Part 15 (2/2)

They had eluded the searchlights for a moment, but another screaming sh.e.l.l overtook them, and as it burst he opened his eyes, and saw Claude Laval sink forward and huddle up on top of his wheel.

”By Jingo, they've got him!” gasped Dennis, sickening with fear for the first time; but recovering himself on the instant, he flung off the strap and reached forward in an attempt to get to the wounded Frenchman without any very distinct idea of what he could do if he succeeded.

But Laval, as though he had read his thoughts, straightened himself and gave a jerk with his head, at the same time sending the machine earthward in a nose dive at an appalling angle.

Dennis clung to the front of the circular c.o.c.kpit which was the observer's post, and again his eyes closed as the downward rush took his breath away.

”Poor little mater!” And there was a world of agony in the boy's thought, interrupted by finding himself precipitated backwards in a heap, as the _nacelle_ lifted and the dive was checked.

Only for a moment, however, for down they shot again, the downward course being a harrowing succession of switchback curves, which ended in a curious silent glide on even keel, a terrific jolting and a dead stop.

”Are you there?” said an odd, far-away voice, as Dennis slowly gathered himself up with a sigh of heartfelt relief.

”Yes, I'm here. You don't mean to say we're actually on the ground and safe!” he cried hoa.r.s.ely.

”Hus.h.!.+ Do not speak too loud!” groaned Laval. ”We are as safe as we can be on German soil, but I am afraid my right shoulder is broken; and worse still, the engines stopped of their own accord before we made that last dive.”

Dennis, as soon as he had recovered from the species of partial paralysis which had taken possession of his limbs, climbed forward to his companion, who rested his head against his shoulder for a moment, and groaned faintly through his clenched teeth.

”That was magnificent, Laval!” whispered Dennis. ”Where is the flask of cognac? Here, drink this!”

”Thanks, my dear friend,” murmured the wounded Frenchman. ”Do not worry about me. It is a question of what is wrong with the Aviatik. There is just one hope for us. Look at the petrol tank. Oh, you can use a light, for, remember we are Germans now if anyone comes along.”

Torch in hand, Dennis examined the petrol tank carefully, and his voice shook with renewed hope.

”The tank is untouched,” he reported. ”But there is only an inch of spirit left at the bottom of it. That's the trouble. There is something like a house yonder among the trees. What do you say?”

”There is only one thing to be said, my dear Blumberger,” replied Laval, with a faint smile. ”We must commandeer petrol without delay. I find my arm is not broken after all, but I am bleeding like a pig. It is running into my boot. Help me out, and we will see what the good people over there can do for us.”

”Have you any idea where we are?” queried Dennis, as he a.s.sisted his wounded companion to the ground with some difficulty.

”Somewhere in the Black Forest,” replied Laval. ”And unfortunately not much more than ten miles, scarcely that, from the Zeppelin shed. They will search for us, never fear; they are searching now! Moreover, it will be daylight directly, and it is necessary that we hurry ourselves if you want to keep your appointment.”

CHAPTER XII

In the Hands of the Enemy

Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was s.h.i.+ning, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.

The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.

Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream. There was no one about, and the iron-bound door was open.

”Somebody's hunting-lodge,” muttered Laval. ”They have gone up the hill to see what the explosion meant. That was a lantern we saw moving among the trees.”

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