"They must have broken through a portion of our lines and are attempting to flank other positions! But Chastel's hospitality for us is ended." He put on full speed and drove the machine rapidly through the snow toward the river.
"We've another reason now why we should reach the camp!" he exclaimed.
"Our people must be warned of the presence of the Germans in force in Chastel!" There was a crash of rifle fire and bullets struck all about them.

Two or three glanced off the side of the machine itself, which a moment or two later ran into a deep drift and stuck there, panting.
Weber sprang out and threw himself flat in the snow.

John instinctively did the same, and the second volley fired with better aim riddled the machine.

There was a heavy explosion, it turned on its side, its wheels revolving for a moment or two, and then it lay still, like a dying monster.
John sprang to his feet and rushed for the shelter of a building only a few yards away.

He saw Weber's shadow flitting by his side, but when he reached cover he found that he had lost him.