ilently along in a direction that would cut across the beat
walked by the sentry. Soon he spotted his man moving at a slow walk
along what appeared to be a pathway. Stan moved in and halted beside a
bush. There he remained without moving a muscle. The sentry had reached
the end of his beat and was turning back. Stan ducked his head to make
sure no light was reflected from his face. Tensing his muscles he
waited.

The sentry seemed to be enjoying the night. He sauntered along, his
rifle slung carelessly over his shoulder. The barrel missed Stan's head
by inches as the man brushed past the bushes where he stood.
Straightening, Stan leaned far forward, his arm shot out and encircled
the man's neck. At the same time his knee came up through the bushes in
a smashing blow. The expert application of Stan's arm and the blow in
the spine knocked the German limp at once. He did not struggle and he
could not cry out. Stan dragged him back into the bushes, hurriedly
gagged and bound him.

Moving swiftly back to the pathway he came upon the boys. Allison was
already back, kneeling with Tony and Arno.

"Fast work," Stan whispered softly.

"He was a rotten soldier," Allison answered. "He sat down and started
removing one boot."

"We'll close in fast but without noise. I have a hunch we'll get a
break. If two of the men should start out to check the men we disposed
of, Allison and I will take them out. You boys take the other two. Make
sure they don't get a chance to yell."

"They will not yell," Arno promised grimly.

The four raiders moved in on their hands and knees. They halted only a
few yards from the four men. Here they waited. Finally one of the men
got up and called. He listened, then challenged his sentries again. When
there was no answer he caught up a rifle, snapped an order to one of the
others, and headed off down the picket line.

Instantly Allison slithered away into the night. One of the others got
to his feet grumbling loudly. He caught his rifle up and held it at
ready as he moved off. Stan was after him at once.

Before Stan had overtaken the guard, having allowed him to get down the
pathway a little distance, so as not to arouse the two left behind, he
heard sounds of scuffling. Arno and Tony had not waited. They were in
action.

Stan leaped in upon the guard just as the fellow whirled around. He
knocked up the man's gun and closed with him. The German shouted once
before Stan could get a strangle hold