Stubbs by the arm.
"There," he said, pointing to a clump of trees a short distance ahead, "there is the spot we hid the plane, unless I am greatly mistaken. It may be there yet."
"And it may not," growled Stubbs, although his voice indicated that he was pleased that the long walk was about over.
At the edge of the miniature forest, Hal paused and glanced up and down the road. So did Chester and Stubbs. There was no one in sight.
"We'll have a look," said Hal.
He stepped in among the trees. Then he gave an exclamation of relief.
"She's here," he said softly.
It was true. There was the plane right where the lads had left it in the early morning of the day before. Apparently there had been no one near it, for its position was the same as that in which the lads had left it.
"Well, don't let's fool around here," said Stubbs. "Let's be moving."
"Since when did you become so anxious to fly, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Chester.
"I'm not anxious to fly," retorted Stubbs. "I never did like to ride in one of these things and I never will; but I want to get out of this place, and I'm in favor of moving right away."
"We'll move then," said Hal briefly. "Chester, do you suppose you can make room back there?"
"By George!" said Stubbs. "He'll have to make room for me or there'll be a fight right here."
"I guess we can squeeze him in some way, Hal," replied Chester.
Hal and Chester turned the craft so that its nose pointed toward the open, then wheeled it from the woods.
"Climb in, Stubbs," said Hal.
The little war correspondent needed no further urging. Chester took his place beside him. It was a tight squeeze, for the machine had not been constructed to carry two in the rear seat, but Chester and Stubbs managed it. Hal climbed in the pilot's seat and adjusted the spark.
"All ready?" he called over his shoulder.
"Shoot," answered Stubbs, grasping the side of the plane firmly.
Almost at the same moment there came a sudden interruption to the flight of the three friends.
Half a dozen forms appeared from nowhere at all and quickly surrounded the plane. Half a dozen rifles were leveled at the craft and a harsh German voice exclaimed:
"Halt!"
Stubbs gave an exclamation of disgust.
"I knew it," he said, and that was all.
Hal muttered an imprecation beneath his breath. They had been so close to getting away safely, and now this interruption made him angry.
"Well," he told himself, "there is nothing to do but try and bluff it out. Fortunately, we have not discarded our German uniforms." He raised his voice and called: "What's the meaning of this?"
"Get out of that plane," said the German voice.
The muzzles of half a dozen rifles made Hal realize that discretion truly is the better part of valor.
"There's no help for it," he told himself.
He got out. Chester and Stubbs followed his example. Hal approached the man who had accosted them.
"What's the meaning of this?" he demanded again.
For the first time the German appeared to notice the German uniforms and the straps that proclaimed Hal and Chester captains in the emperor's service.
"Your pardon if I have made a mistake, captain," he said. "But how was I to know? Yesterday I found this plane—clearly an American craft—hidden here. I had it watched all to-day, but no one came near it. I saw no bodies near to indicate that the American pilot had been killed. Therefore I judged that there was a spy within our lines. That's why my men have stood guard here until now."
"You have done well, lieutenant," said Hal. "It's true that this is an American craft, but it has been used by our friend here," and he indicated Stubbs, "for purposes favorable to the German cause. Herr Schindler arrived early yesterday morning and reported to General Knoff in Sedan. Now Captain Diegle and myself are bound on a little expedition with him. Do I make myself clear, lieutenant?"
"Perfectly," and the lieutenant ordered his men to lower their rifles. "It is not for me to question the wisdom of my superiors."
"You are a good officer, lieutenant," said Hal. "I shall see that General Knoff hears of your vigilance."
"Thank you, captain. Is there anything I may do for you before you proceed on your journey?"
"Nothing, thanks. Then with your permission, lieutenant, we shall continue our interrupted journey."
Hal turned again toward the car. Chester and Stubbs followed him.
"Quickly, now," said Hal in a low voice. "His suspicions may be aroused again. We've no time to lose."
Again Chester and Stubbs clambered into the back seat.
"All right?" asked Hal, after he had taken his seat.
"All right," said Chester.
"Let her go, Hal," cried Stubbs in English.
And these words almost caused their undoing.
At the sound of the English phrase the German lieutenant, who had been watching the friends embark for their aerial trip, realized in a moment that he had been fooled.
The plane was gliding slowly across the ground when he called to his men:
"Spies! Shoot them!"
Instantly the soldiers threw their rifles to their shoulders and poured a volley after the plane. Then they started after the craft on a dead run.
The first volley did no damage beyond arousing Hal's anger. He berated Stubbs' carelessness roundly to himself, but not for a moment did he take his mind off the work in hand.
Chester and Stubbs ducked instinctively at the sound of the first volley. Then Chester raised his head, and drawing his revolvers, fired at the pursuing Germans.
The lad's efforts were rewarded with cries of anger, and there was one shrill scream. Chester smiled grimly to himself, for he knew that he had accounted for one of the foes.
Again and again the Germans fired, and Chester heard the balls glance off the side of the plane. Still the enemy fire had not reached a vital part of the craft and the occupants were untouched.
Now Hal touched the elevating lever gently and the plane soared in the air. One more volley the Germans fired after them. Then the three friends were safe.
"Stubbs," said Chester, as the plane sped through the air. "I ought to pitch you out of here, and you know it."
"By George! Why?" demanded Stubbs, puzzled.
"Why?" echoed Chester. "Wasn't it your fault that we almost got killed just now?"
"I don't see how you make that out," declared the little correspondent.
"Didn't you yell out in English just before we started?"
"By George! Did I? I didn't know it."
"You must be losing your mind, Stubbs," declared Chester. "You don't remember calling out in English, eh?"
"No, I don't," declared Stubbs, "and it's my opinion you're blaming me to cover up something you have done yourself."
"I've a good mind to reach over and pull your nose, Stubbs," said Chester.
"If you do you'll have your own pulled right back again," declared Stubbs angrily.
"Say! What's the matter with you fellows back there?" called Hal over his shoulder. "Don't you know we're in enemy territory and that there are thousands of German planes flying around here some place? If you have any arguing to do wait until we get back to our own lines. I'll be referee then and you can fight all week, if you want to."
"Make him let me alone, then," growled Stubbs to himself, but he became silent.
The journey was continued without incident. Only once was Hal's order for silence broken, and then by Chester who, nudging Stubbs, said:
"Don't forget our bet. You owe me a hat."
"All right," Stubbs whispered back; "and I'll pay it—when the war's over."
CHAPTER VII
THE ADVANCE
The month of October, 1918, was one of the most glorious in the pages of American history written by the world's war. From early in the month General Pershing's men struck along their wide front and everywhere the Germans gave ground. French and British troops also made progress daily along the great battle front.
On October 3 the Germans retreated on the Lenz front. The British advanced to within six miles of Lille. Belgian and French troops advanced in the region of Hooglede and Roulers. Two days later the German retreat began in the Champagne region. Continuing along the line to the south, the allies pressed their advantage at all points.
It was clear to all military experts that the beginning of the end was in sight. From Rheims, American troops, late in October, began the advance that was to carry them into Sedan and beyond. Germany's resistance was becoming more feeble daily.
The German emperor was never to recover from the moral effect of the desertion of Bulgaria as German supremacy waned. With Bulgaria out of the war, German efforts were turned to keeping Turkey and Austria in line. But these, too, were to fail. Only a short time after Bulgaria laid down arms, Turkey signed a truce with England and France. The United States had no hand in the making of these two truces, because America, despite much urging, had never formally declared war on Turkey and Bulgaria.
With the fortunes of Germany at low ebb, it became apparent that Austria would eventually leave her more powerful ally in the lurch. Again and again reports filtering into the allied lines told of fast growing political disturbances in the dual monarchy. Several cabinets had fallen. The red flag of anarchy was flying in the streets of some of the smaller towns. The Hungarian parliament had broken with the cabinet at Vienna, and it seemed only a question of time until the Austrian revolt would make an end of Austria as a factor in the war.
Conditions were growing serious in Germany also, as reports reaching the American forces revealed. So far, however, disorder was not as rampant as in Austria-Hungary, but it was growing clear that the masses of the German people, long since tired of fighting a losing battle, were getting ready to take matters into their own hands.
In none of the allied capitals, however, was it believed that Germany was yet ready to consider a peace, which, everyone knew, must deprive Germany of her claim to being a world power. The world knew that when the allies imposed their terms, they would be such as would tie the hands of Germany for decades to come and would eventually prevent a repetition, by a blundering and crazy ruler, of a condition that had plunged the whole world into war.
So the daily advance of the allied armies meant one more day nearer to peace.
To the north, where the British under Field Marshal Haig were pressing their advantage, the German line held more firmly than to the south, where French and Americans were delivering their smashing blows. The entire sector south and east of the Argonne Forest was controlled by American forces under the personal direction of General Pershing. True, General Pershing was nominally under command of Field Marshal Foch, the French commander in chief, but so was Field Marshal Haig, the British commander, and General Diaz, the Italian commander in chief, for that matter. It was Marshal Foch who was the master mind of the whole allied offensive.
When the rumor was first circulated among the allied forces that Austria was about to sue for peace, there were few who placed credence in it, despite the fact that they knew such an appeal was sure to be made before long. Nevertheless, if it were true, it would be of advantage to the allies to know of the impending appeal at the earliest possible moment.
To General Pershing, Marshal Foch had entrusted the task of ascertaining the truth or falsity of the report. General Pershing, in turn, had passed the word along where he felt it would do the most good. This was how it happened that Hal and Chester found themselves so fortunate as to be ordered within the German lines at Sedan on the mission which opened this book.
That Germany would have profited greatly at that time could the Americans, French and British have been fooled by the false rumor goes without saying. And it is true, too, that the longer the rumor was permitted to live the greater became the danger of over-confidence in the ranks of the allies.
It is for this reason that General Pershing was immensely pleased to receive so soon a report from Colonel O'Neil, at Rheims that this first rumor of an impending appeal for peace by Austria was nothing more than a German plot. Immediately the word was passed along the whole battle front. The result was, that Germany, instead of having gained by this piece of duplicity, suffered. For when allied troops went into battle they struck that much harder. For a time they had believed that their efforts were to be crowned with immediate success, and now that they learned the Germans had been playing with them they fought with the desperate energy of the man who fears he has been made ridiculous.
It was learned later that this rumor of Austria's decision to break with Germany was started by the Germans themselves for the reason we have seen.
Austria was not so much as consulted in the matter, and it has been shown since that this very fact was responsible, in a measure, for Austria's decision some time later to sue for a separate peace. So the bomb launched by the kaiser and his advisers proved a veritable boomerang.
But President Wilson and his advisers had not been fooled by the German plot. President Wilson, some time before, had laid down conditions on which Germany and Austria might have peace, and to these he stuck. He had informed the German and Austrian people that they might have peace at any time by laying down their arms, provided they ousted the militarists who were responsible for the war. Several efforts had been made by German and Austrian officials to fool America by changes of cabinets and other political tricks but President Wilson, with his allies, was adamant.
So the situation stood in the middle of October, when the allies girded themselves for what they felt sure would prove the deciding effort.
All along the great battle line, which stretched from the North Sea to the frontier of Switzerland, British, French, Belgians and Americans supported by their own allies, Portuguese, some few Brazilians and troops from British and French colonial possessions, gathered themselves for the final spring.
The last great offensive was begun by the British and Belgians to the north. Through Belgium and western France they plowed, pushing the enemy back on all sides. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, in German hands since early in the war, was recaptured. The Belgian government, which after the fall of Brussels had moved into France, returned to Brussels amid the cheering of thousands of Belgians.
As the Germans retreated, they followed their customary tactics of cruelty. Fire and sword were applied to the abandoned towns until a threat from France put a stop to it. France's threat was this: That for every town destroyed by the Germans in their retreat, retaliation would be made. For every town thus destroyed by the Germans, a German town would also be put to the torch.
This threat, carried by neutral envoys to the German high command, resulted in the abandonment of the German campaign of destruction, for the German high command was now more far-seeing than it had been a year before. The kaiser and his generals at last had been forced to the conclusion that they were waging a losing war. Also, they knew that the French troops had not forgotten the horrors of the early days of the war, and their hatred of everything Prussian dated farther back even than that—to the days of the Franco-Prussian war, when they had been able to gauge for the first time the workings of the Prussian mind.
To the south of the Belgian frontier, the French wrested St. Quentin, Lille and other important railroad towns from the enemy. No longer did the Germans offer the fierce resistance that had characterized their earlier activities. They withdrew now without the stubbornness of yore. Their morale had been shattered, and they were glad to retire.
All along the battle line the great field and siege guns of the Americans, French, Belgian and British played havoc in the enemy ranks. The German artillery replied, but it lacked the volume and the fierce challenge of old. Then, too, the Germans had lost thousands and thousands of their guns, field pieces and machine guns. Factories behind the German frontier had been depleted of workers to fill the gaps in the fighting front, with the result that guns and ammunitions were not being produced so fast as they had been the year before.
This meant that the Germans were compelled to conserve their ammunition. The high command had also found it necessary to be more sparing of its man-power and less prodigal with its food supplies. No longer could the enemy sacrifice a few thousand men and thousands and thousands of rounds of ammunition to gain a few feet of ground.
On the other hand, due to the activity of American factories, the allies were supplied with more ammunition, guns and food than ever before since the war began. Also, numerically, were superior to the foe.
With these facts in mind, Field Marshal Foch ordered the advance all along the front that was to prove the end of Germany as a military power; that was to result in the abdication of the German emperor and the crown prince; and that was to mean revolution throughout the German empire until such time as a stable government could raise its head and the common people could come into their own.
And so it was a great day for the German people when Marshal Foch gave the word that set his millions of men in motion from the North Sea hundreds of miles south to the frontier of Switzerland. It was a move that meant that the German people would do away with masters and would set up a government of their own—a government which was to be patterned after that of the United States of America—a "government of the people, for the people and by the people."
In this last great mission, Hal and Chester were to perform their full duties, and they were to have greater fortune than ever before, for they were to be "in at the death," as Hal put it, with Marshal Foch when the great French military leader gave to the enemy terms that resulted in the ending of the war.
In the meantime, all unconscious of what was in store for them, the two lads, after returning from their mission within the German lines, were taking a well deserved rest in their temporary quarters in the French city of Rheims.
CHAPTER VIII
TOWARD SEDAN
The American army was moving toward Sedan. Already the Yankee forces advancing from the south and west had occupied St. Aigan and invested Maisoncelle, Stonne and Sommauthe. The enemy had contested every inch of the ground, but the Americans were not to be denied. The Forty-second division, better known as the Rainbow Division, under command of Major-General Charles D. Rhodes, and the Second division, regular army troops, commanded by Major-General John A. Lejeune, were showing the way.
On either side of these forces were the Seventy-seventh and the Eighty-second divisions, commanded respectively by Major-General Robert Alexander and Major-General George P. Duncan.
In these American units advancing upon Sedan were represented fighting men from all sections of the United States.
The Forty-second was composed of former National Guardsmen from the various states, the Seventy-seventh recruited chiefly from New York City, and the Eighty-second, composed of Georgians, Tennesseeans and Alabamans. The Second division, as has been said, was a regular army unit.
It was with the Forty-second division that Hal and Chester found themselves when the advance began. Attached to the staff of Colonel O'Neil of the third regiment, Thirty-second division, commanded by Major-General William C. Haan, they had been sent to General Rhodes with dispatches just before the advance began.
It was the night of the second of November, 1918, and the Americans were forging ahead in spite of the lateness of the hour—midnight. This was one feature of Yankee fighting that the Germans were never able to understand. The German is a methodical man. Even in the art of war he is governed to no small degree by habit. Ordinarily the Germans did not fight at night. With the coming of darkness, as a rule, it had been their custom to postpone further actions till the morrow.
Now, however, they were forced to give up some of these customs. When American forces advanced they continued their work whether it was night or day. Consequently, the Germans had found themselves forced either to fight or run.
The Germans were fighting tonight. All day they had been retreating, but now, less than a dozen miles from the city of Sedan, they were making a desperate stand.
The voices of the great guns shattered the night; huge rockets and other signal flares lighted up the darkness. Dimly could be heard the crash of machine gun fire and the rattle of the rifles at points where the fighting was close.
All day Hal and Chester had been kept on the jump, carrying dispatches to the various regimental commanders. At midnight, there appeared little likelihood they would gain a much needed rest before morning. General Rhodes, realizing the advantage won earlier in the day, was determined to press it to the utmost. Over his field telephone he kept in touch with developments in other parts of the field. There, he learned, the Germans also were giving ground.
The advance guard of the Forty-second was now a few miles to the north of Maisoncelle, which had been captured late in the evening. General Rhodes determined upon a bold stroke.
He summoned Hal, who stood at attention beside Chester, in the general's quarters.
"Major Paine!" he called.
Hal approached and saluted.
"My compliments to Colonel English," continued General Rhodes, "and order him to assume command of the First, Second, Third and Tenth regiments and make a detour toward Pouilly. Inform him that I will make a greater show of force to the south, and have him close in on the enemy from the east. I am informed that the German positions there have been weakened. We may catch the enemy in a trap. That is all."
Hal saluted, swung on his heel and departed hastily. Outside, he sprang into a small army automobile, which was among a number of other cars standing idle pending necessity of use by dispatch bearers, and soon was speeding through the darkness.
Half an hour later he was received by Colonel English, who heard his orders in silence.
"Inform the general that I shall move at once," said the colonel.
Hal saluted and returned to headquarters.
Already, without waiting to hear the result of Hal's mission, General Rhodes had given orders for a more rapid advance all along the line.
The clear notes of many bugles sounded from various parts of the field. Regimental commanders gave necessary instructions to their subordinates and the advance of the American forces gained in momentum.
Half an hour later Hal found himself on the road again bearing instructions to Colonel English. He overtook the colonel two miles from where he had found him last. The colonel was riding along in the midst of his men, in a large army automobile. He motioned Hal to a seat beside him.
"I am instructed to go with you, sir," said Hal, "and carry back word of any imminent danger."
"Very well," said the colonel. "Make yourself at home."
From time to time Colonel English summoned aides whom he dispatched to other parts of the field with instructions. Suddenly he turned to Hal.
"It strikes me," he said, "that the general is risking a whole lot on this move. If the enemy is in greater strength at Pouilly than we suppose, our position will be critical."
"I would imagine that the general's information is authentic," returned Hal. "Otherwise he would not have ordered you to Pouilly."
"You are probably right," said Colonel English; "but at the same time I have a feeling that all is not well."
Hal shrugged his shoulders, a movement that was not discernable to Colonel English in the darkness.
"Well," the lad said, "we'll let the boches know we are there at all events."
"Right," agreed Colonel English.
There was silence after that except for the plodding feet of the infantry and the noise of the horses that composed the single troop of cavalry with the expedition. Also, the sharp crack of machine guns in other parts of the field and the voices of the distant big guns could be heard.
"According to my calculations," said Colonel English to Hal an hour later, "we should now be within three miles of Pouilly. I shall order a halt here and make a reconnaisance."
He did so; and the troops sat there in the darkness for perhaps an hour while a young lieutenant and ten men went ahead to get the lay of the land.
"All quiet ahead, sir," the lieutenant reported on his return. "I went as close to the enemy as I dared. He apparently is expecting no attack from this direction. The village should be captured with ease by a surprise assault."
"You were not, of course, able to ascertain the approximate strength of the enemy, lieutenant?"
"No, sir; I dared not approach too close."
"Very good, lieutenant."
The young officer saluted and returned to his station.
"Well," said Colonel English to Hal, "it seems that my fears were groundless. We'll go forward."
Silently the Americans crept along the dark road—or as silently as it is possible for a mass of men and horses to creep. Machine guns were dragged along as silently as possible, and the few field pieces that were the main reliance of the little force also were hauled with extreme caution.
Less than a half a mile from the village itself, Colonel English swung his field pieces into position to cover the advance of his men. It was not his intention to alarm the enemy by opening a bombardment of the village, but he overlooked nothing that would protect his men.
Under cover of the silent guns, which were ready for action at a moment's notice, the Americans crept forward. A short distance ahead Hal could see here and there a faint light, which indicated that the whole village was not asleep. Also, the lad knew, German sentinels were on guard; and there was little possibility that the Americans could enter the town without discovery.
"By Jove!" the lad muttered to himself. "I don't like to sit back here while all this is going on."
He turned to Colonel English.
"Colonel," he said, "I wonder if you will permit me to take a hand in the attack? I assure you that I am no novice at the game."
The colonel considered the point a moment.
"All right," he said at last, "but mind that you do not expose yourself needlessly. You must remember that General Rhodes looks to you for a report on the pending engagement. Here, I'll give you instructions for Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, of the Fourth regiment. That will enable you to get into the midst of things. You may remain with the regiment as long as you see fit, remembering only that I wish you to report to me an hour after daylight."
"Very well, sir," said Hal.
He leaped lightly from the colonel's automobile, appropriated a horse from a trooper who stood near and dashed forward in the darkness.
Colonel Johnson's force was some distance ahead, and it was perhaps fifteen minutes later that Hal came up with him. He gave the instructions that Colonel English had confided in him, and then said:
"Colonel, if you don't mind I'll stay with you through this battle."
Colonel Johnson would have protested, but Hal continued with a smile:
"I have the permission of Colonel English, sir. I hope that I may be of some assistance to you. Do not hesitate to call upon me for any piece of work that you may wish accomplished."
Colonel Johnson shrugged.
"Help yourself," he said, "and don't worry. If I've need of your services you may be sure I won't hesitate to ask for them."
The march continued in silence.
Suddenly the sound that Hal had been expecting came. It was the blast of a great gun, close at hand. The advance of the Americans had been discovered. Colonel English took his decision instantly.
"Charge!" he cried.
The Americans went forward with a wild yell.
CHAPTER IX
THE BATTLE
A volley of rifle fire met the first rush of the Americans. Sleepy-eyed Germans, aroused from their slumber by the sound of the warning gun, poured from their shelter and rushed forward through the streets of the village. Hastily machine guns were wheeled into position, and a veritable rain of bullets swept the ranks of the charging columns in khaki.
But the Americans did not falter. These men of the Forty-second division upheld the traditions of the American army. True, they had been under fire before and it was not to be expected that they would falter; but well might a man have faltered in the face of the terrible fire poured in upon them. Each man bent to his work with a determination that boded ill for the foe. Some dashed forward with wild yells, others smiled quietly to themselves, while still others joked with their nearest neighbors. Here and there men dropped in their tracks, to rise no more, but others leaped over the bodies and dashed ahead.
So close had the Americans approached the village before being discovered, that the enemy ranks had not time to form. What machine guns had been brought into play by the Germans were widely scattered and did not have the effect that would have been possible had the Americans given the enemy more time.
American machine guns also began to rattle and Germans began to fall. The opposing forces were too close for the enemy to use his heavy artillery, nor could Colonel Johnson use his own field pieces for the same reason.
Undismayed by the withering enemy fire, the Americans continued their charge and soon the fighting became hand-to-hand. Wild cries and imprecations arose above the sounds of firing, and the clash of cold steel became audible in all sections of the field.
The Germans withstood the first shock of the American charge, but they could not withstand the second. They faltered momentarily, but under the commands of their officers for a moment braced again. But when the Yankees hurled themselves upon the wall of human flesh the third time, the German line wavered along its entire length, then broke.
Groups of the enemy threw down their arms and raised their hands in token of surrender. These were quickly passed to the rear, for the men in front were too busy to be occupied with prisoners. Others of the enemy turned and ran. Here and there, however, groups of the foe gathered, determined to resist the Americans to the last.
Against these small batches of the enemy, groups of American soldiers dashed. Again the fighting became fast and furious, and in this fighting the Americans sustained their heaviest losses.
Hal found himself close to Colonel Johnson, who had advanced in the midst of his men. A German officer raised his revolver and aimed at Colonel Johnson. Hal, who had been about to discharge his own revolver at a big German soldier who was pressing him closely, turned his weapon and fired in time to drop the man who otherwise must surely have killed the American colonel.
Colonel Johnson at the same moment had perceived his danger and he realized instantly that Hal had saved his life at the imminent risk of losing his own. Colonel Johnson was a brave man, and he recognized bravery in another. He sprang to Hal's side and with his sword laid low the man who then held Hal at his mercy.
Hal acknowledged this assistance with a smile; he had no time for more. The Germans were pressing too close for that.
Colonel Johnson cleared a space about him with his flashing sword. Hal emptied his revolver into the ranks of the enemy, then drew his own sword. Standing side by side, Hal and Colonel Johnson beat off the Germans who tried to pierce their guards. Nevertheless, their predicament was extremely critical, and it is doubtless if they would have come through alive had not half a dozen soldiers, seeing their peril, dashed forward and scattered the Germans who surrounded them.
This gave the two a breathing space, of which they took advantage.
But the fighting was far from ended yet—the Germans were far from beaten. In the rear of the line which had broken and fled under the American attack, other lines had formed and now dashed forward. Colonel English, taking in the situation at a glance, ordered support to the assistance of the hard-pressed men under Colonel Johnson.
The reinforcements came forward with a rush and met the new German line with a crash. The hand-to-hand fighting that ensued was terrific, but after five minutes of give and take, the Germans again retired.
American machine guns were swung about hastily to cover the retreating foe and wreaked terrific havoc among the enemy. The retreat became a rout. The Germans turned and fled.
Victory, it appeared, was with the Americans.
But Colonel English had no mind to allow the enemy to rest. His instructions had been to capture the village of Pouilly, and he would not rest content until he had accomplished that feat. Accordingly, he ordered another advance.
The Americans dashed forward with the same recklessness that has always characterized the charge of the American fighting man. In vain German officers sought to bring some semblance of order out of the confusion that reigned in the enemy ranks. The effort was vain. Young lieutenants stood in the path of the retreating men and beat them with the flat of their swords, but they could not stay the rout. Others fired their revolvers point-blank into the faces of their own men, but even these heroic measures failed to have the desired result.
The Germans were beaten and they knew it.
So it was just as the first faint streak of dawn appeared in the eastern sky that the Americans set foot in the village of Pouilly.
And still the fighting was not ended.
Scores of German soldiers, under command of subordinate officers, barricaded themselves in the houses that lined the streets and poured a hail of bullets upon the Americans as they passed. The Yankees suffered severely under this fire.
"We can't stand for this," said Colonel Johnson suddenly to Hal. "The enemy is doing too much damage."
"Drag up a couple of big guns and destroy the houses," said Hal briefly.
"Good!" said Colonel Johnson. "Lieutenant Bennings!"
A young officer approached and saluted.
"Take twenty men and enough guns to destroy the houses that line this street," said the colonel. "Also, you will report while the battle lasts to Major Paine, here."
The lieutenant saluted and hurried away.
"Major," said Colonel Johnson to Hal, "I will detail you to see that the sniping from the houses is stopped."
Hal saluted.
"I'll stop it, sir," he promised.
"Very well. Don't let me detain you longer."
Hal strode away to where the young lieutenant and a score of men were wheeling two big field pieces into position.
"Hurry, men," he cried. "We've no time to lose."
Meantime, because of the heavy execution by the enemy from inside the houses, the Americans had sought what shelter they could find in doorways and around corners. This situation, Hal knew, could not be allowed to exist, for it would give the demoralized enemy time to recover their scattered wits and to reform. Therefore, the houses must be cleared of snipers immediately.
From the first house in the block where Hal found himself, the snipers seemed to be more active than in any other. Hal determined to give this house his attention first.
He sighted the gun himself, then gave the command to fire.
"Boom!"
The voice of the big gun rose high above the rattle of machine gun and rifle fire.
"Crash!"
Almost simultaneously with the sound of the gun the heavy explosive missile reached its mark.
There was another resounding crash as the missile exploded after reaching its mark. Bricks, timber and other debris flew high in the air and descended in a shower.
The sniping from the first house ceased, for the simple reason that there was no first house any longer. It had been destroyed.
"I hope that will be enough," Hal muttered. "I don't like this wanton destruction of property. It reminds me too much of the Germans themselves. If those fellows in the other houses are wise they'll cease firing now."
But in this Hal was doomed to disappointment. Snipers in the other houses continued as active as before, apparently unimpressed by the fate that had befallen their comrades.
"Well, if you must have it you must," Hal muttered.
Quickly he gave the necessary orders and the guns were wheeled into position. This time, however, they were not aimed at a single house, for Hal decided that it was unwise to waste more time. He determined to give the enemy a lesson they would not forget.
Accordingly, two houses were covered at once.
"Boom! Boom!"
"Crash! Crash!"
So closely together that they sounded almost as one were the detonations of the guns and the effect as they found their marks.
Again there was a shower of debris.
Without waiting to see what effect this destruction would have upon the Germans who occupied the houses, Hal ordered the guns turned on other homes.
Again the big guns spoke, and again the mass of bricks, mortar and wood descended and covered the streets.
"I guess that will do 'em," muttered Hal, as he waited for the smoke to clear away.
The lad was right.
No longer did the snipers fire from the windows and the American troops, which had temporarily sought shelter in doorways and around corners, poured out again, their advance, thanks to Hal and his men, thus being made more simple.
A few moments later Colonel Johnson came up to Hal.
"You did a good job, Major," he said quietly. "I guess we'll have no more trouble with them."
"Then the town is ours?" asked Hal eagerly.
"It is indeed," replied Colonel Johnson.
"Then I'll have to leave you, sir," said Hal. "Colonel English ordered me to report to him immediately after daylight."
CHAPTER X
THE ADVANCE CONTINUES
Hal found Colonel English just beyond the town, receiving the reports of his subordinates. He greeted Hal with a nod, and asked:
"What is the latest news, Major?"
"The town is ours, sir," replied Hal quietly. "Colonel Johnson has just informed me of the fact."
Colonel English got to his feet.
"Good," he exclaimed. "I was certain Colonel Johnson was the man for the job. Now if you will wait half an hour, Major, until I have talked with Colonel Johnson, I will ask you to carry my report back to General Rhodes."
"Very well, sir," replied Hal.
Colonel English got into his automobile and was whirled away to the village, where he consulted for perhaps ten minutes with Colonel Johnson. Then he returned to where he had left Hal, and still sitting in his car, wrote his report briefly. This he passed to Hal.
"I want to say," he said, "that Colonel Johnson has informed me that it was really you who made possible the capture of the village; also that you saved his life in the midst of battle earlier in the day."
"Well, he saved mine, too, sir," muttered Hal, flushing slightly.
"It's all in a day's work, Major, I know that," said Colonel English. "At the same time, I have seen fit to mention your name in my report to General Rhodes."
"Thank you, sir," said Hal.
"And I hope," Colonel English continued, "that I may have the pleasure of being associated with you further before this war has come to an end."
"Thank you, sir," said Hal again.
Colonel English extended a hand, which Hal grasped.
"Good luck," said the colonel.
"The same to you, sir. By the way, sir, may I have a car in which to make my return trip?"
"Of course," exclaimed the colonel. "I was thoughtless not to have provided it before now. Lieutenant Smith!"
A young officer approached.
"A car for Major Paine, Lieutenant, at once."
Ten minutes later the machine was at Hal's disposal.
"Do you want a driver?" asked Colonel English.
"Guess I can handle it myself, sir," replied Hal, taking the wheel. "Good-bye, sir."
A moment later he was speeding along the road which he had covered the night before.
Less than two hours later, Hal reported to General Rhodes in the latter's quarters, which had been established a mile closer to Sedan than when Hal had left his general the night before.
"You have done well," said General Rhodes, after reading Colonel English's report. "Colonel English speaks well of you here. It shall be my pleasure to include your name in my next report to the commander-in-chief."
And all that Hal could say was:
"Thank you, sir."
"Now," said General Rhodes, "you shall be free for the remainder of the day. Your friend, Major Crawford, is at this minute with General Duncan, but he should be back within a few hours. I shall have quarters placed at your disposal immediately and my advice is that you turn in for the day."
"I believe I could stand a little sleep, thank you, sir," said Hal with a grin. "I shall follow your advice at once."
"Very well. And report to me this evening at 6 o'clock."
"Yes, sir."
General Rhodes summoned an orderly, whom he directed to find quarters for Hal and to show Chester to them when the latter returned from his mission. Then Hal saluted the general and followed the orderly.
Fifteen minutes later he was fast asleep.
Hal did not know when Chester returned, but when the lad opened his eyes he saw Chester sleeping on a cot across the room. Hal dressed quickly, then aroused his chum.
"Hello," said Chester.
"Why didn't you wake me when you came in?" demanded Hal.
"Because I thought you were entitled to a little rest," replied Chester. "The same as I am now, although I notice you were not as considerate as I was."
"The only reason I aroused you," said Hal, "was because I thought you might possibly have been ordered to report to the general this evening.
"And so I have," returned Chester. "What time is it?"
"Five o'clock."
"Whew! Then I'll have to hurry. I had no idea it was so late. I'm to report at 6 o'clock."
"Same here," said Hal. "But where have you been, Chester?"
"Carried dispatches to General Duncan. Seems that there is some fresh plan afoot that General Rhodes expects will take us into Sedan within a few days. I don't know what it is, though. Now, where have you been and what have you been doing?"
Hal explained as briefly as possible while Chester hurried into his clothes.
"So you have been fighting again, eh?" said Chester when Hal had concluded. "What would your mother say?"
Hal grinned.
"About the same that yours would, I guess," he replied. "But hurry, I feel like a bite to eat before I report to the general."
"Same here. I'll be with you in a jiffy."
Chester was true to his word, and the two sauntered forth five minutes later. After they had rounded up what Chester called a feast at one of the mess tents, they strolled toward the general's quarters.
As they walked along, they saw a familiar figure come dashing toward them.
"By George!" said Hal, "it's Stubbs. Now I wonder what he can be in such an all-fired hurry; about."
"We'll stop him and see," said Chester briefly.
The lads stepped forward and accosted Stubbs, who seemed to have no idea of stopping for a word with them.
"What's the hurry, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Chester.
Stubbs waved them away.
"Don't bother me," he explained, "I'm busy."
"But—" began Hal.
"I said I'm busy," declared Stubbs. "Can't you see I'm in a hurry?"
"Well, all right, if that's the way you feel about it," said Chester.
Stubbs seemed as if about to pass on, then hesitated.
"I'll tell you," he said. "I am in an awful hurry, but I've time to tell you the news if you promise to keep it to yourself."
"I promise," said Chester. "Let's have it, Mr. Stubbs."
"Austria has sued for peace," said Stubbs briefly.
"What!" said Hal. "Again?"
Stubbs glared at the lad.
"I tell you Austria has sued for peace," he said, emphasizing each word. "This time there is no doubt about it. I have it straight."
Chester's heart beat high.
"By Jove! I hope you're right, Mr. Stubbs," he exclaimed, "but I'm afraid to believe it."
"You needn't be," declared Stubbs. "It's perfectly true, this time."
"And I suppose you're hurrying off to flash the news to The New York Gazette?" asked Hal.
"Exactly," said Stubbs.
"Don't let us detain you, then," said Hal. "But if I were you, Mr. Stubbs, I'd go rather easy on that stuff. You know if you flashed a report like that and it wasn't true, you'd probably have to hunt a new job."
"I don't flash reports I know are not true," said Stubbs.
"Well," said Hal, "what I'd like to know is how you have gained your information when no one else seems to know anything about it?"
"In the newspaper game," said Stubbs, "a man learns to provide his news sources. I provided mine for this very thing some time ago. Now I have been justified."
"All right," said Hal. "I don't want to argue with you about it, but all the same I'd go easy."
"I tell you I've got the dope," declared Stubbs.
"Then you'd better hurry along and file it to The Gazette," Chester put in.
"By Jove, I will!" said Stubbs. "And after this, you'll get no more information from me. But remember your promises. Not a word about this."
"Don't worry, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester. "We're as mum as a couple of oysters."
"Then me for the cable wire," said Stubbs. He turned and hurried off.
"You know, Hal," said Chester, "it would be quite a feather in the little man's cap if he could get something like that ahead of every other newspaper in America."
"I should imagine it would," Hal agreed, "but I'm afraid he's all wrong. At the same time, however, I hope he's right."
"Same here. And by the way, speaking of Stubbs and his efforts, there is only one other thing, to my mind, that would be greater luck for him."
"And that?" asked Hal.
"That would be to get first word to his paper of the ending of war."
"By Jove! That would be something to talk about," Hal agreed.
"I should say so. But come, we have delayed long enough. It lacks only a few minutes of six o'clock, and we're due in General Rhodes' quarters at that hour, you know."
"Didn't think I had forgotten it, did you?" demanded Hal.
"Well, I didn't know. Your memory isn't as good as it used to be."
"Is that so? Why isn't it?"
"Well, I don't know why," said Chester, "but it's a fact."
Hal was about to make a warm retort, but at that moment they came to the entrance to General Rhodes' quarters.
"Here we are," said Chester. "I hope he has something worth while for us to do."
"Same here," agreed Hal.
They went in.
CHAPTER XI
A NEW MISSION
"Sit down, gentlemen," said General Rhodes as Hal and Chester entered his quarters. "I'll be ready for you in a moment."
The lads obeyed.
For perhaps half an hour they sat quietly while their commander gave dozens of orders to others of his staff who appeared hurriedly every moment or so and disappeared again just as hurriedly.
At last the room was cleared with the exception of General Rhodes, Hal, Chester and the general's private orderly. General Rhodes motioned the lads to approach.
"Before I ask if you are willing to undertake rather a dangerous mission," he said, "I must explain a few points to you."
The lads stood at attention, but said nothing.
"As you know," said General Rhodes, "we are not more than a dozen miles from Sedan, which is our immediate objective. To the north, General Lejeune has advanced practically to within the same distance of the town. When the time comes for the deciding blow, we plan to strike simultaneously, General Duncan at the same time to hurl the Eighty-second division upon the city from the north and west. Also, as you know, a part of our division, under Colonel English, has wormed its way to the east of the town and will strike from that direction. Do you follow me?"
"Yes, sir," said Hal.
"Very well. Now an unforseen obstacle has arisen. The enemy, apparently forseeing our plans, by a sudden counter attack has driven a wedge between General Lejeune's division and my own. Telephone communication has been cut. For more than twenty-four hours I have been unable to get in touch with General Lejeune, and yet it is imperative if the final attack is to be successful that I communicate with General Lejeune."
"I understand, sir," said Chester. "You wish us to make an effort to get through."
General Rhodes nodded.
"That is it exactly," he replied. "But I must tell you a little more. The wedge driven by the enemy is less than a mile wide. If a man got through, he should be able to carry word to General Lejeune and return within six hours. Yet I have already dispatched three messengers and none has returned."
"You mean that they have failed, sir?" asked Hal.
"So it would seem. In each case I emphasized the necessity of haste. Had one of my previous messengers got through safely, he should have reported to me ere this. I fear they have been either killed or fallen into the hands of the enemy."
"In which event the enemy may have become familiar with your plans, sir," said Chester.
"No," returned General Rhodes, "they carried no written dispatches. The word that I sent to General Lejeune was verbal. Now my idea is this. If you, Major Paine, and you, Major Crawford, are willing to volunteer for this hazardous duty, I shall repeat the message to you. I have called you both because the matter is urgent. One of you may get through where the other fails. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly, sir," said Hal quietly, "and I am sure I speak for my friend as well as myself when I say we are not only willing, but anxious, to volunteer for the task."
"Indeed we are, sir," Chester agreed.
"Very well, then," said General Rhodes. "The message I would have you carry to General Lejeune is this: Attack in full force at 6 o'clock on the evening of November 6, which is day after tomorrow. I shall lay my plans accordingly, going upon the supposition that one of you will get the message through."
"We shall do the best we can, sir," said Hal quietly.
"And that is the best any man can do," said General Rhodes. "As I say, I shall act upon the supposition that one of you will get through and I shall attack at that time whether I hear from you again or not. If you can, come back, but if you deem it more prudent, remain with General Lejeune's division until after the battle. That is all, gentlemen."
Hal and Chester saluted and took their departure.
"Rather a ticklish piece of work, if you ask me," was Chester's comment as they made their way back to their own quarters.
"Right you are," Hal agreed, "but the harder the job the more satisfaction when you have accomplished it successfully."
"What would you suggest?" asked Chester. "Shall we keep on our own uniforms or shall we disguise ourselves as Germans?"
"We'll keep our own," said Hal. "There is no use risking being caught as a spy unless absolutely necessary. If we're captured in American uniforms they'll make us prisoners of war. In German clothes, we would probably be shot. I'm against the German uniform this trip."
"I guess you're right. Besides, according to General Rhodes, we shall have to pass through less than half a mile of German territory. Now I'll make another suggestion."
"What is it?"
"My idea is that it will be better if we do not go together. I'll start an hour ahead of you, or you can start an hour ahead of me. We'll lay out our route in advance so the one who goes last will know about how far ahead the other should be. He might even be able to lend a helping hand should whoever goes first get into trouble."
"Not a bad idea," Hal agreed. "Then I elect to go first."
Chester shrugged.
"Any way suits me," he said. "And when will you start?"
Hal glanced at his watch.
"Eight o'clock now," he said. "I'll start at nine."
"Then I shall start at ten," said Chester.
"Right," said Hal. "Now, as we have nothing to do in the meantime, suppose we take a walk about the camp."
"I'm agreeable," said Chester. "Come on."
For perhaps an hour they strolled about, looking over the huge encampment with critical eyes. Men slept on their arms that night, had been sleeping on them for a week, for there was no telling at what hour might come the order to advance.
Cavalry horses pawed the ground restlessly in that part of the field where they were picketed. The troopers slept or sprawled on the hard ground nearby. To the south were parked the American batteries, while on all sides infantrymen were to be seen by the thousands.
Suddenly, from the direction of General Rhodes' quarters, came a loud hurrah. It was taken up on all sides, and directly the camp became a pandemonium.
"Wonder what's going on?" said Hal.
"Don't know," replied Chester. "We'll find out."
The lads hurried toward the general's quarters. Toward them came a crowd of shouting men, throwing their hats in the air and cheering wildly. Hal stopped one of them.
"What's all the excitement?" he asked.
"Haven't you heard the news, sir?" he asked.
"No," said Hal. "What is it?"
"A truce has been signed with Austria," replied the soldier. "Hurrah!"
"Hurrah indeed," said Hal fervently. "And have you heard the nature of the truce?"
"Yes, sir. An armistice has been signed to become effective to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. The armistice extends for thirty days in which time the allies will draw up terms of peace to be presented to Austria, sir."
"That is good news indeed, my man," said Hal. "I am obliged to you."
The soldier saluted and rejoined his companions. Together they continued their parade of the camp; spreading the glad tidings as they went from place to place.
"So Stubbs was right after all," Hal mused.
"It seems so," said Chester, "but I wonder where he got his information?"
"It's too deep for me," declared Hal, "but he got it all right. I hope he lands his scoop, as he calls it."
"So do I. He deserves it."
Hal glanced at his watch.
"Well," he said, "you can stay here awhile and help the others celebrate. I've work to do and it's time to be moving."
"Wish I were going with you," said Chester, "but I am convinced we have agreed on the best plan."
Hal nodded.
"It seems best to me."
"Then I shall follow the directions we agreed upon," said Chester. "I'll start in exactly an hour."
"And remember," said Hal, "that one of us must get through, no matter what happens."
"Right," Chester agreed. "Should you get into trouble, I'll lend a helping hand should I come across you and find that it is possible without endangering my own chances of getting through. Otherwise, you will have to shift for yourself."
"That's the spirit," declared Hal. "Help if you can without compromising yourself, but always remember that one of us must get through. Now I'm off."
He held out his hand, which Chester grasped warmly.
"I'm hoping nothing happens," said the latter quietly. "But you never can tell. Good-bye."
"Good-bye," said Hal.
He gave Chester's hand a parting grip, turned on his heel and strode away. Chester stood looking after him for some moments. Then he moved on slowly.
"By Jove! I hope nothing happens to Hal," he muttered.
It seemed to Chester that the next hour would never pass, but at last the hands of his watch showed 10 o'clock.
"Time to be moving," the lad told himself.
He produced his pair of revolvers and examined them carefully.
"All fine and dandy," he muttered. "Well, I guess there is no reason for waiting longer."
He turned and strode off in the direction Hal had gone just a short hour before.
CHAPTER XII
HAL MEETS AN OBSTACLE
Hal made rapid progress through the American lines. It was almost an hour after he left Chester that he reached the most advanced American outposts toward the north. He was challenged there, but after confiding to the officer in charge of operations there that he was on a mission for General Rhodes, he was allowed to pass.
The German lines, Hal learned, were perhaps two hundred yards ahead. There the enemy had hurriedly dug a temporary line of shallow trenches and settled down to hold them. It was Hal's business to get into and to pass through them.
Fortunately, the night was very dark so the lad had no hesitancy in stepping from the protection of the American lines. The officer in command at that point walked with him as far as he felt prudent. To him Hal confided the fact that Chester would be along presently, and the officer volunteered to speed the latter's progress in any way he could.
"Good luck," he called, as Hal disappeared in the darkness.
Hal made no response, but moved slowly and silently off through the night.
The first hundred yards he covered standing and without fear of detection. It was so dark that he knew his presence in No Man's Land would not be noticed unless the enemy chanced to turn one of their powerful searchlights in that direction. In that event, too, the lad knew it would make little difference whether he was standing or crawling across the open.
After covering what he judged was a hundred yards, Hal dropped to his hands and knees and proceeded more cautiously. Voices in the German lines became audible now and Hal was perfectly well aware that a pair of German eyes might discover him. However, there was no help for it. It was his business to take such chances.
He wormed his way along slowly.
In this manner he came at last to the edge of the German trenches. There he paused a moment, listening intently. He heard voices. They seemed directly ahead of him. The lad crawled to his left. After progressing in this manner for perhaps a hundred yards he paused and listened again. He could still hear voices, but they were some distance to his right. There was no sound directly ahead of him.
Silently the lad got to his feet. His head came just above the top of the trench. He peered around quickly. Some distance to the right he perceived a little knot of men apparently engaged in heated argument. It was apparent that they were so busy with their dispute that they would not notice the alien figure in their midst. To the lad's left, too, perhaps fifty yards away, were half a dozen German soldiers. But they were not looking in Hal's direction.
Slowly the lad drew himself to the top of the trench, then dropped quietly inside. There he crouched for a moment, his hands on his revolvers, ready to fight or run as occasion should demand.
But his presence was unnoticed and Hal drew a breath of relief.
"Safe for a minute, at least," he told himself.
But Hal knew that he could not hope to escape discovery long in this exposed position. Besides, he had no time to spare. It was his business to pass through the German Lines as quickly as possible.
Little light showed in the German trenches. Here and there a lantern flickered as a sentinel passed along his post. Also candles, sheltered from the breeze by improvised shades, showed where little groups of Germans had gathered to chat before turning in for the night.
Hal perceived that his best hope of avoiding discovery lay straight ahead, toward the center of the German camp. The enemy would be looking for no enemies there. Besides, Hal's destination lay in that direction.
Leaving the shelter of the trench, he crawled forward. He stopped once or twice and flattened himself into the ground, as footsteps approached. But the footsteps turned off each time without coming close to him, and Hal proceeded.
Tents had been pitched in improvised streets and Hal heard the sound of deep snores from within. The German camp, except for sentries and some few others, was asleep.
It was very dark. Hal rose to his feet and proceeded more swiftly. He felt confident now that he would be able to pass through the camp without discovery, but he realized that the hardest work cut out for him would be to leave the German lines on the other side.
Nevertheless, it had to be done, so the lad pressed on.
Walking boldly along the little camp street, he at last passed beyond the long row of tents. Not more than a hundred yards ahead now, he knew, he would come upon more trenches thrown up as a protection to the enemy against the forces of General Lejeune of the Second division.
Now the lad went more cautiously, and at last he came within view of the trenches. Here and there a sentinel flitted by in the darkness. In the trenches, Hal saw several groups of the enemy gathered in circles within the glow of light cast by lanterns and candles. He approached very cautiously.
The lad no longer stood erect. He was crawling on his hands and knees. With each inch advanced he knew his danger increased; but he knew, too, that every foot of ground he covered brought him that much closer to success.
"I'll get through quietly if I can," he told himself, "but if I'm discovered I'll make a run and a fight for it. Once in the darkness of No Man's Land beyond I've as much chance of getting away as the boches have of catching me."
The lad halted suddenly. Footsteps were coming toward him, and a moment later Hal made out the figure of a German sentry approaching. The lad squirmed quickly but silently to one side and the German passed without seeing him.
"Close shave," the lad muttered to himself.
He moved forward again.
Other footsteps now approached and Hal made himself as small as possible on the ground. Looking up, he perceived the figures of half a dozen men only a few feet away. They were coming directly toward him. Hal realized that if he didn't act promptly, he would probably be stepped on.
He tried to squirm out of the way silently, but haste was too urgent for extreme caution and the sound of the lad's body gliding over the ground carried to the ears of the enemy.
"What's that?" demanded one of them, and all halted.
"What's what, Hans?" asked a second voice.
"I heard something moving there," said the man called Hans.
"And what of it?" demanded the second voice. "Probably a rat."
"Made too much noise for a rat," was the response. "Sounded more like a man."
"Ha!" said another voice. "You talk as if you feared enemies right in the heart of our own camp, Hans."
"Can't trust these Americans," was the reply. "They're not afraid of anything. One of them is as likely to be here as any place else."
"Some truth in that, Hans," said another voice. "We'll have a look."
The Germans spread out fanwise and moved forward again. This was what Hal had been afraid of, and he knew now that concealment was no longer possible.
"I'll have to make a dash for it," he told himself grimly.
Still stooping, he produced his pair of automatics and paused, ready for action as soon as he should be discovered. And as he had feared, discovery was not long coming.
"Hello! What's that?" said a German voice.
"What's wh—" began a second voice.
Hal waited to hear no more. He knew he had been discovered, and he decided to act before the Germans completely recovered from their surprise.
Springing to his feet, the lad dashed forward with a cry.
"Out of my way!" he shouted in German.
For a moment it seemed that the Germans would obey this command, so startled were they by its suddenness and Hal's appearance from out of the ground, apparently.
But they recovered their wits in a moment and closed in on the lad with guttural cries of anger.
Hal raised both revolvers.
"Crack! Crack!"
Two Germans reeled back and the others gave ground. Before they had time to recover from this unexpected attack, Hal was among them. Twice more his revolvers spoke. The targets were so close that a miss was impossible and two more Germans crumpled up on the ground. The remaining two skipped promptly out of harm's way.
Hal leaped for the trenches, revolvers still in hand. Once beyond the enemy's lines he felt he would be comparatively safe.
But the sounds of the revolver shots had aroused the camp. Men streamed forth from all directions.
Hal found his progress barred by a dozen men who seemed to appear from out of the ground. The lad raised his revolvers again and emptied them into his foes, then sprang in among them, his revolvers clubbed.
With both hands he laid about him lustily, the while endeavoring to push through the enemy and reach the trench beyond. But the weight of numbers was too great and directly Hal went to the ground under a blow from a rifle butt.
He dragged himself to his feet and again mixed in with his foes. For a moment it seemed that he might fight his way clear, so desperate were his efforts. Reinforcements continued to arrive, however, and at last the lad was overpowered.
Strong hands seized him from behind, rendering further struggling futile. Hal relaxed his efforts and grew quiet.
"You've got me," he said quietly, "but I'd have got away if there hadn't been half a hundred of you."
"Tie him up," said a German voice.
No sooner said than done. A moment later Hal's arms were bound securely.
"Bring him up to the light," said another voice. "The colonel wants a look at him."
Hal felt himself propelled toward the trench. There a lantern was thrust in his face and a man attired as a German colonel of infantry surveyed the lad.
"So we've caught you, you American pig!" he exclaimed.
"So it seems," returned Hal quietly. "What are you going to do with me? That's the next question?"
"Brave man, aren't you," sneered the German. "Well, you won't be so brave when I get through with you. Lieutenant Steinz!" he called.
"Now what's up, I wonder?" Hal muttered to himself.
CHAPTER XIII
CHESTER TO THE RESCUE
Chester, after leaving the American lines, proceeded with the same caution that had characterized Hal's movements. He made no better time creeping across No Man's Land than had Hal. However, he was just as fortunate as his chum in penetrating the German trench. He reached them an hour later than had Hal and for this reason he did not see as many figures. Most of the enemy in the trenches facing the Americans on the south had turned in for the night.
Chester's passage through the German camp was considerably quicker than Hal had been able to proceed. Nearing the German outposts toward the north, however, he found it necessary to advance with greater caution.
Suddenly he came to a stop and threw himself flat on the ground. A short distance away he saw a faint light, cast by several lanterns, and he heard German voices.
"They're not all asleep here, at all events," the lad told himself. "I'll have to be careful."
He wormed his way toward the light and when he came close enough to ascertain what was going on, he gave an exclamation of pure alarm.
"Great Scott! They've nabbed Hal," he muttered.
Unmindful of danger now, he crept forward more swiftly and at last drew close enough to distinguish what was said.
"So you won't tell what you are doing here?" came a coarse voice in German.
"I will not," was the reply in a voice that Chester recognized as Hal's.
"Then I'll have to find a way to loosen your tongue," said the German voice. "Lieutenant Steinz, do your duty again."
Chester strained his eyes to see. He made out the form of a big man who stepped toward a figure that Chester made out as Hal. The man's arm drew back and flashed forth. Chester saw Hal stagger back, but the lad made no outcry.
Chester's blood boiled.
"So that's the kind of men we have to deal with, eh?" he muttered. "Well, I guess I'll have to take a hand in this game."
With Chester to think was to act. Nevertheless, he realized the need of caution if he were to extricate Hal from his present difficulty.
"I'll have to be pretty careful," he told himself; "otherwise, they'll snare me, too."
Chester's first impulse, of course, had been to dash forward, guns in hand, and wreak what damage he could among his enemies. He thought better of this, however, and continued to creep forward carefully and silently.
"If he hits you again," he said, speaking to Hal but muttering the words to himself, "it can't be helped; but we'll repay those blows with interest."
Hal, standing erect before his captors, did not flinch as Lieutenant Steinz drew back his arm for another blow. But his eyes flashed dangerously.
"You'll be sorry for this, my friends," he said quietly.
"Threats, eh?" sneered the German. "You're in no position to threaten, pig."
"Perhaps not," admitted Hal, "but just the same I am warning you."
There was something so menacing in the lad's voice, that for a moment the German hesitated; but for a moment only, then he drew back his arm and struck.
Once more Hal staggered under the blow, but he did not flinch.
The German raised his arm and would have struck again but for a sudden interruption.
When Chester saw the German strike Hal a second time, it was more than his blood could stand. He forgot, for the moment, his mission, that his first duty was to pass beyond the German camp. He threw caution to the winds.
With a wild cry he leaped to his feet and dashed forward, a revolver levelled in each hand.
Startled, the Germans turned to face their new foe. One look at Chester's angry features and they recoiled involuntarily.
At the same moment Chester fired—both weapons at once. Two of the enemy toppled over in their tracks.
Now Hal had a quick mind. At Chester's first cry he knew what was up and he grew instantly alert, ready to take advantage of the first opportunity that presented itself.
The opportunity was not long coming.
Lieutenant Steinz, turning to get a view of Chester, for a moment left Hal unguarded. In that instant Hal sprang. Both hands he locked about the German's throat, and squeezed with all his strength. In vain the Teuton squirmed, struck and kicked.
Suddenly Hal released his right hand and drove it into the man's face. At the same moment his left hand shot out and seized the German's revolver. Then he stepped quickly back, levelled the weapon and fired.
"Come on, Chester!" he shouted.
Chester needed no urging.
In a few quick strides he was at Hal's side.
"Let's get out of here," he cried. "It's getting too warm."
Together the lads dashed toward the trench.
A cry of alarm went up from the Germans behind.
"Shoot them!" cried a voice that Hal recognized as that of the German colonel.
"Zig-zag, Chester!" cried Hal, and suited the action to the word.
Chester followed his chum's example and the first volley from behind failed to find a mark.
By this time the lads were at the edge of the trench.
"Up and over with you, quick!" cried Chester.
Hal leaped to the top of the trench and toppled to the ground beyond even as half a score of bullets sang across the spot where his head had been a moment before.
Chester also sprang for the top of the trench. But he had leaped too soon, and instead of reaching the top he fell short, and dropped down inside the trench again.
Germans were almost upon him when he regained his feet.
Chester realized that a second leap was out of the question at the minute, so guns in hand he turned and faced his foes.
"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!"
His automatics spoke angrily and all four bullets found human targets.
Hal, meanwhile, safely over the trench, looked around for Chester. When he failed to see him he realized on the instant what had happened.
"What shall I do?" he asked himself. "Duty says to hurry to a place of safety, but friendship says help Chester."
He wasted little time in thought.
He scrambled back to the top of the earthen embankment and took in the sight about him.
There Chester stood at bay, his automatics held in steady hands. Hal drew his own weapons.
"Jump up here quick, Chester!" he called. "I'll cover you."
"Don't bother about me," Chester called back. "Get away from here. Remember you must get through. I'll hold 'em off."
"Don't be a fool," shouted Hal, discharging his revolver at a big German who was about to shoot Chester down with his rifle. "Come up here."
Chester paid no further heed to his chum.
Hal gritted his teeth, dropped one revolver in his pocket, and reaching down grasped Chester by the shoulder.
"Come on," he called.
Chester shook off his chum's hand.
"Let me alone." he shouted angrily. "I'll get a few of these boches before they down me."
His revolvers spoke as he talked, and two Germans dropped.
Meanwhile bullets were striking on all sides of the two lads, and it seemed a miracle that they were not touched.
Hal considered the situation in a flash.
"There's one chance," he said.
Deliberately he sheathed his other revolver, thus leaving himself unarmed in the face of his foes. Then, bracing himself as best he could on the embankment, he reached down and seized Chester by both shoulders.
Putting forth all his strength, Hal heaved mightily, and drew his chum to the top of the embankment with him. There he released him and drew his revolvers again.
Came a cry of rage from inside the trench as the Germans saw their prey about to escape. Two men dropped on their knees and sighted their rifles carefully.
But before they could fire Hal had accounted for one and Chester for the other.
Again a howl of rage went up from the German trench.
"Kill them! Kill them!" screamed the German colonel. "What a lot of dunderheads! Can't you shoot?"
He seized a revolver from a young officer close by and dashed forward himself.
Hal, in the act of tumbling from the embankment, smiled slightly and faced the colonel, unmindful of all other dangers.
"So you're the man responsible for those blows a moment ago, eh?" he muttered. "Well, you'll never do it again. Take that!"
He sighted carefully and fired.
The German colonel staggered in his onward rush, reeled crazily, threw up his arms, casting his revolver a dozen paces away, then fell to the ground.
"So much for you," Hal muttered. "You won't bully another American, I'll bet on that."
"Come on," said Chester, who had stuck close to his chum all the time. "It's too warm here. Let's move."
"Right. Suits me," said Hal quietly.
"Down we go, then," said Chester.
He rolled rather than leaped to the ground on the outside of the trench. Hal did likewise.
Both lads were slightly bruised by this method of descent, but they were not injured seriously. They scrambled to their feet.
"Now, let's see you run!" shouted Hal to Chester.
They ran.
CHAPTER XIV
THE CLOSING OF THE NET
Bullets flew thick and fast after the two lads as they clashed for the shelter of the American lines beyond. Fortunately, however, none touched them.
The Germans, it appeared, were so bewildered by the suddenness of Chester's appearance, single-handed attack and the flight of the two chums that followed, that they forgot all about their searchlights, which would have made it possible for them to have picked off fugitives at will; or else they had no searchlights in that section of the field.
Zig-zagging from right to left, the lads ran at top speed. For a time bullets whistled unpleasantly close, but soon they became few and far between.
Hal slowed down. Chester followed his example.
"Whew!" said Chester. "Pretty close, but we're safe enough now, I guess."
"By George! I hope so," declared Hal. "But there is just one job that I would have liked to complete before getting away from there."
"What's that?" demanded Chester.
"I would like to have let a little lead into that big German lieutenant who battered me up with his fist."
"Don't blame you," said Chester. "I'd like a shot at him myself."
"Well," said Hal, "I left my mark on his throat, and that's some satisfaction. Also, I disposed of the colonel who was responsible, and there's more satisfaction there, too."
"I saw you," replied Chester. "It was a neat shot."
"Well," said Hal, "we've done something that a couple of other couriers sent out by General Rhodes failed to accomplish—we have passed through the German lines. The general's plans will not go wrong if we can help it."
"Right," agreed Chester. "And I figure that the sooner we report to General Lejeune the better."
"Correct as usual. But I don't know that I care to try and repeat the feat of getting through. Besides, we have General Rhodes' permission to stay here until after the big battle if we like."
"And I vote that we stay," said Chester.
"Think I'll cast my own ballot that way," declared Hal. "We'll stick, unless something turns up to change our minds."
"Now for the American lines, then," said Chester.
They hurried on through the darkness and directly the dim outline of the American trenches loomed up ahead.