, they take their chances, just like soldiers, if they do that,
don't they?"

"Of course. They really are soldiers, just as much as the others, but
they have special work to do, that they're trained for. That's the
only difference."

"What are we going to do now?"

"We're going to try to spoil the little surprise these Germans are
preparing for Boncelles and Embourg," said Paul, gritting his teeth.
"You stay here by this window, Arthur. I'm going down to telephone to
Boncelles. If anyone comes near, tell me at once. It's awfully
important, you know, to keep them from finding out about our telephone
wire just as long as we can. And listen, in case I call to you. I'll
want a quick answer, if I do."

"All right, Paul."

Down Paul went, then, to the gasoline pit. Lying at full length, he
drew the telephone instrument from the cunningly devised hiding place
he and Arthur had arranged for it. He was fearful for a moment; there
was a chance, and more than a chance, that the German scouts might have
found and cut the wire; they would certainly have tried to cut every
telephone and telegraph wire in the neighborhood, as the first and most
obvious precaution. But after a brief delay he was delighted to hear
an answering voice.

Quickly he explained who he was, and found that his call had been
expected. In a moment an artillery officer, who said he was Lieutenant
Delaunay, was speaking.

"What information have you?" he asked, quickly. "I have your maps here
before me."

"Find the one that shows the Ourthe and the ground before Boncelles and
Embourg," said Paul.

"Right!"

"Mark the house of M. de Frenard, destroyed last night by fire."

"I have it!"

"Good! To the east of the house the ground slopes upward. It is well
sheltered from observation by the fort. Your searchlights would be
blocked by the woods between the fort and the house. But there is a
spot marked on the map by a group of crosses. Do you see it?"

"Right! We decided that would be a battery. The other forts report
that they have been fired on from points marked on the maps that you
supplied, and that by concentrating their fire on the points indicated
on these maps they have silenced a number of field guns."

"I am glad," said Paul, quietly. "I was sure that the information
would prove to be valuable. Well, then, this battery is not of field
guns. That is why you have heard no firing from it as yet. They are
working now, by