"I think they've got pretty nearly five thousand men," Frank decided finally. "They're in light marching order, for Germans, too. No camp kitchens--nothing. Only what the men themselves are carrying. They're making a forced march to get to some particular place. Queer to use infantry, though, but I suppose they couldn't get horses through with whatever trick it was they played." "They're beginning to turn off," said Henri. "See, the head of the column is slipping through that field over there. They must know this country as well as I do or better. That's a short cut that will take them to Hierville." "I don't believe they're going to Hierville or any other village now," said Frank. "Tell me, are those woods I can see in front of them at all thick?" "Yes, they're old, too. They've been preserved for a long time. That's the oldest part of the old park of the Chateau d'Avriere. It was one of the castles that wasn't destroyed in the revolution." "Well, they're going to take cover in those woods. This is all a part of a mighty careful plan, Harry. I think they have turned a real trick. If the French or the English knew that the Germans were in any such force as this so far south and west as this they would be acting very differently, I believe. Their aeroplanes have certainly failed them here." "They're on the line of retreat, if we were beaten again in that battle we've been hearing all afternoon." "I don't think it was a real battle at all, Harry. I think it was just rear guard fighting. But I tell you what we've got to do. We've got to get through and tell about these troops. Of course, they may know all about them at headquarters, but it doesn't look so. We had better wait here until we make fairly sure of what they're going to do and until there isn't any more danger of our being seen, too. They'll have scouts out all around them. We were mighty lucky to get through so long as we have. But it's going to get dark pretty soon, and then we ought to be safe." They lay in their improvised shelter. It took the Germans a long time to pass, but at last the road below was free of them, and the last of them slipped into the sheltering obscurity of the woods. "We ought to find out if they're staying there, or if they are still moving on," said Frank. "It's risky, but I think we ought to take the risk. You stay here, Henri. I'll try to get around, and come back." "Why should I stay here? If there's a risk, why shouldn't I take it just as well as you?" "Because one of us has got to get through. If I'm caught, you'll still be here and able to get through to headquarters with what we've found out already. And the reason I'd better go is that I'm an American. If they catch me they're not so likely to hold me." "But I don't think it's fair for you to take the risk. I ought to do it," said Henri, stubbornly. "I don't care what you think," said Frank, "I'm going. Au revoir, Harry!" "Wait a minute! How are you going to find out?"