the red cross girl-第31章

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it　bore　a　Connecticut　State　license；　that　in　the　wheel…ruts　the
tires　printed　little　V's；　like　arrow…heads。

For　a　week　Jimmie　saw　nothing　of　the　spy；　but　for　many　hot　and
dusty　miles　he　stalked　arrow…heads。　They　lured　him　north；　they
lured　him　south；　they　were　stamped　in　soft　asphalt；　in　mud；　dust；
and　fresh…spread　tarvia。　Wherever　Jimmie　walked；　arrow…heads　ran
before。　In　his　sleep　as　in　his　copy…book；　he　saw　endless　chains
of　V's。　But　not　once　could　he　catch　up　with　the　wheels　that
printed　them。　A　week　later；　just　at　sunset　as　he　passed　below
Round　Hill；　he　saw　the　stranger　on　top　of　it。　On　the　skyline；　in
silhouette　against　the　sinking　sun；　he　was　as　conspicuous　as　a
flagstaff。　But　to　approach　him　was　impossible。　For　acres　Round
Hill　offered　no　other　cover　than　stubble。　It　was　as　bald　as　a
skull。　Until　the　stranger　chose　to　descend；　Jimmie　must　wait。　And
the　stranger　was　in　no　haste。　The　sun　sank　and　from　the　west
Jimmie　saw　him　turn　his　face　east　toward　the　Sound。　A　storm　was
gathering；　drops　of　rain　began　to　splash　and　as　the　sky　grew
black　the　figure　on　the　hilltop　faded　into　the　darkness。　And
then；　at　the　very　spot　where　Jimmie　had　last　seen　it；　there
suddenly　flared　two　tiny　flashes　of　fire。　Jimmie　leaped　from
cover。　It　was　no　longer　to　be　endured。　The　spy　was　signalling。
The　time　for　caution　had　passed；　now　was　the　time　to　act。　Jimmie
raced　to　the　top　of　the　hill；　and　found　it　empty。　He　plunged　down
it；　vaulted　a　stone　wall；　forced　his　way　through　a　tangle　of
saplings；　and　held　his　breath　to　listen。　Just　beyond　him；　over　a
jumble　of　rocks；　a　hidden　stream　was　tripping　and　tumbling。
Joyfully；　it　laughed　and　gurgled。　Jimmie　turned　hot。　It　sounded
as　though　from　the　darkness　the　spy　mocked　him。　Jimmie　shook　his
fist　at　the　enshrouding　darkness。　Above　the　tumult　of　the　coming
storm　and　the　tossing　tree…tops；　he　raised　his　voice。

〃You　wait！〃　he　shouted。　〃I'll　get　you　yet！　Next　time；　I'll　bring
a　gun。〃

Next　time；　was　the　next　morning。　There　had　been　a　hawk　hovering
over　the　chicken　yard；　and　Jimmie　used　that　fact　to　explain　his
borrowing　the　family　shotgun。　He　loaded　it　with　buckshot；　and；　in
the　pocket　of　his　shirt　buttoned　his　license　to　〃hunt；　pursue　and
kill；　to　take　with　traps　or　other　devices。〃

He　remembered　that　Judge　Van　Vorst　had　warned　him；　before　he
arrested　more　spies；　to　come　to　him　for　a　warrant。　But　with　an
impatient　shake　of　the　head　Jimmie　tossed　the　recollection　from
him。　After　what　he　had　seen　he　could　not　possibly　be　again
mistaken。　He　did　not　need　a　warrant。　What　he　had　seen　was　his
warrantplus　the　shotgun。

As　a　〃pathfinder〃　should；　he　planned　to　take　up　the　trail　where
he　had　lost　it；　but；　before　he　reached　Round　Hill；　he　found　a
warmer　trail。　Before　him；　stamped　clearly　in　the　road　still　damp
from　the　rain　of　the　night　before；　two　lines　of　little
arrow…heads　pointed　the　way。　They　were　so　fresh　that　at　each
twist　in　the　road；　lest　the　car　should　be　just　beyond　him；　Jimmie
slackened　his　steps。　After　half　a　mile　the　scent　grew　hot。　The
tracks　were　deeper；　the　arrow…heads　more　clearly　cut；　and　Jimmie
broke　into　a　run。　Then；　the　arrow…heads　swung　suddenly　to　the
right；　and　in　a　clearing　at　the　edge　of　a　wood；　were　lost。　But
the　tires　had　pressed　deep　into　the　grass；　and　just　inside　the
wood；　he　found　the　car。　It　was　empty。　Jimmie　was　drawn　two　ways。
Should　he　seek　the　spy　on　the　nearest　hilltop；　or；　until　the
owner　returned；　wait　by　the　car。　Between　lying　in　ambush　and
action；　Jimmie　preferred　action。　But；　he　did　not　climb　the　hill
nearest　the　car；　he　climbed　the　hill　that　overlooked　that　hill。

Flat　on　the　ground；　hidden　in　the　golden…rod　he　lay　motionless。
Before　him；　for　fifteen　miles　stretched　hills　and　tiny　valleys。
Six　miles　away　to　his　right　rose　the　stone　steeple；　and　the　red
roofs　of　Greenwich。　Directly　before　him　were　no　signs　of
habitation；　only　green　forests；　green　fields；　gray　stone　walls；
and；　where　a　road　ran　up…hill；　a　splash　of　white；　that　quivered
in　the　heat。　The　storm　of　the　night　before　had　washed　the　air。
Each　leaf　stood　by　itself。　Nothing　stirred；　and　in　the　glare　of
the　August　sun　every　detail　of　the　landscape　was　as　distinct　as
those　in　a　colored　photograph；　and　as　still。

In　his　excitement　the　scout　was　trembling。

〃If　he　moves；〃　he　sighed　happily；　〃I've　got　him！〃

Opposite；　across　a　little　valley　was　the　hill　at　the　base　of
which　he　had　found　the　car。　The　slope　toward　him　was　bare；　but
the　top　was　crowned　with　a　thick　wood；　and　along　its　crest；　as
though　establishing　an　ancient　boundary；　ran　a　stone　wall；
moss…covered　and　wrapped　in　poison…ivy。　In　places；　the　branches
of　the　trees；　reaching　out　to　the　sun；　overhung　the　wall　and　hid
it　in　black　shadows。　Jimmie　divided　the　hill　into　sectors。　He
began　at　the　right；　and　slowly　followed　the　wall。　With　his　eyes
he　took　it　apart；　stone　by　stone。　Had　a　chipmunk　raised　his　head；
Jimmie　would　have　seen　him。　So；　when　from　the　stone　wall；　like
the　reflection　of　the　sun　upon　a　window…pane；　something　flashed；
Jimmie　knew　he　had　found　his　spy。　A　pair　of　binoculars　had
betrayed　him。　Jimmie　now　saw　him　clearly。　He　sat　on　the　ground　at
the　top　of　the　hill　opposite；　in　the　deep　shadow　of　an　oak；　his
back　against　the　stone　wall。　With　the　binoculars　to　his　eyes　he
had　leaned　too　far　forward；　and　upon　the　glass　the　sun　had
flashed　a　warning。

Jimmie　appreciated　that　his　attack　must　be　made　from　the　rear。
Backward；　like　a　crab　he　wriggled　free　of　the　golden…rod；　and
hidden　by　the　contour　of　the　hill；　raced　down　it　and　into　the
woods　on　the　hill　opposite。　When　he　came　to　within　twenty　feet　of
the　oak　beneath　which　he　had　seen　the　stranger；　he　stood　erect；
and　as　though　avoiding　a　live　wire；　stepped　on　tip…toe　to　the
wall。　The　stranger　still　sat　against　it。　The　binoculars　hung　from
a　cord　around　his　neck。　Across　his　knees　was　spread　a　map。　He　was
marking　it　with　a　pencil；　and　as　he　worked；　he　hummed　a　tune。

Jimmie　knelt；　and　resting　the　gun　on　the　top　of　the　wall；　covered
him。

〃Throw　up　your　hands！〃　he　commanded。

The　stranger　did　not　start。　Except　that　he　raised　his　eyes　he
gave　no　sign　that　he　had　heard。　His　eyes　stared　across　the　little
sun…filled　valley。　They　were　half　closed　as　though　in　study；　as
though　perplexed　by　some　deep　and　intricate　problem。　They
appeared　to　see　beyond　the　sun…filled　valley　some　place　of
greater　moment；　some　place　far　distant。

Then　the　eyes　smiled；　and　slowly；　as　though　his　neck　were　stiff；
but　still　smiling；　the　stranger　turned　his　head。　When　he　saw　the
boy；　his　smile　was　swept　away　in　waves　of　surprise；　amazement；
and　disbelief。　These　were　followed　instantly　by　an　expression　of
the　most　acute　alarm。　〃Don't　point　that　thing　at　me！〃　shouted　the
stranger。　〃Is　it　loaded？〃　With　his　cheek　pressed　to　the　stock　and
his　eye　squinted　down　the　length　of　the　brown　barrel；　Jimmie
nodded。　The　stranger　flung　up　his　open　palms。　They　accented　his
expression　of　amazed　incredulity。　He　seemed　to　be　exclaiming；
〃Can　such　things　be？〃

〃Get　up！〃　commanded　Jimmie。

With　alacrity　the　stranger　rose。

〃Walk　over　there；〃　ordered　the　scout。　〃Walk　backward。　Stop！　Take
off　those　field…glasses　and　throw　them　to　me。〃　Without　removing
his　eyes　from　the　gun　the　stranger　lifted　the　binoculars　from　his
neck　and　tossed　them　to　the　stone　wall。　〃See　here！〃　he　pleaded；
〃if　you'll　only　point　that　damned　blunderbuss　the　other　way；　you
can　have　the　glasses；　and　my　watch；　and　clothes；　and　all　my
money；　only　don't〃

Jimmie　flushed　crimson。　〃You　can't　bribe　me；〃　he　growled。　At
least；　he　tried　to　growl；　but　because　his　voice　was　changing；　or
because　he　was　excited　the　growl　ended　in　a　high　squeak。　With
mortification；　Jimmie　flushed　a　deeper　crimson。　But　the　stranger
was　not　amused。　At　Jimmie's　words　he　seemed　rather　the　more
amazed。

〃I'm　not　trying　to　bribe　you；〃　he　protested。　〃If　you　don't　want
anything；　why　are　you　holding　me　up？〃

〃I'm　not；〃　returned　Jimmie；　〃I'm　arresting　you！〃

The　stranger　laughed　with　relief。　Again　his　eyes　smiled。　〃Oh；〃　he
cried；　〃I　see！　Have　I　been　trespassing？〃

With　a　glance　Jimmie　measured　the　distance　between　himself　and
the　stranger。　Reassured；　he　lifted　one　leg　after　the　other　over
the　wall。　〃If　you　try　to　rush　me；〃　he　warned；　〃I'll　shoot　you
full　of　buckshot。〃

The　stranger　took　a　hasty　step　BACKWARD。　〃Don't　worry　about
that；〃　he　exclaimed。　〃I'll　not　rush　you。　Why　am　I　arrested？〃

Hugging　the　shotgun　with　his　left　arm；　Jimmie　stopped　and　lifted
the　binoculars。　He　gave　them　a　swift　glance；　slung　them　over　his
shoulder；　and　again　clutched　his　weapon。　His　expression　was　now
stern　and　menacing。

〃The　name　on　them〃　he　accused；　〃is　'Weiss；　Berlin。'　Is　that　your
name？〃　The　stranger　smiled；　but　corrected　himself；　and　replied
gravely；　〃That's　the　name　of　the　firm　that　makes　them。〃

Jimmie　exclaimed　in　triumph。　〃Hah！〃　he　cried；　〃made　in　Germany！〃

The　stranger　shook　his　head。

〃I　don't　understand；〃　he　said。　〃Where　WOULD　a　Weiss　glass　be
made？〃　With　polite　insistence　he　repeated；　〃Would　you　mind
telling　me　why　I　am　arrested；　and　who　you　might　happen　to　be？〃

Jimmie　did　not　answer。　Again　he　stooped　and　picked　up　the　map；
and　as　he　did　so；　for　the　first　time　the　face　of　the　stranger
showed　that　he　was　annoyed。　Jimmie　was　not　at　home　with　maps。
They　told　him　nothing。　But　the　penciled　notes　on　this　one　made
easy　reading。　At　his　first　glance　he　saw；　〃Correct　range；　1；800
yards〃；　〃this　stream　not　fordable〃；　〃slope　of　hill　15　degrees
inaccessible　for　artillery。〃　〃Wire　entanglements　here〃；　〃forage
for　five　squadrons。〃

Jimmie's　eyes　flashed。　He　shoved　the　map　inside　his　shirt；　and
with　the　gun　motioned　toward　the　base　of　the　hill。　〃Keep　forty
feet　ahead　of　me；〃　he　commanded；　〃and　walk　to　your　car。〃　The
stranger　did　not　seem　to　hear　him。　He　spoke　with　irritation。

〃I　suppose；〃　he　said；　〃I'll　have　to　explain　to　you　about　that
map。〃

〃Not　to　me；　you　won't；〃　declared　his　captor。　〃You're　going　to
drive　straight　to　Judge　Van　Vorst's；　and　explain　to　HIM！〃

The　stranger　tossed　his　arms　even　higher。　〃Thank　God！〃　he
exclaimed　gratefully。

With　his　prisoner　Jimmie　encountered　no　further　trouble。　He　made
a　willing　captive。　And　if　in　covering　the　five　miles　to　Judge　Van
Vorst's　he　exceeded　the　speed　limit；　the　fact　that　from　the　rear
seat　Jimmie　held　the　shotgun　against　the　base　of　his　skull　was　an
extenuating　circumstance。

They　arrived　in　the　nick　of　time。　In　his　own　car　young　Van　Vorst
and　a　bag　of　golf　clubs　were　just　drawing　away　from　the　house。
Seeing　the　car　climbing　the　steep　driveway　that　for　a　half…mile
led　from　his　lodge　to　his　front　door；　and　seeing　Jimmie　standing
in　the　tonneau　brandishing　a　gun；　the　Judge　hastily　descended。
The　sight　of　the　spy　hunter　filled　him　with　misgiving；　but　the
sight　of　him　gave　Jimmie　sweet　relief。　Arresting　German　spies　for
a　small　boy　is　no　easy　task。　For　Jimmie　the　strain　was　great。　And
now　that　he　knew　he　had　successfully　delivered　him　into　the　hands
of　the　law；　Jimmie's　heart　rose　with　happiness。　The　added
presence　of　a　butler　of　magnificent　bearing　and　of　an　athletic
looking　chauffeur　increased　his　sense　of　security。　Their　presence
seemed　to　afford　a　feeling　of　security　to　the　prisoner　also。　As
he　brought　the　car