Part 29 (2/2)
Chester came up at that moment, and his revolver, glistening in the darkness, lent added weight to Hal's words.
”Oh, well, of course, if you insist,” said the German.
He quickly stepped from his uniform, which Chester tossed back to Gregory, who donned it hastily. As hastily the German was bound and gagged, and Hal, Chester and the four Canadians moved forward again.
”We're safe enough for the moment,” said Hal, as they walked along.
”The enemy will have no suspicion that we are other than we pretend to be until daylight, when one look at your Canadian faces will give the whole thing away.”
”That means,” said Chester, ”that we should be beyond the German lines before daylight.”
”Exactly,” said Hal, ”though how we shall do it is still the question.”
”We've come along pretty well so far,” said Gregory. ”We won't give up now.”
”Who said anything about giving up?” Chester wanted to know. ”Of course, we won't give up. Have you any idea where we are, Hal?”
”Well, I should judge we are pretty close to the town of Cambrai.
Personally, I believe the best plan would be to head in that direction. I judge it to be directly south.”
”But it is within the German lines,” Chester protested.
”True, but once there we may be able to find a hiding place. In the open we wouldn't have much chance if we failed to get beyond the lines before daylight overtook us.”
”You may be right,” said Chester. ”Once in Cambrai, providing we can find a hiding place, we can figure out a means of leaving the German lines.”
”Exactly,” said Hal, ”and with a better chance of success.”
”Suit you, men?” asked Chester.
”You're the doctor,” said Gregory. ”Lead the way. We'll follow.” Hal and Chester turned abruptly to the left. ”South it is, then,” said Hal.
CHAPTER XXII
INTO CAMBRAI
As it developed, the distance to Cambrai, one of the chief points in the German line of communications, was comparatively short.
As the six plodded along through the darkness there was no conversation. None of the Canadians spoke German, and Hal and Chester had instructed them to be silent, for the sound of a few English words would have done more to destroy the success of their venture than any other possible thing. As for Hal and Chester, both of whom spoke German fluently, neither felt like talk.
It was almost midnight when the lads saw before them what appeared to be the lights of a small town. Approaching closer, they saw that they were, indeed, approaching a settlement of some kind.
”Cambrai, do you suppose?” asked Chester.
”Don't know,” returned Hal. ”Probably is. I understand that Cambrai is about the largest place around here, and this seems to be quite a sizable village.”
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