The old man thinks the Fritzies have a strong grouch against this
little alley, and since they couldn't take it top side last week
they're going to try to bust it out bottom side with a big bang some
day soon. Maybe so--maybe just greens--but, anyway, you've got to
go on the Q. T. with this job--no noise, don't even whisper unless
you have to; just listen for all you're worth. P'r'aps you'll hear
that little tap-tap-tapping that tells where Fritzie Mole is at
work. Then if you come back and tell the old man where it is, he'll
give you all the cigarettes you want. But say, do you want me to
give you a pointer on the way to go, the method of procedure, as
the old man would call it?"

They agreed that they were thirsting for information and instruction.

"Well, it's this way," continued Barker Bunn. "You know I had a
bit of experience in listening post while I was with the Canadians
down around 'Wipers'; and I noticed that most of the troubles
came from a bad method of procedure. Fellows went out any old way;
followed each other in the dark, and then hunted for each other
and came to grief; all those kind of silly fumbles. Now, what you
need is _formation_--see? Must have some sort of formation
for advance. Must keep in touch. For two men a tandem is right. For
three men, what you want is a spike-team--middle man crawls ahead,
other men follow on each side just near enough to touch his left
heel with right hand and right heel with left hand--a triangle,
see? Keep touching once every thirty seconds. If you miss it,
leader crawls back, side men crawl in, sure to meet, nobody gets
lost. Go as far _as_ you can, then spread out like a fan, fold
together _when_ you can, come back _if_ you can--that's
the way to cover the most possible ground on a listening post. Do