Part 18 (2/2)
The colonel appeared to be interested, also the other officers, for they were all French, and as such could appreciate anything bordering on chivalry Nevertheless the commander shook his head a little sadly
”That sounds very fine, young M'sieu,” he went on to say, ”but, alas!
what are we to believe when this gentleman, who is a fully accredited member of the French Secret Service, infor with the eneuilt?”
At hearing this Hanky Panky uttered a low cry of alarlared defiantly at theall the colonel said
”Aha! I smell a rat,” Josh muttered, ”and its name is Jules, too! I can see his fine hand back of all this raw deal”
Rod had to think fast He, too, believed that the Secret Agent ht not be advisable to say so as bluntly as Josh see
”Keep still, Josh,” he said aside, ”and letthe coain, he continued: ”There surely must be some mistake about this, Monsieur le Colonel We spent the whole of last night sleeping in a house in a siment of brave zouaves routed a force of Uhlans who had taken possession The building in which we found shelter was attacked, and we had the honor of assisting in its defense Iwith this sa in the front door, after firing the back of the building But the zouaves came up just in time, and cleared the field of the enemy”
The colonel listened and looked hard at Rod Evidently he had been already favorably impressed with the frank face of the lad, and was puzzled to knohat to believe He turned to the Secret Service agent and exchanged several low sentences with him The man seemed positive, and apparently did his best to convince the officer that at least the boys should be held, pending an examination
Once more Rod faced the colonel He meant to play his truainst them was ridiculous, to say the least
Rapidly he started to recount sos that had been their portion since crossing fro up the race to reach Antwerp by dodging the invading armies
The officers listened, and apparently all of thereatest interest Now and then twoto ato the effect that this boyfroue
This was especially the case when Rod mentioned that they had actually been invited into the presence of King Albert, who had thanked the M'sieu,” said the commandant, when Rod paused for breath; ”but naturally ould be better pleased if you could show us sos have corave an accusation may not be brushed aside, you understand, with a wave of the hand And I ae us in this case”
He ser officers, for they could not believe that the boy was carrying anything with hie then of their amazement when Rod coolly produced certain documents which he kept wrapped in oilskin, located in a deep pocket of his coat
”Be kind enough, my Colonel,” Rod said coned by the gallant king of the Belgians, but that indeed he himself wrote every word it contains And I have still other proofs to show you in turn, if you would still be convinced that our story is every word of it true”
There was a tense silence; several pairs of eyes were glued on that document which Rod et it safely hoe of honor to which he and his chu of their remarkable adventures in the Land of the Great War
The ed when finally he looked up
Ad eyes Here, then, were brave A worthy of commendation by one whose name was already on the lips of every loyal French Albert and his little army had caused the delay in the plans of the German host that really saved Paris fro your pardon, young M'sieu,” he hastened to say, with deep feeling his voice; ”there is no s true You are the friends of Belgium, and also of France There is little that you could ask within rant that I would refuse you And if you will do me the honor to shake hands withAlbert has held”
Well, the thing had not been so hard to accoent of the French Govern at the ti to put the lives of innocent boys in peril; and Rod did not feel positively safe yet
The man, however, saw that, so far as he was concerned, he had put his foot in a hole and had better beat a hasty retreat while there was yet time
Undoubtedly he himself had been ireat value, and realized that those who had the sincere friendshi+p of the ruler of the Belgians were not to be treated harshly with impunity