robably because
of the grudging German censor.

"I'm glad it went," said Archer confidentially. "I was shaking in my
shoes."

"There wasn't any reason to shake," said Tom. "I knew it would go."

"Same as we will."

"Hush," said Tom.

CHAPTER XXVIII

HE DISAPPEARS--FOR THE TIME BEING

Tom was too sensible to make his trip to the bushes each night. For one
thing he wanted to give the mildly corrosive process a chance to weaken
the wires. It was a case for small doses. Also he could not afford to
attract attention. His hardest job was keeping Archer patient and quiet.

When he did manage a second trip he was gratified to see that the spots
he had "treated" were white and salty, like the bar in a battery. He
gave them another dose and crawled out cautiously.

Archer, in his excitement, had supposed the whole thing would be a
matter of a day or two and his impatience greatly disturbed Tom.

"Don't you see, if I try to break the wires before they're ready, we'll
be worse off than ever?" he said. "Leave it to me."

At last there came a dark night when Tom announced in a whisper that he
had used the last of the sal ammoniac.

"The wires are all white," he said, "and you can scrape into them with
your finger-nails. It's good and dark to-night. If you want to back out
you can. I won't be sore about it. Only tell me again about the road to
Dundgardt."

"Didn't I tell you I was with you strong as mustarrd? I don't want to
back out."

A while after dark Tom went down to the bushes. It was understood that
Archer should follow him, timing his coming according to the sentry's
rounds. Meanwhile Tom, not without some misgivings, bent the thick wire
in one of the weakened spots and it broke. He paused and listened. Then
he broke another strand, trembling lest even the breaking might cause a
slight sound. The life had been eaten out of the wires and they parted
easily.

By the time Archer arrived he had opened a way through the thick
entanglement large enough to crawl through. His nerves were on edge as
he wriggled far enough through to peer about in the dark outside.

"Anyway, your head has escaped," said Archer.

"Shh," whispered Tom.

Far down the side of the long fence he could see a little glint bobbing
in the darkness.

"Shh," he whispered. "I don't know which way he's going. Keep your feet
still."

For a few seconds more he waited, his heart in his mouth and every nerve
tense.

The tiny bobbing