Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1941-07-25

back, mouth open, and snoring in the
most natural manner. So natural
that Hutch thought he was really
sleeping.
In thinking this Hutch was wrong
He heard the clicking of booted heels
which announced midnight and the
changing of the guard, and almost be-
fore the door had closed on the re-
firing watchers Pierre was crouching
beside his bed and whispering into
his ear. "Now, mon ami"
Hadn't we better wait until this
new fellow makes his first round p
"No," Pierre whispered, speaking
very fast. GAS he is alone he makes
no rounds. He is afraid to turn his
back on the other rooms along the
corridor. He does not move unless
he suspects something, and then,
warn you, he comes in stocking feet
like cat. I know. I have seen him.
Listen. You and your friend stand
at the door while Henri lets me down.
If the dirty Boche comes, kill him,
but without noise. 1t is too late to
act gently. Allons!"
Hutch and Rusty could hear the
gurgling of the stream below as Hen
ri, using his great strength swung
open the stone. They stood by the
door, waiting with bated breath and
humping hearts. Waiting and wait
ing. Minutes seemed like hours, and
the only sound was the music from
the running brook.
There was no telling how long they
waited, standing silent in the inky
blackness, ready to pounce on the SOL
der if he interrupted them. It must
have been hours, weeks, Hutch
thought, from the moment when they
had heard Pierre splash into the
water until low whistle came to their
ears from somewhere beneath the
stone. It was Pierre signalling for
Henri to pull him out.
"One cannot possibly 60 up stream,
he whispered, at the same time wiring
ing water from his tunic. "The water
comes in through round pipe, and
the current is too strong to pass.
Down stream" although Hutch could
not see the Frenchman he was sure
that he hesitated here to shrug his
houlders-"that is another matter.
The current will help us pass. It all
exits by round pipe. The water
practically fills this pipe, and once in
side there is no return. What is at
the other end, oh how long it is, I
do not know. For one, shall take
the chance"
"And T..
"And l."
"And L"
Pierre chuckled. "The ayes have
it. In which case, hold your breath
and pray. I shall go first. If there
is no exit I shall come back and warn
you-perhaps. If I am not back by
the time you count a hundred do not
wait. shall have gotten through
or else" He attached a blanket a.
round the open stone so that each
man could slide down in turn. "And
now, my friends, shall meet you I'M
der the open stars-maybe!"
There was the muffled sound of a
splash as Pierre hit the water. eau
revoir," he called up in low tone,
after which only the sound of the
stream came to those listening above.
Hutch counted, neither slowly nor
hurriedly, to one hundred. GO a.
head, Martini" he said. Henri de-
explaining that as he was the
strongest he should be the last to pro-
tect, as he explained it, the flank.
This was good military tactic, but
Hutch was now the superior officer
and insisted. The Frenchmen had
been in prison for months, had dis
covered the means of getting away,
and it was their privilege to go first.
This passed through his mind, but he
did not lose time with lengthy ex-
plantations. II am now in command"
he said. eco ahead. We will count
to fifty instead of one hundred. Hur-
ry!" Another splash was heard.
&c. forty-five, firty-six, for
ty-seven, forty-eight, forty-nine-O
K. Rusty, your turn" Without speak