CHAPTER XXIV

PUTTING IT OVER

For a moment, Blake’s heart almost stood still as a wild plan formed itself like lightning in his brain.

There could be no doubt about the identification. It was getting dusk, but there was still light enough to make out the man’s features distinctly. Those features had been indelibly engraved on his memory during the fierce struggle in the captain’s room. It was he beyond a question.

The other man wore the uniform of a lieutenant and was slighter in form than his colleague. He did not look as though he would be hard to master if it came to a tussle. But the captain himself, as Blake had learned from experience, would be hard to handle.

Blake’s first impulse was to draw the heavy revolver that he had taken from the bureau in the captain’s room. But he dismissed this even as he was reaching for the weapon. There were too many Germans around for that.

His hand touched the vial of chloroform that he had in his pocket. Instantly he beckoned to Joe.

Like a flash, his comrade was at his side.

“It’s Petz, Joe,” Blake whispered. “Follow me, but don’t make a noise. I’ll tell you my plan as we go along. But we mustn’t let that wagon get beyond reach.”

Like two shadows they slipped along through the woods that bordered the road. The wagon was not moving fast, for the road was rough and cut up with artillery fire from one of the battles that had been waged there some time before.

It was growing darker now with every minute, and this was in the boys’ favor, as they did not have to stay so far in the woods but could run along on the edge of it where the going was easier.

As they sped along, Blake explained in hurried whispers the plan he had formed.

“It’s a desperate chance, I know,” he admitted, “but it’s our only one. If we can get their uniforms we may be able to slip through their lines. We’ll have to risk it. If the worst comes to the worst, I’ve got the revolver. But I don’t want to use that except as a last resort.”

“All right,” said Joe, and then as breath was precious he said no more.

A few rods further on the vehicle stopped. There was a guttural exchange of words between the two Germans. Evidently something was the matter with the harness, for the captain’s comrade climbed down and busied himself for a moment adjusting something near the horse’s head.

The boys crept closer until they were not more than twenty feet away. It was pitch dark now, and the shadow of the woods was no longer necessary for concealment.

The lieutenant climbed in again and settled himself in his seat. The captain gathered up the reins and the horse started.

“Now,” whispered Blake.

A slight run carried them to the back of the wagon, which had just begun to move. They caught hold of the tailboard and lightly swung themselves up.

The captain and lieutenant had begun an animated conversation. Blake drew the vial of chloroform from his pocket and saturated his handkerchief. Then he passed the vial to Joe, who did the same to his.

Stealthily as cats they moved up to the front of the wagon. Then their right arms shot out. Blake had selected the captain while the lieutenant was left to Joe.

With their right arms they encircled the necks of the Germans and with their left they pressed the saturated handkerchiefs against their faces.

For an instant the Germans were paralyzed by the suddenness of the attack. Then there was a fierce reaction and they struggled desperately to rise from their seats and turn upon their foes. But the arms of the boys were like steel and never relaxed an inch while the stupefying drug quickly got in its deadly work. A minute longer and the Germans fell back limp and unconscious in the boys’ arms.

The boys laid the Huns down on the floor of the wagon and then Blake devoted himself to quieting the horse that had been alarmed by the commotion and was threatening to bolt. He soon had the animal under control and then turned to Joe.

“We put that over all right, eh?” he said with exultation in his voice.

“Worked like a charm,” replied Joe. “I tell you what, Blake, there’s no discount on that gray matter of yours. And now that we’ve got these fellows where we want them, what comes next?”

“The first thing we have to do is to get off this road,” answered Blake. “It seems to be a pretty lonely one, but some one may come along any minute. I’m going to drive the horse a little way into the woods and tie him there. It won’t do to turn him loose, for it will be thought that some accident has happened and they’ll have searching

## parties on the hunt. You keep your eyes on these fellows while I’m

driving and if you see any signs of their coming back from the land of dreams give them another dose of the chloroform. There’s plenty left in the bottle.”

Blake took the reins, and, driving very slowly, gradually worked his way into the woods until he was some distance from the road. Here he climbed down, tied the horse, and as a precaution against his neighing fastened a strap lightly about his jaws.

Then they let down the tailboard of the wagon, lifted the captain and lieutenant to the ground, and with feverish haste began to strip them of their uniforms.

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