human
I am not unmindful of the great help you rendered Italy in Rome, he said;
gpt
Why, that's all right, sir, said Chester quietly.
human
The idea was Colonel Anderson's, and if it cannot be done, that settles it, of course. Uncle John will have to take his chances, the same as the rest of us.
gpt
I am glad you are so sensible about it, replied the general.
human
Now, turning to Colonel Anderson,
gpt
I have a matter to discuss with you.
human
It's too bad you fellows are not in the fighting business any more,
gpt
Why?
human
Because I am now confronted with a piece of work in which I should be glad to have your aid.
gpt
What kind of work?
human
Oh, just a little mission that would take us into the Austrian lines. General Ferrari wants a little information, and he has selected me to go after it. I've got to have a couple of companions.
gpt
By Jove, Chester! Here's a chance for us, declared Hal.
human
We'll go along, and who knows, perhaps we may have a chance to help Uncle John, too.
gpt
Good! agreed Chester.
human
What do you say, colonel?
gpt
I am afraid the general would not hear of it, replied the colonel, with a slight smile.
human
For my part, if you are willing I should be glad to have you with me. I know you are to be depended upon and I have great confidence in your resourcefulness.
gpt
Let's go and see the general,
human
H-m-m, said the general, musing for a while. Then he gave his decision.
gpt
All right, he said;
human
Yes, sir,
gpt
You say you hold commissions in the Belgian army?
human
Yes, and I can vouch for the fact that they were both attached to the staff of General Sir John French,
gpt
Very well, then, returned the general.
human
You may go, and my only instructions are that the work be done with the greatest possible haste.
gpt
It shall be done, sir, declared the colonel.
human
Come, boys.
gpt
Just what is it we are supposed to find out?
human
First, the enemy's strength at this point, replied the colonel.
gpt
The lay of the land, the strength of the enemy's position, how his army is laid out, and, lastly, the feasibility of a quick dash over the Alps.
human
Not such a little job, after all,
gpt
And, said Chester,
human
That's the problem, said the colonel.
gpt
We'll have to figure that out. One thing, we've got to get there, and at least one of us has got to get back again. Luckily, I speak German fluently. I don't believe Austrian will be necessary.
human
Not much difference, is there?
gpt
Some. But German will do us.
human
Well, said Chester,
gpt
In which event, said Hal,
human
That can't be helped, said the colonel.
gpt
We'll have to don civilian garb.
human
But how to get across?
gpt
Say, look here, I've got a plan,
human
Let's have it,
gpt
Listen, then. We'll put on civilian clothes. We'll tell the Italian officer in command of the farthest outpost what we are about to do. We'll get horses and we'll have a squadron of Italian cavalry chase us, shooting--but over our heads. That will attract the enemy, and they'll come forward to help us. Then we'll get there.
human
But what reason will we give for wanting to get into the Austrian lines?
gpt
I'm coming to that. Before we start, we'll draw up a couple of maps of supposed Italian positions--which, of course, will be directly the opposite of how things are here; we'll take down false figures of the Italian strength and other such things. We'll tell the Austrian commander, when we are taken before him, that we are German secret agents, and we'll get away with it. Fortunately, I think we know the phrase that will get us by.
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Why, the one you used on Robard in Rome, said Chester.
human
By Jove! I believe you are right,
gpt
I am certain of it, replied Chester.
human
So, you see, we will overcome suspicion, and will have freedom of the Austrian camp--practically. Now, what do you think of the plan?
gpt
Well, it has its advantages, replied Colonel Anderson,
human
I guess that is up to me, said Chester.
gpt
I am rather handy with a pencil.
human
Fine, said the colonel, after gazing at the maps.
gpt
And you have laid them out, names and all. If the Austrians were to advance with the belief that these were authentic, we'd eat 'em alive.
human
I hope they do it, said Chester.
gpt
Now it's up to you to get the other figures.
human
We've prepared those,
gpt
Now we'll have to hide them, so it will look right,
human
Right; but first crumple them up and rub a little dirt on 'em,
gpt
Now, about the starting time?
human
My idea, said Hal,
gpt
Why?
human
For several reasons, but one will suffice. If we go at night the whole thing is likely to go wrong, and they'll shoot us without taking any chances. They won't see our apparently serious predicament in the darkness.
gpt
You are right, as usual,
human
Now about weapons, said Chester.
gpt
We ought to carry a couple of guns apiece.
human
And a good supply of ammunition,
gpt
We've got the guns, but not the ammunition,
human
I'll rustle that up for you in a few minutes,