Part 36 (1/2)
The Austrian officer smiled and let them pass without further words
Inside the Galician city the lads prowled about leisurely The extreme eastern end of the city was a uns had done great dauished before they had reached the heart of the city, and as the Russians had later fallen back a considerable distance the city noas perfectly quiet
Night caht shelter in the home of a Galician peasant The house was small but comfortable, and the old man who lived in it admitted them without question They repeated to hi that the place in which they had been staying had been destroyed by a Russian shell
”And your sympathies,” inquired the old man, ”are with the Austrians?”
”Of course,” replied Hal quietly, ”Russian barbarism must be wiped out”
”Good!” replied the old man ”I suppose you know there is considerable sentiment in favor of the Russians, however?”
”I have heard so to that effect; but I could scarcely credit it,”
replied Hal guardedly
”Well,” said the old ive the city into the hands of the Russians The conspirators were arrested right here in my house They were friends of mine I was known to be loyal, and e of that fact to do their plotting here Now h they have hesitated to arrest ht and left the for bed the lads talked over what the oldready to retire, they heard voices froh a little hole in the wall they could see a streaht Hal put his eye to the hole In the rooures of two Austrian officers Then the lad motioned to Chester to remain silent, and laid his ear to the hole
”You are sure of this other plot?” came a voice
”Perfectly; but ill nip it in the bud There is no question but the people would welcome a Russian investment of the city Galicia is practically in sympathy with the Russians We have been hard put to it to keep the the city over to the Czar's troops”
”Well, I am sure we are equal to any occasion,” said the first speaker
Hal turned away from the wall and repeated the conversation to Chester
”I guess that's all we need to know,” he added
”I should say it is,” was the reply ”Now the question is, how are we to get back to our own lines?”
”I have a plan that o”
”And that is?” prompted Chester
”Well,” said Hal quietly, ”ill exchange clothes with those two officers in the next room”
”Good!” cried Chester
”Let's start then”
”Hadn't we better wait until they are asleep?”