The Deserter by Richard Harding Davis
page 24 of 26 (92%)
page 24 of 26 (92%)
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hands. You'll be licked before you start.
"Of course, you're for the Allies. Well, all the Germans at home will fear that; and when you want to lecture on your 'Fifteen Months at the British Front,' they'll look up your record; and what will they do to you? This is what they'll do to you. When you've shown 'em your moving pictures and say, 'Does any gentleman in the audience want to ask a question?' a German agent will get up and say, 'Yes, I want to ask a question. Is it true that you deserted from the British army, and that if you return to it, they will shoot you?'" I was scared. I expected the lean and muscular Mr. Hamlin to fall on Billy, and fling him where he had flung the soggy uniform. But instead he remained motionless, his arms pressed across his chest. His eyes, filled with anger and distress, returned to the _Adriaticus_. "I'm sorry," muttered the Kid. John rose and motioned to the door, and guiltily and only too gladly we escaped. John followed us into the hall. "Let _me_ talk to him," he whispered. "The boat sails in an hour. Please don't come back until she's gone." We went to the moving picture palace next door, but I doubt if the thoughts of any of us were on the pictures. For after an hour, when from across the quay there came the long-drawn warning of a steamer's whistle, we nudged each other and rose and went out. |
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