Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-12
CHAPTER "
The Germans Get Sfunc

D1LLY BELGIUMS resolve TO save both
~ Jonathan Hardfst and his money was
brave, but Peggy didn't see how he was going
to do It, Nevertheless she was ready 70
help all she could.
The German officers in the drawing room
were having loud discussion over plans
spread out before the general. The con-
ference was interrupted every minute or two
ny messengers who rushed IN with reports.
These reports. It seemed, did not bear good
news, for the Germans were growing very
gloomy. The talk was all In German, but
Billy Belgium could make out part Of It.
Inc American troops are counter attack
ing he whispered to Peggy "'rhe Germans
are in danger of being driven back"
Another messenger rushed in and evidently
his news was very bad indeed. for it caused
a great commotion among the officers The
general raped out brusaue command
He has ordered a retreat" whispered
Billy Belgium.
The general spoke again. Bly's face
turned white he caught the words
He has ordered this house set afire and
Mr.. Hardest shot at once Come :"
Billy led the way UP the ladder Near
the top of the ven:iator was a door Going
through this they found themselves in a
large attic Billy rushed across to window
which opened upon a courtyard at the rear
of the house
Look - he whispered.
FcREy never forget the picture on which
her eyes rested Al one side Gernr1n SOL
diers were loading Mr. Hardfst's treasure
chest into an army automobile. At the ether
side stood Mr.. Hardfst himself. facing a
squad Of soldiers armed with rifles
"They're going to shoot him :" said Billy.
we haven't Il second to spare"
Desperately Billy looked around for a
weapon. There wasn't one in sight. A sharp.
vicious buzzSg caused him TO jump quickly
aside as large hornet few past his ear
on it's way from the window to a nest hang
ing from rafter.
"A hornets nest Tho very thing :" he
muttered. Stripping off his coat he wrapped
1t quickly around the nest rmprisonlng the
hornets within Then he gently tore the
nest loose from the rafter An angry buzz
from within told that the hornets were
aroused to fury by being thus disturbed
second nest hung near by, and this Billy
treated in the same way, wrapping il in
an old dress he found on hook.
The minute the soldiers make move as
if to fire. throw these among them" he
directed. I'm going down to save Mr.
Hardfst" With that he vanished down the
Nentilator shaft.
Peggy looked from the window. The on
Ger in charge of the firing squad was giving
an order TO his men. Not waiting another
window, tearing off Billys coat as she did
so. Then she hurled the second nest rgh,
after it.
The effect was astonishing. AS the hrs,
| nest fell. the Germans .leaped away from il
in alarm, evidently thinking it new kind
Of bomb. Their officer yelled at them. but
just then the second nest fell and they were
more alarmed than ever. Just then. too. the
wrathy hornets burst forth in a fury They
went right after the Germans. driving in
their stings with vicious strength. As the
first hornets landed, the Germans let out
howls of pain and slapped sharply at the
little fighters. Then the hornets poured
forth in a cloud and the Germans found that
the harder they slapped the worse they got
stung. they flung down their rifles and fled
out into the garden-anywhere to escape the
fury of this unexpected attack.
The officer waved his sword IN vain
attempt to stop the flight of his men. but
when one hornet lit on his nose and another
stung him in the back OF his neck. he let
out whoop of pain and rushed from the
scene at a pace that soon put him ahead OF
his fleeing squad
For a moment, at least. Jonathan Hard
fist was safe. and so was his treasure Peggy
leaned far out of the window to what
Billy Belgium was going TO do next.