Page:Mary Rinehart - More Tish .djvu/281

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.


SALVAGE
273

to the church, and some of them cross themselves. The frying pan seems to have started it, and when the knapsack disappeared—— However, here's my plan, Lizzie. From what I have observed during the day pretty nearly the entire lot, except the sentries, will be in that beer cellar across in an hour or so. The rest will run for it—take my word—the moment I open fire."

"I'll take your word, Tish," I said. "But what if they don't run?"

She merely waved her hand.

"My plan is simply this," she said: "I've been tinkering with that machine gun most of the day, and my conviction is that it will work. You simply turn a handle like a hand sewing machine. As soon as you hear me starting it you leave the church by that shell hole at the back and go as rapidly as possible back to the American lines. I'll guarantee," she added grimly, "that not a German leaves that cellar across the street until my arm's worn out."

"What shall I say, Tish?" I quavered.

I shall never forget the way she drew herself up.

"Say," she directed, "that we have captured the town of V—— and that they can come over and plant the flag."

I must profess to a certain anxiety during the