Army Boys on the Firing Line; or, Holding Back the German Drive — John Shaqi
Army Boys on the Firing Line; or, Holding Back the German DriveRandall, Homer
History
Army Boys on the Firing Line; or, Holding Back the German Drive
Randall, Homer
United States. Army -- Juvenile fiction; World War, 1914-1918 -- Juvenile fiction
"No, it isn't that," replied Frank. "I got satisfaction for that then
and there, and I don't hold grudges. It's something altogether outside
of personal matters. Have you heard any details about how Nick made
his escape?"
"Only a bit here and there," answered Fred. "I suppose it will all
come out later on. But it seems that he has a lot of information about
the German plans and he's now at headquarters being questioned by the
officers."
Frank turned the conversation into other channels, because although he
had the gravest reasons for believing Rabig to be a traitor, he did not
want to do the fellow an injustice or voice his suspicions until he was
able to confirm them by absolute proof.
Fred passed on after a few minutes and the boys looked at each other.
"Did you hear what Fred said about Nick's 'important information'?"
asked Frank.
"Important misinformation," growled Bart.
"Bunk," declared Billy.
"Of course, Nick has an advantage in understanding German," said Frank
cautiously, "and a loyal fellow in his situation might have picked up
something that would be of advantage to our people, though it isn't
likely, for the Germans guard their secrets pretty well."
"What's the use of talking?" burst out Bart. "We fellows are all onto
Rabig. We know at this minute that he'd like nothing better than to
see the United States licked by Germany. Don't we know that he let
that German prisoner escape? Don't you know that he was talking in the
woods at night with that German spy that you shot? I tell you
straight, Frank, that if Rabig escaped it was because the Germans let
him escape. If he has information, it is because the Germans filled
him up with just the kind of information they wanted our officers to
believe."
"I think Bart's right," remarked Billy. "It'll be the best day this
regiment ever saw when Rabig's stood up before a firing squad."
"In my heart I believe the same," assented Frank. "But the tantalizing
thing is that we haven't a bit of legal proof. Rabig had that cut on
his hand to explain the escape of the prisoner. He seemed to be
sleeping in his bunk that night I got back from the woods. So far he
has an alibi for everything. We can't prove that he let himself be
captured. We can't prove that the Germans let him escape. As for the
information he claims to have, our suspicions are based only on what we
know of the man's character."
"That legal stuff doesn't make a hit with me," growled Bart. "Some day
I'll break loose and take it out of him myself. My fingers itch every
time I see him. I'd hoped I'd never have to see him again."
"You're doomed to be disappointed, then," grinned Billy, "for here he
comes now."
They looked in the direction he indicated and saw Rabig coming along
the company street.
His step was swaggering and he looked immensely satisfied with himself.
Bart's fist clenched.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account