Then it was that His Lordship, the lanky Englishman who had afforded so much amusement to the others, came to life.  Up to this time he had been marching along with hanging head, apparently in nowise concerned in what was taking place.

He ran lightly up the steps of the nearest house, and, putting his shoulder to the door, broke it in with ease.  Immediately he disappeared within.

Into this house Hal and Chester also went, and instructed their men to occupy the adjoining buildings.

“We can give a good account of ourselves in here, should we be attacked,” Hal explained.

“Right,” Chester agreed.  “But do you anticipate an attack?”

“I do,” replied Hal.  “As soon as the Germans we drove out report to the main body, a strong force probably will be sent against us.”

“And are we supposed to hold them off?”

“We are supposed to stick until ordered to fall back, I reckon,” Hal replied.

“Well,” declared Chester, “we are at the very opposite side of the town and can see them coming—­if they do.”

They were attracted by a peculiar noise at the opposite side of the room in which they stood.

It was His Lordship, dead to the world, snoring, with wide-open mouth.

“The sergeant was right,” said Hal.  “His Lordship can sleep anywhere.”

Almost at this moment there came a warning from without.

“Germans approaching in force, sir,” cried the sergeant, poking his head in the door.

And at that moment there came a clattering of horses’ hoofs, and a moment later a French officer entered the room.

“General Joffre orders you to fall back, sir!” he said.

CHAPTER XVII.

A fight for A bed.

With a word to the sergeant to order an immediate retreat, Hal crossed the room and shook His Lordship roughly.

“Get up!” he shouted.

His Lordship opened one eye sleepily.

“What’s that?” he demanded.

“Get up!” repeated Hal.

“Not on your life,” said His Lordship slowly, and closed his eyes again.

“Quick!” shouted Hal.  “We must retreat!  A whole German regiment is about to attack us.”

“All right,” came the reply, and His Lordship did not take the trouble to open his eyes.

Once more the lad shook him roughly, and Chester added his voice.

“Get up out of here,” he commanded sharply.  “A German regiment is upon us.”

“I don’t care if it is the whole German army,” replied His Lordship, with some heat—­and it was the first time in his life that he had ever been aroused—­“they won’t get my bed.”

“I order you—­” Hal began.

But His Lordship calmly shut his eyes, turned on his other side, and went peacefully to sleep.

“Now, what do you think of that?” demanded Hal of Chester.