Part 9 (2/2)
While Josh and Hanky Panky could not understand much that was spoken, still it was possible for thereatly tickled over their good luck; and Hanky on his part doubtless felt like offering thanks because the searching party had turned out to be friends instead of foes
When further conversation took place between Rod and the lieutenant the boy was given to understand that the French had learned of the presence of a Gerhborhood, and several patrols were searching every fare within a radius of three miles, as well as the patches of woods that lay between
After considerablethe lieutenant explained that as there was more country which he and his detail had been directed to search, he er
When the Frenchht their roo of the farmhouse They had hardly reached their quarters than a tiood woman of the house appeared, to ask with more or less trepidation if they had suffered any loss from the visit of her countrynized
Rod assured her that all ith them, at which she seemed particularly pleased, and vanished from the scene
”Well, after all it turned out to be a false alar an exhibition of one of his fancy yawns; and really no boy could excel hi his ht have been serious, all right,” asserted the latter ”Our luck only caused theht call a narrow squeak, Hanky Panky; and only forup when I did we'd have lost our property anyway”
”We owe you our best thanks for your wakefulness, Josh,” Rod told hihed the other; ”thanks to a bad dreaht the flicker of soht out there So of course I just tu this way and that I began to think ere going to be in the soup; so, knowing you ought to be put in touch with the situation, I wakened you, Rod”
”By the way,” Hanky Panky continued, ”as the lieutenant telling you all the ti, Rod?”
”That's so,” echoed Josh iive him a whole lot of pleasure to be able to infor, and I could see the pride sticking out of his face”
”Oh! I was asking him for the latest news from the battle front,”
replied Rod, ”and what he told reat stuff, to be sure It seems that e heard before was part of the truth”
”Youdown to attack Paris frounshot of the outer forts before he found he had exposed his flank, and it was in danger of being turned--was that it, Rod?” and Josh, as intensely interested in all erly waited to hear the answer to his leading question
”Just what happened,” Rod explained ”You see, a new arether by General Gallieni, the Governor of Paris, consisting for the iments meant to defend the city This, assisted by the British forces, was threatening the exposed flank of Von Kluck If it struck hard it would throw his whole ar the forts as he had intended, Von Kluck , and passed Paris on the north”
”And what did Joffre do then?” asked Josh
”The whole French ar It was sent forith impetuous speed to strike like an avalanche The lieutenant said that already the blow had started to fall, and that there could be no doubt about the Gerain to positions theythe Aisne River”
”Hurrah! thatfor joy!” cried Josh, exultantly; ”then Paris isn't going to fall like a ripe plum into the hands of the _invincible_ Geruess”
”Much of the praise for what has happened goes to Joffre because he kept his arement until he believed the time was ripe When Von Kluck exposed his flank, and that new army came out of Paris to threaten it, Joffre knew the fatal hour was at hand Then he struck ho the Marne with frightful slaughter”
Josh was so pleased with hearing this wonderful news that he went around and insisted on shaking hands with each of his chums
”Why, I'ton that had been spared from the hand of the despoiler,” he went on to say, hilariously; ”those Ger, it seems to me They believed their army couldn't be beaten, but by now their commanders know there are others just as brave as Gerians, Russians, yes, and A the lot I'll sure be able to sleep better after hearing that glorious news, Rod”
Somehow they seeain during the balance of that particular night, so fraught with big events for the people of iain withoutin Rod's face awoke hi the other part of the farmhouse found that breakfast was already under way Rod had to explain a lot of things to the old Frenchman, who it seeht, but had heard sohter
It orth while to see how both of thee of plans of the Geruns were onceto speak in the distance, it marked the retreat of the rash invaders who had expected to take Paris as easily as they had battered down the defences of Liege and Naium, with their wonderful forty-two centiht, while at the tiated to the past Rod and his chu the time they owned those motorcycles, that events of this type were only so many reminiscences, once they had passed