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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -</style> -<title>BURTON OF THE FLYING CORPS</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="Burton of the Flying Corps" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Herbert Strang" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1916" /> -<meta name="MARCREL.ill" content="C. E. Brock" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="41737" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2012-12-29" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Burton of the Flying Corps" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="Burton of the Flying Corps" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="burton.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2012-12-30T03:06:31.726388+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41737" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Herbert Strang" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="C. E. Brock" name="MARCREL.ill" /> -<meta content="2012-12-29" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.20a5 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -<style type="text/css"> -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="burton-of-the-flying-corps"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">BURTON OF THE FLYING CORPS</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> -included with this eBook or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: Burton of the Flying Corps -<br /> -<br />Author: Herbert Strang -<br /> -<br />Release Date: December 29, 2012 [EBook #41737] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>BURTON OF THE FLYING CORPS</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container coverpage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 56%" id="figure-244"> -<span id="cover"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Cover" src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Cover</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container frontispiece"> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 63%" id="figure-245"> -<span id="through-the-skylight"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="THROUGH THE SKYLIGHT." src="images/img-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">THROUGH THE SKYLIGHT. </span><em class="italics">See page</em><span class="italics"> </span><a class="italics reference internal" href="#id2">22</a><span class="italics">.</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="x-large">BURTON OF THE -<br />FLYING CORPS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">BY</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">HERBERT STRANG</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics small">ILLUSTRATED BY C. E. BROCK</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">LONDON -<br />HENRY FROWDE -<br />HODDER AND STOUGHTON</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics small">First printed in 1916.</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY R. CLAY AND SONS, LTD., -<br />BRUNSWICK STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CONTENTS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="medium">I </span><a class="medium reference internal" href="#defense-de-fumer">DÉFENSE DE FUMER</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span class="small">Showing how Burton made a trip to Ostend in -pursuit of a spy</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="medium">II </span><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-death-s-head-hussar">THE DEATH'S HEAD HUSSAR</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span class="small">Relating Burton's adventure in a French chateau</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="medium">III </span><a class="medium reference internal" href="#borrowed-plumes">BORROWED PLUMES</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span class="small">Showing how Burton caught a German in Bulgaria</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="medium">IV </span><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-watch-tower">THE WATCH-TOWER</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span class="small">Showing what followed an accident in Macedonia</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="medium">V </span><a class="medium reference internal" href="#the-missing-platoon">THE MISSING PLATOON</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span class="small">Relating an incident of trench warfare in Flanders</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">COLOUR PLATES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#through-the-skylight">Through the Skylight</a><span> . . . </span><em class="italics">Frontispiece</em><span> (</span><em class="italics">see page</em><span> </span><a class="reference internal" href="#id2">22</a><span>)</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#an-interruption">An Interruption</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#nonplussed">Nonplussed</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#hands-up">Hands up!</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">DRAWINGS IN LINE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#oh-mr-burton-sir">"Oh, Mr. Burton, sir"</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#signals-of-distress">Signals of Distress</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#i-give-him-in-charge">"I give him in charge"</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#congratulations">Congratulations</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#you-have-had-an-accident">"You have had an accident"</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-german-way">The German Way</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-marquis-is-hit">The Marquis is hit</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-door-fell-in-with-a-crash">The Door fell in with a Crash</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#an-aerial-somersault">An Aerial Somersault</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#he-looks-a-terrible-fellow">"He looks a terrible fellow"</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-discomfited-spy">A Discomfited Spy</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#dismount-sir">"Dismount, sir"</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#milosh-waits">Milosh waits</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-strange-find-upon-my-word">"A strange find, upon my word"</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-perilous-moment">A Perilous Moment</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-british-way">The British Way</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-captain-is-annoyed">The Captain is annoyed</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span>Headings on pages </span><a class="reference internal" href="#id1">9</a><span>, </span><a class="reference internal" href="#id3">63</a><span>, </span><a class="reference internal" href="#id4">129</a><span>, </span><a class="reference internal" href="#id5">163</a><span>, </span><a class="reference internal" href="#id6">246</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em" id="defense-de-fumer"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 58%" id="figure-246"> -<span id="id1"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Chapter I Heading" src="images/img-009.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Chapter I Heading</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">DÉFENSE DE FUMER</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">I</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>About one o'clock one Saturday afternoon -in summer, a hydro-aeroplane--or, as its -owner preferred to call it, a flying-boat--dropped -lightly on to the surface of one of -the many creeks that intersect the marshes -bordering on the river Swale. The pilot, -a youth of perhaps twenty years, having -moored his vessel to a stake in the bank, -leapt ashore with a light suit-case, and -walked rapidly along a cinder path towards -the low wooden shed, painted black, that -broke the level a few hundred yards away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a lonely spot--the very image -of dreariness. All around extended the -"glooming flats"; between the shed and -Luddenham Church, a mile or so distant, -nothing varied the grey monotony except -an occasional tree, and a small red-brick, -red-tiled cottage, which, with its -flower-filled windows, seemed oddly out of place -amid its surroundings--an oasis in a desert.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The youth, clad in khaki-coloured -overalls and a pilot's cap, made straight for -the open door of the shed. There he set -his suit-case on the ground, and stepping -in, recoiled before the acrid smell that -saluted his nostrils. He gave a little cough, -but the man stooping over a bench that -ran along one of the walls neither looked -up, nor in any way signified that he was -aware of a visitor. He was a tall, fair -man, spectacled, slightly bald, clean shaven, -dressed in garments apparently of -india-rubber. The bench was covered with -crucibles, retorts, blow-pipes, test tubes, -Bunsen burners, and sundry other pieces -of scientific apparatus, and on the shelf -above it stood an array of glass bottles -and porcelain jars. It was into such a jar -that the man was now gazing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hullo, Pickles!" said the newcomer, -coughing again. "What a frightful stink!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man lifted his head, looked vacantly -through his spectacles for a moment, then -bent again over the jar, from which he -took a small portion of a yellowish -substance on the end of a scalpel. Placing -this in a glass bowl, he poured on it a little -liquid from one of the glass bottles, stirred -it with a glass rod, and watched. A smell -of ammonia combined with decayed fish -mingled with the other odours in the air, -causing the visitor to choke again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Beautiful!" murmured the experimenter. -He then poured some of the solution -into another vessel and gazed at it -with the rapt vision of an enthusiast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ted Burton leant against the doorpost. -He knew that it was useless to interrupt -his friend until the experiment was -concluded. But becoming impatient as the -minutes passed, he took out a cigarette, -and was about to strike a match. Then, -however, at a sudden recollection of his -surroundings, he slipped out into the open -air, taking great gulps as if to clear his -throat of the sickening fumes, and -proceeded to light his cigarette in ease of mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By and by a cheery voice hailed him from -the interior.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That you, Teddy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you've quite finished," said Burton, -putting his head in at the door, after he -had first flung away his half-smoked cigarette.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Glad to see you, my dear fellow. I -say, will you do something for me? You -came in your machine, of course."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course. What is it? It's about -lunch-time, you know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it? But it won't take you long. -I've run out of picric acid, and can't get on. -Just fly over to Chatham, will you, and -bring some back with you. You'll get it at -Wells's in the High Street: you'll be there -and back in half an hour or so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can't you wait till after lunch?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I can, but it will be a nuisance. -You see, the whole experiment is hung up -for want of the stuff."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, very well. By the way, you've -done it at last, I see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Done what?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pulled off the phenosulphonitro-something-or-other -that you've been working at -I don't know how long."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How on earth did you know?" inquired -his friend with an air of surprise and chagrin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton pulled out a newspaper, unfolded -it, and handed it over, pointing to a short -paragraph.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We understand that a new high explosive of -immense power, the invention of Dr. Bertram -Micklewright, is about to be adopted for the -British Navy. Dr. Micklewright has been for -some years engaged in perfecting his discovery, -and after prolonged experimentation has -succeeded in rendering his explosive stable.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Well, I'm hanged!" cried Micklewright, -frowning with annoyance. "The Admiralty -swore me to secrecy, and now they've let -the cat out of the bag. Some confounded -whipper-snapper of a clerk, I suppose, who's -got a journalist brother."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's true, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, by Jove, it's true! Look, here's -the stuff; licks lyddite hollow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took some yellowish crystals from a -porcelain bath and displayed them with the -pride of an inventor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I say, Pickles, is it safe?" said Burton, -backing as the chemist held the stuff up for -his inspection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perfectly," said Micklewright with a -smile. "It's more difficult even than -lyddite to detonate, and it'll burn without -exploding. Look here!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He put a small quantity into a zinc pan, -lit a match, and applied it. A column of -suffocating smoke rose swiftly to the roof. -Burton spluttered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Beautiful!" he gasped ironically. "I'm -glad, old man; your fortune's made now, -I suppose. But I can't say I like the stink. -Takes your appetite away, don't it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! You mentioned lunch. Just get -me that stuff like a good fellow; then I'll -prepare my solution; and then we'll have -lunch and you can dispose of me as you -please."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">II</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Burton returned to the creek, boarded -his flying-boat, and was soon skimming -across country on the fifteen-mile flight to -Chatham.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had been Micklewright's fag at school, -and the two had remained close friends ever -since. Micklewright, after carrying all -before him at Cambridge, devoted himself to -research, and particularly to the study of -explosives. To avoid the risk of shattering -a neighbourhood, he had built his -laboratory on the Luddenham Marshes, putting -up the picturesque little cottage close at -hand for his residence. There he lived -attended only by an old woman, who often -assured him that no one else would be -content to stay in so dreary a spot. He had -wished Burton, when he left school, to join -him as assistant: but the younger fellow -had no love for "stinks," and threw in his -lot with a firm of aeroplane builders. Their -factory being on the Isle of Sheppey, within -a few miles of Micklewright's laboratory, -the two friends saw each other pretty -frequently; and when Burton started a flying-boat -of his own, he often invited himself to -spend a week-end with Micklewright, and -took him for long flights for the good of -his health, as he said: "an antidote to -your poisonous stenches, old man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton was so much accustomed to -voyage in the air that he had ceased to pay -much attention to the ordinary scenes on -the earth beneath him. But he had -completed nearly a third of his course when his -eye was momentarily arrested by the sight -of two motor-cycles, rapidly crossing the -railway bridge at Snipeshill. To one of -them was attached a side car, apparently -occupied. Motor-cycles were frequently -to be seen along the Canterbury road, but -Burton was struck with a passing wonder -that these cyclists had quitted the -highway, and were careering along a road that -led to no place of either interest or -importance. If they were exploring they would -soon realise that they had wasted their -time, for the by-road rejoined the main -road a few miles further east.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On arriving at Chatham, Burton did not -descend near the cemetery, as he might -have done with his landing chassis, but -passed over the town and alighted in the -Medway opposite the "Sun" pier. Thence -he made his way to the address in the High -Street given him by Micklewright. He was -annoyed when he found the place closed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just like old Pickles!" he thought. -"He forgot it's Saturday." But, loth to -have made his journey for nothing, he -inquired for the private residence of the -proprietor of the store, and luckily finding -him at home, made known the object of -his visit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm sorry I shall have to ask you to -wait, sir," said the man. "The place is -locked up, as you saw; my men have gone -home, and I've an engagement that will -keep me for an hour or so; perhaps I could -send it over--some time this evening?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I'd better wait. Dr. Micklewright -wants the stuff as soon as possible. When -will it be ready?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you'll be at the store at three o'clock -I will have it ready packed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now nearly two.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No time to fly back to lunch and come -again," thought Burton, as he departed. -"I'll get something to eat at the 'Sun,' and -ring old Pickles up and explain."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He made his way to the hotel, a little -annoyed at wasting so fine an afternoon. -Entering the telephone box he gave -Micklewright's number and waited. Presently a -girl's voice said--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There's no reply. Shall I ring you off?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh! Try again, will you, please?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Micklewright often took off the receiver -in the laboratory, to avoid interruption -during his experiments, and Burton -supposed that such was the case now. He -waited; a minute or two passed; then the -girl's voice again--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't put you on. There's something -wrong with the line."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you very much," said Burton; -he was always specially polite to the -anonymous girls of the telephone exchange, because -"they always sound so worried, poor things," -as he said. "Bad luck all the time," he -thought, as he hung up the receiver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He passed to the coffee-room, ate a light -lunch, smoked a cigarette, looked in at the -billiard-room, and on the stroke of three -reappeared at the chemist's store. In a -few minutes he was provided with a package -carefully wrapped, and by twenty minutes -after the hour was soaring back to his -friend's laboratory.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Alighting as before at the creek, he -walked up the path. The door of the shed -was locked. He rapped on it, but received -no answer, and supposed that Micklewright -had returned to the house, though he -noticed with some surprise that his suit-case -still stood where he had left it. He lifted -it, went on to the cottage, and turned the -handle of the front door. This also was -locked. Feeling slightly irritated, Burton -knocked more loudly. No one came to the -door; there was not a sound from within. -He knocked again; still without result. -Leaving his suit-case on the doorstep, he -went to the back, and tried the door on that -side. It was locked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is too bad," he thought. "Pickles -is an absent-minded old buffer, but I never -knew him so absolutely forgetful as this. -Evidently he and the old woman are both -out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He returned to the front of the house, and -seeing that the catch of one of the windows -was not fastened, he threw up the lower -sash, hoisted his suit-case over the sill, and -himself dropped into the room. The table -was laid for lunch, but nothing had been used.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Rummy go!" said Burton to himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Conscious of a smell of burning, he crossed -the passage, and glanced in at Micklewright's -den, then at the kitchen, where the -air was full of the fumes of something -scorching. A saucepan stood on the dying -fire. Lifting the lid, he saw that it -contained browned and blackened potatoes. -He opened the oven door, and fell back -before a cloud of smoke impregnated with -the odour of burnt flesh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They must have been called away very -suddenly," he thought. "Perhaps there's -a telegram that explains it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was returning to his friend's room -when he was suddenly arrested by a slight -sound within the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who's there?" he called, going to the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the upper floor came an indescribable -sound. Now seriously alarmed, Burton -sprang up the stairs and entered -Micklewright's bedroom. It was empty and -undisturbed. The spare room which he -was himself to occupy was equally -unremarkable. Once more he heard the sound: -it came from the housekeeper's room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you there?" he called, listening at -the closed door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He flung it open at a repetition of the -inarticulate sound. There, on the bed, lay -the old housekeeper in a huddled heap, her -hands and feet bound, and a towel tied over -her head. This he removed in a moment.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 72%" id="figure-247"> -<span id="oh-mr-burton-sir"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""Oh, Mr. Burton, sir"" src="images/img-020.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"Oh, Mr. Burton, sir"</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, Mr. Burton, sir, I'm so glad you've -come," gasped the old woman; "oh, those -awful men!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What has happened, Mrs. Jones?" cried -Burton; "where's the doctor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I don't know, sir. I'm all of a -shake, and the mutton'll be burnt to a cinder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Never mind the mutton! Pull yourself -together and tell me what happened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had cut the cords, and lifted her from -the bed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, it near killed me, it did. I was just -come upstairs to put on a clean apron when -I heard the door open, and some one went -into the kitchen. I thought it was the -doctor, and called out that I was coming. -Next minute two men came rushing up, -and before I knew where I was they -smothered my head in the towel, and flung -me on to the bed like a bundle and tied -my hands and feet. It shook me all to -pieces, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton waited for no more, but leapt -down the stairs, vaulted over the window -sill, and rushed towards the laboratory, -trembling with nameless fears. He tried -to burst in the door, but it resisted all his -strength. There were no windows in the -walls; the place was lighted from above. -Shinning up the drain-pipe, he scrambled -along the gutter until he could look through -the skylight in the sloping roof. And then -he saw Micklewright, with his back towards -him, sitting rigid in a chair.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<blockquote id="id2"> -<div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">III</span></p> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Burton drove his elbow through the -skylight, swung himself through the hole, and -dropped to the floor. To his great relief -he saw that Micklewright was neither dead -nor unconscious; indeed, his eyes were -gazing placidly at him through his -spectacles. It was the work of a moment to cut -the cords that bound the chemist's legs and -arms to the chair, and to tear from his -mouth the thick fold of newspaper that had -gagged him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wood pulp!" said Micklewright, with -a grimace of mild disgust, as soon as he -could speak. "Beastly stuff!--if I've got -to be gagged, gag me with rag!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who did it? What's it mean?" said Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It means that somebody was keenly -interested in that paragraph which the -Admiralty clerk so kindly supplied to his -journalist brother."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The new explosive?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. Competitors abhor a secret.... -The taste of printer's ink on pulp paper is -very obnoxious, Teddy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hang the paper! Tell me what happened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was very neatly done. As nearly as -I can recollect, a man put his head in at -the door and asked politely, but in broken -English, the way to Faversham. Being -rather busy at the time I'm afraid I -misdirected him. But it didn't matter, because -a second or two after I was kicking the shins -of two other fellows who were hugging me; -I'm sorry I had to use my boots, but my -fists were not at the moment available. -You see how it ended.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They had just fixed me in the -chair--printer's ink is </span><em class="italics">very</em><span> horrid--when the -telephone bell rang. My first visitor told one -of the others, in French, to cut the wire: -it must have been rather annoying to the -person at the other end."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was trying to get you in the 'Sun.' But go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Their next movements much interested -me. The commander of the expedition -began to scout along the bench, and soon -discovered my explosive--by the way, I -proposed to call it Hittite. He was a cool -card. He first burnt a little: 'Bien!' said -he. Then he exploded a little: 'Bien!' -again. Then he scooped the whole lot into -a brown leather bag, just as it was, and -made off, lifting his hat very politely as he -went out. He had some trouble in getting -his motor-cycle to fire----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They came on motor-cycles? I saw -two crossing the railway at Snipeshill as I -went. Look here, Pickles, this is serious, -isn't it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, of course any fool could make -Hittite after a reputable chemist has -analysed my stuff. I shall have to start again, -I suppose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Great Scott! How can you take it so -coolly? The ruffians have got to be caught. -Can you describe them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Luckily, they allowed me the use of -my eyes, though I've heard of speaking -eyes, haven't you? They were all -foreigners. The commander was a big fellow, -bald as an egg, with a natty little -moustache, very urbane, well educated, to judge -by his accent, though you can never tell -with these foreigners. The others were -bearded--quite uninteresting--chauffeurs or -mechanics--men of that stamp. Their -boss was a personality."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He spoke French?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. You brought that picric acid, Teddy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's in the house. By the way, they -gagged Mrs. Jones too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not with a newspaper, I hope. I'm -afraid the poor old thing will give me notice. -We had better go and console her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They mounted on the bench, clambered -thence through the skylight, and slid to -the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look here, Pickles," said Burton, as they -went towards the house, "I'm going after -those fellows. Being foreigners they are -almost sure to have made for the -Continent at once. I'll run down to the road -and examine the tracks of their cycles; -you've got an ABC in the house?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is possible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, hunt it out and look up the -boats for Calais. How long have they been -gone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps three-quarters of an hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A dashed good start!" exclaimed -Burton. "We'll save time if you bring the -ABC down to the creek. Buck up, old -chap; no wool-gathering now, for goodness' sake."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They parted. A brief examination of -the tracks assured Burton that the cyclists -had continued their journey eastward. -They would probably run into the -highroad to Dover somewhere about Norton -Ash. Returning to the creek he was met -by Micklewright with the buff-coloured -timetable. Micklewright was limping a little.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There's no Calais boat at this time of -day," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did you try Folkestone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It didn't occur to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton took the time-table from him and -turned over the pages rapidly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here we are: Folkestone to Boulogne, -4.10. It's now 3.35," said Burton, looking -at his watch. "I can easily get to -Folkestone in half an hour or less--possibly -intercept the beggars if they don't know -the road: in any case be in time to put the -police on before the boat starts. You'll -come, Pickles?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, no. I strained a muscle or two -in scuffling with those gentlemen--and I've -had nothing but newspaper since eight -o'clock. By the way, you may as well -take the only clue we have--this scrap of -pulp. It is French, as you see. And, Teddy, -don't get into hot water on my account. -The resources of civilisation--as expressed -in high explosives--are not exhausted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton stuffed the newspaper into his -pocket, and in three minutes was already -well on the way to Folkestone. Micklewright -watched the flying-boat until it -was lost to sight; then, pressing his hand -to his aching side, he returned slowly to -the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The distance from the Luddenham -Marshes to Folkestone is about twenty-five -miles as the crow flies, and Burton -had made the flight once in his flying-boat. -Consequently, he was at no loss in setting -his course. A brisk south-west wind was -blowing, but it very little retarded his -speed, so that he felt pretty sure of reaching -the harbour by four o'clock. Keeping at -an altitude of only a few hundred feet, he -was able to pick up the well-known -landmarks: Hogben's Hill, the Stour, the series -of woods lying between that river and the -Elham valley railway line; and just -before four he alighted on the sea leeward -of the pier, within a few yards of the -steamer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A small boat took him ashore. He -avoided the crowd of holiday makers who -had already gathered to watch him, and -making straight for the pier, accosted a -police inspector.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you seen three men ride up on -motor cycles, inspector?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, sir, I can't say I have."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Three foreigners, one a tall big fellow?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Plenty of foreigners have gone on board, -sir. Is anything wrong?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, they've assaulted and robbed a -friend of mine--you may know his name: -Dr. Bertram Micklewright, the inventor. -They've stolen Government property, and -it's of the utmost importance to prevent -their crossing the Channel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where did this take place, sir, and at -what time?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At Luddenham Marshes beyond Faversham, -just before three o'clock."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They'd hardly have got here, would -they? They'd have to come through -Canterbury, between thirty and forty miles, and -with speed limits here and there they'd only -just about do it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll wait here, then. You'll arrest them -if they come?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's a bit irregular, sir," said the -inspector, rubbing his chin. "You saw -them do the job?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, no, I didn't."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you can't be sure of 'em?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm afraid I can't, but there wouldn't -be two sets of foreigners on motor cycles. -You could detain them on suspicion, -couldn't you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I might, if you would take the responsibility."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Willingly. I'll keep a look-out then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It occurred to Burton that the men might -leave the cycles and approach on foot, so -he closely scrutinised all the passengers of -foreign appearance who passed on the way -to the boat. None of them answered to -Micklewright's description.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Haven't you got any clue to their -identity, sir?" asked the inspector, who -remained at his side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"None; it happened during my absence. -They tied up my friend and gagged him. I -came across country in my flying machine -yonder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They'll lose this boat for certain," said -the inspector, as the steamer's warning siren -sounded. "You're sure they are Frenchmen?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; well, they left a French newspaper -behind them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you happen to have it with you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton drew the crushed paper from his -pocket, and handed it to the policeman, who -unfolded it, and displayed a torn sheet, -with only the letters IND remaining of the title.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's the </span><em class="italics">Indépendance Belge</em><span>," said -the inspector at once. "I expect they're -Belgians, and aren't coming here at all. -Ostend's their mark, I wouldn't mind betting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Via Dover, of course. Is there a boat?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One at 4.30, sir. I'm afraid they've -dished you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm not so sure about that," said -Burton, glancing at his watch. "It's now -4.20; this boat's off. If the Ostend boat -is ten minutes late too I can get to Dover -in good time to have it searched."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then if I were you I'd lose no time, sir, -and I hope you'll catch 'em."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton raced back to the boat that had -brought him ashore. In five minutes he -was on his own vessel, in two more he was -in full flight before the favouring wind, -and at 4.35 he dropped on the water in the -lee of the Admiralty pier at Dover. But -he had already seen that he was too late. -The boat, which had evidently started on -time, was at least half a mile from the pier.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, sir, I did see a big foreigner go on -board at the last minute," said the -policeman of whom Burton inquired ten minutes -later. "He was carrying a small brown -leather hand-bag. I took particular note -of him, because he blowed like a grampus, -and took off his hat to wipe his head, he was -that hot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was he bald?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As bald as the palm of your hand. A -friend of yours, sir?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said Burton emphatically. "He's -got away with a secret worth thousands of -pounds--millions perhaps, to a foreign navy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The policeman whistled.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">IV</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Burton stood looking at the diminishing -form of the steamboat. The constable -touched his sleeve.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see that gentleman there, sir?" -he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Following his glance, Burton saw a slim -youthful figure, clad in a light tweed suit -and a soft hat, leaning over the rail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The constable murmured a name honoured -at Scotland Yard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Put the case to him, sir," he added; -"he can see through most brick walls." -Burton hastened to the side of the detective.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A man on that boat has stolen the -secret of the new explosive for the British -Navy," he said without preamble. "Can -you stop him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The detective turned his keen eyes on his -questioner and looked hard at him for a -moment or two.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me all about it, sir," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton hurriedly related all that had -happened. "A cable to Ostend would -be enough, wouldn't it?" he asked in conclusion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm afraid it would hardly do, sir," replied -the detective. "Your description is -too vague. Tall man about forty, bald, with -a hand-bag--there may be dozens on the -boat. It would be too risky. We have to -be careful. I saw a notorious diamond -thief go on board, but I couldn't arrest him, -not having a warrant, and nothing certain -to go upon. You had better go to the -police station, tell the superintendent all -you know, and leave him to communicate -with the Belgian police in due course."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And give the thief time to get rid of the -stuff! If it once passes from his hands the -secret will be lost to us, and any foreign -Power may be able to fill its shells with -Dr. Micklewright's explosive. It's too bad!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked with bitter disappointment at -the steamer, now a mere speck on the surface -of the sea. Suddenly he had an idea.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I got to Ostend first," he said, "I -could have the man arrested as he lands?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The detective smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't think the Belgian police would -make an arrest on the strength of your -story, sir," he said. "Why, you can't -even be sure your man is aboard. Arresting -the wrong party might be precious -awkward for you and everybody."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll risk that," cried Burton. "It's -my funeral, any way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That little machine of yours is safe, I -suppose, sir? It won't come down and -bury you at sea?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No fear!" said Burton with a smile. -"Still, in case of accidents, here's my card. -All I ask is, don't give anything away to -newspaper men for a couple of days, at any -rate. It's to a newspaper man we owe the -whole botheration."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, sir; I'll give you a couple of -days. I wish you luck."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton hurried to one of the small boats -lying for hire alongside the pier, and was -put on board his own vessel. He started -the motor, but in his haste he failed to -pull the lever with just that knack that -jerks the floats from the surface. At the -second attempt he succeeded, and the -water-plane rose into the air as smoothly as -a gull. The steamer was now out of sight, -but he had a general idea of her direction, -and hoped by rising to a good altitude soon -to get a glimpse of her. The wind had -freshened, and time being of the utmost -importance, Burton congratulated himself -on the possession of a Clift compass, by -means of which he could allow for drift, -and avoid fatal error in setting his course. -The steamer had nearly an hour's start, but -as he travelled at least twice as fast, he -expected to overhaul her in about an hour -if he did not mistake her direction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His mind was busy as he flew. He had -to admit the force of what the detective -had said. It would almost certainly be -difficult to induce the Belgian police to act -on such slight information as he could give -them; and in the bustle of landing, the -criminal, of whose identity he could not -be sure, might easily get away. Burton -was beginning to feel that he had started -on a wild-goose chase when, catching sight -of the smoke of the vessel some miles ahead, -he suddenly, without conscious reasoning, -determined on his line of action. Such -flashes sometimes occur at critical moments.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Waiting for a few minutes to make sure -that the distant vessel was that in which he -was interested, he bore away to the east, -instead of following directly the track of the -steamer. It was scarcely probable that the -flying-boat had already been noticed from -the deck. He described a half-circle of many -miles, so calculated that when he approached -the vessel it was from the east, at an angle -with her course.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was still at a considerable height, -and as he passed over the vessel his view of -the deck was obscured by the cloud of -black smoke from her funnels. In a few -seconds he wheeled as if to return on his -track; but soon after recrossing the steamer -he wheeled again, and making a steep -volplané, alighted on the sea about half a -mile ahead. Then with his handkerchief -he began to make signals of distress. There -was a considerable swell on the surface, and -it might well have seemed to those on board -the steamer who did not distinguish the -flying-boat from an aeroplane that the frail -vessel was in imminent danger.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 68%" id="figure-248"> -<span id="signals-of-distress"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Signals of distress" src="images/img-036.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Signals of distress</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>The steamer's helm was instantly ported; -she slowed down and was soon alongside. -A rope was let down by which Burton swung -himself to the deck; and while he struggled -through the crowd of excited passengers -who clustered about him, the flying-boat -was hoisted by a derrick, and the vessel -resumed its course.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton made his way to the bridge to -interview the captain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm very much obliged to you, sir," -he said. "And I'm very sorry to have -delayed you. My engine stopped."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So did mine," returned the captain, -with a rather grim look about the mouth, -"or rather, I stopped them." Burton -did not feel called upon to explain that -his stoppage also had been voluntary. -"And I shall have to push them to make -up for the twenty minutes we have lost. -You would not have drowned; I see your -machine floats; but you might have drifted -for days if I hadn't picked you up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was very good of you," said Burton, -feeling sorry at having had to practise a -deception. "It's my first voyage across Channel. -I started from Folkestone; better luck next -time. I must pay my passage, captain."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly not," said the captain. "I -won't take money from a gallant airman -in distress. I have a great admiration -for airmen; they run double risks. I -wouldn't trust myself in an aeroplane on -any account whatever."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton remained for some minutes chatting -with the captain, then descended to -the deck in search of his quarry, to be at -once surrounded by a group of first-class -passengers, who plied him with eager -questions about his starting-point, his -destination, and the nature of the accident -that had brought him down. He answered -them somewhat abstractedly, so -preoccupied was he with his quest. His eyes -roamed around, and presently he felt an -electric thrill as he caught sight, on the -edge of the crowd, of a tall portly figure -that corresponded, he thought, to Micklewright's -brief description. The man had -a round red face, with a thick stiff -moustache upturned at the ends. His prominent -blue eyes were fixed intently on Burton. -He wore a soft hat, and Burton, while -replying to a lady who wanted to know -whether air-flight made one sea-sick, was -all the time wondering if the head under -the hat was bald.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Disengaging himself by and by from -those immediately around him, he edged -his way towards this stalwart passenger. -It gave him another thrill to see that the -man held a small brown leather hand-bag. -He felt that he was "getting warm." No -other passenger carried luggage; this bag -must surely contain something precious or -its owner would have set it down. Burton -determined to get into conversation with -him, though he felt much embarrassed as to -how to begin. The blue eyes were scanning -him curiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I congratulate you, sir," said the -foreigner in English, politely lifting his hat. -Burton almost jumped when he saw that -the uncovered crown was hairless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you, sir," he replied, in some -confusion. "It was lucky I caught the boat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As soon as the words were out of his -mouth, he thought, "What an idiotic thing -to say!" and his cheeks grew red.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Zat ze boat caught you, you vould -say?" said the foreigner, smiling. "But -your vessel is a hydro-aeroplane, I zink so? -Zere vas no danger zat you sink?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I don't know. With a swell on, -like this, it wouldn't be any safer than a -cock-boat; and in any case, it wouldn't be -too pleasant to drift about, perhaps for -days, without food."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Zat is quite right; ven ze sea is choppy, -you feed ze fishes; ven it is calm, you have -no chops. Ha! ha! zat is quite right. -You do not understand ze choke?" he -added, seeing that Burton did not smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh yes! yes!" cried Burton, making -an effort. "You speak English well, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Zank you, yes. I have practised a lot. -I ask questions--yes, and ven zey ask you -chust now vat accident bring you down, I -do not quite understand all about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was quite an ordinary thing," said -Burton, rather uncomfortably. The -explanation he had given to the questioners -was vague; he was loth to tell a deliberate -lie. "Do you know anything about petrol -engines, sir?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh yes, certainly. I ride on a -motor-bicycle. One has often trouble viz ze -compression."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's true," said Burton, feeling -"warmer" than ever. The foreigner was -evidently quite unsuspicious, or he would -not have mentioned the motor-cycle. "We -have excellent roads in England," he added, -with a fishing intention.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Zat is quite right; but zey are perhaps -not so good as our roads in France, eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your roads are magnificent, it's true; -still--what do you say to the Dover Road?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! Ze Dover Road; yes, it is very -good, ever since ze Roman times, eh? Yes; -I have travelled often on ze Dover Road, -from Dover to Chatham, and vice versa. -Viz zis bag!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton looked hard at the bag. He -wished it would open. One peep, he was -sure, would be enough to convict this -amiable Frenchman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have somezink in zis bag," the Frenchman -went on in a confidential tone--"somezink -great, somezink magnificent,--</span><em class="italics">éclatant</em><span> -as we say; somezink vat make a noise in -ze vorld."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He tapped the bag affectionately. Burton -tingled; he would have liked to take the -man by the throat and denounce him as a -scoundrel. But perhaps if he were patient -the confiding foreigner would open the bag.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed!" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; a noise zat shall make ze hair -stand on end. Ha! ha! Ah! you -English. You are ze great inventors. Your -Sims, your Edvards, your Rowland--ah! zey -are great, zey are honoured by all ze -crowned heads in ze vorld. Zat is quite -right! I tell you! ... No; it is late. -You shall be in Ostend, sir?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Zen you shall see, you shall hear, vat a -great sensation I shall make. Now it gets -dark; if you shall pardon me, I vill take a -little sleep until ve arrive. Zen!..."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He lifted his hat again, and withdrew to -a deck chair, where he propped the bag -carefully under his head and was soon asleep.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">V</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Burton strolled up and down the deck, -impatient for the boat to make the port. -He was convinced: the man was French; -he was tall, urbane, and bald; he rode a -motor-cycle; he knew the Dover Road; he -guarded his bag as something precious, and -it contained something that was going to -make a noise in the world. What so likely -to do that as Micklewright's explosive!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One thing puzzled Burton; the man's -allusion to English inventors--Sims, -Edwards, Rowland--who were they? Burton -subscribed to a good many scientific -magazines, and kept closely in touch with recent -inventions; but he did not recall any of -these names. It flashed upon him that the -Frenchman, rendered suspicious by his -fishing questions, had mentioned the names -as a blind; he had spoken of Sims, Edwards -and Rowland when his mind was really full -of Micklewright.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If that's your game, it won't wash," -he thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He determined, as soon as the vessel -reached port, to hurry ashore, interview -the Customs officers, and warn them in -general terms of the dangerous nature of -what the Frenchman carried. If only the -bag had been opened and its contents -revealed, he would not have hesitated to -inform the captain, and have the villain -detained. But the Customs officers, primed -with his information, would insist on -opening the bag, and then!--yes, there would -undoubtedly be "a noise in the world," -when it became known that so audacious -a scheme had been detected and foiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sun went down, the steamer plugged -her way onward, and through the darkness -the lamps of Ostend by and by gleamed -faintly in the distance. Burton made his -way to the bridge again, and asked the -captain to allow the flying-boat to remain -on the vessel till the morning; then he -returned to the deck, and leant on the rail -near the gangway.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All was bustle as the steamer drew near -to the harbour. The passengers collected -their belongings, and congregated. Some -spoke to Burton; he hardly heeded them. -He had his eye on the Frenchman, still -slumbering peacefully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bells clanged; the vessel slowed; -a rope was thrown to the pier; and two -of the sailors stood ready to launch the -gangway as soon as the boat came to rest. -The moment it clattered on to the planks -of the pier Burton was across, and hurried -to the shed where the Customs officers, like -spiders in wait for unwary flies, were lined -up behind their counter, cool, keen, alert. -He accosted the chief douanier, described the -Frenchman in a few rapid sentences, -suggested that the brown bag would repay -examination, and receiving assurance that -the proper inquiries should be made, posted -himself outside at the corner of the shed in -the dark, to watch the scene.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The passengers came by one by one, and -answering the formal question, had their -luggage franked by the mystic chalk mark -and passed on. Burton's pulse throbbed -as he saw the tall Frenchman come briskly -into the light of the lamps.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here he is!" whispered the officers one -to another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you anything to declare, -monsieur?" asked one of them, with formal -courtesy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no, monsieur," replied the man; -"you see I have only a hand-bag."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He laid it on the counter to be chalked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be so good as to open the bag, monsieur," -said the officer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Frenchman stared; the passengers -behind him pricked up their ears as he -began to expostulate in a torrent of French -too rapid for Burton to follow. The officer -shrugged, and firmly repeated his demand. -Still loudly protesting, the Frenchman drew -a bunch of keys from his pocket, selected -one, and with a gesture of despair laid open -the bag to the officer's inspection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton drew a little nearer and watched -feverishly. The officer put his hand into -the bag, and drew forth a bundle of what -appeared to be striped wool. Exclaiming -at its weight, he laid it on the counter, and -began to unroll it. His colleagues smiled -as he held aloft the pantaloons of a suit of -pyjamas. He threw them down, and took -up the object round which the garment had -been wrapped. It was a large glass bottle, -filled with a viscid yellowish liquid, and -bearing a label.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Voila!" shouted its owner. "Je vous -l'avais bien dit."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer took up the bottle, eyeing it -suspiciously. He examined the label; he -took out the stopper and sniffed, then held -the bottle to the noses of his colleagues, who -sniffed in turn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will not explode?" he said to the Frenchman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Explode!" snorted the man scornfully. -"It is harmless; it is perfect; it contains -no petroleum; look, there is the warranty -on the label. Bah!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He struck a match and held it to the -mouth of the open bottle, which the officer -extended at arm's length. The flame -flickered and went out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Voila!" said the Frenchman with a -triumphant snort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then fumbling in his pocket he drew out -a sheaf of flimsy papers. One of these he -handed to the officer, who glanced at it, -smiled, said, "Ah! oui! oui!" and -replacing the stopper, rolled the bottle in -the pyjamas again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But it is not yet certain," he exclaimed. -"Monsieur will permit me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He plunged his hand again into the bag, -whose owner made a comical gesture of -outraged modesty as the officer brought out, -first the companion jacket of the pantaloons, -then a somewhat ancient tooth-brush. He -rummaged further, turned the bag upside -down. It contained nothing else.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A thousand excuses, monsieur," he said, -replacing the articles, and chalking the bag.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! It is your duty," said the passenger -magnanimously. "Good-night, monsieur."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Catching sight of Burton as he was -passing on, he stopped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! my friend, here you are," he said. -"I give you vun of my announce. It has -ze address. I see you to-morrow? Zat -is quite right!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he lifted his hat and went his way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton thrust the slip of paper into his -pocket without looking at it. He felt -horribly disconcerted. The fluid in the -bottle was certainly not Micklewright's -explosive; that was a crystalline solid. He -had made an egregious mistake. It was -more than disappointing; it was humiliating. -He had been engaged in a wild-goose -chase indeed. His stratagem was wasted; -his suspicions were unfounded; his deductions -utterly fallacious. While he was -dogging this innocent Frenchman, the real -villain was no doubt on the other side of -the sea, waiting for the night boat from -Dover or perhaps Newhaven. He had made -a fool of himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Despondent and irritated, he was about -to find his way to the nearest hotel for the -night, when he suddenly noticed a second -portly figure approaching the shed -among the file of passengers. The man was -hatless; he was bald; he carried a brown -leather hand-bag. His collar was limp; his -face was clammy, and of that pallid greenish -hue which betokens beyond possibility of -doubt a severe attack of sea-sickness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the first glance Burton started; at -the second he flushed; then, on the impulse -of the moment, he sprang forward, and -reaching the side of the flabby passenger at -the moment when he placed his bag upon the -counter, he laid his hand upon it, and cried--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My bag, monsieur!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bald-headed passenger glanced round -in mere amazement, clutching his bag.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Excuse me, monsieur," he said quietly, -"it is mine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Customs officer looked from one to -the other: the pallid foreigner, limp and -nerveless; the ruddy Englishman, eager, -strenuous and determined.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! You gave me the warning. You -were mistaken," he said to Burton. "The -other bag contained only pyjamas, a bottle, -and a toothbrush; nothing harmful. Monsieur -is too full of zeal; he may be mistaken -again. He accuses this gentleman of -stealing his bag? Well, that is a matter for the -police. I will do my duty, then you can -find a policeman. Have you anything to -declare?" he concluded in his official tone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing," said the foreigner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A thousand cigarettes!" cried Burton -at the same moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Each had still a hand on the bag. At -Burton's words the passenger gave him a -startled glance, and Burton knew by the -mingled wonder and terror in his eyes that -this time he had made no mistake.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Comment! A thousand cigarettes!" -repeated the officer. "Messieurs must -permit me to open the bag."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He drew it from their grasp. It opened -merely by a catch. The officer peeped -inside, and shot a questioning look at -Burton, who bent over, and at a single glance -recognised the small yellowish crystals.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's it!" he cried in excitement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monsieur will perhaps explain," said -the officer to the owner of the bag, who -appeared to have become quite apathetic. -"There are no cigarettes; no; but what -is this substance? Is it on the Customs -schedule? No. Very well, I must -impound it for inquiry."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man, almost in collapse from -weakness, began to mumble something. The -officer's remark about impounding the stuff -disturbed Burton. If it got into expert hands -Micklewright's secret would be discovered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Acting on a sudden inspiration, he took -a cigarette from his case, and struck a match.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh, monsieur, it is forbidden to smoke," -cried the officer sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the same time he nodded his head -towards the placard "</span><em class="italics">Défense de fumer</em><span>" -affixed to the wall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! Pardon! Forbidden! So it is," -said Burton, who was shading the lighted -match within his rounded palm from the -wind. He made as if to throw it away, but -with a dexterous cast dropped it flaming -into the open bag. Instantly there was a -puff and whizz, and a column of thick -suffocating smoke spurted up to the roof. -The officer started back with an -execration. A lady shrieked; others of the -passengers took to their heels. The air was -full of pungent fumes and lurid exclamations, -and in the confusion the owner of the bag -quietly slipped away into the darkness. -Burton stood his ground. His task was -done. Every particle of Micklewright's -explosive that had left the shores of -England was dissipated in gas. The secret was -saved.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 71%" id="figure-249"> -<span id="i-give-him-in-charge"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""I give him in charge"" src="images/img-051.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"I give him in charge"</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Choking and spluttering the officer dashed -forward, shaking his fist in Burton's face, -mingling terms of Gallic abuse with explosive -cries for the police. A gendarme came up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I give him in charge," shouted the -officer, with gesticulations. "It is forbidden -to smoke; see, the place is full of smoke! -The other man; where is he? It is a -conspiracy. They are anarchists. Arrest -the villain!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monsieur will please come with me," -said the gendarme, touching Burton on -the sleeve.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right," said Burton cheerfully. "I -can smoke as we go along?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not forbidden to smoke in the -streets," replied the gendarme gravely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And with one hand on the prisoner's arm, -the other carrying the empty bag, he set -off towards the town.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">VI</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Two evenings later, Burton descended on -the creek in the Luddenham Marshes, and -hastened with lightsome step to Micklewright's -laboratory. It was the time of day -when Micklewright usually ceased work and -went home to his dinner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Still at it!" thought Burton, as he saw -that the laboratory door was open.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He went on quickly and looked in. -Micklewright was bending over his bench -in his customary attitude of complete -absorption.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Time for dinner, old man," said Burton, entering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hullo! That you! Come and look at this."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Upon my word, that's a cool greeting -after I've been braving no end of dangers -for your sake."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's that you say? Look at this, -Teddy; isn't it magnificent!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton looked into the bowl held up for -his inspection, and saw nothing but a -dirty-looking mixture that smelt rather badly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see, it's like this," said Micklewright, -and went on to describe in the -utmost technical detail the experiment upon -which he had been engaged. Burton listened -with resignation; he knew by experience -that it saved time to let his friend have his -talk out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Magnificent! I take your word for -it," he said, when Micklewright had finished -his description. "But look here, old man, -doesn't it occur to you to wonder where I've -been?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why should it?" asked Micklewright -in unaffected surprise. He looked puzzled -when Burton laughed; then remembrance -dawned in his eyes. "Of course; I -recollect now. You went after those foreigners. -I had almost forgotten them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Forgotten the beggars who had stolen -your secret?" cried Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hittite! Well, you see, it was gone; -no good pulling a long face over it, though -it was a blow after three years' work. I -groused all day Sunday, but recognised it -as a case of spilt milk, and this morning -started on a new tack. I'm on the scent -of something else. Whether it will be any -good or not I can't say yet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Surely you got detectives down?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, no, I didn't. It's much the best -to keep such things quiet. The fellows had -got away with the stuff, and before the -police could have done anything they'd be -out of reach. So I just buckled to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very philosophic of you!" said Burton -drily. "I needn't have put myself about, -then. Well, hand over fifty francs, and I'll -cry quits."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fifty--francs, did you say? Won't -shillings do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No; I was fined in francs. I won't -take advantage of you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I seem to be rather at sea," said -Micklewright. "Have the French started air -laws, and you broken 'em and been nabbed? -But what were you doing in France?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come and let's have some dinner," -said Burton, putting his arm through his -friend's. "I'm sure you don't eat enough. -Any one will tell you that want of proper -grub makes you dotty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Micklewright locked up the laboratory, -and went on with Burton to the house. -Burton found his suit-case in the spare room -and was glad to make a rapid toilet and -change of clothes. In twenty minutes he -was at one end of the dining-table, facing -Micklewright at the other, and old -Mrs. Jones was carrying in the soup. Burton -waited, before beginning his story, until -Micklewright had disposed of an excellent -steak, and "looked more human," as he -said; then--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Since I saw you last, I've been to -Ostend," he began.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jolly good oysters there," said Micklewright.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! You're sane at last! I didn't go -for oysters, though; I went for--Hittite."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't mean to say----" cried Micklewright.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't be alarmed," Burton interrupted. -"There's none there now. Just listen -without putting your spoke in, will you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He related the incidents of his flights to -Folkestone and Dover, his pursuit of the -steamer, and the trick by which he had -been taken on board.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And then I made an ass of myself," -he continued. "But it's owing--partly at -any rate--to your lucid description, Pickles. -Tall, stout, bald, moustache, brown bag; -all the details to a T. I got into conversation -with the man, and when it turned out -that he was a motor-cyclist, knew the Dover -Road, and had something in his bag that was -going to make a noise in the world, I made -sure I'd got the right man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can imagine how sold I felt when, -after persuading the Customs fellows to -insist on opening his bag, all they fished -out was a suit of pyjamas, an old -toothbrush, and a bottle full of a -custardy-looking stuff. He was very good-tempered -about it--much more than I should have -been if my wardrobe had been exposed. -I was feeling pretty cheap when another -fellow came along, whom your description -fitted equally well, though he wasn't a -scrap like the first man. He had evidently -been horribly sea-sick; had gone below, -I suppose, which was the reason why I -hadn't seen him before. The wind had -carried away his hat, and his bald pate -betrayed him. I got his bag opened; had -to pretend that it was mine, and full of -cigarettes; and your stuff being loose in -the bag it went up with a fine fizz when I -dropped a match into it. That's why you -owe me fifty francs. They lugged me off -to the police station, and next day fined me -fifty for smoking on forbidden ground, -though, as I pointed out, </span><em class="italics">I</em><span> hadn't done any -smoking, and they ought really to have -fined the fellow who had the stuff in his bag. -They were very curious as to what that was, -but of course I didn't give it away. And it's -rather rotten to find that after all you don't -care a copper cent!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all, my dear chap; I'm -extremely grateful to you. I only hope you -won't ruin me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ruin you! What do you mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, you see, with Hittite safe, I shall -be so sickening rich that I am almost bound -to get lazy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If that's your trouble, just hand it -over to me; </span><em class="italics">I</em><span> don't mind being rich, though -I'm not an inventor. But I say, Pickles, -that reminds me: do you know any inventors -of the names of Sims, Edwards and--what -was the other?--Rowland?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can't say I do. Why?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, the wrong man--the bottle man, -you know--gassed about the greatness of -our English inventors, and mentioned these -three specially, to put me off the scent, I -thought. Of course his talk of inventors -made me all the more sure that he had your -stuff in his bag."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I can't recall any of them. Sims--you've -never heard me talk of any one -named Sims, have you, Martha?" he asked -of the housekeeper, who entered at this -moment with the coffee.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, sir; though if you don't mind me -saying so, I've been a good mind to name -him myself this long time, only I didn't like -to be so bold."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear good woman, what are you -driving at?" asked Micklewright in astonishment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, sir, I dare say busy gentlemen like -yourself don't notice it till some one tells -'em, their combs and brushes being kept tidy -unbeknownst; but the truth is, I've been -worriting myself over that--I reelly don't -like to mention it, but there, being old -enough to be your mother--I mean, sir, -that little bald spot jest at the crown of -the head, sir--jest at the end of the parting, like."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Micklewright laughed as he put his hand -on the spot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, but--Sims?" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, sir, it didn't ought to be there in -a gentleman of your age, and thinks I to -myself: 'Now, if only the master would -try one of them hair-restorers he might -have his locks back as luxurious as ever -they was.' And I cut the particklers out -of that </span><em class="italics">Strand</em><span> magazine you gave me, sir, -and how to choose between 'em I </span><em class="italics">don't</em><span> -know, they're all that good. There's -Edwards' Harlene for the Hair, and Rowland's -antimacassar oil, and Tatcho, made by -that gentleman as writes so beautiful in the -Sunday papers; he's the gentleman you -mean, I expect--George R. Sims."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The men shouted with laughter, and -Mrs. Jones withdrew, happy that her timid -suggestion had given no offence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To think of you in pursuit of a -hairdresser gives me great joy," said -Micklewright presently. "He </span><em class="italics">must</em><span> have been a -hairdresser, Teddy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose he was," assented Burton -rather glumly. "By the way"--he felt -in his pockets. "He gave me a handbill; -I didn't look at it at the moment; it's in the -pocket of my overall, of course. I'll fetch it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He returned, smoothing the crumpled -slip of paper, and smiling broadly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here you are," he said. "'Arsène -Lebrun, artist in hair, having returned -from London with a marvellous new specific -for promoting a luxuriant vegetation'--I -am translating, Pickles--'on the most -barren soil, respectfully invites all -gentlemen, especially those with infantine -heads'--that's very nice!--'to assist at a public -demonstration on Sunday, August 20. -Arsène Lebrun will then massage with his -fructifying preparation the six most vacant -heads in Ostend, and lay the seeds of a -magnificent harvest, which he will subsequently -have the honour to reap.' Hittite isn't in -it with that, old man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this moment there was a double knock -at the door, and Mrs. Jones soon re-entered -with a letter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"From the Admiralty," said Micklewright, -tearing open the envelope. "Listen to this, -Teddy."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span class="smaller">"'I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of -the Admiralty to say that they are prepared to -pay you £20,000 for the formula of your new -explosive, and a royalty, the amount of which -will be subsequently arranged, on every ton -manufactured. They lay down as a peremptory -condition that the formula be kept absolutely -secret, and that the explosive be supplied -exclusively to the British navy. I shall be glad -if you will intimate your general agreement with -these terms.'"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Congratulations, old boy!" cried -Burton heartily, grasping his friend's hand. -"It's magnificent!"</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 71%" id="figure-250"> -<span id="congratulations"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Congratulations" src="images/img-061.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Congratulations</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I really think you are right, and as it's -very clear that but for you I shouldn't have -been able to accept any terms whatever, it's -only fair to----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nonsense!" Burton interrupted. "All -I want is fifty francs, for illicit smoking--a -cheap smoke, as it turns out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can't do it, my boy. Wait till I get -my Lords Commissioners' cheque."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A week or two later, Burton's firm -received an order from Dr. Micklewright for -a water-plane of the best type, with all the -latest improvements in canoe floats, and -the finest motor on the market. When the -machine was ready for delivery, Micklewright -paid a visit to the factory.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a regular stunner, old man," said -Burton, as he explained its points to his -friend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, Teddy, do me the favour to accept -it as a birthday present--a little memento -of your trip to Ostend."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em" id="id3"> -<span id="the-death-s-head-hussar"></span></div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 60%" id="figure-251"> -<span id="chapter-ii-heading"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Chapter II Heading" src="images/img-063.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Chapter II Heading</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">The DEATH'S HEAD HUSSAR</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">I</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"My compliments, Burton! You brought -her down magnificently," said Captain Rolfe. -"Not much damage done, I hope?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The airman stooping over the engine -grunted. In a moment or two a grimy face -was upturned, the tall figure straightened -itself, and a crisp voice said ruefully--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Magneto smashed to smithereens!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He passed round to the side of the machine, -and retailed at short intervals the items of a -catalogue of damage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A stay cut! ... Two holes in the upper -plane! ... Four in the lower! ... Chips -and dents galore! Still, we can fall back on -the old wife's consolation: it might have -been worse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All the same, it's precious awkward," -said Captain Rolfe, putting his finger through -a hole in the lower plane. "The Bosches -will be here in ten minutes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not under twenty. They've some difficult -country to cross. But, of course, there's -no time to lose. It's lucky there's a village -close by."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Edward Burton, airman, with Captain -Rolfe, who accompanied him as observer, had -just made an enforced volplané and landed -safely after running the gauntlet of German -rifles and machine guns. At the moment -when he was flattering himself on being out -of range, a shell burst close beside the -machine, bespattering it with bullets and -putting the engine out of action.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Rolfe had seen cavalry galloping in their -direction. The sudden descent would -apprise the enemy of what had happened. -Whether in ten minutes or in twenty, there -was no doubt that the arrival of the Germans -would place the airmen in a tight corner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The first thought of the trooper is for his -horse. The airman is concerned for the state -of his aeroplane. It was not till long -afterwards that Rolfe and Burton discovered -that they, too, had not come off unscathed. -Luckily it was only Rolfe's sword-hilt that -had been shattered, not his groin; while -Burton examined with a wondering curiosity -two neat black holes in the loose sleeve of -his overalls.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It did not occur to either of them that -there was at least plenty of time to slip -away and hide before the Germans came -up. Their instinct was to save the -aeroplane--a hopeless proposition, one would -have thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Along the road from the village, a quarter -of a mile away, half the population was -already speeding to the scene. The half, -alas! was now the whole. There were -women old and young, boys and girls, old -men and men long past their prime; but -there was no male person from seventeen -to fifty except the village idiot, who flung -his arms about as he ran, making inarticulate -noises.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hang it all!" Burton ejaculated. "A -crowd like this will dish any chance we might -have had."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The crowd suddenly parted; the men -doffed their hats, the women bobbed, as they -made way for a horseman. It was an old -straight figure, with short snow-white hair -and a long grizzled moustache. He cantered -through the throng, turned into the field -on which the aeroplane lay, and reined up -before the Englishmen.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 74%" id="figure-252"> -<span id="you-have-had-an-accident"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""You have had an accident"" src="images/img-067.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"You have had an accident"</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have had an accident, messieurs?" -he said, raising his hat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Worse than that, monsieur," replied -Rolfe, in fluent French. "The Germans -have hit us; the machine is useless; they -are on our track."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah!" exclaimed the Frenchman. Then, -turning to the crowd who had flocked up -behind him and stood gaping around, he -spoke in quick, staccato phrases, in a tone -of command. "Back to your houses, my -good women. Take the children. These -gentlemen are of our brave ally. You men, -drag the aeroplane to the inn. Bid Froment -lift the trap-door of his cellar ready to let -the machine down. Some of you smooth -away the tracks behind it. Quick! You, -Guignet, post yourself on the mound yonder -and watch for the Germans. The inn cellar -is large, messieurs; there will be plenty of -room. As to yourselves----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wrinkles of his aged face deepened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, I have it!" he exclaimed. Turning -to Rolfe, he went on: "You are an English -officer, monsieur; that says itself. You -have observations to report. Take my horse; -it is not mine, but borrowed from one of my -tenants; my own are with the army. There -is no other in the village. It will serve you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you, monsieur," said Rolfe, as -the old man dismounted. "In the interests -of our forces----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hasten, monsieur," the old man -interrupted. "Guignet waves his arms. He -has seen the Germans. As for you, monsieur----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will go to the inn," said Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My château is at your service, monsieur, -but I fear it will prove an unsafe refuge. A -haystack, or a barn----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must stay by the aeroplane, monsieur; -get it repaired if possible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man shrugged. Guignet came up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Bosches have taken the wrong road, -monsieur le marquis," he said. "They are -riding, ma foi! how quickly, towards old -Lumineau's farm."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That gives you more time," said the old -gentleman to Burton. "Pray use it to save -yourself. They will not be long discovering -their mistake. Adieu! I salute in you -your brave nation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bowing, he hurried away across the fields -towards a large château that reared itself -among noble trees half a mile distant. -Burton followed the crowd towards the -village inn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A fine old fellow!" he thought, "but he -doesn't know the Germans if he supposes -that the wine-cellar will be a safe place. I -must find somewhere better than that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He overtook the men before they reached -the village. Passing the ancient church, an -idea occurred to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there a crypt?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Parfaitement, monsieur," a man replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Halt a minute."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He hastened to the priest's house adjoining, -at the door of which stood the curé in -his biretta and long soutane. A minute's -conversation settled the matter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a good cause, monsieur," said the -curé. "Direct our friends."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Superintended by Burton, the men wheeled -the machine through the great door into the -church. While Burton rapidly unscrewed -the planes, willing hands opened up the -floor, and in a quarter of an hour the -aeroplane was lowered into the crypt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there an engineer in the village?" -Burton asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mais non, monsieur, but there is Boitelet, -the smith--a clever fellow, monsieur. You -should have seen him set monsieur le -capitaine's automobile to rights. Boitelet is -your man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton hurried to the smithy. Boitelet, -a shaggy giant of fifty years or so, -accompanied him back to the church.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah ça!" he exclaimed on examining -the engine. "I can repair it, yes; but I -must go for material to the town, ten miles -away. It will be a full day's work, and what -is monsieur to do, with the Bosches at hand?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton thought quickly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Make me your assistant," he said after -a minute or two. "I'll strip off my overalls -and clothes; lend me things--a shirt and -apron. A little more grease and dirt will -disguise me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But monsieur is young," said the smith. -"All our young men are at the war. The -Bosches will make you prisoner--shoot you, -perhaps."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An awkward situation, truly," said -Burton, rubbing a greasy hand over his face. -Suddenly he remembered the half-witted -stripling among the crowd. Could he feign -idiocy as an explanation of his presence in -the village? He could mop and mow, but -nothing could banish the gleam of -intelligence from his eyes. And his tongue!--he -spoke French fairly well, but his accent -would inevitably betray him to any German -who chanced to be a linguist.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is only one thing," he cried. "I -must pretend to be deaf and dumb. Tell -everybody, will you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is clever, monsieur, that idea of -yours," said the smith, laughing. "Yes; -you are Jules le sourd-muet, burning to -fight, but rejected because you could never -hear the word of command. But you must be -careful, monsieur; a single slip, and--voilà!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shrugged his shoulder expressively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Bosches! The Bosches!" screamed -a group of frightened children, rushing up -the street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The people fled into their houses and shut -the doors. Only the curé and the smith were -visible, the latter standing at his door leaning -on his hammer, with an angry frown upon -his swarthy face. Within the smithy Burton -was making a rapid change of dress. He -rolled up his own clothes and equipment and -threw them into a corner behind a heap of -old iron, and donned the dirty outer garments -hurriedly provided by the smith. After a -moment's hesitation he ferreted out his -revolver case from the bundle, and slipped -the revolver inside his blouse.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If they search me, I'm done for," he -thought. "But they would shoot the smith -if they found the thing here, so it's as broad -as it is long. The case must go up the -chimney."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, completely transformed, he came -to the door in time to see a troop of the -Death's Head Hussars gallop up the street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They reined up at the door of the smithy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, you dog, answer me," said the -major in command. "And tell the truth, -or I'll cut your tongue out. Have you seen -an aeroplane hereabout?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oui da, mon colonel," replied the smith, -with an ironical courtesy that delighted -Burton. "I did see an aeroplane, it might -be an hour ago. It came down close to -those poplars yonder, but rose in a minute -or two and sailed away to the west."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go and see if he is telling the truth," -said the officer to two of his men. "And you, -smith, look to my horse's shoes. Who is -this young fellow? A deserter? a coward?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, he's brave enough, mon colonel," the -smith answered. "But the poor wretch is -deaf and dumb, a sore trouble to himself and -his friends. You may shout, and he will -not hear you; and as to asking for his -dinner, he can't do it. I only employ him -out of compassion."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer glanced at Burton, who was -trying to assume that pathetically eager -expression, that busy inquiry of the eyes, -which characterises deaf mutes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If he were a German we'd make him -shoot, deaf or not," said the major. "You -French are too weak. Well?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The troopers had returned, and sat their -horses rigidly at the salute.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Without doubt an aeroplane descended -there, Herr Major," one of them reported, -"and it flew up again, for there are no more -tracks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not worth while continuing the -chase. Night is coming on. Quarter -yourselves in the village--and keep the people -quiet. No one is to leave his house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The troopers saluted and rode off, leaving -a captain, two lieutenants, and four orderlies -with the major.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look alive, smith," cried that officer, in -the domineering tone evidently habitual with -him. "Are the shoes in good order?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The smith turned up the hoofs one after -another, and pronounced them perfectly shod.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well; if any of the troopers' horses -need shoeing, see that it is done promptly, or -it will be the worse for you. Now for the -château, gentlemen; monsieur le marquis -will be delighted to entertain us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a look upon his face that Burton -could not fathom--an ugly smile that made -him shiver. The horsemen rode away, and -Boitelet, the smith, spat upon the ground.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">II</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Come inside, monsieur," murmured the -smith, glancing round to see that no German -was within hearing. Then he threw up his -hands and groaned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is an insolent hound," said Burton, -sympathetically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, monsieur, it is not that; all these -Prussians are brutes. I fear for monsieur le -marquis."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is the marquis? He has a soldierly look."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He was a fine soldier, monsieur. Every -Frenchman knows his name. In the army -he was plain General du Breuil; here in his -own country, where we love him, we give -him his true title, that has come to him -from the days of long ago. Ah! there is -great trouble for him. I know that man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The major?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Major he may be; spy he was. It is -clear. Listen, monsieur. Some three years -ago, before monsieur le marquis retired from -the army, he had in his service a secretary, -said to be an Alsatian, very useful to -monsieur, who was compiling his memoirs. One -day he was dismissed, none of us knew why. -Monsieur le marquis had discovered -something, no doubt. There was a violent scene -at the château. Monsieur's son, Captain du -Breuil, kicked the secretary down the steps. -He came into the village, hired a </span><em class="italics">calèche</em><span> to -drive him to the station, and departed. We -have seen no more of him until this day. -He is the major."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are sure?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is certain, monsieur. He was then -clean shaven, and now wears a moustache, -but I know the scar on his cheek."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you fear he will insult the marquis?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Worse than that, monsieur. A few days -ago monsieur le capitaine, brave soldier like -his father, was wounded in action only a -mile or two away, when our gallant -cuirassiers charged the Bosches and drove them -helter-skelter from their trenches. He was -found on the field by old Guignet, and carried -secretly to the château, and there he lies, -horribly hurt by shrapnel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And now they will make him prisoner?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That would be bad enough, but I fear -worse. The Bosches are brutal to all. What -must we expect from a man who has a -grudge to pay off, and finds his enemy -helpless in his clutches? The major will not -forgive his kicking."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a bad look-out, certainly," said -Burton. "I like your old general; he came -to our help so quickly. But what about -my engine?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, oui, monsieur, it is a pity. I dare -not leave the village now. The Bosches -passed quickly through here in their retreat -a few days ago; I did not expect to see -their ugly faces again. You must wait, -monsieur. Come into my house, and share -our soup. If God pleases, the hounds will -go again to-morrow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton accepted the good man's offer of -hospitality, and shared a simple meal with -him, and his wife, and two wide-eyed children -who gazed with interest at the stranger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the meal was nearly finished, the -smith suddenly exclaimed--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! here comes old Pierre, with a -German. Have a care, monsieur. -Remember you are deaf and dumb."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Looking out of the window into the -darkling street, Burton saw a bent old man -tottering along by the side of one of the -orderlies who had recently ridden away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are not coming here, Dieu merci!" -said the smith at his elbow. "They are going -to the butcher's. These Germans eat like hogs."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is the old man?" Burton asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Servant of monsieur le marquis, -monsieur. They have grown old together. There -is no other left in the château. Some are at -the war; the rest fled, maids and men, when -the Germans came before. Ah! it is sad -for monsieur and madame in their old age, -and their son lying wounded, too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old serving-man passed from the -butcher's to the baker's, and thence to -other shops, with the orderly always at his -side. Soon the old man was staggering -under a load of purchases. He faltered and -stopped, and the orderly shouted at him, -and threatened him with his sword. Burton's -blood boiled. He would have liked to catch -the German by the neck and shake him until -he howled for mercy.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 77%" id="figure-253"> -<span id="the-german-way"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="The German way" src="images/img-078.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">The German way</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then an idea struck him. If he offered to -help the laden old man he would make some -return for the general's kindness; perhaps he -might be of some further service in the -château. He made the suggestion to the smith.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is madness, monsieur. You would -put your head into the lion's mouth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What more natural than that a deaf -mute should earn a sou by using his muscles? -Arrange it, my friend."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They say you English are mad, monsieur," -said the smith with a shrug. "A la -bonne heure! But you will get more kicks -than sous."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Make an opportunity to tell the old man -that I am deaf and dumb, and that he is to -pretend he knows me. He must inform his -master and mistress also. Will he be discreet?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will be anything you please for the -sake of monsieur le marquis. Come, then, -monsieur."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They left the house, and came upon the -scene just as the orderly had terrorised the -old man into making another attempt to -carry his burden. The smith soon discovered -that the orderly knew no French. He -arranged the matter by signs, pointing to -Burton's mouth and ears, and indicating -that he was muscularly strong. At the -same time he spoke rapidly in French to -old Pierre.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, bon, bon!" said the old man. "I -understand perfectly. Be sure I will tell the -master. Monsieur may rely upon me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton shouldered more than half the -load, and set off for the château side by side -with Pierre, the orderly following.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">III</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The Château du Breuil had been luckier -than many similar country houses that stood -in the line of the German advance. Whether -by accident or a rare considerateness, it had -not been shelled, and the officer who had last -quartered himself there, though a German, -was also a gentleman. It stood, a noble -building, in its little park, whole and intact -as the first marquis built it in the reign of -Henri Quatre.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At either end was a projecting wing of two -stories, the wings being connected by the -long one-storied building that contained the -living-rooms. Burton found the part of deaf -mute irksome; he wished to question old -Pierre as to the quarters in which the -Germans had disposed themselves. But he -perforce kept silence, listening to a -fragmentary dialogue in German between the -orderly and Pierre, who, as he afterwards -learnt, had been valet to the marquis -when the latter, as a young man, was -military attaché to the French embassy at Berlin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They arrived at the kitchen entrance. -Pierre went in first, and at once addressed -an old white-haired lady who was stuffing -a chicken at the kitchen table. He spoke -so rapidly and in so low a tone that Burton -could not follow his words, but he gathered -their purport when the old lady glanced at -him, and signed to him to lay down his -load on the table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madame la marquise has understood," -he thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The orderly waited awhile; then, seeing -that the lady had set Pierre and the deaf -mute to pare potatoes and turnips, he went -off to report that preparations for dinner -were at last in train.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A thousand thanks, monsieur," whispered -the marquise when the German's back -was turned. "It was good of you to help -old Pierre. But, believe me, it is unwise -of you to stay. If you should be -discovered---- If you made a slip----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madame, to run risks is my daily work," -said Burton. "I am glad to serve you--even -in the capacity of kitchen-maid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The marquise smiled wearily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are playing strange parts, God help -us!" she said. "I am in great distress, -monsieur. The German officer----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Boitelet has told me about him, -madame," said Burton. "Pardon: I -interrupt; but we may have little time. Will -you tell me what has happened?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My poor son! They dismissed our good -doctor who was attending him; they carried -him, ill as he is, from his own room to one -of the servants' rooms, and there they have -locked him in with my husband. It is on -the floor above us. They have taken our -rooms in the other wing for themselves. -They have ransacked the wine-cellar, and -loaded the table in the dining-room with -my poor husband's finest vintage. But it -is not what they have done but what they -may do that fills me with dread. That -horrible man----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Pierre, who was standing near the -door, at this moment put his finger quickly -to his lips. When the orderly entered, the -marquise was turning the chicken on the -spit, and Burton was cleaning the knives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The old frau is slow," said the German -to Pierre. "The officers are growing -impatient. She had better hurry, or there -will be trouble."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madame la marquise will serve the -dinner when it is ready," said Pierre, quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Teufel! You are insolent," cried the -orderly, striking the old man across the face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton smothered the exclamation that -rose to his lips. The marquise flashed at -the German such a look of indignant scorn -that he was abashed, and went out muttering -sullenly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The visit of that horrible man," the old -lady went on, ignoring the underling's -brutality, "is not accidental, I am sure. He -contemplates vengeance. He was dismissed -with contumely, and I fear he will make -my poor son pay."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton could only murmur his sympathy. -He watched with admiration the quick, deft -actions of the marquise, who prepared the -dinner as skilfully as her own cook could -have done.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was no opportunity for further -conversation. The orderly returned, and lolled -in a chair, commenting on the old lady's -movements in offensive tones that made -Burton tingle. When the dishes were ready, -the marquise told Pierre to carry them in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no, old witch," said the orderly, -with a chuckle. "The Herr Major is very -particular; she must serve him herself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pierre translated this to his mistress, -protesting that she must not submit to such -indignity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh bien, mon ami," she said, "they -cannot hurt me more. For my son's sake -I will be cook and bonne in one. Carry the -dishes; I will show them how a marquise -waits at table."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton assisted the old man to convey -the dishes to the dining-room, following the -marquise. At their entrance there was a -shout of laughter. Four officers sat at the -table--the major, his captain, and two -moon-faced lieutenants.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where are your cap and apron, wench?" -cried the major. "Go and put them on at -once. And make that dumb dog there -understand that he is not to bring his dirty -face inside; he can hand the things to you -through the hatch."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The marquise compressed her lips, and, -without replying, returned to the kitchen, -and came back in a maid's cap and apron. -What was meant for indignity and insult -seemed to Burton, watching from the hatch, -to enhance the lady's dignity. She moved -about the table with the quickness of a -waiting maid and the proud bearing of a -queen, paying no heed to the coarse -pleasantries of the Germans, or to their -complaints of the food, of which, nevertheless, -they devoured large quantities.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A tough fowl, this," said the major, -"as old as the old hen herself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ha, ha!" laughed his juniors, in whom -the champagne they had already drunk -induced a facile admiration of the major's wit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the meal progressed, and the Germans' -potations deepened, their manners went from -bad to worse. They commenced an orgy of -plate-smashing, flinging pellets of damp bread -at one another and at pictures on the walls. -Burton's fingers tingled; from his place at -the hatch he could have shot them one by -one with the revolver that lay snug in his -blouse. But he contained his anger. The -four orderlies were in an adjacent room; the -village was filled with the troopers; and -hasty action would probably involve the -destruction of the château and the massacre -of its long-suffering inhabitants.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently they called for coffee, and the -major went to the marquis's cigar cupboard, -promising his subordinates the best smoke -of their lives. The champagne seemed to -have affected him less than the other -members of the party, and Burton gained the -impression that he was holding himself in -for the accomplishment of some sinister purpose.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dismissing the marquise with a curt and -contemptuous "Gehen Sie aus," he called in -an orderly to lock her in the upper room -with her husband and son.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now get your own suppers and turn -in," he said. "You may be disturbed; the -sneaking Englishmen are somewhere in the -neighbourhood; so keep a man on guard to -give warning, and post a sentry in the -corridor. Send Vossling to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His own orderly entered. The major -opened a fresh bottle, and passed it round -the table; then with a "Verzeihen Sie mir" -to his companions, he rose, and took the -man into the passage out of earshot. Burton -had slipped back into the kitchen; the -passage appeared to be vacant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few minutes later old Pierre, his face -blanched to the colour of chalk, staggered -into the kitchen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the matter?" asked Burton, alarmed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He poured out a little brandy, and held -the glass to the old man's pale and quivering -lips. Pierre gulped the liquid, looked -around with horror in his eyes, and signed -to Burton to throw the door wide open.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They must not know, monsieur," he -said in a whisper, tottering to a chair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the matter?" Burton repeated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was in the passage, I heard them -coming. They are not there, monsieur?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, there is no one," said Burton, -looking out through the open door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I slipped into the dark ante-room, monsieur, -and hid behind the tall clock. They -came in."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The major--Schwikkard, the accursed -spy, and his man. I heard what they said. -'The old marquis is a bitter enemy of -Germany,' said Schwikkard. 'He fought -against us in '70. He is a dangerous man. -Now, if the west wing of the château caught -fire--</span><em class="italics">caught fire</em><span>, you understand--say, in the -early morning.' ... They are not there, -monsieur?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. Go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Caught fire!' he said. Mon Dieu! -'In the early morning--not too early, for -that would disturb the sleep of some good -Germans; but not too late, for that would -bring the whole village here. If the west -wing were burned, and all in it'--</span><em class="italics">all in it</em><span>, -monsieur!--'it would be a good thing for -Germany. Understand,' he said, 'it will -be an accident. We should all try to put -the fire out, but we should not succeed, -naturally. These old places burn well. You -understand? Well then, good-night--and -see that you don't call me too soon--versteht -sich!' The orderly chuckled, monsieur. -Mon Dieu! Monsieur et madame, le pauvre -capitaine! Ah ciel! Quelle horreur!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">IV</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The old man sank back in his chair, half -fainting. Burton gave him more brandy. -Aghast at the atrocious villainy of the -scheme--incredible but for the crimes which -had already stained the German arms--he -was for the moment unable to think of -anything but the scene he saw in -imagination--flames illuminating the dawn, eating -away the staircase, enclosing the three -helpless people above in a fiery furnace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man groaned aloud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take care!" whispered Burton. "Tell -me, are there arms in the house?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, yes, monsieur; a rifle and two -revolvers, in the captain's room--well hidden, -par exemple!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there a back staircase to the upper rooms?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By that door yonder, monsieur," replied -Pierre, pointing to a small door in the corner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If anybody comes and asks about me, -say that I have gone home. Pull yourself -together for the sake of monsieur and madame."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But, monsieur----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Chut! The party is breaking up. -Listen! They are going to their rooms in -the east wing. Courage, my friend!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He extinguished the oil lamp, pressed -Pierre's hand, and stole noiselessly through -the door in the corner. It opened to a -narrow staircase. At the head of this there -was a passage leading between bedrooms -to the main staircase farther along. There -was no lamp in the passage, but a faint -shine through a skylight lit dimly its farther -end. And just as Burton gained the top -step, and peered cautiously round the edge -of the wall, he was amazed to see Major -Schwikkard unlock a door on the left, and -enter the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go into the next room," came the curt -command in French.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monsieur, I cannot leave my son," -protested the marquise. "Have you no -humanity at all?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gabble is useless. Go into the next -room, and take the old man with you. Or -shall I shoot him before your eyes?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two old people came into the passage, -followed by the major, who hustled them -into the adjoining apartment, locked them -in, and returned. Burton, dreading lest he -intended to proceed at once to extremes -with the wounded man, and resolved at any -cost to prevent it, darted on tip-toe along -the passage to the room in which the marquis -and his wife were shut up, silently unlocked -the door, and whispering, "Courage, -monsieur et madame: await my return," he left -them, and went to the next door. It was closed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Through it he heard the German's voice. -It was no time to shirk risks. Grasping the -handle firmly, he turned it, and gently -pushed the door, little by little, until he -could see into the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German was seated on a chair by the -bedside, his back to the door, ostentatiously -cutting a fresh cigar. Beside him was a -small cabinet with medicines. On it he -had laid his revolver, out of the reach of -the young soldier on the bed. They -presented a strange contrast, the blond, bulky -German, red-faced, brimming with physical -energy, and the Frenchman, whose eyes, -feverishly bright, gleamed out of pale sunken -cheeks, and whose emaciated hands lay idle -on the coverlet. His dark head propped on -the pillow, he lay perfectly still, corpse-like -save for his burning eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An excellent cigar!" said the German. -"Who should know that better than I? -Once more I am indebted to your amiable -parents for their hospitality. I make my -acknowledgments. Madame la marquise has -been most attentive; she looked charming, -if a little faded, in cap and apron; and you -would have been delighted to see her -handing the plates."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The invalid's fingers twitched; a flush -mantled his cheeks. He tried to lift his -head, but it sank back weakly upon the -pillow. Burton felt that the German was -watching his victim with malicious -satisfaction. The shaft had struck home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't rise, don't rise, my dear sir. I -realise how little our good German shells -suit the constitution of you Frenchmen. -You have no stamina, you know: a puff"--he -blew out a cloud of smoke--"and you are gone!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You scarcely hoped, perhaps, to see me -again after our last parting at the gates of -your hospitable château? You find it, -perhaps, a strange chance that brings me again -beneath this roof? Yet perhaps it is not so -strange after all, for, helpless though I was -at the time, I vowed that some day or other -I would return. And thus we meet, sooner -than I could have hoped--our parts -somewhat changed. I was then a helpless -German in France; you are now a helpless -Frenchman in what is going to be Germany. -When you were up and I was down, you -heaped upon me insults and abuse, and -struck me--me, a well-born Prussian!--because -I did my duty to my country. Did -you reflect? Did it ever cross your French -mind that a German, a Junker, a soldier, a -man of culture, would not brook the insolent -perversity of one of your decadent race? -Now I am up and you are down, and we -can square accounts. You are to learn what -it is to strike a German. Of this your -château, of you and the vile French brood -within it, there shall not remain to-morrow -aught but ashes. That is what I have -promised myself these three years. I will pay -my vow!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During this speech, hissed out in a tone of -the bitterest rancour, the German had held -his cigar between finger and thumb, lifting -his hand now and then to emphasise his -words. Perceiving that it had gone out, he -cut another, lit it, and lolled insolently in -his chair, his long legs stretched beneath the -bed, as if gloating over his intended victim. -The young captain had not uttered a word. -No change of countenance revealed his -feelings, or so much as hinted that he had heard -the German's tirade. His eyes appeared to -look past his tormentor, but nothing in their -expression warned Schwikkard of what he saw.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a brief interval of silence; then -the German drew up his legs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sleep well!" he said. "I assure you -your sleep shall be a long one!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He flicked the ash of his cigar into one of -the medicine glasses, and was about to rise, -when a hand shot over his shoulder, and -grasped his revolver. Turning on his chair -with a start, he flinched as his right ear -touched the cold muzzle of a second revolver -which Burton pointed at him.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 60%" id="figure-254"> -<span id="an-interruption"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="AN INTERRUPTION" src="images/img-093.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">AN INTERRUPTION</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sit down!" said Burton, quietly, in -French. "If you make the slightest sound, -I will shoot you on the spot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German's face blanched under its -sun-tan. A muzzle to the right, a muzzle to the -left, each within a few inches of his head! -Speechless, he sank down into his chair, and -the cigar fell upon the floor.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">V</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Covering the shrinking German with the -revolvers, Burton glanced round the room, -and moved towards an electric bell-push in -one of the walls.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Does it communicate with the kitchen?" -he asked the wounded man, who nodded--weakness -and the thrill of emotion bereft -him of speech.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton rang the bell--a single sharp ring. -In a few moments Pierre appeared. The -expression of foreboding dread in his eyes -gave way to consternation, joy, eagerness, -in turn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Some stout cord, Pierre," said Burton, -"and shut the door behind you. My -revolver may go off, and it would be a pity -to disturb your master's guests."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The irony was lost upon Major Schwikkard. -The turning of the tables seemed to -have completely unnerved him. It is, -perhaps, not true that all bullies are cowards -at heart; but a man is tested by adversity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pierre soon returned with the cord, and -in a few minutes he trussed the German -securely, Burton standing over him with a -revolver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now a gag!" Burton said. "Take one -of those strips of linen; monsieur le capitaine -will spare us one of his bandages."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this the German found voice at last.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You--you treacherous----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so loud, monsieur l'espion!" said -Burton, fingering the revolver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German gurgled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will--all be--shot," he gasped, "as -soon as they discover----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Allons!" exclaimed Pierre, thrusting -the gag firmly between his jaws, "it is -done, monsieur."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is an unoccupied room, Pierre?" -asked Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly, monsieur, at the end of the -passage."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then we will take him there, and tie -him down on the bed. His friends will no -doubt miss him in the morning, and release -him--perhaps about breakfast time!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Such was Burton's contempt for the man -that he felt no touch of compunction at the -effect his words produced. Pierre and he -were carrying the German between them. -His staring eyes proclaimed an agony of -terror. At dawn the wing was to be fired. -He had carefully provided against premature -discovery. His friends would be still sleeping -off their liquor. He saw himself lost.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He writhed, his lips worked, but the -inexorable gag prevented articulation. The -two carried him into the farther room, laid -him face upwards on the bed, and bound -him firmly to the four posts. The -moonlight, streaming through the window, threw -a ghastly pallor upon his countenance. His -eyes pled for mercy, and Burton, after a few -moments' hesitation, relented. If the -terror-stricken wretch would show any spark of -good feeling, he would relieve his fears. He -loosed the gag.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Schwikkard gulped, moistened his lips, -and spoke gaspingly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have me in your power ... but -your revenge will recoil on you.... -Release me; I will leave the château at once.... -I will agree to any terms.... You -shall go unharmed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You would bribe me?" answered -Burton, coldly, disgusted that the man had -said no word of regret. "You have given -us no reason to believe that your word is -more to be trusted than any other German's. -We are not going to kill you, in spite of your -threats to a helpless gentleman and your -treatment of Madame. Your threats, -perhaps, were not meant in earnest----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no," cried the German eagerly. -"It was only--only a joke."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! such a joke is in very bad taste, so -we will leave you to think it over."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Remorselessly he replaced the gag, and -they left him to his reflections.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Returning to the invalid's room, they -consulted in whispers. The captain had closed -his eyes. Full of admiration for his -self-control in giving no sign of having observed -the stealthy approach from the door, Burton -hoped that the wounded man might be -strong enough to bear removal from the -château to the curé's house, and thence to -the British lines.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can we move him?" he asked Pierre.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, no, monsieur," replied the old man, -bending over the bed and gazing with poignancy -of affection at the haggard face. "It -would kill him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton pondered, while Pierre spoke gently -to his master's son and poured wine between -his lips. The captain's eyes were eloquent -of gratitude.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is only one thing to be done," said -Burton at last. "Our army is slowly -advancing: we must hold the château until it -comes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But, monsieur, it is impossible!" cried -the old man. "The Bosches are in the -house: they fill the village."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True; but this wing is defensible against -anything except artillery, and we have a -valuable hostage in the major. Let us see -what monsieur le marquis says."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They went to the room where they had -left the old general and his wife. Burton -explained to the former what he had already -done, and what he proposed to do. There -was a gleam in the old soldier's eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ma foi, monsieur, la bonne idée!" he -cried. "It makes me young again." Then -he glanced at his wife, and his face was full -of trouble. "Chérie," he said, "there will -be danger. It will be no place for you. -Will you not go to the curé's? It is dark: -Pierre would lead you across the fields."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mon ami," replied the old lady firmly, -taking the general's hand, "my place is -with you and with Fernand. Is it for -nothing that I am a soldier's wife?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The marquis pressed her hand; his eyes -were moist.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monsieur, it shall be," he said, simply, -turning to Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you come with me then, monsieur?" -said Burton. "Pierre, bring food -and candles from the kitchen, also a chisel -if you have one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The marquise returned to her son's room; -Burton, accompanied by the general, made -a rapid tour of the floor. The head of the -kitchen staircase came to the passage near -the door of the servant's bedroom in which -the captain was now laid. The window of -the room, overlooking the parterres in front -of the house, was opposite the door. There -were two doors, one on each side of the -passage, opening into rooms both of which -communicated with the bedroom. One of -these had been temporarily occupied by -monsieur and madame; in the other, Major -Schwikkard was confined. At the farther -end of the passage was a door opening on to -a landing, from which the grand staircase -descended to the hall below.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The general's experienced eye marked the -possibilities of the situation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will come up the grand staircase, -monsieur," he said. "This door is our -outer defence. We must barricade it. If -they fire through it, their shots will fly -straight along the passage to the door of -my son's room. They will hardly penetrate -that and the barricade that we shall raise -behind it. The Germans will break down -this door and come into the passage. We -must then defend the rooms."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And if they attack from the outside, monsieur?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The windows are shuttered. You observed -that, and sent for a chisel--to loophole -the shutters?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was my idea."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was good. We must barricade the -shutters also in such a way that we can -approach the loopholes obliquely. Their -Mauser bullets will easily penetrate the -shutters, although they are of oak."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here is Pierre. We must be very quiet -and very quick; the sentry below will -wonder at the prolonged absence of his chief."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there a sentry?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There was to be. I will see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He tip-toed to the head of the grand -staircase, and peeped over the rail. One of -the orderlies was standing bolt upright -against the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The three men removed their boots, and -carried every portable piece of furniture to -the doors and windows, piling them one -upon another, and strutting them with -chairs, towel horses, and other small objects. -The chisel proved a useless tool for boring -the hard oak. There was a fire in the -captain's room. Burton made a poker red -hot, and with this burnt a few loopholes in -the shutters. After nearly an hour's -strenuous work, carried on with extraordinary -noiselessness, the preparations were made.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old marquis was now trembling with -excitement and fatigue. His wife gave him -some wine, and, while he rested, Burton -looked to the weapons. The German's -revolver and his own were full. The marquise -brought out two more, a rifle, and -ammunition, from the depths of a cupboard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was now only to await events. It -was nearly midnight. How long would it -be before the sentry became uneasy at his -commander's absence? With German -stolidity, and the Prussian soldier's fear of his -officer, he might never think of moving from -his post. But after a time he would certainly -be relieved, and possibly a consultation -with the relief would lead to action.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As Burton sat nursing the rifle, he was -conscious of a smell of burning, distinct from -the smell caused by boring the wood. Pierre -had been absent for some little time in the -room where the major lay. He came through -the communicating door, followed by smoke. -Burton started up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have they set the place on fire already?" -he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no, monsieur," the man replied, -with a strange smile. "I was merely burning -some paper."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thinking that there were perhaps some -documents which must not fall into the -Germans' hands, Burton asked no further -questions. Once or twice again the same grim -smile appeared about the old servitor's lips, -and Burton concluded that he was pleased -at having accomplished a necessary task.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two hours passed in almost silent waiting. -The only movements were those of the -marquise in tending her son. Then, about -two o'clock, they heard some one try the -handle of the door at the end of the passage. -Burton had locked it. In a moment there -was a tap at the door. No one answered. -It was repeated, louder and more energetically. -Burton nodded to Pierre.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it?" the man asked in German.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Herr Major; is he here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; he is resting; he must not be -disturbed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Footsteps were heard receding. The -sentry was apparently satisfied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must give them warning some time -before dawn," said Burton, "otherwise the -man Vossling will carry out his orders, and -set fire to the staircase."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Knowing that the major is in this -wing?" said the general.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He may not know that. On the other -hand he may. Then he will suspect that -something is wrong. In the one case, we -should be burnt alive; in the other, the -man would be uneasy and come to wake -the major. But the longer we delay the -more chance of relief. The sun rises at -about half-past six; the place was to be -fired before dawn. How will the orderly -interpret his instructions?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a nice calculation," said the marquis, -who with renewed strength had recovered -his keenness. "Will he wait until the -darkness begins to thin, or abstain from -setting up a rival to the sunlight? I do -not know the German mind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Time dragged for Burton. The marquis -and his man dozed; the marquise, in the -intervals of her ministrations, read a book -of Hours. The slow clock ticked on the -mantelshelf; three struck, and four.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At a little after four there was a loud -knock on the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At last!" said Burton, half in relief, -half in misgiving. The old men started -up, and grasped each a revolver. The -lady put down her book and clasped her -hands on her lap, pressing her lips together -as if to shut in a cry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is there?" demanded Burton in French.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is Major Schwikkard?" came -the answer. An officer was speaking.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton saw that further concealment was useless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is here," he called down the passage, -"a prisoner."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German swore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You dogs! You imbeciles!" he shouted, -shaking the door. "Let me in. What do -you mean by this buffoonery? If it is -your trick, you white-headed old fool, you -shan't escape hanging because you were -once a soldier. You and your man are -civilians in arms. You shall die by inches. -Let me in, I say."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was no reply. The officer shook -the door again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Force it with your shoulder, Vossling," -he said with an oath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The door creaked, but the lock held. -Next moment there was a crash; he had -blown in the lock with a shot from his -revolver. But the door banged against -the wardrobe placed behind it. The -German swore again. Then there was silence. -In a few minutes, several voices were heard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Remove this barricade, you old French -fools," said the captain, in a voice thick -with sleep, wine and rage, "or we will blow -the place to atoms."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Major Schwikkard?" said Burton, quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is not an old man speaking," said -the captain to his companions. "There -was no one else in the house except the old -hag and the wounded man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the deaf mute," said one of the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Potztausend! If that dirty fellow has -played tricks on us I will crop his ears -and cut his tongue out. Give them a taste."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Their revolvers spoke; three shots crashed -through the wood, flew along the passage, -through the open door opposite, and finally -embedded themselves in the shutter. A -moment later Burton, stepping to the edge -of the doorway, lifted his rifle and fired. -There was a cry from beyond the barricaded -door, a volley of oaths, and a general -stampede for safety to the landing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a few minutes there was silence. -The marquise stroked her son's hot brow. -Then a fusillade burst through the door -and the stout barricade behind it. The -bullets pattered on the shutters, but the -three men had stood back out of the line -of fire. None of them was struck by a shot, -but a splinter of wood from the wardrobe -glanced off the inner door ami grazed -Pierre's cheek. Again and again the -fusillade was repeated. The defenders, -husbanding their ammunition, and careful not to -expose themselves, did not reply; they -waited in grim silence, to meet the enemy's -next move.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The failure of their efforts enraged and -nonplussed the Germans. Warned by the -shot that had wounded one of them, they -made no attempt to storm the barricade. -There was a short interval, and they were -heard discussing the situation in low tones. -The result was made clear in a few minutes. -Bullets began to crash through the shutters -to all the windows.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They have brought up men from the -village, and surrounded the wing," said -the general.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall be in no danger," said Burton. -"Firing from the ground, their shots will -go through the ceilings."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In a short time this became apparent -to the assailants. The attack ceased for -a little; then, through the window of the -room in which the major lay, bullets flew -horizontally across the room, a few inches -above his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will kill their own officer!" cried -Burton. "We can't leave him helpless in -his present position."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He deserves no pity," said the general. -"Still, we are not Germans. My camp bed -is there, lower than the bed he is on, and -easily moved. Let us place him on that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mon Dieu! It is the bed you slept on -in '70, monsieur," cried Pierre.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What then, my friend?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is sacrilege, monsieur; it is treason -to France--pardon, mon maitre, I should -not have said that, but it would tear my -heart to see a German on that bed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let that be our </span><em class="italics">revanche</em><span>," said the -general, quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope a German bullet may find him," -muttered the old man, as the others released -the stiff figure upon the bed. They kept -on their knees to avoid the flying bullets, -and so transferred the German from the -larger bedstead to the low single bed on -which the general had made the campaign -of '70. They placed it against the wall in -the corner near the window, out of danger. -Leaving Pierre on his knees to fire up if any -German tried to enter the room through -the window, they returned to the invalid's bedroom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Strange that they should be so reckless -of killing their own officer," remarked Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are callous ruffians," the general -replied. "Besides, it is war; one life is of -little account. That is what we all have to -remember. The individual life is nothing; -the cause is all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The passage and the rooms were filling -with suffocating fumes. The noise of shots, -of splintering wood, of shouting men, was -incessant. Hitherto, save for the single -rifle shot fired by Burton, the defenders -had not used their weapons. At the end -of the passage they could not have escaped -the hail of bullets; from the side doors -they could not take direct aim. But the -attack had now become so violent that -reprisals must be attempted, or the defences -would be utterly shattered. An idea came -suddenly to Burton. Closing the door -leading to the sick man's room, so that the -passage was completely dark, he passed into -the next room, shoved a table through the -doorway, set a chair upon it, and waiting -until there was a slight lull in the attack, -climbed upon the chair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Standing thus above the enemy's line of -fire, and in darkness, he was able to see, -through the gaps made in the barricade and -the door, a faint light filtering through -from the lamp in the hall below. A crowd -of Germans had come quite close to the door, -and were thrusting their rifles through the -jagged rents in the panels. Burton took -careful aim at one of them, fired, and a yell -proclaimed that his bullet had gone home. -A second shot claimed its victim. Then -the enemy, cursing with rage, rushed back -from the door, and for a time continued -firing from the angles of the landing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the window at which Pierre -was left had been driven in, shutter and all, -by repeated blows of an axe wielded by a -man mounted on a ladder. The old man -fired just as the German was stepping from -the ladder to the window-sill. Shot through -the heart, the intruder fell headlong. None -of his comrades was bold enough to emulate -his daring.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The general had been chafing at his -inability to take a positive part in the fight. -Stimulated by the success Burton had had -from his post of vantage, the old warrior's -Gallic spirit threw aside caution. Slipping -into the passage, he was in the act of placing -another chair on the table when a bullet -fired from the angle on the landing struck -a brass bracket on the wall at his left, -rebounded from it, and buried itself with -a splinter of brass in the old man's arm. -He reeled. Burton sprang down to assist -him, and carried him fainting into the -bedroom, where his wife received him into her -arms.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 72%" id="figure-255"> -<span id="the-marquis-is-hit"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="The marquis is hit" src="images/img-110.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">The marquis is hit</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hard luck!" thought Burton, for the -shot that wounded the general was the -last to be fired for a considerable time.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">VI</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The enemy ceased firing, both within the -château and without. Wondering what -their next move would be, Burton remained -heedfully on guard, rifle in hand. Pierre, -overcome with grief at the collapse of his -master, was assisting the marquise to -restore him and to bind up his wound.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently the German's voice came through -the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"General du Breuil!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you want?" Burton called.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You treacherous hound! I have nothing -to say to you," cried the German, angrily. -"I speak to the general."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The general deputes me to answer for -him. If you will not speak to me, you will -go unanswered."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who are you?" the German asked with an oath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The general's deputy," replied Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That will not avail you," cried the officer, -sneeringly. "I have sent to the village to -fetch that rascally smith who assisted your -imposture. When he has told me who you -are, he shall be deaf and dumb for his last -minute in life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton felt chill from top to toe. He -had not thought of the peril in which his -stratagem might involve the smith. The -Germans were capable of any enormity. -But he could do nothing--except gain time. -Would the British advance guard arrive -before all was lost?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, if the general chooses to employ -a cur as his deputy, so be it," the German -went on. "Like man, like master. Take -this message to the general: If he does not -yield, I will fire the château."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And if we surrender?" said Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will deal with him as a soldier. -He will be tried by court-martial."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On what charge?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That, having been a soldier, with no -excuse of ignorance of the laws of war, he, -as a civilian, resists the military power."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And if he is found guilty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His fate will lie in the discretion of the court."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And his old servant?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German, anxious to gain his ends -without further fighting, hesitated, then -replied, equivocally--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The court will decide."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And myself?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The court will decide," replied the -officer, impatiently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is that all?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German smote the door angrily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your answer!" he cried.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will give us a few minutes for consultation?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Five minutes: no more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton stood on his chair, holding his rifle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I heard it, monsieur," said the voice -of the marquise in an undertone behind -him. "My poor husband is incapable of -speech. We must leave all to you. But -can we resist fire?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Madame, I seek to gain time. We can -expect no mercy from the Germans. There -is but one hope--that our army will arrive -in time. If that hope fails----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Spare us fire, monsieur, I implore you. -It is frightful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She wrung her hands piteously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Trust me, madame; hope, and pray," said Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the five minutes were up, the -German hailed him. "Your answer--quickly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monsieur le capitaine," said Burton, -suavely, "we cannot surrender yet. We -should like to kill a few more Germans."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer let out a vicious oath.</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Then roast!" he cried. "You and the rest."</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Including your worthy commandant, -mon capitaine? Don't forget him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have murdered him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is the explanation of their reckless -shooting," thought Burton. He replied: -"Not at all. We are not Germans."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You lie!" cried the captain, whose -anger was rapidly getting the better of him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did I not remind you, monsieur, that -we are not Germans?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer was speechless with rage. -Burton imagined his quandary. It would -be awkward for him if he set fire to the -château and burnt his superior. His next -words showed his state of mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You say Major Schwikkard is alive. Prove it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing easier, mon capitaine," said -Burton. "You must give me a few minutes. -He is a heavy man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He saw that there was nothing to lose, -possibly something to gain, by convincing -the German. Slipping down from his perch, -he hurried to Pierre, who was kneeling at -his master's chair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come with me," he said, and led him -into the room where the major lay gagged -and bound. The bed was a light one. -They carried it to the window, and tilted -it on end. Leaving Pierre to maintain it -in that position, Burton returned to the -chair, and kept silence until the captain -impatiently demanded his proofs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must trouble you to descend and go -to the rear of the wing, monsieur," said -Burton. "It is dark: no doubt you have -a flashlight?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have; what then? Do not play with me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Far from it, monsieur. I am aware -of the gravity of your position. Go down -to the garden at the rear, and look up at -the window that will then face you. But do -not flash your light up until I give the word."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German snarled under his breath. -Burton caught the sounds of a whispered -consultation at the stair-head. A minute -or two later the officer called up from the -garden. Burton withdrew the piled-up -furniture, opened the shutters, and helped -Pierre to lift the bed, tilted as it was, to -the window. The major's form, stretched -upon it, somewhat resembled a mummy in a case.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, monsieur!" Burton called.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The glaring light of an acetylene lamp was -thrown up towards the window. It fell -on the major's face, which, ghastly in itself, -looked death-like in the glare.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is dead!" the captain shouted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all--only afraid; he overheard -your amiable intentions. We will -demonstrate." He turned to Pierre, saying: -"Fetch some pepper."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is none upstairs, monsieur. I -dare not go below."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Some snuff?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, oui! monsieur le marquis likes his -pinch. A moment, monsieur."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He went into the bedroom, took a snuff-box -from his master's pocket, and returned. -Burton opened the box, took a large pinch -of snuff, and held it to the major's nose. -There was a slight but dramatic pause. -All was silent. Then the major's features -became convulsed, and the silence was rent -by a resounding sneeze.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, monsieur le capitaine," cried -Burton, "could a dead German sneeze like that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There were snarls of rage from below, -mingled, Burton thought, with suppressed -laughter from some of the troopers who had -gathered in the background behind their officers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With your good pleasure we will resume -our interesting conversation above," said Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With Pierre he lowered the bed and -carried it back to its former position. Then -he replaced the shutters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Another ten minutes gained," he thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ten minutes were prolonged to fifteen. -The captain was consulting with his -subordinates. Presently he called through the -door--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Always at your service, monsieur."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Seeing that Major Schwikkard is apparently -alive, we will permit you to surrender -on terms."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What terms, monsieur?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You shall be allowed to pass through -the German lines."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should like to consult the general, -monsieur," said Burton, still talking to gain time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Five minutes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us say ten, monsieur," Burton -pleaded. "It is, you will admit, a serious matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ten, then; not a minute more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the end of the ten minutes the captain -called for an answer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The general wishes to know, monsieur, -what guarantee he has for safety."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The word of a German officer," snarled -the captain. "Be quick!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Waiting a minute or so, Burton said--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The general has a little difficulty in -making up his mind--pardonable at his -age. You give him another ten minutes, -monsieur?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Three; not a second more," cried the -German, completely hoodwinked by Burton's -tone, and unaware of the vital consideration -in Burton's mind--the return of Captain -Rolfe to head-quarters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, monsieur. I will bring the -general's answer in three minutes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The marquise and Pierre were holding -their breath. The same thought possessed -them both; to what lengths would this -audacious Englishman go?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The period elapsed; the captain called -peremptorily for an answer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The general, monsieur, has considered -your offer," said Burton, "and he feels -safer where he is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last the German's besotted intelligence -was penetrated by the suspicion that he had -been played with. He poured out his venom -in a torrent of virulent abuse, snatched at -his revolver, and fired point-blank into the -darkness. The bullet struck one of the legs -of Burton's chair, the chair broke under -him, and he fell with a crash. The effect -of the shot, heard but not seen by the -Germans, was hailed by them with a shout -of triumph. But Burton crawled into the -bedroom, with no worse injury than bruised -elbows and shins.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">VII</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Into the next few minutes were crowded, -as it seemed to Burton in reminiscence, the -events of hours. Emboldened by the -supposed success of the captain's shot, the -Germans renewed the attack with great -violence and determination, both within -and without. Repeated onslaughts were -made on the tottering door, which was -now almost completely splintered, and on -the barricade of furniture behind it. Burton -had lost no time in replacing the broken -chair, and twice his steady fire from near -the ceiling sent the attackers back in a -disorderly heap.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile two of the windows and their -shutters had been riddled by long-distance -fire, and men were again mounting on -ladders to break into the rooms. At one, -Pierre played a manful part; at the other, -the general, bracing himself as the peril -grew greater, stood holding his revolver -in his left hand, and shot man after man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The grey light of early morning was now -stealing into the room, depriving the -defenders of the advantage of darkness. The -shouts of the men, the reports of the guns, -the suffocating fumes, made the place an -inferno. At the bedside the marquise still -bravely held her post. Burton was too -busy to notice the extreme pallor of her -face, the trembling of her hands, the -agonised look of terror in her eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a wild shout the infuriated Germans -crashed through the broken door, and began -to pull away the barricade at the end of the -passage. While they were doing so, it was -impossible for their comrades to continue -firing; the attack was interrupted, and -Burton shot down many of the enemy -among the pile of shattered furniture. But -he recognised that, the Germans having -won an entrance to the passage, it was only -a question of minutes before the defence -was overwhelmed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this moment he heard a groan in his -rear. Pierre, badly hit, had staggered from -the window he had been defending through -the communicating doorway into the -invalid's room. "It is all over with me!" he -moaned, sinking at his mistress's feet. The -crack of the general's revolver still sounded -at short intervals from the next room. -Here and there the woodwork was smouldering; -before long it would burst into flames.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is only one thing to be done," -thought Burton, resolved to maintain the -struggle to the end, desperate as the position -was. "We must keep together, and make -a last stand at the captain's bed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Filling his magazine, he poured shot after -shot into the enemy crowding in the -doorway and bursting through the barrier. The -survivors reeled back under this withering -fire, giving Burton time to leap from his -perch, run into the room, and call the -general to his side. Pierre was helpless, -the invalid was half dead, only the general -and Burton remained to stem a tide which -would soon flow back with tenfold force -along the passage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two men posted themselves before -the bed, ready to meet the final rush. -Unknown to them, the marquise had taken -the revolver from Pierre's hand and stood -in front of her son, like a lioness defending -her cub. The attack was renewed -simultaneously on all sides, but a strange -inadvertence on the part of the enemy intervened -to deal a partial check. They were shooting -from the demolished barricade at the end -of the passage. At the same time their -comrades outside had begun to fire through -the window in a direct line with it. Several -of the Germans in the passage fell to the -bullets of their own friends.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Growling at this mishap, the unwounded -men broke through the doors at the sides -into the rooms. Burton had closed and -barricaded, as well as he could, the -communicating doors, but he felt with a -sinking heart that a few seconds would -bring the unequal contest to its inevitable end.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The din was terrific, and with it was -now mingled a surprising sound from outside -the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A machine-gun!" said Burton to -himself. "They will shatter their own men!" He -had no more time to think about it. -The door of the room to his left fell in with -a crash; in the glimmer of dawn the opening -was crowded with Germans. Burton and -the general emptied their revolvers into -the mass; it collapsed, and the two men -hastily filled their chambers to meet the -next, the final rush.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 75%" id="figure-256"> -<span id="the-door-fell-in-with-a-crash"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="THE DOOR FELL IN WITH A CRASH" src="images/img-123.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">THE DOOR FELL IN WITH A CRASH</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>But there was a strange lull in the rifle -fire. From outside again came the rattle -of a machine-gun, and, in a momentary -interval of silence, Burton caught the sound -of cheers. Surely they were not German -cheers? He thrilled with the conviction -that the voices this time had the true -British ring. He waited the expected rush; -it did not come. The doorway was clear; -heavy feet were trampling in frenzied haste -along the passage. With the intermittent -rattle of machine-guns close at hand came -unmistakable British shouts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton rushed to the window. The -shutters were now in flames. Wrenching away -the bars, he thrust his head through the -shattered glass, and joyfully hailed the -khaki-clad Lancers who had reined up below. -There was not a living German to be seen. -The greensward and the trampled parterres -were strewn with prostrate forms. And -with a rattle and clank a battery of horse -artillery galloped upon the scene.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are saved, madame!" cried Burton, -turning back into the room. "Our Lancers -have put the Germans to flight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dieu merci!" murmured the lady, falling -on her knees at the bedside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, les braves Anglais!" said the -marquis, grasping Burton's right hand with his -left, and jerking his arm up and down like -a pump handle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They looked at old Pierre, who had -raised himself, and was feebly shouting: -"Vivent les Anglais! Vive monsieur le -sourd-muet!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, to Burton's amazement, he cracked -his fingers, and laughed like a lunatic.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The poor fellow's brain is turned," said -the marquis.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no, monsieur, I am not crazy. Ah, -ah! it was a trick to play!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are you raving about, mon vieux?" -asked the marquis.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The smoke, monsieur! The paper! I -gave the spy Schwikkard a foretaste. Ha! -Surely he believed his last hour was come. -See, monsieur, I burnt some brown paper in -the stove under his nose. He would fire -the château! Eh bien! assuredly he believed -it was already on fire. It was drôle, -monsieur--fine trick, n'est-ce pas?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Schwikkard is our prisoner, without -doubt," said Burton to the marquis. "Shall -we untie him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this moment entered Major Colpus -of the Lancers, stepping gingerly over the -wreck of door and furniture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A pretty mess they have made of it," -he said, with double intent. "You are Burton?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's my name."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Captain Rolfe told us we should catch -a half-regiment of hussars if we hurried. -He rather expected you would be a prisoner. -We got to the village just as some of the -Germans were hauling away one Boitelet, -the village smith, it appears. They left -him to us, and he gave us an inkling that -you were concerned in the rumpus here. -The Germans have skedaddled; we have a -few prisoners below. You have had a whack -or two, I see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wasn't aware of it," said Burton, -looking with surprise at dark stains on his -blouse. "The marquis and his man are -both wounded."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Glad to meet you, monsieur," said the -officer, who, with British shyness, had -affected to ignore the presence of all but -Burton. Now, however, he greeted -monsieur and madame courteously, knelt down -and rendered capable first-aid to the marquis -and Pierre, and seeing at a glance that the -man in bed was very ill, dispatched Burton -for the regimental medico.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not until the doctor was engaged -with his patients that Burton found an -opportunity of releasing Major Schwikkard, -and handing him as a prisoner to the British -officer. He was scarcely recognisable. The -long vigil, with the dread of being roasted -by his own instructions, had broken him -both in body and mind. He looked years -older. His cheeks had fallen in, his whole -frame shook, and his hair was patched with -white. When Major Colpus addressed him -cheerily, he stammered, tried to complete -a sentence, and burst into tears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Poor wretch!" the major murmured. -"Doctor, here's another patient for you. -Now, Mr. Burton, come and tell me all that -has happened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want to get back to my aeroplane," -protested Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No hurry for that. Your friend, the -smith, has borrowed a spare mount, and -ridden off to the town to fetch something -or other for it. I shan't let you off."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton growled that there was not much -to tell, and turned to take his leave of the -old marquis and his wife. In their -over-flowing emotion they could hardly speak.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God bless you, monsieur!" said the -marquise, brokenly. "You have saved us -all. Your doctor says that my son will -recover. Take a mother's thanks, and wear -this, monsieur. May the good God preserve you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She took from her neck a chain bearing -a richly jewelled cross, and pressed it into -Burton's hand. He bade them good-bye.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Adieu, monsieur!" said old Pierre, as -Burton shook hands with him. "The -wound--it is nothing. Your good doctor -has stitched it up. I was not born to be -killed by a Bosche. Ah, ça! It was a good -trick, monsieur, n'est-ce pas?"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em" id="id4"> -<span id="borrowed-plumes"></span></div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 58%" id="figure-257"> -<span id="chapter-iii-heading"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Chapter III Heading" src="images/img-129.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Chapter III Heading</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">BORROWED PLUMES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">I</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The tramp steamer </span><em class="italics">Elpinike</em><span>, bound from -the Peiræus to the island of Tenedos with -supplies for the Allied forces, was thrashing -its way northwards through the blue waters -of the Ægean Sea. It was a warm, sunny -day; the Levantine crew lolled on the -bulwarks, and a mixed group of passengers -was gathered on the after-deck. Three or -four French officers, smoking cigarettes, -basked on deck-chairs; several men, whose -nationality it were hard to determine, -leant in picturesque attitudes against the -wall of the deck-house; and a couple of -Englishmen, wearing overalls and low -cloth caps, and with blackened briar pipes -between their lips, sat side by side on the -third of the steps leading to the bridge. -They eyed with faint amusement the centre -of the group, a very fat man sucking a -very fat cigar, who lay back in his creaking -deck-chair and discoursed at large.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Achilles Christopoulos, as he had -announced himself to his fellow-passengers, -was the agent of the charterers of the vessel. -He was, he assured them, a very busy man. -He had broad, bulging, swarthy cheeks, a -multiple chin, and a heavier moustache -than is common among his compatriots; -for Mr. Christopoulos was, by his own -account, a Greek of Greeks. His English -was fluent, with little oddities of accent -and pronunciation; and after every few -words he drew deep, audible gasps for breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, zhentlemen," said Mr. Christopoulos, -waving his cigar towards the -Englishmen and Frenchmen, "my country -will remain neutral. Of war we have had -enough; it is time we had a rest. And tell -me, why should we pull your chestnuts out -of ze fire? Tell me zat? What did you -do to help us against ze Turks twenty -years ago? Nozink. And two years ago? -Nozink. We are nozink to you. We wait; -zat is our policy; and when ze time comes, -why, zen we show ze world we do not -forget our history."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, bah!" exclaimed one of the Frenchmen, -flinging a half-smoked cigarette into -the sea. "You are egoist, monsieur. Your -history--vat? I zink of Pericles; I zink -of your patriots since a hundred years. -Ah! zat vas not zeir policy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But ze time has changed, monsieur. -Pericles, he is dead. Ze German Emperor, -he is alive."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Conspuez-le!" said the Frenchman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Christopoulos smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Consider with calmness, zhentlemen," -he said, as though appealing from the -excitable Frenchmen to the more stolid -English. "Ze Turk, with ze German -Emperor at ze back, is to-day a new man. -Ze King of ze Hellenes knows ze power of -Germany. He runs no risks. We have -men who are ignorant, who do not zink. -Zey make a fuss, cry for war; ze king -knows it is foolish, and holds tight ze reins. -Greece owes much to Germany, and shall -owe more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The French officers burst into angry -declamation. The Englishmen, who had -taken no part in the conversation, listened -for a few minutes longer, then got up and -strolled along the deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Talks too much, Teddy," said one of them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let 'em talk," replied the other.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Edward Burton, of the Flying Corps, -after several months' exhausting service in -France, had been invalided home. On -reporting himself at headquarters after -his convalescence, he was ordered to the -Dardanelles. Taking a P. and O. steamer -for Alexandria, he had met on board an -old friend, Dick Hunter, who had recently -come into the corps from a line regiment, -as observer. The supply ship in which -they took passage at Alexandria had put -into Athens with a broken shaft, and to -save time they had joined the </span><em class="italics">Elpinike</em><span> at -the moment of her leaving port.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The </span><em class="italics">Elpinike</em><span> was very old, very dirty, -very smelly, and very slow, plodding along -at seven or eight knots. The two airmen, -accustomed to easy and rapid flights, were -thoroughly weary of the voyage by the -time the vessel reached harbour. They -found themselves there in the midst of -intense activity, reminding Burton of the -bustle and orderly confusion at the bases -in France. They reported themselves at -headquarters, only to learn that, pending -the arrival of new machines from England, -there was no seaplane ready for them, -and they had to resign themselves to -kicking their heels for a time. There was, -however, plenty to interest them. Troops--British, -French, and Colonial--were continually -arriving from Egypt and departing -on transports for the Dardanelles. -Warships came and went; airmen were present -who had reconnoitred for the fleet in the -attacks on the forts, and to discover the -strength of the Turks on both sides of -the strait. These retailed their experiences -for the benefit of their comrades newly -arrived, who grew more and more eager to -set to work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now and then they ran up against -Mr. Christopoulos, who was quartered near -them, and found it a little difficult to shake -off that garrulous man of business. He -showed a disposition, they thought, to -presume on the acquaintance made during -the voyage from the Peiræus. As a rule -they gave only perfunctory acknowledgments -of his greetings; sometimes they -were unable to escape him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are still idle, zhentlemen?" he -said one day. "Zere is a shortage of -aircraft, I hear. How provoking!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It gives us time to get acclimatised," -said Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Zat is true. It is very fine air. You -like ze wine of ze country? It is very -fine. You know, of course, zat here came -ze fleet from my country for ze siege of -Troy. Ah! we Greeks were ten years -taking Troy, and I zink you will be ten -years taking Constantinople."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let's hope not," said Burton. "Your -ancestors hadn't aeroplanes, you see. Our -planes will be even more useful than the -Wooden Horse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps. And when do you expect to -get to work?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All in good time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will go to Enos, perhaps?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall go wherever we are sent. -You'll go back to Athens in the </span><em class="italics">Elpinike</em><span> -to-morrow, I suppose?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. My business keeps me here. I -am a very busy man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He went on to describe some of his -activities, and the Englishmen, breaking -away at last, made but a cool response to -his genial "Au revoir, zhentlemen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was ten days before their seaplane -arrived. The engine required very little -tuning up. They made a few trial trips, -to accustom themselves to the atmospheric -conditions of the Ægean Sea, and looked -forward to an early call to action.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On returning to their quarters one night, -they were surprised to see a British sentry -at the door of the house where Mr. Christopoulos -lodged.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's up?" asked Hunter, stopping.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Got orders to guard this house, sir," -replied the man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What for?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A party of us was sent to arrest the -chap that lives here, sir--the fat Greek -Christopoulos. Don't know what he's been -doing; swindling somebody, perhaps."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did you get him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, sir. He can't be found."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They passed on, and, after changing, -went to the restaurant for their evening -meal. There they learnt that Mr. Christopoulos -was suspected of spying. It appeared -that he must have got wind of the -order for his arrest, and had decamped; -but his disappearance was a mystery, for -no vessel had left the island since the -morning, with the exception of a small -country sailing-boat. It was conjectured -that he had left on one of the small craft -engaged in bringing provisions to the base; -but though several of these had been -overhauled at sea by fast despatch boats, no -trace of the fugitive was discovered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two days later the airmen were summoned -to headquarters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your machine is in order?" asked the -staff-officer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, sir--ready for anything," Burton replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you'll ship on board the ----." He -named a cruiser lying in the harbour. -"There are rumours of a large Turkish -concentration at Keshan. You'll find out -if they are true. The cruiser will take you -up to the Gulf of Saros, and you will start -your flight from the neighbourhood of the -coast somewhere south of Enos. The -cruiser will await your return."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They hurried down to the harbour. -The seaplane was slung on board the cruiser, -which steamed away northward, through -the huge armada of British and French -war-vessels, transports, and supply ships -that thronged the sea. It was an open -secret that the preparations for a -combined attack by land and sea were far -advanced. They heard the distant boom -of heavy guns, which grew louder and more -continuous as they neared the mouth of -the strait. When they opened up the -headland of Suvla Burun the course was altered -a few points to the east, and another hour's -steaming across the Gulf of Saros found -them some five miles from the coast, off -Kurukli. Here the cruiser hove-to, and the -seaplane was slung out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The captain had already given the -airmen their bearings. North-west lay Enos -and the river Maritza, with the Bulgarian -port of Dedeagatch beyond. Keshan, their -objective, was to the north-east, about -thirty miles distant from the coast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will cruise about for four or five -hours," said the captain, "keeping well -out to sea, out of range of the batteries in -the Bulair lines yonder." He pointed due -east to the neck of the Gallipoli peninsula. -"You have plenty of petrol?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Enough for the job," replied Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, good luck to you. 'Ware shrapnel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They slipped over the side into their -places. Burton started the engine, and, -after skimming the surface for a few -moments, the seaplane rose like a bird and -soared away, ever higher, towards the -coast northward.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">II</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The sky was clear, the air calm--an -ideal day for airmen. In a few minutes -they passed over the rocky and precipitous -line of the coast and pursued their flight -inland. Hunter, closely scanning the -country beneath through his glasses, -presently exclaimed, "A gun!" and shortly -afterwards, "A battery!" The guns were -cleverly concealed from observation from -the sea, behind a cliff, marked by a clump -of the dense brushwood that flourishes on -the shores of the Gulf of Saros. Hunter -expected a shot or two from the gunners, -but they made no sign, probably unwilling -to reveal their position to the warships in -the bay. They were saving their shot for -more serious work than firing at seaplanes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Northward they saw a river flowing -east and west. Passing over a -village--Kiskapan, according to the map--they -crossed the river almost at right angles -with its course, and beyond a range of low -hills discovered their objective about five -miles away. They had travelled some -thirty-five miles by dead reckoning, which -corresponded with the estimated distance -from the cruiser.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before they obtained a full view of -Keshan itself they perceived evidences of -a considerable concentration of troops. At -several points around the town there were -extensive encampments. Clouds of dust -to the north, east, and north-east betrayed -the movements of troops or convoys. -And when they were still about two miles -from the town they heard the familiar -rattle of machine-guns and the long -crackle of rifle fire. But they were too high -up to feel any anxiety, and while Burton -wheeled round and round in an extensive -circle, Hunter busily plotted out on his -map the positions of the camps, and made -notes of the directions of the movements, -the estimated number of the battalions, -and the nature of their arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a while Burton began gradually -to drop, in order to give Hunter a chance -of recognising gun emplacements. At about -two thousand feet the enemy opened fire. -White and creamy puffs of shrapnel floated -and spread in the air. A shell burst some -distance beneath them, another above them, -and soon the machine was cleaving its way -through a thin cloud of pungent smoke. -It appeared that at least six guns were at work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Better get out of this," shouted Hunter. -"I've got about enough information."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We'll go a little farther north," replied -Burton, "to see if any reinforcements are -coming up towards Keshan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, but go a bit higher; I heard -two or three smacks on the planes just now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Rising a little higher, Burton swept round -to the north. In a minute or two Hunter -was able to see that the hill track from -Rodosto was choked with transport of all -kinds. Right and left, every possible -route from Constantinople and Adrianople -was equally congested. It was clear that -a vast army was being concentrated within -striking distance of Gallipoli, and on the -flank of any force moving eastward from -Enos or any other point of disembarkation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton then headed west towards the -Maritza, intending to return by way of Enos -and discover, if possible, what force the -Turks had available for the defence of that -place. They were passing somewhat to the -north of Keshan, to keep out of the way -of the batteries, when Hunter suddenly -caught sight of an object like a large bird -low down in the sky on their left hand. A -few moments' scrutiny through his glasses -confirmed the suspicions which had seized -him on the instant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An aviatik, coming our way," he called.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Won't catch us," responded Burton -with a smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stay and fight it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's tempting, but we mustn't. It -won't do to run risks when our job's to -collect information."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hunter acquiesced with a sigh. Burton -shifted his course a point or two to the -west, so as to run nearly parallel with the -enemy's aeroplane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A moment or two later he gave a start of alarm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the matter?" asked Hunter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Afraid there's a leak. The petrol -gauge is falling faster than it ought. They -must have knocked a hole in the tank. See -if you can find it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hunter twisted in his seat, bent over, -and began to examine the tank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can't find any leak," he said presently. -"If there's one, it's out of reach. How's -the gauge?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At this rate we shall be done in another -ten minutes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whew! How much farther to go?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At least twenty miles, perhaps more. -I wish we had come straight. There's -absolutely no chance of getting back before -the petrol gives out. Where's the enemy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Still on our port side, going strong. It -looks as if she means to chase us, thinking -we're running away. We shall have to -fight now, shan't we?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. We're bound to come down in a -few minutes, and if we don't tackle her at -once it's all up with us. How far is she off?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"About a couple of miles, I think, and -about the same height. Her course is -between us and Enos, worse luck!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wish we had a machine-gun! I'll -come round; take a shot when we're -within range, and for goodness' sake cripple her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He brought the seaplane round in an -easy curve, at the same time climbing to -get above the enemy. His eye was all the -time on the rapidly falling gauge. The -aviatik held on its course for a little, then -wheeled to the south-west, as if to cut -the seaplane off. It was clear that the -enemy airmen had no wish to avoid a fight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton's wheeling movement had now -made his course almost due east, so that -the two machines were rushing obliquely -towards each other at the rate of about a -hundred miles an hour. When they crossed, -Burton was slightly ahead of the enemy, -and, to his surprise, somewhat lower. At -almost the same moment Hunter and the -enemy's observer opened fire with their -rifles, but each was handicapped by the -fact that he was firing from right to left, -and no damage seemed to have been done -on either side. As soon as Burton had -passed the enemy, he banked his machine -and wheeled to the left, climbing as rapidly -as possible to make good the deficiency in -height. The aviatik also made a spiral -movement to the left, with the result that -in a few seconds the machines were once -more converging on each other. This -time, however, Burton was slightly to the -rear of the enemy, and when their tracks -crossed, he shot up behind it on its left. -The aviatik, a second or two too late, made -a desperate effort to edge away eastward, -but the movement only brought the two -planes closer together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We can't stick it another minute," gasped Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hunter did not reply. He had dropped -his rifle and seized his automatic pistol. -The machines were at point-blank range. -Hunter fired. The enemy's observer -screwed himself round in his seat to reply. -Aiming at the pilot, Hunter sent a stream -of bullets from his pistol. The pilot fell -forward. For a moment the aeroplane -rocked and seemed on the point of -capsizing. Then the observer seized the -controls, and, with a recklessness that bespoke -inexperience or want of skill, began a -perilously steep volplané.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 73%" id="figure-258"> -<span id="an-aerial-somersault"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="An aerial somersault" src="images/img-144.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">An aerial somersault</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hunter looked down. The machine was -rapidly dropping towards the edge of the -lake a little to the east of the Maritza River. -Suddenly, while yet some distance from -the ground, the aviatik's descent was -averted, possibly by an air pocket over the -lake. For a moment it seemed poised -without motion, then it turned a somersault. -The observer fell out, and dropped into -the lake at the same instant as the machine -crashed on to the bank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile Burton had circled round. -His tank was nearly empty. He must -either come down or fall down. There was -no sign of life in the wrecked aeroplane; -the observer had disappeared in the water; -no one was in sight. Swinging round again -Burton adjusted his elevator so as to -descend on the lake, and in a few seconds -the seaplane was resting on the surface -within thirty yards of the spot where the -aviatik lay, a mangled heap, on the bank.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">III</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"We can wade ashore," said Burton. "I -can see the bottom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hadn't we better mend the leak?" -Hunter suggested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I want to see if the German has -any spare petrol. We've lost a lot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They waded through a foot or two of -water, and examined the wreck. One of -the wings was crumpled up; otherwise the -machine had suffered little injury. The -pilot, a fair-haired German of Saxon type, -was dead. There was plenty of petrol in -the tank, and Hunter drew this off into a -tin can while Burton returned to the -seaplane, pulled it ashore, and set about -discovering the leak. It turned out to be a -long thin crack on the underside of the tank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How on earth are we to mend this?" -said Burton, looking at it ruefully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not stuff it up with mud?" said -Hunter. "This stuff at the edge of the lake -seems to be clayey, and it will harden in no time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good! It may last for the few miles -we have still to cover. Just keep a -lookout while I work at it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hunter went up the bank. A rough -bridle-track skirted the lake and -disappeared in a plantation that came down -to within about a hundred yards of the -water. To the south the view was shut in -by a wooded knoll. There was neither -man nor house in sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton had just kneaded some clay for -stopping up the crack when they heard -shouts in the distance, apparently from a -southward direction. He ran up and -joined Hunter, and they went together to -the knoll some hundred and twenty yards -away, from which they expected to get a -view of the southern shore and perhaps of -the men from whom the cries came. They -were careful to keep under cover, and, on -arriving at the knoll, lay flat on the ground. -As they had hoped, they could now see -a large portion of the lake which had -previously been hidden from them, and -caught glimpses, on the western side, of -the bridle-track here and there among the -trees. At intervals it disappeared behind -slight hillocks or denser stretches of the -plantation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a minute or two they saw no human -beings. The sounds had ceased. But -presently, about a third of a mile away to -the south, they caught sight of a party of -half a dozen horsemen searching the shore -of the lake, now trotting into the wood, -now riding at the edge of the water, now -cantering along the bridle-track in the -direction of the Englishmen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Turks!" murmured Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They must have seen the machines -fall," said Hunter. "This is awkward, Teddy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is, by Jove! and there are more of -them. Look at that lot behind there. -They'll be here in three or four minutes--no -time to plaster the crack and get away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had better scuttle our plane and -dive into the woods. There's just a chance -of our getting across the Maritza into -Bulgaria."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That means internment. Besides, it -would be simply rotten to destroy the -machine if we can help it. Perhaps there's -some other way. In any case we must get -back. Put on a sprint."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They raced back to the spot where they -had landed, the knoll concealing them from -the Turkish search-party. The sight of the -body of the German pilot suggested an idea -to Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look here, we must trick them," he said -rapidly. "There's a bare chance of saving -our machine, and I doubt whether we've -time enough even to destroy it. For the -next quarter of an hour I'm a German, -and you're my English prisoner. We are -done if there's a German among them, but -that's our chance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Removing his own cap, he replaced it -with that of the German pilot, borrowing -at the same time one or two small articles -of his equipment. Then he bound Hunter's -hands and feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Slip-knots, old man," he said. "You -can free yourself in a jiffy. But don't do -it too soon. Just in time! I hear them -coming. Here goes!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He uttered a loud shout. In a few -moments the horsemen appeared on the -crest of the knoll. Burton waved his left -hand, with his right holding a pistol pointed -at Hunter's head. The horsemen, led by -an elderly Turkish officer in grey uniform -and fez, galloped down towards them. -While the officer was still several paces -distant, Burton saluted and addressed him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sprechen Sie Deutsch, mein Herr?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No one would have guessed with what -anxious trepidation he awaited the answer. -He had used almost all the German he knew. -His heart leapt when the Turk shook his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Vous parlez Français, monsieur?" said Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oui, certainement. Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have come in good time, monsieur -le capitaine," said Burton in French. -"I regret that I do not speak Turkish, and -that our conversation must proceed in a -language which, no doubt, you cordially -detest. Our good Kaiser will soon forbid -the use of it in Europe; German and -Turkish are the languages of the future. -Meanwhile! ... You see, monsieur le -capitaine, there has been a duel in the air. -My pilot was, unhappily, shot by the enemy. -We both had to descend; the enemy, no -doubt, had difficulties with his engine. -No doubt he expected to find both the -pilot and myself dead or disabled. But a -true German, like a true Turk, is a hard -man to kill. Single-handed I attacked the -enemy as they landed. Imagine their -consternation and fear! One of them, -using the long legs which serve the cowardly -English so well, fled into the wood. The -other lies here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Turkish captain bent over his saddle -to inspect the captured Englishman. For -his benefit Hunter assumed an expression of -sullen ferocity.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 71%" id="figure-259"> -<span id="he-looks-a-terrible-fellow"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""He looks a terrible fellow"" src="images/img-151.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"He looks a terrible fellow"</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was well done," said the Turk in -French. "He looks a terrible fellow. I -make you my compliments, monsieur. It -was a brave deed to attack two men single-handed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, that's nothing to us Germans," -said Burton airily. "We never think of -odds. We are like that; the greater the -adverse odds, the better pleased we are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is indeed the characteristic of -your noble nation," said the Turk politely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Still, it is as well to reduce the odds -when we can," Burton went on. "Half -the enemy's force has escaped. Could you -spare a few men, monsieur le capitaine, to -scour the woods?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly, though I have little time to -spare. I am engaged, you will be glad to -know, in escorting a fellow-countryman of -yours, monsieur--a German in the secret -service, who has just landed at Enos--with -important information for headquarters at Keshan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He broke off to give his troopers orders -to hunt about in the woods for the escaped -English airman. They were to return, -even if unsuccessful, at the sound of his -whistle. Meanwhile, Burton and Hunter -had exchanged uneasy glances. The -German could not be far away. No doubt he -was coming up with other members of the -escort. The sight of the falling aeroplanes -had drawn the officer in advance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The troopers galloped off. The officer -turned once more towards Burton, whose -expression of countenance gave no sign of -the agitation within.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will be interesting to meet a -fellow-countryman in this lonely spot," he said -calmly. "May I offer you a cigarette, -monsieur?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Turk took one from the opened case, -thanked Burton, and turned the cigarette -over in his fingers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Made in Cairo, monsieur?" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it is a privilege of us airmen to -levy upon the enemy. Refugees have no -need to smoke. With the airman it is a -necessity--it steadies the nerves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True. And they make good cigarettes -in Cairo." He lit the cigarette from an -automatic lighter. "The Englishman looks -frightened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He expects to be killed, I suppose, not -knowing our German humanity. But you -will excuse me, monsieur, if I examine -the English aeroplane. It will come in useful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton returned to the machine, and, -after feigning to examine it, proceeded to -plaster the crack with nervous haste. The -Turk had followed him, and, remaining in -the saddle, watched his operations with -much interest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was this injury that caused the -Englishmen to descend," Burton explained. -"German bullets never fail."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An English bullet was more successful, -however," said the officer, glancing at the -dead pilot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not more successful, surely, monsieur. -We have scores of good pilots, we can -replace every man that falls; but the -English cannot afford to lose a single -machine. And do not our German -newspapers tell us that they have hardly any -left? The earth is the Kaiser's; the sea -is his; the air is his also. Turkey will -flourish again in German air."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having filled up the crack, Burton -proceeded to pour petrol into the tank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This fellow-countryman of mine?" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will be here soon, no doubt. He is -a trifle stout, and a poor horseman. -Consequently he travels slowly. When he -saw the aeroplanes descending he insisted -on our pushing on to render assistance to -his fellow-countrymen. He cannot miss the -track, there is only one. But he should -be in sight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Turk looked backward over the track, -then saying, "Excuse me," he wheeled his -horse and began to trot towards the knoll. -Burton had by no means completed the -replenishment of the tank. He felt that -something must be done.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monsieur le capitaine!" he shouted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Turk pulled up. Burton went -towards him with an air of mystery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your men are at fault, monsieur," he -said. "It would be a pity to let the -Englishman escape, and you have no time to waste. -Perhaps if I show the way!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He walked on up the knoll, the Turk -riding by his side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There, monsieur, you see that big tree -on the far side of the bay? If you do not -find the fugitive thereabout you won't find -him anywhere."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Turk hesitated. Perhaps he was -considering whether it comported with an -elderly captain's dignity to take a personal -part in the search. Burton eyed him -anxiously, hoping that he would go, meet -the approaching German, and take him -with him. The pause was brief. The -temptation to catch a live Englishman -overbore all considerations of dignity. -With a word of thanks to Burton the Turk -cantered on towards the big tree.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton breathed again. He hurried back -to the seaplane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Slip the knots, Dick," he said, "but -don't get up. I'll give you the word. I -hope I've got rid of the Turk for a while."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was in the act of pouring petrol into -the tank when a figure appeared from -round the western base of the knoll. It was -a big Sancho-Panza-like person, mounted -on a mule.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Great Scott!" murmured Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dropping the empty tin, he hastened to -the aviatik for another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I say, Dick, do you recognise that -fellow?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Christopoulos!" Hunter whispered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As large as life! What on earth are -we to do? He will recognise us directly, -even if he hasn't done so already."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shoot him and scoot!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I haven't enough petrol yet. The -tank still leaks, though not so badly, and -if we shoot, the Turks will swarm up before -I can fill up and get away. I think I had -better go on with the job, let him come up, -and trust to luck."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Keeping his back to the pseudo-Greek, -Burton carried another tin to the seaplane. -Before he had emptied it into the tank the -spy came within hailing distance and let -out a jovial greeting in German. No doubt -he had recognised the German airman's -cap, and, without misgiving, hailed his -supposed compatriot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good-morning, my friend," he shouted. -"I congratulate you. Another German -victory!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton, his back still towards the spy, -finished pouring out the petrol, and placed -the tin on the ground. As he straightened -himself he discreetly drew his revolver -and suddenly turned round. The spy was -now within half a dozen paces of him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you, Mr. Christopoulos," he -said. "Another victory--but not a -German victory. We shall presently see who -is to be congratulated. Meanwhile, you -will dismount."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German, who had reined up at the -first glance at Burton's face, turned a -sickly colour and half-opened his mouth -as if to shout.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Silence!" cried Burton peremptorily. -"If you make the slightest sound I will -shoot you on the spot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He held his revolver carelessly in his left -hand, not pointing it at the German lest -any of the Turks should come within -view. The spy showed more alacrity than -skill in dismounting. He clumsily -clambered from his saddle, without daring to -turn his head in the direction of the Turks, -who could now be heard calling to one -another beyond the knoll. Burton went -up to him.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 62%" id="figure-260"> -<span id="nonplussed"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="NONPLUSSED" src="images/img-157.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">NONPLUSSED</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hand over your revolver," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I haven't got----" the spy was -beginning. Burton cut him short.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No nonsense! Hand it over. Quick. -At the word 'three' I fire. One--two----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With an agonised look the German made -a dive for his revolver. Burton took it with -his right hand before it was released from -the spy's tight pocket. From a distance -they might have appeared to be shaking hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton had been rapidly casting about -for a means of disposing of the German. -He could not shoot him in cold blood; -there might perhaps be time to tie him -up, but he would then still be able to -convey to the Turkish headquarters the -information he had gathered at Tenedos. -That must certainly be prevented. There -was only one thing to be done: they must -take him with them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just as Burton had reached this -conclusion, a Turk appeared on the knoll.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come with me," said Burton sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German accompanied him to the -seaplane. He might be supposed to be -indulging his curiosity. Standing between -him and the knoll, Burton said--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are interested in aviation. Seat -yourself on the right-hand float."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The spy made as if to turn round. -Burton lifted his revolver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't waste time," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a groan the spy sat on the spot -indicated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton seized the strap that bound him -to his seat, and rapidly tied the German to -the upright connecting the float with the -body of the seaplane, calling to Hunter--who, -still lying on the ground, had watched -these proceedings with excitement--to cover -the spy with his revolver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The prisoner had hardly been secured -when the Turkish captain cantered over -the knoll, followed by two or three men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, Dick!" cried Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hunter sprang up and rushed to his place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not there!" said Burton. "Get on -to the left-hand float to balance the -machine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile he had started the engine, in -desperate anxiety lest it should not have -gathered momentum before the Turks came -up. The spy had heard the thudding of -their horses' hoofs as they, seeing the -supposed English prisoner spring up, -galloped down the knoll. Turning his head, -he let out a frenzied shout. But it was too -late. Burton had vaulted into his seat, -and, just three seconds before the amazed -and furious Turks reached the brink of the -water, the seaplane was skimming the surface.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The spy was now filling the air with his -frantic cries. Burton afterwards said it -was like the booming of a buzzard. The -Turks dismounted, and from the edge of -the lake fired at the fast-receding machine. -One or two shots pierced the planes, and -from a shrill cry of terror from the German, -Burton supposed that he had been hit. -But he was too busy to think of him. -Forcing the engine to the utmost he was -already manipulating the elevator. The -machine rose steadily. At the first possible -moment Burton swung it round to the west. -In a minute or two he crossed the Maritza. -Climbing ever higher, he shifted his course -a point or two to the south, and within -twenty minutes the machine swooped down -beside the cruiser, a few miles out in the -bay, and a number of laughing bluejackets -hastened to assist two dripping objects to -climb on board.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 73%" id="figure-261"> -<span id="a-discomfited-spy"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="A discomfited spy" src="images/img-161.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">A discomfited spy</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">IV</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The cruiser made all speed back to Tenedos. -There the spy, a forlorn, chapfallen -individual, was taken ashore under an escort of -marines. Within a short time a drum-head -court-martial was constituted. Papers -found on the prisoner left no doubt of his -occupation; his protest that he was a -subject of King Constantine availed him -nothing. When the sentence had been -pronounced, he recovered his courage and -confessed himself a German, and it was as -a German soldier that he paid the final -penalty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton's exploit was reported to the -Admiralty, and some weeks later, when he -returned one evening from reconnoitring -the Turkish trenches after the landing on -the Gallipoli peninsula had been so -magnificently accomplished, he was welcomed -with the news that he had been awarded -the Distinguished Service Medal by the King.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em" id="id5"> -<span id="the-watch-tower"></span></div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 64%" id="figure-262"> -<span id="chapter-iv-heading"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Chapter IV Heading" src="images/img-163.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Chapter IV Heading</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">THE WATCH TOWER</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">I</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A rough, lumbering ox-cart was crawling -slowly up a steep winding hill-track in -Southern Macedonia. The breath of the -two panting oxen formed steam-clouds in -the frosty air; slighter wreaths of vapour -clung about the heads of the two persons -who trudged along beside them. One was -an old man, tall, broad, and vigorous, his -hair straggling beneath his fur cap, his long -white beard stiff with the ice of his -congealed breath. The other was a boy, whose -face, ruddy with health and cold, showed -scantly under a similar cap much too large -for him, and above a conglomeration of -warm wrappings reaching to his feet and -giving him the appearance of a moving -bundle, thick and shapeless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am tired, grandfather," murmured the -boy, pausing at the foot of a steep ascent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tchk!" the old man ejaculated, emitting -a puff of white breath which the north-east -wind from behind carried over the head -of the nearest ox. "Put your shoulder to -the wheel, Marco. Show yourself worthy -of your name."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy obediently went round the cart -and set his shoulder to the heavy wooden -wheel on the off side. His grandfather -shoving at the other, they helped the -labouring oxen to drag the vehicle up the ascent, -and then stopped to rest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was well done, little son," said a -woman of some thirty years, sitting in the -forepart of the cart. She handed the boy a -cake. Behind her the cart was piled high -with bits of furniture and bundles of -household gear. The boy seated himself on a -rock and nibbled his cake. The oxen moved -their heads about as if in search of provender. -Straightening his tall form, the old man -turned his back, and in the full blast of the -bitter wind scanned the country to the -north-east. A faint boom sounded far away in -that direction. The woman started.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you see anything, Father?" she -asked, anxiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing, Nuta. But we must on. It -will be two hours or more before we can call -ourselves safe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Smacking the heaving flank of the near-side -ox, he set the beasts in motion, and the -cart creaked and jolted on over the rough -track. This was lightly covered with snow, -which showed traces of those other travellers -who in this December of 1915 had journeyed -over the same route. Snow lay deeper in -the hollows on either side, and on the heights -in the distance. It was a bleak and -desolate landscape, its rugged features somewhat -softened, however, by the blanket of snow. -Here and there dark patches stood out in -the surrounding white, representing bushes -or trees; but there was no house or cottage, -no sign of life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Marco, a small Serbian landed proprietor, -had postponed his flight from before -the invading Bulgars until all the other -inhabitants of his village had departed. To -the last he had hoped that the French and -British forces would arrive in time to save -him. His son was away fighting, as were -all the men from the little estate. Having -loaded all his portable possessions on to the -cart, he waited with his daughter-in-law and -grandson until the ever-approaching boom -of guns warned him that further delay would -mean ruin, and then set off southwards, to -gain, if possible, protection from the Allied -forces that were said to be retreating on -Salonika.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man's pride was wounded. He -traced his descent from that Marco Kralevich -who, towards the end of the fourteenth -century, struggled to maintain the -independence of Serbia against the Turks, and -whose name and knightly prowess live to-day -in song and story. He had never tired of -relating to young Marco the heroic deeds of -his great ancestor, and it cut him to the -heart that he was compelled, in the wreck -of his country's fortunes, to abandon the -homestead where he had kept alive the -traditions of Serbian valour. Even now, -old as he was, he would have borne a part -in the national struggle but for the claims -of his dear ones upon his protection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cart lumbered slowly on. From time -to time the old man glanced anxiously -behind, appealing to the boy--did he see -anything moving there, or there? On one such -occasion, when they stopped to rest -themselves and the oxen, and the old man was -looking to the rear, young Marco suddenly -pricked up his ears, and stood intently -listening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A strange sound, Grandfather," he said. -"Where?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy nodded towards the east. -"What is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Like the hum of a bee far away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man came to the boy's side and -listened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I cannot hear it," he said after a few -moments, adding impatiently, "Tchk! This -is not the time of bees."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I hear it still," persisted Marco. -"It is louder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked around, puzzled to account for -the unaccustomed sound.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hear nothing," said his mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look!" he cried, pointing excitedly -into the grey sky.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The eyes of his elders followed his -outstretched hand, but they saw nothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It has gone," sighed the boy after a -little. "But I did see something. Perhaps -it was an eagle. I think it flew just behind -the hills there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His eyes ranged the horizon, where the -rugged line of white indented the sky. A -spot of blue appeared in the pale vault, and -a ray of sunlight trickled through.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look!" cried Marco again, stretching -out his hand this time to the north. "There -is something moving on the snow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man gazed northward, rubbed his -eyes, shook his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can you see anything, Nuta?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dark specks, miles and miles away--yes, -Father, they are moving. There are -more of them. They are like ants."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Bulgars!" muttered the old man. -"Come, we must haste."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Returning to the cart, he whipped up the -oxen, and the patient beasts, heaving their -load out of the drift into which its wheels -had settled, hauled it, creaking and -groaning, towards the brightening south.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">II</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Meanwhile, in a broad gully not far away, -a different scene was being enacted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Across the gully lay the tangled ruins of -a biplane. From the midst of the wreckage -crawled a long figure, in the overalls, helmet, -and goggles of a member of the Flying Corps. -His goggles had been partially displaced, and -lay askew upon his nose. There were spots -of blood, already frozen, upon his cheek. -His movements were slow and painful, and -when, having emerged from the shapeless -mass of metal and canvas, he tried to stand -erect, he reeled, saved himself from falling -by an effort, and dropping upon an adjacent -rock, rubbed his eyes, groaned, and sat as -one dazed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His immobility lasted only a few moments. -Staggering to his feet, his features twisted -with pain, he walked unsteadily to the ruins -of the aeroplane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Enderby, old chap," he called, bending down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was no answer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Swiftly he pulled away the broken wires -and fragments of the shattered framework, -beneath which the form of his companion -was pinned, then knelt and laid his finger on -the wrist of the unconscious man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank Heaven!" he murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Taking a flask from his pocket he poured -a few drops of liquid between the half-open -lips, then lifted the man carefully out of the -wreckage and laid him down on the slope. -Upon his brow he placed a little snow; he -repeated his medicinal dose, and watched -anxiously. It was some minutes before the -eyelids opened, only to close again as a -spasm of pain distorted the injured man's -features.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is it, old man?" asked Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My leg."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The answer came faintly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It doesn't hurt you to breathe?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Enderby shook his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Arms all right?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when Enderby had lifted them one -after the other, Burton placed the flask in -his comrade's right hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take another pull at that while I have a -look at you," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Removing the puttees and cutting away -the stocking beneath, Burton saw that his -friend's right leg was broken. He felt him -all over, causing him to wince now and then -as he touched a bruise. There was no other -serious injury.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your leg's badly crocked, old man; but -I'm jolly glad it's no worse. When that shell -winged us I made sure our number was up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What about you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm just one compound ache--must be -bruised from top to toe. Our luck's out -to-day. Just clench your teeth while I see -what I can do in first aid. The machine's -smashed to smithereens. How I'm to get -you back to the M.O. beats me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whereabouts are we?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Somewhere in Macedonia! In a gully, -with hills all round, not a living thing in -sight. I hoped we'd be able to flutter back -to our lines, but it wasn't to be. Our troops -must be miles away, and getting farther -every minute, worse luck! What fate dogs -us, that we must always be retreating? -Ah! that made you squirm; sorry, old -man, but you'll be easier now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had bound up the leg, and now brushed -away the beads of sweat which the exertion, -in his own sorry state, had brought out upon -his brow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, look here, Enderby," he said, -"the best thing I can do is to trudge off -after our men and get a machine to bring -you in. And the sooner I start, the better. -You ought to be safe enough here. You're -well hidden; the Bulgars' advance won't -bring them past this spot, there's no road. -But if I lose any time they'll be somewhere -in the neighbourhood before a machine could -arrive, and then it'll be hopeless. I'll -rummage out some food from our wreck, and -leave you that and my flask----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You'd better take it; you've a long -tramp before you, and may come across some -advance patrols of the Bulgars for all you -know. Besides----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He paused. Both men pricked up their -ears simultaneously. Each looked an anxious -inquiry at the other. From somewhere not -far away came a rhythmic sound--a succession -of strident, scraping sounds--which in -a moment they recognised as the creaking -of a cart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Neither man spoke. Burton stole down -the gully, and round the shoulder of a hill -in the direction of the sound, which grew -louder as he went. Apprehensive that his -plans for the rescue of his friend were already -defeated, he peered cautiously round the -corner of rock. He beheld a rough -hill-track winding upwards from right to left -across his front. Some distance to the right -another track ran into the first, skirting a -spur from a north-westerly direction. -Nothing was visible on either track, but the -regular monotonous creaking of the cart was -drawing nearer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton drew back behind a rock and -waited. Presently, from round one of the -innumerable bends and twists in the main -track, appeared the great heads of two oxen -yoked together; then a woman's form came -into view, perched on the forepart of a heavily -laden cart; last of all, tramping in the rear, -a tall old man, and, by his side, a boy whose -head reached scarcely higher than his elbow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The watcher breathed more freely. It -was only a typical refugee party; he had -already seen hundreds like it toiling along -the southward roads to Salonika. There -was nothing to fear here; on the contrary, -it suggested a means by which Captain -Enderby might be at once removed, without -the delay that would be caused by his own -going and coming.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cart was creeping laboriously up -towards him. When it was nearly opposite, -Burton stepped forth from his hiding-place. -His sudden appearance drew signs of -momentary alarm. The woman stiffened; the -old man whipped out a revolver; the boy -ran round in front of the cart, and with a -fierce expression, comical on his young face, -stood before his mother, drawing from his -belt a knife.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton threw out his hands and called out -that he was an Englishman. But even -before he spoke the attitude of hostility had -relaxed, the woman had addressed a few -words to the old man, and he had already -replaced his weapon. They had recognised -that the stranger was neither a Bulgar nor a -German. Only the boy remained suspicious -and alert, stoutly gripping his knife.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cart had stopped. Burton walked -towards it. He had picked up a few words -of Greek during the eleven months he had -spent in the East, and he explained in that -language that he was a friend and an Englishman. -Rather to his surprise the old man -replied in French.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Does monsieur speak French?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wall of nationality was down, and in -the language of their common ally the -Serbian and the Englishman held a rapid -colloquy. Presently the old man turned to -the boy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You were right, Marco," he said in his -own tongue. "That thing you heard -humming like a bee, that thing you saw moving -like an eagle, was an English aeroplane. It -has come to the ground and broken, struck -by a Bulgar's shell."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh! let me see it," cried the boy, -eagerly, forgetting all else in the new object -of excitement, slipping the knife back into -his belt, and moving away from the cart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait!" said his grandfather, peremptorily. -He resumed his conversation with -Burton. There was anxiety, hesitancy in -his air. He appeared to be struggling with -himself. "The enemy is not far behind," -he said. "We have far to go; every -minute is precious." He looked nervously -along the track behind him, then seemed to -question his daughter with his eyes. She -nodded. "Tchk!" he ejaculated. "I will -do it. No true Serb, monsieur, much less a -descendant of Marco Kralevich, can refuse -to succour an ally of his nation. Show me -the way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Young Marco, to his disappointment, was -left to guard the cart and to keep a -lookout. The old man hastened with Burton to -the spot where Captain Enderby lay beside -the wreck of the aeroplane. As they went, -Burton caught sight of a square tower on a -hill-top far away to the south.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is that?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An old watch-tower," replied the Serb. -"There are many such on high points in -different parts of the country."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton paused a moment to scan the -solitary tower through his field glasses, then -resumed his course. On reaching the fallen -man, the old Serb at once set about placing -the injured limb in splints formed out of the -wreckage, preparatory to carrying him back -to the cart. He was still thus engaged when -Marco came running up the gully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Grandfather," he said, breathlessly, "a -party of horsemen are coming up the side track."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How many are they, boy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ten or twelve. They are far away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must go back," said the old man. -"You will still be safe here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will go with you," said Burton. "My -glasses may be useful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They followed the boy, who ran ahead, -regained the cart, and went beyond it to the -point where the two tracks met. The sky -had now cleared, and the white-clad country -glistened in the sunlight. Keeping under -cover, Burton peered through his glasses -along the winding track. At first he saw -nobody, but presently a horseman came into -sight round a bend, followed closely by two -more riding abreast. After a short interval, -another couple appeared, the first file of a -party of ten, riding two by two. They were -still too far distant for Burton to distinguish -anything more than that they were in -military uniform.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He told the old man what he had seen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Beyond doubt they are Bulgars," the -Serb growled, drawing his fingers through -his beard, which the sunlight had thawed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He stood silent for a little, his eyes fixed -in thought, his hands working nervously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will overtake us," he said at -length. "We must move the cart from the -track. Come, monsieur."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They hurried back to the cart. At a -word from the old man the woman -dismounted, and going to the heads of the -oxen, led them off the track over the rough -ground of the hill-face, while the three others -set their shoulders to the wheels. By their -united efforts the unwieldy vehicle was -hauled round the shoulder of the hill -towards the gully, to a spot two or three -hundred yards from the aeroplane, where it -was out of sight from either of the tracks. -Leaving it there in charge of Marco and his -mother, the two men returned, obliterating -the traces of the wheels in the snow, and -finally posting themselves behind a rocky -ridge near the junction of the tracks, where -they could see the approaching horsemen -when they should pass, without being seen -themselves.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">III</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Some twenty minutes later they heard the -tramp of hoofs, somewhat muffled by the -snow, and guttural voices. Soon the first -horseman passed before them--a Bulgarian -officer. Immediately behind him came a -group of three, the two on the outside -being German officers, the horseman -between them a middle-aged Serb in the -characteristic dress of the peasant proprietor. -The watchers noticed that he was tied -round the middle by a rope, the other end -of which was held by a Bulgarian trooper -riding behind. Old Marco's eyes gleamed -with the light of recognition. He told -Burton later that the prisoner was one -Milosh Nikovich, a friend of his, a small -farmer whose property lay a few miles from -his own estate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On arriving at the junction of the tracks -the officers halted. One of the Germans took -a map from his pocket, and pored over it -with his companions; they were apparently -consulting together. Then they put -questions to their prisoner. Their words were -inaudible. The Serb's face wore an expression -of sullen defiance, and it was clear that -his replies were unsatisfactory, for the trooper -who held the rope moved up his horse, and -lifting a foot, drove his spur savagely into -the prisoner's calf. The man winced, but -remained motionless and silent. Burton -heard old Marco mutter curses below his -breath. Then one of the Germans pointed -southwards questioningly; the prisoner gave -what appeared to be an affirmative answer, -and the party pushed on. It soon -disappeared through the windings of the track. -The watchers counted fourteen in all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the enemy were out of sight and -hearing, Burton turned to the old man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A scouting party?" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Without doubt," replied the Serb. -"The main body must be behind. Will -you look for them through your glasses?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton left their hiding-place for a spot -whence he could view the tracks and the -plain beyond. No troops were in sight, but -the boom of guns came faintly on the air -from the north-east. Burton knew, from -what he had seen during the morning's -reconnaissance, that somewhere eastward from the -spot where he stood the British forces were -steadily falling back in face of overwhelming -numbers of Bulgars and Germans. Was it -possible that the patrol that had just passed -was the advance guard of a flanking force? -Unluckily his reconnaissance had been cut -short by the Bulgarian shell almost as soon -as it was begun. The peril of Captain -Enderby and himself, and of his Serbian -friends, was complicated with a possible -unexpected danger to the British army in -retreat. To guard against the latter seemed -to be out of his power. The immediate -question was, how to ensure the safety of -Enderby and the Serbian family with whose -lot his own was for the moment cast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Remaining at the spot from which he -could detect any signs of an enemy advance -from the north, he talked over the situation -with old Marco.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The enemy are in front and behind," he -said. "It seems we have little chance of -getting through. But if we don't get -through----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We should be safe for a time in the -gully. The enemy will keep to the tracks. -But that would help us little in the end, for -if they advance beyond us, they will form -a wall without gates, and we must either -surrender or starve."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And meanwhile my friend is without -proper treatment, and may have to lose his -leg or be lamed for life. You have no -stomach any more than I for being a prisoner -with the Bulgars. Don't you think we had -better push on, and try to slip past the -scouting party? It is not likely they will -go far in advance of their main body. Isn't -there a way over the hills without taking to -the track?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If we were on foot we might steal -through the country, but not with the cart. -That holds all my worldly possessions. And -your friend cannot be moved without it. -Look, monsieur; do not my eyes, old as they -are, see masses of men moving on the plain -yonder?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are right," said Burton, after a -glance northward. "The main body is on -the move. We must decide at once. Let -us carry Captain Enderby to the cart, push -on, and trust to luck."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hurrying back to the gully, they carried -the injured man to the cart. While the -Serb led this back to the track, Burton took -the precaution of removing the carburetter -and one or two other essential parts from -the engine of the aeroplane. This was badly -smashed, but it was just as well not to leave -anything of possible use to the enemy. -Then he hauled the machine-gun from the -litter that covered it, expecting to find it -hopelessly shattered. To his surprise it -appeared to have suffered no injury except -superficial dents, and the ammunition belts -were evidently perfect. Hurrying after the -others with the engine parts, he laid these -on the cart, then took young Marco back -with him to help him carry away the -machine-gun and ammunition.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We've saved something from the wreck, -old man," he said to Enderby as he came up -with the gun on his back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hardly worth while, is it?" asked the -captain. "There's precious little chance of -our getting through. Hadn't you better shy -it into a gully in case they capture us?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will at the last minute if things look -hopeless; but we'll stick to it as long as we -can."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All being ready they set off along the track. -Old Marco sent the boy ahead to scout. -The woman resumed her seat on the cart, -where a comfortable place had been -arranged among the baggage for Captain -Enderby. The two men followed on foot, -pushing at the wheels where the gradient -was too steep for the wearied oxen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So they toiled along for upwards of an -hour. Young Marco ahead had not caught -sight of the horsemen; there was no sign of -the enemy in the rear. It was the old man's -hope that there would be time, if danger -threatened, to rush the cart into some hollow -or some gap between the rocks. Such a -threat was more likely to arise from the -scouting party than from the larger force -behind, and the boy, as instructed by his -grandfather, kept sufficiently in advance to -give timely warning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The track was continuously up hill, broad -at some points, at others so narrow that the -cart was only just able to pass between the -rocky borders, sometimes as low as -kerbstones, sometimes rising to a height of many -feet. The frequent windings prevented the -travellers from getting a direct view for any -considerable distance ahead. Every now -and then they had glimpses of the -watch-tower which Burton had previously noticed, -and which they were gradually approaching. -At such times he scanned it through his -glasses, half expecting to find that some of -the scouting party had ascended it to survey -the surrounding country. But no human -figures yet showed above the summit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length, however, on rounding a corner, -the travellers were startled by a sudden -flash from the tower. They halted, Burton -levelled his glasses, and declared that he saw -two heads and pairs of shoulders projecting -above the top. Other flashes followed, at -intervals long or short.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are heliographing to the main -body behind us," he said to Enderby, -repeating the information in French to the Serb.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can they see us?" asked Enderby.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They might perhaps if they looked, but -they are gazing far beyond us, of course. -We had better back a little, though."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They had, in fact, halted before the oxen -had come completely into view from the -tower, and by backing a few feet they were -wholly concealed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The three men held an anxious consultation. -The tower was probably two miles -ahead. To go on would involve discovery -by the enemy. On the other hand, parties -of Bulgarians might already be marching -up the track behind them. It seemed that -they were trapped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had better wait a little," Burton -concluded, "and see whether they leave -the tower and go forward. In that case we -might venture to proceed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The signalling continued for some few -minutes, then ceased. The men -disappeared from the summit of the tower. -Burton was on the point of suggesting that -they should move on when he caught sight -of a small figure flitting rapidly from rock -to rock down the track towards them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the boy," he said, after a look -through his glasses.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In a few minutes young Marco arrived, -excited and breathless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Three horsemen are coming down the -hill," he reported.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tchk!" muttered the old man, repeating -the news. "How far away, child?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A mile or more. They are riding slowly; -the track is steep."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a few moments consternation and -dismay paralysed their faculties. That the -horsemen formed part of the patrol they -had already seen was certain; no others -could have safely passed the tower occupied -by the enemy. Discovery and capture -seemed inevitable. The fugitives might, -indeed, clamber among the rocks and conceal -themselves for a time; but the nature of -the ground at this spot precluded the -removal of the cart, and its tell-tale presence -on the track unattended would put a short -limit to their safety.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this critical moment the old Serb's -experience of half a century of mountain -warfare came to his aid.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must ambush the Bulgars," he said. -"Look there!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He pointed to a spot a few yards in their -rear, at the end of a narrow stretch of the -track which had given him an anxious -moment in leading the oxen. On one side -the bank rose rugged and steep, on the other -it fell away, not precipitously, but in a -jagged slope which had threatened ruin to -the cart if the wheel had chanced to slip -over the edge of the track. Burton quickly -seized the possibilities of the situation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By Jove! It's risky, but we'll try it," -he remarked to Enderby.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The captain had already taken his revolver -from its case. But old Marco had conceived -a plan that would render Captain Enderby's -co-operation unnecessary. He explained it -rapidly to Burton, and they proceeded to -carry it out. The woman was told to -conceal herself behind a thorn bush growing in -a cleft in the bank. The cart was backed -to the chosen spot, and young Marco, his -eyes alight with excitement and eagerness, -clambered up to the driver's seat. A rug -was thrown over Enderby and the machine-gun -lying at his side, and the old man took -up a position with Burton behind the cart, -concealed by the pile of furniture from -the eyes of any one approaching down the hill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Serb had taken a rifle from beneath -the baggage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are only three," he said. "I can -shoot them one by one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no!" cried Burton. "The shots -would alarm their friends above. Besides, -they'll be more useful to us alive, as hostages, -perhaps, even if we don't get useful information -out of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are right," said the old man, "but -it is a pity," and he reluctantly laid the rifle -aside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They had reason to commend young -Marco's scouting, for only a few minutes -after their preparations were completed, the -horsemen were heard approaching the bend. -The boy, whose eyes had been fixed on his -grandfather, at a nod from him whipped up -the oxen, and the cart lurched forward just -as the horsemen came in sight. As if -surprised by their appearance, Marco pulled up -so that there was barely room for a horse to -pass on the side where the bank shelved -downwards. His grandfather and Burton -were still hidden in the rear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The three horsemen had been riding -abreast, but at sight of the cart they moved -into single file. The first was a German -officer; then came the Serbian prisoner with -the Bulgarian trooper holding the rope -behind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German officer reined up, and asked -Marco a question. The boy shook his head, -and the German turned impatiently to the -prisoner, ordering him to repeat the -question. At this moment Burton, revolver in -hand, slipped from behind the cart on the -side of the declivity, while the old man with -some difficulty squeezed himself between -the wheel and the high bank on the other -side. A gleam in the eyes of the prisoner -apprised the German that something was -happening behind him, and he was in the -act of turning when his arm was seized and -he saw himself confronted by a determined-looking -young airman, levelling a revolver -within a few inches of his head. One arm -was held as in a vice, the other hand was -engaged with the rein; it was impossible to -draw his own revolver. He called to the -trooper to shoot, but that warrior was -otherwise engaged.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dismount, sir," said Burton, quietly. -"You are my prisoner."</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 78%" id="figure-263"> -<span id="dismount-sir"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""DISMOUNT, SIR."" src="images/img-189.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"DISMOUNT, SIR."</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>And seeing that there was no help for it, -the German made haste to obey.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile on the other side old Marco had -performed his allotted part. The trooper, -catching sight of Burton before the German, -was for a moment too much surprised to be -capable of action; but then, dropping the -rope he held, he was about to spur forward -to his superior's assistance, when the old -Serb, who had crept round while the man's -attention was occupied, suddenly hurled -himself upon him. The old man was beset -by no scruples. A Bulgar was always a -Bulgar. A shot would raise an alarm; cold -steel was silent. All the strength of his -sinewy arm, all the heat of age-long national -hatred, went into the knife-thrust that -hurled the trooper from his saddle, over -the edge of the track, and down the -sharp-edged rocks of the slope beyond.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Within less than a minute the ambush had -succeeded without any sound or commotion -that could have been heard by the enemy -in the tower nearly two miles away, and out -of their sight.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">IV</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Milosh Nikovich, this is a good day, -old friend," said old Marco, as he released -the prisoner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A good day indeed, Marco Kralevich. -But I am amazed. Who is he that dealt -with the German?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hand me that rope, if you please," -came from Burton in French. "Clasp your -hands behind, sir," he added to the German, -in English.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You shpeak to me!" spluttered that -irate officer. "Know you zat I am an -officer, a captain of ze 59th Brandenburger -Regiment? It is not fit zat I haf my hands -bounden."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must allow me to judge of that, -sir," remarked Burton, with a quiet smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I protest. I refuse; it is insolence. -You captivate me, zat is true; you seize me -ven I look ze ozer vay; zat is not vat you -call shport. But I gif you my parole----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't accept it, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ze parole of a German officer----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's no good talking, captain," Burton -interposed, bluntly. "The word of a German -has no value just now. If you do not -submit quietly I shall have to use force. No -doubt you will be released when you are safe -in the British lines. Come now!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Amid a copious flow of guttural protestation -the captain allowed his hands to be -tied behind him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I felt rather sorry for the chap," said -Burton to Enderby afterwards. "He looked -a decent fellow as Germans go, and perhaps -I did him an injustice. But, being a German, -we can't trust him; and we can't afford to -take risks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While he was engaged in securing his -prisoner, the two Serbs had been conversing -rapidly. Old Marco came up to him, and -took him apart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have gained time at least, monsieur," -he said. "My friend Milosh Nikovich -tells me that the others are remaining -in the tower for the night; the main body -is not expected until the morning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That will give us a chance to slip past -in the darkness--if only your wheels didn't -groan so. Stay! I have some vaseline in -my wallet, I think; we can grease them -with that. It's nearly four o'clock, I see; -the mist is rising; that will help us. I -suppose, by the way, the Bulgars in the -tower will not expect this German to return?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man spoke to his compatriot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He does not know," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then we shall have to look out. Luckily -the sun is going down; they can't heliograph -any more; and it will be impossible for the -people above to see the track through the -mist, so they won't know that the horsemen -have been checked. If the air had been -clear they would certainly have become -suspicious on failing to catch sight of the -party on open stretches behind us. With -luck we shall get through. What were they -doing with your friend?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old Serb repeated what Milosh had -told him during their colloquy. His village -had been raided; most of the inhabitants -had been massacred by the Bulgars; he -himself had been impressed as guide, and -forced to lead the patrol to the tower, which -they knew by hearsay, though ignorant of -the hill-track that led directly to it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I reproached him for his weakness," -added the old man apologetically. "He -ought to have refused to act as guide. -Better that a Serb should have allowed -himself to be shot. But a man does not -always see clearly; he has a family--who -are safe, praise to the Highest!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But why did they wish to reach the tower?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It commands the country for many -miles. They could see from it the forces of -your brave countrymen. Without doubt -they signalled what they had discovered, -and I suspect that to-morrow a force of -light cavalry will come this way to fall on -their flank at the cross-roads below."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is one reason the more for getting -through. We must do it to-night. You -know the country, my friend; we must act -on your advice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Since no move could be made until it was -quite dark, they sat down on the rocks and -took a meal, eating sparingly of their -provisions as a matter of prudence. Who could -tell what the night and the morrow would -bring forth?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishmen were amused at young -Marco, who, munching a wheat-cake, solemnly -watched their every movement, and eyed -longingly the sandwiches they took from -their tin. Burton beckoned him forward -and gave him a sandwich. The boy took it, -hesitated a moment, then shyly offered his -wheat-cake in exchange, and ran back to his -mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm afraid you're in great pain, poor old -chap!" said Burton, noticing the pallor -and drawn expression of Enderby's features.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, that's all right. I can stick it out. -I rather fancy our German friend feels -worse. It must be horribly galling to his -nobility. What's his name'?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German was sitting apart, moodily -gnawing his moustache. Burton went over -to him, loosed his hands, and offered him a -sandwich and his flask. The former he -accepted with a sort of unwilling -graciousness; the latter he declined.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your visky I drink not; I haf in my -own flask goot German vine. You permit -me?" he asked, ironically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course. It isn't whisky, by the way. -May I ask your name?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is Captain von Hildenheim. I am not -pleased. Zis is not ze handling zat is vorth -a German officer. Vunce more--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sorry. We can't have it all over again. -You must make the best of it. It won't be -for long."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, zat is true; it vill not be for long," -returned the German with a slight smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He evidently thinks we shall be collared -to-night or to-morrow," said Burton, when, -having bound his prisoner again, he returned -to Enderby. "Have you got a cigarette in -your case? Mine's empty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He sat by his friend, smoking in silence, -meditating as he watched the wreaths -mingling with the mist in the growing darkness. -Presently he got up, and went to the spot -where the Serbs were grouped. Young -Marco, wrapped in a rug, was already asleep -on the cart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What about this tower?" he asked the -grandfather. "How is it placed? What is -its strength and its state of repair? I don't -ask idly; an idea occurred to me just now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know it well," answered the old man. -"Twenty years ago I held it during a Bulgar -comitadji raid. It stands on a spur on the -hill-top. The track passes not far beneath -it. On two sides the ground forms a sort of -glacis. The tower is solidly built of stone; -it has two storeys. What is its condition, -Milosh Nikovich? It is twenty years since I -was there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is strong and sound, Marco Kralevich, -except inside. They took me only into the -lower room. The woodwork was rotted -away, or perhaps some of it has been removed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it may be so. In the last war the -Greeks held it for a time against the Turks. -The place is well chosen for a watch-tower. -From the top you see for many miles, most -freely towards the north-east, whence we -have come; less freely, but still a great way, -towards the south-west, in which direction -the British Army is retreating, monsieur. -Tchk! Why did not your country and -France allow us to fall on the Bulgars before -they were ready? Serbia pays a heavy price."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton felt he had nothing to say to this, -and after a few condoling words returned -to his place by Enderby's side. The -information he had gathered had caused his -half-formed idea to crystallise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I say!" he began, seating himself on -the edge of the cart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Say on," returned Enderby, smiling at -his friend's solemn face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, there are only ten or eleven in the -tower above there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the precise force of your adverb?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What adverb? Oh, 'only.' Well, ten -or eleven's not a great crowd. There are -four of us, without counting you and the -woman----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Three men and a boy! We'll assume -for the moment that one Englishman is -worth four of any other nation; but are -your two and a half Serbs equal to the -other six or seven? Of course I see what -you are driving at."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, isn't it worth trying? There's no -doubt that a Bulgarian column intends to -cut off our men's retreat, and if we could -seize the tower, and hold them up even for -an hour or two, it might make all the -difference."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But they're in possession; and remember, -the attack needs more men than the defence. -The odds are dead against you, Ted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not altogether. You must allow for the -darkness, surprise, and the cocksureness of -the enemy. Didn't a corporal carry off -twelve prisoners single-handed at Loos the -other day? With a little luck----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We've a way of assuming that the luck -is going to be on our side! Well, see what -the old Serb says. I must be out of it, -unfortunately; but you needn't consider me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's very good of you, but, of course, -I do consider you. If it wasn't for you I'd -not hesitate a moment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't let that trouble you. At the -worst they'll only collar me. The risks will -be wholly yours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton returned to the Serbs, sat down -beside them, and talked to them until the -dusk had deepened into night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The upshot of their conversation was -presently disclosed. While young Marco was -thoroughly greasing the axle-trees, Burton -inflicted a still deeper wound on the dignity -of Captain von Hildenheim by gagging him. -Milosh was already in possession of his -revolver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the little party started quietly on the -upward track.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A cold wind had set in from the north-east, -dispersing the mist, and carrying with -it an occasional shower of powdery snow. -Except during these brief showers the sky -was clear and brilliant with starlight. A -glance behind showed the red camp-fires of -the enemy far in the plain below. Ahead, -the tower, when they caught sight of it, -loomed black like a sentinel against the -indigo background. A faint glow shone -from one of its shutterless windows, half-way -up the wall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The track was so well shadowed by its -rocky banks that there was little risk of the -party being seen. Yet, when they were still -some distance from the tower, Burton deemed -it prudent to call a halt. There was a -whispered consultation, then Milosh went -forward alone to reconnoitre.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Creeping up with every precaution, eyes -and ears alert, he came within sight of a -low wall some forty or fifty paces from the -tower, pierced by a single aperture where at -one time had been a gate. This wall shut -off the tower and the crag on which it stood -from the narrow bridle-path that mounted -the hill to the north, and fell away to the -south towards the valley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the gap in the wall a sentry stood, -finding such shelter from the biting wind as -the thickness of the stonework afforded. He -blew upon his hands, stamped his feet, -murmured his discomfort. At one moment he -took out a watch, and seemed to caress it -with his fingers. He did not lift it towards -his eyes; he could not have seen the time -in the starlight; and the shiver which visibly -shook him as he returned it to his pocket -was the shudder of physical cold; he had -forgotten the ruthless butchery of the Serb -who had, not long before, been the owner -of the watch.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 79%" id="figure-264"> -<span id="milosh-waits"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="MILOSH WAITS." src="images/img-201.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">MILOSH WAITS.</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>All was quiet around. Only the feeble -ray high up in the tower showed that the -place was occupied. The sentry's faculties -were numbed by the cold, or he might have -noticed that the even contour of the wall, -some few paces from him to the north, was -broken by a dark protuberance which had -not been there in daylight. It might have -been a buttress, except that there were no -buttresses on the outside of the wall. -Astonished as he must have been if he had -observed it, he would have been still more -amazed had he been tramping his beat before -the gate instead of cowering from the icy -blast. For the dark shape moved, imperceptibly, -like the hour hand of a clock, yet -surely, and always towards him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Within two paces of the gateway it -suddenly stopped. The line of the wall was -no longer broken. There was nothing now -for the sentry to see.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few minutes passed. The sentry -muttered, growled, stamped on the ground. -After all, he could not keep warm. He -had sheltered his nose and ears at the -expense of his feet. Only movement could -restore the circulation of those chilled -members. He picked up his rifle, came out -through the gateway, swung round to the -right, and tramped along close to the wall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No sooner was his back turned than the -dark shape that had remained motionless -at the foot of the wall glided swiftly up to -and into the gateway. The sentry turned -at the end of his beat, and butted with quick -step against the bitter wind, approaching -the gateway--and his doom. He had just -passed the opening when a few inches of -steel glinted in the starlight. There was a -stifled groan, a sigh. The rightful owner -of the watch was avenged.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Three minutes later Milosh rejoined the -little group that was waiting a couple of -hundred yards below.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well?" old Marco inquired in a whisper.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is well, old friend. The way is clear."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">V</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>During the scout's absence, Burton had -become acutely conscious of the bruises -which he had almost forgotten. He dreaded -lest his aching body should not be equal to -the strain of a fight against odds. But he -resolutely turned his mind from his own -condition, and set himself to concert a plan -of action with old Marco and Captain Enderby.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They decided that while the attack was -proceeding Nuta should remain with the -cart. If it succeeded, she would be brought -up to the tower; if it failed, and the enemy -made their appearance, the possession of -Captain von Hildenheim should serve as -security for the safety of herself and Enderby. -A threat to shoot him would no doubt -induce his party to come to terms. The -expression on the woman's face as she took -Enderby's revolver was sufficient guarantee -that she would not fail in the part assigned -to her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Five minutes after the return of Milosh -the little party set off on their adventurous -enterprise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good luck, old man!" said Enderby, -as Burton took his leave. "Sorry I can't -be with you, but we'll meet again before long."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They stole up the road in single file, -Milosh leading, followed by old Marco, -Burton, and the boy in succession. Reaching -the wall, they crept along its shadow to -the gateway, noiselessly entered the -enclosure, and, after a swift glance around, -sped towards the tower. The clank of -bridles and the pawing of hoofs did not -alarm them; Milosh had already explained -that the horses had been placed in the large -chamber that formed the ground floor. To -this there was no longer a door, but through -the vacant doorway came a faint glint of light.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the entrance they halted, and peered -in. Ranged along the wall to the right -stood the horses, which, scenting strangers, -moved restlessly. In the left corner the -rays of a lamp fell through an open -trap-door above, lighting a rough wooden -staircase. From the upper room came the sound -of voices mingled with snores. At the -uneasy movements of the horses the conversation -ceased for a moment. A head appeared -at the edge of the trap-door, and a rough -voice ordered the animals to be quiet, as -one might tell a dog to "lie down." Another -voice from behind sleepily asked a question. -The first man replied, and withdrew from the -opening. Then the low-toned conversation -was resumed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There being but one entrance to the -tower, and but one gateway in the wall, -the single sentry whom Milosh had -disposed of had no doubt been considered a -sufficient guard; but old Marco had decided, -leaving nothing to chance, to post his -grandson at the doorway, to keep watch outside -and give the alarm if any sudden -interference should threaten. The boy grasped -manfully the revolver given him, and stood -against the wall out of the ray of light.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The others slipped silently across the room -to the staircase. At its foot they halted a -moment, looking up towards the trap-door. -The staircase was clearly a rickety affair. -Some of the treads were missing; the -handrail and balusters which had formerly edged -it on the outer side were now wholly -removed. Signing to his companions to move -carefully, Milosh began to ascend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At his first step there was an ominous -creak, masked, however, by a renewed stir -among the horses. The old Serb and Burton -followed in turn, treading as lightly as they -could. Milosh was half-way up when, -stepping over a gap, his foot came down heavily -on the stair above, and the timber emitted -a loud groan. The voices above ceased; -then a gruff voice in the Bulgarian tongue -muttered: "What was that?" Milosh -hurried his ascent. A shadow fell on the -men below him; something had moved at -the edge of the trap-door. A cry of alarm -ended in an inarticulate gasp; for the -second time that night a Serbian knife had -taken toll of the national enemy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a loud shout from behind the -fallen man, followed by confused cries from -the awakened sleepers. Regardless now of -any noise they might make the three men -sprang up the remaining stairs. A shot -rang out as Milosh flung himself into the -room, with Marco close behind him, and -when Burton stood upon the floor, he found -himself in the thick of a furious </span><em class="italics">mêlée</em><span> that -gave him no time to take in the scene.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of the men in that upper room, only two -had been awake--the Bulgarian officer and -one of the troopers. When their conversation -was interrupted by the sounds from -below, the trooper had leant over to see -what was happening. It was he that had -fallen to Milosh's knife. The shot had been -fired by the officer, and the other men, -aroused by the noise, had disengaged -themselves from the horse rugs beneath which -they had been sleeping, and were now -crowding in confusion to repel the -unexpected attack. Only half awake, some of -them had not even seized their arms. -Behind them towered the bulky form of the -second German officer who had led them -earlier in the day. He alone had his wits -about him. Shouting orders and curses, -he threw a swift glance at the three intruders, -then sprang to the lamp hanging from a -bracket on the wall, and dashed it to the floor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But this move, upon which he had calculated -to assist the defence, giving the men -time to collect their sleep-dulled senses and -regain the advantage of numbers, turned in -fact to their undoing. The darkness lasted -only an instant. Then Burton whipped out -his electric torch. The lamp had illuminated -both parties alike; but now the electric -beam dazzled the eyes of the Bulgarians -while leaving their assailants dim and indistinct.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton could never afterwards clearly -recall the incidents of the fight. The hollow -tower rang with shots, fierce shouts, and -even more significant cries. His one -abiding impression was the Berserker fury of old -Marco. With knife in one hand and -revolver in the other, the Serb flung himself -upon the foes, his stalwart form seeming to -be everywhere at once. Even his heroic -ancestor could never have disposed of more -of the traditional enemy in equal time. -Milosh fought with the fury generated by -his recent wrongs, accompanying every -knife-thrust with a yell of triumph. Some of the -Bulgars threw themselves down, and tried to -crawl towards the trap-door. But Burton, -holding his ground there, cut off their -escape, and while his torch lit up the scene -for his friends, he assisted them with his -revolver whenever he could do so without -risk to them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Long as it appeared to those engaged in -it, the struggle was in reality a short one. -Taken unawares, the Bulgars were no match -for their assailants, nerved by desperate -necessity. At the last, when the din had -somewhat diminished, Burton staggered -under the impact of a large form, and saved -himself from being hurled down the staircase -only by a stiffening of the muscles and -a dexterous back-throw over his thrust-out -knee. He stooped and grappled his fallen -assailant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I surrender!" gurgled a panting voice -in German.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer's revolver had slipped from his -grasp at the moment when, tripping over one -of the Bulgars, he lurched against Burton. -The latter kicked it down the staircase. -There was silence now in the upper room. -Burton flashed his torch around it. Marco -and Milosh stood panting above their -prostrate foes. It seemed that of all the party -only the German officer was left alive. But -the electric beam fell on one shivering wretch -cowering behind a trestle table in the far -corner. Milosh instantly dashed towards -him, and Burton had much ado to persuade -the infuriated Serb that, the officer having -surrendered, the fight was now at an end. -Old Marco had sunk to the floor, exhausted -by his efforts and his wounds, unheeded in -the heat of the strife. The silence was -broken only by the champing and pawing -of the frightened horses below.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton was tying up the prisoners, Milosh -was collecting the arms of the slain, when -old Marco suddenly exclaimed--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monsieur, there are only eight!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The words were scarcely out of his mouth -when a shot rang out below, and the boy's -voice shouted an alarm. Leaving the others -to complete his work, Burton dashed down -the staircase to the doorway, just in time to -see two men sprinting along beyond the wall -in the direction of the waiting cart. Young -Marco babbled an explanation of their -presence excitedly in his own tongue, but Burton -could not wait for explanations; it was -enough that two of the enemy's party had -been outside the tower, probably </span><em class="italics">en vedette</em><span> -to the south, and were now speeding -towards the north and their main body. No -doubt they had heard the uproar, guessed -what had happened, and run off to carry the news.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton at once dashed after them, anxious -about the safety of his friends at the cart, -even more than about the peril of the whole -party if the enemy's march should be -hastened. Young Marco flew along at his -heels. But the fugitives had had too long -a start. Even the beam of the torch failed -to discover them. Immediately after the -torch flashed there was the report of a -revolver, and Burton ran at break-neck pace -down the rugged track. He came to the cart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gone away!" cried Enderby.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're not hurt?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was Nuta's revolver. We heard some -one coming, but didn't know whether friend -or foe until you flashed your torch. Then I -guessed. But two men were just on us then; -they swerved to avoid the cart, and dashed -away beyond us there. The woman was -quick, but it was too dark to aim, and I'm -afraid they've both got clear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's a pity. They'll report that we've -got the tower, and the Bulgars may swarm -up in an hour or two. We must get you out -of harm's way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He made signs to Marco that he wished -the cart to be driven up at once. The boy -whipped up the oxen, and the vehicle -lumbered away with Hildenheim trudging -disconsolately behind. At the gate in the -wall they met old Marco.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let the woman and the boy go on with -your wounded friend," he said to Burton. -"They cannot help us; why should we -endanger them? Moreover, they would then -save the goods in my cart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As you please," said Burton. "But you -yourself will hold to your agreement, and -help us to check the enemy as long as we can?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly, and Milosh Nikovich will -remain with me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But when the matter was put to Nuta, -she resolutely refused to leave the old man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is well, my daughter," he said, laying -his hand on her shoulder. "We will live or -die together."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This being decided, they resolved to utilise -the cart in the defence of the position. The -more valuable parts of its load were removed, -together with the British machine-gun, and -carried into the tower. The cart was then -drawn across the gateway to block it up, and -the oxen were taken some distance away to -the south, and tethered in a bush-covered -dell. Meanwhile Milosh had cleared the -upper room, and made some effort to obliterate -the traces of the fray. There the party -took up their quarters. They were all -utterly weary. It was perhaps unlikely that -the enemy would arrive before the morning, -but Burton and the two Serbs arranged to -take turns at watching through the night. -What preparations could be made to meet -an attack must be left until at least a partial -rest had restored their exhausted energies.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">VI</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>There was little conversation during the -night. Every member of the party was so -fatigued that, when not on watch, he slept -heavily. Enderby alone was wakeful, from -the pain of his wounds, and he addressed -Burton only in occasional whispers, lest -Hildenheim should overhear him. The two -German officers conversed in their own -tongue, pitching their voices low; but -neither of the Englishmen understood -German. At intervals the distant boom -of heavy guns indicated that a night attack -was in progress somewhere to the east.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before daybreak Burton roused his companions. -It was necessary to lay their plans -in readiness for the expected advance of -the Bulgarian troops. In company with -old Marco, Burton took stock of their -resources. They had the weapons of their -enemies--ten rifles with about two thousand -rounds of ammunition, three revolvers with -thirty rounds apiece, their own machine-gun -with three ammunition belts. There -was a plentiful supply of provisions, but -little fodder for the horses. Burton was -tempted to make good their escape while -there was yet time; but after a few moments' -reflection he reverted to his purpose of -delaying the enemy's advance to the last -minute of endurance. The tower, commanding -the narrow track, offered great advantages -to the defence; and guessing that the -Bulgars' advance guard would consist of -cavalry unprovided with artillery, he hoped -to be able to hold his own until help arrived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The first necessity was to inform the -British general of the anticipated flank -attack.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your grandson can ride a horse?" he -asked old Marco.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tchk! The boy sat a horse as soon as -he could walk," replied the old man, with a -laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I want to send him with a note to -our men. Will you instruct him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He wrote in his pocket-book a note -explaining that Captain Enderby, wounded, -with himself and two Serbians, both slightly -wounded, were holding a tower in the hills -some ten miles south of Strumitza. They -expected to be attacked by a Bulgarian -column moving south-west across the hills -to cut the British line of retreat, and would -hold out as long as possible. Their greatest -need, if attacked in force, would be -ammunition; and he pointed out that the position -would be hopeless against artillery. Tearing -the leaf out, he folded it, addressed it to -"Any British Officer," and gave it to Marco, -who tucked it inside his tunic. As soon as -dawn glimmered the boy mounted one of -the horses and set off, disappearing into the mist.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had better take the horses out," -Burton suggested. "They will only hamper -us here; besides, we may as well keep them -alive if we can."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On old Marco agreeing, Milosh led the -horses to the dell where the oxen had been -tethered overnight, tied them together, and -hobbled them to heavy fragments of rock. -Meanwhile the others strengthened the cart -barricade, blocked up the entrance to the -tower with stones, broken timber, and other -rubbish, and placed the machine-gun at -a narrow window commanding the track. -Then Burton climbed the ladder leading to -the top of the tower, to examine the country -through his glasses; but the heavy white -mist hid everything from view. Guns -boomed incessantly; the sounds were little -louder than they had been in the night. It -was clear that the British retirement was -being conducted without hurry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he came down he found that Nuta -had got ready a meal for his party and the -three prisoners. With these latter, since his -arrival at the tower, he had had no conversation. -Now, however, Captain von Hildenheim addressed him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Major Schwartzkopf demands to know -vat you do," he said. "Ze major shpeak no -English."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton glanced at the elder German, who -stared at him with mingled insolence and -sullenness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell him that I hope before the day is -out to hand him over to the British -provost-marshal," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hildenheim translated. The major gurgled -out a rapid sentence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mistake," Hildenheim went on. -"Major Schwartzkopf vish to know vat you -do here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is my business. If the major has -patience he will see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Germans talked together, and Burton -gathered from their smiles that they -supposed him ignorant of the Bulgarian -advance, and flattered themselves that the -tables would soon be turned on him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When breakfast was finished, Marco asked -Burton to accompany him to the chamber -below.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Twenty years ago," he said, "when I -was here, we kept a few prisoners in a cellar -below the floor. Shall we not place our -prisoners there now, for safety's sake?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us have a look at it," Burton returned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Scraping away the litter of hay, earth, -and fragments of wood from a corner of the -floor, Marco disclosed a trap-door. They -lifted this, and Burton descended a short -ladder, Marco following him with an -improvised torch. They found themselves in -a shallow cellar, stuffy but dry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is this?" exclaimed Marco, -pointing to a number of small wooden boxes -ranged along one wall. "They were not -here in my time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boxes were thickly covered with dust, -and had evidently been long undisturbed. -Burton carefully prised up the lid of one of them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is full of sticks of dynamite!" he -said, astonished. "A strange find, upon my word!"</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 74%" id="figure-265"> -<span id="a-strange-find-upon-my-word"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""'A STRANGE FIND, UPON MY WORD!'"" src="images/img-218.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"'A STRANGE FIND, UPON MY WORD!'"</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And look!" added Marco. "There is -a tunnel--that was not here either."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In one of the walls was an opening about -four feet high. Entering this, the two men -groped their way along a straight tunnel -just wide enough for them to pass in single file.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This must have been made by the -Greeks when they held the tower," the old -man continued.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For what purpose? There's nothing in it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But there is the dynamite in the cellar -behind. I think the tunnel must have been -intended for a mine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To blow up something outside? Let us -see in what direction it goes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A glance at his compass showed him that -the tunnel ran towards the north-east.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is plain," said Marco. "Here at the -end we may be standing beneath the track. -The Greeks intended to blow it up. I -suppose the necessity passed when the Turks -retreated, and the dynamite was left here -and forgotten. Perhaps the Greeks who -made the tunnel were killed in the fighting -afterwards."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, this may be a lucky find for us. We -must see if it does end beneath the track."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Measuring his paces as they returned to -the cellar, he went up, and counted an equal -number from the doorway of the tower, -following the direction of the tunnel as -nearly as he could judge it. The thirty-second -pace brought him to the wall; there -were still nine more to take. At the -forty-first he arrived at the centre of the track.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You were right," he said; "the intention -was clearly to have a means of blowing -up the track. As you say, an explosion just -there would make it impassable. This may -be a lucky find for us, my friend. We must -remove the dynamite to the end of the -tunnel, and make some sort of fuse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They returned to the tower. It was now -half-past nine, the mist was thinning, and -before taking in hand the preparation of the -mine, Burton thought it well to make -another survey from the top of the tower. -With Marco he climbed the ladder. Even -with the naked eye he was able to see, -winding like a serpent across the white plain, a -long column of troops, its rear merging into -the mist. Through his glasses he -distinguished its composition. In advance of the -main body of infantry rode squadrons of -cavalry. Here and there appeared files of -pack-mules. He handed the glasses to -Marco, whose face gloomed as he watched -the unending stream.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The mules carry mountain guns," he -said. "That's bad. They are coming on -quickly, too. We shall not have time to -prepare our mine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But as they went down again, to make -final preparations for meeting the impending -attack, an idea occurred to him. Taking -Marco to the lower floor, he said in English, loud -enough to be heard by the prisoners above--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A bomb would blow us all to smithereens. -I had no idea there was so much -dynamite there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Germans instantly rose to the bait. -They could be heard in excited discussion -above. Waiting a few minutes to allow his -words to produce their full effect, Burton -returned to the upper room. The officers -broke off their conversation and looked at -him uneasily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg your pardon, sir," said Hildenheim -at length, hesitatingly. "You shpeak -of dynamite?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did, yes--there is a considerable -quantity in the cellar below."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Looking very grave, Hildenheim translated -to his companion, whose alarm found -vent in impassioned volubility.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Major Schwartzkopf protests viz -indignation," Hildenheim went on. "Ve are -prisoners--so; but ze law of nations do not -permit zat prisoners be confined in a place -of danger."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Danger, gentlemen! It was you who -chose this place. What danger do you -anticipate?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Our allies ze Bulgars zis vay come. Not -understand? Zey attack zis place. Ve sit -on high explosive below; ze Bulgars shoot -high explosive above; ve are blowed to--vat -you call it?--schmiddereens!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Surely your allies love you too well; -they will not subject you to such risks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know not so much about zat. Zey -love us--yes; but if it is zeir duty zey blow -us up all ze same."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall all be in the same boat, then. -But perhaps you have something to suggest?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is ze law of nations zat you keep us safe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are quite safe so far as we are -concerned. Obviously I cannot remove you. -If your friends shell us--well!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you can remove ze dynamite. You -can take it out, inter it, shuck it into--vat -you call it?--a gully."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We haven't time for that. But I have -an idea. There is a long tunnel leading from -the cellar. If you and your companions care -to carry the dynamite to the farther end of -the tunnel, it will be out of harm's way so -far as the tower is concerned."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Zat is not ze vork of German officers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No; quite so. If I were you I wouldn't -do it. But, as you may have gathered, I -intend to hold the tower as long as I can. -Your cavalry is already on the move. It -will not be long before they attack. If you -care to remove the dynamite, you may stay -in the cellar until--until I fetch you out. -Otherwise you will remain here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Germans consulted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ze Herr Major agree, viz protest," said -Hildenheim presently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Agrees! To what?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To move ze dynamite--vat you ask."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg your pardon, I ask nothing. You -will do as you please. I said if I were -you----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ach! Ze Herr Major agree all ze same," -interrupted Hildenheim, eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Germans struggled to their feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You shall unbind our arms," said Hildenheim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When you are in the cellar. Watch -your footing as you go down."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He preceded them down the stairs. When -the three men were in the cellar he left -them his torch to work by, instructing -them to carry the boxes to the end of the tunnel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was necessary to devise a train for -exploding the dynamite at the pinch of -necessity. Having no gunpowder this was -a difficulty until Marco hit on a method. -He bade Nuta bring some cotton cloths and -some jars of grease that were among their -belongings in the cart. The cloths he asked -her to tear up into thin strips, and then to -soak thoroughly with the grease. By knotting -these strips together she could make, he -hoped, a match as long as the tunnel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was no time to test it, or to judge -how quickly it would burn. Scarcely ten -minutes after the woman had begun her -task Burton saw, from the loophole at which -the machine-gun had been placed, the head -of the enemy column appear on the track -within effective rifle range. It consisted of a -half-troop of cavalry, and was moving with -cautious slowness. In another minute it -came to a halt. Two officers in front held a -consultation. One of them peered through -his glasses at the silent tower. Their attitude -suggested uncertainty. The lack of signals -from the tower must have apprised them -that their friends were not in possession of -it; but the information conveyed by the -men who had escaped overnight was necessarily -vague, and they were ignorant whether -the position was held by their foes, or had -been abandoned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the window, but out of sight of the -enemy, Burton and the two Serbs watched -them keenly. Enderby had been placed at -the remote end of the room, behind a -barricade of timber, accoutrements, and rugs. -In the last few moments Burton had -discussed with him whether it would be well to -open a parley with the enemy, and announce -his intention of disputing their passage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My advice is to the contrary," said -Enderby. "Deeds, not words. A shot will -tell them all you wish them to know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The consultation on the track came to an -end, and the horsemen began to move -forward slowly. Two of them, one apparently -an officer, rode a little in advance of the -rest. When they were still about half a -mile distant, Marco raised his rifle to his -shoulder and fired. Apparently he missed, -for the two men instantly threw themselves -from their horses and took cover among the -rocks at the side of the track. A bugle -rang out, and all down the column, as far -as it was in sight, the troopers dismounted, -left their horses, and advanced up the track -on foot by short rushes from one patch of -cover to another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What will they do?" Burton asked -himself. He tried to put himself mentally -in their position. All the information they -could have was that the tower was in enemy -hands. They could not know who its captors -were, or how many they numbered. No -doubt they would suppose that the patrol -had fallen to a superior force, but they -would infer that this force was a -comparatively small one, since it was already -clear that no attempt was to be made to -dispute their passage on the track itself. -Their natural course would be to feel the -strength of the garrison, and perhaps to -refrain from throwing themselves against a -strong defensive position until they had -brought up guns to bombard it. The wild -and rugged nature of the ground made rapid -movement difficult, and Burton hoped that -the inevitable delay would not only enable -the British Army to secure its retirement, -but would also give time for the dispatch -of a light force to bring off himself and his -party. The latter event he did not count -on; it might prove to be impracticable; in -that case he could only look forward to the -ultimate capture or destruction of the tower. -It was his resolve to hold up the enemy till -the last possible moment; if surrender were -then necessary to save Nuta and Captain -Enderby, he would at least have the -satisfaction of duty well done.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Up to the present Marco's shot had been -the only one fired. The two Serbs, if left -to themselves, would have aimed again and -again at the Bulgars, of whom they caught -glimpses as they darted from rock to rock. -But Burton prevailed on them to withhold -their fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They don't know exactly how we are -placed," he said to Marco, "and we may as -well keep them ignorant as long as possible. -They are bound to leave cover if they mean -to attack us; then will be our chance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The position gave incomparable advantages -to the defence. Standing on a spur -of the hillside, the tower could be assailed -only from the track; its rear face -overhung a precipitous cliff which not even a -goat could scale. For more than a hundred -yards from the tower the track was wholly -devoid of cover; the declivity on the one -side and the high jagged ground on the -other equally forbade an encircling -movement. Burton's hope grew high as he -weighed the chances for and against him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The enemy had crept up to within about -three hundred yards of the tower. The next -fifty yards of the track were exposed, then -there was a break in the bank in which they -could find cover among low boulders and -stunted bushes. It was at this point that -they would first come in sight of the wall -surrounding the tower enclosure. Burton -concluded that as their mission was urgent, -they would not wait the arrival of their -artillery, which no doubt they had sent -for at the first alarm, but would dash along -the exposed portions of the track, shelter -themselves temporarily below the wall, and -then endeavour to carry the position with a -rush. The gateway was blocked by the -cart, but the wall could easily be scaled, and -the slender defences of the tower entrance -would yield in a few minutes. It was of -prime importance, therefore, that the enemy -should be prevented from reaching the wall. -The track was wide enough for four or -five men to move abreast. By means of the -machine-gun, Burton could mow the enemy -down if they advanced in mass; but having -very little ammunition for it, he had decided -to use it only as a last resource. In the early -stages of the impending action he must -depend on rifle fire, and he realised that, with -no more than three rifles, a great deal -depended on the extent to which the enemy -could be intimidated. Personally he was -at a disadvantage in respect of his -unfamiliarity with the Bulgarian rifle. Marco -had explained to him the sighting -arrangements, which were adjusted to the metre -scale; but he recognised that his first shots -would be experimental. At short range he -could hardly fail of success.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some minutes passed; the enemy gave no -sign of movement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Keep your eye upon them, while I go -and see how the prisoners are getting on with -their work," said Burton to Marco.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He went down to the cellar, observing on -the way that Nuta had completed a large -coil of the cotton rope. The Bulgar was -staggering into the tunnel with the last of -the boxes of dynamite. Hildenheim was -donning his tunic, which he had stripped off -for the sake of ease in working. From the -coolness and the unsoiled appearance of -Major Schwartzkopf, Burton inferred, with -secret amusement, that that officer had not -put himself to any exertion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I zink I hear a shot, sir," said Hildenheim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought so too," rejoined Burton. -"But we are not engaged with your friends -yet, and as I see that all the dynamite is -removed, you are safe here--for the present."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So! I know ze Bulgar language. Ven -our allies haf ze tower taken, I vill haf much -pleasure to--vat you call it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Interpret for us? Thank you, captain. -I am sure you are anxious to be useful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dull reports of two rifle-shots recalled -him. As he closed down the trap-door, he -heard Schwartzkopf guffaw. Springing up -the stairs he rushed to the window, where -the Serbs were now firing steadily, seized his -rifle, and looked down the track. A small -party of the enemy had broken cover, and -were rushing uphill in irregular formation. -Several had already fallen; one dropped to -Burton's first shot; but the rest gained the -cover of the stunted bushes before mentioned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How many have got through?" asked Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"About half-a-dozen," Marco replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They haven't answered your fire?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had hardly spoken when a hail of -bullets pattered on the stone walls. Some -had come from the advanced party in the -bushes, some from their comrades concealed -farther down the track. One flew through -the window, and struck the wall a few feet -above Enderby's head. The three men drew back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is clear they have discovered where -we are firing from," said Burton. "We had -better give them the next shots from the -roof. There are loopholes in the parapet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They climbed up the ladder, and, kneeling -behind the parapet, peered through the -loopholes. For some minutes the enemy -continued to fire at the window without exposing -themselves. Presently, under cover of their -shots, a second party, larger than the first, -emerged from the rocks far down the track, -and ran up to join their fellows hidden among -the bushes. Instantly the three men opened -fire; one after another the Bulgars fell, but -eight or nine reached shelter in safety. The -enemy's fire redoubled in violence; -apparently they supposed that the defenders were -shooting both from the window and from the -roof, for Enderby called up that bullets were -flying into the room, and at the same time -splinters of stone were struck from the parapet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly the firing ceased. Burton, looking -through his glasses, saw reinforcements -hurrying up along the track far below. -Clearly the attack was to be pressed, and the -worst was yet to come. So far he was well -satisfied. The enemy had been held up for -more than an hour; every minute gained -might be of priceless service to the British -forces. Every now and again the dull boom -of artillery from the south told him that his -comrades were still fighting a rearguard -action against heavy odds. To prevent the -enlargement of those odds was worth any -sacrifice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton realised that as yet he had had to -deal with only a small advanced guard. The -fight would take on quite a different -complexion when the main body now pressing -forward came into action. There was no -sign of irresolution in the enemy. Even -though he should sweep the track twice or -thrice with the machine-gun, they would -then discover that his ammunition was -expended, and three rifles would avail nothing -against the numbers who would pour -upwards to the assault. It was time to -prepare to play his last card--to light the train -which, after an unknown interval, would -explode the dynamite and render the track -impassable. The tower was doomed. If -not carried by assault, it would be -shattered as soon as artillery was brought to -bear on it. But even though it were -destroyed, and all in it, the destruction of the -track would delay the enemy for many hours, -and his object would be gained.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He inferred, and rightly, as it proved, that -the lull would continue until the enemy had -come up in sufficient strength to burst -through at all costs. But there was no -time to spare, especially as so much -uncertainty attended the action of the mine. -Leaving the two Serbs to keep watch, -Burton went below. Nuta was still -knotting the lengths of cloth, but he saw at a -glance that the coil she had completed would -suffice. He made her understand by signs -that she was to follow him to the cellar, -carrying the revolver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The eager looks with which the prisoners -met him bespoke their confidence that he -had come to beg their intercession with -victorious Bulgarians. They were -immediately undeceived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am going to fire the dynamite," he -said. "This place will no longer be safe -for you. You must quit the tower. Follow -my instructions to the letter. When you -leave the entrance, you will cross the -enclosure to the wall on the south side, climb -it, and go as far along the track southward -as you please. If you attempt to move in -the opposite direction you will instantly be -shot. That is quite clear?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hildenheim's looks had grown blacker -and blacker as Burton spoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a trick!" he burst out in a voice -hoarse with rage. "It is against ze law of -nations. Zere shall be reprisals. You make -var prisoners vork to blow up zeir allies; -you----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing of the sort," Burton interrupted -sharply. "You removed the dynamite for -your own safety; you are at liberty to bring -it back, and take the consequences. You -must decide at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This reduced the German to silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was giebt es?" asked Schwartzkopf, -evidently puzzled by the captain's agitation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Hildenheim had explained, the -major came to a decision with great alacrity. -It would be absurd to reject the chance of -escaping with a whole skin. There was a -short excited colloquy between the two -Germans. Then Hildenheim sullenly -announced their acquiescence, and they -followed Burton and the woman up the stairs. -When a passage had been opened in the -entrance, the three prisoners made to issue -together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so fast--one at a time, if you please," -said Burton, anxious not to leave the tower -himself. "The major first; turn to the -right, that's your way. The woman will -escort you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At another time he might have been -amused at the sight of the German hastening -towards the wall with an effort to maintain -his dignity, Nuta following with pointed -revolver a couple of yards behind. But the -situation was too tense for amusement. He -was on thorns; at any moment warning shots -might recall him to his post, and the mine -had still to be completed. The instant the -Bulgar, last of the three, reached the wall, -Burton hurried into the cellar. He laid the -cotton train on the floor of the tunnel, -kindling its nearer end. At the farther end -he upturned the open box of dynamite, -placed a few cartridges at the extremity of -the train, and packed the remaining boxes -closely one upon another, so that the space -between the floor and the roof was -completely blocked. Then with feverish haste -he scraped up loose earth from the floor, -and dug stones out of the wall with his knife, -and heaped them up against the boxes, so -as to minimise the effect of the explosion -towards the cellar. On his return he saw -that the cotton appeared to be burning -satisfactorily, and regained the roof of the -tower after an absence of little more than -twenty minutes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The situation had apparently not changed. -All was quiet. None of the enemy in the -vicinity of the tower were in sight, but the -columns were steadily rolling up the track -in the far distance. A little later, however, -there was a sudden rush from behind the -rocks, accompanied by a hot fusillade. -Bulgarian infantry swarmed up the track, and -though many of them fell to the three rifles, -many more got through, stumbling over the -bodies of the fallen, and joined their -comrades in the shelter of the bushes. Nuta -had come up, and as the rifles became hot, -she replaced them with fresh weapons.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The enemy advanced in an unending -stream for five or six minutes. The crackle -of rifle shots mingled with shouts and -screams. Then at the blast of a whistle all -movement ceased.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton calculated that at least sixty men -had run the gauntlet and were now waiting -among the bushes. Only about a hundred -yards of open track separated them from -the wall of the enclosure. To check the -coming dash with three rifles would be -impossible. Would the explosion in the tunnel -happen in time? He dared not go below -again to see how the train was burning, nor -could any one else be spared. Suppose the -mine failed? The rush must be checked -somehow; nothing but the machine-gun -would avail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Leaving the Serbs on the roof, Burton -went down into the room, and placed himself -at the gun.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had not long to wait. A whistle -sounded shrilly. The men dashed from the -cover of the bushes and poured up towards -the tower, shouting and cheering. Behind -them their comrades opened fire from the -rocks. Burton held his hand for a few -seconds. Then, when the foremost rank had -covered about half the distance, the machine-gun -rapped out a hail of bullets. In a few -seconds the track was swept clear as by an -invisible scythe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Silence fell again. It was clear that the -enemy had not reckoned with a machine-gun, -for though, taking advantage of the -charge, another body of men had rushed -up to the bushes from the rear, they made -no attempt to advance farther.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Minute by minute passed. Except for -occasional sniping, the enemy took no action. -But the lull seemed ominous, and Burton -remained keenly on guard, keeping a look-out -from behind the shield of the machine-gun.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't like it," he said to Enderby once. -"There isn't much doubt that they have -sent word to their gunners, and we shall -soon have shells hurtling upon us. There -may be just time to carry you down and -put you in safety beyond the tower."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nonsense!" Enderby returned. "It -makes me sick to be idling here. I won't -go and keep your Germans company. My -arms are sound enough, and, hang it all! I -won't stand this any longer. Lift me out, -and give me a rifle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no! Anything rather than that. -At this window you'd be potted to a -certainty. Perhaps it's better as it is, for if -you were outside, and the rest of us were -smashed, you couldn't get away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I'd rather peg out than fall a -prisoner to those German-led Bulgars. Don't -worry, old chap!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That wretched mine must have failed," -said Burton, presently. "Nuta must go -and relight the train."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But just as he was rising to call her, he -noticed something far down the track that -caused him to drop back again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They're smuggling a machine-gun into -position!" he cried.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had caught a glimpse of the barrel -projecting over a ledge of rock. With -instant decision he trained his own gun upon -it, and before it could open fire, he pumped -out a hail of lead that struck it from its -position, and the men serving it, in spite of -their shield, were killed or disabled either by -direct shots, ricochets, or splinters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One belt empty!" he said, as he -replaced it with a full one. "By George! -Now we're in for it!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had heard the characteristic scream of -a shell. Immediately afterwards there was -a terrific explosion, and he saw a tall column -of smoke, stones, and dust shoot into the air -from the rocks not two hundred yards away. -In another half-minute another shell -exploded, a little nearer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They must be 'phoning the range," he -said. "Look here, Enderby, I must get you -out of it. I can't leave the machine-gun -now, but the Serbs must carry you away. -Marco Kralevich!" he shouted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man hurried down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They'll have the range in a few minutes," -said Burton. "I want you and your friend -to carry Captain Enderby out along the -track yonder, towards where the prisoners -are. Take your daughter, too. When you -come back, go down into the cellar and -relight the train; it must have gone out. -They will smash the tower; the only chance -of holding them up is to explode the mine. -Make haste, for Heaven's sake!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Marco summoned Nuta and Milosh from -the roof. They lifted Enderby, and were -half-way down the stairs with him when the -Bulgarian gunners made their first hit. A -shell carried away a corner of the parapet. -The tower shook under the explosion, and -the falling masonry plunged into the -enclosure, raising a dense cloud of dust. Burton -trembled for the safety of his friends, but his -thoughts were taken from them by a -renewed movement among the enemy. -Immediately after the crash, the men concealed -in the bushes sprang out, and dashed -forward with a cheer. They would have been -wiser to wait. Burton saw them indistinctly -through the dust, but he had the range to a -yard, and again they melted away under his -withering fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shells were now bursting around the tower. -There was another crash above; fragments of -stone fell into the room, striking Burton in -many places. It was a moment of racking -anxiety. He dared not leave the gun until -the track had been destroyed, yet the tower -might crumple down upon him. His -ammunition was running short--would Marco get -back in time? Even if he relit the train, -would the flame reach the explosives? And -at that crisis he nerved himself for what -must be regarded as a supreme act of -self-sacrifice. If all else failed, at the last -moment he must go himself into the cellar, -and fire into the charge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Deafened by the explosions that now -recurred every few seconds, smothered in dust, -struck by fragments of stone, half choked by -fumes, he still held his place at the window. -The enemy had learnt a lesson. They kept -out of sight. Before long the guns would -have done their work, and when the tower -was in ruins the way would be clear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They won't charge again till we're -smashed," he thought. "Now for it!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Taking his rifle, he hurried down the -stairs. At the trap-door he halted a moment. -He knew the risk he was about to run. His -work in the tunnel had been so hurried that -the backward force of the explosion could -not be wholly checked. He was taking his -life in his hands; but it was the last hope. -He gathered himself together. His foot was -on the first step when he was brought to a -halt by a rifle shot below. The next instant -he was hurled back by a terrific concussion, -and fell, an immense noise dinning in his -ears. For a moment he lay dazed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Marco must have done it!" he said to -himself as he staggered to his feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Down into the cellar he sprang, gasping in -the noisome fumes. His electric torch, still -gleaming, lay on the floor. Near the mouth -of the tunnel he saw the heroic old Serb -prostrate. He rushed to him, stooped over -him. Was he yet alive? Burton could not -tell. Exerting almost superhuman strength -he managed to hoist the big man to his -back, and staggered with him across the -cellar, up the steps, and across the floor. -Almost broken down under the weight of his -burden, he was just reaching the entrance -when there was an appalling crash. The -tower tottered and collapsed, and the two -men fell together.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 77%" id="figure-266"> -<span id="a-perilous-moment"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="A PERILOUS MOMENT" src="images/img-243.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">A PERILOUS MOMENT</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">VII</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>When Burton came to himself, it was to -find an officer in khaki, with the red cross -of the R.A.M.C. on his sleeve, bending over him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's all right!" said a cheery voice. -"He'll do now!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where am I? Where's Marco?" Burton asked faintly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The old Serb? Don't worry about him. -He has concussion, but he's a tough old boy, -and we'll pull him through."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the Bulgars?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Toiling like niggers to make a new track -a mile from here. It's all right. Take this -morphine tablet. You shall hear all you -want to know, twenty-four hours from now. -Rather hard luck to be knocked out twice in -one day, I must say."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Young Marco, after long wandering and -losing his way several times, had lighted on -a part of the British rearguard and delivered -his note, which passed from a subaltern -through his company commander and colonel -until it came to the hands of the brigadier. -An examination of the map decided that -officer to dispatch a regiment of light cavalry -to the tower. They reached it some ten -minutes after it fell, having heard the -outlines of the story from Captain Enderby, -whom they met a few hundred yards away, -keeping an eye on the three prisoners, as he -said with a smile. Milosh and Nuta, who -were returning to the tower when the -explosion occurred, had narrowly escaped burial -in the ruins. Rushing forward through the -smoke and dust, they had found the two men -unconscious but alive, protected by the only -half-destroyed arch of the entrance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The shelling had ceased with the fall of -the tower; the track had been rendered -utterly impassable by the explosion of the -mine; and before the enemy were aware of -the presence of the British cavalry, and their -guns again came into play, the regiment had -withdrawn with Burton, his party and the -prisoners, and were well on their way to the -British lines.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The value of the defence of the tower was -handsomely acknowledged by the brigadier. -It had saved his rearguard. The Serbs were -compensated for the loss of their belongings -in the abandoned cart, and young Marco, -besides presents given him by the British -officers, found himself the happy possessor of -innumerable souvenirs from the men. Old -Marco, who soon recovered, received special -commendation and reward for his heroism -in firing the mine at the risk of his life. As -for Burton, no one was more surprised than -he when he learnt that his name had been -sent in for the V.C.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em" id="id6"> -<span id="the-missing-platoon"></span></div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 58%" id="figure-267"> -<span id="chapter-v-heading"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Chapter V Heading" src="images/img-246.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Chapter V Heading</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">THE MISSING PLATOON</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">I</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Burton rode at an easy jog trot, smoking -a cigarette. He had a day off, and by way -of recreation had borrowed a horse to visit -the battery for which he had done a good -deal of "spotting," but which he had not -yet seen. His only communication with it -had been by wireless from the air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a fine spring afternoon--rather -ominously fine, he thought, for the sunlight -had that liquid brightness which often -preludes dirty weather. Dust flew in clouds -from the white road before the gusty wind. -From somewhere ahead came the booming -of guns, and now and then he saw bursts of -smoke above the trenches a few miles away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He came to a solitary house at the -roadside. It was partly demolished; but in the -doorway, flanked by a solid wall of -sandbags, a subaltern was standing. Burton -reined up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Officers' quarters of No. 6?" he asked -laconically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The same," was the reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My name's Burton: thought I'd come -over and have a look at you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're the chap, are you? Well, I'll -take you round. They're all in the -gun-pits, waiting orders. Take your horse -round to the back: we get pip-squeaks -here occasionally."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having placed the horse in safety, -Burton accompanied his guide across the -road, through what had once been a -market-garden, to a turfy mound resembling a -small barrow, such as may be seen here and -there in the south of England. But this -mound in France was obviously not an -ancient burial-place. There was something -recent and artificial in its appearance. A -deep drain encircled it, and on its western -side there was a small opening, like the -entrance to an Eskimo hut.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here we are," said his guide, Laurence -Cay, second lieutenant. "Mind your head."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton stooped and entered. He found -himself in a spacious chamber, dimly lit -through the doorway and the hurdles -stretched across the farther end. To him, -coming from the brilliant sunlight, the -interior was at first impenetrably dark; but -as his eyes became accustomed to the -dimness, he saw the gun, clean, silent, on a bed -of concrete; rows of shells placed in -recesses in the walls; and the opening of a -tunnel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That leads to our dug-out," said Cay. -"We'll find some one there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A few steps through the tunnel brought -them to a large cave-like room, furnished -with table and chairs, four bunks and a -store cupboard. Two officers were taking -a late luncheon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me introduce Burton, V.C., D.S.O., -one of our spotters," said Cay. "Captain -Adams, Mr. Mortimer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hullo, Burton? So it's you. How -d'ye do?" said the captain, shaking hands. -"Haven't seen you for an age. Have a -drink?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A cosy little place, this," said Burton, -as he quaffed a mug of cider.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"H'm! Pretty fair. We're proof against -anything but a 'Jack Johnson.' They -haven't discovered us yet. We've had a -few pip-squeaks and four-twos, by accident. -We make better practice, I think."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You missed a chance this morning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How's that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, that mill, you know, just across the -way--the Huns' divisional headquarters."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Across the way! It's five miles--and a -hill between!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton, who knew Captain Adams of old, -ignored the interruption. It was an easy -amusement to "draw" Adams.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With a little promptitude, and--h'm--accuracy, -you might have bagged the whole -lot; and who knows if Big or Little Willy -mightn't have been there on a visit? But -you were so slow getting to work that they -all got away--except the cooks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But, hang it all! I gave the order -'Battery action' one second after we got -the first call from O.P. and...."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but your first shell plugged into a -cabbage patch half a mile to the left."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O.P. reported 300 yards," snorted the -captain indignantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wanted to spare your feelings, old man. -As I was saying, it only scared the Huns and -gave them time to clear out. The second -shell was just about as far to the right: -demolished a pigsty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come now, how the deuce do you know that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, the divisional cooks started to -make sauerkraut and sausage----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this point Adams noticed that his -subalterns were writhing with the effort to -contain their laughter; and perceiving at -last that he was being "chipped," he -caught Burton by the collar and hurled -him towards one of the bunks. This was -the opening move of a scrimmage which -might have continued until both were -breathless had not Adams suddenly remembered -himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gad, Burton, this won't do!" he said. -"Bad example to those young innocents" -(indicating the subalterns). "Quite like old -times at school, eh? But really----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How long have you been a captain, Adams?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gazetted a fortnight ago; it came -through orders a week later. Must give up -skylarking now, you know. Have another -drink."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They sat down, compared notes, talked -over old times: the conversation became -general.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Trench raids are becoming more -common," said Cay presently. "You heard -what happened the other day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What was that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The better part of a platoon of the -Rutlands is missing. They hold the -trenches in front of us, you know. Well, -they got up a night raid, and penetrated -the Huns' first line: came back with a -handful of prisoners and no casualties to -speak of. But when they took stock, -something over forty men of this platoon were -missing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They went too far, I suppose, and were -cut off. Very bad luck."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If they're prisoners! Whatever -happens to me, I hope I shan't be a prisoner. -These raids are the order of the day now; -I suppose they're useful. At any rate they -give our fellows something to do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this moment Burton started as the -words "Battery action" came from -somewhere in a roar like that of a giant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Megaphone!" cried Adams, jumping up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officers rushed into the gun-pit. The -men who had been working outside came -racing in. In a few moments another order -was shouted through a megaphone by the -man in the telephone room--a shell-proof -cave hard by. "Target M--one round -battery fire."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Adams took up a map of the -German trenches, and with a rapidity that -amazed Burton, angles and fuses were -adjusted, and in a few seconds a shell went -whistling and screaming towards its invisible -target miles away. Cay had gone to the -wireless instrument in the corner, and sat -with the receiving telephones at his ears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Range right; shell dropped quarter-mile -to the left," he called presently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>New adjustments were made; the gun -fired again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How's that?" asked Adams.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It seemed only a few seconds before Cay, -repeating the message he had received from -the invisible aeroplane scouting aloft, -replied: "Got him!" A moment later he -added: "New battery----" He broke off: -the burring of the instrument had ceased. -He tried to get into communication again, -but failed. "Ask O.P. if they've seen -the 'plane," he called to the telephonist. -Presently came the answer: "Went out of -sight behind a wooded hill. Afraid a Hun -'Archie' has brought it down."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the order "Break off" had -been received. The immediate task of the -battery was accomplished.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">II</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The officers returned to their dug-out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your colleague hasn't had your luck, -Burton," said Adams. "It's more than a -pity. He had evidently spotted a fresh -battery. The Huns will have time to -conceal it unless some one else spots it and -tips us the wink."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They went outside and scanned the sky. -No aeroplane was in sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think I'd better go up," said Burton. -"I'm off duty to-day, but it would be a pity -to lose the chance. The new battery must -have been visible from where he saw your -target. I ought to be able to find it if I go -at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A good idea! We might smash it before -it gets to work. You'd better 'phone -your flight commander. I'll lend you my -trench map."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton hurried to the telephone room. -In a few minutes he returned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O.K.," he said, "but I'll have to go -alone. My observer's away, and there's no -one else handy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's awkward. You can't pilot and -work the wireless too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps not, but if I can spot the -battery I can return with my observer -to-morrow, and then we'll be able to set you to -work on it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good! You've seen what we can do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, not exactly seen; but apparently -it wasn't a pigsty this time. Look out for -me in an hour or so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He returned to the house, remounted, -and rode back rapidly to the aerodrome. -There he explained the circumstances at -greater length to his flight commander, set -the mechanics to work, and within ten -minutes was ready to start.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We're in for a storm, I fancy," said his -commander as he got into his place; "but -perhaps you'll be back before it breaks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The weather had gradually changed. -The sky had become thick, the air was sultry -and oppressive. As Burton climbed in a -wide spiral it was like going from a Turkish -bath into the cooling room, fresh and -exhilarating. He circled over the aerodrome -until he had attained an altitude of six or -seven thousand feet, then steered towards -the German lines, still rising steadily. The -spot for which he was making was four or -five miles away. Soon the bewildering -network of the British trenches glided away -beneath him. Then the German trenches came -into view. On the roads behind he noticed -tiny black specks moving this way and -that--supply wagons, no doubt, or motor-cars -bringing up fresh men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The whirr of his engine was broken into -by something like the sound of a pop-gun. -He looked around; a woolly ball of smoke -hung in the air on his right. Immediately -afterwards there were more pops, and the -ball became the centre of a cluster. Burton -swerved to the left, then dodged a long roll -of greenish-yellow smoke with a red tongue -of flame in the centre. The German -"Archies" were at work. He flew on, -swinging from side to side, until he -calculated that he was about three miles behind -the front line of trenches. Then he turned -at right angles and commenced a methodical -search of the ground stretched like a -patchwork quilt below him. Here was a brown -patch of plough-land, then a blob of vivid -green denoting grass, or one of green speckled -with white--an orchard in the blossom of -spring. In the distance the silvery streak -of a river pursued its winding way. A train -was rolling across it, like a toy train on a toy -bridge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A dark mass below him broke apart, -resolving itself into individual dots. "Afraid -of bombs," he thought. At the spot where -the centre of the crowd had been, the ground -appeared to be blackened. "Shouldn't -wonder if that's the missing aeroplane," he -thought. "It caught fire, or they've burnt -it. But where's that new battery? Things -are getting hot." Shells were bursting all -about him. Now and then the machine -lurched, and he looked round anxiously to -see the extent of the damage. A few wires, -perhaps, were hanging loose; a few rents -gaped in the fabric; nothing serious as yet. -But it was getting very uncomfortable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Up and down he flew, feeling the strain -of doing double work. With his map -pinned down in front of him he scanned -the ground for some new feature. Ah! -What is that? Peering through his glasses -he descries a group of men in suspicious -activity about a clump of bushes. They -scatter as he passes over. A shell sets -the machine rocking. He swings round -and soars over the spot again, even -venturing to descend a few hundred feet. The -clump is not marked on the map. What -is that in the middle of it? The flight -has carried him beyond it before he can -answer the question; but he turns again, -and circles over the place. There is -something unnatural in the appearance of the -bushes. The shells are bursting thicker -than ever. Something cracks just behind -his seat. But he thrills as he realises that -his reconnaissance has succeeded. "The -battery is hidden in that clump, or I'm a -Dutchman."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He marked the spot on his map, moved -the elevator, soared aloft, and steered for -home, making a circuit northward to avoid -an anti-aircraft gun that lay directly between -him and the aerodrome. And now for the -first time he was aware that the threatening -storm was about to burst. The westerly -wind had increased in force; the sky was -blacker; huge waves of cloud were rolling -eastward. He flew into the wind and tried -to rise above the clouds. Suddenly Heaven's -artillery thundered around him; there was -a blinding flash; he was conscious of pain -as though he had received a heavy blow; -then for a while he was lost to all about him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he partly recovered his senses and -tried to regain control of the machine he -was in a state of bewilderment. The -aeroplane was nearly upside down. He scarcely -knew which was top and which bottom. He -struggled to right the machine: when he -succeeded, with great creaking of the -controls, he was alarmed to see that he was -within a few hundred feet of the ground, -above a wood. Exercising all his -self-command he managed to swerve clear of the -tree-tops, and in another moment or two the -machine came to the ground with a bump -that seemed to shake out of place every bone -in his body.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half dazed, he unstrapped himself with -trembling fingers and scrambled from his -seat. Rain was pouring in a deluge. The -sky was black as night. His feet had just -touched the sodden soil when he became -aware of a number of figures rushing -towards him from the undergrowth. Fumbling -for his revolver, he was felled by a shrewd -blow.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 78%" id="figure-268"> -<span id="the-british-way"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="THE BRITISH WAY" src="images/img-259.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">THE BRITISH WAY</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Again he lost consciousness for a moment. -Then he heard an English voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You silly blighter! Couldn't you see?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He was going to shoot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, what of it? He couldn't hit a -haystack. Didn't you see he was fair -crumpled with the fall?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may talk, but I wasn't going to be -shot in mistake for a bloomin' Hun."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I tell you any fool could see he was -one of ours. I was sure of it. You ought -to have made sure--striking your superior -officer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Silence, you men!" called an authoritative -voice. An officer had come up from -the shelter of the wood. "The noise you -are making can be heard a mile off. You'll -bring the whole Hun army down on us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As a matter of fact, the men had begun -by speaking in stage whispers, their tones -becoming louder and louder in their -excitement as the altercation proceeded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton rose stiffly and painfully to his feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Beg pardon, sir," sheepishly muttered -the man who had knocked him down. "It's -raining so hard----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's all right," Burton interposed. -"Where am I?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's you, Burton!" said the officer. -"Come among the trees. You men, lug -the aeroplane in; the rain's so thick that -perhaps the Huns haven't seen where it fell."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But we're in no danger in our own -lines?" said Burton in surprise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We aren't in our own lines," rejoined -the officer, dragging Burton into the wood. -"We're marooned."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gad, Hedley, are you the missing platoon?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; I'll tell you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me have a look at the machine -first. By George! I thought I was done for."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was a narrow squeak. But you've -always had wonderful luck. Here's the -machine. What's the damage?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton examined the aeroplane and gave -a rueful shrug.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Two holes in the engine cowl, a dozen -in the planes, bracing wires shot away; -they don't cripple her, but the worst thing -is that one of the landing wheels is buckled. -She's useless till that is put right."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, perhaps we can get that done for -you. You seem as badly crocked as the -machine, and no wonder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But tell me, Hedley, where are we? -And how did you get here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell you by and by," said Hedley, who -spoke in whispers and showed other signs -of nervous apprehension. "Come on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I can't leave the machine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must. We can't take it with us. -It won't be found while the rain lasts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't fly back unless I get this wheel -straightened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right. Stanbridge," he said, calling -up a short, sturdily-built corporal, "get that -buckled wheel off. Quick work!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very good, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You'll find some tools on board," said Burton.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And don't make a row," Hedley added.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was the work of only a few minutes -to detach the wheel. There was no -conversation; everybody showed nervous -impatience; two or three men kept watch at -the edge of the wood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now then," said Hedley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He led the way, groping through the -wood. Burton followed on his heels: he -felt himself a compendium of aches. Rain -was still falling. Through it could be seen -the blurred lights of a distant building. A -short walk brought the party to what -appeared to be a thick hedge of bramble bounding -a field. There was a whispered challenge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Potsdam," whispered Hedley in return, -giving the password.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He turned, took Burton by the arm, -and guided him through an opening which -had suddenly disclosed itself in the bramble -hedge. A sentry stood aside; the party -filed in. Burton found himself moving down -a sharp declivity, which by and by opened -out into a spacious cave, lit by a single -candle-lamp. Two or three men got up -from the stools on which they had been -sitting. The floor was roughly boarded. -A table stood in the centre. Along one side -were a number of large wooden bins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We sleep on them," said Hedley. -"Rather stuffy quarters, you perceive."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Concentrated essence of earth and candle -smoke," said Burton, sniffing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Also bacon fat and the smell of our -cooker. Sit down, you shall have something -to eat and drink in a jiffy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You won't forget the wheel?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. Stanbridge, get that wheel put right."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Among any score of British soldiers there -will usually be found a factotum who can -turn his hand to anything. It was not -otherwise with these men of the Rutland -Light Infantry. Having seen the work -started, Hedley heaved a sigh of relief.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now we can talk," he said.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">III</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"You heard about the night raid? Well, -we were completely cut off from the rest by -a counter attack, from the flank. We tried -to bomb our way back, lost heavily, got all -muddled up. There seemed to be a whole -brigade of Huns between us and our lines, -so the only thing to be done was to give -them the slip, and dodge around in the hope -of finding a weak spot where we might break -through. There are only twenty-four of us -left. We managed to keep together, and -were lucky enough to escape the Huns; but -of course we got hopelessly lost. Just -before daylight, dead beat, we stumbled into -the wood yonder, not caring much what -happened to us. In the early morning an -old French farmer found us there. My -hat! we felt pretty bad when he told us -we were deep in the enemy's country, and -a company of Huns billeted in his farm only -half a mile away. Rummy, isn't it?--he's -held on, working his farm in spite of -everything, and the Huns don't seem to have -bothered him much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here one of the men brought some freshly-fried -bacon, biscuits, and light wine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fall to!" Hedley went on. "It was -a tremendous bit of luck, old Lumineau's -finding us, because of this cave of his. It -is on the outskirts of his farm, and he -concealed here a lot of his spare stores when -he had news that the Huns were coming -up last September twelvemonth. The cave -has had a history, it appears, and it's lucky -again that the Huns don't know of it. The -old farmer told me it used to shelter a famous -band of outlaws centuries ago. During the -Revolution a local nobleman's family lived -in it for months. More recently it has been -a store for smugglers running goods across -the Belgian frontier. We're pretty safe -here, though of course a strolling Hun may -discover it any day, and then----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you happen to be in the wood -when I came down?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We weren't there, but we heard your -engine, and Stanbridge, who's got a wonderful -ear, declared it was English, so we rushed -up on the chance. If it hadn't been so dark -and raining so hard, the Huns would -certainly have seen or heard you; but you -always had all the luck!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You've had a good share, anyway."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have, that's true. Old Lumineau -has kept us well supplied, at Heaven knows -what risk to himself. We're hanging on -here in the hope of getting back some day. -It's pretty hopeless, I expect; but I'm not -going to give in till I must."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can I do anything for you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't see how you can. We must -trust to luck."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When that wheel's straightened I'll fly -back and report to your colonel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He can't do anything. Nothing short -of a general push could gain this ground, -and he won't risk hundreds for the sake of a -score. Our only chance is to slip through -when they're strafing one night; even then -the odds are a hundred to one against us. -Still, I dare say the C.O. would be pleased -to know what's become of us, and I'll be -glad if you'll tell him. But d'you think -you're fit to fly back to-night after your -gruelling?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh yes! I've had a bit of a shake, -but a little rest will set me up. I've -discovered a new battery the Huns have rigged -up, and must report as soon as possible. -Look: here's the spot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He showed the mark recently made on his map.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good!" said Hedley, examining the -map with interest. "But the Huns' -trenches aren't marked so completely as -on mine. Here you see we have them all -plotted out: we know them as well as we -know our own."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's useful. I say, Hedley, I don't -see why we shouldn't make some practical -use of your presence in the enemy's country, -and get you away too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As for getting away, we shall have to -depend on ourselves. As I said before, the -C.O. won't risk hundreds for the sake of our -little lot; and if he would, the Brigadier -wouldn't allow it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know. Could you make me a -copy of the map so far as this neighbourhood -is concerned, putting in the position -of the cave?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly: I'll scratch it in on a leaf -from my order-book."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rough drawing completed, Burton -folded the paper and put it in his pocket, -remarking, half in jest, half in earnest--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If the Huns collar me, I'm afraid I'll -have to eat it. Now this is my idea."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There ensued a long discussion, in the -course of which Hedley passed from doubt -to confidence and enthusiasm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, if you bring it off," he said in -conclusion, "it'll be a tremendous score. -You're a V.C. already: I don't see what -more they can do for you--except make -you a lord."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear fellow! ... There's just one -point. I ought to have a better landing-place -than that wood. After to-night's -affair I shall be nervous if there are trees -about. Is there anything more suitable -and safe?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hedley considered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is," he said presently, "a little -farther away. Beyond the wood the ground -rises: it's the nearest thing to a hill these -parts can show. Then it dips into a wide -grassy hollow. That's your place. I'll get -old Lumineau to show three small lights -there to-morrow night at eleven. In the -hollow they won't be seen by the Huns: -besides, I'll get him to mask them except -from the sky."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's capital. Well, if I don't turn up -by eleven or soon after you'll know that -either I have been winged on the way or -that the Brigadier has turned down our -little entertainment. In that case, you must -do the best you can on your own."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Right, old man. What I'm most afraid -of is that you won't get away safely. There's -no strafing to-night, and the Huns are -bound to hear your engine. You'll make -more noise going up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But it's dark: there's no moon; and -I shall be well up before they spot me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let's hope so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the time?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ten minutes to nine. Better wait till -midnight. Take a nap."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will. Wake me when the time comes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton was one of those lucky mortals -who can sleep anywhere at any time. In a -few minutes he was sleeping soundly. At -midnight Hedley roused him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Time's up," he said. "The rain has -stopped, and the sky's clear: there's just -enough starlight to show you the way. -I'm sending Stanbridge and a squad to -replace your wheel, carry the machine out -and see you off. I'd better keep on the -</span><em class="italics">qui vive</em><span> here, I think."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good-bye, then--till to-morrow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Following the men, Burton stole out of -the cave and crept with extreme caution into -the wood. The neighbourhood was quiet; -the only sound was the booming of guns -far away. The wheel was replaced; the -'plane was quickly dragged or lifted to the -open hollow about a quarter of a mile away. -Burton spent a few anxious minutes in -looking over the engine by the light of his -electric torch; then he strapped himself -into his seat, and ordered Stanbridge to -whirl the propeller while the other men -clung to the rear of the machine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Race back like mad when I'm off," he -said. "'Ware Huns!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The engine began to roar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stand clear!" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The machine rolled off along the grass, -gathering momentum; the tail lifted; the -wheels rose clear; and she skimmed the -grass like a huge bird. In a few seconds -Burton was slanting upward on the first -round of his spiral course.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ten minutes later a party of German -infantry, some fully clothed, others in various -stages of deshabille, rushed breathlessly over -the rise into the now deserted hollow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am sure," said one of them, "the -first sound came from somewhere about -here. Then an aeroplane rose like a big -black bird above the trees. I gave the -alarm the moment I heard the engine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must have been dreaming, stupid," -said his lieutenant, irritable at being wakened. -"There was no aeroplane here at nightfall; -one couldn't have gone up if it hadn't come -down first, and I must have heard that. -Think yourself lucky I don't report you for -sleeping on duty. Feldwebel, bring the men -back."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lieutenant turned on his heel and -plodded grumbling back down the hill. -The glare of Verey lights, the bursting of -shells in the sky westward, might have -confirmed the man's story; but Lieutenant -Schnauzzahn was never the man to admit -himself in the wrong.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">IV</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A little before eleven on the following -night, the Germans on that part of the front -were thrown into agitation by a sudden -burst of unusually violent gun-fire from the -British artillery. Such a bombardment was -commonly preliminary to an infantry -attack, and the German soldier, though brave -enough, is no longer quite easy in mind at -the prospect of meeting British "Tommies." The -few men in the front trenches cowered -on the ground or in their dug-outs; the -communication and support trenches filled up; -and Verey lights illuminated the No Man's -Land across which they expected the enemy -to swarm when the bombardment ceased.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The deafening din and crash stopped as -suddenly as it had begun. The Germans -rushed into their front trenches. But there -was no sign of movement on the now brightly -lit space. There was no rifle fire, no bombs, -no sound of cheering. All was quiet. They -were puzzled. Was the attack postponed? -The shelling had not lasted long enough to -do very much damage. Perhaps it was -intended to frighten them. None would -admit that, if such were the object, it had -succeeded. For a time they stood to arms, -watchful, suspicious, uneasy. But the -bombardment was not resumed. Nothing showed -above the British parapets. They loosed off -a few shots to relieve their feelings; then -settled down to the weary night-work of the -trenches.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the moment when this brief bombardment -opened, Burton made his ascent from -the aerodrome behind the British lines. At -the moment when it ceased he was circling -behind the German lines, some 2000 feet in -the air, vainly endeavouring to pick up the -pre-arranged signal-lights in the hollow. His -flight had been carefully timed with the -bombardment; he ought to have landed -under cover of the noise; but the best -arrangements are apt to be nullified by the -unforeseen. A mist blanketed the ground, -dense enough to obscure completely any -lights of less than electric intensity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This was baffling. It was also alarming. -The purring of the engine, hitherto smothered -by the continuous gun-fire, must now be -distinctly audible below. One searchlight -had already begun to play; before long the -aeroplane would be in the full glare of their -intersecting rays. What should he do? To -go back meant the breakdown of the whole -scheme; the opportunity might not recur. -Yet to land haphazard would be to court -disaster; to land at all might throw him -into the hands of patrols sent out to capture him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While he was thus uneasily turning over -the problem, his eyes, strained earthward, -suddenly discovered three tiny points of -light arranged triangularly. They as -suddenly disappeared; a puff of wind had for -the moment broken the mist, which had -then rolled back and obscured them. But -the glimpse was enough to decide him. He -dropped a thousand feet, wheeling, so far -as he could judge by guesswork, around -the spot at which he had seen the lights. -Once more he caught sight of them; they -were brighter. Another searchlight was -sweeping the sky: it was neck or nothing -now. Keeping the lights in view, he -dived steeply, coming to earth with a -sharp jolt, within twenty paces of the apex -of the triangle. Before the machine had -lost its impetus, however, it crashed against -the stump of a tree at the edge of the -hollow. Burton was thrown forward in his -seat; fortunately the strap prevented him -from being hurled out. Recovering from -the shock, he loosened the strap, climbed -down, glanced around, and seeing no one, -proceeded to examine the forward part of -the machine. He gave a gasp of dismay. -The propeller was smashed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The consequence of the disaster immediately -flashed into his mind. He could only -get back in company with the Rutlands. -If they failed, he would fail too.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had just assured himself that the -damage was irreparable with such appliances -as were at his command in the cave, when -he became aware of light footsteps rapidly -approaching. Expecting to see some of the -Rutlands, who had been no doubt looking -out for him, he raised his head towards the -crest of the rise. Next moment he was in -the grasp of two men, one of whom, mouthing -guttural triumph, gripped his throat in -a strangle hold.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">V</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>About half an hour before Burton started -from the aerodrome, Captain Bramarbas of -the 19th Pomeranian infantry of the line -laid down his knife and fork with a grunt -of satisfaction. He wiped his lips, tossed -off a glass of wine, and turning gleaming -eyes upon Lieutenant Schnauzzahn of the -same regiment, who sat opposite, he ejaculated--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gott sei dank! These French swine -have one virtue: they can cook."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is wonderful!" the lieutenant agreed. -"Who would have thought that an old -French farmer would have had such -resources? Cheap, too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cheap indeed!" laughed the captain. -"Between you and me, old Lumineau will -have difficulty in turning our paper into -good German money after the war ... Ist -es aber entsetzlich--the noise of those swine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The door had just opened to admit an old -woman servant bearing coffee. From the -adjoining room--the spacious farm kitchen -given up to the captain's men--came a -guttural roar. A hundred Germans -feeding like one make a variety of unpleasant -noises. It is not a mere coincidence, -perhaps, that the Prussian loves a pig.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officers took their cups of coffee, lit -cigars, and lolled back in their chairs. The -door closed behind the servant, reducing -the sounds to a muffled hum, not loud -enough to disturb the comfort of gentlemen. -It was a pleasant hour. The day's work -was done; they were three or four miles -behind the firing line; the farm was a -snug billet. They had been working late; -supper had taken the place of dinner: -when they had finished their cigars they -might go with a good German conscience to bed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently there was a knock at the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come in," said the captain drowsily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A sergeant entered, and stiffly saluted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you want? It is late. I gave -you your orders."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Herr Captain, I ask pardon for disturbing -you, but----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Waste no time, Ascher. Say what you -have to say quickly, confound you!"</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 73%" id="figure-269"> -<span id="the-captain-is-annoyed"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""Say what you have to say quickly--confound you!"" src="images/img-277.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"Say what you have to say quickly--confound you!"</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is important, Herr Captain. For -some time I have been suspicious of the -farmer, as the Herr Captain knows, though -he does not condescend to share my doubts. -True, the farmer, though a Frenchman, is -very obliging" (here the sergeant glanced -for a moment at the remains on the table), -"but I felt that his amiability was a mere -blind, and I watched him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ha! Now what did you see?" said -the captain, sitting up. "If there is -treachery----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Once or twice at night the farmer has -gone out towards the wood yonder. I asked -myself, why? There is no farm work at -night. To-night I followed him. It was -difficult, Herr Captain, for he moved very -cautiously, stopping and looking behind and -around him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That itself is suspicious. Well?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He made his way beyond the wood, -up the hill, and down into the hollow on -the other side, and there, Herr Captain, he -placed three small lamps on the ground, -so." He moved to the table, and arranged -three bottles triangularly. "He lit them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you? You seized him, of course?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought of doing so, Herr Captain, -and of demanding an explanation; but I -felt it was a matter for the Herr Captain's -discretion----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you left him! Idiot! They were -signals, of course. You ought to have put -them out, tied him up, and brought him to -me in the morning. Now I lose an hour's -sleep. Idiot!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Bramarbas was active enough -now. He got up, buckled his belt and put -on his helmet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come, Schnauzzahn," he said, "we will -see to this ourselves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not send a squad?" suggested the -lieutenant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ach! the swine are probably drunk. -They are dull fools at the best. Come -along! We'll slip out through the window, -to avoid warning the servants."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two officers and the sergeant climbed -out of the window and hastened towards -the hill. They had scarcely gone when the -servant who had waited on them knocked -at the door, and receiving no answer, -hearing no voices, quickly opened it and looked -in. She glanced from the vacant chairs to -the open window.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh, mon Dieu!" she muttered, and -closing the door, hurried back to the kitchen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The three Germans had covered about half -the distance to the hill when the sound of -heavy firing from the right broke upon their -ears. They stopped, and stood for a few -moments watching the shells bursting in -rapid succession in the neighbourhood of -the trenches. The captain swore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It looks like an attack," he growled. -"These cursed English! We must make -haste in case we are called up in support. -No sleep to-night, Schnauzzahn."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They hurried on, and in five minutes -more were creeping up the low incline. At -the crest they halted and peered into the -hollow. A figure was bending over one of -the lamps, which emitted a brighter light -into the mist.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go and capture him, Ascher," whispered -the captain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall I bayonet him, Herr Captain?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No; we must use him. We can shoot -him later."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sergeant crept silently upon the old -farmer from the rear. It was the work of -a few seconds to overpower him and cast -him helpless on the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two officers went forward. As they -descended the slope they became aware that -the lights were less visible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They're intended as signals to an aeroplane," -said Schnauzzahn, approaching them -rapidly. "See! They are directed above."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Villainous treachery! But our good -German wits will defeat it. Listen! Do -you hear an engine?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," replied the lieutenant after a brief -silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then we have still time. Ascher, move -the lamps near the slope. We'll spoil his -landing!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sergeant carried the lamps to the -foot of the slope, and placed them close -together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so, idiot!" cried the captain, -"arrange them as they were before. Don't -you understand?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hardly had the lamps been rearranged -in their triangular position when the -whirring of an engine was heard through the -thunder of the distant guns.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here he is!" said Bramarbas. "I -hope he'll break his neck. If he doesn't, -you and I will seize him, Schnauzzahn; -Ascher will guard the farmer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They waited. The aeroplane could be -heard wheeling above. The bombardment -suddenly ceased.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The English have changed their minds. -They can't have done much harm in ten -minutes. So much the better!" said the -captain. The searchlights began to play. -"Potztausend! I hope he won't be shot -down. Much better for us to capture him. -Can he see the lights through the mist?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No doubt he has seen them. The sound -has stopped. He has shut off the engine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bring the Frenchman over the crest, -Ascher, and don't let him cry out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus it happened that Burton, after -his unlucky accident, found himself in the -grasp of Captain Bramarbas and Lieutenant -Schnauzzahn of the 19th Pomeranian -infantry of the line.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German officers were mightily pleased -with themselves. They had supped well: -French cooking and French wine predisposed -them to rosy views. Nothing more -delightful could have crowned their day. A -French spy, an English aeroplane and an -English airman--all in a single haul! The -Iron Cross had often been awarded for much -less. And, of course, there was something -behind it all. An enemy aeroplane would -not land thus in the German lines unless -there was some important object to be -gained. The English, no doubt, were mad; -but after all there was method in their -madness. The next move must be to -discover the nature of this Englishman's scheme, -and his means of communication with the -farmer spy. Then compliments, promotion, -and the Iron Cross!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some such thoughts as these raced through -the Germans' minds in the moment of exultation, -when, for the first time, their hands -laid hold of English flesh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hand over your revolver," said the -captain in German. "Do you speak German?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said Burton, making no resistance -as Schnauzzahn relieved him of the weapon. -He felt very wretched.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Captain Bramarbas was disappointed. -Neither he nor his lieutenant spoke English, -and it did not occur to him for the moment -that the Englishman might speak French.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We'll march our prisoners down to the -farm," he said to Schnauzzahn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait a moment. They may have -accomplices who will remove or destroy the -aeroplane as soon as our backs are turned. -That would be a pity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What then? If one of us stays to guard -the machine, and there are accomplices, he -would have to meet an unknown number -single-handed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He stood pointing his revolver at Burton. -They must find a way out of this quandary.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not send Ascher to the farm to -bring up some men?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Again, he might be sprung upon by the -enemy. Of course, they would have no -chance in the end, but for the present, until -we know more, we had better remain all -three together. Listen! Do you hear anything?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They may be lurking somewhere to take -us unawares, though how they could conceive -such a scheme, so mad, so insolent---- Ach! -I have it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The captain had indeed at last made up -his mind--and, as the sequel showed, chosen -the wrong course. It was, perhaps, no -worse than another, for it was chosen in -ignorance of the circumstances; but his -calculation sprang from a typically German -misconception of the psychology of an -Englishman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A sentry was always on duty at the door -of the farm. A couple of revolver shots -would give him the alarm, and in a few -minutes the Pomeranians, swine in their -hours of ease, but good soldiers -nevertheless, would rush to their captain's -assistance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Burton stood motionless. Schnauzzahn -was a little to his left. Bramarbas faced -him, holding the revolver. The captain -suddenly fired off two rapid shots, moving -the revolver to the right so as to avoid -hitting his prisoner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The airman's life is punctuated by swift -decisions, depends on the perfect -co-ordination of act with thought. Burton's -mind worked quicker than lightning. -Before the German had time to cover him -again, he shot out his right arm, rigid as a -rod of metal, struck up the captain's wrist -with a sharp jerk that sent the revolver -flying, and a fraction of a second later -dealt him with the left fist a fierce upper -cut beneath the jaw, and lifted him into the -bushes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A bullet scorched Burton's cheek as he -spun round to deal with Schnauzzahn. -Another stung his left shoulder. But he -hurled himself upon the agitated lieutenant, -and with a sledge-hammer blow sent him to -join his captain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was now only the sergeant to -dispose of. That worthy stood over the -prostrate farmer some little distance away, -and though he had heard the thudding -blow and the crash as each of his superiors -fell, he had not clearly seen what had -happened. Burton was dashing towards -him when a Verey light illumined the -scene. And then the sergeant was -transfixed with amazement and terror, for on -one side of him he saw the figure of a -British airman, on the other, sprinting up -towards the lip of the hollow, a score of -silent forms in the well-known khaki. -Ordinarily, no doubt, he was a brave man, -but at such a moment as this valour melted -in discretion. He flung up his hands.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 62%" id="figure-270"> -<span id="hands-up"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="HANDS UP!" src="images/img-285.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">HANDS UP!</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>The German officers meanwhile had -picked themselves up. They were surrounded -and seized. The light had died away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quick!" said Hedley. "I hear the -Huns rushing out of the farm. Where's -Lumineau?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The farmer had risen, and came to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Get away to the cave," said Burton. -"I'll be after you in a second: must fire -the machine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He rushed to the aeroplane, poured some -petrol out and applied a match, and as the -flame shot up into the air, dashed after the -Rutlands and their three prisoners, who, -under the guidance of the farmer, were -disappearing into the wood. Five minutes -later, when the Pomeranians arrived on the -scene, their amazed eyes beheld only a -blazing aeroplane; not a man was in sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Arriving at the cave, the panting Englishmen -threw themselves down; some laughed -silently; the spectacle of three gagged -Germans was very pleasing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What brought you up so opportunely?" -asked Burton. "Not the shots? There -wasn't time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. Old Jacqueline warned us. She -missed the officers, saw the open window, -and guessed that they had got on the -track of Lumineau. Trust a Frenchwoman's -wits! But I say, what's your news?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It couldn't be better. The Brigadier, -as it happened, had ordered an attack on -the German trenches for to-night. When -your C.O. explained the circumstances, he -was quite keen to fit his arrangements to -our scheme."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That bombardment wasn't bluff, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He timed it to give me cover, and -broke off to delude the Huns. The attack -is fixed for two o'clock, when they'll have -given up expecting it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That leaves us plenty of time to get to -the trenches. It'll be ticklish work, getting -through. I'll tell old Lumineau: we -depend on his guidance. If he declines the -job we shall be horribly handicapped."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took the farmer apart, and held a -quiet conversation with him. The old man -readily agreed to guide the party to the -vicinity of the third line of trenches.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you'll come with us all the way?" -said Hedley. "The farm won't be safe for -you after this. You'll be shot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lumineau shrugged and smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps not, monsieur," he said. -"The Bosches did not see us; they will -only be puzzled. I will go now back to -the farm; do you see my amazement -when they tell me their officers have -disappeared? I will lead a search--not in -this direction, par exemple!--and I will -come back in good time to lead you. A -bas les Bosches."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">VI</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Some few days later, Lieutenant Hedley -was dispensing hospitality to a few friends -in a neat little officers' estaminet in a -village behind the lines. Among his guests -were Captain Adams and other officers of -the Rutlands' supporting battery, and Burton -of the Flying Corps.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It took us about forty minutes to -smash that battery you spotted, Burton," -said Adams, with an air of pride.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Better than pig-killing," returned Burton -solemnly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, we cut up a few pigs too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How do you know?" asked Hedley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, you see, in the first place," Adams -was beginning earnestly, when Laurence Cay -interrupted him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We haven't time for firstly, secondly, -thirdly, old man. We want to hear about -Hedley and his missing platoon. By George! it -must have been creepy work."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A good deal of it was literally creeping," -said Hedley. "Old Farmer Lumineau led -us through woods and orchards for -miles--a roundabout way, of course. It was -ghastly, trudging along in the dark, trying -to make no noise, afraid to whisper, stopping -to listen, starting at the least sound. We -got at last to a little copse just behind -the farthermost line of trenches, and there -Lumineau left us. We were on thorns, I -can tell you. It seemed that the attack -would never begin. We couldn't hear any -Huns anywhere near us, but caught a note -of a cornet now and then from some billet -on our left rear. I looked at my trench map----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the dark?" asked Adams.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, you juggins! in the light of my -electric torch, screened by the men stooping -over me. I got a pretty good idea of our -whereabouts, and talked over a plan of -action with my sergeant--a capital -fellow--and Burton. I nearly yelled in sheer -excitement when I heard the row as our -chaps started bombing the first trenches. -We heard the Huns then, too; rifles, -machine-guns, whizz-bangs: it was an -inferno. We crept out into the communication -trench I had spotted, and had nearly -got to the second line when we heard a -crowd of Huns racing across from our right. -We waited a bit, went on again, and came -smack into a traverse. It was pitch dark, -but we had no sooner scrambled over than -a star-shell burst right overhead. We flung -ourselves down, dashed on when the light -died, and--well, I hardly know what -happened next. All I know is that somehow -or other we discovered that we were pressing -on the rear of a lot of Huns who were being -forced back by our fellows in front, and there -was a good chance of our being scuppered -by our own bombs. I passed along word -to give a yell, and the men shouted like -fiends let loose. That was enough for the -Huns. Rutlands in front of them, Rutlands -behind them! 'Kamerad! Kamerad!' -they bawled when I called to them to -surrender; and to make a long story short, we -scooped the lot and got safe through with a -few trifling casualties."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What beats me," said Adams, "is -how Burton managed to deal with three -armed Germans single-handed. How was -it, Burton?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now Burton was never very ready to talk -about himself. He flicked the ash off his -cigarette, and hesitatingly answered--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just a bit of luck, Adams."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but what?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There were only two really."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hedley said there were three."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So there were," said Hedley, "but there -was only one upright when I arrived on the -scene."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What about the others, then? Come, Burton!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They weren't far away. The fact is, -I knocked 'em down, if you must have it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Both at once? Right, left--that way?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, one after the other. You see, the -captain gave me an opening, and I took it, -that's all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The company were not satisfied with -this far from lucid explanation, and pressed -Burton with questions until the details -were dragged out of him. He had to -endure a flood of congratulations, until a -diversion by Captain Adams, who had been -meditating a tit-for-tat for Burton's -"chipping" on the occasion of his visit to the -battery, brought welcome relief.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well," said the captain, slowly unfolding -a copy of the </span><em class="italics">Times</em><span>, "Burton has been -gassing a good deal, but what does it all -amount to? The official account won't -shock his modesty. Listen! 'Last night -we captured certain elements of the enemy's -first and second lines of trenches in the -neighbourhood of ----, and are now -consolidating our gains!'"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">THE END</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY R. CLAY AND SONS, LTD., -<br />BRUNSWICK STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">HERBERT STRANG'S STORIES OF THE GREAT WAR</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>A HERO OF LIÉGE (Belgium). -<br />FIGHTING WITH FRENCH (Flanders). -<br />FRANK FORESTER (Gallipoli). -<br />BURTON OF THE FLYING CORPS. -<br />THROUGH THE ENEMY'S LINES (Asia Minor).</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">HISTORICAL STORIES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>WITH DRAKE ON THE SPANISH MAIN (Elizabeth). -<br />HUMPHREY BOLD (William III and Anne). -<br />THE ADVENTURES OF HARRY ROCHESTER (Anne). -<br />ROB THE RANGER (Wolfe In Canada). -<br />ONE OF CLIVE'S HEROES (Clive in India). -<br />BOYS OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (Peninsular War). -<br />BARCLAY OF THE GUIDES (Indian Mutiny). -<br />KOBO (Russo-Japanese War). -<br />BROWN OF MOUKDEN (Russo-Japanese War).</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">ROMANCES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>JACK HARDY: A Story of One Hundred Years Ago. -<br />PALM-TREE ISLAND (Adventure in the Pacific). -<br />SETTLERS AND SCOUTS (East Africa). -<br />THE ADVENTURES OF DICK TREVANION (Smugglers). -<br />THE AIR SCOUT: A Story of National Defence. -<br />THE AIR PATROL: A Story of the North-West Frontier. -<br />TOM BURNABY (the Congo Forest). -<br />SULTAN JIM (German Aggression in Central Africa). -<br />A GENTLEMAN AT ARMS (the Times of Elizabeth) -<br />SAMBA (the Congo Free State). -<br />THE OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN (Central Asian Mysteries).</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>BURTON OF THE FLYING CORPS</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41737"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41737</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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