Part 22 (1/2)

As an additional precaution the bridge had been secretly mined by the Allied engineers. Electric wires ran to the concealed charges.

A pressure of a b.u.t.ton--and the bridge would be reduced to atoms.

CHAPTER XVIII

A DESPERATE VENTURE

”The Huns will get a surprise party if they try to cross that bridge,”

remarked Billy with a grin, as the boys were talking over the present situation.

”I don't see why we don't blow it up right away,” said Bart. ”Then the Germans would have to rely on pontoons and what we would do to them would be a crime.”

”Our officers know what they're about,” objected Frank. ”We might want that bridge to go across on ourselves if things take the right turn.

So it's just as well to have it handy. If there's any blowing up to do, we can do it later just as well as now. And it's just as well to have it go skyward when it's crowded with Germans as when it's empty.

Get me?”

”I get you, all right,” replied Bart. ”But suppose something should go wrong when the time came to blow it up?”

”That would be something else again,” laughed Frank. ”But I guess there isn't much danger Of that. Just one little pressure of a b.u.t.ton--and--zowie!”

Just then Frank caught sight of his friend, Colonel Pavet, coming toward him and went forward to meet the French officer.

The colonel's greeting was a very cordial one.

”I'm glad to see that you've come safely so far through this fierce fighting,” he said.

”Fierce is the right word,” answered Frank smilingly.

”I was at Verdun,” went on the colonel, ”and I thought at the time that nothing could be more ferocious than the fighting there. But this has been much worse.”

”We've got a pretty stiff proposition right now in holding this bridge,” observed Frank.

”Indeed you have,” agreed the colonel, ”and it is a compliment to the American forces that the defense of such an important position has been entrusted to them. Oh, you Americans! Where would we have been without your aid? And your fighting qualities! You grow men on your side of the ocean, Monsieur Sheldon.”

”The superb fighting of the French has been an inspiration to us,”

replied Frank warmly.

”To come to personal matters,” went on the colonel, ”I have heard more in detail from my brother Andre about your mother's property. He has traced the butler--Martel is his name--in the official records, and has found that he was taken prisoner in an attack several months ago. He was very anxious to cross-examine him on some testimony he had given previously. It seems that Martel had testified that he had witnessed the execution of a later will than that in which the property was left to your mother. You can easily see how unfortunate that might be if it could be proved. Andre has a suspicion that cross-examination might show Martel's testimony to be false.”

”It is too bad that the man is a prisoner,” said Frank anxiously.

”There is more to be told,” went on the colonel gravely. ”I myself have put investigations on foot through the Swiss Red Cross. They were able to find out from German prison records that Martel died recently.”

Frank started back visibly perturbed.

”Died!” he echoed. ”Then his statement about the will stands uncontradicted.”

”As far as he is concerned, yes,” replied the colonel soberly. ”I am bitterly disappointed, and I know that Andre will be, too, for he has made a very strong point of disproving that special testimony. But we will not remit our efforts in the least, _mon ami_. Be a.s.sured of that. I will let you know when I have any further news,” and with a friendly wave of the hand the colonel pa.s.sed on.