CHAPTER XXIII.
WITHIN THE ENEMY'S LINES.
Revolvers clasped tightly in both hands, the reins hanging loose on theirhorses' necks, while they guided the animals by the pressure of theknees, the friends dashed forward toward the Austrian lines, probablythree miles ahead.
When they had gone some two hundred yards, there came behind them, withloud shouts, a squadron of Italian cavalry, firing as they urged theirmounts on.
A hundred yards farther on the three saw signs of excitement in theAustrian ranks, now visible in the distance. A moment and a troop salliedforth to protect the flight of the apparent fugitives, and to drive backthe Italians.
Hal, thinking to help the illusion along, pulled his horse up sharply,and as the animal staggered and lost his stride, the lad tumbled off.He was up in a moment, however, and raising his revolver, emptied itat the Italian horsemen bearing down on him. He was careful to aimhigh, however.
Chester and Colonel Anderson checked their mounts and the former leapedto the ground and helped Hal back to his saddle. Then, with a last volleyin the direction of the Italians, they urged their horses on again.
Meanwhile they could hear the whine of the Italian bullets above theirhead, some so close that Chester feared for a moment the Italiancavalrymen had misunderstood their orders. But none touched them.
Straight toward the onrushing Austrians they spurred their horses; andthe Austrians parted to let them through. At this juncture the Italiansgave up the chase and retired; and the Austrians did not pursue them.
"Pretty narrow escape you fellows had," said the Austrian officer,speaking in German.
"Rather," replied Hal dryly. "When my horse stumbled back there, I wasafraid it was all over."
"I thought so myself," returned the Austrian. "But what is the matter?Who are you?"
Hal gazed about sharply, and then leaning close to the Austrian,whispered:
"From the Wilhelmstrasse."
The Austrian never moved a muscle, but whispered back again:
"Good! Then you desire to see General Brentz?"
"At once, if you please," replied Hal.
The Austrian nodded.
Back within his own lines the officer volunteered to conduct the three tothe general himself.
"It will avoid delay," he explained.
The three friends followed him.
Before the quarters of the Austrian commander, the officer whispered tothe orderly stationed at the entrance. The latter saluted anddisappeared. He came out a moment later and motioned for all to enter.
A large man, both tall and stout, was General Brentz, and he eyed thethree with a close gaze. All gave the stiff German military salute.
"You come from--" said the general, and paused.
"The Wilhelmstrasse," said Colonel Anderson, leaning slightly forward.
"And how did you get here?"
"Well, not without some trouble," replied the colonel. "And we almostfailed. But, fortunately, we remembered that the Wilhelmstrasse neverfails, and with the aid of your cavalry, sir, we escaped. This officer,"pointing to the man who had conducted them there, "can perhaps tell youbetter than I. I was too busy with my horse."
The officer, at the general's command, gave an account of the chase.
"Very well," said the general, when he had concluded. He turned again toColonel Anderson. "I take it you have valuable information for me, then?"
"Yes, sir, but for you only," replied the colonel, nodding toward theother officer.
General Brentz took the hint. He motioned the subordinate to withdraw.
Colonel Anderson leaned down and unloosened his boot. He took it off, anddrawing a knife from his pocket, slit the sole. Then he withdrew severalsheets of dirty, crumpled paper, which he extended to General Brentz. Thelatter took them eagerly, and turned quickly to his desk.
For almost an hour he poured over the papers and at last a slow smilespread itself over his face. He turned to the others.
"This," he said, "will prove the very link for which I have been wishing.I may need more information from you, sirs."
The three friends were afraid to look at each other for fear they wouldbetray themselves, so all stood silent.
"I take it you know something of my position here," said General Brentzto Colonel Anderson.
"Very little, sir," was the reply.
"I'll show you," said the general. "Draw up chairs, gentlemen; you may beable to help me."
The three did as requested and then the Austrian commander spread a bigmap on the desk.
"Here," he said, "are the positions of my troops. Now, having in mind thelay of the enemy forces, can you not see that a feint on the enemy leftwing, followed by an attack in force on the center, is the key to thewhole situation?"
Colonel Anderson nodded his head slowly. In the meantime he was lookingcarefully at the map before him, impressing it upon his memory, as wereHal and Chester also.
The colonel put a finger on the map.
"Then the bulk of your men are massed here?" he asked, indicatingthe center.
"No, that's the beauty of it," was the reply. "My strength is on my leftwing. But an attack in force in the center, after a feint with my right,will call such Italian troops to the center that a second assault inforce on our left will be almost certain of success."
"I see," said the colonel slowly. "You are right, sir. And what is thestrength, approximately, of your left wing?"
"One hundred and fifty thousand men. Fifty to seventy-five thousand inthe center and somewhat under fifty thousand in the right wing."
"Enough to make a show of force at any given point," commented thecolonel.
"Exactly; and with these maps and plans you have brought me, there can beno reason for failure."
"Have you ever considered, general," said Hal, "that a raid by the enemyin force of say fifty thousand men, through your right wing, would givethem a commanding position in the mountains, a position from which theycould not be dislodged without a deal of trouble?"
"It has been one of my worries," was the quiet reply. "But, because ofthe strategic position of the ground, I cannot afford to weaken my leftwing or my center to strengthen it. But if this new plan of mine goesthrough, it will obviate all danger of such an attack."
"And how long would it take you to prepare for such an attack?"asked Chester.
"I would not attempt it under three days," was the reply. "Besides,feeling sure of success as I do, I will wait for another reason. TheEmperor of Germany will be here within the next day or two and I wouldhave him see my troops in action. I trust you will stay here until hearrives. I shall take pleasure in commending you to his Majesty."
"We shall be glad to accept your hospitality until that time," said thecolonel, "if you can provide us with suitable quarters."
"It shall be done," said the general and clapped his hands.
An orderly entered and to him the general gave the necessaryinstructions. As the three would have followed the orderly out, thegeneral stayed them.
"One moment," he said. "I had forgotten you are not in uniform and wouldbe annoyed without a paper giving you the freedom of our lines."
He turned and scribbled for a few moments, and gave each a paper.
"Make yourselves entirely at home," he said. "I shall always be ready togive you an interview providing the press of other work does notinterfere."
Again the three gave the stiff German military salute and the generalrose to his feet as he returned it.
Then the three friends followed the orderly from the tent.
An hour later found them established in large and pretentious quarters--ahandsomely appointed tent not far from the first-line troops, but stillfar enough back to be safe from the Italian artillery shells that everand anon came hurtling across the open.
"Well," said Chester, in a low voice, "we were fortunate."
"We were, indeed," returned the colonel. "I can't imagine yet whatpossessed the general to let us have a look at that
map."
"Nor I," said Hal.
"Well, I've got a picture of it in my mind that will keep for a week,"said Chester. "I don't need to draw it."
"And it would be well not to," declared the colonel. "For if anythingshould happen and you had such a map, you would be shot without amoment's notice."
"There is one thing sure," said Hal. "We'll have to get out of herebefore the Kaiser arrives. He'll naturally want to have a look at hissecret agents and then it would be good night."
"Rather," replied Chester dryly. "Besides, it seems to me that we knowenough right now."
"Well, we'll look about another day, anyhow," said the colonel. "We maybe able to gather a few more details."
"It won't hurt anything," said Hal. "That's sure."
"Then we'll make our dash for the Italian lines to-morrow night,"said Chester.
"Agreed," said Colonel Anderson and Hal.
There was a call from without and a moment later a pleasant, dapperlittle officer stuck his head in the tent.
"General Brentz has told me to put myself at your service," he said."Perhaps you would like me to conduct you through the camp?"
The three friends were glad of this chance and followed him.