The Boy Allies with Haig in Flanders Part 32

"Oh--o!" said the major. "So you are fighting with your own countrymen at last, eh?"

"I am, thank goodness," said Hal. "But can this indeed be Mademoiselle Vaubaun? I have heard of her before, but I judged that she was a young woman."

Major Derevaux smiled.

"And a consummate actress," he said. "Mademoiselle, will you grant my friend the lieutenant a look at your true self?"

"If this young man is a friend of yours, Raoul, he is a friend of mine," said the woman.

She removed a cap from her head, straightened herself up and shook down her hair. Then she pa.s.sed a hand several times over her face, and when Hal looked again there stood before him a girl in her teens.

"Great Scott!" exclaimed Hal, and started back.

In a few words he now explained his own presence in the German lines, together with that of Chester and the four Canadians.

Mademoiselle Vaubaun, in turn, told the lad how she had been left in Cambrai when German troops had swept across Belgium and France in the early days of the war, and how, from time to time, she had found it possible to send word to the French and British staffs of impending German movements.

"But how about me and my friends?" inquired Hal.

"I can hide you all, too. Beyond the room in which your friends are now is a second room and beyond that a false wall. It is there, I will hide the major. I was about to take him there when you came to the door tonight. There is room for all."

"Then I shall return to my friends," said Hal. "I have been gone so long Chester will fear something has happened to me. Will you go with me, major?"

"To be sure. I shall be glad to see Chester again. May we have a light, Antoinette?"

"I will lead the way myself," said the girl. "It will be as well that you go to your hiding places now."

She lighted the way upstairs with a candle.

In the darkened room above, Chester and the Canadians had been waiting impatiently. Chester had come to the conclusion that something had happened to Hal and was about to go down and hunt for him. As the light came upstairs, however, he drew back.

"It's all right, Chester," Hal called. "Here is the light and an old friend to greet you."

"Old friend," said Chester in surprise. "I didn't know I had any friends on this side of the line."

"Well, have a look at this man and see if you recognize him," said Hal, and pushed Major Derevaux forward.

Chester took one look at the major and then dashed forward with hand out.

"Major Derevaux!" he cried.

The two clasped hands warmly.

"Now, Chester," said Hal, "I want you to meet our hostess, Mademoiselle Vaubaun."

Chester bowed in acknowledgment of the introduction, then added: "I suppose it was your mother who admitted us some time since?"

The girl laughed lightly.

"Why, no," she said. "I admitted you myself."'

"But--but--" said Chester, nonplussed.

"I'm not surprised at you, Chester," said Hal. "Cannot a woman or a girl wear a disguise as well as you?"

"By Jove!" said Chester. "I hadn't thought of that. So that was it, eh?"

"Yes, that was it," said the girl.

The Canadians now were introduced around, after which the young girl said.

"Come. I may as well show you to your hiding places. It is as well for you to be there as here. There is no telling when some of the Germans may arrive."

"But aren't you afraid to be among them alone?" asked Hal.

"Pshaw!" exclaimed the girl. "Who would hurt a harmless old woman?"

She led the way into the room beyond, walked across and pressed a hidden spring in the side of the wall. Instantly a secret door moved open.

"It can be opened from within as well," said the girl. "You may have a light here if you wish. The door is so constructed that the rays cannot be seen from without. I shall leave you now. My only injunction is, do not talk too loud. I'll bring you food and water in the morning."

She bade them good-night and took her leave.

The friends talked in low tones for some moments, then stretched out on the floor and soon were fast asleep.

CHAPTER XXIV

ANTOINETTE "MAKES GOOD"

True to her word, Antoinette appeared with food and drink early the following morning. She was again disguised as an old woman, and Hal and Chester could scarcely believe that a wig and a few dabs of paint could possibly conceal the girlish face they had seen the night before.

"I have had word to prepare a big dinner for a dozen officers of the general, staff," the girl informed Major Derevaux, "so it may be that I shall have the necessary information by nightfall."

"Let us hope so," said the major devoutly.

"And let us hope that you are not risking your life in getting it,"

said Hal.

"Thank you," said Antoinette. "I a.s.sure you I shall be very careful.

Now, you must all remain here quietly today. You may be able to leave soon after dark."

She left the hiding place and closed the secret door behind her.

"And after we leave the house, then what?" asked Hal of Major Derevaux.