Uncle Sam's Boys with Pershing's Troops: Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the BocheHancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)
History
Uncle Sam's Boys with Pershing's Troops: Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche
Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)
United States. Army -- Juvenile fiction; World War, 1914-1918 -- Juvenile fiction
In dejected silence Noyez awaited the arrival of Captain Gaulte,
who promptly declared that he had no knowledge of any authority
for his lieutenant to visit the enemy's lines. Gaulte had, in
fact, supposed that Noyez was back of the lines on over-night
leave, for which he had applied.
"The business looks bad!" cried Captain Cartier, with troubled
face.
"Quite!" agreed Captain Gaulte more calmly.
"I must telephone for instructions," Cartier continued. "It may
require a long wait. Gentlemen, you will find seats."
First Cartier called up his regimental commander and reported
the matter.
"It will be passed on to division headquarters," reported Captain
Cartier, turning from the telephone instrument.
By and by the telephone bell tinkled softly. Orders came over
the wire that the arresting party should take the prisoners to
division headquarters.
"These are your instructions, then, Lieutenant De Verne. Of course
it is expected that Captain Prescott will accompany you as complaining
witness."
In the darkness of the night it was a toilsome march back through
the communication trenches. This time, when they were left behind,
there was no limousine to pick up the members of the party.
"It is a relief to be at last where we can talk," said De Verne,
in English.
"You may speak for yourself," retorted the German colonel gruffly,
betraying the fact that he understood the language.
Halted four times by sentries, the party at last reached division
headquarters. Outside a young staff officer awaited them.
"General Bazain has risen and dressed," stated the staff officer.
"He had undertaken to snatch two hours' sleep, but this cannot
be his night to sleep. The general awaits you, and you are to
enter. Through to his office."
As they entered the division commander's office they found that
fine old man pacing his room in evident agitation.
"And you, too, Noyez?" he called, in a tone of astounded reproach.
"It was bad enough that we should find Berger a spy! But to find
one of our trusted officers---it is too much!"
"I am neither spy nor traitor, my general!" declared Noyez furiously,
"and my record should remove the least suspicion from my name."
"But you were in the enemy's trenches this night, without knowledge
or leave of your superiors, Lieutenant. Have you a plausible
way to account for it?"
"All in good time, my general, when my head has had time to clear,"
promised the young sub-lieutenant.
"It is but fair that we give you time," assented General Bazain.
"It can give France no joy to find one of her officers a traitor."
It was now the German's turn to be questioned. He gave his name
as Pernim. As he was an ordinary prisoner of war he was led from
the room to be turned over to the military prison authorities.
"And it was you, my dear Captain Prescott, who captured one spy
who has since admitted his guilt. And now you bring in another
whom you accuse."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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