Part 26 (2/2)

”Nevertheless, it was very neatly done,” said Gregory.

”Well, Hal,” said Chester, ”you've got one gun, what are you going to do with it?”

”Hold your horses, old man,” returned Hal. ”Nothing was ever gained by too great haste. Something will turn up.”

Something did a moment later in the form of the German officer who so recently had left the tent. He came in quickly, looked around, and stood undecided.

”Why, I thought you'd gone, captain,” said Chester, though his heart sank.

The lad realized the import of the other's return.

”I've lost something,” said the German.

”What was it?” asked Hal.

”Well, it's my revolver,” said the German. ”I thought maybe I had dropped it here.”

”Hope you didn't expect to find it if you had?” said Hal.

The German laughed good-naturedly.

”Maybe not,” he said. ”However, I'm going to ask you if any of you have it.”

”If we had,” said Hal quietly, ”I'll guarantee we wouldn't stay here half an hour.”

The German looked at Hal keenly. Apparently he took the lad's answer for a denial, for he said:

”Well, all right. I just thought I'd make sure. I know you wouldn't lie about it.”

He bowed again and was gone.

”Well, by George!” exclaimed Hal. ”I didn't tell him I didn't have his gun, did I?”

”You did not,” said Chester, ”but you seem to have convinced him that you didn't have it.”

”It's just as well,” said Smith.

Five minutes later a German soldier entered, bearing a tray on which was water and dry bread.

”Well, well,” said Hal. ”What a feast for the hungry, eh?”

He took the tray from the man's bands, while Chester edged closer to him. When the man left the tent, Chester produced an object which he held aloft.

”Something for you, Gregory,” he said.

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