“Simple,” said Stubbs.  “We take an automobile from here to a little town called Gorz, to the north.  And then we circle around the little neck of Italy to Trent, again in Austria.  Of course there are quicker ways out, but I have made these arrangements already and it would look suspicious to change now.  Until we get to Trent there will be no trouble.  There we shall have to do a little figuring, but the best way is this:  I have a safe conduct, given me by the Austrian commander here.  It will pass me into Italy.  What I shall do is give it to you and you can cross the border.”

“But you—­” began Chester.

“I’m coming to that.  They will stop me, of course.  Then I’ll raise a holler.  I’ll demand that they wire the commander here and give a description of me, saying I have lost my papers.  They will identify me, all right, because there are no more like me.  A second safe conduct will come along and I’ll move into Italy.  Simple little thing, isn’t it?”

“Quite simple—­if it works,” said Chester.

“Oh, it’ll work all right!”

“I hope so,” declared Chester.

“It’s got to work,” replied Stubbs.  “I can’t afford to have it fail.  My paper will be expecting something out of Italy from me within a few days and I’ve got to be there to give it to them.  Otherwise, I’m liable to be dismissed.”

“I guess that won’t happen,” said Chester, with a smile.

“Not if I can help it,” agreed Stubbs.  “Now let’s climb between the sheets.”

CHAPTER XVII.

Back into Italy.

“Now here,” said Stubbs, “are my papers.  You just take them, and for the moment you will be Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent of the New York Gazette.  You are a little young looking, so put on all the airs you can, for they’ll think you must be awful good to have such a job.”

Chester and the little war correspondent had left Trieste without trouble and had arrived in Trent without adventure of any kind.  True to his word, Stubbs had arranged for Chester’s departure with him and now the time for parting had come.

Chester took the papers Stubbs held out to him and thrust them into his pocket.

“And when will you be across?” he asked.

“Oh, I’ll be there before the day is over,” was the reply.  “When you once get within the Italian lines, you demand to be taken to the nearest general commanding a division and explain matters to him.  Then wait for me, if it is until to-morrow.  I’ll be there.”

“All right,” agreed Chester.

“I’ll walk as far as the outposts with you,” said Stubbs.  “No, I won’t either,” on second thought.  “I’ll be wanting to get out myself directly and it wouldn’t do for us to be seen together.”

He held out his hand.

“Good-bye, and good luck,” he said.  “You just do as I tell you and you’ll have no trouble.  Remember, you are just as big as any of these fellows, and a whole lot bigger, if it comes to that.”