Part 32 (2/2)
Hardly had they alighted when they were taken in charge by a squad of Serbian troops. Colonel Anderson, acting as spokesman for the party, explained their presence in a few well-chosen words and asked to be taken to the commanding officer. There was considerable red tape to go through before the friends finally were ushered into the presence of the Serbian commander, and that worthy immediately informed them he had but a few moments to give them.
Colonel Anderson, therefore, came to the point at once. He told him of the conversation he and Chester had overheard a short time before.
”And you say one of the men wore a Serbian uniform?” asked the general.
”Yes, sir.”
”You don't know who he is--you didn't hear his name mentioned?”
”No, sir; but I would know him again if I saw him.”
”Good. You shall have the chance. Now, how far from the city do you say this conversation took place?”
”Must have been all of ten miles, sir.”
”Then the men have hardly returned to the city yet. And you say you did not hear the name of the member of the general staff, the first traitor, or spy mentioned as having divulged information?”
”No, sir.”
”Very well. Now I will leave all of you here for an hour or so. I have some matters to attend to. When I come back we'll see if you can identify the man you speak of.”
The general bowed to them and took his departure, leaving them alone in his quarters.
From without a heavy cannonading could be heard.
”I guess the last advance has begun,” said Chester slowly.
”You probably are right,” agreed Hal. ”And I feel sorry for these Serbians. If the British and French could only get here in time.”
”Well, I don't see why they don't,” declared Chester. ”England has promised more than once since the war began that she would not permit Serbia to be crushed. Seems to me she should have taken some decisive action before now.”
”You forget,” said Colonel Anderson, ”that England has her hands full in other parts of the great war theater--France, Belgium, the Dardanelles, Egypt, India and Africa.”
”That's the trouble,” said Hal. ”England has too many irons in the fire.
That's where the Germans and Austrians have the edge, as we say in the United States. Their armies are not scattered all over the world.”
”That's true enough,” replied Colonel Anderson, ”and it is, without doubt, the reason the Central Powers have not been crushed long ago.”
Ivan now took a hand in the conversation.
”These wonderful tales you told me of my brother Alexis,” he began.
”Well, what of them?” asked Hal.
”Why,” said Ivan. ”When I came with you I thought I should see some fighting. All I have done is fly through the air, like a bird, and hear a thousand miles of talk. I want to see some fighting, like Alexis saw.”
<script>