Part 15 (1/2)
Ahead, Hal suddenly made out a large body of men in such position as to block the road. He slowed down the car, and, leaning back, addressed the others.
”If I'm not mistaken,” he said quietly, pointing, ”just beyond lies the Dutch border. Once across we are comparatively safe. At least the Germans will not dare to follow us on to neutral ground. At the same time, if we are apprehended by Dutch military authorities our mission will be a failure, because we shall be interned. What is your advice?”
”Get into Holland first and let matters take their course later,” said Chester quietly.
”I agree with you,” said McKenzie.
”And I,” said Hal.
”Well,” said Stubbs, ”I don't. Not that it will make any difference, of course, because you will do as you wish anyhow.”
”If you have any better plan, Stubbs,” said Chester, ”let's hear it.”
”I don't have any plan,” declared Stubbs, ”but seems to me you could think of a better one. To rush through those fellows ahead means a fight, a that's why you decided on that plan. I'm against a fight at all hazards.”
”So I perceive,” said McKenzie dryly.
”Well; you stick along anyhow, Stubbs,” said Chester.
”Oh, I'll stick,” said Stubbs, ”but I'm going to tell you right now I don't think I'm going to do you any good.”
”Well, if we are decided,” said Hal, ”we might as well go on. We'll show our pa.s.sports again and it may be we'll get through without question. However, something tells me we are going to have trouble, so get your guns ready.”
”If you think we're going to have trouble, I'm absolutely positive of it,” Stubbs mumbled to himself.
However, each looked to his weapons and made sure that they were in working order.
”One of us has got to get through,” said Chester in a low voice. ”Who has the list, Stubbs?”
”Hal,” was the response.
”Then Hal must get through no matter what happens to the rest of us,”
said Chester quietly.
”Good lord!” said Stubbs. ”Why didn't I keep that list!”
As the large automobile approached, several of the Germans ahead stepped directly into the road and one threw up a hand in a signal demanding a halt. Hal made out that at this point there were perhaps a dozen men, though to each side he saw countless other forms. These latter, however, appeared no wise interested in the automobile and its occupants, but went about their several duties.
Hal put on the brakes and the automobile came to a stop a few feet from the nearest German, who, it appeared, was a colonel of infantry.
The German, followed by his men, approached the car and surrounded it.
”Who are you?” he demanded.
”Dutch war correspondents,” replied Hal quietly.
”Your pa.s.sports,” demanded the German.
The four friends produced their pa.s.sports and extended them to the officer. The latter scanned them hastily, then cried: