The Count was a man who did not hesitate to take certain risks, but invariably he weighed up his chances. Cool and calculating, he was not one who would embark3 upon a project for the mere4 love of adventure.
His record as an airman was well known to the R.A.F. The latter admired his audacity5, although they had no love for the means he employed. He was typical of the brute6 force of Prussianism—his mission as an airman was to destroy, ruthlessly and methodically, and, when the odds7 were against him, his gaudily-painted biplane was not to be seen aloft.
So when the time came that the Hun in the air was "having a sticky time all round", Von Peilfell discreetly8 kept clear of the British flying-men. He became an instructor9, teaching German quirks10 to fly in machines that, by nature of the shortage of certain raw material in Hunland, could never hope to hold their own against the magnificently-constructed and powerfully-engined craft bearing the distinctive11 red, white, and blue concentric circles.
Then came rumours—rumours that were based upon solid facts—that the British and French airmen were bent12 upon reprisals13 for wanton night-bombing of undefended towns. Berlin was to be the supreme14 objective of the numerous squadrons of huge bombing-'planes that were being concentrated on the Western Front.
In desperation the German High Command called a conference, to which the "star" airmen of the Imperial Air Service were summoned. The return of the boomerang was a prospect that the apostles of kultur not only failed to appreciate, but dreaded15. At all costs the peril16 must be staved off—either by counter-active measures or by hypocritical appeals to neutrals, or, as a last resource, by applying for an armistice17.
It was Von Peilfell's chance. A popularity hunter, he knew that the cessation of his aerial achievements was rapidly placing him on the list of fallen idols18. The pulse of the German populace—the picture-post-card dealers—told him this. Where once a hundred thousand photographs of the "Sky Hussars" were sold, now barely a thousandth part of that number were disposed of.
To regain19 his vanished prestige, the Count suggested a scheme, namely, that he should enter hostile territory disguised, and find out where these mysterious battleplanes were concentrating, and also note the details of their construction.
Von Peilfell had carefully counted the risk. He was a fluent speaker of English. His accent was almost faultless. Several years spent in England, including a period at a public school, had given him a remarkable20 insight into the life of an Englishman, while in pre-war days he had made the acquaintance of several British officers, with the sole view of making good use of the knowledge thus obtained when "Der Tag" dawned.
Having obtained official sanction, Von Peilfell proceeded to put his plan into execution. A slightly-damaged EG biplane had fallen behind the German lines, and its pilot had been captured. The machine was repaired; the Count, dressed in the complete uniform of the captured airman, set out just before daybreak to attempt his hazardous21 errand.
The German Head-quarters Staff knew exactly the aerodrome from whence the captured EG machine had come. The Count, therefore, decided22 to give that locality a wide berth23, and, by assuming the r?le of a pilot who had lost his way and had been compelled to descend24 owing to engine failure, make his way to Le Tenetoir aerodrome, where, if his information proved correct, he would find the giant aeroplanes making ready for their flight to Berlin.
But when he alighted in view of the car carrying Lieutenant25 Derek Daventry, R.A.F., he unwittingly committed two grave errors. He was unaware26 that Derek, who was in the habit of piloting one of the somewhat small number of EG's, immediately took a keen professional interest in the apparently27 crippled machine. He was also ignorant of the fact that Derek was his antagonist28 on the occasion when both British and German pilots were unable to exchange a single shot; nor did he know that when he raised his goggles29 and grinned at his rival, that grimace30 had been indelibly printed upon Derek's memory. These two instances led to the Count finding himself under lock and key in a dug-out that served as a cell.
Like a caged bird Von Peilfell paced to and fro. He realized that his case was a desperate one, and that his shrift would be short; a drumhead court-martial at eight in the evening would be followed by execution at dawn.
For nearly an hour he maintained his restless promenade31, a prey32 to dejection. The dug-out was barely twenty feet in length and seven in breadth, so that there was little room for exercise. He tried to formulate33 a plan of escape, but none seemed feasible. The place was unlighted, save by the dim glimmer34 of a candle set in a stable lantern. Ventilation was provided by means of a length of bent stove-pipe passing between two of the massive girders supporting the concreted and sand-bagged roof. The walls were heavily timbered, and, upon examination, found to be backed by cement. A flight of steep and narrow steps gave access to the open air, but at the top was a massive oaken door. Incidentally, the Huns who had constructed the dug-out, had removed the door of the Abbaye de Ste Marie, at Le Tenetoir, to serve a similar purpose for this subterranean35 retreat.
The heat was stifling36, for, outside, the autumnal air was damp and humid. Von Peilfell began to feel oppressed by the weight of the leather flying-coat. Mechanically he unbuckled the straps37, and threw the garment on the wooden bench that served as a seat and a bed. As he did so his eye caught sight of a glint of scarlet38. The lawful39 owner of the flying-coat had been guilty of a breach40 of discipline by investing in several red-silk handkerchiefs, whereas, by virtue41 of an Air Ministry42 order, he should have provided himself with those of a khaki colour.
The Count consulted his wristlet watch—a Nurnberg timepiece studded with jewels. It was a gift from a number of his admirers when he was at the zenith of his fame. He found himself wondering why his captors had not taken it from him. The Germans invariably plundered43 their captives. Perhaps these Englanders would not do so until he was dead. He shivered at the thought. In another eight hours all would be over.
Then his thoughts went back to the square of scarlet silk. Even as he gazed dully at the sheeny fabric44 an inspiration flashed across his mind. He glanced at his watch once more. In another ten minutes or so he would be visited either by the Sergeant45 or the Corporal of the guard.
Grasping the handkerchief, he tore the silk into ragged46 strips. His next step was to place the lantern on the edge of the plank-bed, so that the strongest possible light fell on the floor. Then, holding the torn handkerchief, he waited, every sense on the alert, ready to act the moment he heard sounds of the visiting guard.
The remaining interval47 seemed interminable. Through the securely-fastened door he could hear the howling of the wind. It ought to have been a bright moonlight night, for, according to the calendar, it was the time of full moon. He hoped that the shrieking48, moaning wind meant a cloud-laden sky and also a downpour of rain.
Selecting four of the strongest strips of silk, Von Peilfell knotted them into a long loop. This he hid behind the bench, reflecting that if his first plan went astray there was material at hand to enable him to cheat the firing-squad. He found himself wondering which was the least painful course—for he was a coward when it came to having pain inflicted49 on himself—to face the muzzles50 of a dozen rifles, or to end his own life by strangulation.
His reflections were interrupted by the tramp of heavily-shod feet. The visiting N.C.O. was about to enter the dug-out.
Noiselessly the Count placed himself on the earthern floor, and laid a bright-scarlet strip of silk round his throat. Then with outstretched arms he waited, scarce daring to breathe.
A key grated in the door. The oak, swollen51 by the wet, refused at the first attempt to yield to the Corporal's efforts. Von Peilfell heard the man swear at the recalcitrant52 door. Then, with a groaning53 noise, the door swung open on its rusty54 hinges. "Where the——" ejaculated the Corporal; then, turning to the two men who accompanied him, he shouted excitedly:
"The Boche 'as cut his bloomin' throat! Run, you blokes, for all you're worth, and fetch the doctor."
The men obeyed promptly55, while the Corporal, setting his lantern on the floor, approached to examine the prostrate56 form of the prisoner. It was an act of mere curiosity on his part. The N.C.O., who less than twelve months ago was a meek57 and mild grocer in a quiet country town, had seen plenty of ghastly sights during the last six months. The mere sight of a dead Hun hardly troubled him. Without a tremor58 he bent over the supposed corpse59.
Judging that by this time the two men were a hundred yards or more away, Von Peilfell took prompt action. Before the Corporal realized that there was plenty of energy in the "dead" man, the Count drew up his knee, and, launching out with his right foot, caught the luckless N.C.O. a knock-out blow on the solar plexus.
Without a sound the Corporal collapsed60 upon the floor; while the Hun, waiting only to place his victim's cap upon his head, ran stealthily up the steps leading to the entrance to the dug-out.
Even as he ran the Count, in a typically Prussian manner, regretted that he was wearing rubber-soled flying-boots. Iron-shod footgear, he reflected, would have been more effective when he hacked61 at the luckless Corporal. In order to carry out a test effectually, it was necessary to do it brutally62. That is the Hun method of thoroughness.
Through the open door of the dug-out and into the darkness Von Peilfell ran. Dazzled, even by the comparatively-feeble light within, he could hardly see his hand before his face in the rain-laden, inky blackness without. He paused, fearful lest he should blunder blindly into some obstacle, and rubbed his eyes vigorously with his knuckles63. Then, pulling his recently-acquired cap well down over his bullet head, he settled down to a rapid walk.
It had been part of his training always to take stock of his surroundings, and the knowledge thus obtained when a few hours previously64 he had walked into Le Tenetoir aerodrome was now of inestimable service. Carefully avoiding the sentry65 of the gate, and crawling through a barbed-wire fence, he gained the open, devastated66 country, for the time being a free man again. But between him and the German lines lay fifty miles of ground firmly held by the victorious67 Allies.
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1
rave
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| vi.胡言乱语；热衷谈论；n.热情赞扬 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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8
discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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9
instructor
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| n.指导者，教员，教练 | |
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10
quirks
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| n.奇事，巧合( quirk的名词复数 )；怪癖 | |
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distinctive
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| adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的 | |
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12
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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13
reprisals
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| n.报复（行为）( reprisal的名词复数 ) | |
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14
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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15
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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16
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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armistice
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| n.休战，停战协定 | |
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18
idols
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| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
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19
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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20
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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21
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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22
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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24
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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26
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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28
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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29
goggles
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| n.护目镜 | |
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30
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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promenade
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| n./v.散步 | |
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32
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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33
formulate
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| v.用公式表示；规划；设计；系统地阐述 | |
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34
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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35
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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37
straps
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| n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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38
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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39
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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40
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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41
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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42
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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43
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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45
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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46
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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47
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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48
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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49
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
muzzles
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| 枪口( muzzle的名词复数 )； （防止动物咬人的）口套； （四足动物的）鼻口部； （狗）等凸出的鼻子和口 | |
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51
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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52
recalcitrant
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| adj.倔强的 | |
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53
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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54
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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56
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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57
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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58
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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59
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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60
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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61
hacked
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| 生气 | |
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62
brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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63
knuckles
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| n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝 | |
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64
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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66
devastated
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| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
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67
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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