here he saw a succession of white flashes on
the horizon. The three stopped and watched. The white flashes reappeared
at intervals for about ten minutes and they wondered. Then the solution
came suddenly to John.

"Powerful searchlights," he said. "The Germans have everything and of
course they have them too. If necessary they'll advance in the night and
fight under them."

"Of course," said Carstairs. "Why didn't we think of it sooner?"

A certain awe seized the three. The reputation of the German military
machine had been immense throughout the world for years, and now real
war was proving it to be all that was claimed for it and more. A great
and numerous nation for nearly half a century had poured its best
energies into the making of an invincible army. Was it possible to stop
it? The three were asking themselves that question again as they watched
the searchlights flashing on the horizon.

"It must be up and away with us," said Carstairs. "We're the champion
walkers of Northern France, and if we're to retain our titles we can't
linger here. In another hour the day will come."

Daylight found them at a small river. The bridge was not broken down,
and they inferred that it was within the lines of defense. An hour later
they learned from a peasant that a British force was camped about
fifteen miles north and west, and they induced him with good gold to
drive them nearly the whole way in his cart. About a mile from the
roadside he insisted on their getting out and drove back rapidly.

"He's afraid his cart and horse would be seized," said Carstairs. "We
could have forced him to go on, but we'll not set a bad example."

The road now led over a hill and at its crest Carstairs took off his hat
and waved it proudly.

"Don't you see?" he exclaimed. "Look! Look! The British flag!"

"What British flag?" said Wharton. "You've a lot of your rags."

"Never mind they're all glorious. See it, waving there by the tents!"

"Yes, I see it, but why are you English so excitable? Any way it's
probably waving over valiant Scotchmen and Irishmen."

"Wharton, you grumpy old Yankee, descendant of sour Puritan ancestors,
we've won our way through in face of everything!"

He seized Wharton about the waist, and the two waltzed up and down the
road, while John laughed from sheer joy.

"Bill come an' look at the crazy Frenchmen dancin' in the road," said a
voice that reeked of the Strand.

Bill who was from London himself came o