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"Good!" cried Chester. "We have been retreating long enough." "But," Hal protested, "we can hardly advance in the face of such odds; we must have reinforcements." "Well," said Major Derevaux, "strong reinforcements already are arriving, and I believe that the advance will be general along our whole line." "That will mean severe fighting," said Chester. "Indeed it will," replied the major.
"Oh, no offense, no offense," declared Chester. "I was just talking to hear myself talk maybe." Major Derevaux smiled. "Antoinette is a very nice girl," he said. "I'm sure she would appreciate Hal's interest in her. I'll tell her about it." "I say! Don't do that!" exclaimed Hal in some confusion. "Ha, ha!" laughed Chester. Hal sat down again, his face still burning.
On toward the city line the big car rushed, and it was just as the four friends were breathing a sigh of relief at having passed the first danger safely, that a harsh voice rang out: "Halt!" Almost directly ahead stood a squad of armed men, their rifles leveled straight at the occupants of the oncoming car. "The patrol!" exclaimed Captain Derevaux, as the auto came to a stop.
And so Hal had swept forward in the charge. Seizing a sword from a falling trooper, Hal, riding at the captain's side, was soon in the thick of the terrible carnage, and, in spite of the terrible fighting, had escaped injury. Two horses had been killed under Captain Derevaux.
Lieutenant Anderson and his opponent were still battling desperately for the possession of the latter's gun, and Captain Derevaux and the remaining German trooper were rolling about upon the ground, the captain's finger still pressed into his enemy's throat. Chester had gone to the captain's aid.
Realizing that he was absolutely in the other's power, the newcomer obeyed. The revolver fell clattering to the floor. "Now," said Hal, "I'd like to have a look at you. Please turn around." Slowly the other turned, and, as Hal caught sight of the man's face, his own revolver dropped to the floor and he sprang forward with outstretched hand. "Major Derevaux!" he cried.
She was again disguised as an old woman, and Hal and Chester could scarcely believe that a wig and a few dabs of paint could possibly conceal the girlish face they had seen the night before. "I have had word to prepare a big dinner for a dozen officers of the general, staff," the girl informed Major Derevaux, "so it may be that I shall have the necessary information by nightfall."
He walked across the room, and, still keeping his revolver ready in one hand, stooped and picked Hal up with the other. He deposited the lad on a sofa near the girl. "Now I've got you both, so there'll be a double execution," he growled. "I'll just sit here and guard you till some of my men turn up." Meanwhile, upstairs, Chester, Major Derevaux and the four Canadians had waited impatiently.
He, too, gave vent to an exclamation of pleasure and held out both hands. "Hal! Chester!" he cried. Each lad seized upon a hand and wrung it heartily. General Ferrari and Colonel Fuesco stood back and eyed them curiously. Finally the general spoke to the Frenchman. "You know these boys?" he asked. "Know them!" repeated Major Derevaux. "Well, I should say I do.
Lieutenant Anderson spoke. "Colonel," he said, "I am Lieutenant Anderson, of the British army, and this," indicating the young captain, "is Captain Derevaux, of the French army." Then, pointing to Hal and Chester: "These two boys are in no way concerned in our affairs, and I hope that you will see fit to release them." "How do they come to be in your company, then?" asked the colonel.
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