CHAPTER XXIV
STUBBS AS A STRATEGIST
Anthony Stubbs, after leaving Hal and Chester, pushed off to the southslowly, absolutely unconscious of the adventures that were to come hisway. Mindful of the fact that there was a certain degree of safety in theGerman uniform he wore, and rather proud of himself thus attired, Stubbswalked on more boldly than he would have done otherwise.
And thus it was that, without warning, he walked suddenly into the midstof a group of German officers who sat about a campfire a short distancefrom where he had left his two young friends.
Stubbs pulled up suddenly and would have drawn back had not one of theGerman officers sprung suddenly to his feet.
"Here, Hans, is another man now!" exclaimed the officer. "A moment agoyou were bemoaning the fact that there was not another man to take a handin a game of cards. Here is one come in answer to your prayers."
Two other German officers sprang to their feet.
"Four of us; that's enough," said one. He turned to Stubbs. "Whatdo you say?"
"Say to what?" asked Stubbs, bravely.
"A game of cards."
"What kind of a game of cards?"
"An American game," was the reply. "Hans learned it when he was in theUnited States and has taught us something about it. It's called poker."
"I've played it," said Stubbs.
"Good! Then you will join us?"
"I should be elsewhere," said Stubbs, hesitatingly.
Be it known that Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent of the New York_Gazette_, had, in his day, liked to play a game of poker, whether it wasright or whether it was wrong. Even to this day the lure of the gameheld, and in spite of the danger such a game entailed, Stubbs was notloath to play. Besides, the little man bethought himself that while thegame was in progress he might learn something of value, so he said:
"All right. I'll play."
The man called Hans now sprang to his feet.
"I want to warn you," he said, "that I am extremely lucky at this game."
"Well, I used to be fairly lucky myself," said Stubbs. To himselfhe said: "Whoever heard of a German trying to play the Americangame of poker?"
The man called Hans now led the way to his quarters, where he produced atable, chairs and a pack of cards. The four men ranged themselves aroundthe table.
As the game progressed there was considerable talk of the status of theopposing armies and Stubbs gained much information that he felt would beof use. As time passed other officers dropped in to witness the game; andchancing to look over his shoulder, Stubbs was startled to see the faceof Hal. He gave a slight start, but quickly covered this up as he saw alook of annoyance on Hal's face.
"Hal objects to my gambling, I guess," Stubbs muttered to himself. "Butwhat do I care? I'm glad to gather in a few German coins. Fortunate thatI had some in my pocket."
The manner in which Hal came to be in the tent was very simple. He hadwalked north for some distance, and finding nothing that would prove ofvalue, he had turned back. He had been attracted by the sound ofconversation and had joined the group of German officers near the tentwhere the game of poker was in progress. When one of the officers hadsuggested going in and watching the game Hal had acquiesced. That is howhe found himself standing behind Stubbs and scanning the latter's cards.
At that moment Stubbs had lost a hand to the man called Hans. Stubbs wasconsiderably nettled, for he felt sure he should have won. He turned aneye on Hal, who stood directly behind him.
"Don't stand behind me," the little man snapped.
"What's the matter?" demanded Hal. "Superstitious?"
"Yes, if you want to call it that," Stubbs answered.
Hal shifted his position slightly.
Again Stubbs scanned a hand that he felt sure would win. Hans was thedealer. As he drew two more cards, Stubbs suddenly gave a start. He hadseen Hans slip a card from his sleeve.
Now Stubbs was not a fighter. He had shown that on more than oneoccasion. But the little man objected to being imposed upon. Also he hadalways stood for a square deal in a friendly game of cards. He had proventhat more than once in his younger days. And now, seeing the man calledHans cheating made Stubbs' blood boil.
Quietly he leaned across the table and spoke.
"You," he said, shaking his forefinger in the man's face, "no wonder yousay you are lucky."
"Why, what do you mean?" demanded Hans, his face turning pale, for hewell realized the import of Stubbs' words.
"I mean," said Stubbs, and at that moment his hand dropped to hisrevolver butt, "I mean that you are a cheat!"
Stubbs produced his revolver and levelled it straight at Hans. Then heswept the circle of surprised faces about him with his eyes.
"Sir!" exclaimed Hans, "I demand an apology for those words."
"Well, you won't get it," returned Stubbs, decisively. He turned to theman next to Hans. "Reach up his sleeve there," he said, "and if youdon't find a card or two I'll make you a present of all the money I havein my pocket."
Surprised, the other obeyed and the result vindicated Stubbs. Two cardsfluttered from Hans' sleeve. Stubbs got to his feet.
"You see, gentlemen," he said, "with what kind of a man you have beenplaying. No wonder he calls himself lucky."
The others were very angry. Seeing that the matter would be taken out ofhis hands, Stubbs restored his revolver to its place.
Hans stood up.
"If you think I have cheated," he said, "you are welcome to all the moneyI have won. As for you," he turned on Stubbs, "you shall die!"
A revolver appeared in his hand as if by magic and Stubbs shrank back.
But before the man could fire Hal leaped quickly forward and struck upthe weapon.
"You are not only a cheat but a coward!" said the lad quietly.
"And who are you?" screamed Hans, now beside himself with rage. "Whathave you to do with this?"
"Nothing more than to prevent murder," replied Hal.
Now the other German officers took a hand in the trouble.
"Lieutenant Darnhart," said one. "I wish you never to speak to me again."
"Nor to me," from the other man who had taken part in the game, andadded: "If you are wise, you will know what to do."
For a moment Hans gazed at them hardly knowing what to say. Then, slowly,he emptied the contents of his pockets upon the table.
"You are right, gentlemen," he said quietly. "I have cheated. Therefore,this money belongs to you. And do not fear that I do not know what to do.The honor of the regiment shall be kept clean."
With that he bowed low to the others and stalked from the tent.The others stood stiffly erect until he had disappeared; thenturned to Stubbs.
"We have to thank you, sir," said one, "for opening our eyes. Long wehave wondered why Darnhart was so lucky, why he always arose from thegame the only winner. Now we know."
"Well," said Stubbs, "I used to play considerably when I lived in theUnited States, and for that reason, I guess, I was on my guard."
"At all events," said the second German, "you have done us a service andwe wish to thank you."
"Why, that's all right," said Stubbs. "I am sure either of you would havedone the same thing under the circumstances. And with your permission, Ishall leave you now."
The others bowed and Stubbs turned toward the door.
"If you will wait a moment, sir, I shall accompany you," said a voice.
It was Hal who spoke and Stubbs waited obediently.
"First," said Hal, "I have something else to do." He addressed theGermans: "Which of you is upon the staff of General Ludwig?"
"Why, I am," said one of the men, stepping forward.
"Good!" said Hal. "I would have spoken sooner, but I was absorbed in thegame. I did not remember your name, but I was sent for you. Will youfollow me?"
The German nodded his head.
"Very well," said Hal. "Come."
He led the way from the tent and the German and Stubbs followed. Thelatter was asto
nished at Hal's words, but he did not show his surprise inhis actions. He walked after the others without a word.
"Something up," he muttered to himself. "I guess I had better keep mygun handy."
Outside, they walked along slowly.
Five minutes later, when they reached a place that was somewhatsecluded, Hal suddenly produced his revolver and pressed it against theGerman's head.
"You will give me immediately what papers you have in your pockets,"the lad said quietly. "If you make an outcry I shall be compelled toshoot you."
The German stared aghast.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
"It means that I must have whatever papers you possess," said Hal,calmly, "even if I have to shoot you to get them."
"Ah!" cried the German, "I see! A spy!"
He made a move as though to seize Hal, but the lad was too quick for him.
With his left hand he grabbed the German's elbow in a tight grip andsqueezed. Then, even before the man had time to cry out, the lad releasedhis hold, reversed his revolver quickly and brought the butt down on theGerman's head with all his force.
The man crumpled up without a word and lay still.
Stubbs, who had witnessed this proceeding in open-eyed wonder, nowuttered an exclamation.
"What are you doing? Trying to get us both killed?" he demanded.
Hal did not reply. Stooping over the prostrate German he ran his handquickly through the man's pockets. Then he straightened up, and by thesoft light of the moon, ran through the papers hurriedly. He gave anexclamation of satisfaction.
"I thought I should find something," he muttered. "Come on now,Stubbs!" he said.
The little war correspondent hurried after him without another word.