Phipps-Herrick joyfully puts it to his ear. He hears a voice and
words, but it is all gibberish to him. With a look of desperation
on his face he gives the "get together" signal.
Rosenlaube crawls up first and takes hold of the cylinder, puts it
to his ear. He hears the sound, but it says absolutely nothing to
him. It is like being at the door of the secret of the universe
and unable to get over the threshold.
Then comes Mitchell, slowly, a little lame, and almost "all in."
Phipps-Herrick thrusts the receiver into his hand. As he listens
a beatific expression spreads over his face. It lasts a long time,
and then he lays down the cylinder with a sigh.
The three heads are close together, and Mitchell whispers under
his breath:
"Got 'em--got the whole thing--line of mine changed--raiders coming
out now--twelve men--rough on us, but if we can get back to our
alley we've got 'em! Crawl home quick."
[Illustration with caption: "I'm going to carry you in, spite of
hell"]
They crawled together in a bunch, formation ignored.
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