“Both of you boys come with me,” the British captain told them, evidently capable of acting on the spur of the moment. “I’ll see that you get to Headquarters all right.” His actions told that he was a man who knew what to do in an emergency. First of all he stepped between the boys, and put an arm through theirs. Then he commanded a batch of passing soldiers under a subaltern to swing around them, so that on every side they were protected from the crowd.
After that they started off briskly. Jack looked at his chum and nodded his head as if to say that it was more than fortunate for them they chanced to come across such a level-headed officer in their time of need.
A crowd started to follow after them, and seeing[257] this the resolute captain gave a sharp order that caused the guard to turn and make threatening gestures with the bayonets on their guns. After that, as though recognizing the fact that such an officer was not to be trifled with, the mob fell back and scattered into fractions.
The danger was evidently past, at least so far as that quarter was concerned. It remained to be seen how they would get on with the general. Having the utmost faith in the talisman they carried, neither Jack nor Amos felt much fear. In this crisis of the country’s history none but sensible men would be in command of the King’s forces in the field; and they could depend on just treatment, which was all they asked.
There was evidently no desire in those days of hovering Zeppelins and hostile aeroplanes capable of dropping dangerous bombs, to make Headquarters in any way conspicuous. No flags decorated the humble building to which the American boys were now taken. In fact, unless the steady flow of messengers and orderlies were noted one would never dream a general[258] high in authority had taken it over for his personal quarters.
“Remain here while I see if the general is in and can give you a few minutes,” was what the captain told them, with which he vanished beyond the two grim sentries who guarded the doorway.
“Let me tell you we’ve been mighty lucky to have such a friend bob up when we needed one,” remarked Jack, as they awaited the reappearance of the officer.
“I kind of think he’s taken quite a fancy to you, Jack,” the other observed. “He must have a soft spot in his heart for Americans. Every time he looked around at one of us he’d sort of smile. I’m going to ask him if he ever lived across the water in our country. Here he comes. I think it’s all right, and the general will see us, because he looks as ‘pleased as Punch,’ as these Britishers say.”
Amos guessed rightly, for the captain nodded his head as he came up to them, still surrounded by the men in khaki.
[259]
“You are to come in with me, boys. The general has a few minutes of leisure, and will listen to what you have to say,” he told them, as he dismissed the men.
“I hope you’ll excuse me, Captain,” said Amos, bent on satisfying his curiosity on the spur of the moment. “Something seems to tell me you know America. Am I right about that, or is it a bad guess, sir?”
“I spent several years in Washington as an attaché to our Embassy there,” the officer confessed. “It happens that I married an American woman, so I can assure you I have a great many good friends over there, two of whom I happen to know are in the Foreign Legion that was organized in Paris to fight Prussian militarism. But come with me, as the general’s time is precious. Whatever your errand may be over here I wish you good luck.”
“Thanks, Captain, and the same to you!” exclaimed Amos, as he gave Jack a wink, desiring to call his attention to the fact that for once his guess had hit the bull’s-eye.
[260]
A minute later and they were ushered into the presence of the general. Amos felt immediately that they would not have any difficulty in gaining the good will of this high functionary. He had a keen eye, and surveyed the two American boys curiously, as though finding it difficult to understand why they should have been allowed to roam almost at will over these fighting zones, when other non-combatants were swept far to the rear for many reasons.
“Captain Sperry informs me you wished to have a brief talk with me,” was what the general said in quick, terse tones that denoted unusual energy. “First of all tell me who you are, why you are here, and how in the name of all that’s wonderful you have been allowed safe conduct through this war-torn region.”
As was usually the case, Jack took it upon himself to do the talking. Amos always admitted that he was not in the same class with his cousin when it came to making a good use of his vocal organs. In other words, to use the words of some of their boy friends across the water, Jack[261] had the “gift of gab,” and had often been put in the “spell-binder” division.
So Jack introduced Amos and himself. He went right at the root of the matter, telling how Frank Turner had left home under a cloud, and then how some years later his complete innocence had been established so strangely.
Having in this fashion interested the general, who was human even though a stern soldier, perhaps a martinet in his way as well, Jack explained how they had been given a letter of introduction to Lord Kitchener, and that the father of his chum had once been a warm friend of the great soldier in the Soudan.
In somewhat of a dramatic fashion Jack told how they had been given a paper by the British War Minister, and then presented the well-worn document to the astonished general. He examined it eagerly, and then looked at the two boys. The stern expression on his strong face had changed to a friendly smile, owing to first of all the spell of Jack’s boyish oratory, and then the sight of that honored signature.
[262]
“You are fortunate indeed, my young friends,” he told them, “in having such a backing. I do not wonder any longer that you have been able to penetrate our lines, and see much that has been going on, which other eyes have not been able to observe. But I sincerely hope you may never fall into the hands of the Germans,............