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+Project Gutenberg's The Boy Allies in the Trenches, by Clair Wallace Hayes
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Boy Allies in the Trenches
+       Midst Shot and Shell Along the Aisne
+
+Author: Clair Wallace Hayes
+
+Release Date: June 9, 2004 [EBook #12571]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY ALLIES IN THE TRENCHES ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+                      The Boy Allies In The Trenches
+
+                                   OR
+
+                   Midst Shot and Shell along the Aisne
+
+                            By CLAIR W. HAYES
+
+AUTHOR OF "The Boy Allies At Liège" "The Boy Allies On the Firing Line"
+"The Boy Allies With the Cossacks"
+
+                                  1915
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+WITH THE ARMY.
+
+
+"Well! Well! Well! If it isn't Lieutenant Paine and Lieutenant Crawford!"
+
+The speaker, none other than Field Marshal Sir John French,
+commander-in-chief of the British forces sent to help France hurl back
+the legions of the German invader, was greatly surprised by the
+appearance of the two lads before him.
+
+"I thought surely you had been killed," continued General French.
+
+"We are not to be killed so easily, sir," replied Hal Paine.
+
+"And where have you been?" demanded the General.
+
+"In Russia, sir," replied Chester Crawford, "where we were attached to a
+Cossack regiment, and where we saw considerable fighting."
+
+General French uttered an exclamation of astonishment.
+
+"How did you get there?" he asked. "And how did you return?"
+
+"Airship," was Hal's brief response, and he related their adventures
+since they had last seen their commander.
+
+Hal then tendered the General a despatch he carried from the Grand Duke
+Nicholas, commander-in-chief of all the Russian armies operating against
+the Germans in the eastern theater of war.
+
+"You shall serve on my staff," said General French finally.
+
+He summoned another officer and ordered that quarters be prepared for the
+two lads immediately.
+
+And while the two boys are getting themselves comfortably fixed it will
+be a good time to introduce the lads to such readers as have not made
+their acquaintance before.
+
+Hal Paine and Chester Crawford, two American lads, their ages being about
+18 and 19, had seen considerable service in the great European war--the
+greatest war of all time. They had been in Berlin when Germany had
+declared war upon Russia and France and with Hal's mother had attempted
+to make their way from that country. The mother had been successful; but
+Hal and Chester got into trouble and had been left behind.
+
+Fortunately, however, two young officers, Major Raoul Derevaux, a
+Frenchman, and Captain Harry Anderson, an Englishman, had come to their
+assistance--reciprocating a good turn done them by the two lads a day
+before--and together, after some difficulties, they succeeded in
+reaching Liège, Belgium, just in time to take part in its heroic defense
+against the first German hordes that violated the neutrality of the
+little buffer country.
+
+Both had distinguished themselves by their coolness and bravery under
+fire, and had found favor in the eyes of the Belgian commander, as
+related in "The Boy Allies at Liège." Later they had rendered themselves
+invaluable in carrying dispatches.
+
+Following their adventures in this campaign they saw service with the
+British forces on the continent, as told in "The Boy Allies on the Firing
+Line." In this campaign they had been instrumental in foiling a
+well-planned German coup, which would have resulted in a severe blow to
+the British had it been put through.
+
+Also, while scouting in the enemy's domain, Hal and Chester had unearthed
+a conspiracy that threatened the destruction of a whole French army
+corps. By prompt action the lads prevented this and won the
+congratulations of General Joffre, the French commander-in-chief.
+
+It was through information gleaned by the lads that the British army was
+finally able to surprise the enemy and advance to the east shore of the
+River Marne, after a struggle that had lasted for two weeks.
+
+In a battle following this decisive engagement--while returning from a
+successful raid--Captain Harry Anderson, who had accompanied them, was
+critically wounded and, together with Hal and Chester, taken prisoner.
+Hal and Chester, with a French army dog they had rescued from the wrath
+of a German officer, were taken almost immediately to Berlin.
+
+There, while strolling about the street one day in company with the
+German officer in whose charge they had been placed, they were made, to
+their surprise, the bearer of an important communication to the Russian
+commander-in-chief. It happened in this wise:
+
+An English prisoner, recognizing them, made a dash for liberty and
+succeeded in passing the document to Chester. The lad secreted it.
+Finally, through their resourcefulness, the lads managed to make their
+escape from the German capital and reached the Russian lines by means of
+an airship.
+
+Here they put the document into the hands of Grand Duke Nicholas, who, at
+their request, assigned them to a regiment of Cossacks.
+
+The lads immediately made a good friend of a huge Cossack, Alexis
+Verhoff, a man of immense prowess and great strength, and with him saw a
+world of fighting. In a battle with the enemy, Marquis, the dog who had
+accompanied them, was killed. Later, while they were making their way
+back to England by airship, Alexis, who accompanied them, was wounded on
+the coast of Sweden, where their machine, crippled by the fire of German
+aviators, had fallen.
+
+While Alexis stood off the foe the lads repaired the damage to the
+machine, but when they finally succeeded in dragging the huge Cossack
+aboard and once more headed toward home, they found that their friend was
+wounded unto death. He died as the aeroplane sped over the North Sea.
+
+In Russia both lads had been decorated with the Cross of St. George by
+the Czar of Russia himself--this for their bravery and daring.
+
+Hal and Chester were both exponents of the manly art of self-defense, and
+more than once their skill in the fistic art had stood them to good
+advantage. They were also proficient in the use of the revolver and
+sword. They had returned from Russia with a dispatch for Sir John French
+from the Russian Grand Duke, a message so important that the Russian
+commander-in-chief would not flash it by wireless for fear that it might
+be intercepted by the Germans, and the code deciphered.
+
+Hal and Chester went at once to the quarters assigned them, where they
+immediately threw themselves down to rest. They were tired out, as the
+journey had occupied days, and they had scarcely closed their eyes during
+that time. They had remained in England only long enough to have the body
+of Alexis buried with fitting honors, and had then set out for France
+immediately.
+
+It was dark when the two lads were aroused by the sound of a bugle
+blowing the call to arms. Both were quickly on their feet and dashed
+through the darkness to where they could make out the form of their
+commander, surrounded by other members of his staff.
+
+"Something up!" cried Hal as they hurried forward.
+
+"Probably a night attack," said Chester. "General French may be planning
+to carry some of the enemy's trenches by assault."
+
+"Guess you are right," replied Hal briefly.
+
+They took their places among the others of the British leader's staff and
+were received with nods of welcome and some expressions of astonishment.
+They had friends among the British officers, many of whom, because of
+their long absence, had mourned them as dead.
+
+The lads let their eyes roam about. Troops, troops, troops! Nothing but
+troops, as far as the eye could see. Cavalry, artillery and infantry in
+solid masses on every side; officers darting hither and thither
+delivering sharp orders. It was an impressive sight.
+
+An officer on horseback dashed up to General French and the two held a
+short conversation. As the rider turned and was about to make off again
+the lads recognized him.
+
+"Major Derevaux!" shouted Hal, taking a step forward.
+
+The officer wheeled in his saddle. He recognized the two lads in an
+instant, and reined in.
+
+"Hello, boys," he called back. "I heard you were dead. Glad to see
+you again."
+
+Without further words, but with a wave of his hand, the French officer
+put spurs to his horse and dashed out of sight in the darkness.
+
+"Wonder what he is doing here?" said Hal. "He was attached to General
+Joffre's staff when we left. Remember?"
+
+"Yes," replied Chester. "Must be some momentous move under way."
+
+Other officers now began to appear. They dashed up to the British
+commander, made their reports and immediately dashed away again.
+
+"Lieutenant Paine! Lieutenant Crawford!"
+
+It was General French summoning them and the boys approached and came to
+attention. Because of past experience, both lads realized instantly that
+the General had some ticklish work cut out and that he had selected them
+to carry it through.
+
+"Take a troop of cavalry," came the command, "and make a reconnoissance
+of the northeast!"
+
+Quickly two officers nearby sprang from their horses and offered them to
+the lads, for the latter had not yet had time to find steeds. The lads
+sprang into the saddle, saluted their commander, and dashed away. To the
+nearest cavalry force they hurried, where upon repeating General French's
+order to the commander, they soon had a troop at their disposal.
+
+A troop of cavalry is composed of one hundred men. It is usually
+commanded by a captain.
+
+Now it is very unusual for a commanding officer to have two lieutenants
+on his staff, as had General French in the persons of Hal and Chester;
+but the General had commissioned them as such on the spur of the moment,
+and when they took command of the troop they consequently, for the time,
+superseded the captain in command--for they were the personal
+representatives of the General himself.
+
+The two lads placed themselves at the head of the troop and rode forward
+at a rapid trot. Past dense masses of infantry, battery after battery of
+heavy artillery and troop upon troop of cavalry they rode toward the
+northeast.
+
+They were not yet at the front of the long battle line, for General
+French had his headquarters well back, but still close enough to be in
+constant danger from the enemy's artillery fire.
+
+From a trot the troop broke into a gallop, and soon were beyond the
+farthest trenches. Skirting this at the extreme north--close to the
+sea--they progressed still further toward the enemy. It was the boys'
+duty, if possible, to find out the position of the German forces at this
+point and to determine their numbers; also the strategic positions that
+could be used by either army.
+
+Now an order was given for the troop to spread out, and, leaving the
+road, the two lads led their men into the woods, where they could advance
+with less danger of being seen. They had not been ordered forward to give
+battle, and there would be no fighting unless it became necessary in
+order that their mission might be successful.
+
+But, as in most missions upon which the lads had been dispatched, there
+was to be fighting; and these British were not the men to turn their
+backs upon the enemy without giving them a warm reception.
+
+From the shelter of the sand dunes there came suddenly a fusillade. Two
+British troopers reeled in their saddles and tumbled to the ground.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+A BIT OF HISTORY.
+
+
+While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to
+meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few
+words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France
+and Belgium.
+
+The war had now been in progress for five months. From the time that the
+Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon
+Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed
+consistently, if slowly.
+
+The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great
+battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting
+had been terrific. Day after day, week after week, month after month the
+terrible struggle had raged incessantly. The losses of all four armies,
+German, British, French and Belgian, had been enormous, although, up to
+date, it was admitted that the Germans had suffered the worst.
+
+The conflict raged with advantage first to one side and then to the
+other. Assaults and counter-assaults were the order of the day. From
+Ostend, on the North Sea, now in the hands of the Germans, to the
+southern extremity of Alsace-Lorraine, the mighty hosts were locked in a
+death grapple; but, in spite of the fearful execution of the weapons of
+modern warfare, there had been no really decisive engagement. Neither
+side had suffered a severe blow.
+
+In the North the Allies were being given powerful aid by a strong British
+fleet, which hurled its shells upon the Germans infesting that region,
+thus checking at the same time the threatened advance of the Kaiser's
+legions upon Nieuport and Dunkirk, which the Germans planned to use as
+naval bases for air raids on England.
+
+The mighty siege and field guns of the Germans--which had been used
+with such telling effect upon Liège, Brussels, Antwerp and Ostend,
+battering the fortifications there to bits in practically no time at
+all--while immense in their power of destruction, were still not a
+match for the longer range guns mounted by the British battleships.
+Consequently, long-range artillery duels in the north had been all in
+favor of British arms.
+
+Terrific charges of the British troops, of whom there were now less than
+half a million--Scotch, Irish, Canadians and Indians included--on the
+continent, had driven the Germans from Dixmude, Ypres and Armentières,
+captured earlier in the war. Ostend had been shelled by the British
+fleet, and a show of force had been made in that vicinity, causing the
+Germans to believe that the Allies would attempt to reoccupy this
+important seaport.
+
+Farther south the French also had met with some success. From
+within striking distance of Paris the invaders had been driven back
+to the Marne, and from the Marne to the northern and eastern shores
+of the Aisne.
+
+But here the German line held.
+
+The fighting along the Aisne, continuing without cessation, already had
+been the bloodiest in the history of wars; and here, the French on one
+side of the river, and the Germans on the other, the two great armies had
+proceeded to intrench, making themselves as comfortable as possible, and
+constructing huts and other substantial shelters against the icy hand of
+King Winter, who had come to rule over the battlefield.
+
+The French cabinet, which had fled from Paris to Bordeaux when the German
+army drew close to Paris, had returned to the former capital, and affairs
+of state were being conducted as before. With several millions of
+fighting men at the front, France still had an additional two million to
+hurl into the thick of the fray at the psychological moment.
+
+Recruiting in England, slow at first, was now beginning to be more
+satisfactory. Lord Kitchener had in the neighborhood of a million and a
+half men being trained and prepared for the rigors of war. These, also,
+would be hurled into the thick of the fight when the time was ripe.
+
+It was plainly evident, however, that the Allies were content to hold
+their present lines. There was little doubt that it was their plan to let
+the real fighting be held off till spring, when, by hurling an additional
+three million men into the field, they believed they could settle German
+militarism once and for all.
+
+Rumors of other countries joining in the great war grew more rife daily.
+Portugal already had given assurances that she would throw her army to
+the support of Great Britain should she be asked to do so. A great
+diplomatic _coup_--a great victory for British statesmanship--had cleared
+the way for the entrance of Rumania and Greece into the war on the side
+of the Allies. This _coup_ had been to gain from Bulgaria assurances that
+Bulgaria would not go to the support of Germany should Rumania and
+Greece take up arms.
+
+The Italian populace, also, was clamoring for war. In Rome demonstrations
+against Germany had become frequent and violent. It appeared to be only a
+question of time until Italy also would hurl her millions of trained
+fighting men into the field in support of the Allies.
+
+From Ostend the great battle line extended due south to Noyen, where
+it branched off to the southeast. South of Noyen French soil had
+been almost cleared of the Germans. Alsace had in turn been invaded
+by the French, who had penetrated to within twelve miles of
+Strasbourg. The French troops also had progressed to within eight
+miles of Metz, in Lorraine.
+
+The forward move by the southern army of France had been sudden, and the
+Germans had been forced to give way under the desperation and courage of
+the French troops.
+
+Once before, in the earlier days of the war, the French had reached Metz
+and Strasbourg, but had been hurled back by overwhelming numbers of the
+enemy and forced to retreat well into France. Then the German line in
+Alsace and Lorraine had been weakened to hurl denser masses of Germans
+upon the British and Belgians in the north.
+
+The French had not been slow to take advantage of this weakening of the
+southern army of the Kaiser, and, immediately bringing great pressure to
+bear, had cleared French territory of the invader in the south.
+
+But the French commander did not stop with this. Alsace and Lorraine,
+French soil until after the Franco-Prussian war, when it had been awarded
+to Prussia as the spoils of war, must be recaptured. The French pressed
+on and the Germans gave way before them.
+
+Meantime, in the Soissons region the French also had been making
+progress; but the Kaiser, evidently becoming alarmed by the great
+pressure being exercised by the French in Alsace-Lorraine--in order to
+relieve the pressure--immediately made a show of strength near Soissons,
+seeking thereby to cause the French to withdraw troops from
+Alsace-Lorraine to reënforce the army of the Soissons to stem the new
+German advance there.
+
+Taken somewhat unawares by the suddenness of the German assault upon
+their lines near Soissons, the French were forced to give back. They
+braced immediately, however, and the succeeding day regained the ground
+lost in the first German assault.
+
+Then the Germans made another show of strength at Verdun, southeast of
+Soissons. General Joffre immediately hurled a new force to the support of
+the French army at that point.
+
+Meanwhile, as the result of the German assaults upon Soissons and
+Verdun, in an effort to lessen the pressure being brought to bear by the
+French in Alsace-Lorraine, there had been a lull in the fighting in the
+latter regions.
+
+Word from the eastern theater of war brought the news that Russia had a
+new big army advancing upon the Germans in Poland from the east,
+threatening to outflank the army that had penetrated to within fifty
+miles of Warsaw, the capital and chief city of Poland. This, it was
+taken, would mean that Germany would either have to retreat within her
+own borders into East Prussia, or else that troops would have to be
+dispatched from the west to reënforce those in the east.
+
+In this event there was little doubt that General French and General
+Joffre would immediately order another allied advance along the
+entire front.
+
+News of the utter annihilation of three Turkish army corps in the
+Caucasus by the Russians also cheered the British, French and Belgian
+troops, as did news that the Russians had cleared the way for their
+long-deferred invasion of Hungary, and, ultimately, of Austria.
+
+So far, from the Allies' point of view, the one big disappointment of the
+war had been the inaction of the British and French fleets. True, several
+engagements of minor importance had been fought, chief of which was the
+sinking of a German fleet of five ships by a British squadron in the
+waters of the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Argentina.
+
+But the fact that the German fleet, although blockaded, after five months
+of the war had not been destroyed, was causing considerable adverse
+criticism in England and France. Several German sea raids--by cruisers
+and submarines which had successfully run the blockade--had caused
+condemnation of Great Britain's naval policy.
+
+In spite of the fact that only in one instance had such a raid resulted
+in any serious damage, the British Admiralty had been roundly censured.
+Germany's policy of "whittling down" the British fleet, so that the
+Germans could give battle on even terms, while by no means successful
+thus far, had nevertheless considerably reduced the size of the English
+navy. Some of her first-class cruisers, and one formidable dreadnought
+had been sunk.
+
+The French fleet in the Adriatic and in the Mediterranean had been
+equally as inactive, although a squadron of British and French ships even
+now was attempting to destroy the Turkish fortifications along the
+Dardanelles, that a passage of the straits might be forced. So far this,
+too, had been unsuccessful.
+
+The fighting in France and Belgium, Alsace and Lorraine had now become a
+series of battles for the possession of the various trenches that had
+been dug. True, long-range artillery duels raged almost incessantly, but
+the mass of both armies lay in the trenches, now attacking and capturing
+the enemy's trenches, now being attacked and being driven out again.
+
+Besides the artillery duels there were, of course, occasional skirmishes
+between the cavalry, some growing to the proportions of real battles. But
+the results of these had never been decisive. The mighty armies were
+gripped in a deadlock, and indications pointed to this deadlock being
+maintained until spring, when, with the disappearance of fierce
+snowstorms and the breaking up of the terrific cold, a decisive battle
+might be fought.
+
+This was the situation up to date, when Hal and Chester, with the troop
+of cavalry, set out on a reconnaissance of the enemy's position on the
+first day of January, 1915.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A SKIRMISH.
+
+
+Surprised at the sudden fusillade, Hal and Chester drew taut the reins
+with their left hands, pulling their horses back on their haunches, while
+with their right hands they drew their revolvers. Behind them the troop
+came to an abrupt stop.
+
+From the protection of the sand dunes then came a second volley, more
+deadly than the first, and four more British cavalrymen hit the ground.
+
+Hal and Chester were inactive no longer.
+
+"Forward!" cried Hal, and, setting spurs to his horse, he dashed forward,
+closely followed by Chester and his men.
+
+As the British charged, the small body of Germans--only slightly larger
+than the British force--broke from their places of concealment and fled.
+The British rode rapidly after them with loud cries.
+
+Before the enemy could scatter sufficiently to make good their escape,
+the British horsemen were upon them. Some turned to fight, and were shot
+down with revolver bullets, while others, who ran, were cut down by the
+heavy cavalry swords of the English.
+
+To the right a score of Germans, in a body, turned to fight it out.
+Toward these dashed Hal and Chester, followed by twenty men. Hal, as he
+rode, emptied his automatic at this little body of the enemy and
+Chester did likewise. Then, their weapons empty, they were upon them
+with drawn swords.
+
+A German revolver bullet struck Hal's horse and the animal fell; but by a
+quick leap Hal avoided being pinned under it, and hurled himself upon the
+enemy afoot. Quickly Chester checked his horse and springing to the
+ground dashed to his chum's side. The men behind them also dismounted and
+prepared to give battle afoot.
+
+The two lads hurled themselves at the enemy without stopping to think.
+Hal's sword struck up the weapon of a German officer, and before the
+latter could recover his poise, the lad had run him through. Chester
+disposed of a second officer equally as rapidly.
+
+From pursuit of the others, the rest of the troop had now returned and
+completely surrounded the little band of Germans. Hal lowered his sword,
+and, stepping back a pace, called upon the enemy to surrender.
+
+"Never!" came the reply, followed by the German battle-cry: "_Deutschland
+über alles_!"
+
+A revolver bullet tore a ragged hole through Hal's cap, and a second one
+passed just under his left arm.
+
+But now the revolvers of the Germans were all empty, and the fighting
+continued with swords alone.
+
+Into the very midst of the German squad the two lads hurled themselves.
+Cutting, slashing, parrying and thrusting, the Germans fought on
+doggedly. Now a man fell, then another, and still another, but still they
+would not yield until at last there were left but three. From these, at
+Hal's command, the British drew back to give them one more chance for
+life; but they would not take it, and the British closed in again.
+
+"Well," said Chester, a few moments later, "it's all over."
+
+"But they fought well and bravely," said Hal, returning his sword to
+its scabbard.
+
+He looked around and took an account of his losses. Twelve British
+soldiers lay dead upon the ground, and a score of others were nursing
+their wounds--some serious, some only scratches. But there was no time to
+dress these wounds now. There was other work to do.
+
+"Mount!" cried Hal.
+
+The troop obeyed, and Hal sprang into the saddle of a riderless horse.
+
+His sword flashed forth once more.
+
+"Forward!" he cried.
+
+The little troop set off at a gallop.
+
+To the north could be caught occasional glimpses of the North Sea, as the
+sand dunes now and then permitted an unobstructed view. The party was at
+the extreme north of the long battle line that stretched away to the
+south, clear through Belgium and France.
+
+For perhaps half an hour the troop rode rapidly on, but finally Hal
+called a halt. He listened attentively. There was no sound to break
+the stillness, other than the faint boom of heavy guns in the
+distance, telling that the long-range artillery duel, farther south,
+was still in progress.
+
+But, as Hal was about to give the word for a further advance, from almost
+directly ahead, though still some distance away, came the sound of a
+single pistol shot. Just one shot; that was all. In vain did the lads
+strain their ears to catch a possible reply to the shot. None came.
+
+Hal ordered his men to advance at a slow trot, and the troop moved
+forward once more.
+
+Now they came to a woods. They advanced rapidly and the woods became less
+dense, and the darkness caused by the heavy overhanging trees gave way to
+more light. Hal again called a halt, and himself rode forward to
+investigate. Twenty yards ahead he came to a clearing in the woods,
+stretching out for a possible quarter of a mile.
+
+In the very center of this clearing the lad made out a strange sight. His
+eyes fell upon a detachment of German troops--about fifty all
+told--dancing about what Hal finally made out to be a barn.
+
+As Hal looked a sheet of flame sprang up. It was plain to the lad in an
+instant that the enemy had set the wooden structure afire.
+
+"But why?" he muttered to himself.
+
+The answer was not long coming.
+
+From the barn, through a crack between the boards, issued a cloud of
+smoke, and even above the yells of the dancing Germans Hal made out the
+report of a revolver. One of the Germans stopped his antics and toppled
+to the ground to rise no more.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Hal aloud. "They are burning him up!"
+
+Jerking his horse about, he dashed back to his men and again placed
+himself at their head. Chester ranged himself alongside.
+
+In a few brief words Hal explained what he had seen, and then cried
+to his men:
+
+"Forward! Charge!"
+
+At a gallop the British covered the distance to the clearing, and then
+dashed toward the enemy as fast as their horses could go. As the sound of
+galloping hoofs was borne to the ears of the enemy, they stopped their
+dancing about the barn and fell into line to beat back the British.
+
+The first line threw themselves to the ground. The second line fell to
+their knees, their rifles pointing over their prostrate comrades, while
+above them protruded the weapons of the third line, standing erect.
+
+At a shouted word of command from Hal the British cavalry scattered, and
+bore down on the enemy from three directions. Here and there a rider
+dropped to the ground as a German bullet found its mark; but in spite of
+these losses and the withering German fire, the rest dashed on.
+
+Right up to the muzzles of the German rifles the British charged, and
+leaning over their horses did terrible havoc among the enemy with
+downward sweeps of their heavy swords. They rode their horses right in
+among them, the hoofs of the chargers trampling the foe to death. Some
+sprang to their feet and darted toward the rear, only to encounter the
+British troopers who had ridden around behind them.
+
+The engagement was short and decisive. Soon the majority of the Germans
+lay dead upon the ground, and at a cry of "Surrender!" from Chester, the
+rest now threw down their arms.
+
+But the British had not escaped without great loss. Exposed to the fire
+of the enemy as they had charged upon the solid triple line of rifles,
+many had fallen. Less than half the original troop now remained, and of
+these at least half were wounded, though none seriously.
+
+During the fight the flames that had enveloped the barn had gained great
+headway and were now raging fiercely. Hal looked quickly about for some
+sign of the man whom he knew had been within. He believed that the man
+must have come forth, when he was aware that assistance was at hand, for
+he realized that to remain in the burning structure would have probably
+meant death.
+
+But in the troop he saw no sign of a stranger; nor had Chester nor any of
+the men seen anyone leave the barn.
+
+"Great Scott! He'll burn to death in there!" Hal cried.
+
+"Well, why didn't the big chump come out?" said Chester.
+
+"Maybe he was hit by a bullet and killed," said Hal.
+
+"Yes; or perhaps he is wounded, and unable to drag himself out,"
+said Chester.
+
+"By Jove!" said Hal. "I never thought of that!"
+
+Quickly he unstrapped his sword belt and drew off his coat.
+
+"What are you going to do?" cried Chester in alarm.
+
+"I'm going in after him," replied Hal grimly.
+
+"But you'll be killed!" expostulated Chester. "You couldn't live in that
+seething mass of flame!"
+
+"Nevertheless, I am going to try and bring him out," said Hal quietly.
+
+He drew his handkerchief from his pocket, and quickly wetting it from his
+canteen, tied it over his mouth and nose. Then, brushing aside the
+protests of Chester and the men, he plunged through the door of the
+burning building.
+
+Inside he could dimly make out his surroundings. Quickly he scanned the
+floor for a sight of the occupant, but saw no sign of him. Then, at one
+side of the barn he made out a ladder, leading to a loft. He ran to it
+quickly, and as quickly mounted it to the floor above. Once more he
+turned his eyes upon the floor and peered about.
+
+The heat was intense, and the lad now got his breath with difficulty, so
+dense was the smoke. He likewise realized that the floor, already
+blazing, must give way in a few moments, in which event he would be
+buried in the fiery ruins.
+
+Glancing quickly about he saw there was no window nor opening from which
+he could jump. He must go out by the way he had come in.
+
+Suddenly his eye lighted upon an object on the floor at the far end of
+the barn. Quickly he ran toward it and stooped over. The object was a
+figure of a man, lying upon his face, apparently unconscious. The lad
+wasted no time in thought. Exerting his utmost strength, he succeeded in
+hoisting the limp body across his shoulder.
+
+Carrying his human burden he staggered to the ladder and began his
+descent. It was slow work, for the lad was near exhaustion. He realized
+that a slip would probably mean death, and in spite of the fact that he
+realized the necessity for haste, descended slowly.
+
+At last his feet touched the bottom, and turning toward the open door he
+staggered on.
+
+As he reached the open door the barn behind him collapsed with a terrible
+crash; but before he lapsed into unconsciousness he saw the face of the
+man he carried.
+
+"Anderson!" he cried, and tumbled over in a dead faint.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+CAPTAIN HARRY ANDERSON.
+
+
+When Hal returned to consciousness he lay upon the hard ground and
+Chester was bending over him. Shifting his position slightly the lad saw
+what was left of his troop standing idly about. At the same moment he
+felt a hand grasp his and heard a well-known voice exclaim:
+
+"I owe my life to you, Hal. It seems that you bob up wherever you are
+needed most."
+
+Hal turned and gazed at the speaker. He was Captain Harry Anderson, of
+His British Majesty's Royal Dragoons, whom the lad had last seen in the
+hands of the Germans. Then the fight, the burning barn, and his
+recognition of Anderson just before he had lost consciousness, all came
+back to him in a flash, and he pressed the hand that grasped his.
+
+"Lieutenant--I mean Captain Anderson!" he exclaimed. "I thought you were
+safe in the hands of the Germans."
+
+The lad arose slowly to his feet, supported by the captain's arm. He
+staggered a trifle; but, after inhaling a few breaths of the cold,
+invigorating air, was soon himself again.
+
+"And I," said Captain Anderson, answering Hal's exclamation, "thought you
+also were safe in the hands of the Germans."
+
+"Well," said Hal, with a faint smile, "it seems that the enemy did wrong
+to believe they had any of us safely."
+
+"It does, indeed," the captain smiled back; "but come, tell me how you
+escaped. I have asked Chester, but he has been so worried about you that
+he has failed to do so."
+
+"We haven't time now," replied Hal. "We are on a reconnaissance, and must
+proceed immediately."
+
+"It will be unnecessary," replied Anderson dryly. "I have just come from
+that way and am in a position to tell you, or General French, either, for
+that matter, all you desire to know."
+
+"Are you sure?" asked Hal.
+
+"Positive," replied the captain briefly.
+
+"In that event," said Hal, "we may as well return, for we shall be
+wasting time and possibly sacrificing men, to linger here longer."
+
+He turned to his men. "Mount!" he ordered.
+
+The troop sprang to the saddle. Ordering them to face about, the lad
+commanded:
+
+"Forward!"
+
+The troop set off at a quick trot, Captain Anderson on a spare horse
+riding between Hal and Chester at their head.
+
+"Now," said the captain, "you can tell me about yourselves as we
+ride along."
+
+The two lads did so, and when he learned that the lads had seen active
+service in the eastern theater of war, the captain was greatly surprised.
+
+"And still I shouldn't be surprised at anything you do or may do," he
+said. "You see I know you well."
+
+"Come now, captain," said Chester, "tell us something of your own
+experiences."
+
+"Well," said Anderson, "I have had about as strenuous a time as you can
+imagine, and I have been at the threshold of death more than once."
+
+"Let's hear about it!" exclaimed Hal.
+
+"You remember, of course," began the captain, "how we were captured, and
+how badly I was wounded? You remember, also, that we were separated in
+the German camp?"
+
+The lads signified that they did, and the captain continued:
+
+"All right, then. It seems that my wounds were more serious than was at
+first supposed. A fever set in, and my German physician told me that I
+was a dead man. I laughed at him. I told him I had too much work to do to
+die yet awhile. He wanted to know what that work was and I told him it
+was killing Germans. This made him angry, and--"
+
+"I don't wonder," said Hal dryly.
+
+"It's a wonder he didn't administer a dose of poison right then,"
+said Chester.
+
+"Yes," continued the captain, "it made him mad, and he informed me that I
+might as well die, because if I didn't I would be shot anyhow."
+
+"Shot!" ejaculated Chester. "What for?"
+
+"That's what I asked him. He replied that I had been declared a spy, and
+that I was to be put to death as soon as I was well enough to face a
+firing squad. He said they didn't want to do it while I was so ill."
+
+"Very considerate of them," commented Hal.
+
+"Just what I told the surgeon. Well, naturally, with this sentence
+hanging over my head I didn't get well any quicker than I had to. Every
+day I could feel myself getting better, but I pretended to get worse. I
+contracted all the ailments you ever heard of, and I was a sore puzzle to
+the surgeon. He had several others look me over, but they couldn't agree
+on what was the matter with me, although they did agree I was a very sick
+man and had only a few days to linger on this earth. Yet all this time,
+mind you, I was shamming and getting better every day."
+
+"You must be a pretty good actor," said Chester.
+
+"Well, I'm not so bad," replied Captain Anderson modestly. "But to
+continue. I finally became afflicted with St. Vitus' dance, and later
+with a queer ailment that wouldn't allow me to keep still. I'd hop out of
+bed and wander about, with the surgeons or nurses on my heels, and then
+I'd fall down in a fit. This continued for several days, and finally they
+became tired of following me about, figuring, I suppose, that a man in my
+condition couldn't go very far, anyhow."
+
+"This was what I had been waiting for, but I didn't put the plan I had
+decided upon into execution at once. I waited for a good chance. At last,
+it came. The surgeon was a young chap and smooth shaven, which was lucky
+for me. Also he was about my build, and there was some slight resemblance
+between us. This day he was with me alone. Not a soul was present save us
+two. As he turned his back to look into his medicine case, I struck him
+heavily in the back of the neck.
+
+"He toppled over without a sound. Quickly I exchanged clothes with him
+and put his body in my bed, after which I picked up his case and walked
+boldly out of the hospital."
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Chester. "You had plenty of nerve!"
+
+"Well," continued the captain, "no one interfered with me and I walked
+about at will. I kept edging closer and closer to the firing line,
+figuring that I would make a break for liberty at the first opportunity.
+It came sooner than I expected.
+
+"There had been a big battle, and all surgeons and nurses were rushed to
+the front to look after the wounded. I went along. The battle was over,
+and we immediately went forth to attend to the wounded. Again I went
+along, only this time I didn't stop going. When I figured I was far
+enough ahead I broke into a run.
+
+"But I wasn't to get away so easily. A surgeon who had been near me saw
+me take to my heels, and instead of attending to the wounded as he should
+have done, he raised an alarm. Immediately a troop of horsemen dashed
+after me. I managed to reach a little woods directly ahead of me in
+safety and climbed up a tree. The Germans were unable to find me, so when
+night came I descended from my perch and continued my journey.
+
+"Soon after daylight I came upon a house, where I asked for food. I still
+wore the German surgeon's uniform, and here this worked to my
+disadvantage."
+
+"How was that?" asked Chester.
+
+"It seems that the family were Belgians, and I hadn't thought of that.
+They gave me food and drink all right, but they spilled a little drug of
+some kind in the drink. The next thing I knew I was bound and gagged and
+was looking down the muzzle of a revolver held by a ferocious-looking
+Belgian peasant. He informed me my time had come. I told him I was
+English, and explained my capture and escape. He listened patiently, but
+when I finished he informed me that he wasn't going to take any chances.
+I had just five minutes to live, he said."
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Hal. "That was pretty close. How did you escape?"
+
+"More by good luck than anything else," was the reply. "There was some
+kind of a noise behind the peasant and he turned to investigate. At that
+moment I kicked out with my foot and the toe of my boot caught him
+squarely under the chin. He went down with a thump. I don't know whether
+I killed him or not."
+
+"But how did you free your hands?" asked Hal.
+
+"Well, I had quite a little trouble, but I managed to drag my chair over
+to the fire, and held my hands over the blaze until the cord was burned."
+
+"And didn't you burn your hands?"
+
+"A little," was the quiet response; "but it had to be done. Then I untied
+my legs and removed the gag, after which I took to my heels as fast as I
+could. I didn't care for any more Belgian hospitality to one who wore a
+German uniform.
+
+"In the road I came upon a dead British soldier. I took his uniform and
+discarded that of the German surgeon. I now began to feel that I was
+reasonably safe, and I lay down at night and slept like a log, in spite
+of the cold.
+
+"I was awakened a little before daylight by the sounds of approaching
+footsteps. I saw the marchers before they saw me, but still not quite
+quick enough. They were the same men from whose hands you rescued me only
+a short while ago.
+
+"I had been confined in that hospital so long that I was still somewhat
+weak and I couldn't run fast enough to get away from them. I tried, but
+it was no use. Then I took a couple of shots at them, and got two or
+three, I think. I'm not sure, though. Anyhow, I saw this barn ahead, and
+dashed into it, figuring that I might possibly hold them off.
+
+"When they set fire to the barn, and I realized I couldn't get out, I
+gave up. I did shoot one through a crack, but a moment later a shot came
+through and caught me in the side. That's the last I remember until I
+returned to consciousness and learned that you had saved me."
+
+"Well," said Chester, "you certainly have had an eventful time."
+
+"There is no question about that," Hal agreed. "But how do you feel
+now, captain?"
+
+"Tip top. And you?"
+
+"First rate."
+
+The troop continued at a trot, and Hal now believed that they were out of
+danger--that there was no likelihood of encountering a force of the
+enemy--and turned to his friends, remarking:
+
+"Well, we might as well--Hello!"
+
+He broke off suddenly and checked the pace of his horse.
+
+"What's up?" demanded Chester, doing likewise.
+
+For answer Hal pointed down the road. A man was approaching them at
+a dead run.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ANTHONY STUBBS, WAR CORRESPONDENT.
+
+
+"Now, what in the name of all that's wonderful do you suppose is the
+matter with him?" ejaculated Chester.
+
+Hal shrugged his shoulders expressively.
+
+"You've got me," he admitted; "but by the look of him he's not
+running for fun."
+
+"Right," agreed Captain Anderson; "but whatever is on his trail will have
+to travel pretty lively to catch him. Look at him come!"
+
+As the stranger dashed toward them, head hanging and arms working like
+pistons, the three friends suddenly broke into a loud laugh. A more
+comical-looking specimen of humanity would be hard to imagine. The
+friends looked him over carefully as he came on.
+
+Large he was, there could be no mistake about that, but he seemed to be
+about as wide as he was long. Hal and Chester took in his dimensions
+with an appraising eye. Stout and chubby, he must have weighed all of
+200 pounds, and his height, the lads saw, could not be more than five
+feet four.
+
+As he tore down the road as fast as his peculiar build would permit, he
+did not once raise his head, and therefore did not perceive the British
+troops in his path. The lads could see that his face was red, and that he
+was puffing and snorting from lack of breath. Not perceiving the men who
+barred his path, he would have dashed right in among them had not Hal
+brought him to a sudden stop with a word of command.
+
+"Halt!" he cried.
+
+With a gasp of amazement the man halted and gazed at the British as
+though bewildered. One look he gave them and then exclaimed in a shrill
+piping voice, in English:
+
+"You are surrounded! Run, Anthony, run!"
+
+He suited the action to the word, and, turning in his tracks, ran,
+puffing and blowing, in the direction from which he had come.
+
+In spite of his merriment at this comical sight, Hal put spurs to his
+horse and dashed after him. The others did likewise. Hearing the sounds
+of pursuit, the little stout man redoubled his efforts and puffed on like
+an engine.
+
+Hal ranged his horse alongside of him, and, restraining his laughter,
+shouted in a stern tone:
+
+"Halt! or you are a dead man!"
+
+The little man needed no further warning. He stopped so quickly that Hal
+rode on beyond him, while those behind were able to check their horses
+barely in time to keep from riding over him.
+
+Hal leaped to the ground, and stood over the stranger, who lay panting on
+the earth where he had fallen the moment he stopped running.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded Hal. "What are you doing here?"
+
+The little man struggled in vain to reply; but he gasped so wildly for
+breath that for a moment he was unable to utter a word. Then, as he still
+panted, his eye fell upon the uniforms of the British troopers. He was on
+his feet in a moment.
+
+"I thought you were Germans!" he exclaimed. "Great Caesar's ghost! I
+didn't think I could run another step, but I did; and here I was running
+from you fellows. What do you mean by chasing an American citizen down
+the road?"
+
+He paused and glared at Hal wrathfully. The latter could control
+his merriment no longer, and burst into a hearty laugh. The others
+did likewise.
+
+The little man drew himself up indignantly.
+
+"I say!" he exclaimed, "what are you fellows laughing at me for?"
+
+Hal ceased laughing, and his face took on a stern expression.
+
+"Who are you?" he asked briefly. "A spy, eh?"
+
+"A spy! Me a spy?" exclaimed the man. "Great Caesar's ghost, no;
+I'm no spy."
+
+"Who are you, then?" demanded Hal.
+
+The stranger drew himself up to his full height--and he was still almost
+as broad as he was long, folded his arms and said proudly:
+
+"I am Anthony Stubbs, sir, war correspondent of the _New York Gazette_,
+sir; and I am here in search of news."
+
+"News, eh?" said Hal. "It is my belief that you are in search of
+information to turn over to the Germans."
+
+"You are mistaken, sir," replied Anthony, somewhat uncomfortably, the
+lads could see. "I assure you on the honor of a Stubbs that I am what I
+represent myself to he."
+
+Hal could keep a straight face no longer. So comical was the little man
+in his ruffled dignity that the boy was forced to laugh.
+
+"All right, Mr. Stubbs," he said at last, "I believe you; but tell me,
+what were you running from when you bumped into us?"
+
+"I wasn't running, sir," was the reply. "I heard a large force of the
+enemy in a field just out of the woods, and I was merely hurrying to a
+place where I could get a look at them."
+
+"Well, you were hurrying at a pretty good gait," said Hal. "But tell me,
+is the enemy in force?"
+
+"I didn't see any of them," said Stubbs, "but by the sounds of their
+horses' hoofs, I should say they were in force, sir."
+
+"Where?" demanded Hal, somewhat anxiously.
+
+"Straight ahead, sir," replied Stubbs, pointing down the road.
+
+"We thank you, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, "and we shall now leave you to
+gather your news while we proceed to reconnoiter."
+
+"And leave me here?" cried Stubbs.
+
+"Why, certainly. You are paid to get the news for your paper, are you
+not?"
+
+"But I'm not paid to be shot by the Germans," replied Stubbs vehemently.
+"Take me with you."
+
+How much truth there was in Stubbs' account of a large force of the enemy
+approaching, Hal, of course, did not know. But the little man appeared so
+greatly worried that Hal was moved to motion him to one of the spare
+horses, which had followed the troop.
+
+Stubbs clambered into the saddle with difficulty, and, once astride the
+animal, he maneuvered so as to get right in among the British cavalrymen,
+who smiled tolerantly as they surrounded him. Then, at a word from Hal,
+the troop moved forward at a slow trot.
+
+They rode for perhaps fifteen minutes, and so far Hal had seen no signs
+of an enemy, nor was there any evidence that a large force had passed
+that way recently. He turned to Stubbs.
+
+"I see no sign of the enemy," he said. "Where were they?"
+
+Stubbs motioned to the left.
+
+"Beyond the woods, there, in an open field," he replied. "I didn't see
+them, but I heard 'em, all right. They are probably lying in ambush, and
+we shall all be killed."
+
+Hal halted his men, and, dismounting, plunged into the woods to
+investigate. At the edge of the woods he came upon a field, and there he
+saw the "enemy" or at least what had caused Stubbs' fright. He broke into
+a loud laugh, and hurried back.
+
+"I have found the enemy," he said quietly. "Come, men, I shall show
+them to you."
+
+All dismounted, and Hal led the way, Stubbs following protestingly. At
+the edge of the woods Hal stopped, and, taking Stubbs by the arm, led
+him forward.
+
+"There," he said, pointing, "is the enemy; and I don't believe they
+chased you very far."
+
+Stubbs looked and gasped, then mumbled:
+
+"I wonder, I wonder--"
+
+For the objects upon which his eyes rested, the movements of which had
+sent him scurrying down the road in fear for his life, were nothing more
+than a drove of about a dozen sheep, which, thrashing about in the field,
+had led Stubbs to suspect the presence of the Germans.
+
+Stubbs, after the one look, turned and strode majestically to where the
+horses had been left. The laughter of the troopers rankled in his ears
+and his face was a dull red. He was mounted when Hal, Chester and the
+others returned.
+
+"Stubbs," said Hal, as they rode forward again, "you could have whipped
+all those fellows yourself."
+
+"Well," replied Stubbs, "they might have been Germans."
+
+He lapsed into silence.
+
+Night was fast falling when the British came in sight of a little house,
+and Hal decided that they would stop there and commandeer something to
+eat. Accordingly they rode up to the door, where Hal, before dismounting,
+hailed those within with a shout.
+
+A woman appeared in the door, and learning what the British required,
+invited them to dismount and enter. This they did, and soon sat down to a
+substantial repast, Stubbs with them. The war correspondent now became
+talkative, and entertained with an account of his adventures.
+
+Upon learning that Hal and Chester were American lads, the little man's
+pleasure knew no bounds.
+
+"I knew it!" he exclaimed. "I knew it the minute I set eyes on you."
+
+"Perhaps that is why you were in such a hurry to get back down the road,"
+said Chester.
+
+"No, no," was the reply. "I knew you were Americans, but I feared, for
+the moment, that you might be fighting with the Germans."
+
+"Well," said Chester shortly, "I don't imagine you will find many
+Americans in the German ranks."
+
+"I want to tell you boys," said Stubbs, "that I appreciate your saving me
+from falling into the hands of the enemy, where I might have been kept a
+prisoner for years."
+
+"We didn't save you from anything," said Hal.
+
+"I know, I know," said Stubbs, "but you might have done so. I want to
+tell you that I appreciate it and that Anthony Stubbs is your friend for
+life; and the friendship of such a man is not to be laughed at."
+
+The little man's face was so serious that the lads even forbore to smile.
+
+"We thank you for your friendship," said Hal quietly, "and I assure
+you that it will not be laughed at. Friendships are not to be
+treated lightly."
+
+"I knew you would see it that way," was the response. "If at any time I
+can be of service to you, command me."
+
+He arose and made them the bow of a cavalier.
+
+The meal finished, Hal pushed back his chair and arose.
+
+"We might as well be on our way," he said. "Come."
+
+They left the room and made their way to the place where they had tied
+their horses. Hal started back with a cry of surprise.
+
+The horses were not there, but upon the ground, a bullet wound in his
+forehead, lay the man whom Hal had left to guard them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+FOUR-FOOTED ENEMIES.
+
+
+Hal bent over the dead British soldier; then, arising, turned to Chester.
+
+"He was shot from ambush," he said quietly. "He didn't even have time to
+draw his revolver. See, it is still in its holster."
+
+"And, if we don't get away from here immediately, we are likely to be
+shot, too," replied Chester.
+
+"Chester is right," agreed Captain Anderson. "Come, Hal, we had better
+be moving."
+
+Hal nodded, and gave a brief word of command. Immediately the little
+troop of cavalrymen, afoot now, moved slowly down the road in the
+darkness. They went forward briskly and the hand of every man rested
+on his weapon, for the mysterious death of their companion had been
+a warning they could not but heed. There was no telling what foes
+might lurk in the blackness of the bushes that lined either side of
+the highway.
+
+Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent, had been unable to force himself
+into the center of the British troops, and was now bringing up the
+rear. Now and then he tried to insert himself between the men in front
+of him, but all such attempts had proved futile. The British did not
+intend to lose their formation in order to allow him to reach a place
+of comparative safety.
+
+As Stubbs stumbled along in the darkness, he cast furtive glances
+over his shoulder and peered intently into the bushes, first on one
+side and then on the other; and as he plodded on he mumbled
+continually to himself.
+
+Came a sudden shrill cry from the left--a wild screech that, for the
+moment, the lads were unable to identify.
+
+Hal immediately called a halt and all stopped to listen. It came again, a
+shrill, piercing cry; and with it Anthony Stubbs hurled himself violently
+upon the men ahead of him and dashed through the center of the troop.
+Beside the two lads he stopped, panting. He felt more secure there.
+
+"What was that?" he cried in a shrill voice.
+
+The lads did not reply, but still stood listening. A third time the cry
+rang out from the woods. Then Chester laughed aloud.
+
+"It's a cat!" he exclaimed.
+
+"A cat!" echoed Stubbs.
+
+"Yes, cats are plentiful in the war zone. Necessity has taken the edge
+off their skin-deep docility, and many of them resemble hyenas more than
+the domestic pets they used to be."
+
+"Then there is nothing to fear," said Stubbs, drawing a breath of relief.
+
+"No," replied Chester, "there is nothing to fear so long as we are many,
+but two or three of them would not hesitate to attack a single man. In
+fact, they have done so before now."
+
+"What! pet cats attack a man?" exclaimed Stubbs.
+
+"Yes, and from what I have heard, they are pretty tough customers. I
+heard that one man, in an encounter with four of the animals, had one of
+his eyes scratched out and was otherwise badly clawed before he could
+shoot them. Half starved, they are perfectly wild."
+
+Stubbs shuddered.
+
+"Let's get away from here, then," he exclaimed.
+
+At a command from Hal, the troop moved off again and Stubbs stuck closely
+between the two lads.
+
+They had progressed perhaps half a mile further when Stubbs felt his hat
+suddenly lifted from his head, and at the same moment the sharp crack of
+a rifle shattered the stillness of the night.
+
+With a shout of terror the war correspondent threw himself to the ground
+and, like an ostrich, seemed to try to bury his head in the hard road.
+
+Hal turned quickly and, taking quick aim with his revolver, fired into
+the bushes, a little below the spot where the rifle had flashed fire. A
+scream of pain rewarded this shot.
+
+Without waiting to ascertain whether there was more than one of the
+enemy, Hal shouted a command, and the British cavalrymen poured a volley
+into the woods, aiming low and scattering their fire. Loud guttural
+exclamations and shouts were the answer to the fusillade.
+
+Immediately Hal shouted:
+
+"To the ground, men! Down quick!"
+
+He suited the action to the word, as did Chester, Captain Anderson and
+all of the troop. They did not fall a moment too soon, for there now came
+from the bushes a scattering and withering volley that would have done
+terrible execution among the little troop of British, but for the fact
+that they were beneath the line of fire.
+
+"Up and into the bushes!" cried Hal.
+
+A moment and the British were screened from the fire of the enemy on the
+opposite side of the road, while from their shelter they poured a fire in
+the direction of rifle flashes across the highway.
+
+Peering from behind the small tree where he had taken shelter, Chester
+saw a prostrate form in the middle of the road. He thought he recognized
+it but was not sure. He turned and called to Hal:
+
+"Is Stubbs with you?"
+
+"No," was the reply. "Where is he?"
+
+"I'll have him in a minute," was Chester's brief response.
+
+Throwing himself to the ground, he crawled from behind his shelter and
+wormed his way along the ground toward the prostrate form in the road,
+the figure of Stubbs.
+
+The war correspondent lay as though dead, making no move. The lad,
+keeping as close to the ground as possible, so as to avoid the German
+bullets flying overhead, drew closer; and, while the lad did not know
+it, three other forms also were approaching closely in spite of the
+hail of lead.
+
+But these latter were making their way through the tree-tops, jumping
+lightly from bough to bough. Silent as shadows they were, but their eyes
+glared a fiery red and their tails switched angrily.
+
+They were cats.
+
+Half-starved as they were, they had trailed the troop. They had been in
+the war zone long enough for their feline intelligence to tell them that
+where men rode there was likely to be food. More than one dead man, left
+dead upon the field, had fallen a victim to their claws and teeth.
+
+So now, as Chester crept toward the inert form of the war
+correspondent, the cats, not perceiving this new enemy--so intent were
+they upon the body of Stubbs--also approached quietly. Two of the
+animals were now directly above the body of Stubbs, and stood switching
+their tails on the limb of a large tree that overhung the roadway. The
+third was close behind.
+
+Snarling, with bared claws and outstretched legs, the first cat leaped.
+In a moment the others followed.
+
+Stubbs had been lying upon his face, and all three of the hungry animals
+lighted squarely upon his back. Instantly the war correspondent lost all
+resemblance to a dead man, and the man and cats became a panting,
+struggling, rolling heap.
+
+As Stubbs cried out in alarm, Chester--still some distance away--raised
+his head and quickly realized the struggle that was taking place.
+Throwing caution to the winds, he sprang to his feet and with a shout
+charged the feline foes.
+
+The war correspondent was fighting off his biting, clawing assailants as
+best he could; but the very fact that the cats clung to his back was a
+point in their favor. One buried its sharp teeth in the back of Stubbs's
+neck and the war correspondent raised a howl of anguish.
+
+As if by magic now the firing from the Germans' side of the road ceased.
+Hal was unaware of the reason for this, but, suspecting a ruse, he
+ordered his men to cease firing also until he could determine the cause
+of the enemy's unexpected silence.
+
+On the German side of the road dark faces peered from between the trees
+and hoarse guttural exclamations issued from these faces as they watched
+Stubbs struggle with the cats. While the Germans would not go to Stubbs'
+assistance, nevertheless they would not shoot him down as he struggled
+with his four-footed enemies.
+
+The British also advanced to their side of the road and watched
+the struggle.
+
+Thus, by mutual consent, a truce had been declared.
+
+It was at this moment that Chester came to Stubbs' rescue; but before he
+could take a hand in the fray the figure of a large German, with leveled
+revolver, accosted the lad.
+
+"Back," he exclaimed in a deep voice. "Let the little man fight it out.
+This is rare sport. We will declare a truce until the struggle is over.
+Do you agree?"
+
+Chester considered quickly. He knew that the German officer would be as
+good as his word, and he knew also that Stubbs, if given time, would
+dispose of his three enemies.
+
+"I agree," he said, and made his way back to Hal, where he told him of
+the strange request and his answer.
+
+As the little war correspondent still struggled with his feline
+assailants the Germans, from their side of the woods, gradually came
+out from among the trees to get a closer view of the struggle.
+Unconsciously also the British left their shelter and crowded about to
+get a better view.
+
+With his right hand Stubbs succeeded in grasping the cat that had bitten
+him by the back of the neck, and in spite of the animal's frantic clawing
+and scratching he raised it in the air and brought its head against the
+ground violently. The cat lay still.
+
+But while Stubbs was thus engaged with one of the enemy, the other two
+were busy. Stubbs had now jumped to his feet, and one of the animals had
+succeeded in crawling to his shoulder, where it was making desperate
+efforts to reach the war correspondent's eyes with its claws. Stubbs
+protected his eyes with one upraised arm, and groped blindly for the cat.
+
+At last he grasped it securely by the neck and raised it aloft; the other
+now was biting so fiercely at the back of his neck that he did not take
+time to dash the first one to the ground, but still holding it aloft with
+his left hand sought to pluck the other away with his right.
+
+He was unsuccessful in this, for he could not obtain a good hold on the
+last cat. With a cry of rage he suddenly dashed the cat he held aloft to
+the ground, and then threw himself to the ground backward, pinioning the
+cat beneath him.
+
+The cat screamed angrily, and succeeded in squirming from beneath Stubbs;
+but instead of running away it launched itself directly at Stubbs' face.
+Stubbs threw up his arm just in time and caught the animal by the neck.
+Then he walked over to a tree, the Germans allowing him to pass, and
+dashed the animal's head against the trunk.
+
+The fight was over. The truce was ended.
+
+Quickly the British and German soldiers returned to their shelter on
+opposite sides of the road. Five minutes passed. Then a British soldier
+who had exposed himself tumbled over, struck by a stray German bullet.
+
+The battle in the dark was on again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE FIGHT IN THE WOODS.
+
+
+Chester had drawn Stubbs to shelter behind a large tree, and now, bending
+over the little war correspondent, sought to stop the flow of blood from
+his wounds. Stubbs was not seriously injured, although he had been badly
+scratched and bitten in the back of the neck.
+
+"You are a fine bunch, you are!" exploded Stubbs when Chester announced
+that he had dressed the wounds as well as he could. "Wanted to see those
+cats chew me up, didn't you?"
+
+"You are a brave man, Mr. Stubbs," replied Chester. "You have
+accomplished a feat you may well be proud of the rest of your life. It
+isn't every man who has the chance of distinguishing himself by slaying
+three wild cats single handed."
+
+"Were they wild cats?" asked Stubbs in surprise.
+
+"Well, they were cats and they certainly were wild," replied Chester.
+"Yes, sir, you are a brave man."
+
+"I know that," said Stubbs, "but just the same you fellows should have
+pitched in and helped me out."
+
+"Had we not been struck motionless by your great display of courage, we
+might have done so," replied Chester, smiling to himself. "But surely you
+would not have had us rob you of the glory?"
+
+"Well, no, I wouldn't have wished that," answered Stubbs. "But just the
+same when a man is attacked by a bunch of wild cats, the first thing he
+thinks of is help."
+
+"But tell me, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "what were you doing in the road
+in the first place?"
+
+"Why," muttered the little man, somewhat confused, "I was seeking to make
+out the number of the enemy so that I might tell you whether we were
+strong enough to defeat them."
+
+"That's all right; I just wanted to know."
+
+Mr. Stubbs peered out from behind the tree, and as he did so a
+German bullet went whizzing by. Mr. Stubbs hurriedly threw himself
+upon the ground.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Chester, although he knew well enough.
+
+"A slight illness," replied Mr. Stubbs. "I am somewhat faint. I fear I
+overexerted myself in my struggle with the wild cats."
+
+He lay there behind the tree, stretched out at full length. Nor could he
+be induced to get to his feet.
+
+Slowly the last half of a moon arose, giving a little light but making
+the shadows deeper.
+
+Bullets whistled through the trees at regular intervals now, and wherever
+a man exposed himself the German sharpshooters ran him quickly back to
+cover or shot him down.
+
+But the British, excellent marksmen that they were, in spite of their
+losses were having the better of the encounter. Wherever a German arm or
+leg was exposed, there a British bullet struck. Consequently the firing
+soon became desultory and then ceased altogether.
+
+Taking advantage of this lull, Chester made a dash, and succeeded in
+reaching a tree behind which Hal and Captain Anderson had taken shelter.
+
+"What are we going to do?" he demanded. "Surely we can't stay here
+much longer."
+
+"Well, what shall we do?" demanded Hal. "At the first break the Germans
+will shoot us down."
+
+"We must do something," replied Chester. "Wait a moment"--as Hal turned
+away--"I have an idea."
+
+"What is it?" demanded Hal.
+
+"Yes, let's have it," said Captain Anderson.
+
+"Well, why can't a few of us--say ten men--crawl toward the rear, and,
+when out of sight, make a detour and catch the Germans from the rear?
+Those who are left here will fire only at intervals, so that when we open
+from the rear the enemy will believe that the major part of our men are
+there. Naturally they will present their strongest front there. Then you
+can take them by surprise from this side."
+
+"By Jove!" ejaculated Captain Anderson. "That's not a half-bad idea."
+
+"It's a good idea," said Hal. "It shall be acted upon at once. Now, who
+shall go and who shall stay here?"
+
+"Well," said Chester, "as it was I who suggested the plan, I guess
+I am the one to head those who go. Detail ten men, Hal, and I'll
+start at once."
+
+The men placed at his disposal Chester made ready to go; but, before he
+left, he called to Hal:
+
+"By the way, when you leave here don't forget Stubbs. He's lying behind a
+tree over there," pointing.
+
+"I'll get him," Hal called back, "if I have to carry him on my shoulder."
+
+Dropping to all fours Chester and his ten men soon disappeared in
+the distance.
+
+Feeling sure that he was out of sight in the thick underbrush, Chester
+jumped to his feet. The ten men did likewise, and turning to the left all
+dashed off through the brambles as fast and as quietly as possible. Among
+the bushes it was very dark, and for this reason the little party was
+unable to make much speed; but, nevertheless, they pushed on as rapidly
+as possible.
+
+Finally, feeling that he had gone far enough, Chester turned once more
+sharply to the left, and pushed on in the way he had come.
+
+At length they came again to the road, and, making sure that there was no
+German in sight, Chester silently led his men across the highway to the
+German side. Here they pushed straight on for a considerable distance,
+until the lad felt certain that they had penetrated to the rear of the
+German line. He then led his men sharply to the left again.
+
+If his calculations were correct he must now be behind the enemy.
+
+The little band of British crept forward silently now and more slowly. It
+was ticklish work, and not a soldier but recognized the fact as, very
+cautiously, they pressed on.
+
+Chester halted abruptly. Directly ahead, perhaps fifty yards, he made out
+the form of a single figure. Silently the lad crept closer. It was as he
+had expected. The man was a German, and undoubtedly one of the force
+which had so recently attacked them.
+
+Chester threw his men out in a thin line, the distance between each man
+being perhaps twenty yards.
+
+"Fire when I give the word, and not until then," he ordered. "And make
+every shot count. If the enemy rushes us give way as slowly as possible;
+but if they try a hide-and-seek game, keep your positions behind shelter
+as much as you can."
+
+The men repeated this order to show that they understood, and all crept
+forward. Three minutes of silent crawling and they came within full view
+of the German line. It was still facing the road, across which were the
+British. In the faint moonlight the entire force was clearly exposed to
+Chester's party.
+
+When Chester believed that he had approached near enough, he raised his
+hand for a halt. Quickly each man concealed himself behind the largest
+tree he could find.
+
+So far they had not been discovered.
+
+Chester glanced quickly around. Everything was ready.
+
+Drawing a bead upon the German soldier who was nearest, Chester at last
+gave the command his men had been eagerly awaiting:
+
+"Fire!"
+
+The eleven British rifles cracked out as one, and as many of the enemy
+toppled over, for the British, unseen, had approached so close that a
+miss was practically an impossibility.
+
+Immediately confusion reigned among the enemy. Taken completely by
+surprise, as Chester had intended they should be, the Germans lost all
+signs of formation. Before they could recover their scattered wits and
+turn upon their new foes, or even seek new shelter, the British had
+poured in a second volley.
+
+But the German officers, displaying great skill and bravery, soon had
+their men under control, and turned upon the little party of British
+in the rear.
+
+Chester perceived what was about to happen and cried out to his men:
+
+"They are going to rush us! Pick 'em off as they come!"
+
+The Germans, at a command, sprang forward, and the British fired full in
+their faces.
+
+The Germans reeled, and for a moment it seemed they would seek shelter
+once more; but they rallied and came on.
+
+But, as they came, a volley was poured into them from the rear. Hal's
+men, on the opposite side of the road, had advanced quickly, and again
+the Germans had been surprised.
+
+Caught thus between two fires, and unable to tell the number of their
+foe, the Germans were at a great disadvantage. Nevertheless, outnumbering
+the British as they did, they fought bravely, jumping quickly behind the
+nearest trees, determined to sell their lives as dearly as possible.
+
+When Hal heard the first sounds of firing, and realized that Chester and
+his men had come into position and opened on the enemy, he quickly
+ordered his men forward. He himself stopped for a moment to seek out
+Stubbs, for fear that the little American might be left behind and fall
+into the hands of the enemy.
+
+"Quick, Stubbs!" he cried. "Get up, man, and come on!"
+
+Stubbs scrambled to his feet.
+
+"Where are you going?" he demanded in some anxiety.
+
+"After the Germans," replied Hal. "We are attacking them from two
+sides. Come on!"
+
+Stubbs drew back.
+
+"We'll all be killed!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Never mind that," said Hal impatiently. "Are you coming with me or are
+you going to stay here?"
+
+"Alone?"
+
+"Yes, alone."
+
+"Oh, I'll go," said Stubbs mournfully, "but I know I'll never get back to
+America alive. The _New York Gazette_ is about to lose its best man."
+
+Still mumbling to himself he followed Hal.
+
+The British under Hal and Captain Anderson broke from their shelter and
+crossed the road to the enemy's side on a dead run, their smoking rifles
+dealing out death on every hand as they advanced.
+
+When Hal's men had attacked, Chester found it unnecessary to retreat, as
+he had figured upon doing, and the rain of hail continued to pour upon
+the enemy from all sides.
+
+The British gradually closed on the enemy, fewer now by half than they
+had been a few moments ago, until the circle had narrowed to within a few
+yards of the enemy.
+
+In spite of the semi-darkness the aim of the British cavalrymen had been
+remarkable, and wherever and whenever a German showed himself, in nine
+cases out of ten he fell to rise no more. The losses of the British had
+been heavy, but not so great as those of the foe.
+
+Now, at a command from Hal, the fire of the British ceased. Then the lad,
+raising his voice to its highest pitch, shouted:
+
+"Surrender!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE MISSION SUCCESSFUL.
+
+
+"Never!" came back the reply of the German officer in command.
+
+Hal, who had stepped slightly from the shelter of a big tree, jumped back
+quickly as a bullet lifted his cap from his head.
+
+"Too bad," he said quietly. "I would have avoided further loss of life.
+However, if they will have it, give it to them, men."
+
+The fight had raged, at intervals, all during the night. Now the first
+faint signs of dawn appeared and a little while later it became light.
+
+From his shelter Hal took in the situation about him. Here and there dead
+bodies strewed the woods, Germans and British alike. Wounded men also lay
+upon the ground.
+
+Hal now decided that the battle had lasted long enough. With a cry to his
+men he dashed suddenly forward, the troopers following close behind.
+Chester, at his end of the field, perceiving this movement, also led his
+handful of men forward.
+
+Some fell, as they dashed into the very face of the German fire, but the
+bulk of the British reached their goal, where, outnumbering the Germans
+now, they soon disposed of them. When all were down but a mere handful, a
+German lieutenant, the sole surviving officer, threw down his revolver
+and raised his hands in token of surrender.
+
+Hal drew a great breath of pure relief and advanced. He was within ten
+feet of the German officer, when the latter suddenly sprang forward. His
+sword again leaped forth, and he made a furious thrust at the lad.
+
+Although surprised at this attack, Hal was not caught completely off his
+guard. With a single movement his own sword leaped from its scabbard and
+parried the thrust of the German officer.
+
+Chester took a sudden step forward to interfere, but Hal, perceiving his
+friend's move out of the corner of his eye, cried out:
+
+"Stand back, Chester. I'll dispose of this cowardly dog alone."
+
+But the German was an accomplished swordsman, which Hal was not. True,
+the lad had had some experience with the sword and had already fought one
+successful duel; but, in spite of this, he was no match for the more
+experienced German officer.
+
+The German pressed the lad hard and, secure in the knowledge that he
+would not be interfered with, he tried his best to run the lad through.
+Fortunately, however, the lad's blade met his at every thrust. Tiring of
+this, the German took a step backward, and, raising his sword, grasped it
+by the point and hurled it at Hal.
+
+The lad escaped being impaled only by a quick spring aside. The German
+turned to flee, and as he did so, bumped squarely into Anthony Stubbs,
+who accidentally barred his path at that moment. The two collided with a
+crash, and were soon rolling about on the ground.
+
+To attack the German officer had been farthest from Stubbs's mind; but
+the German officer, believing that the little American had barred his
+path purposely, struck out at him heavily. More by good fortune than
+anything else, Stubbs evaded the blow by rolling quickly over, and as he
+did so his right hand accidentally descended upon the German's face.
+
+Stubbs was as greatly surprised as was his opponent, but the latter
+became furiously angry.
+
+"Hit me, will you!" he cried.
+
+"I didn't do it on purpose!" exclaimed Stubbs, greatly alarmed by the
+anger of the German.
+
+Quickly he rolled over again, once more escaping by a hair's breadth a
+heavy blow of the German's fist. Then he arose quickly and started to
+run; but the German was close behind him.
+
+Realizing that he could not possibly outrun his opponent, Stubbs turned
+suddenly and dived at the German's legs, crying out as he did so:
+
+"Help! Help! Anthony, you will be killed."
+
+His sudden maneuver had taken the German by surprise, and again the two
+rolled over and over upon the ground in a tangled heap.
+
+In some unaccountable manner Stubbs was the first to extricate himself,
+and, absolutely certain that his adversary meant to kill him, he rolled
+over quickly and sat upon his enemy's breast.
+
+In vain did the German attempt to shake himself free. Stubbs, still
+crying for help and moaning to himself, was as immovable as the Rock of
+Gibraltar.
+
+Hal, Chester, Captain Anderson and the British cavalrymen had derived
+great amusement from this scene, and, as Hal had realized that the
+German, now unarmed, could not do much harm to the war correspondent, he
+had let the two fight it out alone.
+
+Now that Stubbs had been returned the victor, greatly to the surprise of
+all, Hal advanced and induced the little American to relinquish his seat.
+This the latter did, though not without some trepidation--fearing that
+the German would attack him again as soon as he could arise--and, when he
+finally did get upon his feet, he put a respectable distance between
+himself and his late opponent.
+
+"You fellows are bent on getting me killed," he said, turning to Chester
+with a frown. "You always help each other, but whenever I am in trouble
+you leave me to fight it out alone."
+
+"And you always acquit yourself admirably," said Chester,
+forbearing to smile.
+
+"Well, I'll admit that," returned Stubbs; "but some time I am bound to
+get the worst of it. Then I suppose you'll laugh."
+
+By this time Hal had the German officer securely bound, and at his
+command the rest of the enemy still upon their feet also were tied up.
+Then, with their prisoners in the center, the British once more set out
+upon their march to the British lines, Stubbs trailing along behind.
+
+Before noon they came within sight of the first British outposts, and
+soon had passed to safety. Here they procured horses, and made all haste
+back toward their own division, where they arrived several hours later.
+
+When those of the British troop who had gone forth with the two lads
+returned to their own regiment, and the lads, with Captain Anderson, took
+their departure, they raised three lusty cheers for each of the officers
+in farewell.
+
+The three, accompanied by Stubbs, immediately made their way to the
+headquarters of General French. Here Hal, Chester and Captain Anderson
+were at once admitted, but Stubbs was forced to remain without, being
+told that Sir John French had no time to waste upon war correspondents.
+
+"Well, what do you think of that?" Stubbs ejaculated. "A newspaper man
+refused admittance! I never heard of such a thing before."
+
+Nevertheless he was forced to cool his heels on the outside until his
+newly found friends should come out, and this is what he proceeded to do.
+
+General French greeted the two lads with a smile.
+
+"Back so soon?" he exclaimed. "I hardly expected you before to-morrow.
+And was your mission a success?"
+
+"Well, General," replied Hal, "we didn't go as far as we could have gone.
+We were fortunate enough to come upon Captain Anderson, who had just
+escaped from the Germans, and knows more of the situation there than we
+could possibly have learned. We figured that it was not necessary to
+sacrifice lives foolishly."
+
+"You did exactly right," replied General French.
+
+He turned to Captain Anderson. "Are the Germans contemplating any new
+move in the north that you know of?" he asked.
+
+"They are not, sir," was the reply. "I can say that positively. I heard
+plans while I was in the hospital. The German forces in the west have
+been drawn upon somewhat heavily to reënforce their troops in the eastern
+theater of war."
+
+"Do you believe that a new offensive would drive them back?"
+
+"That's a hard question, sir. They are strongly intrenched all along the
+line, and I should say that unless the offensive were to be pushed to the
+limit, with some object in view besides merely advancing a mile or two,
+it would be a needless sacrifice."
+
+General French looked Captain Anderson full in the eye.
+
+"That, sir," he said gravely, "is my idea exactly, which is the reason we
+have not assumed the offensive long before this. I have been censured for
+my policy more than once; but I would not sacrifice lives needlessly, and
+would wait until Lord Kitchener has furnished me with sufficient men
+before ordering a concerted advance."
+
+Captain Anderson did not reply to this statement, for he knew that no
+answer was expected. He was, nevertheless, honored by the general's
+confidence, and pleased to know that his ideas found favor with his
+commander.
+
+"You gentlemen had all better get a little rest," said General French.
+
+He turned to his desk, littered with maps and papers, signifying that the
+interview was ended. The three officers drew themselves up to attention,
+saluted, and left the tent.
+
+Outside they were joined by Anthony Stubbs, who poured into their ears
+his tale of woe at being refused admission to the general's quarters.
+
+"And where am I to go, now?" he asked.
+
+"Where do you want to go?" asked Hal.
+
+"Why," was the reply, "I want to go where I can get some news for my
+paper. I want big news--something that the other papers will not get."
+
+"But," said Hal, "you know that, even if you got it, you could not send
+it to your paper. The censor would see to that."
+
+"Oh, I know that," replied Stubbs, "but if I can get it I'll get it out.
+You leave that to me."
+
+"Well, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, "I don't know where you can get it right
+now, but for to-night I ask you to share our tent. You may fare forth on
+your quest in the morning."
+
+Mr. Stubbs made a profound bow.
+
+"I thank you," he replied, "and I shall do myself that honor."
+
+Hal turned to Captain Anderson.
+
+"And you, too, Captain," he said, "I hope you will stay the night with
+us. You can look up your regiment in the morning."
+
+Captain Anderson replied that he would be happy to accept this
+invitation, and the four immediately went to the quarters provided for
+the two lads when they had returned to the army from the air flight
+from Russia.
+
+Here, tired out and almost exhausted, they turned in immediately--in
+spite of the fact that the sun had not yet sunk below the horizon--and
+soon all lay snug and comfortable in the arms of Morpheus.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+OFF TO THE SOUTH.
+
+
+The following morning Captain Anderson bade the boys good-by and set out
+to find his own regiment. Stubbs also said good-by, announcing that he
+must be moving in his search for news. He had been given credentials days
+before and, representing as he did one of the greatest newspapers in the
+world, was one of the few correspondents to have the freedom of the
+allied lines.
+
+Hal and Chester idled about the greater part of the day. There had been a
+lull in the fighting, and, although they had reported to General French,
+no duties had been assigned them; but along in the afternoon they were
+again summoned to headquarters.
+
+"I have here," said General French, placing a document in Hal's hand, "a
+communication that must be placed in the hands of General Joffre with all
+possible dispatch. I have selected you to deliver it. General Joffre has
+his headquarters near Soissons. You should have no difficulty in reaching
+him. Take an automobile and make haste."
+
+The lads saluted and left the tent, actually disappointed that they had
+not been selected for some more strenuous work.
+
+"Anybody could carry this," said Hal.
+
+"There is certainly no danger," agreed Chester. "All we have to do is to
+stay within our own lines."
+
+Half an hour later found them speeding southward, well in the rear of the
+great battle line. Hal himself was at the wheel and Chester sat in the
+tonneau of the machine. Through Ypres, Douai and many smaller towns the
+huge car sped without a stop. At Roy they halted for a fresh supply of
+petrol, and immediately resumed their journey.
+
+But the lads were not entirely familiar with the lay of the land, and
+this fact resulted in throwing them into great danger once more.
+
+Just south of Roy the long battle line--which had previously stretched
+straight southward--swerved suddenly to the east. The lads turned with
+it all right, but too soon. Instead of going straight south to the
+banks of the river Aisne, as they should have done, they turned
+eastward some distance north of this river, and were in trouble before
+they realized it.
+
+Neither lad thought anything of the fact that they were pushing straight
+through the mass of French troops in this region, and it was not until
+they had come into an isolated region--an opening between the two great
+armies--that Chester surmised there was something wrong. The desolate
+appearance of the land spelled suspicion to him, and, leaning forward in
+his seat, he shouted to Hal:
+
+"Slow down, quick!"
+
+Hal obeyed without question and then turned to his chum to ascertain the
+reason for this abrupt command.
+
+"We must have gone clear through our own lines," Chester explained. "If
+we hadn't, certainly there would be troops about. I believe we must be
+right between the two armies."
+
+"I don't think so," replied Hal. "There are probably more French troops
+ahead of us."
+
+"I am sure I'm right," persisted Chester.
+
+"Well, it's not worth while taking a chance," said Hal. "We'll turn
+south here."
+
+At a cross road he swerved toward the south again. But, although neither
+lad realized it then, they had penetrated right through the German lines
+where they had been thinnest and most greatly scattered. They were still
+north of the Aisne, and the main German line lay between them and the far
+shore, where the French were massed in strength. They could have turned
+west again at this point and probably have reached safety by the way they
+had come; but neither realized his danger, and so the big car sped south
+directly toward the enemy.
+
+It was night now, and the machine was forced to travel more slowly,
+running along at a snail-like gait until the first signs of dawn appeared
+in the eastern sky. An hour later the lads made out in the distance a
+mass of troops. They were still too far away to make out plainly, but
+neither doubted that they were French.
+
+But they were doomed to disappointment.
+
+As the machine sped closer, Hal suddenly applied the brakes and uttered
+an exclamation of dismay.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Chester.
+
+"Matter!" echoed Hal. "Why, we have run right into a nest of Germans!"
+
+It was only too true. The troops whom they were now approaching were the
+enemy, and both lads realized in an instant that they must be surrounded
+by Germans on all sides. In the darkness they had penetrated through the
+rear line, and now were in the very midst of their foes.
+
+Hal thought quickly. So far they had not been perceived. Two men in
+civilian clothes were approaching afoot, and as they came up to them Hal
+crawled under the machine and began to tinker with it. The men came
+closer and stopped to watch.
+
+Suddenly Hal crawled from under the car, and, as the men cried out in
+surprise at the sight of his British uniform, he covered both of them
+with a pair of revolvers.
+
+"Silence!" he cried, "or you are dead men." He spoke to Chester over
+his shoulder. "We'll have to go straight though the line," he said,
+"and we can't do it with these uniforms. We'll have to exchange with
+these fellows."
+
+In vain did their prisoners protest. Hal kept the two covered while
+Chester stripped himself of his own garments and climbed into those one
+of the prisoners passed to him. Then Chester covered the men while Hal
+made a change and transferred the document given him by General French to
+the pocket of his new coat. Then they bound and gagged the two men and
+tumbled them into the ditch at the side of the road.
+
+"So far so good," said Hal. "Now, if we simply act unconcerned, we
+should have no difficulty in going through the lines. It's when we make
+a dash for the other side that the trouble is likely to come; but we
+must chance that."
+
+"All right," said Chester, "let's move."
+
+They started off slowly down the road and within the hour were in the
+town of Caronne, held by the Germans, but a few miles from the northern
+bank of the river Aisne. Here they left the machine to avoid attracting
+unnecessary attention.
+
+They lost no time, and made their way through the town as swiftly as
+possible. They walked along boldly, and near the outskirts, coming upon a
+little restaurant Chester suggested a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Hal
+assented and they entered the door.
+
+They took seats at an improvised counter and soon were engaged in the
+pleasant occupation of satisfying their appetites. A German officer, who
+had been eating in the rear of the restaurant, passed them on his way
+out, and, as he did so, he cast a quick look at Chester, and turned back
+toward him.
+
+"Haven't I seen you some place before?" he asked, tapping the lad on
+the shoulder.
+
+The lad turned and glanced at him sharply, and his heart leaped into his
+throat. He recognized the officer in a moment. He was the man with whom
+Hal had fought in a farmhouse near Liège in the earlier days of the war,
+the man who, mistaking Chester for Hal, had spared the former's life when
+he was sentenced to death by a band of conspirators in Louvain, and from
+whom the lad had escaped in time to warn the Belgian commander of the
+plot to deliver the town into the hands of the Germans.
+
+"I don't seem to remember you," said Chester, replying to the
+German's question.
+
+The officer looked at him long and searchingly. Chester returned the gaze
+without flinching, and finally the German, evidently satisfied that he
+had made a mistake, bowed and turned to leave. Chester drew a quick
+breath of relief as the officer stepped from the door.
+
+"Do you know who that was," he whispered to Hal, who, although he had
+said no word, had been greatly surprised by the conversation between his
+friend and the German officer.
+
+"No," he replied. "Who is he?"
+
+"That," replied Chester, "is the German whom you disarmed in Edna
+Johnson's home and whose life you spared."
+
+"Is that so?"
+
+"Yes; and it's lucky he didn't recognize us."
+
+"I should say it is. Well, let's be moving."
+
+The two lads left the restaurant and started on their journey again.
+They had not gone a block, however, when they halted at a sudden hail
+from behind them. Turning suddenly they saw the German officer hurrying
+after them.
+
+"I can't get you off my mind," he said to Chester, as he came up. "I am
+positive that I have seen you some place, but for the life of me I can't
+tell where."
+
+"Well, you have the advantage of me," replied the lad, his hand seeking
+his pocket and resting on the butt of one of his revolvers.
+
+The two lads started to move on again, and at that moment the German
+explained:
+
+"I have it! You are the lad who invaded our secret council in Louvain!"
+
+Chester did not take the trouble to deny it, but as the German's hand
+went to his hip he said quietly:
+
+"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
+
+His revolver gleamed in his hand as he spoke, and he took a step
+forward. The German moved back a pace, but he made no further move to
+draw his weapon.
+
+"Now that you have recognized me," continued Chester, "I would advise you
+to come along with us. We can't afford to let you go back and set up an
+alarm, you know. I don't want to shoot you, for I remember that I owe my
+life to you. Walk on ahead of us, now!"
+
+He emphasized this last sentence with a flourish of his revolver, and
+the German, realizing that a refusal to obey might possibly spell
+death, obeyed.
+
+"Sorry I didn't place you at once," he exclaimed. "Then I guess we would
+be going the other way."
+
+"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Hal broke in. "We usually go the way
+we want to."
+
+Half a block farther on Hal perceived a body of German troops moving
+toward them.
+
+"Step in between us," he commanded the prisoner.
+
+The latter obeyed without remonstrance.
+
+"One false move and you are a dead man, no matter what happens to us,"
+said Chester quietly.
+
+The prisoner recognized by the lad's tone that he was in earnest, and he
+would have passed right on, but an officer with the approaching troop
+walked directly up to him and saluted.
+
+At the same moment he felt the pressure of Chester's automatic, which the
+lad gripped inside his pocket, against his back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+ON THE AISNE.
+
+
+The prisoner was in a quandary. To raise a cry of warning, he felt
+sure, would mean his instant death; and yet, should he remain silent if
+he was asked any questions concerning his companions he might also get
+into trouble.
+
+"Good evening, Captain," said the officer who had accosted him. "Are you
+going far?"
+
+The pressure of the revolver against the German's back increased, and
+he replied:
+
+"I am accompanying my friends to the bank of the Aisne. They wish to have
+a look at the enemy on the opposite shore."
+
+"You might invite them to go with us when we cross the next time," was
+the laughing rejoinder. "When we cross again we shall stay."
+
+The prisoner also forced a laugh.
+
+"I am likely to go across sooner than I expect," he said.
+
+"What do you mean?" demanded the other. "Are you going on a scout?"
+
+"Well, you might call it that. Anyway, I am going across."
+
+Both lads were forced to smile to themselves at this. In their minds
+there was no doubt that the prisoner was going across the Aisne at once.
+
+"Well, I wish you luck," said the second German officer, as he continued
+on his way.
+
+"Thanks," replied the prisoner briefly.
+
+The lads, with the man still between them, started on again.
+
+After some walking they made out in the distance a stream of water.
+
+It was the Aisne, and the lads, realizing that upon the opposite side lay
+safety, increased their pace.
+
+Some distance back, on both sides of the stream, the opposing armies
+were drawn up in force. Occasional raids had been made by first one side
+and then the other, but there had been no real change in the situation
+for days. Now the French, by a bold assault or a night attack, would
+gain a foothold upon the German side, only to be driven back again; and
+now the Germans would gain a foothold on the French ground by a bold
+attack, but would also be forced to retire. This give-and-take game had
+continued for weeks.
+
+Feeling secure in the company of their prisoner the lads did not
+hesitate, but marched straight through the German line to the very edge
+of the river. The German officer spoke to several others, as they made
+their way along, but Chester kept his revolver pressed against him, and
+he did not once offer to raise an alarm.
+
+The three descended the sharp incline to the water's edge. There they
+were fortunate enough to find a small motor boat, apparently having
+suffered much usage by the Germans in their travels forward and backward
+across the river. Into this they forced their prisoner to climb, and then
+quickly jumped in after him.
+
+"Head down the river, Chester," ordered Hal. "If we put off straight
+for the opposite shore they are likely to suspect something and open
+fire on us."
+
+Chester, at the wheel, guided the boat down the stream, keeping close to
+the German shore.
+
+But this plan also was fraught with danger, for a French sentry on the
+opposite side, espying the boat, opened upon it with his rifle.
+
+The first shot attracted others to the scene, and several more rifles
+were brought into action. The Germans, seeing the boat with a German
+officer and apparently two friends in it, immediately opened upon the
+French. The latter turned from the boat and opened upon these new foes.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Hal. "This is more than I bargained for. We'll
+have to get out of here, or we shall wind up at the bottom of the river."
+
+Seeing that the French and Germans were too busy with each other to pay
+much attention to the little boat, Chester steered quickly to the center
+of the river. There, as the bullets sped overhead, he felt safer.
+
+Turning to view the scene, Hal for a moment relaxed his vigilance over
+the prisoner, and in that moment the latter sprang upon him. He launched
+himself in a desperate spring, and Hal, taken unprepared, was borne back
+to the bottom of the boat, almost being hurled overboard.
+
+Chester immediately released his hold upon the wheel and sprang to Hal's
+assistance.
+
+The boat, now with no guiding hand upon the wheel, staggered crazily
+about, heading first in one direction and then in the other, as the
+struggling figures gave it impetus, first toward one shore and then
+toward the other.
+
+As the boat heeled over, Chester hurled himself upon the German, who had
+succeeded in clutching Hal by the throat and was slowly strangling him.
+He seized the German by both shoulders, and, putting his knee in his
+back, pulled with all his strength.
+
+The pain was unbearable, and the man was forced to loosen his grip on
+Hal's throat. But so fierce had been the pressure of his fingers, that
+for a moment Hal was unable to go to Chester's assistance, and lay
+panting and gasping for air.
+
+The German, who was much larger and more powerfully built than Chester,
+turned upon his second opponent. By a quick shift of position, he grasped
+the lad's throat with his left hand and with his right aimed a hard blow
+at his face. This the lad struck up with his left arm, and before the
+German could repeat the blow, let drive with his right.
+
+There was a loud smack, as his right first crashed into his opponent's
+face, and a stream of blood poured from the German's nose. Hal now had
+regained his wind, and jumped to aid his chum.
+
+All this time the battle between the two skirmish lines of the armies
+continued. Both sides had perceived the struggle in the boat, but both
+were fearful to fire for fear of wounding friend as well as foe--for the
+very fact of the struggle proved that there were men of both armies in
+the boat. Gradually the fire of both sides slackened, as the troops
+peered intently toward the fighting figures in midstream.
+
+The lads' prisoner, raising his left arm to ward off a blow delivered by
+Chester, accidentally caught the lad under the chin with his fist. The
+blow was a hard one, and, before the lad could recover his balance, the
+prisoner had delivered another resounding smack, which caused Chester to
+stagger back.
+
+At that moment Hal leaped upon the German from behind. His right fist
+struck the man a stunning blow on the back of the neck. The German
+wheeled and clinched with his opponent, and for a moment they stood, arms
+locked about each other, swaying upright in the boat.
+
+Then Hal, putting forth every ounce of his strength, succeeded in
+breaking his opponent's hold, and gave him a violent push. The German
+staggered and tottered; but, in the very act of falling overboard, his
+outstretched hand grasped Hal by the collar and both tumbled into the
+river together.
+
+Chester scrambled to his feet as the two pitched into the river. As they
+went over the side, violently tipping the boat, it suddenly turned
+turtle. Chester went flying through the air and disappeared beneath the
+water with a loud splash.
+
+Still locked in each other's embrace Hal and his opponent rose to the
+surface. Both had one arm free and struck out blindly at the other's
+face. Hal landed two short-arm blows, and the German sent one home.
+Neither had an advantage, however, and they sank again.
+
+At almost the same instant Chester's head appeared above the water. He
+cast a quick look around, but could see no sign of the other two
+occupants of the boat. Treading water, he remained close to the spot
+where the water bubbled up. Two or three seconds later the heads of the
+struggling pair again appeared above the water.
+
+Chester acted promptly. Swimming rapidly up to them, he raised his right
+arm and sent his fist crashing full into the German's face. The latter's
+already white countenance turned whiter, and gradually his hold on Hal
+relaxed. With a quick movement Hal freed himself, and the German sank
+from sight.
+
+Without waiting to see whether he would come up again both lads struck
+out for the opposite shore.
+
+But they were too late.
+
+When the little motorboat had capsized, four French soldiers had run down
+to the bank and thrown themselves into the stream. Almost at the same
+time a squad of perhaps a dozen Germans had performed the same maneuver.
+Now, from both sides of the river, men were closing in upon the almost
+exhausted lads.
+
+But the Germans were the best swimmers and overtook them first. One
+grasped Hal by the arm and another seized Chester. In vain did the lads
+try to shake off these opponents, striking out blindly at them, and
+calling to the French to hurry to their assistance.
+
+In spite of the superior numbers of the enemy the French swam rapidly
+toward them. The first to arrive struck the man that grasped Hal a
+stunning blow. Immediately the lad felt his arm freed, but it was
+immediately grasped again by a second German, who held on while his
+comrades swam on to drive back the French.
+
+Knives were drawn and the battle in the water continued with desperation.
+The four Frenchmen gave a good account of themselves, and two German
+soldiers disappeared beneath the water to come to the surface no more.
+
+But the weight of numbers told at last; and, when two of the French had
+been severely wounded, the other two, realizing the futility of further
+fighting in the face of overwhelming odds, drew off, and, supporting
+their wounded companions, returned to the far shore.
+
+Hal and Chester had put forth their best efforts to free themselves from
+the hands of their captors, but in spite of their frantic struggles,
+they were overpowered and were soon dragged back to the bank on the
+German side.
+
+A German trooper had dived beneath the water and succeeded in grasping
+the collar of the boys' late prisoner and dragging him to shore, where
+several men were now at work trying to restore him to consciousness.
+
+The men who had captured the boys stopped to watch this operation. Soon
+the German began to gasp for breath, and ten minutes later he was able to
+sit up and look about. His gaze rested on the two lads.
+
+He was a pitiful-looking object, but in spite of this the lads were
+forced to smile as he glanced at them. The man arose and approached them,
+leaning heavily upon the arm of a brother officer.
+
+"So you didn't get away after all?" he said.
+
+"No," said Hal quietly, "we are still here."
+
+"And here you'll stay, if I have anything to do with it," was the
+response. "You are tough customers, and no mistake, but I guess there are
+enough here to keep you quiet now."
+
+The German officer turned to his fellow-officer.
+
+"I'll take charge of them," he said quietly. "Give me a couple of dry
+guns; mine are no good."
+
+The other did as requested, and, pointing his two weapons at the lads,
+the German ordered:
+
+"March!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+A BREAK FOR LIBERTY.
+
+
+Chilled to the bone by their cold swim the boys marched along with
+chattering teeth. Their clothes froze to them until they were stiff, and
+the lads moved with difficulty.
+
+"Where are you taking us?" asked Hal, shaking with cold.
+
+"To my quarters right now," was the reply, "where I shall let you warm up
+a bit before taking you before General Steinbach."
+
+It was a long walk to the quarters of Captain Eberhardt, for as such the
+captain later gave his name, and when they reached there both lads were
+blue with cold.
+
+Captain Eberhardt's condition was just as bad, and once inside the hut
+all three shed their frozen garments and drew close to the fire. Here
+they thawed out quickly, and the German officer motioned them to seats.
+
+"You are both brave lads, as I learned a long time ago," he said, "and it
+pains me that I must turn you over to my commanding officer. I bear you
+no grudge for anything you have done against me, and if I could do
+otherwise I would. But my duty is clear. The necessity of war demands
+that you be tried by court-martial."
+
+"Tried by court-martial!" exclaimed Chester. "What for?"
+
+"You were found within our lines in civilian clothes. Had you been in
+uniform you would have been treated as prisoners of war. As it is--"
+
+The captain broke off and shrugged his shoulders expressively.
+
+"True," said Hal quietly. "I forgot."
+
+"So we are to be shot as spies, eh?" said Chester.
+
+"I am sorry," replied Captain Eberhardt. "I will speak a word for you,
+but I doubt if it will do any good."
+
+"Thanks," said Hal.
+
+They sat about the little fire for several hours, when the German
+officer, arising, said:
+
+"Well, whenever you are ready I shall conduct you before General
+Steinbach."
+
+"We are ready any time," replied Chester.
+
+The lads followed the captain from the tent, and at last stood before the
+German commander. Here Captain Eberhardt briefly explained the details of
+the capture.
+
+"And you say they were in civilian attire?" asked the general.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then they shall be given a trial, but unless they can show good reason
+for their actions they will be shot."
+
+"But, General," said the captain, "I have told you that they wore
+civilian attire simply to get through our lines. I can vouch for the fact
+that they are not spies."
+
+"You can make your statement before the trial board, sir," replied the
+commander briefly. "I may as well say, however, that I do not believe you
+will be able to do them much good. You know our rules are ironclad."
+
+The lads returned to Captain Eberhardt's tent, the general ordering
+him to guard them until they should appear for trial early the
+following morning.
+
+"I am afraid I cannot be of much help to you," said the captain. "I
+am sorry."
+
+"Never mind," replied Hal. "We are grateful for what you have done for
+us. Of course we know that you are governed by a sense of duty in
+capturing us, and we would have been forced to do the same had we been in
+your position."
+
+"I am glad to have you say that. However, I shall do what I can for you."
+
+An hour later all turned in and soon were fast asleep.
+
+Hal had been asleep for perhaps three hours when he was suddenly
+awakened. Glancing up quickly he was surprised to see Chester standing
+over the sleeping figure of Captain Eberhardt. His arms were free and he
+had untied his legs.
+
+Just before the three had turned in Captain Eberhardt, with an apology
+for the necessity of his actions, had bound them. Chester, after sleeping
+for perhaps an hour, had roused up, and, by holding his hands over the
+blaze, had loosened the knot that bound them. Then quickly untying his
+feet, he had relieved the German officer of his weapons, and in turn had
+bound and gagged him. He was just approaching Hal when the latter awoke
+and saw him.
+
+To untie his chum was the work of a moment. Then the boys, in low tones,
+talked over what was best to be done.
+
+"There is no use staying here," said Hal. "Every moment brings us that
+much nearer death."
+
+"Right," agreed Chester. "Therefore, to my way of thinking, the sooner we
+make a start the better."
+
+Without further delay the lads stepped cautiously from the hut. Keeping
+out of the glare of the small fires on the outside they stole away in
+the darkness.
+
+At the far end of the camp, toward the river, they came upon a troop of
+horses picketed. Silently Hal crept forward, and with his penknife
+slashed the ropes with which two of the horses were tied. Leading the
+animals quietly some distance away, he gave the bridle of one to Chester.
+
+Quickly both lads leaped to the saddles.
+
+Chester now passed one of the weapons he had taken from Captain Eberhardt
+to Hal, and, grasping a bridle in one hand and a revolver in the other,
+the lads urged their mounts silently forward.
+
+They passed close to several bodies of moving troops, but were not
+challenged.
+
+Hal rode his horse close alongside of Chester.
+
+"We had better bear off to the east or west," he said. "We may not have
+so much difficulty in getting across the river there."
+
+"Right," Chester agreed. "They will probably be keeping a careful watch
+along here, as the result of to-day's doings."
+
+The lads turned their horses' heads to the right, and headed in a
+direction that eventually would bear them to Coucy, on the French side of
+the Aisne, should they be able to get through the German line.
+
+Consequently they did not approach the river bank for upward of
+two hours.
+
+Perhaps a mile from the river the lads came upon thousands of sleeping
+men, housed in little tents. Here and there sentries flitted about in the
+dark and campfires blazed merrily.
+
+Keeping their horses well out of the glare of the fires, and going very
+slowly, so as to make no sound, they drew nearer and nearer to the river.
+The Germans were some distance back from the water's edge, to escape the
+danger of being bombarded by the heavy guns of the French during the
+night, and consequently there was quite an open space between the river
+and the most advanced German outpost.
+
+Their horses made no sound, and they crept between the sleeping
+thousands, evading, by careful vigilance, the eyes of the enemy's
+sentries.
+
+At last they were beyond the German line. Urging their mounts on with low
+words, they at length reached the edge of the little stream.
+
+Without a moment's hesitation they forced the animals into the icy water,
+and the big German chargers, after shivering once or twice, struck out
+for the opposite shore.
+
+The water was bitterly cold, and the lads drew themselves out as much as
+possible, holding their arms aloft, weapons in hand, that they might keep
+the revolvers dry.
+
+There was no sound from the German side of the river until they were in
+midstream. Then one German sentry, chancing to cast his eye over the
+distant water, made out the two forms in the moonlight.
+
+Instantly he brought his rifle to his shoulder and fired.
+
+But the distance was too great for accurate shooting and he missed. At
+the sound of the shot the lads urged their horses to even greater
+efforts, and soon were upon the opposite shore, in comparative safety.
+
+"Well, we are over here at last," said Chester gleefully, in spite of the
+fact that he was shaking with the cold.
+
+"Right," said Hal; "and the thing to do now is to find a fire before we
+freeze to death."
+
+They rode forward.
+
+Suddenly in the moonlight a squad of armed men sprang up before them as
+though by magic.
+
+"Halt!" rang out a command.
+
+The lads drew up their horses and raised their hands above their heads.
+
+"Who are you?" came a voice.
+
+"British officers," replied Hal, "on our way to Soissons with a dispatch
+for General Joffre."
+
+"Advance!" came the command, and the two lads obeyed.
+
+An officer approached and looked at them closely. At sight of their
+civilian clothes he stepped back.
+
+"How do I know you are British officers?" he asked.
+
+"Because I say so," replied Hal angrily. "Take us to your commanding
+officer at once. We have just come across the river. Do you want us to
+freeze to death here in the cold?"
+
+"But he was not to be disturbed," replied the officer hesitatingly.
+
+"Well, you lead us to his tent and we'll do the disturbing," said Chester
+gruffly. "Hurry up, man."
+
+Without further words the young officer motioned for the lads to follow
+him, and, dismounting, they did so. At the entrance of a rather large
+tent the officer halted.
+
+"I don't like to disturb him," he said, "but--"
+
+"We might possibly be German spies," said Chester, "so you had better
+arouse him at once--unless you want to take the responsibility upon
+yourself and find us quarters for the night."
+
+"Oh, I couldn't do that," was the quick reply.
+
+"Well, then, get your commanding officer out here immediately," ordered
+Hal. "We are officers of General French's staff, and we are entitled to
+some consideration, if we have to fight for it."
+
+The French officer finally entered the tent, and returned a few moments
+later followed by the officer in command of the outpost. To him the lads
+explained the mission and recent difficulties, and the officer soon had
+them fixed up with comfortable quarters, where, safe once more and
+perfectly easy in their minds, they turned in for the night, and soon
+were sleeping the sleep of the exhausted.
+
+On the opposite shore the German camp was in confusion. The escape of the
+prisoners had been discovered, and Captain Eberhardt, held responsible
+for his prisoners' disappearance, was under arrest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+A NOBLE SACRIFICE.
+
+
+"You say Captain Eberhardt is to be shot? What for?" demanded Hal.
+
+"For allowing his prisoners to escape," was the reply of the German
+soldier, captured the following morning by a squad of French troopers,
+who had picked him up on their side of the river, where he had been on
+scout duty.
+
+The conversation was taking place in the tent of the French officer in
+charge of the outpost. Questioned upon various topics the German had
+volunteered the information that Captain Eberhardt, from whom Hal and
+Chester had escaped the night before, was to be put to death.
+
+"Tell us more about it," said Chester.
+
+"Well, there isn't much to tell," said the soldier. "During the night a
+shot gave notice of the escape of two prisoners. General Steinbach,
+suspecting the cause of the shot, went himself to Captain Eberhardt's
+tent. There he found the captain bound and gagged. He immediately ordered
+him put under arrest, and commanded that he be executed at noon to-day
+for allowing the prisoners to get away. That is all there is about it."
+
+Chester quickly drew his watch from his pocket and glanced at it.
+
+"Nine o'clock," he said; "plenty of time."
+
+"Plenty of time for what?" asked Hal in surprise.
+
+"Why, plenty of time to save Captain Eberhardt."
+
+"What have you got on your mind now?" demanded Hal, grasping his friend
+by the arm. "How do you figure you are going to save him?"
+
+"Go back across the river," said Chester briefly.
+
+"Go back!"
+
+"Exactly. Didn't Captain Eberhardt put himself out attempting to save us?
+He interceded for us, didn't he?"
+
+"Yes, but--"
+
+"Well, then, it is our fault that he is to be executed."
+
+"I know all that," said Hal; "but, if we go back to intercede for him, we
+shall probably be shot in his stead."
+
+"That's a chance we must take," said Chester briefly.
+
+"Well," said Hal slowly, after some hesitation, "I don't know but you
+are right."
+
+"Of course I'm right," declared Chester. "We can't stand by and have a
+man shot because of us."
+
+He turned to the French officer, who stood by with wide-open mouth while
+this conversation progressed.
+
+"Can you furnish us with a couple of French uniforms?" he asked.
+
+"Why, yes," was the reply, "but I--"
+
+"Never mind the rest of it," Chester broke in, "we haven't much time."
+
+The officer said no more, but quickly left the tent, returning in a few
+moments with two uniforms, which he gave the lads.
+
+"What's the object in changing clothes?" asked Hal.
+
+"It may help a bit," replied Chester. "If we went back in civilian attire
+we would undoubtedly be shot."
+
+"I don't see that changing now will help matters," said Hal.
+
+"Well, I hardly think so, either; but it may."
+
+Attired in the uniforms of French lieutenants, the boys were at last
+ready to go; but, before leaving, Hal drew the dispatch he carried and
+put it into the hands of the French officer, saying:
+
+"Will you have this forwarded to General Joffre at once?"
+
+"It shall be done," was the reply. "I shall attend to it immediately."
+
+"I guess that's all, then," said Chester. "Good-by."
+
+The French officer shook hands with them warmly.
+
+"You are brave," he said simply, as the lads left him.
+
+On the river they found a small rowboat. Into this they climbed hurriedly
+and set out for the opposite shore. Halfway across a bullet from the
+rifle of a German sentry greeted them. Chester immediately dropped his
+oars, and, standing erect in the boat, waved his handkerchief.
+
+There was no further shooting.
+
+On the opposite side of the river a squad of German troops, commanded by
+a sergeant, awaited them when they landed. Chester approached the
+sergeant, and said:
+
+"Take us to General Steinbach at once."
+
+"What for?" inquired the sergeant.
+
+"That," said Hal quietly, "is none of your business."
+
+"Is that so?" blustered the sergeant. "If you get too gay, I shall have
+you clapped in irons and kept right here."
+
+"I'll guarantee that you shall lose your stripes if you do,"
+returned Chester.
+
+The German sergeant looked at him long and searchingly. Something in the
+lad's face must have impressed him, for he said gruffly:
+
+"I'll take you to the general, but I warn you that your business with him
+must be urgent."
+
+"It is," replied Chester, and once more he glanced at his watch.
+
+It was now after eleven o'clock.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Chester, "if we don't hurry we are likely to be
+too late!"
+
+Realizing that the lads--for some reason unknown to him--were in
+great haste, the sergeant, in spite of his recent gruffness, hurried
+them along.
+
+It was a considerable distance to the German commander's headquarters,
+and Chester became nervous as the minutes flew by. Half past eleven came,
+and a quarter to twelve, and at last they came in sight of General
+Steinbach's tent.
+
+They approached rapidly, and the sergeant inquired for the general.
+
+"He has gone to witness the execution," was the reply.
+
+"Where is the execution to take place?" asked Chester, stepping forward.
+
+The German soldier pointed over his shoulder.
+
+"Nice place for an execution back there," he said. "Plenty of trees, so
+the sun won't interfere with the aim of the executioners. I am waiting
+now to hear the pop of the rifles."
+
+Chester darted hurriedly forward.
+
+"Come on!" he cried to Hal.
+
+Hal dashed after his friend. Neither heeded the frantic cries of the
+sergeant, who called on them to halt.
+
+It was now four minutes to twelve, but in less than that time the
+lads, Chester in the lead, came upon the scene of the execution. Their
+eyes took in the situation at one brief glance, and Chester hurled
+himself forward.
+
+Standing firmly erect, with his face to the west, was Captain Eberhardt.
+Facing him, with grounded rifles, were six soldiers. These made up the
+firing squad who were to snuff out the life of the German captain.
+
+Right between these men and their victim Chester and Hal dashed.
+
+There came a startled cry as the Germans made out the French uniforms in
+which the lads were dressed, and an exclamation of alarm broke out.
+
+"The French!" came the cry.
+
+The Germans turned quickly in the direction from which the lads had come,
+evidently expecting to see more of the enemy. Then General Steinbach,
+realizing that he only had two of the enemy to dispose of, raised a hand
+and commanded:
+
+"Shoot them!"
+
+The rifles of the Germans came to their shoulders, but before they could
+fire Chester stepped quickly toward the general and raised his hand.
+
+With a quick command the general stayed the fire of the soldiers, and
+advanced to hear what the lad had to say. In their French uniforms, he
+had not recognized Hal and Chester as Captain Eberhardt's erstwhile
+prisoners.
+
+"What is it?" he demanded sharply.
+
+"This execution must not proceed," said Chester.
+
+The general took a step back.
+
+"And why not?" he asked.
+
+"Because," said Chester, "Captain Eberhardt in no way aided the
+prisoners to escape. It was through no fault of his that they were able
+to get away."
+
+"How do you know this?" asked General Steinbach. "Who are you?"
+
+"We are the prisoners," replied Chester quietly.
+
+"What!" exclaimed the general, starting back.
+
+"Yes," said Hal, "we are the prisoners."
+
+It did not take the German commander long to recover his poise, and he
+advanced toward the lads.
+
+"I thought you had made good your escape," he said. "I was told that you
+had made you way into the French lines during the night."
+
+"We did, sir," said Chester.
+
+"Then how comes it that you are back here?"
+
+"We learned from a prisoner this morning that Captain Eberhardt was to be
+shot because we escaped," said Chester, "so we came back to help him if
+possible."
+
+"Do you mean to tell me," exclaimed General Steinbach, "that you risked
+your lives to save that of an enemy?"
+
+"He interceded for us," said Hal quietly, "and it was because of us that
+he was sentenced to be shot. It was no more than right for us to save him
+if we could."
+
+The general looked at them in undisguised amazement.
+
+"_Hïmmel_!" he exclaimed, and added beneath his breath: "No wonder we are
+having such trouble disposing of these English!"
+
+"We hope, sir," said Hal, walking up to the German commander, "that you
+will see fit to stay the execution."
+
+"In that event, you will have to consider yourselves prisoners and stand
+trial as spies," was the reply.
+
+The lads bowed their heads in assent.
+
+The general threw wide his arms in a sudden gesture.
+
+"Captain Eberhardt shall go free," he said.
+
+He turned, and with a word, dismissed the firing squad.
+
+Captain Eberhardt approached the lads and grasped each by the hand before
+the very eyes of the general.
+
+"I can never thank you half enough," he said, and there were tears
+in his eyes.
+
+"Oh, that's all right," said Chester. "We couldn't do less."
+
+General Steinbach turned upon Hal and Chester.
+
+"Such bravery as you have exhibited," he said quietly, "is not often
+seen. You are prisoners, but you have my word that you shall not even be
+tried as spies. You shall be treated as prisoners, and sent back to
+Berlin until the war is over."
+
+Hal twisted his face into a wry expression.
+
+"Back to Berlin!" he exclaimed in the deepest disgust, "where have I
+heard that expression before?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+STUBBS TO THE RESCUE.
+
+
+Chester also uttered an exclamation of dismay.
+
+"That phrase is certainly getting to be monotonous," he said. "It
+seems that every time we turn around somebody talks of sending us back
+to Berlin."
+
+"Well, they won't get me back there if I can help it," said Hal.
+
+"Nor me, either," agreed Chester.
+
+General Steinbach now spoke again.
+
+"You will not be sent back before to-morrow," he said; "in the
+meantime, if you will give me your paroles, I shall be glad to have you
+as my guests."
+
+Chester glanced quickly at Hal, and the latter nodded his head
+negatively.
+
+"We are sorry, sir," said Chester, "but we cannot give our paroles."
+
+The general hesitated for a brief moment.
+
+"Oh, well," he said, "I don't know as it makes any difference. There
+is no chance of your escaping again. I shall be pleased to have you
+lunch with me."
+
+The lads accepted this invitation gladly, for both were very hungry, and
+they knew from past experiences that the Kaiser treated his officers to
+the best that was to be obtained in the line of food.
+
+They accompanied General Steinbach to his quarters, where they soon sat
+down to a substantial meal. The meal over, the German commander walked
+with them to the outside, and asked them if they would care to have a
+look about. Both lads agreed that they would and the general detailed an
+officer to show them around.
+
+"I hardly believe you will be able to reveal what you may see," he said
+with a smile, as he left them, "for within a few days you will be safe
+in Berlin."
+
+"I wish he wouldn't harp on Berlin so much," said Chester. "I don't like
+the name of that place."
+
+After an hour's stroll the lads were conducted to a tent at the northern
+extremity of the German lines, where they were placed under guard. They
+had the tent to themselves, but guards were stationed upon the outside.
+
+All the rest of the afternoon they sat there talking over the situation
+and trying to hit upon some plan of escape; but no feasible scheme
+occurred to either.
+
+Night came and food was brought them. The lads did not turn in early, for
+they were in no mood for sleep. Well into the night they sat up talking.
+
+In the midst of the conversation Hal became conscious of the fact that an
+object of some kind was trying to crawl under the tent from the outside.
+Silently he called Chester's attention to the spot where the canvas was
+being tampered with.
+
+Presently a head appeared beneath the rear of the tent, followed by a
+man's head and shoulders. His face was not turned toward the lads, so
+they did not recognize him; but they did not move from their chairs.
+
+Now the apparition succeeded in drawing his legs within the tent, and,
+rising to his feet, turned toward them. In spite of their surprise,
+however, the boys were too cool to exclaim aloud, but both muttered
+beneath their breath:
+
+"Stubbs!"
+
+The newcomer was indeed the little American war correspondent.
+
+He laid a cautious finger to his lips and came toward them. Both lads
+arose and silently took him by the hand.
+
+"I've come to get you out," whispered Stubbs.
+
+"How did you get here?" asked Hal in a low voice.
+
+"I have been here for two days," was the reply. "I came before you did,
+and when I told the German commander I was an American war correspondent,
+he was glad to see me. You know the Kaiser is seeking the moral sympathy
+of the United States. When I told General Steinbach that I was here to
+get the German side of the war he treated me royally. He presented me
+with a pass giving me the freedom of the German lines and has taken the
+trouble to show me about a bit himself."
+
+"You certainly must have made a hit with him," said Chester.
+
+"Leave that to Stubbs," was the little man's reply. "Now, the thing is,
+to get you out of here."
+
+"But how did you know we were here?" asked Hal.
+
+Stubbs smiled.
+
+"I was a silent witness of the scene at the place of execution," he said.
+"Since that time I have been following you. When I saw you placed in this
+tent I disappeared, for I didn't want to be seen hanging about the
+prisoners. I knew you would be here till morning, so I waited till dark
+to come to you."
+
+"Have you a plan?" asked Chester.
+
+"A newspaper man always has a plan," was the reply.
+
+He went to the place where he had come under the tent and, reaching out
+a hand, pulled a bundle in after him. This he brought over to the lads
+and untied.
+
+The lads bent over it eagerly and started back in surprise when they saw
+what it contained.
+
+"Women's clothes!" exclaimed Hal in a low voice.
+
+Stubbs smiled complacently.
+
+"They were the best I could obtain upon short notice," he explained.
+"Then, too, I believe they will be better disguises than anything else."
+
+"We'll make a couple of fine-looking girls," said Hal in disgust.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," replied Stubbs. "I guess you will look a heap better
+than some I have seen hereabouts."
+
+"But I don't know anything about women's clothes," protested Hal.
+
+"Nor I," said Chester, "except I know that if you don't walk just so you
+might as well tell everybody you are not a woman."
+
+"That would be true in New York, but not here," said Stubbs. "Some of
+these French peasant women walk just like a man, so you won't have any
+trouble on that score. The main thing is to see if they fit."
+
+"Well, the easiest way to tell that is to try 'em on," said Chester.
+"Here goes."
+
+He took a faded blue dress from the bundle, and, holding it in two hands,
+thrust one foot into it.
+
+"Here, here, that's not the way to get into it," exclaimed Stubbs.
+
+Chester looked at him in surprise.
+
+"How else can you get into it?" he demanded.
+
+"Put it over your head," whispered Stubbs. "You see," he explained, "I am
+a married man and I know something about such things."
+
+Chester tried again, and, obeying Stubbs's injunction, found that the
+dress slipped on more easily. He fastened it around his waist.
+
+"Pretty good fit, isn't it?" he asked.
+
+"Well, it's not so awfully good," replied Stubbs, concealing a grin, "but
+I guess it will answer the purpose. Now throw that shawl over your head
+and you'll be fixed."
+
+Hal, by this time, had climbed into the second costume, and now
+strode about.
+
+"Hold on a minute," said Stubbs. "You'll have to roll up your trousers'
+legs, or a puff of wind is likely to come along and give you away."
+
+Both lads obeyed this injunction.
+
+"That's better," said the war correspondent, after eying them critically.
+"Now, let's see if there is anything else."
+
+He stood back a few paces and surveyed them carefully.
+
+"How do we look?" asked Hal.
+
+"It would be a shame to tell you," said Stubbs cheerfully. "However, I
+guess you will pass muster. Wait a minute, though, there is another
+thing. You stand too erect. Stoop over a little bit. That's better. Now
+you have it," he exclaimed, as the lads dropped into the proper pose.
+
+"Now, rub your hands in the dirt a bit and streak your faces."
+
+The lads obeyed, and once more Stubbs stood off and surveyed them long
+and carefully.
+
+"I guess that will do all right," he murmured.
+
+"What are we supposed to be, anyway?" demanded Chester.
+
+"Apple-women," replied Stubbs.
+
+"Then where are the apples and baskets?" asked Hal.
+
+"Well, you are shy on them right now," said Stubbs. "So you will have
+to do the best you can without 'em. If you are questioned, which I
+don't believe you will be, say that you have sold out; that you have
+thrown your baskets away and that you are going to try to get to a
+place of safety."
+
+"But I didn't know there were any apple-women near here," said Chester.
+
+"Well, there aren't any," replied Stubbs. "However, if there had not been
+two, I wouldn't have been able to get these clothes for you."
+
+"How did you get them?"
+
+"Bought 'em."
+
+"Then why didn't you get the baskets and apples, too?" asked Hal.
+
+The little man sniffed his contempt.
+
+"I would have looked nice lugging two big baskets about, wouldn't I?" he
+asked. "If I had tried that I'd have been shot a long while ago. I had
+trouble enough getting here with the bundle without being seen."
+
+"But why--" began Hal.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Stubbs. "You fellows should have been
+newspaper men. You can ask more fool questions to the minute than
+anyone I ever heard."
+
+The little man's feelings were considerably ruffled, and Hal hastened to
+assuage them.
+
+"Don't think for a minute we are not grateful," he said. "If we succeed
+in getting safely away we'll owe you a deep debt of thanks."
+
+"Rats!" exclaimed Stubbs. "I don't want any thanks. All I want is to get
+you fellows out of here."
+
+"But how are you going to get away?"
+
+"Don't you worry about me. I'll get away, all right--a newspaper man can
+go any place, any way and any time."
+
+"Except in times of war."
+
+"Well, perhaps so," admitted Stubbs. "However, I have my pass. I'll get
+away, all right, but not until I have found some news for the Gazette."
+
+"But you are not paid to get killed," said Hal.
+
+"No," was the reply, "but I am paid to get news. Now, I'll go out under
+the tent first, and if the coast is clear, I'll whistle twice, like
+this." He whistled softly.
+
+The boys signified that they understood. Stubbs held out his hands, and
+both lads grasped them.
+
+"Good-by, and good luck," said Stubbs quietly.
+
+He crossed the tent quickly, dropped down, and wormed his way out slowly
+and silently.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THROUGH THE NIGHT.
+
+
+Hal and Chester listened intently.
+
+One minute passed, then two, then three, and then a low whistle broke the
+stillness. Once, twice, it came.
+
+The boys sprang into action.
+
+"You go first, Hal," whispered Chester.
+
+Hal nodded, and, dropping to his knees, crawled beneath the tent. In
+a few seconds, he was on the outside, where Chester joined him a
+moment later.
+
+They looked around for Stubbs, but he was not there. The little war
+correspondent, his work done, had sought safety in flight. He realized
+that, should anything go wrong and the three be recaptured together, it
+would go hard with all of them.
+
+The lads could hear the footsteps of the guard, as he paced to and fro in
+front of the tent they had just left. While to the rear and on both
+sides, farther away, they could also hear the tramp of other sentries, as
+they made their rounds.
+
+A sentry came into view to the rear, but passed on without seeing them.
+Immediately the lads made their way whence he had come, and soon had put
+considerable distance between them and their late prison. Here, sure that
+they were far enough from their recent quarters not to cast suspicion
+upon themselves should they be seen, they walked boldly forward.
+
+The huge German camp was asleep, for the hour was after nine and the
+soldiers always turned in early except when they were on night duty or a
+night attack by the French was anticipated; but they slept on their arms.
+
+"Which way?" asked Chester of Hal, in a low voice.
+
+"I don't believe we had better try for the river," was the reply. "We had
+better strike straight west."
+
+"Suits me," declared Chester, and the boys set off through the sleeping
+German camp at a fast walk.
+
+Row after row of tents they passed through, walking along the improvised
+streets until they were well beyond the main camp. Here they were still
+in the midst of the enemy, but the tents were more scattered. Suddenly
+they slackened their speed.
+
+A German sentry was approaching them.
+
+Perceiving the two shadowy forms, the sentry brought his rifle to his
+shoulder, and cried:
+
+"Halt!"
+
+The lads obeyed, and the sentry came close to them. Perceiving that the
+figures he had accosted were attired in women's clothing, he dropped his
+rifle and demanded:
+
+"What are you doing here?"
+
+"We have been selling apples to the soldiers," replied Hal in French in a
+shrill voice.
+
+The soldier understood French and replied:
+
+"Where are your baskets?"
+
+Hal replied as he had been instructed by the little war correspondent.
+
+"Well," said the sentry, apparently satisfied, "you have no business
+around here at this hour of the night. Go quickly."
+
+The lads needed no further urging, and, bearing off a trifle to the
+north, continued their journey.
+
+Their shoulders stooped and their shawls thrown over their heads so they
+could barely see, they went on with slowly shambling steps.
+
+"When we get back to America," whispered Chester, "I am going on the
+stage as a female impersonator."
+
+"After this," Hal whispered back, "I am inclined to believe that we would
+both make good."
+
+All night they continued toward the northwest, and when morning dawned
+they were still within the German lines.
+
+"We shall have to be more careful now," said Chester, as it began to
+grow light.
+
+"On the contrary," said Hal, "we may go forward more boldly."
+
+"How do you make that out?" demanded Chester in surprise.
+
+"Why," Hal explained, "two apple-women strolling about the enemy's
+camp in the night would attract more attention, should they be
+discovered, than in broad daylight, when they might possibly have some
+business there."
+
+"Right," agreed Chester. "I hadn't thought of it in that way."
+
+Accordingly they proceeded more boldly now.
+
+Here and there troops of German cavalry now came to life. The lads also
+passed regiment after regiment of hurrying infantry; but they were not
+so much as challenged. Old apple-women, such as the lads appeared to
+the enemy, were plentiful in the German lines, and no attention was
+paid to them.
+
+Suddenly the lads beheld a sight that caused them to start back in
+astonishment and dismay.
+
+Directly ahead of them they saw a long trench, stretching out on
+either side as far as the eye could reach--and it was filled with
+German soldiers.
+
+"Great Scott!" ejaculated Hal. "I had forgotten that the Germans were
+probably intrenched along here. How on earth are we to get through?"
+
+At that moment the two lads beheld three old women coming toward them,
+and Hal exclaimed:
+
+"I wonder if we look like that?"
+
+In their hands the women carried large baskets, and even from where the
+lads stood they could see that they were chockfull of bright red apples.
+
+Chester was struck with a sudden idea. Stepping out of view behind Hal,
+he quickly lifted his skirts and thrust his hand into his pocket. He
+pulled forth a handful of gold and silver, from which he extracted
+several German pieces. Then he advanced toward the old women, Hal
+following him in surprise.
+
+Chester accosted the women in French.
+
+"How much do you want for your basket of apples?" he asked,
+addressing one.
+
+The old woman named a sum.
+
+Chester counted it out and dropped it into her hand, much to her
+surprise, and relieved her of her basket. Then he turned to a second and
+repeated the operation, passing the second basket to Hal.
+
+"Now, we'll see how business is," he said, and led the way directly
+toward the trenches.
+
+In the midst of the German soldiers, the lads did a thriving business,
+and, although they did not know it, the reason was because they were
+offering their wares at a much lower price than had been customary.
+
+The soldiers joked with them and resorted to flattery in an attempt to
+cause them to reduce the price of the apples even more. The lads, talking
+in shrill, wheedling tones, joked back, and made quite a hit with the men
+in the trenches.
+
+At last, having disposed of all their apples, and having come to a place
+somewhat more secluded than the rest, the lads sat down to wait. As they
+looked around, they observed that for some reason this short section had
+not been dug to fit in with the rest of the trenches. As a result they
+were out of sight of either side.
+
+Becoming conscious of voices from beyond the little wall of earth to the
+right, the lads became silent and listened.
+
+"Then everything is in readiness for the grand advance?" asked a voice.
+
+"Yes," replied a second.
+
+"And where will the assault be made?"
+
+"At Soissons. The French are secure in their belief that a concerted
+attack will not be made for some time--at least not until the Kaiser,
+who, as you know has been very ill, returns to the front."
+
+"I thought that myself."
+
+"Well, you are right, to a certain extent. What the French don't know is
+that the Kaiser will be on the firing line the day after to-morrow."
+
+"What! So soon?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He has recovered, then?"
+
+"Practically! Therefore, the grand offensive will be resumed around
+Soissons two days later, which will be Saturday. The French--absolutely
+unprepared for any such movement--will be caught unawares, and a wedge
+will be driven into them."
+
+"And the object of this new offensive?" queried one of the voices.
+
+"The object," was the reply, "will be the same as was the object when we
+first moved into France."
+
+"Paris?" asked a voice.
+
+"Paris," was the brief reply.
+
+"Good! And there is no chance of failure, you say?"
+
+"Not unless our plans come to the ears of General Joffre. If he knew of
+the plan he might, of course, hurry up reënforcements enough to stop it."
+
+"And if, by any chance, this offensive fails, the other plan will be put
+into execution, you say?"
+
+"Yes, it has been arranged, I understand, down to the last detail. The
+Paris Apaches, as you know, have neither love of country nor love of
+fellow-men. They seek only gold. Well, a man, Pierre Duval, by name,
+the King of the Paris Apaches, has been reached by one of our agents.
+I am told he has 500 underworld denizens at his command. These, at an
+auspicious moment, will seize the president, who will be hustled into
+a closed automobile surrounded by the army of Apaches, and the rest
+will be easy."
+
+"But Poincaré's bodyguard?"
+
+"_Ach_! It will not be strong enough to cope with the Apaches. Besides,
+the surprise itself augurs well for the success of the plan."
+
+"Well, I hope neither plan fails."
+
+"You may rest easy on that score. If one fails the other is sure
+to succeed."
+
+Hal and Chester, from their concealment, heard the men rise and move off
+in the opposite direction.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Chester. "Do you know what that means?"
+
+"I do," said Hal simply. "It means that, unless General Joffre is warned,
+the French army may suffer a crushing blow; also, if President Poincaré
+is not warned, he may be kidnapped by the enemy!"
+
+"Exactly," said Chester. "But what are we to do?"
+
+"We must make a dash for it," was the quiet response.
+
+Quickly the lads stripped themselves of their woman's garments, and
+advanced to the very edge of the German trenches.
+
+"Now!" cried Hal, and, jumping from the shelter, they darted across the
+open field to where the tricolor of France fluttered aloft.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+GENERAL JOFFRE IS WARNED.
+
+
+A great tumult arose in the German trench as the eyes of the soldiers
+fell upon the two figures speeding toward the distant French line.
+Stripped of their woman's attire the lads had exposed their French
+uniforms and they were recognized in a flash by the enemy.
+
+But, so sudden had been their dash that they were enabled to cover a
+considerable distance before the troops, at a sharp command from their
+officers, brought their rifles to their shoulders to fire a volley after
+them. By that time the lads were perhaps a hundred yards beyond the
+trench, and, glancing quickly over his shoulder, Hal perceived the
+movements of the enemy.
+
+"Drop, quick!" he called to Chester.
+
+Without slackening their speed the lads threw themselves to the ground at
+the very moment the Germans fired.
+
+The bullets whistled harmlessly over the lads' heads.
+
+They were up again in an instant and dashed forward. By a miracle, it
+seemed, they escaped being shot down. Soon they were nearer the French
+trenches than those of the Germans. Still the enemy rained bullets
+after them.
+
+Perceiving the forms of what appeared to be two French officers dashing
+from the enemy's trenches, the French commander immediately ordered a
+detachment of infantry to protect their flight. These climbed rapidly
+from the trenches and dashed forward.
+
+A moment later the Germans also threw out a detachment to drive
+them back.
+
+The French column fired a volley over the heads of the approaching lads,
+and the latter once more dropped to the ground to avoid the return fire
+of the Germans.
+
+Two minutes later Hal and Chester were behind the French detachment and
+were making hurriedly for the trenches. Immediately the small force of
+French which had advanced to their support commenced to retire slowly,
+and soon also were safe from the enemy's fire.
+
+This little skirmish had resulted in severe losses to both sides,
+although the French casualties were slightly heavier than those of the
+enemy. Ten Frenchmen were left on the field, while but eight German
+bodies strewed the ground.
+
+Hal and Chester quickly sought out the French commander. Upon telling him
+that they had important information for General Joffre, they soon had a
+large automobile at their disposal and were dashing toward Soissons,
+where the French commander-in-chief had established temporary
+headquarters.
+
+The distance was not great, and, as they now had no enemies to bar their
+progress, the lads soon pulled up near General Joffre's quarters. An aide
+accosted them, and carried the lads' names to the French commander. He
+returned a few moments later and announced that General Joffre would
+receive them immediately.
+
+Hal and Chester followed the aide to the general's tent, where he stood
+back and motioned for them to enter.
+
+Inside stood General Joffre, surrounded by members of his staff. He
+motioned for the lads to approach, which they did, and came to attention.
+The general greeted them warmly.
+
+"I am glad to see you again," he said. "I have not forgotten the valuable
+service you rendered the French army recently. I am told you carry
+important information."
+
+"Yes, sir" replied Hal.
+
+"Let me have it, then," said General Joffre.
+
+In a few brief and well-chosen words Hal repeated what they had
+overheard so recently in the German trench. The general listened to them
+apparently unmoved.
+
+"So!" he exclaimed, when Hal had concluded his narrative, "they are
+planning to kidnap President Poincaré, eh? Well, we shall be ready for
+them. But first I must take steps to thwart the proposed German drive. It
+is to be delivered when, you say?"
+
+"Two days after to-morrow, sir," replied Hal.
+
+"And you say the Kaiser will return to the front the day after
+to-morrow?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Good! We shall be ready for him."
+
+He turned to a member of his staff. "Colonel Mercer," he said, "my
+compliments to General Rochelle, and repeat to him what you have just
+heard. You will order him to fall back slowly when the German
+offensive begins."
+
+He turned to the others of his staff, who had manifested some surprise at
+this command. "I do this, gentlemen," he explained, "that the Germans may
+be drawn into a trap of our own setting. Not knowing that we have learned
+their plans, they will probably push the attack with vigor. When we begin
+to give way they will be confident of the success of their plan. In the
+meantime reënforcements shall be hurried forward, and, when the Germans
+have advanced to a point I shall select, we shall take the offensive with
+redoubled vigor. The enemy, caught unprepared, will be crushed before
+they can be sufficiently reënforced."
+
+Exclamations of satisfaction escaped the group of staff officers, and Hal
+and Chester were greatly impressed by the prompt action of the French
+commander-in-chief.
+
+"He allows no grass to grow under his feet," Hal whispered to Chester.
+
+"I should say not," replied the latter.
+
+General Joffre turned to Hal.
+
+"It is your understanding, then," he said, "that the plot against the
+President will not be tried until after the grand assault?"
+
+"That is my understanding of the matter, sir," Hal replied.
+
+"Good! In the meantime, then, we shall have time to take care of that."
+He turned to another of his officers. "Colonel Devore," he said, "you
+will see that these two lads are given suitable quarters."
+
+The colonel saluted.
+
+"I shall ask them to share mine, sir," he replied.
+
+"_Bien_," returned General Joffre. "I shall probably have need of you
+again, soon," he added, to Hal and Chester.
+
+He sat down at his desk and turned to a mass of papers and maps, and the
+lads realized that the interview was ended.
+
+Colonel Devore motioned them to follow him, and, saluting the French
+commander, the lads filed out of the tent.
+
+Colonel Devore introduced them to his own quarters and, waving his hand
+airily, exclaimed:
+
+"You will make yourselves perfectly at home here as long as you
+may stay."
+
+"Thank you, Colonel," said Chester. "We appreciate your hospitality."
+
+The colonel waved aside the thanks with a gesture and strode from the
+tent.
+
+The lads immediately composed themselves to rest, for it was a long time
+since they had closed their eyes in slumber.
+
+Greatly refreshed by a short sleep they arose two hours later and took
+a walk about the camp. At a distant part of the trenches they saw a
+large number of troops gathered about, and the sounds of laughter rose
+on the air.
+
+"Wonder what's up?" asked Hal.
+
+"I don't know," replied Chester, "but we may as well have a look. Come
+on."
+
+He led the way and Hal followed him.
+
+Coming closer the lads cried out in astonishment. Their eyes fell upon a
+body of troops that they knew in an instant could have hailed but from
+one part of the world. They were English--but a mere handful of them--not
+more than a single squad.
+
+"By Jove!" said Hal. "I didn't know there were any British troops in this
+part of the field."
+
+"Nor I," said Chester. "But what do you suppose all those fellows are
+laughing at?"
+
+They drew closer. Coming upon the circle of troops that surrounded a
+single man, the lads stared in astonishment, and then they, too, broke
+into a loud laugh.
+
+There, right in the foremost trench and therefore in the more danger from
+the enemy's fire, a tall, lank Englishman lay, stretched at full length
+upon the ground. His arms were above his head, and he appeared to be
+resting in perfect comfort, at peace with the world.
+
+But it was something that protruded from the legs of his army trousers
+that had caused the merriment of the troops gathered about. The lanky
+Englishman had removed his puttees and exposed to the view of the
+astonished Frenchmen two silk-clad feet, and red silk at that.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Hal. "Silk socks! and in this weather!"
+
+"Silk socks," said Chester, "are clearly against the army regulations."
+
+They approached closer.
+
+Now the lanky Englishman sat up, and apparently unconscious of the gaze
+of the troops about him, produced a nice leather box, opened it,
+extracted an instrument, and proceeded to manicure his nails. He did it
+coolly and paid no attention whatever to those about him.
+
+"Well!" said Hal. "What do you think of that?"
+
+"That's the best I have seen yet," said Chester, laughing.
+
+The lads pushed through the crowd of curious French soldiers and soon
+were in the midst of the British. They approached a sergeant.
+
+"What sort of a freak is this?" asked Hal, indicating the long
+Englishman.
+
+"By Jove!" exclaimed the sergeant. "You're English, aren't you?"
+
+"Yes," replied Hal. "But who is this gentleman with the manicure set?"
+
+The sergeant smiled.
+
+"That," he said, "is His Lordship."
+
+"'His Lordship'? But what's his name?"
+
+"Well, I have forgotten his name. We all call him 'His Lordship.'"
+
+"But why do you permit all this funny business?"
+
+The sergeant shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"What can I do?" he exclaimed. "If I forbid one thing he bobs up with
+something else. Look at him! He's the laziest man I ever saw. We named
+him 'His Lordship' the moment of his arrival in our midst, and bets were
+made that he would succumb after the first day's march. Not a bit of it!
+He looked tired at the start, but he looked no more so at the finish. We
+were finally placed in the trenches. His Lordship did everything
+ungrudgingly, but he could not sleep without a pillow. What do you
+suppose he did?"
+
+"I haven't the slightest idea," said Hal. "What did he do?"
+
+"Why, he made a bargain with a big fat fellow, who, for four packs of
+cigarettes a day, agreed to let his lordship use his stomach as a pillow.
+He's lazy, yes, but just the same he's a fighter. We began to respect him
+on the day he laid low sixteen Germans with eighteen cartridges. He did
+it as nonchalantly as though he were in a shooting gallery. But lazy!
+Why, he was so lazy he would not brush the perspiration off his forehead.
+He asked a neighbor to do it for him!"
+
+The sergeant stopped and eyed His Lordship.
+
+"Look," he said, "he's going to bed again."
+
+It was true. His Lordship had stretched out on the cold, hard ground.
+
+"Great Scott! Can he sleep there?" asked Chester, in surprise.
+
+"His Lordship," said the sergeant calmly, "can sleep anywhere!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE GERMAN ATTACK.
+
+
+A battle, as severe in its hand-to-hand struggle and toll of life as
+Fredericksburg or Antietam, in the American Civil War--yet in this vast
+conflict only an incident, chronicled as "progress" in the official
+reports--such was the battle of Soissons. It was the most terrific and
+the most bitterly contested of the great war up to date, January 8.
+
+There, for eight days, men fell, torn with shell and bullet, and over
+these trenches men charged in the face of certain death.
+
+A German attack in force opened the battle on January 8. General Joffre
+had slightly altered his plan, as outlined to Hal and Chester, and
+immediately the battle began the French made a counter-attack.
+
+The Aisne river, at this point, is one of the most strategic positions.
+The battlefield covered a front of approximately seven miles. On the
+western side is a deep valley, running northward, which is bounded on
+either side by turnpikes from Soissons, La Fere and Laon.
+
+A high, level plateau rises steeply a couple of hundred feet from the
+valley of the Aisne and formed the center and eastern flank of the
+battlefield. The plateau is deeply notched by three steep-sided ravines
+running down to the Aisne. Through these General Joffre, if he chose,
+could bring up supports unnoticed and without danger to positions on
+the plateau.
+
+The French counter-attack, then, was made up the valley to the west
+between the two turnpikes.
+
+Immediately the Germans had begun their offensive the French made ready
+for their attack by a terrible artillery bombardment. Field guns and
+heavy artillery concentrated their fire on this section of the German
+trenches, and there was such a rain of shell and shrapnel on the
+defenders that they were unable to make an effective defense against the
+French infantry attack which followed.
+
+The French, with great dash, carried part of the German positions; but
+this success dampened the vigor of their artillery bombardment, which
+could not be continued without endangering their own men. The big German
+guns opened a heavy fire on the rearward communications of the French,
+preventing the bringing up of reënforcements.
+
+Meanwhile, General Von Kluck, the German commander, was gathering his
+forces for a counter-stroke, which came, not through the valley, but
+across the high plateau to the eastward, a large part of which was held
+by the French. The surface of the plateau, which is fairly level, was
+crossed by row after row of deep French trenches, each trench with a
+clear field for the fire of its guns.
+
+It seemed impossible, in the cold light of the day after the passing
+excitement of battle, to conceive of troops successfully storming such
+intrenched positions But this is just what the Germans did, or thought
+they did, for their officers did not realize that the giving way of the
+French at this point was part of General Joffre's counter-stroke.
+
+There were five successive lines of permanent French trenches, each with
+its entanglement of barbed wire, supported on iron posts. German pioneers
+cut their way through the first entanglement before the general attack,
+but it was necessary for the others to make the advance across the
+exposed positions under fire.
+
+These attackers, however, were General Von Kluck's veterans, who, after
+the famous dash on Paris, the battle of the Marne and the retirement to
+the Aisne, had remained in comparative inactivity since the middle of
+September.
+
+They succeeded in sweeping across the plateau, first in the center and
+then on the eastern flank, carrying trench after trench by storm in an
+interrupted and irresistible attack.
+
+The French retired from the plateau. Then they gave up the valley below
+and retreated across the river. The Germans advanced through the valley.
+
+The narrow turnpikes had become great cemeteries. Four thousand German
+troops, engaged in the work of burying the dead as fast as they fell, had
+been unable to clear the field of even their own dead after eight days,
+while the field was strewn with the bodies of French infantrymen, in
+their far-to-be-seen red-and-blue uniforms, swarthy-faced Turcos,
+colonials, Alpine riflemen and bearded territorials.
+
+There came a lull in the fighting. The French retained a foothold
+north of the river at St. Paul, where the bridge from Soissons crosses
+the stream; but the bridge head was commanded by German artillery on
+the heights.
+
+The promenade along the exposed side of the plateau, in sight of Soissons
+and the bank of the Aisne, also held by the French in force, gave a
+rather uncanny feeling of insecurity. However, it was less dangerous than
+it seemed, for a slight haze rendered the group in German field gray
+invisible to the French artillery on the heights on the opposite side of
+the valley.
+
+In the part of the field where Hal and Chester had been on the eighth day
+of the fighting, at the edge of the plateau, the struggle had been
+desperate. Here, with the final German assault, the French had fought
+stubbornly and a hand-to-hand struggle ensued.
+
+Regiments of French troops, rather than retire to safety down a
+declivity, had contested this section of the field to the last, finally
+to be mowed down by the German artillery as the infantry was forced back.
+
+Hal and Chester had taken no important part in the battle, and had
+remained with the little body of British troops, held with masses of
+infantry of the French, in reserve, and had only been thrown forward with
+the reënforcements when General Joffre decided that it was time to halt
+the tide of the German advance.
+
+Immediately heavy reënforcements were hurled upon the Germans, and the
+latter must have been surprised by the fact that an apparently beaten
+enemy could come back so strongly to the attack. It became evident,
+however, after the eighth successive day of fighting, that the German
+leaders realized that General Joffre had anticipated the German attack;
+for, when French reënforcements were hurled forward in force, and the
+entire line assumed the offensive, the Teutons gave back rapidly.
+
+All that they had gained at such terrible sacrifice was again soon in the
+hands of the French. To their recent positions the French advanced--and
+beyond--carrying trench after trench which had been occupied for a few
+days by the enemy.
+
+There was no staying this terrible drive.
+
+The greatest pressure by the French was brought to bear upon the two
+flanks of the enemy, and these gave back while the German center held;
+but soon this gave way also and retreated, for General Von Kluck
+perceived that if it did not keep pace with the retreat of either flank,
+it was likely to be cut off and annihilated.
+
+Thus, from apparent victory the Germans had met defeat. It was a hard
+blow to the Kaiser, who from the rear watched the battle as it progressed
+and stood nervously clenching and unclenching his hands as victory turned
+into defeat.
+
+The first two rows of German trenches had fallen into the hands of
+the French, and there the troops prepared to make themselves at home.
+Thousands upon thousands of men were set to work burying the dead,
+and soon the field was cleared of the bodies. The losses on both
+sides had been enormous, for the battle of Soissons had been the
+bloodiest of the war.
+
+General Joffre, who had moved his headquarters somewhat toward the rear
+when the German advance began, reoccupied his old quarters once more, and
+it was here that Hal and Chester, having been summoned, found him.
+
+"I have a mission that I thought you would like to undertake," said
+the general.
+
+"We shall be glad to," returned Chester.
+
+"The little village of Pom lies just beyond our farthest outpost," said
+General Joffre. "Take the squadron of British and occupy it. You should
+be able to do so with little difficulty."
+
+The lads saluted and departed, rejoicing that they had some work
+ahead of them.
+
+The British raised a loud cheer when they learned that they were to
+advance, for they had had little part in the terrible fighting around
+Soissons, and were growing restless.
+
+It was after dark when the little force moved out from the trenches and
+advanced upon Pom. They marched quietly and swiftly, and morning found
+them in the streets of the little town.
+
+Here they encountered a small force of the enemy, who, however, gave way
+before them, evidently believing them the vanguard of a larger force.
+
+"Now," said Hal, "half of us may as well turn in while the other half
+stands guard. Break in the doors of some of these houses, men."
+
+Then it was that His Lordship, the lanky Englishman who had afforded so
+much amusement to the others, came to life. Up to this time he had been
+marching along with hanging head, apparently in nowise concerned in what
+was taking place.
+
+He ran lightly up the steps of the nearest house, and, putting his
+shoulder to the door, broke it in with ease. Immediately he
+disappeared within.
+
+Into this house Hal and Chester also went, and instructed their men to
+occupy the adjoining buildings.
+
+"We can give a good account of ourselves in here, should we be attacked,"
+Hal explained.
+
+"Right," Chester agreed. "But do you anticipate an attack?"
+
+"I do," replied Hal. "As soon as the Germans we drove out report to the
+main body, a strong force probably will be sent against us."
+
+"And are we supposed to hold them off?"
+
+"We are supposed to stick until ordered to fall back, I reckon,"
+Hal replied.
+
+"Well," declared Chester, "we are at the very opposite side of the town
+and can see them coming--if they do."
+
+They were attracted by a peculiar noise at the opposite side of the room
+in which they stood.
+
+It was His Lordship, dead to the world, snoring, with wide-open mouth.
+
+"The sergeant was right," said Hal. "His Lordship can sleep anywhere."
+
+Almost at this moment there came a warning from without.
+
+"Germans approaching in force, sir," cried the sergeant, poking his head
+in the door.
+
+And at that moment there came a clattering of horses' hoofs, and a moment
+later a French officer entered the room.
+
+"General Joffre orders you to fall back, sir!" he said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+A FIGHT FOR A BED.
+
+
+With a word to the sergeant to order an immediate retreat, Hal crossed
+the room and shook His Lordship roughly.
+
+"Get up!" he shouted.
+
+His Lordship opened one eye sleepily.
+
+"What's that?" he demanded.
+
+"Get up!" repeated Hal.
+
+"Not on your life," said His Lordship slowly, and closed his eyes again.
+
+"Quick!" shouted Hal. "We must retreat! A whole German regiment is about
+to attack us."
+
+"All right," came the reply, and His Lordship did not take the trouble to
+open his eyes.
+
+Once more the lad shook him roughly, and Chester added his voice.
+
+"Get up out of here," he commanded sharply. "A German regiment is upon
+us."
+
+"I don't care if it is the whole German army," replied His Lordship, with
+some heat--and it was the first time in his life that he had ever been
+aroused--"they won't get my bed."
+
+"I order you--" Hal began.
+
+But His Lordship calmly shut his eyes, turned on his other side, and went
+peacefully to sleep.
+
+"Now, what do you think of that?" demanded Hal of Chester.
+
+"Well," said Hal, "there is nothing we can do. It's up to us to save our
+own skins. We have done the best we can for him."
+
+He stepped to the door and Chester followed him. They looked about for
+some sign of their men, but the latter had gone, and Hal, Chester and His
+Lordship were left alone in the house.
+
+"We might as well make a dash for it," said Hal. "Come on!"
+
+He stepped from the door, but, as he would have started ahead, something
+whistled by his head. He started back with an exclamation, and, jumping
+back into the house, closed the door.
+
+"Too late," he said briefly.
+
+For a moment he stood listening.
+
+"What are we going to do?" demanded Chester.
+
+Hal considered.
+
+"Follow me," he said at length.
+
+He led the way beyond where His Lordship was sleeping, and, swinging
+himself out of a rear window, quickly clambered into the house next door.
+
+"Maybe they won't look for us here," he said. "Then, when they have gone,
+we can escape."
+
+"Maybe," said Chester dubiously, "but I don't think so."
+
+The boys approached the front of the house and looked out the window,
+taking care to keep out of sight from the street. But just then there
+came a sound of a shot.
+
+"Wonder what that is for?" asked Hal.
+
+He peered through the window. At the far end of the street he beheld a
+squad of German troops gazing toward the house they had just left.
+
+"Guess they are afraid we'll take a shot at 'em if they rush us," said
+Chester. "They don't know we have left."
+
+At that moment, from the house they had so recently quitted, there came
+the sound of a shot. A German soldier tumbled in his tracks.
+
+The enemy was just beyond the town, and the others, instead of rushing
+forward when their companion hit the ground, scattered and took refuge
+behind the nearest possible shelter.
+
+Another shot rang out from the next house, and a second German trooper,
+who had exposed his head for a moment, toppled over.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "That's pretty good shooting, if you
+ask me. Wonder who's doing it?"
+
+"There is not much question about that," said Hal dryly. "That is His
+Lordship, fighting for his bed."
+
+"By Jove!" cried Chester. "I'll bet that's just who it is."
+
+The lads were right.
+
+No sooner had they left the room in which His Lordship lay asleep than he
+arose and peered forth. His eyes fell upon the Germans in the distance.
+
+His Lordship muttered to himself: "Why can't they let a man sleep?"
+
+It was at that moment that one of the Germans, thinking to draw a fire
+from whoever chanced to be in the house, fired through the window. The
+bullet whistled close to His Lordship's head and moved him to action.
+
+"Shoot at me while I'm trying to take a nap, will you?" he said to
+himself. "Well, if you want my bed you'll have to come and take it."
+
+He reached for his rifle, which stood near the bed, and, dropping on his
+knee at the window, brought it to bear upon the first German. A crack
+and a puff of smoke and the Teuton was no more. A second one met the
+same fate.
+
+These were the two shots whose effect the lads had witnessed from the
+house next door. Now His Lordship calmly left the window and dragged the
+bed right up against it. Then he climbed in and lay down flat, still
+keeping his hand upon the rifle, which protruded through the window. As
+he glanced over the sights he rested.
+
+Several German bullets crashed through the window and sped above his
+head; but to these he paid no heed, nor did he fire until he drew a bead
+upon a vital spot of some German. Then there would be a sharp crack and
+the result would be one enemy less.
+
+Hal and Chester also were able to pick off an occasional enemy when one
+happened to expose himself. But the Germans became more cautious now.
+
+"It's only a question of time until they get us," said Hal quietly.
+"Certainly they will not allow us to remain here and pick them off
+like that."
+
+"True," replied Chester. "But I guess we'll be able to pick off a few
+more before they get us."
+
+From the next house came a hail in His Lordship's languid voice:
+
+"You fellows hold 'em off a little while," it said. "I'm going to
+take a nap!"
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "Do you hear that?"
+
+"Oh, I heard it, all right," replied Hal, and he was forced to smile a
+little to himself.
+
+There came no further shot from the next house, even when a German
+exposed himself. Had His Lordship been on guard he could have picked him
+off with ease.
+
+"He's asleep, all right," said Hal briefly. "We need look for no
+help there."
+
+But in this the lad was mistaken, as he was soon to learn.
+
+The silence from His Lordship's station evidently had caused the
+Germans to believe that one of their bullets must have gone home, for
+they came into the open and appeared to be ready to make a dash upon
+Hal and Chester.
+
+Immediately both lads opened upon them, and several fell. In spite of
+this, however, the Germans came on. But, as they drew closer to the
+house, and the lads continued to pour lead into them, there came several
+quick flashes from the window next door, and as many Germans dropped in
+their tracks.
+
+His Lordship's repeating rifle was at work once more. The Germans drew
+off.
+
+His Lordship pumped lead into them right and left as they dashed for the
+nearest shelter, and by the time they reached it half the number who had
+rushed forward lay upon the ground.
+
+Now, from the distance, came the sound of trampling hoofs. The sound came
+from the rear, and in another second the Germans broke from behind their
+shelter and fled swiftly.
+
+A force of French cavalry dashed into view around the house.
+
+Both lads heaved a sigh of relief and left their refuge.
+
+"May as well go in and tell His Lordship he can finish his nap," said
+Hal.
+
+But there was no need for this. When the lads entered the room His
+Lordship lay sleeping peacefully, one hand still grasping his rifle.
+
+"Well," said Chester, "he's the limit. However, he's some fighter, too.
+You'll have to give him credit for that."
+
+A few moments later the squadron of British, which had advanced again in
+the wake of the cavalry, came into sight. The sergeant dashed rapidly
+toward the house where he had left the boys.
+
+The latter greeted him at the door.
+
+"We didn't miss you until we had gone too far to come back," said the
+sergeant. "I feared you had been killed."
+
+"We are all right," replied Hal, "but there is no telling what might have
+happened to us had it not been for His Lordship, who is sleeping in the
+next room."
+
+"What! His Lordship sleeping while all this was going on?" exclaimed
+the sergeant, pointing to the bodies of the dead Germans that lay
+scattered about.
+
+"Oh, that!" exclaimed Chester. "His Lordship did most of that
+between naps!"
+
+The Allies were now in force enough to hold the town, which they did all
+that day with Hal and Chester in command. With the coming of night,
+however, an officer appeared to relieve them. He also informed them that
+General Joffre desired their presence immediately.
+
+Accordingly the lads left the little village, and midnight found them
+back in their own quarters. They retired immediately to rest, for General
+Joffre had left word that he would postpone his interview with them until
+the morrow.
+
+Bright and early the next morning, however, the lads were admitted to
+his presence.
+
+"This," said the French commander, placing a paper in Hal's hands, "is an
+important communication for the French prime minister. I have selected
+you two lads to place it in his hands immediately. Since you told me of
+the plot to kidnap the President, I have investigated. From a prisoner I
+have learned additional facts, which I have put into the paper you hold."
+
+"The prime minister is in Paris, is he not?" asked Hal.
+
+"He is. I have informed the prime minister, by wireless, that you are on
+the way with the message; also, that if there is any work to be done, he
+could not do better than to give you chaps a hand in it."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said both lads in one voice.
+
+"Make all possible haste," said General Joffre, waving them from
+his presence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE ROAD TO PARIS.
+
+
+"How far are we from Paris, Hal?" asked Chester, when they were once more
+on the outside.
+
+"Not more than eighty miles," was the reply. "You heard what the Kaiser
+is said to have told his troops, didn't you?"
+
+"No; what was it?"
+
+"He told them that they were but two hours' ride, by automobile, from
+their goal; by which he meant the French capital."
+
+"Great Scott! I didn't realize they were so close."
+
+"It is pretty close; but still, when you stop to think, not so close
+after all; for the road to Paris, for the Kaiser's troops, at least, is
+strewn with insurmountable obstacles, and death and danger lurk on
+every hand."
+
+"True," said Chester. "Besides which, the Kaiser is considerably farther
+from his goal than he was some months ago."
+
+"Yes," agreed Hal, "he has been forced a long way down the field, as we
+would say on the gridiron."
+
+Besides the document which they were to carry to the French Prime
+Minister, General Joffre also had given the lads an order for one of
+the large army automobiles, that they might make the trip with all
+possible haste.
+
+Hal accosted the proper officer, and soon the lads had the huge car at
+their disposal. The officer also offered to furnish them with a
+chauffeur, but Hal declined this offer, electing to drive the machine
+himself. Chester climbed into the tonneau and Hal took his place at the
+wheel. Both waved a good-by to the officer, and, under Hal's guiding
+hand, the large automobile started off slowly.
+
+Gradually Hal increased the speed, till at length they were flying along
+the road at the rate of forty miles an hour. There were no speed
+restrictions in the war zone, and as the car dashed over the ground Hal
+kept a keen eye out for machines approaching from the other direction.
+
+Chester leaned over the front seat and clutched Hal by the shoulder.
+
+"At this rate," he shouted, "it won't take us long to get to Paris."
+
+"About two hours," Hal shouted back, without taking his eyes from the
+road ahead.
+
+Through the towns of Villers and Cotterets the automobile flashed,
+although Hal reducing his speed a trifle when the little cities came in
+sight. On the road beyond, however, he proceeded to let the car out
+again, and so they dashed into Nanteul.
+
+Here, because of somewhat more congested traffic, Hal was forced to
+reduce his speed considerably, and they went slowly through the
+streets of the towns. Before setting out on their trip, Hal had spent
+half an hour over the maps of the road, that there might be no danger
+of their getting lost, and the lay of the country was firmly impressed
+upon his mind.
+
+As they wended their way slowly through the streets of Nanteul, there
+came suddenly the sound of an explosion beneath them. Hal brought the car
+to an abrupt stop and leaped lightly to the ground. Chester did likewise.
+
+"Tire blown out," said Hal briefly, after a quick glance at the rear
+left-hand wheel.
+
+He walked to the rear of the car, where a spare tire should have been
+ready for just such an emergency. There was none there.
+
+The lad stepped back with an exclamation of dismay.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Chester.
+
+"Matter is that we have no spare tire," replied Hal. "Where shall
+we get one?"
+
+"I don't know," returned Chester. "The chances are that every spare tire
+within forty miles is in use. However, we might go into this restaurant
+and make some inquiries."
+
+Hal followed his friend into the restaurant, where Chester made known
+their wants.
+
+The proprietor, a smiling and effusive little Frenchman, greeted
+them warmly.
+
+"I myself have a tire that shall be yours," he told them. "It shall be
+taken from my own car and put upon yours. Jacques!"
+
+In response to this call a dapper little waiter came forward, and to him
+the proprietor made known his desires. The waiter bowed and departed. The
+proprietor turned to the lads.
+
+"While Jacques is making ready messieurs' car," he said with a bow, "it
+will give me pleasure to have messieurs lunch with me."
+
+"How long will it take him to fix it?" asked Hal.
+
+The little Frenchman shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Perhaps fifteen minutes, perhaps twenty," he replied.
+
+"In that event," said Hal, "we shall be glad to accept your invitation."
+
+The Frenchman beamed upon them, and led the way to the rear of the little
+room, where he motioned them to seats at a somewhat secluded table.
+
+"We shall not be disturbed here," he said.
+
+A light luncheon was soon upon the table, and the lads fell to with a
+will, for they were quite hungry.
+
+While the lads were in the midst of their meal, a group of French
+officers, all young lieutenants, came boisterously into the restaurant
+and took seats at a table close to where the lads sat. It was plain to
+both boys that they had been drinking more than was good for them, and
+they paid no attention to them beyond acknowledging their salutes.
+
+One of the young officers pounded loudly on the table and demanded wine
+immediately. The proprietor arose from the table where the lads sat and
+hastened to attend to the wants of his customers himself, and soon
+several bottles of wine were upon the table.
+
+The proprietor filled the glasses of the young officers, and then, at a
+nod from one of them, approached the table where the lads sat and poured
+out two more glasses of the sparkling fluid, which he placed before Hal
+and Chester.
+
+The French officers at the other table rose, each with his glass in his
+hand; then one of them looked toward Hal and Chester, and the latter,
+realizing that the young Frenchman was about to propose a toast, also got
+to their feet; but instead of holding their wine glasses aloft, the
+glasses which they raised held nothing more than water.
+
+The young Frenchman gave his toast.
+
+"France!" he said gravely.
+
+Each man raised his glass to his lips and drained it, but Hal and
+Chester drank the toast in clear, cold water. As the first Frenchman
+returned his glass to the table, he noticed that the wine before Hal and
+Chester remained untouched. His face turned a dull red, and he
+approached the lads.
+
+"And why does not monsieur drink with us?" he demanded in a harsh voice,
+thrusting his face toward Chester. "Can it be that you are spies?"
+
+"No," said Chester, taking a step backward; "we are not spies. We
+are British officers, and we drank your toast in water. We do not
+drink wine."
+
+"British officers!" repeated the Frenchman. "Then how comes it that you
+wear the uniforms of French lieutenants?"
+
+"That," replied Chester quietly, "is none of your business."
+
+"None of my business!" echoed the Frenchman. "_Mon Dieu_! And what if I
+make it some of my business, eh?"
+
+"If I were you," said Chester, "I wouldn't think of such a thing."
+
+The Frenchman took a step backward at the menace in the lad's tone; but
+the other French officers now gathered about, and these reënforcements
+apparently lent him courage.
+
+"So!" he exclaimed. "It is that we are not good enough to drink
+with you, eh?"
+
+"No," replied Chester; "we simply don't drink. That is all. We appreciate
+your courtesy in thinking of us, and we drank your toast in water, which
+is the strongest drink we ever touch."
+
+Hal, who up to this time had remained silent in his chair, now rose
+to his feet.
+
+"Look here," he said, facing the fiery Frenchman; "we are on important
+business and haven't time to fool with you. My friend has explained why
+we didn't drink wine with you. That should settle the matter."
+
+"But it doesn't settle it," exclaimed the Frenchman, now in a rage. "You
+refused to drink with us because you think us not good enough."
+
+"All right, have it that way if you will," said Chester wearily. "If you
+say so, then we didn't drink because you are not good enough."
+
+"_Mon Dieu_!" cried the Frenchman, and his hand rested upon the butt of
+his revolver. "You have insulted me, and for that you shall pay."
+
+With one hand still resting upon his revolver, he stepped quickly
+forward, and before Chester could realize what was up, he slapped the lad
+sharply in the face.
+
+This was too much for Chester. Up to this time he had remained perfectly
+cool, but the blow in the face, light though it was, was more than he
+could stand. He took a quick step forward, and as he did so his right
+fist flashed out, and the young Frenchman, struck squarely upon the nose,
+went to the floor with blood streaming from his wounded member.
+
+There came several subdued exclamations from the others of the party, and
+the hands of the other French officers dropped to their revolvers.
+
+But before any of them could draw, Hal had whipped forth his own
+automatics, and covered them.
+
+"I'll blow the head off the first one who makes a move," he said sternly.
+
+The French officers made no move to draw.
+
+The Frenchman whom Chester had knocked down now got to his feet,
+considerably sobered up by the force of the lad's blow. He was suffering
+more from wounded dignity than anything else, and he was very angry. He
+approached Chester.
+
+"For that blow," he said very quietly, "monsieur shall give me
+satisfaction."
+
+"I'll repeat the dose if that's what you want," said Chester, also
+thoroughly aroused, and he took a step forward.
+
+The Frenchman drew back.
+
+"_Non! Non!_" he exclaimed. "You shall give me satisfaction with swords
+or pistols, as a gentleman, if, for the moment, you can be one."
+
+"So," said Chester, "I am no gentleman, eh? I'll make you wish you had
+never seen me, you little--"
+
+"Hold on! Hold on!" interrupted Hal. "We have other business to attend
+to. We have no time for duels."
+
+But for the moment he had relaxed his vigilance, and the nearest officer,
+with two quick blows, knocked his revolvers from his hand, and the lad
+found himself covered.
+
+"Now," said the young Frenchman to Chester, "will you fight or not?"
+
+"I'll fight," replied the lad calmly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE DUEL.
+
+
+"It seems to me," said Hal quietly, "that there is enough fighting to be
+done at the front without fighting among ourselves. Besides, we have
+important business in Paris immediately."
+
+"It won't take long to dispose of this fellow, Hal," said Chester
+significantly.
+
+"Perhaps not," replied Hal, "but you know there is always the chance that
+you may fall. Then they would probably drag me into it, and, if I went
+down, what would happen to the document we bear?"
+
+"That's true," said Chester. He turned to his adversary. "Is it
+understood," he asked, "that, if I fall, there is an end of the quarrel?"
+
+The Frenchman bowed in assent.
+
+"And if you kill me," he said, "my friends will not molest you."
+
+"Well, that suits me," said Chester. "Where and when are we going to
+fight this thing out?"
+
+"Immediately," was the reply; "and, with our host's permission, we shall
+fight right here, monsieur."
+
+"Any place suits me," said Chester. "And the weapons?"
+
+"The choice lies with you, _monsieur_."
+
+"Very good," said Chester. "Revolvers at ten paces!"
+
+"Ten paces!" exclaimed one of the Frenchmen, stepping back in surprise.
+"Surely _monsieur_ is jesting!"
+
+"Not a bit of it," replied Chester quietly. "I want to get close enough
+to make sure I can't miss him."
+
+"But, _monsieur_," protested one of the Frenchmen, "it will make it that
+much easier for your opponent to hit you also."
+
+"He won't hit me," said Chester. "Don't you worry about that. Revolvers
+at ten paces, or there will be no fight."
+
+The French officer who had volunteered to act as the other's
+second bowed.
+
+"It shall be as _monsieur_ desires," he said.
+
+The revolvers of the others, which had covered Hal, were now lowered, and
+the lad was allowed to pick up his weapons. He approached Chester.
+
+"Are you sure you can get him?" he asked.
+
+"Dead certain," replied Chester. "Look at him now. See how he's shaking.
+It's the ten paces that did that. He knows I can't possibly miss him at
+that distance, and he is consequently nervous for fear his first shot
+may go wild."
+
+There was truth in the lad's words. Chester's antagonist was plainly
+nervous, and he and his second talked together in low tones. Finally the
+second came over to Hal.
+
+"My friend," he said, "wishing to spare your friend's life, is willing to
+accept his apology."
+
+"There'll be no apology," growled Chester, who had overheard this remark.
+
+"But the ten paces, _monsieur_," protested the Frenchman. "It will be
+murder. My friend is a crack shot. At the distance he cannot miss. He
+would give your friend a chance for his life by lengthening the
+distance."
+
+"Ten paces or nothing," replied Hal.
+
+The Frenchman bowed and returned to his principal. They conversed in low
+tones, and finally the second announced that the terms were satisfactory.
+
+As the two principals came together Hal perceived a peculiar gleam in the
+eye of the Frenchman, and realized in a moment that Chester's antagonist
+had some scheme up his sleeve. Hal thought rapidly, and then drew a
+breath of relief. He believed he had solved the Frenchman's plan and he
+determined to thwart it.
+
+The two principals, according to the arrangements made, were to stand
+back to back, and, at the count of three, each take five steps, turn and
+fire at will. Each weapon had been carefully examined by both seconds and
+all cartridges removed but two. Consequently, each was to be allowed two
+shots, if necessary, and, in the event that neither fell, honor was to be
+declared appeased. It was also stipulated that should one of the
+principals fire before he had taken five paces he should be shot down by
+the other's second.
+
+The seconds were the only two permitted to have arms besides the
+principals. Hal had insisted upon this, and, accordingly, the others
+turned their weapons over to the proprietor, who, at Hal's command, had
+taken them to the next room.
+
+Chester and his opponent stood back to back, and Hal, who had called the
+toss of a coin, began to count:
+
+"One! Two! Three!"
+
+At the word Chester and the French officer who had stood in the center of
+the room walked slowly away from each other with measured stride.
+
+Two steps, three, four, the young Frenchman took, and then wheeled
+suddenly and brought his revolver to bear upon the back of his
+antagonist, who was taking the full five strides. The Frenchman's finger
+tightened on the trigger.
+
+But Hal had been watching him like a hawk. His quick mind had detected
+the treachery of the Frenchman before the two had taken their places, and
+he held his own revolver ready, as did the Frenchman's second.
+
+As the Frenchman wheeled suddenly, upon his fourth step, and his finger
+pressed the trigger, Hal's own weapon spoke suddenly. With a cry the
+Frenchman threw up both hands, and pitched to the floor on his face.
+
+The next moment Hal's revolver covered the Frenchman's second, before the
+latter could raise his own weapon--had such been his intention--and in a
+stern voice the lad cried:
+
+"So this is French bravery, eh? You shoot men in the back! No wonder your
+principal agreed upon ten paces."
+
+Chester, having wheeled quickly at his fifth step, took in the situation
+at a glance, and his revolver covered the other French officers. One of
+the latter, raising a hand, stepped forward.
+
+"_Monsieur_," he said quietly to Chester, "I would have you believe that
+neither I nor my friends had a hand in this. Had we known what our friend
+contemplated, we would not have allowed the duel to proceed."
+
+Chester glanced at the Frenchman keenly for a moment, then lowered
+his revolver.
+
+"I believe you," he said simply.
+
+Hal also now lowered the weapon with which he had covered the Frenchman's
+second, and the latter also made profuse protests of innocence, which
+both lads believed to be true. Then he bent over Chester's late
+antagonist.
+
+"He is still alive," he said, looking up after an examination. "The
+bullet struck him in the chest. With proper attention he will recover."
+He approached Chester and held out his hand. "I regret this unpleasant
+incident exceedingly," he said. "I trust you will absolve us from blame."
+
+"Of course," said Chester, grasping the outstretched hand. "I would be
+loath to believe that all Frenchmen are not true soldiers and honorable
+gentlemen."
+
+Hal also shook hands all around with the young Frenchmen, and a few
+moments later announced that they must be on their way. The Frenchmen
+escorted them to their car, which was now ready and waiting for them,
+and, as Hal sent it forward with a lurch, they sped the lads on their way
+with rousing cheers.
+
+"By Jove! That was a pretty narrow squeak!" Chester called over Hal's
+shoulder, as the car swept from the little city of Nanteul and sped on
+across the open country. "If you hadn't been on the alert I would be with
+the angels now."
+
+"I don't know how I came to suspect him," replied Hal, also raising his
+voice to a shout, to make himself heard above the roaring of the flying
+automobile. "Something seemed to tell me he was up to some deviltry, and
+I figured it out before you took your places. So, when he turned before
+time, I was ready for him."
+
+"And a good thing for me that you were," Chester muttered to himself.
+
+The car sped on.
+
+Through Dammartin they dashed with slightly diminished speed, and,
+bearing off a trifle to the north, passed through St. Gonesse. Ten
+minutes later they came within sight of Paris and Hal slowed down.
+
+"Well, I guess we won't have any more trouble before we get to Paris," he
+said. "I judge that we are on the outskirts now."
+
+The car continued at a more moderate gait. Passing vehicles became more
+frequent now, and the lad was forced to go very slowly in some places to
+avoid dense crowds of pedestrians and troops.
+
+"Where are we going to find the Prime Minister, Hal?" asked Chester.
+
+"By Jove! I hadn't thought of that!" exclaimed Hal. "We'll have to
+find out."
+
+They were in the very heart of the city now. Hal brought the car to a
+stand, near one of the city's police officers and accosted the latter
+in French.
+
+"We bear a communication from General Joffre to the Prime Minister," he
+said. "Can you tell us where to find him? We are strangers in the city."
+
+The policeman was very polite. He signaled another officer, who was
+passing, and repeated Hal's request. The latter immediately climbed into
+the car beside Hal.
+
+"I happen to know," he said, "that the Prime Minister at the present
+moment is at the Chamber of Deputies, where he is making an address. If
+your business is important, no doubt you will be permitted to see him as
+soon as he has concluded."
+
+He pointed out the way, and Hal drove the car slowly along the streets.
+They drew up at last before an imposing building, which, the policeman
+informed them, was where the Chamber of Deputies sat. The lads alighted
+and ascended the steps.
+
+At the entrance they were stopped by a soldier, who demanded their
+business.
+
+"We bear a message from General Joffre to the Prime Minister," said Hal.
+
+The soldier summoned an officer, to whom Hal repeated their errand. The
+latter motioned the lads to follow him, and showed them into a
+waiting-room and took his departure, ordering them to wait.
+
+"The Prime Minister has concluded his address," he told them. "I shall
+take your message."
+
+Half an hour later a man appeared in the doorway. He was slender and
+rather tall. "Lieutenants Paine and Crawford?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the lads, getting to their feet.
+
+"I," said the newcomer, "am the Prime Minister."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.
+
+
+Hal and Chester made a profound bow.
+
+"I have been informed," continued the Prime Minister, "that you bear a
+message from General Joffre containing proof of information you obtained
+bearing on a plot to kidnap the President of France."
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Hal, and from his pocket produced the document, which
+he passed to the Prime Minister.
+
+The latter broke the seal and ran through it hurriedly.
+
+"Hm-m-m," he said at last. "Not as much information as I believe we
+shall need."
+
+"But surely you know enough to protect the President," said Hal.
+
+The Prime Minister looked at him somewhat coldly, and Hal drew back,
+confused at having been so bold. The Prime Minister touched a bell upon a
+desk and an attendant entered.
+
+"Have General Gallieni summoned here immediately," he instructed.
+
+The attendant bowed and departed. For half an hour the Prime Minister
+paced up and down the room, deep in thought. The lads stood silent,
+neither caring to interrupt his meditations. Finally the attendant again
+entered the room, and announced:
+
+"General Gallieni!"
+
+A short, squat man, attired in a brilliant red-and-blue uniform, with
+medals flashing upon his breast, strode into the room and came to
+attention before the Prime Minister.
+
+"You summoned me, sir?"
+
+"Yes, General. These," indicating Hal and Chester, "are the two officers
+who overheard the plot to kidnap President Poincaré. I have called you
+here that you may hear their story at first hand." He turned to the two
+lads. "This," he said, "is General Gallieni, military governor of Paris.
+You will repeat to him what you overheard."
+
+In a few brief words Hal did so, and, when he had concluded the Prime
+Minister passed the message from General Joffre to General Gallieni.
+The latter ran his eye over it quickly, and for some moments thereafter
+was silent.
+
+"And you say that this plot was to be carried out in the event that the
+German offensive failed?" he asked at length.
+
+"Such is my understanding, sir," replied Hal.
+
+"And you say a German agent is supposed to have been in communication
+with Pierre Duval, recognized as King of the Apaches?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+General Gallieni turned to the Prime Minister.
+
+"I have made inquiries," he said, "and I have learned enough to
+substantiate this story. We can, of course, foil the plot with ease, but
+that is not enough."
+
+"No," the Prime Minister agreed, "that is not enough."
+
+"We must apprehend Duval himself," continued the military governor.
+
+"Exactly," said the Prime Minister, "and with him sufficient of his men
+to cause the others to realize that when they plot treason to France
+their necks are in jeopardy."
+
+"Precisely," agreed General Gallieni. "But this Duval is a slippery
+fellow and hard to catch. I have learned that, unlike other Apaches, he
+comes of better blood; in fact, is supposed to be a gentleman. But,
+beyond this, I have learned nothing except the existence of the plot to
+kidnap the President."
+
+"But the police and the secret service men," said the Prime Minister,
+"haven't they been able--"
+
+"The police and secret service men, bah!" interrupted General Gallieni.
+"They have learned nothing. Their faces are so familiar to the denizens
+of the underworld as to make them absolutely useless. I have set some of
+my officers on the trail, but they seem to have met with no better luck.
+No; we must have men whose identities cannot be so easily established;
+strangers, say, who are willing to risk their lives by going into the
+haunts of the Apaches, and, perhaps, putting themselves in their power."
+
+"Then, sir," said Chester, taking a step forward, "you need seek no
+further. My friend and I shall be glad to undertake the work."
+
+"You!" exclaimed the Prime Minister, starting back in surprise. "Why, you
+are nothing but boys."
+
+"True," said Hal, somewhat nettled, "but more than once we have
+accomplished men's work."
+
+General Gallieni looked at them long and carefully. Then he once more
+turned his eyes upon the contents of General Joffre's message.
+
+"General Joffre," he said quietly, "speaks highly of you both. He says
+that you are to be trusted implicitly and he appears to have great
+confidence in your resourcefulness. Upon his recommendation I should say
+that, if you are willing to undertake the work, you would come as near
+bringing it to a successful termination as any men we might find."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Hal quietly. "We are both willing and eager to
+make the attempt."
+
+"Then," said the general, "we shall consider the matter settled."
+
+"But," protested the Prime Minister, "it seems to me that they are much
+too young to be allowed to assume such a risk."
+
+"From General Joffre's letter," remarked the military governor of Paris
+dryly, "I should say that they have already assumed risks every whit as
+great." He turned again to Hal and Chester. "Do you know anything of the
+Apaches of Paris?" he asked.
+
+"Only what we have read," replied Chester. "I should say that they are of
+the lowest possible order of criminals."
+
+"You are entirely right," replied General Gallieni. "The Apaches of Paris
+have not acquired an undeserved reputation. There is no crime on the
+calendar they would not commit for a few cents. From petty thievery to
+murder they have advanced by degrees, until to-day the life of a person
+who ventures among them is not worth a cent, should they believe he had a
+franc in his pocket.
+
+"The Apaches infest the poorer sections of the city, notably the banks of
+the Seine and portions of the Quartier Latin. They seldom venture from
+their own haunts, and, like cats, do most of their prowling and evil
+deeds during the darkest hours of the night. Nowhere in the world is
+there a more villainous band of cutthroats. You would think that, in
+times like these they would rally to the support of their country, but
+they have not. And now comes this plot to turn their President over to
+the enemy."
+
+The lads had listened with great interest to this account of the men, in
+whose midst they had volunteered to risk their lives. They realized the
+danger that confronted them in such a venture, but neither was minded to
+give it up because of this.
+
+"Well, we shall have to be careful, sir," said Hal. "We will dress poorly
+and will show no money. If you will put us on the right road I am sure
+that we shall learn something of value in the course of a day or two."
+
+"It is still not too late to draw out," said the general, eying
+them closely.
+
+"Well, we won't draw out," said Hal quietly.
+
+"I should say not," agreed Chester.
+
+"Report to me to-night at my quarters in the Hotel de Ville, say at 9
+o'clock, and I will give you your directions and what other information I
+can that will be of service to you. In the meantime, I would advise that
+you seek rest, for you are likely to need it."
+
+The military governor took his departure, and soon the lads also left the
+presence of the Prime Minister, who had directed them to a hotel nearby.
+
+In this little hotel, clean and comfortable, the lads sent out and
+procured some old clothes that would give them the appearance of dire
+poverty. Then they examined and cleaned their automatics and laid in an
+extra supply of cartridges.
+
+"Well, I guess that's about all we can do till to-night," said Hal.
+"Let's get a little sleep."
+
+"My sentiments exactly," said Chester.
+
+It was perhaps 4 o'clock in the afternoon when they arose. Outside the
+sun was shining brightly.
+
+"By Jove!" said Chester. "This is too nice a day to remain in the hotel.
+Let's take a walk."
+
+"Agreed," said Hal.
+
+They left the hotel, and for an hour strolled about the city, looking at
+the sights of interest.
+
+"By the way," said Chester, "what's this Hotel de Ville where we are to
+report to General Gallieni to-night?"
+
+"Why," said Hal, "that's the city hall, or at least what we would call
+the city hall in America. I suppose that when Paris was put under martial
+law the military governor, who, of course, superseded all civic
+authorities, at once took up his quarters there."
+
+"I see," said Chester.
+
+Strolling along Bois de Boulougne, the lads saw, some distance ahead of
+them, a crowd gathered about what appeared to be a knot of struggling
+men. They hurried up and peered over the shoulders of the other
+onlookers.
+
+In the center of the throng was a young man, defending himself as best he
+could, against the attacks of half a dozen smaller assailants, young
+rowdies and ruffians.
+
+Even as the lads looked the assailed snatched a club from the hands of
+one of his opponents, and laid about him lustily, clearing a small space
+on all sides of him.
+
+But the weight of numbers was bound to tell, and the assailants closed in
+again, while the crowd stood and laughed.
+
+Such unequal odds did not appeal to the two lads.
+
+"Come on, Hal," said Chester. "We can't stand idly by and let that crowd
+of ruffians beat that fellow up."
+
+"I should say not," said Hal. "Come on."
+
+Elbowing and shoving, the lads forced their way through the crowd and
+fell upon the assailants from the rear. The young man to whose assistance
+they had come welcomed this unexpected aid with a slight smile, and the
+three stood side by side and fought off the ruffians.
+
+But the ranks of the latter were increased now, and the lads were hard
+pressed. They were giving a good account of themselves, but it was
+evident that, unless help arrived, they would get the worst of it.
+
+Suddenly a tall man in a heavy fur overcoat, who had alighted from an
+automobile to see what the excitement was about, after a quick glance at
+the combatants, uttered a cry and dashed forward, elbowing his way
+through the crowd.
+
+Hal and Chester each felt himself seized by the shoulder by a strong
+hand, and a voice exclaimed:
+
+"So! I have found you young scalawags at last!"
+
+At the sound of this voice Hal and Chester stood stockstill, and from the
+crowd came the cry of: "The police!"
+
+Hal glanced quickly into the face of the man who held him and his chum
+firmly by the arm. The face was set in a stern expression, but there was
+a kindly smile behind it and the eyes twinkled.
+
+Chester voiced his astonishment with two words.
+
+"Uncle John!" he cried.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+OTHER RELATIVES.
+
+
+"Mr. Crawford!" cried Hal, equally as surprised.
+
+For the man who held the two lads in a vise-like grip was the brother of
+Chester's father, whom they had last seen in America.
+
+Uncle John smiled grimly.
+
+"Yes, it's me," he said, paying no heed to his slip in grammar, "and now
+that I've found you I am going to take you with me."
+
+Still grasping each by the shoulder, he led them through the crowd and
+pushed them into the waiting automobile. He then gave the driver an
+address and climbed in himself. The machine started off.
+
+"Now," said Uncle John, settling himself comfortably, "tell me where you
+have been. Both your mothers are frantic, and they set me a strenuous job
+when they turned me loose on your trail. I have been looking for you for
+months. Where have you been, and what are you doing in those French
+uniforms?"
+
+"But where is mother?" asked Hal.
+
+"You'll see her soon enough," was the grim response, "and yours, too," he
+added, turning to Chester.
+
+"Is mother here in Paris?" asked Chester.
+
+"She is; you'll be with her in fifteen minutes."
+
+"And mine, too?" asked Hal.
+
+"Yes; now tell me about yourselves."
+
+"Well," said Chester, "there is not much to tell. I suppose Mrs. Paine
+told you how we became separated in Berlin?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, we managed to escape from Germany and made our way to Liège just
+before the German assault on that fortress."
+
+"And were you there during its defense?" asked Uncle John in surprise.
+
+"Yes, we were there. We were fortunate enough to render the Belgian
+commander some slight service, for which we were later made lieutenants
+in the Belgian army."
+
+"Lieutenants!" ejaculated Uncle John.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then what are you doing in French uniforms?"
+
+"I am coming to that. Later we saw service with the British troops, and
+also with the Cossacks in Russia. We were captured several days ago by
+the Germans, and we donned these uniforms when we finally got into the
+French lines. To-day we came to Paris with a communication from General
+Joffre for the Prime Minister."
+
+Uncle John sat straight up in his seat during this recital, so great was
+his surprise.
+
+"And you have gone through all this unwounded?" he asked.
+
+"Well, no," said Chester; "we have both been wounded, but we are all
+right now."
+
+"And to-night," said Hal, "we have further work to do."
+
+"Well," said Uncle John grimly, "I think your fighting days are over."
+
+"Over!" echoed both lads in consternation.
+
+"Yes. You will accompany us back to the United States the day after
+to-morrow. In the meantime I shall make it my business to see that you
+stay in the hotel and are not allowed to go gallivanting about."
+
+"It can't be done, Uncle John," said Chester quietly. "We have duties
+to perform."
+
+"So you have," returned Uncle John, "and the chief one is to return home
+where you belong."
+
+Chester was about to reply, but thought better of it, and remained
+silent. At Uncle John's request, Hal filled in the details of their
+adventures, and, as the account progressed, Uncle John became more and
+more surprised.
+
+At length the machine drew up in front of one of the largest hotels in
+the city and the three alighted and went in. Five minutes later Chester
+was in the arms of his mother and Hal was in the arms of his. Both
+mothers wept tears of joy at having their sons with them again.
+
+"We'll go home immediately," said Mrs. Paine.
+
+"On the first steamer," agreed Mrs. Crawford.
+
+"I'll go now and see about accommodations," said Uncle John.
+
+He left the room.
+
+"I am sorry, mother," said Hal, "but we cannot go home now."
+
+"Cannot go home!" exclaimed Mrs. Paine. "Why?"
+
+"Because we have duties to perform here," replied Hal quietly.
+
+"Duties? What have you to do with this war? You are an American."
+
+"Nevertheless," said Hal, "we have taken the oath of allegiance,
+and we must stay, at least until we have accomplished the mission
+we are now on."
+
+"What is the mission?" asked his mother.
+
+"I am sorry, mother, but I cannot say," was Hal's reply.
+
+"Is it dangerous?"
+
+"Well, not particularly so," said Hal.
+
+"And you won't tell me what it is?"
+
+"I cannot. It is not my secret to tell. It belongs to France."
+
+"In that event," said Mrs. Paine, who had been a soldier's wife, "I will
+not press you."
+
+"Thank you, mother," said Hal gratefully.
+
+A similar conversation had ensued between Chester and Mrs. Crawford, with
+like result.
+
+"But, if we let you go on this mission, will you then return home?" asked
+Mrs. Crawford.
+
+"We can't promise, mother," said Chester.
+
+"Then," said Mrs. Crawford, "I shall not permit you to go."
+
+Chester made no reply to this.
+
+Mrs. Paine also refused her consent unless Hal would promise to return
+home after the termination of the mission on which they were now engaged,
+and Hal would make no such promise.
+
+An hour later Uncle John returned and to him the two mothers told
+their troubles.
+
+"Well," said Uncle John calmly, "I'll fix 'em."
+
+It was now after six o'clock, and all descended to dinner. The meal over,
+Uncle John called the two lads into his own room. Motioning them to
+seats, he stepped out the door, and quickly turned the key in the lock.
+
+"Now," he said from the outside, "we shall see whether you'll stay or
+not."
+
+Hal and Chester looked at each other in dismay.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried the latter. "What are we going to do now?"
+
+Hal looked at his watch.
+
+"After seven o'clock," he said. "We haven't much time."
+
+He looked about the room, and his eye fell upon the telephone. Quickly he
+stepped forward and placed the receiver to his ear. After some
+questioning he turned to Hal with a smile.
+
+"I guess it's all right now," he said.
+
+"What are you trying to do?" asked Chester.
+
+"You'll see," said Hal.
+
+He turned to the telephone.
+
+"I wish to speak with General Gallieni," he said. "Tell him it is the
+party he is expecting to-night at nine. All right." He was silent a
+moment, then spoke again: "General Gallieni?"
+
+"Yes," came the reply over the wire.
+
+"This is Lieutenant Paine, whom you are depending on for to-night. We are
+prisoners in room number 257," and Hal gave the name of the hotel.
+
+"What!" came the surprised reply. "By whom are you being held?"
+
+"By our uncle. Cannot you send a detachment of soldiers with orders to
+take us before you at once?"
+
+Hal heard a slight chuckle wafted over the wire.
+
+"It shall be done," came the reply, and the military governor of
+Paris rang off.
+
+Hal turned to Chester with a smile.
+
+"I guess that will fix it," he said.
+
+"Well, I should say so," said Chester. "But what will Uncle John and our
+mothers think when we are dragged away, apparently as prisoners?"
+
+"I don't know what they'll think," said Hal, "but we are in honor
+bound to see this thing through, and we must not let sentiment stand
+in the way."
+
+"I guess you are right," said Chester slowly, after a moment's
+hesitation.
+
+"I know I am," said Hal, and so the matter rested.
+
+It was nearly eight o'clock, as Hal perceived by a glance at his watch,
+when the heavy sound of tramping feet became audible in the hall.
+
+"Room 257," came a voice from without.
+
+There was a loud rap on the door.
+
+"Who's there?" called Hal, thinking to keep up the deception.
+
+"Open the door in the name of the law!" came back the response.
+
+From an adjoining room Mrs. Paine, Mrs. Crawford and Uncle John were
+startled by the pounding on the door, and looked into the hall just as
+the above conversation through the door took place. Uncle John
+immediately stepped forward.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
+
+The French officer turned upon him.
+
+"None of your business," he replied. He turned and rapped on the door
+again. "Open the door," he commanded, "or I shall break it in."
+
+"Hold on there!" said Uncle John. "I have the key to the door. Tell me
+what you want with those young men and I'll unlock the door."
+
+"I am ordered to take them before General Gallieni at once," said the
+officer more civilly.
+
+"The military governor!" exclaimed Uncle John.
+
+"Exactly, _monsieur_," said the officer, "and now, as you have the key,
+will you please to unlock the door immediately?"
+
+"But what does the general want with them?" asked Uncle John anxiously.
+
+"I cannot say," was the reply. "Will you unlock the door or shall I be
+compelled to use force?"
+
+Without further words Uncle John unlocked the door, and the officer,
+followed by two of his men, strode in. They approached the two lads.
+
+"You are under arrest," said the officer briefly.
+
+Mrs. Paine and Mrs. Crawford attempted to reach their sons, but the
+soldiers barred their progress.
+
+"Don't worry, mother," said Hal, as they were led by, and he smiled.
+
+Uncle John caught the smile and a great light dawned upon him.
+
+"Well, by George!" he said to himself, "I didn't think they had it in
+'em."
+
+He allayed the fears of the anxious mothers by telling them what he had
+discovered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+INTO THE UNDERWORLD.
+
+
+Hal did not see the look of understanding upon Uncle John's face, as they
+were led along, but Chester did. He smiled to himself.
+
+"Uncle John has caught on," he said to his friend.
+
+"Caught on?" echoed Hal.
+
+"Yes. He knows that we have hoodwinked him."
+
+"So much the better, then," said Hal. "It will save our mothers some
+worry." He turned to the officer who conducted them as soon as they were
+out on the street. "It's all right now," he said. "We can go the rest of
+the way alone."
+
+"Perhaps you can," was the reply, "but you won't. You'll come right
+along with us."
+
+"But," protested the lad, "we must first go to our other hotel and get
+the clothes we have secured for our work."
+
+"You will have to talk to General Gallieni about that," said the
+officer gruffly.
+
+"But General Gallieni knows all about our plans."
+
+"Does he? I'm not so sure. However, I guess he will before long?"
+
+"Look here," said Hal, "what's the matter with you?"
+
+"Come, now," said the officer, "that's enough of that. March."
+
+Chester broke into a laugh, and Hal glanced at him in surprise.
+
+"What are you laughing at?" he demanded.
+
+"Why," said Chester, "I am laughing because you can't see through this."
+
+"Is that so?" said Hal, somewhat nettled. "Perhaps you can see
+through it?"
+
+"Of course," said Chester. "General Gallieni simply sent this squad after
+us. He didn't explain the situation to the officer."
+
+"By Jove!" said Hal. "Now, why didn't I think of that? It's plain enough,
+now that you speak of it."
+
+They marched along in silence, and soon were ushered into the presence of
+General Gallieni. The latter dismissed the other officers with a wave of
+his hand and turned to the lads.
+
+"Well, I see you escaped," he said, with a semblance of a smile on his
+grim features.
+
+"Yes, sir; thanks to you, sir," said Hal, also smiling.
+
+"Thank yourselves," said the general. "It took some resourcefulness to
+think of such a plan. It proves to me that you can use your heads. I
+am, therefore, more confident that you may be successful in your
+desperate work."
+
+Hal and Chester were greatly flattered by this high praise, but they
+simply saluted and said:
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"Now," said the general, "you may as well go about the work at once.
+Further delay is useless. But you cannot go in those uniforms. Didn't you
+lay in some other clothes, as you suggested?"
+
+"We did, sir," replied Hal, "but the officer who conducted us here
+wouldn't let us go after them."
+
+"True," said the general. "I didn't explain the situation to him, because
+I feared that he might possibly give the _coup_ away. Perhaps I can fix
+you up here, however."
+
+He struck a little bell on his desk a sharp tap. Immediately an orderly
+entered and to him the general spoke briefly. The orderly saluted and
+departed, returning a few moments later with a bundle of ragged clothing.
+
+"You may go into the next room and change," said the general, and the
+lads hastened to obey.
+
+Ten minutes later, dirty, ragged and unkempt, they once more stood before
+General Gallieni. The latter surveyed them critically.
+
+"You'll do," he said at last, with an approving nod. "Now--are you
+armed?"
+
+"Two automatics each, sir, and a good supply of cartridges," said Hal.
+
+"_Bien_! Here," the general handed each a little silver whistle, "should
+you ever be in a tight place and in need of assistance, blow these, and,
+if help is near, you will get it."
+
+The lads shoved the whistles out of sight in the clothes.
+
+"I guess that is about all," said the general. "Remember, the main thing
+I want is Duval. Establish his true identity and learn where he can be
+found and you will have done enough. The rest of the work will be for
+other hands. By the way, if I were you, I would go first to the _Quartier
+Latin_, and loiter about there. You know where it is?"
+
+"No, sir," said Hal.
+
+The general gave them the necessary directions and then rose.
+
+"That is all," he said, and the lads, realizing that their interview was
+at an end, saluted and took their departure.
+
+For an hour they walked along the streets, and at last found themselves
+in the midst of the Latin Quarter of the French capital. Here they saw
+many others of their own apparent ilk, dressed in rags, dirty, and
+carrying a certain hangdog and famished look.
+
+"Guess we are in the right place," said Hal to Chester in a low voice.
+
+"Looks like it," said Hal, "but the question is, how are we going to find
+out anything?"
+
+"We'll have to trust to luck," said Chester.
+
+But Dame Fortune smiled upon them sooner than they could possibly have
+anticipated, and it came about in this wise:
+
+As the lads walked slowly along they were attracted by a terrible din and
+confusion in the distance. They stopped for a moment and listened and
+then went forward swiftly.
+
+Rounding a corner into a dark side street they came abruptly upon the
+scene of the confusion. A dirty little street Arab was defending himself
+with bravery and skill against an overwhelming number of other rowdies.
+The little fellow was fighting with tooth, nail and foot, but in spite of
+his agility and stubbornness, he was getting the worst of the encounter.
+
+He went down and the others piled on top of him.
+
+"Come on, Hal," exclaimed Chester, "let's give the fellow a hand."
+
+"All right," agreed the latter; "but, remember, no guns. It would
+give us away."
+
+They dashed quickly forward, and, striking out right and left, cleared a
+path for themselves and were soon at the side of the fallen man. While
+Hal stood off the enemy Chester bent down and lifted the little man to
+his feet. The latter recognized the touch of a friendly hand and quickly
+jumped up.
+
+"Thanks," he said briefly, and jumped to Hal's side to renew the
+encounter.
+
+Chester sprang forward with him. And these reënforcements reached Hal
+none too soon, for he was being sorely pressed by his foes. One of the
+enemy, making a slight detour, suddenly launched himself headlong at Hal,
+and came down on his shoulder, and with his talon-like fingers clawed at
+the lad's face.
+
+With a quick twist of his arm the lad succeeded in catching his opponent
+by the throat, and, exerting great pressure with his other arm, bore
+upward heavily. There was a choking screech from the man and he lay limp
+in Hal's arms. Then the lad, raising him at arm's length, dashed him full
+in the faces of the foe.
+
+The little man to whose help the lads had come took this in out of the
+tail of his eye.
+
+"_Bien! Bien!_" he exclaimed, and dashed forward.
+
+Hal and Chester were right behind him.
+
+Hal struck out with his right, and one of the enemy toppled over with an
+oath. Another went down before his left fist. Chester, with a heavy blow,
+felled another of their opponents, and the little man, snarling and
+fighting with hands and feet, quickly disposed of two more.
+
+The enemy drew back and the three had time for a breathing spell. Their
+foes, however, had no mind to give up the fight, and with a sudden
+concerted dash, surrounded the trio.
+
+The fighting became fast and terrific. The weight of numbers was
+beginning to tell, and suddenly Chester went down before a heavy smash on
+the jaw. He was badly shaken up, but was not unconscious. As he scrambled
+to his feet, the clear sound of a whistle shattered the night.
+Immediately the fighting stopped and the assailants drew back.
+
+"_Les Gendarmes_!" exclaimed one, and took to his heels, followed
+by the rest.
+
+"_Les Gendarmes_!" exclaimed the little man to whose assistance the lads
+had come. "_Voila_!"
+
+Chester got to his feet quickly, and, with Hal, dashed forward upon the
+heels of the little man. Round corner after corner, through dark streets
+and darker alleys he ran, the lads following close behind him. Finally,
+out of breath and tired of limb and body, he came to a halt in a secluded
+spot in a narrow street.
+
+The lads came to a stop beside him. The man immediately threw himself
+upon the ground and the lads did likewise. Here, for a few moments, all
+lay silent, panting.
+
+Finally the little man spoke.
+
+"You came to my aid just in time," he said, "and I thank you. But for you
+I should have been killed."
+
+"Killed!" exclaimed Hal. "And why would they have killed you?"
+
+"Because," said the little man, "I myself picked the pocket of a man whom
+one of their number was trailing."
+
+"I see," said Chester, manifesting no surprise, for he was well aware
+that the street Arab had taken them for his own kind. To have betrayed
+surprise would have been to invite suspicion.
+
+"Now," said the little man, "we shall have to hide. The police will be
+scouring the neighborhood. Have you a refuge handy?"
+
+"No," said Hal.
+
+"Then you shall come with me." He hesitated a moment, then added: "Which
+do you love best, your country or gold?"
+
+Hal took a long chance.
+
+"Gold," he said briefly.
+
+The little man slapped him familiarly on the back.
+
+"As all true Apaches!" he exclaimed. "_Bien_! Then you shall come with
+me."
+
+He led the way along the dark street and the lads followed him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+THE APACHE DEN.
+
+
+Before a low-lying, tumble-down wooden shack of but a single story the
+little man paused and glanced furtively about. Then he darted quickly up
+the steps, and, motioning to the lads to follow him, disappeared within.
+
+Inside Hal and Chester found themselves in what appeared to be a narrow
+passageway. It was damp and evil-smelling and the darkness was intense.
+The lads were unable to see a yard in front of them. The voice of the
+little man pierced the darkness.
+
+"Come," he said, and the lads advanced in the darkness.
+
+They came presently to a flight of stairs, leading down, and they
+descended slowly, feeling their way that they might not fall. At the
+bottom there was still nothing but darkness. Here their guide was
+waiting for them and allowed them to pass. A moment and there came to
+the ears of the lads a dull clang, as if a heavy iron door had been
+closed behind them.
+
+And this, in truth, was the case.
+
+Ahead of them in the dark hall their guide had opened the door without
+their knowledge that such a thing existed, and now that they had passed
+through he closed it again. The lads waited until he again brushed by
+them and took the lead. Then they followed.
+
+It seemed to Hal and Chester that the passageway wound about
+considerably, for they were conscious of making several sharp turns.
+Then, from ahead, a faint glow of light pierced the darkness and they
+could make out their surroundings. In the rear it was perfectly dark and
+on each side of the narrow passageway the dark, grimy walls rose sheer
+for perhaps twenty-five feet. The place reeked with the smell of foul
+air and tobacco smoke.
+
+Now that the light shattered the blackness the little man, who had
+advanced as soft-footed and as sure-footed as a cat in spite of the
+darkness, increased his stride and made toward the light. He brought up
+directly against another door, through cracks in which the light
+streamed. Here he turned to Hal and Chester.
+
+"I am Jean Garnier," he said. "And you?"
+
+"Hugo Choteau," replied Hal, giving the first name that came into his
+mind.
+
+"I am Victor Doubet," said Chester, and added to himself, "I hope I can
+remember it."
+
+He kept repeating it over and over to himself, that he might grow
+accustomed to it.
+
+"_Bien_," said Jean. "Come! I shall introduce you to my friends."
+
+He knocked sharply on the door--three light taps, followed by one loud
+tap.
+
+From within came the sound of scraping chairs, followed by footsteps
+approaching the door. Came the sound of bars being removed and placed on
+the floor and a bolt shot back with a crash. Light immediately flooded
+the passageway as the door was opened a crack and an evil-looking face
+peered forth.
+
+"Oh, it is you, Jean," he said, after peering intently at the lads'
+guide. "Come in."
+
+He threw the door open wider.
+
+"Yes, it is I," said the Apache, "and with me two friends."
+
+"If they are friends of yours they are welcome," said the man inside.
+
+The three entered the room together and the man who had opened the door
+immediately re-bolted and re-barred it.
+
+Inside Hal and Chester looked quickly about, but still not so as to give
+an impression of undue curiosity. The room was perfectly bare, except for
+a single large table and probably fifty old wooden chairs, which were
+scattered about without regard to order. At the far end of the room there
+was another door, but except for this there was no means of egress.
+
+In various parts of the room sat perhaps a dozen men, all of evil visage,
+their hats pulled low over their eyes, cigarettes protruding from their
+lips at a drooping angle. They paid no heed to the entrance of Jean, Hal
+and Chester, although, from under their hats, they eyed them keenly.
+
+Jean turned to the man who had admitted them and introduced the two lads
+with a flourish of his right hand.
+
+"These, Georges," he said, "are my friends, Hugo Choteau and Victor
+Doubet, who, but a few moments since, saved me from death."
+
+Georges' only reply was a grunt. Plainly he was little interested in the
+newcomers, as long as they were vouched for by Jean, and he showed no
+interest in Jean's recent escape from death. Apparently this was no
+novelty. He resumed his seat at the table, and putting up his feet and
+drawing his hat even farther over his face, lighted a cigarette and
+settled himself in comfort and closed his eyes.
+
+Now that he had piloted them to safety Jean took no further thought of
+the boys, but himself dropped into a chair, propped his feet up, lighted
+a cigarette and followed Georges' example.
+
+Hal and Chester also sank into chairs and did likewise, both, however,
+keeping one eye open.
+
+Directly Jean sat up and from his pocket produced a pack of cigarettes,
+which he extended to Hal.
+
+"Smoke?" he said laconically.
+
+Hal was in a quandary. He was not a smoker himself, yet he realized that
+the Paris Apache who was not a victim of nicotine was indeed a scarce
+article. But he muttered to himself, as he selected a cigarette and
+passed the pack on to Chester:
+
+"Here is where smoking a cigarette may save our lives."
+
+Chester's mind followed along on this course, and, after passing the pack
+back to Jean, and accepting a match, both lads lighted up in most
+approved fashion.
+
+The wants of his guests thus attended to, Jean left them to their own
+thoughts, and gave them no further notice.
+
+The Apache is not a talkative man, and therefore there was not the sound
+of a human voice to break the death-like stillness of the foul-smelling
+den. For perhaps an hour and a half all sat without so much as moving.
+
+Suddenly the stillness was shattered by a resounding knock on the door by
+which the lads had so recently entered--three light taps, followed by a
+single loud tap. Immediately Georges was upon his feet again, and
+unlocked and unbarred the door and peered out. Then he threw wide the
+door and another man entered the room.
+
+Now there was something in the appearance of this newcomer that set him
+somewhat apart from the other inmates of the den, and when he spoke his
+tones were much softer than the voices of the true Apache; but it carried
+an evil ring.
+
+"The chief will be here within the hour," he said to Georges. "He desires
+that you have all here before he arrives."
+
+"It shall be done," replied Georges, eying the newcomer with some
+disfavor because of his pomposity.
+
+The newcomer walked across the room and sat down. As he did so his eyes
+fell upon Hal and Chester, slouched back in their chairs. Immediately he
+was on his feet.
+
+"Who are these?" he demanded of Georges. "Their faces are
+unfamiliar to me."
+
+"Friends of Jean Garnier," replied Georges briefly.
+
+Jean was immediately on his feet and approached the questioner.
+
+"Yes, they are friends of mine," he said, "and, as true Apaches, they
+love gold better than anything else. What have you to say about it?" and
+his hand slipped to his belt.
+
+It was plain to Hal and Chester that the man was not frightened by this
+show of hostility, for he smiled slightly and shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Oh, nothing at all," he said. "What are one or two Apaches more or less?
+You are all of the same breed."
+
+He turned his back on Jean and sat down. Producing a monogramed cigarette
+case he opened it, extracted a cigarette, and lighted up. He paid no
+further heed to those about him.
+
+Hal and Chester, out of the tail of their eyes, surveyed him critically.
+The man had now removed his overcoat and the lads saw that his clothes
+were neatly pressed and of good texture. A diamond glistened in his tie.
+Plainly he was no Apache.
+
+Georges, in the meantime, had been busy. He aroused several of the
+apparently sleeping men, spoke a few words to them, and the latter
+hurried away. Some minutes later they returned, and after them came
+others. These drifted in gradually now and slunk into chairs. When the
+supply of chairs had been exhausted newcomers sat on the floor.
+
+Soon the room was full to overflowing.
+
+The man who had accosted Hal and Chester now threw away his cigarette and
+once more approached the lads. Jean, perceiving this, also left his chair
+and came forward.
+
+The man whom Hal and Chester surmised was some sort of a lieutenant of
+the Apache chief, addressed them.
+
+"Do you know what we are here for?" he asked.
+
+"No," said Hal.
+
+Chester also shook his head.
+
+"Well, I'll tell you," said the man. "We are here to make money. The
+President is sought by the Germans, and we are to see that he is
+delivered safely into their hands. For this each man is to receive a
+handful of German gold. Now, it makes little difference whether you are
+with us or not. If you are with us, all right--we can use a few more men.
+If not, you will never leave here alive."
+
+Before either Hal or Chester could reply Jean stepped forward.
+
+"Of course they are with us," he said, thrusting his face close to that
+of the lads' questioner.
+
+Calmly the man extended one hand, placed it squarely over Jean's face and
+shoved him violently backward.
+
+"This," he said quietly, "is none of your business. So keep out."
+
+The little man uttered a cry of rage and made as if to draw a knife; but,
+apparently thinking better of it, returned to his chair and subsided.
+
+The man turned to Hal.
+
+"Are you with us?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," replied Hal.
+
+"And you?" turning to Chester.
+
+"Yes."
+
+There came a commanding knock on the door. Georges sprang forward and
+flung it wide, and there strode into the room a tall, slender man, in
+evening dress, shining top hat and white kid gloves. A black mask
+covered his face.
+
+"Pierre Duval," whispered Hal to Chester, "the King of the Apaches!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+THE APACHE CHIEF.
+
+
+Immediately all in the room rose to their feet, Hal and Chester doing
+likewise. Duval strode straight to the table in the center of the room
+without so much as a glance about, and sat down at its head. Then the
+others resumed their seats.
+
+Duval turned to Georges.
+
+"Are we all here?" he demanded, in a low, soft voice.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Georges, "and two besides."
+
+"Bring the strangers before me," ordered the chief.
+
+At a sign from Georges, Hal and Chester advanced and stood before
+the Apache king. The latter surveyed them long and carefully
+through his mask.
+
+"Names?" he asked briefly.
+
+The lads gave their assumed ones.
+
+"You know what we are here for?" was the next question.
+
+The lads signified that they did.
+
+"And you are with us?"
+
+"Yes," both replied.
+
+"_Bien_! Back to your places."
+
+The lads retired.
+
+Now Duval rose and addressed the others.
+
+"Since our last meeting it has been decided not to kidnap the President,"
+he said slowly.
+
+Exclamations of disappointment escaped the men sitting about.
+
+"But," continued Duval, "there nevertheless will be work for some of us
+that will mean additional gold for all."
+
+Cries of satisfaction greeted this statement.
+
+"It has been decided," Duval went on, emphasizing each word, "that
+the President must be put out of the way. Are there any present who
+object to this?"
+
+He swept the room with his gaze.
+
+Hal and Chester, although taken somewhat aback by this cold-blooded
+statement, manifested no surprise. Neither was there a word from any of
+the assemblage, and Duval continued again:
+
+"Now, for the honor of accomplishing this work you shall draw lots."
+
+From his pocket he produced a small box.
+
+"In here," he said calmly, "are enough balls so that each may have one.
+With the exception of two, all are black. The first man to select a red
+ball--his shall be the fortune to do the work; and to him goes an extra
+gold piece.
+
+"That there may be no treachery, the man who picks the second red ball
+shall follow the first; and, in the event that he shows signs of a soft
+heart, or manifests a desire to give a warning, the second man shall kill
+him. Is that plain to you?"
+
+Cries of "yes, yes" filled the room.
+
+"All right, then," said Duval. "We shall now proceed with the drawing."
+
+He opened one side of the box, and motioned for the first man to
+approach. The latter did so, drew forth a ball and exposed it to view. It
+was black, and the man passed on.
+
+Man after man drew and each pulled forth a black ball. Now it came
+Chester's turn, and so far neither red ball had been drawn.
+
+Slowly the lad approached with his heart in his mouth. To himself
+he muttered:
+
+"I'll draw a red one just as sure as I stand here. I can feel it!"
+
+For a moment he hesitated, and Duval's keen eyes caught the sign of
+indecision. He half rose to his feet.
+
+"We want no chicken-hearts," he said. "However, draw or not, as
+you choose."
+
+Chester caught the cold menace in the tone, and he realized that should
+he fail to draw, knowing what he did of the plot, he would never leave
+the room alive.
+
+He thrust his hand into the box, clutched an elusive ball and drew it
+forth. He looked at it quickly and held it aloft.
+
+The ball was red!
+
+Immediately the men crowded about him and slapped him on the back.
+
+"You are a lucky dog," exclaimed Jean; "an extra gold piece you'll get."
+
+Chester had been so sure that he would draw one of the red balls that
+he felt no surprise. Hal, however, was greatly agitated, and he
+concealed his anxiety with an effort, as, being next in line, he also
+advanced to draw.
+
+"If I can get the other red one," he said to himself, "it may work out
+all right."
+
+The same thought had struck Chester, and he leaned forward anxiously. Hal
+thrust his hand into the box, then drew it forth again; and the ball that
+he held up was black.
+
+The lad heaved a sigh of disappointment as he returned to his place.
+
+"Never mind," said Chester, "it will come out all right."
+
+Next to the last man to draw was Jean Garnier. He thrust his hand
+quickly into the box and pulled forth the second red ball. He was so
+elated that he cried out with joy. Then he ran to Chester and slapped
+him on the back.
+
+"Perhaps," said he, "we can work this together and share equally in
+the prize."
+
+Before Chester could reply, Duval rose once more to his feet and ordered
+that all leave the room except those who held the red balls. Slowly the
+men filed out, Hal being among the last to go. Outside the lad walked
+some distance from the house, then, when he felt certain that the others
+had disappeared, returned, and concealed himself in a dark alleyway
+across the street, where he waited patiently for Chester to emerge.
+
+As soon as the others had left the room, Duval called Chester and Jean to
+him, and spoke in a low voice.
+
+"This work must not be bungled," he said sternly. Then, to Jean, "and you
+are to see that it is not bungled. If this Victor makes one false move,
+you know what to do?"
+
+Jean nodded his head in the affirmative.
+
+"But," he added, "Victor will make no false move."
+
+"I feel sure of that," replied Duval, "or I should not allow him to leave
+here alive."
+
+Then he addressed Chester.
+
+"The President," he said, "will make an address from the steps of the
+Palace to-morrow at noon. I shall expect you to be in the crowd. When the
+proper moment comes, you will know what to do. Jean will be there to see
+you do it, and I myself shall be on hand to see that you both obey. Am I
+understood?"
+
+"Yes," said Chester.
+
+Jean likewise nodded affirmatively.
+
+"All right, then. Are you armed?"
+
+Jean shook his head negatively, and so did Chester, in spite of the fact
+that he had two automatics concealed in his clothes, for he did not think
+it wise to betray this to Duval.
+
+From his pockets the Apache chief produced a pair of automatics, one
+of which he handed to each. Then he dismissed them with a flourish
+of his hand.
+
+Jean led the way along the dark passageway and into the street. Hal, from
+his place of concealment, saw them emerge and followed them. A short
+distance from the den he came up with them. Jean, as well as Chester, was
+delighted to see him.
+
+"Why," said Jean, "can't we all work together and make sure that the plot
+does not fail?"
+
+"An excellent idea," said Chester.
+
+He spoke to Hal in a whisper: "Watch the house and follow Duval when he
+comes out."
+
+Hal, accordingly, did not fall in with Jean's plan.
+
+"I am glad to be out of it," he said. "It's too dangerous to suit me. No,
+Victor, there, is different. He likes the spice of danger, and so may
+you. But I prefer to get my gold easier, in the streets."
+
+Jean shrugged his shoulders in contempt.
+
+"I thought you were a brave man," he said. "Come on, Victor; we have no
+time for cowards."
+
+He took Chester by the arm and the two walked off down the street, while
+Hal again concealed himself in the dark alley opposite the Apaches' den,
+where he waited for Duval to emerge.
+
+His patience was soon rewarded. A dim figure appeared in the doorway and
+peered cautiously about. Then it slipped quietly to the street and strode
+rapidly away in the darkness. Hal slipped from his concealment and,
+keeping a respectable distance behind, set out in pursuit. For several
+blocks Duval continued slowly; then stopped suddenly at a corner. Hal
+immediately slunk from sight into the shelter of a doorway.
+
+Duval raised a hand, and a moment later a taxi dashed up and stopped
+before him. Duval climbed in and the taxi moved away.
+
+Hal, however, was not to be shaken off thus easily. Running forward
+quickly he succeeded in catching hold of the taxi and pulling himself up
+behind. In this way he rode for perhaps half an hour.
+
+Abruptly the machine came to a halt and Hal quickly jumped to the ground
+and into a doorway, where he peered forth in time to see Duval alight.
+
+The man was now without a mask, and Hal perceived the clear countenance
+of a Frenchman of the upper class, whose age must have been somewhere in
+the thirties. He strode rapidly down the street, and, turning a corner,
+mounted the steps of a handsome residence just beyond. Hal came around
+the corner just in time to see his quarry enter the door.
+
+The lad took the number of the house and also the name of the street.
+These he impressed firmly upon his memory by repeating them over and
+over. Then he quietly ascended the steps of the house and tried the door.
+It was locked.
+
+The lad descended the steps again and walked round the house, seeking
+some other means of entrance. In the narrow areaway he saw a small
+window, apparently opening into the cellar. He tried it. It was unlocked
+and gave easily before the pressure of his hand.
+
+Hal lay flat upon the ground and pushed his feet through the opening.
+Then, slowly, he let his body through until he hung by his hands. He did
+not know how far his feet might be from the floor, but it was no time to
+hesitate. He released his hold and dropped.
+
+There came a crash so loud it might have raised the dead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+CHESTER AND JEAN.
+
+
+Chester was confident that Hal could take care of his end of the affair,
+and he therefore allowed Jean to lead him along without protest. Jean
+became talkative as they walked along the dark streets.
+
+"It should be easy," he said with enthusiasm. "All we have to do is to
+get close to the President in the crowd. Can you shoot?"
+
+"A little," replied Chester briefly.
+
+"I'm not a bad shot, either," said Jean. "So, if you should miss with
+your first shot, I'll turn loose myself. That will insure success."
+
+"I have been thinking," said Chester, "how it would feel to be shot,
+and of what is likely to happen to us after we fire. What will the
+crowd do to us?"
+
+"Oh, we'll get away, all right," said Jean.
+
+"We'll never get away," said Chester solemnly. "We shall be torn to
+pieces before we can move a foot."
+
+"I hadn't stopped to think of that," said Jean slowly.
+
+"No, I suppose not," replied Chester. "Nevertheless, that is what is
+bound to happen. And they won't kill us on the spot, either. They'll put
+us to death slowly, by torture."
+
+The lad looked sharply at his companion. Plainly this was an aspect of
+the case which had not occurred to Jean. He shuddered.
+
+"Do you realize what we are about to do?" Chester went on. "We are
+going to shoot down, in cold blood, the President of France; the
+President of our own country. The crowd will go wild. We shall be torn
+limb from limb."
+
+"Stop it! Stop it!" cried Jean. "Would you have me lose my nerve?"
+
+"And besides," continued Chester, "what has the President done to us that
+we should seek his life?"
+
+"But," said Jean, "we shall have gold."
+
+"And what good will gold do us after we are dead?"
+
+"True," said Jean. "It won't do us much good, will it?"
+
+"It won't do us any good," said Chester.
+
+"But," said Jean, "Duval must have thought of all that. He--"
+
+"Duval knows as well as you or I what will happen to us should we
+assassinate the President," said Chester. "He will have that much more
+gold for himself."
+
+"Still, we may manage to escape," said Jean hopefully.
+
+"And if we do," said Chester sternly, "what then? Do you suppose Duval
+will keep faith with us? There will be such a hue and cry as Paris
+never heard before. Duval will turn us over to the authorities to save
+his own skin."
+
+"If I thought that," said Jean, "I--"
+
+"Besides," interrupted Chester, "we shall only be aiding the Germans, and
+not ourselves, and how long do you suppose the Apaches will be allowed to
+live should the Germans invade Paris?"
+
+"Why--" began Jean, but Chester interrupted again.
+
+"One of their first steps would be to annihilate us," said Chester. "They
+would ravage the city, tear it into little pieces. Remember, it is our
+own home, yours and mine. Would you like to see that?"
+
+"No," replied Jean, "but--"
+
+"No matter how you look at it," continued Chester, "you and I are sure to
+get the worst of it. Now, I don't know about you; but I am going to have
+nothing to do with the plot."
+
+Jean did not reply for some moments, and they walked along in silence for
+several blocks. Finally the little man replied:
+
+"But I have been ordered to shoot you if you fail to carry out your end
+of the work."
+
+"In which event," replied Chester calmly, "you would also have to
+assassinate the President, and would yourself be killed."
+
+"Then what am I to do?" cried Jean, now greatly alarmed.
+
+"Follow my example, and have no hand in the matter," said Chester.
+
+"It might be done," said Jean slowly, "for Duval himself will be
+present to-morrow, and, when he sees we have failed, he will do the
+deed himself."
+
+"Then we must prevent that also."
+
+"What! Why?"
+
+"Because, should the President fall before any hand--yours, mine, Duval's
+or another's--we should still meet the same fate; for the city would be
+dragged by the troops and police and not an Apache left alive. No, the
+President must be warned."
+
+"But that is treachery!" cried the little man.
+
+"Is it treachery to save the President of your country from the hands of
+an assassin?" demanded Chester, and answered his own question: "No!"
+
+The two paused on a street corner, and there, for perhaps ten minutes,
+Jean stood wrapped in thought. Finally he spoke, and there was a
+different tone in his voice.
+
+"I believe," he said quietly, "that we have both learned a lesson. There
+must be in us, after all, a spark of loyalty. No! We cannot assassinate
+the President, nor can we stand idly by while he is shot down. He must
+be warned."
+
+Chester grasped the little Apache by the hand.
+
+"I knew I could make you see it that way!" he exclaimed. "Good! Now, come
+with me, and we shall give the warning at once."
+
+"Where to?" demanded Jean.
+
+Chester looked at him carefully a single moment, and a doubt of the man's
+sincerity came to him. Therefore he replied cautiously:
+
+"Never mind. Just follow me; and if you mean what you say, warning shall
+be given at once."
+
+For a moment Jean hesitated, then followed Chester down the street.
+
+Chester's sense of direction now stood him in good stead. Not once in all
+his wandering about had he lost a general idea of where lay the Hotel de
+Ville, and he now steered a course in that direction. He finally came
+into view of the building, and here Jean hung back.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Chester, as the little man stopped.
+
+"We can't go in there," was the reply. "They won't let us speak. We'll be
+thrown into jail and kept there."
+
+"Oh, no, we won't," said Chester. "Leave it to me. Come on."
+
+A sudden suspicion struck Jean.
+
+"Tell me," he cried, and grasped the lad fiercely by the arm, "are you a
+detective?"
+
+"No," replied Chester calmly. "What made you think that?"
+
+"I don't know," was the reply, "but the suspicion came to me and I could
+not down it. I will have nothing to do with a detective."
+
+"Well," said Chester, "I am no detective; but"--he paused and laid his
+hand on Jean's arm--"I am a French army officer!"
+
+"A spy!" cried Jean, and freed his arm.
+
+"A spy, if you choose to call me one," said Chester, "but still your
+friend, for I believe you have come to your senses."
+
+"I know," cried Jean, "you want to get me locked up!"
+
+He stepped quickly backward, turned, took to his heels and ran.
+
+Chester was after him like a flash, and as he ran he muttered to himself:
+
+"Great Scott! I can't let him get away. He is sure to believe he has been
+imposed upon, and undoubtedly will warn the others!"
+
+The little Apache was fleet of foot, but still not so fleet as was
+Chester. Within the block the lad overtook the fugitive and his hand
+grasped the other by the collar.
+
+"Now," he said quietly, "you shall come with me, whether you will or not.
+I mean you no harm, and, if you do as I say, you will be all right."
+
+Jean was not convinced, however, and continued his desperate
+struggles to free himself. But Chester was too strong for him, and
+with some difficulty he succeeded in dragging the little man back to
+the Hotel de Ville, and inside, where both were seized by half a
+dozen French troopers.
+
+"Call General Gallieni at once," demanded Chester.
+
+The officer in command laughed at him.
+
+"Ha! Ha! Ha!" he laughed. "Look who wants to see the general."
+
+He motioned to two of his men, who started to drag the prisoners toward
+an open door, beyond which, as Chester surmised, lay cells.
+
+Chester shook himself free with a single movement and turned upon the
+French captain.
+
+"I am an army officer," he said quietly, "and am engaged in a piece of
+work at General Gallieni's own suggestion. You will summon him
+immediately."
+
+The French officer was somewhat surprised at this, but he was not quite
+convinced.
+
+"How am I to know that you speak the truth?" he asked skeptically.
+
+"Because I say so," replied Chester quietly, taking a step forward.
+
+The French officer also advanced a step.
+
+"It is my belief that you seek the general for some ulterior purpose," he
+said with a sneer, and, before Chester realized what he was about to do,
+the officer raised his hand and slapped him soundly across the face.
+"Take them away," he ordered his men.
+
+The blow in the face stung Chester to action.
+
+With a quick spring he avoided the soldiers who would have seized him and
+leaped upon the French officer, whom he sent to the floor with a single
+blow of his fist. The officer rose slowly to his feet, drawing his
+revolver as he did so.
+
+"You dog!" he cried, and raised his weapon.
+
+But he did not fire, for at that moment there came from directly behind
+him the command in a ringing voice:
+
+"Put down that weapon! What's the meaning of this?"
+
+General Gallieni stood in the doorway. The officer turned and saluted.
+
+"These dogs," he said, indicating Chester and Jean, who were now held by
+the soldiers, "insulted me. I refused to allow them to see you, and one
+of them struck me. I believe they came to assassinate you."
+
+The general took a step back, for he had not recognized Chester.
+
+"To assassinate me?" he exclaimed.
+
+"You are wrong, General," said Chester quietly, "I have returned with
+information that will prevent the assassination of the President."
+
+"Lieutenant Crawford!" ejaculated the general. "The President is to be
+assassinated, you say?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"When?"
+
+"At noon to-morrow, when he speaks on the Palace steps."
+
+"And perhaps you know who has been selected to kill him?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I do," replied Chester quietly. "I have, sir!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+THE PLOT FOILED.
+
+
+General Gallieni started back in great surprise.
+
+"You to be the assassin?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the lad, "I was fortunate enough to draw the red ball
+in the den of the Apaches, sir."
+
+The general advanced and took him by the arm.
+
+"Come with me," he said, and led the way toward his private office.
+
+Chester motioned for Jean to follow, and the little man did so, though
+plainly not without some trepidation.
+
+"Who is that?" asked General Gallieni, pointing to Jean.
+
+"He is the man who is to shoot me in case I fail to shoot the President,"
+said Chester cheerfully.
+
+"Hadn't we better have him thrown into a cell?"
+
+"No, sir. We have agreed that it is not right to shoot the President, and
+I am sure that we can count on his help should we need it. It is likely
+to be valuable."
+
+"Well," said the general, sinking into a chair and motioning the others
+to seats, "tell me all about it; and where, by the way, is your friend?"
+
+"He is trailing Duval, sir."
+
+"Good! Now, let's have the story."
+
+Chester put the facts before the military governor as clearly and
+concisely as possible, and when he had concluded General Gallieni jumped
+to his feet.
+
+"We must act at once!" he exclaimed, and pulled the telephone toward him.
+
+"But not with too great haste, General," protested Chester, also rising.
+"We must first decide upon a plan."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked the general.
+
+"Why," said Chester, "if we hope to capture Duval--who will be on hand
+to-morrow, and who is likely to shoot the President himself--we must
+figure out the best means of doing so."
+
+"I shall have the President cancel his engagement."
+
+"That," said Chester, "might only delay the assassination."
+
+"What would you suggest?"
+
+Chester was silent for some minutes before he replied:
+
+"If the President doesn't make his address to-morrow, his life probably
+will be attempted the next day or the next. If he does speak, Duval is
+sure to be on hand. Jean and I must be in the crowd, so that Duval may
+see us; for, if we are not there, Duval may suspect treachery and shoot
+the President himself.
+
+"Seeing us there, however, Duval will take no action himself. As the
+President's speech progresses, Duval will be waiting for me to fire. He
+will be continually thinking that I will do so in another moment.
+
+"Now, I should say that this is the best way: Let the President cut his
+speech short, say to three minutes. The moment he ceases speaking, rush a
+heavy guard between him and the crowd and have him stoop immediately
+behind them. Realizing that the plot has failed, Duval may not fire; but,
+in the event that he does, we shall probably be able to spot him and get
+him before he can escape."
+
+General Gallieni spent some minutes considering the feasibility of this
+plan. Finally he said:
+
+"If we only knew Duval by sight, we could avoid all this by seizing him
+there before the Palace."
+
+"The trouble is we don't," replied Chester dryly.
+
+General Gallieni turned to Jean.
+
+"Do you know Duval by sight?" he asked.
+
+"I have never seen his face, sir," was the reply. "He has never appeared
+before us without his mask."
+
+"Well, then," said General Gallieni, "we shall have to do the best we
+can. Now, you two go into the next room and get some sleep. I'll get the
+Prime Minister and explain the matter to him and to the President, that
+we may all act in accord."
+
+Chester saluted the general, and, followed by Jean, made his way into the
+adjoining room, while the general proceeded to get busy on the telephone.
+
+Chester turned to Jean and clapped him heartily on the back.
+
+"Isn't this better than attempting to assassinate the President?" he
+asked.
+
+Jean smiled back at him.
+
+"It is," he said quietly. "And you may count upon me to the limit."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Chester. "I knew it."
+
+He threw himself upon a little cot and was soon fast asleep. Jean
+followed his example.
+
+Daylight was streaming into the room through the large French windows
+when Chester was aroused by a hand on his arm. The lad was upon his feet
+in an instant and faced General Gallieni. Immediately he turned and
+aroused Jean, who was still sleeping heavily.
+
+"All is in readiness," said General Gallieni. "The President and the
+Prime Minister have been apprised of the plan, and it is to be acted upon
+as you suggested."
+
+Chester produced his watch and glanced at it.
+
+"Half-past ten," he said. He turned to the general. "Have you had any
+word from Hal?"
+
+"Who?"
+
+"Hal--Lieutenant Paine."
+
+"No."
+
+"By Jove!" said Chester. "I hope he hasn't gotten into any trouble."
+
+Eleven o'clock came, and still no word from Hal.
+
+At 11:15 Chester and Jean left the Hotel de Ville and made their way
+toward the Palace. A great crowd had already assembled when they arrived,
+and they had some difficulty in pushing their way through, so that they
+might get as close as possible to the spot where the President was to
+stand while delivering his address.
+
+By the dint of hard shoving and pushing, and the use of their elbows,
+however, they were finally successful, and came to a pause near the
+foot of the steps, in the very first line of spectators. Beyond was
+drawn up an armed guard of perhaps a hundred soldiers. No one could
+approach closer.
+
+Chester turned and surveyed the crowd. He thought it possible that Hal
+might be there some place, but, scan the faces as he would, he could see
+no sign of his chum.
+
+The crowd was good-natured, and the people jostled and pushed and shoved
+each other jokingly.
+
+Chester scanned the crowd once more, seeking to determine the figure of
+Duval, the Apache chief. Several times he thought he recognized the man
+by his peculiar build, but in each case he soon found another that looked
+just the same in the crowd.
+
+Jean also, at Chester's request, had put his keen eyes to the test; but
+he was no more fortunate. However, both realized that, some place in that
+crowd Duval had his eyes on them.
+
+In the distance came the faint sound of a bell, as a clock chimed the
+first stroke of the hour of noon; and, with the last stroke, the
+President of France appeared upon the steps of the palace.
+
+A great roar of applause went up from the crowd and continued for fully
+five minutes; nor did it cease at once as the President advanced to the
+very edge of the uppermost step and raised a hand for silence.
+
+Then, gradually, the sounds of tumult died down, and President Poincaré
+opened his mouth and began to speak.
+
+One, two, three minutes the President spoke, while all about reigned the
+silence of death; then, suddenly, at the expiration of the third minute,
+he stepped back suddenly, while at the same moment a long line of French
+soldiers stepped into place in front of him.
+
+From the edge of the crowd, at the side nearest Chester and Jean, the
+stillness was suddenly shattered by the sharp crack of an automatic, and
+a soldier who stood before the President of France toppled in his tracks.
+Another stepped into his place, and the President was safe.
+
+But, with the crack of the revolver the great crowd became a wild,
+howling mob. Shrieks, screams and cries of anger filled the air, and as a
+single man the crowd swooped upon the spot where a tall man with a
+smoking revolver in his hand was attempting to make his escape.
+
+Chester, who had been prepared for the shot, sprang forward upon the
+instant, with Jean but a step behind him. Through the crowd they were
+forced to fight their way, but eventually they came to the edge of it,
+only to find that Duval, for such they were sure the would-be assassin
+was, had fought his way out and fled.
+
+But, as the Apache chief ran, the crowd dashed after him. Chester now
+had his school days to thank for the fact that he was more fleet of
+foot than the others of the crowd. He passed them rapidly, as he ran
+after the flying figure of Duval, now at least 200 yards ahead of him
+down the street.
+
+The lad raised his revolver as he ran and fired. But Duval did not halt.
+Chester had missed.
+
+With the howling pack at his heels, and Chester gradually closing up the
+gap between them, Duval exerted himself to the utmost. Suddenly he
+turned into a narrow alley, where he halted. Chester, who was nearer
+than any of the others, dashed into the alley without slackening his
+speed, and, as he did so, Duval struck him a heavy blow in the face with
+the butt of his revolver.
+
+Immediately he turned and dashed forward again.
+
+Chester was not knocked unconscious by the force of the blow, but he
+reeled and fell to the ground. He was up in a moment, however, and with
+blood streaming from an ugly gash in his head, dashed after the fugitive
+once more.
+
+Gradually Duval and his pursuer outdistanced the rest of the crowd.
+Chester was near enough not to be thrown off the track, as Duval rounded
+corner after corner; and, try as he would to shake off his pursuer, Duval
+was unable to do so.
+
+At the next corner Duval darted into a little store, and out the other
+side, upsetting a group of men as he did so. Chester dashed in after him.
+
+But here he encountered an obstacle. The group of men upset by Duval rose
+to their feet, very angry. At the sight of a second running man, not
+realizing the seriousness of the chase, they lined up and stopped the
+lad's progress.
+
+Realizing it was no time for talk, Chester struck out right and left, and
+men dropped. But the rest closed in, and Chester went down. A heavy
+wrench was raised over his head and would have fallen on it.
+
+But a newcomer caught the upraised arm. Chester looked up. It was Hal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+HAL IN PERIL.
+
+
+Hal was unable to tell just what caused the great crash as, after
+releasing his hold on the window in the cellar of the house to which he
+had followed Duval he went down into space. His feet struck a projection
+of some kind, and the crash followed.
+
+The lad struck the floor in a heap. Although he felt sure that the crash
+must have aroused everyone in the house, he lay perfectly still,
+listening. Above he could hear the sounds of footsteps, and directly a
+door, which he judged to be the door into the cellar from above, opened.
+
+The head of Duval appeared in the doorway. In his hand he held a
+flashlight, and Hal could make him out plainly. A second face peered over
+his shoulder, and Hal recognized it instantly as that of the Apache's
+chief lieutenant, who had accosted them in the den.
+
+"What was it?" asked the lieutenant.
+
+"I don't see anything," was the reply.
+
+At that moment a furry shape calmly ascended the stairs and stopped at
+Duval's feet. It was a black cat, which stopped to lick his right paw.
+Duval stooped down and examined him. Then he arose with a laugh.
+
+"_Mon Dieu_!" he exclaimed. "It was the cat. He must have upset the jars
+of jelly and preserves. See, he is covered with it."
+
+"By Jove! This is luck," muttered Hal to himself. "The cat must have been
+sleeping among them when I knocked them down."
+
+He made no move, and directly the two men and the cat disappeared and the
+door closed with a bang.
+
+Hal waited a few minutes, and then arose slowly to his feet. While Duval
+had held the flashlight, the lad had taken in his surroundings, and now
+he cautiously approached where he knew the stairway to be. His
+outstretched hand touched the rail and his foot found the lowest step. He
+ascended silently.
+
+The knob turned under his hand, and the door swung back without even a
+creak. Inside was perfect blackness.
+
+Hal closed the door softly behind him and stole along what seemed to be a
+long hall. He went very slowly, and finally his outstretched hand touched
+an obstruction. He felt it over carefully, and his hand touched a knob.
+It was another door.
+
+Hal placed his ear to the floor and listened. There was no sound from
+beyond. He arose and tried the knob. The door opened and the light
+flashed into the lad's eyes, almost blinding him.
+
+He paused uncertainly, and then, not being accosted, stepped in and
+closed the door behind him. His eyes were used to the light by this time,
+and he looked quickly about him. He was in a bedroom.
+
+The sound of voices came from the room beyond and approaching
+footsteps. The lad looked quickly about for a place of concealment, and
+the best that offered itself was the bed. Under this he dived swiftly
+and silently.
+
+And none too soon. Duval and his lieutenant, followed by the black cat,
+came into the room, and sat down. Hal breathed silently.
+
+"Well," said Duval, "everything is fixed. The money will be paid to us
+to-morrow night. Then we can take a ship for America, where we can enjoy
+the luxuries it will bring us."
+
+"I'll be glad when it's all over," said his lieutenant. "This is ticklish
+business. You were lucky to get in with the Apaches."
+
+"Rather," drawled his chief. "My height and general appearance, together
+with the fact that the former chief always wore a mask, have served us
+well. I wonder what the Apaches would do to us if they knew how I
+disposed of their real chief?"
+
+His lieutenant laughed heartily.
+
+"It would be no laughing matter if they were to find it out," said Duval.
+
+"Perhaps not; still it is funny," was the reply.
+
+The black cat jumped into Duval's lap, and he stroked it and talked to
+it. Then the animal began to claw at him.
+
+"What's the matter, kitty?" asked Duval.
+
+The animal cried and continued to claw at him.
+
+"He wants to get down," said the other.
+
+Duval released his hold on the cat, which immediately jumped to the floor
+and walked under the bed, to where Hal lay. The lad saw the animal
+coming, and reached out a friendly hand, thinking to keep it quiet.
+
+But the cat's back bristled. Its tail grew to huge proportions, and it
+snarled and spat at him angrily.
+
+"What do you suppose is the matter with the cat?" asked Duval.
+
+"Sounds like he had found a dog under the bed," was the reply.
+
+The hissing and snarling continued.
+
+"Something wrong," said Duval. "Might as well have a look."
+
+He dropped to his knees and peered under the bed, to where Hal was now
+defending himself against the attacks of the cat, which was striking at
+him with his sharp claws.
+
+"See anything?" asked Duval's lieutenant.
+
+"Man under the bed," replied Duval quietly. "Get out your gun and get on
+the other side of the bed."
+
+His lieutenant obeyed with alacrity, and each, with a revolver in his
+hand, looked cautiously under the bed. Then Duval stretched forth a hand
+and, seizing the cat by the tail, dragged it forth. At the same time he
+called out:
+
+"Come out from under there!"
+
+Hal saw that resistance, between two fires as he was, would be useless.
+
+"All right," he called back.
+
+He crawled forth slowly, but before he emerged he drew his two revolvers
+from his pocket and dropped them beneath the bed. He was thoughtful
+enough to realize that, should he manage to regain his freedom, the guns
+under the bed would come in handy.
+
+The lad got slowly to his feet and faced the two criminals.
+
+Both started back in surprise at sight of his face. They recognized him
+immediately.
+
+"Choteau!" cried Duval.
+
+His lieutenant also exclaimed aloud.
+
+"What are you doing here?" demanded the Apache chief sternly.
+
+"I just wanted to see where you lived," replied Hal quietly.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Well, there has been so much talk about you, your being a gentleman, and
+all that, that I wanted to satisfy my curiosity."
+
+"Well, your curiosity is satisfied. What now?"
+
+"Nothing," said Hal briefly.
+
+"I suppose you know," said Duval, "that now you have seen me without my
+mask you will never leave this house alive."
+
+"I suppose that is your idea," said Hal.
+
+"You'll find that I have the right idea."
+
+"Tell us your real object in coming here," said Duval's lieutenant.
+
+"I have told you," replied Hal.
+
+"That," said the lieutenant, "is a lie. It's too absurd. I guess I'll
+search you."
+
+He proceeded to do so while Duval kept Hal covered. There was not much to
+be found--but one thing that Hal feared he would discover and which he
+realized he should have dropped with the revolvers under the bed.
+
+His searcher found it, drew it forth, and, with an exclamation of
+triumph, held it up for Duval to see.
+
+It was the police whistle General Gallieni had given him.
+
+"So!" he exclaimed. "A police spy, eh! I thought so."
+
+Hal shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Well, you have me," he said. "What are you going to do with me?"
+
+The two men laughed.
+
+"I guess you won't be as much surprised at what we are going to do as the
+manner in which we are going to do it," replied Duval, with an evil leer.
+
+"How?" asked his lieutenant. "Water?"
+
+"Right," was his chief's reply. He turned to Hal. "This house," he
+explained, "is on the very bank of the River Seine. Perhaps you have
+skirmished about in the rear?"
+
+Hal shook his head negatively.
+
+"Well, such is the case. In the cellar is a neat little room of four
+solid walls--no windows. There is a slight crack at the bottom, and
+through this, by a contrivance of my own, I can let in the waters of
+the river. The door is solid, and, once locked in, you cannot get
+out. I believe that this is a fitting death for a police spy. What do
+you think?"
+
+Again Hal shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"One way is as good as another," he said briefly. Duval turned to his
+companion with a laugh.
+
+"Quite a brave man we have here, eh?"
+
+"Quite," returned the other. "However, I guess he'll change his tune when
+the water gets up to his neck."
+
+"Right you are," was the reply. "But what do you say? Shall he not sup
+with us first?"
+
+"A good idea!" exclaimed his lieutenant.
+
+Hal had been thinking rapidly. The men still held their revolvers in
+their hands, but they no longer covered him. Taking advantage of this
+fact, Hal suddenly dived under the bed and his two automatics were once
+more in his hand.
+
+But the two men were after him in an instant. Before he could turn and
+bring his weapons to bear they had him covered, while Duval cried out:
+
+"Come out from there, or I'll put a hole through you."
+
+Hal realized that he could not hope to dispose of his two enemies, so
+quickly shoving the two revolvers into his clothes, he once more emerged
+and got to his feet.
+
+"What are you, an ostrich?" demanded Duval, with a slight smile. "Think
+if you get your head out of sight you are safe?"
+
+Hal made no reply, but he felt considerably more comfortable with his two
+automatics reposing safely at hand.
+
+"Well, we might as well give the doomed a little bite to hold him up,"
+said Duval, with a smirk. "You guard him now while I see what the pantry
+has to offer. Keep him covered with your gun, for he is desperate and may
+jump you."
+
+"I'll guard him, all right," was the reply.
+
+"Good! Of course, it is easy enough to shoot him, but I would rather have
+him swim a while first."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+FIGHT AND ESCAPE.
+
+
+Duval returned a few moments later with sandwiches and milk, which he
+placed upon a table at one side of the room. He drew up three chairs and
+motioned the other two to seats. Then, with his revolver upon the table
+near him, he sat down himself.
+
+"Don't stand on ceremony," he said to Hal. "This will be your last meal
+on earth, so you may as well make the most of it. Pitch in."
+
+"Thanks," replied Hal, showing no sign of fear.
+
+He picked up a sandwich and proceeded to eat it with apparent relish.
+
+Light now filtered through a window at the far end of the room. Duval
+glanced at his watch.
+
+"Mon Dieu!" he exclaimed. "I had no idea it was so late."
+
+"What time is it?" asked Hal calmly.
+
+"I can't see as it makes any difference to you," said Duval, with an evil
+leer. "You are not going any place. However, I'll tell you. It is now
+just ten minutes past eight."
+
+Hal did not reply, and proceeded to finish his sandwich.
+
+Finally, all the food having disappeared, Duval pushed back his chair and
+produced three cigars, one of which he offered to Hal and the other to
+his lieutenant.
+
+"I don't smoke," said Hal; "thanks all the same."
+
+"Suit yourself," replied Duval. "However, you may as well make yourself
+comfortable while we enjoy our cigars."
+
+He puffed luxuriously, as did the other.
+
+Hal also leaned back in his chair. He chafed under this restraint, but he
+realized that it would be foolish to make an effort to escape under the
+very mouths of his two captors' guns. Nevertheless, he was ready to take
+advantage of the first opportunity that should offer itself.
+
+But none came.
+
+Duval and his lieutenant, having disposed of their cigars, arose.
+The former, poking the muzzle of his revolver close to Hal's head,
+said sharply:
+
+"Get up, now, and walk ahead of us. No tricks!"
+
+Hal did as ordered, and, with the Apache chief's revolver prodding him
+in the back, left the room. At a command he went down the stairs to
+the basement.
+
+"Turn to the right," instructed Duval.
+
+Hal obeyed. At the far end of the cellar they came to a little room.
+Duval motioned Hal into it and followed himself, as did his lieutenant.
+The latter now kept Hal covered, while Duval tapped the walls with the
+butt of his revolver.
+
+"Perfectly solid, you see," he said to Hal.
+
+"I see," replied Hal.
+
+Duval struck the open door several resounding blows.
+
+"Also perfectly solid," he remarked. "If you had a gun now you
+might possibly blow the lock off, but, as you haven't, you will be
+safe enough."
+
+He turned to his aide.
+
+"You are sure he was not armed?"
+
+"Sure. I searched him carefully."
+
+"All right. Then there is no need to search him again."
+
+With his revolver he covered the lad while he backed from the
+little room.
+
+"Good-by," he said, and jumping out quickly, slammed the door closed.
+
+"Good-by," Hal called after him, without a tremor.
+
+"When the water begins to rise," shouted Duval, through the door, "you
+may lose some of your nerve. I'd like to stay and hear you cry for mercy,
+but I have other work to do. However, my friend here will stay in the
+house, and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't hear you upstairs."
+
+To this Hal made no reply.
+
+He now turned his attention to an examination of the room in which he
+was confined. The walls rose on all sides to a height of perhaps
+fifteen feet. This he had perceived while the door stood open, but
+inside now it was perfectly dark, except for a tiny stream of light
+that filtered in from below the walls, which failed to reach the floor
+by less than an inch.
+
+The lad felt the walls carefully with his hands. They were perfectly
+smooth. He placed his fingers on the floor. It was dry.
+
+He stood silent for some moments and then, becoming conscious of a
+strange sound, he again touched the floor with his fingers. They came
+away wet. Water was slowly trickling into the room.
+
+The room was very small, and Hal realized that it would not take it long
+to fill. Therefore he decided on instant action.
+
+When Duval, before leaving the lad to his fate, had mentioned revolvers,
+Hal had feared for the moment that he might be searched anew; but, when
+Duval had said a second search was not necessary, the lad breathed
+easier. His reference to blowing away the lock had not been lost on Hal,
+but the lad had already thought of that.
+
+"Well," he said to himself, "the sooner I act the better. If Duval has
+left the house already I shall have but one to deal with. If I wait until
+I am sure he has gone, I shall probably be drowned. Here goes!"
+
+Quickly he produced his pair of automatics, and, running his hand over
+the door, found the lock. He placed the muzzle of one automatic right up
+against it, and holding the other in his other hand, ready for instant
+use should he encounter a foe on the opposite side, fired.
+
+In the narrow room the shot sounded like an explosion of a cannon, and
+the force of it shook the lad from head to toe. Smoke filled the little
+aperture, strangling him. He pressed his weight against the door. It did
+not yield. Something had gone wrong.
+
+Again he placed his revolver against the lock, and fired quickly twice,
+and then hurled his weight against the door. It gave way before him, and
+the lad staggered from the smoke into the damp but fresher air of the
+open cellar.
+
+There, inhaling great breaths of air the while, he listened for the sound
+of his enemies. Not a sound was to be heard. The lad reasoned this out
+for himself.
+
+"The shots were probably muffled within," he said. "I doubt if they could
+have been heard very far. Now to get out!"
+
+He made his way to the end of the cellar where he had entered in the
+night, and finally came upon the little window. Then he gave vent to an
+exclamation of dismay.
+
+"Great Scott!" he cried. "I can't reach it!"
+
+It was true. The window was so high above the ground that there was no
+way in which the lad could secure so much as a finger-hold. He looked
+around for some object upon which to stand, but he could find none.
+
+"Well, I'll have to go out through the house," he told himself. "There is
+no help for it."
+
+Slowly and silently he climbed the steps once more, and as silently
+opened the door. There was light in the hall, and the boy could make out
+which way to go. He turned toward the room in which he had been taken
+prisoner and entered softly.
+
+There, stretched out on the bed, was the Apache chief's lieutenant. Duval
+himself was not to be seen.
+
+Hal, with revolver ready, tiptoed into the room. He saw a revolver on the
+little table, and muttered to himself:
+
+"Careless of him."
+
+At that moment the man on the bed turned and slowly opened his eyes. A
+cry of terror escaped him, as his gaze rested upon Hal, whom he was
+morally certain was in a living tomb in the cellar.
+
+"Ghost, go away!" he exclaimed.
+
+Hal laughed loudly, and it was no ghost laugh, either. The man in the
+bed sat up.
+
+"How did you get out of there?" he demanded, as if it were the most
+momentous question in the world.
+
+"I blew the lock off the door," replied Hal calmly.
+
+"But your gun? You had no gun."
+
+"Oh, yes, I had," smiled Hal. "I had two of 'em, and I've got 'em
+yet. See?"
+
+He pointed both straight at the head of his late captor.
+
+"Now," he said quietly, "get up and get out of there."
+
+"What are you going to do with me?" asked the man in alarm.
+
+"Deliver you into the care of General Gallieni."
+
+The Apache lieutenant slowly moved toward the edge of the bed and Hal
+lowered his weapons. This act almost proved the lad's undoing.
+
+A second revolver suddenly flashed in the hand of the man in the bed, and
+he cried in a stern voice:
+
+"Hands up!"
+
+Hal, taken absolutely by surprise, could do nothing but obey.
+
+"You see the tables are turned again," said the man in the bed
+pleasantly. "You should always remember that a man may keep one of his
+revolvers under his pillow."
+
+Hal was crestfallen, and he showed it plainly. However, he still held his
+own weapons in his upraised hands, and he had no mind to release the
+weapons if there was any way in which he could avoid it.
+
+"Put those guns on the table, and be quick about it," ordered his enemy
+and slipped from the bed to the floor.
+
+Hal advanced slowly toward the table, and laid down the revolver he held
+in his right hand. The man in the bed took a step toward him. It was the
+moment for which the lad had been waiting and he acted instantly.
+
+Slowly his weapon came down, and then it suddenly flashed in the Apache's
+face as the lad's hand pressed the trigger.
+
+A miss was impossible. Hal had made up his mind that he would trifle with
+his opponent no longer. He realized fully that his own life depended upon
+his getting the upper hand and that it was no time to be squeamish.
+
+Accordingly, when the opportunity presented itself, he fired pointblank
+in his opponent's face. The latter threw up his hands, gave out a single
+loud scream of pain, and toppled backward to the floor in a heap.
+
+Hal bent over him. "Dead," he said simply. "Now to get out of this."
+
+He left the house and made his way with all speed toward the Hotel de
+Ville. But he had not gone a block when he beheld, in a little store he
+was passing, a scene of confusion. The lad stopped and peered in. He made
+out Chester's figure and, instantly realizing his danger, dashed forward.
+
+He arrived just in time to catch an uplifted arm that would have crushed
+Chester's head with a heavy wrench.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+THE DEATH OF DUVAL.
+
+
+"What's going on here?" cried Hal angrily, as he twisted sharply on the
+upraised arm.
+
+The man who held the wrench writhed in pain beneath the lad's strong
+fingers and he dropped the wrench and turned on Hal angrily.
+
+"What business is it of yours?" he demanded.
+
+"I've made it my business," said Hal. "He is a friend of mine."
+
+Unmindful of the threatening gestures of the others, he stooped and
+gently lifted Chester's head. The latter was not badly hurt, and he was
+soon upon his feet.
+
+"Where did he go?" he cried excitedly.
+
+"Where did who go?" asked Hal.
+
+"Duval--the man I was chasing. He attempted to assassinate the
+President."
+
+A cry of surprise went up from those surrounding the two lads, and they
+pressed forward with eager questions. No longer were they enemies of the
+two lads. Word that an attempt had been made on the life of the President
+caused them to forget other troubles.
+
+"He went that way," said one of them, pointing.
+
+"After him," cried another, and the crowd dashed forward. Others of
+the mob that had given chase arrived by this time and also continued
+the chase.
+
+"There is no use running after him," said Hal, as Chester also would have
+continued the pursuit.
+
+"But we must get him!"
+
+"I have an idea that I shall be able to find him," said Hal quietly.
+
+"You know where he is?"
+
+"I think I know where he will seek refuge."
+
+Quickly he related his experiences to Chester.
+
+"Come on, then," cried the latter eagerly. "Let's get away before he gets
+back, finds his friend dead and leaves the house."
+
+The lads hurried forward and, by going directly toward the house, arrived
+there before the first of the crowd came into view.
+
+Even as Hal had expected, Duval, believing that he had eluded his
+pursuers, made a detour and entered his home from a side entrance. From
+an upper window, a few moments later, he saw the first of the crowd. They
+had no idea he was in the house and went dashing by. He did not see the
+forms of the two lads across the street.
+
+"I guess I'm safe enough for a while," he said to himself.
+
+He made his way toward the bedroom, where he surmised his lieutenant
+would be sleeping. He entered the room, took a single look and
+staggered back.
+
+His eyes had fallen upon the inert body of his aide.
+
+Quickly he bent over him and felt his pulse.
+
+"Dead!" he exclaimed.
+
+He stood silent, struck by a sudden thought. Quickly he descended the
+steps into the cellar and approached the room where Hal had been left to
+die. The door was open and water trickled from within.
+
+Duval uttered no word but, turning quickly, dashed up the steps. Once
+more he looked from the window, and the first figures upon which his eyes
+rested were Hal and Chester.
+
+The boys, in the meantime, had halted the mad crowd and briefly explained
+that the object of their search was in the house. They were engaged in
+this occupation when Duval peered from the window the second time.
+
+The Apache chief smiled grimly to himself. He produced his automatic and
+aimed at the two lads. His finger tightened on the trigger.
+
+"Crack!"
+
+Hal's cap seemed to leap from his head, and instinctively all of the
+crowd ducked. Then, with a terrible roar, they charged straight at
+the house.
+
+But Duval, standing in an upper window, emptied one automatic into the
+howling mob and then another.
+
+The crowd drew back.
+
+While all this was going on, Hal had led Chester to the window leading
+into the basement, and silently the lads lowered themselves through it.
+Then, as the mob raged without, they made their way up the steps, through
+the hall, and up a second flight.
+
+There, at the head of the stairs, they paused. Before them were two
+rooms, and they were not certain in which the Apache chief had
+taken refuge.
+
+"You take the one on the right, Chester," whispered Hal.
+
+Chester nodded and they advanced, Chester toward the door on the right
+and Hal toward the one on the left. They opened the doors upon the
+same instant.
+
+But Duval had heard sounds in the hall, and his quick wit had detected
+the ruse. Therefore, when the lads flung open the doors, there was no one
+to be seen in either room. They turned and stared at each other blankly,
+and as they did so a bullet whistled between them.
+
+Duval, stepping from behind the door where he had been concealed, had
+opened fire on them.
+
+"Down!" cried Chester, and dropped to the floor.
+
+Hal followed suit.
+
+Both raised their weapons, but Duval was not in sight, so they did not
+fire. Slowly they got to their feet again, and dashed into the room where
+they now knew the Apache chief to be.
+
+Hal went first. As he cleared the doorway, he was met by Duval himself,
+who, with the butt of his revolver, dealt the lad a heavy blow on the
+head. Hal fell like a log.
+
+But Chester had been right at Hal's heels and before Duval could raise
+his weapon to fire, or bring it down on the lad's head, Chester had
+clinched with him.
+
+With his two arms beneath those of the Apache chief, Chester brought them
+up, and, reaching over his shoulder, clasped hands under Duval's chin.
+
+But Duval was a powerful man, and broke this hold with ease, even as the
+lad exerted his utmost strength in an attempt to strangle his opponent.
+
+Chester staggered back, but rushed into another clinch as Duval raised
+his revolver. Ducking, Chester drove his fist to his opponent's chin,
+even as the latter pressed the trigger. The bullet whistled harmlessly
+over his head.
+
+With a quick, upward stroke of his left arm, Chester sent his enemy's
+revolver spinning through the air. Deprived of this weapon, Duval sought
+to bring his greater strength to bear and overpower the lad.
+
+Chester realized that in strength he was no match for Duval, and
+knew that what he lacked in this respect he must make up in agility
+and cunning.
+
+Therefore, he slipped from his opponent's grasp, and, sidestepping,
+struck Duval a stinging blow just above the right ear. Duval staggered
+back, then came forward with a cry of rage.
+
+The Apache chief realized the need of haste, for he could already
+distinguish the sound of heavy footsteps in the hall below. He hoped, by
+freeing himself from Chester, who had now grappled with him again, that
+he could gain a moment's advantage, jump into the next room, dash through
+the hall and descend by the rear before the crowd came upon him.
+
+Accordingly, he exerted himself to his utmost, and Chester gave ground.
+Then the lad stepped suddenly backward, and Duval staggered headlong.
+Before he could recover his balance, Chester, getting a good start,
+hurled himself forward as he had been wont to do on the football
+field--but not in a tackle--and Duval, unable to entirely recover
+himself, found himself being pushed rapidly across the room.
+
+In vain did he strike out at the lad with his one free arm. His blows
+fell short. Chester, with lowered head, continued to push, and Duval was
+unable to check this impetus.
+
+Straight back and back the Apache chief was forced. Then his legs came
+into contact with something that caused him to cry out in despair. This
+something was the edge of the low window, and Duval realized in an
+instant that he was on the threshold of death.
+
+But his cry came too late, and it is doubtful if Chester, thoroughly
+aroused as he was, would have released his victim anyhow. There was a
+sound of cracking glass, as Duval's head was forced against the
+window pane, and Chester, hearing it, released his hold and stepped
+back quickly.
+
+And the lad stepped back none too soon. Another foot forward, and he,
+too, would have gone hurtling through the window to the street.
+
+There was a screeching cry as Duval crashed head foremost through the
+window and went tumbling to the street below. He struck head first upon
+the hard sidewalk, crushing his skull; while a shower of glass crashed
+tinkling about him.
+
+Immediately the crowd below surged about him, striking with weapons of
+all kinds at his defenseless body. Some even jumped and trampled upon it.
+
+At this moment, from around a corner came a troop of cavalry, attracted
+by the news that the would-be assassin of the President had been
+cornered--for news of this kind travels swiftly--and now they rushed to
+the body of Duval, as eager to protect him as a moment ago they would
+have been to slay him.
+
+The crowd, with growls and shouted threats, drew off.
+
+Upstairs Chester bent over the prostrate form of Hal and gently raised
+his chum's head to his knee. Slowly the lad opened his eyes.
+
+"How do you feel, old man?" asked Chester.
+
+Hal passed his hand over his head.
+
+"Somewhat dizzy," he replied, "but where is Duval?"
+
+"Dead, I guess," said Chester, "I tumbled him out the window on
+his head."
+
+"Good! Am I hurt much?"
+
+"No; the blow didn't even break the skin, but it has raised a pretty
+sizable bump on your head."
+
+"All right, then. Help me up."
+
+Chester lent a supporting arm, and Hal scrambled to his feet, where he
+swayed dizzily for a few seconds. Then the dizziness passed, and he
+walked toward the door with Chester.
+
+Just as they were about to leave the room they stepped back to allow a
+newcomer to enter. The newcomer was General Gallieni, and he advanced
+with outstretched hands.
+
+"You lads have proved your worth," he said, seizing each warmly by the
+hand. "And now, if you will lead us to the den of the Apache
+conspirators, your work will be finished."
+
+"All right, General, follow us," said Chester.
+
+He led the way downstairs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+THE END OF THE TRAIL.
+
+
+Hal, still somewhat dizzy, followed close upon the heels of his friend,
+and behind him came General Gallieni. In the street, at a command from
+the general, the lads halted, and the military governor dispatched an
+aide to summon a squad of cavalry.
+
+"We might as well do this right," he remarked to the lads.
+
+Ten minutes later the squad appeared, and the general, mounting his own
+horse, which had been standing by, placed himself at their head. Then he
+motioned the lads to climb up before two of the soldiers and point out
+the way to the den.
+
+This the lads did, and soon the squad was trotting briskly along
+the streets.
+
+Some distance from the rendezvous Hal called a halt, and jumped lightly
+to the ground. Chester and General Gallieni also dismounted.
+
+"I believe it would be a good idea for my friend and I to go first," said
+Hal to the general. "We are still in our Apache togs. One of your men can
+come with us, so as to be able to point out the way. Then he can return
+and bring you. In the meantime we can see that the door is left open."
+
+General Gallieni assented to this plan, and Hal, Chester and one soldier
+made their way forward.
+
+Hal recognized the little frame house at once, but just as he was
+about to enter a figure stole softly across the street and took
+Chester by the arm.
+
+It was Jean.
+
+"You won't be able to open the door in the passageway," he said in
+a low tone.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "How do you happen to be here?"
+
+"I expected that there would be a raid," was the reply, "and I came to
+help you. You had better let me take the lead."
+
+"All right," said Chester, and he explained the situation to Hal.
+
+Jean now took the lead, and they entered the house. Once more they
+traversed the dark passageway, and Jean opened the door in the dark and
+led the way to the room beyond. Here Hal motioned for the soldier to
+return and bring the others--the door had been left open--and the trooper
+hurried away.
+
+Hal approached the room and knocked sharply on the door--three light
+taps, followed by one loud tap. There came to their ears the sound of a
+scraping chair, the door was unbarred and unbolted, and Georges peered
+through. He recognized the three figures in the passageway, and threw
+wide the door.
+
+"Successful?" he asked eagerly as the three entered.
+
+"Yes," said Chester briefly.
+
+"_Bien_!"
+
+The others in the room, of whom there were perhaps fifty, also crowded
+around and patted Chester and Jean on the back, profuse in their
+congratulations.
+
+The three sat down at the table, where Chester, in response to Georges'
+request, began an account of the supposed assassination.
+
+"I suppose the chief will soon be here," he broke off to say.
+
+"And then," said Georges, rubbing his hands, "we shall receive our gold.
+Did you see the chief in the crowd?"
+
+"Yes; he was there, all right," said Chester.
+
+Now came to Chester's ears the sound of stealthy footsteps in the
+passageway beyond the door, which Georges had barred and bolted
+immediately they had entered. The lad got nonchalantly to his feet and
+walked slowly toward the door.
+
+Hal and Jean also had heard the sound of footsteps, and they now ranged
+themselves on either side of Chester.
+
+Suddenly the revolvers of all three flashed out and covered the crowd of
+Apaches, as Chester's voice rang out sternly:
+
+"Throw up your hands, all of you!"
+
+Taken completely by surprise, the Apaches obeyed.
+
+Without lowering his weapons, Chester called to Jean:
+
+"Open the door!"
+
+Jean sprang to obey, and as he did so the Apaches, realizing that they
+were trapped, sprang toward the two lads with cries of rage. Right in the
+face of the muzzles of the four automatics they came on.
+
+"Halt, or we fire!" cried Chester.
+
+Jean was struggling nervously with the door.
+
+The Apaches paid no heed to the lad's cry.
+
+"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!"
+
+The automatics of both lads spoke four times in rapid succession, and as
+many men fell to the floor. For a moment the Apaches fell back. In this
+moment Jean swung wide the door, and, picking up his revolver, rushed to
+the side of the two lads, while through the door streamed, one after
+another, the squad of French cavalrymen.
+
+Some of the Apaches now produced revolvers and fired wildly at the
+approaching soldiers, and these, leveling their rifles, returned the
+fire.
+
+Immediately the den became a scene of tumult. Wounded men screamed and
+others gave vent to their rage with fierce cries. Revolvers and rifles
+flashed on all sides.
+
+Hal and Chester, immediately the firing had begun, had dropped to their
+knees, and so, as they still poured lead into the Apaches, the bullets of
+the latter went over their heads. Jean, however, was not so fortunate.
+
+Realizing that there must have been treachery some place, Georges had
+naturally come to the conclusion that Jean was responsible for it, and
+had singled the little man out as his own particular mark. Paying no heed
+to the fighting that raged about him, he took careful aim and fired.
+
+Jean gave a single cry, threw up his hands and fell squarely between Hal
+and Chester.
+
+But the fight could have but one outcome. Outnumbered two to one, the
+Apaches were fighting a losing struggle. Half of their number lay dead on
+the floor, and many others were nursing serious wounds. As suddenly as it
+had begun, the fighting ceased, and the Apaches still on their feet
+raised their hands in the air.
+
+Immediately the soldiers advanced on them and made them prisoners. Each
+was bound securely and hustled out of the door.
+
+Chester and Hal were not wounded. The former now bent over the body
+of Jean, in whom he saw there was still a spark of life. He lifted
+the little man's head gently, and, as he did so, Jean looked at him
+and spoke:
+
+"Well, they got me," he said quietly. "I thought they would."
+
+"You will be all right in a day or two, Jean," said Chester.
+
+"You can't fool me," was the reply. "I know when I am done for. But I am
+glad that, before my time came, you were able to put me on the right
+path. It is better to die thus."
+
+Chester did not reply. There was nothing he could say.
+
+Jean looked at him and smiled, then reached out his hand and clasped
+Chester's.
+
+"It's all right," he said, pressing the lad's hand; "but let me give you
+a word of warning. Do not let any of these Apaches know your real
+identity. Their arm is long and they never forgive. Good-by."
+
+He pressed the lad's hand, gave a single shudder and his grasp relaxed.
+Chester rose to his feet and turned to Hal.
+
+"He is dead," he said quietly.
+
+Leaving the body of Jean to be disposed of with the others, the lads made
+their way outside, to where General Gallieni stood. The latter greeted
+them with a smile.
+
+"Well, we have finished it up," he said cheerfully, "and thanks to you
+two lads. I can see now why General Joffre has such confidence in you."
+
+The lads flushed with pleasure at this compliment, but neither replied.
+They merely bowed.
+
+"Now," said General Gallieni, "you shall come with me."
+
+"Where to, sir?" asked Chester.
+
+"Never mind," was the laughing rejoinder. "Mount two of those horses and
+follow me."
+
+Without further questions the lads obeyed, and, after half an hour's
+ride, found themselves before the Palace where so recently the attempt on
+the life of the President of France had been foiled.
+
+General Gallieni dismounted and motioned the lads to follow him, which
+they did, going up the steps and entering the Palace itself. Here General
+Gallieni gave his name to an attendant. The latter disappeared, but
+returned a few moments later and bowed.
+
+General Gallieni, closely followed by Hal and Chester, passed within the
+next room. There a man in civilian attire, bearded and with flashing eye,
+advanced to meet them.
+
+"Allow me to present to you, sir," said General Gallieni, with a
+flourish, "Lieutenants Paine and Crawford, sir."
+
+Both lads bowed low, for the man who advanced toward them with
+outstretched hand was Raymond Poincaré, President of France.
+
+"I am greatly indebted to you boys," said the President, "for the aid you
+have rendered me; but I am still more indebted for the service you have
+rendered France."
+
+He spoke at length to the two lads, and finally informed them that
+they might withdraw, as he had matters of importance to discuss with
+General Gallieni.
+
+"Well," said Hal to Chester, when they were again on the outside, "what
+shall we do now?"
+
+"I guess we might as well hunt up our mothers," was Chester's reply.
+
+Accordingly they turned and hurried in the direction of the hotel where,
+the evening before, they had outwitted Uncle John.
+
+Uncle John was standing just inside the entrance of the hotel. He glanced
+at the lads as they entered, but, as they were still in their Apache
+togs, and were ragged and dirty, he did not recognize them. Chester
+approached him, and in a wheedling voice said:
+
+"Will you give a poor orphan lad a small piece of money, sir?"
+
+The hand of Uncle John, ever generous, immediately went into his pocket,
+and he placed a franc in the boy's hand.
+
+At that moment one of the hotel officials, perceiving the two dirty lads,
+and mistaking them for street urchins, approached.
+
+"Were these little beggars annoying you, sir?" he said to Uncle John.
+"I'll have them kicked into the street."
+
+"Oh, let them alone," said Uncle John, but the official, mumbling that it
+was against the rules of the hotel, summoned a porter and ordered him to
+throw the lads out.
+
+"Are you going to let them kick us out, Uncle John?" asked Chester,
+in English.
+
+Uncle John turned quickly, and walked straight up to him. Stooping he
+gazed searchingly into his face and then turned to Hal. With an
+exclamation he waved aside the porter and grasped each lad by the arm.
+
+"You young rascals!" he said. "Don't you know you have worried your
+mothers nearly to death. You'll come with me now."
+
+He led them to the elevator, and soon the two lads were once more in
+their mothers' arms.
+
+"Well," said Uncle John, when the greetings were over, "I don't think you
+will get away from us again. We'll sail for America at once."
+
+"I am afraid," said Chester slowly, "that we cannot go."
+
+"Cannot go? And why not, sir?"
+
+"Because," replied Chester, "I believe that Hal and I shall return
+immediately to the front, and rejoin General French and his heroic
+British troops."
+
+Both Mrs. Paine and Mrs. Crawford cried out in alarm, and Uncle John
+looked at the two lads with disappointment when Hal said:
+
+"Chester is right."
+
+But Uncle John was nothing if not a diplomat.
+
+"We won't discuss it now," he said, with a wave of his hand. "To-morrow
+we will talk the matter over."
+
+This suited all concerned.
+
+"And that decision having been reached," continued Uncle John, "let's all
+go down to dinner!"
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Allies in the Trenches
+by Clair Wallace Hayes
+
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+Project Gutenberg's The Boy Allies in the Trenches, by Clair Wallace Hayes
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Boy Allies in the Trenches
+       Midst Shot and Shell Along the Aisne
+
+Author: Clair Wallace Hayes
+
+Release Date: June 9, 2004 [EBook #12571]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY ALLIES IN THE TRENCHES ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+                      The Boy Allies In The Trenches
+
+                                   OR
+
+                   Midst Shot and Shell along the Aisne
+
+                            By CLAIR W. HAYES
+
+AUTHOR OF "The Boy Allies At Liege" "The Boy Allies On the Firing Line"
+"The Boy Allies With the Cossacks"
+
+                                  1915
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+WITH THE ARMY.
+
+
+"Well! Well! Well! If it isn't Lieutenant Paine and Lieutenant Crawford!"
+
+The speaker, none other than Field Marshal Sir John French,
+commander-in-chief of the British forces sent to help France hurl back
+the legions of the German invader, was greatly surprised by the
+appearance of the two lads before him.
+
+"I thought surely you had been killed," continued General French.
+
+"We are not to be killed so easily, sir," replied Hal Paine.
+
+"And where have you been?" demanded the General.
+
+"In Russia, sir," replied Chester Crawford, "where we were attached to a
+Cossack regiment, and where we saw considerable fighting."
+
+General French uttered an exclamation of astonishment.
+
+"How did you get there?" he asked. "And how did you return?"
+
+"Airship," was Hal's brief response, and he related their adventures
+since they had last seen their commander.
+
+Hal then tendered the General a despatch he carried from the Grand Duke
+Nicholas, commander-in-chief of all the Russian armies operating against
+the Germans in the eastern theater of war.
+
+"You shall serve on my staff," said General French finally.
+
+He summoned another officer and ordered that quarters be prepared for the
+two lads immediately.
+
+And while the two boys are getting themselves comfortably fixed it will
+be a good time to introduce the lads to such readers as have not made
+their acquaintance before.
+
+Hal Paine and Chester Crawford, two American lads, their ages being about
+18 and 19, had seen considerable service in the great European war--the
+greatest war of all time. They had been in Berlin when Germany had
+declared war upon Russia and France and with Hal's mother had attempted
+to make their way from that country. The mother had been successful; but
+Hal and Chester got into trouble and had been left behind.
+
+Fortunately, however, two young officers, Major Raoul Derevaux, a
+Frenchman, and Captain Harry Anderson, an Englishman, had come to their
+assistance--reciprocating a good turn done them by the two lads a day
+before--and together, after some difficulties, they succeeded in
+reaching Liege, Belgium, just in time to take part in its heroic defense
+against the first German hordes that violated the neutrality of the
+little buffer country.
+
+Both had distinguished themselves by their coolness and bravery under
+fire, and had found favor in the eyes of the Belgian commander, as
+related in "The Boy Allies at Liege." Later they had rendered themselves
+invaluable in carrying dispatches.
+
+Following their adventures in this campaign they saw service with the
+British forces on the continent, as told in "The Boy Allies on the Firing
+Line." In this campaign they had been instrumental in foiling a
+well-planned German coup, which would have resulted in a severe blow to
+the British had it been put through.
+
+Also, while scouting in the enemy's domain, Hal and Chester had unearthed
+a conspiracy that threatened the destruction of a whole French army
+corps. By prompt action the lads prevented this and won the
+congratulations of General Joffre, the French commander-in-chief.
+
+It was through information gleaned by the lads that the British army was
+finally able to surprise the enemy and advance to the east shore of the
+River Marne, after a struggle that had lasted for two weeks.
+
+In a battle following this decisive engagement--while returning from a
+successful raid--Captain Harry Anderson, who had accompanied them, was
+critically wounded and, together with Hal and Chester, taken prisoner.
+Hal and Chester, with a French army dog they had rescued from the wrath
+of a German officer, were taken almost immediately to Berlin.
+
+There, while strolling about the street one day in company with the
+German officer in whose charge they had been placed, they were made, to
+their surprise, the bearer of an important communication to the Russian
+commander-in-chief. It happened in this wise:
+
+An English prisoner, recognizing them, made a dash for liberty and
+succeeded in passing the document to Chester. The lad secreted it.
+Finally, through their resourcefulness, the lads managed to make their
+escape from the German capital and reached the Russian lines by means of
+an airship.
+
+Here they put the document into the hands of Grand Duke Nicholas, who, at
+their request, assigned them to a regiment of Cossacks.
+
+The lads immediately made a good friend of a huge Cossack, Alexis
+Verhoff, a man of immense prowess and great strength, and with him saw a
+world of fighting. In a battle with the enemy, Marquis, the dog who had
+accompanied them, was killed. Later, while they were making their way
+back to England by airship, Alexis, who accompanied them, was wounded on
+the coast of Sweden, where their machine, crippled by the fire of German
+aviators, had fallen.
+
+While Alexis stood off the foe the lads repaired the damage to the
+machine, but when they finally succeeded in dragging the huge Cossack
+aboard and once more headed toward home, they found that their friend was
+wounded unto death. He died as the aeroplane sped over the North Sea.
+
+In Russia both lads had been decorated with the Cross of St. George by
+the Czar of Russia himself--this for their bravery and daring.
+
+Hal and Chester were both exponents of the manly art of self-defense, and
+more than once their skill in the fistic art had stood them to good
+advantage. They were also proficient in the use of the revolver and
+sword. They had returned from Russia with a dispatch for Sir John French
+from the Russian Grand Duke, a message so important that the Russian
+commander-in-chief would not flash it by wireless for fear that it might
+be intercepted by the Germans, and the code deciphered.
+
+Hal and Chester went at once to the quarters assigned them, where they
+immediately threw themselves down to rest. They were tired out, as the
+journey had occupied days, and they had scarcely closed their eyes during
+that time. They had remained in England only long enough to have the body
+of Alexis buried with fitting honors, and had then set out for France
+immediately.
+
+It was dark when the two lads were aroused by the sound of a bugle
+blowing the call to arms. Both were quickly on their feet and dashed
+through the darkness to where they could make out the form of their
+commander, surrounded by other members of his staff.
+
+"Something up!" cried Hal as they hurried forward.
+
+"Probably a night attack," said Chester. "General French may be planning
+to carry some of the enemy's trenches by assault."
+
+"Guess you are right," replied Hal briefly.
+
+They took their places among the others of the British leader's staff and
+were received with nods of welcome and some expressions of astonishment.
+They had friends among the British officers, many of whom, because of
+their long absence, had mourned them as dead.
+
+The lads let their eyes roam about. Troops, troops, troops! Nothing but
+troops, as far as the eye could see. Cavalry, artillery and infantry in
+solid masses on every side; officers darting hither and thither
+delivering sharp orders. It was an impressive sight.
+
+An officer on horseback dashed up to General French and the two held a
+short conversation. As the rider turned and was about to make off again
+the lads recognized him.
+
+"Major Derevaux!" shouted Hal, taking a step forward.
+
+The officer wheeled in his saddle. He recognized the two lads in an
+instant, and reined in.
+
+"Hello, boys," he called back. "I heard you were dead. Glad to see
+you again."
+
+Without further words, but with a wave of his hand, the French officer
+put spurs to his horse and dashed out of sight in the darkness.
+
+"Wonder what he is doing here?" said Hal. "He was attached to General
+Joffre's staff when we left. Remember?"
+
+"Yes," replied Chester. "Must be some momentous move under way."
+
+Other officers now began to appear. They dashed up to the British
+commander, made their reports and immediately dashed away again.
+
+"Lieutenant Paine! Lieutenant Crawford!"
+
+It was General French summoning them and the boys approached and came to
+attention. Because of past experience, both lads realized instantly that
+the General had some ticklish work cut out and that he had selected them
+to carry it through.
+
+"Take a troop of cavalry," came the command, "and make a reconnoissance
+of the northeast!"
+
+Quickly two officers nearby sprang from their horses and offered them to
+the lads, for the latter had not yet had time to find steeds. The lads
+sprang into the saddle, saluted their commander, and dashed away. To the
+nearest cavalry force they hurried, where upon repeating General French's
+order to the commander, they soon had a troop at their disposal.
+
+A troop of cavalry is composed of one hundred men. It is usually
+commanded by a captain.
+
+Now it is very unusual for a commanding officer to have two lieutenants
+on his staff, as had General French in the persons of Hal and Chester;
+but the General had commissioned them as such on the spur of the moment,
+and when they took command of the troop they consequently, for the time,
+superseded the captain in command--for they were the personal
+representatives of the General himself.
+
+The two lads placed themselves at the head of the troop and rode forward
+at a rapid trot. Past dense masses of infantry, battery after battery of
+heavy artillery and troop upon troop of cavalry they rode toward the
+northeast.
+
+They were not yet at the front of the long battle line, for General
+French had his headquarters well back, but still close enough to be in
+constant danger from the enemy's artillery fire.
+
+From a trot the troop broke into a gallop, and soon were beyond the
+farthest trenches. Skirting this at the extreme north--close to the
+sea--they progressed still further toward the enemy. It was the boys'
+duty, if possible, to find out the position of the German forces at this
+point and to determine their numbers; also the strategic positions that
+could be used by either army.
+
+Now an order was given for the troop to spread out, and, leaving the
+road, the two lads led their men into the woods, where they could advance
+with less danger of being seen. They had not been ordered forward to give
+battle, and there would be no fighting unless it became necessary in
+order that their mission might be successful.
+
+But, as in most missions upon which the lads had been dispatched, there
+was to be fighting; and these British were not the men to turn their
+backs upon the enemy without giving them a warm reception.
+
+From the shelter of the sand dunes there came suddenly a fusillade. Two
+British troopers reeled in their saddles and tumbled to the ground.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+A BIT OF HISTORY.
+
+
+While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to
+meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few
+words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France
+and Belgium.
+
+The war had now been in progress for five months. From the time that the
+Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon
+Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed
+consistently, if slowly.
+
+The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great
+battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting
+had been terrific. Day after day, week after week, month after month the
+terrible struggle had raged incessantly. The losses of all four armies,
+German, British, French and Belgian, had been enormous, although, up to
+date, it was admitted that the Germans had suffered the worst.
+
+The conflict raged with advantage first to one side and then to the
+other. Assaults and counter-assaults were the order of the day. From
+Ostend, on the North Sea, now in the hands of the Germans, to the
+southern extremity of Alsace-Lorraine, the mighty hosts were locked in a
+death grapple; but, in spite of the fearful execution of the weapons of
+modern warfare, there had been no really decisive engagement. Neither
+side had suffered a severe blow.
+
+In the North the Allies were being given powerful aid by a strong British
+fleet, which hurled its shells upon the Germans infesting that region,
+thus checking at the same time the threatened advance of the Kaiser's
+legions upon Nieuport and Dunkirk, which the Germans planned to use as
+naval bases for air raids on England.
+
+The mighty siege and field guns of the Germans--which had been used
+with such telling effect upon Liege, Brussels, Antwerp and Ostend,
+battering the fortifications there to bits in practically no time at
+all--while immense in their power of destruction, were still not a
+match for the longer range guns mounted by the British battleships.
+Consequently, long-range artillery duels in the north had been all in
+favor of British arms.
+
+Terrific charges of the British troops, of whom there were now less than
+half a million--Scotch, Irish, Canadians and Indians included--on the
+continent, had driven the Germans from Dixmude, Ypres and Armentieres,
+captured earlier in the war. Ostend had been shelled by the British
+fleet, and a show of force had been made in that vicinity, causing the
+Germans to believe that the Allies would attempt to reoccupy this
+important seaport.
+
+Farther south the French also had met with some success. From
+within striking distance of Paris the invaders had been driven back
+to the Marne, and from the Marne to the northern and eastern shores
+of the Aisne.
+
+But here the German line held.
+
+The fighting along the Aisne, continuing without cessation, already had
+been the bloodiest in the history of wars; and here, the French on one
+side of the river, and the Germans on the other, the two great armies had
+proceeded to intrench, making themselves as comfortable as possible, and
+constructing huts and other substantial shelters against the icy hand of
+King Winter, who had come to rule over the battlefield.
+
+The French cabinet, which had fled from Paris to Bordeaux when the German
+army drew close to Paris, had returned to the former capital, and affairs
+of state were being conducted as before. With several millions of
+fighting men at the front, France still had an additional two million to
+hurl into the thick of the fray at the psychological moment.
+
+Recruiting in England, slow at first, was now beginning to be more
+satisfactory. Lord Kitchener had in the neighborhood of a million and a
+half men being trained and prepared for the rigors of war. These, also,
+would be hurled into the thick of the fight when the time was ripe.
+
+It was plainly evident, however, that the Allies were content to hold
+their present lines. There was little doubt that it was their plan to let
+the real fighting be held off till spring, when, by hurling an additional
+three million men into the field, they believed they could settle German
+militarism once and for all.
+
+Rumors of other countries joining in the great war grew more rife daily.
+Portugal already had given assurances that she would throw her army to
+the support of Great Britain should she be asked to do so. A great
+diplomatic _coup_--a great victory for British statesmanship--had cleared
+the way for the entrance of Rumania and Greece into the war on the side
+of the Allies. This _coup_ had been to gain from Bulgaria assurances that
+Bulgaria would not go to the support of Germany should Rumania and
+Greece take up arms.
+
+The Italian populace, also, was clamoring for war. In Rome demonstrations
+against Germany had become frequent and violent. It appeared to be only a
+question of time until Italy also would hurl her millions of trained
+fighting men into the field in support of the Allies.
+
+From Ostend the great battle line extended due south to Noyen, where
+it branched off to the southeast. South of Noyen French soil had
+been almost cleared of the Germans. Alsace had in turn been invaded
+by the French, who had penetrated to within twelve miles of
+Strasbourg. The French troops also had progressed to within eight
+miles of Metz, in Lorraine.
+
+The forward move by the southern army of France had been sudden, and the
+Germans had been forced to give way under the desperation and courage of
+the French troops.
+
+Once before, in the earlier days of the war, the French had reached Metz
+and Strasbourg, but had been hurled back by overwhelming numbers of the
+enemy and forced to retreat well into France. Then the German line in
+Alsace and Lorraine had been weakened to hurl denser masses of Germans
+upon the British and Belgians in the north.
+
+The French had not been slow to take advantage of this weakening of the
+southern army of the Kaiser, and, immediately bringing great pressure to
+bear, had cleared French territory of the invader in the south.
+
+But the French commander did not stop with this. Alsace and Lorraine,
+French soil until after the Franco-Prussian war, when it had been awarded
+to Prussia as the spoils of war, must be recaptured. The French pressed
+on and the Germans gave way before them.
+
+Meantime, in the Soissons region the French also had been making
+progress; but the Kaiser, evidently becoming alarmed by the great
+pressure being exercised by the French in Alsace-Lorraine--in order to
+relieve the pressure--immediately made a show of strength near Soissons,
+seeking thereby to cause the French to withdraw troops from
+Alsace-Lorraine to reenforce the army of the Soissons to stem the new
+German advance there.
+
+Taken somewhat unawares by the suddenness of the German assault upon
+their lines near Soissons, the French were forced to give back. They
+braced immediately, however, and the succeeding day regained the ground
+lost in the first German assault.
+
+Then the Germans made another show of strength at Verdun, southeast of
+Soissons. General Joffre immediately hurled a new force to the support of
+the French army at that point.
+
+Meanwhile, as the result of the German assaults upon Soissons and
+Verdun, in an effort to lessen the pressure being brought to bear by the
+French in Alsace-Lorraine, there had been a lull in the fighting in the
+latter regions.
+
+Word from the eastern theater of war brought the news that Russia had a
+new big army advancing upon the Germans in Poland from the east,
+threatening to outflank the army that had penetrated to within fifty
+miles of Warsaw, the capital and chief city of Poland. This, it was
+taken, would mean that Germany would either have to retreat within her
+own borders into East Prussia, or else that troops would have to be
+dispatched from the west to reenforce those in the east.
+
+In this event there was little doubt that General French and General
+Joffre would immediately order another allied advance along the
+entire front.
+
+News of the utter annihilation of three Turkish army corps in the
+Caucasus by the Russians also cheered the British, French and Belgian
+troops, as did news that the Russians had cleared the way for their
+long-deferred invasion of Hungary, and, ultimately, of Austria.
+
+So far, from the Allies' point of view, the one big disappointment of the
+war had been the inaction of the British and French fleets. True, several
+engagements of minor importance had been fought, chief of which was the
+sinking of a German fleet of five ships by a British squadron in the
+waters of the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Argentina.
+
+But the fact that the German fleet, although blockaded, after five months
+of the war had not been destroyed, was causing considerable adverse
+criticism in England and France. Several German sea raids--by cruisers
+and submarines which had successfully run the blockade--had caused
+condemnation of Great Britain's naval policy.
+
+In spite of the fact that only in one instance had such a raid resulted
+in any serious damage, the British Admiralty had been roundly censured.
+Germany's policy of "whittling down" the British fleet, so that the
+Germans could give battle on even terms, while by no means successful
+thus far, had nevertheless considerably reduced the size of the English
+navy. Some of her first-class cruisers, and one formidable dreadnought
+had been sunk.
+
+The French fleet in the Adriatic and in the Mediterranean had been
+equally as inactive, although a squadron of British and French ships even
+now was attempting to destroy the Turkish fortifications along the
+Dardanelles, that a passage of the straits might be forced. So far this,
+too, had been unsuccessful.
+
+The fighting in France and Belgium, Alsace and Lorraine had now become a
+series of battles for the possession of the various trenches that had
+been dug. True, long-range artillery duels raged almost incessantly, but
+the mass of both armies lay in the trenches, now attacking and capturing
+the enemy's trenches, now being attacked and being driven out again.
+
+Besides the artillery duels there were, of course, occasional skirmishes
+between the cavalry, some growing to the proportions of real battles. But
+the results of these had never been decisive. The mighty armies were
+gripped in a deadlock, and indications pointed to this deadlock being
+maintained until spring, when, with the disappearance of fierce
+snowstorms and the breaking up of the terrific cold, a decisive battle
+might be fought.
+
+This was the situation up to date, when Hal and Chester, with the troop
+of cavalry, set out on a reconnaissance of the enemy's position on the
+first day of January, 1915.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A SKIRMISH.
+
+
+Surprised at the sudden fusillade, Hal and Chester drew taut the reins
+with their left hands, pulling their horses back on their haunches, while
+with their right hands they drew their revolvers. Behind them the troop
+came to an abrupt stop.
+
+From the protection of the sand dunes then came a second volley, more
+deadly than the first, and four more British cavalrymen hit the ground.
+
+Hal and Chester were inactive no longer.
+
+"Forward!" cried Hal, and, setting spurs to his horse, he dashed forward,
+closely followed by Chester and his men.
+
+As the British charged, the small body of Germans--only slightly larger
+than the British force--broke from their places of concealment and fled.
+The British rode rapidly after them with loud cries.
+
+Before the enemy could scatter sufficiently to make good their escape,
+the British horsemen were upon them. Some turned to fight, and were shot
+down with revolver bullets, while others, who ran, were cut down by the
+heavy cavalry swords of the English.
+
+To the right a score of Germans, in a body, turned to fight it out.
+Toward these dashed Hal and Chester, followed by twenty men. Hal, as he
+rode, emptied his automatic at this little body of the enemy and
+Chester did likewise. Then, their weapons empty, they were upon them
+with drawn swords.
+
+A German revolver bullet struck Hal's horse and the animal fell; but by a
+quick leap Hal avoided being pinned under it, and hurled himself upon the
+enemy afoot. Quickly Chester checked his horse and springing to the
+ground dashed to his chum's side. The men behind them also dismounted and
+prepared to give battle afoot.
+
+The two lads hurled themselves at the enemy without stopping to think.
+Hal's sword struck up the weapon of a German officer, and before the
+latter could recover his poise, the lad had run him through. Chester
+disposed of a second officer equally as rapidly.
+
+From pursuit of the others, the rest of the troop had now returned and
+completely surrounded the little band of Germans. Hal lowered his sword,
+and, stepping back a pace, called upon the enemy to surrender.
+
+"Never!" came the reply, followed by the German battle-cry: "_Deutschland
+ueber alles_!"
+
+A revolver bullet tore a ragged hole through Hal's cap, and a second one
+passed just under his left arm.
+
+But now the revolvers of the Germans were all empty, and the fighting
+continued with swords alone.
+
+Into the very midst of the German squad the two lads hurled themselves.
+Cutting, slashing, parrying and thrusting, the Germans fought on
+doggedly. Now a man fell, then another, and still another, but still they
+would not yield until at last there were left but three. From these, at
+Hal's command, the British drew back to give them one more chance for
+life; but they would not take it, and the British closed in again.
+
+"Well," said Chester, a few moments later, "it's all over."
+
+"But they fought well and bravely," said Hal, returning his sword to
+its scabbard.
+
+He looked around and took an account of his losses. Twelve British
+soldiers lay dead upon the ground, and a score of others were nursing
+their wounds--some serious, some only scratches. But there was no time to
+dress these wounds now. There was other work to do.
+
+"Mount!" cried Hal.
+
+The troop obeyed, and Hal sprang into the saddle of a riderless horse.
+
+His sword flashed forth once more.
+
+"Forward!" he cried.
+
+The little troop set off at a gallop.
+
+To the north could be caught occasional glimpses of the North Sea, as the
+sand dunes now and then permitted an unobstructed view. The party was at
+the extreme north of the long battle line that stretched away to the
+south, clear through Belgium and France.
+
+For perhaps half an hour the troop rode rapidly on, but finally Hal
+called a halt. He listened attentively. There was no sound to break
+the stillness, other than the faint boom of heavy guns in the
+distance, telling that the long-range artillery duel, farther south,
+was still in progress.
+
+But, as Hal was about to give the word for a further advance, from almost
+directly ahead, though still some distance away, came the sound of a
+single pistol shot. Just one shot; that was all. In vain did the lads
+strain their ears to catch a possible reply to the shot. None came.
+
+Hal ordered his men to advance at a slow trot, and the troop moved
+forward once more.
+
+Now they came to a woods. They advanced rapidly and the woods became less
+dense, and the darkness caused by the heavy overhanging trees gave way to
+more light. Hal again called a halt, and himself rode forward to
+investigate. Twenty yards ahead he came to a clearing in the woods,
+stretching out for a possible quarter of a mile.
+
+In the very center of this clearing the lad made out a strange sight. His
+eyes fell upon a detachment of German troops--about fifty all
+told--dancing about what Hal finally made out to be a barn.
+
+As Hal looked a sheet of flame sprang up. It was plain to the lad in an
+instant that the enemy had set the wooden structure afire.
+
+"But why?" he muttered to himself.
+
+The answer was not long coming.
+
+From the barn, through a crack between the boards, issued a cloud of
+smoke, and even above the yells of the dancing Germans Hal made out the
+report of a revolver. One of the Germans stopped his antics and toppled
+to the ground to rise no more.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Hal aloud. "They are burning him up!"
+
+Jerking his horse about, he dashed back to his men and again placed
+himself at their head. Chester ranged himself alongside.
+
+In a few brief words Hal explained what he had seen, and then cried
+to his men:
+
+"Forward! Charge!"
+
+At a gallop the British covered the distance to the clearing, and then
+dashed toward the enemy as fast as their horses could go. As the sound of
+galloping hoofs was borne to the ears of the enemy, they stopped their
+dancing about the barn and fell into line to beat back the British.
+
+The first line threw themselves to the ground. The second line fell to
+their knees, their rifles pointing over their prostrate comrades, while
+above them protruded the weapons of the third line, standing erect.
+
+At a shouted word of command from Hal the British cavalry scattered, and
+bore down on the enemy from three directions. Here and there a rider
+dropped to the ground as a German bullet found its mark; but in spite of
+these losses and the withering German fire, the rest dashed on.
+
+Right up to the muzzles of the German rifles the British charged, and
+leaning over their horses did terrible havoc among the enemy with
+downward sweeps of their heavy swords. They rode their horses right in
+among them, the hoofs of the chargers trampling the foe to death. Some
+sprang to their feet and darted toward the rear, only to encounter the
+British troopers who had ridden around behind them.
+
+The engagement was short and decisive. Soon the majority of the Germans
+lay dead upon the ground, and at a cry of "Surrender!" from Chester, the
+rest now threw down their arms.
+
+But the British had not escaped without great loss. Exposed to the fire
+of the enemy as they had charged upon the solid triple line of rifles,
+many had fallen. Less than half the original troop now remained, and of
+these at least half were wounded, though none seriously.
+
+During the fight the flames that had enveloped the barn had gained great
+headway and were now raging fiercely. Hal looked quickly about for some
+sign of the man whom he knew had been within. He believed that the man
+must have come forth, when he was aware that assistance was at hand, for
+he realized that to remain in the burning structure would have probably
+meant death.
+
+But in the troop he saw no sign of a stranger; nor had Chester nor any of
+the men seen anyone leave the barn.
+
+"Great Scott! He'll burn to death in there!" Hal cried.
+
+"Well, why didn't the big chump come out?" said Chester.
+
+"Maybe he was hit by a bullet and killed," said Hal.
+
+"Yes; or perhaps he is wounded, and unable to drag himself out,"
+said Chester.
+
+"By Jove!" said Hal. "I never thought of that!"
+
+Quickly he unstrapped his sword belt and drew off his coat.
+
+"What are you going to do?" cried Chester in alarm.
+
+"I'm going in after him," replied Hal grimly.
+
+"But you'll be killed!" expostulated Chester. "You couldn't live in that
+seething mass of flame!"
+
+"Nevertheless, I am going to try and bring him out," said Hal quietly.
+
+He drew his handkerchief from his pocket, and quickly wetting it from his
+canteen, tied it over his mouth and nose. Then, brushing aside the
+protests of Chester and the men, he plunged through the door of the
+burning building.
+
+Inside he could dimly make out his surroundings. Quickly he scanned the
+floor for a sight of the occupant, but saw no sign of him. Then, at one
+side of the barn he made out a ladder, leading to a loft. He ran to it
+quickly, and as quickly mounted it to the floor above. Once more he
+turned his eyes upon the floor and peered about.
+
+The heat was intense, and the lad now got his breath with difficulty, so
+dense was the smoke. He likewise realized that the floor, already
+blazing, must give way in a few moments, in which event he would be
+buried in the fiery ruins.
+
+Glancing quickly about he saw there was no window nor opening from which
+he could jump. He must go out by the way he had come in.
+
+Suddenly his eye lighted upon an object on the floor at the far end of
+the barn. Quickly he ran toward it and stooped over. The object was a
+figure of a man, lying upon his face, apparently unconscious. The lad
+wasted no time in thought. Exerting his utmost strength, he succeeded in
+hoisting the limp body across his shoulder.
+
+Carrying his human burden he staggered to the ladder and began his
+descent. It was slow work, for the lad was near exhaustion. He realized
+that a slip would probably mean death, and in spite of the fact that he
+realized the necessity for haste, descended slowly.
+
+At last his feet touched the bottom, and turning toward the open door he
+staggered on.
+
+As he reached the open door the barn behind him collapsed with a terrible
+crash; but before he lapsed into unconsciousness he saw the face of the
+man he carried.
+
+"Anderson!" he cried, and tumbled over in a dead faint.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+CAPTAIN HARRY ANDERSON.
+
+
+When Hal returned to consciousness he lay upon the hard ground and
+Chester was bending over him. Shifting his position slightly the lad saw
+what was left of his troop standing idly about. At the same moment he
+felt a hand grasp his and heard a well-known voice exclaim:
+
+"I owe my life to you, Hal. It seems that you bob up wherever you are
+needed most."
+
+Hal turned and gazed at the speaker. He was Captain Harry Anderson, of
+His British Majesty's Royal Dragoons, whom the lad had last seen in the
+hands of the Germans. Then the fight, the burning barn, and his
+recognition of Anderson just before he had lost consciousness, all came
+back to him in a flash, and he pressed the hand that grasped his.
+
+"Lieutenant--I mean Captain Anderson!" he exclaimed. "I thought you were
+safe in the hands of the Germans."
+
+The lad arose slowly to his feet, supported by the captain's arm. He
+staggered a trifle; but, after inhaling a few breaths of the cold,
+invigorating air, was soon himself again.
+
+"And I," said Captain Anderson, answering Hal's exclamation, "thought you
+also were safe in the hands of the Germans."
+
+"Well," said Hal, with a faint smile, "it seems that the enemy did wrong
+to believe they had any of us safely."
+
+"It does, indeed," the captain smiled back; "but come, tell me how you
+escaped. I have asked Chester, but he has been so worried about you that
+he has failed to do so."
+
+"We haven't time now," replied Hal. "We are on a reconnaissance, and must
+proceed immediately."
+
+"It will be unnecessary," replied Anderson dryly. "I have just come from
+that way and am in a position to tell you, or General French, either, for
+that matter, all you desire to know."
+
+"Are you sure?" asked Hal.
+
+"Positive," replied the captain briefly.
+
+"In that event," said Hal, "we may as well return, for we shall be
+wasting time and possibly sacrificing men, to linger here longer."
+
+He turned to his men. "Mount!" he ordered.
+
+The troop sprang to the saddle. Ordering them to face about, the lad
+commanded:
+
+"Forward!"
+
+The troop set off at a quick trot, Captain Anderson on a spare horse
+riding between Hal and Chester at their head.
+
+"Now," said the captain, "you can tell me about yourselves as we
+ride along."
+
+The two lads did so, and when he learned that the lads had seen active
+service in the eastern theater of war, the captain was greatly surprised.
+
+"And still I shouldn't be surprised at anything you do or may do," he
+said. "You see I know you well."
+
+"Come now, captain," said Chester, "tell us something of your own
+experiences."
+
+"Well," said Anderson, "I have had about as strenuous a time as you can
+imagine, and I have been at the threshold of death more than once."
+
+"Let's hear about it!" exclaimed Hal.
+
+"You remember, of course," began the captain, "how we were captured, and
+how badly I was wounded? You remember, also, that we were separated in
+the German camp?"
+
+The lads signified that they did, and the captain continued:
+
+"All right, then. It seems that my wounds were more serious than was at
+first supposed. A fever set in, and my German physician told me that I
+was a dead man. I laughed at him. I told him I had too much work to do to
+die yet awhile. He wanted to know what that work was and I told him it
+was killing Germans. This made him angry, and--"
+
+"I don't wonder," said Hal dryly.
+
+"It's a wonder he didn't administer a dose of poison right then,"
+said Chester.
+
+"Yes," continued the captain, "it made him mad, and he informed me that I
+might as well die, because if I didn't I would be shot anyhow."
+
+"Shot!" ejaculated Chester. "What for?"
+
+"That's what I asked him. He replied that I had been declared a spy, and
+that I was to be put to death as soon as I was well enough to face a
+firing squad. He said they didn't want to do it while I was so ill."
+
+"Very considerate of them," commented Hal.
+
+"Just what I told the surgeon. Well, naturally, with this sentence
+hanging over my head I didn't get well any quicker than I had to. Every
+day I could feel myself getting better, but I pretended to get worse. I
+contracted all the ailments you ever heard of, and I was a sore puzzle to
+the surgeon. He had several others look me over, but they couldn't agree
+on what was the matter with me, although they did agree I was a very sick
+man and had only a few days to linger on this earth. Yet all this time,
+mind you, I was shamming and getting better every day."
+
+"You must be a pretty good actor," said Chester.
+
+"Well, I'm not so bad," replied Captain Anderson modestly. "But to
+continue. I finally became afflicted with St. Vitus' dance, and later
+with a queer ailment that wouldn't allow me to keep still. I'd hop out of
+bed and wander about, with the surgeons or nurses on my heels, and then
+I'd fall down in a fit. This continued for several days, and finally they
+became tired of following me about, figuring, I suppose, that a man in my
+condition couldn't go very far, anyhow."
+
+"This was what I had been waiting for, but I didn't put the plan I had
+decided upon into execution at once. I waited for a good chance. At last,
+it came. The surgeon was a young chap and smooth shaven, which was lucky
+for me. Also he was about my build, and there was some slight resemblance
+between us. This day he was with me alone. Not a soul was present save us
+two. As he turned his back to look into his medicine case, I struck him
+heavily in the back of the neck.
+
+"He toppled over without a sound. Quickly I exchanged clothes with him
+and put his body in my bed, after which I picked up his case and walked
+boldly out of the hospital."
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Chester. "You had plenty of nerve!"
+
+"Well," continued the captain, "no one interfered with me and I walked
+about at will. I kept edging closer and closer to the firing line,
+figuring that I would make a break for liberty at the first opportunity.
+It came sooner than I expected.
+
+"There had been a big battle, and all surgeons and nurses were rushed to
+the front to look after the wounded. I went along. The battle was over,
+and we immediately went forth to attend to the wounded. Again I went
+along, only this time I didn't stop going. When I figured I was far
+enough ahead I broke into a run.
+
+"But I wasn't to get away so easily. A surgeon who had been near me saw
+me take to my heels, and instead of attending to the wounded as he should
+have done, he raised an alarm. Immediately a troop of horsemen dashed
+after me. I managed to reach a little woods directly ahead of me in
+safety and climbed up a tree. The Germans were unable to find me, so when
+night came I descended from my perch and continued my journey.
+
+"Soon after daylight I came upon a house, where I asked for food. I still
+wore the German surgeon's uniform, and here this worked to my
+disadvantage."
+
+"How was that?" asked Chester.
+
+"It seems that the family were Belgians, and I hadn't thought of that.
+They gave me food and drink all right, but they spilled a little drug of
+some kind in the drink. The next thing I knew I was bound and gagged and
+was looking down the muzzle of a revolver held by a ferocious-looking
+Belgian peasant. He informed me my time had come. I told him I was
+English, and explained my capture and escape. He listened patiently, but
+when I finished he informed me that he wasn't going to take any chances.
+I had just five minutes to live, he said."
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Hal. "That was pretty close. How did you escape?"
+
+"More by good luck than anything else," was the reply. "There was some
+kind of a noise behind the peasant and he turned to investigate. At that
+moment I kicked out with my foot and the toe of my boot caught him
+squarely under the chin. He went down with a thump. I don't know whether
+I killed him or not."
+
+"But how did you free your hands?" asked Hal.
+
+"Well, I had quite a little trouble, but I managed to drag my chair over
+to the fire, and held my hands over the blaze until the cord was burned."
+
+"And didn't you burn your hands?"
+
+"A little," was the quiet response; "but it had to be done. Then I untied
+my legs and removed the gag, after which I took to my heels as fast as I
+could. I didn't care for any more Belgian hospitality to one who wore a
+German uniform.
+
+"In the road I came upon a dead British soldier. I took his uniform and
+discarded that of the German surgeon. I now began to feel that I was
+reasonably safe, and I lay down at night and slept like a log, in spite
+of the cold.
+
+"I was awakened a little before daylight by the sounds of approaching
+footsteps. I saw the marchers before they saw me, but still not quite
+quick enough. They were the same men from whose hands you rescued me only
+a short while ago.
+
+"I had been confined in that hospital so long that I was still somewhat
+weak and I couldn't run fast enough to get away from them. I tried, but
+it was no use. Then I took a couple of shots at them, and got two or
+three, I think. I'm not sure, though. Anyhow, I saw this barn ahead, and
+dashed into it, figuring that I might possibly hold them off.
+
+"When they set fire to the barn, and I realized I couldn't get out, I
+gave up. I did shoot one through a crack, but a moment later a shot came
+through and caught me in the side. That's the last I remember until I
+returned to consciousness and learned that you had saved me."
+
+"Well," said Chester, "you certainly have had an eventful time."
+
+"There is no question about that," Hal agreed. "But how do you feel
+now, captain?"
+
+"Tip top. And you?"
+
+"First rate."
+
+The troop continued at a trot, and Hal now believed that they were out of
+danger--that there was no likelihood of encountering a force of the
+enemy--and turned to his friends, remarking:
+
+"Well, we might as well--Hello!"
+
+He broke off suddenly and checked the pace of his horse.
+
+"What's up?" demanded Chester, doing likewise.
+
+For answer Hal pointed down the road. A man was approaching them at
+a dead run.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ANTHONY STUBBS, WAR CORRESPONDENT.
+
+
+"Now, what in the name of all that's wonderful do you suppose is the
+matter with him?" ejaculated Chester.
+
+Hal shrugged his shoulders expressively.
+
+"You've got me," he admitted; "but by the look of him he's not
+running for fun."
+
+"Right," agreed Captain Anderson; "but whatever is on his trail will have
+to travel pretty lively to catch him. Look at him come!"
+
+As the stranger dashed toward them, head hanging and arms working like
+pistons, the three friends suddenly broke into a loud laugh. A more
+comical-looking specimen of humanity would be hard to imagine. The
+friends looked him over carefully as he came on.
+
+Large he was, there could be no mistake about that, but he seemed to be
+about as wide as he was long. Hal and Chester took in his dimensions
+with an appraising eye. Stout and chubby, he must have weighed all of
+200 pounds, and his height, the lads saw, could not be more than five
+feet four.
+
+As he tore down the road as fast as his peculiar build would permit, he
+did not once raise his head, and therefore did not perceive the British
+troops in his path. The lads could see that his face was red, and that he
+was puffing and snorting from lack of breath. Not perceiving the men who
+barred his path, he would have dashed right in among them had not Hal
+brought him to a sudden stop with a word of command.
+
+"Halt!" he cried.
+
+With a gasp of amazement the man halted and gazed at the British as
+though bewildered. One look he gave them and then exclaimed in a shrill
+piping voice, in English:
+
+"You are surrounded! Run, Anthony, run!"
+
+He suited the action to the word, and, turning in his tracks, ran,
+puffing and blowing, in the direction from which he had come.
+
+In spite of his merriment at this comical sight, Hal put spurs to his
+horse and dashed after him. The others did likewise. Hearing the sounds
+of pursuit, the little stout man redoubled his efforts and puffed on like
+an engine.
+
+Hal ranged his horse alongside of him, and, restraining his laughter,
+shouted in a stern tone:
+
+"Halt! or you are a dead man!"
+
+The little man needed no further warning. He stopped so quickly that Hal
+rode on beyond him, while those behind were able to check their horses
+barely in time to keep from riding over him.
+
+Hal leaped to the ground, and stood over the stranger, who lay panting on
+the earth where he had fallen the moment he stopped running.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded Hal. "What are you doing here?"
+
+The little man struggled in vain to reply; but he gasped so wildly for
+breath that for a moment he was unable to utter a word. Then, as he still
+panted, his eye fell upon the uniforms of the British troopers. He was on
+his feet in a moment.
+
+"I thought you were Germans!" he exclaimed. "Great Caesar's ghost! I
+didn't think I could run another step, but I did; and here I was running
+from you fellows. What do you mean by chasing an American citizen down
+the road?"
+
+He paused and glared at Hal wrathfully. The latter could control
+his merriment no longer, and burst into a hearty laugh. The others
+did likewise.
+
+The little man drew himself up indignantly.
+
+"I say!" he exclaimed, "what are you fellows laughing at me for?"
+
+Hal ceased laughing, and his face took on a stern expression.
+
+"Who are you?" he asked briefly. "A spy, eh?"
+
+"A spy! Me a spy?" exclaimed the man. "Great Caesar's ghost, no;
+I'm no spy."
+
+"Who are you, then?" demanded Hal.
+
+The stranger drew himself up to his full height--and he was still almost
+as broad as he was long, folded his arms and said proudly:
+
+"I am Anthony Stubbs, sir, war correspondent of the _New York Gazette_,
+sir; and I am here in search of news."
+
+"News, eh?" said Hal. "It is my belief that you are in search of
+information to turn over to the Germans."
+
+"You are mistaken, sir," replied Anthony, somewhat uncomfortably, the
+lads could see. "I assure you on the honor of a Stubbs that I am what I
+represent myself to he."
+
+Hal could keep a straight face no longer. So comical was the little man
+in his ruffled dignity that the boy was forced to laugh.
+
+"All right, Mr. Stubbs," he said at last, "I believe you; but tell me,
+what were you running from when you bumped into us?"
+
+"I wasn't running, sir," was the reply. "I heard a large force of the
+enemy in a field just out of the woods, and I was merely hurrying to a
+place where I could get a look at them."
+
+"Well, you were hurrying at a pretty good gait," said Hal. "But tell me,
+is the enemy in force?"
+
+"I didn't see any of them," said Stubbs, "but by the sounds of their
+horses' hoofs, I should say they were in force, sir."
+
+"Where?" demanded Hal, somewhat anxiously.
+
+"Straight ahead, sir," replied Stubbs, pointing down the road.
+
+"We thank you, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, "and we shall now leave you to
+gather your news while we proceed to reconnoiter."
+
+"And leave me here?" cried Stubbs.
+
+"Why, certainly. You are paid to get the news for your paper, are you
+not?"
+
+"But I'm not paid to be shot by the Germans," replied Stubbs vehemently.
+"Take me with you."
+
+How much truth there was in Stubbs' account of a large force of the enemy
+approaching, Hal, of course, did not know. But the little man appeared so
+greatly worried that Hal was moved to motion him to one of the spare
+horses, which had followed the troop.
+
+Stubbs clambered into the saddle with difficulty, and, once astride the
+animal, he maneuvered so as to get right in among the British cavalrymen,
+who smiled tolerantly as they surrounded him. Then, at a word from Hal,
+the troop moved forward at a slow trot.
+
+They rode for perhaps fifteen minutes, and so far Hal had seen no signs
+of an enemy, nor was there any evidence that a large force had passed
+that way recently. He turned to Stubbs.
+
+"I see no sign of the enemy," he said. "Where were they?"
+
+Stubbs motioned to the left.
+
+"Beyond the woods, there, in an open field," he replied. "I didn't see
+them, but I heard 'em, all right. They are probably lying in ambush, and
+we shall all be killed."
+
+Hal halted his men, and, dismounting, plunged into the woods to
+investigate. At the edge of the woods he came upon a field, and there he
+saw the "enemy" or at least what had caused Stubbs' fright. He broke into
+a loud laugh, and hurried back.
+
+"I have found the enemy," he said quietly. "Come, men, I shall show
+them to you."
+
+All dismounted, and Hal led the way, Stubbs following protestingly. At
+the edge of the woods Hal stopped, and, taking Stubbs by the arm, led
+him forward.
+
+"There," he said, pointing, "is the enemy; and I don't believe they
+chased you very far."
+
+Stubbs looked and gasped, then mumbled:
+
+"I wonder, I wonder--"
+
+For the objects upon which his eyes rested, the movements of which had
+sent him scurrying down the road in fear for his life, were nothing more
+than a drove of about a dozen sheep, which, thrashing about in the field,
+had led Stubbs to suspect the presence of the Germans.
+
+Stubbs, after the one look, turned and strode majestically to where the
+horses had been left. The laughter of the troopers rankled in his ears
+and his face was a dull red. He was mounted when Hal, Chester and the
+others returned.
+
+"Stubbs," said Hal, as they rode forward again, "you could have whipped
+all those fellows yourself."
+
+"Well," replied Stubbs, "they might have been Germans."
+
+He lapsed into silence.
+
+Night was fast falling when the British came in sight of a little house,
+and Hal decided that they would stop there and commandeer something to
+eat. Accordingly they rode up to the door, where Hal, before dismounting,
+hailed those within with a shout.
+
+A woman appeared in the door, and learning what the British required,
+invited them to dismount and enter. This they did, and soon sat down to a
+substantial repast, Stubbs with them. The war correspondent now became
+talkative, and entertained with an account of his adventures.
+
+Upon learning that Hal and Chester were American lads, the little man's
+pleasure knew no bounds.
+
+"I knew it!" he exclaimed. "I knew it the minute I set eyes on you."
+
+"Perhaps that is why you were in such a hurry to get back down the road,"
+said Chester.
+
+"No, no," was the reply. "I knew you were Americans, but I feared, for
+the moment, that you might be fighting with the Germans."
+
+"Well," said Chester shortly, "I don't imagine you will find many
+Americans in the German ranks."
+
+"I want to tell you boys," said Stubbs, "that I appreciate your saving me
+from falling into the hands of the enemy, where I might have been kept a
+prisoner for years."
+
+"We didn't save you from anything," said Hal.
+
+"I know, I know," said Stubbs, "but you might have done so. I want to
+tell you that I appreciate it and that Anthony Stubbs is your friend for
+life; and the friendship of such a man is not to be laughed at."
+
+The little man's face was so serious that the lads even forbore to smile.
+
+"We thank you for your friendship," said Hal quietly, "and I assure
+you that it will not be laughed at. Friendships are not to be
+treated lightly."
+
+"I knew you would see it that way," was the response. "If at any time I
+can be of service to you, command me."
+
+He arose and made them the bow of a cavalier.
+
+The meal finished, Hal pushed back his chair and arose.
+
+"We might as well be on our way," he said. "Come."
+
+They left the room and made their way to the place where they had tied
+their horses. Hal started back with a cry of surprise.
+
+The horses were not there, but upon the ground, a bullet wound in his
+forehead, lay the man whom Hal had left to guard them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+FOUR-FOOTED ENEMIES.
+
+
+Hal bent over the dead British soldier; then, arising, turned to Chester.
+
+"He was shot from ambush," he said quietly. "He didn't even have time to
+draw his revolver. See, it is still in its holster."
+
+"And, if we don't get away from here immediately, we are likely to be
+shot, too," replied Chester.
+
+"Chester is right," agreed Captain Anderson. "Come, Hal, we had better
+be moving."
+
+Hal nodded, and gave a brief word of command. Immediately the little
+troop of cavalrymen, afoot now, moved slowly down the road in the
+darkness. They went forward briskly and the hand of every man rested
+on his weapon, for the mysterious death of their companion had been
+a warning they could not but heed. There was no telling what foes
+might lurk in the blackness of the bushes that lined either side of
+the highway.
+
+Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent, had been unable to force himself
+into the center of the British troops, and was now bringing up the
+rear. Now and then he tried to insert himself between the men in front
+of him, but all such attempts had proved futile. The British did not
+intend to lose their formation in order to allow him to reach a place
+of comparative safety.
+
+As Stubbs stumbled along in the darkness, he cast furtive glances
+over his shoulder and peered intently into the bushes, first on one
+side and then on the other; and as he plodded on he mumbled
+continually to himself.
+
+Came a sudden shrill cry from the left--a wild screech that, for the
+moment, the lads were unable to identify.
+
+Hal immediately called a halt and all stopped to listen. It came again, a
+shrill, piercing cry; and with it Anthony Stubbs hurled himself violently
+upon the men ahead of him and dashed through the center of the troop.
+Beside the two lads he stopped, panting. He felt more secure there.
+
+"What was that?" he cried in a shrill voice.
+
+The lads did not reply, but still stood listening. A third time the cry
+rang out from the woods. Then Chester laughed aloud.
+
+"It's a cat!" he exclaimed.
+
+"A cat!" echoed Stubbs.
+
+"Yes, cats are plentiful in the war zone. Necessity has taken the edge
+off their skin-deep docility, and many of them resemble hyenas more than
+the domestic pets they used to be."
+
+"Then there is nothing to fear," said Stubbs, drawing a breath of relief.
+
+"No," replied Chester, "there is nothing to fear so long as we are many,
+but two or three of them would not hesitate to attack a single man. In
+fact, they have done so before now."
+
+"What! pet cats attack a man?" exclaimed Stubbs.
+
+"Yes, and from what I have heard, they are pretty tough customers. I
+heard that one man, in an encounter with four of the animals, had one of
+his eyes scratched out and was otherwise badly clawed before he could
+shoot them. Half starved, they are perfectly wild."
+
+Stubbs shuddered.
+
+"Let's get away from here, then," he exclaimed.
+
+At a command from Hal, the troop moved off again and Stubbs stuck closely
+between the two lads.
+
+They had progressed perhaps half a mile further when Stubbs felt his hat
+suddenly lifted from his head, and at the same moment the sharp crack of
+a rifle shattered the stillness of the night.
+
+With a shout of terror the war correspondent threw himself to the ground
+and, like an ostrich, seemed to try to bury his head in the hard road.
+
+Hal turned quickly and, taking quick aim with his revolver, fired into
+the bushes, a little below the spot where the rifle had flashed fire. A
+scream of pain rewarded this shot.
+
+Without waiting to ascertain whether there was more than one of the
+enemy, Hal shouted a command, and the British cavalrymen poured a volley
+into the woods, aiming low and scattering their fire. Loud guttural
+exclamations and shouts were the answer to the fusillade.
+
+Immediately Hal shouted:
+
+"To the ground, men! Down quick!"
+
+He suited the action to the word, as did Chester, Captain Anderson and
+all of the troop. They did not fall a moment too soon, for there now came
+from the bushes a scattering and withering volley that would have done
+terrible execution among the little troop of British, but for the fact
+that they were beneath the line of fire.
+
+"Up and into the bushes!" cried Hal.
+
+A moment and the British were screened from the fire of the enemy on the
+opposite side of the road, while from their shelter they poured a fire in
+the direction of rifle flashes across the highway.
+
+Peering from behind the small tree where he had taken shelter, Chester
+saw a prostrate form in the middle of the road. He thought he recognized
+it but was not sure. He turned and called to Hal:
+
+"Is Stubbs with you?"
+
+"No," was the reply. "Where is he?"
+
+"I'll have him in a minute," was Chester's brief response.
+
+Throwing himself to the ground, he crawled from behind his shelter and
+wormed his way along the ground toward the prostrate form in the road,
+the figure of Stubbs.
+
+The war correspondent lay as though dead, making no move. The lad,
+keeping as close to the ground as possible, so as to avoid the German
+bullets flying overhead, drew closer; and, while the lad did not know
+it, three other forms also were approaching closely in spite of the
+hail of lead.
+
+But these latter were making their way through the tree-tops, jumping
+lightly from bough to bough. Silent as shadows they were, but their eyes
+glared a fiery red and their tails switched angrily.
+
+They were cats.
+
+Half-starved as they were, they had trailed the troop. They had been in
+the war zone long enough for their feline intelligence to tell them that
+where men rode there was likely to be food. More than one dead man, left
+dead upon the field, had fallen a victim to their claws and teeth.
+
+So now, as Chester crept toward the inert form of the war
+correspondent, the cats, not perceiving this new enemy--so intent were
+they upon the body of Stubbs--also approached quietly. Two of the
+animals were now directly above the body of Stubbs, and stood switching
+their tails on the limb of a large tree that overhung the roadway. The
+third was close behind.
+
+Snarling, with bared claws and outstretched legs, the first cat leaped.
+In a moment the others followed.
+
+Stubbs had been lying upon his face, and all three of the hungry animals
+lighted squarely upon his back. Instantly the war correspondent lost all
+resemblance to a dead man, and the man and cats became a panting,
+struggling, rolling heap.
+
+As Stubbs cried out in alarm, Chester--still some distance away--raised
+his head and quickly realized the struggle that was taking place.
+Throwing caution to the winds, he sprang to his feet and with a shout
+charged the feline foes.
+
+The war correspondent was fighting off his biting, clawing assailants as
+best he could; but the very fact that the cats clung to his back was a
+point in their favor. One buried its sharp teeth in the back of Stubbs's
+neck and the war correspondent raised a howl of anguish.
+
+As if by magic now the firing from the Germans' side of the road ceased.
+Hal was unaware of the reason for this, but, suspecting a ruse, he
+ordered his men to cease firing also until he could determine the cause
+of the enemy's unexpected silence.
+
+On the German side of the road dark faces peered from between the trees
+and hoarse guttural exclamations issued from these faces as they watched
+Stubbs struggle with the cats. While the Germans would not go to Stubbs'
+assistance, nevertheless they would not shoot him down as he struggled
+with his four-footed enemies.
+
+The British also advanced to their side of the road and watched
+the struggle.
+
+Thus, by mutual consent, a truce had been declared.
+
+It was at this moment that Chester came to Stubbs' rescue; but before he
+could take a hand in the fray the figure of a large German, with leveled
+revolver, accosted the lad.
+
+"Back," he exclaimed in a deep voice. "Let the little man fight it out.
+This is rare sport. We will declare a truce until the struggle is over.
+Do you agree?"
+
+Chester considered quickly. He knew that the German officer would be as
+good as his word, and he knew also that Stubbs, if given time, would
+dispose of his three enemies.
+
+"I agree," he said, and made his way back to Hal, where he told him of
+the strange request and his answer.
+
+As the little war correspondent still struggled with his feline
+assailants the Germans, from their side of the woods, gradually came
+out from among the trees to get a closer view of the struggle.
+Unconsciously also the British left their shelter and crowded about to
+get a better view.
+
+With his right hand Stubbs succeeded in grasping the cat that had bitten
+him by the back of the neck, and in spite of the animal's frantic clawing
+and scratching he raised it in the air and brought its head against the
+ground violently. The cat lay still.
+
+But while Stubbs was thus engaged with one of the enemy, the other two
+were busy. Stubbs had now jumped to his feet, and one of the animals had
+succeeded in crawling to his shoulder, where it was making desperate
+efforts to reach the war correspondent's eyes with its claws. Stubbs
+protected his eyes with one upraised arm, and groped blindly for the cat.
+
+At last he grasped it securely by the neck and raised it aloft; the other
+now was biting so fiercely at the back of his neck that he did not take
+time to dash the first one to the ground, but still holding it aloft with
+his left hand sought to pluck the other away with his right.
+
+He was unsuccessful in this, for he could not obtain a good hold on the
+last cat. With a cry of rage he suddenly dashed the cat he held aloft to
+the ground, and then threw himself to the ground backward, pinioning the
+cat beneath him.
+
+The cat screamed angrily, and succeeded in squirming from beneath Stubbs;
+but instead of running away it launched itself directly at Stubbs' face.
+Stubbs threw up his arm just in time and caught the animal by the neck.
+Then he walked over to a tree, the Germans allowing him to pass, and
+dashed the animal's head against the trunk.
+
+The fight was over. The truce was ended.
+
+Quickly the British and German soldiers returned to their shelter on
+opposite sides of the road. Five minutes passed. Then a British soldier
+who had exposed himself tumbled over, struck by a stray German bullet.
+
+The battle in the dark was on again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE FIGHT IN THE WOODS.
+
+
+Chester had drawn Stubbs to shelter behind a large tree, and now, bending
+over the little war correspondent, sought to stop the flow of blood from
+his wounds. Stubbs was not seriously injured, although he had been badly
+scratched and bitten in the back of the neck.
+
+"You are a fine bunch, you are!" exploded Stubbs when Chester announced
+that he had dressed the wounds as well as he could. "Wanted to see those
+cats chew me up, didn't you?"
+
+"You are a brave man, Mr. Stubbs," replied Chester. "You have
+accomplished a feat you may well be proud of the rest of your life. It
+isn't every man who has the chance of distinguishing himself by slaying
+three wild cats single handed."
+
+"Were they wild cats?" asked Stubbs in surprise.
+
+"Well, they were cats and they certainly were wild," replied Chester.
+"Yes, sir, you are a brave man."
+
+"I know that," said Stubbs, "but just the same you fellows should have
+pitched in and helped me out."
+
+"Had we not been struck motionless by your great display of courage, we
+might have done so," replied Chester, smiling to himself. "But surely you
+would not have had us rob you of the glory?"
+
+"Well, no, I wouldn't have wished that," answered Stubbs. "But just the
+same when a man is attacked by a bunch of wild cats, the first thing he
+thinks of is help."
+
+"But tell me, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "what were you doing in the road
+in the first place?"
+
+"Why," muttered the little man, somewhat confused, "I was seeking to make
+out the number of the enemy so that I might tell you whether we were
+strong enough to defeat them."
+
+"That's all right; I just wanted to know."
+
+Mr. Stubbs peered out from behind the tree, and as he did so a
+German bullet went whizzing by. Mr. Stubbs hurriedly threw himself
+upon the ground.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Chester, although he knew well enough.
+
+"A slight illness," replied Mr. Stubbs. "I am somewhat faint. I fear I
+overexerted myself in my struggle with the wild cats."
+
+He lay there behind the tree, stretched out at full length. Nor could he
+be induced to get to his feet.
+
+Slowly the last half of a moon arose, giving a little light but making
+the shadows deeper.
+
+Bullets whistled through the trees at regular intervals now, and wherever
+a man exposed himself the German sharpshooters ran him quickly back to
+cover or shot him down.
+
+But the British, excellent marksmen that they were, in spite of their
+losses were having the better of the encounter. Wherever a German arm or
+leg was exposed, there a British bullet struck. Consequently the firing
+soon became desultory and then ceased altogether.
+
+Taking advantage of this lull, Chester made a dash, and succeeded in
+reaching a tree behind which Hal and Captain Anderson had taken shelter.
+
+"What are we going to do?" he demanded. "Surely we can't stay here
+much longer."
+
+"Well, what shall we do?" demanded Hal. "At the first break the Germans
+will shoot us down."
+
+"We must do something," replied Chester. "Wait a moment"--as Hal turned
+away--"I have an idea."
+
+"What is it?" demanded Hal.
+
+"Yes, let's have it," said Captain Anderson.
+
+"Well, why can't a few of us--say ten men--crawl toward the rear, and,
+when out of sight, make a detour and catch the Germans from the rear?
+Those who are left here will fire only at intervals, so that when we open
+from the rear the enemy will believe that the major part of our men are
+there. Naturally they will present their strongest front there. Then you
+can take them by surprise from this side."
+
+"By Jove!" ejaculated Captain Anderson. "That's not a half-bad idea."
+
+"It's a good idea," said Hal. "It shall be acted upon at once. Now, who
+shall go and who shall stay here?"
+
+"Well," said Chester, "as it was I who suggested the plan, I guess
+I am the one to head those who go. Detail ten men, Hal, and I'll
+start at once."
+
+The men placed at his disposal Chester made ready to go; but, before he
+left, he called to Hal:
+
+"By the way, when you leave here don't forget Stubbs. He's lying behind a
+tree over there," pointing.
+
+"I'll get him," Hal called back, "if I have to carry him on my shoulder."
+
+Dropping to all fours Chester and his ten men soon disappeared in
+the distance.
+
+Feeling sure that he was out of sight in the thick underbrush, Chester
+jumped to his feet. The ten men did likewise, and turning to the left all
+dashed off through the brambles as fast and as quietly as possible. Among
+the bushes it was very dark, and for this reason the little party was
+unable to make much speed; but, nevertheless, they pushed on as rapidly
+as possible.
+
+Finally, feeling that he had gone far enough, Chester turned once more
+sharply to the left, and pushed on in the way he had come.
+
+At length they came again to the road, and, making sure that there was no
+German in sight, Chester silently led his men across the highway to the
+German side. Here they pushed straight on for a considerable distance,
+until the lad felt certain that they had penetrated to the rear of the
+German line. He then led his men sharply to the left again.
+
+If his calculations were correct he must now be behind the enemy.
+
+The little band of British crept forward silently now and more slowly. It
+was ticklish work, and not a soldier but recognized the fact as, very
+cautiously, they pressed on.
+
+Chester halted abruptly. Directly ahead, perhaps fifty yards, he made out
+the form of a single figure. Silently the lad crept closer. It was as he
+had expected. The man was a German, and undoubtedly one of the force
+which had so recently attacked them.
+
+Chester threw his men out in a thin line, the distance between each man
+being perhaps twenty yards.
+
+"Fire when I give the word, and not until then," he ordered. "And make
+every shot count. If the enemy rushes us give way as slowly as possible;
+but if they try a hide-and-seek game, keep your positions behind shelter
+as much as you can."
+
+The men repeated this order to show that they understood, and all crept
+forward. Three minutes of silent crawling and they came within full view
+of the German line. It was still facing the road, across which were the
+British. In the faint moonlight the entire force was clearly exposed to
+Chester's party.
+
+When Chester believed that he had approached near enough, he raised his
+hand for a halt. Quickly each man concealed himself behind the largest
+tree he could find.
+
+So far they had not been discovered.
+
+Chester glanced quickly around. Everything was ready.
+
+Drawing a bead upon the German soldier who was nearest, Chester at last
+gave the command his men had been eagerly awaiting:
+
+"Fire!"
+
+The eleven British rifles cracked out as one, and as many of the enemy
+toppled over, for the British, unseen, had approached so close that a
+miss was practically an impossibility.
+
+Immediately confusion reigned among the enemy. Taken completely by
+surprise, as Chester had intended they should be, the Germans lost all
+signs of formation. Before they could recover their scattered wits and
+turn upon their new foes, or even seek new shelter, the British had
+poured in a second volley.
+
+But the German officers, displaying great skill and bravery, soon had
+their men under control, and turned upon the little party of British
+in the rear.
+
+Chester perceived what was about to happen and cried out to his men:
+
+"They are going to rush us! Pick 'em off as they come!"
+
+The Germans, at a command, sprang forward, and the British fired full in
+their faces.
+
+The Germans reeled, and for a moment it seemed they would seek shelter
+once more; but they rallied and came on.
+
+But, as they came, a volley was poured into them from the rear. Hal's
+men, on the opposite side of the road, had advanced quickly, and again
+the Germans had been surprised.
+
+Caught thus between two fires, and unable to tell the number of their
+foe, the Germans were at a great disadvantage. Nevertheless, outnumbering
+the British as they did, they fought bravely, jumping quickly behind the
+nearest trees, determined to sell their lives as dearly as possible.
+
+When Hal heard the first sounds of firing, and realized that Chester and
+his men had come into position and opened on the enemy, he quickly
+ordered his men forward. He himself stopped for a moment to seek out
+Stubbs, for fear that the little American might be left behind and fall
+into the hands of the enemy.
+
+"Quick, Stubbs!" he cried. "Get up, man, and come on!"
+
+Stubbs scrambled to his feet.
+
+"Where are you going?" he demanded in some anxiety.
+
+"After the Germans," replied Hal. "We are attacking them from two
+sides. Come on!"
+
+Stubbs drew back.
+
+"We'll all be killed!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Never mind that," said Hal impatiently. "Are you coming with me or are
+you going to stay here?"
+
+"Alone?"
+
+"Yes, alone."
+
+"Oh, I'll go," said Stubbs mournfully, "but I know I'll never get back to
+America alive. The _New York Gazette_ is about to lose its best man."
+
+Still mumbling to himself he followed Hal.
+
+The British under Hal and Captain Anderson broke from their shelter and
+crossed the road to the enemy's side on a dead run, their smoking rifles
+dealing out death on every hand as they advanced.
+
+When Hal's men had attacked, Chester found it unnecessary to retreat, as
+he had figured upon doing, and the rain of hail continued to pour upon
+the enemy from all sides.
+
+The British gradually closed on the enemy, fewer now by half than they
+had been a few moments ago, until the circle had narrowed to within a few
+yards of the enemy.
+
+In spite of the semi-darkness the aim of the British cavalrymen had been
+remarkable, and wherever and whenever a German showed himself, in nine
+cases out of ten he fell to rise no more. The losses of the British had
+been heavy, but not so great as those of the foe.
+
+Now, at a command from Hal, the fire of the British ceased. Then the lad,
+raising his voice to its highest pitch, shouted:
+
+"Surrender!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE MISSION SUCCESSFUL.
+
+
+"Never!" came back the reply of the German officer in command.
+
+Hal, who had stepped slightly from the shelter of a big tree, jumped back
+quickly as a bullet lifted his cap from his head.
+
+"Too bad," he said quietly. "I would have avoided further loss of life.
+However, if they will have it, give it to them, men."
+
+The fight had raged, at intervals, all during the night. Now the first
+faint signs of dawn appeared and a little while later it became light.
+
+From his shelter Hal took in the situation about him. Here and there dead
+bodies strewed the woods, Germans and British alike. Wounded men also lay
+upon the ground.
+
+Hal now decided that the battle had lasted long enough. With a cry to his
+men he dashed suddenly forward, the troopers following close behind.
+Chester, at his end of the field, perceiving this movement, also led his
+handful of men forward.
+
+Some fell, as they dashed into the very face of the German fire, but the
+bulk of the British reached their goal, where, outnumbering the Germans
+now, they soon disposed of them. When all were down but a mere handful, a
+German lieutenant, the sole surviving officer, threw down his revolver
+and raised his hands in token of surrender.
+
+Hal drew a great breath of pure relief and advanced. He was within ten
+feet of the German officer, when the latter suddenly sprang forward. His
+sword again leaped forth, and he made a furious thrust at the lad.
+
+Although surprised at this attack, Hal was not caught completely off his
+guard. With a single movement his own sword leaped from its scabbard and
+parried the thrust of the German officer.
+
+Chester took a sudden step forward to interfere, but Hal, perceiving his
+friend's move out of the corner of his eye, cried out:
+
+"Stand back, Chester. I'll dispose of this cowardly dog alone."
+
+But the German was an accomplished swordsman, which Hal was not. True,
+the lad had had some experience with the sword and had already fought one
+successful duel; but, in spite of this, he was no match for the more
+experienced German officer.
+
+The German pressed the lad hard and, secure in the knowledge that he
+would not be interfered with, he tried his best to run the lad through.
+Fortunately, however, the lad's blade met his at every thrust. Tiring of
+this, the German took a step backward, and, raising his sword, grasped it
+by the point and hurled it at Hal.
+
+The lad escaped being impaled only by a quick spring aside. The German
+turned to flee, and as he did so, bumped squarely into Anthony Stubbs,
+who accidentally barred his path at that moment. The two collided with a
+crash, and were soon rolling about on the ground.
+
+To attack the German officer had been farthest from Stubbs's mind; but
+the German officer, believing that the little American had barred his
+path purposely, struck out at him heavily. More by good fortune than
+anything else, Stubbs evaded the blow by rolling quickly over, and as he
+did so his right hand accidentally descended upon the German's face.
+
+Stubbs was as greatly surprised as was his opponent, but the latter
+became furiously angry.
+
+"Hit me, will you!" he cried.
+
+"I didn't do it on purpose!" exclaimed Stubbs, greatly alarmed by the
+anger of the German.
+
+Quickly he rolled over again, once more escaping by a hair's breadth a
+heavy blow of the German's fist. Then he arose quickly and started to
+run; but the German was close behind him.
+
+Realizing that he could not possibly outrun his opponent, Stubbs turned
+suddenly and dived at the German's legs, crying out as he did so:
+
+"Help! Help! Anthony, you will be killed."
+
+His sudden maneuver had taken the German by surprise, and again the two
+rolled over and over upon the ground in a tangled heap.
+
+In some unaccountable manner Stubbs was the first to extricate himself,
+and, absolutely certain that his adversary meant to kill him, he rolled
+over quickly and sat upon his enemy's breast.
+
+In vain did the German attempt to shake himself free. Stubbs, still
+crying for help and moaning to himself, was as immovable as the Rock of
+Gibraltar.
+
+Hal, Chester, Captain Anderson and the British cavalrymen had derived
+great amusement from this scene, and, as Hal had realized that the
+German, now unarmed, could not do much harm to the war correspondent, he
+had let the two fight it out alone.
+
+Now that Stubbs had been returned the victor, greatly to the surprise of
+all, Hal advanced and induced the little American to relinquish his seat.
+This the latter did, though not without some trepidation--fearing that
+the German would attack him again as soon as he could arise--and, when he
+finally did get upon his feet, he put a respectable distance between
+himself and his late opponent.
+
+"You fellows are bent on getting me killed," he said, turning to Chester
+with a frown. "You always help each other, but whenever I am in trouble
+you leave me to fight it out alone."
+
+"And you always acquit yourself admirably," said Chester,
+forbearing to smile.
+
+"Well, I'll admit that," returned Stubbs; "but some time I am bound to
+get the worst of it. Then I suppose you'll laugh."
+
+By this time Hal had the German officer securely bound, and at his
+command the rest of the enemy still upon their feet also were tied up.
+Then, with their prisoners in the center, the British once more set out
+upon their march to the British lines, Stubbs trailing along behind.
+
+Before noon they came within sight of the first British outposts, and
+soon had passed to safety. Here they procured horses, and made all haste
+back toward their own division, where they arrived several hours later.
+
+When those of the British troop who had gone forth with the two lads
+returned to their own regiment, and the lads, with Captain Anderson, took
+their departure, they raised three lusty cheers for each of the officers
+in farewell.
+
+The three, accompanied by Stubbs, immediately made their way to the
+headquarters of General French. Here Hal, Chester and Captain Anderson
+were at once admitted, but Stubbs was forced to remain without, being
+told that Sir John French had no time to waste upon war correspondents.
+
+"Well, what do you think of that?" Stubbs ejaculated. "A newspaper man
+refused admittance! I never heard of such a thing before."
+
+Nevertheless he was forced to cool his heels on the outside until his
+newly found friends should come out, and this is what he proceeded to do.
+
+General French greeted the two lads with a smile.
+
+"Back so soon?" he exclaimed. "I hardly expected you before to-morrow.
+And was your mission a success?"
+
+"Well, General," replied Hal, "we didn't go as far as we could have gone.
+We were fortunate enough to come upon Captain Anderson, who had just
+escaped from the Germans, and knows more of the situation there than we
+could possibly have learned. We figured that it was not necessary to
+sacrifice lives foolishly."
+
+"You did exactly right," replied General French.
+
+He turned to Captain Anderson. "Are the Germans contemplating any new
+move in the north that you know of?" he asked.
+
+"They are not, sir," was the reply. "I can say that positively. I heard
+plans while I was in the hospital. The German forces in the west have
+been drawn upon somewhat heavily to reenforce their troops in the eastern
+theater of war."
+
+"Do you believe that a new offensive would drive them back?"
+
+"That's a hard question, sir. They are strongly intrenched all along the
+line, and I should say that unless the offensive were to be pushed to the
+limit, with some object in view besides merely advancing a mile or two,
+it would be a needless sacrifice."
+
+General French looked Captain Anderson full in the eye.
+
+"That, sir," he said gravely, "is my idea exactly, which is the reason we
+have not assumed the offensive long before this. I have been censured for
+my policy more than once; but I would not sacrifice lives needlessly, and
+would wait until Lord Kitchener has furnished me with sufficient men
+before ordering a concerted advance."
+
+Captain Anderson did not reply to this statement, for he knew that no
+answer was expected. He was, nevertheless, honored by the general's
+confidence, and pleased to know that his ideas found favor with his
+commander.
+
+"You gentlemen had all better get a little rest," said General French.
+
+He turned to his desk, littered with maps and papers, signifying that the
+interview was ended. The three officers drew themselves up to attention,
+saluted, and left the tent.
+
+Outside they were joined by Anthony Stubbs, who poured into their ears
+his tale of woe at being refused admission to the general's quarters.
+
+"And where am I to go, now?" he asked.
+
+"Where do you want to go?" asked Hal.
+
+"Why," was the reply, "I want to go where I can get some news for my
+paper. I want big news--something that the other papers will not get."
+
+"But," said Hal, "you know that, even if you got it, you could not send
+it to your paper. The censor would see to that."
+
+"Oh, I know that," replied Stubbs, "but if I can get it I'll get it out.
+You leave that to me."
+
+"Well, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, "I don't know where you can get it right
+now, but for to-night I ask you to share our tent. You may fare forth on
+your quest in the morning."
+
+Mr. Stubbs made a profound bow.
+
+"I thank you," he replied, "and I shall do myself that honor."
+
+Hal turned to Captain Anderson.
+
+"And you, too, Captain," he said, "I hope you will stay the night with
+us. You can look up your regiment in the morning."
+
+Captain Anderson replied that he would be happy to accept this
+invitation, and the four immediately went to the quarters provided for
+the two lads when they had returned to the army from the air flight
+from Russia.
+
+Here, tired out and almost exhausted, they turned in immediately--in
+spite of the fact that the sun had not yet sunk below the horizon--and
+soon all lay snug and comfortable in the arms of Morpheus.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+OFF TO THE SOUTH.
+
+
+The following morning Captain Anderson bade the boys good-by and set out
+to find his own regiment. Stubbs also said good-by, announcing that he
+must be moving in his search for news. He had been given credentials days
+before and, representing as he did one of the greatest newspapers in the
+world, was one of the few correspondents to have the freedom of the
+allied lines.
+
+Hal and Chester idled about the greater part of the day. There had been a
+lull in the fighting, and, although they had reported to General French,
+no duties had been assigned them; but along in the afternoon they were
+again summoned to headquarters.
+
+"I have here," said General French, placing a document in Hal's hand, "a
+communication that must be placed in the hands of General Joffre with all
+possible dispatch. I have selected you to deliver it. General Joffre has
+his headquarters near Soissons. You should have no difficulty in reaching
+him. Take an automobile and make haste."
+
+The lads saluted and left the tent, actually disappointed that they had
+not been selected for some more strenuous work.
+
+"Anybody could carry this," said Hal.
+
+"There is certainly no danger," agreed Chester. "All we have to do is to
+stay within our own lines."
+
+Half an hour later found them speeding southward, well in the rear of the
+great battle line. Hal himself was at the wheel and Chester sat in the
+tonneau of the machine. Through Ypres, Douai and many smaller towns the
+huge car sped without a stop. At Roy they halted for a fresh supply of
+petrol, and immediately resumed their journey.
+
+But the lads were not entirely familiar with the lay of the land, and
+this fact resulted in throwing them into great danger once more.
+
+Just south of Roy the long battle line--which had previously stretched
+straight southward--swerved suddenly to the east. The lads turned with
+it all right, but too soon. Instead of going straight south to the
+banks of the river Aisne, as they should have done, they turned
+eastward some distance north of this river, and were in trouble before
+they realized it.
+
+Neither lad thought anything of the fact that they were pushing straight
+through the mass of French troops in this region, and it was not until
+they had come into an isolated region--an opening between the two great
+armies--that Chester surmised there was something wrong. The desolate
+appearance of the land spelled suspicion to him, and, leaning forward in
+his seat, he shouted to Hal:
+
+"Slow down, quick!"
+
+Hal obeyed without question and then turned to his chum to ascertain the
+reason for this abrupt command.
+
+"We must have gone clear through our own lines," Chester explained. "If
+we hadn't, certainly there would be troops about. I believe we must be
+right between the two armies."
+
+"I don't think so," replied Hal. "There are probably more French troops
+ahead of us."
+
+"I am sure I'm right," persisted Chester.
+
+"Well, it's not worth while taking a chance," said Hal. "We'll turn
+south here."
+
+At a cross road he swerved toward the south again. But, although neither
+lad realized it then, they had penetrated right through the German lines
+where they had been thinnest and most greatly scattered. They were still
+north of the Aisne, and the main German line lay between them and the far
+shore, where the French were massed in strength. They could have turned
+west again at this point and probably have reached safety by the way they
+had come; but neither realized his danger, and so the big car sped south
+directly toward the enemy.
+
+It was night now, and the machine was forced to travel more slowly,
+running along at a snail-like gait until the first signs of dawn appeared
+in the eastern sky. An hour later the lads made out in the distance a
+mass of troops. They were still too far away to make out plainly, but
+neither doubted that they were French.
+
+But they were doomed to disappointment.
+
+As the machine sped closer, Hal suddenly applied the brakes and uttered
+an exclamation of dismay.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Chester.
+
+"Matter!" echoed Hal. "Why, we have run right into a nest of Germans!"
+
+It was only too true. The troops whom they were now approaching were the
+enemy, and both lads realized in an instant that they must be surrounded
+by Germans on all sides. In the darkness they had penetrated through the
+rear line, and now were in the very midst of their foes.
+
+Hal thought quickly. So far they had not been perceived. Two men in
+civilian clothes were approaching afoot, and as they came up to them Hal
+crawled under the machine and began to tinker with it. The men came
+closer and stopped to watch.
+
+Suddenly Hal crawled from under the car, and, as the men cried out in
+surprise at the sight of his British uniform, he covered both of them
+with a pair of revolvers.
+
+"Silence!" he cried, "or you are dead men." He spoke to Chester over
+his shoulder. "We'll have to go straight though the line," he said,
+"and we can't do it with these uniforms. We'll have to exchange with
+these fellows."
+
+In vain did their prisoners protest. Hal kept the two covered while
+Chester stripped himself of his own garments and climbed into those one
+of the prisoners passed to him. Then Chester covered the men while Hal
+made a change and transferred the document given him by General French to
+the pocket of his new coat. Then they bound and gagged the two men and
+tumbled them into the ditch at the side of the road.
+
+"So far so good," said Hal. "Now, if we simply act unconcerned, we
+should have no difficulty in going through the lines. It's when we make
+a dash for the other side that the trouble is likely to come; but we
+must chance that."
+
+"All right," said Chester, "let's move."
+
+They started off slowly down the road and within the hour were in the
+town of Caronne, held by the Germans, but a few miles from the northern
+bank of the river Aisne. Here they left the machine to avoid attracting
+unnecessary attention.
+
+They lost no time, and made their way through the town as swiftly as
+possible. They walked along boldly, and near the outskirts, coming upon a
+little restaurant Chester suggested a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Hal
+assented and they entered the door.
+
+They took seats at an improvised counter and soon were engaged in the
+pleasant occupation of satisfying their appetites. A German officer, who
+had been eating in the rear of the restaurant, passed them on his way
+out, and, as he did so, he cast a quick look at Chester, and turned back
+toward him.
+
+"Haven't I seen you some place before?" he asked, tapping the lad on
+the shoulder.
+
+The lad turned and glanced at him sharply, and his heart leaped into his
+throat. He recognized the officer in a moment. He was the man with whom
+Hal had fought in a farmhouse near Liege in the earlier days of the war,
+the man who, mistaking Chester for Hal, had spared the former's life when
+he was sentenced to death by a band of conspirators in Louvain, and from
+whom the lad had escaped in time to warn the Belgian commander of the
+plot to deliver the town into the hands of the Germans.
+
+"I don't seem to remember you," said Chester, replying to the
+German's question.
+
+The officer looked at him long and searchingly. Chester returned the gaze
+without flinching, and finally the German, evidently satisfied that he
+had made a mistake, bowed and turned to leave. Chester drew a quick
+breath of relief as the officer stepped from the door.
+
+"Do you know who that was," he whispered to Hal, who, although he had
+said no word, had been greatly surprised by the conversation between his
+friend and the German officer.
+
+"No," he replied. "Who is he?"
+
+"That," replied Chester, "is the German whom you disarmed in Edna
+Johnson's home and whose life you spared."
+
+"Is that so?"
+
+"Yes; and it's lucky he didn't recognize us."
+
+"I should say it is. Well, let's be moving."
+
+The two lads left the restaurant and started on their journey again.
+They had not gone a block, however, when they halted at a sudden hail
+from behind them. Turning suddenly they saw the German officer hurrying
+after them.
+
+"I can't get you off my mind," he said to Chester, as he came up. "I am
+positive that I have seen you some place, but for the life of me I can't
+tell where."
+
+"Well, you have the advantage of me," replied the lad, his hand seeking
+his pocket and resting on the butt of one of his revolvers.
+
+The two lads started to move on again, and at that moment the German
+explained:
+
+"I have it! You are the lad who invaded our secret council in Louvain!"
+
+Chester did not take the trouble to deny it, but as the German's hand
+went to his hip he said quietly:
+
+"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
+
+His revolver gleamed in his hand as he spoke, and he took a step
+forward. The German moved back a pace, but he made no further move to
+draw his weapon.
+
+"Now that you have recognized me," continued Chester, "I would advise you
+to come along with us. We can't afford to let you go back and set up an
+alarm, you know. I don't want to shoot you, for I remember that I owe my
+life to you. Walk on ahead of us, now!"
+
+He emphasized this last sentence with a flourish of his revolver, and
+the German, realizing that a refusal to obey might possibly spell
+death, obeyed.
+
+"Sorry I didn't place you at once," he exclaimed. "Then I guess we would
+be going the other way."
+
+"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Hal broke in. "We usually go the way
+we want to."
+
+Half a block farther on Hal perceived a body of German troops moving
+toward them.
+
+"Step in between us," he commanded the prisoner.
+
+The latter obeyed without remonstrance.
+
+"One false move and you are a dead man, no matter what happens to us,"
+said Chester quietly.
+
+The prisoner recognized by the lad's tone that he was in earnest, and he
+would have passed right on, but an officer with the approaching troop
+walked directly up to him and saluted.
+
+At the same moment he felt the pressure of Chester's automatic, which the
+lad gripped inside his pocket, against his back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+ON THE AISNE.
+
+
+The prisoner was in a quandary. To raise a cry of warning, he felt
+sure, would mean his instant death; and yet, should he remain silent if
+he was asked any questions concerning his companions he might also get
+into trouble.
+
+"Good evening, Captain," said the officer who had accosted him. "Are you
+going far?"
+
+The pressure of the revolver against the German's back increased, and
+he replied:
+
+"I am accompanying my friends to the bank of the Aisne. They wish to have
+a look at the enemy on the opposite shore."
+
+"You might invite them to go with us when we cross the next time," was
+the laughing rejoinder. "When we cross again we shall stay."
+
+The prisoner also forced a laugh.
+
+"I am likely to go across sooner than I expect," he said.
+
+"What do you mean?" demanded the other. "Are you going on a scout?"
+
+"Well, you might call it that. Anyway, I am going across."
+
+Both lads were forced to smile to themselves at this. In their minds
+there was no doubt that the prisoner was going across the Aisne at once.
+
+"Well, I wish you luck," said the second German officer, as he continued
+on his way.
+
+"Thanks," replied the prisoner briefly.
+
+The lads, with the man still between them, started on again.
+
+After some walking they made out in the distance a stream of water.
+
+It was the Aisne, and the lads, realizing that upon the opposite side lay
+safety, increased their pace.
+
+Some distance back, on both sides of the stream, the opposing armies
+were drawn up in force. Occasional raids had been made by first one side
+and then the other, but there had been no real change in the situation
+for days. Now the French, by a bold assault or a night attack, would
+gain a foothold upon the German side, only to be driven back again; and
+now the Germans would gain a foothold on the French ground by a bold
+attack, but would also be forced to retire. This give-and-take game had
+continued for weeks.
+
+Feeling secure in the company of their prisoner the lads did not
+hesitate, but marched straight through the German line to the very edge
+of the river. The German officer spoke to several others, as they made
+their way along, but Chester kept his revolver pressed against him, and
+he did not once offer to raise an alarm.
+
+The three descended the sharp incline to the water's edge. There they
+were fortunate enough to find a small motor boat, apparently having
+suffered much usage by the Germans in their travels forward and backward
+across the river. Into this they forced their prisoner to climb, and then
+quickly jumped in after him.
+
+"Head down the river, Chester," ordered Hal. "If we put off straight
+for the opposite shore they are likely to suspect something and open
+fire on us."
+
+Chester, at the wheel, guided the boat down the stream, keeping close to
+the German shore.
+
+But this plan also was fraught with danger, for a French sentry on the
+opposite side, espying the boat, opened upon it with his rifle.
+
+The first shot attracted others to the scene, and several more rifles
+were brought into action. The Germans, seeing the boat with a German
+officer and apparently two friends in it, immediately opened upon the
+French. The latter turned from the boat and opened upon these new foes.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Hal. "This is more than I bargained for. We'll
+have to get out of here, or we shall wind up at the bottom of the river."
+
+Seeing that the French and Germans were too busy with each other to pay
+much attention to the little boat, Chester steered quickly to the center
+of the river. There, as the bullets sped overhead, he felt safer.
+
+Turning to view the scene, Hal for a moment relaxed his vigilance over
+the prisoner, and in that moment the latter sprang upon him. He launched
+himself in a desperate spring, and Hal, taken unprepared, was borne back
+to the bottom of the boat, almost being hurled overboard.
+
+Chester immediately released his hold upon the wheel and sprang to Hal's
+assistance.
+
+The boat, now with no guiding hand upon the wheel, staggered crazily
+about, heading first in one direction and then in the other, as the
+struggling figures gave it impetus, first toward one shore and then
+toward the other.
+
+As the boat heeled over, Chester hurled himself upon the German, who had
+succeeded in clutching Hal by the throat and was slowly strangling him.
+He seized the German by both shoulders, and, putting his knee in his
+back, pulled with all his strength.
+
+The pain was unbearable, and the man was forced to loosen his grip on
+Hal's throat. But so fierce had been the pressure of his fingers, that
+for a moment Hal was unable to go to Chester's assistance, and lay
+panting and gasping for air.
+
+The German, who was much larger and more powerfully built than Chester,
+turned upon his second opponent. By a quick shift of position, he grasped
+the lad's throat with his left hand and with his right aimed a hard blow
+at his face. This the lad struck up with his left arm, and before the
+German could repeat the blow, let drive with his right.
+
+There was a loud smack, as his right first crashed into his opponent's
+face, and a stream of blood poured from the German's nose. Hal now had
+regained his wind, and jumped to aid his chum.
+
+All this time the battle between the two skirmish lines of the armies
+continued. Both sides had perceived the struggle in the boat, but both
+were fearful to fire for fear of wounding friend as well as foe--for the
+very fact of the struggle proved that there were men of both armies in
+the boat. Gradually the fire of both sides slackened, as the troops
+peered intently toward the fighting figures in midstream.
+
+The lads' prisoner, raising his left arm to ward off a blow delivered by
+Chester, accidentally caught the lad under the chin with his fist. The
+blow was a hard one, and, before the lad could recover his balance, the
+prisoner had delivered another resounding smack, which caused Chester to
+stagger back.
+
+At that moment Hal leaped upon the German from behind. His right fist
+struck the man a stunning blow on the back of the neck. The German
+wheeled and clinched with his opponent, and for a moment they stood, arms
+locked about each other, swaying upright in the boat.
+
+Then Hal, putting forth every ounce of his strength, succeeded in
+breaking his opponent's hold, and gave him a violent push. The German
+staggered and tottered; but, in the very act of falling overboard, his
+outstretched hand grasped Hal by the collar and both tumbled into the
+river together.
+
+Chester scrambled to his feet as the two pitched into the river. As they
+went over the side, violently tipping the boat, it suddenly turned
+turtle. Chester went flying through the air and disappeared beneath the
+water with a loud splash.
+
+Still locked in each other's embrace Hal and his opponent rose to the
+surface. Both had one arm free and struck out blindly at the other's
+face. Hal landed two short-arm blows, and the German sent one home.
+Neither had an advantage, however, and they sank again.
+
+At almost the same instant Chester's head appeared above the water. He
+cast a quick look around, but could see no sign of the other two
+occupants of the boat. Treading water, he remained close to the spot
+where the water bubbled up. Two or three seconds later the heads of the
+struggling pair again appeared above the water.
+
+Chester acted promptly. Swimming rapidly up to them, he raised his right
+arm and sent his fist crashing full into the German's face. The latter's
+already white countenance turned whiter, and gradually his hold on Hal
+relaxed. With a quick movement Hal freed himself, and the German sank
+from sight.
+
+Without waiting to see whether he would come up again both lads struck
+out for the opposite shore.
+
+But they were too late.
+
+When the little motorboat had capsized, four French soldiers had run down
+to the bank and thrown themselves into the stream. Almost at the same
+time a squad of perhaps a dozen Germans had performed the same maneuver.
+Now, from both sides of the river, men were closing in upon the almost
+exhausted lads.
+
+But the Germans were the best swimmers and overtook them first. One
+grasped Hal by the arm and another seized Chester. In vain did the lads
+try to shake off these opponents, striking out blindly at them, and
+calling to the French to hurry to their assistance.
+
+In spite of the superior numbers of the enemy the French swam rapidly
+toward them. The first to arrive struck the man that grasped Hal a
+stunning blow. Immediately the lad felt his arm freed, but it was
+immediately grasped again by a second German, who held on while his
+comrades swam on to drive back the French.
+
+Knives were drawn and the battle in the water continued with desperation.
+The four Frenchmen gave a good account of themselves, and two German
+soldiers disappeared beneath the water to come to the surface no more.
+
+But the weight of numbers told at last; and, when two of the French had
+been severely wounded, the other two, realizing the futility of further
+fighting in the face of overwhelming odds, drew off, and, supporting
+their wounded companions, returned to the far shore.
+
+Hal and Chester had put forth their best efforts to free themselves from
+the hands of their captors, but in spite of their frantic struggles,
+they were overpowered and were soon dragged back to the bank on the
+German side.
+
+A German trooper had dived beneath the water and succeeded in grasping
+the collar of the boys' late prisoner and dragging him to shore, where
+several men were now at work trying to restore him to consciousness.
+
+The men who had captured the boys stopped to watch this operation. Soon
+the German began to gasp for breath, and ten minutes later he was able to
+sit up and look about. His gaze rested on the two lads.
+
+He was a pitiful-looking object, but in spite of this the lads were
+forced to smile as he glanced at them. The man arose and approached them,
+leaning heavily upon the arm of a brother officer.
+
+"So you didn't get away after all?" he said.
+
+"No," said Hal quietly, "we are still here."
+
+"And here you'll stay, if I have anything to do with it," was the
+response. "You are tough customers, and no mistake, but I guess there are
+enough here to keep you quiet now."
+
+The German officer turned to his fellow-officer.
+
+"I'll take charge of them," he said quietly. "Give me a couple of dry
+guns; mine are no good."
+
+The other did as requested, and, pointing his two weapons at the lads,
+the German ordered:
+
+"March!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+A BREAK FOR LIBERTY.
+
+
+Chilled to the bone by their cold swim the boys marched along with
+chattering teeth. Their clothes froze to them until they were stiff, and
+the lads moved with difficulty.
+
+"Where are you taking us?" asked Hal, shaking with cold.
+
+"To my quarters right now," was the reply, "where I shall let you warm up
+a bit before taking you before General Steinbach."
+
+It was a long walk to the quarters of Captain Eberhardt, for as such the
+captain later gave his name, and when they reached there both lads were
+blue with cold.
+
+Captain Eberhardt's condition was just as bad, and once inside the hut
+all three shed their frozen garments and drew close to the fire. Here
+they thawed out quickly, and the German officer motioned them to seats.
+
+"You are both brave lads, as I learned a long time ago," he said, "and it
+pains me that I must turn you over to my commanding officer. I bear you
+no grudge for anything you have done against me, and if I could do
+otherwise I would. But my duty is clear. The necessity of war demands
+that you be tried by court-martial."
+
+"Tried by court-martial!" exclaimed Chester. "What for?"
+
+"You were found within our lines in civilian clothes. Had you been in
+uniform you would have been treated as prisoners of war. As it is--"
+
+The captain broke off and shrugged his shoulders expressively.
+
+"True," said Hal quietly. "I forgot."
+
+"So we are to be shot as spies, eh?" said Chester.
+
+"I am sorry," replied Captain Eberhardt. "I will speak a word for you,
+but I doubt if it will do any good."
+
+"Thanks," said Hal.
+
+They sat about the little fire for several hours, when the German
+officer, arising, said:
+
+"Well, whenever you are ready I shall conduct you before General
+Steinbach."
+
+"We are ready any time," replied Chester.
+
+The lads followed the captain from the tent, and at last stood before the
+German commander. Here Captain Eberhardt briefly explained the details of
+the capture.
+
+"And you say they were in civilian attire?" asked the general.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then they shall be given a trial, but unless they can show good reason
+for their actions they will be shot."
+
+"But, General," said the captain, "I have told you that they wore
+civilian attire simply to get through our lines. I can vouch for the fact
+that they are not spies."
+
+"You can make your statement before the trial board, sir," replied the
+commander briefly. "I may as well say, however, that I do not believe you
+will be able to do them much good. You know our rules are ironclad."
+
+The lads returned to Captain Eberhardt's tent, the general ordering
+him to guard them until they should appear for trial early the
+following morning.
+
+"I am afraid I cannot be of much help to you," said the captain. "I
+am sorry."
+
+"Never mind," replied Hal. "We are grateful for what you have done for
+us. Of course we know that you are governed by a sense of duty in
+capturing us, and we would have been forced to do the same had we been in
+your position."
+
+"I am glad to have you say that. However, I shall do what I can for you."
+
+An hour later all turned in and soon were fast asleep.
+
+Hal had been asleep for perhaps three hours when he was suddenly
+awakened. Glancing up quickly he was surprised to see Chester standing
+over the sleeping figure of Captain Eberhardt. His arms were free and he
+had untied his legs.
+
+Just before the three had turned in Captain Eberhardt, with an apology
+for the necessity of his actions, had bound them. Chester, after sleeping
+for perhaps an hour, had roused up, and, by holding his hands over the
+blaze, had loosened the knot that bound them. Then quickly untying his
+feet, he had relieved the German officer of his weapons, and in turn had
+bound and gagged him. He was just approaching Hal when the latter awoke
+and saw him.
+
+To untie his chum was the work of a moment. Then the boys, in low tones,
+talked over what was best to be done.
+
+"There is no use staying here," said Hal. "Every moment brings us that
+much nearer death."
+
+"Right," agreed Chester. "Therefore, to my way of thinking, the sooner we
+make a start the better."
+
+Without further delay the lads stepped cautiously from the hut. Keeping
+out of the glare of the small fires on the outside they stole away in
+the darkness.
+
+At the far end of the camp, toward the river, they came upon a troop of
+horses picketed. Silently Hal crept forward, and with his penknife
+slashed the ropes with which two of the horses were tied. Leading the
+animals quietly some distance away, he gave the bridle of one to Chester.
+
+Quickly both lads leaped to the saddles.
+
+Chester now passed one of the weapons he had taken from Captain Eberhardt
+to Hal, and, grasping a bridle in one hand and a revolver in the other,
+the lads urged their mounts silently forward.
+
+They passed close to several bodies of moving troops, but were not
+challenged.
+
+Hal rode his horse close alongside of Chester.
+
+"We had better bear off to the east or west," he said. "We may not have
+so much difficulty in getting across the river there."
+
+"Right," Chester agreed. "They will probably be keeping a careful watch
+along here, as the result of to-day's doings."
+
+The lads turned their horses' heads to the right, and headed in a
+direction that eventually would bear them to Coucy, on the French side of
+the Aisne, should they be able to get through the German line.
+
+Consequently they did not approach the river bank for upward of
+two hours.
+
+Perhaps a mile from the river the lads came upon thousands of sleeping
+men, housed in little tents. Here and there sentries flitted about in the
+dark and campfires blazed merrily.
+
+Keeping their horses well out of the glare of the fires, and going very
+slowly, so as to make no sound, they drew nearer and nearer to the river.
+The Germans were some distance back from the water's edge, to escape the
+danger of being bombarded by the heavy guns of the French during the
+night, and consequently there was quite an open space between the river
+and the most advanced German outpost.
+
+Their horses made no sound, and they crept between the sleeping
+thousands, evading, by careful vigilance, the eyes of the enemy's
+sentries.
+
+At last they were beyond the German line. Urging their mounts on with low
+words, they at length reached the edge of the little stream.
+
+Without a moment's hesitation they forced the animals into the icy water,
+and the big German chargers, after shivering once or twice, struck out
+for the opposite shore.
+
+The water was bitterly cold, and the lads drew themselves out as much as
+possible, holding their arms aloft, weapons in hand, that they might keep
+the revolvers dry.
+
+There was no sound from the German side of the river until they were in
+midstream. Then one German sentry, chancing to cast his eye over the
+distant water, made out the two forms in the moonlight.
+
+Instantly he brought his rifle to his shoulder and fired.
+
+But the distance was too great for accurate shooting and he missed. At
+the sound of the shot the lads urged their horses to even greater
+efforts, and soon were upon the opposite shore, in comparative safety.
+
+"Well, we are over here at last," said Chester gleefully, in spite of the
+fact that he was shaking with the cold.
+
+"Right," said Hal; "and the thing to do now is to find a fire before we
+freeze to death."
+
+They rode forward.
+
+Suddenly in the moonlight a squad of armed men sprang up before them as
+though by magic.
+
+"Halt!" rang out a command.
+
+The lads drew up their horses and raised their hands above their heads.
+
+"Who are you?" came a voice.
+
+"British officers," replied Hal, "on our way to Soissons with a dispatch
+for General Joffre."
+
+"Advance!" came the command, and the two lads obeyed.
+
+An officer approached and looked at them closely. At sight of their
+civilian clothes he stepped back.
+
+"How do I know you are British officers?" he asked.
+
+"Because I say so," replied Hal angrily. "Take us to your commanding
+officer at once. We have just come across the river. Do you want us to
+freeze to death here in the cold?"
+
+"But he was not to be disturbed," replied the officer hesitatingly.
+
+"Well, you lead us to his tent and we'll do the disturbing," said Chester
+gruffly. "Hurry up, man."
+
+Without further words the young officer motioned for the lads to follow
+him, and, dismounting, they did so. At the entrance of a rather large
+tent the officer halted.
+
+"I don't like to disturb him," he said, "but--"
+
+"We might possibly be German spies," said Chester, "so you had better
+arouse him at once--unless you want to take the responsibility upon
+yourself and find us quarters for the night."
+
+"Oh, I couldn't do that," was the quick reply.
+
+"Well, then, get your commanding officer out here immediately," ordered
+Hal. "We are officers of General French's staff, and we are entitled to
+some consideration, if we have to fight for it."
+
+The French officer finally entered the tent, and returned a few moments
+later followed by the officer in command of the outpost. To him the lads
+explained the mission and recent difficulties, and the officer soon had
+them fixed up with comfortable quarters, where, safe once more and
+perfectly easy in their minds, they turned in for the night, and soon
+were sleeping the sleep of the exhausted.
+
+On the opposite shore the German camp was in confusion. The escape of the
+prisoners had been discovered, and Captain Eberhardt, held responsible
+for his prisoners' disappearance, was under arrest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+A NOBLE SACRIFICE.
+
+
+"You say Captain Eberhardt is to be shot? What for?" demanded Hal.
+
+"For allowing his prisoners to escape," was the reply of the German
+soldier, captured the following morning by a squad of French troopers,
+who had picked him up on their side of the river, where he had been on
+scout duty.
+
+The conversation was taking place in the tent of the French officer in
+charge of the outpost. Questioned upon various topics the German had
+volunteered the information that Captain Eberhardt, from whom Hal and
+Chester had escaped the night before, was to be put to death.
+
+"Tell us more about it," said Chester.
+
+"Well, there isn't much to tell," said the soldier. "During the night a
+shot gave notice of the escape of two prisoners. General Steinbach,
+suspecting the cause of the shot, went himself to Captain Eberhardt's
+tent. There he found the captain bound and gagged. He immediately ordered
+him put under arrest, and commanded that he be executed at noon to-day
+for allowing the prisoners to get away. That is all there is about it."
+
+Chester quickly drew his watch from his pocket and glanced at it.
+
+"Nine o'clock," he said; "plenty of time."
+
+"Plenty of time for what?" asked Hal in surprise.
+
+"Why, plenty of time to save Captain Eberhardt."
+
+"What have you got on your mind now?" demanded Hal, grasping his friend
+by the arm. "How do you figure you are going to save him?"
+
+"Go back across the river," said Chester briefly.
+
+"Go back!"
+
+"Exactly. Didn't Captain Eberhardt put himself out attempting to save us?
+He interceded for us, didn't he?"
+
+"Yes, but--"
+
+"Well, then, it is our fault that he is to be executed."
+
+"I know all that," said Hal; "but, if we go back to intercede for him, we
+shall probably be shot in his stead."
+
+"That's a chance we must take," said Chester briefly.
+
+"Well," said Hal slowly, after some hesitation, "I don't know but you
+are right."
+
+"Of course I'm right," declared Chester. "We can't stand by and have a
+man shot because of us."
+
+He turned to the French officer, who stood by with wide-open mouth while
+this conversation progressed.
+
+"Can you furnish us with a couple of French uniforms?" he asked.
+
+"Why, yes," was the reply, "but I--"
+
+"Never mind the rest of it," Chester broke in, "we haven't much time."
+
+The officer said no more, but quickly left the tent, returning in a few
+moments with two uniforms, which he gave the lads.
+
+"What's the object in changing clothes?" asked Hal.
+
+"It may help a bit," replied Chester. "If we went back in civilian attire
+we would undoubtedly be shot."
+
+"I don't see that changing now will help matters," said Hal.
+
+"Well, I hardly think so, either; but it may."
+
+Attired in the uniforms of French lieutenants, the boys were at last
+ready to go; but, before leaving, Hal drew the dispatch he carried and
+put it into the hands of the French officer, saying:
+
+"Will you have this forwarded to General Joffre at once?"
+
+"It shall be done," was the reply. "I shall attend to it immediately."
+
+"I guess that's all, then," said Chester. "Good-by."
+
+The French officer shook hands with them warmly.
+
+"You are brave," he said simply, as the lads left him.
+
+On the river they found a small rowboat. Into this they climbed hurriedly
+and set out for the opposite shore. Halfway across a bullet from the
+rifle of a German sentry greeted them. Chester immediately dropped his
+oars, and, standing erect in the boat, waved his handkerchief.
+
+There was no further shooting.
+
+On the opposite side of the river a squad of German troops, commanded by
+a sergeant, awaited them when they landed. Chester approached the
+sergeant, and said:
+
+"Take us to General Steinbach at once."
+
+"What for?" inquired the sergeant.
+
+"That," said Hal quietly, "is none of your business."
+
+"Is that so?" blustered the sergeant. "If you get too gay, I shall have
+you clapped in irons and kept right here."
+
+"I'll guarantee that you shall lose your stripes if you do,"
+returned Chester.
+
+The German sergeant looked at him long and searchingly. Something in the
+lad's face must have impressed him, for he said gruffly:
+
+"I'll take you to the general, but I warn you that your business with him
+must be urgent."
+
+"It is," replied Chester, and once more he glanced at his watch.
+
+It was now after eleven o'clock.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Chester, "if we don't hurry we are likely to be
+too late!"
+
+Realizing that the lads--for some reason unknown to him--were in
+great haste, the sergeant, in spite of his recent gruffness, hurried
+them along.
+
+It was a considerable distance to the German commander's headquarters,
+and Chester became nervous as the minutes flew by. Half past eleven came,
+and a quarter to twelve, and at last they came in sight of General
+Steinbach's tent.
+
+They approached rapidly, and the sergeant inquired for the general.
+
+"He has gone to witness the execution," was the reply.
+
+"Where is the execution to take place?" asked Chester, stepping forward.
+
+The German soldier pointed over his shoulder.
+
+"Nice place for an execution back there," he said. "Plenty of trees, so
+the sun won't interfere with the aim of the executioners. I am waiting
+now to hear the pop of the rifles."
+
+Chester darted hurriedly forward.
+
+"Come on!" he cried to Hal.
+
+Hal dashed after his friend. Neither heeded the frantic cries of the
+sergeant, who called on them to halt.
+
+It was now four minutes to twelve, but in less than that time the
+lads, Chester in the lead, came upon the scene of the execution. Their
+eyes took in the situation at one brief glance, and Chester hurled
+himself forward.
+
+Standing firmly erect, with his face to the west, was Captain Eberhardt.
+Facing him, with grounded rifles, were six soldiers. These made up the
+firing squad who were to snuff out the life of the German captain.
+
+Right between these men and their victim Chester and Hal dashed.
+
+There came a startled cry as the Germans made out the French uniforms in
+which the lads were dressed, and an exclamation of alarm broke out.
+
+"The French!" came the cry.
+
+The Germans turned quickly in the direction from which the lads had come,
+evidently expecting to see more of the enemy. Then General Steinbach,
+realizing that he only had two of the enemy to dispose of, raised a hand
+and commanded:
+
+"Shoot them!"
+
+The rifles of the Germans came to their shoulders, but before they could
+fire Chester stepped quickly toward the general and raised his hand.
+
+With a quick command the general stayed the fire of the soldiers, and
+advanced to hear what the lad had to say. In their French uniforms, he
+had not recognized Hal and Chester as Captain Eberhardt's erstwhile
+prisoners.
+
+"What is it?" he demanded sharply.
+
+"This execution must not proceed," said Chester.
+
+The general took a step back.
+
+"And why not?" he asked.
+
+"Because," said Chester, "Captain Eberhardt in no way aided the
+prisoners to escape. It was through no fault of his that they were able
+to get away."
+
+"How do you know this?" asked General Steinbach. "Who are you?"
+
+"We are the prisoners," replied Chester quietly.
+
+"What!" exclaimed the general, starting back.
+
+"Yes," said Hal, "we are the prisoners."
+
+It did not take the German commander long to recover his poise, and he
+advanced toward the lads.
+
+"I thought you had made good your escape," he said. "I was told that you
+had made you way into the French lines during the night."
+
+"We did, sir," said Chester.
+
+"Then how comes it that you are back here?"
+
+"We learned from a prisoner this morning that Captain Eberhardt was to be
+shot because we escaped," said Chester, "so we came back to help him if
+possible."
+
+"Do you mean to tell me," exclaimed General Steinbach, "that you risked
+your lives to save that of an enemy?"
+
+"He interceded for us," said Hal quietly, "and it was because of us that
+he was sentenced to be shot. It was no more than right for us to save him
+if we could."
+
+The general looked at them in undisguised amazement.
+
+"_Himmel_!" he exclaimed, and added beneath his breath: "No wonder we are
+having such trouble disposing of these English!"
+
+"We hope, sir," said Hal, walking up to the German commander, "that you
+will see fit to stay the execution."
+
+"In that event, you will have to consider yourselves prisoners and stand
+trial as spies," was the reply.
+
+The lads bowed their heads in assent.
+
+The general threw wide his arms in a sudden gesture.
+
+"Captain Eberhardt shall go free," he said.
+
+He turned, and with a word, dismissed the firing squad.
+
+Captain Eberhardt approached the lads and grasped each by the hand before
+the very eyes of the general.
+
+"I can never thank you half enough," he said, and there were tears
+in his eyes.
+
+"Oh, that's all right," said Chester. "We couldn't do less."
+
+General Steinbach turned upon Hal and Chester.
+
+"Such bravery as you have exhibited," he said quietly, "is not often
+seen. You are prisoners, but you have my word that you shall not even be
+tried as spies. You shall be treated as prisoners, and sent back to
+Berlin until the war is over."
+
+Hal twisted his face into a wry expression.
+
+"Back to Berlin!" he exclaimed in the deepest disgust, "where have I
+heard that expression before?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+STUBBS TO THE RESCUE.
+
+
+Chester also uttered an exclamation of dismay.
+
+"That phrase is certainly getting to be monotonous," he said. "It
+seems that every time we turn around somebody talks of sending us back
+to Berlin."
+
+"Well, they won't get me back there if I can help it," said Hal.
+
+"Nor me, either," agreed Chester.
+
+General Steinbach now spoke again.
+
+"You will not be sent back before to-morrow," he said; "in the
+meantime, if you will give me your paroles, I shall be glad to have you
+as my guests."
+
+Chester glanced quickly at Hal, and the latter nodded his head
+negatively.
+
+"We are sorry, sir," said Chester, "but we cannot give our paroles."
+
+The general hesitated for a brief moment.
+
+"Oh, well," he said, "I don't know as it makes any difference. There
+is no chance of your escaping again. I shall be pleased to have you
+lunch with me."
+
+The lads accepted this invitation gladly, for both were very hungry, and
+they knew from past experiences that the Kaiser treated his officers to
+the best that was to be obtained in the line of food.
+
+They accompanied General Steinbach to his quarters, where they soon sat
+down to a substantial meal. The meal over, the German commander walked
+with them to the outside, and asked them if they would care to have a
+look about. Both lads agreed that they would and the general detailed an
+officer to show them around.
+
+"I hardly believe you will be able to reveal what you may see," he said
+with a smile, as he left them, "for within a few days you will be safe
+in Berlin."
+
+"I wish he wouldn't harp on Berlin so much," said Chester. "I don't like
+the name of that place."
+
+After an hour's stroll the lads were conducted to a tent at the northern
+extremity of the German lines, where they were placed under guard. They
+had the tent to themselves, but guards were stationed upon the outside.
+
+All the rest of the afternoon they sat there talking over the situation
+and trying to hit upon some plan of escape; but no feasible scheme
+occurred to either.
+
+Night came and food was brought them. The lads did not turn in early, for
+they were in no mood for sleep. Well into the night they sat up talking.
+
+In the midst of the conversation Hal became conscious of the fact that an
+object of some kind was trying to crawl under the tent from the outside.
+Silently he called Chester's attention to the spot where the canvas was
+being tampered with.
+
+Presently a head appeared beneath the rear of the tent, followed by a
+man's head and shoulders. His face was not turned toward the lads, so
+they did not recognize him; but they did not move from their chairs.
+
+Now the apparition succeeded in drawing his legs within the tent, and,
+rising to his feet, turned toward them. In spite of their surprise,
+however, the boys were too cool to exclaim aloud, but both muttered
+beneath their breath:
+
+"Stubbs!"
+
+The newcomer was indeed the little American war correspondent.
+
+He laid a cautious finger to his lips and came toward them. Both lads
+arose and silently took him by the hand.
+
+"I've come to get you out," whispered Stubbs.
+
+"How did you get here?" asked Hal in a low voice.
+
+"I have been here for two days," was the reply. "I came before you did,
+and when I told the German commander I was an American war correspondent,
+he was glad to see me. You know the Kaiser is seeking the moral sympathy
+of the United States. When I told General Steinbach that I was here to
+get the German side of the war he treated me royally. He presented me
+with a pass giving me the freedom of the German lines and has taken the
+trouble to show me about a bit himself."
+
+"You certainly must have made a hit with him," said Chester.
+
+"Leave that to Stubbs," was the little man's reply. "Now, the thing is,
+to get you out of here."
+
+"But how did you know we were here?" asked Hal.
+
+Stubbs smiled.
+
+"I was a silent witness of the scene at the place of execution," he said.
+"Since that time I have been following you. When I saw you placed in this
+tent I disappeared, for I didn't want to be seen hanging about the
+prisoners. I knew you would be here till morning, so I waited till dark
+to come to you."
+
+"Have you a plan?" asked Chester.
+
+"A newspaper man always has a plan," was the reply.
+
+He went to the place where he had come under the tent and, reaching out
+a hand, pulled a bundle in after him. This he brought over to the lads
+and untied.
+
+The lads bent over it eagerly and started back in surprise when they saw
+what it contained.
+
+"Women's clothes!" exclaimed Hal in a low voice.
+
+Stubbs smiled complacently.
+
+"They were the best I could obtain upon short notice," he explained.
+"Then, too, I believe they will be better disguises than anything else."
+
+"We'll make a couple of fine-looking girls," said Hal in disgust.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," replied Stubbs. "I guess you will look a heap better
+than some I have seen hereabouts."
+
+"But I don't know anything about women's clothes," protested Hal.
+
+"Nor I," said Chester, "except I know that if you don't walk just so you
+might as well tell everybody you are not a woman."
+
+"That would be true in New York, but not here," said Stubbs. "Some of
+these French peasant women walk just like a man, so you won't have any
+trouble on that score. The main thing is to see if they fit."
+
+"Well, the easiest way to tell that is to try 'em on," said Chester.
+"Here goes."
+
+He took a faded blue dress from the bundle, and, holding it in two hands,
+thrust one foot into it.
+
+"Here, here, that's not the way to get into it," exclaimed Stubbs.
+
+Chester looked at him in surprise.
+
+"How else can you get into it?" he demanded.
+
+"Put it over your head," whispered Stubbs. "You see," he explained, "I am
+a married man and I know something about such things."
+
+Chester tried again, and, obeying Stubbs's injunction, found that the
+dress slipped on more easily. He fastened it around his waist.
+
+"Pretty good fit, isn't it?" he asked.
+
+"Well, it's not so awfully good," replied Stubbs, concealing a grin, "but
+I guess it will answer the purpose. Now throw that shawl over your head
+and you'll be fixed."
+
+Hal, by this time, had climbed into the second costume, and now
+strode about.
+
+"Hold on a minute," said Stubbs. "You'll have to roll up your trousers'
+legs, or a puff of wind is likely to come along and give you away."
+
+Both lads obeyed this injunction.
+
+"That's better," said the war correspondent, after eying them critically.
+"Now, let's see if there is anything else."
+
+He stood back a few paces and surveyed them carefully.
+
+"How do we look?" asked Hal.
+
+"It would be a shame to tell you," said Stubbs cheerfully. "However, I
+guess you will pass muster. Wait a minute, though, there is another
+thing. You stand too erect. Stoop over a little bit. That's better. Now
+you have it," he exclaimed, as the lads dropped into the proper pose.
+
+"Now, rub your hands in the dirt a bit and streak your faces."
+
+The lads obeyed, and once more Stubbs stood off and surveyed them long
+and carefully.
+
+"I guess that will do all right," he murmured.
+
+"What are we supposed to be, anyway?" demanded Chester.
+
+"Apple-women," replied Stubbs.
+
+"Then where are the apples and baskets?" asked Hal.
+
+"Well, you are shy on them right now," said Stubbs. "So you will have
+to do the best you can without 'em. If you are questioned, which I
+don't believe you will be, say that you have sold out; that you have
+thrown your baskets away and that you are going to try to get to a
+place of safety."
+
+"But I didn't know there were any apple-women near here," said Chester.
+
+"Well, there aren't any," replied Stubbs. "However, if there had not been
+two, I wouldn't have been able to get these clothes for you."
+
+"How did you get them?"
+
+"Bought 'em."
+
+"Then why didn't you get the baskets and apples, too?" asked Hal.
+
+The little man sniffed his contempt.
+
+"I would have looked nice lugging two big baskets about, wouldn't I?" he
+asked. "If I had tried that I'd have been shot a long while ago. I had
+trouble enough getting here with the bundle without being seen."
+
+"But why--" began Hal.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Stubbs. "You fellows should have been
+newspaper men. You can ask more fool questions to the minute than
+anyone I ever heard."
+
+The little man's feelings were considerably ruffled, and Hal hastened to
+assuage them.
+
+"Don't think for a minute we are not grateful," he said. "If we succeed
+in getting safely away we'll owe you a deep debt of thanks."
+
+"Rats!" exclaimed Stubbs. "I don't want any thanks. All I want is to get
+you fellows out of here."
+
+"But how are you going to get away?"
+
+"Don't you worry about me. I'll get away, all right--a newspaper man can
+go any place, any way and any time."
+
+"Except in times of war."
+
+"Well, perhaps so," admitted Stubbs. "However, I have my pass. I'll get
+away, all right, but not until I have found some news for the Gazette."
+
+"But you are not paid to get killed," said Hal.
+
+"No," was the reply, "but I am paid to get news. Now, I'll go out under
+the tent first, and if the coast is clear, I'll whistle twice, like
+this." He whistled softly.
+
+The boys signified that they understood. Stubbs held out his hands, and
+both lads grasped them.
+
+"Good-by, and good luck," said Stubbs quietly.
+
+He crossed the tent quickly, dropped down, and wormed his way out slowly
+and silently.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THROUGH THE NIGHT.
+
+
+Hal and Chester listened intently.
+
+One minute passed, then two, then three, and then a low whistle broke the
+stillness. Once, twice, it came.
+
+The boys sprang into action.
+
+"You go first, Hal," whispered Chester.
+
+Hal nodded, and, dropping to his knees, crawled beneath the tent. In
+a few seconds, he was on the outside, where Chester joined him a
+moment later.
+
+They looked around for Stubbs, but he was not there. The little war
+correspondent, his work done, had sought safety in flight. He realized
+that, should anything go wrong and the three be recaptured together, it
+would go hard with all of them.
+
+The lads could hear the footsteps of the guard, as he paced to and fro in
+front of the tent they had just left. While to the rear and on both
+sides, farther away, they could also hear the tramp of other sentries, as
+they made their rounds.
+
+A sentry came into view to the rear, but passed on without seeing them.
+Immediately the lads made their way whence he had come, and soon had put
+considerable distance between them and their late prison. Here, sure that
+they were far enough from their recent quarters not to cast suspicion
+upon themselves should they be seen, they walked boldly forward.
+
+The huge German camp was asleep, for the hour was after nine and the
+soldiers always turned in early except when they were on night duty or a
+night attack by the French was anticipated; but they slept on their arms.
+
+"Which way?" asked Chester of Hal, in a low voice.
+
+"I don't believe we had better try for the river," was the reply. "We had
+better strike straight west."
+
+"Suits me," declared Chester, and the boys set off through the sleeping
+German camp at a fast walk.
+
+Row after row of tents they passed through, walking along the improvised
+streets until they were well beyond the main camp. Here they were still
+in the midst of the enemy, but the tents were more scattered. Suddenly
+they slackened their speed.
+
+A German sentry was approaching them.
+
+Perceiving the two shadowy forms, the sentry brought his rifle to his
+shoulder, and cried:
+
+"Halt!"
+
+The lads obeyed, and the sentry came close to them. Perceiving that the
+figures he had accosted were attired in women's clothing, he dropped his
+rifle and demanded:
+
+"What are you doing here?"
+
+"We have been selling apples to the soldiers," replied Hal in French in a
+shrill voice.
+
+The soldier understood French and replied:
+
+"Where are your baskets?"
+
+Hal replied as he had been instructed by the little war correspondent.
+
+"Well," said the sentry, apparently satisfied, "you have no business
+around here at this hour of the night. Go quickly."
+
+The lads needed no further urging, and, bearing off a trifle to the
+north, continued their journey.
+
+Their shoulders stooped and their shawls thrown over their heads so they
+could barely see, they went on with slowly shambling steps.
+
+"When we get back to America," whispered Chester, "I am going on the
+stage as a female impersonator."
+
+"After this," Hal whispered back, "I am inclined to believe that we would
+both make good."
+
+All night they continued toward the northwest, and when morning dawned
+they were still within the German lines.
+
+"We shall have to be more careful now," said Chester, as it began to
+grow light.
+
+"On the contrary," said Hal, "we may go forward more boldly."
+
+"How do you make that out?" demanded Chester in surprise.
+
+"Why," Hal explained, "two apple-women strolling about the enemy's
+camp in the night would attract more attention, should they be
+discovered, than in broad daylight, when they might possibly have some
+business there."
+
+"Right," agreed Chester. "I hadn't thought of it in that way."
+
+Accordingly they proceeded more boldly now.
+
+Here and there troops of German cavalry now came to life. The lads also
+passed regiment after regiment of hurrying infantry; but they were not
+so much as challenged. Old apple-women, such as the lads appeared to
+the enemy, were plentiful in the German lines, and no attention was
+paid to them.
+
+Suddenly the lads beheld a sight that caused them to start back in
+astonishment and dismay.
+
+Directly ahead of them they saw a long trench, stretching out on
+either side as far as the eye could reach--and it was filled with
+German soldiers.
+
+"Great Scott!" ejaculated Hal. "I had forgotten that the Germans were
+probably intrenched along here. How on earth are we to get through?"
+
+At that moment the two lads beheld three old women coming toward them,
+and Hal exclaimed:
+
+"I wonder if we look like that?"
+
+In their hands the women carried large baskets, and even from where the
+lads stood they could see that they were chockfull of bright red apples.
+
+Chester was struck with a sudden idea. Stepping out of view behind Hal,
+he quickly lifted his skirts and thrust his hand into his pocket. He
+pulled forth a handful of gold and silver, from which he extracted
+several German pieces. Then he advanced toward the old women, Hal
+following him in surprise.
+
+Chester accosted the women in French.
+
+"How much do you want for your basket of apples?" he asked,
+addressing one.
+
+The old woman named a sum.
+
+Chester counted it out and dropped it into her hand, much to her
+surprise, and relieved her of her basket. Then he turned to a second and
+repeated the operation, passing the second basket to Hal.
+
+"Now, we'll see how business is," he said, and led the way directly
+toward the trenches.
+
+In the midst of the German soldiers, the lads did a thriving business,
+and, although they did not know it, the reason was because they were
+offering their wares at a much lower price than had been customary.
+
+The soldiers joked with them and resorted to flattery in an attempt to
+cause them to reduce the price of the apples even more. The lads, talking
+in shrill, wheedling tones, joked back, and made quite a hit with the men
+in the trenches.
+
+At last, having disposed of all their apples, and having come to a place
+somewhat more secluded than the rest, the lads sat down to wait. As they
+looked around, they observed that for some reason this short section had
+not been dug to fit in with the rest of the trenches. As a result they
+were out of sight of either side.
+
+Becoming conscious of voices from beyond the little wall of earth to the
+right, the lads became silent and listened.
+
+"Then everything is in readiness for the grand advance?" asked a voice.
+
+"Yes," replied a second.
+
+"And where will the assault be made?"
+
+"At Soissons. The French are secure in their belief that a concerted
+attack will not be made for some time--at least not until the Kaiser,
+who, as you know has been very ill, returns to the front."
+
+"I thought that myself."
+
+"Well, you are right, to a certain extent. What the French don't know is
+that the Kaiser will be on the firing line the day after to-morrow."
+
+"What! So soon?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He has recovered, then?"
+
+"Practically! Therefore, the grand offensive will be resumed around
+Soissons two days later, which will be Saturday. The French--absolutely
+unprepared for any such movement--will be caught unawares, and a wedge
+will be driven into them."
+
+"And the object of this new offensive?" queried one of the voices.
+
+"The object," was the reply, "will be the same as was the object when we
+first moved into France."
+
+"Paris?" asked a voice.
+
+"Paris," was the brief reply.
+
+"Good! And there is no chance of failure, you say?"
+
+"Not unless our plans come to the ears of General Joffre. If he knew of
+the plan he might, of course, hurry up reenforcements enough to stop it."
+
+"And if, by any chance, this offensive fails, the other plan will be put
+into execution, you say?"
+
+"Yes, it has been arranged, I understand, down to the last detail. The
+Paris Apaches, as you know, have neither love of country nor love of
+fellow-men. They seek only gold. Well, a man, Pierre Duval, by name,
+the King of the Paris Apaches, has been reached by one of our agents.
+I am told he has 500 underworld denizens at his command. These, at an
+auspicious moment, will seize the president, who will be hustled into
+a closed automobile surrounded by the army of Apaches, and the rest
+will be easy."
+
+"But Poincare's bodyguard?"
+
+"_Ach_! It will not be strong enough to cope with the Apaches. Besides,
+the surprise itself augurs well for the success of the plan."
+
+"Well, I hope neither plan fails."
+
+"You may rest easy on that score. If one fails the other is sure
+to succeed."
+
+Hal and Chester, from their concealment, heard the men rise and move off
+in the opposite direction.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Chester. "Do you know what that means?"
+
+"I do," said Hal simply. "It means that, unless General Joffre is warned,
+the French army may suffer a crushing blow; also, if President Poincare
+is not warned, he may be kidnapped by the enemy!"
+
+"Exactly," said Chester. "But what are we to do?"
+
+"We must make a dash for it," was the quiet response.
+
+Quickly the lads stripped themselves of their woman's garments, and
+advanced to the very edge of the German trenches.
+
+"Now!" cried Hal, and, jumping from the shelter, they darted across the
+open field to where the tricolor of France fluttered aloft.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+GENERAL JOFFRE IS WARNED.
+
+
+A great tumult arose in the German trench as the eyes of the soldiers
+fell upon the two figures speeding toward the distant French line.
+Stripped of their woman's attire the lads had exposed their French
+uniforms and they were recognized in a flash by the enemy.
+
+But, so sudden had been their dash that they were enabled to cover a
+considerable distance before the troops, at a sharp command from their
+officers, brought their rifles to their shoulders to fire a volley after
+them. By that time the lads were perhaps a hundred yards beyond the
+trench, and, glancing quickly over his shoulder, Hal perceived the
+movements of the enemy.
+
+"Drop, quick!" he called to Chester.
+
+Without slackening their speed the lads threw themselves to the ground at
+the very moment the Germans fired.
+
+The bullets whistled harmlessly over the lads' heads.
+
+They were up again in an instant and dashed forward. By a miracle, it
+seemed, they escaped being shot down. Soon they were nearer the French
+trenches than those of the Germans. Still the enemy rained bullets
+after them.
+
+Perceiving the forms of what appeared to be two French officers dashing
+from the enemy's trenches, the French commander immediately ordered a
+detachment of infantry to protect their flight. These climbed rapidly
+from the trenches and dashed forward.
+
+A moment later the Germans also threw out a detachment to drive
+them back.
+
+The French column fired a volley over the heads of the approaching lads,
+and the latter once more dropped to the ground to avoid the return fire
+of the Germans.
+
+Two minutes later Hal and Chester were behind the French detachment and
+were making hurriedly for the trenches. Immediately the small force of
+French which had advanced to their support commenced to retire slowly,
+and soon also were safe from the enemy's fire.
+
+This little skirmish had resulted in severe losses to both sides,
+although the French casualties were slightly heavier than those of the
+enemy. Ten Frenchmen were left on the field, while but eight German
+bodies strewed the ground.
+
+Hal and Chester quickly sought out the French commander. Upon telling him
+that they had important information for General Joffre, they soon had a
+large automobile at their disposal and were dashing toward Soissons,
+where the French commander-in-chief had established temporary
+headquarters.
+
+The distance was not great, and, as they now had no enemies to bar their
+progress, the lads soon pulled up near General Joffre's quarters. An aide
+accosted them, and carried the lads' names to the French commander. He
+returned a few moments later and announced that General Joffre would
+receive them immediately.
+
+Hal and Chester followed the aide to the general's tent, where he stood
+back and motioned for them to enter.
+
+Inside stood General Joffre, surrounded by members of his staff. He
+motioned for the lads to approach, which they did, and came to attention.
+The general greeted them warmly.
+
+"I am glad to see you again," he said. "I have not forgotten the valuable
+service you rendered the French army recently. I am told you carry
+important information."
+
+"Yes, sir" replied Hal.
+
+"Let me have it, then," said General Joffre.
+
+In a few brief and well-chosen words Hal repeated what they had
+overheard so recently in the German trench. The general listened to them
+apparently unmoved.
+
+"So!" he exclaimed, when Hal had concluded his narrative, "they are
+planning to kidnap President Poincare, eh? Well, we shall be ready for
+them. But first I must take steps to thwart the proposed German drive. It
+is to be delivered when, you say?"
+
+"Two days after to-morrow, sir," replied Hal.
+
+"And you say the Kaiser will return to the front the day after
+to-morrow?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Good! We shall be ready for him."
+
+He turned to a member of his staff. "Colonel Mercer," he said, "my
+compliments to General Rochelle, and repeat to him what you have just
+heard. You will order him to fall back slowly when the German
+offensive begins."
+
+He turned to the others of his staff, who had manifested some surprise at
+this command. "I do this, gentlemen," he explained, "that the Germans may
+be drawn into a trap of our own setting. Not knowing that we have learned
+their plans, they will probably push the attack with vigor. When we begin
+to give way they will be confident of the success of their plan. In the
+meantime reenforcements shall be hurried forward, and, when the Germans
+have advanced to a point I shall select, we shall take the offensive with
+redoubled vigor. The enemy, caught unprepared, will be crushed before
+they can be sufficiently reenforced."
+
+Exclamations of satisfaction escaped the group of staff officers, and Hal
+and Chester were greatly impressed by the prompt action of the French
+commander-in-chief.
+
+"He allows no grass to grow under his feet," Hal whispered to Chester.
+
+"I should say not," replied the latter.
+
+General Joffre turned to Hal.
+
+"It is your understanding, then," he said, "that the plot against the
+President will not be tried until after the grand assault?"
+
+"That is my understanding of the matter, sir," Hal replied.
+
+"Good! In the meantime, then, we shall have time to take care of that."
+He turned to another of his officers. "Colonel Devore," he said, "you
+will see that these two lads are given suitable quarters."
+
+The colonel saluted.
+
+"I shall ask them to share mine, sir," he replied.
+
+"_Bien_," returned General Joffre. "I shall probably have need of you
+again, soon," he added, to Hal and Chester.
+
+He sat down at his desk and turned to a mass of papers and maps, and the
+lads realized that the interview was ended.
+
+Colonel Devore motioned them to follow him, and, saluting the French
+commander, the lads filed out of the tent.
+
+Colonel Devore introduced them to his own quarters and, waving his hand
+airily, exclaimed:
+
+"You will make yourselves perfectly at home here as long as you
+may stay."
+
+"Thank you, Colonel," said Chester. "We appreciate your hospitality."
+
+The colonel waved aside the thanks with a gesture and strode from the
+tent.
+
+The lads immediately composed themselves to rest, for it was a long time
+since they had closed their eyes in slumber.
+
+Greatly refreshed by a short sleep they arose two hours later and took
+a walk about the camp. At a distant part of the trenches they saw a
+large number of troops gathered about, and the sounds of laughter rose
+on the air.
+
+"Wonder what's up?" asked Hal.
+
+"I don't know," replied Chester, "but we may as well have a look. Come
+on."
+
+He led the way and Hal followed him.
+
+Coming closer the lads cried out in astonishment. Their eyes fell upon a
+body of troops that they knew in an instant could have hailed but from
+one part of the world. They were English--but a mere handful of them--not
+more than a single squad.
+
+"By Jove!" said Hal. "I didn't know there were any British troops in this
+part of the field."
+
+"Nor I," said Chester. "But what do you suppose all those fellows are
+laughing at?"
+
+They drew closer. Coming upon the circle of troops that surrounded a
+single man, the lads stared in astonishment, and then they, too, broke
+into a loud laugh.
+
+There, right in the foremost trench and therefore in the more danger from
+the enemy's fire, a tall, lank Englishman lay, stretched at full length
+upon the ground. His arms were above his head, and he appeared to be
+resting in perfect comfort, at peace with the world.
+
+But it was something that protruded from the legs of his army trousers
+that had caused the merriment of the troops gathered about. The lanky
+Englishman had removed his puttees and exposed to the view of the
+astonished Frenchmen two silk-clad feet, and red silk at that.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Hal. "Silk socks! and in this weather!"
+
+"Silk socks," said Chester, "are clearly against the army regulations."
+
+They approached closer.
+
+Now the lanky Englishman sat up, and apparently unconscious of the gaze
+of the troops about him, produced a nice leather box, opened it,
+extracted an instrument, and proceeded to manicure his nails. He did it
+coolly and paid no attention whatever to those about him.
+
+"Well!" said Hal. "What do you think of that?"
+
+"That's the best I have seen yet," said Chester, laughing.
+
+The lads pushed through the crowd of curious French soldiers and soon
+were in the midst of the British. They approached a sergeant.
+
+"What sort of a freak is this?" asked Hal, indicating the long
+Englishman.
+
+"By Jove!" exclaimed the sergeant. "You're English, aren't you?"
+
+"Yes," replied Hal. "But who is this gentleman with the manicure set?"
+
+The sergeant smiled.
+
+"That," he said, "is His Lordship."
+
+"'His Lordship'? But what's his name?"
+
+"Well, I have forgotten his name. We all call him 'His Lordship.'"
+
+"But why do you permit all this funny business?"
+
+The sergeant shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"What can I do?" he exclaimed. "If I forbid one thing he bobs up with
+something else. Look at him! He's the laziest man I ever saw. We named
+him 'His Lordship' the moment of his arrival in our midst, and bets were
+made that he would succumb after the first day's march. Not a bit of it!
+He looked tired at the start, but he looked no more so at the finish. We
+were finally placed in the trenches. His Lordship did everything
+ungrudgingly, but he could not sleep without a pillow. What do you
+suppose he did?"
+
+"I haven't the slightest idea," said Hal. "What did he do?"
+
+"Why, he made a bargain with a big fat fellow, who, for four packs of
+cigarettes a day, agreed to let his lordship use his stomach as a pillow.
+He's lazy, yes, but just the same he's a fighter. We began to respect him
+on the day he laid low sixteen Germans with eighteen cartridges. He did
+it as nonchalantly as though he were in a shooting gallery. But lazy!
+Why, he was so lazy he would not brush the perspiration off his forehead.
+He asked a neighbor to do it for him!"
+
+The sergeant stopped and eyed His Lordship.
+
+"Look," he said, "he's going to bed again."
+
+It was true. His Lordship had stretched out on the cold, hard ground.
+
+"Great Scott! Can he sleep there?" asked Chester, in surprise.
+
+"His Lordship," said the sergeant calmly, "can sleep anywhere!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE GERMAN ATTACK.
+
+
+A battle, as severe in its hand-to-hand struggle and toll of life as
+Fredericksburg or Antietam, in the American Civil War--yet in this vast
+conflict only an incident, chronicled as "progress" in the official
+reports--such was the battle of Soissons. It was the most terrific and
+the most bitterly contested of the great war up to date, January 8.
+
+There, for eight days, men fell, torn with shell and bullet, and over
+these trenches men charged in the face of certain death.
+
+A German attack in force opened the battle on January 8. General Joffre
+had slightly altered his plan, as outlined to Hal and Chester, and
+immediately the battle began the French made a counter-attack.
+
+The Aisne river, at this point, is one of the most strategic positions.
+The battlefield covered a front of approximately seven miles. On the
+western side is a deep valley, running northward, which is bounded on
+either side by turnpikes from Soissons, La Fere and Laon.
+
+A high, level plateau rises steeply a couple of hundred feet from the
+valley of the Aisne and formed the center and eastern flank of the
+battlefield. The plateau is deeply notched by three steep-sided ravines
+running down to the Aisne. Through these General Joffre, if he chose,
+could bring up supports unnoticed and without danger to positions on
+the plateau.
+
+The French counter-attack, then, was made up the valley to the west
+between the two turnpikes.
+
+Immediately the Germans had begun their offensive the French made ready
+for their attack by a terrible artillery bombardment. Field guns and
+heavy artillery concentrated their fire on this section of the German
+trenches, and there was such a rain of shell and shrapnel on the
+defenders that they were unable to make an effective defense against the
+French infantry attack which followed.
+
+The French, with great dash, carried part of the German positions; but
+this success dampened the vigor of their artillery bombardment, which
+could not be continued without endangering their own men. The big German
+guns opened a heavy fire on the rearward communications of the French,
+preventing the bringing up of reenforcements.
+
+Meanwhile, General Von Kluck, the German commander, was gathering his
+forces for a counter-stroke, which came, not through the valley, but
+across the high plateau to the eastward, a large part of which was held
+by the French. The surface of the plateau, which is fairly level, was
+crossed by row after row of deep French trenches, each trench with a
+clear field for the fire of its guns.
+
+It seemed impossible, in the cold light of the day after the passing
+excitement of battle, to conceive of troops successfully storming such
+intrenched positions But this is just what the Germans did, or thought
+they did, for their officers did not realize that the giving way of the
+French at this point was part of General Joffre's counter-stroke.
+
+There were five successive lines of permanent French trenches, each with
+its entanglement of barbed wire, supported on iron posts. German pioneers
+cut their way through the first entanglement before the general attack,
+but it was necessary for the others to make the advance across the
+exposed positions under fire.
+
+These attackers, however, were General Von Kluck's veterans, who, after
+the famous dash on Paris, the battle of the Marne and the retirement to
+the Aisne, had remained in comparative inactivity since the middle of
+September.
+
+They succeeded in sweeping across the plateau, first in the center and
+then on the eastern flank, carrying trench after trench by storm in an
+interrupted and irresistible attack.
+
+The French retired from the plateau. Then they gave up the valley below
+and retreated across the river. The Germans advanced through the valley.
+
+The narrow turnpikes had become great cemeteries. Four thousand German
+troops, engaged in the work of burying the dead as fast as they fell, had
+been unable to clear the field of even their own dead after eight days,
+while the field was strewn with the bodies of French infantrymen, in
+their far-to-be-seen red-and-blue uniforms, swarthy-faced Turcos,
+colonials, Alpine riflemen and bearded territorials.
+
+There came a lull in the fighting. The French retained a foothold
+north of the river at St. Paul, where the bridge from Soissons crosses
+the stream; but the bridge head was commanded by German artillery on
+the heights.
+
+The promenade along the exposed side of the plateau, in sight of Soissons
+and the bank of the Aisne, also held by the French in force, gave a
+rather uncanny feeling of insecurity. However, it was less dangerous than
+it seemed, for a slight haze rendered the group in German field gray
+invisible to the French artillery on the heights on the opposite side of
+the valley.
+
+In the part of the field where Hal and Chester had been on the eighth day
+of the fighting, at the edge of the plateau, the struggle had been
+desperate. Here, with the final German assault, the French had fought
+stubbornly and a hand-to-hand struggle ensued.
+
+Regiments of French troops, rather than retire to safety down a
+declivity, had contested this section of the field to the last, finally
+to be mowed down by the German artillery as the infantry was forced back.
+
+Hal and Chester had taken no important part in the battle, and had
+remained with the little body of British troops, held with masses of
+infantry of the French, in reserve, and had only been thrown forward with
+the reenforcements when General Joffre decided that it was time to halt
+the tide of the German advance.
+
+Immediately heavy reenforcements were hurled upon the Germans, and the
+latter must have been surprised by the fact that an apparently beaten
+enemy could come back so strongly to the attack. It became evident,
+however, after the eighth successive day of fighting, that the German
+leaders realized that General Joffre had anticipated the German attack;
+for, when French reenforcements were hurled forward in force, and the
+entire line assumed the offensive, the Teutons gave back rapidly.
+
+All that they had gained at such terrible sacrifice was again soon in the
+hands of the French. To their recent positions the French advanced--and
+beyond--carrying trench after trench which had been occupied for a few
+days by the enemy.
+
+There was no staying this terrible drive.
+
+The greatest pressure by the French was brought to bear upon the two
+flanks of the enemy, and these gave back while the German center held;
+but soon this gave way also and retreated, for General Von Kluck
+perceived that if it did not keep pace with the retreat of either flank,
+it was likely to be cut off and annihilated.
+
+Thus, from apparent victory the Germans had met defeat. It was a hard
+blow to the Kaiser, who from the rear watched the battle as it progressed
+and stood nervously clenching and unclenching his hands as victory turned
+into defeat.
+
+The first two rows of German trenches had fallen into the hands of
+the French, and there the troops prepared to make themselves at home.
+Thousands upon thousands of men were set to work burying the dead,
+and soon the field was cleared of the bodies. The losses on both
+sides had been enormous, for the battle of Soissons had been the
+bloodiest of the war.
+
+General Joffre, who had moved his headquarters somewhat toward the rear
+when the German advance began, reoccupied his old quarters once more, and
+it was here that Hal and Chester, having been summoned, found him.
+
+"I have a mission that I thought you would like to undertake," said
+the general.
+
+"We shall be glad to," returned Chester.
+
+"The little village of Pom lies just beyond our farthest outpost," said
+General Joffre. "Take the squadron of British and occupy it. You should
+be able to do so with little difficulty."
+
+The lads saluted and departed, rejoicing that they had some work
+ahead of them.
+
+The British raised a loud cheer when they learned that they were to
+advance, for they had had little part in the terrible fighting around
+Soissons, and were growing restless.
+
+It was after dark when the little force moved out from the trenches and
+advanced upon Pom. They marched quietly and swiftly, and morning found
+them in the streets of the little town.
+
+Here they encountered a small force of the enemy, who, however, gave way
+before them, evidently believing them the vanguard of a larger force.
+
+"Now," said Hal, "half of us may as well turn in while the other half
+stands guard. Break in the doors of some of these houses, men."
+
+Then it was that His Lordship, the lanky Englishman who had afforded so
+much amusement to the others, came to life. Up to this time he had been
+marching along with hanging head, apparently in nowise concerned in what
+was taking place.
+
+He ran lightly up the steps of the nearest house, and, putting his
+shoulder to the door, broke it in with ease. Immediately he
+disappeared within.
+
+Into this house Hal and Chester also went, and instructed their men to
+occupy the adjoining buildings.
+
+"We can give a good account of ourselves in here, should we be attacked,"
+Hal explained.
+
+"Right," Chester agreed. "But do you anticipate an attack?"
+
+"I do," replied Hal. "As soon as the Germans we drove out report to the
+main body, a strong force probably will be sent against us."
+
+"And are we supposed to hold them off?"
+
+"We are supposed to stick until ordered to fall back, I reckon,"
+Hal replied.
+
+"Well," declared Chester, "we are at the very opposite side of the town
+and can see them coming--if they do."
+
+They were attracted by a peculiar noise at the opposite side of the room
+in which they stood.
+
+It was His Lordship, dead to the world, snoring, with wide-open mouth.
+
+"The sergeant was right," said Hal. "His Lordship can sleep anywhere."
+
+Almost at this moment there came a warning from without.
+
+"Germans approaching in force, sir," cried the sergeant, poking his head
+in the door.
+
+And at that moment there came a clattering of horses' hoofs, and a moment
+later a French officer entered the room.
+
+"General Joffre orders you to fall back, sir!" he said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+A FIGHT FOR A BED.
+
+
+With a word to the sergeant to order an immediate retreat, Hal crossed
+the room and shook His Lordship roughly.
+
+"Get up!" he shouted.
+
+His Lordship opened one eye sleepily.
+
+"What's that?" he demanded.
+
+"Get up!" repeated Hal.
+
+"Not on your life," said His Lordship slowly, and closed his eyes again.
+
+"Quick!" shouted Hal. "We must retreat! A whole German regiment is about
+to attack us."
+
+"All right," came the reply, and His Lordship did not take the trouble to
+open his eyes.
+
+Once more the lad shook him roughly, and Chester added his voice.
+
+"Get up out of here," he commanded sharply. "A German regiment is upon
+us."
+
+"I don't care if it is the whole German army," replied His Lordship, with
+some heat--and it was the first time in his life that he had ever been
+aroused--"they won't get my bed."
+
+"I order you--" Hal began.
+
+But His Lordship calmly shut his eyes, turned on his other side, and went
+peacefully to sleep.
+
+"Now, what do you think of that?" demanded Hal of Chester.
+
+"Well," said Hal, "there is nothing we can do. It's up to us to save our
+own skins. We have done the best we can for him."
+
+He stepped to the door and Chester followed him. They looked about for
+some sign of their men, but the latter had gone, and Hal, Chester and His
+Lordship were left alone in the house.
+
+"We might as well make a dash for it," said Hal. "Come on!"
+
+He stepped from the door, but, as he would have started ahead, something
+whistled by his head. He started back with an exclamation, and, jumping
+back into the house, closed the door.
+
+"Too late," he said briefly.
+
+For a moment he stood listening.
+
+"What are we going to do?" demanded Chester.
+
+Hal considered.
+
+"Follow me," he said at length.
+
+He led the way beyond where His Lordship was sleeping, and, swinging
+himself out of a rear window, quickly clambered into the house next door.
+
+"Maybe they won't look for us here," he said. "Then, when they have gone,
+we can escape."
+
+"Maybe," said Chester dubiously, "but I don't think so."
+
+The boys approached the front of the house and looked out the window,
+taking care to keep out of sight from the street. But just then there
+came a sound of a shot.
+
+"Wonder what that is for?" asked Hal.
+
+He peered through the window. At the far end of the street he beheld a
+squad of German troops gazing toward the house they had just left.
+
+"Guess they are afraid we'll take a shot at 'em if they rush us," said
+Chester. "They don't know we have left."
+
+At that moment, from the house they had so recently quitted, there came
+the sound of a shot. A German soldier tumbled in his tracks.
+
+The enemy was just beyond the town, and the others, instead of rushing
+forward when their companion hit the ground, scattered and took refuge
+behind the nearest possible shelter.
+
+Another shot rang out from the next house, and a second German trooper,
+who had exposed his head for a moment, toppled over.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "That's pretty good shooting, if you
+ask me. Wonder who's doing it?"
+
+"There is not much question about that," said Hal dryly. "That is His
+Lordship, fighting for his bed."
+
+"By Jove!" cried Chester. "I'll bet that's just who it is."
+
+The lads were right.
+
+No sooner had they left the room in which His Lordship lay asleep than he
+arose and peered forth. His eyes fell upon the Germans in the distance.
+
+His Lordship muttered to himself: "Why can't they let a man sleep?"
+
+It was at that moment that one of the Germans, thinking to draw a fire
+from whoever chanced to be in the house, fired through the window. The
+bullet whistled close to His Lordship's head and moved him to action.
+
+"Shoot at me while I'm trying to take a nap, will you?" he said to
+himself. "Well, if you want my bed you'll have to come and take it."
+
+He reached for his rifle, which stood near the bed, and, dropping on his
+knee at the window, brought it to bear upon the first German. A crack
+and a puff of smoke and the Teuton was no more. A second one met the
+same fate.
+
+These were the two shots whose effect the lads had witnessed from the
+house next door. Now His Lordship calmly left the window and dragged the
+bed right up against it. Then he climbed in and lay down flat, still
+keeping his hand upon the rifle, which protruded through the window. As
+he glanced over the sights he rested.
+
+Several German bullets crashed through the window and sped above his
+head; but to these he paid no heed, nor did he fire until he drew a bead
+upon a vital spot of some German. Then there would be a sharp crack and
+the result would be one enemy less.
+
+Hal and Chester also were able to pick off an occasional enemy when one
+happened to expose himself. But the Germans became more cautious now.
+
+"It's only a question of time until they get us," said Hal quietly.
+"Certainly they will not allow us to remain here and pick them off
+like that."
+
+"True," replied Chester. "But I guess we'll be able to pick off a few
+more before they get us."
+
+From the next house came a hail in His Lordship's languid voice:
+
+"You fellows hold 'em off a little while," it said. "I'm going to
+take a nap!"
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "Do you hear that?"
+
+"Oh, I heard it, all right," replied Hal, and he was forced to smile a
+little to himself.
+
+There came no further shot from the next house, even when a German
+exposed himself. Had His Lordship been on guard he could have picked him
+off with ease.
+
+"He's asleep, all right," said Hal briefly. "We need look for no
+help there."
+
+But in this the lad was mistaken, as he was soon to learn.
+
+The silence from His Lordship's station evidently had caused the
+Germans to believe that one of their bullets must have gone home, for
+they came into the open and appeared to be ready to make a dash upon
+Hal and Chester.
+
+Immediately both lads opened upon them, and several fell. In spite of
+this, however, the Germans came on. But, as they drew closer to the
+house, and the lads continued to pour lead into them, there came several
+quick flashes from the window next door, and as many Germans dropped in
+their tracks.
+
+His Lordship's repeating rifle was at work once more. The Germans drew
+off.
+
+His Lordship pumped lead into them right and left as they dashed for the
+nearest shelter, and by the time they reached it half the number who had
+rushed forward lay upon the ground.
+
+Now, from the distance, came the sound of trampling hoofs. The sound came
+from the rear, and in another second the Germans broke from behind their
+shelter and fled swiftly.
+
+A force of French cavalry dashed into view around the house.
+
+Both lads heaved a sigh of relief and left their refuge.
+
+"May as well go in and tell His Lordship he can finish his nap," said
+Hal.
+
+But there was no need for this. When the lads entered the room His
+Lordship lay sleeping peacefully, one hand still grasping his rifle.
+
+"Well," said Chester, "he's the limit. However, he's some fighter, too.
+You'll have to give him credit for that."
+
+A few moments later the squadron of British, which had advanced again in
+the wake of the cavalry, came into sight. The sergeant dashed rapidly
+toward the house where he had left the boys.
+
+The latter greeted him at the door.
+
+"We didn't miss you until we had gone too far to come back," said the
+sergeant. "I feared you had been killed."
+
+"We are all right," replied Hal, "but there is no telling what might have
+happened to us had it not been for His Lordship, who is sleeping in the
+next room."
+
+"What! His Lordship sleeping while all this was going on?" exclaimed
+the sergeant, pointing to the bodies of the dead Germans that lay
+scattered about.
+
+"Oh, that!" exclaimed Chester. "His Lordship did most of that
+between naps!"
+
+The Allies were now in force enough to hold the town, which they did all
+that day with Hal and Chester in command. With the coming of night,
+however, an officer appeared to relieve them. He also informed them that
+General Joffre desired their presence immediately.
+
+Accordingly the lads left the little village, and midnight found them
+back in their own quarters. They retired immediately to rest, for General
+Joffre had left word that he would postpone his interview with them until
+the morrow.
+
+Bright and early the next morning, however, the lads were admitted to
+his presence.
+
+"This," said the French commander, placing a paper in Hal's hands, "is an
+important communication for the French prime minister. I have selected
+you two lads to place it in his hands immediately. Since you told me of
+the plot to kidnap the President, I have investigated. From a prisoner I
+have learned additional facts, which I have put into the paper you hold."
+
+"The prime minister is in Paris, is he not?" asked Hal.
+
+"He is. I have informed the prime minister, by wireless, that you are on
+the way with the message; also, that if there is any work to be done, he
+could not do better than to give you chaps a hand in it."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said both lads in one voice.
+
+"Make all possible haste," said General Joffre, waving them from
+his presence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE ROAD TO PARIS.
+
+
+"How far are we from Paris, Hal?" asked Chester, when they were once more
+on the outside.
+
+"Not more than eighty miles," was the reply. "You heard what the Kaiser
+is said to have told his troops, didn't you?"
+
+"No; what was it?"
+
+"He told them that they were but two hours' ride, by automobile, from
+their goal; by which he meant the French capital."
+
+"Great Scott! I didn't realize they were so close."
+
+"It is pretty close; but still, when you stop to think, not so close
+after all; for the road to Paris, for the Kaiser's troops, at least, is
+strewn with insurmountable obstacles, and death and danger lurk on
+every hand."
+
+"True," said Chester. "Besides which, the Kaiser is considerably farther
+from his goal than he was some months ago."
+
+"Yes," agreed Hal, "he has been forced a long way down the field, as we
+would say on the gridiron."
+
+Besides the document which they were to carry to the French Prime
+Minister, General Joffre also had given the lads an order for one of
+the large army automobiles, that they might make the trip with all
+possible haste.
+
+Hal accosted the proper officer, and soon the lads had the huge car at
+their disposal. The officer also offered to furnish them with a
+chauffeur, but Hal declined this offer, electing to drive the machine
+himself. Chester climbed into the tonneau and Hal took his place at the
+wheel. Both waved a good-by to the officer, and, under Hal's guiding
+hand, the large automobile started off slowly.
+
+Gradually Hal increased the speed, till at length they were flying along
+the road at the rate of forty miles an hour. There were no speed
+restrictions in the war zone, and as the car dashed over the ground Hal
+kept a keen eye out for machines approaching from the other direction.
+
+Chester leaned over the front seat and clutched Hal by the shoulder.
+
+"At this rate," he shouted, "it won't take us long to get to Paris."
+
+"About two hours," Hal shouted back, without taking his eyes from the
+road ahead.
+
+Through the towns of Villers and Cotterets the automobile flashed,
+although Hal reducing his speed a trifle when the little cities came in
+sight. On the road beyond, however, he proceeded to let the car out
+again, and so they dashed into Nanteul.
+
+Here, because of somewhat more congested traffic, Hal was forced to
+reduce his speed considerably, and they went slowly through the
+streets of the towns. Before setting out on their trip, Hal had spent
+half an hour over the maps of the road, that there might be no danger
+of their getting lost, and the lay of the country was firmly impressed
+upon his mind.
+
+As they wended their way slowly through the streets of Nanteul, there
+came suddenly the sound of an explosion beneath them. Hal brought the car
+to an abrupt stop and leaped lightly to the ground. Chester did likewise.
+
+"Tire blown out," said Hal briefly, after a quick glance at the rear
+left-hand wheel.
+
+He walked to the rear of the car, where a spare tire should have been
+ready for just such an emergency. There was none there.
+
+The lad stepped back with an exclamation of dismay.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Chester.
+
+"Matter is that we have no spare tire," replied Hal. "Where shall
+we get one?"
+
+"I don't know," returned Chester. "The chances are that every spare tire
+within forty miles is in use. However, we might go into this restaurant
+and make some inquiries."
+
+Hal followed his friend into the restaurant, where Chester made known
+their wants.
+
+The proprietor, a smiling and effusive little Frenchman, greeted
+them warmly.
+
+"I myself have a tire that shall be yours," he told them. "It shall be
+taken from my own car and put upon yours. Jacques!"
+
+In response to this call a dapper little waiter came forward, and to him
+the proprietor made known his desires. The waiter bowed and departed. The
+proprietor turned to the lads.
+
+"While Jacques is making ready messieurs' car," he said with a bow, "it
+will give me pleasure to have messieurs lunch with me."
+
+"How long will it take him to fix it?" asked Hal.
+
+The little Frenchman shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Perhaps fifteen minutes, perhaps twenty," he replied.
+
+"In that event," said Hal, "we shall be glad to accept your invitation."
+
+The Frenchman beamed upon them, and led the way to the rear of the little
+room, where he motioned them to seats at a somewhat secluded table.
+
+"We shall not be disturbed here," he said.
+
+A light luncheon was soon upon the table, and the lads fell to with a
+will, for they were quite hungry.
+
+While the lads were in the midst of their meal, a group of French
+officers, all young lieutenants, came boisterously into the restaurant
+and took seats at a table close to where the lads sat. It was plain to
+both boys that they had been drinking more than was good for them, and
+they paid no attention to them beyond acknowledging their salutes.
+
+One of the young officers pounded loudly on the table and demanded wine
+immediately. The proprietor arose from the table where the lads sat and
+hastened to attend to the wants of his customers himself, and soon
+several bottles of wine were upon the table.
+
+The proprietor filled the glasses of the young officers, and then, at a
+nod from one of them, approached the table where the lads sat and poured
+out two more glasses of the sparkling fluid, which he placed before Hal
+and Chester.
+
+The French officers at the other table rose, each with his glass in his
+hand; then one of them looked toward Hal and Chester, and the latter,
+realizing that the young Frenchman was about to propose a toast, also got
+to their feet; but instead of holding their wine glasses aloft, the
+glasses which they raised held nothing more than water.
+
+The young Frenchman gave his toast.
+
+"France!" he said gravely.
+
+Each man raised his glass to his lips and drained it, but Hal and
+Chester drank the toast in clear, cold water. As the first Frenchman
+returned his glass to the table, he noticed that the wine before Hal and
+Chester remained untouched. His face turned a dull red, and he
+approached the lads.
+
+"And why does not monsieur drink with us?" he demanded in a harsh voice,
+thrusting his face toward Chester. "Can it be that you are spies?"
+
+"No," said Chester, taking a step backward; "we are not spies. We
+are British officers, and we drank your toast in water. We do not
+drink wine."
+
+"British officers!" repeated the Frenchman. "Then how comes it that you
+wear the uniforms of French lieutenants?"
+
+"That," replied Chester quietly, "is none of your business."
+
+"None of my business!" echoed the Frenchman. "_Mon Dieu_! And what if I
+make it some of my business, eh?"
+
+"If I were you," said Chester, "I wouldn't think of such a thing."
+
+The Frenchman took a step backward at the menace in the lad's tone; but
+the other French officers now gathered about, and these reenforcements
+apparently lent him courage.
+
+"So!" he exclaimed. "It is that we are not good enough to drink
+with you, eh?"
+
+"No," replied Chester; "we simply don't drink. That is all. We appreciate
+your courtesy in thinking of us, and we drank your toast in water, which
+is the strongest drink we ever touch."
+
+Hal, who up to this time had remained silent in his chair, now rose
+to his feet.
+
+"Look here," he said, facing the fiery Frenchman; "we are on important
+business and haven't time to fool with you. My friend has explained why
+we didn't drink wine with you. That should settle the matter."
+
+"But it doesn't settle it," exclaimed the Frenchman, now in a rage. "You
+refused to drink with us because you think us not good enough."
+
+"All right, have it that way if you will," said Chester wearily. "If you
+say so, then we didn't drink because you are not good enough."
+
+"_Mon Dieu_!" cried the Frenchman, and his hand rested upon the butt of
+his revolver. "You have insulted me, and for that you shall pay."
+
+With one hand still resting upon his revolver, he stepped quickly
+forward, and before Chester could realize what was up, he slapped the lad
+sharply in the face.
+
+This was too much for Chester. Up to this time he had remained perfectly
+cool, but the blow in the face, light though it was, was more than he
+could stand. He took a quick step forward, and as he did so his right
+fist flashed out, and the young Frenchman, struck squarely upon the nose,
+went to the floor with blood streaming from his wounded member.
+
+There came several subdued exclamations from the others of the party, and
+the hands of the other French officers dropped to their revolvers.
+
+But before any of them could draw, Hal had whipped forth his own
+automatics, and covered them.
+
+"I'll blow the head off the first one who makes a move," he said sternly.
+
+The French officers made no move to draw.
+
+The Frenchman whom Chester had knocked down now got to his feet,
+considerably sobered up by the force of the lad's blow. He was suffering
+more from wounded dignity than anything else, and he was very angry. He
+approached Chester.
+
+"For that blow," he said very quietly, "monsieur shall give me
+satisfaction."
+
+"I'll repeat the dose if that's what you want," said Chester, also
+thoroughly aroused, and he took a step forward.
+
+The Frenchman drew back.
+
+"_Non! Non!_" he exclaimed. "You shall give me satisfaction with swords
+or pistols, as a gentleman, if, for the moment, you can be one."
+
+"So," said Chester, "I am no gentleman, eh? I'll make you wish you had
+never seen me, you little--"
+
+"Hold on! Hold on!" interrupted Hal. "We have other business to attend
+to. We have no time for duels."
+
+But for the moment he had relaxed his vigilance, and the nearest officer,
+with two quick blows, knocked his revolvers from his hand, and the lad
+found himself covered.
+
+"Now," said the young Frenchman to Chester, "will you fight or not?"
+
+"I'll fight," replied the lad calmly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE DUEL.
+
+
+"It seems to me," said Hal quietly, "that there is enough fighting to be
+done at the front without fighting among ourselves. Besides, we have
+important business in Paris immediately."
+
+"It won't take long to dispose of this fellow, Hal," said Chester
+significantly.
+
+"Perhaps not," replied Hal, "but you know there is always the chance that
+you may fall. Then they would probably drag me into it, and, if I went
+down, what would happen to the document we bear?"
+
+"That's true," said Chester. He turned to his adversary. "Is it
+understood," he asked, "that, if I fall, there is an end of the quarrel?"
+
+The Frenchman bowed in assent.
+
+"And if you kill me," he said, "my friends will not molest you."
+
+"Well, that suits me," said Chester. "Where and when are we going to
+fight this thing out?"
+
+"Immediately," was the reply; "and, with our host's permission, we shall
+fight right here, monsieur."
+
+"Any place suits me," said Chester. "And the weapons?"
+
+"The choice lies with you, _monsieur_."
+
+"Very good," said Chester. "Revolvers at ten paces!"
+
+"Ten paces!" exclaimed one of the Frenchmen, stepping back in surprise.
+"Surely _monsieur_ is jesting!"
+
+"Not a bit of it," replied Chester quietly. "I want to get close enough
+to make sure I can't miss him."
+
+"But, _monsieur_," protested one of the Frenchmen, "it will make it that
+much easier for your opponent to hit you also."
+
+"He won't hit me," said Chester. "Don't you worry about that. Revolvers
+at ten paces, or there will be no fight."
+
+The French officer who had volunteered to act as the other's
+second bowed.
+
+"It shall be as _monsieur_ desires," he said.
+
+The revolvers of the others, which had covered Hal, were now lowered, and
+the lad was allowed to pick up his weapons. He approached Chester.
+
+"Are you sure you can get him?" he asked.
+
+"Dead certain," replied Chester. "Look at him now. See how he's shaking.
+It's the ten paces that did that. He knows I can't possibly miss him at
+that distance, and he is consequently nervous for fear his first shot
+may go wild."
+
+There was truth in the lad's words. Chester's antagonist was plainly
+nervous, and he and his second talked together in low tones. Finally the
+second came over to Hal.
+
+"My friend," he said, "wishing to spare your friend's life, is willing to
+accept his apology."
+
+"There'll be no apology," growled Chester, who had overheard this remark.
+
+"But the ten paces, _monsieur_," protested the Frenchman. "It will be
+murder. My friend is a crack shot. At the distance he cannot miss. He
+would give your friend a chance for his life by lengthening the
+distance."
+
+"Ten paces or nothing," replied Hal.
+
+The Frenchman bowed and returned to his principal. They conversed in low
+tones, and finally the second announced that the terms were satisfactory.
+
+As the two principals came together Hal perceived a peculiar gleam in the
+eye of the Frenchman, and realized in a moment that Chester's antagonist
+had some scheme up his sleeve. Hal thought rapidly, and then drew a
+breath of relief. He believed he had solved the Frenchman's plan and he
+determined to thwart it.
+
+The two principals, according to the arrangements made, were to stand
+back to back, and, at the count of three, each take five steps, turn and
+fire at will. Each weapon had been carefully examined by both seconds and
+all cartridges removed but two. Consequently, each was to be allowed two
+shots, if necessary, and, in the event that neither fell, honor was to be
+declared appeased. It was also stipulated that should one of the
+principals fire before he had taken five paces he should be shot down by
+the other's second.
+
+The seconds were the only two permitted to have arms besides the
+principals. Hal had insisted upon this, and, accordingly, the others
+turned their weapons over to the proprietor, who, at Hal's command, had
+taken them to the next room.
+
+Chester and his opponent stood back to back, and Hal, who had called the
+toss of a coin, began to count:
+
+"One! Two! Three!"
+
+At the word Chester and the French officer who had stood in the center of
+the room walked slowly away from each other with measured stride.
+
+Two steps, three, four, the young Frenchman took, and then wheeled
+suddenly and brought his revolver to bear upon the back of his
+antagonist, who was taking the full five strides. The Frenchman's finger
+tightened on the trigger.
+
+But Hal had been watching him like a hawk. His quick mind had detected
+the treachery of the Frenchman before the two had taken their places, and
+he held his own revolver ready, as did the Frenchman's second.
+
+As the Frenchman wheeled suddenly, upon his fourth step, and his finger
+pressed the trigger, Hal's own weapon spoke suddenly. With a cry the
+Frenchman threw up both hands, and pitched to the floor on his face.
+
+The next moment Hal's revolver covered the Frenchman's second, before the
+latter could raise his own weapon--had such been his intention--and in a
+stern voice the lad cried:
+
+"So this is French bravery, eh? You shoot men in the back! No wonder your
+principal agreed upon ten paces."
+
+Chester, having wheeled quickly at his fifth step, took in the situation
+at a glance, and his revolver covered the other French officers. One of
+the latter, raising a hand, stepped forward.
+
+"_Monsieur_," he said quietly to Chester, "I would have you believe that
+neither I nor my friends had a hand in this. Had we known what our friend
+contemplated, we would not have allowed the duel to proceed."
+
+Chester glanced at the Frenchman keenly for a moment, then lowered
+his revolver.
+
+"I believe you," he said simply.
+
+Hal also now lowered the weapon with which he had covered the Frenchman's
+second, and the latter also made profuse protests of innocence, which
+both lads believed to be true. Then he bent over Chester's late
+antagonist.
+
+"He is still alive," he said, looking up after an examination. "The
+bullet struck him in the chest. With proper attention he will recover."
+He approached Chester and held out his hand. "I regret this unpleasant
+incident exceedingly," he said. "I trust you will absolve us from blame."
+
+"Of course," said Chester, grasping the outstretched hand. "I would be
+loath to believe that all Frenchmen are not true soldiers and honorable
+gentlemen."
+
+Hal also shook hands all around with the young Frenchmen, and a few
+moments later announced that they must be on their way. The Frenchmen
+escorted them to their car, which was now ready and waiting for them,
+and, as Hal sent it forward with a lurch, they sped the lads on their way
+with rousing cheers.
+
+"By Jove! That was a pretty narrow squeak!" Chester called over Hal's
+shoulder, as the car swept from the little city of Nanteul and sped on
+across the open country. "If you hadn't been on the alert I would be with
+the angels now."
+
+"I don't know how I came to suspect him," replied Hal, also raising his
+voice to a shout, to make himself heard above the roaring of the flying
+automobile. "Something seemed to tell me he was up to some deviltry, and
+I figured it out before you took your places. So, when he turned before
+time, I was ready for him."
+
+"And a good thing for me that you were," Chester muttered to himself.
+
+The car sped on.
+
+Through Dammartin they dashed with slightly diminished speed, and,
+bearing off a trifle to the north, passed through St. Gonesse. Ten
+minutes later they came within sight of Paris and Hal slowed down.
+
+"Well, I guess we won't have any more trouble before we get to Paris," he
+said. "I judge that we are on the outskirts now."
+
+The car continued at a more moderate gait. Passing vehicles became more
+frequent now, and the lad was forced to go very slowly in some places to
+avoid dense crowds of pedestrians and troops.
+
+"Where are we going to find the Prime Minister, Hal?" asked Chester.
+
+"By Jove! I hadn't thought of that!" exclaimed Hal. "We'll have to
+find out."
+
+They were in the very heart of the city now. Hal brought the car to a
+stand, near one of the city's police officers and accosted the latter
+in French.
+
+"We bear a communication from General Joffre to the Prime Minister," he
+said. "Can you tell us where to find him? We are strangers in the city."
+
+The policeman was very polite. He signaled another officer, who was
+passing, and repeated Hal's request. The latter immediately climbed into
+the car beside Hal.
+
+"I happen to know," he said, "that the Prime Minister at the present
+moment is at the Chamber of Deputies, where he is making an address. If
+your business is important, no doubt you will be permitted to see him as
+soon as he has concluded."
+
+He pointed out the way, and Hal drove the car slowly along the streets.
+They drew up at last before an imposing building, which, the policeman
+informed them, was where the Chamber of Deputies sat. The lads alighted
+and ascended the steps.
+
+At the entrance they were stopped by a soldier, who demanded their
+business.
+
+"We bear a message from General Joffre to the Prime Minister," said Hal.
+
+The soldier summoned an officer, to whom Hal repeated their errand. The
+latter motioned the lads to follow him, and showed them into a
+waiting-room and took his departure, ordering them to wait.
+
+"The Prime Minister has concluded his address," he told them. "I shall
+take your message."
+
+Half an hour later a man appeared in the doorway. He was slender and
+rather tall. "Lieutenants Paine and Crawford?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the lads, getting to their feet.
+
+"I," said the newcomer, "am the Prime Minister."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.
+
+
+Hal and Chester made a profound bow.
+
+"I have been informed," continued the Prime Minister, "that you bear a
+message from General Joffre containing proof of information you obtained
+bearing on a plot to kidnap the President of France."
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Hal, and from his pocket produced the document, which
+he passed to the Prime Minister.
+
+The latter broke the seal and ran through it hurriedly.
+
+"Hm-m-m," he said at last. "Not as much information as I believe we
+shall need."
+
+"But surely you know enough to protect the President," said Hal.
+
+The Prime Minister looked at him somewhat coldly, and Hal drew back,
+confused at having been so bold. The Prime Minister touched a bell upon a
+desk and an attendant entered.
+
+"Have General Gallieni summoned here immediately," he instructed.
+
+The attendant bowed and departed. For half an hour the Prime Minister
+paced up and down the room, deep in thought. The lads stood silent,
+neither caring to interrupt his meditations. Finally the attendant again
+entered the room, and announced:
+
+"General Gallieni!"
+
+A short, squat man, attired in a brilliant red-and-blue uniform, with
+medals flashing upon his breast, strode into the room and came to
+attention before the Prime Minister.
+
+"You summoned me, sir?"
+
+"Yes, General. These," indicating Hal and Chester, "are the two officers
+who overheard the plot to kidnap President Poincare. I have called you
+here that you may hear their story at first hand." He turned to the two
+lads. "This," he said, "is General Gallieni, military governor of Paris.
+You will repeat to him what you overheard."
+
+In a few brief words Hal did so, and, when he had concluded the Prime
+Minister passed the message from General Joffre to General Gallieni.
+The latter ran his eye over it quickly, and for some moments thereafter
+was silent.
+
+"And you say that this plot was to be carried out in the event that the
+German offensive failed?" he asked at length.
+
+"Such is my understanding, sir," replied Hal.
+
+"And you say a German agent is supposed to have been in communication
+with Pierre Duval, recognized as King of the Apaches?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+General Gallieni turned to the Prime Minister.
+
+"I have made inquiries," he said, "and I have learned enough to
+substantiate this story. We can, of course, foil the plot with ease, but
+that is not enough."
+
+"No," the Prime Minister agreed, "that is not enough."
+
+"We must apprehend Duval himself," continued the military governor.
+
+"Exactly," said the Prime Minister, "and with him sufficient of his men
+to cause the others to realize that when they plot treason to France
+their necks are in jeopardy."
+
+"Precisely," agreed General Gallieni. "But this Duval is a slippery
+fellow and hard to catch. I have learned that, unlike other Apaches, he
+comes of better blood; in fact, is supposed to be a gentleman. But,
+beyond this, I have learned nothing except the existence of the plot to
+kidnap the President."
+
+"But the police and the secret service men," said the Prime Minister,
+"haven't they been able--"
+
+"The police and secret service men, bah!" interrupted General Gallieni.
+"They have learned nothing. Their faces are so familiar to the denizens
+of the underworld as to make them absolutely useless. I have set some of
+my officers on the trail, but they seem to have met with no better luck.
+No; we must have men whose identities cannot be so easily established;
+strangers, say, who are willing to risk their lives by going into the
+haunts of the Apaches, and, perhaps, putting themselves in their power."
+
+"Then, sir," said Chester, taking a step forward, "you need seek no
+further. My friend and I shall be glad to undertake the work."
+
+"You!" exclaimed the Prime Minister, starting back in surprise. "Why, you
+are nothing but boys."
+
+"True," said Hal, somewhat nettled, "but more than once we have
+accomplished men's work."
+
+General Gallieni looked at them long and carefully. Then he once more
+turned his eyes upon the contents of General Joffre's message.
+
+"General Joffre," he said quietly, "speaks highly of you both. He says
+that you are to be trusted implicitly and he appears to have great
+confidence in your resourcefulness. Upon his recommendation I should say
+that, if you are willing to undertake the work, you would come as near
+bringing it to a successful termination as any men we might find."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Hal quietly. "We are both willing and eager to
+make the attempt."
+
+"Then," said the general, "we shall consider the matter settled."
+
+"But," protested the Prime Minister, "it seems to me that they are much
+too young to be allowed to assume such a risk."
+
+"From General Joffre's letter," remarked the military governor of Paris
+dryly, "I should say that they have already assumed risks every whit as
+great." He turned again to Hal and Chester. "Do you know anything of the
+Apaches of Paris?" he asked.
+
+"Only what we have read," replied Chester. "I should say that they are of
+the lowest possible order of criminals."
+
+"You are entirely right," replied General Gallieni. "The Apaches of Paris
+have not acquired an undeserved reputation. There is no crime on the
+calendar they would not commit for a few cents. From petty thievery to
+murder they have advanced by degrees, until to-day the life of a person
+who ventures among them is not worth a cent, should they believe he had a
+franc in his pocket.
+
+"The Apaches infest the poorer sections of the city, notably the banks of
+the Seine and portions of the Quartier Latin. They seldom venture from
+their own haunts, and, like cats, do most of their prowling and evil
+deeds during the darkest hours of the night. Nowhere in the world is
+there a more villainous band of cutthroats. You would think that, in
+times like these they would rally to the support of their country, but
+they have not. And now comes this plot to turn their President over to
+the enemy."
+
+The lads had listened with great interest to this account of the men, in
+whose midst they had volunteered to risk their lives. They realized the
+danger that confronted them in such a venture, but neither was minded to
+give it up because of this.
+
+"Well, we shall have to be careful, sir," said Hal. "We will dress poorly
+and will show no money. If you will put us on the right road I am sure
+that we shall learn something of value in the course of a day or two."
+
+"It is still not too late to draw out," said the general, eying
+them closely.
+
+"Well, we won't draw out," said Hal quietly.
+
+"I should say not," agreed Chester.
+
+"Report to me to-night at my quarters in the Hotel de Ville, say at 9
+o'clock, and I will give you your directions and what other information I
+can that will be of service to you. In the meantime, I would advise that
+you seek rest, for you are likely to need it."
+
+The military governor took his departure, and soon the lads also left the
+presence of the Prime Minister, who had directed them to a hotel nearby.
+
+In this little hotel, clean and comfortable, the lads sent out and
+procured some old clothes that would give them the appearance of dire
+poverty. Then they examined and cleaned their automatics and laid in an
+extra supply of cartridges.
+
+"Well, I guess that's about all we can do till to-night," said Hal.
+"Let's get a little sleep."
+
+"My sentiments exactly," said Chester.
+
+It was perhaps 4 o'clock in the afternoon when they arose. Outside the
+sun was shining brightly.
+
+"By Jove!" said Chester. "This is too nice a day to remain in the hotel.
+Let's take a walk."
+
+"Agreed," said Hal.
+
+They left the hotel, and for an hour strolled about the city, looking at
+the sights of interest.
+
+"By the way," said Chester, "what's this Hotel de Ville where we are to
+report to General Gallieni to-night?"
+
+"Why," said Hal, "that's the city hall, or at least what we would call
+the city hall in America. I suppose that when Paris was put under martial
+law the military governor, who, of course, superseded all civic
+authorities, at once took up his quarters there."
+
+"I see," said Chester.
+
+Strolling along Bois de Boulougne, the lads saw, some distance ahead of
+them, a crowd gathered about what appeared to be a knot of struggling
+men. They hurried up and peered over the shoulders of the other
+onlookers.
+
+In the center of the throng was a young man, defending himself as best he
+could, against the attacks of half a dozen smaller assailants, young
+rowdies and ruffians.
+
+Even as the lads looked the assailed snatched a club from the hands of
+one of his opponents, and laid about him lustily, clearing a small space
+on all sides of him.
+
+But the weight of numbers was bound to tell, and the assailants closed in
+again, while the crowd stood and laughed.
+
+Such unequal odds did not appeal to the two lads.
+
+"Come on, Hal," said Chester. "We can't stand idly by and let that crowd
+of ruffians beat that fellow up."
+
+"I should say not," said Hal. "Come on."
+
+Elbowing and shoving, the lads forced their way through the crowd and
+fell upon the assailants from the rear. The young man to whose assistance
+they had come welcomed this unexpected aid with a slight smile, and the
+three stood side by side and fought off the ruffians.
+
+But the ranks of the latter were increased now, and the lads were hard
+pressed. They were giving a good account of themselves, but it was
+evident that, unless help arrived, they would get the worst of it.
+
+Suddenly a tall man in a heavy fur overcoat, who had alighted from an
+automobile to see what the excitement was about, after a quick glance at
+the combatants, uttered a cry and dashed forward, elbowing his way
+through the crowd.
+
+Hal and Chester each felt himself seized by the shoulder by a strong
+hand, and a voice exclaimed:
+
+"So! I have found you young scalawags at last!"
+
+At the sound of this voice Hal and Chester stood stockstill, and from the
+crowd came the cry of: "The police!"
+
+Hal glanced quickly into the face of the man who held him and his chum
+firmly by the arm. The face was set in a stern expression, but there was
+a kindly smile behind it and the eyes twinkled.
+
+Chester voiced his astonishment with two words.
+
+"Uncle John!" he cried.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+OTHER RELATIVES.
+
+
+"Mr. Crawford!" cried Hal, equally as surprised.
+
+For the man who held the two lads in a vise-like grip was the brother of
+Chester's father, whom they had last seen in America.
+
+Uncle John smiled grimly.
+
+"Yes, it's me," he said, paying no heed to his slip in grammar, "and now
+that I've found you I am going to take you with me."
+
+Still grasping each by the shoulder, he led them through the crowd and
+pushed them into the waiting automobile. He then gave the driver an
+address and climbed in himself. The machine started off.
+
+"Now," said Uncle John, settling himself comfortably, "tell me where you
+have been. Both your mothers are frantic, and they set me a strenuous job
+when they turned me loose on your trail. I have been looking for you for
+months. Where have you been, and what are you doing in those French
+uniforms?"
+
+"But where is mother?" asked Hal.
+
+"You'll see her soon enough," was the grim response, "and yours, too," he
+added, turning to Chester.
+
+"Is mother here in Paris?" asked Chester.
+
+"She is; you'll be with her in fifteen minutes."
+
+"And mine, too?" asked Hal.
+
+"Yes; now tell me about yourselves."
+
+"Well," said Chester, "there is not much to tell. I suppose Mrs. Paine
+told you how we became separated in Berlin?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, we managed to escape from Germany and made our way to Liege just
+before the German assault on that fortress."
+
+"And were you there during its defense?" asked Uncle John in surprise.
+
+"Yes, we were there. We were fortunate enough to render the Belgian
+commander some slight service, for which we were later made lieutenants
+in the Belgian army."
+
+"Lieutenants!" ejaculated Uncle John.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then what are you doing in French uniforms?"
+
+"I am coming to that. Later we saw service with the British troops, and
+also with the Cossacks in Russia. We were captured several days ago by
+the Germans, and we donned these uniforms when we finally got into the
+French lines. To-day we came to Paris with a communication from General
+Joffre for the Prime Minister."
+
+Uncle John sat straight up in his seat during this recital, so great was
+his surprise.
+
+"And you have gone through all this unwounded?" he asked.
+
+"Well, no," said Chester; "we have both been wounded, but we are all
+right now."
+
+"And to-night," said Hal, "we have further work to do."
+
+"Well," said Uncle John grimly, "I think your fighting days are over."
+
+"Over!" echoed both lads in consternation.
+
+"Yes. You will accompany us back to the United States the day after
+to-morrow. In the meantime I shall make it my business to see that you
+stay in the hotel and are not allowed to go gallivanting about."
+
+"It can't be done, Uncle John," said Chester quietly. "We have duties
+to perform."
+
+"So you have," returned Uncle John, "and the chief one is to return home
+where you belong."
+
+Chester was about to reply, but thought better of it, and remained
+silent. At Uncle John's request, Hal filled in the details of their
+adventures, and, as the account progressed, Uncle John became more and
+more surprised.
+
+At length the machine drew up in front of one of the largest hotels in
+the city and the three alighted and went in. Five minutes later Chester
+was in the arms of his mother and Hal was in the arms of his. Both
+mothers wept tears of joy at having their sons with them again.
+
+"We'll go home immediately," said Mrs. Paine.
+
+"On the first steamer," agreed Mrs. Crawford.
+
+"I'll go now and see about accommodations," said Uncle John.
+
+He left the room.
+
+"I am sorry, mother," said Hal, "but we cannot go home now."
+
+"Cannot go home!" exclaimed Mrs. Paine. "Why?"
+
+"Because we have duties to perform here," replied Hal quietly.
+
+"Duties? What have you to do with this war? You are an American."
+
+"Nevertheless," said Hal, "we have taken the oath of allegiance,
+and we must stay, at least until we have accomplished the mission
+we are now on."
+
+"What is the mission?" asked his mother.
+
+"I am sorry, mother, but I cannot say," was Hal's reply.
+
+"Is it dangerous?"
+
+"Well, not particularly so," said Hal.
+
+"And you won't tell me what it is?"
+
+"I cannot. It is not my secret to tell. It belongs to France."
+
+"In that event," said Mrs. Paine, who had been a soldier's wife, "I will
+not press you."
+
+"Thank you, mother," said Hal gratefully.
+
+A similar conversation had ensued between Chester and Mrs. Crawford, with
+like result.
+
+"But, if we let you go on this mission, will you then return home?" asked
+Mrs. Crawford.
+
+"We can't promise, mother," said Chester.
+
+"Then," said Mrs. Crawford, "I shall not permit you to go."
+
+Chester made no reply to this.
+
+Mrs. Paine also refused her consent unless Hal would promise to return
+home after the termination of the mission on which they were now engaged,
+and Hal would make no such promise.
+
+An hour later Uncle John returned and to him the two mothers told
+their troubles.
+
+"Well," said Uncle John calmly, "I'll fix 'em."
+
+It was now after six o'clock, and all descended to dinner. The meal over,
+Uncle John called the two lads into his own room. Motioning them to
+seats, he stepped out the door, and quickly turned the key in the lock.
+
+"Now," he said from the outside, "we shall see whether you'll stay or
+not."
+
+Hal and Chester looked at each other in dismay.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried the latter. "What are we going to do now?"
+
+Hal looked at his watch.
+
+"After seven o'clock," he said. "We haven't much time."
+
+He looked about the room, and his eye fell upon the telephone. Quickly he
+stepped forward and placed the receiver to his ear. After some
+questioning he turned to Hal with a smile.
+
+"I guess it's all right now," he said.
+
+"What are you trying to do?" asked Chester.
+
+"You'll see," said Hal.
+
+He turned to the telephone.
+
+"I wish to speak with General Gallieni," he said. "Tell him it is the
+party he is expecting to-night at nine. All right." He was silent a
+moment, then spoke again: "General Gallieni?"
+
+"Yes," came the reply over the wire.
+
+"This is Lieutenant Paine, whom you are depending on for to-night. We are
+prisoners in room number 257," and Hal gave the name of the hotel.
+
+"What!" came the surprised reply. "By whom are you being held?"
+
+"By our uncle. Cannot you send a detachment of soldiers with orders to
+take us before you at once?"
+
+Hal heard a slight chuckle wafted over the wire.
+
+"It shall be done," came the reply, and the military governor of
+Paris rang off.
+
+Hal turned to Chester with a smile.
+
+"I guess that will fix it," he said.
+
+"Well, I should say so," said Chester. "But what will Uncle John and our
+mothers think when we are dragged away, apparently as prisoners?"
+
+"I don't know what they'll think," said Hal, "but we are in honor
+bound to see this thing through, and we must not let sentiment stand
+in the way."
+
+"I guess you are right," said Chester slowly, after a moment's
+hesitation.
+
+"I know I am," said Hal, and so the matter rested.
+
+It was nearly eight o'clock, as Hal perceived by a glance at his watch,
+when the heavy sound of tramping feet became audible in the hall.
+
+"Room 257," came a voice from without.
+
+There was a loud rap on the door.
+
+"Who's there?" called Hal, thinking to keep up the deception.
+
+"Open the door in the name of the law!" came back the response.
+
+From an adjoining room Mrs. Paine, Mrs. Crawford and Uncle John were
+startled by the pounding on the door, and looked into the hall just as
+the above conversation through the door took place. Uncle John
+immediately stepped forward.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
+
+The French officer turned upon him.
+
+"None of your business," he replied. He turned and rapped on the door
+again. "Open the door," he commanded, "or I shall break it in."
+
+"Hold on there!" said Uncle John. "I have the key to the door. Tell me
+what you want with those young men and I'll unlock the door."
+
+"I am ordered to take them before General Gallieni at once," said the
+officer more civilly.
+
+"The military governor!" exclaimed Uncle John.
+
+"Exactly, _monsieur_," said the officer, "and now, as you have the key,
+will you please to unlock the door immediately?"
+
+"But what does the general want with them?" asked Uncle John anxiously.
+
+"I cannot say," was the reply. "Will you unlock the door or shall I be
+compelled to use force?"
+
+Without further words Uncle John unlocked the door, and the officer,
+followed by two of his men, strode in. They approached the two lads.
+
+"You are under arrest," said the officer briefly.
+
+Mrs. Paine and Mrs. Crawford attempted to reach their sons, but the
+soldiers barred their progress.
+
+"Don't worry, mother," said Hal, as they were led by, and he smiled.
+
+Uncle John caught the smile and a great light dawned upon him.
+
+"Well, by George!" he said to himself, "I didn't think they had it in
+'em."
+
+He allayed the fears of the anxious mothers by telling them what he had
+discovered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+INTO THE UNDERWORLD.
+
+
+Hal did not see the look of understanding upon Uncle John's face, as they
+were led along, but Chester did. He smiled to himself.
+
+"Uncle John has caught on," he said to his friend.
+
+"Caught on?" echoed Hal.
+
+"Yes. He knows that we have hoodwinked him."
+
+"So much the better, then," said Hal. "It will save our mothers some
+worry." He turned to the officer who conducted them as soon as they were
+out on the street. "It's all right now," he said. "We can go the rest of
+the way alone."
+
+"Perhaps you can," was the reply, "but you won't. You'll come right
+along with us."
+
+"But," protested the lad, "we must first go to our other hotel and get
+the clothes we have secured for our work."
+
+"You will have to talk to General Gallieni about that," said the
+officer gruffly.
+
+"But General Gallieni knows all about our plans."
+
+"Does he? I'm not so sure. However, I guess he will before long?"
+
+"Look here," said Hal, "what's the matter with you?"
+
+"Come, now," said the officer, "that's enough of that. March."
+
+Chester broke into a laugh, and Hal glanced at him in surprise.
+
+"What are you laughing at?" he demanded.
+
+"Why," said Chester, "I am laughing because you can't see through this."
+
+"Is that so?" said Hal, somewhat nettled. "Perhaps you can see
+through it?"
+
+"Of course," said Chester. "General Gallieni simply sent this squad after
+us. He didn't explain the situation to the officer."
+
+"By Jove!" said Hal. "Now, why didn't I think of that? It's plain enough,
+now that you speak of it."
+
+They marched along in silence, and soon were ushered into the presence of
+General Gallieni. The latter dismissed the other officers with a wave of
+his hand and turned to the lads.
+
+"Well, I see you escaped," he said, with a semblance of a smile on his
+grim features.
+
+"Yes, sir; thanks to you, sir," said Hal, also smiling.
+
+"Thank yourselves," said the general. "It took some resourcefulness to
+think of such a plan. It proves to me that you can use your heads. I
+am, therefore, more confident that you may be successful in your
+desperate work."
+
+Hal and Chester were greatly flattered by this high praise, but they
+simply saluted and said:
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"Now," said the general, "you may as well go about the work at once.
+Further delay is useless. But you cannot go in those uniforms. Didn't you
+lay in some other clothes, as you suggested?"
+
+"We did, sir," replied Hal, "but the officer who conducted us here
+wouldn't let us go after them."
+
+"True," said the general. "I didn't explain the situation to him, because
+I feared that he might possibly give the _coup_ away. Perhaps I can fix
+you up here, however."
+
+He struck a little bell on his desk a sharp tap. Immediately an orderly
+entered and to him the general spoke briefly. The orderly saluted and
+departed, returning a few moments later with a bundle of ragged clothing.
+
+"You may go into the next room and change," said the general, and the
+lads hastened to obey.
+
+Ten minutes later, dirty, ragged and unkempt, they once more stood before
+General Gallieni. The latter surveyed them critically.
+
+"You'll do," he said at last, with an approving nod. "Now--are you
+armed?"
+
+"Two automatics each, sir, and a good supply of cartridges," said Hal.
+
+"_Bien_! Here," the general handed each a little silver whistle, "should
+you ever be in a tight place and in need of assistance, blow these, and,
+if help is near, you will get it."
+
+The lads shoved the whistles out of sight in the clothes.
+
+"I guess that is about all," said the general. "Remember, the main thing
+I want is Duval. Establish his true identity and learn where he can be
+found and you will have done enough. The rest of the work will be for
+other hands. By the way, if I were you, I would go first to the _Quartier
+Latin_, and loiter about there. You know where it is?"
+
+"No, sir," said Hal.
+
+The general gave them the necessary directions and then rose.
+
+"That is all," he said, and the lads, realizing that their interview was
+at an end, saluted and took their departure.
+
+For an hour they walked along the streets, and at last found themselves
+in the midst of the Latin Quarter of the French capital. Here they saw
+many others of their own apparent ilk, dressed in rags, dirty, and
+carrying a certain hangdog and famished look.
+
+"Guess we are in the right place," said Hal to Chester in a low voice.
+
+"Looks like it," said Hal, "but the question is, how are we going to find
+out anything?"
+
+"We'll have to trust to luck," said Chester.
+
+But Dame Fortune smiled upon them sooner than they could possibly have
+anticipated, and it came about in this wise:
+
+As the lads walked slowly along they were attracted by a terrible din and
+confusion in the distance. They stopped for a moment and listened and
+then went forward swiftly.
+
+Rounding a corner into a dark side street they came abruptly upon the
+scene of the confusion. A dirty little street Arab was defending himself
+with bravery and skill against an overwhelming number of other rowdies.
+The little fellow was fighting with tooth, nail and foot, but in spite of
+his agility and stubbornness, he was getting the worst of the encounter.
+
+He went down and the others piled on top of him.
+
+"Come on, Hal," exclaimed Chester, "let's give the fellow a hand."
+
+"All right," agreed the latter; "but, remember, no guns. It would
+give us away."
+
+They dashed quickly forward, and, striking out right and left, cleared a
+path for themselves and were soon at the side of the fallen man. While
+Hal stood off the enemy Chester bent down and lifted the little man to
+his feet. The latter recognized the touch of a friendly hand and quickly
+jumped up.
+
+"Thanks," he said briefly, and jumped to Hal's side to renew the
+encounter.
+
+Chester sprang forward with him. And these reenforcements reached Hal
+none too soon, for he was being sorely pressed by his foes. One of the
+enemy, making a slight detour, suddenly launched himself headlong at Hal,
+and came down on his shoulder, and with his talon-like fingers clawed at
+the lad's face.
+
+With a quick twist of his arm the lad succeeded in catching his opponent
+by the throat, and, exerting great pressure with his other arm, bore
+upward heavily. There was a choking screech from the man and he lay limp
+in Hal's arms. Then the lad, raising him at arm's length, dashed him full
+in the faces of the foe.
+
+The little man to whose help the lads had come took this in out of the
+tail of his eye.
+
+"_Bien! Bien!_" he exclaimed, and dashed forward.
+
+Hal and Chester were right behind him.
+
+Hal struck out with his right, and one of the enemy toppled over with an
+oath. Another went down before his left fist. Chester, with a heavy blow,
+felled another of their opponents, and the little man, snarling and
+fighting with hands and feet, quickly disposed of two more.
+
+The enemy drew back and the three had time for a breathing spell. Their
+foes, however, had no mind to give up the fight, and with a sudden
+concerted dash, surrounded the trio.
+
+The fighting became fast and terrific. The weight of numbers was
+beginning to tell, and suddenly Chester went down before a heavy smash on
+the jaw. He was badly shaken up, but was not unconscious. As he scrambled
+to his feet, the clear sound of a whistle shattered the night.
+Immediately the fighting stopped and the assailants drew back.
+
+"_Les Gendarmes_!" exclaimed one, and took to his heels, followed
+by the rest.
+
+"_Les Gendarmes_!" exclaimed the little man to whose assistance the lads
+had come. "_Voila_!"
+
+Chester got to his feet quickly, and, with Hal, dashed forward upon the
+heels of the little man. Round corner after corner, through dark streets
+and darker alleys he ran, the lads following close behind him. Finally,
+out of breath and tired of limb and body, he came to a halt in a secluded
+spot in a narrow street.
+
+The lads came to a stop beside him. The man immediately threw himself
+upon the ground and the lads did likewise. Here, for a few moments, all
+lay silent, panting.
+
+Finally the little man spoke.
+
+"You came to my aid just in time," he said, "and I thank you. But for you
+I should have been killed."
+
+"Killed!" exclaimed Hal. "And why would they have killed you?"
+
+"Because," said the little man, "I myself picked the pocket of a man whom
+one of their number was trailing."
+
+"I see," said Chester, manifesting no surprise, for he was well aware
+that the street Arab had taken them for his own kind. To have betrayed
+surprise would have been to invite suspicion.
+
+"Now," said the little man, "we shall have to hide. The police will be
+scouring the neighborhood. Have you a refuge handy?"
+
+"No," said Hal.
+
+"Then you shall come with me." He hesitated a moment, then added: "Which
+do you love best, your country or gold?"
+
+Hal took a long chance.
+
+"Gold," he said briefly.
+
+The little man slapped him familiarly on the back.
+
+"As all true Apaches!" he exclaimed. "_Bien_! Then you shall come with
+me."
+
+He led the way along the dark street and the lads followed him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+THE APACHE DEN.
+
+
+Before a low-lying, tumble-down wooden shack of but a single story the
+little man paused and glanced furtively about. Then he darted quickly up
+the steps, and, motioning to the lads to follow him, disappeared within.
+
+Inside Hal and Chester found themselves in what appeared to be a narrow
+passageway. It was damp and evil-smelling and the darkness was intense.
+The lads were unable to see a yard in front of them. The voice of the
+little man pierced the darkness.
+
+"Come," he said, and the lads advanced in the darkness.
+
+They came presently to a flight of stairs, leading down, and they
+descended slowly, feeling their way that they might not fall. At the
+bottom there was still nothing but darkness. Here their guide was
+waiting for them and allowed them to pass. A moment and there came to
+the ears of the lads a dull clang, as if a heavy iron door had been
+closed behind them.
+
+And this, in truth, was the case.
+
+Ahead of them in the dark hall their guide had opened the door without
+their knowledge that such a thing existed, and now that they had passed
+through he closed it again. The lads waited until he again brushed by
+them and took the lead. Then they followed.
+
+It seemed to Hal and Chester that the passageway wound about
+considerably, for they were conscious of making several sharp turns.
+Then, from ahead, a faint glow of light pierced the darkness and they
+could make out their surroundings. In the rear it was perfectly dark and
+on each side of the narrow passageway the dark, grimy walls rose sheer
+for perhaps twenty-five feet. The place reeked with the smell of foul
+air and tobacco smoke.
+
+Now that the light shattered the blackness the little man, who had
+advanced as soft-footed and as sure-footed as a cat in spite of the
+darkness, increased his stride and made toward the light. He brought up
+directly against another door, through cracks in which the light
+streamed. Here he turned to Hal and Chester.
+
+"I am Jean Garnier," he said. "And you?"
+
+"Hugo Choteau," replied Hal, giving the first name that came into his
+mind.
+
+"I am Victor Doubet," said Chester, and added to himself, "I hope I can
+remember it."
+
+He kept repeating it over and over to himself, that he might grow
+accustomed to it.
+
+"_Bien_," said Jean. "Come! I shall introduce you to my friends."
+
+He knocked sharply on the door--three light taps, followed by one loud
+tap.
+
+From within came the sound of scraping chairs, followed by footsteps
+approaching the door. Came the sound of bars being removed and placed on
+the floor and a bolt shot back with a crash. Light immediately flooded
+the passageway as the door was opened a crack and an evil-looking face
+peered forth.
+
+"Oh, it is you, Jean," he said, after peering intently at the lads'
+guide. "Come in."
+
+He threw the door open wider.
+
+"Yes, it is I," said the Apache, "and with me two friends."
+
+"If they are friends of yours they are welcome," said the man inside.
+
+The three entered the room together and the man who had opened the door
+immediately re-bolted and re-barred it.
+
+Inside Hal and Chester looked quickly about, but still not so as to give
+an impression of undue curiosity. The room was perfectly bare, except for
+a single large table and probably fifty old wooden chairs, which were
+scattered about without regard to order. At the far end of the room there
+was another door, but except for this there was no means of egress.
+
+In various parts of the room sat perhaps a dozen men, all of evil visage,
+their hats pulled low over their eyes, cigarettes protruding from their
+lips at a drooping angle. They paid no heed to the entrance of Jean, Hal
+and Chester, although, from under their hats, they eyed them keenly.
+
+Jean turned to the man who had admitted them and introduced the two lads
+with a flourish of his right hand.
+
+"These, Georges," he said, "are my friends, Hugo Choteau and Victor
+Doubet, who, but a few moments since, saved me from death."
+
+Georges' only reply was a grunt. Plainly he was little interested in the
+newcomers, as long as they were vouched for by Jean, and he showed no
+interest in Jean's recent escape from death. Apparently this was no
+novelty. He resumed his seat at the table, and putting up his feet and
+drawing his hat even farther over his face, lighted a cigarette and
+settled himself in comfort and closed his eyes.
+
+Now that he had piloted them to safety Jean took no further thought of
+the boys, but himself dropped into a chair, propped his feet up, lighted
+a cigarette and followed Georges' example.
+
+Hal and Chester also sank into chairs and did likewise, both, however,
+keeping one eye open.
+
+Directly Jean sat up and from his pocket produced a pack of cigarettes,
+which he extended to Hal.
+
+"Smoke?" he said laconically.
+
+Hal was in a quandary. He was not a smoker himself, yet he realized that
+the Paris Apache who was not a victim of nicotine was indeed a scarce
+article. But he muttered to himself, as he selected a cigarette and
+passed the pack on to Chester:
+
+"Here is where smoking a cigarette may save our lives."
+
+Chester's mind followed along on this course, and, after passing the pack
+back to Jean, and accepting a match, both lads lighted up in most
+approved fashion.
+
+The wants of his guests thus attended to, Jean left them to their own
+thoughts, and gave them no further notice.
+
+The Apache is not a talkative man, and therefore there was not the sound
+of a human voice to break the death-like stillness of the foul-smelling
+den. For perhaps an hour and a half all sat without so much as moving.
+
+Suddenly the stillness was shattered by a resounding knock on the door by
+which the lads had so recently entered--three light taps, followed by a
+single loud tap. Immediately Georges was upon his feet again, and
+unlocked and unbarred the door and peered out. Then he threw wide the
+door and another man entered the room.
+
+Now there was something in the appearance of this newcomer that set him
+somewhat apart from the other inmates of the den, and when he spoke his
+tones were much softer than the voices of the true Apache; but it carried
+an evil ring.
+
+"The chief will be here within the hour," he said to Georges. "He desires
+that you have all here before he arrives."
+
+"It shall be done," replied Georges, eying the newcomer with some
+disfavor because of his pomposity.
+
+The newcomer walked across the room and sat down. As he did so his eyes
+fell upon Hal and Chester, slouched back in their chairs. Immediately he
+was on his feet.
+
+"Who are these?" he demanded of Georges. "Their faces are
+unfamiliar to me."
+
+"Friends of Jean Garnier," replied Georges briefly.
+
+Jean was immediately on his feet and approached the questioner.
+
+"Yes, they are friends of mine," he said, "and, as true Apaches, they
+love gold better than anything else. What have you to say about it?" and
+his hand slipped to his belt.
+
+It was plain to Hal and Chester that the man was not frightened by this
+show of hostility, for he smiled slightly and shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Oh, nothing at all," he said. "What are one or two Apaches more or less?
+You are all of the same breed."
+
+He turned his back on Jean and sat down. Producing a monogramed cigarette
+case he opened it, extracted a cigarette, and lighted up. He paid no
+further heed to those about him.
+
+Hal and Chester, out of the tail of their eyes, surveyed him critically.
+The man had now removed his overcoat and the lads saw that his clothes
+were neatly pressed and of good texture. A diamond glistened in his tie.
+Plainly he was no Apache.
+
+Georges, in the meantime, had been busy. He aroused several of the
+apparently sleeping men, spoke a few words to them, and the latter
+hurried away. Some minutes later they returned, and after them came
+others. These drifted in gradually now and slunk into chairs. When the
+supply of chairs had been exhausted newcomers sat on the floor.
+
+Soon the room was full to overflowing.
+
+The man who had accosted Hal and Chester now threw away his cigarette and
+once more approached the lads. Jean, perceiving this, also left his chair
+and came forward.
+
+The man whom Hal and Chester surmised was some sort of a lieutenant of
+the Apache chief, addressed them.
+
+"Do you know what we are here for?" he asked.
+
+"No," said Hal.
+
+Chester also shook his head.
+
+"Well, I'll tell you," said the man. "We are here to make money. The
+President is sought by the Germans, and we are to see that he is
+delivered safely into their hands. For this each man is to receive a
+handful of German gold. Now, it makes little difference whether you are
+with us or not. If you are with us, all right--we can use a few more men.
+If not, you will never leave here alive."
+
+Before either Hal or Chester could reply Jean stepped forward.
+
+"Of course they are with us," he said, thrusting his face close to that
+of the lads' questioner.
+
+Calmly the man extended one hand, placed it squarely over Jean's face and
+shoved him violently backward.
+
+"This," he said quietly, "is none of your business. So keep out."
+
+The little man uttered a cry of rage and made as if to draw a knife; but,
+apparently thinking better of it, returned to his chair and subsided.
+
+The man turned to Hal.
+
+"Are you with us?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," replied Hal.
+
+"And you?" turning to Chester.
+
+"Yes."
+
+There came a commanding knock on the door. Georges sprang forward and
+flung it wide, and there strode into the room a tall, slender man, in
+evening dress, shining top hat and white kid gloves. A black mask
+covered his face.
+
+"Pierre Duval," whispered Hal to Chester, "the King of the Apaches!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+THE APACHE CHIEF.
+
+
+Immediately all in the room rose to their feet, Hal and Chester doing
+likewise. Duval strode straight to the table in the center of the room
+without so much as a glance about, and sat down at its head. Then the
+others resumed their seats.
+
+Duval turned to Georges.
+
+"Are we all here?" he demanded, in a low, soft voice.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Georges, "and two besides."
+
+"Bring the strangers before me," ordered the chief.
+
+At a sign from Georges, Hal and Chester advanced and stood before
+the Apache king. The latter surveyed them long and carefully
+through his mask.
+
+"Names?" he asked briefly.
+
+The lads gave their assumed ones.
+
+"You know what we are here for?" was the next question.
+
+The lads signified that they did.
+
+"And you are with us?"
+
+"Yes," both replied.
+
+"_Bien_! Back to your places."
+
+The lads retired.
+
+Now Duval rose and addressed the others.
+
+"Since our last meeting it has been decided not to kidnap the President,"
+he said slowly.
+
+Exclamations of disappointment escaped the men sitting about.
+
+"But," continued Duval, "there nevertheless will be work for some of us
+that will mean additional gold for all."
+
+Cries of satisfaction greeted this statement.
+
+"It has been decided," Duval went on, emphasizing each word, "that
+the President must be put out of the way. Are there any present who
+object to this?"
+
+He swept the room with his gaze.
+
+Hal and Chester, although taken somewhat aback by this cold-blooded
+statement, manifested no surprise. Neither was there a word from any of
+the assemblage, and Duval continued again:
+
+"Now, for the honor of accomplishing this work you shall draw lots."
+
+From his pocket he produced a small box.
+
+"In here," he said calmly, "are enough balls so that each may have one.
+With the exception of two, all are black. The first man to select a red
+ball--his shall be the fortune to do the work; and to him goes an extra
+gold piece.
+
+"That there may be no treachery, the man who picks the second red ball
+shall follow the first; and, in the event that he shows signs of a soft
+heart, or manifests a desire to give a warning, the second man shall kill
+him. Is that plain to you?"
+
+Cries of "yes, yes" filled the room.
+
+"All right, then," said Duval. "We shall now proceed with the drawing."
+
+He opened one side of the box, and motioned for the first man to
+approach. The latter did so, drew forth a ball and exposed it to view. It
+was black, and the man passed on.
+
+Man after man drew and each pulled forth a black ball. Now it came
+Chester's turn, and so far neither red ball had been drawn.
+
+Slowly the lad approached with his heart in his mouth. To himself
+he muttered:
+
+"I'll draw a red one just as sure as I stand here. I can feel it!"
+
+For a moment he hesitated, and Duval's keen eyes caught the sign of
+indecision. He half rose to his feet.
+
+"We want no chicken-hearts," he said. "However, draw or not, as
+you choose."
+
+Chester caught the cold menace in the tone, and he realized that should
+he fail to draw, knowing what he did of the plot, he would never leave
+the room alive.
+
+He thrust his hand into the box, clutched an elusive ball and drew it
+forth. He looked at it quickly and held it aloft.
+
+The ball was red!
+
+Immediately the men crowded about him and slapped him on the back.
+
+"You are a lucky dog," exclaimed Jean; "an extra gold piece you'll get."
+
+Chester had been so sure that he would draw one of the red balls that
+he felt no surprise. Hal, however, was greatly agitated, and he
+concealed his anxiety with an effort, as, being next in line, he also
+advanced to draw.
+
+"If I can get the other red one," he said to himself, "it may work out
+all right."
+
+The same thought had struck Chester, and he leaned forward anxiously. Hal
+thrust his hand into the box, then drew it forth again; and the ball that
+he held up was black.
+
+The lad heaved a sigh of disappointment as he returned to his place.
+
+"Never mind," said Chester, "it will come out all right."
+
+Next to the last man to draw was Jean Garnier. He thrust his hand
+quickly into the box and pulled forth the second red ball. He was so
+elated that he cried out with joy. Then he ran to Chester and slapped
+him on the back.
+
+"Perhaps," said he, "we can work this together and share equally in
+the prize."
+
+Before Chester could reply, Duval rose once more to his feet and ordered
+that all leave the room except those who held the red balls. Slowly the
+men filed out, Hal being among the last to go. Outside the lad walked
+some distance from the house, then, when he felt certain that the others
+had disappeared, returned, and concealed himself in a dark alleyway
+across the street, where he waited patiently for Chester to emerge.
+
+As soon as the others had left the room, Duval called Chester and Jean to
+him, and spoke in a low voice.
+
+"This work must not be bungled," he said sternly. Then, to Jean, "and you
+are to see that it is not bungled. If this Victor makes one false move,
+you know what to do?"
+
+Jean nodded his head in the affirmative.
+
+"But," he added, "Victor will make no false move."
+
+"I feel sure of that," replied Duval, "or I should not allow him to leave
+here alive."
+
+Then he addressed Chester.
+
+"The President," he said, "will make an address from the steps of the
+Palace to-morrow at noon. I shall expect you to be in the crowd. When the
+proper moment comes, you will know what to do. Jean will be there to see
+you do it, and I myself shall be on hand to see that you both obey. Am I
+understood?"
+
+"Yes," said Chester.
+
+Jean likewise nodded affirmatively.
+
+"All right, then. Are you armed?"
+
+Jean shook his head negatively, and so did Chester, in spite of the fact
+that he had two automatics concealed in his clothes, for he did not think
+it wise to betray this to Duval.
+
+From his pockets the Apache chief produced a pair of automatics, one
+of which he handed to each. Then he dismissed them with a flourish
+of his hand.
+
+Jean led the way along the dark passageway and into the street. Hal, from
+his place of concealment, saw them emerge and followed them. A short
+distance from the den he came up with them. Jean, as well as Chester, was
+delighted to see him.
+
+"Why," said Jean, "can't we all work together and make sure that the plot
+does not fail?"
+
+"An excellent idea," said Chester.
+
+He spoke to Hal in a whisper: "Watch the house and follow Duval when he
+comes out."
+
+Hal, accordingly, did not fall in with Jean's plan.
+
+"I am glad to be out of it," he said. "It's too dangerous to suit me. No,
+Victor, there, is different. He likes the spice of danger, and so may
+you. But I prefer to get my gold easier, in the streets."
+
+Jean shrugged his shoulders in contempt.
+
+"I thought you were a brave man," he said. "Come on, Victor; we have no
+time for cowards."
+
+He took Chester by the arm and the two walked off down the street, while
+Hal again concealed himself in the dark alley opposite the Apaches' den,
+where he waited for Duval to emerge.
+
+His patience was soon rewarded. A dim figure appeared in the doorway and
+peered cautiously about. Then it slipped quietly to the street and strode
+rapidly away in the darkness. Hal slipped from his concealment and,
+keeping a respectable distance behind, set out in pursuit. For several
+blocks Duval continued slowly; then stopped suddenly at a corner. Hal
+immediately slunk from sight into the shelter of a doorway.
+
+Duval raised a hand, and a moment later a taxi dashed up and stopped
+before him. Duval climbed in and the taxi moved away.
+
+Hal, however, was not to be shaken off thus easily. Running forward
+quickly he succeeded in catching hold of the taxi and pulling himself up
+behind. In this way he rode for perhaps half an hour.
+
+Abruptly the machine came to a halt and Hal quickly jumped to the ground
+and into a doorway, where he peered forth in time to see Duval alight.
+
+The man was now without a mask, and Hal perceived the clear countenance
+of a Frenchman of the upper class, whose age must have been somewhere in
+the thirties. He strode rapidly down the street, and, turning a corner,
+mounted the steps of a handsome residence just beyond. Hal came around
+the corner just in time to see his quarry enter the door.
+
+The lad took the number of the house and also the name of the street.
+These he impressed firmly upon his memory by repeating them over and
+over. Then he quietly ascended the steps of the house and tried the door.
+It was locked.
+
+The lad descended the steps again and walked round the house, seeking
+some other means of entrance. In the narrow areaway he saw a small
+window, apparently opening into the cellar. He tried it. It was unlocked
+and gave easily before the pressure of his hand.
+
+Hal lay flat upon the ground and pushed his feet through the opening.
+Then, slowly, he let his body through until he hung by his hands. He did
+not know how far his feet might be from the floor, but it was no time to
+hesitate. He released his hold and dropped.
+
+There came a crash so loud it might have raised the dead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+CHESTER AND JEAN.
+
+
+Chester was confident that Hal could take care of his end of the affair,
+and he therefore allowed Jean to lead him along without protest. Jean
+became talkative as they walked along the dark streets.
+
+"It should be easy," he said with enthusiasm. "All we have to do is to
+get close to the President in the crowd. Can you shoot?"
+
+"A little," replied Chester briefly.
+
+"I'm not a bad shot, either," said Jean. "So, if you should miss with
+your first shot, I'll turn loose myself. That will insure success."
+
+"I have been thinking," said Chester, "how it would feel to be shot,
+and of what is likely to happen to us after we fire. What will the
+crowd do to us?"
+
+"Oh, we'll get away, all right," said Jean.
+
+"We'll never get away," said Chester solemnly. "We shall be torn to
+pieces before we can move a foot."
+
+"I hadn't stopped to think of that," said Jean slowly.
+
+"No, I suppose not," replied Chester. "Nevertheless, that is what is
+bound to happen. And they won't kill us on the spot, either. They'll put
+us to death slowly, by torture."
+
+The lad looked sharply at his companion. Plainly this was an aspect of
+the case which had not occurred to Jean. He shuddered.
+
+"Do you realize what we are about to do?" Chester went on. "We are
+going to shoot down, in cold blood, the President of France; the
+President of our own country. The crowd will go wild. We shall be torn
+limb from limb."
+
+"Stop it! Stop it!" cried Jean. "Would you have me lose my nerve?"
+
+"And besides," continued Chester, "what has the President done to us that
+we should seek his life?"
+
+"But," said Jean, "we shall have gold."
+
+"And what good will gold do us after we are dead?"
+
+"True," said Jean. "It won't do us much good, will it?"
+
+"It won't do us any good," said Chester.
+
+"But," said Jean, "Duval must have thought of all that. He--"
+
+"Duval knows as well as you or I what will happen to us should we
+assassinate the President," said Chester. "He will have that much more
+gold for himself."
+
+"Still, we may manage to escape," said Jean hopefully.
+
+"And if we do," said Chester sternly, "what then? Do you suppose Duval
+will keep faith with us? There will be such a hue and cry as Paris
+never heard before. Duval will turn us over to the authorities to save
+his own skin."
+
+"If I thought that," said Jean, "I--"
+
+"Besides," interrupted Chester, "we shall only be aiding the Germans, and
+not ourselves, and how long do you suppose the Apaches will be allowed to
+live should the Germans invade Paris?"
+
+"Why--" began Jean, but Chester interrupted again.
+
+"One of their first steps would be to annihilate us," said Chester. "They
+would ravage the city, tear it into little pieces. Remember, it is our
+own home, yours and mine. Would you like to see that?"
+
+"No," replied Jean, "but--"
+
+"No matter how you look at it," continued Chester, "you and I are sure to
+get the worst of it. Now, I don't know about you; but I am going to have
+nothing to do with the plot."
+
+Jean did not reply for some moments, and they walked along in silence for
+several blocks. Finally the little man replied:
+
+"But I have been ordered to shoot you if you fail to carry out your end
+of the work."
+
+"In which event," replied Chester calmly, "you would also have to
+assassinate the President, and would yourself be killed."
+
+"Then what am I to do?" cried Jean, now greatly alarmed.
+
+"Follow my example, and have no hand in the matter," said Chester.
+
+"It might be done," said Jean slowly, "for Duval himself will be
+present to-morrow, and, when he sees we have failed, he will do the
+deed himself."
+
+"Then we must prevent that also."
+
+"What! Why?"
+
+"Because, should the President fall before any hand--yours, mine, Duval's
+or another's--we should still meet the same fate; for the city would be
+dragged by the troops and police and not an Apache left alive. No, the
+President must be warned."
+
+"But that is treachery!" cried the little man.
+
+"Is it treachery to save the President of your country from the hands of
+an assassin?" demanded Chester, and answered his own question: "No!"
+
+The two paused on a street corner, and there, for perhaps ten minutes,
+Jean stood wrapped in thought. Finally he spoke, and there was a
+different tone in his voice.
+
+"I believe," he said quietly, "that we have both learned a lesson. There
+must be in us, after all, a spark of loyalty. No! We cannot assassinate
+the President, nor can we stand idly by while he is shot down. He must
+be warned."
+
+Chester grasped the little Apache by the hand.
+
+"I knew I could make you see it that way!" he exclaimed. "Good! Now, come
+with me, and we shall give the warning at once."
+
+"Where to?" demanded Jean.
+
+Chester looked at him carefully a single moment, and a doubt of the man's
+sincerity came to him. Therefore he replied cautiously:
+
+"Never mind. Just follow me; and if you mean what you say, warning shall
+be given at once."
+
+For a moment Jean hesitated, then followed Chester down the street.
+
+Chester's sense of direction now stood him in good stead. Not once in all
+his wandering about had he lost a general idea of where lay the Hotel de
+Ville, and he now steered a course in that direction. He finally came
+into view of the building, and here Jean hung back.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Chester, as the little man stopped.
+
+"We can't go in there," was the reply. "They won't let us speak. We'll be
+thrown into jail and kept there."
+
+"Oh, no, we won't," said Chester. "Leave it to me. Come on."
+
+A sudden suspicion struck Jean.
+
+"Tell me," he cried, and grasped the lad fiercely by the arm, "are you a
+detective?"
+
+"No," replied Chester calmly. "What made you think that?"
+
+"I don't know," was the reply, "but the suspicion came to me and I could
+not down it. I will have nothing to do with a detective."
+
+"Well," said Chester, "I am no detective; but"--he paused and laid his
+hand on Jean's arm--"I am a French army officer!"
+
+"A spy!" cried Jean, and freed his arm.
+
+"A spy, if you choose to call me one," said Chester, "but still your
+friend, for I believe you have come to your senses."
+
+"I know," cried Jean, "you want to get me locked up!"
+
+He stepped quickly backward, turned, took to his heels and ran.
+
+Chester was after him like a flash, and as he ran he muttered to himself:
+
+"Great Scott! I can't let him get away. He is sure to believe he has been
+imposed upon, and undoubtedly will warn the others!"
+
+The little Apache was fleet of foot, but still not so fleet as was
+Chester. Within the block the lad overtook the fugitive and his hand
+grasped the other by the collar.
+
+"Now," he said quietly, "you shall come with me, whether you will or not.
+I mean you no harm, and, if you do as I say, you will be all right."
+
+Jean was not convinced, however, and continued his desperate
+struggles to free himself. But Chester was too strong for him, and
+with some difficulty he succeeded in dragging the little man back to
+the Hotel de Ville, and inside, where both were seized by half a
+dozen French troopers.
+
+"Call General Gallieni at once," demanded Chester.
+
+The officer in command laughed at him.
+
+"Ha! Ha! Ha!" he laughed. "Look who wants to see the general."
+
+He motioned to two of his men, who started to drag the prisoners toward
+an open door, beyond which, as Chester surmised, lay cells.
+
+Chester shook himself free with a single movement and turned upon the
+French captain.
+
+"I am an army officer," he said quietly, "and am engaged in a piece of
+work at General Gallieni's own suggestion. You will summon him
+immediately."
+
+The French officer was somewhat surprised at this, but he was not quite
+convinced.
+
+"How am I to know that you speak the truth?" he asked skeptically.
+
+"Because I say so," replied Chester quietly, taking a step forward.
+
+The French officer also advanced a step.
+
+"It is my belief that you seek the general for some ulterior purpose," he
+said with a sneer, and, before Chester realized what he was about to do,
+the officer raised his hand and slapped him soundly across the face.
+"Take them away," he ordered his men.
+
+The blow in the face stung Chester to action.
+
+With a quick spring he avoided the soldiers who would have seized him and
+leaped upon the French officer, whom he sent to the floor with a single
+blow of his fist. The officer rose slowly to his feet, drawing his
+revolver as he did so.
+
+"You dog!" he cried, and raised his weapon.
+
+But he did not fire, for at that moment there came from directly behind
+him the command in a ringing voice:
+
+"Put down that weapon! What's the meaning of this?"
+
+General Gallieni stood in the doorway. The officer turned and saluted.
+
+"These dogs," he said, indicating Chester and Jean, who were now held by
+the soldiers, "insulted me. I refused to allow them to see you, and one
+of them struck me. I believe they came to assassinate you."
+
+The general took a step back, for he had not recognized Chester.
+
+"To assassinate me?" he exclaimed.
+
+"You are wrong, General," said Chester quietly, "I have returned with
+information that will prevent the assassination of the President."
+
+"Lieutenant Crawford!" ejaculated the general. "The President is to be
+assassinated, you say?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"When?"
+
+"At noon to-morrow, when he speaks on the Palace steps."
+
+"And perhaps you know who has been selected to kill him?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I do," replied Chester quietly. "I have, sir!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+THE PLOT FOILED.
+
+
+General Gallieni started back in great surprise.
+
+"You to be the assassin?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the lad, "I was fortunate enough to draw the red ball
+in the den of the Apaches, sir."
+
+The general advanced and took him by the arm.
+
+"Come with me," he said, and led the way toward his private office.
+
+Chester motioned for Jean to follow, and the little man did so, though
+plainly not without some trepidation.
+
+"Who is that?" asked General Gallieni, pointing to Jean.
+
+"He is the man who is to shoot me in case I fail to shoot the President,"
+said Chester cheerfully.
+
+"Hadn't we better have him thrown into a cell?"
+
+"No, sir. We have agreed that it is not right to shoot the President, and
+I am sure that we can count on his help should we need it. It is likely
+to be valuable."
+
+"Well," said the general, sinking into a chair and motioning the others
+to seats, "tell me all about it; and where, by the way, is your friend?"
+
+"He is trailing Duval, sir."
+
+"Good! Now, let's have the story."
+
+Chester put the facts before the military governor as clearly and
+concisely as possible, and when he had concluded General Gallieni jumped
+to his feet.
+
+"We must act at once!" he exclaimed, and pulled the telephone toward him.
+
+"But not with too great haste, General," protested Chester, also rising.
+"We must first decide upon a plan."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked the general.
+
+"Why," said Chester, "if we hope to capture Duval--who will be on hand
+to-morrow, and who is likely to shoot the President himself--we must
+figure out the best means of doing so."
+
+"I shall have the President cancel his engagement."
+
+"That," said Chester, "might only delay the assassination."
+
+"What would you suggest?"
+
+Chester was silent for some minutes before he replied:
+
+"If the President doesn't make his address to-morrow, his life probably
+will be attempted the next day or the next. If he does speak, Duval is
+sure to be on hand. Jean and I must be in the crowd, so that Duval may
+see us; for, if we are not there, Duval may suspect treachery and shoot
+the President himself.
+
+"Seeing us there, however, Duval will take no action himself. As the
+President's speech progresses, Duval will be waiting for me to fire. He
+will be continually thinking that I will do so in another moment.
+
+"Now, I should say that this is the best way: Let the President cut his
+speech short, say to three minutes. The moment he ceases speaking, rush a
+heavy guard between him and the crowd and have him stoop immediately
+behind them. Realizing that the plot has failed, Duval may not fire; but,
+in the event that he does, we shall probably be able to spot him and get
+him before he can escape."
+
+General Gallieni spent some minutes considering the feasibility of this
+plan. Finally he said:
+
+"If we only knew Duval by sight, we could avoid all this by seizing him
+there before the Palace."
+
+"The trouble is we don't," replied Chester dryly.
+
+General Gallieni turned to Jean.
+
+"Do you know Duval by sight?" he asked.
+
+"I have never seen his face, sir," was the reply. "He has never appeared
+before us without his mask."
+
+"Well, then," said General Gallieni, "we shall have to do the best we
+can. Now, you two go into the next room and get some sleep. I'll get the
+Prime Minister and explain the matter to him and to the President, that
+we may all act in accord."
+
+Chester saluted the general, and, followed by Jean, made his way into the
+adjoining room, while the general proceeded to get busy on the telephone.
+
+Chester turned to Jean and clapped him heartily on the back.
+
+"Isn't this better than attempting to assassinate the President?" he
+asked.
+
+Jean smiled back at him.
+
+"It is," he said quietly. "And you may count upon me to the limit."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Chester. "I knew it."
+
+He threw himself upon a little cot and was soon fast asleep. Jean
+followed his example.
+
+Daylight was streaming into the room through the large French windows
+when Chester was aroused by a hand on his arm. The lad was upon his feet
+in an instant and faced General Gallieni. Immediately he turned and
+aroused Jean, who was still sleeping heavily.
+
+"All is in readiness," said General Gallieni. "The President and the
+Prime Minister have been apprised of the plan, and it is to be acted upon
+as you suggested."
+
+Chester produced his watch and glanced at it.
+
+"Half-past ten," he said. He turned to the general. "Have you had any
+word from Hal?"
+
+"Who?"
+
+"Hal--Lieutenant Paine."
+
+"No."
+
+"By Jove!" said Chester. "I hope he hasn't gotten into any trouble."
+
+Eleven o'clock came, and still no word from Hal.
+
+At 11:15 Chester and Jean left the Hotel de Ville and made their way
+toward the Palace. A great crowd had already assembled when they arrived,
+and they had some difficulty in pushing their way through, so that they
+might get as close as possible to the spot where the President was to
+stand while delivering his address.
+
+By the dint of hard shoving and pushing, and the use of their elbows,
+however, they were finally successful, and came to a pause near the
+foot of the steps, in the very first line of spectators. Beyond was
+drawn up an armed guard of perhaps a hundred soldiers. No one could
+approach closer.
+
+Chester turned and surveyed the crowd. He thought it possible that Hal
+might be there some place, but, scan the faces as he would, he could see
+no sign of his chum.
+
+The crowd was good-natured, and the people jostled and pushed and shoved
+each other jokingly.
+
+Chester scanned the crowd once more, seeking to determine the figure of
+Duval, the Apache chief. Several times he thought he recognized the man
+by his peculiar build, but in each case he soon found another that looked
+just the same in the crowd.
+
+Jean also, at Chester's request, had put his keen eyes to the test; but
+he was no more fortunate. However, both realized that, some place in that
+crowd Duval had his eyes on them.
+
+In the distance came the faint sound of a bell, as a clock chimed the
+first stroke of the hour of noon; and, with the last stroke, the
+President of France appeared upon the steps of the palace.
+
+A great roar of applause went up from the crowd and continued for fully
+five minutes; nor did it cease at once as the President advanced to the
+very edge of the uppermost step and raised a hand for silence.
+
+Then, gradually, the sounds of tumult died down, and President Poincare
+opened his mouth and began to speak.
+
+One, two, three minutes the President spoke, while all about reigned the
+silence of death; then, suddenly, at the expiration of the third minute,
+he stepped back suddenly, while at the same moment a long line of French
+soldiers stepped into place in front of him.
+
+From the edge of the crowd, at the side nearest Chester and Jean, the
+stillness was suddenly shattered by the sharp crack of an automatic, and
+a soldier who stood before the President of France toppled in his tracks.
+Another stepped into his place, and the President was safe.
+
+But, with the crack of the revolver the great crowd became a wild,
+howling mob. Shrieks, screams and cries of anger filled the air, and as a
+single man the crowd swooped upon the spot where a tall man with a
+smoking revolver in his hand was attempting to make his escape.
+
+Chester, who had been prepared for the shot, sprang forward upon the
+instant, with Jean but a step behind him. Through the crowd they were
+forced to fight their way, but eventually they came to the edge of it,
+only to find that Duval, for such they were sure the would-be assassin
+was, had fought his way out and fled.
+
+But, as the Apache chief ran, the crowd dashed after him. Chester now
+had his school days to thank for the fact that he was more fleet of
+foot than the others of the crowd. He passed them rapidly, as he ran
+after the flying figure of Duval, now at least 200 yards ahead of him
+down the street.
+
+The lad raised his revolver as he ran and fired. But Duval did not halt.
+Chester had missed.
+
+With the howling pack at his heels, and Chester gradually closing up the
+gap between them, Duval exerted himself to the utmost. Suddenly he
+turned into a narrow alley, where he halted. Chester, who was nearer
+than any of the others, dashed into the alley without slackening his
+speed, and, as he did so, Duval struck him a heavy blow in the face with
+the butt of his revolver.
+
+Immediately he turned and dashed forward again.
+
+Chester was not knocked unconscious by the force of the blow, but he
+reeled and fell to the ground. He was up in a moment, however, and with
+blood streaming from an ugly gash in his head, dashed after the fugitive
+once more.
+
+Gradually Duval and his pursuer outdistanced the rest of the crowd.
+Chester was near enough not to be thrown off the track, as Duval rounded
+corner after corner; and, try as he would to shake off his pursuer, Duval
+was unable to do so.
+
+At the next corner Duval darted into a little store, and out the other
+side, upsetting a group of men as he did so. Chester dashed in after him.
+
+But here he encountered an obstacle. The group of men upset by Duval rose
+to their feet, very angry. At the sight of a second running man, not
+realizing the seriousness of the chase, they lined up and stopped the
+lad's progress.
+
+Realizing it was no time for talk, Chester struck out right and left, and
+men dropped. But the rest closed in, and Chester went down. A heavy
+wrench was raised over his head and would have fallen on it.
+
+But a newcomer caught the upraised arm. Chester looked up. It was Hal.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+HAL IN PERIL.
+
+
+Hal was unable to tell just what caused the great crash as, after
+releasing his hold on the window in the cellar of the house to which he
+had followed Duval he went down into space. His feet struck a projection
+of some kind, and the crash followed.
+
+The lad struck the floor in a heap. Although he felt sure that the crash
+must have aroused everyone in the house, he lay perfectly still,
+listening. Above he could hear the sounds of footsteps, and directly a
+door, which he judged to be the door into the cellar from above, opened.
+
+The head of Duval appeared in the doorway. In his hand he held a
+flashlight, and Hal could make him out plainly. A second face peered over
+his shoulder, and Hal recognized it instantly as that of the Apache's
+chief lieutenant, who had accosted them in the den.
+
+"What was it?" asked the lieutenant.
+
+"I don't see anything," was the reply.
+
+At that moment a furry shape calmly ascended the stairs and stopped at
+Duval's feet. It was a black cat, which stopped to lick his right paw.
+Duval stooped down and examined him. Then he arose with a laugh.
+
+"_Mon Dieu_!" he exclaimed. "It was the cat. He must have upset the jars
+of jelly and preserves. See, he is covered with it."
+
+"By Jove! This is luck," muttered Hal to himself. "The cat must have been
+sleeping among them when I knocked them down."
+
+He made no move, and directly the two men and the cat disappeared and the
+door closed with a bang.
+
+Hal waited a few minutes, and then arose slowly to his feet. While Duval
+had held the flashlight, the lad had taken in his surroundings, and now
+he cautiously approached where he knew the stairway to be. His
+outstretched hand touched the rail and his foot found the lowest step. He
+ascended silently.
+
+The knob turned under his hand, and the door swung back without even a
+creak. Inside was perfect blackness.
+
+Hal closed the door softly behind him and stole along what seemed to be a
+long hall. He went very slowly, and finally his outstretched hand touched
+an obstruction. He felt it over carefully, and his hand touched a knob.
+It was another door.
+
+Hal placed his ear to the floor and listened. There was no sound from
+beyond. He arose and tried the knob. The door opened and the light
+flashed into the lad's eyes, almost blinding him.
+
+He paused uncertainly, and then, not being accosted, stepped in and
+closed the door behind him. His eyes were used to the light by this time,
+and he looked quickly about him. He was in a bedroom.
+
+The sound of voices came from the room beyond and approaching
+footsteps. The lad looked quickly about for a place of concealment, and
+the best that offered itself was the bed. Under this he dived swiftly
+and silently.
+
+And none too soon. Duval and his lieutenant, followed by the black cat,
+came into the room, and sat down. Hal breathed silently.
+
+"Well," said Duval, "everything is fixed. The money will be paid to us
+to-morrow night. Then we can take a ship for America, where we can enjoy
+the luxuries it will bring us."
+
+"I'll be glad when it's all over," said his lieutenant. "This is ticklish
+business. You were lucky to get in with the Apaches."
+
+"Rather," drawled his chief. "My height and general appearance, together
+with the fact that the former chief always wore a mask, have served us
+well. I wonder what the Apaches would do to us if they knew how I
+disposed of their real chief?"
+
+His lieutenant laughed heartily.
+
+"It would be no laughing matter if they were to find it out," said Duval.
+
+"Perhaps not; still it is funny," was the reply.
+
+The black cat jumped into Duval's lap, and he stroked it and talked to
+it. Then the animal began to claw at him.
+
+"What's the matter, kitty?" asked Duval.
+
+The animal cried and continued to claw at him.
+
+"He wants to get down," said the other.
+
+Duval released his hold on the cat, which immediately jumped to the floor
+and walked under the bed, to where Hal lay. The lad saw the animal
+coming, and reached out a friendly hand, thinking to keep it quiet.
+
+But the cat's back bristled. Its tail grew to huge proportions, and it
+snarled and spat at him angrily.
+
+"What do you suppose is the matter with the cat?" asked Duval.
+
+"Sounds like he had found a dog under the bed," was the reply.
+
+The hissing and snarling continued.
+
+"Something wrong," said Duval. "Might as well have a look."
+
+He dropped to his knees and peered under the bed, to where Hal was now
+defending himself against the attacks of the cat, which was striking at
+him with his sharp claws.
+
+"See anything?" asked Duval's lieutenant.
+
+"Man under the bed," replied Duval quietly. "Get out your gun and get on
+the other side of the bed."
+
+His lieutenant obeyed with alacrity, and each, with a revolver in his
+hand, looked cautiously under the bed. Then Duval stretched forth a hand
+and, seizing the cat by the tail, dragged it forth. At the same time he
+called out:
+
+"Come out from under there!"
+
+Hal saw that resistance, between two fires as he was, would be useless.
+
+"All right," he called back.
+
+He crawled forth slowly, but before he emerged he drew his two revolvers
+from his pocket and dropped them beneath the bed. He was thoughtful
+enough to realize that, should he manage to regain his freedom, the guns
+under the bed would come in handy.
+
+The lad got slowly to his feet and faced the two criminals.
+
+Both started back in surprise at sight of his face. They recognized him
+immediately.
+
+"Choteau!" cried Duval.
+
+His lieutenant also exclaimed aloud.
+
+"What are you doing here?" demanded the Apache chief sternly.
+
+"I just wanted to see where you lived," replied Hal quietly.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Well, there has been so much talk about you, your being a gentleman, and
+all that, that I wanted to satisfy my curiosity."
+
+"Well, your curiosity is satisfied. What now?"
+
+"Nothing," said Hal briefly.
+
+"I suppose you know," said Duval, "that now you have seen me without my
+mask you will never leave this house alive."
+
+"I suppose that is your idea," said Hal.
+
+"You'll find that I have the right idea."
+
+"Tell us your real object in coming here," said Duval's lieutenant.
+
+"I have told you," replied Hal.
+
+"That," said the lieutenant, "is a lie. It's too absurd. I guess I'll
+search you."
+
+He proceeded to do so while Duval kept Hal covered. There was not much to
+be found--but one thing that Hal feared he would discover and which he
+realized he should have dropped with the revolvers under the bed.
+
+His searcher found it, drew it forth, and, with an exclamation of
+triumph, held it up for Duval to see.
+
+It was the police whistle General Gallieni had given him.
+
+"So!" he exclaimed. "A police spy, eh! I thought so."
+
+Hal shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Well, you have me," he said. "What are you going to do with me?"
+
+The two men laughed.
+
+"I guess you won't be as much surprised at what we are going to do as the
+manner in which we are going to do it," replied Duval, with an evil leer.
+
+"How?" asked his lieutenant. "Water?"
+
+"Right," was his chief's reply. He turned to Hal. "This house," he
+explained, "is on the very bank of the River Seine. Perhaps you have
+skirmished about in the rear?"
+
+Hal shook his head negatively.
+
+"Well, such is the case. In the cellar is a neat little room of four
+solid walls--no windows. There is a slight crack at the bottom, and
+through this, by a contrivance of my own, I can let in the waters of
+the river. The door is solid, and, once locked in, you cannot get
+out. I believe that this is a fitting death for a police spy. What do
+you think?"
+
+Again Hal shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"One way is as good as another," he said briefly. Duval turned to his
+companion with a laugh.
+
+"Quite a brave man we have here, eh?"
+
+"Quite," returned the other. "However, I guess he'll change his tune when
+the water gets up to his neck."
+
+"Right you are," was the reply. "But what do you say? Shall he not sup
+with us first?"
+
+"A good idea!" exclaimed his lieutenant.
+
+Hal had been thinking rapidly. The men still held their revolvers in
+their hands, but they no longer covered him. Taking advantage of this
+fact, Hal suddenly dived under the bed and his two automatics were once
+more in his hand.
+
+But the two men were after him in an instant. Before he could turn and
+bring his weapons to bear they had him covered, while Duval cried out:
+
+"Come out from there, or I'll put a hole through you."
+
+Hal realized that he could not hope to dispose of his two enemies, so
+quickly shoving the two revolvers into his clothes, he once more emerged
+and got to his feet.
+
+"What are you, an ostrich?" demanded Duval, with a slight smile. "Think
+if you get your head out of sight you are safe?"
+
+Hal made no reply, but he felt considerably more comfortable with his two
+automatics reposing safely at hand.
+
+"Well, we might as well give the doomed a little bite to hold him up,"
+said Duval, with a smirk. "You guard him now while I see what the pantry
+has to offer. Keep him covered with your gun, for he is desperate and may
+jump you."
+
+"I'll guard him, all right," was the reply.
+
+"Good! Of course, it is easy enough to shoot him, but I would rather have
+him swim a while first."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+FIGHT AND ESCAPE.
+
+
+Duval returned a few moments later with sandwiches and milk, which he
+placed upon a table at one side of the room. He drew up three chairs and
+motioned the other two to seats. Then, with his revolver upon the table
+near him, he sat down himself.
+
+"Don't stand on ceremony," he said to Hal. "This will be your last meal
+on earth, so you may as well make the most of it. Pitch in."
+
+"Thanks," replied Hal, showing no sign of fear.
+
+He picked up a sandwich and proceeded to eat it with apparent relish.
+
+Light now filtered through a window at the far end of the room. Duval
+glanced at his watch.
+
+"Mon Dieu!" he exclaimed. "I had no idea it was so late."
+
+"What time is it?" asked Hal calmly.
+
+"I can't see as it makes any difference to you," said Duval, with an evil
+leer. "You are not going any place. However, I'll tell you. It is now
+just ten minutes past eight."
+
+Hal did not reply, and proceeded to finish his sandwich.
+
+Finally, all the food having disappeared, Duval pushed back his chair and
+produced three cigars, one of which he offered to Hal and the other to
+his lieutenant.
+
+"I don't smoke," said Hal; "thanks all the same."
+
+"Suit yourself," replied Duval. "However, you may as well make yourself
+comfortable while we enjoy our cigars."
+
+He puffed luxuriously, as did the other.
+
+Hal also leaned back in his chair. He chafed under this restraint, but he
+realized that it would be foolish to make an effort to escape under the
+very mouths of his two captors' guns. Nevertheless, he was ready to take
+advantage of the first opportunity that should offer itself.
+
+But none came.
+
+Duval and his lieutenant, having disposed of their cigars, arose.
+The former, poking the muzzle of his revolver close to Hal's head,
+said sharply:
+
+"Get up, now, and walk ahead of us. No tricks!"
+
+Hal did as ordered, and, with the Apache chief's revolver prodding him
+in the back, left the room. At a command he went down the stairs to
+the basement.
+
+"Turn to the right," instructed Duval.
+
+Hal obeyed. At the far end of the cellar they came to a little room.
+Duval motioned Hal into it and followed himself, as did his lieutenant.
+The latter now kept Hal covered, while Duval tapped the walls with the
+butt of his revolver.
+
+"Perfectly solid, you see," he said to Hal.
+
+"I see," replied Hal.
+
+Duval struck the open door several resounding blows.
+
+"Also perfectly solid," he remarked. "If you had a gun now you
+might possibly blow the lock off, but, as you haven't, you will be
+safe enough."
+
+He turned to his aide.
+
+"You are sure he was not armed?"
+
+"Sure. I searched him carefully."
+
+"All right. Then there is no need to search him again."
+
+With his revolver he covered the lad while he backed from the
+little room.
+
+"Good-by," he said, and jumping out quickly, slammed the door closed.
+
+"Good-by," Hal called after him, without a tremor.
+
+"When the water begins to rise," shouted Duval, through the door, "you
+may lose some of your nerve. I'd like to stay and hear you cry for mercy,
+but I have other work to do. However, my friend here will stay in the
+house, and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't hear you upstairs."
+
+To this Hal made no reply.
+
+He now turned his attention to an examination of the room in which he
+was confined. The walls rose on all sides to a height of perhaps
+fifteen feet. This he had perceived while the door stood open, but
+inside now it was perfectly dark, except for a tiny stream of light
+that filtered in from below the walls, which failed to reach the floor
+by less than an inch.
+
+The lad felt the walls carefully with his hands. They were perfectly
+smooth. He placed his fingers on the floor. It was dry.
+
+He stood silent for some moments and then, becoming conscious of a
+strange sound, he again touched the floor with his fingers. They came
+away wet. Water was slowly trickling into the room.
+
+The room was very small, and Hal realized that it would not take it long
+to fill. Therefore he decided on instant action.
+
+When Duval, before leaving the lad to his fate, had mentioned revolvers,
+Hal had feared for the moment that he might be searched anew; but, when
+Duval had said a second search was not necessary, the lad breathed
+easier. His reference to blowing away the lock had not been lost on Hal,
+but the lad had already thought of that.
+
+"Well," he said to himself, "the sooner I act the better. If Duval has
+left the house already I shall have but one to deal with. If I wait until
+I am sure he has gone, I shall probably be drowned. Here goes!"
+
+Quickly he produced his pair of automatics, and, running his hand over
+the door, found the lock. He placed the muzzle of one automatic right up
+against it, and holding the other in his other hand, ready for instant
+use should he encounter a foe on the opposite side, fired.
+
+In the narrow room the shot sounded like an explosion of a cannon, and
+the force of it shook the lad from head to toe. Smoke filled the little
+aperture, strangling him. He pressed his weight against the door. It did
+not yield. Something had gone wrong.
+
+Again he placed his revolver against the lock, and fired quickly twice,
+and then hurled his weight against the door. It gave way before him, and
+the lad staggered from the smoke into the damp but fresher air of the
+open cellar.
+
+There, inhaling great breaths of air the while, he listened for the sound
+of his enemies. Not a sound was to be heard. The lad reasoned this out
+for himself.
+
+"The shots were probably muffled within," he said. "I doubt if they could
+have been heard very far. Now to get out!"
+
+He made his way to the end of the cellar where he had entered in the
+night, and finally came upon the little window. Then he gave vent to an
+exclamation of dismay.
+
+"Great Scott!" he cried. "I can't reach it!"
+
+It was true. The window was so high above the ground that there was no
+way in which the lad could secure so much as a finger-hold. He looked
+around for some object upon which to stand, but he could find none.
+
+"Well, I'll have to go out through the house," he told himself. "There is
+no help for it."
+
+Slowly and silently he climbed the steps once more, and as silently
+opened the door. There was light in the hall, and the boy could make out
+which way to go. He turned toward the room in which he had been taken
+prisoner and entered softly.
+
+There, stretched out on the bed, was the Apache chief's lieutenant. Duval
+himself was not to be seen.
+
+Hal, with revolver ready, tiptoed into the room. He saw a revolver on the
+little table, and muttered to himself:
+
+"Careless of him."
+
+At that moment the man on the bed turned and slowly opened his eyes. A
+cry of terror escaped him, as his gaze rested upon Hal, whom he was
+morally certain was in a living tomb in the cellar.
+
+"Ghost, go away!" he exclaimed.
+
+Hal laughed loudly, and it was no ghost laugh, either. The man in the
+bed sat up.
+
+"How did you get out of there?" he demanded, as if it were the most
+momentous question in the world.
+
+"I blew the lock off the door," replied Hal calmly.
+
+"But your gun? You had no gun."
+
+"Oh, yes, I had," smiled Hal. "I had two of 'em, and I've got 'em
+yet. See?"
+
+He pointed both straight at the head of his late captor.
+
+"Now," he said quietly, "get up and get out of there."
+
+"What are you going to do with me?" asked the man in alarm.
+
+"Deliver you into the care of General Gallieni."
+
+The Apache lieutenant slowly moved toward the edge of the bed and Hal
+lowered his weapons. This act almost proved the lad's undoing.
+
+A second revolver suddenly flashed in the hand of the man in the bed, and
+he cried in a stern voice:
+
+"Hands up!"
+
+Hal, taken absolutely by surprise, could do nothing but obey.
+
+"You see the tables are turned again," said the man in the bed
+pleasantly. "You should always remember that a man may keep one of his
+revolvers under his pillow."
+
+Hal was crestfallen, and he showed it plainly. However, he still held his
+own weapons in his upraised hands, and he had no mind to release the
+weapons if there was any way in which he could avoid it.
+
+"Put those guns on the table, and be quick about it," ordered his enemy
+and slipped from the bed to the floor.
+
+Hal advanced slowly toward the table, and laid down the revolver he held
+in his right hand. The man in the bed took a step toward him. It was the
+moment for which the lad had been waiting and he acted instantly.
+
+Slowly his weapon came down, and then it suddenly flashed in the Apache's
+face as the lad's hand pressed the trigger.
+
+A miss was impossible. Hal had made up his mind that he would trifle with
+his opponent no longer. He realized fully that his own life depended upon
+his getting the upper hand and that it was no time to be squeamish.
+
+Accordingly, when the opportunity presented itself, he fired pointblank
+in his opponent's face. The latter threw up his hands, gave out a single
+loud scream of pain, and toppled backward to the floor in a heap.
+
+Hal bent over him. "Dead," he said simply. "Now to get out of this."
+
+He left the house and made his way with all speed toward the Hotel de
+Ville. But he had not gone a block when he beheld, in a little store he
+was passing, a scene of confusion. The lad stopped and peered in. He made
+out Chester's figure and, instantly realizing his danger, dashed forward.
+
+He arrived just in time to catch an uplifted arm that would have crushed
+Chester's head with a heavy wrench.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+THE DEATH OF DUVAL.
+
+
+"What's going on here?" cried Hal angrily, as he twisted sharply on the
+upraised arm.
+
+The man who held the wrench writhed in pain beneath the lad's strong
+fingers and he dropped the wrench and turned on Hal angrily.
+
+"What business is it of yours?" he demanded.
+
+"I've made it my business," said Hal. "He is a friend of mine."
+
+Unmindful of the threatening gestures of the others, he stooped and
+gently lifted Chester's head. The latter was not badly hurt, and he was
+soon upon his feet.
+
+"Where did he go?" he cried excitedly.
+
+"Where did who go?" asked Hal.
+
+"Duval--the man I was chasing. He attempted to assassinate the
+President."
+
+A cry of surprise went up from those surrounding the two lads, and they
+pressed forward with eager questions. No longer were they enemies of the
+two lads. Word that an attempt had been made on the life of the President
+caused them to forget other troubles.
+
+"He went that way," said one of them, pointing.
+
+"After him," cried another, and the crowd dashed forward. Others of
+the mob that had given chase arrived by this time and also continued
+the chase.
+
+"There is no use running after him," said Hal, as Chester also would have
+continued the pursuit.
+
+"But we must get him!"
+
+"I have an idea that I shall be able to find him," said Hal quietly.
+
+"You know where he is?"
+
+"I think I know where he will seek refuge."
+
+Quickly he related his experiences to Chester.
+
+"Come on, then," cried the latter eagerly. "Let's get away before he gets
+back, finds his friend dead and leaves the house."
+
+The lads hurried forward and, by going directly toward the house, arrived
+there before the first of the crowd came into view.
+
+Even as Hal had expected, Duval, believing that he had eluded his
+pursuers, made a detour and entered his home from a side entrance. From
+an upper window, a few moments later, he saw the first of the crowd. They
+had no idea he was in the house and went dashing by. He did not see the
+forms of the two lads across the street.
+
+"I guess I'm safe enough for a while," he said to himself.
+
+He made his way toward the bedroom, where he surmised his lieutenant
+would be sleeping. He entered the room, took a single look and
+staggered back.
+
+His eyes had fallen upon the inert body of his aide.
+
+Quickly he bent over him and felt his pulse.
+
+"Dead!" he exclaimed.
+
+He stood silent, struck by a sudden thought. Quickly he descended the
+steps into the cellar and approached the room where Hal had been left to
+die. The door was open and water trickled from within.
+
+Duval uttered no word but, turning quickly, dashed up the steps. Once
+more he looked from the window, and the first figures upon which his eyes
+rested were Hal and Chester.
+
+The boys, in the meantime, had halted the mad crowd and briefly explained
+that the object of their search was in the house. They were engaged in
+this occupation when Duval peered from the window the second time.
+
+The Apache chief smiled grimly to himself. He produced his automatic and
+aimed at the two lads. His finger tightened on the trigger.
+
+"Crack!"
+
+Hal's cap seemed to leap from his head, and instinctively all of the
+crowd ducked. Then, with a terrible roar, they charged straight at
+the house.
+
+But Duval, standing in an upper window, emptied one automatic into the
+howling mob and then another.
+
+The crowd drew back.
+
+While all this was going on, Hal had led Chester to the window leading
+into the basement, and silently the lads lowered themselves through it.
+Then, as the mob raged without, they made their way up the steps, through
+the hall, and up a second flight.
+
+There, at the head of the stairs, they paused. Before them were two
+rooms, and they were not certain in which the Apache chief had
+taken refuge.
+
+"You take the one on the right, Chester," whispered Hal.
+
+Chester nodded and they advanced, Chester toward the door on the right
+and Hal toward the one on the left. They opened the doors upon the
+same instant.
+
+But Duval had heard sounds in the hall, and his quick wit had detected
+the ruse. Therefore, when the lads flung open the doors, there was no one
+to be seen in either room. They turned and stared at each other blankly,
+and as they did so a bullet whistled between them.
+
+Duval, stepping from behind the door where he had been concealed, had
+opened fire on them.
+
+"Down!" cried Chester, and dropped to the floor.
+
+Hal followed suit.
+
+Both raised their weapons, but Duval was not in sight, so they did not
+fire. Slowly they got to their feet again, and dashed into the room where
+they now knew the Apache chief to be.
+
+Hal went first. As he cleared the doorway, he was met by Duval himself,
+who, with the butt of his revolver, dealt the lad a heavy blow on the
+head. Hal fell like a log.
+
+But Chester had been right at Hal's heels and before Duval could raise
+his weapon to fire, or bring it down on the lad's head, Chester had
+clinched with him.
+
+With his two arms beneath those of the Apache chief, Chester brought them
+up, and, reaching over his shoulder, clasped hands under Duval's chin.
+
+But Duval was a powerful man, and broke this hold with ease, even as the
+lad exerted his utmost strength in an attempt to strangle his opponent.
+
+Chester staggered back, but rushed into another clinch as Duval raised
+his revolver. Ducking, Chester drove his fist to his opponent's chin,
+even as the latter pressed the trigger. The bullet whistled harmlessly
+over his head.
+
+With a quick, upward stroke of his left arm, Chester sent his enemy's
+revolver spinning through the air. Deprived of this weapon, Duval sought
+to bring his greater strength to bear and overpower the lad.
+
+Chester realized that in strength he was no match for Duval, and
+knew that what he lacked in this respect he must make up in agility
+and cunning.
+
+Therefore, he slipped from his opponent's grasp, and, sidestepping,
+struck Duval a stinging blow just above the right ear. Duval staggered
+back, then came forward with a cry of rage.
+
+The Apache chief realized the need of haste, for he could already
+distinguish the sound of heavy footsteps in the hall below. He hoped, by
+freeing himself from Chester, who had now grappled with him again, that
+he could gain a moment's advantage, jump into the next room, dash through
+the hall and descend by the rear before the crowd came upon him.
+
+Accordingly, he exerted himself to his utmost, and Chester gave ground.
+Then the lad stepped suddenly backward, and Duval staggered headlong.
+Before he could recover his balance, Chester, getting a good start,
+hurled himself forward as he had been wont to do on the football
+field--but not in a tackle--and Duval, unable to entirely recover
+himself, found himself being pushed rapidly across the room.
+
+In vain did he strike out at the lad with his one free arm. His blows
+fell short. Chester, with lowered head, continued to push, and Duval was
+unable to check this impetus.
+
+Straight back and back the Apache chief was forced. Then his legs came
+into contact with something that caused him to cry out in despair. This
+something was the edge of the low window, and Duval realized in an
+instant that he was on the threshold of death.
+
+But his cry came too late, and it is doubtful if Chester, thoroughly
+aroused as he was, would have released his victim anyhow. There was a
+sound of cracking glass, as Duval's head was forced against the
+window pane, and Chester, hearing it, released his hold and stepped
+back quickly.
+
+And the lad stepped back none too soon. Another foot forward, and he,
+too, would have gone hurtling through the window to the street.
+
+There was a screeching cry as Duval crashed head foremost through the
+window and went tumbling to the street below. He struck head first upon
+the hard sidewalk, crushing his skull; while a shower of glass crashed
+tinkling about him.
+
+Immediately the crowd below surged about him, striking with weapons of
+all kinds at his defenseless body. Some even jumped and trampled upon it.
+
+At this moment, from around a corner came a troop of cavalry, attracted
+by the news that the would-be assassin of the President had been
+cornered--for news of this kind travels swiftly--and now they rushed to
+the body of Duval, as eager to protect him as a moment ago they would
+have been to slay him.
+
+The crowd, with growls and shouted threats, drew off.
+
+Upstairs Chester bent over the prostrate form of Hal and gently raised
+his chum's head to his knee. Slowly the lad opened his eyes.
+
+"How do you feel, old man?" asked Chester.
+
+Hal passed his hand over his head.
+
+"Somewhat dizzy," he replied, "but where is Duval?"
+
+"Dead, I guess," said Chester, "I tumbled him out the window on
+his head."
+
+"Good! Am I hurt much?"
+
+"No; the blow didn't even break the skin, but it has raised a pretty
+sizable bump on your head."
+
+"All right, then. Help me up."
+
+Chester lent a supporting arm, and Hal scrambled to his feet, where he
+swayed dizzily for a few seconds. Then the dizziness passed, and he
+walked toward the door with Chester.
+
+Just as they were about to leave the room they stepped back to allow a
+newcomer to enter. The newcomer was General Gallieni, and he advanced
+with outstretched hands.
+
+"You lads have proved your worth," he said, seizing each warmly by the
+hand. "And now, if you will lead us to the den of the Apache
+conspirators, your work will be finished."
+
+"All right, General, follow us," said Chester.
+
+He led the way downstairs.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+THE END OF THE TRAIL.
+
+
+Hal, still somewhat dizzy, followed close upon the heels of his friend,
+and behind him came General Gallieni. In the street, at a command from
+the general, the lads halted, and the military governor dispatched an
+aide to summon a squad of cavalry.
+
+"We might as well do this right," he remarked to the lads.
+
+Ten minutes later the squad appeared, and the general, mounting his own
+horse, which had been standing by, placed himself at their head. Then he
+motioned the lads to climb up before two of the soldiers and point out
+the way to the den.
+
+This the lads did, and soon the squad was trotting briskly along
+the streets.
+
+Some distance from the rendezvous Hal called a halt, and jumped lightly
+to the ground. Chester and General Gallieni also dismounted.
+
+"I believe it would be a good idea for my friend and I to go first," said
+Hal to the general. "We are still in our Apache togs. One of your men can
+come with us, so as to be able to point out the way. Then he can return
+and bring you. In the meantime we can see that the door is left open."
+
+General Gallieni assented to this plan, and Hal, Chester and one soldier
+made their way forward.
+
+Hal recognized the little frame house at once, but just as he was
+about to enter a figure stole softly across the street and took
+Chester by the arm.
+
+It was Jean.
+
+"You won't be able to open the door in the passageway," he said in
+a low tone.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "How do you happen to be here?"
+
+"I expected that there would be a raid," was the reply, "and I came to
+help you. You had better let me take the lead."
+
+"All right," said Chester, and he explained the situation to Hal.
+
+Jean now took the lead, and they entered the house. Once more they
+traversed the dark passageway, and Jean opened the door in the dark and
+led the way to the room beyond. Here Hal motioned for the soldier to
+return and bring the others--the door had been left open--and the trooper
+hurried away.
+
+Hal approached the room and knocked sharply on the door--three light
+taps, followed by one loud tap. There came to their ears the sound of a
+scraping chair, the door was unbarred and unbolted, and Georges peered
+through. He recognized the three figures in the passageway, and threw
+wide the door.
+
+"Successful?" he asked eagerly as the three entered.
+
+"Yes," said Chester briefly.
+
+"_Bien_!"
+
+The others in the room, of whom there were perhaps fifty, also crowded
+around and patted Chester and Jean on the back, profuse in their
+congratulations.
+
+The three sat down at the table, where Chester, in response to Georges'
+request, began an account of the supposed assassination.
+
+"I suppose the chief will soon be here," he broke off to say.
+
+"And then," said Georges, rubbing his hands, "we shall receive our gold.
+Did you see the chief in the crowd?"
+
+"Yes; he was there, all right," said Chester.
+
+Now came to Chester's ears the sound of stealthy footsteps in the
+passageway beyond the door, which Georges had barred and bolted
+immediately they had entered. The lad got nonchalantly to his feet and
+walked slowly toward the door.
+
+Hal and Jean also had heard the sound of footsteps, and they now ranged
+themselves on either side of Chester.
+
+Suddenly the revolvers of all three flashed out and covered the crowd of
+Apaches, as Chester's voice rang out sternly:
+
+"Throw up your hands, all of you!"
+
+Taken completely by surprise, the Apaches obeyed.
+
+Without lowering his weapons, Chester called to Jean:
+
+"Open the door!"
+
+Jean sprang to obey, and as he did so the Apaches, realizing that they
+were trapped, sprang toward the two lads with cries of rage. Right in the
+face of the muzzles of the four automatics they came on.
+
+"Halt, or we fire!" cried Chester.
+
+Jean was struggling nervously with the door.
+
+The Apaches paid no heed to the lad's cry.
+
+"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!"
+
+The automatics of both lads spoke four times in rapid succession, and as
+many men fell to the floor. For a moment the Apaches fell back. In this
+moment Jean swung wide the door, and, picking up his revolver, rushed to
+the side of the two lads, while through the door streamed, one after
+another, the squad of French cavalrymen.
+
+Some of the Apaches now produced revolvers and fired wildly at the
+approaching soldiers, and these, leveling their rifles, returned the
+fire.
+
+Immediately the den became a scene of tumult. Wounded men screamed and
+others gave vent to their rage with fierce cries. Revolvers and rifles
+flashed on all sides.
+
+Hal and Chester, immediately the firing had begun, had dropped to their
+knees, and so, as they still poured lead into the Apaches, the bullets of
+the latter went over their heads. Jean, however, was not so fortunate.
+
+Realizing that there must have been treachery some place, Georges had
+naturally come to the conclusion that Jean was responsible for it, and
+had singled the little man out as his own particular mark. Paying no heed
+to the fighting that raged about him, he took careful aim and fired.
+
+Jean gave a single cry, threw up his hands and fell squarely between Hal
+and Chester.
+
+But the fight could have but one outcome. Outnumbered two to one, the
+Apaches were fighting a losing struggle. Half of their number lay dead on
+the floor, and many others were nursing serious wounds. As suddenly as it
+had begun, the fighting ceased, and the Apaches still on their feet
+raised their hands in the air.
+
+Immediately the soldiers advanced on them and made them prisoners. Each
+was bound securely and hustled out of the door.
+
+Chester and Hal were not wounded. The former now bent over the body
+of Jean, in whom he saw there was still a spark of life. He lifted
+the little man's head gently, and, as he did so, Jean looked at him
+and spoke:
+
+"Well, they got me," he said quietly. "I thought they would."
+
+"You will be all right in a day or two, Jean," said Chester.
+
+"You can't fool me," was the reply. "I know when I am done for. But I am
+glad that, before my time came, you were able to put me on the right
+path. It is better to die thus."
+
+Chester did not reply. There was nothing he could say.
+
+Jean looked at him and smiled, then reached out his hand and clasped
+Chester's.
+
+"It's all right," he said, pressing the lad's hand; "but let me give you
+a word of warning. Do not let any of these Apaches know your real
+identity. Their arm is long and they never forgive. Good-by."
+
+He pressed the lad's hand, gave a single shudder and his grasp relaxed.
+Chester rose to his feet and turned to Hal.
+
+"He is dead," he said quietly.
+
+Leaving the body of Jean to be disposed of with the others, the lads made
+their way outside, to where General Gallieni stood. The latter greeted
+them with a smile.
+
+"Well, we have finished it up," he said cheerfully, "and thanks to you
+two lads. I can see now why General Joffre has such confidence in you."
+
+The lads flushed with pleasure at this compliment, but neither replied.
+They merely bowed.
+
+"Now," said General Gallieni, "you shall come with me."
+
+"Where to, sir?" asked Chester.
+
+"Never mind," was the laughing rejoinder. "Mount two of those horses and
+follow me."
+
+Without further questions the lads obeyed, and, after half an hour's
+ride, found themselves before the Palace where so recently the attempt on
+the life of the President of France had been foiled.
+
+General Gallieni dismounted and motioned the lads to follow him, which
+they did, going up the steps and entering the Palace itself. Here General
+Gallieni gave his name to an attendant. The latter disappeared, but
+returned a few moments later and bowed.
+
+General Gallieni, closely followed by Hal and Chester, passed within the
+next room. There a man in civilian attire, bearded and with flashing eye,
+advanced to meet them.
+
+"Allow me to present to you, sir," said General Gallieni, with a
+flourish, "Lieutenants Paine and Crawford, sir."
+
+Both lads bowed low, for the man who advanced toward them with
+outstretched hand was Raymond Poincare, President of France.
+
+"I am greatly indebted to you boys," said the President, "for the aid you
+have rendered me; but I am still more indebted for the service you have
+rendered France."
+
+He spoke at length to the two lads, and finally informed them that
+they might withdraw, as he had matters of importance to discuss with
+General Gallieni.
+
+"Well," said Hal to Chester, when they were again on the outside, "what
+shall we do now?"
+
+"I guess we might as well hunt up our mothers," was Chester's reply.
+
+Accordingly they turned and hurried in the direction of the hotel where,
+the evening before, they had outwitted Uncle John.
+
+Uncle John was standing just inside the entrance of the hotel. He glanced
+at the lads as they entered, but, as they were still in their Apache
+togs, and were ragged and dirty, he did not recognize them. Chester
+approached him, and in a wheedling voice said:
+
+"Will you give a poor orphan lad a small piece of money, sir?"
+
+The hand of Uncle John, ever generous, immediately went into his pocket,
+and he placed a franc in the boy's hand.
+
+At that moment one of the hotel officials, perceiving the two dirty lads,
+and mistaking them for street urchins, approached.
+
+"Were these little beggars annoying you, sir?" he said to Uncle John.
+"I'll have them kicked into the street."
+
+"Oh, let them alone," said Uncle John, but the official, mumbling that it
+was against the rules of the hotel, summoned a porter and ordered him to
+throw the lads out.
+
+"Are you going to let them kick us out, Uncle John?" asked Chester,
+in English.
+
+Uncle John turned quickly, and walked straight up to him. Stooping he
+gazed searchingly into his face and then turned to Hal. With an
+exclamation he waved aside the porter and grasped each lad by the arm.
+
+"You young rascals!" he said. "Don't you know you have worried your
+mothers nearly to death. You'll come with me now."
+
+He led them to the elevator, and soon the two lads were once more in
+their mothers' arms.
+
+"Well," said Uncle John, when the greetings were over, "I don't think you
+will get away from us again. We'll sail for America at once."
+
+"I am afraid," said Chester slowly, "that we cannot go."
+
+"Cannot go? And why not, sir?"
+
+"Because," replied Chester, "I believe that Hal and I shall return
+immediately to the front, and rejoin General French and his heroic
+British troops."
+
+Both Mrs. Paine and Mrs. Crawford cried out in alarm, and Uncle John
+looked at the two lads with disappointment when Hal said:
+
+"Chester is right."
+
+But Uncle John was nothing if not a diplomat.
+
+"We won't discuss it now," he said, with a wave of his hand. "To-morrow
+we will talk the matter over."
+
+This suited all concerned.
+
+"And that decision having been reached," continued Uncle John, "let's all
+go down to dinner!"
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Allies in the Trenches
+by Clair Wallace Hayes
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