"If that aviator who threw the bomb has landed yet," remarked Leon, "he has undoubtedly telephoned to the post nearest this place and soldiers are probably on their way here already."
"They've got to go through a lot of woods to reach this spot," said Earl. "Perhaps they won't be able to find it."
"Don't you worry about that; they'll come straight here without the least bit of trouble."
"The minute any Germans appear it seems to me the thing for us to do is to take to the woods. We might be able to escape that way."
"Our chance of escape depends on whether Jacques can get any wire or not," said Leon. "I wish he could hurry."
"He'll do his best," remarked Earl. "You may be sure of that."
"Talking with the priests as far as I can see," said Earl. "I guess they decided there was no use in trying to save their barn."
"I should say not. It's too bad though and as a matter of fact we are the ones who are really to blame for it."
"Well, if we hadn't landed in this clearing that German flier would not have dropped any bombs down here."
"That's true," agreed Earl. "Where's that priest going?"
He had turned and was walking swiftly towards the house. Jacques stood talking with the other priest for a moment and then he too started in the direction of the dwelling.
"Do you think those priests are French?" asked Earl.
"Well if they are they'll help us, won't they?"
"They'd probably like to but I don't know whether they'd dare or not."
"The Germans would do something to them if they were caught aiding us in any way I suppose."
Jacques and the priest were now inside the house and it seemed to the two brothers who waited so impatiently that they were gone a very long time. The remaining priest stood and sadly watched the eager flames destroy the barn as if it were made of paper.
At length, however, the door of the house opened once more and Jacques and the priest reappeared.
"What has Jacques under his arm?" demanded Earl.
"It's a roll of wire," cried Earl suddenly. "We'll soon be off now."
"If the Germans don't reach here first we will."
"Don't be so gloomy," Earl protested. "Of course we'll get away."
"All the better. They won't be able to see us in the dark."
"You're an old pessimist," exclaimed Earl lightly. "Good boy, Jacques," he cried as the young Frenchman came within hearing. "I knew you'd fix us up all right."