Hal and Chester held no conversation with Anthony Stubbs the following day, and therefore were unable to learn more than they already knew of the war correspondent's great "story."
Before they rose Stubbs was up and gone, and when he returned, several hours later, Hal and Chester were receiving orders from General Petain.
The German advance had continued the day before in spite of the heroic stand of the French troops. Successive charges by the Teuton hordes had driven the defenders back along practically the entire front. Here, with the coming of night, they had taken a brace with the arrival of reinforcements and had stemmed the tide; but not a man failed to realize that there would be more desperate work on the morrow.
The French lines now had been pushed back well to the west of the city of Verdun itself and the civil population of the town had fled. The town had been swept by the great German guns until hardly one stone remained upon another. North of the city, the French had been bent back as the Germans thrust a wedge into the defending lines almost to the foot of Dead Man's Hill.
This hill was of particular importance to the Germans, for it commanded the approach on all sides; and now the German Prince had determined upon its capture. General Petain anticipated the move and acted promptly.
It was toward this point, then, that Hal and Chester found themselves moving upon the sixth day of the great battle. They bore despatches from General Petain and each bestrode a high-powered motorcycle, which the French commander had placed at their disposal. The two lads rode swiftly, for there was no time to be lost.
Even above the "pop-pop" of their motorcycles could be heard the terrible roar of the German guns as they were brought to bear on Dead Man's Hill, paving the way for an infantry advance, which was to come a few hours later. It was risky business upon which the lads were bent, for the great shells struck on all sides of them, throwing huge masses of dirt in the air like giant fountains and digging immense excavations in the hard ground.
But the lads reached their destination in safety; and here, for the first time, Hal and Chester were to come in contact with a new method of fighting.
General Domont, in command at Dead Man's Hill, having read the despatches the lads carried, announced that they would remain with him during the day, acting as members of his staff. He ordered Hal forward with instructions for the troops holding the crest of the hill to the north and Chester was despatched upon a similar mission to the south.
Hardly had Chester delivered his message when a shout told him the German infantry was advancing to the attack. The lad glanced around, and as he did so, a sharp order rang out and a moment later the French troops clamped queer-looking devices over their faces and heads.
Chester knew what they were—gas masks to protect the defenders from the poisonous vapors of German gas bombs, which, had the defenders not been protected by masks, would have killed them instantly. A passing officer said something unintelligible to the lad as he passed and pointed to the ground. Glancing down, the lad perceived a mask and then understood that the officer had meant for him to put it on. Chester did so, though not without some difficulty, for he had trouble adjusting it. But with his nostrils protected at last, Chester turned to watch the approach of the enemy.
The Germans came forward in a dense mass, despite the fearful execution worked in their ranks by the French guns. In the lines of the defenders dropped huge bombs that sent up dense vapors—the deadly gasses of the foe—but they caused little harm, for the French were protected. Now and then a man fell, however; perhaps he had failed to adjust his helmet properly, or perhaps it was not perfect. But for the most part the gas bombs had little effect.
The first concerted attack of the German troops availed little; and after trying for half an hour to gain a foothold in the French lines they withdrew. But a second attack followed a few moments later. This also was beaten off. A third attack, however, met with better success.
This time the Germans succeeded in gaining a hold in the French lines, and this they retained in spite of repeated counter assaults by the French. Bravely the men charged, but they could make no impression on the positions so recently won by the foe. The troops of the German Crown Prince stood firm.
The French were forced to retreat toward the summit of the hill.
Here the big French guns opened violently upon the enemy, but the invaders remained in spite of the hail of death.
Chester had been carried back with the French retreat and he now found himself almost in the first line. He was sadly disappointed, for he had felt sure that the French effort to repel the attack would be successful.
His men still falling back before the German advance, General Domont determined upon a bold stroke. Orders were given thick and fast. Hal and Chester, returning from their first missions of the day, found themselves again near the front. The orders to the various French divisional commanders were explicit. As the Germans advanced again to the attack, the French, too, all along the line, were to take the offensive.
The men awaited the word eagerly.
At last it came. With a shout the French, still wearing their gas masks, hurled themselves forward with the troops.
Halfway down the hill the lines met with a crash. Rifles and small arms were fired point blank into the very faces of the foe and then the men fell to the work with bayonets. Both sides fought desperately.
Hal and Chester had drawn their swords and found themselves engaged with the troops. So close was the fighting that had it not been for the difference in uniform it would have been practically impossible to distinguish friend from foe.
Hal found himself engaged with a German officer of huge stature, who was endeavoring to bring the lad to earth by fierce sweeping blows of his officer's sword. Hal was hard pressed to defend himself.
As the German's sword descended in a stroke of extra violence, Hal stepped lightly aside and evaded the blow. Before the German could recover himself, Hal moved quickly forward. There was a sudden, quick movement of his arm and the German officer toppled over, to rise no more.
Hal turned just in time to see a second German officer level a revolver straight at his head. The lad ducked and the ball passed harmlessly over his head. Before the German's finger could press the trigger again Hal had raised his arm and struck.
Chester, in the meantime, had his own hands full. He had accounted for a German trooper who had sought to bring his rifle butt down on the lad's head and was now engaged with two other troopers, who sought to end his career with bayonets.
Chester sprang nimbly back as the two men advanced on him. One tripped and stumbled over a fallen comrade and as he did so Chester took advantage of his misfortune to strike with his sword. But the second German protected his fellow by catching Chester's stroke with his bayonet and for a moment Chester was at a disadvantage.
Even as the bayonet of the first trooper, who had regained his balance, would have pierced him, however, Chester dropped flat on the ground and seized one of the man's legs. The German dropped his bayonet and crashed to the ground. Chester sprang up quickly and jumped to one side to escape the point of the bayonet in the hands of the second trooper.
Chester thrust with his sword, but the effort was futile. The point of the lad's sword fell short. Again the lad was at a disadvantage and the German grinned as he stepped forward to end the combat. His bayonet was pointed straight at the lad's breast and it seemed as though nothing but a miracle could save the boy.
But the miracle happened. Suddenly the German dropped his bayonet with a crash and threw up both arms. He spun on his heel and then fell to the ground without an outcry. A stray bullet had done what Chester had been unable to accomplish, and for the moment the lad was safe.
The second trooper now returned to the attack and engaged Chester fiercely. All this time the French were gradually being forced back, and of a sudden Chester found himself the center of a mass of German troops.
But the lad had no mind to give up. Throwing caution to the winds, he now struck out swiftly and sharply with his sword. Once or twice the thrusts went home. Chester felt a sting in his left shoulder. The bayonet of a German trooper had pricked him slightly. Chester whirled about and seized the bayonet with his left hand. A powerful wrench and it was wrested from the hands of the German soldier, who had been caught off his guard.
Without taking time to reverse the weapon, Chester hurled it in the faces of the foe who pressed in about him. It struck one man squarely on the forehead and he toppled over with a groan.
Again Chester laid about him with his sword, retreating slowly as he did so. The gas helmet that he wore impeded his progress somewhat, for it was strange to his head and felt uncomfortable. Now the lad realized for the first time that the Germans before him also wore the heavy helmets.
He aimed a blow at one man's breast and it went home. At the same moment a second German brought his rifle butt down upon the lad's sword and the weapon snapped off. Chester felt a second sting in his arm and then he felt a blow across the helmet.
There was a sudden roaring sound, Chester saw a million stars flash through the air; then he threw up his arms, made a move to step forward and crashed to the ground.
The last blow had broken open Chester's gas helmet and the lad was at the mercy of the poisonous vapors!
At the same moment that Chester fell to the ground, the clear note of a bugle rang out from the German rear, sounding the recall. The attack was to be given up. The resistance of the French had been too much for the foe.
Hal, who had been retreating with the other French troops, turned a second before the recall was sounded just in time to see a single form that had been struggling with a knot of the enemy crash to the ground. Hal gave a loud cry, which was stifled by his gas helmet, for he felt sure that it was Chester.
It was at that moment the German bugle sounded the recall.
Hal dashed toward the spot where Chester had fallen. A score of enemy troops, perceiving his approach, stayed their retreat and offered him battle. Hal was nothing loath. He dashed toward them at top speed.
Other French troops, seeing one of their numbers dashing forward, and perceiving his peril, jumped to the rescue. Still more Germans turned and more French dashed forward. For a moment it seemed that the struggle would be renewed in spite of the order for a German recall.
Hal dashed among the foe with sword flashing aloft. Right and left he slashed and the Germans gave way before his fury. Then they closed in. Almost at the same moment the French troops came to his assistance. Again the recall was sounded from the German rear. The few of the foe who apparently had Hal at their mercy heeded this second call reluctantly. They drew off slowly, opening upon the advancing French with their rifles as they did so. The French returned the fire and the Germans retreated faster.
Apparently it was not the plan of General Domont to follow up the retreating Germans, for there came no order for a charge. Instead, the French commander apparently was satisfied with having broken down the German attack. He had no intention of sacrificing more of his men in a useless pursuit that would bring them again under the mouths of the big German guns.
Quickly Hal bent over Chester. The latter had fallen with his face on the ground, and this fact undoubtedly had saved his life. He was unconscious and his nose was buried in the dirt. He had almost suffocated, but this fact had saved him from the poisonous gases. Hal stripped the gas helmet from a dead French soldier and slipped it over Chester's head. Then he lifted his chum from the ground and started toward the rear, supporting the unconscious figure as well as he could.
Several French troopers ran to his assistance. Hal lowered Chester to theground and put both hands under his chum's head. He motioned one of theFrench soldiers to take Chester's feet, and in this manner they carriedChester from the danger zone.
Hal did not rest easily until after a French surgeon had pronounced Chester little the worse for his experience. Two bayonet wounds in the lad's arm were found to be mere scratches.
"He'll pull round in a day or two," said the surgeon. "In the meantime it would be well to keep him as quiet as possible, though he is in no danger."
Hal thanked the surgeon, and leaving Chester in safe hands, sought outGeneral Domont and explained the circumstances to him.
"And I would like to get him back to my own quarters," he concluded.
"Very well," said General Domont. "I shall place an automobile at your disposal."
The French officer was as good as his word and in a high-power motor car Hal and Chester, the latter having regained consciousness, were soon on their way to headquarters, Hal bearing General Domont's report on the morning's encounter.
Hal went first to the quarters of General Petain, where he delivered General Domont's report; then he accompanied Chester to their own quarters, where he made Chester as comfortable as possible.
He was just about to leave Chester alone, when another figure entered the tent. It was Stubbs.
"Hello, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester from his cot. "Where have you been all summer?"
"Summer?" said Mr. Stubbs, removing his overcoat. "This is the month ofFebruary."
"All right; have it your own way," said Chester.
"Well, I've just been having a look around," said Stubbs.
"Find out anything more about the conspiracy?" asked Hal.
"What conspiracy?" demanded Stubbs.
"Why, the one you were telling us about the other night," exclaimedChester.
Stubbs looked at the lad critically.
"Wounded to-day, weren't you?" he asked.
"A trifle," returned Chester.
"Any fever?" asked Stubbs.
"No," said Hal. "Why?"
"Why? He's dreaming things. What's this conspiracy he's talking about?"
Chester sat up in his cot.
"You don't mean to tell me you don't remember what you told us about it?" he demanded.
Stubbs tapped his head with a significant gesture and nodded to Hal.
"Did you have a surgeon look at him?" he asked.
"Look here, Stubbs—" began Chester angrily.
"Here, here," interposed Hal. "You lie down there, Chester. I'll talk to our friend here."
At this Mr. Stubbs moved toward the outside.
"I've got to be going now," he announced.
"Well, you're not going to go until you tell me what all this foolishness is about," declared Hal.
"Foolishness?"
"Yes, foolishness. You can't deny, can you, that you told us the other night you had unearthed a conspiracy of some kind?"
"I can," said Stubbs, "but I won't. It's my belief that there is something wrong with both of you. What would I know about a conspiracy?"
"That's what I would like to know," returned Chester, from his cot. "If you won't tell us, I've a notion to tell General Petain what you told us."
"I wouldn't if I were you," said Stubbs. "It wouldn't do you any good. He probably would think your wound had affected your mind. That's what I think."
"Oh, no you don't," said Hal. "You are just trying to keep the thing to yourself, whatever it is. Maybe you're going to slip it by the censor to theGazette, eh?"
Stubbs made no reply.
"If I thought that, I would tell General Petain," declared Chester.
"It must be a great thing to have such imaginations," said Stubbs with something like a sigh. "Some of these days, if you like, I'll get you both jobs on theGazette."
"Now look here, Stubbs," said Hal. "Laying all joking aside, are you going to tell us about this thing or not?"
"What thing?" demanded Stubbs.
"By George!" ejaculated Hal in exasperation. "You're the limit, Stubbs."
"Sure I am," was the little man's smiling response. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be in this tent with you."
"Stubbs," said Chester, a sudden idea striking him, "have we done something you don't like?"
"You have," was Stubbs' reply.
"By Jove!" said Hal. "We're sorry for that, Stubbs. We apologize. Will you tell us what we've done?"
Stubbs looked at the lad with a peculiar smile on his face. He was silent several moments before replying:
"You don't know, eh?"
"Of course not."
Stubbs shrugged his shoulders and started out of the tent.
"Say!" Chester called after him, "are you going to tell us or not?"
"Not!" said Stubbs briefly, and was gone.
"Now what do you think of that?" demanded Chester of his chum.
"There's something wrong with him," was Hal's reply. "I haven't any idea what it can be."
"Suppose it is because we were poking fun at him the other night?"
"I don't know. I don't believe he would take a thing like that to heart.However, you can't tell."
"Anyhow," said Chester, "we're not likely to find out what it's all about until he gets good and ready to tell us."
"You're right, there," returned Hal. "He can be as mum as an oyster when he wants to. Well, old boy, I'll leave you alone now and go out and look around a bit. Maybe I can stumble on this conspiracy Stubbs talks about."
"You mean the one he won't talk about," said Chester with a smile. "All right. Go ahead. I'll take a little snooze."
He rolled over on his side as Hal left the tent.
How long Chester slept he did not know, but it was dark in the tent when he opened his eyes.
"Wonder what can be keeping Hal?" he muttered to himself.
He had hardly had spoken the words when a form came through the entrance to the tent. Chester was about to speak, for he thought at first that it was Hal, but something seemed to tell him to remain silent. The lad, therefore, said nothing.
At second glance Chester realized that the figure that had entered the tent was not Hal. Neither was it Stubbs.
"Great Scott!" muttered the lad to himself. "Wonder who he is and what he wants here? He hasn't seen me though. Guess I'll wait and see what happens."
The lad stretched out a hand carefully and drew toward him a camp stool upon which he had laid his clothes before going to bed. Without a sound he secured one of his revolvers and straightened to a sitting posture.
"I'm ready for whatever happens," he told himself.
The intruder had now taken up such a position in the tent as to command a view of the entrance, shielded from sight himself. Chester saw something glisten in the man's hand.
"Gun," said the boy to himself. "Guess I can beat him to it."
Came footsteps without. They stopped just outside the tent. Chester saw the nocturnal visitor in the tent raise his revolver arm. Chester did likewise.
"I'll just shoot that gun out of your hand, my friend," he said quietly.
He took deliberate aim.
The footsteps outside came nearer the entrance. Chester's finger tightened on the trigger of his revolver, as he saw the stranger in the tent draw himself taut.
At that moment Hal's figure appeared in the entrance.
There were two sharp cracks, so close that they seemed as one, and two spurts of flame in the darkness. Came a cry of pain from the stranger in the tent and Hal dashed forward.
"Quick, Hal! Grab him!" shouted Chester.
But quick as he was, Hal was not quick enough. With a snarl the man jumped toward Hal even as Hal leaped himself. The stranger was of much greater bulk than Hal and the lad was hurled to the ground. When he regained his feet the stranger had disappeared.
Chester, unmindful of his wound, had leaped from his cot and now ran outside. Some distance away he saw a figure disappear in the darkness. The lad did not fire a second shot, for at that distance he could not be sure of a hit and he did not wish further to alarm the camp.
Hal struck a light and the two chums looked at each other.
"Did you get a look at him, Hal?" asked Chester.
"No, did you?"
"No. He was in the tent for some time, but I waited until I was sure what he was going to do before I fired, though I had him covered all the time."
"You must be losing your eye. At that distance you should you should have potted him without trouble."
"I guess I could have done it this time had I tried," returned Chester."I shot at his revolver."
"Well, I guess you hit it," said Hal. "There it is, right where he dropped it. But his bullet whistled pretty close to my ear."
"I suppose I shouldn't have taken a chance," said Chester. "Next timeI'll shoot to hit something better than a pistol."
"Well, it doesn't make any difference now," said Hal. "He didn't get me.I wonder who he is and what he wanted to shoot me for?"
"You've got me, look at the gun and see if there is any mark of identification on it."
Hal stooped over and picked up the revolver. He examined it carefully and then passed it to Chester.
"Can't find anything," he said.
Chester examined the weapon with no better success.
"Well," he said at last, slowly, "there is one thing certain. You've an enemy of some kind in the camp. It will behoove you to be careful in the future."
"I suppose the bullet was meant for me," said Hal, "although, of course it might have been meant for either you or Stubbs."
"Great Scott! What would anybody want to shoot Stubbs for?"
"Well, you can search me," said Hal with a shrug of his shoulders, "which may not be very good English, but expresses my sentiments just the same."
"How about Stubbs' conspiracy? Maybe one of the conspirators has caughtStubbs nosing about."
"By Jove! It might be that, after all," said Hal. "I wonder!"
"At all events, we shall all have to be on our guard," declared Chester. "We don't know for which of us the bullet was meant. We'll have to warn Stubbs."
"So we shall, and if I mistake not here he comes now."
Hal was right. A moment later the rotund face of the little war correspondent appeared in the tent entrance.
"Stubbs," said Hal gravely, "you missed getting killed by just about five minutes."
The little man started back in alarm.
"Wha—what's that?" he demanded.
"I said you just escaped getting killed."
"But who would want to kill me?" demanded Stubbs, plainly very nervous.
"It might have been one of your conspirators," said Hal. He displayed the weapon from which a bullet had sped toward his own head.
"Hey!" shouted Stubbs. "Put that gun down! Don't shoot!"
The little man was so visibly frightened that Hal looked at him in surprise.
"Surely you didn't think I was going to shoot you, Mr. Stubbs?" he asked in some surprise.
"I don't know," returned Stubbs, wiping a moist brow with his handkerchief. "I don't understand you fellows at all. First you said you wanted to kill me five minutes ago and there you stand with a gun in your hand. What am I to think?"
"Stubbs, you're crazy," said Hal, calmly. "I didn't say I wanted to kill you. When I came into the tent just now there was a man took a shot at me. I don't know whether he wanted to kill me, or whether he wanted to kill you. He may even have been trying to kill Chester. He didn't take time to investigate. He fired at the first figure to enter the tent. I don't know who he was. Have you any enemies?"
"I—I—Why I don't know," said Stubbs.
"How about the conspirators. Do any of them know you?"
"What conspirators?" demanded Stubbs, and added, "I wish you would quit harping on that subject. It's all right to have a little fun with me once in a while. I don't mind it; but enough is enough."
Chester was about to make an angry retort, but Hal stayed him with a word.
"All right, Stubbs," he said. "If you don't know anything about a conspiracy you don't and that's all there is about that. But if you do, I should advise you to be careful. I believe that shot was meant for you."
"I am afraid that this tent is going to be dangerous for me," saidStubbs, slowly. "I shall remain here no longer."
"What! Not going to leave us, Stubbs?" exclaimed Chester.
"Yes," returned the little man quietly. "If I remain here I'm liable to wake up dead some morning, and I wouldn't like that. There's an expression in New York that hits me just right. 'Safety first!' I'm going to get out of this tent, and I'm going to get out right now, while I'm all together."
He hurried to the far side of the tent and got his belongings together. Then he moved toward the door. There he paused a moment, as if undecided, then walked up to Hal and extended a hand.
"Good-bye, Hal," he said quietly. "I may not see you for some time and then again it may be soon."
Hal took the hand as he said:
"Look here, Stubbs, we don't like to lose you."
"I know, I know," said the little man, "but it will be better for all concerned."
He approached Chester and extended a hand to him also.
"Come now, Stubbs," said Chester. "Drop those things back down there and go to bed."
"Not much," replied Stubbs grimly. "I'm going to hunt a safer spot than this."
He released Chester's hand and made his way to the door. There, just before moving away, he turned and spoke.
"Boys," he said, "we've been pretty good friends, the three of us, haven't we?"
"You bet we have, Stubbs," returned Chester warmly.
"We certainly have, Mr. Stubbs," Hal agreed.
"All right, then," said the little man. "You both have been good enough to tell me once or twice that I have been of some service to you."
"You certainly have, Mr. Stubbs," declared Hal, "and anything we can do to repay you—"
"Never mind that," said Stubbs with a wave of the hand. "All I want to say is this: If, at any time, within a day or two or within a month or two, I do anything you don't like, anything that puts you to some inconvenience—you will know that I am doing it for your own good—because I am fond of both of you and don't want to see you get in trouble."
"Say, Stubbs, what on earth are you talking about?" asked Chester in great surprise.
"Never mind what I'm talking about," returned Stubbs, half angrily. "I just want you to remember what I am saying."
"We'll remember, if that will do you any good," said Chester, "but I wish you would tell me what it is all about."
"I may not be talking about anything, and then I may be talking about a whole lot," was Stubbs' enigmatical response. "Time will tell."
"Time will tell what, Mr. Stubbs?" demanded Hal.
"Oh, rats!" said Stubbs. "I haven't time to stay here and talk to you fellows all night. Just remember what I said. That's all."
He stepped out the tent and was gone.
Hal and Chester gazed at one another in the utmost surprise.
"What in the time of the Czar do you suppose he was talking about?" asked Chester.
"I'm not good at conundrums," replied Hal. "He's got something on his mind, all right."
"Providing he has a mind left," agreed Chester.
Hal smiled.
"From the way he talked that fact is open to doubt," he replied.
"I didn't think he was a drinking man," said Chester.
"Oh, he was sober enough. By the way, did you notice his hesitation whenI asked him if he had any enemies?"
"By George! I did. He couldn't answer. I'll bet he knows more about the man that fired that shot at you than he is willing to admit."
"It looks like it," Hal agreed. "From his actions, I would judge that the shot was meant for him."
"Exactly," said Chester, "and he knows who it was that fired it."
"Well, there is no use talking about it," declared Hal. "We can't possibly figure it out ourselves. One thing, though, we shall have to be on our guard. The unknown enemy may not know that Stubbs has moved and may try again."
"Right," said Chester. "We'll have to sleep with one eye open."
"Oh, we're safe enough to-night," said Hal. "He'll figure we'll be on the watch and will postpone his next visit for a day or two. By the way, old man, how do you feel?"
"First rate. I'll be as good as new in the morning."
"I hope so. In that event we had better get a little sleep."
"Then you don't think it necessary for one of us to stand watch?"
"No; here goes for bed."
In some manner, known only to himself, Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent of the New YorkGazette, had ingratiated himself with General Petain, the French commander at Verdun. General Petain, upon Stubbs' request, agreed that the little war correspondent should be allowed to make a tour of the city of Verdun and the surrounding fortifications and view for himself the effects of the siege thus far.
An officer of the general staff was assigned by the French commander to show Stubbs about. It was the first time a war correspondent had been admitted to Verdun and the surrounding fortifications; and because of the things that Stubbs learned on the tour, it is fitting that the reader take the trip with him.
The officer first led Stubbs to the highest point on the walls encircling Verdun and there explained the lay-out of the contending forces. From this point of vantage, commanding the battlefield, Verdun looked like the center of a huge saucer, with the town lying very low, while all around rose an even circle of crests forming the outer edge of the saucer.
The dangerous proximity of the Germans was apparent. At the time that Stubbs viewed the battlefield the armies of the Kaiser held a goodly portion of these crests, though the battle of Verdun was less than two weeks old.
An intermittent bombardment was in progress from Fort Tavennes, Fort Soueville, Fort St. Michael and Fort Belleville, which were barking steadily and giving off jets of black smoke. The German cannonade sounded like a distant roar. The shelling of Verdun was continuing.
Three hundred shells a day had been hurled into Verdun itself during the battle, Stubbs was informed by the French officer, upon one day as many as 750 having been counted; but the average was 300. As the two stood there a French aeroplane was attacked by a German gun, shrapnel bursting all around as the machine turned from the German positions and darted back to French cover.
The terrible course of the destruction was pointed out by the French officer. The town itself had been abandoned by the civil population, and even few troops were to be found there. Such shops and houses as had escaped the shells were closed and barricaded; and the shells continued to fall.
The streets were crumbling ruins, with only jagged walls remaining here and there. The cathedral had two shell holes in the roof; the main altar was a mass of debris and the side altar was littered with broken carvings, statues and chandeliers.
One wing of the handsome military club was torn off and the whole establishment was a wreck. The archbishop's residence had its famous sculptured walls peppered with shell holes and the adjoining College of Marguerite had its delicate stone filigree reduced almost to powder. The houses along the Meuse, flanking the principal bridge, were literally wrecked.
Sixteen great shells had struck the town hall; one corner of the building had been torn off and the clock tower smashed. The mayor's office was being used as an emergency butcher shop.
Stubbs' guide now led him to one of the inner forts of the fortifications, which was still shelling the Germans. From here Stubbs gained a view of the fighting ground of Fleury at close range. Over the entrance of the fort was a notice to the garrison that the fort was to be levelled in extremity and never surrendered.
Fleury, lying to the right of Verdun, showed not a house standing. The great German guns had carried all before them. The whole village was a mass of ruins. At the moment the village was in the hands of the French. It had been occupied twice by the Germans, but only the day before had again been captured by the French. Although Stubbs did not know it, the little village was to change hands a score of times more in the months that were to follow.
As Stubbs' guide pointed out the various points destroyed by German shells, he gave the little man an account of the fighting in each spot. He pointed out the advantages of earthen breastworks as against the solid walls of fortresses. The effectiveness of the former was very plain.
Stubbs and his guide now returned to the citadel of Verdun, where Stubbs thanked General Petain for being allowed to make the tour of inspection. Gathered about the commander were many members of his staff, who joined in the conversation. Stubbs could not but be impressed by the confidence manifested by the officers that Verdun could be kept from the Germans, and this in the face of the reverses of the past few days. The feeling was summarized in the closing word of General Petain, as he bade Stubbs farewell.
"Au revoir, Monsieur Stubbs," he said, "until you come back when our victory is complete!"
By a series of fierce counter assaults, the French now had driven the seasoned veterans of the German Crown Prince from Dead Man's Hill; from Hill No. 265, to the north, from Chattancourt and Charny. Back across the Meuse the Germans fled from the vicious attacks of the French. Second and third line trenches were re-won.
But the French did not stop there. The third day of March found them still pushing the Germans and as darkness fell that night, the troops of General Petain entrenched themselves just to the east of Thiaumont farm and Hill No. 320. A trifle to the south, Fleury was once more in German hands, the opposition in this sector having been too much for the French to overcome. Almost due east, German guns, wheeled into position at Fort Vaux, captured the preceding day, shelled the reconquered positions of the French; but the latter stood firm. All night the artillery duel raged and the coming of morning found both armies ready for the day's work.
The French opened the day by concentrating heavy artillery upon the German positions at Fort Vaux. After a two hours' bombardment, the infantry was ordered to the attack. Fresh troops took the places in the trenches vacated by the attacking forces and heavy guns covered their advance.
A hundred yards or so from the hastily constructed German trenches, the thin French lines charged. Their ranks had been sadly depleted as they marched across the open ground, but they stuck to the work bravely. Clear to the German trenches they ran, a second and still a third line close behind; and then the Germans swarmed out to meet them. A fierce hand-to-hand encounter ensued with victory crowning German arms. What was left of the French attacking party scurried back to their own lines.
The Germans did not wait for a second attack. German buglers sounded an advance. Again the Germans swarmed out of their trenches in countless thousands and rushed the French trenches.
Hal and Chester at this moment found themselves at the front with orders for respective divisional commanders. They remained as the Germans charged, sheltered by the huge earthen breastworks.
The fate of the German charge was the same as that of the French a short while before. Beaten off after a half hour of fierce fighting, the Germans retired to the shelter of their own lines. The great German guns, silent while the infantry was engaged, opened up anew on the French trenches, dropping shells in profusion.
Hal and Chester stood elbow to elbow watching the destructive work of the giant shells. Of a sudden a shell dropped close to them. Hal uttered a cry of alarm and made a desperate attempt to drag Chester out of harm's way. In this he was partly successful and they had dashed forward a few yards before the shell exploded.
With the fury of the blast, great clouds of earth flew high in the air. Hal and Chester felt the ground open up beneath them and they gasped for breath as they were precipitated into what seemed a bottomless pit. How far they fell they could not tell, but it seemed a long ways; and hardly had they struck bottom when a shower of earth fell upon them.
Fortunately for them, they were in a section of the trench that was protected on either side by artificial abuttments of hard dirt and stones thrown up by the troops and these caught heavy beams and rocks and other debris that would have showered down upon them and crushed them to death. A great log, or such it appeared, came down lengthwise and struck the abuttments on either side of the pit into which the lads had fallen; a second did likewise and these prevented the shower of rocks and pieces of big guns from going through. It was all that saved the lads.
Then more earth fell and covered these and the pit was effectually sealed. Below there was no light, and when Hal and Chester regained their feet neither could see light above. They groped for each other in the dark and at last clasped hands.
"Great Scott! What's happened?" gasped Chester. "Where are we?"
"We are in a pit caused by the explosion of that shell," said Hal, quietly. "The next question is how to get out."
He put a hand above his head, but could touch nothing. He tried jumping, but with no better success.
"I can't reach the top," he said.
The lads felt around the sides of the pit. The walls were sheer. It was useless to think of getting up that way.
"Well, we're up against it," said Hal. "I don't know how we are to get out of here. By Jove! It's lucky we weren't killed by the shell."
"We might just as well have been as to die down here," said Chester.
"Buck up, old man," said Hal. "We're not dead yet and while there's life there's hope. We've been in some ticklish positions before and pulled through all right."
"We were never in a hole like this before," said Chester.
Hal had made his way to one side of the pit.
"Here," he called to Chester, "you climb up on my shoulders and see if you can reach the top."
Chester did as Hal suggested and his efforts were rewarded by touching something overhead.
"What luck?" asked Hal.
"Good," said Chester. "I have touched something. Feels like a log."
"Can you pull it loose?"
"If I do we're likely to be crushed down here."
"If you don't we're likely to suffocate down here," returned Hal. "I can scarcely get my breath now. We'll have to take a chance."
"Then I'll have a try at it," said Chester. "Be ready to crouch close to the side of the pit when I give the word. I'll come down on top of you and we'll trust to luck that the debris falls clear."
"All right," said Hal. "Yell when you're ready."
Again Chester tested the covering with his hands. At last he struck a spot where he could obtain a grip. He decided to throw his weight on it and see if it would come down. He took a firm hold and then called:
"All right, Hal! Stoop quickly!"
Came a low, rumbling sound from overhead and a shower of dirt poured down on Hal as he crouched in his corner. Chester still swung to and fro from above. The lad felt something give, and believing that the mass above was about to fall, he dropped quickly alongside Hal and buried his face in his arms.
But nothing happened.
Directly Chester rose to his feet.
"I thought it was coming," he said to Hal. "Guess I didn't hang on long enough. I'll have another try. Lend me your shoulders again."
Hal also stood up and took his position. Chester clambered up and again explored the covering with his fingers. At the first touch there was another shower of earth.
"Won't take a whole lot to move it, I guess," he said.
"Hurry, then," enjoined Hal. "The air is stifling down here."
Chester himself felt that he was suffocating and realized the need for haste.
"All right," he said. "Here's hoping we're not crushed to death. Down when I give the word."
Again his fingers found a hold and he braced himself for the shock.
"Down!" he cried suddenly.
Hal dropped.
A second time came the dull rumbling from above as Chester swayed to and fro in his precarious position. Then the lad felt the covering give. One instant longer he hung on, for he felt that he would have no strength for a third attempt should this fail.
And then, with a roar, the mass of debris above came tumbling down.
Chester swung himself close to the side of the pit even as he felt the covering give and came down a short distance from Hal. He covered his head as well as he could and waited for he knew not what.
It was not long coming.
Something struck the lad a sharp blow upon the shoulder, numbing it.Behind him the lad heard rocks and other debris crashing to the bottom.Holding his breath, he waited for the blow he felt sure must come fromabove and unconsciously his right hand stretched out toward where he knewHal to be.
But nothing struck him. After five seconds of the terrible roaring, there was silence. Chester looked up. There was light above. Chester uttered a short prayer of thankfulness and rose to his feet.
"All right, Hal," he said, still looking above, while he rubbed his injured shoulder.
There was no reply.
Chester looked quickly about him. There was no sign of Hal.
"Great Scott! What can have happened to him?" he asked himself anxiously.
Quickly he fell to hands and knees and explored the bottom of the pit.There, where he knew Hal should be, he felt a mound of earth.
"Great Scott! He's buried!" cried Chester.
Frantically he set to work with his bare hands to uncover Hal.
In a few moments his efforts were rewarded. He exposed Hal's arm. Fromthe position the arm was in Chester was able to locate his chum's head.This he uncovered quickly, for he feared that his friend might suffocate.Then he bent over Hal and listened.
Hal was breathing faintly.
Chester uttered a cry of relief and proceeded to uncover the rest of his friend's body. This done, he set about reviving Hal, who was unconscious.
Chester rubbed Hal's hands vigorously, and was at last rewarded by hearing Hal sigh. A moment later Hal spoke.
"What's happened?" he asked.
"Well, it looks like the world caved in on you," returned Chester. "Fortunately, appearances are deceitful. I yanked the log loose from above and you were buried in the dirt. Fortunately, I got you out in time. How do you feel?"
"I don't feel very chipper," was the faint reply; "but I guess I'm all right."
"Can you get up?"
"Don't know; I'll try."
He made the effort, and with Chester's assistance, soon stood leaning against one side of the pit. He looked up.
"Quite a ways up there," he said. "How are we going to make it?"
"Think you can climb up on my shoulders, pull yourself out and then lend me a hand?"
"I don't believe so. Guess I can brace myself while you climb up, though."
"Good, we'll try it."
Once more Chester climbed to Hal's shoulder while the latter braced himself against one wall of the pit. He took a firm hold on the edge above and drew himself up with little difficulty. He was about to reach down and lend Hal a hand when he happened to look toward the east.
"Good night!" he exclaimed and disappeared into the pit in a hurry.
"What's the matter?" demanded Hal, who had not overheard his friend's ejaculation.
"Matter!" echoed Chester. "There are about ten millions coming this way on the dead run. The French have retreated!"
"Hm-m-m," said Hal; "and what are we going to do?"
"Bide here for a spell, I expect," was Chester's answer.
"Guess you're right. They may not notice us down here. We'll play we're a couple of mice and see how still we can keep."
"Good! Listen! I hear 'em coming!"
Above them, to one side, they could hear the trampling of many feet as the Germans passed the pit.
"Guess we're safe enough so long as we stay down here," said Chester.
"But we're going to have trouble reaching the French lines if the Germans are permitted to camp out hereabouts," declared Hal.
"Well, maybe the French will chase them back again," said Chester, hopefully.
"Maybe," Hal repeated, "and then maybe not. Now, if we—hello!"
He broke off suddenly. From above there had come muttered exclamations of alarm, two bodies came hurtling through space and struck the bottom of the pit with loud thumps.
"Grab 'em, Hal!" shouted Chester, and leaped across the pit.
Hal followed suit, for the two bodies that had tumbled through space were nothing less than German soldiers who had failed to see the opening above.
They were taken by surprise when two forms leaped on them below, but they put up a fight.
"Tap 'em over the head with your gun!" shouted Chester.
He had drawn his revolver as he leaped forward and now suited the action to the word. The German toppled over with a groan.
Hal, however, had not drawn his weapon, and was now locked in the arms of the second German, as they rolled over and over in the bottom of the pit. Weakened by his recent experience he was getting the worst of it.
Chester took in the situation at a glance and leaped forward. At the moment Hal was on top and the German stared up at Chester. Seeing a second foe he raised a loud cry for help.
This was what Chester had been afraid of. He didn't want any more Germans down there if he could help it.
"Turn him over, Hal!" he cried. "Let me get a whack at him with my gun."
By a desperate effort Hal obeyed and the German rolled on top of him. One more loud cry he gave and then Chester silenced him with a sharp blow of his revolver butt.
Chester stepped back with an exclamation of relief and Hal dragged himself from beneath his now unconscious adversary.
"A tough customer, that fellow," he remarked.
"You'd have done for him if you hadn't been so weak," Chester replied. "I didn't think we might have callers down here."
"Neither did I," returned Hal, "but I'm glad they came."
"Why?" demanded Chester in surprise.
"We can borrow their uniforms if it's necessary," Hal explained.
"By Jove! I hadn't thought of that," exclaimed Chester. "A good plan."
"Of course it may not be necessary," said Hal. "If the Germans should be driven back it would be unnecessary. We'll wait until after dark and see."
"In the meantime we had better tie these fellows up," said Chester. "One of them is coming to now. He may not know when he's properly licked and want to continue the fight."
"Better gag 'em, too," said Hal. "I noticed that one fellow had pretty good lungs."
The lads removed their belts and with these bound the hands of their captives. They had nothing to tie their legs, but they didn't feel there was much danger of the men crawling out of the pit with their arms bound. They gagged them with their handkerchiefs.
A few moments later one of the Germans staggered to his feet and gazed at the two lads in astonishment. The second also soon regained consciousness and apparently was no less surprised. Both lads kept their revolvers handy, for they weren't sure whether the Germans might not attack them, bound and gagged as they were.
Hal addressed them.
"We expect to keep you company for some time," he said, "and we don't want any foolishness. The first false move will be your last. Get over there in the corner."
The men obeyed, growling to themselves.
Hal and Chester listened for sounds above that would indicate the retreat of the Germans and the advance of the French. No such sounds came; and with the fall of darkness Hal said:
"Well, I guess we had better change clothes with these fellows and make a break for it."
"Good!" agreed Chester. "We'll have to unbind them while they disrobe.We'll strip one at a time. You hold the gun while I do the work."
"Well, I guess everything is all ready," said Chester, when they were at last garbed in the German uniforms and the men were safely tied up again. "We may as well be moving."
"All right," said Hal, "climb up on my shoulders. I'll keep my gun on these two fellows in the meantime. Can't trust 'em."
Chester followed Hal's instructions and a moment later gazed out of the pit. Ahead he could see moving forms, but there was no one close to the pit.
"Coast clear," he called to Hal. "Here I go. Be ready when I reach down for you."
He pulled himself up.
"Ready, Hal?"
"All ready."
Hal stretched up his hands, and Chester, leaning far over the pit, seized them and pulled. Hal came slowly upwards.
Suddenly he gave a cry of pain and twisted and squirmed vigorously.Chester became alarmed.
"What's the matter?" he asked quickly.
"One of those fellows bit me in the leg!" exclaimed Hal.
It was true.
As Hal had soared upward, one of the Germans had sprung forward, and being unable to free his hands, had seized the fleshy part of Hal's leg between his teeth. Evidently the gag had not been properly adjusted.
"Kick him loose!" cried Chester.
Hal obeyed instructions. The German uttered a loud cry—another sign that the lads had gagged him too carelessly.
In kicking out at the German, Hal had used too much violence and had jerked loose from Chester's hold. Down into the pit he plunged again. Apparently believing that Hal had come back with the intention of silencing him forever, the ungagged German gave vent to a series of loud cries.
"Quick, Chester!" called Hal. "Pull me out of here before this fellow brings down the whole German army."
Chester leaned over and again seized Hal by the hands and pulled. Once more the German below sprang forward and attempted to sink his teeth in Hal's leg. Hal, realizing what the man was about, kicked out suddenly before the German could obtain his hold, and the lad's heavy shoe caught the man squarely in the mouth. One more cry the German gave and then toppled over.
"Quick Chester!" cried Hal, again.
With an effort Chester dragged Hal from the pit.
Hal stood up and both lads dusted the dirt from their clothes.
"Now the sooner we get away from this spot the better," said Chester.
They advanced directly west toward the extreme German front.
"We'll have to depend on boldness to take us through," said Hal. "It is unlikely that we shall be questioned until we reach the outposts and then we'll have to make a break for it."
"Suits me," said Chester.
They walked along leisurely, passing countless German soldiers standing about; but little attention was paid to them. Occasionally a man nodded to them and the lads returned the salutation.
Gradually they drew away from the main body of troops and neared the outposts. Here German troopers were engaged in throwing up breastworks against a possible attack by the French in the morning.
"Guess we won't have far to go if we can get beyond the outposts," muttered Hal. "These preparations indicate the Germans have just won this ground. The French can't be far away."
Chester nodded in token of assent, and at that moment they came up to the workers. Casually they stood and watched the German soldiers digging for a few moments; then wandered in among them, keeping close together.
"When I give the word!" whispered Hal.
Chester nodded.
"Now!"
Hal gave the word suddenly.
Immediately the two lads took to their heels.
For a moment the Germans were stunned by the very audacity of the two lads. Then entrenching tools dropped to the ground and the men seized their rifles and fired a volley after the two boys. But in the time it had taken them to lay aside their tools and pick up their weapons the lads had disappeared in the darkness and now hurled themselves to the ground, anticipating such a volley.
In the darkness the Germans could hope to hit them only by accident.
Springing to their feet again, the lads ran forward, bearing off slightly to the north, and soon felt they were safe.
They slowed down and approached the French lines cautiously. Presently they beheld the first French entrenchment. As they drew close a French soldier poked up his head and levelled a rifle at them.
"Halt!" he cried. "Who goes there?"
"Friends!" returned Hal.
"Advance friends," came the soldier's next words while he still held his rifle ready.
Hal and Chester advanced to the very edge of the trench. There the soldier took a good look at their faces and noticed the German uniforms. Up went his rifle again and he would have pulled the trigger with the gun aimed squarely at Hal had not Chester leaped quickly forward and struck up the weapon.
The two clinched.
"You fool!" cried Chester. "We are not Germans!"
Other soldiers now came running up. They gathered about the two figures in German uniforms. An officer approached. Fortunately, he recognized the two boys and waved the men away.
"These men are all right," he said.
The soldiers drew off, satisfied, all but the man who would have fired point blank at Hal. He stood there and eyed the lad sullenly. Then, for the first time, Hal obtained a good look at him. The lad recognized him instantly. He was the same man who had directed the hazing of young Jules Clemenceau a short time before.
As the Frenchman leered at him evilly, Hal walked close to him.
"It's my belief you knew me all the time," he declared quietly.
"What of it?" the Frenchman demanded.
"Why," said Hal, "only that if I were sure, I'd pull your nose for you."
"Ha!" exclaimed the Frenchman. "I'd like to see you try it. You caught me off my guard the other night. You can't do it again."
"I don't particularly care to do it," returned Hal, quietly, "because you're not worth it; but if I start I'll probably go through with it."
Again the Frenchman sneered at him.
Further conversation was prevented by the appearance of a French lieutenant who had observed the trouble.
"Matin!" he ordered. "Back to your post at once, sir."
The latter saluted respectfully enough, but he gave Hal another evil look as he walked away.
"He's no friend of yours, that's sure," said the young French officer toHal, with a smile.
"I am glad to say he's not," replied Hal, quietly. "I don't believe I'd care for a friend like that."
"I don't blame you," was the young officer's response. "Matin has a bad reputation and I would advise you to keep your eye on him."
"Thanks," said Hal. "I shall remember that. By the way, can you tell me just where we are?"
"Thiaumont farm," returned the French officer; "or, rather, I should say, just east of Thiaumont farm. You two fellows look somewhat done up. If you will go to the farm you will find a place to sleep in the farmhouse. By some trick of fate the house and barn still stand, although everything else in this vicinity has been knocked to pieces by the big guns."
"Thanks," said Hal, again. "We shall take your advice. We are pretty tired and a sleep will help out. It's too far back to our own quarters when there is a place to bunk so handy."
The two lads left the young officer and made their way to the farmhouse. Here they found a number of French officers already installed, but the latter gladly made room for them.
"No beds," said one with a laugh, "but there is plenty of room on the floor."
"I guess a bed would be too much to expect," said Chester, also laughing. "Besides, it's been so long since I slept in one I don't believe I could rest."
"The floor is plenty good enough for me," Hal agreed.
"Help yourselves then. You can pick out your own room."
"Guess we'll go upstairs then," said Hal. "It'll probably be more quiet up there. These fellows down here are having too much fun to care about sleep," and he waved his arm toward one corner of the room, where a group of young French officers were engaged in a game of cards.
The two boys made their way upstairs and found a room to their liking in the rear of the house. Here they stretched themselves out on the floor and were asleep immediately. There were no other occupants of the room.
Outside the moon was shining, and it cast a beam of light into the room where the two chums lay asleep. Several hours after the boys had closed their eyes in sleep, the figure of a man appeared in the window without. After some experimenting he opened the window softly and came in. He closed the window gently behind him.
Chester stirred in his sleep and the man shrank back against the wall in the darkness. For perhaps five minutes he remained there, and then, as there was no further move by the sleeper, he advanced into the center of the room. The light fell upon his face, and had the boys been awake, they would have recognized in the intruder, Matin, the man who had attempted to shoot Hal a short time before.
Matin approached the two sleepers quietly, seeking to make sure which was Hal. He examined each closely and then grinned as he stepped back a pace or two, apparently satisfied.
From the next room there came the sound of footsteps and again Matin shrank back against the wall. Directly the footsteps moved away and Matin drew a breath of relief.
From his pocket now he produced a knife, examined it carefully and grinned again. Looking carefully about to make sure that there was no one in the room to observe him, he stepped forward.
Had he turned his head at that moment he would have seen a second figure lowering itself just inside the room. But so intent was Matin upon the dark deed ahead of him that, after his one observation of the room, he did not look again.
The second figure was creeping after Matin now. He was not far behind, but still he was not close enough to touch the first intruder. Matin took two quick steps forward and raised his arm. Then he bent on one knee.