suggest we each roll a barrel outside," General Bolero said. "We can
use them as something to hide behind if we meet resistance."

"Good idea," Stan agreed. He turned to Tony. "Can we get out without
charging the main gate? If we rouse the Germans, we'll be in the same
spot we were in the first time we got loose."

"I don't think so," Tony answered.

The problem was solved by the appearance of an officer. He bellowed
angrily into the cellar, then took a step or two into the dark
passageway. That was a mistake. Allison tapped him over the head with a
gun barrel and dragged him back.

"He says the villa has been fired. There is only a few minutes to load
up and get out." Allison laid the officer beside his men.

"We won't tie him up. When he comes to he can free his men. I wouldn't
roast even a German," Stan snapped. "Get a barrel and let's get going."

The floor and the passageway sloped gently down into the cellar because
the barrels always came in full and went out empty. The boys soon
discovered that it took two of them to roll a heavy barrel. They managed
to get three barrels rolling and headed for the entrance.

Outside they found a big van with a driver who was dancing up and down
shouting. Three planks sloped up into the truck. The first barrel hit
the planking and the boys heaved it up. The driver was yelling wildly
and he had every reason to yell. The yard was as light as day. Flames
licked up all around the house and the smaller buildings blazed
furiously. The heat was intense and the smoke was thick.

Allison snapped an order at the driver and the fellow put a shoulder
against the next barrel. No sooner had he leaned forward than Arno
tapped him over the head with his pistol butt.

"Get our guns and the sack of grenades and flares," Stan shouted. "Arno,
you drive."

They had two barrels in the back of the van where they could be seen. In
a moment the guns and the grenades were in the truck along with Tony,
the general, and Allison. Stan armed himself with a tommy-gun and rode
up front with Arno.

Out at the main gate guards were shouting and waving at the van to hurry
up. No Germans remained in the courtyard. Arno started the van and they
headed for the gate. The guards wanted a ride, but Arno had gotten up
speed and did not stop. They roared down the driveway and headed out
into the road. Foot soldiers were everywhere. Arno slipped into a line
of trucks and they chugged along toward the settlemen