Part 40 (2/2)
Wharton improvised rapidly. His whole soul was still alight. It had seldom been granted to one man, especially one so young as he to have two such opportunities, that of the papers, and that of the wireless, and he felt himself ready and equal to his task.
”Were they in large force?” came the question out of the dark.
”Larger than any of us expected.”
”How many do you think?”
”About one hundred and fifty thousand men.”
For two or three minutes no other question came, and Wharton laughed silently. ”I've created a hostile force of a hundred and fifty thousand men,” were his unuttered words, ”and they don't like it.”
”Is it possible for our advance column to get in between them and the French?” finally came the next question.
”It's too late,” went back the winged answer. ”The column would be destroyed.”
”This is not in accordance with our earlier reports.”
”No sir. But both the English and French have shown amazing activity. A French force of more than one hundred thousand men, of which we have had no report before, faces our right. It is prepared to strike our line just where it is thinnest.”
Another silence, and Wharton's heart beat hard and fast. John standing near him, did not know what was being said through the dark, but he knew by the look on Wharton's strained face that it must be momentous. The wireless was silent, and now he heard the measured tread of horses'
hoofs, as the Uhlans rode back and forth, guarding the wireless station against the coming of any foe.
Wharton listened intently at the receiver. Were they accepting all that he said? Why shouldn't they? He had given them no answer which they could know to be wrong.
”You are entirely sure of what you say?” came the question.
”Entirely sir. My Uhlans and I were able to ride under cover of a forest to a point within a few hundred yards of the enemy. We saw them in great ma.s.ses.”
”And their field artillery?”
”We were not able to count the guns, but they were very numerous.”
”Then it seems that we can't drive a wedge between the English and the French.”
”I fear that we can't sir.”
”Send out a portion of the Uhlans under your best officers and report to me again at daylight.”
”They shall go at once sir.”
”Then good night. Captain von Boehlen. I congratulate you upon your energy and the great service that you have done.”
”Thank you sir.”
”We may call you again in the night.”
”I shall be here sir.”
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