Part 38 (2/2)

To Alan's rapid question he said:

”He was an officer, he escaped from the escort, they tracked him down.

I hid him, but it was no use--they found him.”

”What became of him?” asked Alan.

”They took him away,” he said. ”They would have shot me but he pleaded for me, said I did not hide him, knew nothing about it, that he crept into the house and took the clothes he was wearing himself.”

”Then he is alive?” said Alan.

”I believe so. Look,” said Jean. He pulled open a drawer and Alan saw in it an officer's uniform.

CHAPTER XXIV

TAKEN PRISONER

It was Vincent Newport's uniform. Alan did not hesitate to use it, he felt he would be safer, as n.o.body would imagine him to be the man who escaped through the line from Bruges.

Jean raised no objections and Alan gave him the clothes he wore. He offered to guide him to a spot where he might get through the enemy and reach his friends. It would be difficult but there was risk everywhere. Alan protested, if Jean were caught he would be shot, he was sure he could find the way from directions.

”I care little whether they shoot me,” said Jean, ”my life is ruined.”

”It will all come right again after the war,” said Alan.

Jean held up his hands, shaking his head despairingly.

”After the war--G.o.d knows when that will be,” he said sadly.

They started at night. Alan was for leaving the horse behind but Jean said a good steed might save his life.

”It is not fair that you should walk,” said Alan. ”How far is it?”

”Some thirty miles,” said Jean. ”That is nothing to me.”

They took flasks of brandy and a parcel of eatables. Alan walked with him, leading the horse.

It was a lonely, desolate country, treeless, a barren waste; but Jean loved it. He said the land was better than it looked.

They walked all night. In the early morning they came to an old barn and walked inside with the horse. They were hungry and ate well, a few drops of brandy revived them, some loose hay was given to the horse. A low booming sound was heard, an artillery duel, it continued the greater part of the day. At nightfall Alan mounted his horse and bade good-bye to Jean Baptistine.

”I will hunt you out when we have beaten the Huns,” said Alan cheerfully.

”You will beat them,” said Jean, ”but they are strong, their sins will hang heavy on them when the judgment comes, they are murderers.” He cursed them and Alan s.h.i.+vered as he heard what deadly hate there was in the old man's breast. Was it to be wondered at?

Alan rode in the direction of the booming. Jean told him to bear to the right and that would give him more chance of pa.s.sing the German trenches. He carried his life in his hands but he was cheerful, the sense of danger roused him, the true sporting spirit manifested itself, he was against great odds and meant to succeed. As he went on at a slow pace the heavy firing ceased for a time, then broke out in the occasional boom of a gun. Alan thought they were knocking off for the night; he might have a chance to get through.

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