Hal broke suddenly into the conversation.

“Can you point the approximate whereabouts of this park of machines out to us?” he asked.

“Easily, sir.”

“What’s your idea?” asked Captain Anderson.

“Simply this,” said Hal.  “I believe that by a dash we can get through the Germans.  They will not expect it, and, if they did, would not expect us to go forward.  Consequently, the guard in front is not likely to be vigilant.  We have enough men here to make a successful raid on these machines and destroy them.”

“A first-class idea,” said the captain.  “We’ll do it.”

CHAPTER XXVII.

A Deed of daring.

Quickly the captain formed and outlined a plan.  Then, gathering his men behind him at the door, he prepared for a sortie.  Among the troops were a few engineers, the captain ascertained upon inquiry, and these he placed at the extreme rear of the little body.

When all was ready, the captain opened the doors and stepped out.  Hal and Chester were right behind him.  It was very dark, and, as there was no light in the house, Germans who were on guard, being a considerable distance back to avoid the fire of the British defenders, did not at first make out the forms flitting silently from the house.

Half the little troop had emerged before a single rifle shot, followed by a volley, gave notice that they had been discovered.  Then, at a word from Captain Anderson, the British charged right at their enemy.

Not a shot was fired until they were at close quarters, in spite of the fact that the German fire was not ineffective.  Then, as the men spread out in a long line, they blazed forth their answer, and, hard upon this, charged with the bayonet.

Apparently the Germans had not prepared for such a move on the part of the enemy, for they gave ground rapidly.  The skirmish was brief, with success to the British.

The Germans in flight, Captain Anderson, Hal and Chester soon found the Viviers road, and led their men along at double time.  The two miles were covered quickly, and finally the three could make out in the darkness what appeared to be a factory.  Closer approach showed that this was what it was.

“Must be a temporary affair,” said Captain Anderson, in a low voice.  “And what are those objects nearby?”

Hal peered through the darkness.

“Look like armored automobiles to me,” he said.

“And so they are,” declared Chester.  “And there must be twenty of them.  Seems to me an act of providence must have put them there.  We couldn’t want anything better to escape in.”

“You are right,” declared the captain.

The captain now divided his men into three forces, one of which he commanded, the other two being led by Hal and Chester.

The first column approached to within fifty yards of the automobiles before being discovered.  Then the cry of a German sentry rang out.