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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/12656-0.txt b/12656-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..deea5c5 --- /dev/null +++ b/12656-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6909 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12656 *** + +THE BOY ALLIES AT LIÈGE + +OR + +Through Lines of Steel + +By CLAIR W. HAYES + +AUTHOR OF "The Boy Allies On the Firing Line" "The Boy Allies With the +Cossacks" "The Boy Allies In the Trenches" + +1915 + + + + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE TWO COMRADES. + + +"War has been declared, mother!" shouted Hal, as closely followed by his +friend, Chester Crawford, he dashed into the great hotel in Berlin, where +the three were stopping, and made his way through the crowd that thronged +the lobby to his mother's side. + +"Yes, mother, it's true," continued Hal, seeing the look of consternation +on Mrs. Paine's face. "The Kaiser has declared war upon France!" + +Mrs. Paine, who had risen to her feet at her son's entrance, put her hand +upon the back of her chair to steady herself, and her face grew pale. + +"Can it be?" she said slowly. "After all these years, can it be possible +that millions of men will again fly at each other's throats? Is it +possible that Europe will again be turned into a battlefield?" + +Overcome by her feelings, Mrs. Paine sank slowly into her chair. Hal and +Chester sprang to her side. + +"It's all right, mother," cried Hal, dropping to his knees and putting +his arm about her. "We are in no danger. No one will harm an American. At +this crisis a citizen of the United States will not be molested." + +Mrs. Paine smiled faintly. + +"It was not of that I was thinking, my son," she said. "Your words +brought back to me the days gone by, and I pray that I shall not have to +go through them again. Then, too, I was thinking of the mothers and wives +whose hearts will be torn by the news you have just told me. But come," +and Mrs. Paine shook off her memories, "tell me all about it." + +"As you know, Mrs. Paine," spoke up Chester, who up to this time had +remained silent, "Hal and I went to the American Embassy immediately +after dinner to-night to learn, if possible, what difficulties we were +likely to encounter in leaving Germany. Since the Kaiser's declaration of +war against Russia all Americans have been preparing to get out of the +country at the earliest possible moment. But now that war has been +declared on France, we are likely to encounter many hardships." + +"Is there any likelihood of our being detained?" asked Mrs. Paine in +alarm. "What did the ambassador say?" + +"While the ambassador anticipates no danger for foreigners, he advises +that we leave the country immediately. He suggests that we take the early +morning train across the Belgian frontier." + +"Why go to Belgium?" + +"All railroad lines leading into France have been seized by German +soldiers. Passenger traffic has been cut off, mother," explained Hal. +"All trains are being used for the movement of troops." + +"Yes, Mrs. Paine," continued Chester, "we shall have to go through +Belgium. Even now thousands of the Kaiser's best troops are marching upon +the French frontier, and fighting is only a question of hours." + +"Very well, then," returned Mrs. Paine. "We shall go in the morning. So I +guess we would all better go upstairs and pack. Come along, boys." + +While the packing is going on, it is a good time to describe the two +American lads, who will play the most important parts in our story. + +Hal Paine was a lad some seventeen years of age. Following his graduation +from high school in a large Illinois city the previous June, his mother +had announced her intention of taking him on a tour through Europe. +Needless to say, Hal jumped at this chance to see something of the +foreign countries in whose histories he had always been deeply +interested. It was upon Hal's request that Mrs. Paine had invited his +chum, Chester Crawford, to accompany them. + +Chester was naturally eager to take the trip across the water, and, after +some coaxing, in which Mrs. Paine's influence also was brought to bear, +his parents finally agreed to their son's going so far away from home. + +Hal's father was dead. A colonel of infantry, he was killed leading a +charge at the battle of El Caney, in the Spanish-American war. Hal's +grandfather died of a bayonet wound in the last days of the Civil War. + +But, if Hal's father's family was a family of fighters, so was that of +his mother. Her father, a Virginian, was killed at the head of his men +while leading one of Pickett's regiments in the famous charge at +Gettysburg. Three of her brothers also had been killed on the field of +battle, and another had died in prison. + +From her own mother Mrs. Paine had learned of the horrors of war. Before +the war her father had been a wealthy man. After the war her mother was +almost in poverty. While too young then to remember these things herself, +Mrs. Paine knew what havoc had been wrought in the land of her birth by +the invasion of armed men, and it is not to be wondered at that, in view +of the events narrated, she should view the coming struggle with anguish, +despite the fact that her own country was not involved and that there was +no reason why her loved ones should be called upon to take up arms. + +Chester's father was a prominent and wealthy lumberman, and Chester, +although nearly a year younger than Hal, had graduated in the same class +with his comrade. The two families lived next door to each other, and the +lads had always been the closest of chums. + +For the last three years the boys had spent each summer vacation in one +of the lumber camps owned by Chester's father, in the great Northwest. +Always athletically inclined, the time thus spent among the rough +lumbermen had given the boys new prowess. Day after day they spent in the +woods, hunting big game, and both had become proficient in the use of +firearms; while to their boxing skill--learned under a veteran of the +prize-ring, who was employed by Chester's father in the town in which +they lived--they added that dexterity which comes only with hard +experience. Daily fencing lessons had made both proficient in the use of +sword and saber. + +Among these woodsmen, composed of laborers from many nations, they had +also picked up a smattering of many European languages, which proved of +great help to them on their trip abroad. + +Standing firmly upon their rights from first to last, the two lads never +allowed anyone to impose upon them, although they were neither naturally +pugnacious nor aggressive. However, there had been more than one +lumberjack who had found to his discomfort that he could not infringe +upon their good nature, which was at all times apparent. + +Both boys were large and sturdy, and the months spent in the lumber camps +had given hardness to their muscles. Their ever-readiness for a +rough-and-tumble, the fact that neither had ever been known to dodge +trouble--although neither had ever sought it, and that where one was +involved in danger there was sure to be found the other also--had gained +for them among the rough men of the lumber camp the nickname of "The Boy +Allies," a name which had followed them to their city home. + +It was by this name that the boys were most endearingly known to their +companions; and there was more than one small boy who owed his escape +from older tormentors to the "Boy Allies'" idea of what was right and +wrong, and to the power of their arms. + +Both lads were keenly interested in history, so, in spite of the manner +in which they tried to reassure Mrs. Paine and set her mind at rest, +there is no cause for wonder in the fact that both were more concerned in +the movement of troops and warships than in the efforts the other powers +were making to prevent a general European war. + +Staunch admirers of Napoleon and the French people, and, with a long line +of descendants among the English, the sympathies of both were naturally +with the Allies. As Chester had said to Hal, when first rumors of the +impending conflagration were heard: + +"It's too bad we cannot take a hand in the fighting. The war will be the +greatest of all time, and both sides will need every man they can get +capable of bearing arms." + +"You bet it's too bad," Hal had replied; "but we're still in Europe, and +you never can tell what will happen. We may have to play a part in the +affair whether we want to or not," and here the conversation had ended, +although such thoughts were still in the minds of both boys when they +accompanied Mrs. Paine to their apartment to pack up, preparatory to +their departure in the morning. + +The packing completed, the lads announced their intention of walking out +and learning the latest war news. + +"We won't be gone long, mother," said Hal. + +"Very well, son," Mrs. Paine replied; "but, whatever you do, don't get +into any trouble. However, I do not suppose there is any danger to be +feared--yet." + +For more than an hour the lads wandered about the streets, reading the +war bulletins in front of the various newspaper offices, and listening to +crowds of men discussing the latest reports, which became more grave +every minute. + +As the boys started on their return to their hotel, they heard a shout +down a side street, followed immediately by more yells and cries; and +then a voice rang out in English: + +"Help! Police!" + +Breaking into a quick run, Hal and Chester soon were upon the scene of +confusion. + +With their backs to a wall, two young men were attempting to beat back +with their fists a crowd of a dozen assailants, who beset them from three +directions. + +As the two boys rounded the corner, the cry for help again went up. + +"Come on, Chester!" shouted Hal. "We can't let that gang of hoodlums beat +up anyone who speaks the English language." + +"Lead on!" cried Chester. "I am right with you!" + +They were upon the crowd as he spoke, and Hal's right fist shot out with +stinging force, and the nearest assailant, struck on the side of the +neck, fell to the ground with a groan. + +"Good work, Hal!" shouted Chester, at the same time wading into the crowd +of young ruffians, for such the attackers proved to be, and striking out +right and left. + +Howls of anger and imprecations greeted the attack from this unexpected +source, and for a moment the ruffians fell back. In the time that it took +the crowd to return to the struggle, the boys forced their way to the +side of the victims of the attack, and the four, with their backs to the +wall, took a breathing spell. + +"You didn't arrive a moment too soon," said one of the young men, with a +smile. "I had begun to think we were due for a trimming." + +"There are four of us here," returned Hal, "and we ought to be good for +that crowd; but, instead of standing here, when they attack again, let's +make a break and fight our way through. There will be more of them along +in a minute, and it will be that much harder for us." + +"Good!" returned the second stranger in French. "Here they come!" + +"Are you ready?" asked Hal. + +"All ready," came the reply from the other three. + +"All right, then. Now!" + +At the word the four rushed desperately into the throng, which was +pressing in on them from three sides. Taken by surprise, the enemy gave +way for a moment; then closed in again. + +Blows fell thick and fast for the space of a couple of minutes. Then, +suddenly, Chester fell to the ground. + +Turning, Hal fought his way to the other side of Chester's prostrate +body. Then, bending down, he lifted his chum to his feet. + +"Hurt much?" he asked. + +"No," replied Chester, shaking his head like an enraged bull. "Let me get +at them again!" + +He rushed in among his assailants with even greater desperation than +before, and two young hoodlums fell before his blows. + +In the meantime the strangers were giving a good account of themselves, +and the enemy were falling before their smashing fists. + +Hal ducked a blow from the closest of his assailants, and, stepping in +close, struck him with all his power under the chin. The youth fell to +the ground. + +As he did so the ruffian nearest him, with a hiss of rage, drew a knife, +with which he made a wicked slash at Hal. Hal did not see the movement, +being closely pressed elsewhere, but Chester, with a sudden cry, leaped +forward and seized the hand holding the knife, just as the weapon would +have been buried in Hal's back. + +"You would, would you, you coward!" he cried, and struck the young German +in the face with all the strength of his right arm. The latter toppled +over like a log. + +All this time the crowd of assailants continued to grow. Attracted by the +sounds of the scuffle, reinforcements arrived from all directions, and it +is hard to tell what would have happened had not the sudden blast of a +whistle interrupted the proceedings. + +"The police!" yelled someone in the crowd. "Run!" + +In less time than it takes to tell it, Hal, Chester, and the two other +young men were alone, while racing toward them, down the street, were +several figures in uniform. + +"Run!" cried the young Frenchman. "If they catch us we will all go to +jail, and there is no telling when we'll get out. Run!" + +The four took to their heels, and, dodging around corner after corner, +were soon safe from pursuit. + +"Well, I guess we are safe now," said the Englishman, when they stopped +at last. Then, turning to Hal: + +"I don't know how to thank you and your friend. If you had not arrived +when you did, I fear it would have fared badly with us." + +"No thanks are due," replied Hal. "It's a poor American who would refuse +to help anyone in trouble. Shake hands and call it square!" + +The Englishman smiled. + +"As modest as you are bold, eh? Well, all right," and he extended his +hand, which Hal and Chester grasped in turn. + +But the Frenchman was not to be put off so easily. He insisted on +embracing both of the boys, much to their embarrassment. + +"I'm Lieutenant Harry Anderson, of the Tenth Dragoons, His Majesty's +service," explained the Englishman, and then, turning to his friend: +"This is Captain Raoul Derevaux, Tenth Regiment, French Rifle Corps. We +were strolling along the street when attacked by the gang from which you +saved us. In the morning we shall try to get out of Germany by way of the +Belgian frontier. If now, or at any other time, we may be of service to +you, command us." + +"Yes, indeed," put in the Frenchman, "I consider myself your debtor +for life." + +Hal and Chester thanked their newly-made friends for their good will, +and, after a little further conversation, left them to continue their +way, while they returned to the hotel, much to the relief of Mrs. Paine, +who had become very uneasy at their long absence. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +A PERILOUS SITUATION. + + +"Come on, Hal. Let's stroll about a few minutes. We've lots of time +before the train pulls out." + +It was Chester who spoke. Mrs. Paine and the two boys were sitting in +their compartment of the Brussels express, in the station at Berlin. It +still lacked ten minutes of the time set for departure. + +"You don't mind, do you, mother?" said Hal. + +"No; if you do not go too far," was the answer. + +The boys descended from the car, and wandered toward the entrance of the +station. Just as they were about to step on to the street, a German +military officer swung into the doorway. Hal, who was directly in his +path, stepped aside, but not quickly enough to entirely avoid him. + +With one outstretched arm the officer shoved him violently to one side, +and then stopped. + +"What do you mean by blocking my way?" he demanded. "Do you know +who I am?" + +Hal's temper was aroused. + +"No, I don't; and I don't care," was his reply. + +"Well, I'll give you something to care about," and, raising his hand, the +officer made as though to strike Hal across the face. + +"Don't you strike me," said Hal quietly. "I'm an American citizen, and I +give you warning." + +"Warning!" sneered the officer. "You young American upstart! I'll have +you whipped!" and he turned as though to call someone. + +At that moment there was a sudden cry of "All aboard!" and the officer, +after taking a threatening step toward Hal, made a dash for the train. + +"I guess that is our train, Hal," said Chester. "We had better hurry." + +The lads retraced their steps toward their train. Reaching the shed, they +saw the German officer disappearing into a compartment on the train. + +"That looks like our compartment to me," said Hal. "I hope we don't have +to ride with him." + +"I hope not," agreed Chester, and then broke into a run, as he shouted: + +"Hurry! The train is moving!" + +It was true. The boys had wasted too much time. + +The door to one compartment was all that stood open, and that was the one +in which Mrs. Paine could be seen gesticulating to them. + +"We just made it," panted Hal, as they reached the open door, and started +to climb aboard. + +At that instant a uniformed arm appeared through the door and +pushed Hal away. + +"Go away, you American puppy," came a voice. + +Hal slipped, and but for the prompt action of Chester, who caught him by +the arm, would have fallen beneath the train. + +The train gathered momentum, as the boys raced along beside it, in vain +seeking an open door by which they might climb aboard. There was none but +their own compartment, and that had passed them. It was impossible for +them to overtake it, and there was not a train guard in sight. + +The boys stopped running and stood still as the remainder of the train +slipped past. + +On ahead they could see Mrs. Paine and the big German officer, both +gazing back toward them, the former gesticulating violently. + +Hal stamped his foot with rage. + +"I'd like to get my hands on that big lout!" he shouted. "I'd--" + +"Come, come, old fellow," interrupted Chester, "never mind that, now. I +don't blame you, but you can see it's impossible. You'll have to wait." + +"You are right, of course," replied Hal. "The thing to do now is to send +mother a telegram to the first station and tell her not to worry, that we +shall be along on the next train. But, just the same, I'd like to get my +hands on that--" + +"Come, now," Chester interrupted again, "let's send that telegram and +find out when the next train leaves." + +They found the telegraph office, and Hal prepared a message, which he +handed through the window. + +The clerk glanced at it, and then passed it back. + +"Can't be sent," he informed Hal. + +"Can't be sent! Why not?" + +"Nothing can be sent over this wire but military messages from this time +on," said the clerk. + +"But we missed the train, and I want to send this message to my mother, +so she won't worry," pleaded Hal. + +"I'm sorry," the clerk returned kindly, "but it is impossible. I must +obey my orders." + +Hal and Chester were nonplused. + +"What shall we do?" questioned Chester. + +"The only thing I know to do," replied Hal, "is to take the next train +without telegraphing. Mother is sure to be at the Brussels station. I +guess she knows we have enough sense to get there." + +"All right Let's find out when the next train leaves." + +On their way to the ticket window, Hal stopped suddenly. + +"What's the matter" asked Chester. + +"Matter!" exclaimed Hal. "The matter is I haven't any money. All I have +was enough to send that telegram, and that amount won't get us to +Brussels." + +Chester reached in his pocket, and a startled expression came over his +face. + +"Neither have I," he exclaimed, feeling first one pocket and then +another. "I have lost my pocketbook. All I have is a little change." + +The lads looked at each other in silence for several minutes. + +"What shall we do?" Chester asked finally. + +"I don't know what to do," replied Hal; "but we have got to do something. +I guess the best thing is to go back to the embassy and see if we can't +raise the price of a couple of tickets. I am sure the ambassador will let +us have it." + +"A good idea," said Chester. "I guess the sooner we get there the +better. Come on." + +The ambassador received them immediately. + +"I'm awfully sorry, boys," he said, after listening to their troubles, +"but I am afraid I can do nothing for you." + +"Can't you lend us enough money to get to Brussels?" asked Hal in +surprise. "You'll get it back, all right." + +"Yes, I can lend it to you, and I am not afraid of not getting it back." + +"Then why can't you help us?" + +"The reason is this," the ambassador explained, "this morning's train to +Brussels was the last upon which foreigners were allowed to depart. The +German government has given orders that all foreigners now in Germany +must remain until mobilization is completed. So you see you are up +against it" + +Hal and Chester looked at each other, and both smiled faintly. + +"I see we are," said Chester. + +"Now, I'll tell you what I can do," continued the ambassador. "I can let +you have enough money to keep you until such a time as you will be +allowed to leave the country; or, better still, you can come and live +with me. What do you say?" + +"I'm sure we appreciate your kindness very much," said Hal, "and we +may be forced to take advantage of it. We shall look about the city +this afternoon, and, if nothing else turns up, we shall be glad to +stay with you." + +"Let me hear from you before night, anyhow," said the ambassador, rising. + +"We certainly shall. Come, Chester, let's go out and look around a bit." + +The boys left the embassy. + +The streets of the city were even more densely thronged than they had +been the night before. Thousands and thousands of people paraded up and +down--war the sole topic of their conversation. + +Late in the afternoon, as Hal and Chester were walking along Strassburga +Strasse, a hand was suddenly laid on the former's arm, and a voice +exclaimed: + +"I thought you boys were on your way to Brussels. How does it happen you +are still in Berlin?" + +Turning, Hal perceived that the person who had accosted him was none +other than Lieutenant Anderson, and with him was Captain Derevaux. + +All four expressed their pleasure at this unexpected meeting, and the +boys explained their misfortune. + +"How is it you and Captain Derevaux didn't get away?" Chester +finally asked. + +Captain Derevaux smiled. + +"We were so unfortunate as to be recognized by a member of the German +general staff at the station this morning," he explained, "and we were +detained. But," he added grimly, "we are not figuring upon remaining in +Berlin overnight." + +"What do you propose to do?" asked Hal and Chester in a breath. + +"Oh, Anderson and I have a little plan whereby we shall make ourselves +scarce on this side of the border," answered the captain. "We are +planning to get out of Berlin soon after nightfall." + +"How?" asked Hal. + +"Well," said Lieutenant Anderson, "we haven't perfected our plans yet, +but we have an idea that we believe will take us safely out of +Germany. It may be successful, and it may not. But we are going to +take a chance at it." + +"Is it dangerous?" questioned Chester. + +"That all depends upon how you look at it," replied the lieutenant, with +a smile. "It may mean a fight," he added seriously, "but we are prepared +for that," tapping the pocket of his civilian coat significantly. + +"Yes, it may mean a fight," agreed the French captain, "but an officer of +the French army will not shirk an encounter with these German +aggressors." + +"No, nor an English officer," declared the lieutenant. "War between +England and Germany has not been declared yet, but it seems only a +question of hours until it will be." + +Hal was suddenly struck with an idea. He turned to the lieutenant. + +"Why cannot we go with you?" he asked. "We must get to Brussels as soon +as possible. If we wait here until after the mobilization of all the +German forces, and are unable to send a message to mother, she will be +frantic. Why cannot we go with you?" + +The lieutenant was taken aback. + +"Why, I know no reason," he said, "except that your presence in our +company, if ill fortune should befall us, would probably mean your arrest +as enemies of Germany. You might even be convicted as spies, and shot." + +"We are willing to take any chances necessary to get us to Brussels +and put an end to mother's worries," declared Hal stoutly. "Aren't +we, Chester?" + +"You bet we are," replied Chester. + +The lieutenant turned to Captain Derevaux. "What do you say?" he asked. + +The captain shook his head. + +"It's a bad business," he replied slowly. "If we are caught it will go +hard with our young friends, I am afraid. Of course, I am willing to do +anything in my power to aid them, but this--this, I fear, is impossible." + +"Don't say no," implored Hal. "Just think how mother must be worrying. +Why, we would go through anything to save her pain. Besides, you don't +expect to be captured, do you?" + +The captain shook his head. + +"You have a good plan of escape, I am sure, or you would not tackle it. +Isn't that so?" continued Hal. + +The captain admitted it. + +"Would our presence make it more dangerous for you?" + +"No." + +"Then, I ask you again, if you won't allow us to go with you, sharing +whatever dangers may arise. Besides," and Hal smiled, "you know that four +are sometimes better than two." + +The captain reflected. + +"You are right," he said at length. "If Anderson is agreeable, I shall be +glad of your company; yes, and your aid," he added, after a pause. + +"I agree with the boys," said the lieutenant. "Four are sometimes better +than two, and in an adventure, such as this promises to be, four are +always better than two. I say, let them come with us, by all means." + +And so it was decided. A meeting-place was arranged for eight o'clock +that night, and, with this parting injunction, the officers left: + +"Say nothing to anyone. Do not talk, even between yourselves, and, if you +can, buy a revolver apiece," for the purchase of which the lieutenant +tendered Hal a bill. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +TOWARD THE FRONTIER. + + +It was a long afternoon for Hal and Chester, and they waited impatiently +for the time when they were to meet the two young men who were to be +their companions on the journey. + +After several futile attempts the lads finally gave up their attempt to +buy revolvers, as it caused too many questions, and, in spite of their +eagerness to get away, it was with no little anxiety that they made their +way to the rendezvous that night. + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson were waiting when the +lads arrived. + +"I am glad you are prompt," said the former. "We must hurry. Even now we +may be followed," and he glanced about furtively. + +"Which way do we go?" asked Hal, of the young Englishman, as the four +moved along the street. + +"North," was the reply. "We are heading for Kolberg, on the Baltic Sea. +From there we will try to get across into Denmark. The thing to do is to +get out of Germany at the earliest possible moment, and, with good luck +in getting a boat of some kind at Kolberg, that is the quickest route." + +"Won't we have trouble getting a boat?" + +"I am afraid we shall; but we must leave something to chance." + +"Well, I guess we won't be any worse off in Kolberg than in Berlin," said +Hal. "How do you figure to get there?" + +"Automobile! We have arranged for a car to pick us up on the northern +outskirts of the city, just inside the line." + +"Won't the place be guarded?" + +"Of course; but, by a little ingenuity and a bold dash, we should be able +to get through. If not--" + +The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders expressively. + +"Well," said Hal, "I won't object to a little excitement." + +"Don't worry," replied the young officer; "you will have all the +excitement you want, and more, too, or I miss my guess." + +They continued their walk in silence. + +Beyond getting into Denmark, the young officers had formulated no plan. +But, once out of Germany, the rest would be easy. A ship to England, +and from there into France for the young Frenchman, and the two +American boys would telegraph to their mother, or continue their +journey alone. Lieutenant Anderson was bound direct for London, where +he would join his regiment. + +The officers had decided to make their attempt at escape by way of +Denmark because, in all likelihood, the country between Berlin and +Kolberg would be less closely guarded than any other part of the German +Empire. Troops were being rushed to the French and Russian borders, and +they realized it was practically impossible for them to journey in those +directions without being captured. Also the southern route offered little +hope of success. + +The streets became more and more deserted as the four friends continued +their walk toward the northern outskirts. They passed several detachments +of rapidly moving troops, but they were unchallenged. + +Suddenly the young Englishman called a halt. + +"The automobile is waiting at the next corner," he explained. "Just +beyond is the northern limit of the city. Go quietly and we may not be +molested." + +Hal and Chester were greatly excited by this time, but they obeyed +instructions as well as they could, and climbed into the big car that was +waiting for them, without even being seen. The driver immediately started +the machine, and our boys were on their way at last. + +On toward the city line the big car rushed, and it was just as the four +friends were breathing a sigh of relief at having passed the first danger +safely, that a harsh voice rang out: + +"Halt!" + +Almost directly ahead stood a squad of armed men, their rifles leveled +straight at the occupants of the oncoming car. + +"The patrol!" exclaimed Captain Derevaux, as the auto came to a stop. + +An officer approached the side of the machine. + +"Give an account of yourselves," he demanded. "Your passports, please." + +"We have none," replied Captain Anderson. "We are just taking a +little spin." + +"You cannot pass here," said the officer. "Either return at once, or I +shall be forced to place you under arrest." + +There was no use arguing. + +"Home it is, then," said the young Englishman aloud, and then in a +whisper to the driver: "Ahead! Full speed!" + +"To the bottom of the car!" he cried, as the machine jumped forward +with a lurch. + +He dived to the floor of the car, the young Frenchman and Hal following +his example. + +Chester, however, had been so surprised at the suddenness of this +maneuver, that for a moment he was unable to move; but, while his +momentary inaction placed him in great danger, it nevertheless saved his +companions from capture, or even death. + +As the automobile lunged away, hurling the officer to the side of the +street, the latter shouted a command: + +"Fire! Shoot the driver!" + +One man only was in a position to obey. The others were forced to jump +for their lives, as the machine bore down on them. This one man, however, +raised his rifle and aimed at the driver, just as the car swept by. + +The muzzle was right at the side of the car, and a miss would have been +almost impossible. + +But, before he could fire, Chester sprang to his feet, and, leaning out, +grasped the barrel of the weapon in both hands. With a desperate effort, +he wrenched it from the soldier's hands, just as he was about to pull +the trigger. + +Then, at a second command from Lieutenant Anderson, he dropped beside his +friends in the bottom of the car, and it was well that he did so. + +A volley rang out from behind. The hum of bullets could be heard +overhead, and there was the sound of splintering wood, as others crashed +into the rear of the auto, but the machine sped on. + +Then came a second volley, and the automobile swerved suddenly to one +side. The chauffeur groaned, but the car immediately righted itself and +continued on its way. + +Unmindful of the bullets flying about, Hal sprang to his feet and +climbed into the front seat, where the chauffeur was making heroic +efforts to keep the car steady, a stream of blood the while pouring from +a wound in his head. + +"Give me the wheel!" cried Hal, as the car lurched from one side of the +road to the other, at the imminent risk of turning over. + +He climbed in front of the chauffeur and his strong hands grasped the +steering wheel just as the man's body relaxed and he fell back +unconscious. + +Bullets were still flying thick and fast, but the range was too great now +for accurate shooting. Still, there was always the chance that one of the +leaden messengers would hit Hal and end disastrously the career of the +flying machine. + +Without even checking the speed of the auto, Hal called to Chester: + +"The chauffeur is badly wounded. Pull him into the rear of the car!" + +"Slow down!" came the answer. "We can't pull him from beneath you while +going at this terrific speed." + +"Slow down nothing!" shouted Hal. "We don't want to be captured after +this. You'll have to pull him out!" + +It was no small task, this driving a flying automobile, while a man in +whose lap he was almost sitting was being pulled from under him by hands +from behind. + +Once Hal lost his balance. Throwing out one hand, he grasped the side of +the car, and that alone saved him and his friends, too, for that matter. + +The car swerved to one side of the road, and just at that instant a sharp +curve came into view. + +With a desperate effort Hal regained his balance, steadied the +machine, and, without even trying to slacken his speed, took the curve +on two wheels. + +"Whew!" he muttered to himself. "That was a close shave!" + +By this time the body of the chauffeur had been pulled into the back of +the car, and Hal slid into his seat. + +"Are you all right?" came Chester's voice from the rear. + +"All right now," replied Hal. + +"You can slow down a bit," shouted Lieutenant Anderson. "We are out of +range. We are safe enough now." + +"We are safe from bullets, but we are not safe from pursuit," Hal called +back. "Do I keep to this road?" + +"Yes," came the reply, "if you don't run into a ditch or a +telegraph pole." + +"Oh, I'll run it, all right; and I'll run it on the road, too," Hal +answered grimly. "I've made a record on a worse road than this." + +"Is the chauffeur badly hurt?" he called back after a few minutes. + +"No, I don't think so," replied the French captain's voice. "Just a +scalp wound. He has lost a lot of blood, and is still unconscious, but I +think he will come around all right presently." + +Hal settled back in his seat and gave his entire attention to the +road ahead. + +The big car flashed through several small towns, and the dim lights in +the homes looked like a string of brilliant spots, so swiftly did they go +by. For almost half an hour the terrific speed was continued, and then, +at a shouted command from Lieutenant Anderson, Hal slowed down. + +"We should be nearing Angermunde by this time," the lieutenant explained, +"and it will never do to go through there at this speed." + +"Do you suppose our would-be captors have communicated with the +authorities at Angermunde?" asked the Frenchman. + +"I would not be surprised," replied the lieutenant; "but we must risk it. +One thing I am sure of, however, is that our pursuers are not far behind. +They will never rest till we are caught. And, for that reason, we cannot +afford to waste much time." + +"You are right," said the captain. "We must get through Angermunde as +quickly and as quietly as possible." + +Then to Hal he shouted: "Don't lose your nerve, and keep cool. Be ready +to make a dash if you get the word." + +"Don't you worry about my nerve," Hal replied grimly. "I'll run right +through a thousand Germans, if you say so." + +"I guess that will not be necessary," broke in the lieutenant, with a +laugh, "but you never can tell what may happen." + +Hal reduced the speed of the machine even more, and slowly approached the +town, the lights of which could be seen in the distance. + +It was now nearly midnight, and, as Captain Derevaux suggested, it would +be wise to go through the town without attracting attention, if possible. + +But this was not to be. + +The automobile entered the town, and had proceeded some distance, when +Hal called back: + +"I guess we will get through without any trouble, all right." + +"Don't be too sure," replied the Englishman. "Always be ready for the +unexpected." + +The words were hardly out of his mouth, when, rounding a sharp turn, Hal +saw a line of cavalrymen blocking the street some distance ahead. + +"The road is blocked with troops," he called back to his friends, as he +reduced his speed. "Their rifles seem pointed right at us. Shall I speed +up and run through them?" + +His three companions arose and peered over his shoulder. The cavalrymen +were plainly discernible in the glare of an electric street light. + +"It's impossible," replied the lieutenant. "We shall have to stop. They +would shoot us to pieces before we could get through. Here," turning to +Chester and Captain Derevaux, "cover up the chauffeur with these rugs +and lay him in the bottom of the car. It would never do for an officer +to see him. It may be that our friends behind have not tipped off our +present enemy, but the sight of this wounded chauffeur would give it all +away." The car was slowly nearing the line of troops. "Halt!" came the +command. "Halt, or we fire!" The car came to a stop within a few feet of +the soldiers. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +IN DANGER STILL. + + +It was with no small trepidation that the occupants of the automobile saw +the officer in command approach. + +"Keep your wits and say nothing unless you have to," was the young +lieutenant's whispered advice. "Leave the talking to me." + +"Where are you from?" asked the officer. + +"Berlin," replied the Englishman. + +"Where are you bound?" + +"Stettin." + +"Your business?" + +"Our business is purely private. Two of my companions are young American +lads and the third is a Belgian gentleman. I am an Englishman. You will +interfere with us at your peril." + +"In times of war we interfere with whom we choose. A state of war exists +in Germany, as you know." + +"There is no state of war between your country and ours." + +"Perhaps not, but I am not sure of it; there may be by this time. You +have no passports, I take it?" + +"We have not." + +"Then I must ask you to leave your machine and come with me." + +"For what reason?" + +"Because I command it. You are my prisoners." + +Turning to an aide, the German officer commanded: + +"Call a guard of four men!" + +The aide saluted and did as he was ordered. Four of the troopers who +blocked the road dismounted and ranged themselves beside the car. + +"Order Lieutenant Myers to take his men and report to Major Von Volk," +commanded the German officer of his aide. + +The troopers, with the exception of the four who guarded the car, wheeled +and rode away. + +The officer turned again to the automobile. + +"Leave the car," he ordered the four occupants. + +"He evidently hasn't been tipped off," whispered Lieutenant Anderson to +his companions, as they left the machine. + +"No," Hal whispered back, "but the others are likely to be along in a +few minutes." + +"Right," came the reply. "We must watch our chance, and, if one comes, +make the most of it." + +The four stepped from the automobile, and were immediately surrounded by +their guards. + +"See what they have in the machine," the officer ordered one of the men. + +"Great Scott!" ejaculated Chester. "We are in for it now!" + +Exploring the front of the auto first, the soldier found nothing. Then he +turned his attention to the back. He lifted up the rugs that had been +thrown over the chauffeur, and started back with a cry. + +"A dead man!" he exclaimed, and added: "At least he appears to be dead. +He has a bullet hole in the back of his head." + +"What!" demanded the officer, and hurried to the side of the car. + +He drew his sword and waved it at his men. + +"Guard them closely!" he exclaimed, indicating his four prisoners. + +"Pretty ticklish situation," whispered Hal to Chester, who stood beside +him. "We have got to do something." + +"You bet," replied Chester, "and we've got to do it now." + +He took off his cap, twirled it about a few seconds, and let it fall to +the ground. + +Chester stooped to pick it up. Rising suddenly, he came up under the +guard of his nearest captor, and with his head butted him with all his +force under the chin. + +The blow was more than flesh and blood could stand. The soldier fell to +the ground with a groan of pain, his tongue almost bitten off. Without a +pause, Chester turned upon another of his captors, and, with two +well-directed blows of his fist, sent him staggering. + +The suddenness of Chester's attack had not taken Hal by surprise. When +Chester dropped his cap, Hal divined his purpose, and, as his friend +butted his first victim, Hal acted. Turning upon his nearest guard, he +seized the latter's rifle, at the same time delivering a well-directed +kick at his enemy's shin. The man released his hold on the rifle, and, as +he stooped unconsciously to rub his shin, the pain of which was almost +unbearable, he met Hal's right fist, which, sent into his face with +stunning force, knocked him cold. + +All this happened in the smallest fraction of the time it takes to tell +it, and, before the German officer and the soldier who were exploring the +interior of the automobile could realize what was happening and go to the +aid of their companions. + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson had acted with almost as much +celerity as had Hal, in spite of the fact that Chester's attack had taken +them by surprise. Almost at the same moment Hal seized the weapon of his +guard Captain Derevaux closed with the third man, and, with his fingers +at his throat, was attempting to choke him into unconsciousness. + +At the same moment the German commanding officer and his troops ran to +the aid of their fellows. + +"Shoot them!" shouted the officer, drawing his revolver and rushing to +take part in the fray. He already held his sword in his hand. + +The soldier drew a revolver. + +Hal, having disposed of one enemy, clubbed the rifle he had wrenched +from him, and, before either the German officer or his man could fire, +was in the thick of the mêlée. Lieutenant Anderson, having picked up a +rifle dropped by one of the German soldiers, was already there, his +weapon also clubbed. + +The officer and the trooper were unable to bring their revolvers to bear, +and rushed into the fight with their weapons clubbed. + +With a single blow Hal crushed the skull of the soldier, and then turned +upon the officer who was engaging Anderson. + +Lieutenant Anderson and his opponent were still battling desperately for +the possession of the latter's gun, and Captain Derevaux and the +remaining German trooper were rolling about upon the ground, the +captain's finger still pressed into his enemy's throat. Chester had gone +to the captain's aid. + +Warding off the officer's sword, Anderson suddenly dropped his rifle, +and, stepping inside the other's guard, placed the officer hors de combat +with several well-directed and lightning-like blows to the face and jaw. + +At that moment Captain Derevaux's opponent succeeded in shaking off the +captain's grip, and, springing to his feet, leveled his rifle, which he +snatched from the ground as he arose, squarely at the young Frenchman. + +With a shout Chester sprang forward, picking up a rifle as he leaped, and +aimed a smashing blow at the man's head. The clubbed weapon found its +mark with a crushing impact, and the man threw up his arms, spun around +two or three times, and then fell in a heap. + +And it was not a moment too soon. For, as the last German measured his +length upon the ground, there was a sudden shout, and a body of cavalry, +attracted by the sounds of the conflict, bore down upon the victors. + +"Quick!" shouted the lieutenant. "To the machine!" And, with Hal and +Captain Derevaux, he made a rush for the auto. + +Chester had stopped to gather up the two revolvers that lay on the +ground. + +"Go ahead!" he shouted. "I'm coming!" And, picking up the last revolver, +he ran up to the automobile and swung himself aboard, just as Hal, who +had climbed into the driver's seat, threw in the clutch, and the machine +leaped forward. + +At that moment a volley of shots rang out. The whizzing bullets again +flew around the car, and there was again the sound of splintering wood, +as they smashed into the rear of the auto. + +All but Hal dived into the bottom of the car, and he bent as low as +possible over the steering wheel. + +Soon the sound of firing became less audible, and finally ceased +altogether. + +Chester, Lieutenant Anderson and Captain Derevaux arose from the bottom +of the car and resumed their seats. + +"That's what I call great work, boys," declared the lieutenant, putting +his hand on Hal's shoulder. "If it hadn't been for you, I guess the +captain and I would be locked up by this time. Isn't that so, captain?" + +"It certainly is," was the reply. "And had it not been for the prompt +action of Chester in that encounter, France would have lost a captain +of rifles." + +Hal and Chester were embarrassed by all this praise. + +"That's all right," Hal called over his shoulder. "You would have done +the same for us." + +At this moment the chauffeur, who had been almost forgotten in the +excitement, stirred. + +"Hello," ejaculated the captain. "Our friend is getting better. Guess we +had better see what we can do for him." + +He raised the head of the wounded man to his lap, and wiped the blood +stains from his face, while the lieutenant prepared a bandage. In a few +minutes the chauffeur had recovered sufficiently to drink a little water +and to eat several sandwiches the lieutenant produced from a small but +well-filled hamper. + +"Well, I guess we are safe for a little while, at any rate," +remarked Hal. + +"It looks like it," replied the lieutenant; "but, as I said before, you +never can tell." + +They rode cautiously along in silence for a long time; in fact, until the +first streak of dawn appeared in the east. Then, suddenly, the sound of +chug-chugging came from behind. + +Chester turned his head and jumped to his feet with a cry: + +"We are pursued! Speed up, Hal! Speed up!" + +It was true. Far back could be seen a pursuing automobile, and, even from +that distance, it was apparent it was gaining. + +Hal "speeded up" and in a short time the pursuing car was out of sight. +Nevertheless, the speed was not diminished. + +"I guess they have learned that we can travel some, anyhow," remarked +Hal happily. + +And just at that moment there was a loud explosion--the car rocked +crazily, and Hal brought it to a stop. + +"Tire blown out," exclaimed the French captain, in despair. "Now we are +up against it. What shall we do?" + +"Fix it," retained Chester briefly. + +He got out, and the rest, including the wounded chauffeur, followed suit. + +At that moment Chester bethought himself of the pursuing machine, and +said: + +"We haven't time. Our pursuers will be upon us." + +"You are right," said the captain, "but I have an idea." + +The place in which they had stopped was shaded upon both sides by great +trees. As far as could be seen the woods continued. A hundred yards back +over the road they had traversed was a sharp curve, hiding any +approaching vehicle from sight. Ahead, the road stretched out in a +straight line for a considerable distance. + +"I figure this way," said the captain hurriedly, "the machine as it is is +doing us no good, is it?" + +"It certainly is not," replied the lieutenant. + +"And, if we wait here long enough to fix it it won't do us any good +either, will it?" + +"Certainly not." + +"Then my idea is this: Head the machine straight down the road, lash +the wheel fast and start her off. If I am not mistaken, it will run +along the road at least to the next curve. Even from here you can see +the steep embankment at the curve. When the machine hits that curve it +will go over. + +"Now, if that embankment is as steep as it looks, the car, when it hits +the bottom, will be out of sight. In the meantime, we hide here until our +pursuers pass. The chances are they will continue past the curve, never +seeing the wreckage at the bottom of the embankment, believing we are +still ahead of them. Then we can continue our journey afoot. What do you +think of that idea?" + +"I think it is first-rate," declared Hal, and the others agreed with him. + +"But won't they discover, when they reach the next town, that we haven't +passed through?" asked Chester. + +"They probably will," was the reply; "but we will cross that bridge when +we come to it. Besides, there is little doubt in my mind that the +authorities in the next town know of our coming. We couldn't be so +fortunate a second time." + +Accordingly the plan suggested was carried out. Hal elected to get in the +car and start it, and, as it took a flying leap forward, he hurled +himself from the machine to the soft grass beside the road. He was +considerably shaken up, but not badly hurt. + +Then the five stood and watched the car in its mad flight down the road. + +"I hope that the fact of a tire being bursted won't stop it's sticking to +the road," said Chester. + +Fortunately the car continued its journey in as straight a line as the +best chauffeur in the world could have driven, and the five companions +strained their eyes as it neared the distant curve. + +"It's almost there!" cried Hal. "I hope it makes a good jump; and I hope +that embankment is steep." + +"And I hope that she makes her leap before our pursuers heave in sight, +which is more to the point," declared Chester. + +Again they strained their eyes, watching the flight of the mad car. And +then the car reached the embankment. + +"There she goes!" cried Chester, and the big machine, as though making a +desperate leap, hurled itself into space, where it soared for a moment +like a huge bird, and then disappeared from sight. + +"Well, it's gone," said the lieutenant sorrowfully; "and now it's up to +us to hoof it, to the next town, at least." + +The five moved into the woods and just as they gained the first dense +covering there was a sound from the road over which they had come. + +Dropping to the ground, they peered between the trees. Presently a second +huge car, in which could be caught a glimpse of uniforms, rounded the +curve, flashed by, and disappeared down the road. + +"Let's go farther into the woods," urged Chester. "We might be +seen here." + +Going deeper and deeper in among the trees the five continued their +journey; and, when they felt sure they had penetrated far enough to avoid +any chance of detection, they turned their faces northward and set out at +a brisk pace. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +CAPTURED. + + +All morning the journey through the woods continued. At intervals the big +trees became more sparse, and the party took all precautions against +being seen, as they flitted through the open places. + +About noon, Lieutenant Anderson made a foraging expedition, and returned +with a basket of food, which he had purchased from a nearby farmhouse. +Hungrily the five disposed of it, quenching their thirst from a sparkling +brook of cool water. Then they resumed their march. + +Night was falling when the travelers at length emerged from the woods. +Half a mile ahead could be seen the lights of a town. + +Lieutenant Anderson called a consultation. + +"If I mistake not," he said, "those lights indicate the town of +Stettin. We shall have to be very careful. They are bound to be on the +lookout for us." + +"Has anyone a plan?" he asked, after some further talk. + +"I think I have one," returned Hal. "It might work out all right" + +"Let's hear it," demanded Chester. + +"Yes," chorused the others, "what is it?" + +"Well," said Hal, "my idea is that it would be much better for us to +separate. If we all approach together we are sure to be recognized. Our +number alone would give us away. But, if we go singly, or by twos, from +different directions, we stand a chance of gaining the city without being +challenged." + +"A good idea," exclaimed Captain Derevaux; "I heartily approve of it." + +"And I, too," declared the young lieutenant; "and I recommend that we put +the plan into execution at once." + +The lone dissenting voice came from the wounded chauffeur. + +"I don't know your plans, gentlemen," he said; "and I don't want to know +them. I have had trouble enough. I am a German, and, from what I have +heard, although I know I should look upon you as enemies of my country, +I do not believe you mean any harm. Besides, you have treated me well, +and I will not betray you. But I must ask that you leave me here. I will +make my way into the town some time during the night I shall be +perfectly safe." + +"Had we not better make him go with us?" questioned Chester. "Is he not +likely to betray us?" + +"No; I am sure he would not," said Hal. + +"And I," agreed the French captain. + +"I am a little inclined to doubt the advisability of leaving him behind," +said Lieutenant Anderson, "but--" + +"Sir!" broke in the chauffeur. "I am just as much a gentleman as you are, +and my word is my bond!" + +The young Englishman's face flushed. + +"Forgive me!" he exclaimed, extending his hand. "I am sorry for my +unreasonable doubts. I am sure that you can be trusted." + +"I believe that our friend's decision simplifies matters exceedingly," +declared Hal. + +"In what way?" demanded the lieutenant. + +"In the first place, it makes one less of us. And, again, it does away +with the necessity of one of us approaching the town alone, which is +also a good thing. While for two to approach the town is much better +than four, under the circumstances, two are also better than one, for +the reason that they can give a good account of themselves should +occasion arise." + +"Which is good reasoning," declared Captain Derevaux. "I agree with you." + +"I suggest," said Lieutenant Anderson, "that one of the boys go with you, +captain, and the other with me. I shall go back a short distance into the +woods, make a detour, and enter the town from the west." + +"Another good idea," replied the captain. "Hal and I will wait here half +an hour after you have gone, and will reach the town from this side at +about the time you and Chester arrive." + +"Where shall we meet?" + +"I believe the best plan would be to meet in the hotel. Whichever of us +arrives first will wait for the others." + +"Good," said the lieutenant. "The best part of that idea is that, +providing we get into the town safely, the hotel will be the least likely +place our pursuers will look for us. They probably will figure we will +sneak along the outskirts." + +"Sure," broke in Chester. "But how are we to get out of the town? Won't +the other side be so closely guarded that we can't get through?" + +"Yes, I suppose they will be laying for us, all right, but we shall have +to leave that to luck. The thing to do now is to get in. We will get out +as best we may." + +"Right," declared Hal; "and I guess that, as long as we are going, we +might as well go now. The sooner we start the better, is the way I +look at it." + +Chester and the lieutenant said good-by to the chauffeur, and then +Chester turned to Hal and held out his hand. + +"In case--" he said, as they gripped, and a moment later he and the young +lieutenant were gone. + +Hal, Captain Derevaux and the chauffeur reentered the woods, where they +sat down to wait the half hour agreed upon. + +As his chum's form disappeared from sight, striding rapidly along beside +the gallant lieutenant, Hal experienced a peculiar sinking sensation in +the region of his stomach, while his heart throbbed jerkily, and he +turned faint. For almost the first time he realized the real seriousness +of the situation. + +"Good old Chester!" he said to himself. "I hope nothing happens to him. I +wish I could take all the danger upon my own shoulders." + +In vain did he try to shake off the feeling of uneasiness that oppressed +him; and it was with a heavy heart at the absence of his friend that he +found himself bidding the chauffeur good-by, when Captain Derevaux roused +him from his reverie and announced that it was time for them to be on +their way. + +Striking out from their shelter, the two approached the town boldly. They +walked silently and swiftly. + +It was now quite dark, but the gleam of a full moon made their figures +plainly discernible. At the edge of the town they unconsciously breathed +easier and quickened their step. + +Just passing the first house inside the city, they heard the sound of +running footsteps behind them. Hal looked over his shoulder. A uniformed +figure was hurrying after them. + +"Run!" cried Hal to his companion, and he suited the action to the word. + +The captain also broke into a quick run. + +A command of "Halt!" behind them went unheeded, and the two friends sped +over the ground, heading for the friendly shelter of the first cross +street that was now but a few yards away. + +Slackening their speed but a trifle, they rounded the corner just as the +sharp crack of a rifle rang out. Around a second corner they dodged, and +another, and still another. + +Stopping a moment to gain a much-needed breath, they could hear the +sounds of great confusion, and again they broke into a quick run. + +"The whole town will be aroused and on our track in a few minutes," +panted Hal. "We will have to lose ourselves some way awfully quick." + +Luckily, the streets they had traversed so far had been deserted. But as +they rounded another corner they saw a crowd of men coming rapidly +toward them. + +"I guess it's all up," exclaimed Hal, and the two slowed to a walk. + +The crowd moved rapidly, and they advanced to meet it. + +"No use running," said the captain. "We will try to bluff it out." + +The first man of the crowd to reach them stopped. + +"What's the row back there?" he asked. + +"Just a street fight, I guess," replied Hal. "We didn't stop to see." + +"More than likely some Frenchman has been rounded up," said the man. +"Better come along and see the fun," and he broke into a trot again. + +"We had better make a bluff at going," said Hal to the captain, as he +noticed that some of the crowd eyed them queerly. + +Turning, they joined the crowd, and began to retrace their steps. They +went slowly, however, and the crowd gradually drew away from them. At +last, finding themselves behind the last man, they turned suddenly into a +side street and broke into a run again. + +Turning another corner, they slowed down to a walk. + +"We had better get away from here," exclaimed the Frenchman. "They will +be back after us in a minute." + +They continued their walk, still stepping along at a rapid pace, and at +length emerged, without further difficulty, into a brilliantly lighted +street, which, they learned, was the main thoroughfare of the town. +Mingling with the crowd, they were soon comparatively safe. + +"The thing to do now is to find out where the hotel is," said the +Frenchman. + +Stopping in an open shop, Hal made an inquiry. + +"Two blocks ahead," was the reply, and following directions, Hal and the +captain soon came upon a large, though unpretentious, hotel. They went in +and sat down in the rotunda. Chester and the lieutenant had not arrived, +and once more Hal felt that queer sinking sensation in his stomach. + +"If anything has happened to Chester," he mused, "I don't know what I +shall do." + +But his anxiety was soon set at rest, for a few moments later Chester and +Lieutenant Anderson appeared in the doorway. + +Hal jumped to his feet and seized Chester by the hand. + +"I was afraid--" he began in a queer voice, but the lieutenant silenced +him with a gesture. + +"Careful!" he whispered. + +Hal returned to his seat and Chester and the lieutenant also sat down. + +Hal recounted the experience he and the captain had had, and the +lieutenant said: + +"Then we have no time to waste. We must leave here at once." + +Rising, the four companions left the hotel. + +"We must get something to eat before we go," declared the Frenchman, and +accordingly they dropped into a little restaurant, where they treated the +inner man to his entire satisfaction. Then they went to the street again. + +"The best thing we can do is to go straight through the town and out on +the other side--if we can," said the lieutenant, and they turned their +steps toward the north once more. + +They reached the northern extremity of the town without difficulty and +just as they were congratulating themselves on their good fortune, Hal +gripped lieutenant Anderson by the arm and whispered: + +"Look!" + +Not two hundred yards ahead could be seen a line of army huts, extending +on either side as far as the eye could see. + +"Ummm," grunted the lieutenant. Then: "Doesn't look like much chance of +getting through here." + +At the same instant there came from the rear the sound of the footsteps +of a large body of men approaching with confusion. + +"The crowd!" cried Hal. + +The lieutenant was a man of action, as already has been seen. + +"Follow me!" he exclaimed, and dashed to the right. His three companions +ran after him. + +Suddenly the lieutenant stopped and pointed ahead. + +"Horses!" he whispered. "Good!" + +He advanced more slowly, the others closely behind him. + +"If we can cut out four horses," explained the lieutenant, "we will have +a chance. We'll make a dash and trust to luck and the darkness." + +Silently they approached the horses, which stood quietly a few yards +away. A sentry passed nearby, and the four companions dropped to the +ground. Fortunately, the sentry did not look in their direction. + +"That's what I call luck," whispered Hal. + +From behind the sounds of confusion became more audible, indicating the +rapid approach of the crowd. At the same time lights flared up in the +huts, and an officer stepped to the entrance of one only a few feet from +the four friends. + +He espied them on the instant, and then the lieutenant acted. + +"Quick!" he cried, and jumped toward the horses. + +A revolver cracked, and a bullet whined over Hal's head even as he +leaped forward. + +With a bound all four fugitives were among the horses, and almost with a +single movement each threw himself into a saddle. + +But at that moment the camp came to life. Armed men sprang up on +all sides. + +In the very act of digging his heel into his horse's flank, the +lieutenant pulled up. + +"It's no use," he said quietly to his friends. "To move is certain +death." + +Then came a voice from right before them. + +"Surrender!" it cried. "Surrender or you are dead men!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE OLD CASTLE. + + +Lieutenant Anderson raised a hand. + +"We surrender," he said quietly. + +The officer approached, a revolver held ready for instant use. + +"Dismount!" he ordered shortly. + +The four companions slid to the ground. A squad of soldiers +surrounded them. + +"Search them for arms," was the next command, and they were relieved of +their weapons. + +"To the castle!" ordered their captor. "Forward, march!" + +With the four prisoners in the center, the soldiers moved away. + +"Looks like we were into it pretty steep this time," said Hal, as they +were being led away. + +"Silence!" came the sharp command of the German officer. + +They moved along for several minutes without a word except for an +occasional command from the officer. + +At length a grim, gray wall loomed before them in the darkness, and +without a stop the prisoners were hurried across a little bridge, led +across a courtyard and escorted within the structure. + +A fear-inspiring place it was, but the four captives entered without a +tremor, their heads held high and their step firm. Any spirit of +foreboding they may have felt was not manifested in their carriage. + +Down dark and dirty corridors they were led, and after many sharp turns, +their guards stopped before what appeared to be a hole in the side of the +wall. Into this opening the prisoners were thrust without ceremony, and a +door behind them was closed with a bang. + +It was several minutes before the four companions could accustom their +eyes to the semi-darkness, but finally they were able to make out the few +objects that furnished the cell, for such it proved to be. + +There were three broken chairs and two dirty-looking mattresses, one of +the latter at each end of the cell. Also there was a small table. + +"Pretty dismal looking place, this," remarked the doughty French captain, +after a hasty glance about. + +"Dismal and dirty it certainly is," said Hal. + +"How long do you suppose we shall have to stay here?" asked Chester. + +"Until they get ready to let us out," replied the young English +lieutenant dryly. "Which may not be a very satisfactory answer, but it's +the best I can do." + +"What do you suppose they will do with us?" queried Hal. + +"You've got me. If they don't take us out and shoot us as spies, we are +likely to lie here till we rot." + +"Surely they would be afraid to do that." + +"Don't fool yourself that they are afraid to do anything." + +"But we can prove we are not spies." + +"Can we? How? With the trouble we have made, they won't be able to kill +us off quick enough." + +"Well," said Hal hopefully, "maybe something will turn up that will +enable us to convince them." + +"I hope so. But if it doesn't turn up soon, we are gone goslings, just as +sure as you're a foot high," and Lieutenant Anderson threw himself down +on one of the evil-looking mattresses, remarking: "Might as well take a +little snooze, anyhow." + +"This doesn't look to me like a time to sleep," remarked Hal to Chester, +although he almost envied the coolness with which the young Englishman +accepted his perilous situation. + +"Looks to me more like the time to try and find a way out," agreed +Chester. + +Captain Derevaux, however, also flung himself upon one of the mattresses +and he and the lieutenant soon were fast asleep. + +In spite of the fact that they had been more than twenty-four hours +without sleep, the two boys were in no mood to close their eyes. As Hal +said, now seemed to be the proper time to expend whatever energies they +had in getting out of their prison. + +The boys looked around. There were two small windows to their cell, but +it was plain they were too small to permit of a human body being squeezed +through. Besides, they were barred. Beyond, across a courtyard, could be +seen another wing of the castle. It appeared to be almost in ruins. + +Looking from the other window, the boys could discern the bridge which +they had been led across. The bridge spanned a moat, which at one time +had been filled with water. Now it was a mass of growing weeds. + +Hal shook the bars at the window through which he was peering, and one +came away in his hand. It had grown loose through age. Still, however, +it was impossible for a man to pass through the window. The opening was +too small. + +"No chance of getting out here," remarked Hal, turning to Chester, who +stood at the other window. + +"Nor here," was the answer. "I couldn't squeeze through to save my life." + +"What are we to do, then? I certainly won't let them take me out and +shoot me without a fight." + +"No more will I," declared Chester. "I would rather be killed fighting +than to be taken out and stood up against a wall." + +"Then if it comes to the worst we will pitch into the guards when they +come to take us out and fight until the end," said Hal. + +"We will," agreed Chester. "It would be a much more pleasant death. I +don't think much of walking out and standing over my own grave and +letting somebody shoot at me without a chance to fight back." + +They continued their conversation well into the night. + +As the first rays of sunlight filtered into their cell a key turned +gratingly in the rusty lock of the door. Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant +Anderson, who now appeared to have been sleeping with one eye open, were +on their feet immediately, and the four friends faced the door. + +Slowly the huge door swung outward and a grinning apparition appeared in +the doorway, carrying a vessel of water and a loaf of bread. It was an +old, old negro, and he shuffled forward haltingly. Just outside the door +could be seen half a dozen German soldiers. + +Hal and Chester stared at the old negro in speechless amazement. The +sight of the old darky carried them back across the sea to the home of +Hal's Virginia uncle. They forgot their danger for a moment, gazed at +each other and broke into a laugh. + +The old negro looked at them in surprise, and with ruffled dignity. He +placed the water and bread upon the table, and drawing himself up, +pointed to them and then commanded: + +"Essen!" + +It was too much for the two lads and they broke into another loud guffaw. + +"Well, what do you think of that!" exclaimed Chester. "Here's what looks +like an old plantation negro, and he speaks German." + +"Funniest thing I ever heard," gasped Hal between bursts of laughter. + +At their words, an expression of amazement passed over the old +negro's face. + +"Lawdy! Lawdy!" he exclaimed, a wide grin spreading itself over his +features; "if dese two chilluns ain't 'Mericans," and advancing toward +them he demanded: + +"What yo'al doin' hyah? Dey tol' me dey dun captured fo' spies!" + +Hal explained briefly. + +The old negro rolled his eyes in gaping wonder at the recital. + +"Can't you help us, uncle?" asked Chester, as Hal completed his story. + +Frightened, the old darky looked around; then began slowly to back toward +the door of the cell, just beyond which stood the line of soldiers. + +"Yo'al jes' wait," he spoke in a hoarse whisper. "Ol' Uncle Billy'll see +what he c'n do." + +He backed out of the cell as he finished and the door clanged behind him. + +"It seems that we have at least one friend," remarked Hal, after Uncle +Billy had gone. + +"But what can he do to help us?" demanded the young French captain. + +"I don't know," replied Hal; "but you may be sure he will do anything he +can. He will not desert us. He is that kind, and I know the kind well." + +"You can bet on that," Chester agreed. "He'll be back before long." + +It was nearing the hour of noon when the cell door again swung open. +Believing that Uncle Billy had returned, the two boys jumped to their +feet. But they were disappointed. An officer, whose shoulder straps +proclaimed him a lieutenant, entered. Behind him stood the inevitable +line of soldiers. + +He beckoned the prisoners. "Follow me!" he commanded. + +"Where to?" demanded Lieutenant Anderson. + +"General Steinberg desires your presence." + +He stood aside as the captives filed from the cell. Outside the line of +soldiers fell in step behind them. + +Our four friends were marched out of the castle and across the field to +the army camp. They were led to a hut rather larger than the rest, which +proclaimed it the headquarters of the commanding officer. They were +ushered inside and their military escort fell back. + +General Steinberg sat at a table surrounded by several officers of his +staff. He looked up as the prisoners entered, and unconsciously Captain +Derevaux saluted. + +General Steinberg jumped to his feet. + +"So!" he exclaimed. "A soldier, eh? And an officer, besides. I thought +so! What rank, and to what command are you attached?" + +Captain Derevaux drew himself up to his full height. + +"Captain of French Rifles!" he said defiantly. + +"And what are you doing within our lines in civilian clothes, may I ask?" +demanded the general, with a sneer. "Spying, eh?" he continued without +waiting for a reply. "I thought so. Are your companions also spies?" + +"We are not spies," declared the captain vehemently. "I was stranded in +Berlin and was trying to make my way out of the country so as to join my +regiment." + +"And why should we allow you to leave the country and join our foes? Did +you report yourself to the authorities in Berlin when war was declared?" + +"No." + +"And why, may I ask?" + +"Because I had already received orders to join my regiment, and I did not +propose to be detained." + +The general waved him aside and turned to Lieutenant Anderson. + +"And you are also an officer, perhaps, eh?" he questioned. + +"I am," replied the lieutenant boldly. "I hold his British majesty's +commission as a lieutenant of Dragoons." + +"Another spy, eh?" + +"No; I am no spy, and you do not dare treat me as one." + +"I don't? You shall see. Stand aside!" + +The general turned to Hal and Chester. + +"And you," he said, "you both look over young to be taking the risk of +spies. How do you come to be mixed up in this business?" + +Hal explained. + +"Why did you not submit to arrest in Angermunde?" + +"Because we feared we would be detained." + +"And is that a sufficient cause for attacking a squad of German troops?" + +"We considered it so," replied Hal. + +"Enough!" exclaimed General Steinberg. "It is my belief you are all +spies. You shall be shot to-morrow at sunrise!" + +Turning to the officer who had escorted them to his hut, he commanded: + +"Return them to their cell and see that they are well guarded!" + +"But, general," the young captain spoke up, "these boys are in no way to +blame. They are perfectly innocent!" + +"Shoot us if you like, but spare them," pleaded the lieutenant. + +"Bah!" exclaimed the general. "One is as guilty as the other!" + +With a wave of his hand he signified that the interview was ended. + +"Take them away!" he ordered. + +"It's all my fault!" exclaimed Captain Derevaux when they were back +in the cell once more. "I should not have permitted you boys to +accompany us." + +"It is not!" denied Hal and Chester together. "Whatever may befall us is +no discredit to you. Had we not come with you, we probably should have +tried to escape the country alone." + +"But if you had not been captured in our company you would be in no +danger of being shot," declared Lieutenant Anderson. "I cannot forgive +myself that I consented to your coming." + +"Never mind that," said Hal. "You tried to help us, and that we go to our +deaths to-morrow morning is not due to you." + +"Fool that I was!" cried the Frenchman. "Had I kept my presence of mind +in Steinberg's hut our position would not be so desperate. It was my +salute that caused all this trouble." + +"Come, come, never mind that," soothed Chester. "It couldn't be helped. +Besides, I am sure he had his mind made up to shoot us, anyhow. Let's not +think about it." + +It was perhaps an hour later that the huge cell door once more swung +slowly open. Uncle Billy stepped quickly inside and closed the door +after him. + +"Sh-h!" he whispered, holding up a warning finger and coming close. + +Silently he went to the table and, one after another, produced from some +place about his person four revolvers. + +"When I brung yo'al yo' dinnah t'night," he explained, "I'se gwine ter +leave de' door open. I'se gwine ter p'tend ter lock it, but it ain't +gwine ter be locked. + +"At nine o'clock t'night de' watch am changed, an' fer five minutes there +ain't no guard in de' hall. That am when yo'al slip out an' sneak down +de' hall. When yo'al gits out o' de cas'le, jes' yo'al sneak roun' to de +right, an' dere'll be frien's dere." + +Uncle Billy again put a warning finger to his lips. + +Hal opened his mouth to ask a question, but with a soft "sh-h" Uncle +Billy silenced him. + +Then, after several furtive glances about, the old negro stole quickly +from the cell, closing the door softly behind him. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE ESCAPE. + + +"What did I tell you!" shouted Hal, when the old negro had taken his +departure. "Didn't I tell you old Uncle Billy wouldn't leave us in +the lurch?" + +"What do you suppose his plan is?" asked Chester. + +"I haven't any idea, but you can depend upon its being a good one." + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson were examining the revolvers +Uncle Billy had laid on the table. + +"Loaded, all right," remarked the latter. + +"At least they won't stand us up against a wall without a fight," +declared the captain. + +"I don't know what Uncle Billy's plan of escape is," said Hal, "but I +am sure it will be successful. I have a lot of confidence in these +old-time negroes." + +"And I, too," declared Chester. + +"Well," interrupted the Frenchman, "all we can do now is to wait and hope +for the best." + +"We at least have a fighting chance," spoke up the lieutenant, "and +that's more than I ever expected to have again." + +"It's a long time between now and nine o'clock," said Chester. "I think +we all had better get some sleep. We are likely to need it before we +get through." + +"Right," replied the lieutenant. "I guess we had better turn in." + +The four lay down upon the dirty mattresses, and with their minds more at +ease were soon asleep. + +It was after six o'clock when Uncle Billy once more entered the cell with +their "dinner," which consisted of another vessel of water and a second +loaf of bread. + +Hal made a grimace. + +"Is that what you call dinner, Uncle Billy?" he demanded. "Why, I'm so +hungry I could eat a fence rail." + +Uncle Billy grinned widely. + +"Yo'al will git a shore 'nuff dinnah 'fore long," he replied. + +"Is everything all right?" asked Chester. + +"Yassah, yassah. Everyt'ing am all right. Yo'al jes' do like I tell you," +and the old darky hastened from the cell. + +The four prisoners fell upon the single loaf of bread and devoured +it hungrily. Thirstily they gulped down the water, and then sat +down to wait. + +The long hours passed slowly. + +"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester finally. "Won't nine o'clock ever come?" + +"Hold your horses and don't get excited," ordered Lieutenant Anderson. +"Impatience won't get us anything." + +Chester subsided, and for a time the four sat in silence. + +Suddenly the stillness was broken by the faint sound of a distant bell. + +The young lieutenant pulled his watch from his pocket. Then he closed the +case with a snap and rose to his feet. + +"Nine o'clock!" he said briefly. "Time to be moving!" + +Cautiously the four approached the cell door. Hal pressed his weight +against it, and slowly the huge door swung outward. Poking out his head, +Hal glanced up and down the corridor. + +"No one in sight," he informed his companions, and softly the four +stepped outside, closing the door gently behind them. + +Silently four shadows flitted along the corridor, out across the bridge +and to the wall beyond. They encountered no one. + +"Your Uncle Billy is a jewel," declared the young Frenchman, in a +whisper. + +"He is for a fact," whispered back the lieutenant. + +Chester crept silently through the gate and peered in all directions. +Then he crept back to his companions. + +"All safe!" he whispered. + +"Now to get to the place where Uncle Billy said friends would be +waiting," said Hal. + +"I guess we had better make it at a run," spoke up the Frenchman. + +"Yes," said the lieutenant; "some one might happen along and we would +have to make a fight for it." + +Passing through the entrance to the old castle, the four broke into a +run, and turning to the right in accordance with their instructions, +increased their speed. + +For a considerable distance they sped along under the shelter of the +castle wall. Just as they reached the end of the wall a whispered voice +brought them to a halt. + +"Hyah, sah!" came the unmistakable voice of Uncle Billy. + +Turning, they saw the old negro, who had been hidden from their sight, +standing under the far wall of the castle. + +"Follow me!" he whispered, and led the way a short distance along the +wall, to where were picketed four horses. + +Turning, he motioned the companions to mount. + +"Which way?" asked the lieutenant, when all were in the saddle. + +"Straight north, I suppose," said the captain. + +"No, sah, no, sah," broke in Uncle Billy. "Yo'al can't get free +that-a-way. Since de Emp'ror declared wah on Belgin an' Englan' dun +declare wah on Germany, all de no'th coast am hev'ly guarded." + +"What!" exclaimed the French captain. "War on Belgium!" + +"England has declared war?" asked the young lieutenant, in surprise. + +"Yassah, yassah. I jes' hearn erbout it." + +"Then which way shall we go?" + +"Yo'al must go that-a-way," came the answer, and Uncle Billy pointed +toward the southwest, in the direction of the faraway frontier of The +Netherlands. + +"But Holland is a long ways off, and the country between must be overrun +with troops," protested the Frenchman. + +"Mos' all de troops am at de front," explained the old negro. "Dat am de +bes' way, sah." + +"I believe we had better take Uncle Billy's word for it," declared Hal. + +"I guess he is right," said the lieutenant. "Uncle Billy, we can never +thank you enough." + +"No," agreed Captain Derevaux. "We can never thank you enough." + +"Come," said the lieutenant, "let us ride," and he turned his horse's +head toward the southwest, and started off cautiously. + +But Hal and Chester stopped for a further word with Uncle Billy. + +"But how about you, Uncle Billy?" demanded Chester. "Won't you get in +trouble for aiding us to escape?" + +"No, sah," replied the old negro. "There won't none o' dese hyah Germans +hurt ol' Uncle Billy!" + +"Well, then, good-by," said the boys. "After the war is over we are +coming back to see you." + +"After de wah am over," said the old negro slowly, "Ise gwine back ter +ol' Virginy!" + +With another word of farewell the boys wheeled their horses and rode +after their companions, who were now some distance ahead. + +"We shall have to go very slowly and feel our way until we have passed +the outposts of the town," said the lieutenant, as they rode along; and +for the first half hour their progress was slow. + +Once they passed within a few yards of a German sentry, but so softly did +their horses step that the soldier did not turn in their direction. + +Bearing well to the south, they passed the long line of huts where they +had been captured the night before, at a considerable distance; and now, +feeling sure they had passed the last of the outposts, they urged their +horses into a quick trot. + +"We will try and avoid all towns this time," declared Lieutenant +Anderson, "going just close enough to them to keep our bearings." + +"A good scheme," said the Frenchman. "We would better avoid the highways +as much as possible also." + +In almost a straight line, the direction in which the companions were now +headed eventually would put them into Holland a few miles north of the +Belgian frontier. Following the highways, their way would lead through +Prenzlau, Brunswick, and Detmold. But upon Captain Derevaux's advice, +they decided to skirt these towns, staying just close enough to the roads +to keep their sense of direction. + +As the four rode along through the open fields, Hal and Chester continued +to talk of Uncle Billy. + +"After the war," said Chester, "we'll come back and get him and take him +home with us." + +But such was not to be; nor was the old Southern negro ever again to see +his Virginia home. + +And because of the assistance he rendered Hal and Chester and their two +friends, it is fitting that here be related the fate of this old +plantation slave, who had come so nobly to the aid of our boys. + +As the four companions rode away from the old castle, Uncle Billy, with +bared head, gazed lovingly after them. + +"Praise de Lawd!" he exclaimed. "May dey git home in safety." + +The riders disappeared in the distance, and the old negro, after one +last glance, turned toward his quarters in a broken-down wing of the +old castle. + +There he threw himself to his knees, and for long minutes prayed in +silence. Then he arose, extinguished his light, and crawled into his +dirty cot. + +Before sun-up he arose, and was soon about his duties of carrying food to +others imprisoned in the castle. Upon the order of General Steinberg he +went to the vacant cell with the firing squad that was to put an end to +the lives of the four companions whom he had aided to escape. + +He opened the door, and then threw up his hands in well-feigned surprise. + +"Dere gone!" he exclaimed. + +"What!" exclaimed the officer in charge of the firing squad. +"Impossible!" + +He brushed the old negro aside and peered into the cell. Then he turned +to Uncle Billy and laid his hand on his shoulder. "You are under +arrest!" he said. + +"What fo', sah?" + +"For aiding the prisoners to escape." + +"But, but--" + +"Silence! To the general's quarters!" he commanded his men. + +Uncle Billy was led before General Steinberg. + +"So!" thundered the latter, after the situation had been explained to +him. "A traitor, eh!" + +Uncle Billy drew himself up proudly, and the years seemed to fall from +his shoulders. + +"I is no traitor, sah!" he said quietly, "Is I a traitor, sah, because I +is willin' ter die fer two li'l chillun, who is so like mah young massa?" + +"What!" shouted the general. "You admit it?" + +"Yassah!" + +General Steinberg's face grew purple and he waved his arms about angrily. + +"Then you shall die in their stead!" he shouted. "Sergeant! Take that +black hound out and shoot him! See that my order is carried out at once!" + +The sergeant saluted and turned to Uncle Billy. + +"Come!" he said. + +With bowed head the old negro walked slowly from the hut. Outside the +squad of soldiers encircled him, and he was led away. + +With his back to a wall and the line of soldiers facing him, their +rifles grounded by their sides, Uncle Billy's face turned chalky, and +he trembled. + +But, as the sergeant approached with a bandage for his eyes, the old +negro regained his composure. + +For the last time he drew himself to his full height; imperiously he +waved the sergeant away, and his eyes met the gaze of his executioners +unflinchingly. + +"Ready!" came the voice of the sergeant. + +"Take aim!" + +"Fire!" + +Without a murmur, Uncle Billy slid gently to the ground, his body riddled +with bullets. + +The sergeant hurried to his side, and placed a hand over his heart. +As he did so, the body of the old negro twitched, and he made an +effort to rise. + +The sergeant caught the faint sound of his voice. + +"I'se a-comin', massa; I'se a-co--" came the old voice in a low whisper; +and Uncle Billy's body fell back inert. + +The sergeant straightened up, and lifted his cap from his head. + +"He is dead!" he said softly. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +IN TROUBLE AGAIN. + + +All night long the four companions continued their way without adventure. +Twice they saw lights of nearby towns, and upon each occasion they bore +farther away from these signs of habitation. + +The first gray dawn streaked the eastern sky before they drew rein at a +little brook, where they sat down to rest for a few moments, and to allow +their horses to quench their thirst. + +"How far do you suppose we have come?" asked Hal. + +"I don't know," replied the Frenchman; "but we have covered +considerable ground." + +"Do you think we are out of danger?" + +"We are never out of danger as long as we are in Germany," put in the +lieutenant. "We may be safe from pursuit, but we are not out of the woods +yet, by any means." + +"How long should it take us to get out of the country?" asked Chester. + +"With luck, five days." + +"Well, let's hope for luck, then," said Hal. "I have had enough +excitement to last me for a long time to come." + +"Same here," declared Chester. + +They remained in their retreat for some time, and then, mounting, moved +forward once more. An hour later they succeeded in purchasing breakfast +at a farmhouse. As all were draining their second cup of coffee there +came from without the sound of galloping. The four jumped to their feet. + +"What's that?" cried Chester, in alarm. + +"We'll see," replied the young lieutenant briefly, and stepped to a +window. The others also advanced and peered over his shoulder. + +"Looks to me like a body of Black Hussars," remarked Captain Derevaux. + +"And so it is," said the lieutenant, as the horsemen drew closer to the +farmhouse. + +"Do you suppose they are looking for us?" queried Chester. + +"I do not think so. It's hardly likely they have heard of our escape +from Stettin." + +"Had we better remain here and trust to their passing by, or shall we +make a run for it?" + +"I believe we had better stay here. They may not stop." + +And, indeed, it seemed that the lieutenant's prophecy would prove +correct. + +The squadron came on without checking their speed; but, just as they +swept by the farmhouse, a squad of a dozen men, headed by an officer, +detached themselves from the main body, and headed toward the house. + +"We are in for it again," remarked Hal, and drew his revolver. + +"Put that away!" exclaimed the young captain quickly. "One shot and the +whole troop will be on us!" + +Hal dropped his weapon back into his pocket. + +At that instant there came a loud knock at the front door. + +The good housewife hastened forward to answer the knock, but was +intercepted by the Frenchman. + +"Do not answer!" he commanded. + +The woman stared at him aghast. + +"Why," she exclaimed, "it is probably my husband. He is a cavalry +officer, you know," and she smiled, and made as if to pass. + +But the captain again blocked her way. + +"Nevertheless," he said, "I must ask you not to go to the door." + +The woman gazed at him a moment in astonishment; then a queer look passed +over her face. + +"I see!" she exclaimed. "You are spies!" + +With a scream she evaded the captain and rushed to the door. + +"Come!" cried Captain Derevaux, his effort having failed. "I guess we +shall have to make a run for it!" + +"Out the back door!" exclaimed Lieutenant Anderson, and the four ran +through the house, went down the steps three at a time, and rushed toward +their horses in the stable nearby. + +Hardly had they leaped into their saddles and dashed from the stable, +when the woman and a German officer appeared in the back door of the +farmhouse, while from around the house came the dozen troopers afoot. + +With a shout the riders charged directly at them, bowling the soldiers +over on all sides, and for a moment it looked as though they might make +their escape. + +Then a shot rang out, and Chester's horse stumbled and went to his knees. +Chester was flung from his saddle, over his horse's head, and struck the +ground with stunning force. He lay still. + +Hal leaped to the ground and stooped over Chester. The captain and the +young lieutenant pulled up their mounts. + +As Hal tried to lift Chester to his feet, a second shot was heard, and a +bullet whistled over Hal's head. Hal dropped Chester to the ground, and +drew his revolver. + +He turned his face toward the enemy. + +"Come on!" he shouted, his eyes flashing, "I'll drop one or two of you +before you get me!" + +But at that moment, the lieutenant's voice rang out. + +"Don't shoot!" and Hal stayed his hand. + +At the same instant, Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson raised +their hands in token of surrender; and it was well that they did so, for +by that time the entire body of troopers had their rifles leveled. + +To have missed at that distance would have been impossible, and the +lieutenant had realized it. + +"Throw your weapons on the ground," came a command, and the captain and +lieutenant obeyed. + +Hal made as if to raise his revolver again, and the rifles of the +troopers were turned on him. + +Again the lieutenant called: + +"Don't be a fool. Throw that gun down!" + +Hal obeyed. + +The officer in command of the troop approached and spoke: + +"Who are you?" he demanded. + +"Travelers," replied Lieutenant Anderson. + +"Where are you going?" + +"Brunswick." + +"Why did you run at our approach?" + +The lieutenant made no reply. + +"Well," said the German officer, after a pause, "if you are bound for +Brunswick you will get there all right That is our destination." + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson had dismounted, and by this time +Chester had recovered consciousness. + +Calling two of his men, the German officer ordered the four companions +bound. Then Chester's saddle was taken from his wounded horse and put +upon another, which was brought from the stable. The four companions were +assisted to the backs of their animals, and the troop proceeded forward, +the prisoners in the center. + +The country through which they now traveled was rough and hilly, and +rapid progress was impossible. From time to time they passed detachments +of troops hurrying in the opposite direction. They did not overtake the +main body, of which their captors were a part, until they reached +Prenzlau, where the troop was quartered. + +There the prisoners were led before the commanding officer, Colonel +Waldstein. Lieutenant Anderson spoke. + +"Colonel," he said, "I am Lieutenant Anderson, of the British army, and +this," indicating the young captain, "is Captain Derevaux, of the +French army." Then, pointing to Hal and Chester: "These two boys are in +no way concerned in our affairs, and I hope that you will see fit to +release them." + +"How do they come to be in your company, then?" asked the colonel. + +The lieutenant explained the circumstances. + +The German officer was silent for some moments, meditating. Then he +turned to an aide. + +"Summon Lieutenant Schmidt!" he ordered. + +Presently an old soldier entered the general's quarters and saluted. + +"Lieutenant," said Colonel Waldstein, "take these two lads," indicating +Hal and Chester, "and quarter them in your home. You may remain here," he +told the boys, "until I have made inquiries and learned what to do with +you. You are so young that I can hardly believe you are spies." + +"Thank you, colonel," said Lieutenant Anderson. + +"But, as for you two," continued Colonel Waldstein, speaking to Captain +Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson, and his voice grew grave, "the fact +that I have found you within our lines in civilian attire would justify +me in having you shot at once. But I shall not dispose of your cases +until we reach Brunswick, for which place we leave to-night by train. You +may have valuable information. I shall turn your cases over to my +superiors." + +Hal and Chester shook hands with their two friends. + +"I don't know why you should do this for us," said Hal; "but we +appreciate your self-sacrifice more than we can tell you." + +"Indeed we do," agreed Chester. + +"That's all right, boys," replied the lieutenant. "Now, take my advice, +and make no further efforts to get out of the country until you are given +a safe escort, which, I am sure, will be within the course of a week." + +"That is excellent advice," agreed the young captain. "To get through the +country now is practically impossible, as we have proved." + +"But what will they do with you?" asked Hal. + +The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders. + +"Shoot us, I suppose." + +Up to this moment the colonel had not interfered with the conversation, +but now he called a halt. + +"That's talk enough," he declared. "Take the prisoners away." + +Hal and Chester followed the old lieutenant from the tent. + +"Good-by, good-by!" they called to their two friends, as they passed out. + +"Good-by," was the response; "remember our advice." + +The lieutenant escorted the boys some distance into the town, then +turning into a lane, marched them into a yard, in which, far back, sat a +large frame house. + +"This is my home," he said; "and as long as you stay you will be welcome. +My wife is fond of boys, and will be glad to see you. You will have the +freedom of the grounds, but remember, any attempt to leave the town +without a permit probably will end in your being shot. Take my advice and +don't try it" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +A NEW FRIEND. + + +"Frau Schmidt is certainly a nice old lady," said Chester. + +"She certainly is," agreed Hal. "If it wasn't for the fact that I +wanted to get out of the country so badly, I wouldn't mind spending a +few weeks here." + +"Nor I; and Fritz is a likable fellow." + +"He sure is." + +The boys had spent two days in the Schmidt home when this conversation +took place. In Frau Schmidt they had found a lovable and motherly woman, +well along in years. + +She had made them welcome from the first, and had set before them the +best she had. Their room was next to that of her son, Fritz, a young man +probably six years older than Hal. + +Now, Fritz was of a mechanical turn of mind, and all day and well into +the night he was at work in his shop behind the house. From bits of +conversation, the boys gathered that Fritz was engaged in the task of +building an aeroplane, and they were greatly interested. + +The fact that no one was allowed in Fritz's workshop unless he +accompanied them, and the additional fact that at night two soldiers were +stationed at the door at first caused the boys some surprise. However, +Fritz had explained: + +"You see, the government has taken over all aircraft in process of +construction, no matter how crude and amateurish, and has appointed a +commission to investigate all patents. Of course, it was known that I +was building an airship, and, as a result, I am working under +government orders. + +"If my craft should come up to expectations it will mean a great deal to +me, and I probably shall either be put to work building more, or, better +still, be made a member of one of the aeroplane corps." + +"Yes," said Chester again, "Fritz is a fine fellow. Do you suppose his +aeroplane will be a success?" + +"I don't know. For his sake, I hope so. As he says, it means a whole +lot to him." + +"So do I. And I will bet Fritz would be of great help to his country. He +is a pretty shrewd chap." + +"You bet he--Hello! What's that?" + +A sudden cry had come from the direction of the kitchen, and the sounds +of a struggle followed. + +"Come on!" shouted Chester. "Somebody is in trouble!" + +The two boys ran madly around the house. + +Dashing through the door into the kitchen, a terrible sight met +their eyes. + +Huddled into a corner was Frau Schmidt, and over her, with a naked +knife, stood a man, ragged and unkempt. A second man was ransacking the +drawers of a dresser in the room beyond. The boys could see him through +the open door. + +Just as they dashed in the door, the man with the knife snarled in a +low voice: + +"Give me the key to the workshop, I tell you. We mean business!" + +"You mean business, do you!" shouted Hal, striding toward him. +"Well, so do I!" + +The man turned at the sound of Hal's voice, and, with upraised knife, +awaited the lad's attack. + +"You cowardly ruffian!" cried Hal, "to attack a defenseless old woman!" + +As he spoke, he leaped upon the man, dodging the blow the latter aimed at +him with the wicked-looking knife. Before the latter could recover his +balance, Hal seized the arm that held the knife. + +A sharp twist and the knife went spinning across the floor. Both leaped +for it, but Hal was quicker than his opponent, and placed his foot upon +the weapon. With a snarl the man sprang upon him. + +Chester had entered the room upon Hal's heels; and, as his friend jumped +for the first intruder, Chester rushed at the man in the next room. The +latter heard him advance, and, stepping back, picked up a chair, which he +brandished over his head. Taking a rapid stride forward, he swung his +improvised weapon at Chester's head. + +Chester avoided the blow with a quick, backward leap, and the chair was +smashed to fragments against the door. Then Chester jumped forward and +closed with his opponent. + +With a rapid movement he placed his knee behind the other's leg and +pushed suddenly. The man went over backward, with Chester on top of him. +As the intruder fell, his head came into contact with the sharp +projection of the bureau, and when he struck the floor he lay still. +Chester rose to his feet. + +As Hal's opponent sprang toward him, the lad stepped in close and +delivered a stinging short-arm blow over the other's heart. He staggered +back, and, as Hal took another step forward, Chester, having disposed of +his adversary, threw his arms about the man from behind, and bore him to +the floor, where both boys piled on top of him. + +While the three were struggling on the floor, a voice from the doorway +exclaimed: + +"What is going on here?" and Fritz rushed into the room. + +He took in the situation at a glance, and, rushing forward, lent a hand +in subduing the boys' opponent. + +The struggle was over quickly, and, seizing a strong rope, which hung +from the wall, Fritz soon had the two men safely bound. Then he turned to +his mother, who still sat huddled on the chair, where she had been when +the boys entered the room. The excitement had been too much for her, and +she had fainted. + +She was soon revived, however, and, when she was strong enough to sit up, +jumped to her feet, and, throwing her arms around Hal, kissed him loudly. +Then she turned her attention to Chester, and repeated the operation. + +"My preservers!" she cried, laughing and crying at the same time. "Fritz, +but for these two boys your old mother would now be dead." + +Rapidly and somewhat incoherently she related what had occurred, and +Fritz was no less warm in his praise for the actions of the two boys. + +"Those men are undoubtedly spies," he declared. "They most certainly had +designs upon my biplane, which they evidently knew had been completed. I +shall turn them over to the military authorities." + +He left the house, and in a few moments returned with a squad of +soldiers, who took the assailants in charge. Fritz explained to the +officer how the two men had been captured, and the German officer +complimented the boys highly for their prompt action. + +After the two prisoners had been led away, Hal bethought himself of the +remark Fritz had made concerning his biplane. + +"Do you mean to say your aeroplane is ready for use?" he asked. + +"Yes; I am going to make a short flight this afternoon. Would you care to +watch me?" + +"Would we!" exclaimed Hal. "You can just bet we would!" + +"All right, then; come on." + +The two lads followed Fritz to his workshop. Inside the boys approached +the large aircraft, which rested lightly on its wheels at the end of the +speedway. The huge planes which served as wings stretched out on either +side like two great box kites, while underneath the aviator's seat the +gearing could be plainly seen. + +The aviator looked at the machine with great pride, and spoke of the +improvements he had made in the propellers and in the system of power +transmission. He explained to the boys that, by this direct system, he +had gained twenty per cent more velocity; and, now that the war had +begun, he hoped to be able to prove this to the army experts. + +The boys helped Fritz push the machine out into the open, and watched +intently while he tested the steering gear and tried the ignition. After +some further tinkering, Fritz finally took his seat, pulled a lever, and, +after skimming the ground for a few rods, the machine rose gracefully +into the air. + +"By George!" said Hal to Chester, as the craft rose from the ground. +"That looks easy. I believe I could do it myself." + +"It looks easy," Chester admitted. "But how do you suppose a fellow would +feel sailing along up there?" + +"I guess it would scare me a little at first, but, just the same, I +should like to try it." + +After circling around for several minutes, Fritz brought the machine back +to its starting point and, lightly as a bird it dropped to the ground. + +"Would you like to take a short flight?" he asked the boys. + +Chester backed away. + +"Not for me," he declared. "I would lose my head sure, if I got up +there." + +Hal laughed. + +"You don't want to pay any attention to him when he talks like that," he +told Fritz. "I never saw anything yet he was afraid to do." + +"After what I saw in the house to-day, I can well believe that," replied +the young German. "Would you like to go up?" to Hal. "You know the +machine will only carry two." + +"Why, yes," answered Hal; "I would like it." + +"Climb in, then," ordered Fritz. + +Not without some misgiving Hal obeyed. + +Once more the huge machine skimmed gracefully over the ground, and again +went sailing into space. + +As the plane rose from the ground, Hal grabbed the side of the seat and +hung on for dear life. Looking down and seeing the ground dropping +rapidly away, he experienced a choking sensation in his throat. + +As the machine stopped rising, however, and stretched itself out for a +straight flight, Hal's composure came back to him, and he looked around +with interest. + +Then Fritz explained the mechanism of the machine to him. He showed him +how to stop, how to increase the speed of the plane; how to rise and how +to glide to earth. He also showed him how to work the steering wheel. + +While they were sailing about in the air he told Hal that, if necessary, +his craft could make a speed of one hundred miles an hour for hours. He +declared it could attain an altitude of a mile. Practically the only +danger, he said, came from conflicting air currents. + +After sailing around for nearly half an hour, Fritz again brought the +machine to the ground a few feet from where Chester stood. + +"Great!" exclaimed Hal, as he alighted and helped Fritz roll the machine +back into the shop. "No more automobiling for me. When I get home I am +going to get an airship." + +"Wouldn't you like to go up with me to-morrow, Chester?" asked Fritz, as +he locked the door to the shop. + +"I believe I would," was the reply. "I guess I can stand it if Hal can." + +"Then you shall," said Fritz, and the three turned toward the house, +where Frau Schmidt stood in the doorway, calling to them that supper +was ready. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +IN THE AIR. + + +The boys were busily engaged in disposing of a hearty supper when there +came a knock at the door. Frau Schmidt answered the knock, and, returning +a few moments later, placed before Hal an important-looking letter, +bearing the official seal of the German government. + +Hal opened the document and read. + +"Great Scott!" he exploded, after a hasty perusal. + +"What's the matter?" demanded Chester anxiously. + +"Why, here is an order, commanding us to report to the commanding +officer the first thing in the morning, so that we may be transported +back to Berlin!" + +"Berlin! What in the world do we want to go back to Berlin for?" + +"We don't; but it looks as though there were no help for it. The letter +says that, after an investigation of our case, it has been decided that +we shall be sent back to Berlin and that, if we are to be allowed to +leave the country, such arrangements must be made by the United States +ambassador." + +"Well, what do you think of that!" + +"It's too bad," declared Fritz; "but an order is an order. I am afraid +you must go!" + +"You poor boys!" exclaimed Frau Schmidt "I can't see why they won't let +you stay here." + +"No more do I," declared Hal. "But I guess this letter means business." + +"It sure looks like it," said Chester. + +"That's what I call pretty tough luck," declared Hal, when the two boys +were alone in their room that night, Fritz and his mother having retired. + +"Tough? I should say it is tough," returned Chester. "After all the +trouble we have had getting away from Berlin, then to have to go back. +Tough is no name for it." + +"Well," said Hal, "I guess there is no use kicking. We ran a good race, +but we lost. It's back to Berlin for us." + +Suddenly Chester sat bolt upright + +"By George!" he exclaimed. + +"What's the matter now?" asked Hal in surprise. + +"I've an idea." + +"Strange," replied Hal, with a smile; "but let's hear it." + +"Well, in the first place, you took an airship ride to-day. How did +you like it?" + +"Like it? Oh, I liked it all right. Why?" + +"You saw Fritz work the thing. Did you get the hang of it?" + +Hal jumped to his feet with a subdued exclamation. + +"I see what you are getting at!" he declared. "An airship! Why didn't I +think of it myself?" + +"There are only two objections I can see to the plan," said Chester. + +"What are they?" + +"Well, the first is, can you run the thing without spilling us out?" + +"I am willing to take a chance if you are. Fritz explained the workings +of the machine while we were aloft to-day. I am sure I can do it. What is +the second reason?" + +"The second reason is that it seems a shabby trick to play on Fritz, +particularly after the way he has treated us." + +"So it does," agreed Hal slowly, but, after a pause, he added: +"However, I believe we had better do it. To me it looks like the +survival of the fittest." + +For a long time the boys debated this point, but the matter was finally +settled when Hal said: + +"Well, if we don't, we are likely to be stuck in Germany until the war is +over; and there is no telling when that will be." + +"As long as we are going to do it, then," returned Chester, "the sooner +we start the better." + +"Right," replied Hal. "Let's get busy." + +"How are we to get the aeroplane out of the shop? You know the door +is locked." + +"Yes, but I know something else, too. I noticed it to-day, and wondered +why those men who came after the key didn't take advantage of it." + +"What is it?" + +"The bolts in the hinges of the door can be lifted out easily, and we can +take the doors off." + +"But we must get rid of the two soldiers who keep guard at night." + +"We will do that some way, all right." + +"Come on, then; let's get started." + +Chester opened the door of their room and peered out. + +"Coast clear," he announced. + +Softly the two boys stole from the room and crept along the hall. They +tip-toed down the stairs, opened the door, and went out with scarcely a +sound. Outside they stopped. In front of the workshop they could see the +two guards in conversation. + +"We must get to the rear of the shop without being seen," whispered +Hal. "When one guard makes his rounds, we must grab him and prevent him +from making an outcry. We can then dispose of the other. You wait here +a minute, while I go back and get a piece of clothes-line, so we can +tie them up." + +He returned almost immediately with two pieces of rope. + +"Careful, now," whispered Hal, as, keeping in the shadow of the house, +they made a short detour. + +Out of sight of the guards, they made a silent dash for the rear of the +workshop, where they stood, silently awaiting the approach of the guard. + +"I hate to do this," whispered Hal, as he heard the footsteps of the +guard; "but it has to be done." + +As the guard rounded the corner of the shop, Hal struck out. Swift and +true was the blow; and struck upon the point of the chin, the man +crumpled up without a sound. + +The boys bound and gagged him quickly, using their handkerchiefs to stuff +into his mouth. Then silently they ran to the opposite side of the shop +and waited the approach of the second guard. + +A moment later his footsteps were heard approaching. As he turned the +corner, Hal again struck out swift and true, and the second man went to +the ground. The boys bound and gagged him, and then hastened to the front +of the shop. + +As Hal had predicted, the doors were removed with little difficulty, and +silently the lads rolled the huge machine into the open. Hal's experience +with automobiles had taught him something of engines, so he had little +trouble starting this one. Finding everything in working order, Hal +climbed into the driver's seat, and Chester, not without a tremor, took +his place beside him. + +Hal's afternoon experience and his natural aptitude for mechanics now +stood him in good stead. Reaching out he threw over a lever and the +machine moved forward. There was a whirring sound as the plane skimmed +over the ground. As the machine began to rise, Hal pressed another lever, +and they shot into the air rapidly. + +So swiftly did they go up that their breath was almost taken away. + +"Great Scott!" gasped Chester. "This is more than I bargained for!" + +With the lights of the village like pin points below him, Hal, who had +not for a moment lost his presence of mind, checked the rise of the +machine, and headed toward the southwest, gauging his direction by a +compass before him, the moonlight luckily permitting him to see. + +As the machine settled down to its flight, Chester regained his +composure. + +"This is more like it," he said. "For a moment I was afraid it was all +up with us." + +"I was scared for a minute myself," replied Hal. "But you must remember +this is not my first trip aloft." + +"I guess it's all right after you get used to it," was the answer, "but +the way I feel right now, if I ever get my foot on terra firma again I am +going to stay there." + +Hal laughed. + +"Oh, you will be all right directly," he said. "For my part, I like it." + +"How fast do you suppose we are going?" + +"About fifty miles an hour." + +"Great Scott! That's going some!" + +The machine was skimming at great speed through the air, flying low, as +Hal did not wish to lose sight of the ground entirely. + +"This is high enough for me," he explained. "I might want to go down +suddenly, and I want to see where I am going. Of course, if it is +necessary, we will go higher." + +"I guess we might as well fall ten miles as to fall from here," remarked +Chester. "If anything went wrong it would be good night for us." + +For a time they flew along in silence. + +Suddenly there was the sound of a shot from below, and a bullet whizzed +by the flying aeroplane. + +Hal sent the machine higher into the air with a jump, and Chester let out +an exclamation as he was almost thrown from his seat. + +"That was too close for comfort!" cried Hal. + +"Well, the next time you decide to shoot up like that, let me know +first!" exclaimed Chester. "You almost lost me that time!" + +"Hang on tight!" shouted Hal. "You never can tell what will happen with +me running this thing, so don't take any chances." + +"I'll hang on tight in the future, never fear," was the reply. "What do +you suppose that shot was?" + +"Some sentry, I suppose. I guess he knew no machine was supposed to be +flying around here. That's probably why he took a shot at us. We were +flying too low, anyhow. We will stay up here, where we can't be so easily +seen or heard." + +For some time the boys sailed along without a word, and then, just as +Chester opened his mouth to ask Hal where he supposed they were, there +was the sound of rushing wings, and, turning in his seat, Chester beheld +a huge shape rushing after them. + +"Speed up, Hal!" cried Chester. "We are pursued!" + +Without stopping to ask questions, Hal threw the speed lever over, and +the machine leaped forward like some live thing. + +At the same moment there came the crack of a rifle, and, as Hal dropped +one arm from the steering wheel the aeroplane rocked crazily and dived +toward the ground. + +The bullet had grazed Hal's left shoulder. + +With a desperate effort, the lad righted the machine with his one good +arm, and it shot upward again. + +"What's the matter?" gasped Chester. "Are you hurt?" + +"Hit in the shoulder," replied Hal briefly. "I suppose whoever fired +aimed at the machine. I just happened to be in the way, that's all." + +"But you can't drive with one arm! Hadn't we better--" + +"Can't!" exclaimed Hal. "I've got to!" + +At that moment both boys were almost blinded by the glare of a dazzling +light directly ahead! + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +OVER THE FRONTIER. + + +"What's that?" cried Chester, in consternation. + +"I haven't any idea," replied Hal; "but it looks like a searchlight." + +"Hadn't you better slow down?" + +"With our pursuers just behind? I guess not." + +And, with a touch of the lever, Hal sent the machine forward even faster +than before. + +For a moment they were in the center of the blinding glare, and then they +had passed beyond it. Then Hal spoke. + +"I can tell you now what it is," he said. + +"What?" + +"A lighthouse." + +"Lighthouse? What do you mean?" + +"Why, that brilliant light we just passed through came from the ground. +The powerful flares are used for the guidance of war aviators, or airship +men, during the night. They prevent the aviator from getting lost, and +denote a safe landing," + +"I see what you mean; but it gave me a scare for a minute." + +"And me; at first I thought it was the searchlight of another airship." + +"But why should such lighthouses be in use here? I should imagine they +would be used only in places of danger." + +"Maybe that is the reason." + +"Surely there can be no danger for a German airship around here." + +"I don't know about that. We have traveled a considerable distance. +Perhaps we are closer to the border than we think." + +"Well, we can't get across it any too soon to suit me," declared Chester. + +Hal did not reply, and the flight was continued in silence. For more +than an hour the huge machine sailed swiftly through the air. At +length Hal said: + +"I guess we had better drop down a bit. Perhaps we may be able to see +something." + +Suiting the action to the word, he let the machine glide slowly downward, +until the distant shadow of the earth could once more be seen. Then the +craft sped out on its straightaway course again. + +The twinkling of faraway lights drew the boys' attention. + +"I wonder what that is?" asked Chester. + +"We'll see," was the brief reply. + +The machine dropped still lower. + +"An army camp!" exclaimed Hal, when he was at last able to make out the +objects below. He shut off his engine, and for a few moments both boys +gave their attention to the awe-inspiring sight. + +Dimly they could discern the outlines of the great camp. With its +thousands upon thousands of huts, it spread out like a great fan, +extending almost as far as the eye could see. + +"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "There must be a million men +down there!" + +"Hardly that many," laughed Hal; "but there are a few. I guess we had +better go a little higher. We might be seen, and a chance bullet might +bring us down in the middle of them." + +The machine rose gently again; but, as the airship headed once more upon +its course, there was a muffled explosion, and the machine rocked +dangerously. + +"What on earth is the matter now?" demanded Chester. + +Hal bent over his engine. + +"I don't know what has blown out," he replied. "But the engine has +gone dead." + +"Dead!" exclaimed Chester. + +"Yes." + +"Can you fix it?" + +"Not up here. It is impossible. I am not familiar enough with it." + +"What shall we do, then?" cried Chester, in alarm. + +"We shall have to go down." + +"What! And land right in the middle of the German camp?" + +"I am afraid so. There is no help for it. However, I shall sail just as +far as possible before we hit the earth." + +Slowly the machine dropped, its strong planes still holding it on its +forward course. So gentle was the fall that it was almost +imperceptible; but presently the distant earth below could be seen; and +then Chester cried: + +"Look! We are almost beyond the camp. We shall clear it when we hit +the ground." + +Hal glanced down. + +"So we shall," he agreed, and there was hope in his voice.... "Maybe I +will be able to fix the engine before we are discovered." + +Nearer and nearer to the ground glided the huge machine. They were now +well beyond the farthest outposts of the camp, and consequently had +recovered their good spirits. + +The airship came gently to earth, and the boys jumped out. As they did +so, there came the faint sound of a command and a rifle cracked. + +"We are discovered!" shouted Hal. "Quick! To the woods!" And the boys +made a dash toward a clump of trees that could be seen in the distance. + +Desperately the two lads ran toward the woods, and, as they ran, the +first single rifle shot was followed by a volley; but, thanks to the +semi-darkness, the boys gained the shelter of the woods unscathed. + +Once under the friendly shelter of the trees the boys did not diminish +their speed. Rather, if possible, they ran faster. Then, suddenly they +stopped; and the cause of their abrupt halt was this: + +A heavy crashing in front of them gave evidence of the approach of a +large body of men. For a moment the lads stood as if frozen to the spot; +then Hal cried: + +"Up in this tree, quick! It's our only chance!" + +Acting upon the instant, the two lads swung themselves into the crotch of +the great tree under which they stood; then climbed noiselessly higher up +among the branches. Just as they had succeeded in screening themselves +from possible discovery, a body of horsemen burst in among the trees. + +"Caught right in between them," whispered Hal. + +"Yes; and, if we get out of this fix alive, we are in luck," Chester +whispered back. + +The horsemen below them did not pause in their march, but continued on +through the woods. + +"Evidently a scouting party returning," whispered Hal. + +And still the long line of horsemen pressed on beneath them. + +Suddenly there came the sharp crack, crack, of many rifles; and from +beneath the two lads came the hoarse command of an officer: + +"Forward!" + +The line of horsemen quickened their pace; and then the firing ahead +broke into a loud and steady roar. + +For many minutes, it seemed to the two lads, the stream of horsemen +poured on beneath them. Then the sound of firing became less distinct, +and Hal and Chester dropped to the ground. + +"At last! At last we are safe!" cried Hal. + +"Safe?" repeated Chester. "How do you mean we are safe?" + +"Why, you chump, doesn't that fighting going on there mean +anything to you?" + +"Do you mean that you believe the troop that just passed us are French?" + +"Yes; French, Belgians, or English, I don't know which. But, anyhow, they +are friends. Hurrah!" + +"Hurrah!" repeated Chester, throwing his cap in the air with delight. + +Suddenly the beat of the feet of many horses was heard and the sound of +firing became more audible. Several riderless horses broke into the +woods, followed by the cavalry. + +"Grab one of those horses, Chester!" cried Hal, as he jumped forward and +seized the bridle of the one nearest him. Chester followed suit, and both +lads were soon in the saddle. + +At that moment a large body of horsemen broke through the woods from the +direction in which they had so recently gone, retiring slowly, turning +every now and then to fire. + +"It's a retreat!" cried Chester. "They have been driven back! Let us get +away from here or we shall be shot down!" + +But, even as they turned to flee, a mounted officer laid his hand upon +the bridle of Hal's horse. + +"Who are you?" he demanded in French. "What do you here?" + +Briefly Hal explained that they had just escaped through the German +lines, and then asked: + +"Where are we? What troops are these?" + +"This is a troop of Belgian light cavalry," came the reply, "a +reconnoitering force. We were attacked by a strong force of the enemy, +and are falling back upon our lines." + +"But where are we?" + +"About five miles from Liège." + +"Liège!" + +"Yes; where did you think you were?" + +"We had not the faintest idea, other than that we were beyond the +German lines." + +All this time the troop had been retreating slowly, firing as they went, +the boys being led along by the officer. + +"It will be necessary for me to place you under arrest," declared the +Belgian officer. "I shall turn you over to the commanding general when we +regain our lines." + +Hal and Chester were stricken almost speechless. + +"Great Scott!" Chester finally exclaimed. "After all the trouble we have +had getting out of Germany, then to be arrested at the end!" + +"I am sorry," replied the officer, "but I can do nothing else. You are +sure to be looked upon with suspicion, having been found as you were, +and, unless you can give a good account of yourselves, I fear you are in +a serious predicament." + +Fighting every inch of the way, the Belgian cavalry continued its +retreat, being hard pressed by the Germans, who were continually +reinforced. From the rear the firing became heavier, and then there was +heard the sound of a galloping body of horsemen. + +"Halt!" cried the Belgian officer in command, and the retreating horsemen +came to a stand. + +"About face!" And at the command they wheeled to meet the charge of a +force of Uhlans. + +The Germans came on bravely; but, just as they hurled themselves upon +their foe, there came from the Belgian rear a fierce hail of rifle shots. +Reinforcements had arrived. + +The Germans halted in their fierce charge, and then drew off, shooting as +they went. At the same instant a regiment of Belgian infantry rushed +forward on the run. They pursued the flying Germans for some distance, +and then turned back. + +Then the Belgians resumed their retreat to their own lines. + +Hal and Chester bore up bravely during this--their first time--under +fire. Unable to take part in the fighting themselves, being without +weapons, they watched with interest the maneuvers of the officers and the +gallantry with which the Belgian cavalry stood up against what at first +were plainly overwhelming odds. + +Once in the Belgian lines the boys breathed easier. + +"Well, here we are at last," said Hal. "I guess we will be able to +explain our presence in the woods satisfactorily." + +"I hope so," replied Chester. + +At this moment the officer who had placed them under arrest approached. + +"Come with me," he ordered. + +The boys accompanied him to the headquarters of the commanding officer, +where their position was explained to the latter. + +He listened quietly to Hal's account of their adventures since leaving +Berlin, and it was plain to both boys that as he listened he became more +and more incredulous. + +Hal finished his recital, and for some minutes the general sat silent. +Finally he said: + +"You have told me a strange story--one that I find it very hard to +believe. I must have proof. It must be substantiated. You will consider +yourselves prisoners until the matter has been investigated, unless in +the meantime there should be someone here who will vouch for your honesty +and the truth of this remarkable tale." + +"I will vouch for it, general," came a voice. + +Turning, the boys beheld in the entrance to the general's hut the smiling +face of Captain Raoul Derevaux. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +LIÈGE. + + +Hal and Chester started forward. + +"Captain Derevaux!" they exclaimed simultaneously. + +The gallant captain smiled. + +"Even so," he returned. Then turning to the general: "I will vouch for +the truth of the story told by these boys, sir," he said. + +"You know them, then?" questioned the general. + +"Yes, sir." And the young captain recounted his first meeting with Hal +and Chester and their subsequent adventures. Concluding, he said: + +"And I wish to say, sir, that two braver and more resourceful lads it has +never been my fortune to encounter." + +"Very well, then," said the general. "They are free. I leave them in your +charge, captain." + +The captain and the two boys left the hut. + +"I will take you to my quarters," said the captain, leading the way. + +In the captain's hut, seated on a camp-stool, Hal demanded: + +"How did you escape? I was sure you and Lieutenant Anderson were doomed +to die. And where is the lieutenant?" + +"He has returned to England," replied the captain, answering the last +question first. "But my story can wait. Tell me about yourselves." + +Chester related their experiences after the four had been separated. + +"You are certainly a pair of wonderful youngsters," remarked the captain, +when Chester had concluded. + +"But how did you escape?" demanded Hal again. + +"Practically the same as you did," replied the captain. "Airship. +Believing that we could not possibly escape, we were left too loosely +guarded. Condemned to be shot as spies, we were placed under guard near +one of the outposts. + +"It was along in the evening that an airship descended within a few yards +of us. It had been disabled, and the aviator had alighted to make +repairs. When the aviator had thoroughly overhauled the machine, he made +his way to the quarters of the commanding general to report. + +"As I said, our hut was but a short distance away, and, believing there +could be no possibility of our escape, our guards had relaxed their +vigilance. Anderson and I stepped to the entrance and looked out. The +guards paid no attention. + +"Suddenly Anderson shouted: 'Come on!' and we went. There was no one +about the machine, and we started it quickly. But, just as the machine +was skimming over the ground, the guards noticed our absence, and, +running to the open, took a shot at us. + +"I had taken the aviator's place, having had some experience with +aeroplanes. Anderson was winged at the first shot, but was not badly +wounded. By the time the second volley was fired we were high in the air, +and the rapidity with which we traveled made accurate shooting +impossible. We reached the Belgian frontier without trouble." + +"But how does it happen you have not returned to France?" asked Chester. + +"When I arrived at Liège I communicated with my government, and was +ordered to remain here. I am attached to the Royal French Lancers, the +only body of French troops yet in Belgium. The Lancers were ordered here +immediately war was declared, to help check the advance of the invader." + +"I suppose the best thing for us to do," said Hal, "is to go on to +Brussels and try and find mother." + +"It is impossible," declared the lieutenant. "Right now you would not +be allowed to go. And, in the second place, I took the trouble to +inquire, when I first reached Liège, whether your mother was in +Brussels. Your ambassador, Mr. Brand Whitlock, informed me that she had +left the country." + +"What? Gone and left us behind?" + +"Yes; but not because she wanted to. It was either a case of leave +Brussels then, or run a chance of being held there indefinitely." + +"Then what are we going to do? There is no use going to Brussels." + +Chester clapped his hands. + +"I have it!" he exclaimed. + +Hal looked at him in surprise. + +"What?" he demanded. + +"Why, what we are going to do." + +"Well, what is it?" + +"Fight!" + +"Fight? What do you mean?" + +"Join the army!" + +Captain Derevaux leaped to his feet. + +"I will not hear of it!" he exclaimed. + +But the idea caught Hal's fancy. + +"Good boy, Chester!" he exclaimed. "That's just what we will do!" + +"It is impossible," exclaimed the young captain. "In the first place, it +would not be possible, at your age, to enlist. But I will tell you what I +will do for you." + +"What is it?" asked the two lads eagerly. + +"In times such as these," explained the captain, "young fellows like you +may be useful in many ways without running the risk of going into +battle--scouting expeditions and the like. I will speak to the general +about you and see what I can do. Understand, I wouldn't do this did I not +know that if I didn't you would get mixed up in trouble in some other +way, and in a way that would be much more dangerous." + +"We are willing to take our chances," replied Hal. + +"Of course we are," agreed Chester. + +"Oh, I know that," replied the captain, "and what I am proposing is not +without danger. But what I have in mind calls for quick wits rather than +for strong arms, although I know you have both. I will go now and speak +to the general." + +"All right," replied Hal. "In the meantime, Chester and I will go out and +look around the town." + +Everywhere, as the boys strolled about the streets, preparations to +withstand a siege were being made; but everything was being done quietly +and without confusion. The great steel forts, some of them practically +isolated, were subjects of great interest to the lads. + +"I'll bet the Germans have a hard time capturing this place," remarked +Hal, as they examined one of the forts. + +"Yes," agreed Chester, "as the battle of the _Monitor_ and the +_Merrimac_, in Hampton Roads, in our own civil war was the first battle +between iron ships, so will an attack on these forts be the first in +which such impregnable defenses will be tried out. I was reading about +them long before war was declared." + +"And I believe the Germans are making a sad mistake when they say the +Belgians can't fight," said Hal. + +"You bet they are. They will fight till the last. Do they look like +people who would give up without a struggle? Look at the way those +fellows who captured us turned to face the Uhlans, knowing that, unless +reinforced, they were bound to be slaughtered." + +"Right. Which reminds me we were in a ticklish position ourselves for a +few minutes." + +"You bet we were." + +As the boys continued their walk, almost on every hand they were mistaken +for English, and time after time they were accosted with the question: + +"When are the English coming?" + +Suddenly the lads were attracted by the sounds of great confusion down a +side street. + +"Let's see what is going on," cried Hal, and, quickening their pace, they +were soon in the midst of an excited crowd. + +In the center of the mob a lone man struggled desperately to shake off +the many hands that grasped him. + +"Hang him!" came a voice from the crowd. + +Other voices took up the cry immediately. + +"Hang him! Hang him!" + +Hal turned to a man in the crowd. + +"What's the matter?" he asked. + +"Matter? Why, the man was caught spying near one of the forts." + +"How do you know he was spying?" + +"He is a German. Why else should he be prowling around, if not to spy?" +And their informant rushed into the thick of the crowd, gesticulating +violently, and adding his voice to the din. + +"Great Scott! We can't stand for this!" exclaimed Chester. "Come on!" + +Together the two lads rushed into the thick of the mob. Elbowing and +pushing men to right and left they made their way through the mass +of humanity. + +The cause of all the confusion had now freed himself from the clutches of +the angry mob, and was laying about him furiously with his cane. He +cleared a space before him. But those in front were pushed forward by the +men in the rear of the crowd, and once more surged to the attack, just as +Hal and Chester, with a final effort, burst through. + +The lads took their places, one on each side of the fighting German, and +Chester raised a hand to check the mob. + +"Get back!" he shouted. "Shame upon you to attack a single man like this. +Is this Belgian bravery?" + +For a moment the crowd hung back, then rushed forward again, and the +three were soon fighting desperately against fearful odds. + +But the boys this time had tackled a task that was beyond them. They +struck out rapidly, as did the man to whose aid they had rushed, but the +sheer weight of numbers finally told. + +Chester, Hal and the stranger all went down at last, and were in imminent +danger of being beaten into insensibility. + +But at that moment the sound of a bugle rang out, and the crowd scattered +in all directions. A troop of cavalry was hurrying to the scene. + +Hal, Chester and the stranger picked themselves up and brushed the dirt +from their clothes. A cavalry officer dismounted and came up to them. + +"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. + +Chester explained. + +The officer turned to the German. + +"Come with me," he ordered. + +The German obeyed and the troop continued on their journey. + +Hal and Chester returned to the captain's quarters. The captain was +already there. + +"Did you see the general?" asked Hal. + +"Yes." + +"What did he say?" + +"It's all fixed, boys," replied the captain, smiling at their eagerness. + +"You mean that the general has consented to the plan?" asked Hal. + +"Yes." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Chester. + +"Hurrah!" cried Hal. + +"Yes," continued the captain, "you are ordered to hold yourselves subject +to the command of your superior officer," and he concluded smilingly, +"which is me." + +"And we couldn't have a better!" exclaimed both lads in a single voice. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +CHESTER SAVES THE DAY. + + +The day was at its noon! + +From the first break of dawn the battle had raged; now, at mid-day, it +was at its height. Hour after hour the fighting had continued under a +shadowless sky, blue as steel, hard as a sheet of brass. The Germans had +attacked the Belgians and French with the first streak of light. + +Circling, sweeping, silently, swiftly, a marvelous whirlwind of force, +the Germans had rushed on. Swift, as though wind-driven, they moved. An +instant, and the Allies broke into violent movement. Half-clothed +sleepers poured out. Perfect discipline did the rest. + +With marvelous and matchless swiftness and precision they got under arms. +There were but fifteen hundred or so in all--six squadrons of French +Lancers, the only French troops yet to reach Belgian soil, and a small +body of infantry, without artillery. + +Yet, rapid as the action of the Allies was, it was not as rapid as the +downward sweep of the German horde that rushed to meet them. + +There was a crash, as if rock were hurled upon rock, as the Lancers, the +flower of the French cavalry, scarce seated in the saddle, rushed forward +to save the pickets, to encounter the first blind ford of the attack and +to give the Belgian infantry, farther in, time to prepare for defense. + +The hoofs of rearing chargers struck each other's breasts, and these bit +and tore at each other's throats and manes, while their riders reeled +down dead. The outer wings of the Germans were spared the shock, and +swept on to meet the bayonets of the infantry. + +The cavalry was enveloped in the overwhelming numbers of the center. It +was a frightful tangling of men and brutes. + +The Lancers could not charge; they were hemmed in, packed between bodies +of horsemen that pressed them together as between iron plates; now and +then they cut their way through clear enough to reach their comrades, but +as often as they did so, so often the overwhelming numbers of the Germans +surged in on them afresh like a flood, and closed upon them, and drove +them back. + +It was bitter, stifling, cruel work; with their mouths choked with dust, +with their throats caked with thirst, with their eyes blind with smoke; +while the steel was thrust through nerve and sinew, or the shot plowed +through bone and flesh. + +The answering fire of the infantry kept the Germans farther at bay, and +mowed them down faster--but in the Lancers' quarter of the field--parted +from the rest of their comrades, as they had been by the rush of that +broken charge with which they had sought to save the town and arrest the +foe--the worst pressure of the attack was felt, and the fiercest of the +slaughter fell. + +The general in command of the cavalry had been shot dead as they had +first swept out to encounter the advance of the German horsemen; one by +one the officers had been cut down, singled out by the keen eyes of their +enemy, and throwing themselves into the deadliest of the carnage with +impetuous self-devotion characteristic of their service. + +At the last there remained but a bare handful of the brilliant squadrons +of 600 men that had galloped down in the gray of dawn to meet the +whirlwind of German fury. At their head was Captain Derevaux, and beside +him rode Hal. + +It was not the gallant captain's fault that Hal was thus in the thick of +the battle. This had been an accident, and had come about in this manner: + +Late the night before Hal and Chester had been called to the quarters of +the commanding general and dispatched on separate missions. Their ways +led past the outposts--even beyond the farthest--where the six squadrons +of French Lancers and a small body of infantry had been thrown out, under +orders, to make a reconnaissance in force in the morning. Advancing +beyond this line, Hal had turned east and Chester west. + +His mission accomplished, Hal had just reached the Allies' line upon his +return, when the Germans bore down on them. Hal saw that his one chance +for safety lay in throwing in his fortunes with the troops. + +Accordingly he turned his horse, just as the Lancers swept past on their +first charge, and reined in beside Captain Derevaux. The latter had +recognized the danger and realized that the boy's keen wit had detected +his one hope of life. He had greeted him with a smile; nor had he blamed +him for his choice. + +And so Hal had swept forward in the charge. Seizing a sword from a +falling trooper, Hal, riding at the captain's side, was soon in the thick +of the terrible carnage, and, in spite of the terrible fighting, had +escaped injury. + +Two horses had been killed under Captain Derevaux. Twice he had thrown +himself across fresh, unwounded chargers, whose riders had fallen in the +fray, and at whose bridles he caught as he shook himself free of the dead +animal's stirrups. His head was uncovered; his uniform, hurriedly thrown +on, had been torn aside, and his chest was bare; he was drenched with +blood, not his own, that had rained on him as he fought, and his face and +hands were black with smoke and with powder. + +Hal could not see a yard in front of him; he could not tell how the day +went anywhere save in that corner where the Lancers were hemmed in. As +fast as they beat the enemy back, and forced themselves to some clearer +space, the Germans closed in afresh. + +No orders reached the little troop, and Hal could not tell whether the +Belgian battalions were holding their own or had been cut utterly to +pieces under the immense numerical superiority of their foes. + +Glancing about the field, Captain Derevaux could see that every officer +of the Lancers save himself was down, and that, unless he took the vacant +place and rallied them, the few troopers still left would scatter. + +With Hal at his side, he spurred the horse he had just mounted against +the dense crowd opposing him--against the hard black wall of dust and +smoke and steel and savage faces, which were all that either could +see. He thrust his horse against the mob, while he waved his sword +above his head: + +"_En avant_!" he shouted. + +His voice reached the troopers, clear and ringing in its appeal. Hal, +turning in his saddle at this moment, caught from the hands of a reeling +trooper the Eagle of France, and as he raised it aloft, the light, +flashing upon the golden wings, brought an answering shout from those +that remained of the troop. + +"_En avant_!" came the rallying cry. + +The young French captain glanced back on this little troop, guarding +his head the while from the blows that were rained on him, and his +voice rang out: + +"Charge!" + +Like arrows launched from a hundred bows they charged, Hal and the young +captain still slightly in advance, Hal striking aside the steel aimed at +him, as they pushed on, and with the other hand holding high the Eagle +of France. + +The effort was superb. + +Dense bodies of Germans parted them in the front from the part of the +field where the infantry still was engaged, harassed them in the rear +with flying shots and forced down on them on either side, like the +closing jaws of a trap. + +Their fierce charge was, for a moment, irresistible; it bore headlong all +before it. For a moment the Germans gave way, shaken and confused. For a +moment they recoiled under the shock of that desperate charge. + +As Captain Derevaux spurred his horse against the enemy, twenty blades +glittered against him. The first would have pierced his chest had not Hal +struck up the blade with a quick move. + +To pause was impossible. Though the French horses were forced through a +bristling forest of steel, the charge availed little. + +Hal waved the Eagle aloft, as the captain looked around at the few who +were left and shouted: + +"You are the sons of the Old Guard! Die like them!" + +"Surrender!" came a cry from in front. + +Hal looked back once more on the fragment of the troop, and raised the +flag higher aloft, as he muttered to himself: + +"This will be the end. I wish I could have seen Chester once more; good +old Chester!" + +Hot and blinded, with an open gash in his shoulder where a sword had +struck a moment before, but with his eyes flashing and a smile on his +lips, the young captain cried his reply to the command to surrender: + +"Have we fought so poorly that you think we shall give up now?" + +Then, with upraised swords, the troop awaited the onward rush of +the Germans; and, as they waited the young captain found time to +murmur to Hal: + +"I am sorry to see you here now, but you are a fighter after my +own heart." + +Hal was unable to speak. He put out his hand and the young Frenchman +grasped it warmly. + +"I guess it is good-by," he said quietly. + +Then came the shock. With a yell the Germans threw themselves +forward. A moment more and the onrushing horde would have massacred +them like cattle. But, even at the moment of impact a voice rang out +over the field: + +"Forward! Charge!" + +Above the din of shouting and rifle shots it came; and from behind came +a full troop of Belgian light cavalry; and in front, with drawn sword, +rode Chester. + +The troop came on at a whirlwind rush; and, even as they did so, Captain +Derevaux urged his men into another charge, and pressed forward into the +thickest of the conflict. And Hal rode by his side. + +Blow after blow was aimed at them, but none found its mark. Parrying and +striking, they pushed on; and then a German bugle sounded a recall, and +the enemy drew off. + +Panting, Chester rode to Hal's side. + +"I was afraid we would be too late!" he exclaimed. + +"I am not even scratched," returned Hal, grasping his friend's hand. + +A Belgian officer hurried up to Captain Derevaux. + +"You have this lad to thank for our opportune arrival," he declared, +indicating Chester. "He told us of your plight, or we would not have +arrived in time." + +The captain grasped Chester's hand. + +"You saved the day!" he said simply. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +A DANGEROUS MISSION. + + +Chester was embarrassed. + +"I did nothing," he said. "I only rode fast." + +The hurrahs of the men who heard him drowned his words. + +"The general will think differently," returned the captain. + +"How does it happen you arrived so opportunely, Chester?" asked Hal. + +"It's very simple. I was returning from my mission, and was riding +between you and the outposts. I heard firing and rode forward to see what +was going on. I saw how things were with you. Even from where I was I +thought I could recognize you in the front rank. + +"At first I thought I would ride directly toward you, but then I knew +that I could be of greater service by hurrying back and summoning aid. +When I told the general of your perilous position, he acted at once, and +I came with the reinforcements. That's all there is to it. You, Hal, are +the one deserving of praise." + +"And I shall see that he is rewarded for it!" exclaimed the captain. "But +your gallant conduct also shall be made known. Certainly I made two good +friends when I met you two boys. At some time I hope to be able to repay +you in some slight measure, although I know I can never entirely cancel +my indebtedness to you both." + +In the hut of the officer commanding the division Captain Derevaux went +into detail concerning the gallant actions of our two boys. + +The general congratulated them. + +"I shall see that your conduct is brought to the personal attention of +the King," he declared. "You shall both be rewarded if I live long enough +to write out my report." + +"Thank you, general," both lads replied, and then accompanied Captain +Derevaux to his quarters, where his wound, which was found to be slight, +was attended to. + +It was the next afternoon that the general again summoned the lads +to his hut. + +"I have a mission of importance," he said, "and I am seeking +volunteers. It is somewhat dangerous, and I am loath to order anyone to +go. But in view of your gallant conduct, I thought I would give you the +first chance." + +"We shall gladly undertake it, general, no matter what it is," +replied Hal. + +"Yes, sir," agreed Chester, "we shall always be glad to aid the cause of +the Allies, no matter what the dangers." + +"Well, then," replied the general, taking a paper from his desk. "I want +this paper put into the hands of General Givet, at Louvain. If there is +any danger of your being captured, destroy it. It contains information +that would be invaluable to the enemy. + +"In view of your past resourcefulness, I am putting great confidence in +your ability to get through. The country between here and Louvain, +while not precisely in the hands of the Germans, is being constantly +overrun with parties of raiders. You will bring General Givet's reply +to me here." + +The lads saluted and departed. + +"You certainly have made a great impression upon the general," said +Captain Derevaux, when the boys informed him of their mission. "Just keep +as cool as you have been in the past, and I am sure you will get through +without trouble." + +It was late that night when the lads made their way from the young +captain's quarters, passed beyond the outposts, and made their way into +the forest beyond, following the road, but keeping well within the shadow +of the trees. + +"This is the best summer vacation we have ever had," declared Hal, as +they went slowly along. + +"You are right, there," replied Chester. "Of course, war is a terrible +thing, but as long as there is a war I would rather be over here where I +can see what is going on than to be sitting home reading about it in the +newspapers." + +"Yes; and then you couldn't be exactly sure you were getting the facts." + +Shortly after sunrise the boys came upon a large farmhouse. + +"It's pretty early," remarked Hal, "but perhaps we can find some one and +get a bite to eat." + +They approached and found the household already astir. As they +ascended the steps, a young girl, probably sixteen years of age, came +out on the porch. + +"Can you provide us with a little something to eat?" asked Hal politely +in French, doffing his cap. + +The girl glanced at him, a puzzled expression coming over her face. + +"I don't understand French very well," she said, in English. + +"By George!" exclaimed Hal. "I thought so. That is," he apologized for +his exclamation, "I was sure you were not French." + +This time Hal had spoken in English, and a look of surprise had come over +her face, followed by an expression of delight. + +"I was sure you were Americans!" she exclaimed, and then added +hesitatingly, "or are you--can it be you are English?" + +"No; we are Americans, all right," Chester broke in; "but we certainly +didn't expect to run into an American girl in this corner of the world." + +"No; particularly at a time like this," agreed Hal. + +"Oh, I am perfectly safe here," replied the girl "Uncle, who is a Belgian +officer, has joined his regiment, and I am here with only two servants. +He wanted me to go to Liège with him, but I preferred to remain here. No +one will harm me." + +"But the Germans may come through here at any time, and then you would be +in danger." + +"Oh, no. Several German regiments already have passed by, and some of the +officers were here. They assured me I would not be molested." + +"Nevertheless, you are likely to be. You can't tell what may happen." + +"I am not afraid," replied the girl. "The Germans won't bother an +American." + +Remembering their own experiences, Hal and Chester looked at each other +and smiled. + +"I am not so sure," replied Hal; "but if you have decided to stay, +I suppose you will. You see," smiling, "I know something of +American girls." + +The girl also smiled. + +"I suppose you wonder who I am," she said. "I am Edna Johnson, and I live +in Chicago. Mother was here with me, but she went home just before war +was declared. I suppose she is worried to death about me, but I believe +it is safer here than elsewhere, and I have heard Americans are having +great difficulties getting home." + +Hal and Chester introduced themselves. + +After a few minutes Edna suddenly exclaimed: + +"Here I am, keeping you chatting, when I know you must be awfully hungry. +Come with me and we shall have some breakfast." + +The boys followed her into the house, where a hearty meal was soon set in +the dining-room, and the three fell to with a will. + +Hardly had they satisfied their appetites when there was the sound of +many feet upon the porch. Miss Johnson glanced through the door. + +"Germans," she said, with a smile; "but they won't bother us." + +Hal and Chester jumped to their feet. + +"We must hide, Miss Johnson," exclaimed Hal. "If we fall into the hands +of the Germans it may mean death to us." + +"What!" exclaimed the girl. + +"Exactly. I neglected to tell you that we are attached to the Belgian +forces and our capture would not only mean trouble for us, but would be a +blow to the cause of the Allies." + +The girl looked at the lads in amazement, but there was no time for +words. There was a loud knock at the door, followed almost immediately by +the tramp of feet within the house. + +Edna acted promptly. Rushing to the side of the room, she pulled open a +door to what appeared to be a closet and motioned to the boys. + +"In here, quick!" she cried, and closed the door tightly. + +As they passed through the door the boys saw a flight of steps leading +apparently to the cellar. Hardly had the door closed behind them ere the +steps of the Germans were heard in the room they had just left. + +They also heard the girl greet them pleasantly, and the gruff demand for +breakfast. Edna called one of her servants, and gave an order that +breakfast for the Germans be prepared immediately. + +"It is too cramped here," whispered Chester. "Let's go down these stairs. +If we were to make a move here, they would surely hear us." + +The boys descended the steps. At the bottom they emerged into what, upon +inspection, proved to be a wine cellar. At the far side they saw another +passageway and moved toward it. + +As they did so, they heard the door to the closet through which they had +recently passed open again, and a voice exclaim: + +"I know these high and mighty Belgian gentlemen too well. There is always +wine in the cellar. Come, Franz, we shall explore." + +Heavy footsteps descended the stairs, and two German officers hove in +sight. The boys, in the dimness of the cellar, were not seen. + +"Quick!" whispered Chester, "into the passageway." + +As Hal followed Chester into the darkness of the passageway, he tripped +over some obstacle in the dark, which gave forth the sound of tinkling +glass. The boys stopped stock still. + +"What was that?" demanded one of the officers. + +"I didn't hear anything," was the reply. + +"I thought I heard something moving in the cellar." + +"Probably a rat. Here is what we came after. Let's go back upstairs." + +The boys heard the sound of retreating footsteps, and presently the door +above slammed once more. + +Hal and Chester breathed easier. + +"Pretty close," remarked Chester, in a low tone. + +"You bet it was close," was the reply. "For a minute I thought it +was all off." + +"Well, I guess we are safe enough now." + +"Yes, I guess so. But we must wait here until the Germans have left +the house." + +"I suppose they will go as soon as they have finished their breakfast." + +"I hope so; we haven't any time to waste." + +The boys sat down and waited. + +What seemed like hours later, the door to the closet above again opened, +and the voice of the girl floated down the stairway. + +"It's all right, now," she exclaimed. "They have gone. You can come up." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE FIGHT IN THE FARMHOUSE. + + +The boys ascended the stairs and followed the girl back into the +dining-room. + +"Well," said Chester, after the three had talked for some minutes. "I +guess we had better be moving. We have wasted too much time already." + +They turned toward the door, and, as they did so, Hal uttered a low +exclamation. + +"Look!" he whispered. + +Turning to where Hal pointed, Chester and Edna beheld a face pressed +against the window pane. + +"It is one of the German officers!" cried the girl. "He has returned for +something." + +It was apparent that the officer had seen the two boys. He turned from +the window, and the lads saw him making violent gestures to someone in +the distance. A moment later two soldiers joined him, and the trio turned +toward the door. + +There came a loud knock, followed by the sound of footsteps in the hall, +as one of the servants went to open the door. + +"Do not open the door, Bento!" called the girl. + +The footsteps halted. + +"Open that door at once!" came a voice of command from outside. + +Again came the sound of footsteps, as the servant, evidently frightened, +moved toward the door. + +"Bento! Do as I command you! Do not open the door!" cried the girl again, +and the servant stopped. + +"Break down the door!" came the command from outside. + +"What shall we do?" cried the girl, clasping her hands nervously. + +"Fight!" was Hal's brief reply. + +His eyes roved about the room. His gaze fell upon a pair of old dueling +swords hung upon the wall. Stepping on a chair, he took them down, and +passed one to Chester. + +At that instant there came the sound of a crash, as the door gave way, +followed by a command from the officer: + +"Follow me!" + +Edna and the two boys retreated to the far end of the room, as the three +Germans rushed through the door. + +"Surrender!" cried the officer. + +"Come and take us!" replied Hal, his lips set grimly. + +The officer covered the lads with his two pistols. + +"Stun them with your rifle butts, my lads!" he cried to his soldiers. +"Take the spies alive!" + +Reversing their weapons, the two soldiers strode forward. As one raised +his rifle preparatory to bringing it down upon his head, Chester leaped +forward between them, thinking to take the officer, who stood behind +them, unprepared, and cut him down. + +But, even as he stepped forward, the officer's revolver spoke, and +Chester fell to the floor with a groan, a bullet in his chest. But, at +that instant, and before the officer could fire again, Hal, who also had +avoided the attack of the two soldiers, sprang forward and aimed a +slashing blow at the officer. + +The latter warded off the blow with his arm, but one of his pistols was +sent flying from his grasp. As he raised his other revolver, his arm +was suddenly seized from behind, and Edna attempted to wrench the +revolver from him. He turned on her, and as he did so the revolver came +away in her hand. + +Pointing the weapon straight at the officer, the girl pulled the trigger; +but the revolver missed fire. Stepping back, as the officer advanced, the +girl grasped the pistol by the muzzle and hurled it squarely in his face. +With blood gushing from his mouth and nose, the man fell to the floor. + +In the meantime Hal had turned swiftly once more to face the second +attack of the two soldiers. As they again raised their rifles to strike +him down, he leaped between them, thrusting with his sword. + +Pierced through the shoulder, one of the soldiers threw up his arm and +staggered back. In doing so he struck the arm of his companion, and the +latter's blow was deflected; and Hal was unharmed. + +Turning, Hal dashed into the next room--the parlor--closely followed by +the two soldiers, the wounded man not being seriously hurt. At the same +time the German officer sat up on the floor, looked around dazedly, then +picked up one of his revolvers, drew his sword, and followed his men. + +"Shoot the dog in the legs!" he commanded, and the soldiers brought their +rifles to their shoulders. + +An instant before they fired Hal sprang upon the piano stool, which was +just behind him, and the bullets went low. Hal jumped to the top of the +piano, and then dropped behind it. As the soldiers again prepared to +fire, Hal put his shoulder to the piano, and sent it tumbling over, and +the bullets were imbedded in the soft wood. + +Hal ducked as the officer raised his revolver and fired at him, and then, +stepping around the piano, made a sweeping slash at the officer. The +sword struck the latter on his pistol hand, and, with a groan, the +officer dropped his revolver. + +Hal turned to the two soldiers, who had leaped on the overturned piano to +get at him before he stepped from behind it, and again his sword darted +out. The thrust went true, and one soldier fell to the floor, blood +streaming from a deep wound in his chest. + +Before the second soldier could bring his rifle to bear, Hal ran from the +room into the hall. The soldier followed. In the hall, dimly lighted by a +single chandelier over the stairway, Hal sprang up the steps. + +At the bottom of the steps the soldier stopped and took aim at the lad. +With a backward sweep of his sword, Hal knocked the chandelier crashing +to the floor, throwing the hall into inky darkness, and with a quick leap +was several steps higher up. + +There came the sharp crack of a rifle, and the hall was lighted for a +second by a flash, as a bullet sped past Hal. With a light leap the lad +dropped over the railing into the hall, and, taking a step forward, +lunged swiftly in the darkness from where came the sound of a muttered +imprecation. There was a stifled groan, and the second soldier dropped to +the floor. + +Hal made his way back to the parlor, where the German officer still +stood, trying to bind up his injured hand with a handkerchief. He saw Hal +approach, and raised his sword, taking a step forward. At the same +moment, Edna, who had in the meantime dragged Chester's inert body out of +harm's way, stepped into the room. + +His face red with fury, the German officer took another stride forward, +and thrust. The blade passed through Hal's guard and through the side of +his open coat, grazing his body. + +As the sword went through the boy's coat, it looked to Edna as though the +lad must have met his death; and she screamed. The German officer laughed +gleefully, but, even as he did so, Hal, smiling, took a step forward. + +With a quick stroke, he sent the German's sword flying from his grasp, +and the officer was at his mercy. + +The German's rage burst like a bubble. + +"Kill me!" he said quietly to Hal. + +"No," replied the lad; "I cannot kill a man in cold blood. Pick up +your sword." + +The officer obeyed, and Hal placed himself on guard. But, taking the +weapon by the blade, the German extended the hilt to Hal. + +"I surrender," he said. + +The lad took the extended sword, and then passed it back to the officer. + +"Keep your sword, sir," he said. + +The German glanced at him a moment in silence; then took the sword. + +"You are a generous enemy, sir," he said. "You will have no occasion to +regret your confidence in me." + +"I am sure of it, sir," was the lad's answer. "You are at liberty to +leave at any time you choose." + +The officer scrutinized Hal closely. + +"You are a gallant lad," he said finally. "There are few men who could +have done what you have. I hope that we may meet again." + +Turning, with a polite bow, first to Edna and then to Hal, he made his +way from the house and was gone. + +"How is Chester?" was Hal's first question, after the German had +departed. + +"He has recovered consciousness," replied the girl. "He is badly wounded, +but I believe he will be all right in a few days. Bento, who has some +knowledge of medicine, is attending him." + +Hal hurried to the room upstairs where Chester had been carried. Chester, +lying in bed, greeted him with a smile. + +"You certainly have all the luck!" he exclaimed. "Here I was unable to +walk while you were doing all the fighting." + +"Never mind that," replied Hal. "How do you feel? Are you in pain?" + +"Not much, now," was the reply. "Bento is quite a surgeon. He has +fixed me up to the queen's taste. It appears the ball glanced off my +third rib." + +"But you won't be able to travel!" + +"I am afraid not. I am so weak I cannot stand. But you must go on just +the same." + +"What! And leave you here?" + +"Of course. I shall be perfectly safe here, more so than you will be on +the road. I wish I could go with you, but I am afraid it will be a day or +two before I can walk." + +"Then I shall wait for you." + +"What! Then how about the letter to General Givet, at Louvain?" + +"It will have to wait." + +Chester raised himself feebly on one elbow and looked at Hal in surprise. + +"A fellow like you to say a thing like that?" he exclaimed. "That letter +must be delivered at once. You and I are of secondary importance. If you +had been wounded instead of me I should have gone on without you, much as +I should have hated to do so. The letter must be delivered immediately." + +"You are right, as usual," replied Hal, after a pause. "The letter must +come first. But I hate to leave you here alone." + +"Alone?" exclaimed Edna, who up to this time had remained silent. "Do not +I count for something?" + +"I beg your pardon," said Hal. "I spoke thoughtlessly. I am sure he will +receive the best of attention at your hands." + +"There is no question about that," replied Chester. + +"Well, I must be going, then," said Hal. "I have delayed too long +already." + +"You will stop by on your return, will you not?" asked the girl. + +"Yes, if I come this way; and I see no reason why I should not." + +"I shall be ready to travel when you return," said Chester. + +"All right," replied Hal. "But, if I have not returned in three days, you +will know something has happened to me, and you will make your way back +to Liège alone." + +Chester agreed to this, the two lads shook hands, and Hal left the house +and set out upon his journey to Louvain. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. + + +Although it had been a trying morning for Hal, and he was very tired, the +lad continued on his way as swiftly as possible. From time to time, as he +hastened along, he heard the sound of distant firing, and he proceeded +with the greatest caution; but he encountered no more of the enemy. + +It was late afternoon when he made out in the distance the town of +Louvain. He quickened his pace, and soon came upon the outposts. + +"I have a communication for General Givet," he told the soldier who +stopped him. + +The soldier lowered the weapon, with which he had barred the lad's +progress, and called a nearby officer. The latter led Hal to the +general's quarters. + +Hal gave General Givet the letter, and stood at attention. The general +read in silence. Then he turned to Hal. + +"All right," he said briefly, signifying that Hal might go. + +"But, general," said the lad, "I was ordered to bring back your answer." + +The general looked at him in surprise. + +"Do you mean you intend to go back to-night?" he demanded. + +"I thought I would start along about midnight," replied Hal. "I would +sleep until that time." + +The general was silent for some moments, musing. + +"You are a brave lad," he said, at last. "I had figured on sending my +answer by another courier; but perhaps your plan is better. You may +report to me at midnight, and I shall have the answer ready." + +Hal saluted and turned to leave the hut. + +"Wait a minute," commanded the general. "Tell me something of yourself. +How comes it that you, an American, I take it, have been selected for +such perilous work? Why, you cannot be more than eighteen years old." + +"Seventeen, general," replied Hal, with a smile; and then he told the +Belgian officer of his experiences since leaving Berlin. + +The old general was amazed. + +"Remarkable! remarkable!" he repeated, time after time. + +Finally he called an officer, and commanded that the latter find Hal a +place to sleep. + +"Remember, midnight," called the general, as Hal was leaving the hut. + +Hal saluted again. + +"Yes, general," he replied, and followed the young officer. + +Promptly at midnight Hal, greatly refreshed by a sound sleep and hearty +meal, once more entered the general's quarters and came to attention. + +"The answer you are to carry back is simply: 'I shall act upon your +plan,'" said General Givet. "Good luck to you on your journey, and I have +only one command: Make all possible haste." + +Hal saluted and set out on his return, journey to Liège. + +It was early morning when he came once more to the farmhouse where he had +fought so nobly the day before. His fear for Chester's safety increased +as he approached, and it was not without some misgiving that he ascended +the porch steps and knocked softly at the door. + +He heard a light footstep within, the door swung open, and Edna peered +forth at him. + +"What! Back so soon?" she exclaimed gladly. + +"Yes, I made pretty good time. How is Chester?" + +Hal's doubts were soon set at rest. + +"He is much better this morning than could have been expected," replied +the girl. "He ate a hearty breakfast, and says he is feeling fine." + +Hal followed her up the steps to where Chester lay, impatiently +awaiting his coming. Edna went downstairs to see about getting him +something to eat. + +"Will you be able to leave to-day?" asked Hal, of Chester. + +"I am ready to go right now. I am still weak, but I am sure I can make it +all right. I'm bandaged up fine." + +"You are sure you are feeling fit?" + +"Certainly. Besides, I don't want to be left behind again. You are having +all the fun. I want to get in on a little of it myself." + +And so it was arranged that the boys should leave immediately after +luncheon. They sought long and earnestly during the morning to prevail +upon Edna to accompany them, or to make her way to Louvain; but she +declared her intention of remaining where she was. + +"I am much safer here than I should be on the road," she said. "No one +will harm me. Besides, I must take care of the house." + +Unable to shake her determination, the boys gave up the attempt, and for +the rest of the morning the three chatted pleasantly. + +Luncheon over, the boys immediately prepared to fare forth again. Edna +accompanied them to the bottom of the steps, where they said good-by. + +"Come and see me again," she urged, as they shook hands with her. "You +are always welcome here." + +"We certainly shall," cried both lads together, as they started upon +their way. + +Chester was still weak, but he walked along wonderfully well, considering +the nature of his wound. Still, it was plain to Hal that every step cost +him an effort, and their progress was necessarily slow. + +All afternoon they plodded onward without encountering the enemy, and +soon after nightfall came upon the place where the Belgian outposts +had been stationed the night before. The signs of a struggle were +plainly evident. + +"There has been a battle here," remarked Hal, after inspecting the +ground. + +"There is no doubt about that," returned Chester, "and the Belgians have +been driven back. We shall have to be careful." + +They were proceeding on their way more cautiously than before, when from +ahead there suddenly came the sound of trampling hoofs. + +"A Belgian reconnoitering party, I guess," said Hal. "We are safe +enough now." + +Presently a body of horsemen came into view. The lads continued +toward them, and the horsemen were but a few yards away, when Chester +cried suddenly: + +"They're Germans!" + +It was true. It was a squadron of Uhlans, returning from a reconnaissance +of the Belgian position. + +It was too late for the boys to run. The cavalry was upon them. The lads +stepped to the side of the road, and continued on their way apparently +unconcerned. A German officer stopped them. + +"Who are you?" he demanded. "What are you doing here?" + +"We are American boys," replied Hal, "and are making our way to Liège." + +"Well, you won't get to Liège to-night. Turn about and march the +other way." + +There was nothing to do but obey. With a sinking sensation in their +hearts the lads about-faced and headed toward the great German camp. For +a long time, it seemed to them, they were marched along slowly, and +finally the first huts of the German army came into view. + +"I am afraid our mission is a failure," whispered Hal, as the two lads +were led to a hut and placed under heavy guard. + +"It looks that way," Chester agreed; "but we must hope for the best. It +may be lucky for us that we have no papers on us." + +"What are they going to do with us?" Hal asked one of their guards. + +"Shoot you in the morning, I suppose," was the answer. "Persons found +between the two armies in civilian clothes cannot hope for mercy." + +"But we are not spies!" cried Chester. + +"Perhaps not; but I don't believe that will make any difference." + +The guard would talk no more. + +"Our only chance is that they believe we were trying to get to Liège +simply to get out of the country," whispered Chester. "If they knew we +were just returning from a mission, we would be bound to die." + +"Looks to me as though we were bound to die, no matter what they know," +was the reply. + +The boys got little sleep that night. They realized just how near they +were to death, and, while their courage never faltered, they nevertheless +had practically given up all hope. + +At the first streak of dawn they were led to the quarters of the +division commander, and their case was disposed of with remarkable +rapidity. Their protests availed nothing, and they were sentenced to be +taken out and shot. + +With a firm step the two lads walked to the place of execution, +surrounded by their guards. But the hearts of both were heavy. + +"I wish I could have seen mother once more," said Hal softly. + +Chester gave his chum's hand a slight squeeze. + +"Well, it can't be helped now," he replied, with an attempt to appear +cheerful. "But come, brace up; if we must die, we will die bravely." + +"You are right," said Hal, brushing the tears from his eyes with a +rapid movement. + +With heads erect, the two lads marched on. + +At that moment a group of German officers approached on horseback. They +eyed the two captives, and suddenly one left his companions and rode over +to the firing squad. The officer in command of the squad halted his men +and saluted. + +"What have we here?" demanded the newcomer. + +"Two spies, sir," was the reply. "They were taken between the lines, and +have been ordered shot." + +"These two boys are my business," declared the mounted officer, a note of +authority in his voice. "Their execution is stayed. Take them to my +headquarters." + +"But, general--" began the officer in charge of the squad. + +The general raised a hand imperiously. + +"There are no 'buts,'" he said. "You have heard my command. Obey it." + +Hal and Chester were dumfounded. As their guards turned and marched them +in the direction of the general's quarters, Hal asked of Chester: + +"Do you remember him?" + +Chester nodded in the affirmative. + +For the German officer who had thus saved them from death before a firing +squad was none other than the officer whom they had encountered in the +station at Berlin, the man who had threatened to have Hal whipped for +accidentally bumping into him, and had pushed him from the train. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +A FRIEND IN NEED. + + +"What do you suppose is going to happen now?" asked Chester breathlessly. + +"It's too deep for me," replied Hal. "I can't imagine what he +wants with us." + +"But who is he? That's what I would like to know," demanded Chester. + +"I haven't the faintest idea, but he must be someone of importance." + +"Oh, he's important enough, all right. You noticed his command was +obeyed." + +"Well, I guess we shall find out in good time who he is," returned Hal. + +The lads were taken to a large hut in the center of a great camp. The hut +was luxuriously appointed, and it was plainly evident that the man who +had saved them was one of the foremost of the huge German host. + +The general himself had not arrived yet. But, after a long wait, he came +in, alone. He motioned their guards away, and then turned on the boys +with a scowl. + +"Do you remember me?" he demanded. + +The two lads nodded affirmatively. They were, for the moment, +beyond speech. + +"And I remember you," went on the general. "You," he continued, pointing +to Hal, "are the American upstart who almost knocked me over in the +station at Berlin. I said I would have you whipped. Well, my time has +come. Now, you just sit quiet," he said loudly, as Hal and Chester took a +step forward. "I will write out your sentence right now," and he turned +toward a table. + +"I won't be whipped!" cried Hal to Chester. "They will have to kill +me first!" + +The general paid no attention to this remark, but continued to write in +silence. Finally he arose, with a paper in his hand. + +"Here is your sentence," he said, turning to Hal. "Read, and see what you +think of it." + +Hal took the paper the general extended to him. As he read an expression +of amazement passed over his face. + +Hal passed the paper to Chester without a word, and, as Chester read, he +also grew amazed. And no wonder. + +For what the general had written was a safe-conduct for both lads to the +Belgian lines; and the signature at the bottom was that of General Count +Von Moltke, commander-in-chief of all the German armies! + +Hal stepped forward. + +"General," he stammered, "we--I--we don't know how to thank you." + +The general raised a hand and said gruffly: + +"Never mind that." The faint shadow of a smile flitted over his stern +countenance. "I suppose," he continued, "that you are wondering why I do +this, after what occurred in the station at Berlin. It is so, is it not?" + +"It is very strange," muttered Chester, and Hal nodded his head in +assent. + +"Well, I'll tell you," said the general. "You remember when I pushed you +away from the train?" he queried, turning to Hal. + +Hal nodded. + +"When I turned round after that, feeling greatly pleased with myself, I +noticed, for the first time, the presence of a lady in my compartment. +She looked at me in the greatest contempt. It confused me; and I am not +easily confused. + +"Then she told me that she was your mother, and, you may believe, berated +me most wonderfully. She didn't cry, nor go into hysterics, which made a +great impression on me. Most mothers would. I felt decidedly +uncomfortable. + +"I realized that I had acted like a boor. We had gone some distance, but +I had the train stopped and backed into the station. You were not there. +I telephoned your ambassador. You had been there and gone. We were unable +to find you. + +"I prevailed upon your mother to continue her journey to Brussels. I +issued an order to all my generals to keep a lookout for you and give you +safe-conduct into Belgium. It seems, however, that none of them +recognized you, or that you kept out of sight. + +"I promised your mother I would get you out of the country in some way, +and she was greatly relieved. She knew I would do it. That's all there is +to the story. Now, I don't know what you lads were doing when you were +captured, and I don't want to know. If you are mixed up in this war in +any way, I don't want to know anything about it; but, if you are, take my +advice and go home to America. As I say, I don't want to know what you +have been doing since you left Berlin. It might force me to change my +attitude. I promised your mother I would get you out of Germany, and I +shall do it." + +Hal and Chester were greatly surprised by this recital, and both boys +thanked the general as well as they could. + +The general stepped to the entrance of his hut, and raised his hand. An +officer entered and came to a salute. + +"I have given these two lads safe-conduct into the Belgian lines," said +the general. "See that they get there in safety." + +"Yes, general," said the officer. + +The general turned to the two boys. + +"You would better go now," he said. + +He extended his hand, and both boys grasped it heartily. + +"Good luck to you," he called, as they followed the officer from the hut; +"my regards to your mother." + +And that was the last the boys saw of the commander-in-chief of all the +armed hosts of Germany. + +Straight through the great German camp the officer led the boys swiftly. +At the farthest outposts he halted, and signaled another officer. + +"Lieutenant," he commanded, "take a flag of truce and escort these +boys to the Belgian lines. They have been given safe-conduct by +General Von Moltke." + +The officer saluted, and the boys followed him. Under a flag of truce +they traversed the distance between the Belgian lines. + +Out of danger at last, the two lads hastened to the quarters of +the commanding general, and reported. The general was genuinely +glad to see them. + +"I had about given you up for lost," he said. "But you have arrived in +the nick of time. A concerted German advance is expected momentarily, and +without the reply you have brought we would have been at a great +disadvantage." + +Their mission successfully completed, the lads now hunted up Captain +Derevaux. They found the young captain in his quarters. He jumped up as +the two boys entered, ran hurriedly forward and greeted them effusively. + +"Believe me, I am glad to see you again," he exclaimed. "I had made +certain I would never see you alive." + +"Oh, we are hard to get rid of," replied Hal, with a smile. "I guess +we'll continue to stick around for some time yet." + +"Well, you don't know how glad I am to see you back safely," continued +the Frenchman. "But come in and tell me all about your journey." + +For a long time the three talked; and then Hal bethought himself to ask +concerning the situation in Liège. + +"We are expecting an attack in force at almost any minute," explained the +young captain; "and we are prepared to give a good account of ourselves. +In spite of the fact that we are sure to be greatly outnumbered, there is +no doubt that we can hold the forts. Of the city itself, I am not so +certain, although these Belgians will fight to the last. + +"Everything that can be done to strengthen our position has already been +done, and all we can do now is to wait for the attack that must come +soon. Already the German forces have delayed longer than had been +anticipated, but every hour of delay makes our position that much +stronger. + +"British troops have been landed in France, and French and English both +are hurrying to the support of the Belgians. It is impossible for them to +arrive in time to take part in the coming fight, but it is the plan of +the Belgians to delay the German advance as long as possible. Believe me, +the Germans will find the Belgian defense such a stumbling-block as they +have not counted upon." + +"There is no question that they will fight to the last?" asked Hal. + +"Not the slightest," was the reply, "Their resentment of the violation of +Belgian neutrality knows no bounds. They will fight to the last drop of +blood in them." + +"Then I suppose the battle of Liège will be one of the bloodiest in +history," declared Chester. + +"Undoubtedly," replied the captain; "and, if I mistake not, it is only a +matter of hours until it begins. The troops are sleeping on their arms, +and at the first word of a German advance the entire Belgian army will be +hurled into the battle." + +"Do you really believe the Belgians will be able to check the +German advance?" + +"I do. These great steel forts are practically impregnable. They can +successfully withstand the fire of the big German guns for weeks; and for +the Germans to try and take them by storm will mean annihilation. But a +successful charge would put the city proper into their hands." + +"But in that event is there any likelihood of the forts surrendering?" + +"I think not. In fact, I am positive of it. But come, boys, we have +talked enough, and it is getting late. I guess we would better turn in. +There is no telling when we may get to sleep again." + +Accordingly, almost fully dressed, the three threw themselves down, and +soon were fast asleep. + +To Hal and Chester it seemed they had hardly closed their eyes when they +were rudely awakened. It was the sound of a cannon that had aroused them, +but for the moment they could not tell what it was. + +The boys sat up and rubbed their eyes sleepily. Outside it was light. The +gray dawn crept through the entrance, dispelling the shadows of the +darkened hut. + +"What was it?" cried Chester. + +And, even as he spoke, it came again, the heavy boom of a single huge +cannon, followed almost immediately by the crash of thousands upon +thousands of rifles. The machine and rapid-fire guns broke loose with +their leaden messengers of death, and a bugle sounded: + +"To arms!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE BATTLE. + + +Captain Derevaux, who had been sleeping soundly, sprang to his feet, +picked up his sword and pistols, and, without even a word to Hal and +Chester, dashed from the hut. + +"The battle has begun!" cried Hal. + +"Come!" exclaimed Chester. "Let's get to some place where we can see. I +can't stay here!" + +"Nor I!" cried Hal. "Come on!" + +The two lads hurried from the hut. As they emerged, a troop of Belgian +cavalry swept past them, on the way to the front. The boys followed as +rapidly as possible in its wake. Presently they came to a small hill. +Climbing to the top, they found they could command a good view of the +advancing German columns, which they could see in the distance, and which +were even now almost close enough to grapple hand-to-hand with the +horsemen swooping down on them. + +All along the German front the Belgian cavalry hurled itself upon the +advancing foe. They met with a crash, and horses and riders went down in +heaps. For a moment the Germans gave way. For a moment they recoiled, and +then they sprang forward again. + +The charge of the Belgian cavalry was magnificent, but it was in vain. +The German forces pressed onward, and the cavalry was forced back, +cutting and slashing as it slowly retreated. Under a withering fire, that +suddenly broke out all along the German front, the horsemen fell by +hundreds. It was more than flesh and blood could stand. A retreat was +sounded, and the cavalry fell back upon its support. But, even as they +drew off, there burst from the German front the sharp roar of the +mitrailleuse. The German maxims had opened fire. The Belgians fell faster +than before. + +And now the Germans were ordered to charge. Squadron upon squadron raced +over the open ground in a mad dash toward the Belgian line; and as they +charged, the rapid-fire guns of the great forts poured forth their +answer. Great holes were cut in the German columns, and men and horses +were mowed down like chaff. + +And still the Germans came on. + +Suddenly a fierce rifle fire broke out all along the Belgian front, even +as the rapid-firers continued to belch forth their messengers of death. +Men reeled and fell in masses. The Germans wavered, halted, then +retreated. A great shout went up from the Belgian lines. + +Under the support of their own field batteries, the Germans reformed for +a second charge. As before, the defenders waited until they were close, +then poured in a deadly fire. The Germans staggered, then sprang forward. +A second volley greeted them, and a second time the Germans wavered, +halted and retreated. A third time they charged, with the same result. + +All this time a long-range artillery duel was in progress, whatever +advantage there was resting with the Belgians. Shot and shell poured into +the oncoming solid ranks of the German infantry, cutting great gaps in +their ranks; but these quickly filled up again, and the Germans continued +their steady advance. + +All this Hal and Chester saw, and more. For they could see, to the left, +the successful advance of the enemy, as it moved upon the town of Liège. +In vain the Belgians charged upon the advancing line and poured in shot +and shell. The Germans came on. To the right the Germans also were +pushing slowly, but surely, forward. + +"It is terrible! terrible!" said Chester, with a shudder, as he watched +men fall right and left. + +"Horrible!" agreed Hal. "But come. We must move. It is as Captain +Derevaux said. The Belgians will be unable to hold the town. They must +retire upon the forts; and we had better retire before them." + +The boys descended from their position of vantage and made their way to +the nearest fort, which they were allowed to enter upon informing an +officer of their connection with the Belgian army, just as the Belgian +troops withdrew from their positions in front of the city and fell back +upon the forts. + +Liège was left at the mercy of the Germans. + +For some minutes thereafter there was a lull, as when a great storm dies +down, only to begin again with greater fury. The enemy's left wing, which +was nearest the fort in which the boys had taken refuge, could be seen +forming for a charge, while from the fort a rain of lead continued to +fall upon them. Although men were falling on every hand, the Germans +formed without the least confusion. + +Then came the order for the charge. From five different points the enemy +hurled itself forward upon the fort; nor did the hail of lead stop them. +Closer and closer they approached, the five sections of cavalry drawing +nearer together as they did so, so that when they were within striking +distance they were almost in solid formation. In their rear the infantry, +supported by field guns, already had formed for an advance. + +The Uhlans must be driven back at all hazards, and an order rang out from +the Belgian commander. + +There sallied forth a body of Belgian cavalry and the few French that +remained of the French Lancers who had borne the brunt of the fighting in +the battle in which Hal and Chester had distinguished themselves. In the +center of these Hal and Chester recognized Captain Derevaux, his sword +flashing aloft. + +"He is a grand soldier!" whispered Hal to Chester softly. "A brave man, +indeed. France may well be proud of him!" + +"There can be none better," answered Chester. "May he come through the +battle safely!" + +Now the Belgians and French charged, and the fighting was hand-to-hand, +while over the struggling horsemen the guns from the fort poured death +into the ranks of the advancing German infantry. + +The cavalry of the two armies had met so close to the fort that, with a +glass he picked up, Hal could distinguish the faces of the combatants. +And again, so close was the fighting that the guns of the fort could not +be brought to bear on the German cavalry for fear of killing friend as +well as foe; but they continued to deal death to the infantry. + +Looking through his glass, Hal sought out the form of Captain Derevaux. +Finally he espied him, right where the fighting was fiercest and men +dropped fastest. + +Hither and thither rode the gallant young Frenchman, striking, +thrusting, parrying, now raising his revolver for a snap shot, the while +urging his men on. + +"If he gets out alive it will be a miracle!" cried Hal, passing the glass +to Chester. + +Chester put the glass to his eyes and looked toward the field of battle. + +"By Jove!" he muttered. "He is magnificent!" + +At that moment the captain's horse went down, but, with a quick movement +of his arm, guarding his head from a saber stroke, the young Frenchman +seized the bridle of a riderless animal, and with a single movement swung +himself to the back of his new charger. In another moment he was once +more in the middle of the fighting, dealing out death on every hand. + +The Germans gave way, slowly at first, then faster; and at length they +turned and fled. As they did so, the guns from the fort poured a hail of +lead into them, mowing them down as they retreated. The Belgian cavalry +retired to the support of the fort. The German charge had failed! + +And now messages filtered in from other parts of the field. The +Belgians had been successful all along the line, with the exception of +one point, which had permitted the Germans to enter the city of Liège. +The losses of the Germans had been appalling; those of the Belgians +comparatively light. + +"Can the Belgians fight?" asked Hal, when the Germans had withdrawn. "Can +they fight? Well--" + +His silence was more expressive than words. + +"It's too bad we were unable to take part in the battle," declared +Chester. "It certainly gives me a restless feeling to sit here and look +on while others are doing all the fighting." + +"It does make a fellow feel a little queer," Hal replied. "But, supposing +we had been in that charge--where would we be now?" + +Chester shrugged his shoulders. + +"Perhaps here, and then again--perhaps, some place else," he answered. +"Who knows?" + +"Neither you nor I, surely," replied Hal. "But think of the dead and +dying on the field out there. War is a terrible thing!" + +"It is," declared Chester; "and the more I see of it the more I realize +that fact. But come. Let us see if we can find the captain." + +It was almost an hour later before they accidentally ran across him, and +the young Frenchman carried his arm in a sling. + +"It looks as though I am likely to be on the hospital list for a few +days," said the captain, smilingly. + +"It's a wonder to me your name is not on the death list," replied +Chester. + +"Indeed it is," agreed Hal. "We watched you through a glass from the +fort. Your action was magnificent. France can well be proud of you. +Believe me, you will not remain a captain long." + +"As for that," replied the young Frenchman, "I have just learned that I +have been recommended for promotion." + +The boys congratulated him, but he waved them aside laughingly. + +"It is no more than you would do for your own America," he declared; "no, +nor no more than you both did only the other day. Whatever I do," he +added softly, "I do for France!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE DEATH OF A HERO. + + +For almost a week now the strong Liège fortresses had withstood the +fierce bombardment of the great German guns. Attack after attack had been +beaten back, with heavy losses to both sides. Time after time the German +cavalry had charged, only to be hurled back by the fierce and deadly fire +of the Belgians. + +But the forts had not gone unscathed. The heavy German guns had done +great damage to the fortifications behind which Hal and Chester had taken +shelter, and the possibility was now being seriously considered as to +whether the fort could withstand another assault. + +General Simon, the commander of the fort, had decided in his own mind to +blow it up rather than surrender it to the enemy. Many prisoners had +been captured by the defenders, and these crowded the fort, occupying +every inch of available space. And now the next assault of the Germans +was at hand. + +Day and night the bombardment of the fort had continued. Under the +protection of the heavy cannonading, the Germans moved once more to the +attack. Three times did the enemy charge heroically, and as many times +were they driven back, with fearful losses. With the fall of darkness +they had given up the attempt to take the fort by storm. + +But the Belgian commander knew that the Germans would come again on the +morrow; and he also knew that he could not hold forth against them. He +made his plans accordingly. + +Under cover of the darkness he had his prisoners marched to the nearest +fort, more than a mile away. Then he ordered all civilians to the safety +of the other fortifications. + +His plans for keeping his fortifications from falling into the hands of +the enemy already made, he set about fulfilling them. He examined the +magazine and had everything in readiness. Then he ordered all his troops +to report to the general commanding the nearest fortress, placed a fuse +to the magazine, lighted it, and sat down to wait. + +Hal and Chester, strolling about the fort, in some unaccountable manner +had been left behind. Suddenly, for the first time, they noted the utter +desolation of the place. + +"Strange," muttered Hal. "Where has everyone gone?" + +"You've got me," declared Chester, "but there must be someone around some +place. Let's go up to the general's quarters." + +Now, when the soldiers and civilians had been ordered to leave the fort, +no one knew it was General Simon's intention of blowing it up. They +thought he was abandoning it because he believed it no longer capable of +resistance. But the commander had planned more deeply and heroically. He +did not intend the fort to fall into the hands of the enemy, that they +might repair it and turn its guns against his countrymen. + +"A German flag shall never wave over this fort," he had muttered +to himself. + +The general was sitting calmly at his desk, awaiting the end, when the +lads entered his room. He sprang to his feet with an exclamation. + +"Leave the fort instantly!" he commanded. "Waste a moment and you are as +good as dead!" + +Hal and Chester stared at him in surprise. + +"I have fired the magazine, and the fort will be blown to pieces in a few +minutes," said the general hastily. "Fly for your lives!" + +"But you, general?" demanded Hal, quietly. + +"I? I shall die at my post! But go, instantly! You have not a +moment to lose!" + +"We shall go when you do, general!" said Chester. + +The old commander whipped a revolver from the table before him. He +leveled the weapon at Hal. + +"If you do not go immediately, I shall fire!" he threatened. + +Hal smiled. + +"The result would be no different than that of the explosion," he said +quietly. "Come with us. We have still a chance of escape." + +The general lowered his pistol. + +"You are right," he said. "But here," a sudden thought having come to +him. "I have still a message for the Belgian people." + +He sat down and wrote rapidly. Rising, he handed Hal a paper. + +"See that this reaches the commander of Fort No. 5!" he ordered. "You +have my command! See that it is carried out! Go!" + +"That is simply a ruse to get rid of us, general," said Chester. + +The general whirled upon him. + +"I am still the commander of this fort!" he cried. "Obey my command!" + +The boys saluted the gallant old general for the last time; then they +turned on their heels and left him, alone. + +Once out of his room, they ran for the outer wall of the fortification +with all speed; and they did not pause until they were far beyond the +fort. Still there was no explosion. + +"Perhaps when General Simon finds something has gone wrong, he will +follow us," said Hal hopefully. + +"He is a brave old man," replied Chester. "Let us hope he thinks better +of his decision while there is yet time." + +But, hardly had the words left his mouth, when there was a terrific +roar, followed by a great flash of light. Turning, the boys saw the +fort leap into the air as though it were some live thing. High in the +air it burst and spread like a huge skyrocket; and then for miles +around there descended pieces of iron, great lumps of steel, like rain +from the heavens. + +Great pieces of these fell on all sides of the boys, but, as though by a +miracle, they were unharmed. + +Hal lifted his cap from his head, and looked for a long time toward the +spot where the great fort had stood. + +"A brave soldier and a gallant gentleman!" he said finally. "May he rest +in peace!" + +"Aye!" replied Chester softly. "He has given his life for his country!" + +Slowly the boys resumed their walk to the other fortress. Great +excitement prevailed. The appalling loss of the great fort, and the +unaccountable absence of General Simon were causing great anxiety and +speculation. The general belief was that the fort had been destroyed by a +German shell. + +In Fort No. 5 the boys made their way at once to the quarters of the +commander. They were admitted into his presence almost immediately. +Silently Hal handed him the last words written by the heroic general. +Gravely the commander glanced over the paper; then read aloud to the +members of his staff, who surrounded him: + +"I regret I have but one life to give for my country!" + +Every officer in the room rose and bared his head. There was silence for +some minutes; then the commander of the fort said quietly: + +"Peace be with him! On the next roll call he shall be marked: 'Absent but +accounted for.' He is with the heroes!" + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +A RACE FOR LIFE. + + +Hal and Chester walked slowly along the road. It was just beginning to +grow light and the lads were tired out. All night they had been on their +journey toward Louvain, carrying a second communication to General Givet +from the Belgian commander at Liège. + +Unlike their previous trip, the country now was known to be overrun by +Germans, and their second mission was much more perilous than had been +their first. For this reason they had taken a different route, and so did +not pass the farmhouse where Chester had been wounded some days before. + +"What is that ahead?" asked Chester suddenly. + +Hal strained his eyes, peering into the distance. + +"I don't know," he replied. + +They continued their advance, and suddenly Chester exclaimed: + +"Why, it looks like an old-time provision wagon." + +"So it is," replied Hal; "I wonder what it can be doing here?" + +As the boys drew nearer they perceived their surmise had been correct. A +dilapidated old wagon it was, standing beside the road. To it were +hitched two mules. There was not a soul about. + +"I thought these things had gone out of date," said Hal, indicating the +wagon. "It looks like an old prairie schooner." + +"It certainly does," answered Chester. "The only reason I can account for +such a relic being in use is that every available vehicle has been +impressed into service." + +"I suppose that is the reason, but it certainly reminds me of the wild +and woolly days we have read about in America. If this is not a +regulation prairie schooner, I never saw one." + +And indeed it seemed that the lads were right. The wagon was covered +with a canvas top, which came down over the back, leaving a little +opening in the rear. + +"What is the reason we can't get in this thing and ride?" asked Chester. + +"I can see none," was Hal's reply. "We might as well do it. Then, too, we +can make better time." + +Accordingly the lads climbed in, and soon were riding slowly along the +road. When about five or six miles from Louvain, Hal, glancing behind, +saw three horsemen approaching. + +He grabbed Chester by the arm. + +"Look there!" he said, pointing. + +"Germans, by George!" exclaimed Chester, who was driving, and he +immediately started the mules on a dead run. + +"Hold on," said Hal; "maybe they are Belgians." + +"No, no," replied Chester. "I know they are Germans!" + +"Well," replied Hal, "I am going to see," and, stepping out on the +footboard and holding to the side of the wagon, he looked back over the +top of the wagon. The horsemen were closer now, and Hal could make out +their uniforms. + +"They are Germans, aren't they?" asked Chester. + +"Yes," replied Hal, "and they are coming like the wind!" + +"Well," said Chester, "maybe we can get away. You do what fighting is +necessary, and I'll do the driving." + +"All right," said Hal. Crawling back in the wagon, he drew his two +revolvers, and in response to his command, Chester turned his two pistols +over to him also. + +Hal had hardly reached his place at the back of the wagon when Chester, +between yells to the mules, cried out: + +"How far off are they now, Hal?" + +Hal answered him as well as he could, and Chester renewed his lashing of +the mules and his yelling. + +Once more Chester inquired the distance between pursued and pursuing, +but, before Hal could answer, two shots were fired from behind, +accompanied by a shouted command to halt. The bullets from the rifles +passed through the wagon between the two lads, but did no damage; and +almost instantly the Germans charged down on them. Three shots rang out +as they passed the wagon, but the boys were not touched. + +The Germans passed on, and then, circling back, prepared for another +charge. Hal had fired at them several times, but, owing to the bumping of +the wagon, his shots had not found a mark. But, if the bumping of the +wagon had spoiled his aim, it had probably saved the lads' lives, for it +made accurate shooting by the Germans impossible. + +Down came the Germans again, shooting as they passed by. And again the +boys were unharmed. Hal and Chester were now yelling at the top of their +voices--why, they never knew. + +Hal, crawling to the back end of the wagon and, looking out, saw the +Germans ready to charge down on them again. One man, however, was jogging +along close behind the wagon, his revolver held in his hand. + +As Hal looked out, the German stopped his horse and fired. Hal dodged +back sideways. The bullet whizzed through the hole in the canvas in the +rear, grazed Hal's head, and struck the back of the seat near Chester. +Chester did not even turn, but, with cries and blows, continued to urge +the mules on. + +As quick as he could, Hal rushed to the hole and fired at his opponent, +but failed to hit him. At the same instant another bullet came through +the side of the wagon, and struck his revolver, and the weapon fell to +the road. Hal dodged back inside. + +Then the Germans bore down on them again, firing into the wagon as they +passed it. Hal sprang to the front of the wagon. One German had stopped +and was taking aim at Chester. Hal raised his revolver, and, taking a +snap shot, fired. The bullet went true, and the German fell to the road. + +"I've hit one of them, Chester!" called Hal. + +"Bully for you!" came back the response, and Chester continued to ply his +whip on the backs of the galloping mules. + +Once more the remaining two Germans turned and came back, but this time +they did not fire as they passed the wagon. Hal rushed back to the rear +of the wagon and looked out.... One German rode close behind and to the +right of the wagon. + +Bracing himself, Hal quickly stuck his revolver through the hole, but +before he could fire, the German flopped over on one side of his horse, +and all that could be seen of him was his arm around the animal's neck, +and from the knee down, one leg. + +Hal did not fire, but waited for him to come up--he could almost hit the +horse's head with his hand, so closely was he running. Suddenly he saw +his enemy's hand move, and he dodged back just in time. A bullet sped +past his head. + +Up came the German, and Hal stuck his revolver through the hole, and, +without taking aim, fired. The ball struck the German in the breast, and, +with a cry, he threw up his hands, and toppled from his horse. + +"I got another one, Chester!" cried Hal. + +"Good!" came the reply, but Chester was too busy to say more. + +The bullet with which Hal had disposed of the second German had been his +last, and the boys were now without firearms. + +Along they bowled, and once more the last German passed the wagon. He had +learned the boys were without weapons. But the German now had also +disposed of his last cartridge, so the lads were on even terms. + +Suddenly Chester called: + +"He is crowding the mules off the road!" + +It was true. The pursuer was riding close to the mules, trying to push +them from the road. The animal on the near side was jumping frantically +and gradually pushing the other mule toward the edge of the road. + +The German kept close to the mule, in spite of several attempts Hal made +to scare him off by pointing his empty revolver at him. The German +refused to scare. + +Grasping the side of the wagon, Hal took the revolver by the barrel and +hurled it at the German. The latter tried to dodge, but it was too late. +The revolver struck him in the face, and he fell to the ground. + +He was up in a moment, however, and, picking up his sword, was soon in +the saddle again; and a moment later the mules again were being crowded +off the road. + +The German was within striking distance, but Hal had nothing with which +to hit him. His other empty revolvers had already been thrown. + +"Hit him with the whip!" he cried to Chester. "Hit him with the whip!" + +Chester, suiting the action to the word, simply diverted one of the blows +intended for the mules, and struck the German fair across the face. + +The whip had a knot on the end of it, to keep it from unraveling, and +this knot hit the German in the eye. The German dropped his sword, put +his hands to his face, and rubbed his eyes; then, putting spurs to his +horse, he made off rapidly over the road which they had come. + +The boys now caught the first glimpse of the town of Louvain, and the +glad sight of Belgian troops could be discerned--the outposts +guarding the town. + +Chester let the mules slow down. + +"That was some ride," he declared. + +"You bet," was Hal's answer. "I thought we were gone that time, sure." + +"Well, let's get out and walk the rest of the way," said Chester. "I have +had enough of this riding to last me a lifetime. The wagon jolted so much +I must be black and blue all over." + +Chester stopped the mules, and the boys climbed to the ground; and, just +as they started to resume their walk, Hal sank suddenly to the ground! + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THROUGH WALLS OF FIRE. + + +Quickly Chester bent over his friend. + +"Hal! Hal!" he cried in alarm, shaking him gently. "Tell me where you +are hurt!" + +He laid his friend's body back gently; then for the first time he noticed +that blood flowed from a wound in Hal's side. + +In vain did Chester try to bring his chum back to consciousness. The boy +lay like one dead. Finally, seeing that his efforts to revive his +companion were useless, Chester picked him up in his arms, and in this +manner started for the town. + +By pure grit Chester succeeded in carrying his burden to the Belgian +outposts, where he turned him over to a Red Cross surgeon. + +"Is he badly hurt?" the boy demanded, as the surgeon arose from examining +his chum's wound. "Will he live?" + +"It is dangerous," was the reply. "But I think he will come around all +right presently. But he has had a narrow escape. One inch higher up and +the bullet would have pierced his heart. He must be taken to the +hospital. He must have proper attention." + +Leaving his chum in good hands, Chester made his way to General Givet's +tent, where he gave him the message the boys had gone through so much to +deliver safely. Then he went to the hospital. He was permitted to see his +friend at once. + +Deathly pale, but with a smile on his face, Hal greeted his friend. +Chester sprang forward and grasped his hand. + +"Are you all right, old fellow?" he asked eagerly. + +"Fit as a fiddle," was the faint reply. + +"Why didn't you tell me you were wounded?" + +"To tell the truth, I didn't know it myself until just as I stepped from +the wagon. I can't remember when the bullet hit me, but I suppose it was +when the Germans fired through the side of the wagon. But it was weak of +me to give way as I did." + +"Weak! Great Scott! Even the surgeon is unable to see how you held out as +long as you did. You have had a mighty narrow escape, I can tell you!" + +"I guess I have," replied Hal feebly. "But anyhow it's an escape. Did you +deliver the letter to General Givet?" + +"Yes." + +At this juncture, a nurse approached. + +"You must go now," she told Chester. "Your friend must have perfect quiet +for the remainder of the day." + +"All right," replied Chester, and then turning to Hal: + +"Well, good-by, old man. I'll be here the first thing in the morning." + +"Good-by," replied Hal. "Now, don't you worry about me. I shall be +all right." + +Chester made his way from the hospital. + +"By George!" he muttered, as he walked down the street. "I wish it had +been me that was wounded instead of good old Hal. It's certainly tough on +him, but he sure does bear up bravely." + +As Chester continued down the street, he was brought to a sudden halt by +the sound of firing from the outskirts of the city; and a moment later a +mounted officer dashed through the street, shouting: + +"The Germans! The Germans are approaching!" + +People along the street took up the cry and the air was filled with the +sound of startled voices: + +"The Germans! The Germans!" + +Dashing squadrons of cavalry swept through the streets on their way to +the front; people jumped out of the way as the artillery was hurried by; +and then came columns upon columns of infantry on a quick run. + +It was plainly evident that an attack by the Germans had not been +anticipated; but now that the enemy was close at hand, everything +possible was being done for the defense of the city. + +Chester hurried in the wake of the troops, and, as he did so, the first +screaming shell burst over his head. He was hurled to the ground, but +escaped injury. The crowds that had thronged the streets a moment before +vanished as if by magic. + +The flying shells now screamed incessantly overhead. From the front +came the deafening roar of many guns, and the crash of thousands +upon thousands of rifles. Suddenly the screams of many voices rose, +as a building, not far from where Chester stood, was blown into a +million pieces. + +For a moment Chester was awe-stricken and stood still. + +"This is terrible!" he muttered to himself. "Terrible!" + +He was struck by a sudden thought. + +"Suppose one of those shells should strike the hospital?" he said to +himself. "What would happen then? What would happen to Hal?" + +Turning, he hurried back in the direction from which he had come. Was it +a premonition, or what? + +As he turned the corner and the hospital came into view, a horrible scene +met his eyes. + +The hospital was afire! A brilliant flame shot high into the air, and the +smoke poured forth in a dense volume. Even from where he stood Chester +could see that one wall of the hospital had fallen. It had crumbled under +the shock of a German shell. + +Chester dashed forward; nor did he pause or falter at the thought of +the dangers he would encounter in the burning building, but ran +rapidly up the steps and plunged into the dense cloud of smoke and the +sheet of flame. + +His sense of direction stood him in good stead now. Almost stifled, his +hands and face scorched by the intense heat, he ran up the stairs. At the +top, where the air was somewhat clearer, he paused for a moment for +breath, then dashed for the room where he knew Hal lay. + +Hal was sitting on the edge of the bed when Chester burst into the room. +He had noted the first signs of smoke, and had attempted to rise, but the +effort was beyond him. There was not another soul in the room. + +He looked up as Chester rushed in. + +"I am afraid I can't make it," he said, in a faint voice. + +"We have got to make it," replied Chester quickly. "Can you walk at all?" + +Hal shook his head. + +"I tried to," he said, "but I can hardly stand on my feet." + +"Put your arm about my shoulder!" commanded Chester. + +"It's no use," said Hal. "You can't possibly carry me out, and we shall +both perish. Save yourself while you have time!" + +"No more talk like that," commanded Chester, in a stern voice. "We go or +stay together." + +"But we cannot do it," replied Hal. "Alone you may make it; but with me +you are certain to perish. Go!" + +"Will you do as I tell you peaceably, or must I use force?" demanded +Chester. "If you don't obey me, so help me, I will knock you cold and +then carry you out. Come, which shall it be?" + +"Have your own way, then," said Hal. + +Chester stooped over and Hal put his arm about his neck; then, lifting +him up in his arms, Chester staggered through the doorway, and to the +staircase. + +But, as he was about to put his foot on the first step, there was a +terrible rumble and roar, and the steps crashed downward. The supports +had been burned away. + +By a mighty effort Chester regained his balance, and the two lads were +saved from death in the smoking ruins below by a hair's breadth. Turning, +Chester rushed toward a window and looked out. It was a long drop to the +ground below, and he saw no help in sight. + +"I told you it was no use," said Hal. "Let me go, and save yourself!" + +Chester did not reply, but laid his chum gently on the floor. Then he +dashed into the next room, returning in a moment with several sheets. + +Quickly he tore these into strips and tied them together. Then he +approached Hal and tied one end under his arms. + +"We will get out yet," he said quietly, and assisted Hal to the window. + +"Put no more strain upon your wound than necessary," he instructed +Hal. "Hold to the sheets with your hands, and it will relieve some of +the strain." + +So saying, Chester lifted Hal to the window sill, and gently lowered him +over the edge. With his feet braced against the wall, he paid out the +improvised rope slowly. + +Now the flames burst into the room in which Chester stood, but it did not +hasten the lad in his desperate work. Slowly he let the sheets slip +through his hands, that Hal's wound might not be opened afresh by any +sudden jerks; and presently the slack of the rope told him that his chum +had reached the ground. At the same moment he heard Hal's voice: + +"All right! Pull up the rope!" + +Rapidly now Chester set about saving himself. The room was a seething +mass of flames, which burned him terribly. Tying one end of his +improvised rope to a bedpost, Chester leaped to the window sill, and +began his descent. + +So fierce were the flames that the sheets lasted but a second; but, in +that time Chester had slid halfway to the ground. Then the rope broke and +he fell with a crash. He picked himself up immediately, however, and, +turning to Hal, said swiftly: + +"Quick! We must get away from here at once. The building is likely to +fall at any moment and we shall be buried beneath it." + +He stooped down. + +"Put your arms around my neck again!" he commanded. + +Hal obeyed, this time without question. + +Raising up with Hal in his arms, Chester staggered forward at a run, and +it was well that he did so. + +For at the moment he had reached a place of safety, the great building +caved in with a deafening crash. There was a roar like the roar of a +thousand guns, and, a moment later, on the spot where the hospital had +stood there was only a mass of smoking and blazing débris. + +More slowly, now, Chester continued on his way. Before him he could still +hear the thundering of many cannons as the battle progressed, but he kept +his face turned in that direction. + +In spite of the heavy burden in his arms, he made good progress; nor did +the bursting of an occasional shell nearby deter him, nor turn him from +his course. As he staggered along he passed many tumbled-down buildings +that gave evidence of the accuracy of the fire of the German gunners; and +in some places the bodies of non-combatants littered the streets. + +Straight toward the front went Chester, his face set in grim +determination. He realized that in that direction lay whatever chance +there was of safety; for even now his keen ears detected the sound of +firing from the rear, as the Germans made their attack from that +direction. + +But, even as Chester neared the outskirts of the city a great cheer rang +out from in front, and the sound of firing grew less distinct. Presently +troops began to come toward them. Victorious in front, they were now +hurrying through the city to drive off the enemy attacking from the +other side. + +Chester stopped and laid Hal down in a doorway. There the two lads +remained in silence for some time. Soon the sound of firing from the +other directions grew more faint; then ceased altogether. + +Chester put Hal in the care of a pleasant-faced Belgian woman, who came +to the door now that the battle was over, and went forth in search of +General Givet. The latter was about ready to give himself up to a +much-needed rest, but permitted Chester to enter his hut. + +"General," said Chester, passing over how he had saved Hal's life in the +hospital fire, "my friend is badly wounded, and is in a bad way. It will +be long before he recovers. I have come to ask if there is not some way +in which he can be sent out of the country, at least until he has +entirely recovered." + +The general considered. + +"There is a party leaving for Brussels to-morrow," he said finally. "You +both may go with them." + +"But it is not necessary for me to go," returned Chester. "I might be of +use to you here." + +"Would you not like to be with your friend?" asked the general. + +"I would like nothing better," replied Chester. + +"Then it shall be so," said the general. "You are both brave lads. I +shall make the necessary arrangements myself." + +Chester was in the best of spirits as he made his way from the general's +quarters and started down the street to where he had left his wounded +chum. The lad was walking slowly along, when his arm was seized from +behind. Turning, Chester beheld the face of Edna Johnson. + +"Why, how do you do!" exclaimed Chester, raising his cap. "This certainly +is a surprise. What are you doing in Louvain? I thought you had decided +to remain at the farmhouse. But what is the matter?" + +This last was called forth by the signs of distress and excitement +plainly visible on the girl's face, which Chester, in his pleasure at +seeing her again, had not perceived at first. + +"I am staying here with a friend," the girl explained rapidly. "My uncle +ordered me to leave the farmhouse and come here. I am indeed fortunate to +have encountered you." + +"Why?" demanded Chester. + +"Listen," said the girl. And, taking Chester by the arm, she bent close +to him and whispered: + +"In my friend's home there are two men, presumably civilians. But I know +better. I heard them plotting. They are going to send word to the German +commander, telling him the exact position of the Belgian troops, the weak +spots in the defense, and all other details." + +"What!" exclaimed Chester. "Spies right here in the midst of the +Belgian army?" + +"Yes," replied the girl. "I overheard them talking in the room next to +mine. I didn't stop to hear any more. I ran out of the house, and was on +my way to the general, when I saw you. Then I thought I had better tell +you what I had learned." + +"And I am glad you told me!" said Chester. "Come, lead me to the house +and I shall try and gather fuller details before reporting to the +general. It may be that there are other spies in the city, and that, by +listening, I can learn something concerning them." + +Chester for the moment put aside all thoughts of Hal. He considered it +his first duty to serve the country for which he had already gone through +so much. Hal was in good hands. So, walking slowly, Chester and Edna made +their way to the house where the girl was living. + +"I am not particularly fond of playing eavesdropper," Chester told the +girl, as he stealthily followed her up the stairs; "but it is all in the +line of duty, so I guess it is up to me." + +From Miss Johnson's room could be heard the subdued sounds of voices in +the next room. + +"Rather unthoughtful of them to discuss such business in such a place, to +say the least," remarked Chester. "Apparently they forget that even the +walls have ears." + +The lad laid his ear to the door between the two rooms. Edna stood close +behind him, and the two listened eagerly. + +"Well, then it is all settled," came a low voice from the room beyond. +"You report to the chief immediately. I'll remain here an hour, so that +we shall not arouse suspicion by going together. But tell the chief I +shall be on hand in time." + +"Good!" came the reply. "I suppose all other details have been attended +to and that the thing will be pulled off smoothly. To-morrow night should +see the end of Louvain." + +Chester straightened up. + +"I must get out of the house before he does," he told the girl. "I must +follow him." + +"But won't you be in danger?" protested Edna. "Why not report to the +general at once?" + +"No," the lad declared. "I must at least find the rendezvous." + +Quickly he slipped from the room, and stepped outside the front door just +as a door on the upper floor slammed to. + +Chester walked slowly down the street, whistling. + +"I hope he comes this way," he told himself. "Otherwise, I shall have to +do some fast walking." + +Fortune favored the boy. As he walked slowly along, a man brushed swiftly +past him. Taking care to avoid all pretense of pursuit, Chester followed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +CHESTER DISCOVERS A PLOT. + + +For half an hour the lad stalked his prey through the streets of the +city, winding about here and there until Chester had absolutely lost his +sense of direction. Several times the man turned round and glanced +furtively about, but apparently he took no notice of his shadow. + +Finally he turned into a crooked little street near the outskirts of the +city. Chester also turned the corner, just in time to see the man +descend a pair of steps into the basement of what was apparently an +unoccupied house. + +The lad hurried up and arrived in time to hear the man give a peculiar +knock at the door--one loud tap, followed by three soft taps, then +another loud one. + +Chester walked back around the corner, where he stopped to think. + +"If only I could get in there," he said to himself. "I wonder--" + +He stopped, struck by a sudden idea. + +"By Jove! I believe it can be done," he said. + +He continued to pace up and down, apparently deep in thought. +Occasionally he stopped to look in the direction from which he had +followed his prey to the rendezvous. + +After nearly an hour the lad, after a glance down the street, slipped +quietly into a doorway. Apparently the thing for which he had been +waiting was about to come to pass. + +Footsteps sounded on the street, coming closer. Save for the one lone +pedestrian, the street was deserted. The footsteps approached closer, and +Chester gathered himself for a spring. As the man came abreast of the +doorway in which the lad was hiding, Chester hurled himself upon him. +With one hand the lad clutched his victim about the throat, and with the +other he struck out heavily. There was a stifled groan, and the man fell +limp in the boy's arms. + +Glancing hurriedly about to see that there was no one in sight--no +witness to his deed--Chester dragged the man into the doorway. Here he +quickly discarded his own clothes, stripped the stranger of his outer +garments and donned them himself. + +Then tearing his own clothes into strips, he bound his victim and gagged +him, after which, now attired in his victim's clothes, he stood up and +made a search of the pockets. + +"If my surmise is correct," he said to himself, "I shall be all right." + +The hand which was exploring the inside breast pocket came forth with a +little piece of cloth. + +"Good!" the lad exclaimed. "I thought as much. I didn't believe they +would take too many chances. A stranger might get in and betray them." + +For the little piece of cloth the lad had taken from the pocket of his +newly acquired apparel was a black mask. + +"Now," said the boy to himself, "to see if I cannot find out who I am +supposed to be." + +He continued the search of the pockets. Several pieces of paper and one +or two documents he glanced at hurriedly, and restored. Finally he drew +out a paper that seemed to please him, for his face lighted up with a +smile. He glanced at the slip of paper and read aloud: + +"This is to certify that the bearer is an accredited agent of the +One King." + +At the bottom was a seal of peculiar design, but there was no signature. + +"Evidently," said the lad, "members of this gang are not known to one +another, at least all of them. They may spot me and they may not. +However, I've got to take a chance. Nothing risked, nothing gained." + +The lad stepped quickly from his place of concealment and approached +where the man he had followed had turned in more than an hour before. He +descended the steps into the basement and knocked upon the door--once +loudly, three times softly, and once loudly again. + +The door swung open before him, and a masked man peered out. Taking a +deep breath, and feeling in his pocket to make sure that his revolver was +in readiness, the lad stepped inside. The door swung to behind him. + +Chester followed the man who had opened the door down a dark hallway, and +into a dimly lighted room. Masked as he was, the boy had little fear of +being discovered, but his hand rested on his automatic in his right-hand +coat pocket. + +Inside the room Chester perceived a circle of dark faces, stretching +almost around the room. At one side, facing the circle, was a raised +platform, and on this sat a huge bulk of a man, masked, as were all +the others. + +They all rose as Chester entered the room, and without a word the boy +made his way to the one vacant seat. The conspirators then resumed their +seats, and Chester sat down also, four chairs away from where the chief +himself sat. + +"Number One," called the chief, and the man nearest him on Chester's side +arose. "What have you to report?" + +"Everything is ready, sir. As you know, I am on the staff of the Belgian +commander. With the information I shall impart to him at the proper time +to-morrow, the main force of Belgian troops will be withdrawn from the +northern part of the city and the surprise will be complete." + +"You are sure? There is no chance of failure?" + +"Not the slightest, sir." + +"Good!" said the chief, and the first man resumed his seat. + +"Number Two," called the chief, and the second man arose. + +By his first words Chester recognized the man who had first spoken at the +home of Edna Johnson. + +"And what have you to report?" demanded the chief. + +"That word has been sent to attack at five o'clock," was the reply. +"I have received an answer, showing that my message was delivered +without mishap." + +"Good!" boomed the chief again. "That is all." + +Number Two resumed his seat. + +"Number Three!" called the chief. + +The man next to Chester rose to his feet. + +"Your report," commanded the chief. + +"I have to report, sir, that the thousand men sent to me have all +arrived. They came singly, and the last one arrived shortly before I +came here. They are all armed and are quartered in vacant houses on +Brussels Street, at the southern extremity of the city. They are +awaiting the word." + +The chief nodded, and the third man sat down. + +"Number Four!" called the chief. + +Chester rose to his feet, as had the others. + +"And you, sir?" demanded the chief. "Is your report satisfactory?" + +Chester was thinking rapidly. He was in the most ticklish situation he +had ever faced, and he was fully aware of it. He knew now that there was +not one chance in a thousand of his escaping detection. But the lad did +not falter, and his right hand grasped the handle of his automatic more +firmly, as he made reply: + +"Entirely so, sir," and then paused. + +"Well, well!" shouted the chief. "Explain!" + +Chester drew a deep breath, and took a haphazard shot: + +"My men are ready to seize the entire Belgian staff, at a moment's +notice, sir." + +The confusion that broke out immediately following his words told Chester +that his shot had missed. But the boy stood his ground. There was nothing +else he could do. + +From the opposite side of the room came a cry: + +"That was the work assigned to me." + +"That is not true," was Chester's quick reply. "I was the man selected +for that work." + +The man on the other side of the room made a spring toward Chester, but +he was arrested by the commanding voice of the chief, who now stood up to +his full height, a revolver barrel gleaming in his outstretched hand. + +"There is a traitor here," said the chief calmly. "I shall be the one to +decide who it is, for you are all known to me. Unmask!" + +Every person in the room save Chester obeyed this command, and for the +fraction of a second he stood alone, his face still covered. But he stood +for a fraction of a second only. + +Then with a quick move his revolver leaped from his pocket, and there was +the sound of a shot. The chief toppled over to the floor. + +Chester leaped to one side, and with a backward sweep of his left arm +knocked the single lamp from the wall and plunged the room into darkness. + +Then he dropped to his knees. And none too soon, for twenty pistols +cracked and as many bullets went hurtling by the spot where he had stood +a moment before. + +Ten feet behind Chester was a door. He had noticed it when he first +entered the room, and had decided that there lay whatever chance he had +for safety should he be discovered. Quickly, and still stooping, he ran +toward the door. + +And even as he reached it a match flared up and a bullet whistled by his +ear. But the door was unlocked and gave before the boy's weight, and as, +after passing safely through it, he turned to close it in the faces of +his enemies, one man blocked him, his arm raised to fire. + +But Chester's revolver rang out first. The lad had fired from his hip, +and the man went sprawling. + +The lad turned his weapon on the others who now rushed toward him, and +fired three rapid shots. Then he slammed the door shut, bolted it with a +single movement, and, turning, ran along the dark passageway, at the end +of which he could discern a dim light. + +Chester wiped his brow with his hand, and his hand came away wet. Holding +it close to his eyes as he ran, Chester saw blood. A bullet had struck +him a glancing blow on the side of the head, but in the excitement of the +moment he had not realized that he was wounded. + +At the end of the passageway the lad emerged into another room. There was +not a window in the room, and, glancing hurriedly about, Chester espied a +pair of stairs. Quickly he leaped up these, and came into what apparently +at one time had been a kitchen. + +The boy's gaze roved hastily about for a means of exit. He tried the +door, but it was locked. Twice he threw his whole weight against it, but +it did not budge. He looked at the windows. For some reason, they were +heavily barred. + +Chester put the muzzle of his automatic to the keyhole of the door and +fired. The lock was blown entirely away, and the door flew open beneath +the lad's weight. + +Not hesitating, the lad leaped through the next room and sped into the +hall beyond. He could clearly see that his way now led to the front door, +and he made for it at a run. He grasped the knob and gave a quick wrench, +but the door would not open. + +He sought for the key to turn it, but there was no key. Evidently the +family, upon going away, had barred it from the outside. From behind, the +boy could hear the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps, and he knew +that every moment's delay spelled disaster and almost certain death. + +He picked up a chair, and with a single blow shattered the glass front of +the door. He drew the leg of the chair across the ragged pieces of glass +left at the bottom, and then, dropping the chair, drew himself up. + +Just as he was about to tumble out on the far side, four men dashed up +the steps with drawn revolvers. Chester took in the situation at a +glance. He was between two fires, and escape was impossible. + +"Well," he told himself quietly, "I guess it's all up with me this time." + +He dropped back inside and faced his pursuers. Throwing his now useless +revolver to the floor, he raised both hands. + +"I surrender," he said quietly. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +AT THE POINT OF DEATH. + + +Two of Chester's pursuers approached him warily with leveled revolvers, +apparently fearing a trick. Coming within striking distance, one of them +dealt the lad a heavy blow with his fist. Chester fell to the floor +without so much as a groan, unconscious. + +When the lad again opened his eyes he was once more in the council +chamber of the conspirators. In the dim light he could discern the masked +circle of faces that had gazed at him when he had entered the room for +the first time. The only difference being that there was here and there a +vacant chair. + +Chester recovered consciousness fully alert to what was going on about +him. He took in the situation at a glance, and a grim smile lighted up +his face as his eyes fell upon the vacant chairs. + +"Looks like I had done a fair job, at any rate," he told himself. + +His gaze turned toward the chief's platform. The chief was there, but his +head was swathed in bandages. + +"Too bad I missed him!" Chester muttered. "He is evidently the +ring-leader, and to have downed him would have been the proper thing." + +Any further reflections the lad might have had were interrupted by the +booming voice of the chief, who now rose to his feet. + +"Prisoner, stand up!" he commanded. + +Chester arose from the chair in which he had been seated. His arms were +bound behind him and his feet had been tied together; still he found that +he could stand. + +"Prisoner," continued the chief, "your name!" + +"Chester Crawford," was the lad's firm reply. + +"And what are you doing in Belgium in these troublous days?" + +"I am attached to the staff of the Belgian commander at Liège," was the +boy's prompt response. + +"But what are you doing in Louvain?" + +"I came here with dispatches." + +"So? And yet you are not a Belgian, I take it; nor yet, French. What, +then? An Englishman?" + +"No; I am an American," said Chester proudly. + +"An American! Then how comes it that you are fighting for the enemies +of Germany?" + +"I am proud to be fighting for what I consider the right," said +Chester simply. + +"The right!" exclaimed the chief, in a loud voice. "Well, you shall soon +see that you would have been better off had you stayed on the other side +of the Atlantic." + +Chester did not reply. + +"Do you know what we are going to do with you?" continued the chief. + +"No, and I don't care," was the lad's reply. + +"We are going to kill you," said the chief calmly. "But first you will +be given a hearing. We do not put even our enemies to death without a +fair trial." + +Chester laughed mockingly. + +"A fair trial by such as you?" he exclaimed. "That is a joke. But go +ahead with the farce, and let's have it over with as soon as possible." + +The reply was a subdued growl. + +"Why are you here, in this room?" he demanded, at length. + +"To learn the details of a plot that would deliver Louvain into the hands +of its enemies," replied Chester calmly. + +"How did you learn our rendezvous?" + +"By listening to the conversation of two of your members who were so +indiscreet as not to remember that the walls of their room might +have ears." + +"So? That shall be looked into. Such indiscretion is not to be tolerated. +But how comes it that you were able to discover the knock of admittance; +how comes it that you have a mask exactly like the rest of us?" + +"You are asking a good many questions," said Chester, "but as this +probably is my finish, I don't mind telling you. I followed one of your +members here, and overheard him knock. Then I waylaid the other and took +his mask, clothes, and credentials away from him." + +The chief looked at him in surprise. + +"And you a mere boy," he exclaimed. "You are a bold lad and 'tis a pity +you have fallen into our hands. But that is enough. You admit, then, that +you entered here to spy upon us?" + +"Certainly, with the greatest of pleasure," said Chester. "Why shouldn't +I admit it?" + +"Enough!" cried the chief, and turned to his men. + +"You have heard the confession of the prisoner," he said. "Number One, +what is your verdict?" + +"Guilty!" replied Number One, in a solemn voice. + +"Number Two?" called the chief. + +"Guilty!" was the reply. + +And so on all down the line. Each answer was the same. And when each +plotter had given his verdict, the chief addressed them all in a +loud voice. + +"And the penalty?" he questioned. "What shall the penalty be?" + +And each man answered as with one voice: + +"Death!" + +"Good!" said the chief. "So be it." + +He turned to Chester. + +"Prisoner," he said, "you have heard the verdict. Have you anything +further to say?" + +"Nothing," said Chester quietly. "What's the use?" + +"Then," said the chief, turning to the rest of the conspirators, "you +shall draw lots to determine the executioner." + +He opened a small box that was on the table, rose to his feet, and held +the box out at arm's length. + +"You will come forward, one at a time," he told his fellow-plotters, "and +let not one of you look at the ball you have drawn until each man has +taken a ball and returned to his seat. Number One!" + +Number One stepped forward, reached in the box and extracted a ball, +which he carefully concealed in his hand, and returned to his seat. Each +man stepped forward in turn, and then returned to his chair, with a ball +in his hand. Then the chief spoke again. + +"Who has the red ball?" he demanded. + +Each man looked at the ball he had drawn, and then a voice at the +opposite end of the room from Chester rang out: + +"I have it!" + +"Good!" exclaimed the chief once more. "Then the prisoner's fate shall be +left in your hands. You may dispose of him in whatever manner you desire. +But"--and he raised a warning finger--"see that you make no slip." He +turned to the rest of the conspirators. "The rest of you may go." + +Slowly the conspirators, at intervals of perhaps a minute each, filed +from the room, and soon there was no one left save Chester, his +executioner, and the chief. + +"Remember," said the chief to the one remaining conspirator, as he +prepared to take his departure, "remember that a failure to carry out the +command of the court-martial means your own death." + +"Have no fear," replied the executioner. "He shall not escape." + +The chief nodded and left without another word. + +A moment the executioner stood, looking after the chief's retreating +figure. Then he drew a revolver from his pocket and approached Chester. + +Chester's heart began to thump loudly, and, try as he would, he could not +but tremble. + +"This is the finish, all right," he told himself. + +He closed his eyes and uttered a short prayer. + +A hand fell on his shoulder and shook him, The lad opened his eyes. The +executioner stood over him, revolver in hand. + +"You are an enemy of my country," said the executioner, "and I should +kill you. But I can't do it. You spared my life once, and it is +impossible that I kill you now." + +Chester's heart beat rapidly. Could it be that he was once again to +escape death when he was sure that his last moment had come? But he +replied in a steady voice: + +"I saved your life? Where? When?" + +With a quick move the man lifted his mask from his face. + +"Do you remember now?" he demanded. + +The face was that of the man with whom Hal had fought in the +farmhouse--the home of Edna Johnson--some days before. Chester recognized +him immediately as the German officer who had led his men to the attack +in the farmhouse. + +But Chester had not spared the man's life. He had not even fought with +him. It was Hal who had refused to give the German his death-thrust when +the latter was at his mercy. Chester thought quickly. + +"He has mistaken me for Hal," he told himself, "and if he knew it he +would probably kill me at once. I must keep up the game." + +He replied to the German's question: + +"Yes, I do remember you now." + +"Then you see why it is I cannot kill you," said the German; "but neither +can I let you go free. For if I did you would consider it your duty to +inform the Belgian commander of what you have learned and thus frustrate +our plans. I don't know what to do with you." + +Chester made no reply, and the captain continued: + +"I can think of but one thing, and that is to keep you with me until the +Germans have taken Louvain, after which, in some manner, I shall see that +you reach the Belgian lines safely. But we shall have to be very careful +as we leave here. The chief may have stationed a guard, and if he should +learn that I have not killed you, my own life would pay the forfeit. But +come, we must act quickly." + +So saying, the German stooped over Chester and cut his bonds. The lad +rose to his feet and stretched himself. For a moment he considered the +advisability of leaping upon his captor-friend, wrenching his revolver +from him, and making his escape. But this plan he immediately put aside +as unwise, for his captor still held the weapon ready, and the boy knew +that a single false move and the German would fire. Therefore, he did as +his captor bade him. + +The German raised his revolver in the air and fired a single shot. + +"If anyone remained to see whether the execution was carried out, that +will probably convince him," he said. "Now I will go out the door, and do +you follow in sixty seconds. I shall be watching, and if you try to +escape I shall kill you." + +The German peered out through the door, and a moment later was on the +outside. For a moment Chester debated whether he should make a dash in +the other direction. A little reflection, however, and he decided he had +better not. His limbs were cramped from being tightly bound, and he knew +that should he not make his appearance as commanded by the German within +sixty seconds, the latter would come after him--and the latter was armed +and Chester was not. + +Slowly he counted off the sixty seconds, and then stepped through the +door. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +"OUT OF THE FRYING PAN--" + + +"This way," came a low voice, as the lad reached the top of the steps. + +It was now after nightfall, and the street was very dark, but Chester +could dimly make out the form of the officer a few yards ahead of him. + +"Follow me," came the voice again, "and remember that I have my gun +ready. Just so surely as you make a false move I will kill you." + +Chester made no reply, but followed his captor down the street. At the +first corner the officer stopped and allowed Chester to come up with him. + +"I guess we can walk along together now," he said, as they turned the +corner. "It is hardly likely that they suspect me." + +"I am sure I can never thank you enough," said Chester fervently. + +"Never mind that," said the German. "I don't want any thanks. But it is a +poor gentleman who cannot return a favor." + +The two continued their way in silence. They came at length to a little +house, setting well back on a dimly lighted street, and here the German +turned in, Chester accompanying him. The officer let himself into the +house with a night key, and the two ascended the stairs, at the top of +which the officer led the lad into a small but comfortable room. + +"Just make yourself at home," he told Chester, "It isn't much, but it's +the best I can offer. Here you will have to stay till after to-morrow +night, or at least until we have occupied the city." + +From a little cupboard the officer produced some sandwiches and two +bottles of beer. + +"Help yourself," he said. + +"Thanks," said Chester. "I'll try one of the sandwiches, but I don't +believe I care for any of the beer." + +"What's the matter?" demanded his host. "Don't you drink beer?" + +"No," said Chester, "and I don't want to start now." + +"Suit yourself," said the German, pouring himself a glass. "Have one of +these sandwiches, anyhow." + +Chester ate hungrily, for it had been many hours since he had tasted +food. The light meal disposed of, the German lighted a cigarette, and the +two leaned back for a talk. They discussed various topics for several +hours, and then the German said: + +"Well, I guess it is time for me to turn in. You will bunk in the +corner there," pointing, "and I'll sleep in the other corner. But first +I must tie you up. It wouldn't do to have you escape, you know, for in +spite of the fact that I am your friend, I am first of all a servant of +the Kaiser." + +He produced some rope, and soon Chester was once more bound securely, but +not uncomfortably. The lad lay down and closed his eyes, and a moment +later the German also turned in. + +Chester was in no mood for sleep. He had too much on his mind to think of +slumber. Several moments more and the deep regular breathing of the +officer gave evidence that he was sound asleep. + +Chester squirmed and twisted quietly in his bunk, trying to release his +hands. Minute after minute he continued with untiring energy. A clock +somewhere in the house struck the hour of twelve, and still Chester +squirmed and twisted. + +As he turned this way and that, straining at his bonds, his left hand +suddenly came free. Chester could hardly believe his own senses. A moment +later and he had released his feet. Cautiously he arose and peered into +the darkness. He could not see an inch before him. The room was +absolutely black. + +But Chester's sense of direction stood him in good stead now. Slowly and +cautiously he tip-toed toward the spot where he knew the door to be. His +outstretched hand touched the wood, and a moment later his exploring +fingers found the knob. He found the key and turned it, then slowly and +silently turned the knob. + +The door swung open without even a creak and in a second more the lad was +on the outside and the door was closed behind him. Stealthily he +descended the stairs, opened and went out the front door, closing it +softly behind him. Then he darted down the street as fast as his legs +could carry him. + +After rounding several corners, he finally slowed down to a walk. He felt +now that he was safe from pursuit, and he set about finding his way to +the headquarters of General Givet. He continued his walk for several +blocks, and then he was suddenly challenged by a sentry. + +The lad explained his mission, received the proper directions, and was +soon making all haste toward the general's quarters. Once more before the +general's hut, the lad informed the soldier standing guard that he must +see the general immediately. + +"It is impossible," was the reply. "The general is taking a much-needed +rest. He gave orders that he must not be disturbed on any account. But +here," suddenly, "here comes Captain Bassil. He will see that any +information you may have reaches the general." + +Chester turned to greet the newcomer. He saluted as the latter came up to +him. As the officer drew close, he gave one startled look at the boy's +face, and then drew back with an exclamation. + +"You here?" he exclaimed. + +"Why, yes, sir," replied the lad, "and I have important information." To +himself he added: + +"Where have I heard that voice before?" + +"What is your information?" demanded the officer harshly. + +Briefly and quietly Chester told him what he had learned. + +"Impossible!" was the officer's exclamation, when Chester had concluded +his recital. "It is my belief that you have come here to spy." He turned +to the soldier. "Send Lieutenant Armand to me at once," he said. + +The man saluted and disappeared. At the last words of the officer it +suddenly came to Chester where he had heard the voice before. He +approached the officer and peered more closely into his face. + +"I wasn't sure, until I heard your last words," he told him, "but I know +you now. You are a German spy." + +"Hold your tongue," said the officer harshly, "or I will shoot you down +where you stand." + +At that moment another officer hurried up and saluted the captain. + +"You sent for me, sir?" he asked. + +"Yes; this boy is a German spy. I have positive proof. Have him shot +at sunrise." + +"Very well, sir," replied the lieutenant; then to Chester: "Come!" + +"But--" began the lad. + +"No words," said the lieutenant. "Forward--march!" + +Chester saw it was no use to protest, so he marched ahead of the +lieutenant without another word. He was taken to a small tent, thrust in, +and a trooper ordered to mount guard over him. Wearily the lad threw +himself down, and, in spite of his predicament, was soon asleep. + +It was just beginning to grow light when he was rudely awakened by +someone shaking him by the arm. Five minutes later and he was marched +from his tent between a file of soldiers. + +As he walked rapidly along between his captors, he suddenly espied an +officer approaching on horseback. Even from where he was, in the dim +light Chester recognized the horseman, and his spirits rose. It was +plainly apparent that the rider would pass within a few feet of him. + +A moment more, and he was close enough to the mounted officer to touch +his horse. Suddenly the lad sprang forward and cried: + +"General Givet! General Givet!" + +The mounted officer pulled up his horse sharply. At the same moment the +officer in charge of the squad sprang forward and grasped Chester roughly +by the arm. + +"Get back there!" he commanded sharply, but the boy paid no heed. + +"General Givet!" he called again, and laughed happily aloud as the +general turned his horse and came squarely up to him. + +"Why, by my soul!" exclaimed the Belgian commander after a sharp look at +the boy, "if it isn't young Crawford! What are you doing here?" + +"They are going to shoot me as a spy, general," said Chester. + +"What!" exclaimed the commander. "You a spy!" + +He turned to the lieutenant in command of the squad. + +"By whose order, sir?" he demanded. + +"Captain Bassil's order, sir," was the reply. + +"Captain Bassil, eh? Well, you will conduct your prisoner to my quarters. +Then you will inform Captain Bassil that I desire his presence +immediately." + +The lieutenant saluted, and the general rode off. + +Ten minutes later, in the general's quarters, Chester was face to face +with his accuser. + +"Well, sir," said General Givet to Captain Bassil, "what was your reason +for ordering this lad shot? You will please explain yourself at once." + +The captain shifted uneasily from one foot to another. + +"I was sure he was a spy, sir," he made reply. "Why else should he be +spooking about your tent at such an hour in the morning? But if I have +made a mistake--" + +"You have, sir," interrupted the general, "a very serious one--one that +will require a more satisfactory explanation than the one you have just +given. This lad"--and the general laid his hand on Chester's +shoulder--"already has proven himself invaluable to our cause. Had I not +fortunately arrived in time, he would now be dead. And in that event it +would have fared badly with you. But I must investigate this case +farther. Captain Bassil, you will go immediately to your quarters and +consider yourself under arrest." + +As the captain saluted and turned to leave the tent, Chester, who had +been silent thus far, exclaimed: + +"One moment, please, Captain Bassil," and then turned to General Givet. +"I will explain, sir," he, added, "if you will have Captain Bassil remain +a moment longer." + +The general nodded and Captain Bassil remained. Chester walked up to him +and looked him steadily in the eye for several moments. Then he turned to +General Givet and said calmly: + +"I accuse Captain Bassil, sir, of being a German spy!" + +"What!" exclaimed the Belgian commander, starting back. "Do you realize +what you are saying?" + +"Perfectly, sir, and I am prepared to prove what I say." + +Captain Bassil smiled sneeringly. + +"I won't believe you will take any stock in such a wild story, sir," he +said to General Givet. "With your permission, I shall go to my own +quarters." + +"One moment," said the general, raising a detaining hand, and then turned +to Chester. "Explain yourself," he added shortly. + +In a few well-chosen words Chester recounted his experiences of the +day before. + +"And I am positive," he concluded, "that if you will have Captain Bassil +searched, you will find in his possession a paper similar to this," and +he handed the commander the document he had taken from one of the +conspirators before he entered their council chamber. + +The commander ran his eye over the paper hurriedly, and turned sternly +toward Captain Bassil. + +"What have you to say to this charge, sir?" he demanded. + +"That it is a lie!" shouted the accused officer. "He is accusing me to +save himself." + +The general looked at him in silence for some moments, apparently +undecided as to how to act. + +"Well," he said at length, "it will do no harm to find out." + +He stepped to the door of his tent and spoke to the sentinel on duty +just outside: + +"Ask Lieutenant Armand to step this way at once." + +As General Givet turned from giving this command, Captain Bassil suddenly +uttered a loud cry and leaped upon the commander. + +"At least you shall never live to thwart our plans!" he cried, as +he sprang. + +Taken completely off his guard, General Givet was hurled heavily to the +ground by the force of the traitor's spring. The commander's head struck +the ground with a crash, and he lay still. A revolver barrel gleamed in +the sunlight that filtered through the half-closed opening in the tent. +But even as it was brought to bear Chester leaped forward. + +With one strong hand he seized the traitor by the wrist, and deflected +the revolver just as the traitor's hand pressed the trigger, and the +bullet whistled harmlessly through the top of the tent. + +The captain turned upon Chester with the fury of a madman, and so sudden +and fierce was his attack that the lad was borne to the ground. But in +spite of the fact that he was underneath, one hand still grasped the hand +in which the spy held the revolver; and, try as he would, the latter was +unable to break the boy's grip. + +His teeth bared in a snarl, the traitor suddenly released his grip on the +revolver, drew back and drove his fist at the lad's face. But if Captain +Bassil was quick, Chester was quick also. With a rapid movement, he +rolled over, the revolver still in his hand, and thus escaped the +terrific blow aimed at him. + +But before he could rise or bring the revolver to bear, the traitor was +upon him again, and two hands seized him by the throat. In vain the lad +tried to shake himself free, and he was slowly being choked into +unconsciousness. + +But with a last desperate effort, he succeeded in bringing the +revolver, which he still held firmly, between him and his enemy, and +pressed the trigger. + +There was the sound of an explosion, and for a moment the grip on the +boy's throat seemed to grow even tighter. But for a moment only, and then +the hands relaxed, Chester heard a faint moan, and, drawing in great +gasps of fresh air, the boy fell into unconsciousness, just as the flap +to the tent was jerked hurriedly aside and many men rushed in. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE END OF THE CONSPIRACY. + + +When Chester opened his eyes to the world again he was propped up on +General Givet's own bed, and the Belgian commander and a Belgian surgeon +were leaning over him. + +"Awake at last, eh?" said General Givet, with a smile, as Chester opened +his lips to speak. "You had a narrow squeak, and no mistake. And to think +that a young lad like you should be the means of saving my life!" + +"You have indeed rendered a great service to Belgium," broke in the +surgeon. "But how do you feel?" + +"A little weak," replied Chester, with a faint smile. "But Captain +Bassil? Where is the traitor?" + +"Dead," was the Belgian commander's laconic response. + +Chester shuddered involuntarily. + +"Never mind," said the general; "it was his life or yours, and mine too, +for that matter." + +"But it makes a fellow feel awfully queer," said Chester. "In battle it +would have been different. But to shoot--" + +He broke off and was silent. + +"And the conspiracy?" he asked, after a brief pause. "You have taken +steps to catch the Germans in their own trap?" + +"I have," said the general grimly. "They will wish they had attempted to +take Louvain in some other manner. Thinking us unprepared, they will be +too confident. If they fall into our trap--and I am positive they +will--they will be annihilated." + +Chester was struck with a sudden idea. + +"General," he said, "why can't we round up all the conspirators that are +in the city?" + +"In what way?" asked the commander. + +Chester's reply was another question: + +"Has your attempted assassination been kept a secret, or is it +generally known?" + +"It has been kept quiet," was the general's reply. "Were it generally +known our coup might fail." + +"Exactly as I thought," said Chester. "Now I am almost positive that the +conspirators will gather for one more session before the German advance, +if only to make sure that nothing has gone amiss. We can surround the +house and capture them red-handed." + +"An excellent idea!" exclaimed the general. "It shall be acted upon. +I will give orders to that effect immediately," and he turned to +leave the tent. + +But before he should step outside, Chester jumped out of bed and ran +after him. + +"And how about me, sir?" he demanded. "Am I not to be allowed to take +part in the capture?" + +"You!" exclaimed the general. "You are in no condition to move about. You +shall stay here in bed." + +"Please, general," pleaded Chester. "This is my discovery; it should be +my capture, too." + +The general stood wrapped in thought for some moments. + +"So it should," he said at length, "and so it shall be, if you feel equal +to the task." + +"I am perfectly strong again," said Chester eagerly. + +"So be it, then," replied General Givet. "How many of the conspirators +did you say there are?" + +"About twenty-five, I should judge." + +"Good! I shall place one hundred men at your disposal, and leave entirely +to you the manner in which you make the capture." + +Chester was jubilant. So great was his eagerness to be at his work that +he could hardly wait for his men to be selected. But at last everything +was ready and it was time to start. + +A short distance from the rendezvous of the conspirators, Chester divided +his men into four groups of twenty-five each, so that they could approach +from all directions at once. + +With his men concealed from view, Chester bethought himself of the best +manner to entice the conspirators out into the open. Finally he hit +upon a plan. Calling three of his men, he walked with them to a spot +directly in front of the conspirators' rendezvous. Here the four +started a heated argument. + +Suddenly there was the sound of a door opening, and a moment later the +well-known voice of the chief of the conspirators exclaimed: + +"It is the spy! Come, men, we must capture him. Shoot down the soldiers!" + +A moment later and the entire number of masked conspirators were in +the street. Then, at a signal from Chester, the Belgian troops sprang +upon them. + +There was the sound of a pistol shot, followed by many more, and a bullet +whistled by Chester's ear. Two of the Belgian troopers fell, and several +others groaned. It was plain that the conspirators, trapped as they were, +would not give up without a fight. + +"Fire!" cried Chester, and a death-dealing volley was poured into the +little knot of men huddled together in the street, surrounded by +Belgian soldiers. + +The fighting became desperate. The conspirators were giving a good +account of themselves, and here and there Belgian soldiers were falling. + +Now the conspirators turned and made a dash toward their retreat. But +five Belgian troopers sprang forward and barred the door, firing as they +did so. The ranks of the conspirators were considerably thinner now, and +to continue the fight would mean slaughter. This fact the chief +recognized. + +He hurled his revolver at his foes with a fierce imprecation, and then +raised his hands above his head. His followers did the same. + +"I surrender!" said the chief. + +Chester went up to him. + +"The tables are turned, I see," the chief greeted him. "Well, a man can't +be on top all the time. But I was a fool not to have stayed and seen you +properly shot." + +"I am glad you didn't," was Chester's reply, "for I guess you would have +made a good job of it. But enough of this. I am commanded to take you +before General Givet." + +Surrounded by Belgian troopers, the conspirators were marched to the +headquarters of the commanding general. There a court-martial was called +to sit at once. Its work was brief. The prisoners were ordered taken out +and shot as spies and traitors to Belgium. + +Upon orders issued by General Givet, the Belgian troops soon began to +move in accordance with the plan by which the Belgian leader hoped to +trap the Germans. Their movements were such as to lead the German +outposts to believe that they were retreating. + +But instead of weakening his line where the Germans had planned to +attack, General Givet strengthened it heavily. The troops were ordered to +fallback a short distance, so that the German leader might believe the +force in front of him had been sent to another part of the field to repel +an attack that was believed imminent. + +But the expected fall of Louvain by this piece of treachery was to prove +a bitter disappointment to the German commander. Instead of the weak +Belgian line he believed he was to encounter, he was sending his men +against a force that had been heavily reinforced and that was determined +to wipe out the insult. + +As the Belgians gradually drew back, the Germans advanced, not too +swiftly, so as to indicate an attack in force, but gradually and slowly. +But continually larger and still larger bodies of Germans were sent +forward, until suddenly it was apparent to General Givet that the time +for the German surprise had come. + +But when it did come the Belgian commander was ready. As the Teutons came +forward in a headlong charge, the Belgians checked their backward +movement and rushed forward. + +A terrific volley greeted the charging Germans, and from the ambush, into +which the enemy had been lured, the artillery opened upon them. They +wavered slightly, but still they came on. But even as they sprang forward +once more, the Belgian cavalry swooped down on them, dealing out death on +every hand. + +Stubbornly the Germans held their ground. Reinforcements were rushed to +their aid, and the battle became general all along the line. + +It was evident by this time that the German commander realized +something had gone wrong with his plans; but now that the attack had +been made he was not the man to give up without doing all in his power +to go ahead. Now the Germans broke and began to retreat. With a wild +yell, squadron after squadron of Belgian horsemen charged down upon the +retreating Teutons. + +Three times the German officers, bravely exposing themselves to the +leaden hail of death, succeeded in checking their straggling troops, and +three times the Germans coolly reformed under a terrific artillery and +rifle fire. + +But it was no use. For now the Belgians began a concerted advance all +along the line. The German charge had spent itself, and the Teutons +gradually drew off. + +But the retreat did not become a rout. The Germans fell back slowly, +contesting every inch of the ground. The aim of the Belgian gunners and +infantrymen was excellent, and the havoc wrought in the German lines was +terrible. The field was strewn with dead, but over these the Belgian +troops pushed on, pressing their advantage to the utmost. + +Finally General Givet called a halt. The Germans were still retreating, +but the Belgian commander did not feel that he could afford to pursue +them farther. The danger of a surprise was over, and he did not wish to +risk another battle, particularly as he was unable to see the necessity +of extending his own lines. + +Therefore, the Belgian troops fell back upon their line of defense and +the battle was over. + +Chester, upon the express command of General Givet, had not been allowed +to take part in the battle. The Belgian commander had kept the lad close +to him, occasionally dispatching him to some near portion of the field +with some order. And now that the fighting was over, General Givet +announced that he would be pleased if Chester would dine with him. + +But his work over and all his duties properly attended to, Chester +bethought himself of his wounded chum. He was anxious to see Hal and +relate what had happened and to make sure that his friend was being +properly taken care of. + +He reminded the general of the latter's promise to have Hal sent to +Brussels, and received the commander's renewed assurances that he would +not forget. Then he set out for the place where he had left Hal. + +He stopped on the way, however, to see Edna Johnson, knowing that she +would be interested in what had occurred since he last saw her and +learning that but for her the Belgian army in Louvain might have suffered +a terrible calamity. + +Chester did not linger long with Edna, however, after relating his +experiences and a brief chat on other subjects, made his way to the house +where he had left his wounded chum, to whom he gave a detailed account of +all that he had done, and of the arrangements he had made for their +reaching Brussels. + +"I would have been all right here," protested Hal. + +"Maybe you would," replied Chester, "but there is likely to be more +fighting at any time, and you are in no condition to move about. You will +be better off in Brussels." + +"I guess you are right," said Hal. + +"I know I am right. I understand there are no German troops between here +and Brussels, so there will be no danger on the way." + +Hal was silent for some moments, musing. + +"We have had some fun here, haven't we, Chester?" he asked at length. + +"We have," was the reply. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world." + +"Nor I," returned Hal. "And, when I am well, we shall see more fighting. +The war has just begun." + +Four days later Chester and Hal arrived in Brussels, where Chester +procured the services of a good physician for his friend, who had stood +the trip remarkably well, and the physician, after an examination, +announced that Hal would be able to get about in a short time. + +"Quiet for a few days is all that is necessary," he declared. + +And so Hal and Chester, comfortably housed in the Belgian capital, sat +down to await the time when they could again give their services to the +allied armies. + +And here properly ends the story of "The Boy Allies at Liège," though not +the story of "The Boy Allies." Their subsequent adventures in the +greatest war of all history will be found in a sequel, "The Boy Allies on +the Firing Line; or Twelve Days' Battle on the Marne." + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12656 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6f6f025 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #12656 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12656) diff --git a/old/12656-8.txt b/old/12656-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9be198c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12656-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7300 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The boy Allies at Liege, by Clair W. 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 at Liege + +Author: Clair W. Hayes + +Release Date: June 19, 2004 [eBook #12656] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY ALLIES AT LIEGE*** + + +E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Project Gutenberg Beginners Projects, +Mary Meehan, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + +THE BOY ALLIES AT LIÈGE + +OR + +Through Lines of Steel + +By CLAIR W. HAYES + +AUTHOR OF "The Boy Allies On the Firing Line" "The Boy Allies With the +Cossacks" "The Boy Allies In the Trenches" + +1915 + + + + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE TWO COMRADES. + + +"War has been declared, mother!" shouted Hal, as closely followed by his +friend, Chester Crawford, he dashed into the great hotel in Berlin, where +the three were stopping, and made his way through the crowd that thronged +the lobby to his mother's side. + +"Yes, mother, it's true," continued Hal, seeing the look of consternation +on Mrs. Paine's face. "The Kaiser has declared war upon France!" + +Mrs. Paine, who had risen to her feet at her son's entrance, put her hand +upon the back of her chair to steady herself, and her face grew pale. + +"Can it be?" she said slowly. "After all these years, can it be possible +that millions of men will again fly at each other's throats? Is it +possible that Europe will again be turned into a battlefield?" + +Overcome by her feelings, Mrs. Paine sank slowly into her chair. Hal and +Chester sprang to her side. + +"It's all right, mother," cried Hal, dropping to his knees and putting +his arm about her. "We are in no danger. No one will harm an American. At +this crisis a citizen of the United States will not be molested." + +Mrs. Paine smiled faintly. + +"It was not of that I was thinking, my son," she said. "Your words +brought back to me the days gone by, and I pray that I shall not have to +go through them again. Then, too, I was thinking of the mothers and wives +whose hearts will be torn by the news you have just told me. But come," +and Mrs. Paine shook off her memories, "tell me all about it." + +"As you know, Mrs. Paine," spoke up Chester, who up to this time had +remained silent, "Hal and I went to the American Embassy immediately +after dinner to-night to learn, if possible, what difficulties we were +likely to encounter in leaving Germany. Since the Kaiser's declaration of +war against Russia all Americans have been preparing to get out of the +country at the earliest possible moment. But now that war has been +declared on France, we are likely to encounter many hardships." + +"Is there any likelihood of our being detained?" asked Mrs. Paine in +alarm. "What did the ambassador say?" + +"While the ambassador anticipates no danger for foreigners, he advises +that we leave the country immediately. He suggests that we take the early +morning train across the Belgian frontier." + +"Why go to Belgium?" + +"All railroad lines leading into France have been seized by German +soldiers. Passenger traffic has been cut off, mother," explained Hal. +"All trains are being used for the movement of troops." + +"Yes, Mrs. Paine," continued Chester, "we shall have to go through +Belgium. Even now thousands of the Kaiser's best troops are marching upon +the French frontier, and fighting is only a question of hours." + +"Very well, then," returned Mrs. Paine. "We shall go in the morning. So I +guess we would all better go upstairs and pack. Come along, boys." + +While the packing is going on, it is a good time to describe the two +American lads, who will play the most important parts in our story. + +Hal Paine was a lad some seventeen years of age. Following his graduation +from high school in a large Illinois city the previous June, his mother +had announced her intention of taking him on a tour through Europe. +Needless to say, Hal jumped at this chance to see something of the +foreign countries in whose histories he had always been deeply +interested. It was upon Hal's request that Mrs. Paine had invited his +chum, Chester Crawford, to accompany them. + +Chester was naturally eager to take the trip across the water, and, after +some coaxing, in which Mrs. Paine's influence also was brought to bear, +his parents finally agreed to their son's going so far away from home. + +Hal's father was dead. A colonel of infantry, he was killed leading a +charge at the battle of El Caney, in the Spanish-American war. Hal's +grandfather died of a bayonet wound in the last days of the Civil War. + +But, if Hal's father's family was a family of fighters, so was that of +his mother. Her father, a Virginian, was killed at the head of his men +while leading one of Pickett's regiments in the famous charge at +Gettysburg. Three of her brothers also had been killed on the field of +battle, and another had died in prison. + +From her own mother Mrs. Paine had learned of the horrors of war. Before +the war her father had been a wealthy man. After the war her mother was +almost in poverty. While too young then to remember these things herself, +Mrs. Paine knew what havoc had been wrought in the land of her birth by +the invasion of armed men, and it is not to be wondered at that, in view +of the events narrated, she should view the coming struggle with anguish, +despite the fact that her own country was not involved and that there was +no reason why her loved ones should be called upon to take up arms. + +Chester's father was a prominent and wealthy lumberman, and Chester, +although nearly a year younger than Hal, had graduated in the same class +with his comrade. The two families lived next door to each other, and the +lads had always been the closest of chums. + +For the last three years the boys had spent each summer vacation in one +of the lumber camps owned by Chester's father, in the great Northwest. +Always athletically inclined, the time thus spent among the rough +lumbermen had given the boys new prowess. Day after day they spent in the +woods, hunting big game, and both had become proficient in the use of +firearms; while to their boxing skill--learned under a veteran of the +prize-ring, who was employed by Chester's father in the town in which +they lived--they added that dexterity which comes only with hard +experience. Daily fencing lessons had made both proficient in the use of +sword and saber. + +Among these woodsmen, composed of laborers from many nations, they had +also picked up a smattering of many European languages, which proved of +great help to them on their trip abroad. + +Standing firmly upon their rights from first to last, the two lads never +allowed anyone to impose upon them, although they were neither naturally +pugnacious nor aggressive. However, there had been more than one +lumberjack who had found to his discomfort that he could not infringe +upon their good nature, which was at all times apparent. + +Both boys were large and sturdy, and the months spent in the lumber camps +had given hardness to their muscles. Their ever-readiness for a +rough-and-tumble, the fact that neither had ever been known to dodge +trouble--although neither had ever sought it, and that where one was +involved in danger there was sure to be found the other also--had gained +for them among the rough men of the lumber camp the nickname of "The Boy +Allies," a name which had followed them to their city home. + +It was by this name that the boys were most endearingly known to their +companions; and there was more than one small boy who owed his escape +from older tormentors to the "Boy Allies'" idea of what was right and +wrong, and to the power of their arms. + +Both lads were keenly interested in history, so, in spite of the manner +in which they tried to reassure Mrs. Paine and set her mind at rest, +there is no cause for wonder in the fact that both were more concerned in +the movement of troops and warships than in the efforts the other powers +were making to prevent a general European war. + +Staunch admirers of Napoleon and the French people, and, with a long line +of descendants among the English, the sympathies of both were naturally +with the Allies. As Chester had said to Hal, when first rumors of the +impending conflagration were heard: + +"It's too bad we cannot take a hand in the fighting. The war will be the +greatest of all time, and both sides will need every man they can get +capable of bearing arms." + +"You bet it's too bad," Hal had replied; "but we're still in Europe, and +you never can tell what will happen. We may have to play a part in the +affair whether we want to or not," and here the conversation had ended, +although such thoughts were still in the minds of both boys when they +accompanied Mrs. Paine to their apartment to pack up, preparatory to +their departure in the morning. + +The packing completed, the lads announced their intention of walking out +and learning the latest war news. + +"We won't be gone long, mother," said Hal. + +"Very well, son," Mrs. Paine replied; "but, whatever you do, don't get +into any trouble. However, I do not suppose there is any danger to be +feared--yet." + +For more than an hour the lads wandered about the streets, reading the +war bulletins in front of the various newspaper offices, and listening to +crowds of men discussing the latest reports, which became more grave +every minute. + +As the boys started on their return to their hotel, they heard a shout +down a side street, followed immediately by more yells and cries; and +then a voice rang out in English: + +"Help! Police!" + +Breaking into a quick run, Hal and Chester soon were upon the scene of +confusion. + +With their backs to a wall, two young men were attempting to beat back +with their fists a crowd of a dozen assailants, who beset them from three +directions. + +As the two boys rounded the corner, the cry for help again went up. + +"Come on, Chester!" shouted Hal. "We can't let that gang of hoodlums beat +up anyone who speaks the English language." + +"Lead on!" cried Chester. "I am right with you!" + +They were upon the crowd as he spoke, and Hal's right fist shot out with +stinging force, and the nearest assailant, struck on the side of the +neck, fell to the ground with a groan. + +"Good work, Hal!" shouted Chester, at the same time wading into the crowd +of young ruffians, for such the attackers proved to be, and striking out +right and left. + +Howls of anger and imprecations greeted the attack from this unexpected +source, and for a moment the ruffians fell back. In the time that it took +the crowd to return to the struggle, the boys forced their way to the +side of the victims of the attack, and the four, with their backs to the +wall, took a breathing spell. + +"You didn't arrive a moment too soon," said one of the young men, with a +smile. "I had begun to think we were due for a trimming." + +"There are four of us here," returned Hal, "and we ought to be good for +that crowd; but, instead of standing here, when they attack again, let's +make a break and fight our way through. There will be more of them along +in a minute, and it will be that much harder for us." + +"Good!" returned the second stranger in French. "Here they come!" + +"Are you ready?" asked Hal. + +"All ready," came the reply from the other three. + +"All right, then. Now!" + +At the word the four rushed desperately into the throng, which was +pressing in on them from three sides. Taken by surprise, the enemy gave +way for a moment; then closed in again. + +Blows fell thick and fast for the space of a couple of minutes. Then, +suddenly, Chester fell to the ground. + +Turning, Hal fought his way to the other side of Chester's prostrate +body. Then, bending down, he lifted his chum to his feet. + +"Hurt much?" he asked. + +"No," replied Chester, shaking his head like an enraged bull. "Let me get +at them again!" + +He rushed in among his assailants with even greater desperation than +before, and two young hoodlums fell before his blows. + +In the meantime the strangers were giving a good account of themselves, +and the enemy were falling before their smashing fists. + +Hal ducked a blow from the closest of his assailants, and, stepping in +close, struck him with all his power under the chin. The youth fell to +the ground. + +As he did so the ruffian nearest him, with a hiss of rage, drew a knife, +with which he made a wicked slash at Hal. Hal did not see the movement, +being closely pressed elsewhere, but Chester, with a sudden cry, leaped +forward and seized the hand holding the knife, just as the weapon would +have been buried in Hal's back. + +"You would, would you, you coward!" he cried, and struck the young German +in the face with all the strength of his right arm. The latter toppled +over like a log. + +All this time the crowd of assailants continued to grow. Attracted by the +sounds of the scuffle, reinforcements arrived from all directions, and it +is hard to tell what would have happened had not the sudden blast of a +whistle interrupted the proceedings. + +"The police!" yelled someone in the crowd. "Run!" + +In less time than it takes to tell it, Hal, Chester, and the two other +young men were alone, while racing toward them, down the street, were +several figures in uniform. + +"Run!" cried the young Frenchman. "If they catch us we will all go to +jail, and there is no telling when we'll get out. Run!" + +The four took to their heels, and, dodging around corner after corner, +were soon safe from pursuit. + +"Well, I guess we are safe now," said the Englishman, when they stopped +at last. Then, turning to Hal: + +"I don't know how to thank you and your friend. If you had not arrived +when you did, I fear it would have fared badly with us." + +"No thanks are due," replied Hal. "It's a poor American who would refuse +to help anyone in trouble. Shake hands and call it square!" + +The Englishman smiled. + +"As modest as you are bold, eh? Well, all right," and he extended his +hand, which Hal and Chester grasped in turn. + +But the Frenchman was not to be put off so easily. He insisted on +embracing both of the boys, much to their embarrassment. + +"I'm Lieutenant Harry Anderson, of the Tenth Dragoons, His Majesty's +service," explained the Englishman, and then, turning to his friend: +"This is Captain Raoul Derevaux, Tenth Regiment, French Rifle Corps. We +were strolling along the street when attacked by the gang from which you +saved us. In the morning we shall try to get out of Germany by way of the +Belgian frontier. If now, or at any other time, we may be of service to +you, command us." + +"Yes, indeed," put in the Frenchman, "I consider myself your debtor +for life." + +Hal and Chester thanked their newly-made friends for their good will, +and, after a little further conversation, left them to continue their +way, while they returned to the hotel, much to the relief of Mrs. Paine, +who had become very uneasy at their long absence. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +A PERILOUS SITUATION. + + +"Come on, Hal. Let's stroll about a few minutes. We've lots of time +before the train pulls out." + +It was Chester who spoke. Mrs. Paine and the two boys were sitting in +their compartment of the Brussels express, in the station at Berlin. It +still lacked ten minutes of the time set for departure. + +"You don't mind, do you, mother?" said Hal. + +"No; if you do not go too far," was the answer. + +The boys descended from the car, and wandered toward the entrance of the +station. Just as they were about to step on to the street, a German +military officer swung into the doorway. Hal, who was directly in his +path, stepped aside, but not quickly enough to entirely avoid him. + +With one outstretched arm the officer shoved him violently to one side, +and then stopped. + +"What do you mean by blocking my way?" he demanded. "Do you know +who I am?" + +Hal's temper was aroused. + +"No, I don't; and I don't care," was his reply. + +"Well, I'll give you something to care about," and, raising his hand, the +officer made as though to strike Hal across the face. + +"Don't you strike me," said Hal quietly. "I'm an American citizen, and I +give you warning." + +"Warning!" sneered the officer. "You young American upstart! I'll have +you whipped!" and he turned as though to call someone. + +At that moment there was a sudden cry of "All aboard!" and the officer, +after taking a threatening step toward Hal, made a dash for the train. + +"I guess that is our train, Hal," said Chester. "We had better hurry." + +The lads retraced their steps toward their train. Reaching the shed, they +saw the German officer disappearing into a compartment on the train. + +"That looks like our compartment to me," said Hal. "I hope we don't have +to ride with him." + +"I hope not," agreed Chester, and then broke into a run, as he shouted: + +"Hurry! The train is moving!" + +It was true. The boys had wasted too much time. + +The door to one compartment was all that stood open, and that was the one +in which Mrs. Paine could be seen gesticulating to them. + +"We just made it," panted Hal, as they reached the open door, and started +to climb aboard. + +At that instant a uniformed arm appeared through the door and +pushed Hal away. + +"Go away, you American puppy," came a voice. + +Hal slipped, and but for the prompt action of Chester, who caught him by +the arm, would have fallen beneath the train. + +The train gathered momentum, as the boys raced along beside it, in vain +seeking an open door by which they might climb aboard. There was none but +their own compartment, and that had passed them. It was impossible for +them to overtake it, and there was not a train guard in sight. + +The boys stopped running and stood still as the remainder of the train +slipped past. + +On ahead they could see Mrs. Paine and the big German officer, both +gazing back toward them, the former gesticulating violently. + +Hal stamped his foot with rage. + +"I'd like to get my hands on that big lout!" he shouted. "I'd--" + +"Come, come, old fellow," interrupted Chester, "never mind that, now. I +don't blame you, but you can see it's impossible. You'll have to wait." + +"You are right, of course," replied Hal. "The thing to do now is to send +mother a telegram to the first station and tell her not to worry, that we +shall be along on the next train. But, just the same, I'd like to get my +hands on that--" + +"Come, now," Chester interrupted again, "let's send that telegram and +find out when the next train leaves." + +They found the telegraph office, and Hal prepared a message, which he +handed through the window. + +The clerk glanced at it, and then passed it back. + +"Can't be sent," he informed Hal. + +"Can't be sent! Why not?" + +"Nothing can be sent over this wire but military messages from this time +on," said the clerk. + +"But we missed the train, and I want to send this message to my mother, +so she won't worry," pleaded Hal. + +"I'm sorry," the clerk returned kindly, "but it is impossible. I must +obey my orders." + +Hal and Chester were nonplused. + +"What shall we do?" questioned Chester. + +"The only thing I know to do," replied Hal, "is to take the next train +without telegraphing. Mother is sure to be at the Brussels station. I +guess she knows we have enough sense to get there." + +"All right Let's find out when the next train leaves." + +On their way to the ticket window, Hal stopped suddenly. + +"What's the matter" asked Chester. + +"Matter!" exclaimed Hal. "The matter is I haven't any money. All I have +was enough to send that telegram, and that amount won't get us to +Brussels." + +Chester reached in his pocket, and a startled expression came over his +face. + +"Neither have I," he exclaimed, feeling first one pocket and then +another. "I have lost my pocketbook. All I have is a little change." + +The lads looked at each other in silence for several minutes. + +"What shall we do?" Chester asked finally. + +"I don't know what to do," replied Hal; "but we have got to do something. +I guess the best thing is to go back to the embassy and see if we can't +raise the price of a couple of tickets. I am sure the ambassador will let +us have it." + +"A good idea," said Chester. "I guess the sooner we get there the +better. Come on." + +The ambassador received them immediately. + +"I'm awfully sorry, boys," he said, after listening to their troubles, +"but I am afraid I can do nothing for you." + +"Can't you lend us enough money to get to Brussels?" asked Hal in +surprise. "You'll get it back, all right." + +"Yes, I can lend it to you, and I am not afraid of not getting it back." + +"Then why can't you help us?" + +"The reason is this," the ambassador explained, "this morning's train to +Brussels was the last upon which foreigners were allowed to depart. The +German government has given orders that all foreigners now in Germany +must remain until mobilization is completed. So you see you are up +against it" + +Hal and Chester looked at each other, and both smiled faintly. + +"I see we are," said Chester. + +"Now, I'll tell you what I can do," continued the ambassador. "I can let +you have enough money to keep you until such a time as you will be +allowed to leave the country; or, better still, you can come and live +with me. What do you say?" + +"I'm sure we appreciate your kindness very much," said Hal, "and we +may be forced to take advantage of it. We shall look about the city +this afternoon, and, if nothing else turns up, we shall be glad to +stay with you." + +"Let me hear from you before night, anyhow," said the ambassador, rising. + +"We certainly shall. Come, Chester, let's go out and look around a bit." + +The boys left the embassy. + +The streets of the city were even more densely thronged than they had +been the night before. Thousands and thousands of people paraded up and +down--war the sole topic of their conversation. + +Late in the afternoon, as Hal and Chester were walking along Strassburga +Strasse, a hand was suddenly laid on the former's arm, and a voice +exclaimed: + +"I thought you boys were on your way to Brussels. How does it happen you +are still in Berlin?" + +Turning, Hal perceived that the person who had accosted him was none +other than Lieutenant Anderson, and with him was Captain Derevaux. + +All four expressed their pleasure at this unexpected meeting, and the +boys explained their misfortune. + +"How is it you and Captain Derevaux didn't get away?" Chester +finally asked. + +Captain Derevaux smiled. + +"We were so unfortunate as to be recognized by a member of the German +general staff at the station this morning," he explained, "and we were +detained. But," he added grimly, "we are not figuring upon remaining in +Berlin overnight." + +"What do you propose to do?" asked Hal and Chester in a breath. + +"Oh, Anderson and I have a little plan whereby we shall make ourselves +scarce on this side of the border," answered the captain. "We are +planning to get out of Berlin soon after nightfall." + +"How?" asked Hal. + +"Well," said Lieutenant Anderson, "we haven't perfected our plans yet, +but we have an idea that we believe will take us safely out of +Germany. It may be successful, and it may not. But we are going to +take a chance at it." + +"Is it dangerous?" questioned Chester. + +"That all depends upon how you look at it," replied the lieutenant, with +a smile. "It may mean a fight," he added seriously, "but we are prepared +for that," tapping the pocket of his civilian coat significantly. + +"Yes, it may mean a fight," agreed the French captain, "but an officer of +the French army will not shirk an encounter with these German +aggressors." + +"No, nor an English officer," declared the lieutenant. "War between +England and Germany has not been declared yet, but it seems only a +question of hours until it will be." + +Hal was suddenly struck with an idea. He turned to the lieutenant. + +"Why cannot we go with you?" he asked. "We must get to Brussels as soon +as possible. If we wait here until after the mobilization of all the +German forces, and are unable to send a message to mother, she will be +frantic. Why cannot we go with you?" + +The lieutenant was taken aback. + +"Why, I know no reason," he said, "except that your presence in our +company, if ill fortune should befall us, would probably mean your arrest +as enemies of Germany. You might even be convicted as spies, and shot." + +"We are willing to take any chances necessary to get us to Brussels +and put an end to mother's worries," declared Hal stoutly. "Aren't +we, Chester?" + +"You bet we are," replied Chester. + +The lieutenant turned to Captain Derevaux. "What do you say?" he asked. + +The captain shook his head. + +"It's a bad business," he replied slowly. "If we are caught it will go +hard with our young friends, I am afraid. Of course, I am willing to do +anything in my power to aid them, but this--this, I fear, is impossible." + +"Don't say no," implored Hal. "Just think how mother must be worrying. +Why, we would go through anything to save her pain. Besides, you don't +expect to be captured, do you?" + +The captain shook his head. + +"You have a good plan of escape, I am sure, or you would not tackle it. +Isn't that so?" continued Hal. + +The captain admitted it. + +"Would our presence make it more dangerous for you?" + +"No." + +"Then, I ask you again, if you won't allow us to go with you, sharing +whatever dangers may arise. Besides," and Hal smiled, "you know that four +are sometimes better than two." + +The captain reflected. + +"You are right," he said at length. "If Anderson is agreeable, I shall be +glad of your company; yes, and your aid," he added, after a pause. + +"I agree with the boys," said the lieutenant. "Four are sometimes better +than two, and in an adventure, such as this promises to be, four are +always better than two. I say, let them come with us, by all means." + +And so it was decided. A meeting-place was arranged for eight o'clock +that night, and, with this parting injunction, the officers left: + +"Say nothing to anyone. Do not talk, even between yourselves, and, if you +can, buy a revolver apiece," for the purchase of which the lieutenant +tendered Hal a bill. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +TOWARD THE FRONTIER. + + +It was a long afternoon for Hal and Chester, and they waited impatiently +for the time when they were to meet the two young men who were to be +their companions on the journey. + +After several futile attempts the lads finally gave up their attempt to +buy revolvers, as it caused too many questions, and, in spite of their +eagerness to get away, it was with no little anxiety that they made their +way to the rendezvous that night. + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson were waiting when the +lads arrived. + +"I am glad you are prompt," said the former. "We must hurry. Even now we +may be followed," and he glanced about furtively. + +"Which way do we go?" asked Hal, of the young Englishman, as the four +moved along the street. + +"North," was the reply. "We are heading for Kolberg, on the Baltic Sea. +From there we will try to get across into Denmark. The thing to do is to +get out of Germany at the earliest possible moment, and, with good luck +in getting a boat of some kind at Kolberg, that is the quickest route." + +"Won't we have trouble getting a boat?" + +"I am afraid we shall; but we must leave something to chance." + +"Well, I guess we won't be any worse off in Kolberg than in Berlin," said +Hal. "How do you figure to get there?" + +"Automobile! We have arranged for a car to pick us up on the northern +outskirts of the city, just inside the line." + +"Won't the place be guarded?" + +"Of course; but, by a little ingenuity and a bold dash, we should be able +to get through. If not--" + +The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders expressively. + +"Well," said Hal, "I won't object to a little excitement." + +"Don't worry," replied the young officer; "you will have all the +excitement you want, and more, too, or I miss my guess." + +They continued their walk in silence. + +Beyond getting into Denmark, the young officers had formulated no plan. +But, once out of Germany, the rest would be easy. A ship to England, +and from there into France for the young Frenchman, and the two +American boys would telegraph to their mother, or continue their +journey alone. Lieutenant Anderson was bound direct for London, where +he would join his regiment. + +The officers had decided to make their attempt at escape by way of +Denmark because, in all likelihood, the country between Berlin and +Kolberg would be less closely guarded than any other part of the German +Empire. Troops were being rushed to the French and Russian borders, and +they realized it was practically impossible for them to journey in those +directions without being captured. Also the southern route offered little +hope of success. + +The streets became more and more deserted as the four friends continued +their walk toward the northern outskirts. They passed several detachments +of rapidly moving troops, but they were unchallenged. + +Suddenly the young Englishman called a halt. + +"The automobile is waiting at the next corner," he explained. "Just +beyond is the northern limit of the city. Go quietly and we may not be +molested." + +Hal and Chester were greatly excited by this time, but they obeyed +instructions as well as they could, and climbed into the big car that was +waiting for them, without even being seen. The driver immediately started +the machine, and our boys were on their way at last. + +On toward the city line the big car rushed, and it was just as the four +friends were breathing a sigh of relief at having passed the first danger +safely, that a harsh voice rang out: + +"Halt!" + +Almost directly ahead stood a squad of armed men, their rifles leveled +straight at the occupants of the oncoming car. + +"The patrol!" exclaimed Captain Derevaux, as the auto came to a stop. + +An officer approached the side of the machine. + +"Give an account of yourselves," he demanded. "Your passports, please." + +"We have none," replied Captain Anderson. "We are just taking a +little spin." + +"You cannot pass here," said the officer. "Either return at once, or I +shall be forced to place you under arrest." + +There was no use arguing. + +"Home it is, then," said the young Englishman aloud, and then in a +whisper to the driver: "Ahead! Full speed!" + +"To the bottom of the car!" he cried, as the machine jumped forward +with a lurch. + +He dived to the floor of the car, the young Frenchman and Hal following +his example. + +Chester, however, had been so surprised at the suddenness of this +maneuver, that for a moment he was unable to move; but, while his +momentary inaction placed him in great danger, it nevertheless saved his +companions from capture, or even death. + +As the automobile lunged away, hurling the officer to the side of the +street, the latter shouted a command: + +"Fire! Shoot the driver!" + +One man only was in a position to obey. The others were forced to jump +for their lives, as the machine bore down on them. This one man, however, +raised his rifle and aimed at the driver, just as the car swept by. + +The muzzle was right at the side of the car, and a miss would have been +almost impossible. + +But, before he could fire, Chester sprang to his feet, and, leaning out, +grasped the barrel of the weapon in both hands. With a desperate effort, +he wrenched it from the soldier's hands, just as he was about to pull +the trigger. + +Then, at a second command from Lieutenant Anderson, he dropped beside his +friends in the bottom of the car, and it was well that he did so. + +A volley rang out from behind. The hum of bullets could be heard +overhead, and there was the sound of splintering wood, as others crashed +into the rear of the auto, but the machine sped on. + +Then came a second volley, and the automobile swerved suddenly to one +side. The chauffeur groaned, but the car immediately righted itself and +continued on its way. + +Unmindful of the bullets flying about, Hal sprang to his feet and +climbed into the front seat, where the chauffeur was making heroic +efforts to keep the car steady, a stream of blood the while pouring from +a wound in his head. + +"Give me the wheel!" cried Hal, as the car lurched from one side of the +road to the other, at the imminent risk of turning over. + +He climbed in front of the chauffeur and his strong hands grasped the +steering wheel just as the man's body relaxed and he fell back +unconscious. + +Bullets were still flying thick and fast, but the range was too great now +for accurate shooting. Still, there was always the chance that one of the +leaden messengers would hit Hal and end disastrously the career of the +flying machine. + +Without even checking the speed of the auto, Hal called to Chester: + +"The chauffeur is badly wounded. Pull him into the rear of the car!" + +"Slow down!" came the answer. "We can't pull him from beneath you while +going at this terrific speed." + +"Slow down nothing!" shouted Hal. "We don't want to be captured after +this. You'll have to pull him out!" + +It was no small task, this driving a flying automobile, while a man in +whose lap he was almost sitting was being pulled from under him by hands +from behind. + +Once Hal lost his balance. Throwing out one hand, he grasped the side of +the car, and that alone saved him and his friends, too, for that matter. + +The car swerved to one side of the road, and just at that instant a sharp +curve came into view. + +With a desperate effort Hal regained his balance, steadied the +machine, and, without even trying to slacken his speed, took the curve +on two wheels. + +"Whew!" he muttered to himself. "That was a close shave!" + +By this time the body of the chauffeur had been pulled into the back of +the car, and Hal slid into his seat. + +"Are you all right?" came Chester's voice from the rear. + +"All right now," replied Hal. + +"You can slow down a bit," shouted Lieutenant Anderson. "We are out of +range. We are safe enough now." + +"We are safe from bullets, but we are not safe from pursuit," Hal called +back. "Do I keep to this road?" + +"Yes," came the reply, "if you don't run into a ditch or a +telegraph pole." + +"Oh, I'll run it, all right; and I'll run it on the road, too," Hal +answered grimly. "I've made a record on a worse road than this." + +"Is the chauffeur badly hurt?" he called back after a few minutes. + +"No, I don't think so," replied the French captain's voice. "Just a +scalp wound. He has lost a lot of blood, and is still unconscious, but I +think he will come around all right presently." + +Hal settled back in his seat and gave his entire attention to the +road ahead. + +The big car flashed through several small towns, and the dim lights in +the homes looked like a string of brilliant spots, so swiftly did they go +by. For almost half an hour the terrific speed was continued, and then, +at a shouted command from Lieutenant Anderson, Hal slowed down. + +"We should be nearing Angermunde by this time," the lieutenant explained, +"and it will never do to go through there at this speed." + +"Do you suppose our would-be captors have communicated with the +authorities at Angermunde?" asked the Frenchman. + +"I would not be surprised," replied the lieutenant; "but we must risk it. +One thing I am sure of, however, is that our pursuers are not far behind. +They will never rest till we are caught. And, for that reason, we cannot +afford to waste much time." + +"You are right," said the captain. "We must get through Angermunde as +quickly and as quietly as possible." + +Then to Hal he shouted: "Don't lose your nerve, and keep cool. Be ready +to make a dash if you get the word." + +"Don't you worry about my nerve," Hal replied grimly. "I'll run right +through a thousand Germans, if you say so." + +"I guess that will not be necessary," broke in the lieutenant, with a +laugh, "but you never can tell what may happen." + +Hal reduced the speed of the machine even more, and slowly approached the +town, the lights of which could be seen in the distance. + +It was now nearly midnight, and, as Captain Derevaux suggested, it would +be wise to go through the town without attracting attention, if possible. + +But this was not to be. + +The automobile entered the town, and had proceeded some distance, when +Hal called back: + +"I guess we will get through without any trouble, all right." + +"Don't be too sure," replied the Englishman. "Always be ready for the +unexpected." + +The words were hardly out of his mouth, when, rounding a sharp turn, Hal +saw a line of cavalrymen blocking the street some distance ahead. + +"The road is blocked with troops," he called back to his friends, as he +reduced his speed. "Their rifles seem pointed right at us. Shall I speed +up and run through them?" + +His three companions arose and peered over his shoulder. The cavalrymen +were plainly discernible in the glare of an electric street light. + +"It's impossible," replied the lieutenant. "We shall have to stop. They +would shoot us to pieces before we could get through. Here," turning to +Chester and Captain Derevaux, "cover up the chauffeur with these rugs +and lay him in the bottom of the car. It would never do for an officer +to see him. It may be that our friends behind have not tipped off our +present enemy, but the sight of this wounded chauffeur would give it all +away." The car was slowly nearing the line of troops. "Halt!" came the +command. "Halt, or we fire!" The car came to a stop within a few feet of +the soldiers. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +IN DANGER STILL. + + +It was with no small trepidation that the occupants of the automobile saw +the officer in command approach. + +"Keep your wits and say nothing unless you have to," was the young +lieutenant's whispered advice. "Leave the talking to me." + +"Where are you from?" asked the officer. + +"Berlin," replied the Englishman. + +"Where are you bound?" + +"Stettin." + +"Your business?" + +"Our business is purely private. Two of my companions are young American +lads and the third is a Belgian gentleman. I am an Englishman. You will +interfere with us at your peril." + +"In times of war we interfere with whom we choose. A state of war exists +in Germany, as you know." + +"There is no state of war between your country and ours." + +"Perhaps not, but I am not sure of it; there may be by this time. You +have no passports, I take it?" + +"We have not." + +"Then I must ask you to leave your machine and come with me." + +"For what reason?" + +"Because I command it. You are my prisoners." + +Turning to an aide, the German officer commanded: + +"Call a guard of four men!" + +The aide saluted and did as he was ordered. Four of the troopers who +blocked the road dismounted and ranged themselves beside the car. + +"Order Lieutenant Myers to take his men and report to Major Von Volk," +commanded the German officer of his aide. + +The troopers, with the exception of the four who guarded the car, wheeled +and rode away. + +The officer turned again to the automobile. + +"Leave the car," he ordered the four occupants. + +"He evidently hasn't been tipped off," whispered Lieutenant Anderson to +his companions, as they left the machine. + +"No," Hal whispered back, "but the others are likely to be along in a +few minutes." + +"Right," came the reply. "We must watch our chance, and, if one comes, +make the most of it." + +The four stepped from the automobile, and were immediately surrounded by +their guards. + +"See what they have in the machine," the officer ordered one of the men. + +"Great Scott!" ejaculated Chester. "We are in for it now!" + +Exploring the front of the auto first, the soldier found nothing. Then he +turned his attention to the back. He lifted up the rugs that had been +thrown over the chauffeur, and started back with a cry. + +"A dead man!" he exclaimed, and added: "At least he appears to be dead. +He has a bullet hole in the back of his head." + +"What!" demanded the officer, and hurried to the side of the car. + +He drew his sword and waved it at his men. + +"Guard them closely!" he exclaimed, indicating his four prisoners. + +"Pretty ticklish situation," whispered Hal to Chester, who stood beside +him. "We have got to do something." + +"You bet," replied Chester, "and we've got to do it now." + +He took off his cap, twirled it about a few seconds, and let it fall to +the ground. + +Chester stooped to pick it up. Rising suddenly, he came up under the +guard of his nearest captor, and with his head butted him with all his +force under the chin. + +The blow was more than flesh and blood could stand. The soldier fell to +the ground with a groan of pain, his tongue almost bitten off. Without a +pause, Chester turned upon another of his captors, and, with two +well-directed blows of his fist, sent him staggering. + +The suddenness of Chester's attack had not taken Hal by surprise. When +Chester dropped his cap, Hal divined his purpose, and, as his friend +butted his first victim, Hal acted. Turning upon his nearest guard, he +seized the latter's rifle, at the same time delivering a well-directed +kick at his enemy's shin. The man released his hold on the rifle, and, as +he stooped unconsciously to rub his shin, the pain of which was almost +unbearable, he met Hal's right fist, which, sent into his face with +stunning force, knocked him cold. + +All this happened in the smallest fraction of the time it takes to tell +it, and, before the German officer and the soldier who were exploring the +interior of the automobile could realize what was happening and go to the +aid of their companions. + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson had acted with almost as much +celerity as had Hal, in spite of the fact that Chester's attack had taken +them by surprise. Almost at the same moment Hal seized the weapon of his +guard Captain Derevaux closed with the third man, and, with his fingers +at his throat, was attempting to choke him into unconsciousness. + +At the same moment the German commanding officer and his troops ran to +the aid of their fellows. + +"Shoot them!" shouted the officer, drawing his revolver and rushing to +take part in the fray. He already held his sword in his hand. + +The soldier drew a revolver. + +Hal, having disposed of one enemy, clubbed the rifle he had wrenched +from him, and, before either the German officer or his man could fire, +was in the thick of the mêlée. Lieutenant Anderson, having picked up a +rifle dropped by one of the German soldiers, was already there, his +weapon also clubbed. + +The officer and the trooper were unable to bring their revolvers to bear, +and rushed into the fight with their weapons clubbed. + +With a single blow Hal crushed the skull of the soldier, and then turned +upon the officer who was engaging Anderson. + +Lieutenant Anderson and his opponent were still battling desperately for +the possession of the latter's gun, and Captain Derevaux and the +remaining German trooper were rolling about upon the ground, the +captain's finger still pressed into his enemy's throat. Chester had gone +to the captain's aid. + +Warding off the officer's sword, Anderson suddenly dropped his rifle, +and, stepping inside the other's guard, placed the officer hors de combat +with several well-directed and lightning-like blows to the face and jaw. + +At that moment Captain Derevaux's opponent succeeded in shaking off the +captain's grip, and, springing to his feet, leveled his rifle, which he +snatched from the ground as he arose, squarely at the young Frenchman. + +With a shout Chester sprang forward, picking up a rifle as he leaped, and +aimed a smashing blow at the man's head. The clubbed weapon found its +mark with a crushing impact, and the man threw up his arms, spun around +two or three times, and then fell in a heap. + +And it was not a moment too soon. For, as the last German measured his +length upon the ground, there was a sudden shout, and a body of cavalry, +attracted by the sounds of the conflict, bore down upon the victors. + +"Quick!" shouted the lieutenant. "To the machine!" And, with Hal and +Captain Derevaux, he made a rush for the auto. + +Chester had stopped to gather up the two revolvers that lay on the +ground. + +"Go ahead!" he shouted. "I'm coming!" And, picking up the last revolver, +he ran up to the automobile and swung himself aboard, just as Hal, who +had climbed into the driver's seat, threw in the clutch, and the machine +leaped forward. + +At that moment a volley of shots rang out. The whizzing bullets again +flew around the car, and there was again the sound of splintering wood, +as they smashed into the rear of the auto. + +All but Hal dived into the bottom of the car, and he bent as low as +possible over the steering wheel. + +Soon the sound of firing became less audible, and finally ceased +altogether. + +Chester, Lieutenant Anderson and Captain Derevaux arose from the bottom +of the car and resumed their seats. + +"That's what I call great work, boys," declared the lieutenant, putting +his hand on Hal's shoulder. "If it hadn't been for you, I guess the +captain and I would be locked up by this time. Isn't that so, captain?" + +"It certainly is," was the reply. "And had it not been for the prompt +action of Chester in that encounter, France would have lost a captain +of rifles." + +Hal and Chester were embarrassed by all this praise. + +"That's all right," Hal called over his shoulder. "You would have done +the same for us." + +At this moment the chauffeur, who had been almost forgotten in the +excitement, stirred. + +"Hello," ejaculated the captain. "Our friend is getting better. Guess we +had better see what we can do for him." + +He raised the head of the wounded man to his lap, and wiped the blood +stains from his face, while the lieutenant prepared a bandage. In a few +minutes the chauffeur had recovered sufficiently to drink a little water +and to eat several sandwiches the lieutenant produced from a small but +well-filled hamper. + +"Well, I guess we are safe for a little while, at any rate," +remarked Hal. + +"It looks like it," replied the lieutenant; "but, as I said before, you +never can tell." + +They rode cautiously along in silence for a long time; in fact, until the +first streak of dawn appeared in the east. Then, suddenly, the sound of +chug-chugging came from behind. + +Chester turned his head and jumped to his feet with a cry: + +"We are pursued! Speed up, Hal! Speed up!" + +It was true. Far back could be seen a pursuing automobile, and, even from +that distance, it was apparent it was gaining. + +Hal "speeded up" and in a short time the pursuing car was out of sight. +Nevertheless, the speed was not diminished. + +"I guess they have learned that we can travel some, anyhow," remarked +Hal happily. + +And just at that moment there was a loud explosion--the car rocked +crazily, and Hal brought it to a stop. + +"Tire blown out," exclaimed the French captain, in despair. "Now we are +up against it. What shall we do?" + +"Fix it," retained Chester briefly. + +He got out, and the rest, including the wounded chauffeur, followed suit. + +At that moment Chester bethought himself of the pursuing machine, and +said: + +"We haven't time. Our pursuers will be upon us." + +"You are right," said the captain, "but I have an idea." + +The place in which they had stopped was shaded upon both sides by great +trees. As far as could be seen the woods continued. A hundred yards back +over the road they had traversed was a sharp curve, hiding any +approaching vehicle from sight. Ahead, the road stretched out in a +straight line for a considerable distance. + +"I figure this way," said the captain hurriedly, "the machine as it is is +doing us no good, is it?" + +"It certainly is not," replied the lieutenant. + +"And, if we wait here long enough to fix it it won't do us any good +either, will it?" + +"Certainly not." + +"Then my idea is this: Head the machine straight down the road, lash +the wheel fast and start her off. If I am not mistaken, it will run +along the road at least to the next curve. Even from here you can see +the steep embankment at the curve. When the machine hits that curve it +will go over. + +"Now, if that embankment is as steep as it looks, the car, when it hits +the bottom, will be out of sight. In the meantime, we hide here until our +pursuers pass. The chances are they will continue past the curve, never +seeing the wreckage at the bottom of the embankment, believing we are +still ahead of them. Then we can continue our journey afoot. What do you +think of that idea?" + +"I think it is first-rate," declared Hal, and the others agreed with him. + +"But won't they discover, when they reach the next town, that we haven't +passed through?" asked Chester. + +"They probably will," was the reply; "but we will cross that bridge when +we come to it. Besides, there is little doubt in my mind that the +authorities in the next town know of our coming. We couldn't be so +fortunate a second time." + +Accordingly the plan suggested was carried out. Hal elected to get in the +car and start it, and, as it took a flying leap forward, he hurled +himself from the machine to the soft grass beside the road. He was +considerably shaken up, but not badly hurt. + +Then the five stood and watched the car in its mad flight down the road. + +"I hope that the fact of a tire being bursted won't stop it's sticking to +the road," said Chester. + +Fortunately the car continued its journey in as straight a line as the +best chauffeur in the world could have driven, and the five companions +strained their eyes as it neared the distant curve. + +"It's almost there!" cried Hal. "I hope it makes a good jump; and I hope +that embankment is steep." + +"And I hope that she makes her leap before our pursuers heave in sight, +which is more to the point," declared Chester. + +Again they strained their eyes, watching the flight of the mad car. And +then the car reached the embankment. + +"There she goes!" cried Chester, and the big machine, as though making a +desperate leap, hurled itself into space, where it soared for a moment +like a huge bird, and then disappeared from sight. + +"Well, it's gone," said the lieutenant sorrowfully; "and now it's up to +us to hoof it, to the next town, at least." + +The five moved into the woods and just as they gained the first dense +covering there was a sound from the road over which they had come. + +Dropping to the ground, they peered between the trees. Presently a second +huge car, in which could be caught a glimpse of uniforms, rounded the +curve, flashed by, and disappeared down the road. + +"Let's go farther into the woods," urged Chester. "We might be +seen here." + +Going deeper and deeper in among the trees the five continued their +journey; and, when they felt sure they had penetrated far enough to avoid +any chance of detection, they turned their faces northward and set out at +a brisk pace. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +CAPTURED. + + +All morning the journey through the woods continued. At intervals the big +trees became more sparse, and the party took all precautions against +being seen, as they flitted through the open places. + +About noon, Lieutenant Anderson made a foraging expedition, and returned +with a basket of food, which he had purchased from a nearby farmhouse. +Hungrily the five disposed of it, quenching their thirst from a sparkling +brook of cool water. Then they resumed their march. + +Night was falling when the travelers at length emerged from the woods. +Half a mile ahead could be seen the lights of a town. + +Lieutenant Anderson called a consultation. + +"If I mistake not," he said, "those lights indicate the town of +Stettin. We shall have to be very careful. They are bound to be on the +lookout for us." + +"Has anyone a plan?" he asked, after some further talk. + +"I think I have one," returned Hal. "It might work out all right" + +"Let's hear it," demanded Chester. + +"Yes," chorused the others, "what is it?" + +"Well," said Hal, "my idea is that it would be much better for us to +separate. If we all approach together we are sure to be recognized. Our +number alone would give us away. But, if we go singly, or by twos, from +different directions, we stand a chance of gaining the city without being +challenged." + +"A good idea," exclaimed Captain Derevaux; "I heartily approve of it." + +"And I, too," declared the young lieutenant; "and I recommend that we put +the plan into execution at once." + +The lone dissenting voice came from the wounded chauffeur. + +"I don't know your plans, gentlemen," he said; "and I don't want to know +them. I have had trouble enough. I am a German, and, from what I have +heard, although I know I should look upon you as enemies of my country, +I do not believe you mean any harm. Besides, you have treated me well, +and I will not betray you. But I must ask that you leave me here. I will +make my way into the town some time during the night I shall be +perfectly safe." + +"Had we not better make him go with us?" questioned Chester. "Is he not +likely to betray us?" + +"No; I am sure he would not," said Hal. + +"And I," agreed the French captain. + +"I am a little inclined to doubt the advisability of leaving him behind," +said Lieutenant Anderson, "but--" + +"Sir!" broke in the chauffeur. "I am just as much a gentleman as you are, +and my word is my bond!" + +The young Englishman's face flushed. + +"Forgive me!" he exclaimed, extending his hand. "I am sorry for my +unreasonable doubts. I am sure that you can be trusted." + +"I believe that our friend's decision simplifies matters exceedingly," +declared Hal. + +"In what way?" demanded the lieutenant. + +"In the first place, it makes one less of us. And, again, it does away +with the necessity of one of us approaching the town alone, which is +also a good thing. While for two to approach the town is much better +than four, under the circumstances, two are also better than one, for +the reason that they can give a good account of themselves should +occasion arise." + +"Which is good reasoning," declared Captain Derevaux. "I agree with you." + +"I suggest," said Lieutenant Anderson, "that one of the boys go with you, +captain, and the other with me. I shall go back a short distance into the +woods, make a detour, and enter the town from the west." + +"Another good idea," replied the captain. "Hal and I will wait here half +an hour after you have gone, and will reach the town from this side at +about the time you and Chester arrive." + +"Where shall we meet?" + +"I believe the best plan would be to meet in the hotel. Whichever of us +arrives first will wait for the others." + +"Good," said the lieutenant. "The best part of that idea is that, +providing we get into the town safely, the hotel will be the least likely +place our pursuers will look for us. They probably will figure we will +sneak along the outskirts." + +"Sure," broke in Chester. "But how are we to get out of the town? Won't +the other side be so closely guarded that we can't get through?" + +"Yes, I suppose they will be laying for us, all right, but we shall have +to leave that to luck. The thing to do now is to get in. We will get out +as best we may." + +"Right," declared Hal; "and I guess that, as long as we are going, we +might as well go now. The sooner we start the better, is the way I +look at it." + +Chester and the lieutenant said good-by to the chauffeur, and then +Chester turned to Hal and held out his hand. + +"In case--" he said, as they gripped, and a moment later he and the young +lieutenant were gone. + +Hal, Captain Derevaux and the chauffeur reentered the woods, where they +sat down to wait the half hour agreed upon. + +As his chum's form disappeared from sight, striding rapidly along beside +the gallant lieutenant, Hal experienced a peculiar sinking sensation in +the region of his stomach, while his heart throbbed jerkily, and he +turned faint. For almost the first time he realized the real seriousness +of the situation. + +"Good old Chester!" he said to himself. "I hope nothing happens to him. I +wish I could take all the danger upon my own shoulders." + +In vain did he try to shake off the feeling of uneasiness that oppressed +him; and it was with a heavy heart at the absence of his friend that he +found himself bidding the chauffeur good-by, when Captain Derevaux roused +him from his reverie and announced that it was time for them to be on +their way. + +Striking out from their shelter, the two approached the town boldly. They +walked silently and swiftly. + +It was now quite dark, but the gleam of a full moon made their figures +plainly discernible. At the edge of the town they unconsciously breathed +easier and quickened their step. + +Just passing the first house inside the city, they heard the sound of +running footsteps behind them. Hal looked over his shoulder. A uniformed +figure was hurrying after them. + +"Run!" cried Hal to his companion, and he suited the action to the word. + +The captain also broke into a quick run. + +A command of "Halt!" behind them went unheeded, and the two friends sped +over the ground, heading for the friendly shelter of the first cross +street that was now but a few yards away. + +Slackening their speed but a trifle, they rounded the corner just as the +sharp crack of a rifle rang out. Around a second corner they dodged, and +another, and still another. + +Stopping a moment to gain a much-needed breath, they could hear the +sounds of great confusion, and again they broke into a quick run. + +"The whole town will be aroused and on our track in a few minutes," +panted Hal. "We will have to lose ourselves some way awfully quick." + +Luckily, the streets they had traversed so far had been deserted. But as +they rounded another corner they saw a crowd of men coming rapidly +toward them. + +"I guess it's all up," exclaimed Hal, and the two slowed to a walk. + +The crowd moved rapidly, and they advanced to meet it. + +"No use running," said the captain. "We will try to bluff it out." + +The first man of the crowd to reach them stopped. + +"What's the row back there?" he asked. + +"Just a street fight, I guess," replied Hal. "We didn't stop to see." + +"More than likely some Frenchman has been rounded up," said the man. +"Better come along and see the fun," and he broke into a trot again. + +"We had better make a bluff at going," said Hal to the captain, as he +noticed that some of the crowd eyed them queerly. + +Turning, they joined the crowd, and began to retrace their steps. They +went slowly, however, and the crowd gradually drew away from them. At +last, finding themselves behind the last man, they turned suddenly into a +side street and broke into a run again. + +Turning another corner, they slowed down to a walk. + +"We had better get away from here," exclaimed the Frenchman. "They will +be back after us in a minute." + +They continued their walk, still stepping along at a rapid pace, and at +length emerged, without further difficulty, into a brilliantly lighted +street, which, they learned, was the main thoroughfare of the town. +Mingling with the crowd, they were soon comparatively safe. + +"The thing to do now is to find out where the hotel is," said the +Frenchman. + +Stopping in an open shop, Hal made an inquiry. + +"Two blocks ahead," was the reply, and following directions, Hal and the +captain soon came upon a large, though unpretentious, hotel. They went in +and sat down in the rotunda. Chester and the lieutenant had not arrived, +and once more Hal felt that queer sinking sensation in his stomach. + +"If anything has happened to Chester," he mused, "I don't know what I +shall do." + +But his anxiety was soon set at rest, for a few moments later Chester and +Lieutenant Anderson appeared in the doorway. + +Hal jumped to his feet and seized Chester by the hand. + +"I was afraid--" he began in a queer voice, but the lieutenant silenced +him with a gesture. + +"Careful!" he whispered. + +Hal returned to his seat and Chester and the lieutenant also sat down. + +Hal recounted the experience he and the captain had had, and the +lieutenant said: + +"Then we have no time to waste. We must leave here at once." + +Rising, the four companions left the hotel. + +"We must get something to eat before we go," declared the Frenchman, and +accordingly they dropped into a little restaurant, where they treated the +inner man to his entire satisfaction. Then they went to the street again. + +"The best thing we can do is to go straight through the town and out on +the other side--if we can," said the lieutenant, and they turned their +steps toward the north once more. + +They reached the northern extremity of the town without difficulty and +just as they were congratulating themselves on their good fortune, Hal +gripped lieutenant Anderson by the arm and whispered: + +"Look!" + +Not two hundred yards ahead could be seen a line of army huts, extending +on either side as far as the eye could see. + +"Ummm," grunted the lieutenant. Then: "Doesn't look like much chance of +getting through here." + +At the same instant there came from the rear the sound of the footsteps +of a large body of men approaching with confusion. + +"The crowd!" cried Hal. + +The lieutenant was a man of action, as already has been seen. + +"Follow me!" he exclaimed, and dashed to the right. His three companions +ran after him. + +Suddenly the lieutenant stopped and pointed ahead. + +"Horses!" he whispered. "Good!" + +He advanced more slowly, the others closely behind him. + +"If we can cut out four horses," explained the lieutenant, "we will have +a chance. We'll make a dash and trust to luck and the darkness." + +Silently they approached the horses, which stood quietly a few yards +away. A sentry passed nearby, and the four companions dropped to the +ground. Fortunately, the sentry did not look in their direction. + +"That's what I call luck," whispered Hal. + +From behind the sounds of confusion became more audible, indicating the +rapid approach of the crowd. At the same time lights flared up in the +huts, and an officer stepped to the entrance of one only a few feet from +the four friends. + +He espied them on the instant, and then the lieutenant acted. + +"Quick!" he cried, and jumped toward the horses. + +A revolver cracked, and a bullet whined over Hal's head even as he +leaped forward. + +With a bound all four fugitives were among the horses, and almost with a +single movement each threw himself into a saddle. + +But at that moment the camp came to life. Armed men sprang up on +all sides. + +In the very act of digging his heel into his horse's flank, the +lieutenant pulled up. + +"It's no use," he said quietly to his friends. "To move is certain +death." + +Then came a voice from right before them. + +"Surrender!" it cried. "Surrender or you are dead men!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE OLD CASTLE. + + +Lieutenant Anderson raised a hand. + +"We surrender," he said quietly. + +The officer approached, a revolver held ready for instant use. + +"Dismount!" he ordered shortly. + +The four companions slid to the ground. A squad of soldiers +surrounded them. + +"Search them for arms," was the next command, and they were relieved of +their weapons. + +"To the castle!" ordered their captor. "Forward, march!" + +With the four prisoners in the center, the soldiers moved away. + +"Looks like we were into it pretty steep this time," said Hal, as they +were being led away. + +"Silence!" came the sharp command of the German officer. + +They moved along for several minutes without a word except for an +occasional command from the officer. + +At length a grim, gray wall loomed before them in the darkness, and +without a stop the prisoners were hurried across a little bridge, led +across a courtyard and escorted within the structure. + +A fear-inspiring place it was, but the four captives entered without a +tremor, their heads held high and their step firm. Any spirit of +foreboding they may have felt was not manifested in their carriage. + +Down dark and dirty corridors they were led, and after many sharp turns, +their guards stopped before what appeared to be a hole in the side of the +wall. Into this opening the prisoners were thrust without ceremony, and a +door behind them was closed with a bang. + +It was several minutes before the four companions could accustom their +eyes to the semi-darkness, but finally they were able to make out the few +objects that furnished the cell, for such it proved to be. + +There were three broken chairs and two dirty-looking mattresses, one of +the latter at each end of the cell. Also there was a small table. + +"Pretty dismal looking place, this," remarked the doughty French captain, +after a hasty glance about. + +"Dismal and dirty it certainly is," said Hal. + +"How long do you suppose we shall have to stay here?" asked Chester. + +"Until they get ready to let us out," replied the young English +lieutenant dryly. "Which may not be a very satisfactory answer, but it's +the best I can do." + +"What do you suppose they will do with us?" queried Hal. + +"You've got me. If they don't take us out and shoot us as spies, we are +likely to lie here till we rot." + +"Surely they would be afraid to do that." + +"Don't fool yourself that they are afraid to do anything." + +"But we can prove we are not spies." + +"Can we? How? With the trouble we have made, they won't be able to kill +us off quick enough." + +"Well," said Hal hopefully, "maybe something will turn up that will +enable us to convince them." + +"I hope so. But if it doesn't turn up soon, we are gone goslings, just as +sure as you're a foot high," and Lieutenant Anderson threw himself down +on one of the evil-looking mattresses, remarking: "Might as well take a +little snooze, anyhow." + +"This doesn't look to me like a time to sleep," remarked Hal to Chester, +although he almost envied the coolness with which the young Englishman +accepted his perilous situation. + +"Looks to me more like the time to try and find a way out," agreed +Chester. + +Captain Derevaux, however, also flung himself upon one of the mattresses +and he and the lieutenant soon were fast asleep. + +In spite of the fact that they had been more than twenty-four hours +without sleep, the two boys were in no mood to close their eyes. As Hal +said, now seemed to be the proper time to expend whatever energies they +had in getting out of their prison. + +The boys looked around. There were two small windows to their cell, but +it was plain they were too small to permit of a human body being squeezed +through. Besides, they were barred. Beyond, across a courtyard, could be +seen another wing of the castle. It appeared to be almost in ruins. + +Looking from the other window, the boys could discern the bridge which +they had been led across. The bridge spanned a moat, which at one time +had been filled with water. Now it was a mass of growing weeds. + +Hal shook the bars at the window through which he was peering, and one +came away in his hand. It had grown loose through age. Still, however, +it was impossible for a man to pass through the window. The opening was +too small. + +"No chance of getting out here," remarked Hal, turning to Chester, who +stood at the other window. + +"Nor here," was the answer. "I couldn't squeeze through to save my life." + +"What are we to do, then? I certainly won't let them take me out and +shoot me without a fight." + +"No more will I," declared Chester. "I would rather be killed fighting +than to be taken out and stood up against a wall." + +"Then if it comes to the worst we will pitch into the guards when they +come to take us out and fight until the end," said Hal. + +"We will," agreed Chester. "It would be a much more pleasant death. I +don't think much of walking out and standing over my own grave and +letting somebody shoot at me without a chance to fight back." + +They continued their conversation well into the night. + +As the first rays of sunlight filtered into their cell a key turned +gratingly in the rusty lock of the door. Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant +Anderson, who now appeared to have been sleeping with one eye open, were +on their feet immediately, and the four friends faced the door. + +Slowly the huge door swung outward and a grinning apparition appeared in +the doorway, carrying a vessel of water and a loaf of bread. It was an +old, old negro, and he shuffled forward haltingly. Just outside the door +could be seen half a dozen German soldiers. + +Hal and Chester stared at the old negro in speechless amazement. The +sight of the old darky carried them back across the sea to the home of +Hal's Virginia uncle. They forgot their danger for a moment, gazed at +each other and broke into a laugh. + +The old negro looked at them in surprise, and with ruffled dignity. He +placed the water and bread upon the table, and drawing himself up, +pointed to them and then commanded: + +"Essen!" + +It was too much for the two lads and they broke into another loud guffaw. + +"Well, what do you think of that!" exclaimed Chester. "Here's what looks +like an old plantation negro, and he speaks German." + +"Funniest thing I ever heard," gasped Hal between bursts of laughter. + +At their words, an expression of amazement passed over the old +negro's face. + +"Lawdy! Lawdy!" he exclaimed, a wide grin spreading itself over his +features; "if dese two chilluns ain't 'Mericans," and advancing toward +them he demanded: + +"What yo'al doin' hyah? Dey tol' me dey dun captured fo' spies!" + +Hal explained briefly. + +The old negro rolled his eyes in gaping wonder at the recital. + +"Can't you help us, uncle?" asked Chester, as Hal completed his story. + +Frightened, the old darky looked around; then began slowly to back toward +the door of the cell, just beyond which stood the line of soldiers. + +"Yo'al jes' wait," he spoke in a hoarse whisper. "Ol' Uncle Billy'll see +what he c'n do." + +He backed out of the cell as he finished and the door clanged behind him. + +"It seems that we have at least one friend," remarked Hal, after Uncle +Billy had gone. + +"But what can he do to help us?" demanded the young French captain. + +"I don't know," replied Hal; "but you may be sure he will do anything he +can. He will not desert us. He is that kind, and I know the kind well." + +"You can bet on that," Chester agreed. "He'll be back before long." + +It was nearing the hour of noon when the cell door again swung open. +Believing that Uncle Billy had returned, the two boys jumped to their +feet. But they were disappointed. An officer, whose shoulder straps +proclaimed him a lieutenant, entered. Behind him stood the inevitable +line of soldiers. + +He beckoned the prisoners. "Follow me!" he commanded. + +"Where to?" demanded Lieutenant Anderson. + +"General Steinberg desires your presence." + +He stood aside as the captives filed from the cell. Outside the line of +soldiers fell in step behind them. + +Our four friends were marched out of the castle and across the field to +the army camp. They were led to a hut rather larger than the rest, which +proclaimed it the headquarters of the commanding officer. They were +ushered inside and their military escort fell back. + +General Steinberg sat at a table surrounded by several officers of his +staff. He looked up as the prisoners entered, and unconsciously Captain +Derevaux saluted. + +General Steinberg jumped to his feet. + +"So!" he exclaimed. "A soldier, eh? And an officer, besides. I thought +so! What rank, and to what command are you attached?" + +Captain Derevaux drew himself up to his full height. + +"Captain of French Rifles!" he said defiantly. + +"And what are you doing within our lines in civilian clothes, may I ask?" +demanded the general, with a sneer. "Spying, eh?" he continued without +waiting for a reply. "I thought so. Are your companions also spies?" + +"We are not spies," declared the captain vehemently. "I was stranded in +Berlin and was trying to make my way out of the country so as to join my +regiment." + +"And why should we allow you to leave the country and join our foes? Did +you report yourself to the authorities in Berlin when war was declared?" + +"No." + +"And why, may I ask?" + +"Because I had already received orders to join my regiment, and I did not +propose to be detained." + +The general waved him aside and turned to Lieutenant Anderson. + +"And you are also an officer, perhaps, eh?" he questioned. + +"I am," replied the lieutenant boldly. "I hold his British majesty's +commission as a lieutenant of Dragoons." + +"Another spy, eh?" + +"No; I am no spy, and you do not dare treat me as one." + +"I don't? You shall see. Stand aside!" + +The general turned to Hal and Chester. + +"And you," he said, "you both look over young to be taking the risk of +spies. How do you come to be mixed up in this business?" + +Hal explained. + +"Why did you not submit to arrest in Angermunde?" + +"Because we feared we would be detained." + +"And is that a sufficient cause for attacking a squad of German troops?" + +"We considered it so," replied Hal. + +"Enough!" exclaimed General Steinberg. "It is my belief you are all +spies. You shall be shot to-morrow at sunrise!" + +Turning to the officer who had escorted them to his hut, he commanded: + +"Return them to their cell and see that they are well guarded!" + +"But, general," the young captain spoke up, "these boys are in no way to +blame. They are perfectly innocent!" + +"Shoot us if you like, but spare them," pleaded the lieutenant. + +"Bah!" exclaimed the general. "One is as guilty as the other!" + +With a wave of his hand he signified that the interview was ended. + +"Take them away!" he ordered. + +"It's all my fault!" exclaimed Captain Derevaux when they were back +in the cell once more. "I should not have permitted you boys to +accompany us." + +"It is not!" denied Hal and Chester together. "Whatever may befall us is +no discredit to you. Had we not come with you, we probably should have +tried to escape the country alone." + +"But if you had not been captured in our company you would be in no +danger of being shot," declared Lieutenant Anderson. "I cannot forgive +myself that I consented to your coming." + +"Never mind that," said Hal. "You tried to help us, and that we go to our +deaths to-morrow morning is not due to you." + +"Fool that I was!" cried the Frenchman. "Had I kept my presence of mind +in Steinberg's hut our position would not be so desperate. It was my +salute that caused all this trouble." + +"Come, come, never mind that," soothed Chester. "It couldn't be helped. +Besides, I am sure he had his mind made up to shoot us, anyhow. Let's not +think about it." + +It was perhaps an hour later that the huge cell door once more swung +slowly open. Uncle Billy stepped quickly inside and closed the door +after him. + +"Sh-h!" he whispered, holding up a warning finger and coming close. + +Silently he went to the table and, one after another, produced from some +place about his person four revolvers. + +"When I brung yo'al yo' dinnah t'night," he explained, "I'se gwine ter +leave de' door open. I'se gwine ter p'tend ter lock it, but it ain't +gwine ter be locked. + +"At nine o'clock t'night de' watch am changed, an' fer five minutes there +ain't no guard in de' hall. That am when yo'al slip out an' sneak down +de' hall. When yo'al gits out o' de cas'le, jes' yo'al sneak roun' to de +right, an' dere'll be frien's dere." + +Uncle Billy again put a warning finger to his lips. + +Hal opened his mouth to ask a question, but with a soft "sh-h" Uncle +Billy silenced him. + +Then, after several furtive glances about, the old negro stole quickly +from the cell, closing the door softly behind him. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE ESCAPE. + + +"What did I tell you!" shouted Hal, when the old negro had taken his +departure. "Didn't I tell you old Uncle Billy wouldn't leave us in +the lurch?" + +"What do you suppose his plan is?" asked Chester. + +"I haven't any idea, but you can depend upon its being a good one." + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson were examining the revolvers +Uncle Billy had laid on the table. + +"Loaded, all right," remarked the latter. + +"At least they won't stand us up against a wall without a fight," +declared the captain. + +"I don't know what Uncle Billy's plan of escape is," said Hal, "but I +am sure it will be successful. I have a lot of confidence in these +old-time negroes." + +"And I, too," declared Chester. + +"Well," interrupted the Frenchman, "all we can do now is to wait and hope +for the best." + +"We at least have a fighting chance," spoke up the lieutenant, "and +that's more than I ever expected to have again." + +"It's a long time between now and nine o'clock," said Chester. "I think +we all had better get some sleep. We are likely to need it before we +get through." + +"Right," replied the lieutenant. "I guess we had better turn in." + +The four lay down upon the dirty mattresses, and with their minds more at +ease were soon asleep. + +It was after six o'clock when Uncle Billy once more entered the cell with +their "dinner," which consisted of another vessel of water and a second +loaf of bread. + +Hal made a grimace. + +"Is that what you call dinner, Uncle Billy?" he demanded. "Why, I'm so +hungry I could eat a fence rail." + +Uncle Billy grinned widely. + +"Yo'al will git a shore 'nuff dinnah 'fore long," he replied. + +"Is everything all right?" asked Chester. + +"Yassah, yassah. Everyt'ing am all right. Yo'al jes' do like I tell you," +and the old darky hastened from the cell. + +The four prisoners fell upon the single loaf of bread and devoured +it hungrily. Thirstily they gulped down the water, and then sat +down to wait. + +The long hours passed slowly. + +"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester finally. "Won't nine o'clock ever come?" + +"Hold your horses and don't get excited," ordered Lieutenant Anderson. +"Impatience won't get us anything." + +Chester subsided, and for a time the four sat in silence. + +Suddenly the stillness was broken by the faint sound of a distant bell. + +The young lieutenant pulled his watch from his pocket. Then he closed the +case with a snap and rose to his feet. + +"Nine o'clock!" he said briefly. "Time to be moving!" + +Cautiously the four approached the cell door. Hal pressed his weight +against it, and slowly the huge door swung outward. Poking out his head, +Hal glanced up and down the corridor. + +"No one in sight," he informed his companions, and softly the four +stepped outside, closing the door gently behind them. + +Silently four shadows flitted along the corridor, out across the bridge +and to the wall beyond. They encountered no one. + +"Your Uncle Billy is a jewel," declared the young Frenchman, in a +whisper. + +"He is for a fact," whispered back the lieutenant. + +Chester crept silently through the gate and peered in all directions. +Then he crept back to his companions. + +"All safe!" he whispered. + +"Now to get to the place where Uncle Billy said friends would be +waiting," said Hal. + +"I guess we had better make it at a run," spoke up the Frenchman. + +"Yes," said the lieutenant; "some one might happen along and we would +have to make a fight for it." + +Passing through the entrance to the old castle, the four broke into a +run, and turning to the right in accordance with their instructions, +increased their speed. + +For a considerable distance they sped along under the shelter of the +castle wall. Just as they reached the end of the wall a whispered voice +brought them to a halt. + +"Hyah, sah!" came the unmistakable voice of Uncle Billy. + +Turning, they saw the old negro, who had been hidden from their sight, +standing under the far wall of the castle. + +"Follow me!" he whispered, and led the way a short distance along the +wall, to where were picketed four horses. + +Turning, he motioned the companions to mount. + +"Which way?" asked the lieutenant, when all were in the saddle. + +"Straight north, I suppose," said the captain. + +"No, sah, no, sah," broke in Uncle Billy. "Yo'al can't get free +that-a-way. Since de Emp'ror declared wah on Belgin an' Englan' dun +declare wah on Germany, all de no'th coast am hev'ly guarded." + +"What!" exclaimed the French captain. "War on Belgium!" + +"England has declared war?" asked the young lieutenant, in surprise. + +"Yassah, yassah. I jes' hearn erbout it." + +"Then which way shall we go?" + +"Yo'al must go that-a-way," came the answer, and Uncle Billy pointed +toward the southwest, in the direction of the faraway frontier of The +Netherlands. + +"But Holland is a long ways off, and the country between must be overrun +with troops," protested the Frenchman. + +"Mos' all de troops am at de front," explained the old negro. "Dat am de +bes' way, sah." + +"I believe we had better take Uncle Billy's word for it," declared Hal. + +"I guess he is right," said the lieutenant. "Uncle Billy, we can never +thank you enough." + +"No," agreed Captain Derevaux. "We can never thank you enough." + +"Come," said the lieutenant, "let us ride," and he turned his horse's +head toward the southwest, and started off cautiously. + +But Hal and Chester stopped for a further word with Uncle Billy. + +"But how about you, Uncle Billy?" demanded Chester. "Won't you get in +trouble for aiding us to escape?" + +"No, sah," replied the old negro. "There won't none o' dese hyah Germans +hurt ol' Uncle Billy!" + +"Well, then, good-by," said the boys. "After the war is over we are +coming back to see you." + +"After de wah am over," said the old negro slowly, "Ise gwine back ter +ol' Virginy!" + +With another word of farewell the boys wheeled their horses and rode +after their companions, who were now some distance ahead. + +"We shall have to go very slowly and feel our way until we have passed +the outposts of the town," said the lieutenant, as they rode along; and +for the first half hour their progress was slow. + +Once they passed within a few yards of a German sentry, but so softly did +their horses step that the soldier did not turn in their direction. + +Bearing well to the south, they passed the long line of huts where they +had been captured the night before, at a considerable distance; and now, +feeling sure they had passed the last of the outposts, they urged their +horses into a quick trot. + +"We will try and avoid all towns this time," declared Lieutenant +Anderson, "going just close enough to them to keep our bearings." + +"A good scheme," said the Frenchman. "We would better avoid the highways +as much as possible also." + +In almost a straight line, the direction in which the companions were now +headed eventually would put them into Holland a few miles north of the +Belgian frontier. Following the highways, their way would lead through +Prenzlau, Brunswick, and Detmold. But upon Captain Derevaux's advice, +they decided to skirt these towns, staying just close enough to the roads +to keep their sense of direction. + +As the four rode along through the open fields, Hal and Chester continued +to talk of Uncle Billy. + +"After the war," said Chester, "we'll come back and get him and take him +home with us." + +But such was not to be; nor was the old Southern negro ever again to see +his Virginia home. + +And because of the assistance he rendered Hal and Chester and their two +friends, it is fitting that here be related the fate of this old +plantation slave, who had come so nobly to the aid of our boys. + +As the four companions rode away from the old castle, Uncle Billy, with +bared head, gazed lovingly after them. + +"Praise de Lawd!" he exclaimed. "May dey git home in safety." + +The riders disappeared in the distance, and the old negro, after one +last glance, turned toward his quarters in a broken-down wing of the +old castle. + +There he threw himself to his knees, and for long minutes prayed in +silence. Then he arose, extinguished his light, and crawled into his +dirty cot. + +Before sun-up he arose, and was soon about his duties of carrying food to +others imprisoned in the castle. Upon the order of General Steinberg he +went to the vacant cell with the firing squad that was to put an end to +the lives of the four companions whom he had aided to escape. + +He opened the door, and then threw up his hands in well-feigned surprise. + +"Dere gone!" he exclaimed. + +"What!" exclaimed the officer in charge of the firing squad. +"Impossible!" + +He brushed the old negro aside and peered into the cell. Then he turned +to Uncle Billy and laid his hand on his shoulder. "You are under +arrest!" he said. + +"What fo', sah?" + +"For aiding the prisoners to escape." + +"But, but--" + +"Silence! To the general's quarters!" he commanded his men. + +Uncle Billy was led before General Steinberg. + +"So!" thundered the latter, after the situation had been explained to +him. "A traitor, eh!" + +Uncle Billy drew himself up proudly, and the years seemed to fall from +his shoulders. + +"I is no traitor, sah!" he said quietly, "Is I a traitor, sah, because I +is willin' ter die fer two li'l chillun, who is so like mah young massa?" + +"What!" shouted the general. "You admit it?" + +"Yassah!" + +General Steinberg's face grew purple and he waved his arms about angrily. + +"Then you shall die in their stead!" he shouted. "Sergeant! Take that +black hound out and shoot him! See that my order is carried out at once!" + +The sergeant saluted and turned to Uncle Billy. + +"Come!" he said. + +With bowed head the old negro walked slowly from the hut. Outside the +squad of soldiers encircled him, and he was led away. + +With his back to a wall and the line of soldiers facing him, their +rifles grounded by their sides, Uncle Billy's face turned chalky, and +he trembled. + +But, as the sergeant approached with a bandage for his eyes, the old +negro regained his composure. + +For the last time he drew himself to his full height; imperiously he +waved the sergeant away, and his eyes met the gaze of his executioners +unflinchingly. + +"Ready!" came the voice of the sergeant. + +"Take aim!" + +"Fire!" + +Without a murmur, Uncle Billy slid gently to the ground, his body riddled +with bullets. + +The sergeant hurried to his side, and placed a hand over his heart. +As he did so, the body of the old negro twitched, and he made an +effort to rise. + +The sergeant caught the faint sound of his voice. + +"I'se a-comin', massa; I'se a-co--" came the old voice in a low whisper; +and Uncle Billy's body fell back inert. + +The sergeant straightened up, and lifted his cap from his head. + +"He is dead!" he said softly. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +IN TROUBLE AGAIN. + + +All night long the four companions continued their way without adventure. +Twice they saw lights of nearby towns, and upon each occasion they bore +farther away from these signs of habitation. + +The first gray dawn streaked the eastern sky before they drew rein at a +little brook, where they sat down to rest for a few moments, and to allow +their horses to quench their thirst. + +"How far do you suppose we have come?" asked Hal. + +"I don't know," replied the Frenchman; "but we have covered +considerable ground." + +"Do you think we are out of danger?" + +"We are never out of danger as long as we are in Germany," put in the +lieutenant. "We may be safe from pursuit, but we are not out of the woods +yet, by any means." + +"How long should it take us to get out of the country?" asked Chester. + +"With luck, five days." + +"Well, let's hope for luck, then," said Hal. "I have had enough +excitement to last me for a long time to come." + +"Same here," declared Chester. + +They remained in their retreat for some time, and then, mounting, moved +forward once more. An hour later they succeeded in purchasing breakfast +at a farmhouse. As all were draining their second cup of coffee there +came from without the sound of galloping. The four jumped to their feet. + +"What's that?" cried Chester, in alarm. + +"We'll see," replied the young lieutenant briefly, and stepped to a +window. The others also advanced and peered over his shoulder. + +"Looks to me like a body of Black Hussars," remarked Captain Derevaux. + +"And so it is," said the lieutenant, as the horsemen drew closer to the +farmhouse. + +"Do you suppose they are looking for us?" queried Chester. + +"I do not think so. It's hardly likely they have heard of our escape +from Stettin." + +"Had we better remain here and trust to their passing by, or shall we +make a run for it?" + +"I believe we had better stay here. They may not stop." + +And, indeed, it seemed that the lieutenant's prophecy would prove +correct. + +The squadron came on without checking their speed; but, just as they +swept by the farmhouse, a squad of a dozen men, headed by an officer, +detached themselves from the main body, and headed toward the house. + +"We are in for it again," remarked Hal, and drew his revolver. + +"Put that away!" exclaimed the young captain quickly. "One shot and the +whole troop will be on us!" + +Hal dropped his weapon back into his pocket. + +At that instant there came a loud knock at the front door. + +The good housewife hastened forward to answer the knock, but was +intercepted by the Frenchman. + +"Do not answer!" he commanded. + +The woman stared at him aghast. + +"Why," she exclaimed, "it is probably my husband. He is a cavalry +officer, you know," and she smiled, and made as if to pass. + +But the captain again blocked her way. + +"Nevertheless," he said, "I must ask you not to go to the door." + +The woman gazed at him a moment in astonishment; then a queer look passed +over her face. + +"I see!" she exclaimed. "You are spies!" + +With a scream she evaded the captain and rushed to the door. + +"Come!" cried Captain Derevaux, his effort having failed. "I guess we +shall have to make a run for it!" + +"Out the back door!" exclaimed Lieutenant Anderson, and the four ran +through the house, went down the steps three at a time, and rushed toward +their horses in the stable nearby. + +Hardly had they leaped into their saddles and dashed from the stable, +when the woman and a German officer appeared in the back door of the +farmhouse, while from around the house came the dozen troopers afoot. + +With a shout the riders charged directly at them, bowling the soldiers +over on all sides, and for a moment it looked as though they might make +their escape. + +Then a shot rang out, and Chester's horse stumbled and went to his knees. +Chester was flung from his saddle, over his horse's head, and struck the +ground with stunning force. He lay still. + +Hal leaped to the ground and stooped over Chester. The captain and the +young lieutenant pulled up their mounts. + +As Hal tried to lift Chester to his feet, a second shot was heard, and a +bullet whistled over Hal's head. Hal dropped Chester to the ground, and +drew his revolver. + +He turned his face toward the enemy. + +"Come on!" he shouted, his eyes flashing, "I'll drop one or two of you +before you get me!" + +But at that moment, the lieutenant's voice rang out. + +"Don't shoot!" and Hal stayed his hand. + +At the same instant, Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson raised +their hands in token of surrender; and it was well that they did so, for +by that time the entire body of troopers had their rifles leveled. + +To have missed at that distance would have been impossible, and the +lieutenant had realized it. + +"Throw your weapons on the ground," came a command, and the captain and +lieutenant obeyed. + +Hal made as if to raise his revolver again, and the rifles of the +troopers were turned on him. + +Again the lieutenant called: + +"Don't be a fool. Throw that gun down!" + +Hal obeyed. + +The officer in command of the troop approached and spoke: + +"Who are you?" he demanded. + +"Travelers," replied Lieutenant Anderson. + +"Where are you going?" + +"Brunswick." + +"Why did you run at our approach?" + +The lieutenant made no reply. + +"Well," said the German officer, after a pause, "if you are bound for +Brunswick you will get there all right That is our destination." + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson had dismounted, and by this time +Chester had recovered consciousness. + +Calling two of his men, the German officer ordered the four companions +bound. Then Chester's saddle was taken from his wounded horse and put +upon another, which was brought from the stable. The four companions were +assisted to the backs of their animals, and the troop proceeded forward, +the prisoners in the center. + +The country through which they now traveled was rough and hilly, and +rapid progress was impossible. From time to time they passed detachments +of troops hurrying in the opposite direction. They did not overtake the +main body, of which their captors were a part, until they reached +Prenzlau, where the troop was quartered. + +There the prisoners were led before the commanding officer, Colonel +Waldstein. Lieutenant Anderson spoke. + +"Colonel," he said, "I am Lieutenant Anderson, of the British army, and +this," indicating the young captain, "is Captain Derevaux, of the +French army." Then, pointing to Hal and Chester: "These two boys are in +no way concerned in our affairs, and I hope that you will see fit to +release them." + +"How do they come to be in your company, then?" asked the colonel. + +The lieutenant explained the circumstances. + +The German officer was silent for some moments, meditating. Then he +turned to an aide. + +"Summon Lieutenant Schmidt!" he ordered. + +Presently an old soldier entered the general's quarters and saluted. + +"Lieutenant," said Colonel Waldstein, "take these two lads," indicating +Hal and Chester, "and quarter them in your home. You may remain here," he +told the boys, "until I have made inquiries and learned what to do with +you. You are so young that I can hardly believe you are spies." + +"Thank you, colonel," said Lieutenant Anderson. + +"But, as for you two," continued Colonel Waldstein, speaking to Captain +Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson, and his voice grew grave, "the fact +that I have found you within our lines in civilian attire would justify +me in having you shot at once. But I shall not dispose of your cases +until we reach Brunswick, for which place we leave to-night by train. You +may have valuable information. I shall turn your cases over to my +superiors." + +Hal and Chester shook hands with their two friends. + +"I don't know why you should do this for us," said Hal; "but we +appreciate your self-sacrifice more than we can tell you." + +"Indeed we do," agreed Chester. + +"That's all right, boys," replied the lieutenant. "Now, take my advice, +and make no further efforts to get out of the country until you are given +a safe escort, which, I am sure, will be within the course of a week." + +"That is excellent advice," agreed the young captain. "To get through the +country now is practically impossible, as we have proved." + +"But what will they do with you?" asked Hal. + +The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders. + +"Shoot us, I suppose." + +Up to this moment the colonel had not interfered with the conversation, +but now he called a halt. + +"That's talk enough," he declared. "Take the prisoners away." + +Hal and Chester followed the old lieutenant from the tent. + +"Good-by, good-by!" they called to their two friends, as they passed out. + +"Good-by," was the response; "remember our advice." + +The lieutenant escorted the boys some distance into the town, then +turning into a lane, marched them into a yard, in which, far back, sat a +large frame house. + +"This is my home," he said; "and as long as you stay you will be welcome. +My wife is fond of boys, and will be glad to see you. You will have the +freedom of the grounds, but remember, any attempt to leave the town +without a permit probably will end in your being shot. Take my advice and +don't try it" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +A NEW FRIEND. + + +"Frau Schmidt is certainly a nice old lady," said Chester. + +"She certainly is," agreed Hal. "If it wasn't for the fact that I +wanted to get out of the country so badly, I wouldn't mind spending a +few weeks here." + +"Nor I; and Fritz is a likable fellow." + +"He sure is." + +The boys had spent two days in the Schmidt home when this conversation +took place. In Frau Schmidt they had found a lovable and motherly woman, +well along in years. + +She had made them welcome from the first, and had set before them the +best she had. Their room was next to that of her son, Fritz, a young man +probably six years older than Hal. + +Now, Fritz was of a mechanical turn of mind, and all day and well into +the night he was at work in his shop behind the house. From bits of +conversation, the boys gathered that Fritz was engaged in the task of +building an aeroplane, and they were greatly interested. + +The fact that no one was allowed in Fritz's workshop unless he +accompanied them, and the additional fact that at night two soldiers were +stationed at the door at first caused the boys some surprise. However, +Fritz had explained: + +"You see, the government has taken over all aircraft in process of +construction, no matter how crude and amateurish, and has appointed a +commission to investigate all patents. Of course, it was known that I +was building an airship, and, as a result, I am working under +government orders. + +"If my craft should come up to expectations it will mean a great deal to +me, and I probably shall either be put to work building more, or, better +still, be made a member of one of the aeroplane corps." + +"Yes," said Chester again, "Fritz is a fine fellow. Do you suppose his +aeroplane will be a success?" + +"I don't know. For his sake, I hope so. As he says, it means a whole +lot to him." + +"So do I. And I will bet Fritz would be of great help to his country. He +is a pretty shrewd chap." + +"You bet he--Hello! What's that?" + +A sudden cry had come from the direction of the kitchen, and the sounds +of a struggle followed. + +"Come on!" shouted Chester. "Somebody is in trouble!" + +The two boys ran madly around the house. + +Dashing through the door into the kitchen, a terrible sight met +their eyes. + +Huddled into a corner was Frau Schmidt, and over her, with a naked +knife, stood a man, ragged and unkempt. A second man was ransacking the +drawers of a dresser in the room beyond. The boys could see him through +the open door. + +Just as they dashed in the door, the man with the knife snarled in a +low voice: + +"Give me the key to the workshop, I tell you. We mean business!" + +"You mean business, do you!" shouted Hal, striding toward him. +"Well, so do I!" + +The man turned at the sound of Hal's voice, and, with upraised knife, +awaited the lad's attack. + +"You cowardly ruffian!" cried Hal, "to attack a defenseless old woman!" + +As he spoke, he leaped upon the man, dodging the blow the latter aimed at +him with the wicked-looking knife. Before the latter could recover his +balance, Hal seized the arm that held the knife. + +A sharp twist and the knife went spinning across the floor. Both leaped +for it, but Hal was quicker than his opponent, and placed his foot upon +the weapon. With a snarl the man sprang upon him. + +Chester had entered the room upon Hal's heels; and, as his friend jumped +for the first intruder, Chester rushed at the man in the next room. The +latter heard him advance, and, stepping back, picked up a chair, which he +brandished over his head. Taking a rapid stride forward, he swung his +improvised weapon at Chester's head. + +Chester avoided the blow with a quick, backward leap, and the chair was +smashed to fragments against the door. Then Chester jumped forward and +closed with his opponent. + +With a rapid movement he placed his knee behind the other's leg and +pushed suddenly. The man went over backward, with Chester on top of him. +As the intruder fell, his head came into contact with the sharp +projection of the bureau, and when he struck the floor he lay still. +Chester rose to his feet. + +As Hal's opponent sprang toward him, the lad stepped in close and +delivered a stinging short-arm blow over the other's heart. He staggered +back, and, as Hal took another step forward, Chester, having disposed of +his adversary, threw his arms about the man from behind, and bore him to +the floor, where both boys piled on top of him. + +While the three were struggling on the floor, a voice from the doorway +exclaimed: + +"What is going on here?" and Fritz rushed into the room. + +He took in the situation at a glance, and, rushing forward, lent a hand +in subduing the boys' opponent. + +The struggle was over quickly, and, seizing a strong rope, which hung +from the wall, Fritz soon had the two men safely bound. Then he turned to +his mother, who still sat huddled on the chair, where she had been when +the boys entered the room. The excitement had been too much for her, and +she had fainted. + +She was soon revived, however, and, when she was strong enough to sit up, +jumped to her feet, and, throwing her arms around Hal, kissed him loudly. +Then she turned her attention to Chester, and repeated the operation. + +"My preservers!" she cried, laughing and crying at the same time. "Fritz, +but for these two boys your old mother would now be dead." + +Rapidly and somewhat incoherently she related what had occurred, and +Fritz was no less warm in his praise for the actions of the two boys. + +"Those men are undoubtedly spies," he declared. "They most certainly had +designs upon my biplane, which they evidently knew had been completed. I +shall turn them over to the military authorities." + +He left the house, and in a few moments returned with a squad of +soldiers, who took the assailants in charge. Fritz explained to the +officer how the two men had been captured, and the German officer +complimented the boys highly for their prompt action. + +After the two prisoners had been led away, Hal bethought himself of the +remark Fritz had made concerning his biplane. + +"Do you mean to say your aeroplane is ready for use?" he asked. + +"Yes; I am going to make a short flight this afternoon. Would you care to +watch me?" + +"Would we!" exclaimed Hal. "You can just bet we would!" + +"All right, then; come on." + +The two lads followed Fritz to his workshop. Inside the boys approached +the large aircraft, which rested lightly on its wheels at the end of the +speedway. The huge planes which served as wings stretched out on either +side like two great box kites, while underneath the aviator's seat the +gearing could be plainly seen. + +The aviator looked at the machine with great pride, and spoke of the +improvements he had made in the propellers and in the system of power +transmission. He explained to the boys that, by this direct system, he +had gained twenty per cent more velocity; and, now that the war had +begun, he hoped to be able to prove this to the army experts. + +The boys helped Fritz push the machine out into the open, and watched +intently while he tested the steering gear and tried the ignition. After +some further tinkering, Fritz finally took his seat, pulled a lever, and, +after skimming the ground for a few rods, the machine rose gracefully +into the air. + +"By George!" said Hal to Chester, as the craft rose from the ground. +"That looks easy. I believe I could do it myself." + +"It looks easy," Chester admitted. "But how do you suppose a fellow would +feel sailing along up there?" + +"I guess it would scare me a little at first, but, just the same, I +should like to try it." + +After circling around for several minutes, Fritz brought the machine back +to its starting point and, lightly as a bird it dropped to the ground. + +"Would you like to take a short flight?" he asked the boys. + +Chester backed away. + +"Not for me," he declared. "I would lose my head sure, if I got up +there." + +Hal laughed. + +"You don't want to pay any attention to him when he talks like that," he +told Fritz. "I never saw anything yet he was afraid to do." + +"After what I saw in the house to-day, I can well believe that," replied +the young German. "Would you like to go up?" to Hal. "You know the +machine will only carry two." + +"Why, yes," answered Hal; "I would like it." + +"Climb in, then," ordered Fritz. + +Not without some misgiving Hal obeyed. + +Once more the huge machine skimmed gracefully over the ground, and again +went sailing into space. + +As the plane rose from the ground, Hal grabbed the side of the seat and +hung on for dear life. Looking down and seeing the ground dropping +rapidly away, he experienced a choking sensation in his throat. + +As the machine stopped rising, however, and stretched itself out for a +straight flight, Hal's composure came back to him, and he looked around +with interest. + +Then Fritz explained the mechanism of the machine to him. He showed him +how to stop, how to increase the speed of the plane; how to rise and how +to glide to earth. He also showed him how to work the steering wheel. + +While they were sailing about in the air he told Hal that, if necessary, +his craft could make a speed of one hundred miles an hour for hours. He +declared it could attain an altitude of a mile. Practically the only +danger, he said, came from conflicting air currents. + +After sailing around for nearly half an hour, Fritz again brought the +machine to the ground a few feet from where Chester stood. + +"Great!" exclaimed Hal, as he alighted and helped Fritz roll the machine +back into the shop. "No more automobiling for me. When I get home I am +going to get an airship." + +"Wouldn't you like to go up with me to-morrow, Chester?" asked Fritz, as +he locked the door to the shop. + +"I believe I would," was the reply. "I guess I can stand it if Hal can." + +"Then you shall," said Fritz, and the three turned toward the house, +where Frau Schmidt stood in the doorway, calling to them that supper +was ready. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +IN THE AIR. + + +The boys were busily engaged in disposing of a hearty supper when there +came a knock at the door. Frau Schmidt answered the knock, and, returning +a few moments later, placed before Hal an important-looking letter, +bearing the official seal of the German government. + +Hal opened the document and read. + +"Great Scott!" he exploded, after a hasty perusal. + +"What's the matter?" demanded Chester anxiously. + +"Why, here is an order, commanding us to report to the commanding +officer the first thing in the morning, so that we may be transported +back to Berlin!" + +"Berlin! What in the world do we want to go back to Berlin for?" + +"We don't; but it looks as though there were no help for it. The letter +says that, after an investigation of our case, it has been decided that +we shall be sent back to Berlin and that, if we are to be allowed to +leave the country, such arrangements must be made by the United States +ambassador." + +"Well, what do you think of that!" + +"It's too bad," declared Fritz; "but an order is an order. I am afraid +you must go!" + +"You poor boys!" exclaimed Frau Schmidt "I can't see why they won't let +you stay here." + +"No more do I," declared Hal. "But I guess this letter means business." + +"It sure looks like it," said Chester. + +"That's what I call pretty tough luck," declared Hal, when the two boys +were alone in their room that night, Fritz and his mother having retired. + +"Tough? I should say it is tough," returned Chester. "After all the +trouble we have had getting away from Berlin, then to have to go back. +Tough is no name for it." + +"Well," said Hal, "I guess there is no use kicking. We ran a good race, +but we lost. It's back to Berlin for us." + +Suddenly Chester sat bolt upright + +"By George!" he exclaimed. + +"What's the matter now?" asked Hal in surprise. + +"I've an idea." + +"Strange," replied Hal, with a smile; "but let's hear it." + +"Well, in the first place, you took an airship ride to-day. How did +you like it?" + +"Like it? Oh, I liked it all right. Why?" + +"You saw Fritz work the thing. Did you get the hang of it?" + +Hal jumped to his feet with a subdued exclamation. + +"I see what you are getting at!" he declared. "An airship! Why didn't I +think of it myself?" + +"There are only two objections I can see to the plan," said Chester. + +"What are they?" + +"Well, the first is, can you run the thing without spilling us out?" + +"I am willing to take a chance if you are. Fritz explained the workings +of the machine while we were aloft to-day. I am sure I can do it. What is +the second reason?" + +"The second reason is that it seems a shabby trick to play on Fritz, +particularly after the way he has treated us." + +"So it does," agreed Hal slowly, but, after a pause, he added: +"However, I believe we had better do it. To me it looks like the +survival of the fittest." + +For a long time the boys debated this point, but the matter was finally +settled when Hal said: + +"Well, if we don't, we are likely to be stuck in Germany until the war is +over; and there is no telling when that will be." + +"As long as we are going to do it, then," returned Chester, "the sooner +we start the better." + +"Right," replied Hal. "Let's get busy." + +"How are we to get the aeroplane out of the shop? You know the door +is locked." + +"Yes, but I know something else, too. I noticed it to-day, and wondered +why those men who came after the key didn't take advantage of it." + +"What is it?" + +"The bolts in the hinges of the door can be lifted out easily, and we can +take the doors off." + +"But we must get rid of the two soldiers who keep guard at night." + +"We will do that some way, all right." + +"Come on, then; let's get started." + +Chester opened the door of their room and peered out. + +"Coast clear," he announced. + +Softly the two boys stole from the room and crept along the hall. They +tip-toed down the stairs, opened the door, and went out with scarcely a +sound. Outside they stopped. In front of the workshop they could see the +two guards in conversation. + +"We must get to the rear of the shop without being seen," whispered +Hal. "When one guard makes his rounds, we must grab him and prevent him +from making an outcry. We can then dispose of the other. You wait here +a minute, while I go back and get a piece of clothes-line, so we can +tie them up." + +He returned almost immediately with two pieces of rope. + +"Careful, now," whispered Hal, as, keeping in the shadow of the house, +they made a short detour. + +Out of sight of the guards, they made a silent dash for the rear of the +workshop, where they stood, silently awaiting the approach of the guard. + +"I hate to do this," whispered Hal, as he heard the footsteps of the +guard; "but it has to be done." + +As the guard rounded the corner of the shop, Hal struck out. Swift and +true was the blow; and struck upon the point of the chin, the man +crumpled up without a sound. + +The boys bound and gagged him quickly, using their handkerchiefs to stuff +into his mouth. Then silently they ran to the opposite side of the shop +and waited the approach of the second guard. + +A moment later his footsteps were heard approaching. As he turned the +corner, Hal again struck out swift and true, and the second man went to +the ground. The boys bound and gagged him, and then hastened to the front +of the shop. + +As Hal had predicted, the doors were removed with little difficulty, and +silently the lads rolled the huge machine into the open. Hal's experience +with automobiles had taught him something of engines, so he had little +trouble starting this one. Finding everything in working order, Hal +climbed into the driver's seat, and Chester, not without a tremor, took +his place beside him. + +Hal's afternoon experience and his natural aptitude for mechanics now +stood him in good stead. Reaching out he threw over a lever and the +machine moved forward. There was a whirring sound as the plane skimmed +over the ground. As the machine began to rise, Hal pressed another lever, +and they shot into the air rapidly. + +So swiftly did they go up that their breath was almost taken away. + +"Great Scott!" gasped Chester. "This is more than I bargained for!" + +With the lights of the village like pin points below him, Hal, who had +not for a moment lost his presence of mind, checked the rise of the +machine, and headed toward the southwest, gauging his direction by a +compass before him, the moonlight luckily permitting him to see. + +As the machine settled down to its flight, Chester regained his +composure. + +"This is more like it," he said. "For a moment I was afraid it was all +up with us." + +"I was scared for a minute myself," replied Hal. "But you must remember +this is not my first trip aloft." + +"I guess it's all right after you get used to it," was the answer, "but +the way I feel right now, if I ever get my foot on terra firma again I am +going to stay there." + +Hal laughed. + +"Oh, you will be all right directly," he said. "For my part, I like it." + +"How fast do you suppose we are going?" + +"About fifty miles an hour." + +"Great Scott! That's going some!" + +The machine was skimming at great speed through the air, flying low, as +Hal did not wish to lose sight of the ground entirely. + +"This is high enough for me," he explained. "I might want to go down +suddenly, and I want to see where I am going. Of course, if it is +necessary, we will go higher." + +"I guess we might as well fall ten miles as to fall from here," remarked +Chester. "If anything went wrong it would be good night for us." + +For a time they flew along in silence. + +Suddenly there was the sound of a shot from below, and a bullet whizzed +by the flying aeroplane. + +Hal sent the machine higher into the air with a jump, and Chester let out +an exclamation as he was almost thrown from his seat. + +"That was too close for comfort!" cried Hal. + +"Well, the next time you decide to shoot up like that, let me know +first!" exclaimed Chester. "You almost lost me that time!" + +"Hang on tight!" shouted Hal. "You never can tell what will happen with +me running this thing, so don't take any chances." + +"I'll hang on tight in the future, never fear," was the reply. "What do +you suppose that shot was?" + +"Some sentry, I suppose. I guess he knew no machine was supposed to be +flying around here. That's probably why he took a shot at us. We were +flying too low, anyhow. We will stay up here, where we can't be so easily +seen or heard." + +For some time the boys sailed along without a word, and then, just as +Chester opened his mouth to ask Hal where he supposed they were, there +was the sound of rushing wings, and, turning in his seat, Chester beheld +a huge shape rushing after them. + +"Speed up, Hal!" cried Chester. "We are pursued!" + +Without stopping to ask questions, Hal threw the speed lever over, and +the machine leaped forward like some live thing. + +At the same moment there came the crack of a rifle, and, as Hal dropped +one arm from the steering wheel the aeroplane rocked crazily and dived +toward the ground. + +The bullet had grazed Hal's left shoulder. + +With a desperate effort, the lad righted the machine with his one good +arm, and it shot upward again. + +"What's the matter?" gasped Chester. "Are you hurt?" + +"Hit in the shoulder," replied Hal briefly. "I suppose whoever fired +aimed at the machine. I just happened to be in the way, that's all." + +"But you can't drive with one arm! Hadn't we better--" + +"Can't!" exclaimed Hal. "I've got to!" + +At that moment both boys were almost blinded by the glare of a dazzling +light directly ahead! + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +OVER THE FRONTIER. + + +"What's that?" cried Chester, in consternation. + +"I haven't any idea," replied Hal; "but it looks like a searchlight." + +"Hadn't you better slow down?" + +"With our pursuers just behind? I guess not." + +And, with a touch of the lever, Hal sent the machine forward even faster +than before. + +For a moment they were in the center of the blinding glare, and then they +had passed beyond it. Then Hal spoke. + +"I can tell you now what it is," he said. + +"What?" + +"A lighthouse." + +"Lighthouse? What do you mean?" + +"Why, that brilliant light we just passed through came from the ground. +The powerful flares are used for the guidance of war aviators, or airship +men, during the night. They prevent the aviator from getting lost, and +denote a safe landing," + +"I see what you mean; but it gave me a scare for a minute." + +"And me; at first I thought it was the searchlight of another airship." + +"But why should such lighthouses be in use here? I should imagine they +would be used only in places of danger." + +"Maybe that is the reason." + +"Surely there can be no danger for a German airship around here." + +"I don't know about that. We have traveled a considerable distance. +Perhaps we are closer to the border than we think." + +"Well, we can't get across it any too soon to suit me," declared Chester. + +Hal did not reply, and the flight was continued in silence. For more +than an hour the huge machine sailed swiftly through the air. At +length Hal said: + +"I guess we had better drop down a bit. Perhaps we may be able to see +something." + +Suiting the action to the word, he let the machine glide slowly downward, +until the distant shadow of the earth could once more be seen. Then the +craft sped out on its straightaway course again. + +The twinkling of faraway lights drew the boys' attention. + +"I wonder what that is?" asked Chester. + +"We'll see," was the brief reply. + +The machine dropped still lower. + +"An army camp!" exclaimed Hal, when he was at last able to make out the +objects below. He shut off his engine, and for a few moments both boys +gave their attention to the awe-inspiring sight. + +Dimly they could discern the outlines of the great camp. With its +thousands upon thousands of huts, it spread out like a great fan, +extending almost as far as the eye could see. + +"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "There must be a million men +down there!" + +"Hardly that many," laughed Hal; "but there are a few. I guess we had +better go a little higher. We might be seen, and a chance bullet might +bring us down in the middle of them." + +The machine rose gently again; but, as the airship headed once more upon +its course, there was a muffled explosion, and the machine rocked +dangerously. + +"What on earth is the matter now?" demanded Chester. + +Hal bent over his engine. + +"I don't know what has blown out," he replied. "But the engine has +gone dead." + +"Dead!" exclaimed Chester. + +"Yes." + +"Can you fix it?" + +"Not up here. It is impossible. I am not familiar enough with it." + +"What shall we do, then?" cried Chester, in alarm. + +"We shall have to go down." + +"What! And land right in the middle of the German camp?" + +"I am afraid so. There is no help for it. However, I shall sail just as +far as possible before we hit the earth." + +Slowly the machine dropped, its strong planes still holding it on its +forward course. So gentle was the fall that it was almost +imperceptible; but presently the distant earth below could be seen; and +then Chester cried: + +"Look! We are almost beyond the camp. We shall clear it when we hit +the ground." + +Hal glanced down. + +"So we shall," he agreed, and there was hope in his voice.... "Maybe I +will be able to fix the engine before we are discovered." + +Nearer and nearer to the ground glided the huge machine. They were now +well beyond the farthest outposts of the camp, and consequently had +recovered their good spirits. + +The airship came gently to earth, and the boys jumped out. As they did +so, there came the faint sound of a command and a rifle cracked. + +"We are discovered!" shouted Hal. "Quick! To the woods!" And the boys +made a dash toward a clump of trees that could be seen in the distance. + +Desperately the two lads ran toward the woods, and, as they ran, the +first single rifle shot was followed by a volley; but, thanks to the +semi-darkness, the boys gained the shelter of the woods unscathed. + +Once under the friendly shelter of the trees the boys did not diminish +their speed. Rather, if possible, they ran faster. Then, suddenly they +stopped; and the cause of their abrupt halt was this: + +A heavy crashing in front of them gave evidence of the approach of a +large body of men. For a moment the lads stood as if frozen to the spot; +then Hal cried: + +"Up in this tree, quick! It's our only chance!" + +Acting upon the instant, the two lads swung themselves into the crotch of +the great tree under which they stood; then climbed noiselessly higher up +among the branches. Just as they had succeeded in screening themselves +from possible discovery, a body of horsemen burst in among the trees. + +"Caught right in between them," whispered Hal. + +"Yes; and, if we get out of this fix alive, we are in luck," Chester +whispered back. + +The horsemen below them did not pause in their march, but continued on +through the woods. + +"Evidently a scouting party returning," whispered Hal. + +And still the long line of horsemen pressed on beneath them. + +Suddenly there came the sharp crack, crack, of many rifles; and from +beneath the two lads came the hoarse command of an officer: + +"Forward!" + +The line of horsemen quickened their pace; and then the firing ahead +broke into a loud and steady roar. + +For many minutes, it seemed to the two lads, the stream of horsemen +poured on beneath them. Then the sound of firing became less distinct, +and Hal and Chester dropped to the ground. + +"At last! At last we are safe!" cried Hal. + +"Safe?" repeated Chester. "How do you mean we are safe?" + +"Why, you chump, doesn't that fighting going on there mean +anything to you?" + +"Do you mean that you believe the troop that just passed us are French?" + +"Yes; French, Belgians, or English, I don't know which. But, anyhow, they +are friends. Hurrah!" + +"Hurrah!" repeated Chester, throwing his cap in the air with delight. + +Suddenly the beat of the feet of many horses was heard and the sound of +firing became more audible. Several riderless horses broke into the +woods, followed by the cavalry. + +"Grab one of those horses, Chester!" cried Hal, as he jumped forward and +seized the bridle of the one nearest him. Chester followed suit, and both +lads were soon in the saddle. + +At that moment a large body of horsemen broke through the woods from the +direction in which they had so recently gone, retiring slowly, turning +every now and then to fire. + +"It's a retreat!" cried Chester. "They have been driven back! Let us get +away from here or we shall be shot down!" + +But, even as they turned to flee, a mounted officer laid his hand upon +the bridle of Hal's horse. + +"Who are you?" he demanded in French. "What do you here?" + +Briefly Hal explained that they had just escaped through the German +lines, and then asked: + +"Where are we? What troops are these?" + +"This is a troop of Belgian light cavalry," came the reply, "a +reconnoitering force. We were attacked by a strong force of the enemy, +and are falling back upon our lines." + +"But where are we?" + +"About five miles from Liège." + +"Liège!" + +"Yes; where did you think you were?" + +"We had not the faintest idea, other than that we were beyond the +German lines." + +All this time the troop had been retreating slowly, firing as they went, +the boys being led along by the officer. + +"It will be necessary for me to place you under arrest," declared the +Belgian officer. "I shall turn you over to the commanding general when we +regain our lines." + +Hal and Chester were stricken almost speechless. + +"Great Scott!" Chester finally exclaimed. "After all the trouble we have +had getting out of Germany, then to be arrested at the end!" + +"I am sorry," replied the officer, "but I can do nothing else. You are +sure to be looked upon with suspicion, having been found as you were, +and, unless you can give a good account of yourselves, I fear you are in +a serious predicament." + +Fighting every inch of the way, the Belgian cavalry continued its +retreat, being hard pressed by the Germans, who were continually +reinforced. From the rear the firing became heavier, and then there was +heard the sound of a galloping body of horsemen. + +"Halt!" cried the Belgian officer in command, and the retreating horsemen +came to a stand. + +"About face!" And at the command they wheeled to meet the charge of a +force of Uhlans. + +The Germans came on bravely; but, just as they hurled themselves upon +their foe, there came from the Belgian rear a fierce hail of rifle shots. +Reinforcements had arrived. + +The Germans halted in their fierce charge, and then drew off, shooting as +they went. At the same instant a regiment of Belgian infantry rushed +forward on the run. They pursued the flying Germans for some distance, +and then turned back. + +Then the Belgians resumed their retreat to their own lines. + +Hal and Chester bore up bravely during this--their first time--under +fire. Unable to take part in the fighting themselves, being without +weapons, they watched with interest the maneuvers of the officers and the +gallantry with which the Belgian cavalry stood up against what at first +were plainly overwhelming odds. + +Once in the Belgian lines the boys breathed easier. + +"Well, here we are at last," said Hal. "I guess we will be able to +explain our presence in the woods satisfactorily." + +"I hope so," replied Chester. + +At this moment the officer who had placed them under arrest approached. + +"Come with me," he ordered. + +The boys accompanied him to the headquarters of the commanding officer, +where their position was explained to the latter. + +He listened quietly to Hal's account of their adventures since leaving +Berlin, and it was plain to both boys that as he listened he became more +and more incredulous. + +Hal finished his recital, and for some minutes the general sat silent. +Finally he said: + +"You have told me a strange story--one that I find it very hard to +believe. I must have proof. It must be substantiated. You will consider +yourselves prisoners until the matter has been investigated, unless in +the meantime there should be someone here who will vouch for your honesty +and the truth of this remarkable tale." + +"I will vouch for it, general," came a voice. + +Turning, the boys beheld in the entrance to the general's hut the smiling +face of Captain Raoul Derevaux. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +LIÈGE. + + +Hal and Chester started forward. + +"Captain Derevaux!" they exclaimed simultaneously. + +The gallant captain smiled. + +"Even so," he returned. Then turning to the general: "I will vouch for +the truth of the story told by these boys, sir," he said. + +"You know them, then?" questioned the general. + +"Yes, sir." And the young captain recounted his first meeting with Hal +and Chester and their subsequent adventures. Concluding, he said: + +"And I wish to say, sir, that two braver and more resourceful lads it has +never been my fortune to encounter." + +"Very well, then," said the general. "They are free. I leave them in your +charge, captain." + +The captain and the two boys left the hut. + +"I will take you to my quarters," said the captain, leading the way. + +In the captain's hut, seated on a camp-stool, Hal demanded: + +"How did you escape? I was sure you and Lieutenant Anderson were doomed +to die. And where is the lieutenant?" + +"He has returned to England," replied the captain, answering the last +question first. "But my story can wait. Tell me about yourselves." + +Chester related their experiences after the four had been separated. + +"You are certainly a pair of wonderful youngsters," remarked the captain, +when Chester had concluded. + +"But how did you escape?" demanded Hal again. + +"Practically the same as you did," replied the captain. "Airship. +Believing that we could not possibly escape, we were left too loosely +guarded. Condemned to be shot as spies, we were placed under guard near +one of the outposts. + +"It was along in the evening that an airship descended within a few yards +of us. It had been disabled, and the aviator had alighted to make +repairs. When the aviator had thoroughly overhauled the machine, he made +his way to the quarters of the commanding general to report. + +"As I said, our hut was but a short distance away, and, believing there +could be no possibility of our escape, our guards had relaxed their +vigilance. Anderson and I stepped to the entrance and looked out. The +guards paid no attention. + +"Suddenly Anderson shouted: 'Come on!' and we went. There was no one +about the machine, and we started it quickly. But, just as the machine +was skimming over the ground, the guards noticed our absence, and, +running to the open, took a shot at us. + +"I had taken the aviator's place, having had some experience with +aeroplanes. Anderson was winged at the first shot, but was not badly +wounded. By the time the second volley was fired we were high in the air, +and the rapidity with which we traveled made accurate shooting +impossible. We reached the Belgian frontier without trouble." + +"But how does it happen you have not returned to France?" asked Chester. + +"When I arrived at Liège I communicated with my government, and was +ordered to remain here. I am attached to the Royal French Lancers, the +only body of French troops yet in Belgium. The Lancers were ordered here +immediately war was declared, to help check the advance of the invader." + +"I suppose the best thing for us to do," said Hal, "is to go on to +Brussels and try and find mother." + +"It is impossible," declared the lieutenant. "Right now you would not +be allowed to go. And, in the second place, I took the trouble to +inquire, when I first reached Liège, whether your mother was in +Brussels. Your ambassador, Mr. Brand Whitlock, informed me that she had +left the country." + +"What? Gone and left us behind?" + +"Yes; but not because she wanted to. It was either a case of leave +Brussels then, or run a chance of being held there indefinitely." + +"Then what are we going to do? There is no use going to Brussels." + +Chester clapped his hands. + +"I have it!" he exclaimed. + +Hal looked at him in surprise. + +"What?" he demanded. + +"Why, what we are going to do." + +"Well, what is it?" + +"Fight!" + +"Fight? What do you mean?" + +"Join the army!" + +Captain Derevaux leaped to his feet. + +"I will not hear of it!" he exclaimed. + +But the idea caught Hal's fancy. + +"Good boy, Chester!" he exclaimed. "That's just what we will do!" + +"It is impossible," exclaimed the young captain. "In the first place, it +would not be possible, at your age, to enlist. But I will tell you what I +will do for you." + +"What is it?" asked the two lads eagerly. + +"In times such as these," explained the captain, "young fellows like you +may be useful in many ways without running the risk of going into +battle--scouting expeditions and the like. I will speak to the general +about you and see what I can do. Understand, I wouldn't do this did I not +know that if I didn't you would get mixed up in trouble in some other +way, and in a way that would be much more dangerous." + +"We are willing to take our chances," replied Hal. + +"Of course we are," agreed Chester. + +"Oh, I know that," replied the captain, "and what I am proposing is not +without danger. But what I have in mind calls for quick wits rather than +for strong arms, although I know you have both. I will go now and speak +to the general." + +"All right," replied Hal. "In the meantime, Chester and I will go out and +look around the town." + +Everywhere, as the boys strolled about the streets, preparations to +withstand a siege were being made; but everything was being done quietly +and without confusion. The great steel forts, some of them practically +isolated, were subjects of great interest to the lads. + +"I'll bet the Germans have a hard time capturing this place," remarked +Hal, as they examined one of the forts. + +"Yes," agreed Chester, "as the battle of the _Monitor_ and the +_Merrimac_, in Hampton Roads, in our own civil war was the first battle +between iron ships, so will an attack on these forts be the first in +which such impregnable defenses will be tried out. I was reading about +them long before war was declared." + +"And I believe the Germans are making a sad mistake when they say the +Belgians can't fight," said Hal. + +"You bet they are. They will fight till the last. Do they look like +people who would give up without a struggle? Look at the way those +fellows who captured us turned to face the Uhlans, knowing that, unless +reinforced, they were bound to be slaughtered." + +"Right. Which reminds me we were in a ticklish position ourselves for a +few minutes." + +"You bet we were." + +As the boys continued their walk, almost on every hand they were mistaken +for English, and time after time they were accosted with the question: + +"When are the English coming?" + +Suddenly the lads were attracted by the sounds of great confusion down a +side street. + +"Let's see what is going on," cried Hal, and, quickening their pace, they +were soon in the midst of an excited crowd. + +In the center of the mob a lone man struggled desperately to shake off +the many hands that grasped him. + +"Hang him!" came a voice from the crowd. + +Other voices took up the cry immediately. + +"Hang him! Hang him!" + +Hal turned to a man in the crowd. + +"What's the matter?" he asked. + +"Matter? Why, the man was caught spying near one of the forts." + +"How do you know he was spying?" + +"He is a German. Why else should he be prowling around, if not to spy?" +And their informant rushed into the thick of the crowd, gesticulating +violently, and adding his voice to the din. + +"Great Scott! We can't stand for this!" exclaimed Chester. "Come on!" + +Together the two lads rushed into the thick of the mob. Elbowing and +pushing men to right and left they made their way through the mass +of humanity. + +The cause of all the confusion had now freed himself from the clutches of +the angry mob, and was laying about him furiously with his cane. He +cleared a space before him. But those in front were pushed forward by the +men in the rear of the crowd, and once more surged to the attack, just as +Hal and Chester, with a final effort, burst through. + +The lads took their places, one on each side of the fighting German, and +Chester raised a hand to check the mob. + +"Get back!" he shouted. "Shame upon you to attack a single man like this. +Is this Belgian bravery?" + +For a moment the crowd hung back, then rushed forward again, and the +three were soon fighting desperately against fearful odds. + +But the boys this time had tackled a task that was beyond them. They +struck out rapidly, as did the man to whose aid they had rushed, but the +sheer weight of numbers finally told. + +Chester, Hal and the stranger all went down at last, and were in imminent +danger of being beaten into insensibility. + +But at that moment the sound of a bugle rang out, and the crowd scattered +in all directions. A troop of cavalry was hurrying to the scene. + +Hal, Chester and the stranger picked themselves up and brushed the dirt +from their clothes. A cavalry officer dismounted and came up to them. + +"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. + +Chester explained. + +The officer turned to the German. + +"Come with me," he ordered. + +The German obeyed and the troop continued on their journey. + +Hal and Chester returned to the captain's quarters. The captain was +already there. + +"Did you see the general?" asked Hal. + +"Yes." + +"What did he say?" + +"It's all fixed, boys," replied the captain, smiling at their eagerness. + +"You mean that the general has consented to the plan?" asked Hal. + +"Yes." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Chester. + +"Hurrah!" cried Hal. + +"Yes," continued the captain, "you are ordered to hold yourselves subject +to the command of your superior officer," and he concluded smilingly, +"which is me." + +"And we couldn't have a better!" exclaimed both lads in a single voice. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +CHESTER SAVES THE DAY. + + +The day was at its noon! + +From the first break of dawn the battle had raged; now, at mid-day, it +was at its height. Hour after hour the fighting had continued under a +shadowless sky, blue as steel, hard as a sheet of brass. The Germans had +attacked the Belgians and French with the first streak of light. + +Circling, sweeping, silently, swiftly, a marvelous whirlwind of force, +the Germans had rushed on. Swift, as though wind-driven, they moved. An +instant, and the Allies broke into violent movement. Half-clothed +sleepers poured out. Perfect discipline did the rest. + +With marvelous and matchless swiftness and precision they got under arms. +There were but fifteen hundred or so in all--six squadrons of French +Lancers, the only French troops yet to reach Belgian soil, and a small +body of infantry, without artillery. + +Yet, rapid as the action of the Allies was, it was not as rapid as the +downward sweep of the German horde that rushed to meet them. + +There was a crash, as if rock were hurled upon rock, as the Lancers, the +flower of the French cavalry, scarce seated in the saddle, rushed forward +to save the pickets, to encounter the first blind ford of the attack and +to give the Belgian infantry, farther in, time to prepare for defense. + +The hoofs of rearing chargers struck each other's breasts, and these bit +and tore at each other's throats and manes, while their riders reeled +down dead. The outer wings of the Germans were spared the shock, and +swept on to meet the bayonets of the infantry. + +The cavalry was enveloped in the overwhelming numbers of the center. It +was a frightful tangling of men and brutes. + +The Lancers could not charge; they were hemmed in, packed between bodies +of horsemen that pressed them together as between iron plates; now and +then they cut their way through clear enough to reach their comrades, but +as often as they did so, so often the overwhelming numbers of the Germans +surged in on them afresh like a flood, and closed upon them, and drove +them back. + +It was bitter, stifling, cruel work; with their mouths choked with dust, +with their throats caked with thirst, with their eyes blind with smoke; +while the steel was thrust through nerve and sinew, or the shot plowed +through bone and flesh. + +The answering fire of the infantry kept the Germans farther at bay, and +mowed them down faster--but in the Lancers' quarter of the field--parted +from the rest of their comrades, as they had been by the rush of that +broken charge with which they had sought to save the town and arrest the +foe--the worst pressure of the attack was felt, and the fiercest of the +slaughter fell. + +The general in command of the cavalry had been shot dead as they had +first swept out to encounter the advance of the German horsemen; one by +one the officers had been cut down, singled out by the keen eyes of their +enemy, and throwing themselves into the deadliest of the carnage with +impetuous self-devotion characteristic of their service. + +At the last there remained but a bare handful of the brilliant squadrons +of 600 men that had galloped down in the gray of dawn to meet the +whirlwind of German fury. At their head was Captain Derevaux, and beside +him rode Hal. + +It was not the gallant captain's fault that Hal was thus in the thick of +the battle. This had been an accident, and had come about in this manner: + +Late the night before Hal and Chester had been called to the quarters of +the commanding general and dispatched on separate missions. Their ways +led past the outposts--even beyond the farthest--where the six squadrons +of French Lancers and a small body of infantry had been thrown out, under +orders, to make a reconnaissance in force in the morning. Advancing +beyond this line, Hal had turned east and Chester west. + +His mission accomplished, Hal had just reached the Allies' line upon his +return, when the Germans bore down on them. Hal saw that his one chance +for safety lay in throwing in his fortunes with the troops. + +Accordingly he turned his horse, just as the Lancers swept past on their +first charge, and reined in beside Captain Derevaux. The latter had +recognized the danger and realized that the boy's keen wit had detected +his one hope of life. He had greeted him with a smile; nor had he blamed +him for his choice. + +And so Hal had swept forward in the charge. Seizing a sword from a +falling trooper, Hal, riding at the captain's side, was soon in the thick +of the terrible carnage, and, in spite of the terrible fighting, had +escaped injury. + +Two horses had been killed under Captain Derevaux. Twice he had thrown +himself across fresh, unwounded chargers, whose riders had fallen in the +fray, and at whose bridles he caught as he shook himself free of the dead +animal's stirrups. His head was uncovered; his uniform, hurriedly thrown +on, had been torn aside, and his chest was bare; he was drenched with +blood, not his own, that had rained on him as he fought, and his face and +hands were black with smoke and with powder. + +Hal could not see a yard in front of him; he could not tell how the day +went anywhere save in that corner where the Lancers were hemmed in. As +fast as they beat the enemy back, and forced themselves to some clearer +space, the Germans closed in afresh. + +No orders reached the little troop, and Hal could not tell whether the +Belgian battalions were holding their own or had been cut utterly to +pieces under the immense numerical superiority of their foes. + +Glancing about the field, Captain Derevaux could see that every officer +of the Lancers save himself was down, and that, unless he took the vacant +place and rallied them, the few troopers still left would scatter. + +With Hal at his side, he spurred the horse he had just mounted against +the dense crowd opposing him--against the hard black wall of dust and +smoke and steel and savage faces, which were all that either could +see. He thrust his horse against the mob, while he waved his sword +above his head: + +"_En avant_!" he shouted. + +His voice reached the troopers, clear and ringing in its appeal. Hal, +turning in his saddle at this moment, caught from the hands of a reeling +trooper the Eagle of France, and as he raised it aloft, the light, +flashing upon the golden wings, brought an answering shout from those +that remained of the troop. + +"_En avant_!" came the rallying cry. + +The young French captain glanced back on this little troop, guarding +his head the while from the blows that were rained on him, and his +voice rang out: + +"Charge!" + +Like arrows launched from a hundred bows they charged, Hal and the young +captain still slightly in advance, Hal striking aside the steel aimed at +him, as they pushed on, and with the other hand holding high the Eagle +of France. + +The effort was superb. + +Dense bodies of Germans parted them in the front from the part of the +field where the infantry still was engaged, harassed them in the rear +with flying shots and forced down on them on either side, like the +closing jaws of a trap. + +Their fierce charge was, for a moment, irresistible; it bore headlong all +before it. For a moment the Germans gave way, shaken and confused. For a +moment they recoiled under the shock of that desperate charge. + +As Captain Derevaux spurred his horse against the enemy, twenty blades +glittered against him. The first would have pierced his chest had not Hal +struck up the blade with a quick move. + +To pause was impossible. Though the French horses were forced through a +bristling forest of steel, the charge availed little. + +Hal waved the Eagle aloft, as the captain looked around at the few who +were left and shouted: + +"You are the sons of the Old Guard! Die like them!" + +"Surrender!" came a cry from in front. + +Hal looked back once more on the fragment of the troop, and raised the +flag higher aloft, as he muttered to himself: + +"This will be the end. I wish I could have seen Chester once more; good +old Chester!" + +Hot and blinded, with an open gash in his shoulder where a sword had +struck a moment before, but with his eyes flashing and a smile on his +lips, the young captain cried his reply to the command to surrender: + +"Have we fought so poorly that you think we shall give up now?" + +Then, with upraised swords, the troop awaited the onward rush of +the Germans; and, as they waited the young captain found time to +murmur to Hal: + +"I am sorry to see you here now, but you are a fighter after my +own heart." + +Hal was unable to speak. He put out his hand and the young Frenchman +grasped it warmly. + +"I guess it is good-by," he said quietly. + +Then came the shock. With a yell the Germans threw themselves +forward. A moment more and the onrushing horde would have massacred +them like cattle. But, even at the moment of impact a voice rang out +over the field: + +"Forward! Charge!" + +Above the din of shouting and rifle shots it came; and from behind came +a full troop of Belgian light cavalry; and in front, with drawn sword, +rode Chester. + +The troop came on at a whirlwind rush; and, even as they did so, Captain +Derevaux urged his men into another charge, and pressed forward into the +thickest of the conflict. And Hal rode by his side. + +Blow after blow was aimed at them, but none found its mark. Parrying and +striking, they pushed on; and then a German bugle sounded a recall, and +the enemy drew off. + +Panting, Chester rode to Hal's side. + +"I was afraid we would be too late!" he exclaimed. + +"I am not even scratched," returned Hal, grasping his friend's hand. + +A Belgian officer hurried up to Captain Derevaux. + +"You have this lad to thank for our opportune arrival," he declared, +indicating Chester. "He told us of your plight, or we would not have +arrived in time." + +The captain grasped Chester's hand. + +"You saved the day!" he said simply. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +A DANGEROUS MISSION. + + +Chester was embarrassed. + +"I did nothing," he said. "I only rode fast." + +The hurrahs of the men who heard him drowned his words. + +"The general will think differently," returned the captain. + +"How does it happen you arrived so opportunely, Chester?" asked Hal. + +"It's very simple. I was returning from my mission, and was riding +between you and the outposts. I heard firing and rode forward to see what +was going on. I saw how things were with you. Even from where I was I +thought I could recognize you in the front rank. + +"At first I thought I would ride directly toward you, but then I knew +that I could be of greater service by hurrying back and summoning aid. +When I told the general of your perilous position, he acted at once, and +I came with the reinforcements. That's all there is to it. You, Hal, are +the one deserving of praise." + +"And I shall see that he is rewarded for it!" exclaimed the captain. "But +your gallant conduct also shall be made known. Certainly I made two good +friends when I met you two boys. At some time I hope to be able to repay +you in some slight measure, although I know I can never entirely cancel +my indebtedness to you both." + +In the hut of the officer commanding the division Captain Derevaux went +into detail concerning the gallant actions of our two boys. + +The general congratulated them. + +"I shall see that your conduct is brought to the personal attention of +the King," he declared. "You shall both be rewarded if I live long enough +to write out my report." + +"Thank you, general," both lads replied, and then accompanied Captain +Derevaux to his quarters, where his wound, which was found to be slight, +was attended to. + +It was the next afternoon that the general again summoned the lads +to his hut. + +"I have a mission of importance," he said, "and I am seeking +volunteers. It is somewhat dangerous, and I am loath to order anyone to +go. But in view of your gallant conduct, I thought I would give you the +first chance." + +"We shall gladly undertake it, general, no matter what it is," +replied Hal. + +"Yes, sir," agreed Chester, "we shall always be glad to aid the cause of +the Allies, no matter what the dangers." + +"Well, then," replied the general, taking a paper from his desk. "I want +this paper put into the hands of General Givet, at Louvain. If there is +any danger of your being captured, destroy it. It contains information +that would be invaluable to the enemy. + +"In view of your past resourcefulness, I am putting great confidence in +your ability to get through. The country between here and Louvain, +while not precisely in the hands of the Germans, is being constantly +overrun with parties of raiders. You will bring General Givet's reply +to me here." + +The lads saluted and departed. + +"You certainly have made a great impression upon the general," said +Captain Derevaux, when the boys informed him of their mission. "Just keep +as cool as you have been in the past, and I am sure you will get through +without trouble." + +It was late that night when the lads made their way from the young +captain's quarters, passed beyond the outposts, and made their way into +the forest beyond, following the road, but keeping well within the shadow +of the trees. + +"This is the best summer vacation we have ever had," declared Hal, as +they went slowly along. + +"You are right, there," replied Chester. "Of course, war is a terrible +thing, but as long as there is a war I would rather be over here where I +can see what is going on than to be sitting home reading about it in the +newspapers." + +"Yes; and then you couldn't be exactly sure you were getting the facts." + +Shortly after sunrise the boys came upon a large farmhouse. + +"It's pretty early," remarked Hal, "but perhaps we can find some one and +get a bite to eat." + +They approached and found the household already astir. As they +ascended the steps, a young girl, probably sixteen years of age, came +out on the porch. + +"Can you provide us with a little something to eat?" asked Hal politely +in French, doffing his cap. + +The girl glanced at him, a puzzled expression coming over her face. + +"I don't understand French very well," she said, in English. + +"By George!" exclaimed Hal. "I thought so. That is," he apologized for +his exclamation, "I was sure you were not French." + +This time Hal had spoken in English, and a look of surprise had come over +her face, followed by an expression of delight. + +"I was sure you were Americans!" she exclaimed, and then added +hesitatingly, "or are you--can it be you are English?" + +"No; we are Americans, all right," Chester broke in; "but we certainly +didn't expect to run into an American girl in this corner of the world." + +"No; particularly at a time like this," agreed Hal. + +"Oh, I am perfectly safe here," replied the girl "Uncle, who is a Belgian +officer, has joined his regiment, and I am here with only two servants. +He wanted me to go to Liège with him, but I preferred to remain here. No +one will harm me." + +"But the Germans may come through here at any time, and then you would be +in danger." + +"Oh, no. Several German regiments already have passed by, and some of the +officers were here. They assured me I would not be molested." + +"Nevertheless, you are likely to be. You can't tell what may happen." + +"I am not afraid," replied the girl. "The Germans won't bother an +American." + +Remembering their own experiences, Hal and Chester looked at each other +and smiled. + +"I am not so sure," replied Hal; "but if you have decided to stay, +I suppose you will. You see," smiling, "I know something of +American girls." + +The girl also smiled. + +"I suppose you wonder who I am," she said. "I am Edna Johnson, and I live +in Chicago. Mother was here with me, but she went home just before war +was declared. I suppose she is worried to death about me, but I believe +it is safer here than elsewhere, and I have heard Americans are having +great difficulties getting home." + +Hal and Chester introduced themselves. + +After a few minutes Edna suddenly exclaimed: + +"Here I am, keeping you chatting, when I know you must be awfully hungry. +Come with me and we shall have some breakfast." + +The boys followed her into the house, where a hearty meal was soon set in +the dining-room, and the three fell to with a will. + +Hardly had they satisfied their appetites when there was the sound of +many feet upon the porch. Miss Johnson glanced through the door. + +"Germans," she said, with a smile; "but they won't bother us." + +Hal and Chester jumped to their feet. + +"We must hide, Miss Johnson," exclaimed Hal. "If we fall into the hands +of the Germans it may mean death to us." + +"What!" exclaimed the girl. + +"Exactly. I neglected to tell you that we are attached to the Belgian +forces and our capture would not only mean trouble for us, but would be a +blow to the cause of the Allies." + +The girl looked at the lads in amazement, but there was no time for +words. There was a loud knock at the door, followed almost immediately by +the tramp of feet within the house. + +Edna acted promptly. Rushing to the side of the room, she pulled open a +door to what appeared to be a closet and motioned to the boys. + +"In here, quick!" she cried, and closed the door tightly. + +As they passed through the door the boys saw a flight of steps leading +apparently to the cellar. Hardly had the door closed behind them ere the +steps of the Germans were heard in the room they had just left. + +They also heard the girl greet them pleasantly, and the gruff demand for +breakfast. Edna called one of her servants, and gave an order that +breakfast for the Germans be prepared immediately. + +"It is too cramped here," whispered Chester. "Let's go down these stairs. +If we were to make a move here, they would surely hear us." + +The boys descended the steps. At the bottom they emerged into what, upon +inspection, proved to be a wine cellar. At the far side they saw another +passageway and moved toward it. + +As they did so, they heard the door to the closet through which they had +recently passed open again, and a voice exclaim: + +"I know these high and mighty Belgian gentlemen too well. There is always +wine in the cellar. Come, Franz, we shall explore." + +Heavy footsteps descended the stairs, and two German officers hove in +sight. The boys, in the dimness of the cellar, were not seen. + +"Quick!" whispered Chester, "into the passageway." + +As Hal followed Chester into the darkness of the passageway, he tripped +over some obstacle in the dark, which gave forth the sound of tinkling +glass. The boys stopped stock still. + +"What was that?" demanded one of the officers. + +"I didn't hear anything," was the reply. + +"I thought I heard something moving in the cellar." + +"Probably a rat. Here is what we came after. Let's go back upstairs." + +The boys heard the sound of retreating footsteps, and presently the door +above slammed once more. + +Hal and Chester breathed easier. + +"Pretty close," remarked Chester, in a low tone. + +"You bet it was close," was the reply. "For a minute I thought it +was all off." + +"Well, I guess we are safe enough now." + +"Yes, I guess so. But we must wait here until the Germans have left +the house." + +"I suppose they will go as soon as they have finished their breakfast." + +"I hope so; we haven't any time to waste." + +The boys sat down and waited. + +What seemed like hours later, the door to the closet above again opened, +and the voice of the girl floated down the stairway. + +"It's all right, now," she exclaimed. "They have gone. You can come up." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE FIGHT IN THE FARMHOUSE. + + +The boys ascended the stairs and followed the girl back into the +dining-room. + +"Well," said Chester, after the three had talked for some minutes. "I +guess we had better be moving. We have wasted too much time already." + +They turned toward the door, and, as they did so, Hal uttered a low +exclamation. + +"Look!" he whispered. + +Turning to where Hal pointed, Chester and Edna beheld a face pressed +against the window pane. + +"It is one of the German officers!" cried the girl. "He has returned for +something." + +It was apparent that the officer had seen the two boys. He turned from +the window, and the lads saw him making violent gestures to someone in +the distance. A moment later two soldiers joined him, and the trio turned +toward the door. + +There came a loud knock, followed by the sound of footsteps in the hall, +as one of the servants went to open the door. + +"Do not open the door, Bento!" called the girl. + +The footsteps halted. + +"Open that door at once!" came a voice of command from outside. + +Again came the sound of footsteps, as the servant, evidently frightened, +moved toward the door. + +"Bento! Do as I command you! Do not open the door!" cried the girl again, +and the servant stopped. + +"Break down the door!" came the command from outside. + +"What shall we do?" cried the girl, clasping her hands nervously. + +"Fight!" was Hal's brief reply. + +His eyes roved about the room. His gaze fell upon a pair of old dueling +swords hung upon the wall. Stepping on a chair, he took them down, and +passed one to Chester. + +At that instant there came the sound of a crash, as the door gave way, +followed by a command from the officer: + +"Follow me!" + +Edna and the two boys retreated to the far end of the room, as the three +Germans rushed through the door. + +"Surrender!" cried the officer. + +"Come and take us!" replied Hal, his lips set grimly. + +The officer covered the lads with his two pistols. + +"Stun them with your rifle butts, my lads!" he cried to his soldiers. +"Take the spies alive!" + +Reversing their weapons, the two soldiers strode forward. As one raised +his rifle preparatory to bringing it down upon his head, Chester leaped +forward between them, thinking to take the officer, who stood behind +them, unprepared, and cut him down. + +But, even as he stepped forward, the officer's revolver spoke, and +Chester fell to the floor with a groan, a bullet in his chest. But, at +that instant, and before the officer could fire again, Hal, who also had +avoided the attack of the two soldiers, sprang forward and aimed a +slashing blow at the officer. + +The latter warded off the blow with his arm, but one of his pistols was +sent flying from his grasp. As he raised his other revolver, his arm +was suddenly seized from behind, and Edna attempted to wrench the +revolver from him. He turned on her, and as he did so the revolver came +away in her hand. + +Pointing the weapon straight at the officer, the girl pulled the trigger; +but the revolver missed fire. Stepping back, as the officer advanced, the +girl grasped the pistol by the muzzle and hurled it squarely in his face. +With blood gushing from his mouth and nose, the man fell to the floor. + +In the meantime Hal had turned swiftly once more to face the second +attack of the two soldiers. As they again raised their rifles to strike +him down, he leaped between them, thrusting with his sword. + +Pierced through the shoulder, one of the soldiers threw up his arm and +staggered back. In doing so he struck the arm of his companion, and the +latter's blow was deflected; and Hal was unharmed. + +Turning, Hal dashed into the next room--the parlor--closely followed by +the two soldiers, the wounded man not being seriously hurt. At the same +time the German officer sat up on the floor, looked around dazedly, then +picked up one of his revolvers, drew his sword, and followed his men. + +"Shoot the dog in the legs!" he commanded, and the soldiers brought their +rifles to their shoulders. + +An instant before they fired Hal sprang upon the piano stool, which was +just behind him, and the bullets went low. Hal jumped to the top of the +piano, and then dropped behind it. As the soldiers again prepared to +fire, Hal put his shoulder to the piano, and sent it tumbling over, and +the bullets were imbedded in the soft wood. + +Hal ducked as the officer raised his revolver and fired at him, and then, +stepping around the piano, made a sweeping slash at the officer. The +sword struck the latter on his pistol hand, and, with a groan, the +officer dropped his revolver. + +Hal turned to the two soldiers, who had leaped on the overturned piano to +get at him before he stepped from behind it, and again his sword darted +out. The thrust went true, and one soldier fell to the floor, blood +streaming from a deep wound in his chest. + +Before the second soldier could bring his rifle to bear, Hal ran from the +room into the hall. The soldier followed. In the hall, dimly lighted by a +single chandelier over the stairway, Hal sprang up the steps. + +At the bottom of the steps the soldier stopped and took aim at the lad. +With a backward sweep of his sword, Hal knocked the chandelier crashing +to the floor, throwing the hall into inky darkness, and with a quick leap +was several steps higher up. + +There came the sharp crack of a rifle, and the hall was lighted for a +second by a flash, as a bullet sped past Hal. With a light leap the lad +dropped over the railing into the hall, and, taking a step forward, +lunged swiftly in the darkness from where came the sound of a muttered +imprecation. There was a stifled groan, and the second soldier dropped to +the floor. + +Hal made his way back to the parlor, where the German officer still +stood, trying to bind up his injured hand with a handkerchief. He saw Hal +approach, and raised his sword, taking a step forward. At the same +moment, Edna, who had in the meantime dragged Chester's inert body out of +harm's way, stepped into the room. + +His face red with fury, the German officer took another stride forward, +and thrust. The blade passed through Hal's guard and through the side of +his open coat, grazing his body. + +As the sword went through the boy's coat, it looked to Edna as though the +lad must have met his death; and she screamed. The German officer laughed +gleefully, but, even as he did so, Hal, smiling, took a step forward. + +With a quick stroke, he sent the German's sword flying from his grasp, +and the officer was at his mercy. + +The German's rage burst like a bubble. + +"Kill me!" he said quietly to Hal. + +"No," replied the lad; "I cannot kill a man in cold blood. Pick up +your sword." + +The officer obeyed, and Hal placed himself on guard. But, taking the +weapon by the blade, the German extended the hilt to Hal. + +"I surrender," he said. + +The lad took the extended sword, and then passed it back to the officer. + +"Keep your sword, sir," he said. + +The German glanced at him a moment in silence; then took the sword. + +"You are a generous enemy, sir," he said. "You will have no occasion to +regret your confidence in me." + +"I am sure of it, sir," was the lad's answer. "You are at liberty to +leave at any time you choose." + +The officer scrutinized Hal closely. + +"You are a gallant lad," he said finally. "There are few men who could +have done what you have. I hope that we may meet again." + +Turning, with a polite bow, first to Edna and then to Hal, he made his +way from the house and was gone. + +"How is Chester?" was Hal's first question, after the German had +departed. + +"He has recovered consciousness," replied the girl. "He is badly wounded, +but I believe he will be all right in a few days. Bento, who has some +knowledge of medicine, is attending him." + +Hal hurried to the room upstairs where Chester had been carried. Chester, +lying in bed, greeted him with a smile. + +"You certainly have all the luck!" he exclaimed. "Here I was unable to +walk while you were doing all the fighting." + +"Never mind that," replied Hal. "How do you feel? Are you in pain?" + +"Not much, now," was the reply. "Bento is quite a surgeon. He has +fixed me up to the queen's taste. It appears the ball glanced off my +third rib." + +"But you won't be able to travel!" + +"I am afraid not. I am so weak I cannot stand. But you must go on just +the same." + +"What! And leave you here?" + +"Of course. I shall be perfectly safe here, more so than you will be on +the road. I wish I could go with you, but I am afraid it will be a day or +two before I can walk." + +"Then I shall wait for you." + +"What! Then how about the letter to General Givet, at Louvain?" + +"It will have to wait." + +Chester raised himself feebly on one elbow and looked at Hal in surprise. + +"A fellow like you to say a thing like that?" he exclaimed. "That letter +must be delivered at once. You and I are of secondary importance. If you +had been wounded instead of me I should have gone on without you, much as +I should have hated to do so. The letter must be delivered immediately." + +"You are right, as usual," replied Hal, after a pause. "The letter must +come first. But I hate to leave you here alone." + +"Alone?" exclaimed Edna, who up to this time had remained silent. "Do not +I count for something?" + +"I beg your pardon," said Hal. "I spoke thoughtlessly. I am sure he will +receive the best of attention at your hands." + +"There is no question about that," replied Chester. + +"Well, I must be going, then," said Hal. "I have delayed too long +already." + +"You will stop by on your return, will you not?" asked the girl. + +"Yes, if I come this way; and I see no reason why I should not." + +"I shall be ready to travel when you return," said Chester. + +"All right," replied Hal. "But, if I have not returned in three days, you +will know something has happened to me, and you will make your way back +to Liège alone." + +Chester agreed to this, the two lads shook hands, and Hal left the house +and set out upon his journey to Louvain. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. + + +Although it had been a trying morning for Hal, and he was very tired, the +lad continued on his way as swiftly as possible. From time to time, as he +hastened along, he heard the sound of distant firing, and he proceeded +with the greatest caution; but he encountered no more of the enemy. + +It was late afternoon when he made out in the distance the town of +Louvain. He quickened his pace, and soon came upon the outposts. + +"I have a communication for General Givet," he told the soldier who +stopped him. + +The soldier lowered the weapon, with which he had barred the lad's +progress, and called a nearby officer. The latter led Hal to the +general's quarters. + +Hal gave General Givet the letter, and stood at attention. The general +read in silence. Then he turned to Hal. + +"All right," he said briefly, signifying that Hal might go. + +"But, general," said the lad, "I was ordered to bring back your answer." + +The general looked at him in surprise. + +"Do you mean you intend to go back to-night?" he demanded. + +"I thought I would start along about midnight," replied Hal. "I would +sleep until that time." + +The general was silent for some moments, musing. + +"You are a brave lad," he said, at last. "I had figured on sending my +answer by another courier; but perhaps your plan is better. You may +report to me at midnight, and I shall have the answer ready." + +Hal saluted and turned to leave the hut. + +"Wait a minute," commanded the general. "Tell me something of yourself. +How comes it that you, an American, I take it, have been selected for +such perilous work? Why, you cannot be more than eighteen years old." + +"Seventeen, general," replied Hal, with a smile; and then he told the +Belgian officer of his experiences since leaving Berlin. + +The old general was amazed. + +"Remarkable! remarkable!" he repeated, time after time. + +Finally he called an officer, and commanded that the latter find Hal a +place to sleep. + +"Remember, midnight," called the general, as Hal was leaving the hut. + +Hal saluted again. + +"Yes, general," he replied, and followed the young officer. + +Promptly at midnight Hal, greatly refreshed by a sound sleep and hearty +meal, once more entered the general's quarters and came to attention. + +"The answer you are to carry back is simply: 'I shall act upon your +plan,'" said General Givet. "Good luck to you on your journey, and I have +only one command: Make all possible haste." + +Hal saluted and set out on his return, journey to Liège. + +It was early morning when he came once more to the farmhouse where he had +fought so nobly the day before. His fear for Chester's safety increased +as he approached, and it was not without some misgiving that he ascended +the porch steps and knocked softly at the door. + +He heard a light footstep within, the door swung open, and Edna peered +forth at him. + +"What! Back so soon?" she exclaimed gladly. + +"Yes, I made pretty good time. How is Chester?" + +Hal's doubts were soon set at rest. + +"He is much better this morning than could have been expected," replied +the girl. "He ate a hearty breakfast, and says he is feeling fine." + +Hal followed her up the steps to where Chester lay, impatiently +awaiting his coming. Edna went downstairs to see about getting him +something to eat. + +"Will you be able to leave to-day?" asked Hal, of Chester. + +"I am ready to go right now. I am still weak, but I am sure I can make it +all right. I'm bandaged up fine." + +"You are sure you are feeling fit?" + +"Certainly. Besides, I don't want to be left behind again. You are having +all the fun. I want to get in on a little of it myself." + +And so it was arranged that the boys should leave immediately after +luncheon. They sought long and earnestly during the morning to prevail +upon Edna to accompany them, or to make her way to Louvain; but she +declared her intention of remaining where she was. + +"I am much safer here than I should be on the road," she said. "No one +will harm me. Besides, I must take care of the house." + +Unable to shake her determination, the boys gave up the attempt, and for +the rest of the morning the three chatted pleasantly. + +Luncheon over, the boys immediately prepared to fare forth again. Edna +accompanied them to the bottom of the steps, where they said good-by. + +"Come and see me again," she urged, as they shook hands with her. "You +are always welcome here." + +"We certainly shall," cried both lads together, as they started upon +their way. + +Chester was still weak, but he walked along wonderfully well, considering +the nature of his wound. Still, it was plain to Hal that every step cost +him an effort, and their progress was necessarily slow. + +All afternoon they plodded onward without encountering the enemy, and +soon after nightfall came upon the place where the Belgian outposts +had been stationed the night before. The signs of a struggle were +plainly evident. + +"There has been a battle here," remarked Hal, after inspecting the +ground. + +"There is no doubt about that," returned Chester, "and the Belgians have +been driven back. We shall have to be careful." + +They were proceeding on their way more cautiously than before, when from +ahead there suddenly came the sound of trampling hoofs. + +"A Belgian reconnoitering party, I guess," said Hal. "We are safe +enough now." + +Presently a body of horsemen came into view. The lads continued +toward them, and the horsemen were but a few yards away, when Chester +cried suddenly: + +"They're Germans!" + +It was true. It was a squadron of Uhlans, returning from a reconnaissance +of the Belgian position. + +It was too late for the boys to run. The cavalry was upon them. The lads +stepped to the side of the road, and continued on their way apparently +unconcerned. A German officer stopped them. + +"Who are you?" he demanded. "What are you doing here?" + +"We are American boys," replied Hal, "and are making our way to Liège." + +"Well, you won't get to Liège to-night. Turn about and march the +other way." + +There was nothing to do but obey. With a sinking sensation in their +hearts the lads about-faced and headed toward the great German camp. For +a long time, it seemed to them, they were marched along slowly, and +finally the first huts of the German army came into view. + +"I am afraid our mission is a failure," whispered Hal, as the two lads +were led to a hut and placed under heavy guard. + +"It looks that way," Chester agreed; "but we must hope for the best. It +may be lucky for us that we have no papers on us." + +"What are they going to do with us?" Hal asked one of their guards. + +"Shoot you in the morning, I suppose," was the answer. "Persons found +between the two armies in civilian clothes cannot hope for mercy." + +"But we are not spies!" cried Chester. + +"Perhaps not; but I don't believe that will make any difference." + +The guard would talk no more. + +"Our only chance is that they believe we were trying to get to Liège +simply to get out of the country," whispered Chester. "If they knew we +were just returning from a mission, we would be bound to die." + +"Looks to me as though we were bound to die, no matter what they know," +was the reply. + +The boys got little sleep that night. They realized just how near they +were to death, and, while their courage never faltered, they nevertheless +had practically given up all hope. + +At the first streak of dawn they were led to the quarters of the +division commander, and their case was disposed of with remarkable +rapidity. Their protests availed nothing, and they were sentenced to be +taken out and shot. + +With a firm step the two lads walked to the place of execution, +surrounded by their guards. But the hearts of both were heavy. + +"I wish I could have seen mother once more," said Hal softly. + +Chester gave his chum's hand a slight squeeze. + +"Well, it can't be helped now," he replied, with an attempt to appear +cheerful. "But come, brace up; if we must die, we will die bravely." + +"You are right," said Hal, brushing the tears from his eyes with a +rapid movement. + +With heads erect, the two lads marched on. + +At that moment a group of German officers approached on horseback. They +eyed the two captives, and suddenly one left his companions and rode over +to the firing squad. The officer in command of the squad halted his men +and saluted. + +"What have we here?" demanded the newcomer. + +"Two spies, sir," was the reply. "They were taken between the lines, and +have been ordered shot." + +"These two boys are my business," declared the mounted officer, a note of +authority in his voice. "Their execution is stayed. Take them to my +headquarters." + +"But, general--" began the officer in charge of the squad. + +The general raised a hand imperiously. + +"There are no 'buts,'" he said. "You have heard my command. Obey it." + +Hal and Chester were dumfounded. As their guards turned and marched them +in the direction of the general's quarters, Hal asked of Chester: + +"Do you remember him?" + +Chester nodded in the affirmative. + +For the German officer who had thus saved them from death before a firing +squad was none other than the officer whom they had encountered in the +station at Berlin, the man who had threatened to have Hal whipped for +accidentally bumping into him, and had pushed him from the train. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +A FRIEND IN NEED. + + +"What do you suppose is going to happen now?" asked Chester breathlessly. + +"It's too deep for me," replied Hal. "I can't imagine what he +wants with us." + +"But who is he? That's what I would like to know," demanded Chester. + +"I haven't the faintest idea, but he must be someone of importance." + +"Oh, he's important enough, all right. You noticed his command was +obeyed." + +"Well, I guess we shall find out in good time who he is," returned Hal. + +The lads were taken to a large hut in the center of a great camp. The hut +was luxuriously appointed, and it was plainly evident that the man who +had saved them was one of the foremost of the huge German host. + +The general himself had not arrived yet. But, after a long wait, he came +in, alone. He motioned their guards away, and then turned on the boys +with a scowl. + +"Do you remember me?" he demanded. + +The two lads nodded affirmatively. They were, for the moment, +beyond speech. + +"And I remember you," went on the general. "You," he continued, pointing +to Hal, "are the American upstart who almost knocked me over in the +station at Berlin. I said I would have you whipped. Well, my time has +come. Now, you just sit quiet," he said loudly, as Hal and Chester took a +step forward. "I will write out your sentence right now," and he turned +toward a table. + +"I won't be whipped!" cried Hal to Chester. "They will have to kill +me first!" + +The general paid no attention to this remark, but continued to write in +silence. Finally he arose, with a paper in his hand. + +"Here is your sentence," he said, turning to Hal. "Read, and see what you +think of it." + +Hal took the paper the general extended to him. As he read an expression +of amazement passed over his face. + +Hal passed the paper to Chester without a word, and, as Chester read, he +also grew amazed. And no wonder. + +For what the general had written was a safe-conduct for both lads to the +Belgian lines; and the signature at the bottom was that of General Count +Von Moltke, commander-in-chief of all the German armies! + +Hal stepped forward. + +"General," he stammered, "we--I--we don't know how to thank you." + +The general raised a hand and said gruffly: + +"Never mind that." The faint shadow of a smile flitted over his stern +countenance. "I suppose," he continued, "that you are wondering why I do +this, after what occurred in the station at Berlin. It is so, is it not?" + +"It is very strange," muttered Chester, and Hal nodded his head in +assent. + +"Well, I'll tell you," said the general. "You remember when I pushed you +away from the train?" he queried, turning to Hal. + +Hal nodded. + +"When I turned round after that, feeling greatly pleased with myself, I +noticed, for the first time, the presence of a lady in my compartment. +She looked at me in the greatest contempt. It confused me; and I am not +easily confused. + +"Then she told me that she was your mother, and, you may believe, berated +me most wonderfully. She didn't cry, nor go into hysterics, which made a +great impression on me. Most mothers would. I felt decidedly +uncomfortable. + +"I realized that I had acted like a boor. We had gone some distance, but +I had the train stopped and backed into the station. You were not there. +I telephoned your ambassador. You had been there and gone. We were unable +to find you. + +"I prevailed upon your mother to continue her journey to Brussels. I +issued an order to all my generals to keep a lookout for you and give you +safe-conduct into Belgium. It seems, however, that none of them +recognized you, or that you kept out of sight. + +"I promised your mother I would get you out of the country in some way, +and she was greatly relieved. She knew I would do it. That's all there is +to the story. Now, I don't know what you lads were doing when you were +captured, and I don't want to know. If you are mixed up in this war in +any way, I don't want to know anything about it; but, if you are, take my +advice and go home to America. As I say, I don't want to know what you +have been doing since you left Berlin. It might force me to change my +attitude. I promised your mother I would get you out of Germany, and I +shall do it." + +Hal and Chester were greatly surprised by this recital, and both boys +thanked the general as well as they could. + +The general stepped to the entrance of his hut, and raised his hand. An +officer entered and came to a salute. + +"I have given these two lads safe-conduct into the Belgian lines," said +the general. "See that they get there in safety." + +"Yes, general," said the officer. + +The general turned to the two boys. + +"You would better go now," he said. + +He extended his hand, and both boys grasped it heartily. + +"Good luck to you," he called, as they followed the officer from the hut; +"my regards to your mother." + +And that was the last the boys saw of the commander-in-chief of all the +armed hosts of Germany. + +Straight through the great German camp the officer led the boys swiftly. +At the farthest outposts he halted, and signaled another officer. + +"Lieutenant," he commanded, "take a flag of truce and escort these +boys to the Belgian lines. They have been given safe-conduct by +General Von Moltke." + +The officer saluted, and the boys followed him. Under a flag of truce +they traversed the distance between the Belgian lines. + +Out of danger at last, the two lads hastened to the quarters of +the commanding general, and reported. The general was genuinely +glad to see them. + +"I had about given you up for lost," he said. "But you have arrived in +the nick of time. A concerted German advance is expected momentarily, and +without the reply you have brought we would have been at a great +disadvantage." + +Their mission successfully completed, the lads now hunted up Captain +Derevaux. They found the young captain in his quarters. He jumped up as +the two boys entered, ran hurriedly forward and greeted them effusively. + +"Believe me, I am glad to see you again," he exclaimed. "I had made +certain I would never see you alive." + +"Oh, we are hard to get rid of," replied Hal, with a smile. "I guess +we'll continue to stick around for some time yet." + +"Well, you don't know how glad I am to see you back safely," continued +the Frenchman. "But come in and tell me all about your journey." + +For a long time the three talked; and then Hal bethought himself to ask +concerning the situation in Liège. + +"We are expecting an attack in force at almost any minute," explained the +young captain; "and we are prepared to give a good account of ourselves. +In spite of the fact that we are sure to be greatly outnumbered, there is +no doubt that we can hold the forts. Of the city itself, I am not so +certain, although these Belgians will fight to the last. + +"Everything that can be done to strengthen our position has already been +done, and all we can do now is to wait for the attack that must come +soon. Already the German forces have delayed longer than had been +anticipated, but every hour of delay makes our position that much +stronger. + +"British troops have been landed in France, and French and English both +are hurrying to the support of the Belgians. It is impossible for them to +arrive in time to take part in the coming fight, but it is the plan of +the Belgians to delay the German advance as long as possible. Believe me, +the Germans will find the Belgian defense such a stumbling-block as they +have not counted upon." + +"There is no question that they will fight to the last?" asked Hal. + +"Not the slightest," was the reply, "Their resentment of the violation of +Belgian neutrality knows no bounds. They will fight to the last drop of +blood in them." + +"Then I suppose the battle of Liège will be one of the bloodiest in +history," declared Chester. + +"Undoubtedly," replied the captain; "and, if I mistake not, it is only a +matter of hours until it begins. The troops are sleeping on their arms, +and at the first word of a German advance the entire Belgian army will be +hurled into the battle." + +"Do you really believe the Belgians will be able to check the +German advance?" + +"I do. These great steel forts are practically impregnable. They can +successfully withstand the fire of the big German guns for weeks; and for +the Germans to try and take them by storm will mean annihilation. But a +successful charge would put the city proper into their hands." + +"But in that event is there any likelihood of the forts surrendering?" + +"I think not. In fact, I am positive of it. But come, boys, we have +talked enough, and it is getting late. I guess we would better turn in. +There is no telling when we may get to sleep again." + +Accordingly, almost fully dressed, the three threw themselves down, and +soon were fast asleep. + +To Hal and Chester it seemed they had hardly closed their eyes when they +were rudely awakened. It was the sound of a cannon that had aroused them, +but for the moment they could not tell what it was. + +The boys sat up and rubbed their eyes sleepily. Outside it was light. The +gray dawn crept through the entrance, dispelling the shadows of the +darkened hut. + +"What was it?" cried Chester. + +And, even as he spoke, it came again, the heavy boom of a single huge +cannon, followed almost immediately by the crash of thousands upon +thousands of rifles. The machine and rapid-fire guns broke loose with +their leaden messengers of death, and a bugle sounded: + +"To arms!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE BATTLE. + + +Captain Derevaux, who had been sleeping soundly, sprang to his feet, +picked up his sword and pistols, and, without even a word to Hal and +Chester, dashed from the hut. + +"The battle has begun!" cried Hal. + +"Come!" exclaimed Chester. "Let's get to some place where we can see. I +can't stay here!" + +"Nor I!" cried Hal. "Come on!" + +The two lads hurried from the hut. As they emerged, a troop of Belgian +cavalry swept past them, on the way to the front. The boys followed as +rapidly as possible in its wake. Presently they came to a small hill. +Climbing to the top, they found they could command a good view of the +advancing German columns, which they could see in the distance, and which +were even now almost close enough to grapple hand-to-hand with the +horsemen swooping down on them. + +All along the German front the Belgian cavalry hurled itself upon the +advancing foe. They met with a crash, and horses and riders went down in +heaps. For a moment the Germans gave way. For a moment they recoiled, and +then they sprang forward again. + +The charge of the Belgian cavalry was magnificent, but it was in vain. +The German forces pressed onward, and the cavalry was forced back, +cutting and slashing as it slowly retreated. Under a withering fire, that +suddenly broke out all along the German front, the horsemen fell by +hundreds. It was more than flesh and blood could stand. A retreat was +sounded, and the cavalry fell back upon its support. But, even as they +drew off, there burst from the German front the sharp roar of the +mitrailleuse. The German maxims had opened fire. The Belgians fell faster +than before. + +And now the Germans were ordered to charge. Squadron upon squadron raced +over the open ground in a mad dash toward the Belgian line; and as they +charged, the rapid-fire guns of the great forts poured forth their +answer. Great holes were cut in the German columns, and men and horses +were mowed down like chaff. + +And still the Germans came on. + +Suddenly a fierce rifle fire broke out all along the Belgian front, even +as the rapid-firers continued to belch forth their messengers of death. +Men reeled and fell in masses. The Germans wavered, halted, then +retreated. A great shout went up from the Belgian lines. + +Under the support of their own field batteries, the Germans reformed for +a second charge. As before, the defenders waited until they were close, +then poured in a deadly fire. The Germans staggered, then sprang forward. +A second volley greeted them, and a second time the Germans wavered, +halted and retreated. A third time they charged, with the same result. + +All this time a long-range artillery duel was in progress, whatever +advantage there was resting with the Belgians. Shot and shell poured into +the oncoming solid ranks of the German infantry, cutting great gaps in +their ranks; but these quickly filled up again, and the Germans continued +their steady advance. + +All this Hal and Chester saw, and more. For they could see, to the left, +the successful advance of the enemy, as it moved upon the town of Liège. +In vain the Belgians charged upon the advancing line and poured in shot +and shell. The Germans came on. To the right the Germans also were +pushing slowly, but surely, forward. + +"It is terrible! terrible!" said Chester, with a shudder, as he watched +men fall right and left. + +"Horrible!" agreed Hal. "But come. We must move. It is as Captain +Derevaux said. The Belgians will be unable to hold the town. They must +retire upon the forts; and we had better retire before them." + +The boys descended from their position of vantage and made their way to +the nearest fort, which they were allowed to enter upon informing an +officer of their connection with the Belgian army, just as the Belgian +troops withdrew from their positions in front of the city and fell back +upon the forts. + +Liège was left at the mercy of the Germans. + +For some minutes thereafter there was a lull, as when a great storm dies +down, only to begin again with greater fury. The enemy's left wing, which +was nearest the fort in which the boys had taken refuge, could be seen +forming for a charge, while from the fort a rain of lead continued to +fall upon them. Although men were falling on every hand, the Germans +formed without the least confusion. + +Then came the order for the charge. From five different points the enemy +hurled itself forward upon the fort; nor did the hail of lead stop them. +Closer and closer they approached, the five sections of cavalry drawing +nearer together as they did so, so that when they were within striking +distance they were almost in solid formation. In their rear the infantry, +supported by field guns, already had formed for an advance. + +The Uhlans must be driven back at all hazards, and an order rang out from +the Belgian commander. + +There sallied forth a body of Belgian cavalry and the few French that +remained of the French Lancers who had borne the brunt of the fighting in +the battle in which Hal and Chester had distinguished themselves. In the +center of these Hal and Chester recognized Captain Derevaux, his sword +flashing aloft. + +"He is a grand soldier!" whispered Hal to Chester softly. "A brave man, +indeed. France may well be proud of him!" + +"There can be none better," answered Chester. "May he come through the +battle safely!" + +Now the Belgians and French charged, and the fighting was hand-to-hand, +while over the struggling horsemen the guns from the fort poured death +into the ranks of the advancing German infantry. + +The cavalry of the two armies had met so close to the fort that, with a +glass he picked up, Hal could distinguish the faces of the combatants. +And again, so close was the fighting that the guns of the fort could not +be brought to bear on the German cavalry for fear of killing friend as +well as foe; but they continued to deal death to the infantry. + +Looking through his glass, Hal sought out the form of Captain Derevaux. +Finally he espied him, right where the fighting was fiercest and men +dropped fastest. + +Hither and thither rode the gallant young Frenchman, striking, +thrusting, parrying, now raising his revolver for a snap shot, the while +urging his men on. + +"If he gets out alive it will be a miracle!" cried Hal, passing the glass +to Chester. + +Chester put the glass to his eyes and looked toward the field of battle. + +"By Jove!" he muttered. "He is magnificent!" + +At that moment the captain's horse went down, but, with a quick movement +of his arm, guarding his head from a saber stroke, the young Frenchman +seized the bridle of a riderless animal, and with a single movement swung +himself to the back of his new charger. In another moment he was once +more in the middle of the fighting, dealing out death on every hand. + +The Germans gave way, slowly at first, then faster; and at length they +turned and fled. As they did so, the guns from the fort poured a hail of +lead into them, mowing them down as they retreated. The Belgian cavalry +retired to the support of the fort. The German charge had failed! + +And now messages filtered in from other parts of the field. The +Belgians had been successful all along the line, with the exception of +one point, which had permitted the Germans to enter the city of Liège. +The losses of the Germans had been appalling; those of the Belgians +comparatively light. + +"Can the Belgians fight?" asked Hal, when the Germans had withdrawn. "Can +they fight? Well--" + +His silence was more expressive than words. + +"It's too bad we were unable to take part in the battle," declared +Chester. "It certainly gives me a restless feeling to sit here and look +on while others are doing all the fighting." + +"It does make a fellow feel a little queer," Hal replied. "But, supposing +we had been in that charge--where would we be now?" + +Chester shrugged his shoulders. + +"Perhaps here, and then again--perhaps, some place else," he answered. +"Who knows?" + +"Neither you nor I, surely," replied Hal. "But think of the dead and +dying on the field out there. War is a terrible thing!" + +"It is," declared Chester; "and the more I see of it the more I realize +that fact. But come. Let us see if we can find the captain." + +It was almost an hour later before they accidentally ran across him, and +the young Frenchman carried his arm in a sling. + +"It looks as though I am likely to be on the hospital list for a few +days," said the captain, smilingly. + +"It's a wonder to me your name is not on the death list," replied +Chester. + +"Indeed it is," agreed Hal. "We watched you through a glass from the +fort. Your action was magnificent. France can well be proud of you. +Believe me, you will not remain a captain long." + +"As for that," replied the young Frenchman, "I have just learned that I +have been recommended for promotion." + +The boys congratulated him, but he waved them aside laughingly. + +"It is no more than you would do for your own America," he declared; "no, +nor no more than you both did only the other day. Whatever I do," he +added softly, "I do for France!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE DEATH OF A HERO. + + +For almost a week now the strong Liège fortresses had withstood the +fierce bombardment of the great German guns. Attack after attack had been +beaten back, with heavy losses to both sides. Time after time the German +cavalry had charged, only to be hurled back by the fierce and deadly fire +of the Belgians. + +But the forts had not gone unscathed. The heavy German guns had done +great damage to the fortifications behind which Hal and Chester had taken +shelter, and the possibility was now being seriously considered as to +whether the fort could withstand another assault. + +General Simon, the commander of the fort, had decided in his own mind to +blow it up rather than surrender it to the enemy. Many prisoners had +been captured by the defenders, and these crowded the fort, occupying +every inch of available space. And now the next assault of the Germans +was at hand. + +Day and night the bombardment of the fort had continued. Under the +protection of the heavy cannonading, the Germans moved once more to the +attack. Three times did the enemy charge heroically, and as many times +were they driven back, with fearful losses. With the fall of darkness +they had given up the attempt to take the fort by storm. + +But the Belgian commander knew that the Germans would come again on the +morrow; and he also knew that he could not hold forth against them. He +made his plans accordingly. + +Under cover of the darkness he had his prisoners marched to the nearest +fort, more than a mile away. Then he ordered all civilians to the safety +of the other fortifications. + +His plans for keeping his fortifications from falling into the hands of +the enemy already made, he set about fulfilling them. He examined the +magazine and had everything in readiness. Then he ordered all his troops +to report to the general commanding the nearest fortress, placed a fuse +to the magazine, lighted it, and sat down to wait. + +Hal and Chester, strolling about the fort, in some unaccountable manner +had been left behind. Suddenly, for the first time, they noted the utter +desolation of the place. + +"Strange," muttered Hal. "Where has everyone gone?" + +"You've got me," declared Chester, "but there must be someone around some +place. Let's go up to the general's quarters." + +Now, when the soldiers and civilians had been ordered to leave the fort, +no one knew it was General Simon's intention of blowing it up. They +thought he was abandoning it because he believed it no longer capable of +resistance. But the commander had planned more deeply and heroically. He +did not intend the fort to fall into the hands of the enemy, that they +might repair it and turn its guns against his countrymen. + +"A German flag shall never wave over this fort," he had muttered +to himself. + +The general was sitting calmly at his desk, awaiting the end, when the +lads entered his room. He sprang to his feet with an exclamation. + +"Leave the fort instantly!" he commanded. "Waste a moment and you are as +good as dead!" + +Hal and Chester stared at him in surprise. + +"I have fired the magazine, and the fort will be blown to pieces in a few +minutes," said the general hastily. "Fly for your lives!" + +"But you, general?" demanded Hal, quietly. + +"I? I shall die at my post! But go, instantly! You have not a +moment to lose!" + +"We shall go when you do, general!" said Chester. + +The old commander whipped a revolver from the table before him. He +leveled the weapon at Hal. + +"If you do not go immediately, I shall fire!" he threatened. + +Hal smiled. + +"The result would be no different than that of the explosion," he said +quietly. "Come with us. We have still a chance of escape." + +The general lowered his pistol. + +"You are right," he said. "But here," a sudden thought having come to +him. "I have still a message for the Belgian people." + +He sat down and wrote rapidly. Rising, he handed Hal a paper. + +"See that this reaches the commander of Fort No. 5!" he ordered. "You +have my command! See that it is carried out! Go!" + +"That is simply a ruse to get rid of us, general," said Chester. + +The general whirled upon him. + +"I am still the commander of this fort!" he cried. "Obey my command!" + +The boys saluted the gallant old general for the last time; then they +turned on their heels and left him, alone. + +Once out of his room, they ran for the outer wall of the fortification +with all speed; and they did not pause until they were far beyond the +fort. Still there was no explosion. + +"Perhaps when General Simon finds something has gone wrong, he will +follow us," said Hal hopefully. + +"He is a brave old man," replied Chester. "Let us hope he thinks better +of his decision while there is yet time." + +But, hardly had the words left his mouth, when there was a terrific +roar, followed by a great flash of light. Turning, the boys saw the +fort leap into the air as though it were some live thing. High in the +air it burst and spread like a huge skyrocket; and then for miles +around there descended pieces of iron, great lumps of steel, like rain +from the heavens. + +Great pieces of these fell on all sides of the boys, but, as though by a +miracle, they were unharmed. + +Hal lifted his cap from his head, and looked for a long time toward the +spot where the great fort had stood. + +"A brave soldier and a gallant gentleman!" he said finally. "May he rest +in peace!" + +"Aye!" replied Chester softly. "He has given his life for his country!" + +Slowly the boys resumed their walk to the other fortress. Great +excitement prevailed. The appalling loss of the great fort, and the +unaccountable absence of General Simon were causing great anxiety and +speculation. The general belief was that the fort had been destroyed by a +German shell. + +In Fort No. 5 the boys made their way at once to the quarters of the +commander. They were admitted into his presence almost immediately. +Silently Hal handed him the last words written by the heroic general. +Gravely the commander glanced over the paper; then read aloud to the +members of his staff, who surrounded him: + +"I regret I have but one life to give for my country!" + +Every officer in the room rose and bared his head. There was silence for +some minutes; then the commander of the fort said quietly: + +"Peace be with him! On the next roll call he shall be marked: 'Absent but +accounted for.' He is with the heroes!" + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +A RACE FOR LIFE. + + +Hal and Chester walked slowly along the road. It was just beginning to +grow light and the lads were tired out. All night they had been on their +journey toward Louvain, carrying a second communication to General Givet +from the Belgian commander at Liège. + +Unlike their previous trip, the country now was known to be overrun by +Germans, and their second mission was much more perilous than had been +their first. For this reason they had taken a different route, and so did +not pass the farmhouse where Chester had been wounded some days before. + +"What is that ahead?" asked Chester suddenly. + +Hal strained his eyes, peering into the distance. + +"I don't know," he replied. + +They continued their advance, and suddenly Chester exclaimed: + +"Why, it looks like an old-time provision wagon." + +"So it is," replied Hal; "I wonder what it can be doing here?" + +As the boys drew nearer they perceived their surmise had been correct. A +dilapidated old wagon it was, standing beside the road. To it were +hitched two mules. There was not a soul about. + +"I thought these things had gone out of date," said Hal, indicating the +wagon. "It looks like an old prairie schooner." + +"It certainly does," answered Chester. "The only reason I can account for +such a relic being in use is that every available vehicle has been +impressed into service." + +"I suppose that is the reason, but it certainly reminds me of the wild +and woolly days we have read about in America. If this is not a +regulation prairie schooner, I never saw one." + +And indeed it seemed that the lads were right. The wagon was covered +with a canvas top, which came down over the back, leaving a little +opening in the rear. + +"What is the reason we can't get in this thing and ride?" asked Chester. + +"I can see none," was Hal's reply. "We might as well do it. Then, too, we +can make better time." + +Accordingly the lads climbed in, and soon were riding slowly along the +road. When about five or six miles from Louvain, Hal, glancing behind, +saw three horsemen approaching. + +He grabbed Chester by the arm. + +"Look there!" he said, pointing. + +"Germans, by George!" exclaimed Chester, who was driving, and he +immediately started the mules on a dead run. + +"Hold on," said Hal; "maybe they are Belgians." + +"No, no," replied Chester. "I know they are Germans!" + +"Well," replied Hal, "I am going to see," and, stepping out on the +footboard and holding to the side of the wagon, he looked back over the +top of the wagon. The horsemen were closer now, and Hal could make out +their uniforms. + +"They are Germans, aren't they?" asked Chester. + +"Yes," replied Hal, "and they are coming like the wind!" + +"Well," said Chester, "maybe we can get away. You do what fighting is +necessary, and I'll do the driving." + +"All right," said Hal. Crawling back in the wagon, he drew his two +revolvers, and in response to his command, Chester turned his two pistols +over to him also. + +Hal had hardly reached his place at the back of the wagon when Chester, +between yells to the mules, cried out: + +"How far off are they now, Hal?" + +Hal answered him as well as he could, and Chester renewed his lashing of +the mules and his yelling. + +Once more Chester inquired the distance between pursued and pursuing, +but, before Hal could answer, two shots were fired from behind, +accompanied by a shouted command to halt. The bullets from the rifles +passed through the wagon between the two lads, but did no damage; and +almost instantly the Germans charged down on them. Three shots rang out +as they passed the wagon, but the boys were not touched. + +The Germans passed on, and then, circling back, prepared for another +charge. Hal had fired at them several times, but, owing to the bumping of +the wagon, his shots had not found a mark. But, if the bumping of the +wagon had spoiled his aim, it had probably saved the lads' lives, for it +made accurate shooting by the Germans impossible. + +Down came the Germans again, shooting as they passed by. And again the +boys were unharmed. Hal and Chester were now yelling at the top of their +voices--why, they never knew. + +Hal, crawling to the back end of the wagon and, looking out, saw the +Germans ready to charge down on them again. One man, however, was jogging +along close behind the wagon, his revolver held in his hand. + +As Hal looked out, the German stopped his horse and fired. Hal dodged +back sideways. The bullet whizzed through the hole in the canvas in the +rear, grazed Hal's head, and struck the back of the seat near Chester. +Chester did not even turn, but, with cries and blows, continued to urge +the mules on. + +As quick as he could, Hal rushed to the hole and fired at his opponent, +but failed to hit him. At the same instant another bullet came through +the side of the wagon, and struck his revolver, and the weapon fell to +the road. Hal dodged back inside. + +Then the Germans bore down on them again, firing into the wagon as they +passed it. Hal sprang to the front of the wagon. One German had stopped +and was taking aim at Chester. Hal raised his revolver, and, taking a +snap shot, fired. The bullet went true, and the German fell to the road. + +"I've hit one of them, Chester!" called Hal. + +"Bully for you!" came back the response, and Chester continued to ply his +whip on the backs of the galloping mules. + +Once more the remaining two Germans turned and came back, but this time +they did not fire as they passed the wagon. Hal rushed back to the rear +of the wagon and looked out.... One German rode close behind and to the +right of the wagon. + +Bracing himself, Hal quickly stuck his revolver through the hole, but +before he could fire, the German flopped over on one side of his horse, +and all that could be seen of him was his arm around the animal's neck, +and from the knee down, one leg. + +Hal did not fire, but waited for him to come up--he could almost hit the +horse's head with his hand, so closely was he running. Suddenly he saw +his enemy's hand move, and he dodged back just in time. A bullet sped +past his head. + +Up came the German, and Hal stuck his revolver through the hole, and, +without taking aim, fired. The ball struck the German in the breast, and, +with a cry, he threw up his hands, and toppled from his horse. + +"I got another one, Chester!" cried Hal. + +"Good!" came the reply, but Chester was too busy to say more. + +The bullet with which Hal had disposed of the second German had been his +last, and the boys were now without firearms. + +Along they bowled, and once more the last German passed the wagon. He had +learned the boys were without weapons. But the German now had also +disposed of his last cartridge, so the lads were on even terms. + +Suddenly Chester called: + +"He is crowding the mules off the road!" + +It was true. The pursuer was riding close to the mules, trying to push +them from the road. The animal on the near side was jumping frantically +and gradually pushing the other mule toward the edge of the road. + +The German kept close to the mule, in spite of several attempts Hal made +to scare him off by pointing his empty revolver at him. The German +refused to scare. + +Grasping the side of the wagon, Hal took the revolver by the barrel and +hurled it at the German. The latter tried to dodge, but it was too late. +The revolver struck him in the face, and he fell to the ground. + +He was up in a moment, however, and, picking up his sword, was soon in +the saddle again; and a moment later the mules again were being crowded +off the road. + +The German was within striking distance, but Hal had nothing with which +to hit him. His other empty revolvers had already been thrown. + +"Hit him with the whip!" he cried to Chester. "Hit him with the whip!" + +Chester, suiting the action to the word, simply diverted one of the blows +intended for the mules, and struck the German fair across the face. + +The whip had a knot on the end of it, to keep it from unraveling, and +this knot hit the German in the eye. The German dropped his sword, put +his hands to his face, and rubbed his eyes; then, putting spurs to his +horse, he made off rapidly over the road which they had come. + +The boys now caught the first glimpse of the town of Louvain, and the +glad sight of Belgian troops could be discerned--the outposts +guarding the town. + +Chester let the mules slow down. + +"That was some ride," he declared. + +"You bet," was Hal's answer. "I thought we were gone that time, sure." + +"Well, let's get out and walk the rest of the way," said Chester. "I have +had enough of this riding to last me a lifetime. The wagon jolted so much +I must be black and blue all over." + +Chester stopped the mules, and the boys climbed to the ground; and, just +as they started to resume their walk, Hal sank suddenly to the ground! + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THROUGH WALLS OF FIRE. + + +Quickly Chester bent over his friend. + +"Hal! Hal!" he cried in alarm, shaking him gently. "Tell me where you +are hurt!" + +He laid his friend's body back gently; then for the first time he noticed +that blood flowed from a wound in Hal's side. + +In vain did Chester try to bring his chum back to consciousness. The boy +lay like one dead. Finally, seeing that his efforts to revive his +companion were useless, Chester picked him up in his arms, and in this +manner started for the town. + +By pure grit Chester succeeded in carrying his burden to the Belgian +outposts, where he turned him over to a Red Cross surgeon. + +"Is he badly hurt?" the boy demanded, as the surgeon arose from examining +his chum's wound. "Will he live?" + +"It is dangerous," was the reply. "But I think he will come around all +right presently. But he has had a narrow escape. One inch higher up and +the bullet would have pierced his heart. He must be taken to the +hospital. He must have proper attention." + +Leaving his chum in good hands, Chester made his way to General Givet's +tent, where he gave him the message the boys had gone through so much to +deliver safely. Then he went to the hospital. He was permitted to see his +friend at once. + +Deathly pale, but with a smile on his face, Hal greeted his friend. +Chester sprang forward and grasped his hand. + +"Are you all right, old fellow?" he asked eagerly. + +"Fit as a fiddle," was the faint reply. + +"Why didn't you tell me you were wounded?" + +"To tell the truth, I didn't know it myself until just as I stepped from +the wagon. I can't remember when the bullet hit me, but I suppose it was +when the Germans fired through the side of the wagon. But it was weak of +me to give way as I did." + +"Weak! Great Scott! Even the surgeon is unable to see how you held out as +long as you did. You have had a mighty narrow escape, I can tell you!" + +"I guess I have," replied Hal feebly. "But anyhow it's an escape. Did you +deliver the letter to General Givet?" + +"Yes." + +At this juncture, a nurse approached. + +"You must go now," she told Chester. "Your friend must have perfect quiet +for the remainder of the day." + +"All right," replied Chester, and then turning to Hal: + +"Well, good-by, old man. I'll be here the first thing in the morning." + +"Good-by," replied Hal. "Now, don't you worry about me. I shall be +all right." + +Chester made his way from the hospital. + +"By George!" he muttered, as he walked down the street. "I wish it had +been me that was wounded instead of good old Hal. It's certainly tough on +him, but he sure does bear up bravely." + +As Chester continued down the street, he was brought to a sudden halt by +the sound of firing from the outskirts of the city; and a moment later a +mounted officer dashed through the street, shouting: + +"The Germans! The Germans are approaching!" + +People along the street took up the cry and the air was filled with the +sound of startled voices: + +"The Germans! The Germans!" + +Dashing squadrons of cavalry swept through the streets on their way to +the front; people jumped out of the way as the artillery was hurried by; +and then came columns upon columns of infantry on a quick run. + +It was plainly evident that an attack by the Germans had not been +anticipated; but now that the enemy was close at hand, everything +possible was being done for the defense of the city. + +Chester hurried in the wake of the troops, and, as he did so, the first +screaming shell burst over his head. He was hurled to the ground, but +escaped injury. The crowds that had thronged the streets a moment before +vanished as if by magic. + +The flying shells now screamed incessantly overhead. From the front +came the deafening roar of many guns, and the crash of thousands +upon thousands of rifles. Suddenly the screams of many voices rose, +as a building, not far from where Chester stood, was blown into a +million pieces. + +For a moment Chester was awe-stricken and stood still. + +"This is terrible!" he muttered to himself. "Terrible!" + +He was struck by a sudden thought. + +"Suppose one of those shells should strike the hospital?" he said to +himself. "What would happen then? What would happen to Hal?" + +Turning, he hurried back in the direction from which he had come. Was it +a premonition, or what? + +As he turned the corner and the hospital came into view, a horrible scene +met his eyes. + +The hospital was afire! A brilliant flame shot high into the air, and the +smoke poured forth in a dense volume. Even from where he stood Chester +could see that one wall of the hospital had fallen. It had crumbled under +the shock of a German shell. + +Chester dashed forward; nor did he pause or falter at the thought of +the dangers he would encounter in the burning building, but ran +rapidly up the steps and plunged into the dense cloud of smoke and the +sheet of flame. + +His sense of direction stood him in good stead now. Almost stifled, his +hands and face scorched by the intense heat, he ran up the stairs. At the +top, where the air was somewhat clearer, he paused for a moment for +breath, then dashed for the room where he knew Hal lay. + +Hal was sitting on the edge of the bed when Chester burst into the room. +He had noted the first signs of smoke, and had attempted to rise, but the +effort was beyond him. There was not another soul in the room. + +He looked up as Chester rushed in. + +"I am afraid I can't make it," he said, in a faint voice. + +"We have got to make it," replied Chester quickly. "Can you walk at all?" + +Hal shook his head. + +"I tried to," he said, "but I can hardly stand on my feet." + +"Put your arm about my shoulder!" commanded Chester. + +"It's no use," said Hal. "You can't possibly carry me out, and we shall +both perish. Save yourself while you have time!" + +"No more talk like that," commanded Chester, in a stern voice. "We go or +stay together." + +"But we cannot do it," replied Hal. "Alone you may make it; but with me +you are certain to perish. Go!" + +"Will you do as I tell you peaceably, or must I use force?" demanded +Chester. "If you don't obey me, so help me, I will knock you cold and +then carry you out. Come, which shall it be?" + +"Have your own way, then," said Hal. + +Chester stooped over and Hal put his arm about his neck; then, lifting +him up in his arms, Chester staggered through the doorway, and to the +staircase. + +But, as he was about to put his foot on the first step, there was a +terrible rumble and roar, and the steps crashed downward. The supports +had been burned away. + +By a mighty effort Chester regained his balance, and the two lads were +saved from death in the smoking ruins below by a hair's breadth. Turning, +Chester rushed toward a window and looked out. It was a long drop to the +ground below, and he saw no help in sight. + +"I told you it was no use," said Hal. "Let me go, and save yourself!" + +Chester did not reply, but laid his chum gently on the floor. Then he +dashed into the next room, returning in a moment with several sheets. + +Quickly he tore these into strips and tied them together. Then he +approached Hal and tied one end under his arms. + +"We will get out yet," he said quietly, and assisted Hal to the window. + +"Put no more strain upon your wound than necessary," he instructed +Hal. "Hold to the sheets with your hands, and it will relieve some of +the strain." + +So saying, Chester lifted Hal to the window sill, and gently lowered him +over the edge. With his feet braced against the wall, he paid out the +improvised rope slowly. + +Now the flames burst into the room in which Chester stood, but it did not +hasten the lad in his desperate work. Slowly he let the sheets slip +through his hands, that Hal's wound might not be opened afresh by any +sudden jerks; and presently the slack of the rope told him that his chum +had reached the ground. At the same moment he heard Hal's voice: + +"All right! Pull up the rope!" + +Rapidly now Chester set about saving himself. The room was a seething +mass of flames, which burned him terribly. Tying one end of his +improvised rope to a bedpost, Chester leaped to the window sill, and +began his descent. + +So fierce were the flames that the sheets lasted but a second; but, in +that time Chester had slid halfway to the ground. Then the rope broke and +he fell with a crash. He picked himself up immediately, however, and, +turning to Hal, said swiftly: + +"Quick! We must get away from here at once. The building is likely to +fall at any moment and we shall be buried beneath it." + +He stooped down. + +"Put your arms around my neck again!" he commanded. + +Hal obeyed, this time without question. + +Raising up with Hal in his arms, Chester staggered forward at a run, and +it was well that he did so. + +For at the moment he had reached a place of safety, the great building +caved in with a deafening crash. There was a roar like the roar of a +thousand guns, and, a moment later, on the spot where the hospital had +stood there was only a mass of smoking and blazing débris. + +More slowly, now, Chester continued on his way. Before him he could still +hear the thundering of many cannons as the battle progressed, but he kept +his face turned in that direction. + +In spite of the heavy burden in his arms, he made good progress; nor did +the bursting of an occasional shell nearby deter him, nor turn him from +his course. As he staggered along he passed many tumbled-down buildings +that gave evidence of the accuracy of the fire of the German gunners; and +in some places the bodies of non-combatants littered the streets. + +Straight toward the front went Chester, his face set in grim +determination. He realized that in that direction lay whatever chance +there was of safety; for even now his keen ears detected the sound of +firing from the rear, as the Germans made their attack from that +direction. + +But, even as Chester neared the outskirts of the city a great cheer rang +out from in front, and the sound of firing grew less distinct. Presently +troops began to come toward them. Victorious in front, they were now +hurrying through the city to drive off the enemy attacking from the +other side. + +Chester stopped and laid Hal down in a doorway. There the two lads +remained in silence for some time. Soon the sound of firing from the +other directions grew more faint; then ceased altogether. + +Chester put Hal in the care of a pleasant-faced Belgian woman, who came +to the door now that the battle was over, and went forth in search of +General Givet. The latter was about ready to give himself up to a +much-needed rest, but permitted Chester to enter his hut. + +"General," said Chester, passing over how he had saved Hal's life in the +hospital fire, "my friend is badly wounded, and is in a bad way. It will +be long before he recovers. I have come to ask if there is not some way +in which he can be sent out of the country, at least until he has +entirely recovered." + +The general considered. + +"There is a party leaving for Brussels to-morrow," he said finally. "You +both may go with them." + +"But it is not necessary for me to go," returned Chester. "I might be of +use to you here." + +"Would you not like to be with your friend?" asked the general. + +"I would like nothing better," replied Chester. + +"Then it shall be so," said the general. "You are both brave lads. I +shall make the necessary arrangements myself." + +Chester was in the best of spirits as he made his way from the general's +quarters and started down the street to where he had left his wounded +chum. The lad was walking slowly along, when his arm was seized from +behind. Turning, Chester beheld the face of Edna Johnson. + +"Why, how do you do!" exclaimed Chester, raising his cap. "This certainly +is a surprise. What are you doing in Louvain? I thought you had decided +to remain at the farmhouse. But what is the matter?" + +This last was called forth by the signs of distress and excitement +plainly visible on the girl's face, which Chester, in his pleasure at +seeing her again, had not perceived at first. + +"I am staying here with a friend," the girl explained rapidly. "My uncle +ordered me to leave the farmhouse and come here. I am indeed fortunate to +have encountered you." + +"Why?" demanded Chester. + +"Listen," said the girl. And, taking Chester by the arm, she bent close +to him and whispered: + +"In my friend's home there are two men, presumably civilians. But I know +better. I heard them plotting. They are going to send word to the German +commander, telling him the exact position of the Belgian troops, the weak +spots in the defense, and all other details." + +"What!" exclaimed Chester. "Spies right here in the midst of the +Belgian army?" + +"Yes," replied the girl. "I overheard them talking in the room next to +mine. I didn't stop to hear any more. I ran out of the house, and was on +my way to the general, when I saw you. Then I thought I had better tell +you what I had learned." + +"And I am glad you told me!" said Chester. "Come, lead me to the house +and I shall try and gather fuller details before reporting to the +general. It may be that there are other spies in the city, and that, by +listening, I can learn something concerning them." + +Chester for the moment put aside all thoughts of Hal. He considered it +his first duty to serve the country for which he had already gone through +so much. Hal was in good hands. So, walking slowly, Chester and Edna made +their way to the house where the girl was living. + +"I am not particularly fond of playing eavesdropper," Chester told the +girl, as he stealthily followed her up the stairs; "but it is all in the +line of duty, so I guess it is up to me." + +From Miss Johnson's room could be heard the subdued sounds of voices in +the next room. + +"Rather unthoughtful of them to discuss such business in such a place, to +say the least," remarked Chester. "Apparently they forget that even the +walls have ears." + +The lad laid his ear to the door between the two rooms. Edna stood close +behind him, and the two listened eagerly. + +"Well, then it is all settled," came a low voice from the room beyond. +"You report to the chief immediately. I'll remain here an hour, so that +we shall not arouse suspicion by going together. But tell the chief I +shall be on hand in time." + +"Good!" came the reply. "I suppose all other details have been attended +to and that the thing will be pulled off smoothly. To-morrow night should +see the end of Louvain." + +Chester straightened up. + +"I must get out of the house before he does," he told the girl. "I must +follow him." + +"But won't you be in danger?" protested Edna. "Why not report to the +general at once?" + +"No," the lad declared. "I must at least find the rendezvous." + +Quickly he slipped from the room, and stepped outside the front door just +as a door on the upper floor slammed to. + +Chester walked slowly down the street, whistling. + +"I hope he comes this way," he told himself. "Otherwise, I shall have to +do some fast walking." + +Fortune favored the boy. As he walked slowly along, a man brushed swiftly +past him. Taking care to avoid all pretense of pursuit, Chester followed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +CHESTER DISCOVERS A PLOT. + + +For half an hour the lad stalked his prey through the streets of the +city, winding about here and there until Chester had absolutely lost his +sense of direction. Several times the man turned round and glanced +furtively about, but apparently he took no notice of his shadow. + +Finally he turned into a crooked little street near the outskirts of the +city. Chester also turned the corner, just in time to see the man +descend a pair of steps into the basement of what was apparently an +unoccupied house. + +The lad hurried up and arrived in time to hear the man give a peculiar +knock at the door--one loud tap, followed by three soft taps, then +another loud one. + +Chester walked back around the corner, where he stopped to think. + +"If only I could get in there," he said to himself. "I wonder--" + +He stopped, struck by a sudden idea. + +"By Jove! I believe it can be done," he said. + +He continued to pace up and down, apparently deep in thought. +Occasionally he stopped to look in the direction from which he had +followed his prey to the rendezvous. + +After nearly an hour the lad, after a glance down the street, slipped +quietly into a doorway. Apparently the thing for which he had been +waiting was about to come to pass. + +Footsteps sounded on the street, coming closer. Save for the one lone +pedestrian, the street was deserted. The footsteps approached closer, and +Chester gathered himself for a spring. As the man came abreast of the +doorway in which the lad was hiding, Chester hurled himself upon him. +With one hand the lad clutched his victim about the throat, and with the +other he struck out heavily. There was a stifled groan, and the man fell +limp in the boy's arms. + +Glancing hurriedly about to see that there was no one in sight--no +witness to his deed--Chester dragged the man into the doorway. Here he +quickly discarded his own clothes, stripped the stranger of his outer +garments and donned them himself. + +Then tearing his own clothes into strips, he bound his victim and gagged +him, after which, now attired in his victim's clothes, he stood up and +made a search of the pockets. + +"If my surmise is correct," he said to himself, "I shall be all right." + +The hand which was exploring the inside breast pocket came forth with a +little piece of cloth. + +"Good!" the lad exclaimed. "I thought as much. I didn't believe they +would take too many chances. A stranger might get in and betray them." + +For the little piece of cloth the lad had taken from the pocket of his +newly acquired apparel was a black mask. + +"Now," said the boy to himself, "to see if I cannot find out who I am +supposed to be." + +He continued the search of the pockets. Several pieces of paper and one +or two documents he glanced at hurriedly, and restored. Finally he drew +out a paper that seemed to please him, for his face lighted up with a +smile. He glanced at the slip of paper and read aloud: + +"This is to certify that the bearer is an accredited agent of the +One King." + +At the bottom was a seal of peculiar design, but there was no signature. + +"Evidently," said the lad, "members of this gang are not known to one +another, at least all of them. They may spot me and they may not. +However, I've got to take a chance. Nothing risked, nothing gained." + +The lad stepped quickly from his place of concealment and approached +where the man he had followed had turned in more than an hour before. He +descended the steps into the basement and knocked upon the door--once +loudly, three times softly, and once loudly again. + +The door swung open before him, and a masked man peered out. Taking a +deep breath, and feeling in his pocket to make sure that his revolver was +in readiness, the lad stepped inside. The door swung to behind him. + +Chester followed the man who had opened the door down a dark hallway, and +into a dimly lighted room. Masked as he was, the boy had little fear of +being discovered, but his hand rested on his automatic in his right-hand +coat pocket. + +Inside the room Chester perceived a circle of dark faces, stretching +almost around the room. At one side, facing the circle, was a raised +platform, and on this sat a huge bulk of a man, masked, as were all +the others. + +They all rose as Chester entered the room, and without a word the boy +made his way to the one vacant seat. The conspirators then resumed their +seats, and Chester sat down also, four chairs away from where the chief +himself sat. + +"Number One," called the chief, and the man nearest him on Chester's side +arose. "What have you to report?" + +"Everything is ready, sir. As you know, I am on the staff of the Belgian +commander. With the information I shall impart to him at the proper time +to-morrow, the main force of Belgian troops will be withdrawn from the +northern part of the city and the surprise will be complete." + +"You are sure? There is no chance of failure?" + +"Not the slightest, sir." + +"Good!" said the chief, and the first man resumed his seat. + +"Number Two," called the chief, and the second man arose. + +By his first words Chester recognized the man who had first spoken at the +home of Edna Johnson. + +"And what have you to report?" demanded the chief. + +"That word has been sent to attack at five o'clock," was the reply. +"I have received an answer, showing that my message was delivered +without mishap." + +"Good!" boomed the chief again. "That is all." + +Number Two resumed his seat. + +"Number Three!" called the chief. + +The man next to Chester rose to his feet. + +"Your report," commanded the chief. + +"I have to report, sir, that the thousand men sent to me have all +arrived. They came singly, and the last one arrived shortly before I +came here. They are all armed and are quartered in vacant houses on +Brussels Street, at the southern extremity of the city. They are +awaiting the word." + +The chief nodded, and the third man sat down. + +"Number Four!" called the chief. + +Chester rose to his feet, as had the others. + +"And you, sir?" demanded the chief. "Is your report satisfactory?" + +Chester was thinking rapidly. He was in the most ticklish situation he +had ever faced, and he was fully aware of it. He knew now that there was +not one chance in a thousand of his escaping detection. But the lad did +not falter, and his right hand grasped the handle of his automatic more +firmly, as he made reply: + +"Entirely so, sir," and then paused. + +"Well, well!" shouted the chief. "Explain!" + +Chester drew a deep breath, and took a haphazard shot: + +"My men are ready to seize the entire Belgian staff, at a moment's +notice, sir." + +The confusion that broke out immediately following his words told Chester +that his shot had missed. But the boy stood his ground. There was nothing +else he could do. + +From the opposite side of the room came a cry: + +"That was the work assigned to me." + +"That is not true," was Chester's quick reply. "I was the man selected +for that work." + +The man on the other side of the room made a spring toward Chester, but +he was arrested by the commanding voice of the chief, who now stood up to +his full height, a revolver barrel gleaming in his outstretched hand. + +"There is a traitor here," said the chief calmly. "I shall be the one to +decide who it is, for you are all known to me. Unmask!" + +Every person in the room save Chester obeyed this command, and for the +fraction of a second he stood alone, his face still covered. But he stood +for a fraction of a second only. + +Then with a quick move his revolver leaped from his pocket, and there was +the sound of a shot. The chief toppled over to the floor. + +Chester leaped to one side, and with a backward sweep of his left arm +knocked the single lamp from the wall and plunged the room into darkness. + +Then he dropped to his knees. And none too soon, for twenty pistols +cracked and as many bullets went hurtling by the spot where he had stood +a moment before. + +Ten feet behind Chester was a door. He had noticed it when he first +entered the room, and had decided that there lay whatever chance he had +for safety should he be discovered. Quickly, and still stooping, he ran +toward the door. + +And even as he reached it a match flared up and a bullet whistled by his +ear. But the door was unlocked and gave before the boy's weight, and as, +after passing safely through it, he turned to close it in the faces of +his enemies, one man blocked him, his arm raised to fire. + +But Chester's revolver rang out first. The lad had fired from his hip, +and the man went sprawling. + +The lad turned his weapon on the others who now rushed toward him, and +fired three rapid shots. Then he slammed the door shut, bolted it with a +single movement, and, turning, ran along the dark passageway, at the end +of which he could discern a dim light. + +Chester wiped his brow with his hand, and his hand came away wet. Holding +it close to his eyes as he ran, Chester saw blood. A bullet had struck +him a glancing blow on the side of the head, but in the excitement of the +moment he had not realized that he was wounded. + +At the end of the passageway the lad emerged into another room. There was +not a window in the room, and, glancing hurriedly about, Chester espied a +pair of stairs. Quickly he leaped up these, and came into what apparently +at one time had been a kitchen. + +The boy's gaze roved hastily about for a means of exit. He tried the +door, but it was locked. Twice he threw his whole weight against it, but +it did not budge. He looked at the windows. For some reason, they were +heavily barred. + +Chester put the muzzle of his automatic to the keyhole of the door and +fired. The lock was blown entirely away, and the door flew open beneath +the lad's weight. + +Not hesitating, the lad leaped through the next room and sped into the +hall beyond. He could clearly see that his way now led to the front door, +and he made for it at a run. He grasped the knob and gave a quick wrench, +but the door would not open. + +He sought for the key to turn it, but there was no key. Evidently the +family, upon going away, had barred it from the outside. From behind, the +boy could hear the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps, and he knew +that every moment's delay spelled disaster and almost certain death. + +He picked up a chair, and with a single blow shattered the glass front of +the door. He drew the leg of the chair across the ragged pieces of glass +left at the bottom, and then, dropping the chair, drew himself up. + +Just as he was about to tumble out on the far side, four men dashed up +the steps with drawn revolvers. Chester took in the situation at a +glance. He was between two fires, and escape was impossible. + +"Well," he told himself quietly, "I guess it's all up with me this time." + +He dropped back inside and faced his pursuers. Throwing his now useless +revolver to the floor, he raised both hands. + +"I surrender," he said quietly. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +AT THE POINT OF DEATH. + + +Two of Chester's pursuers approached him warily with leveled revolvers, +apparently fearing a trick. Coming within striking distance, one of them +dealt the lad a heavy blow with his fist. Chester fell to the floor +without so much as a groan, unconscious. + +When the lad again opened his eyes he was once more in the council +chamber of the conspirators. In the dim light he could discern the masked +circle of faces that had gazed at him when he had entered the room for +the first time. The only difference being that there was here and there a +vacant chair. + +Chester recovered consciousness fully alert to what was going on about +him. He took in the situation at a glance, and a grim smile lighted up +his face as his eyes fell upon the vacant chairs. + +"Looks like I had done a fair job, at any rate," he told himself. + +His gaze turned toward the chief's platform. The chief was there, but his +head was swathed in bandages. + +"Too bad I missed him!" Chester muttered. "He is evidently the +ring-leader, and to have downed him would have been the proper thing." + +Any further reflections the lad might have had were interrupted by the +booming voice of the chief, who now rose to his feet. + +"Prisoner, stand up!" he commanded. + +Chester arose from the chair in which he had been seated. His arms were +bound behind him and his feet had been tied together; still he found that +he could stand. + +"Prisoner," continued the chief, "your name!" + +"Chester Crawford," was the lad's firm reply. + +"And what are you doing in Belgium in these troublous days?" + +"I am attached to the staff of the Belgian commander at Liège," was the +boy's prompt response. + +"But what are you doing in Louvain?" + +"I came here with dispatches." + +"So? And yet you are not a Belgian, I take it; nor yet, French. What, +then? An Englishman?" + +"No; I am an American," said Chester proudly. + +"An American! Then how comes it that you are fighting for the enemies +of Germany?" + +"I am proud to be fighting for what I consider the right," said +Chester simply. + +"The right!" exclaimed the chief, in a loud voice. "Well, you shall soon +see that you would have been better off had you stayed on the other side +of the Atlantic." + +Chester did not reply. + +"Do you know what we are going to do with you?" continued the chief. + +"No, and I don't care," was the lad's reply. + +"We are going to kill you," said the chief calmly. "But first you will +be given a hearing. We do not put even our enemies to death without a +fair trial." + +Chester laughed mockingly. + +"A fair trial by such as you?" he exclaimed. "That is a joke. But go +ahead with the farce, and let's have it over with as soon as possible." + +The reply was a subdued growl. + +"Why are you here, in this room?" he demanded, at length. + +"To learn the details of a plot that would deliver Louvain into the hands +of its enemies," replied Chester calmly. + +"How did you learn our rendezvous?" + +"By listening to the conversation of two of your members who were so +indiscreet as not to remember that the walls of their room might +have ears." + +"So? That shall be looked into. Such indiscretion is not to be tolerated. +But how comes it that you were able to discover the knock of admittance; +how comes it that you have a mask exactly like the rest of us?" + +"You are asking a good many questions," said Chester, "but as this +probably is my finish, I don't mind telling you. I followed one of your +members here, and overheard him knock. Then I waylaid the other and took +his mask, clothes, and credentials away from him." + +The chief looked at him in surprise. + +"And you a mere boy," he exclaimed. "You are a bold lad and 'tis a pity +you have fallen into our hands. But that is enough. You admit, then, that +you entered here to spy upon us?" + +"Certainly, with the greatest of pleasure," said Chester. "Why shouldn't +I admit it?" + +"Enough!" cried the chief, and turned to his men. + +"You have heard the confession of the prisoner," he said. "Number One, +what is your verdict?" + +"Guilty!" replied Number One, in a solemn voice. + +"Number Two?" called the chief. + +"Guilty!" was the reply. + +And so on all down the line. Each answer was the same. And when each +plotter had given his verdict, the chief addressed them all in a +loud voice. + +"And the penalty?" he questioned. "What shall the penalty be?" + +And each man answered as with one voice: + +"Death!" + +"Good!" said the chief. "So be it." + +He turned to Chester. + +"Prisoner," he said, "you have heard the verdict. Have you anything +further to say?" + +"Nothing," said Chester quietly. "What's the use?" + +"Then," said the chief, turning to the rest of the conspirators, "you +shall draw lots to determine the executioner." + +He opened a small box that was on the table, rose to his feet, and held +the box out at arm's length. + +"You will come forward, one at a time," he told his fellow-plotters, "and +let not one of you look at the ball you have drawn until each man has +taken a ball and returned to his seat. Number One!" + +Number One stepped forward, reached in the box and extracted a ball, +which he carefully concealed in his hand, and returned to his seat. Each +man stepped forward in turn, and then returned to his chair, with a ball +in his hand. Then the chief spoke again. + +"Who has the red ball?" he demanded. + +Each man looked at the ball he had drawn, and then a voice at the +opposite end of the room from Chester rang out: + +"I have it!" + +"Good!" exclaimed the chief once more. "Then the prisoner's fate shall be +left in your hands. You may dispose of him in whatever manner you desire. +But"--and he raised a warning finger--"see that you make no slip." He +turned to the rest of the conspirators. "The rest of you may go." + +Slowly the conspirators, at intervals of perhaps a minute each, filed +from the room, and soon there was no one left save Chester, his +executioner, and the chief. + +"Remember," said the chief to the one remaining conspirator, as he +prepared to take his departure, "remember that a failure to carry out the +command of the court-martial means your own death." + +"Have no fear," replied the executioner. "He shall not escape." + +The chief nodded and left without another word. + +A moment the executioner stood, looking after the chief's retreating +figure. Then he drew a revolver from his pocket and approached Chester. + +Chester's heart began to thump loudly, and, try as he would, he could not +but tremble. + +"This is the finish, all right," he told himself. + +He closed his eyes and uttered a short prayer. + +A hand fell on his shoulder and shook him, The lad opened his eyes. The +executioner stood over him, revolver in hand. + +"You are an enemy of my country," said the executioner, "and I should +kill you. But I can't do it. You spared my life once, and it is +impossible that I kill you now." + +Chester's heart beat rapidly. Could it be that he was once again to +escape death when he was sure that his last moment had come? But he +replied in a steady voice: + +"I saved your life? Where? When?" + +With a quick move the man lifted his mask from his face. + +"Do you remember now?" he demanded. + +The face was that of the man with whom Hal had fought in the +farmhouse--the home of Edna Johnson--some days before. Chester recognized +him immediately as the German officer who had led his men to the attack +in the farmhouse. + +But Chester had not spared the man's life. He had not even fought with +him. It was Hal who had refused to give the German his death-thrust when +the latter was at his mercy. Chester thought quickly. + +"He has mistaken me for Hal," he told himself, "and if he knew it he +would probably kill me at once. I must keep up the game." + +He replied to the German's question: + +"Yes, I do remember you now." + +"Then you see why it is I cannot kill you," said the German; "but neither +can I let you go free. For if I did you would consider it your duty to +inform the Belgian commander of what you have learned and thus frustrate +our plans. I don't know what to do with you." + +Chester made no reply, and the captain continued: + +"I can think of but one thing, and that is to keep you with me until the +Germans have taken Louvain, after which, in some manner, I shall see that +you reach the Belgian lines safely. But we shall have to be very careful +as we leave here. The chief may have stationed a guard, and if he should +learn that I have not killed you, my own life would pay the forfeit. But +come, we must act quickly." + +So saying, the German stooped over Chester and cut his bonds. The lad +rose to his feet and stretched himself. For a moment he considered the +advisability of leaping upon his captor-friend, wrenching his revolver +from him, and making his escape. But this plan he immediately put aside +as unwise, for his captor still held the weapon ready, and the boy knew +that a single false move and the German would fire. Therefore, he did as +his captor bade him. + +The German raised his revolver in the air and fired a single shot. + +"If anyone remained to see whether the execution was carried out, that +will probably convince him," he said. "Now I will go out the door, and do +you follow in sixty seconds. I shall be watching, and if you try to +escape I shall kill you." + +The German peered out through the door, and a moment later was on the +outside. For a moment Chester debated whether he should make a dash in +the other direction. A little reflection, however, and he decided he had +better not. His limbs were cramped from being tightly bound, and he knew +that should he not make his appearance as commanded by the German within +sixty seconds, the latter would come after him--and the latter was armed +and Chester was not. + +Slowly he counted off the sixty seconds, and then stepped through the +door. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +"OUT OF THE FRYING PAN--" + + +"This way," came a low voice, as the lad reached the top of the steps. + +It was now after nightfall, and the street was very dark, but Chester +could dimly make out the form of the officer a few yards ahead of him. + +"Follow me," came the voice again, "and remember that I have my gun +ready. Just so surely as you make a false move I will kill you." + +Chester made no reply, but followed his captor down the street. At the +first corner the officer stopped and allowed Chester to come up with him. + +"I guess we can walk along together now," he said, as they turned the +corner. "It is hardly likely that they suspect me." + +"I am sure I can never thank you enough," said Chester fervently. + +"Never mind that," said the German. "I don't want any thanks. But it is a +poor gentleman who cannot return a favor." + +The two continued their way in silence. They came at length to a little +house, setting well back on a dimly lighted street, and here the German +turned in, Chester accompanying him. The officer let himself into the +house with a night key, and the two ascended the stairs, at the top of +which the officer led the lad into a small but comfortable room. + +"Just make yourself at home," he told Chester, "It isn't much, but it's +the best I can offer. Here you will have to stay till after to-morrow +night, or at least until we have occupied the city." + +From a little cupboard the officer produced some sandwiches and two +bottles of beer. + +"Help yourself," he said. + +"Thanks," said Chester. "I'll try one of the sandwiches, but I don't +believe I care for any of the beer." + +"What's the matter?" demanded his host. "Don't you drink beer?" + +"No," said Chester, "and I don't want to start now." + +"Suit yourself," said the German, pouring himself a glass. "Have one of +these sandwiches, anyhow." + +Chester ate hungrily, for it had been many hours since he had tasted +food. The light meal disposed of, the German lighted a cigarette, and the +two leaned back for a talk. They discussed various topics for several +hours, and then the German said: + +"Well, I guess it is time for me to turn in. You will bunk in the +corner there," pointing, "and I'll sleep in the other corner. But first +I must tie you up. It wouldn't do to have you escape, you know, for in +spite of the fact that I am your friend, I am first of all a servant of +the Kaiser." + +He produced some rope, and soon Chester was once more bound securely, but +not uncomfortably. The lad lay down and closed his eyes, and a moment +later the German also turned in. + +Chester was in no mood for sleep. He had too much on his mind to think of +slumber. Several moments more and the deep regular breathing of the +officer gave evidence that he was sound asleep. + +Chester squirmed and twisted quietly in his bunk, trying to release his +hands. Minute after minute he continued with untiring energy. A clock +somewhere in the house struck the hour of twelve, and still Chester +squirmed and twisted. + +As he turned this way and that, straining at his bonds, his left hand +suddenly came free. Chester could hardly believe his own senses. A moment +later and he had released his feet. Cautiously he arose and peered into +the darkness. He could not see an inch before him. The room was +absolutely black. + +But Chester's sense of direction stood him in good stead now. Slowly and +cautiously he tip-toed toward the spot where he knew the door to be. His +outstretched hand touched the wood, and a moment later his exploring +fingers found the knob. He found the key and turned it, then slowly and +silently turned the knob. + +The door swung open without even a creak and in a second more the lad was +on the outside and the door was closed behind him. Stealthily he +descended the stairs, opened and went out the front door, closing it +softly behind him. Then he darted down the street as fast as his legs +could carry him. + +After rounding several corners, he finally slowed down to a walk. He felt +now that he was safe from pursuit, and he set about finding his way to +the headquarters of General Givet. He continued his walk for several +blocks, and then he was suddenly challenged by a sentry. + +The lad explained his mission, received the proper directions, and was +soon making all haste toward the general's quarters. Once more before the +general's hut, the lad informed the soldier standing guard that he must +see the general immediately. + +"It is impossible," was the reply. "The general is taking a much-needed +rest. He gave orders that he must not be disturbed on any account. But +here," suddenly, "here comes Captain Bassil. He will see that any +information you may have reaches the general." + +Chester turned to greet the newcomer. He saluted as the latter came up to +him. As the officer drew close, he gave one startled look at the boy's +face, and then drew back with an exclamation. + +"You here?" he exclaimed. + +"Why, yes, sir," replied the lad, "and I have important information." To +himself he added: + +"Where have I heard that voice before?" + +"What is your information?" demanded the officer harshly. + +Briefly and quietly Chester told him what he had learned. + +"Impossible!" was the officer's exclamation, when Chester had concluded +his recital. "It is my belief that you have come here to spy." He turned +to the soldier. "Send Lieutenant Armand to me at once," he said. + +The man saluted and disappeared. At the last words of the officer it +suddenly came to Chester where he had heard the voice before. He +approached the officer and peered more closely into his face. + +"I wasn't sure, until I heard your last words," he told him, "but I know +you now. You are a German spy." + +"Hold your tongue," said the officer harshly, "or I will shoot you down +where you stand." + +At that moment another officer hurried up and saluted the captain. + +"You sent for me, sir?" he asked. + +"Yes; this boy is a German spy. I have positive proof. Have him shot +at sunrise." + +"Very well, sir," replied the lieutenant; then to Chester: "Come!" + +"But--" began the lad. + +"No words," said the lieutenant. "Forward--march!" + +Chester saw it was no use to protest, so he marched ahead of the +lieutenant without another word. He was taken to a small tent, thrust in, +and a trooper ordered to mount guard over him. Wearily the lad threw +himself down, and, in spite of his predicament, was soon asleep. + +It was just beginning to grow light when he was rudely awakened by +someone shaking him by the arm. Five minutes later and he was marched +from his tent between a file of soldiers. + +As he walked rapidly along between his captors, he suddenly espied an +officer approaching on horseback. Even from where he was, in the dim +light Chester recognized the horseman, and his spirits rose. It was +plainly apparent that the rider would pass within a few feet of him. + +A moment more, and he was close enough to the mounted officer to touch +his horse. Suddenly the lad sprang forward and cried: + +"General Givet! General Givet!" + +The mounted officer pulled up his horse sharply. At the same moment the +officer in charge of the squad sprang forward and grasped Chester roughly +by the arm. + +"Get back there!" he commanded sharply, but the boy paid no heed. + +"General Givet!" he called again, and laughed happily aloud as the +general turned his horse and came squarely up to him. + +"Why, by my soul!" exclaimed the Belgian commander after a sharp look at +the boy, "if it isn't young Crawford! What are you doing here?" + +"They are going to shoot me as a spy, general," said Chester. + +"What!" exclaimed the commander. "You a spy!" + +He turned to the lieutenant in command of the squad. + +"By whose order, sir?" he demanded. + +"Captain Bassil's order, sir," was the reply. + +"Captain Bassil, eh? Well, you will conduct your prisoner to my quarters. +Then you will inform Captain Bassil that I desire his presence +immediately." + +The lieutenant saluted, and the general rode off. + +Ten minutes later, in the general's quarters, Chester was face to face +with his accuser. + +"Well, sir," said General Givet to Captain Bassil, "what was your reason +for ordering this lad shot? You will please explain yourself at once." + +The captain shifted uneasily from one foot to another. + +"I was sure he was a spy, sir," he made reply. "Why else should he be +spooking about your tent at such an hour in the morning? But if I have +made a mistake--" + +"You have, sir," interrupted the general, "a very serious one--one that +will require a more satisfactory explanation than the one you have just +given. This lad"--and the general laid his hand on Chester's +shoulder--"already has proven himself invaluable to our cause. Had I not +fortunately arrived in time, he would now be dead. And in that event it +would have fared badly with you. But I must investigate this case +farther. Captain Bassil, you will go immediately to your quarters and +consider yourself under arrest." + +As the captain saluted and turned to leave the tent, Chester, who had +been silent thus far, exclaimed: + +"One moment, please, Captain Bassil," and then turned to General Givet. +"I will explain, sir," he, added, "if you will have Captain Bassil remain +a moment longer." + +The general nodded and Captain Bassil remained. Chester walked up to him +and looked him steadily in the eye for several moments. Then he turned to +General Givet and said calmly: + +"I accuse Captain Bassil, sir, of being a German spy!" + +"What!" exclaimed the Belgian commander, starting back. "Do you realize +what you are saying?" + +"Perfectly, sir, and I am prepared to prove what I say." + +Captain Bassil smiled sneeringly. + +"I won't believe you will take any stock in such a wild story, sir," he +said to General Givet. "With your permission, I shall go to my own +quarters." + +"One moment," said the general, raising a detaining hand, and then turned +to Chester. "Explain yourself," he added shortly. + +In a few well-chosen words Chester recounted his experiences of the +day before. + +"And I am positive," he concluded, "that if you will have Captain Bassil +searched, you will find in his possession a paper similar to this," and +he handed the commander the document he had taken from one of the +conspirators before he entered their council chamber. + +The commander ran his eye over the paper hurriedly, and turned sternly +toward Captain Bassil. + +"What have you to say to this charge, sir?" he demanded. + +"That it is a lie!" shouted the accused officer. "He is accusing me to +save himself." + +The general looked at him in silence for some moments, apparently +undecided as to how to act. + +"Well," he said at length, "it will do no harm to find out." + +He stepped to the door of his tent and spoke to the sentinel on duty +just outside: + +"Ask Lieutenant Armand to step this way at once." + +As General Givet turned from giving this command, Captain Bassil suddenly +uttered a loud cry and leaped upon the commander. + +"At least you shall never live to thwart our plans!" he cried, as +he sprang. + +Taken completely off his guard, General Givet was hurled heavily to the +ground by the force of the traitor's spring. The commander's head struck +the ground with a crash, and he lay still. A revolver barrel gleamed in +the sunlight that filtered through the half-closed opening in the tent. +But even as it was brought to bear Chester leaped forward. + +With one strong hand he seized the traitor by the wrist, and deflected +the revolver just as the traitor's hand pressed the trigger, and the +bullet whistled harmlessly through the top of the tent. + +The captain turned upon Chester with the fury of a madman, and so sudden +and fierce was his attack that the lad was borne to the ground. But in +spite of the fact that he was underneath, one hand still grasped the hand +in which the spy held the revolver; and, try as he would, the latter was +unable to break the boy's grip. + +His teeth bared in a snarl, the traitor suddenly released his grip on the +revolver, drew back and drove his fist at the lad's face. But if Captain +Bassil was quick, Chester was quick also. With a rapid movement, he +rolled over, the revolver still in his hand, and thus escaped the +terrific blow aimed at him. + +But before he could rise or bring the revolver to bear, the traitor was +upon him again, and two hands seized him by the throat. In vain the lad +tried to shake himself free, and he was slowly being choked into +unconsciousness. + +But with a last desperate effort, he succeeded in bringing the +revolver, which he still held firmly, between him and his enemy, and +pressed the trigger. + +There was the sound of an explosion, and for a moment the grip on the +boy's throat seemed to grow even tighter. But for a moment only, and then +the hands relaxed, Chester heard a faint moan, and, drawing in great +gasps of fresh air, the boy fell into unconsciousness, just as the flap +to the tent was jerked hurriedly aside and many men rushed in. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE END OF THE CONSPIRACY. + + +When Chester opened his eyes to the world again he was propped up on +General Givet's own bed, and the Belgian commander and a Belgian surgeon +were leaning over him. + +"Awake at last, eh?" said General Givet, with a smile, as Chester opened +his lips to speak. "You had a narrow squeak, and no mistake. And to think +that a young lad like you should be the means of saving my life!" + +"You have indeed rendered a great service to Belgium," broke in the +surgeon. "But how do you feel?" + +"A little weak," replied Chester, with a faint smile. "But Captain +Bassil? Where is the traitor?" + +"Dead," was the Belgian commander's laconic response. + +Chester shuddered involuntarily. + +"Never mind," said the general; "it was his life or yours, and mine too, +for that matter." + +"But it makes a fellow feel awfully queer," said Chester. "In battle it +would have been different. But to shoot--" + +He broke off and was silent. + +"And the conspiracy?" he asked, after a brief pause. "You have taken +steps to catch the Germans in their own trap?" + +"I have," said the general grimly. "They will wish they had attempted to +take Louvain in some other manner. Thinking us unprepared, they will be +too confident. If they fall into our trap--and I am positive they +will--they will be annihilated." + +Chester was struck with a sudden idea. + +"General," he said, "why can't we round up all the conspirators that are +in the city?" + +"In what way?" asked the commander. + +Chester's reply was another question: + +"Has your attempted assassination been kept a secret, or is it +generally known?" + +"It has been kept quiet," was the general's reply. "Were it generally +known our coup might fail." + +"Exactly as I thought," said Chester. "Now I am almost positive that the +conspirators will gather for one more session before the German advance, +if only to make sure that nothing has gone amiss. We can surround the +house and capture them red-handed." + +"An excellent idea!" exclaimed the general. "It shall be acted upon. +I will give orders to that effect immediately," and he turned to +leave the tent. + +But before he should step outside, Chester jumped out of bed and ran +after him. + +"And how about me, sir?" he demanded. "Am I not to be allowed to take +part in the capture?" + +"You!" exclaimed the general. "You are in no condition to move about. You +shall stay here in bed." + +"Please, general," pleaded Chester. "This is my discovery; it should be +my capture, too." + +The general stood wrapped in thought for some moments. + +"So it should," he said at length, "and so it shall be, if you feel equal +to the task." + +"I am perfectly strong again," said Chester eagerly. + +"So be it, then," replied General Givet. "How many of the conspirators +did you say there are?" + +"About twenty-five, I should judge." + +"Good! I shall place one hundred men at your disposal, and leave entirely +to you the manner in which you make the capture." + +Chester was jubilant. So great was his eagerness to be at his work that +he could hardly wait for his men to be selected. But at last everything +was ready and it was time to start. + +A short distance from the rendezvous of the conspirators, Chester divided +his men into four groups of twenty-five each, so that they could approach +from all directions at once. + +With his men concealed from view, Chester bethought himself of the best +manner to entice the conspirators out into the open. Finally he hit +upon a plan. Calling three of his men, he walked with them to a spot +directly in front of the conspirators' rendezvous. Here the four +started a heated argument. + +Suddenly there was the sound of a door opening, and a moment later the +well-known voice of the chief of the conspirators exclaimed: + +"It is the spy! Come, men, we must capture him. Shoot down the soldiers!" + +A moment later and the entire number of masked conspirators were in +the street. Then, at a signal from Chester, the Belgian troops sprang +upon them. + +There was the sound of a pistol shot, followed by many more, and a bullet +whistled by Chester's ear. Two of the Belgian troopers fell, and several +others groaned. It was plain that the conspirators, trapped as they were, +would not give up without a fight. + +"Fire!" cried Chester, and a death-dealing volley was poured into the +little knot of men huddled together in the street, surrounded by +Belgian soldiers. + +The fighting became desperate. The conspirators were giving a good +account of themselves, and here and there Belgian soldiers were falling. + +Now the conspirators turned and made a dash toward their retreat. But +five Belgian troopers sprang forward and barred the door, firing as they +did so. The ranks of the conspirators were considerably thinner now, and +to continue the fight would mean slaughter. This fact the chief +recognized. + +He hurled his revolver at his foes with a fierce imprecation, and then +raised his hands above his head. His followers did the same. + +"I surrender!" said the chief. + +Chester went up to him. + +"The tables are turned, I see," the chief greeted him. "Well, a man can't +be on top all the time. But I was a fool not to have stayed and seen you +properly shot." + +"I am glad you didn't," was Chester's reply, "for I guess you would have +made a good job of it. But enough of this. I am commanded to take you +before General Givet." + +Surrounded by Belgian troopers, the conspirators were marched to the +headquarters of the commanding general. There a court-martial was called +to sit at once. Its work was brief. The prisoners were ordered taken out +and shot as spies and traitors to Belgium. + +Upon orders issued by General Givet, the Belgian troops soon began to +move in accordance with the plan by which the Belgian leader hoped to +trap the Germans. Their movements were such as to lead the German +outposts to believe that they were retreating. + +But instead of weakening his line where the Germans had planned to +attack, General Givet strengthened it heavily. The troops were ordered to +fallback a short distance, so that the German leader might believe the +force in front of him had been sent to another part of the field to repel +an attack that was believed imminent. + +But the expected fall of Louvain by this piece of treachery was to prove +a bitter disappointment to the German commander. Instead of the weak +Belgian line he believed he was to encounter, he was sending his men +against a force that had been heavily reinforced and that was determined +to wipe out the insult. + +As the Belgians gradually drew back, the Germans advanced, not too +swiftly, so as to indicate an attack in force, but gradually and slowly. +But continually larger and still larger bodies of Germans were sent +forward, until suddenly it was apparent to General Givet that the time +for the German surprise had come. + +But when it did come the Belgian commander was ready. As the Teutons came +forward in a headlong charge, the Belgians checked their backward +movement and rushed forward. + +A terrific volley greeted the charging Germans, and from the ambush, into +which the enemy had been lured, the artillery opened upon them. They +wavered slightly, but still they came on. But even as they sprang forward +once more, the Belgian cavalry swooped down on them, dealing out death on +every hand. + +Stubbornly the Germans held their ground. Reinforcements were rushed to +their aid, and the battle became general all along the line. + +It was evident by this time that the German commander realized +something had gone wrong with his plans; but now that the attack had +been made he was not the man to give up without doing all in his power +to go ahead. Now the Germans broke and began to retreat. With a wild +yell, squadron after squadron of Belgian horsemen charged down upon the +retreating Teutons. + +Three times the German officers, bravely exposing themselves to the +leaden hail of death, succeeded in checking their straggling troops, and +three times the Germans coolly reformed under a terrific artillery and +rifle fire. + +But it was no use. For now the Belgians began a concerted advance all +along the line. The German charge had spent itself, and the Teutons +gradually drew off. + +But the retreat did not become a rout. The Germans fell back slowly, +contesting every inch of the ground. The aim of the Belgian gunners and +infantrymen was excellent, and the havoc wrought in the German lines was +terrible. The field was strewn with dead, but over these the Belgian +troops pushed on, pressing their advantage to the utmost. + +Finally General Givet called a halt. The Germans were still retreating, +but the Belgian commander did not feel that he could afford to pursue +them farther. The danger of a surprise was over, and he did not wish to +risk another battle, particularly as he was unable to see the necessity +of extending his own lines. + +Therefore, the Belgian troops fell back upon their line of defense and +the battle was over. + +Chester, upon the express command of General Givet, had not been allowed +to take part in the battle. The Belgian commander had kept the lad close +to him, occasionally dispatching him to some near portion of the field +with some order. And now that the fighting was over, General Givet +announced that he would be pleased if Chester would dine with him. + +But his work over and all his duties properly attended to, Chester +bethought himself of his wounded chum. He was anxious to see Hal and +relate what had happened and to make sure that his friend was being +properly taken care of. + +He reminded the general of the latter's promise to have Hal sent to +Brussels, and received the commander's renewed assurances that he would +not forget. Then he set out for the place where he had left Hal. + +He stopped on the way, however, to see Edna Johnson, knowing that she +would be interested in what had occurred since he last saw her and +learning that but for her the Belgian army in Louvain might have suffered +a terrible calamity. + +Chester did not linger long with Edna, however, after relating his +experiences and a brief chat on other subjects, made his way to the house +where he had left his wounded chum, to whom he gave a detailed account of +all that he had done, and of the arrangements he had made for their +reaching Brussels. + +"I would have been all right here," protested Hal. + +"Maybe you would," replied Chester, "but there is likely to be more +fighting at any time, and you are in no condition to move about. You will +be better off in Brussels." + +"I guess you are right," said Hal. + +"I know I am right. I understand there are no German troops between here +and Brussels, so there will be no danger on the way." + +Hal was silent for some moments, musing. + +"We have had some fun here, haven't we, Chester?" he asked at length. + +"We have," was the reply. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world." + +"Nor I," returned Hal. "And, when I am well, we shall see more fighting. +The war has just begun." + +Four days later Chester and Hal arrived in Brussels, where Chester +procured the services of a good physician for his friend, who had stood +the trip remarkably well, and the physician, after an examination, +announced that Hal would be able to get about in a short time. + +"Quiet for a few days is all that is necessary," he declared. + +And so Hal and Chester, comfortably housed in the Belgian capital, sat +down to await the time when they could again give their services to the +allied armies. + +And here properly ends the story of "The Boy Allies at Liège," though not +the story of "The Boy Allies." Their subsequent adventures in the +greatest war of all history will be found in a sequel, "The Boy Allies on +the Firing Line; or Twelve Days' Battle on the Marne." + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY ALLIES AT LIEGE*** + + +******* This file should be named 12656-8.txt or 12656-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/6/5/12656 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/old/12656-8.zip b/old/12656-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9378fa6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12656-8.zip diff --git a/old/12656.txt b/old/12656.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..da9cfa7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12656.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7300 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The boy Allies at Liege, by Clair W. 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 at Liege + +Author: Clair W. Hayes + +Release Date: June 19, 2004 [eBook #12656] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY ALLIES AT LIEGE*** + + +E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Project Gutenberg Beginners Projects, +Mary Meehan, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + +THE BOY ALLIES AT LIEGE + +OR + +Through Lines of Steel + +By CLAIR W. HAYES + +AUTHOR OF "The Boy Allies On the Firing Line" "The Boy Allies With the +Cossacks" "The Boy Allies In the Trenches" + +1915 + + + + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE TWO COMRADES. + + +"War has been declared, mother!" shouted Hal, as closely followed by his +friend, Chester Crawford, he dashed into the great hotel in Berlin, where +the three were stopping, and made his way through the crowd that thronged +the lobby to his mother's side. + +"Yes, mother, it's true," continued Hal, seeing the look of consternation +on Mrs. Paine's face. "The Kaiser has declared war upon France!" + +Mrs. Paine, who had risen to her feet at her son's entrance, put her hand +upon the back of her chair to steady herself, and her face grew pale. + +"Can it be?" she said slowly. "After all these years, can it be possible +that millions of men will again fly at each other's throats? Is it +possible that Europe will again be turned into a battlefield?" + +Overcome by her feelings, Mrs. Paine sank slowly into her chair. Hal and +Chester sprang to her side. + +"It's all right, mother," cried Hal, dropping to his knees and putting +his arm about her. "We are in no danger. No one will harm an American. At +this crisis a citizen of the United States will not be molested." + +Mrs. Paine smiled faintly. + +"It was not of that I was thinking, my son," she said. "Your words +brought back to me the days gone by, and I pray that I shall not have to +go through them again. Then, too, I was thinking of the mothers and wives +whose hearts will be torn by the news you have just told me. But come," +and Mrs. Paine shook off her memories, "tell me all about it." + +"As you know, Mrs. Paine," spoke up Chester, who up to this time had +remained silent, "Hal and I went to the American Embassy immediately +after dinner to-night to learn, if possible, what difficulties we were +likely to encounter in leaving Germany. Since the Kaiser's declaration of +war against Russia all Americans have been preparing to get out of the +country at the earliest possible moment. But now that war has been +declared on France, we are likely to encounter many hardships." + +"Is there any likelihood of our being detained?" asked Mrs. Paine in +alarm. "What did the ambassador say?" + +"While the ambassador anticipates no danger for foreigners, he advises +that we leave the country immediately. He suggests that we take the early +morning train across the Belgian frontier." + +"Why go to Belgium?" + +"All railroad lines leading into France have been seized by German +soldiers. Passenger traffic has been cut off, mother," explained Hal. +"All trains are being used for the movement of troops." + +"Yes, Mrs. Paine," continued Chester, "we shall have to go through +Belgium. Even now thousands of the Kaiser's best troops are marching upon +the French frontier, and fighting is only a question of hours." + +"Very well, then," returned Mrs. Paine. "We shall go in the morning. So I +guess we would all better go upstairs and pack. Come along, boys." + +While the packing is going on, it is a good time to describe the two +American lads, who will play the most important parts in our story. + +Hal Paine was a lad some seventeen years of age. Following his graduation +from high school in a large Illinois city the previous June, his mother +had announced her intention of taking him on a tour through Europe. +Needless to say, Hal jumped at this chance to see something of the +foreign countries in whose histories he had always been deeply +interested. It was upon Hal's request that Mrs. Paine had invited his +chum, Chester Crawford, to accompany them. + +Chester was naturally eager to take the trip across the water, and, after +some coaxing, in which Mrs. Paine's influence also was brought to bear, +his parents finally agreed to their son's going so far away from home. + +Hal's father was dead. A colonel of infantry, he was killed leading a +charge at the battle of El Caney, in the Spanish-American war. Hal's +grandfather died of a bayonet wound in the last days of the Civil War. + +But, if Hal's father's family was a family of fighters, so was that of +his mother. Her father, a Virginian, was killed at the head of his men +while leading one of Pickett's regiments in the famous charge at +Gettysburg. Three of her brothers also had been killed on the field of +battle, and another had died in prison. + +From her own mother Mrs. Paine had learned of the horrors of war. Before +the war her father had been a wealthy man. After the war her mother was +almost in poverty. While too young then to remember these things herself, +Mrs. Paine knew what havoc had been wrought in the land of her birth by +the invasion of armed men, and it is not to be wondered at that, in view +of the events narrated, she should view the coming struggle with anguish, +despite the fact that her own country was not involved and that there was +no reason why her loved ones should be called upon to take up arms. + +Chester's father was a prominent and wealthy lumberman, and Chester, +although nearly a year younger than Hal, had graduated in the same class +with his comrade. The two families lived next door to each other, and the +lads had always been the closest of chums. + +For the last three years the boys had spent each summer vacation in one +of the lumber camps owned by Chester's father, in the great Northwest. +Always athletically inclined, the time thus spent among the rough +lumbermen had given the boys new prowess. Day after day they spent in the +woods, hunting big game, and both had become proficient in the use of +firearms; while to their boxing skill--learned under a veteran of the +prize-ring, who was employed by Chester's father in the town in which +they lived--they added that dexterity which comes only with hard +experience. Daily fencing lessons had made both proficient in the use of +sword and saber. + +Among these woodsmen, composed of laborers from many nations, they had +also picked up a smattering of many European languages, which proved of +great help to them on their trip abroad. + +Standing firmly upon their rights from first to last, the two lads never +allowed anyone to impose upon them, although they were neither naturally +pugnacious nor aggressive. However, there had been more than one +lumberjack who had found to his discomfort that he could not infringe +upon their good nature, which was at all times apparent. + +Both boys were large and sturdy, and the months spent in the lumber camps +had given hardness to their muscles. Their ever-readiness for a +rough-and-tumble, the fact that neither had ever been known to dodge +trouble--although neither had ever sought it, and that where one was +involved in danger there was sure to be found the other also--had gained +for them among the rough men of the lumber camp the nickname of "The Boy +Allies," a name which had followed them to their city home. + +It was by this name that the boys were most endearingly known to their +companions; and there was more than one small boy who owed his escape +from older tormentors to the "Boy Allies'" idea of what was right and +wrong, and to the power of their arms. + +Both lads were keenly interested in history, so, in spite of the manner +in which they tried to reassure Mrs. Paine and set her mind at rest, +there is no cause for wonder in the fact that both were more concerned in +the movement of troops and warships than in the efforts the other powers +were making to prevent a general European war. + +Staunch admirers of Napoleon and the French people, and, with a long line +of descendants among the English, the sympathies of both were naturally +with the Allies. As Chester had said to Hal, when first rumors of the +impending conflagration were heard: + +"It's too bad we cannot take a hand in the fighting. The war will be the +greatest of all time, and both sides will need every man they can get +capable of bearing arms." + +"You bet it's too bad," Hal had replied; "but we're still in Europe, and +you never can tell what will happen. We may have to play a part in the +affair whether we want to or not," and here the conversation had ended, +although such thoughts were still in the minds of both boys when they +accompanied Mrs. Paine to their apartment to pack up, preparatory to +their departure in the morning. + +The packing completed, the lads announced their intention of walking out +and learning the latest war news. + +"We won't be gone long, mother," said Hal. + +"Very well, son," Mrs. Paine replied; "but, whatever you do, don't get +into any trouble. However, I do not suppose there is any danger to be +feared--yet." + +For more than an hour the lads wandered about the streets, reading the +war bulletins in front of the various newspaper offices, and listening to +crowds of men discussing the latest reports, which became more grave +every minute. + +As the boys started on their return to their hotel, they heard a shout +down a side street, followed immediately by more yells and cries; and +then a voice rang out in English: + +"Help! Police!" + +Breaking into a quick run, Hal and Chester soon were upon the scene of +confusion. + +With their backs to a wall, two young men were attempting to beat back +with their fists a crowd of a dozen assailants, who beset them from three +directions. + +As the two boys rounded the corner, the cry for help again went up. + +"Come on, Chester!" shouted Hal. "We can't let that gang of hoodlums beat +up anyone who speaks the English language." + +"Lead on!" cried Chester. "I am right with you!" + +They were upon the crowd as he spoke, and Hal's right fist shot out with +stinging force, and the nearest assailant, struck on the side of the +neck, fell to the ground with a groan. + +"Good work, Hal!" shouted Chester, at the same time wading into the crowd +of young ruffians, for such the attackers proved to be, and striking out +right and left. + +Howls of anger and imprecations greeted the attack from this unexpected +source, and for a moment the ruffians fell back. In the time that it took +the crowd to return to the struggle, the boys forced their way to the +side of the victims of the attack, and the four, with their backs to the +wall, took a breathing spell. + +"You didn't arrive a moment too soon," said one of the young men, with a +smile. "I had begun to think we were due for a trimming." + +"There are four of us here," returned Hal, "and we ought to be good for +that crowd; but, instead of standing here, when they attack again, let's +make a break and fight our way through. There will be more of them along +in a minute, and it will be that much harder for us." + +"Good!" returned the second stranger in French. "Here they come!" + +"Are you ready?" asked Hal. + +"All ready," came the reply from the other three. + +"All right, then. Now!" + +At the word the four rushed desperately into the throng, which was +pressing in on them from three sides. Taken by surprise, the enemy gave +way for a moment; then closed in again. + +Blows fell thick and fast for the space of a couple of minutes. Then, +suddenly, Chester fell to the ground. + +Turning, Hal fought his way to the other side of Chester's prostrate +body. Then, bending down, he lifted his chum to his feet. + +"Hurt much?" he asked. + +"No," replied Chester, shaking his head like an enraged bull. "Let me get +at them again!" + +He rushed in among his assailants with even greater desperation than +before, and two young hoodlums fell before his blows. + +In the meantime the strangers were giving a good account of themselves, +and the enemy were falling before their smashing fists. + +Hal ducked a blow from the closest of his assailants, and, stepping in +close, struck him with all his power under the chin. The youth fell to +the ground. + +As he did so the ruffian nearest him, with a hiss of rage, drew a knife, +with which he made a wicked slash at Hal. Hal did not see the movement, +being closely pressed elsewhere, but Chester, with a sudden cry, leaped +forward and seized the hand holding the knife, just as the weapon would +have been buried in Hal's back. + +"You would, would you, you coward!" he cried, and struck the young German +in the face with all the strength of his right arm. The latter toppled +over like a log. + +All this time the crowd of assailants continued to grow. Attracted by the +sounds of the scuffle, reinforcements arrived from all directions, and it +is hard to tell what would have happened had not the sudden blast of a +whistle interrupted the proceedings. + +"The police!" yelled someone in the crowd. "Run!" + +In less time than it takes to tell it, Hal, Chester, and the two other +young men were alone, while racing toward them, down the street, were +several figures in uniform. + +"Run!" cried the young Frenchman. "If they catch us we will all go to +jail, and there is no telling when we'll get out. Run!" + +The four took to their heels, and, dodging around corner after corner, +were soon safe from pursuit. + +"Well, I guess we are safe now," said the Englishman, when they stopped +at last. Then, turning to Hal: + +"I don't know how to thank you and your friend. If you had not arrived +when you did, I fear it would have fared badly with us." + +"No thanks are due," replied Hal. "It's a poor American who would refuse +to help anyone in trouble. Shake hands and call it square!" + +The Englishman smiled. + +"As modest as you are bold, eh? Well, all right," and he extended his +hand, which Hal and Chester grasped in turn. + +But the Frenchman was not to be put off so easily. He insisted on +embracing both of the boys, much to their embarrassment. + +"I'm Lieutenant Harry Anderson, of the Tenth Dragoons, His Majesty's +service," explained the Englishman, and then, turning to his friend: +"This is Captain Raoul Derevaux, Tenth Regiment, French Rifle Corps. We +were strolling along the street when attacked by the gang from which you +saved us. In the morning we shall try to get out of Germany by way of the +Belgian frontier. If now, or at any other time, we may be of service to +you, command us." + +"Yes, indeed," put in the Frenchman, "I consider myself your debtor +for life." + +Hal and Chester thanked their newly-made friends for their good will, +and, after a little further conversation, left them to continue their +way, while they returned to the hotel, much to the relief of Mrs. Paine, +who had become very uneasy at their long absence. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +A PERILOUS SITUATION. + + +"Come on, Hal. Let's stroll about a few minutes. We've lots of time +before the train pulls out." + +It was Chester who spoke. Mrs. Paine and the two boys were sitting in +their compartment of the Brussels express, in the station at Berlin. It +still lacked ten minutes of the time set for departure. + +"You don't mind, do you, mother?" said Hal. + +"No; if you do not go too far," was the answer. + +The boys descended from the car, and wandered toward the entrance of the +station. Just as they were about to step on to the street, a German +military officer swung into the doorway. Hal, who was directly in his +path, stepped aside, but not quickly enough to entirely avoid him. + +With one outstretched arm the officer shoved him violently to one side, +and then stopped. + +"What do you mean by blocking my way?" he demanded. "Do you know +who I am?" + +Hal's temper was aroused. + +"No, I don't; and I don't care," was his reply. + +"Well, I'll give you something to care about," and, raising his hand, the +officer made as though to strike Hal across the face. + +"Don't you strike me," said Hal quietly. "I'm an American citizen, and I +give you warning." + +"Warning!" sneered the officer. "You young American upstart! I'll have +you whipped!" and he turned as though to call someone. + +At that moment there was a sudden cry of "All aboard!" and the officer, +after taking a threatening step toward Hal, made a dash for the train. + +"I guess that is our train, Hal," said Chester. "We had better hurry." + +The lads retraced their steps toward their train. Reaching the shed, they +saw the German officer disappearing into a compartment on the train. + +"That looks like our compartment to me," said Hal. "I hope we don't have +to ride with him." + +"I hope not," agreed Chester, and then broke into a run, as he shouted: + +"Hurry! The train is moving!" + +It was true. The boys had wasted too much time. + +The door to one compartment was all that stood open, and that was the one +in which Mrs. Paine could be seen gesticulating to them. + +"We just made it," panted Hal, as they reached the open door, and started +to climb aboard. + +At that instant a uniformed arm appeared through the door and +pushed Hal away. + +"Go away, you American puppy," came a voice. + +Hal slipped, and but for the prompt action of Chester, who caught him by +the arm, would have fallen beneath the train. + +The train gathered momentum, as the boys raced along beside it, in vain +seeking an open door by which they might climb aboard. There was none but +their own compartment, and that had passed them. It was impossible for +them to overtake it, and there was not a train guard in sight. + +The boys stopped running and stood still as the remainder of the train +slipped past. + +On ahead they could see Mrs. Paine and the big German officer, both +gazing back toward them, the former gesticulating violently. + +Hal stamped his foot with rage. + +"I'd like to get my hands on that big lout!" he shouted. "I'd--" + +"Come, come, old fellow," interrupted Chester, "never mind that, now. I +don't blame you, but you can see it's impossible. You'll have to wait." + +"You are right, of course," replied Hal. "The thing to do now is to send +mother a telegram to the first station and tell her not to worry, that we +shall be along on the next train. But, just the same, I'd like to get my +hands on that--" + +"Come, now," Chester interrupted again, "let's send that telegram and +find out when the next train leaves." + +They found the telegraph office, and Hal prepared a message, which he +handed through the window. + +The clerk glanced at it, and then passed it back. + +"Can't be sent," he informed Hal. + +"Can't be sent! Why not?" + +"Nothing can be sent over this wire but military messages from this time +on," said the clerk. + +"But we missed the train, and I want to send this message to my mother, +so she won't worry," pleaded Hal. + +"I'm sorry," the clerk returned kindly, "but it is impossible. I must +obey my orders." + +Hal and Chester were nonplused. + +"What shall we do?" questioned Chester. + +"The only thing I know to do," replied Hal, "is to take the next train +without telegraphing. Mother is sure to be at the Brussels station. I +guess she knows we have enough sense to get there." + +"All right Let's find out when the next train leaves." + +On their way to the ticket window, Hal stopped suddenly. + +"What's the matter" asked Chester. + +"Matter!" exclaimed Hal. "The matter is I haven't any money. All I have +was enough to send that telegram, and that amount won't get us to +Brussels." + +Chester reached in his pocket, and a startled expression came over his +face. + +"Neither have I," he exclaimed, feeling first one pocket and then +another. "I have lost my pocketbook. All I have is a little change." + +The lads looked at each other in silence for several minutes. + +"What shall we do?" Chester asked finally. + +"I don't know what to do," replied Hal; "but we have got to do something. +I guess the best thing is to go back to the embassy and see if we can't +raise the price of a couple of tickets. I am sure the ambassador will let +us have it." + +"A good idea," said Chester. "I guess the sooner we get there the +better. Come on." + +The ambassador received them immediately. + +"I'm awfully sorry, boys," he said, after listening to their troubles, +"but I am afraid I can do nothing for you." + +"Can't you lend us enough money to get to Brussels?" asked Hal in +surprise. "You'll get it back, all right." + +"Yes, I can lend it to you, and I am not afraid of not getting it back." + +"Then why can't you help us?" + +"The reason is this," the ambassador explained, "this morning's train to +Brussels was the last upon which foreigners were allowed to depart. The +German government has given orders that all foreigners now in Germany +must remain until mobilization is completed. So you see you are up +against it" + +Hal and Chester looked at each other, and both smiled faintly. + +"I see we are," said Chester. + +"Now, I'll tell you what I can do," continued the ambassador. "I can let +you have enough money to keep you until such a time as you will be +allowed to leave the country; or, better still, you can come and live +with me. What do you say?" + +"I'm sure we appreciate your kindness very much," said Hal, "and we +may be forced to take advantage of it. We shall look about the city +this afternoon, and, if nothing else turns up, we shall be glad to +stay with you." + +"Let me hear from you before night, anyhow," said the ambassador, rising. + +"We certainly shall. Come, Chester, let's go out and look around a bit." + +The boys left the embassy. + +The streets of the city were even more densely thronged than they had +been the night before. Thousands and thousands of people paraded up and +down--war the sole topic of their conversation. + +Late in the afternoon, as Hal and Chester were walking along Strassburga +Strasse, a hand was suddenly laid on the former's arm, and a voice +exclaimed: + +"I thought you boys were on your way to Brussels. How does it happen you +are still in Berlin?" + +Turning, Hal perceived that the person who had accosted him was none +other than Lieutenant Anderson, and with him was Captain Derevaux. + +All four expressed their pleasure at this unexpected meeting, and the +boys explained their misfortune. + +"How is it you and Captain Derevaux didn't get away?" Chester +finally asked. + +Captain Derevaux smiled. + +"We were so unfortunate as to be recognized by a member of the German +general staff at the station this morning," he explained, "and we were +detained. But," he added grimly, "we are not figuring upon remaining in +Berlin overnight." + +"What do you propose to do?" asked Hal and Chester in a breath. + +"Oh, Anderson and I have a little plan whereby we shall make ourselves +scarce on this side of the border," answered the captain. "We are +planning to get out of Berlin soon after nightfall." + +"How?" asked Hal. + +"Well," said Lieutenant Anderson, "we haven't perfected our plans yet, +but we have an idea that we believe will take us safely out of +Germany. It may be successful, and it may not. But we are going to +take a chance at it." + +"Is it dangerous?" questioned Chester. + +"That all depends upon how you look at it," replied the lieutenant, with +a smile. "It may mean a fight," he added seriously, "but we are prepared +for that," tapping the pocket of his civilian coat significantly. + +"Yes, it may mean a fight," agreed the French captain, "but an officer of +the French army will not shirk an encounter with these German +aggressors." + +"No, nor an English officer," declared the lieutenant. "War between +England and Germany has not been declared yet, but it seems only a +question of hours until it will be." + +Hal was suddenly struck with an idea. He turned to the lieutenant. + +"Why cannot we go with you?" he asked. "We must get to Brussels as soon +as possible. If we wait here until after the mobilization of all the +German forces, and are unable to send a message to mother, she will be +frantic. Why cannot we go with you?" + +The lieutenant was taken aback. + +"Why, I know no reason," he said, "except that your presence in our +company, if ill fortune should befall us, would probably mean your arrest +as enemies of Germany. You might even be convicted as spies, and shot." + +"We are willing to take any chances necessary to get us to Brussels +and put an end to mother's worries," declared Hal stoutly. "Aren't +we, Chester?" + +"You bet we are," replied Chester. + +The lieutenant turned to Captain Derevaux. "What do you say?" he asked. + +The captain shook his head. + +"It's a bad business," he replied slowly. "If we are caught it will go +hard with our young friends, I am afraid. Of course, I am willing to do +anything in my power to aid them, but this--this, I fear, is impossible." + +"Don't say no," implored Hal. "Just think how mother must be worrying. +Why, we would go through anything to save her pain. Besides, you don't +expect to be captured, do you?" + +The captain shook his head. + +"You have a good plan of escape, I am sure, or you would not tackle it. +Isn't that so?" continued Hal. + +The captain admitted it. + +"Would our presence make it more dangerous for you?" + +"No." + +"Then, I ask you again, if you won't allow us to go with you, sharing +whatever dangers may arise. Besides," and Hal smiled, "you know that four +are sometimes better than two." + +The captain reflected. + +"You are right," he said at length. "If Anderson is agreeable, I shall be +glad of your company; yes, and your aid," he added, after a pause. + +"I agree with the boys," said the lieutenant. "Four are sometimes better +than two, and in an adventure, such as this promises to be, four are +always better than two. I say, let them come with us, by all means." + +And so it was decided. A meeting-place was arranged for eight o'clock +that night, and, with this parting injunction, the officers left: + +"Say nothing to anyone. Do not talk, even between yourselves, and, if you +can, buy a revolver apiece," for the purchase of which the lieutenant +tendered Hal a bill. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +TOWARD THE FRONTIER. + + +It was a long afternoon for Hal and Chester, and they waited impatiently +for the time when they were to meet the two young men who were to be +their companions on the journey. + +After several futile attempts the lads finally gave up their attempt to +buy revolvers, as it caused too many questions, and, in spite of their +eagerness to get away, it was with no little anxiety that they made their +way to the rendezvous that night. + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson were waiting when the +lads arrived. + +"I am glad you are prompt," said the former. "We must hurry. Even now we +may be followed," and he glanced about furtively. + +"Which way do we go?" asked Hal, of the young Englishman, as the four +moved along the street. + +"North," was the reply. "We are heading for Kolberg, on the Baltic Sea. +From there we will try to get across into Denmark. The thing to do is to +get out of Germany at the earliest possible moment, and, with good luck +in getting a boat of some kind at Kolberg, that is the quickest route." + +"Won't we have trouble getting a boat?" + +"I am afraid we shall; but we must leave something to chance." + +"Well, I guess we won't be any worse off in Kolberg than in Berlin," said +Hal. "How do you figure to get there?" + +"Automobile! We have arranged for a car to pick us up on the northern +outskirts of the city, just inside the line." + +"Won't the place be guarded?" + +"Of course; but, by a little ingenuity and a bold dash, we should be able +to get through. If not--" + +The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders expressively. + +"Well," said Hal, "I won't object to a little excitement." + +"Don't worry," replied the young officer; "you will have all the +excitement you want, and more, too, or I miss my guess." + +They continued their walk in silence. + +Beyond getting into Denmark, the young officers had formulated no plan. +But, once out of Germany, the rest would be easy. A ship to England, +and from there into France for the young Frenchman, and the two +American boys would telegraph to their mother, or continue their +journey alone. Lieutenant Anderson was bound direct for London, where +he would join his regiment. + +The officers had decided to make their attempt at escape by way of +Denmark because, in all likelihood, the country between Berlin and +Kolberg would be less closely guarded than any other part of the German +Empire. Troops were being rushed to the French and Russian borders, and +they realized it was practically impossible for them to journey in those +directions without being captured. Also the southern route offered little +hope of success. + +The streets became more and more deserted as the four friends continued +their walk toward the northern outskirts. They passed several detachments +of rapidly moving troops, but they were unchallenged. + +Suddenly the young Englishman called a halt. + +"The automobile is waiting at the next corner," he explained. "Just +beyond is the northern limit of the city. Go quietly and we may not be +molested." + +Hal and Chester were greatly excited by this time, but they obeyed +instructions as well as they could, and climbed into the big car that was +waiting for them, without even being seen. The driver immediately started +the machine, and our boys were on their way at last. + +On toward the city line the big car rushed, and it was just as the four +friends were breathing a sigh of relief at having passed the first danger +safely, that a harsh voice rang out: + +"Halt!" + +Almost directly ahead stood a squad of armed men, their rifles leveled +straight at the occupants of the oncoming car. + +"The patrol!" exclaimed Captain Derevaux, as the auto came to a stop. + +An officer approached the side of the machine. + +"Give an account of yourselves," he demanded. "Your passports, please." + +"We have none," replied Captain Anderson. "We are just taking a +little spin." + +"You cannot pass here," said the officer. "Either return at once, or I +shall be forced to place you under arrest." + +There was no use arguing. + +"Home it is, then," said the young Englishman aloud, and then in a +whisper to the driver: "Ahead! Full speed!" + +"To the bottom of the car!" he cried, as the machine jumped forward +with a lurch. + +He dived to the floor of the car, the young Frenchman and Hal following +his example. + +Chester, however, had been so surprised at the suddenness of this +maneuver, that for a moment he was unable to move; but, while his +momentary inaction placed him in great danger, it nevertheless saved his +companions from capture, or even death. + +As the automobile lunged away, hurling the officer to the side of the +street, the latter shouted a command: + +"Fire! Shoot the driver!" + +One man only was in a position to obey. The others were forced to jump +for their lives, as the machine bore down on them. This one man, however, +raised his rifle and aimed at the driver, just as the car swept by. + +The muzzle was right at the side of the car, and a miss would have been +almost impossible. + +But, before he could fire, Chester sprang to his feet, and, leaning out, +grasped the barrel of the weapon in both hands. With a desperate effort, +he wrenched it from the soldier's hands, just as he was about to pull +the trigger. + +Then, at a second command from Lieutenant Anderson, he dropped beside his +friends in the bottom of the car, and it was well that he did so. + +A volley rang out from behind. The hum of bullets could be heard +overhead, and there was the sound of splintering wood, as others crashed +into the rear of the auto, but the machine sped on. + +Then came a second volley, and the automobile swerved suddenly to one +side. The chauffeur groaned, but the car immediately righted itself and +continued on its way. + +Unmindful of the bullets flying about, Hal sprang to his feet and +climbed into the front seat, where the chauffeur was making heroic +efforts to keep the car steady, a stream of blood the while pouring from +a wound in his head. + +"Give me the wheel!" cried Hal, as the car lurched from one side of the +road to the other, at the imminent risk of turning over. + +He climbed in front of the chauffeur and his strong hands grasped the +steering wheel just as the man's body relaxed and he fell back +unconscious. + +Bullets were still flying thick and fast, but the range was too great now +for accurate shooting. Still, there was always the chance that one of the +leaden messengers would hit Hal and end disastrously the career of the +flying machine. + +Without even checking the speed of the auto, Hal called to Chester: + +"The chauffeur is badly wounded. Pull him into the rear of the car!" + +"Slow down!" came the answer. "We can't pull him from beneath you while +going at this terrific speed." + +"Slow down nothing!" shouted Hal. "We don't want to be captured after +this. You'll have to pull him out!" + +It was no small task, this driving a flying automobile, while a man in +whose lap he was almost sitting was being pulled from under him by hands +from behind. + +Once Hal lost his balance. Throwing out one hand, he grasped the side of +the car, and that alone saved him and his friends, too, for that matter. + +The car swerved to one side of the road, and just at that instant a sharp +curve came into view. + +With a desperate effort Hal regained his balance, steadied the +machine, and, without even trying to slacken his speed, took the curve +on two wheels. + +"Whew!" he muttered to himself. "That was a close shave!" + +By this time the body of the chauffeur had been pulled into the back of +the car, and Hal slid into his seat. + +"Are you all right?" came Chester's voice from the rear. + +"All right now," replied Hal. + +"You can slow down a bit," shouted Lieutenant Anderson. "We are out of +range. We are safe enough now." + +"We are safe from bullets, but we are not safe from pursuit," Hal called +back. "Do I keep to this road?" + +"Yes," came the reply, "if you don't run into a ditch or a +telegraph pole." + +"Oh, I'll run it, all right; and I'll run it on the road, too," Hal +answered grimly. "I've made a record on a worse road than this." + +"Is the chauffeur badly hurt?" he called back after a few minutes. + +"No, I don't think so," replied the French captain's voice. "Just a +scalp wound. He has lost a lot of blood, and is still unconscious, but I +think he will come around all right presently." + +Hal settled back in his seat and gave his entire attention to the +road ahead. + +The big car flashed through several small towns, and the dim lights in +the homes looked like a string of brilliant spots, so swiftly did they go +by. For almost half an hour the terrific speed was continued, and then, +at a shouted command from Lieutenant Anderson, Hal slowed down. + +"We should be nearing Angermunde by this time," the lieutenant explained, +"and it will never do to go through there at this speed." + +"Do you suppose our would-be captors have communicated with the +authorities at Angermunde?" asked the Frenchman. + +"I would not be surprised," replied the lieutenant; "but we must risk it. +One thing I am sure of, however, is that our pursuers are not far behind. +They will never rest till we are caught. And, for that reason, we cannot +afford to waste much time." + +"You are right," said the captain. "We must get through Angermunde as +quickly and as quietly as possible." + +Then to Hal he shouted: "Don't lose your nerve, and keep cool. Be ready +to make a dash if you get the word." + +"Don't you worry about my nerve," Hal replied grimly. "I'll run right +through a thousand Germans, if you say so." + +"I guess that will not be necessary," broke in the lieutenant, with a +laugh, "but you never can tell what may happen." + +Hal reduced the speed of the machine even more, and slowly approached the +town, the lights of which could be seen in the distance. + +It was now nearly midnight, and, as Captain Derevaux suggested, it would +be wise to go through the town without attracting attention, if possible. + +But this was not to be. + +The automobile entered the town, and had proceeded some distance, when +Hal called back: + +"I guess we will get through without any trouble, all right." + +"Don't be too sure," replied the Englishman. "Always be ready for the +unexpected." + +The words were hardly out of his mouth, when, rounding a sharp turn, Hal +saw a line of cavalrymen blocking the street some distance ahead. + +"The road is blocked with troops," he called back to his friends, as he +reduced his speed. "Their rifles seem pointed right at us. Shall I speed +up and run through them?" + +His three companions arose and peered over his shoulder. The cavalrymen +were plainly discernible in the glare of an electric street light. + +"It's impossible," replied the lieutenant. "We shall have to stop. They +would shoot us to pieces before we could get through. Here," turning to +Chester and Captain Derevaux, "cover up the chauffeur with these rugs +and lay him in the bottom of the car. It would never do for an officer +to see him. It may be that our friends behind have not tipped off our +present enemy, but the sight of this wounded chauffeur would give it all +away." The car was slowly nearing the line of troops. "Halt!" came the +command. "Halt, or we fire!" The car came to a stop within a few feet of +the soldiers. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +IN DANGER STILL. + + +It was with no small trepidation that the occupants of the automobile saw +the officer in command approach. + +"Keep your wits and say nothing unless you have to," was the young +lieutenant's whispered advice. "Leave the talking to me." + +"Where are you from?" asked the officer. + +"Berlin," replied the Englishman. + +"Where are you bound?" + +"Stettin." + +"Your business?" + +"Our business is purely private. Two of my companions are young American +lads and the third is a Belgian gentleman. I am an Englishman. You will +interfere with us at your peril." + +"In times of war we interfere with whom we choose. A state of war exists +in Germany, as you know." + +"There is no state of war between your country and ours." + +"Perhaps not, but I am not sure of it; there may be by this time. You +have no passports, I take it?" + +"We have not." + +"Then I must ask you to leave your machine and come with me." + +"For what reason?" + +"Because I command it. You are my prisoners." + +Turning to an aide, the German officer commanded: + +"Call a guard of four men!" + +The aide saluted and did as he was ordered. Four of the troopers who +blocked the road dismounted and ranged themselves beside the car. + +"Order Lieutenant Myers to take his men and report to Major Von Volk," +commanded the German officer of his aide. + +The troopers, with the exception of the four who guarded the car, wheeled +and rode away. + +The officer turned again to the automobile. + +"Leave the car," he ordered the four occupants. + +"He evidently hasn't been tipped off," whispered Lieutenant Anderson to +his companions, as they left the machine. + +"No," Hal whispered back, "but the others are likely to be along in a +few minutes." + +"Right," came the reply. "We must watch our chance, and, if one comes, +make the most of it." + +The four stepped from the automobile, and were immediately surrounded by +their guards. + +"See what they have in the machine," the officer ordered one of the men. + +"Great Scott!" ejaculated Chester. "We are in for it now!" + +Exploring the front of the auto first, the soldier found nothing. Then he +turned his attention to the back. He lifted up the rugs that had been +thrown over the chauffeur, and started back with a cry. + +"A dead man!" he exclaimed, and added: "At least he appears to be dead. +He has a bullet hole in the back of his head." + +"What!" demanded the officer, and hurried to the side of the car. + +He drew his sword and waved it at his men. + +"Guard them closely!" he exclaimed, indicating his four prisoners. + +"Pretty ticklish situation," whispered Hal to Chester, who stood beside +him. "We have got to do something." + +"You bet," replied Chester, "and we've got to do it now." + +He took off his cap, twirled it about a few seconds, and let it fall to +the ground. + +Chester stooped to pick it up. Rising suddenly, he came up under the +guard of his nearest captor, and with his head butted him with all his +force under the chin. + +The blow was more than flesh and blood could stand. The soldier fell to +the ground with a groan of pain, his tongue almost bitten off. Without a +pause, Chester turned upon another of his captors, and, with two +well-directed blows of his fist, sent him staggering. + +The suddenness of Chester's attack had not taken Hal by surprise. When +Chester dropped his cap, Hal divined his purpose, and, as his friend +butted his first victim, Hal acted. Turning upon his nearest guard, he +seized the latter's rifle, at the same time delivering a well-directed +kick at his enemy's shin. The man released his hold on the rifle, and, as +he stooped unconsciously to rub his shin, the pain of which was almost +unbearable, he met Hal's right fist, which, sent into his face with +stunning force, knocked him cold. + +All this happened in the smallest fraction of the time it takes to tell +it, and, before the German officer and the soldier who were exploring the +interior of the automobile could realize what was happening and go to the +aid of their companions. + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson had acted with almost as much +celerity as had Hal, in spite of the fact that Chester's attack had taken +them by surprise. Almost at the same moment Hal seized the weapon of his +guard Captain Derevaux closed with the third man, and, with his fingers +at his throat, was attempting to choke him into unconsciousness. + +At the same moment the German commanding officer and his troops ran to +the aid of their fellows. + +"Shoot them!" shouted the officer, drawing his revolver and rushing to +take part in the fray. He already held his sword in his hand. + +The soldier drew a revolver. + +Hal, having disposed of one enemy, clubbed the rifle he had wrenched +from him, and, before either the German officer or his man could fire, +was in the thick of the melee. Lieutenant Anderson, having picked up a +rifle dropped by one of the German soldiers, was already there, his +weapon also clubbed. + +The officer and the trooper were unable to bring their revolvers to bear, +and rushed into the fight with their weapons clubbed. + +With a single blow Hal crushed the skull of the soldier, and then turned +upon the officer who was engaging Anderson. + +Lieutenant Anderson and his opponent were still battling desperately for +the possession of the latter's gun, and Captain Derevaux and the +remaining German trooper were rolling about upon the ground, the +captain's finger still pressed into his enemy's throat. Chester had gone +to the captain's aid. + +Warding off the officer's sword, Anderson suddenly dropped his rifle, +and, stepping inside the other's guard, placed the officer hors de combat +with several well-directed and lightning-like blows to the face and jaw. + +At that moment Captain Derevaux's opponent succeeded in shaking off the +captain's grip, and, springing to his feet, leveled his rifle, which he +snatched from the ground as he arose, squarely at the young Frenchman. + +With a shout Chester sprang forward, picking up a rifle as he leaped, and +aimed a smashing blow at the man's head. The clubbed weapon found its +mark with a crushing impact, and the man threw up his arms, spun around +two or three times, and then fell in a heap. + +And it was not a moment too soon. For, as the last German measured his +length upon the ground, there was a sudden shout, and a body of cavalry, +attracted by the sounds of the conflict, bore down upon the victors. + +"Quick!" shouted the lieutenant. "To the machine!" And, with Hal and +Captain Derevaux, he made a rush for the auto. + +Chester had stopped to gather up the two revolvers that lay on the +ground. + +"Go ahead!" he shouted. "I'm coming!" And, picking up the last revolver, +he ran up to the automobile and swung himself aboard, just as Hal, who +had climbed into the driver's seat, threw in the clutch, and the machine +leaped forward. + +At that moment a volley of shots rang out. The whizzing bullets again +flew around the car, and there was again the sound of splintering wood, +as they smashed into the rear of the auto. + +All but Hal dived into the bottom of the car, and he bent as low as +possible over the steering wheel. + +Soon the sound of firing became less audible, and finally ceased +altogether. + +Chester, Lieutenant Anderson and Captain Derevaux arose from the bottom +of the car and resumed their seats. + +"That's what I call great work, boys," declared the lieutenant, putting +his hand on Hal's shoulder. "If it hadn't been for you, I guess the +captain and I would be locked up by this time. Isn't that so, captain?" + +"It certainly is," was the reply. "And had it not been for the prompt +action of Chester in that encounter, France would have lost a captain +of rifles." + +Hal and Chester were embarrassed by all this praise. + +"That's all right," Hal called over his shoulder. "You would have done +the same for us." + +At this moment the chauffeur, who had been almost forgotten in the +excitement, stirred. + +"Hello," ejaculated the captain. "Our friend is getting better. Guess we +had better see what we can do for him." + +He raised the head of the wounded man to his lap, and wiped the blood +stains from his face, while the lieutenant prepared a bandage. In a few +minutes the chauffeur had recovered sufficiently to drink a little water +and to eat several sandwiches the lieutenant produced from a small but +well-filled hamper. + +"Well, I guess we are safe for a little while, at any rate," +remarked Hal. + +"It looks like it," replied the lieutenant; "but, as I said before, you +never can tell." + +They rode cautiously along in silence for a long time; in fact, until the +first streak of dawn appeared in the east. Then, suddenly, the sound of +chug-chugging came from behind. + +Chester turned his head and jumped to his feet with a cry: + +"We are pursued! Speed up, Hal! Speed up!" + +It was true. Far back could be seen a pursuing automobile, and, even from +that distance, it was apparent it was gaining. + +Hal "speeded up" and in a short time the pursuing car was out of sight. +Nevertheless, the speed was not diminished. + +"I guess they have learned that we can travel some, anyhow," remarked +Hal happily. + +And just at that moment there was a loud explosion--the car rocked +crazily, and Hal brought it to a stop. + +"Tire blown out," exclaimed the French captain, in despair. "Now we are +up against it. What shall we do?" + +"Fix it," retained Chester briefly. + +He got out, and the rest, including the wounded chauffeur, followed suit. + +At that moment Chester bethought himself of the pursuing machine, and +said: + +"We haven't time. Our pursuers will be upon us." + +"You are right," said the captain, "but I have an idea." + +The place in which they had stopped was shaded upon both sides by great +trees. As far as could be seen the woods continued. A hundred yards back +over the road they had traversed was a sharp curve, hiding any +approaching vehicle from sight. Ahead, the road stretched out in a +straight line for a considerable distance. + +"I figure this way," said the captain hurriedly, "the machine as it is is +doing us no good, is it?" + +"It certainly is not," replied the lieutenant. + +"And, if we wait here long enough to fix it it won't do us any good +either, will it?" + +"Certainly not." + +"Then my idea is this: Head the machine straight down the road, lash +the wheel fast and start her off. If I am not mistaken, it will run +along the road at least to the next curve. Even from here you can see +the steep embankment at the curve. When the machine hits that curve it +will go over. + +"Now, if that embankment is as steep as it looks, the car, when it hits +the bottom, will be out of sight. In the meantime, we hide here until our +pursuers pass. The chances are they will continue past the curve, never +seeing the wreckage at the bottom of the embankment, believing we are +still ahead of them. Then we can continue our journey afoot. What do you +think of that idea?" + +"I think it is first-rate," declared Hal, and the others agreed with him. + +"But won't they discover, when they reach the next town, that we haven't +passed through?" asked Chester. + +"They probably will," was the reply; "but we will cross that bridge when +we come to it. Besides, there is little doubt in my mind that the +authorities in the next town know of our coming. We couldn't be so +fortunate a second time." + +Accordingly the plan suggested was carried out. Hal elected to get in the +car and start it, and, as it took a flying leap forward, he hurled +himself from the machine to the soft grass beside the road. He was +considerably shaken up, but not badly hurt. + +Then the five stood and watched the car in its mad flight down the road. + +"I hope that the fact of a tire being bursted won't stop it's sticking to +the road," said Chester. + +Fortunately the car continued its journey in as straight a line as the +best chauffeur in the world could have driven, and the five companions +strained their eyes as it neared the distant curve. + +"It's almost there!" cried Hal. "I hope it makes a good jump; and I hope +that embankment is steep." + +"And I hope that she makes her leap before our pursuers heave in sight, +which is more to the point," declared Chester. + +Again they strained their eyes, watching the flight of the mad car. And +then the car reached the embankment. + +"There she goes!" cried Chester, and the big machine, as though making a +desperate leap, hurled itself into space, where it soared for a moment +like a huge bird, and then disappeared from sight. + +"Well, it's gone," said the lieutenant sorrowfully; "and now it's up to +us to hoof it, to the next town, at least." + +The five moved into the woods and just as they gained the first dense +covering there was a sound from the road over which they had come. + +Dropping to the ground, they peered between the trees. Presently a second +huge car, in which could be caught a glimpse of uniforms, rounded the +curve, flashed by, and disappeared down the road. + +"Let's go farther into the woods," urged Chester. "We might be +seen here." + +Going deeper and deeper in among the trees the five continued their +journey; and, when they felt sure they had penetrated far enough to avoid +any chance of detection, they turned their faces northward and set out at +a brisk pace. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +CAPTURED. + + +All morning the journey through the woods continued. At intervals the big +trees became more sparse, and the party took all precautions against +being seen, as they flitted through the open places. + +About noon, Lieutenant Anderson made a foraging expedition, and returned +with a basket of food, which he had purchased from a nearby farmhouse. +Hungrily the five disposed of it, quenching their thirst from a sparkling +brook of cool water. Then they resumed their march. + +Night was falling when the travelers at length emerged from the woods. +Half a mile ahead could be seen the lights of a town. + +Lieutenant Anderson called a consultation. + +"If I mistake not," he said, "those lights indicate the town of +Stettin. We shall have to be very careful. They are bound to be on the +lookout for us." + +"Has anyone a plan?" he asked, after some further talk. + +"I think I have one," returned Hal. "It might work out all right" + +"Let's hear it," demanded Chester. + +"Yes," chorused the others, "what is it?" + +"Well," said Hal, "my idea is that it would be much better for us to +separate. If we all approach together we are sure to be recognized. Our +number alone would give us away. But, if we go singly, or by twos, from +different directions, we stand a chance of gaining the city without being +challenged." + +"A good idea," exclaimed Captain Derevaux; "I heartily approve of it." + +"And I, too," declared the young lieutenant; "and I recommend that we put +the plan into execution at once." + +The lone dissenting voice came from the wounded chauffeur. + +"I don't know your plans, gentlemen," he said; "and I don't want to know +them. I have had trouble enough. I am a German, and, from what I have +heard, although I know I should look upon you as enemies of my country, +I do not believe you mean any harm. Besides, you have treated me well, +and I will not betray you. But I must ask that you leave me here. I will +make my way into the town some time during the night I shall be +perfectly safe." + +"Had we not better make him go with us?" questioned Chester. "Is he not +likely to betray us?" + +"No; I am sure he would not," said Hal. + +"And I," agreed the French captain. + +"I am a little inclined to doubt the advisability of leaving him behind," +said Lieutenant Anderson, "but--" + +"Sir!" broke in the chauffeur. "I am just as much a gentleman as you are, +and my word is my bond!" + +The young Englishman's face flushed. + +"Forgive me!" he exclaimed, extending his hand. "I am sorry for my +unreasonable doubts. I am sure that you can be trusted." + +"I believe that our friend's decision simplifies matters exceedingly," +declared Hal. + +"In what way?" demanded the lieutenant. + +"In the first place, it makes one less of us. And, again, it does away +with the necessity of one of us approaching the town alone, which is +also a good thing. While for two to approach the town is much better +than four, under the circumstances, two are also better than one, for +the reason that they can give a good account of themselves should +occasion arise." + +"Which is good reasoning," declared Captain Derevaux. "I agree with you." + +"I suggest," said Lieutenant Anderson, "that one of the boys go with you, +captain, and the other with me. I shall go back a short distance into the +woods, make a detour, and enter the town from the west." + +"Another good idea," replied the captain. "Hal and I will wait here half +an hour after you have gone, and will reach the town from this side at +about the time you and Chester arrive." + +"Where shall we meet?" + +"I believe the best plan would be to meet in the hotel. Whichever of us +arrives first will wait for the others." + +"Good," said the lieutenant. "The best part of that idea is that, +providing we get into the town safely, the hotel will be the least likely +place our pursuers will look for us. They probably will figure we will +sneak along the outskirts." + +"Sure," broke in Chester. "But how are we to get out of the town? Won't +the other side be so closely guarded that we can't get through?" + +"Yes, I suppose they will be laying for us, all right, but we shall have +to leave that to luck. The thing to do now is to get in. We will get out +as best we may." + +"Right," declared Hal; "and I guess that, as long as we are going, we +might as well go now. The sooner we start the better, is the way I +look at it." + +Chester and the lieutenant said good-by to the chauffeur, and then +Chester turned to Hal and held out his hand. + +"In case--" he said, as they gripped, and a moment later he and the young +lieutenant were gone. + +Hal, Captain Derevaux and the chauffeur reentered the woods, where they +sat down to wait the half hour agreed upon. + +As his chum's form disappeared from sight, striding rapidly along beside +the gallant lieutenant, Hal experienced a peculiar sinking sensation in +the region of his stomach, while his heart throbbed jerkily, and he +turned faint. For almost the first time he realized the real seriousness +of the situation. + +"Good old Chester!" he said to himself. "I hope nothing happens to him. I +wish I could take all the danger upon my own shoulders." + +In vain did he try to shake off the feeling of uneasiness that oppressed +him; and it was with a heavy heart at the absence of his friend that he +found himself bidding the chauffeur good-by, when Captain Derevaux roused +him from his reverie and announced that it was time for them to be on +their way. + +Striking out from their shelter, the two approached the town boldly. They +walked silently and swiftly. + +It was now quite dark, but the gleam of a full moon made their figures +plainly discernible. At the edge of the town they unconsciously breathed +easier and quickened their step. + +Just passing the first house inside the city, they heard the sound of +running footsteps behind them. Hal looked over his shoulder. A uniformed +figure was hurrying after them. + +"Run!" cried Hal to his companion, and he suited the action to the word. + +The captain also broke into a quick run. + +A command of "Halt!" behind them went unheeded, and the two friends sped +over the ground, heading for the friendly shelter of the first cross +street that was now but a few yards away. + +Slackening their speed but a trifle, they rounded the corner just as the +sharp crack of a rifle rang out. Around a second corner they dodged, and +another, and still another. + +Stopping a moment to gain a much-needed breath, they could hear the +sounds of great confusion, and again they broke into a quick run. + +"The whole town will be aroused and on our track in a few minutes," +panted Hal. "We will have to lose ourselves some way awfully quick." + +Luckily, the streets they had traversed so far had been deserted. But as +they rounded another corner they saw a crowd of men coming rapidly +toward them. + +"I guess it's all up," exclaimed Hal, and the two slowed to a walk. + +The crowd moved rapidly, and they advanced to meet it. + +"No use running," said the captain. "We will try to bluff it out." + +The first man of the crowd to reach them stopped. + +"What's the row back there?" he asked. + +"Just a street fight, I guess," replied Hal. "We didn't stop to see." + +"More than likely some Frenchman has been rounded up," said the man. +"Better come along and see the fun," and he broke into a trot again. + +"We had better make a bluff at going," said Hal to the captain, as he +noticed that some of the crowd eyed them queerly. + +Turning, they joined the crowd, and began to retrace their steps. They +went slowly, however, and the crowd gradually drew away from them. At +last, finding themselves behind the last man, they turned suddenly into a +side street and broke into a run again. + +Turning another corner, they slowed down to a walk. + +"We had better get away from here," exclaimed the Frenchman. "They will +be back after us in a minute." + +They continued their walk, still stepping along at a rapid pace, and at +length emerged, without further difficulty, into a brilliantly lighted +street, which, they learned, was the main thoroughfare of the town. +Mingling with the crowd, they were soon comparatively safe. + +"The thing to do now is to find out where the hotel is," said the +Frenchman. + +Stopping in an open shop, Hal made an inquiry. + +"Two blocks ahead," was the reply, and following directions, Hal and the +captain soon came upon a large, though unpretentious, hotel. They went in +and sat down in the rotunda. Chester and the lieutenant had not arrived, +and once more Hal felt that queer sinking sensation in his stomach. + +"If anything has happened to Chester," he mused, "I don't know what I +shall do." + +But his anxiety was soon set at rest, for a few moments later Chester and +Lieutenant Anderson appeared in the doorway. + +Hal jumped to his feet and seized Chester by the hand. + +"I was afraid--" he began in a queer voice, but the lieutenant silenced +him with a gesture. + +"Careful!" he whispered. + +Hal returned to his seat and Chester and the lieutenant also sat down. + +Hal recounted the experience he and the captain had had, and the +lieutenant said: + +"Then we have no time to waste. We must leave here at once." + +Rising, the four companions left the hotel. + +"We must get something to eat before we go," declared the Frenchman, and +accordingly they dropped into a little restaurant, where they treated the +inner man to his entire satisfaction. Then they went to the street again. + +"The best thing we can do is to go straight through the town and out on +the other side--if we can," said the lieutenant, and they turned their +steps toward the north once more. + +They reached the northern extremity of the town without difficulty and +just as they were congratulating themselves on their good fortune, Hal +gripped lieutenant Anderson by the arm and whispered: + +"Look!" + +Not two hundred yards ahead could be seen a line of army huts, extending +on either side as far as the eye could see. + +"Ummm," grunted the lieutenant. Then: "Doesn't look like much chance of +getting through here." + +At the same instant there came from the rear the sound of the footsteps +of a large body of men approaching with confusion. + +"The crowd!" cried Hal. + +The lieutenant was a man of action, as already has been seen. + +"Follow me!" he exclaimed, and dashed to the right. His three companions +ran after him. + +Suddenly the lieutenant stopped and pointed ahead. + +"Horses!" he whispered. "Good!" + +He advanced more slowly, the others closely behind him. + +"If we can cut out four horses," explained the lieutenant, "we will have +a chance. We'll make a dash and trust to luck and the darkness." + +Silently they approached the horses, which stood quietly a few yards +away. A sentry passed nearby, and the four companions dropped to the +ground. Fortunately, the sentry did not look in their direction. + +"That's what I call luck," whispered Hal. + +From behind the sounds of confusion became more audible, indicating the +rapid approach of the crowd. At the same time lights flared up in the +huts, and an officer stepped to the entrance of one only a few feet from +the four friends. + +He espied them on the instant, and then the lieutenant acted. + +"Quick!" he cried, and jumped toward the horses. + +A revolver cracked, and a bullet whined over Hal's head even as he +leaped forward. + +With a bound all four fugitives were among the horses, and almost with a +single movement each threw himself into a saddle. + +But at that moment the camp came to life. Armed men sprang up on +all sides. + +In the very act of digging his heel into his horse's flank, the +lieutenant pulled up. + +"It's no use," he said quietly to his friends. "To move is certain +death." + +Then came a voice from right before them. + +"Surrender!" it cried. "Surrender or you are dead men!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE OLD CASTLE. + + +Lieutenant Anderson raised a hand. + +"We surrender," he said quietly. + +The officer approached, a revolver held ready for instant use. + +"Dismount!" he ordered shortly. + +The four companions slid to the ground. A squad of soldiers +surrounded them. + +"Search them for arms," was the next command, and they were relieved of +their weapons. + +"To the castle!" ordered their captor. "Forward, march!" + +With the four prisoners in the center, the soldiers moved away. + +"Looks like we were into it pretty steep this time," said Hal, as they +were being led away. + +"Silence!" came the sharp command of the German officer. + +They moved along for several minutes without a word except for an +occasional command from the officer. + +At length a grim, gray wall loomed before them in the darkness, and +without a stop the prisoners were hurried across a little bridge, led +across a courtyard and escorted within the structure. + +A fear-inspiring place it was, but the four captives entered without a +tremor, their heads held high and their step firm. Any spirit of +foreboding they may have felt was not manifested in their carriage. + +Down dark and dirty corridors they were led, and after many sharp turns, +their guards stopped before what appeared to be a hole in the side of the +wall. Into this opening the prisoners were thrust without ceremony, and a +door behind them was closed with a bang. + +It was several minutes before the four companions could accustom their +eyes to the semi-darkness, but finally they were able to make out the few +objects that furnished the cell, for such it proved to be. + +There were three broken chairs and two dirty-looking mattresses, one of +the latter at each end of the cell. Also there was a small table. + +"Pretty dismal looking place, this," remarked the doughty French captain, +after a hasty glance about. + +"Dismal and dirty it certainly is," said Hal. + +"How long do you suppose we shall have to stay here?" asked Chester. + +"Until they get ready to let us out," replied the young English +lieutenant dryly. "Which may not be a very satisfactory answer, but it's +the best I can do." + +"What do you suppose they will do with us?" queried Hal. + +"You've got me. If they don't take us out and shoot us as spies, we are +likely to lie here till we rot." + +"Surely they would be afraid to do that." + +"Don't fool yourself that they are afraid to do anything." + +"But we can prove we are not spies." + +"Can we? How? With the trouble we have made, they won't be able to kill +us off quick enough." + +"Well," said Hal hopefully, "maybe something will turn up that will +enable us to convince them." + +"I hope so. But if it doesn't turn up soon, we are gone goslings, just as +sure as you're a foot high," and Lieutenant Anderson threw himself down +on one of the evil-looking mattresses, remarking: "Might as well take a +little snooze, anyhow." + +"This doesn't look to me like a time to sleep," remarked Hal to Chester, +although he almost envied the coolness with which the young Englishman +accepted his perilous situation. + +"Looks to me more like the time to try and find a way out," agreed +Chester. + +Captain Derevaux, however, also flung himself upon one of the mattresses +and he and the lieutenant soon were fast asleep. + +In spite of the fact that they had been more than twenty-four hours +without sleep, the two boys were in no mood to close their eyes. As Hal +said, now seemed to be the proper time to expend whatever energies they +had in getting out of their prison. + +The boys looked around. There were two small windows to their cell, but +it was plain they were too small to permit of a human body being squeezed +through. Besides, they were barred. Beyond, across a courtyard, could be +seen another wing of the castle. It appeared to be almost in ruins. + +Looking from the other window, the boys could discern the bridge which +they had been led across. The bridge spanned a moat, which at one time +had been filled with water. Now it was a mass of growing weeds. + +Hal shook the bars at the window through which he was peering, and one +came away in his hand. It had grown loose through age. Still, however, +it was impossible for a man to pass through the window. The opening was +too small. + +"No chance of getting out here," remarked Hal, turning to Chester, who +stood at the other window. + +"Nor here," was the answer. "I couldn't squeeze through to save my life." + +"What are we to do, then? I certainly won't let them take me out and +shoot me without a fight." + +"No more will I," declared Chester. "I would rather be killed fighting +than to be taken out and stood up against a wall." + +"Then if it comes to the worst we will pitch into the guards when they +come to take us out and fight until the end," said Hal. + +"We will," agreed Chester. "It would be a much more pleasant death. I +don't think much of walking out and standing over my own grave and +letting somebody shoot at me without a chance to fight back." + +They continued their conversation well into the night. + +As the first rays of sunlight filtered into their cell a key turned +gratingly in the rusty lock of the door. Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant +Anderson, who now appeared to have been sleeping with one eye open, were +on their feet immediately, and the four friends faced the door. + +Slowly the huge door swung outward and a grinning apparition appeared in +the doorway, carrying a vessel of water and a loaf of bread. It was an +old, old negro, and he shuffled forward haltingly. Just outside the door +could be seen half a dozen German soldiers. + +Hal and Chester stared at the old negro in speechless amazement. The +sight of the old darky carried them back across the sea to the home of +Hal's Virginia uncle. They forgot their danger for a moment, gazed at +each other and broke into a laugh. + +The old negro looked at them in surprise, and with ruffled dignity. He +placed the water and bread upon the table, and drawing himself up, +pointed to them and then commanded: + +"Essen!" + +It was too much for the two lads and they broke into another loud guffaw. + +"Well, what do you think of that!" exclaimed Chester. "Here's what looks +like an old plantation negro, and he speaks German." + +"Funniest thing I ever heard," gasped Hal between bursts of laughter. + +At their words, an expression of amazement passed over the old +negro's face. + +"Lawdy! Lawdy!" he exclaimed, a wide grin spreading itself over his +features; "if dese two chilluns ain't 'Mericans," and advancing toward +them he demanded: + +"What yo'al doin' hyah? Dey tol' me dey dun captured fo' spies!" + +Hal explained briefly. + +The old negro rolled his eyes in gaping wonder at the recital. + +"Can't you help us, uncle?" asked Chester, as Hal completed his story. + +Frightened, the old darky looked around; then began slowly to back toward +the door of the cell, just beyond which stood the line of soldiers. + +"Yo'al jes' wait," he spoke in a hoarse whisper. "Ol' Uncle Billy'll see +what he c'n do." + +He backed out of the cell as he finished and the door clanged behind him. + +"It seems that we have at least one friend," remarked Hal, after Uncle +Billy had gone. + +"But what can he do to help us?" demanded the young French captain. + +"I don't know," replied Hal; "but you may be sure he will do anything he +can. He will not desert us. He is that kind, and I know the kind well." + +"You can bet on that," Chester agreed. "He'll be back before long." + +It was nearing the hour of noon when the cell door again swung open. +Believing that Uncle Billy had returned, the two boys jumped to their +feet. But they were disappointed. An officer, whose shoulder straps +proclaimed him a lieutenant, entered. Behind him stood the inevitable +line of soldiers. + +He beckoned the prisoners. "Follow me!" he commanded. + +"Where to?" demanded Lieutenant Anderson. + +"General Steinberg desires your presence." + +He stood aside as the captives filed from the cell. Outside the line of +soldiers fell in step behind them. + +Our four friends were marched out of the castle and across the field to +the army camp. They were led to a hut rather larger than the rest, which +proclaimed it the headquarters of the commanding officer. They were +ushered inside and their military escort fell back. + +General Steinberg sat at a table surrounded by several officers of his +staff. He looked up as the prisoners entered, and unconsciously Captain +Derevaux saluted. + +General Steinberg jumped to his feet. + +"So!" he exclaimed. "A soldier, eh? And an officer, besides. I thought +so! What rank, and to what command are you attached?" + +Captain Derevaux drew himself up to his full height. + +"Captain of French Rifles!" he said defiantly. + +"And what are you doing within our lines in civilian clothes, may I ask?" +demanded the general, with a sneer. "Spying, eh?" he continued without +waiting for a reply. "I thought so. Are your companions also spies?" + +"We are not spies," declared the captain vehemently. "I was stranded in +Berlin and was trying to make my way out of the country so as to join my +regiment." + +"And why should we allow you to leave the country and join our foes? Did +you report yourself to the authorities in Berlin when war was declared?" + +"No." + +"And why, may I ask?" + +"Because I had already received orders to join my regiment, and I did not +propose to be detained." + +The general waved him aside and turned to Lieutenant Anderson. + +"And you are also an officer, perhaps, eh?" he questioned. + +"I am," replied the lieutenant boldly. "I hold his British majesty's +commission as a lieutenant of Dragoons." + +"Another spy, eh?" + +"No; I am no spy, and you do not dare treat me as one." + +"I don't? You shall see. Stand aside!" + +The general turned to Hal and Chester. + +"And you," he said, "you both look over young to be taking the risk of +spies. How do you come to be mixed up in this business?" + +Hal explained. + +"Why did you not submit to arrest in Angermunde?" + +"Because we feared we would be detained." + +"And is that a sufficient cause for attacking a squad of German troops?" + +"We considered it so," replied Hal. + +"Enough!" exclaimed General Steinberg. "It is my belief you are all +spies. You shall be shot to-morrow at sunrise!" + +Turning to the officer who had escorted them to his hut, he commanded: + +"Return them to their cell and see that they are well guarded!" + +"But, general," the young captain spoke up, "these boys are in no way to +blame. They are perfectly innocent!" + +"Shoot us if you like, but spare them," pleaded the lieutenant. + +"Bah!" exclaimed the general. "One is as guilty as the other!" + +With a wave of his hand he signified that the interview was ended. + +"Take them away!" he ordered. + +"It's all my fault!" exclaimed Captain Derevaux when they were back +in the cell once more. "I should not have permitted you boys to +accompany us." + +"It is not!" denied Hal and Chester together. "Whatever may befall us is +no discredit to you. Had we not come with you, we probably should have +tried to escape the country alone." + +"But if you had not been captured in our company you would be in no +danger of being shot," declared Lieutenant Anderson. "I cannot forgive +myself that I consented to your coming." + +"Never mind that," said Hal. "You tried to help us, and that we go to our +deaths to-morrow morning is not due to you." + +"Fool that I was!" cried the Frenchman. "Had I kept my presence of mind +in Steinberg's hut our position would not be so desperate. It was my +salute that caused all this trouble." + +"Come, come, never mind that," soothed Chester. "It couldn't be helped. +Besides, I am sure he had his mind made up to shoot us, anyhow. Let's not +think about it." + +It was perhaps an hour later that the huge cell door once more swung +slowly open. Uncle Billy stepped quickly inside and closed the door +after him. + +"Sh-h!" he whispered, holding up a warning finger and coming close. + +Silently he went to the table and, one after another, produced from some +place about his person four revolvers. + +"When I brung yo'al yo' dinnah t'night," he explained, "I'se gwine ter +leave de' door open. I'se gwine ter p'tend ter lock it, but it ain't +gwine ter be locked. + +"At nine o'clock t'night de' watch am changed, an' fer five minutes there +ain't no guard in de' hall. That am when yo'al slip out an' sneak down +de' hall. When yo'al gits out o' de cas'le, jes' yo'al sneak roun' to de +right, an' dere'll be frien's dere." + +Uncle Billy again put a warning finger to his lips. + +Hal opened his mouth to ask a question, but with a soft "sh-h" Uncle +Billy silenced him. + +Then, after several furtive glances about, the old negro stole quickly +from the cell, closing the door softly behind him. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE ESCAPE. + + +"What did I tell you!" shouted Hal, when the old negro had taken his +departure. "Didn't I tell you old Uncle Billy wouldn't leave us in +the lurch?" + +"What do you suppose his plan is?" asked Chester. + +"I haven't any idea, but you can depend upon its being a good one." + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson were examining the revolvers +Uncle Billy had laid on the table. + +"Loaded, all right," remarked the latter. + +"At least they won't stand us up against a wall without a fight," +declared the captain. + +"I don't know what Uncle Billy's plan of escape is," said Hal, "but I +am sure it will be successful. I have a lot of confidence in these +old-time negroes." + +"And I, too," declared Chester. + +"Well," interrupted the Frenchman, "all we can do now is to wait and hope +for the best." + +"We at least have a fighting chance," spoke up the lieutenant, "and +that's more than I ever expected to have again." + +"It's a long time between now and nine o'clock," said Chester. "I think +we all had better get some sleep. We are likely to need it before we +get through." + +"Right," replied the lieutenant. "I guess we had better turn in." + +The four lay down upon the dirty mattresses, and with their minds more at +ease were soon asleep. + +It was after six o'clock when Uncle Billy once more entered the cell with +their "dinner," which consisted of another vessel of water and a second +loaf of bread. + +Hal made a grimace. + +"Is that what you call dinner, Uncle Billy?" he demanded. "Why, I'm so +hungry I could eat a fence rail." + +Uncle Billy grinned widely. + +"Yo'al will git a shore 'nuff dinnah 'fore long," he replied. + +"Is everything all right?" asked Chester. + +"Yassah, yassah. Everyt'ing am all right. Yo'al jes' do like I tell you," +and the old darky hastened from the cell. + +The four prisoners fell upon the single loaf of bread and devoured +it hungrily. Thirstily they gulped down the water, and then sat +down to wait. + +The long hours passed slowly. + +"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester finally. "Won't nine o'clock ever come?" + +"Hold your horses and don't get excited," ordered Lieutenant Anderson. +"Impatience won't get us anything." + +Chester subsided, and for a time the four sat in silence. + +Suddenly the stillness was broken by the faint sound of a distant bell. + +The young lieutenant pulled his watch from his pocket. Then he closed the +case with a snap and rose to his feet. + +"Nine o'clock!" he said briefly. "Time to be moving!" + +Cautiously the four approached the cell door. Hal pressed his weight +against it, and slowly the huge door swung outward. Poking out his head, +Hal glanced up and down the corridor. + +"No one in sight," he informed his companions, and softly the four +stepped outside, closing the door gently behind them. + +Silently four shadows flitted along the corridor, out across the bridge +and to the wall beyond. They encountered no one. + +"Your Uncle Billy is a jewel," declared the young Frenchman, in a +whisper. + +"He is for a fact," whispered back the lieutenant. + +Chester crept silently through the gate and peered in all directions. +Then he crept back to his companions. + +"All safe!" he whispered. + +"Now to get to the place where Uncle Billy said friends would be +waiting," said Hal. + +"I guess we had better make it at a run," spoke up the Frenchman. + +"Yes," said the lieutenant; "some one might happen along and we would +have to make a fight for it." + +Passing through the entrance to the old castle, the four broke into a +run, and turning to the right in accordance with their instructions, +increased their speed. + +For a considerable distance they sped along under the shelter of the +castle wall. Just as they reached the end of the wall a whispered voice +brought them to a halt. + +"Hyah, sah!" came the unmistakable voice of Uncle Billy. + +Turning, they saw the old negro, who had been hidden from their sight, +standing under the far wall of the castle. + +"Follow me!" he whispered, and led the way a short distance along the +wall, to where were picketed four horses. + +Turning, he motioned the companions to mount. + +"Which way?" asked the lieutenant, when all were in the saddle. + +"Straight north, I suppose," said the captain. + +"No, sah, no, sah," broke in Uncle Billy. "Yo'al can't get free +that-a-way. Since de Emp'ror declared wah on Belgin an' Englan' dun +declare wah on Germany, all de no'th coast am hev'ly guarded." + +"What!" exclaimed the French captain. "War on Belgium!" + +"England has declared war?" asked the young lieutenant, in surprise. + +"Yassah, yassah. I jes' hearn erbout it." + +"Then which way shall we go?" + +"Yo'al must go that-a-way," came the answer, and Uncle Billy pointed +toward the southwest, in the direction of the faraway frontier of The +Netherlands. + +"But Holland is a long ways off, and the country between must be overrun +with troops," protested the Frenchman. + +"Mos' all de troops am at de front," explained the old negro. "Dat am de +bes' way, sah." + +"I believe we had better take Uncle Billy's word for it," declared Hal. + +"I guess he is right," said the lieutenant. "Uncle Billy, we can never +thank you enough." + +"No," agreed Captain Derevaux. "We can never thank you enough." + +"Come," said the lieutenant, "let us ride," and he turned his horse's +head toward the southwest, and started off cautiously. + +But Hal and Chester stopped for a further word with Uncle Billy. + +"But how about you, Uncle Billy?" demanded Chester. "Won't you get in +trouble for aiding us to escape?" + +"No, sah," replied the old negro. "There won't none o' dese hyah Germans +hurt ol' Uncle Billy!" + +"Well, then, good-by," said the boys. "After the war is over we are +coming back to see you." + +"After de wah am over," said the old negro slowly, "Ise gwine back ter +ol' Virginy!" + +With another word of farewell the boys wheeled their horses and rode +after their companions, who were now some distance ahead. + +"We shall have to go very slowly and feel our way until we have passed +the outposts of the town," said the lieutenant, as they rode along; and +for the first half hour their progress was slow. + +Once they passed within a few yards of a German sentry, but so softly did +their horses step that the soldier did not turn in their direction. + +Bearing well to the south, they passed the long line of huts where they +had been captured the night before, at a considerable distance; and now, +feeling sure they had passed the last of the outposts, they urged their +horses into a quick trot. + +"We will try and avoid all towns this time," declared Lieutenant +Anderson, "going just close enough to them to keep our bearings." + +"A good scheme," said the Frenchman. "We would better avoid the highways +as much as possible also." + +In almost a straight line, the direction in which the companions were now +headed eventually would put them into Holland a few miles north of the +Belgian frontier. Following the highways, their way would lead through +Prenzlau, Brunswick, and Detmold. But upon Captain Derevaux's advice, +they decided to skirt these towns, staying just close enough to the roads +to keep their sense of direction. + +As the four rode along through the open fields, Hal and Chester continued +to talk of Uncle Billy. + +"After the war," said Chester, "we'll come back and get him and take him +home with us." + +But such was not to be; nor was the old Southern negro ever again to see +his Virginia home. + +And because of the assistance he rendered Hal and Chester and their two +friends, it is fitting that here be related the fate of this old +plantation slave, who had come so nobly to the aid of our boys. + +As the four companions rode away from the old castle, Uncle Billy, with +bared head, gazed lovingly after them. + +"Praise de Lawd!" he exclaimed. "May dey git home in safety." + +The riders disappeared in the distance, and the old negro, after one +last glance, turned toward his quarters in a broken-down wing of the +old castle. + +There he threw himself to his knees, and for long minutes prayed in +silence. Then he arose, extinguished his light, and crawled into his +dirty cot. + +Before sun-up he arose, and was soon about his duties of carrying food to +others imprisoned in the castle. Upon the order of General Steinberg he +went to the vacant cell with the firing squad that was to put an end to +the lives of the four companions whom he had aided to escape. + +He opened the door, and then threw up his hands in well-feigned surprise. + +"Dere gone!" he exclaimed. + +"What!" exclaimed the officer in charge of the firing squad. +"Impossible!" + +He brushed the old negro aside and peered into the cell. Then he turned +to Uncle Billy and laid his hand on his shoulder. "You are under +arrest!" he said. + +"What fo', sah?" + +"For aiding the prisoners to escape." + +"But, but--" + +"Silence! To the general's quarters!" he commanded his men. + +Uncle Billy was led before General Steinberg. + +"So!" thundered the latter, after the situation had been explained to +him. "A traitor, eh!" + +Uncle Billy drew himself up proudly, and the years seemed to fall from +his shoulders. + +"I is no traitor, sah!" he said quietly, "Is I a traitor, sah, because I +is willin' ter die fer two li'l chillun, who is so like mah young massa?" + +"What!" shouted the general. "You admit it?" + +"Yassah!" + +General Steinberg's face grew purple and he waved his arms about angrily. + +"Then you shall die in their stead!" he shouted. "Sergeant! Take that +black hound out and shoot him! See that my order is carried out at once!" + +The sergeant saluted and turned to Uncle Billy. + +"Come!" he said. + +With bowed head the old negro walked slowly from the hut. Outside the +squad of soldiers encircled him, and he was led away. + +With his back to a wall and the line of soldiers facing him, their +rifles grounded by their sides, Uncle Billy's face turned chalky, and +he trembled. + +But, as the sergeant approached with a bandage for his eyes, the old +negro regained his composure. + +For the last time he drew himself to his full height; imperiously he +waved the sergeant away, and his eyes met the gaze of his executioners +unflinchingly. + +"Ready!" came the voice of the sergeant. + +"Take aim!" + +"Fire!" + +Without a murmur, Uncle Billy slid gently to the ground, his body riddled +with bullets. + +The sergeant hurried to his side, and placed a hand over his heart. +As he did so, the body of the old negro twitched, and he made an +effort to rise. + +The sergeant caught the faint sound of his voice. + +"I'se a-comin', massa; I'se a-co--" came the old voice in a low whisper; +and Uncle Billy's body fell back inert. + +The sergeant straightened up, and lifted his cap from his head. + +"He is dead!" he said softly. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +IN TROUBLE AGAIN. + + +All night long the four companions continued their way without adventure. +Twice they saw lights of nearby towns, and upon each occasion they bore +farther away from these signs of habitation. + +The first gray dawn streaked the eastern sky before they drew rein at a +little brook, where they sat down to rest for a few moments, and to allow +their horses to quench their thirst. + +"How far do you suppose we have come?" asked Hal. + +"I don't know," replied the Frenchman; "but we have covered +considerable ground." + +"Do you think we are out of danger?" + +"We are never out of danger as long as we are in Germany," put in the +lieutenant. "We may be safe from pursuit, but we are not out of the woods +yet, by any means." + +"How long should it take us to get out of the country?" asked Chester. + +"With luck, five days." + +"Well, let's hope for luck, then," said Hal. "I have had enough +excitement to last me for a long time to come." + +"Same here," declared Chester. + +They remained in their retreat for some time, and then, mounting, moved +forward once more. An hour later they succeeded in purchasing breakfast +at a farmhouse. As all were draining their second cup of coffee there +came from without the sound of galloping. The four jumped to their feet. + +"What's that?" cried Chester, in alarm. + +"We'll see," replied the young lieutenant briefly, and stepped to a +window. The others also advanced and peered over his shoulder. + +"Looks to me like a body of Black Hussars," remarked Captain Derevaux. + +"And so it is," said the lieutenant, as the horsemen drew closer to the +farmhouse. + +"Do you suppose they are looking for us?" queried Chester. + +"I do not think so. It's hardly likely they have heard of our escape +from Stettin." + +"Had we better remain here and trust to their passing by, or shall we +make a run for it?" + +"I believe we had better stay here. They may not stop." + +And, indeed, it seemed that the lieutenant's prophecy would prove +correct. + +The squadron came on without checking their speed; but, just as they +swept by the farmhouse, a squad of a dozen men, headed by an officer, +detached themselves from the main body, and headed toward the house. + +"We are in for it again," remarked Hal, and drew his revolver. + +"Put that away!" exclaimed the young captain quickly. "One shot and the +whole troop will be on us!" + +Hal dropped his weapon back into his pocket. + +At that instant there came a loud knock at the front door. + +The good housewife hastened forward to answer the knock, but was +intercepted by the Frenchman. + +"Do not answer!" he commanded. + +The woman stared at him aghast. + +"Why," she exclaimed, "it is probably my husband. He is a cavalry +officer, you know," and she smiled, and made as if to pass. + +But the captain again blocked her way. + +"Nevertheless," he said, "I must ask you not to go to the door." + +The woman gazed at him a moment in astonishment; then a queer look passed +over her face. + +"I see!" she exclaimed. "You are spies!" + +With a scream she evaded the captain and rushed to the door. + +"Come!" cried Captain Derevaux, his effort having failed. "I guess we +shall have to make a run for it!" + +"Out the back door!" exclaimed Lieutenant Anderson, and the four ran +through the house, went down the steps three at a time, and rushed toward +their horses in the stable nearby. + +Hardly had they leaped into their saddles and dashed from the stable, +when the woman and a German officer appeared in the back door of the +farmhouse, while from around the house came the dozen troopers afoot. + +With a shout the riders charged directly at them, bowling the soldiers +over on all sides, and for a moment it looked as though they might make +their escape. + +Then a shot rang out, and Chester's horse stumbled and went to his knees. +Chester was flung from his saddle, over his horse's head, and struck the +ground with stunning force. He lay still. + +Hal leaped to the ground and stooped over Chester. The captain and the +young lieutenant pulled up their mounts. + +As Hal tried to lift Chester to his feet, a second shot was heard, and a +bullet whistled over Hal's head. Hal dropped Chester to the ground, and +drew his revolver. + +He turned his face toward the enemy. + +"Come on!" he shouted, his eyes flashing, "I'll drop one or two of you +before you get me!" + +But at that moment, the lieutenant's voice rang out. + +"Don't shoot!" and Hal stayed his hand. + +At the same instant, Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson raised +their hands in token of surrender; and it was well that they did so, for +by that time the entire body of troopers had their rifles leveled. + +To have missed at that distance would have been impossible, and the +lieutenant had realized it. + +"Throw your weapons on the ground," came a command, and the captain and +lieutenant obeyed. + +Hal made as if to raise his revolver again, and the rifles of the +troopers were turned on him. + +Again the lieutenant called: + +"Don't be a fool. Throw that gun down!" + +Hal obeyed. + +The officer in command of the troop approached and spoke: + +"Who are you?" he demanded. + +"Travelers," replied Lieutenant Anderson. + +"Where are you going?" + +"Brunswick." + +"Why did you run at our approach?" + +The lieutenant made no reply. + +"Well," said the German officer, after a pause, "if you are bound for +Brunswick you will get there all right That is our destination." + +Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson had dismounted, and by this time +Chester had recovered consciousness. + +Calling two of his men, the German officer ordered the four companions +bound. Then Chester's saddle was taken from his wounded horse and put +upon another, which was brought from the stable. The four companions were +assisted to the backs of their animals, and the troop proceeded forward, +the prisoners in the center. + +The country through which they now traveled was rough and hilly, and +rapid progress was impossible. From time to time they passed detachments +of troops hurrying in the opposite direction. They did not overtake the +main body, of which their captors were a part, until they reached +Prenzlau, where the troop was quartered. + +There the prisoners were led before the commanding officer, Colonel +Waldstein. Lieutenant Anderson spoke. + +"Colonel," he said, "I am Lieutenant Anderson, of the British army, and +this," indicating the young captain, "is Captain Derevaux, of the +French army." Then, pointing to Hal and Chester: "These two boys are in +no way concerned in our affairs, and I hope that you will see fit to +release them." + +"How do they come to be in your company, then?" asked the colonel. + +The lieutenant explained the circumstances. + +The German officer was silent for some moments, meditating. Then he +turned to an aide. + +"Summon Lieutenant Schmidt!" he ordered. + +Presently an old soldier entered the general's quarters and saluted. + +"Lieutenant," said Colonel Waldstein, "take these two lads," indicating +Hal and Chester, "and quarter them in your home. You may remain here," he +told the boys, "until I have made inquiries and learned what to do with +you. You are so young that I can hardly believe you are spies." + +"Thank you, colonel," said Lieutenant Anderson. + +"But, as for you two," continued Colonel Waldstein, speaking to Captain +Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson, and his voice grew grave, "the fact +that I have found you within our lines in civilian attire would justify +me in having you shot at once. But I shall not dispose of your cases +until we reach Brunswick, for which place we leave to-night by train. You +may have valuable information. I shall turn your cases over to my +superiors." + +Hal and Chester shook hands with their two friends. + +"I don't know why you should do this for us," said Hal; "but we +appreciate your self-sacrifice more than we can tell you." + +"Indeed we do," agreed Chester. + +"That's all right, boys," replied the lieutenant. "Now, take my advice, +and make no further efforts to get out of the country until you are given +a safe escort, which, I am sure, will be within the course of a week." + +"That is excellent advice," agreed the young captain. "To get through the +country now is practically impossible, as we have proved." + +"But what will they do with you?" asked Hal. + +The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders. + +"Shoot us, I suppose." + +Up to this moment the colonel had not interfered with the conversation, +but now he called a halt. + +"That's talk enough," he declared. "Take the prisoners away." + +Hal and Chester followed the old lieutenant from the tent. + +"Good-by, good-by!" they called to their two friends, as they passed out. + +"Good-by," was the response; "remember our advice." + +The lieutenant escorted the boys some distance into the town, then +turning into a lane, marched them into a yard, in which, far back, sat a +large frame house. + +"This is my home," he said; "and as long as you stay you will be welcome. +My wife is fond of boys, and will be glad to see you. You will have the +freedom of the grounds, but remember, any attempt to leave the town +without a permit probably will end in your being shot. Take my advice and +don't try it" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +A NEW FRIEND. + + +"Frau Schmidt is certainly a nice old lady," said Chester. + +"She certainly is," agreed Hal. "If it wasn't for the fact that I +wanted to get out of the country so badly, I wouldn't mind spending a +few weeks here." + +"Nor I; and Fritz is a likable fellow." + +"He sure is." + +The boys had spent two days in the Schmidt home when this conversation +took place. In Frau Schmidt they had found a lovable and motherly woman, +well along in years. + +She had made them welcome from the first, and had set before them the +best she had. Their room was next to that of her son, Fritz, a young man +probably six years older than Hal. + +Now, Fritz was of a mechanical turn of mind, and all day and well into +the night he was at work in his shop behind the house. From bits of +conversation, the boys gathered that Fritz was engaged in the task of +building an aeroplane, and they were greatly interested. + +The fact that no one was allowed in Fritz's workshop unless he +accompanied them, and the additional fact that at night two soldiers were +stationed at the door at first caused the boys some surprise. However, +Fritz had explained: + +"You see, the government has taken over all aircraft in process of +construction, no matter how crude and amateurish, and has appointed a +commission to investigate all patents. Of course, it was known that I +was building an airship, and, as a result, I am working under +government orders. + +"If my craft should come up to expectations it will mean a great deal to +me, and I probably shall either be put to work building more, or, better +still, be made a member of one of the aeroplane corps." + +"Yes," said Chester again, "Fritz is a fine fellow. Do you suppose his +aeroplane will be a success?" + +"I don't know. For his sake, I hope so. As he says, it means a whole +lot to him." + +"So do I. And I will bet Fritz would be of great help to his country. He +is a pretty shrewd chap." + +"You bet he--Hello! What's that?" + +A sudden cry had come from the direction of the kitchen, and the sounds +of a struggle followed. + +"Come on!" shouted Chester. "Somebody is in trouble!" + +The two boys ran madly around the house. + +Dashing through the door into the kitchen, a terrible sight met +their eyes. + +Huddled into a corner was Frau Schmidt, and over her, with a naked +knife, stood a man, ragged and unkempt. A second man was ransacking the +drawers of a dresser in the room beyond. The boys could see him through +the open door. + +Just as they dashed in the door, the man with the knife snarled in a +low voice: + +"Give me the key to the workshop, I tell you. We mean business!" + +"You mean business, do you!" shouted Hal, striding toward him. +"Well, so do I!" + +The man turned at the sound of Hal's voice, and, with upraised knife, +awaited the lad's attack. + +"You cowardly ruffian!" cried Hal, "to attack a defenseless old woman!" + +As he spoke, he leaped upon the man, dodging the blow the latter aimed at +him with the wicked-looking knife. Before the latter could recover his +balance, Hal seized the arm that held the knife. + +A sharp twist and the knife went spinning across the floor. Both leaped +for it, but Hal was quicker than his opponent, and placed his foot upon +the weapon. With a snarl the man sprang upon him. + +Chester had entered the room upon Hal's heels; and, as his friend jumped +for the first intruder, Chester rushed at the man in the next room. The +latter heard him advance, and, stepping back, picked up a chair, which he +brandished over his head. Taking a rapid stride forward, he swung his +improvised weapon at Chester's head. + +Chester avoided the blow with a quick, backward leap, and the chair was +smashed to fragments against the door. Then Chester jumped forward and +closed with his opponent. + +With a rapid movement he placed his knee behind the other's leg and +pushed suddenly. The man went over backward, with Chester on top of him. +As the intruder fell, his head came into contact with the sharp +projection of the bureau, and when he struck the floor he lay still. +Chester rose to his feet. + +As Hal's opponent sprang toward him, the lad stepped in close and +delivered a stinging short-arm blow over the other's heart. He staggered +back, and, as Hal took another step forward, Chester, having disposed of +his adversary, threw his arms about the man from behind, and bore him to +the floor, where both boys piled on top of him. + +While the three were struggling on the floor, a voice from the doorway +exclaimed: + +"What is going on here?" and Fritz rushed into the room. + +He took in the situation at a glance, and, rushing forward, lent a hand +in subduing the boys' opponent. + +The struggle was over quickly, and, seizing a strong rope, which hung +from the wall, Fritz soon had the two men safely bound. Then he turned to +his mother, who still sat huddled on the chair, where she had been when +the boys entered the room. The excitement had been too much for her, and +she had fainted. + +She was soon revived, however, and, when she was strong enough to sit up, +jumped to her feet, and, throwing her arms around Hal, kissed him loudly. +Then she turned her attention to Chester, and repeated the operation. + +"My preservers!" she cried, laughing and crying at the same time. "Fritz, +but for these two boys your old mother would now be dead." + +Rapidly and somewhat incoherently she related what had occurred, and +Fritz was no less warm in his praise for the actions of the two boys. + +"Those men are undoubtedly spies," he declared. "They most certainly had +designs upon my biplane, which they evidently knew had been completed. I +shall turn them over to the military authorities." + +He left the house, and in a few moments returned with a squad of +soldiers, who took the assailants in charge. Fritz explained to the +officer how the two men had been captured, and the German officer +complimented the boys highly for their prompt action. + +After the two prisoners had been led away, Hal bethought himself of the +remark Fritz had made concerning his biplane. + +"Do you mean to say your aeroplane is ready for use?" he asked. + +"Yes; I am going to make a short flight this afternoon. Would you care to +watch me?" + +"Would we!" exclaimed Hal. "You can just bet we would!" + +"All right, then; come on." + +The two lads followed Fritz to his workshop. Inside the boys approached +the large aircraft, which rested lightly on its wheels at the end of the +speedway. The huge planes which served as wings stretched out on either +side like two great box kites, while underneath the aviator's seat the +gearing could be plainly seen. + +The aviator looked at the machine with great pride, and spoke of the +improvements he had made in the propellers and in the system of power +transmission. He explained to the boys that, by this direct system, he +had gained twenty per cent more velocity; and, now that the war had +begun, he hoped to be able to prove this to the army experts. + +The boys helped Fritz push the machine out into the open, and watched +intently while he tested the steering gear and tried the ignition. After +some further tinkering, Fritz finally took his seat, pulled a lever, and, +after skimming the ground for a few rods, the machine rose gracefully +into the air. + +"By George!" said Hal to Chester, as the craft rose from the ground. +"That looks easy. I believe I could do it myself." + +"It looks easy," Chester admitted. "But how do you suppose a fellow would +feel sailing along up there?" + +"I guess it would scare me a little at first, but, just the same, I +should like to try it." + +After circling around for several minutes, Fritz brought the machine back +to its starting point and, lightly as a bird it dropped to the ground. + +"Would you like to take a short flight?" he asked the boys. + +Chester backed away. + +"Not for me," he declared. "I would lose my head sure, if I got up +there." + +Hal laughed. + +"You don't want to pay any attention to him when he talks like that," he +told Fritz. "I never saw anything yet he was afraid to do." + +"After what I saw in the house to-day, I can well believe that," replied +the young German. "Would you like to go up?" to Hal. "You know the +machine will only carry two." + +"Why, yes," answered Hal; "I would like it." + +"Climb in, then," ordered Fritz. + +Not without some misgiving Hal obeyed. + +Once more the huge machine skimmed gracefully over the ground, and again +went sailing into space. + +As the plane rose from the ground, Hal grabbed the side of the seat and +hung on for dear life. Looking down and seeing the ground dropping +rapidly away, he experienced a choking sensation in his throat. + +As the machine stopped rising, however, and stretched itself out for a +straight flight, Hal's composure came back to him, and he looked around +with interest. + +Then Fritz explained the mechanism of the machine to him. He showed him +how to stop, how to increase the speed of the plane; how to rise and how +to glide to earth. He also showed him how to work the steering wheel. + +While they were sailing about in the air he told Hal that, if necessary, +his craft could make a speed of one hundred miles an hour for hours. He +declared it could attain an altitude of a mile. Practically the only +danger, he said, came from conflicting air currents. + +After sailing around for nearly half an hour, Fritz again brought the +machine to the ground a few feet from where Chester stood. + +"Great!" exclaimed Hal, as he alighted and helped Fritz roll the machine +back into the shop. "No more automobiling for me. When I get home I am +going to get an airship." + +"Wouldn't you like to go up with me to-morrow, Chester?" asked Fritz, as +he locked the door to the shop. + +"I believe I would," was the reply. "I guess I can stand it if Hal can." + +"Then you shall," said Fritz, and the three turned toward the house, +where Frau Schmidt stood in the doorway, calling to them that supper +was ready. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +IN THE AIR. + + +The boys were busily engaged in disposing of a hearty supper when there +came a knock at the door. Frau Schmidt answered the knock, and, returning +a few moments later, placed before Hal an important-looking letter, +bearing the official seal of the German government. + +Hal opened the document and read. + +"Great Scott!" he exploded, after a hasty perusal. + +"What's the matter?" demanded Chester anxiously. + +"Why, here is an order, commanding us to report to the commanding +officer the first thing in the morning, so that we may be transported +back to Berlin!" + +"Berlin! What in the world do we want to go back to Berlin for?" + +"We don't; but it looks as though there were no help for it. The letter +says that, after an investigation of our case, it has been decided that +we shall be sent back to Berlin and that, if we are to be allowed to +leave the country, such arrangements must be made by the United States +ambassador." + +"Well, what do you think of that!" + +"It's too bad," declared Fritz; "but an order is an order. I am afraid +you must go!" + +"You poor boys!" exclaimed Frau Schmidt "I can't see why they won't let +you stay here." + +"No more do I," declared Hal. "But I guess this letter means business." + +"It sure looks like it," said Chester. + +"That's what I call pretty tough luck," declared Hal, when the two boys +were alone in their room that night, Fritz and his mother having retired. + +"Tough? I should say it is tough," returned Chester. "After all the +trouble we have had getting away from Berlin, then to have to go back. +Tough is no name for it." + +"Well," said Hal, "I guess there is no use kicking. We ran a good race, +but we lost. It's back to Berlin for us." + +Suddenly Chester sat bolt upright + +"By George!" he exclaimed. + +"What's the matter now?" asked Hal in surprise. + +"I've an idea." + +"Strange," replied Hal, with a smile; "but let's hear it." + +"Well, in the first place, you took an airship ride to-day. How did +you like it?" + +"Like it? Oh, I liked it all right. Why?" + +"You saw Fritz work the thing. Did you get the hang of it?" + +Hal jumped to his feet with a subdued exclamation. + +"I see what you are getting at!" he declared. "An airship! Why didn't I +think of it myself?" + +"There are only two objections I can see to the plan," said Chester. + +"What are they?" + +"Well, the first is, can you run the thing without spilling us out?" + +"I am willing to take a chance if you are. Fritz explained the workings +of the machine while we were aloft to-day. I am sure I can do it. What is +the second reason?" + +"The second reason is that it seems a shabby trick to play on Fritz, +particularly after the way he has treated us." + +"So it does," agreed Hal slowly, but, after a pause, he added: +"However, I believe we had better do it. To me it looks like the +survival of the fittest." + +For a long time the boys debated this point, but the matter was finally +settled when Hal said: + +"Well, if we don't, we are likely to be stuck in Germany until the war is +over; and there is no telling when that will be." + +"As long as we are going to do it, then," returned Chester, "the sooner +we start the better." + +"Right," replied Hal. "Let's get busy." + +"How are we to get the aeroplane out of the shop? You know the door +is locked." + +"Yes, but I know something else, too. I noticed it to-day, and wondered +why those men who came after the key didn't take advantage of it." + +"What is it?" + +"The bolts in the hinges of the door can be lifted out easily, and we can +take the doors off." + +"But we must get rid of the two soldiers who keep guard at night." + +"We will do that some way, all right." + +"Come on, then; let's get started." + +Chester opened the door of their room and peered out. + +"Coast clear," he announced. + +Softly the two boys stole from the room and crept along the hall. They +tip-toed down the stairs, opened the door, and went out with scarcely a +sound. Outside they stopped. In front of the workshop they could see the +two guards in conversation. + +"We must get to the rear of the shop without being seen," whispered +Hal. "When one guard makes his rounds, we must grab him and prevent him +from making an outcry. We can then dispose of the other. You wait here +a minute, while I go back and get a piece of clothes-line, so we can +tie them up." + +He returned almost immediately with two pieces of rope. + +"Careful, now," whispered Hal, as, keeping in the shadow of the house, +they made a short detour. + +Out of sight of the guards, they made a silent dash for the rear of the +workshop, where they stood, silently awaiting the approach of the guard. + +"I hate to do this," whispered Hal, as he heard the footsteps of the +guard; "but it has to be done." + +As the guard rounded the corner of the shop, Hal struck out. Swift and +true was the blow; and struck upon the point of the chin, the man +crumpled up without a sound. + +The boys bound and gagged him quickly, using their handkerchiefs to stuff +into his mouth. Then silently they ran to the opposite side of the shop +and waited the approach of the second guard. + +A moment later his footsteps were heard approaching. As he turned the +corner, Hal again struck out swift and true, and the second man went to +the ground. The boys bound and gagged him, and then hastened to the front +of the shop. + +As Hal had predicted, the doors were removed with little difficulty, and +silently the lads rolled the huge machine into the open. Hal's experience +with automobiles had taught him something of engines, so he had little +trouble starting this one. Finding everything in working order, Hal +climbed into the driver's seat, and Chester, not without a tremor, took +his place beside him. + +Hal's afternoon experience and his natural aptitude for mechanics now +stood him in good stead. Reaching out he threw over a lever and the +machine moved forward. There was a whirring sound as the plane skimmed +over the ground. As the machine began to rise, Hal pressed another lever, +and they shot into the air rapidly. + +So swiftly did they go up that their breath was almost taken away. + +"Great Scott!" gasped Chester. "This is more than I bargained for!" + +With the lights of the village like pin points below him, Hal, who had +not for a moment lost his presence of mind, checked the rise of the +machine, and headed toward the southwest, gauging his direction by a +compass before him, the moonlight luckily permitting him to see. + +As the machine settled down to its flight, Chester regained his +composure. + +"This is more like it," he said. "For a moment I was afraid it was all +up with us." + +"I was scared for a minute myself," replied Hal. "But you must remember +this is not my first trip aloft." + +"I guess it's all right after you get used to it," was the answer, "but +the way I feel right now, if I ever get my foot on terra firma again I am +going to stay there." + +Hal laughed. + +"Oh, you will be all right directly," he said. "For my part, I like it." + +"How fast do you suppose we are going?" + +"About fifty miles an hour." + +"Great Scott! That's going some!" + +The machine was skimming at great speed through the air, flying low, as +Hal did not wish to lose sight of the ground entirely. + +"This is high enough for me," he explained. "I might want to go down +suddenly, and I want to see where I am going. Of course, if it is +necessary, we will go higher." + +"I guess we might as well fall ten miles as to fall from here," remarked +Chester. "If anything went wrong it would be good night for us." + +For a time they flew along in silence. + +Suddenly there was the sound of a shot from below, and a bullet whizzed +by the flying aeroplane. + +Hal sent the machine higher into the air with a jump, and Chester let out +an exclamation as he was almost thrown from his seat. + +"That was too close for comfort!" cried Hal. + +"Well, the next time you decide to shoot up like that, let me know +first!" exclaimed Chester. "You almost lost me that time!" + +"Hang on tight!" shouted Hal. "You never can tell what will happen with +me running this thing, so don't take any chances." + +"I'll hang on tight in the future, never fear," was the reply. "What do +you suppose that shot was?" + +"Some sentry, I suppose. I guess he knew no machine was supposed to be +flying around here. That's probably why he took a shot at us. We were +flying too low, anyhow. We will stay up here, where we can't be so easily +seen or heard." + +For some time the boys sailed along without a word, and then, just as +Chester opened his mouth to ask Hal where he supposed they were, there +was the sound of rushing wings, and, turning in his seat, Chester beheld +a huge shape rushing after them. + +"Speed up, Hal!" cried Chester. "We are pursued!" + +Without stopping to ask questions, Hal threw the speed lever over, and +the machine leaped forward like some live thing. + +At the same moment there came the crack of a rifle, and, as Hal dropped +one arm from the steering wheel the aeroplane rocked crazily and dived +toward the ground. + +The bullet had grazed Hal's left shoulder. + +With a desperate effort, the lad righted the machine with his one good +arm, and it shot upward again. + +"What's the matter?" gasped Chester. "Are you hurt?" + +"Hit in the shoulder," replied Hal briefly. "I suppose whoever fired +aimed at the machine. I just happened to be in the way, that's all." + +"But you can't drive with one arm! Hadn't we better--" + +"Can't!" exclaimed Hal. "I've got to!" + +At that moment both boys were almost blinded by the glare of a dazzling +light directly ahead! + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +OVER THE FRONTIER. + + +"What's that?" cried Chester, in consternation. + +"I haven't any idea," replied Hal; "but it looks like a searchlight." + +"Hadn't you better slow down?" + +"With our pursuers just behind? I guess not." + +And, with a touch of the lever, Hal sent the machine forward even faster +than before. + +For a moment they were in the center of the blinding glare, and then they +had passed beyond it. Then Hal spoke. + +"I can tell you now what it is," he said. + +"What?" + +"A lighthouse." + +"Lighthouse? What do you mean?" + +"Why, that brilliant light we just passed through came from the ground. +The powerful flares are used for the guidance of war aviators, or airship +men, during the night. They prevent the aviator from getting lost, and +denote a safe landing," + +"I see what you mean; but it gave me a scare for a minute." + +"And me; at first I thought it was the searchlight of another airship." + +"But why should such lighthouses be in use here? I should imagine they +would be used only in places of danger." + +"Maybe that is the reason." + +"Surely there can be no danger for a German airship around here." + +"I don't know about that. We have traveled a considerable distance. +Perhaps we are closer to the border than we think." + +"Well, we can't get across it any too soon to suit me," declared Chester. + +Hal did not reply, and the flight was continued in silence. For more +than an hour the huge machine sailed swiftly through the air. At +length Hal said: + +"I guess we had better drop down a bit. Perhaps we may be able to see +something." + +Suiting the action to the word, he let the machine glide slowly downward, +until the distant shadow of the earth could once more be seen. Then the +craft sped out on its straightaway course again. + +The twinkling of faraway lights drew the boys' attention. + +"I wonder what that is?" asked Chester. + +"We'll see," was the brief reply. + +The machine dropped still lower. + +"An army camp!" exclaimed Hal, when he was at last able to make out the +objects below. He shut off his engine, and for a few moments both boys +gave their attention to the awe-inspiring sight. + +Dimly they could discern the outlines of the great camp. With its +thousands upon thousands of huts, it spread out like a great fan, +extending almost as far as the eye could see. + +"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "There must be a million men +down there!" + +"Hardly that many," laughed Hal; "but there are a few. I guess we had +better go a little higher. We might be seen, and a chance bullet might +bring us down in the middle of them." + +The machine rose gently again; but, as the airship headed once more upon +its course, there was a muffled explosion, and the machine rocked +dangerously. + +"What on earth is the matter now?" demanded Chester. + +Hal bent over his engine. + +"I don't know what has blown out," he replied. "But the engine has +gone dead." + +"Dead!" exclaimed Chester. + +"Yes." + +"Can you fix it?" + +"Not up here. It is impossible. I am not familiar enough with it." + +"What shall we do, then?" cried Chester, in alarm. + +"We shall have to go down." + +"What! And land right in the middle of the German camp?" + +"I am afraid so. There is no help for it. However, I shall sail just as +far as possible before we hit the earth." + +Slowly the machine dropped, its strong planes still holding it on its +forward course. So gentle was the fall that it was almost +imperceptible; but presently the distant earth below could be seen; and +then Chester cried: + +"Look! We are almost beyond the camp. We shall clear it when we hit +the ground." + +Hal glanced down. + +"So we shall," he agreed, and there was hope in his voice.... "Maybe I +will be able to fix the engine before we are discovered." + +Nearer and nearer to the ground glided the huge machine. They were now +well beyond the farthest outposts of the camp, and consequently had +recovered their good spirits. + +The airship came gently to earth, and the boys jumped out. As they did +so, there came the faint sound of a command and a rifle cracked. + +"We are discovered!" shouted Hal. "Quick! To the woods!" And the boys +made a dash toward a clump of trees that could be seen in the distance. + +Desperately the two lads ran toward the woods, and, as they ran, the +first single rifle shot was followed by a volley; but, thanks to the +semi-darkness, the boys gained the shelter of the woods unscathed. + +Once under the friendly shelter of the trees the boys did not diminish +their speed. Rather, if possible, they ran faster. Then, suddenly they +stopped; and the cause of their abrupt halt was this: + +A heavy crashing in front of them gave evidence of the approach of a +large body of men. For a moment the lads stood as if frozen to the spot; +then Hal cried: + +"Up in this tree, quick! It's our only chance!" + +Acting upon the instant, the two lads swung themselves into the crotch of +the great tree under which they stood; then climbed noiselessly higher up +among the branches. Just as they had succeeded in screening themselves +from possible discovery, a body of horsemen burst in among the trees. + +"Caught right in between them," whispered Hal. + +"Yes; and, if we get out of this fix alive, we are in luck," Chester +whispered back. + +The horsemen below them did not pause in their march, but continued on +through the woods. + +"Evidently a scouting party returning," whispered Hal. + +And still the long line of horsemen pressed on beneath them. + +Suddenly there came the sharp crack, crack, of many rifles; and from +beneath the two lads came the hoarse command of an officer: + +"Forward!" + +The line of horsemen quickened their pace; and then the firing ahead +broke into a loud and steady roar. + +For many minutes, it seemed to the two lads, the stream of horsemen +poured on beneath them. Then the sound of firing became less distinct, +and Hal and Chester dropped to the ground. + +"At last! At last we are safe!" cried Hal. + +"Safe?" repeated Chester. "How do you mean we are safe?" + +"Why, you chump, doesn't that fighting going on there mean +anything to you?" + +"Do you mean that you believe the troop that just passed us are French?" + +"Yes; French, Belgians, or English, I don't know which. But, anyhow, they +are friends. Hurrah!" + +"Hurrah!" repeated Chester, throwing his cap in the air with delight. + +Suddenly the beat of the feet of many horses was heard and the sound of +firing became more audible. Several riderless horses broke into the +woods, followed by the cavalry. + +"Grab one of those horses, Chester!" cried Hal, as he jumped forward and +seized the bridle of the one nearest him. Chester followed suit, and both +lads were soon in the saddle. + +At that moment a large body of horsemen broke through the woods from the +direction in which they had so recently gone, retiring slowly, turning +every now and then to fire. + +"It's a retreat!" cried Chester. "They have been driven back! Let us get +away from here or we shall be shot down!" + +But, even as they turned to flee, a mounted officer laid his hand upon +the bridle of Hal's horse. + +"Who are you?" he demanded in French. "What do you here?" + +Briefly Hal explained that they had just escaped through the German +lines, and then asked: + +"Where are we? What troops are these?" + +"This is a troop of Belgian light cavalry," came the reply, "a +reconnoitering force. We were attacked by a strong force of the enemy, +and are falling back upon our lines." + +"But where are we?" + +"About five miles from Liege." + +"Liege!" + +"Yes; where did you think you were?" + +"We had not the faintest idea, other than that we were beyond the +German lines." + +All this time the troop had been retreating slowly, firing as they went, +the boys being led along by the officer. + +"It will be necessary for me to place you under arrest," declared the +Belgian officer. "I shall turn you over to the commanding general when we +regain our lines." + +Hal and Chester were stricken almost speechless. + +"Great Scott!" Chester finally exclaimed. "After all the trouble we have +had getting out of Germany, then to be arrested at the end!" + +"I am sorry," replied the officer, "but I can do nothing else. You are +sure to be looked upon with suspicion, having been found as you were, +and, unless you can give a good account of yourselves, I fear you are in +a serious predicament." + +Fighting every inch of the way, the Belgian cavalry continued its +retreat, being hard pressed by the Germans, who were continually +reinforced. From the rear the firing became heavier, and then there was +heard the sound of a galloping body of horsemen. + +"Halt!" cried the Belgian officer in command, and the retreating horsemen +came to a stand. + +"About face!" And at the command they wheeled to meet the charge of a +force of Uhlans. + +The Germans came on bravely; but, just as they hurled themselves upon +their foe, there came from the Belgian rear a fierce hail of rifle shots. +Reinforcements had arrived. + +The Germans halted in their fierce charge, and then drew off, shooting as +they went. At the same instant a regiment of Belgian infantry rushed +forward on the run. They pursued the flying Germans for some distance, +and then turned back. + +Then the Belgians resumed their retreat to their own lines. + +Hal and Chester bore up bravely during this--their first time--under +fire. Unable to take part in the fighting themselves, being without +weapons, they watched with interest the maneuvers of the officers and the +gallantry with which the Belgian cavalry stood up against what at first +were plainly overwhelming odds. + +Once in the Belgian lines the boys breathed easier. + +"Well, here we are at last," said Hal. "I guess we will be able to +explain our presence in the woods satisfactorily." + +"I hope so," replied Chester. + +At this moment the officer who had placed them under arrest approached. + +"Come with me," he ordered. + +The boys accompanied him to the headquarters of the commanding officer, +where their position was explained to the latter. + +He listened quietly to Hal's account of their adventures since leaving +Berlin, and it was plain to both boys that as he listened he became more +and more incredulous. + +Hal finished his recital, and for some minutes the general sat silent. +Finally he said: + +"You have told me a strange story--one that I find it very hard to +believe. I must have proof. It must be substantiated. You will consider +yourselves prisoners until the matter has been investigated, unless in +the meantime there should be someone here who will vouch for your honesty +and the truth of this remarkable tale." + +"I will vouch for it, general," came a voice. + +Turning, the boys beheld in the entrance to the general's hut the smiling +face of Captain Raoul Derevaux. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +LIEGE. + + +Hal and Chester started forward. + +"Captain Derevaux!" they exclaimed simultaneously. + +The gallant captain smiled. + +"Even so," he returned. Then turning to the general: "I will vouch for +the truth of the story told by these boys, sir," he said. + +"You know them, then?" questioned the general. + +"Yes, sir." And the young captain recounted his first meeting with Hal +and Chester and their subsequent adventures. Concluding, he said: + +"And I wish to say, sir, that two braver and more resourceful lads it has +never been my fortune to encounter." + +"Very well, then," said the general. "They are free. I leave them in your +charge, captain." + +The captain and the two boys left the hut. + +"I will take you to my quarters," said the captain, leading the way. + +In the captain's hut, seated on a camp-stool, Hal demanded: + +"How did you escape? I was sure you and Lieutenant Anderson were doomed +to die. And where is the lieutenant?" + +"He has returned to England," replied the captain, answering the last +question first. "But my story can wait. Tell me about yourselves." + +Chester related their experiences after the four had been separated. + +"You are certainly a pair of wonderful youngsters," remarked the captain, +when Chester had concluded. + +"But how did you escape?" demanded Hal again. + +"Practically the same as you did," replied the captain. "Airship. +Believing that we could not possibly escape, we were left too loosely +guarded. Condemned to be shot as spies, we were placed under guard near +one of the outposts. + +"It was along in the evening that an airship descended within a few yards +of us. It had been disabled, and the aviator had alighted to make +repairs. When the aviator had thoroughly overhauled the machine, he made +his way to the quarters of the commanding general to report. + +"As I said, our hut was but a short distance away, and, believing there +could be no possibility of our escape, our guards had relaxed their +vigilance. Anderson and I stepped to the entrance and looked out. The +guards paid no attention. + +"Suddenly Anderson shouted: 'Come on!' and we went. There was no one +about the machine, and we started it quickly. But, just as the machine +was skimming over the ground, the guards noticed our absence, and, +running to the open, took a shot at us. + +"I had taken the aviator's place, having had some experience with +aeroplanes. Anderson was winged at the first shot, but was not badly +wounded. By the time the second volley was fired we were high in the air, +and the rapidity with which we traveled made accurate shooting +impossible. We reached the Belgian frontier without trouble." + +"But how does it happen you have not returned to France?" asked Chester. + +"When I arrived at Liege I communicated with my government, and was +ordered to remain here. I am attached to the Royal French Lancers, the +only body of French troops yet in Belgium. The Lancers were ordered here +immediately war was declared, to help check the advance of the invader." + +"I suppose the best thing for us to do," said Hal, "is to go on to +Brussels and try and find mother." + +"It is impossible," declared the lieutenant. "Right now you would not +be allowed to go. And, in the second place, I took the trouble to +inquire, when I first reached Liege, whether your mother was in +Brussels. Your ambassador, Mr. Brand Whitlock, informed me that she had +left the country." + +"What? Gone and left us behind?" + +"Yes; but not because she wanted to. It was either a case of leave +Brussels then, or run a chance of being held there indefinitely." + +"Then what are we going to do? There is no use going to Brussels." + +Chester clapped his hands. + +"I have it!" he exclaimed. + +Hal looked at him in surprise. + +"What?" he demanded. + +"Why, what we are going to do." + +"Well, what is it?" + +"Fight!" + +"Fight? What do you mean?" + +"Join the army!" + +Captain Derevaux leaped to his feet. + +"I will not hear of it!" he exclaimed. + +But the idea caught Hal's fancy. + +"Good boy, Chester!" he exclaimed. "That's just what we will do!" + +"It is impossible," exclaimed the young captain. "In the first place, it +would not be possible, at your age, to enlist. But I will tell you what I +will do for you." + +"What is it?" asked the two lads eagerly. + +"In times such as these," explained the captain, "young fellows like you +may be useful in many ways without running the risk of going into +battle--scouting expeditions and the like. I will speak to the general +about you and see what I can do. Understand, I wouldn't do this did I not +know that if I didn't you would get mixed up in trouble in some other +way, and in a way that would be much more dangerous." + +"We are willing to take our chances," replied Hal. + +"Of course we are," agreed Chester. + +"Oh, I know that," replied the captain, "and what I am proposing is not +without danger. But what I have in mind calls for quick wits rather than +for strong arms, although I know you have both. I will go now and speak +to the general." + +"All right," replied Hal. "In the meantime, Chester and I will go out and +look around the town." + +Everywhere, as the boys strolled about the streets, preparations to +withstand a siege were being made; but everything was being done quietly +and without confusion. The great steel forts, some of them practically +isolated, were subjects of great interest to the lads. + +"I'll bet the Germans have a hard time capturing this place," remarked +Hal, as they examined one of the forts. + +"Yes," agreed Chester, "as the battle of the _Monitor_ and the +_Merrimac_, in Hampton Roads, in our own civil war was the first battle +between iron ships, so will an attack on these forts be the first in +which such impregnable defenses will be tried out. I was reading about +them long before war was declared." + +"And I believe the Germans are making a sad mistake when they say the +Belgians can't fight," said Hal. + +"You bet they are. They will fight till the last. Do they look like +people who would give up without a struggle? Look at the way those +fellows who captured us turned to face the Uhlans, knowing that, unless +reinforced, they were bound to be slaughtered." + +"Right. Which reminds me we were in a ticklish position ourselves for a +few minutes." + +"You bet we were." + +As the boys continued their walk, almost on every hand they were mistaken +for English, and time after time they were accosted with the question: + +"When are the English coming?" + +Suddenly the lads were attracted by the sounds of great confusion down a +side street. + +"Let's see what is going on," cried Hal, and, quickening their pace, they +were soon in the midst of an excited crowd. + +In the center of the mob a lone man struggled desperately to shake off +the many hands that grasped him. + +"Hang him!" came a voice from the crowd. + +Other voices took up the cry immediately. + +"Hang him! Hang him!" + +Hal turned to a man in the crowd. + +"What's the matter?" he asked. + +"Matter? Why, the man was caught spying near one of the forts." + +"How do you know he was spying?" + +"He is a German. Why else should he be prowling around, if not to spy?" +And their informant rushed into the thick of the crowd, gesticulating +violently, and adding his voice to the din. + +"Great Scott! We can't stand for this!" exclaimed Chester. "Come on!" + +Together the two lads rushed into the thick of the mob. Elbowing and +pushing men to right and left they made their way through the mass +of humanity. + +The cause of all the confusion had now freed himself from the clutches of +the angry mob, and was laying about him furiously with his cane. He +cleared a space before him. But those in front were pushed forward by the +men in the rear of the crowd, and once more surged to the attack, just as +Hal and Chester, with a final effort, burst through. + +The lads took their places, one on each side of the fighting German, and +Chester raised a hand to check the mob. + +"Get back!" he shouted. "Shame upon you to attack a single man like this. +Is this Belgian bravery?" + +For a moment the crowd hung back, then rushed forward again, and the +three were soon fighting desperately against fearful odds. + +But the boys this time had tackled a task that was beyond them. They +struck out rapidly, as did the man to whose aid they had rushed, but the +sheer weight of numbers finally told. + +Chester, Hal and the stranger all went down at last, and were in imminent +danger of being beaten into insensibility. + +But at that moment the sound of a bugle rang out, and the crowd scattered +in all directions. A troop of cavalry was hurrying to the scene. + +Hal, Chester and the stranger picked themselves up and brushed the dirt +from their clothes. A cavalry officer dismounted and came up to them. + +"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. + +Chester explained. + +The officer turned to the German. + +"Come with me," he ordered. + +The German obeyed and the troop continued on their journey. + +Hal and Chester returned to the captain's quarters. The captain was +already there. + +"Did you see the general?" asked Hal. + +"Yes." + +"What did he say?" + +"It's all fixed, boys," replied the captain, smiling at their eagerness. + +"You mean that the general has consented to the plan?" asked Hal. + +"Yes." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Chester. + +"Hurrah!" cried Hal. + +"Yes," continued the captain, "you are ordered to hold yourselves subject +to the command of your superior officer," and he concluded smilingly, +"which is me." + +"And we couldn't have a better!" exclaimed both lads in a single voice. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +CHESTER SAVES THE DAY. + + +The day was at its noon! + +From the first break of dawn the battle had raged; now, at mid-day, it +was at its height. Hour after hour the fighting had continued under a +shadowless sky, blue as steel, hard as a sheet of brass. The Germans had +attacked the Belgians and French with the first streak of light. + +Circling, sweeping, silently, swiftly, a marvelous whirlwind of force, +the Germans had rushed on. Swift, as though wind-driven, they moved. An +instant, and the Allies broke into violent movement. Half-clothed +sleepers poured out. Perfect discipline did the rest. + +With marvelous and matchless swiftness and precision they got under arms. +There were but fifteen hundred or so in all--six squadrons of French +Lancers, the only French troops yet to reach Belgian soil, and a small +body of infantry, without artillery. + +Yet, rapid as the action of the Allies was, it was not as rapid as the +downward sweep of the German horde that rushed to meet them. + +There was a crash, as if rock were hurled upon rock, as the Lancers, the +flower of the French cavalry, scarce seated in the saddle, rushed forward +to save the pickets, to encounter the first blind ford of the attack and +to give the Belgian infantry, farther in, time to prepare for defense. + +The hoofs of rearing chargers struck each other's breasts, and these bit +and tore at each other's throats and manes, while their riders reeled +down dead. The outer wings of the Germans were spared the shock, and +swept on to meet the bayonets of the infantry. + +The cavalry was enveloped in the overwhelming numbers of the center. It +was a frightful tangling of men and brutes. + +The Lancers could not charge; they were hemmed in, packed between bodies +of horsemen that pressed them together as between iron plates; now and +then they cut their way through clear enough to reach their comrades, but +as often as they did so, so often the overwhelming numbers of the Germans +surged in on them afresh like a flood, and closed upon them, and drove +them back. + +It was bitter, stifling, cruel work; with their mouths choked with dust, +with their throats caked with thirst, with their eyes blind with smoke; +while the steel was thrust through nerve and sinew, or the shot plowed +through bone and flesh. + +The answering fire of the infantry kept the Germans farther at bay, and +mowed them down faster--but in the Lancers' quarter of the field--parted +from the rest of their comrades, as they had been by the rush of that +broken charge with which they had sought to save the town and arrest the +foe--the worst pressure of the attack was felt, and the fiercest of the +slaughter fell. + +The general in command of the cavalry had been shot dead as they had +first swept out to encounter the advance of the German horsemen; one by +one the officers had been cut down, singled out by the keen eyes of their +enemy, and throwing themselves into the deadliest of the carnage with +impetuous self-devotion characteristic of their service. + +At the last there remained but a bare handful of the brilliant squadrons +of 600 men that had galloped down in the gray of dawn to meet the +whirlwind of German fury. At their head was Captain Derevaux, and beside +him rode Hal. + +It was not the gallant captain's fault that Hal was thus in the thick of +the battle. This had been an accident, and had come about in this manner: + +Late the night before Hal and Chester had been called to the quarters of +the commanding general and dispatched on separate missions. Their ways +led past the outposts--even beyond the farthest--where the six squadrons +of French Lancers and a small body of infantry had been thrown out, under +orders, to make a reconnaissance in force in the morning. Advancing +beyond this line, Hal had turned east and Chester west. + +His mission accomplished, Hal had just reached the Allies' line upon his +return, when the Germans bore down on them. Hal saw that his one chance +for safety lay in throwing in his fortunes with the troops. + +Accordingly he turned his horse, just as the Lancers swept past on their +first charge, and reined in beside Captain Derevaux. The latter had +recognized the danger and realized that the boy's keen wit had detected +his one hope of life. He had greeted him with a smile; nor had he blamed +him for his choice. + +And so Hal had swept forward in the charge. Seizing a sword from a +falling trooper, Hal, riding at the captain's side, was soon in the thick +of the terrible carnage, and, in spite of the terrible fighting, had +escaped injury. + +Two horses had been killed under Captain Derevaux. Twice he had thrown +himself across fresh, unwounded chargers, whose riders had fallen in the +fray, and at whose bridles he caught as he shook himself free of the dead +animal's stirrups. His head was uncovered; his uniform, hurriedly thrown +on, had been torn aside, and his chest was bare; he was drenched with +blood, not his own, that had rained on him as he fought, and his face and +hands were black with smoke and with powder. + +Hal could not see a yard in front of him; he could not tell how the day +went anywhere save in that corner where the Lancers were hemmed in. As +fast as they beat the enemy back, and forced themselves to some clearer +space, the Germans closed in afresh. + +No orders reached the little troop, and Hal could not tell whether the +Belgian battalions were holding their own or had been cut utterly to +pieces under the immense numerical superiority of their foes. + +Glancing about the field, Captain Derevaux could see that every officer +of the Lancers save himself was down, and that, unless he took the vacant +place and rallied them, the few troopers still left would scatter. + +With Hal at his side, he spurred the horse he had just mounted against +the dense crowd opposing him--against the hard black wall of dust and +smoke and steel and savage faces, which were all that either could +see. He thrust his horse against the mob, while he waved his sword +above his head: + +"_En avant_!" he shouted. + +His voice reached the troopers, clear and ringing in its appeal. Hal, +turning in his saddle at this moment, caught from the hands of a reeling +trooper the Eagle of France, and as he raised it aloft, the light, +flashing upon the golden wings, brought an answering shout from those +that remained of the troop. + +"_En avant_!" came the rallying cry. + +The young French captain glanced back on this little troop, guarding +his head the while from the blows that were rained on him, and his +voice rang out: + +"Charge!" + +Like arrows launched from a hundred bows they charged, Hal and the young +captain still slightly in advance, Hal striking aside the steel aimed at +him, as they pushed on, and with the other hand holding high the Eagle +of France. + +The effort was superb. + +Dense bodies of Germans parted them in the front from the part of the +field where the infantry still was engaged, harassed them in the rear +with flying shots and forced down on them on either side, like the +closing jaws of a trap. + +Their fierce charge was, for a moment, irresistible; it bore headlong all +before it. For a moment the Germans gave way, shaken and confused. For a +moment they recoiled under the shock of that desperate charge. + +As Captain Derevaux spurred his horse against the enemy, twenty blades +glittered against him. The first would have pierced his chest had not Hal +struck up the blade with a quick move. + +To pause was impossible. Though the French horses were forced through a +bristling forest of steel, the charge availed little. + +Hal waved the Eagle aloft, as the captain looked around at the few who +were left and shouted: + +"You are the sons of the Old Guard! Die like them!" + +"Surrender!" came a cry from in front. + +Hal looked back once more on the fragment of the troop, and raised the +flag higher aloft, as he muttered to himself: + +"This will be the end. I wish I could have seen Chester once more; good +old Chester!" + +Hot and blinded, with an open gash in his shoulder where a sword had +struck a moment before, but with his eyes flashing and a smile on his +lips, the young captain cried his reply to the command to surrender: + +"Have we fought so poorly that you think we shall give up now?" + +Then, with upraised swords, the troop awaited the onward rush of +the Germans; and, as they waited the young captain found time to +murmur to Hal: + +"I am sorry to see you here now, but you are a fighter after my +own heart." + +Hal was unable to speak. He put out his hand and the young Frenchman +grasped it warmly. + +"I guess it is good-by," he said quietly. + +Then came the shock. With a yell the Germans threw themselves +forward. A moment more and the onrushing horde would have massacred +them like cattle. But, even at the moment of impact a voice rang out +over the field: + +"Forward! Charge!" + +Above the din of shouting and rifle shots it came; and from behind came +a full troop of Belgian light cavalry; and in front, with drawn sword, +rode Chester. + +The troop came on at a whirlwind rush; and, even as they did so, Captain +Derevaux urged his men into another charge, and pressed forward into the +thickest of the conflict. And Hal rode by his side. + +Blow after blow was aimed at them, but none found its mark. Parrying and +striking, they pushed on; and then a German bugle sounded a recall, and +the enemy drew off. + +Panting, Chester rode to Hal's side. + +"I was afraid we would be too late!" he exclaimed. + +"I am not even scratched," returned Hal, grasping his friend's hand. + +A Belgian officer hurried up to Captain Derevaux. + +"You have this lad to thank for our opportune arrival," he declared, +indicating Chester. "He told us of your plight, or we would not have +arrived in time." + +The captain grasped Chester's hand. + +"You saved the day!" he said simply. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +A DANGEROUS MISSION. + + +Chester was embarrassed. + +"I did nothing," he said. "I only rode fast." + +The hurrahs of the men who heard him drowned his words. + +"The general will think differently," returned the captain. + +"How does it happen you arrived so opportunely, Chester?" asked Hal. + +"It's very simple. I was returning from my mission, and was riding +between you and the outposts. I heard firing and rode forward to see what +was going on. I saw how things were with you. Even from where I was I +thought I could recognize you in the front rank. + +"At first I thought I would ride directly toward you, but then I knew +that I could be of greater service by hurrying back and summoning aid. +When I told the general of your perilous position, he acted at once, and +I came with the reinforcements. That's all there is to it. You, Hal, are +the one deserving of praise." + +"And I shall see that he is rewarded for it!" exclaimed the captain. "But +your gallant conduct also shall be made known. Certainly I made two good +friends when I met you two boys. At some time I hope to be able to repay +you in some slight measure, although I know I can never entirely cancel +my indebtedness to you both." + +In the hut of the officer commanding the division Captain Derevaux went +into detail concerning the gallant actions of our two boys. + +The general congratulated them. + +"I shall see that your conduct is brought to the personal attention of +the King," he declared. "You shall both be rewarded if I live long enough +to write out my report." + +"Thank you, general," both lads replied, and then accompanied Captain +Derevaux to his quarters, where his wound, which was found to be slight, +was attended to. + +It was the next afternoon that the general again summoned the lads +to his hut. + +"I have a mission of importance," he said, "and I am seeking +volunteers. It is somewhat dangerous, and I am loath to order anyone to +go. But in view of your gallant conduct, I thought I would give you the +first chance." + +"We shall gladly undertake it, general, no matter what it is," +replied Hal. + +"Yes, sir," agreed Chester, "we shall always be glad to aid the cause of +the Allies, no matter what the dangers." + +"Well, then," replied the general, taking a paper from his desk. "I want +this paper put into the hands of General Givet, at Louvain. If there is +any danger of your being captured, destroy it. It contains information +that would be invaluable to the enemy. + +"In view of your past resourcefulness, I am putting great confidence in +your ability to get through. The country between here and Louvain, +while not precisely in the hands of the Germans, is being constantly +overrun with parties of raiders. You will bring General Givet's reply +to me here." + +The lads saluted and departed. + +"You certainly have made a great impression upon the general," said +Captain Derevaux, when the boys informed him of their mission. "Just keep +as cool as you have been in the past, and I am sure you will get through +without trouble." + +It was late that night when the lads made their way from the young +captain's quarters, passed beyond the outposts, and made their way into +the forest beyond, following the road, but keeping well within the shadow +of the trees. + +"This is the best summer vacation we have ever had," declared Hal, as +they went slowly along. + +"You are right, there," replied Chester. "Of course, war is a terrible +thing, but as long as there is a war I would rather be over here where I +can see what is going on than to be sitting home reading about it in the +newspapers." + +"Yes; and then you couldn't be exactly sure you were getting the facts." + +Shortly after sunrise the boys came upon a large farmhouse. + +"It's pretty early," remarked Hal, "but perhaps we can find some one and +get a bite to eat." + +They approached and found the household already astir. As they +ascended the steps, a young girl, probably sixteen years of age, came +out on the porch. + +"Can you provide us with a little something to eat?" asked Hal politely +in French, doffing his cap. + +The girl glanced at him, a puzzled expression coming over her face. + +"I don't understand French very well," she said, in English. + +"By George!" exclaimed Hal. "I thought so. That is," he apologized for +his exclamation, "I was sure you were not French." + +This time Hal had spoken in English, and a look of surprise had come over +her face, followed by an expression of delight. + +"I was sure you were Americans!" she exclaimed, and then added +hesitatingly, "or are you--can it be you are English?" + +"No; we are Americans, all right," Chester broke in; "but we certainly +didn't expect to run into an American girl in this corner of the world." + +"No; particularly at a time like this," agreed Hal. + +"Oh, I am perfectly safe here," replied the girl "Uncle, who is a Belgian +officer, has joined his regiment, and I am here with only two servants. +He wanted me to go to Liege with him, but I preferred to remain here. No +one will harm me." + +"But the Germans may come through here at any time, and then you would be +in danger." + +"Oh, no. Several German regiments already have passed by, and some of the +officers were here. They assured me I would not be molested." + +"Nevertheless, you are likely to be. You can't tell what may happen." + +"I am not afraid," replied the girl. "The Germans won't bother an +American." + +Remembering their own experiences, Hal and Chester looked at each other +and smiled. + +"I am not so sure," replied Hal; "but if you have decided to stay, +I suppose you will. You see," smiling, "I know something of +American girls." + +The girl also smiled. + +"I suppose you wonder who I am," she said. "I am Edna Johnson, and I live +in Chicago. Mother was here with me, but she went home just before war +was declared. I suppose she is worried to death about me, but I believe +it is safer here than elsewhere, and I have heard Americans are having +great difficulties getting home." + +Hal and Chester introduced themselves. + +After a few minutes Edna suddenly exclaimed: + +"Here I am, keeping you chatting, when I know you must be awfully hungry. +Come with me and we shall have some breakfast." + +The boys followed her into the house, where a hearty meal was soon set in +the dining-room, and the three fell to with a will. + +Hardly had they satisfied their appetites when there was the sound of +many feet upon the porch. Miss Johnson glanced through the door. + +"Germans," she said, with a smile; "but they won't bother us." + +Hal and Chester jumped to their feet. + +"We must hide, Miss Johnson," exclaimed Hal. "If we fall into the hands +of the Germans it may mean death to us." + +"What!" exclaimed the girl. + +"Exactly. I neglected to tell you that we are attached to the Belgian +forces and our capture would not only mean trouble for us, but would be a +blow to the cause of the Allies." + +The girl looked at the lads in amazement, but there was no time for +words. There was a loud knock at the door, followed almost immediately by +the tramp of feet within the house. + +Edna acted promptly. Rushing to the side of the room, she pulled open a +door to what appeared to be a closet and motioned to the boys. + +"In here, quick!" she cried, and closed the door tightly. + +As they passed through the door the boys saw a flight of steps leading +apparently to the cellar. Hardly had the door closed behind them ere the +steps of the Germans were heard in the room they had just left. + +They also heard the girl greet them pleasantly, and the gruff demand for +breakfast. Edna called one of her servants, and gave an order that +breakfast for the Germans be prepared immediately. + +"It is too cramped here," whispered Chester. "Let's go down these stairs. +If we were to make a move here, they would surely hear us." + +The boys descended the steps. At the bottom they emerged into what, upon +inspection, proved to be a wine cellar. At the far side they saw another +passageway and moved toward it. + +As they did so, they heard the door to the closet through which they had +recently passed open again, and a voice exclaim: + +"I know these high and mighty Belgian gentlemen too well. There is always +wine in the cellar. Come, Franz, we shall explore." + +Heavy footsteps descended the stairs, and two German officers hove in +sight. The boys, in the dimness of the cellar, were not seen. + +"Quick!" whispered Chester, "into the passageway." + +As Hal followed Chester into the darkness of the passageway, he tripped +over some obstacle in the dark, which gave forth the sound of tinkling +glass. The boys stopped stock still. + +"What was that?" demanded one of the officers. + +"I didn't hear anything," was the reply. + +"I thought I heard something moving in the cellar." + +"Probably a rat. Here is what we came after. Let's go back upstairs." + +The boys heard the sound of retreating footsteps, and presently the door +above slammed once more. + +Hal and Chester breathed easier. + +"Pretty close," remarked Chester, in a low tone. + +"You bet it was close," was the reply. "For a minute I thought it +was all off." + +"Well, I guess we are safe enough now." + +"Yes, I guess so. But we must wait here until the Germans have left +the house." + +"I suppose they will go as soon as they have finished their breakfast." + +"I hope so; we haven't any time to waste." + +The boys sat down and waited. + +What seemed like hours later, the door to the closet above again opened, +and the voice of the girl floated down the stairway. + +"It's all right, now," she exclaimed. "They have gone. You can come up." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE FIGHT IN THE FARMHOUSE. + + +The boys ascended the stairs and followed the girl back into the +dining-room. + +"Well," said Chester, after the three had talked for some minutes. "I +guess we had better be moving. We have wasted too much time already." + +They turned toward the door, and, as they did so, Hal uttered a low +exclamation. + +"Look!" he whispered. + +Turning to where Hal pointed, Chester and Edna beheld a face pressed +against the window pane. + +"It is one of the German officers!" cried the girl. "He has returned for +something." + +It was apparent that the officer had seen the two boys. He turned from +the window, and the lads saw him making violent gestures to someone in +the distance. A moment later two soldiers joined him, and the trio turned +toward the door. + +There came a loud knock, followed by the sound of footsteps in the hall, +as one of the servants went to open the door. + +"Do not open the door, Bento!" called the girl. + +The footsteps halted. + +"Open that door at once!" came a voice of command from outside. + +Again came the sound of footsteps, as the servant, evidently frightened, +moved toward the door. + +"Bento! Do as I command you! Do not open the door!" cried the girl again, +and the servant stopped. + +"Break down the door!" came the command from outside. + +"What shall we do?" cried the girl, clasping her hands nervously. + +"Fight!" was Hal's brief reply. + +His eyes roved about the room. His gaze fell upon a pair of old dueling +swords hung upon the wall. Stepping on a chair, he took them down, and +passed one to Chester. + +At that instant there came the sound of a crash, as the door gave way, +followed by a command from the officer: + +"Follow me!" + +Edna and the two boys retreated to the far end of the room, as the three +Germans rushed through the door. + +"Surrender!" cried the officer. + +"Come and take us!" replied Hal, his lips set grimly. + +The officer covered the lads with his two pistols. + +"Stun them with your rifle butts, my lads!" he cried to his soldiers. +"Take the spies alive!" + +Reversing their weapons, the two soldiers strode forward. As one raised +his rifle preparatory to bringing it down upon his head, Chester leaped +forward between them, thinking to take the officer, who stood behind +them, unprepared, and cut him down. + +But, even as he stepped forward, the officer's revolver spoke, and +Chester fell to the floor with a groan, a bullet in his chest. But, at +that instant, and before the officer could fire again, Hal, who also had +avoided the attack of the two soldiers, sprang forward and aimed a +slashing blow at the officer. + +The latter warded off the blow with his arm, but one of his pistols was +sent flying from his grasp. As he raised his other revolver, his arm +was suddenly seized from behind, and Edna attempted to wrench the +revolver from him. He turned on her, and as he did so the revolver came +away in her hand. + +Pointing the weapon straight at the officer, the girl pulled the trigger; +but the revolver missed fire. Stepping back, as the officer advanced, the +girl grasped the pistol by the muzzle and hurled it squarely in his face. +With blood gushing from his mouth and nose, the man fell to the floor. + +In the meantime Hal had turned swiftly once more to face the second +attack of the two soldiers. As they again raised their rifles to strike +him down, he leaped between them, thrusting with his sword. + +Pierced through the shoulder, one of the soldiers threw up his arm and +staggered back. In doing so he struck the arm of his companion, and the +latter's blow was deflected; and Hal was unharmed. + +Turning, Hal dashed into the next room--the parlor--closely followed by +the two soldiers, the wounded man not being seriously hurt. At the same +time the German officer sat up on the floor, looked around dazedly, then +picked up one of his revolvers, drew his sword, and followed his men. + +"Shoot the dog in the legs!" he commanded, and the soldiers brought their +rifles to their shoulders. + +An instant before they fired Hal sprang upon the piano stool, which was +just behind him, and the bullets went low. Hal jumped to the top of the +piano, and then dropped behind it. As the soldiers again prepared to +fire, Hal put his shoulder to the piano, and sent it tumbling over, and +the bullets were imbedded in the soft wood. + +Hal ducked as the officer raised his revolver and fired at him, and then, +stepping around the piano, made a sweeping slash at the officer. The +sword struck the latter on his pistol hand, and, with a groan, the +officer dropped his revolver. + +Hal turned to the two soldiers, who had leaped on the overturned piano to +get at him before he stepped from behind it, and again his sword darted +out. The thrust went true, and one soldier fell to the floor, blood +streaming from a deep wound in his chest. + +Before the second soldier could bring his rifle to bear, Hal ran from the +room into the hall. The soldier followed. In the hall, dimly lighted by a +single chandelier over the stairway, Hal sprang up the steps. + +At the bottom of the steps the soldier stopped and took aim at the lad. +With a backward sweep of his sword, Hal knocked the chandelier crashing +to the floor, throwing the hall into inky darkness, and with a quick leap +was several steps higher up. + +There came the sharp crack of a rifle, and the hall was lighted for a +second by a flash, as a bullet sped past Hal. With a light leap the lad +dropped over the railing into the hall, and, taking a step forward, +lunged swiftly in the darkness from where came the sound of a muttered +imprecation. There was a stifled groan, and the second soldier dropped to +the floor. + +Hal made his way back to the parlor, where the German officer still +stood, trying to bind up his injured hand with a handkerchief. He saw Hal +approach, and raised his sword, taking a step forward. At the same +moment, Edna, who had in the meantime dragged Chester's inert body out of +harm's way, stepped into the room. + +His face red with fury, the German officer took another stride forward, +and thrust. The blade passed through Hal's guard and through the side of +his open coat, grazing his body. + +As the sword went through the boy's coat, it looked to Edna as though the +lad must have met his death; and she screamed. The German officer laughed +gleefully, but, even as he did so, Hal, smiling, took a step forward. + +With a quick stroke, he sent the German's sword flying from his grasp, +and the officer was at his mercy. + +The German's rage burst like a bubble. + +"Kill me!" he said quietly to Hal. + +"No," replied the lad; "I cannot kill a man in cold blood. Pick up +your sword." + +The officer obeyed, and Hal placed himself on guard. But, taking the +weapon by the blade, the German extended the hilt to Hal. + +"I surrender," he said. + +The lad took the extended sword, and then passed it back to the officer. + +"Keep your sword, sir," he said. + +The German glanced at him a moment in silence; then took the sword. + +"You are a generous enemy, sir," he said. "You will have no occasion to +regret your confidence in me." + +"I am sure of it, sir," was the lad's answer. "You are at liberty to +leave at any time you choose." + +The officer scrutinized Hal closely. + +"You are a gallant lad," he said finally. "There are few men who could +have done what you have. I hope that we may meet again." + +Turning, with a polite bow, first to Edna and then to Hal, he made his +way from the house and was gone. + +"How is Chester?" was Hal's first question, after the German had +departed. + +"He has recovered consciousness," replied the girl. "He is badly wounded, +but I believe he will be all right in a few days. Bento, who has some +knowledge of medicine, is attending him." + +Hal hurried to the room upstairs where Chester had been carried. Chester, +lying in bed, greeted him with a smile. + +"You certainly have all the luck!" he exclaimed. "Here I was unable to +walk while you were doing all the fighting." + +"Never mind that," replied Hal. "How do you feel? Are you in pain?" + +"Not much, now," was the reply. "Bento is quite a surgeon. He has +fixed me up to the queen's taste. It appears the ball glanced off my +third rib." + +"But you won't be able to travel!" + +"I am afraid not. I am so weak I cannot stand. But you must go on just +the same." + +"What! And leave you here?" + +"Of course. I shall be perfectly safe here, more so than you will be on +the road. I wish I could go with you, but I am afraid it will be a day or +two before I can walk." + +"Then I shall wait for you." + +"What! Then how about the letter to General Givet, at Louvain?" + +"It will have to wait." + +Chester raised himself feebly on one elbow and looked at Hal in surprise. + +"A fellow like you to say a thing like that?" he exclaimed. "That letter +must be delivered at once. You and I are of secondary importance. If you +had been wounded instead of me I should have gone on without you, much as +I should have hated to do so. The letter must be delivered immediately." + +"You are right, as usual," replied Hal, after a pause. "The letter must +come first. But I hate to leave you here alone." + +"Alone?" exclaimed Edna, who up to this time had remained silent. "Do not +I count for something?" + +"I beg your pardon," said Hal. "I spoke thoughtlessly. I am sure he will +receive the best of attention at your hands." + +"There is no question about that," replied Chester. + +"Well, I must be going, then," said Hal. "I have delayed too long +already." + +"You will stop by on your return, will you not?" asked the girl. + +"Yes, if I come this way; and I see no reason why I should not." + +"I shall be ready to travel when you return," said Chester. + +"All right," replied Hal. "But, if I have not returned in three days, you +will know something has happened to me, and you will make your way back +to Liege alone." + +Chester agreed to this, the two lads shook hands, and Hal left the house +and set out upon his journey to Louvain. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. + + +Although it had been a trying morning for Hal, and he was very tired, the +lad continued on his way as swiftly as possible. From time to time, as he +hastened along, he heard the sound of distant firing, and he proceeded +with the greatest caution; but he encountered no more of the enemy. + +It was late afternoon when he made out in the distance the town of +Louvain. He quickened his pace, and soon came upon the outposts. + +"I have a communication for General Givet," he told the soldier who +stopped him. + +The soldier lowered the weapon, with which he had barred the lad's +progress, and called a nearby officer. The latter led Hal to the +general's quarters. + +Hal gave General Givet the letter, and stood at attention. The general +read in silence. Then he turned to Hal. + +"All right," he said briefly, signifying that Hal might go. + +"But, general," said the lad, "I was ordered to bring back your answer." + +The general looked at him in surprise. + +"Do you mean you intend to go back to-night?" he demanded. + +"I thought I would start along about midnight," replied Hal. "I would +sleep until that time." + +The general was silent for some moments, musing. + +"You are a brave lad," he said, at last. "I had figured on sending my +answer by another courier; but perhaps your plan is better. You may +report to me at midnight, and I shall have the answer ready." + +Hal saluted and turned to leave the hut. + +"Wait a minute," commanded the general. "Tell me something of yourself. +How comes it that you, an American, I take it, have been selected for +such perilous work? Why, you cannot be more than eighteen years old." + +"Seventeen, general," replied Hal, with a smile; and then he told the +Belgian officer of his experiences since leaving Berlin. + +The old general was amazed. + +"Remarkable! remarkable!" he repeated, time after time. + +Finally he called an officer, and commanded that the latter find Hal a +place to sleep. + +"Remember, midnight," called the general, as Hal was leaving the hut. + +Hal saluted again. + +"Yes, general," he replied, and followed the young officer. + +Promptly at midnight Hal, greatly refreshed by a sound sleep and hearty +meal, once more entered the general's quarters and came to attention. + +"The answer you are to carry back is simply: 'I shall act upon your +plan,'" said General Givet. "Good luck to you on your journey, and I have +only one command: Make all possible haste." + +Hal saluted and set out on his return, journey to Liege. + +It was early morning when he came once more to the farmhouse where he had +fought so nobly the day before. His fear for Chester's safety increased +as he approached, and it was not without some misgiving that he ascended +the porch steps and knocked softly at the door. + +He heard a light footstep within, the door swung open, and Edna peered +forth at him. + +"What! Back so soon?" she exclaimed gladly. + +"Yes, I made pretty good time. How is Chester?" + +Hal's doubts were soon set at rest. + +"He is much better this morning than could have been expected," replied +the girl. "He ate a hearty breakfast, and says he is feeling fine." + +Hal followed her up the steps to where Chester lay, impatiently +awaiting his coming. Edna went downstairs to see about getting him +something to eat. + +"Will you be able to leave to-day?" asked Hal, of Chester. + +"I am ready to go right now. I am still weak, but I am sure I can make it +all right. I'm bandaged up fine." + +"You are sure you are feeling fit?" + +"Certainly. Besides, I don't want to be left behind again. You are having +all the fun. I want to get in on a little of it myself." + +And so it was arranged that the boys should leave immediately after +luncheon. They sought long and earnestly during the morning to prevail +upon Edna to accompany them, or to make her way to Louvain; but she +declared her intention of remaining where she was. + +"I am much safer here than I should be on the road," she said. "No one +will harm me. Besides, I must take care of the house." + +Unable to shake her determination, the boys gave up the attempt, and for +the rest of the morning the three chatted pleasantly. + +Luncheon over, the boys immediately prepared to fare forth again. Edna +accompanied them to the bottom of the steps, where they said good-by. + +"Come and see me again," she urged, as they shook hands with her. "You +are always welcome here." + +"We certainly shall," cried both lads together, as they started upon +their way. + +Chester was still weak, but he walked along wonderfully well, considering +the nature of his wound. Still, it was plain to Hal that every step cost +him an effort, and their progress was necessarily slow. + +All afternoon they plodded onward without encountering the enemy, and +soon after nightfall came upon the place where the Belgian outposts +had been stationed the night before. The signs of a struggle were +plainly evident. + +"There has been a battle here," remarked Hal, after inspecting the +ground. + +"There is no doubt about that," returned Chester, "and the Belgians have +been driven back. We shall have to be careful." + +They were proceeding on their way more cautiously than before, when from +ahead there suddenly came the sound of trampling hoofs. + +"A Belgian reconnoitering party, I guess," said Hal. "We are safe +enough now." + +Presently a body of horsemen came into view. The lads continued +toward them, and the horsemen were but a few yards away, when Chester +cried suddenly: + +"They're Germans!" + +It was true. It was a squadron of Uhlans, returning from a reconnaissance +of the Belgian position. + +It was too late for the boys to run. The cavalry was upon them. The lads +stepped to the side of the road, and continued on their way apparently +unconcerned. A German officer stopped them. + +"Who are you?" he demanded. "What are you doing here?" + +"We are American boys," replied Hal, "and are making our way to Liege." + +"Well, you won't get to Liege to-night. Turn about and march the +other way." + +There was nothing to do but obey. With a sinking sensation in their +hearts the lads about-faced and headed toward the great German camp. For +a long time, it seemed to them, they were marched along slowly, and +finally the first huts of the German army came into view. + +"I am afraid our mission is a failure," whispered Hal, as the two lads +were led to a hut and placed under heavy guard. + +"It looks that way," Chester agreed; "but we must hope for the best. It +may be lucky for us that we have no papers on us." + +"What are they going to do with us?" Hal asked one of their guards. + +"Shoot you in the morning, I suppose," was the answer. "Persons found +between the two armies in civilian clothes cannot hope for mercy." + +"But we are not spies!" cried Chester. + +"Perhaps not; but I don't believe that will make any difference." + +The guard would talk no more. + +"Our only chance is that they believe we were trying to get to Liege +simply to get out of the country," whispered Chester. "If they knew we +were just returning from a mission, we would be bound to die." + +"Looks to me as though we were bound to die, no matter what they know," +was the reply. + +The boys got little sleep that night. They realized just how near they +were to death, and, while their courage never faltered, they nevertheless +had practically given up all hope. + +At the first streak of dawn they were led to the quarters of the +division commander, and their case was disposed of with remarkable +rapidity. Their protests availed nothing, and they were sentenced to be +taken out and shot. + +With a firm step the two lads walked to the place of execution, +surrounded by their guards. But the hearts of both were heavy. + +"I wish I could have seen mother once more," said Hal softly. + +Chester gave his chum's hand a slight squeeze. + +"Well, it can't be helped now," he replied, with an attempt to appear +cheerful. "But come, brace up; if we must die, we will die bravely." + +"You are right," said Hal, brushing the tears from his eyes with a +rapid movement. + +With heads erect, the two lads marched on. + +At that moment a group of German officers approached on horseback. They +eyed the two captives, and suddenly one left his companions and rode over +to the firing squad. The officer in command of the squad halted his men +and saluted. + +"What have we here?" demanded the newcomer. + +"Two spies, sir," was the reply. "They were taken between the lines, and +have been ordered shot." + +"These two boys are my business," declared the mounted officer, a note of +authority in his voice. "Their execution is stayed. Take them to my +headquarters." + +"But, general--" began the officer in charge of the squad. + +The general raised a hand imperiously. + +"There are no 'buts,'" he said. "You have heard my command. Obey it." + +Hal and Chester were dumfounded. As their guards turned and marched them +in the direction of the general's quarters, Hal asked of Chester: + +"Do you remember him?" + +Chester nodded in the affirmative. + +For the German officer who had thus saved them from death before a firing +squad was none other than the officer whom they had encountered in the +station at Berlin, the man who had threatened to have Hal whipped for +accidentally bumping into him, and had pushed him from the train. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +A FRIEND IN NEED. + + +"What do you suppose is going to happen now?" asked Chester breathlessly. + +"It's too deep for me," replied Hal. "I can't imagine what he +wants with us." + +"But who is he? That's what I would like to know," demanded Chester. + +"I haven't the faintest idea, but he must be someone of importance." + +"Oh, he's important enough, all right. You noticed his command was +obeyed." + +"Well, I guess we shall find out in good time who he is," returned Hal. + +The lads were taken to a large hut in the center of a great camp. The hut +was luxuriously appointed, and it was plainly evident that the man who +had saved them was one of the foremost of the huge German host. + +The general himself had not arrived yet. But, after a long wait, he came +in, alone. He motioned their guards away, and then turned on the boys +with a scowl. + +"Do you remember me?" he demanded. + +The two lads nodded affirmatively. They were, for the moment, +beyond speech. + +"And I remember you," went on the general. "You," he continued, pointing +to Hal, "are the American upstart who almost knocked me over in the +station at Berlin. I said I would have you whipped. Well, my time has +come. Now, you just sit quiet," he said loudly, as Hal and Chester took a +step forward. "I will write out your sentence right now," and he turned +toward a table. + +"I won't be whipped!" cried Hal to Chester. "They will have to kill +me first!" + +The general paid no attention to this remark, but continued to write in +silence. Finally he arose, with a paper in his hand. + +"Here is your sentence," he said, turning to Hal. "Read, and see what you +think of it." + +Hal took the paper the general extended to him. As he read an expression +of amazement passed over his face. + +Hal passed the paper to Chester without a word, and, as Chester read, he +also grew amazed. And no wonder. + +For what the general had written was a safe-conduct for both lads to the +Belgian lines; and the signature at the bottom was that of General Count +Von Moltke, commander-in-chief of all the German armies! + +Hal stepped forward. + +"General," he stammered, "we--I--we don't know how to thank you." + +The general raised a hand and said gruffly: + +"Never mind that." The faint shadow of a smile flitted over his stern +countenance. "I suppose," he continued, "that you are wondering why I do +this, after what occurred in the station at Berlin. It is so, is it not?" + +"It is very strange," muttered Chester, and Hal nodded his head in +assent. + +"Well, I'll tell you," said the general. "You remember when I pushed you +away from the train?" he queried, turning to Hal. + +Hal nodded. + +"When I turned round after that, feeling greatly pleased with myself, I +noticed, for the first time, the presence of a lady in my compartment. +She looked at me in the greatest contempt. It confused me; and I am not +easily confused. + +"Then she told me that she was your mother, and, you may believe, berated +me most wonderfully. She didn't cry, nor go into hysterics, which made a +great impression on me. Most mothers would. I felt decidedly +uncomfortable. + +"I realized that I had acted like a boor. We had gone some distance, but +I had the train stopped and backed into the station. You were not there. +I telephoned your ambassador. You had been there and gone. We were unable +to find you. + +"I prevailed upon your mother to continue her journey to Brussels. I +issued an order to all my generals to keep a lookout for you and give you +safe-conduct into Belgium. It seems, however, that none of them +recognized you, or that you kept out of sight. + +"I promised your mother I would get you out of the country in some way, +and she was greatly relieved. She knew I would do it. That's all there is +to the story. Now, I don't know what you lads were doing when you were +captured, and I don't want to know. If you are mixed up in this war in +any way, I don't want to know anything about it; but, if you are, take my +advice and go home to America. As I say, I don't want to know what you +have been doing since you left Berlin. It might force me to change my +attitude. I promised your mother I would get you out of Germany, and I +shall do it." + +Hal and Chester were greatly surprised by this recital, and both boys +thanked the general as well as they could. + +The general stepped to the entrance of his hut, and raised his hand. An +officer entered and came to a salute. + +"I have given these two lads safe-conduct into the Belgian lines," said +the general. "See that they get there in safety." + +"Yes, general," said the officer. + +The general turned to the two boys. + +"You would better go now," he said. + +He extended his hand, and both boys grasped it heartily. + +"Good luck to you," he called, as they followed the officer from the hut; +"my regards to your mother." + +And that was the last the boys saw of the commander-in-chief of all the +armed hosts of Germany. + +Straight through the great German camp the officer led the boys swiftly. +At the farthest outposts he halted, and signaled another officer. + +"Lieutenant," he commanded, "take a flag of truce and escort these +boys to the Belgian lines. They have been given safe-conduct by +General Von Moltke." + +The officer saluted, and the boys followed him. Under a flag of truce +they traversed the distance between the Belgian lines. + +Out of danger at last, the two lads hastened to the quarters of +the commanding general, and reported. The general was genuinely +glad to see them. + +"I had about given you up for lost," he said. "But you have arrived in +the nick of time. A concerted German advance is expected momentarily, and +without the reply you have brought we would have been at a great +disadvantage." + +Their mission successfully completed, the lads now hunted up Captain +Derevaux. They found the young captain in his quarters. He jumped up as +the two boys entered, ran hurriedly forward and greeted them effusively. + +"Believe me, I am glad to see you again," he exclaimed. "I had made +certain I would never see you alive." + +"Oh, we are hard to get rid of," replied Hal, with a smile. "I guess +we'll continue to stick around for some time yet." + +"Well, you don't know how glad I am to see you back safely," continued +the Frenchman. "But come in and tell me all about your journey." + +For a long time the three talked; and then Hal bethought himself to ask +concerning the situation in Liege. + +"We are expecting an attack in force at almost any minute," explained the +young captain; "and we are prepared to give a good account of ourselves. +In spite of the fact that we are sure to be greatly outnumbered, there is +no doubt that we can hold the forts. Of the city itself, I am not so +certain, although these Belgians will fight to the last. + +"Everything that can be done to strengthen our position has already been +done, and all we can do now is to wait for the attack that must come +soon. Already the German forces have delayed longer than had been +anticipated, but every hour of delay makes our position that much +stronger. + +"British troops have been landed in France, and French and English both +are hurrying to the support of the Belgians. It is impossible for them to +arrive in time to take part in the coming fight, but it is the plan of +the Belgians to delay the German advance as long as possible. Believe me, +the Germans will find the Belgian defense such a stumbling-block as they +have not counted upon." + +"There is no question that they will fight to the last?" asked Hal. + +"Not the slightest," was the reply, "Their resentment of the violation of +Belgian neutrality knows no bounds. They will fight to the last drop of +blood in them." + +"Then I suppose the battle of Liege will be one of the bloodiest in +history," declared Chester. + +"Undoubtedly," replied the captain; "and, if I mistake not, it is only a +matter of hours until it begins. The troops are sleeping on their arms, +and at the first word of a German advance the entire Belgian army will be +hurled into the battle." + +"Do you really believe the Belgians will be able to check the +German advance?" + +"I do. These great steel forts are practically impregnable. They can +successfully withstand the fire of the big German guns for weeks; and for +the Germans to try and take them by storm will mean annihilation. But a +successful charge would put the city proper into their hands." + +"But in that event is there any likelihood of the forts surrendering?" + +"I think not. In fact, I am positive of it. But come, boys, we have +talked enough, and it is getting late. I guess we would better turn in. +There is no telling when we may get to sleep again." + +Accordingly, almost fully dressed, the three threw themselves down, and +soon were fast asleep. + +To Hal and Chester it seemed they had hardly closed their eyes when they +were rudely awakened. It was the sound of a cannon that had aroused them, +but for the moment they could not tell what it was. + +The boys sat up and rubbed their eyes sleepily. Outside it was light. The +gray dawn crept through the entrance, dispelling the shadows of the +darkened hut. + +"What was it?" cried Chester. + +And, even as he spoke, it came again, the heavy boom of a single huge +cannon, followed almost immediately by the crash of thousands upon +thousands of rifles. The machine and rapid-fire guns broke loose with +their leaden messengers of death, and a bugle sounded: + +"To arms!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE BATTLE. + + +Captain Derevaux, who had been sleeping soundly, sprang to his feet, +picked up his sword and pistols, and, without even a word to Hal and +Chester, dashed from the hut. + +"The battle has begun!" cried Hal. + +"Come!" exclaimed Chester. "Let's get to some place where we can see. I +can't stay here!" + +"Nor I!" cried Hal. "Come on!" + +The two lads hurried from the hut. As they emerged, a troop of Belgian +cavalry swept past them, on the way to the front. The boys followed as +rapidly as possible in its wake. Presently they came to a small hill. +Climbing to the top, they found they could command a good view of the +advancing German columns, which they could see in the distance, and which +were even now almost close enough to grapple hand-to-hand with the +horsemen swooping down on them. + +All along the German front the Belgian cavalry hurled itself upon the +advancing foe. They met with a crash, and horses and riders went down in +heaps. For a moment the Germans gave way. For a moment they recoiled, and +then they sprang forward again. + +The charge of the Belgian cavalry was magnificent, but it was in vain. +The German forces pressed onward, and the cavalry was forced back, +cutting and slashing as it slowly retreated. Under a withering fire, that +suddenly broke out all along the German front, the horsemen fell by +hundreds. It was more than flesh and blood could stand. A retreat was +sounded, and the cavalry fell back upon its support. But, even as they +drew off, there burst from the German front the sharp roar of the +mitrailleuse. The German maxims had opened fire. The Belgians fell faster +than before. + +And now the Germans were ordered to charge. Squadron upon squadron raced +over the open ground in a mad dash toward the Belgian line; and as they +charged, the rapid-fire guns of the great forts poured forth their +answer. Great holes were cut in the German columns, and men and horses +were mowed down like chaff. + +And still the Germans came on. + +Suddenly a fierce rifle fire broke out all along the Belgian front, even +as the rapid-firers continued to belch forth their messengers of death. +Men reeled and fell in masses. The Germans wavered, halted, then +retreated. A great shout went up from the Belgian lines. + +Under the support of their own field batteries, the Germans reformed for +a second charge. As before, the defenders waited until they were close, +then poured in a deadly fire. The Germans staggered, then sprang forward. +A second volley greeted them, and a second time the Germans wavered, +halted and retreated. A third time they charged, with the same result. + +All this time a long-range artillery duel was in progress, whatever +advantage there was resting with the Belgians. Shot and shell poured into +the oncoming solid ranks of the German infantry, cutting great gaps in +their ranks; but these quickly filled up again, and the Germans continued +their steady advance. + +All this Hal and Chester saw, and more. For they could see, to the left, +the successful advance of the enemy, as it moved upon the town of Liege. +In vain the Belgians charged upon the advancing line and poured in shot +and shell. The Germans came on. To the right the Germans also were +pushing slowly, but surely, forward. + +"It is terrible! terrible!" said Chester, with a shudder, as he watched +men fall right and left. + +"Horrible!" agreed Hal. "But come. We must move. It is as Captain +Derevaux said. The Belgians will be unable to hold the town. They must +retire upon the forts; and we had better retire before them." + +The boys descended from their position of vantage and made their way to +the nearest fort, which they were allowed to enter upon informing an +officer of their connection with the Belgian army, just as the Belgian +troops withdrew from their positions in front of the city and fell back +upon the forts. + +Liege was left at the mercy of the Germans. + +For some minutes thereafter there was a lull, as when a great storm dies +down, only to begin again with greater fury. The enemy's left wing, which +was nearest the fort in which the boys had taken refuge, could be seen +forming for a charge, while from the fort a rain of lead continued to +fall upon them. Although men were falling on every hand, the Germans +formed without the least confusion. + +Then came the order for the charge. From five different points the enemy +hurled itself forward upon the fort; nor did the hail of lead stop them. +Closer and closer they approached, the five sections of cavalry drawing +nearer together as they did so, so that when they were within striking +distance they were almost in solid formation. In their rear the infantry, +supported by field guns, already had formed for an advance. + +The Uhlans must be driven back at all hazards, and an order rang out from +the Belgian commander. + +There sallied forth a body of Belgian cavalry and the few French that +remained of the French Lancers who had borne the brunt of the fighting in +the battle in which Hal and Chester had distinguished themselves. In the +center of these Hal and Chester recognized Captain Derevaux, his sword +flashing aloft. + +"He is a grand soldier!" whispered Hal to Chester softly. "A brave man, +indeed. France may well be proud of him!" + +"There can be none better," answered Chester. "May he come through the +battle safely!" + +Now the Belgians and French charged, and the fighting was hand-to-hand, +while over the struggling horsemen the guns from the fort poured death +into the ranks of the advancing German infantry. + +The cavalry of the two armies had met so close to the fort that, with a +glass he picked up, Hal could distinguish the faces of the combatants. +And again, so close was the fighting that the guns of the fort could not +be brought to bear on the German cavalry for fear of killing friend as +well as foe; but they continued to deal death to the infantry. + +Looking through his glass, Hal sought out the form of Captain Derevaux. +Finally he espied him, right where the fighting was fiercest and men +dropped fastest. + +Hither and thither rode the gallant young Frenchman, striking, +thrusting, parrying, now raising his revolver for a snap shot, the while +urging his men on. + +"If he gets out alive it will be a miracle!" cried Hal, passing the glass +to Chester. + +Chester put the glass to his eyes and looked toward the field of battle. + +"By Jove!" he muttered. "He is magnificent!" + +At that moment the captain's horse went down, but, with a quick movement +of his arm, guarding his head from a saber stroke, the young Frenchman +seized the bridle of a riderless animal, and with a single movement swung +himself to the back of his new charger. In another moment he was once +more in the middle of the fighting, dealing out death on every hand. + +The Germans gave way, slowly at first, then faster; and at length they +turned and fled. As they did so, the guns from the fort poured a hail of +lead into them, mowing them down as they retreated. The Belgian cavalry +retired to the support of the fort. The German charge had failed! + +And now messages filtered in from other parts of the field. The +Belgians had been successful all along the line, with the exception of +one point, which had permitted the Germans to enter the city of Liege. +The losses of the Germans had been appalling; those of the Belgians +comparatively light. + +"Can the Belgians fight?" asked Hal, when the Germans had withdrawn. "Can +they fight? Well--" + +His silence was more expressive than words. + +"It's too bad we were unable to take part in the battle," declared +Chester. "It certainly gives me a restless feeling to sit here and look +on while others are doing all the fighting." + +"It does make a fellow feel a little queer," Hal replied. "But, supposing +we had been in that charge--where would we be now?" + +Chester shrugged his shoulders. + +"Perhaps here, and then again--perhaps, some place else," he answered. +"Who knows?" + +"Neither you nor I, surely," replied Hal. "But think of the dead and +dying on the field out there. War is a terrible thing!" + +"It is," declared Chester; "and the more I see of it the more I realize +that fact. But come. Let us see if we can find the captain." + +It was almost an hour later before they accidentally ran across him, and +the young Frenchman carried his arm in a sling. + +"It looks as though I am likely to be on the hospital list for a few +days," said the captain, smilingly. + +"It's a wonder to me your name is not on the death list," replied +Chester. + +"Indeed it is," agreed Hal. "We watched you through a glass from the +fort. Your action was magnificent. France can well be proud of you. +Believe me, you will not remain a captain long." + +"As for that," replied the young Frenchman, "I have just learned that I +have been recommended for promotion." + +The boys congratulated him, but he waved them aside laughingly. + +"It is no more than you would do for your own America," he declared; "no, +nor no more than you both did only the other day. Whatever I do," he +added softly, "I do for France!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE DEATH OF A HERO. + + +For almost a week now the strong Liege fortresses had withstood the +fierce bombardment of the great German guns. Attack after attack had been +beaten back, with heavy losses to both sides. Time after time the German +cavalry had charged, only to be hurled back by the fierce and deadly fire +of the Belgians. + +But the forts had not gone unscathed. The heavy German guns had done +great damage to the fortifications behind which Hal and Chester had taken +shelter, and the possibility was now being seriously considered as to +whether the fort could withstand another assault. + +General Simon, the commander of the fort, had decided in his own mind to +blow it up rather than surrender it to the enemy. Many prisoners had +been captured by the defenders, and these crowded the fort, occupying +every inch of available space. And now the next assault of the Germans +was at hand. + +Day and night the bombardment of the fort had continued. Under the +protection of the heavy cannonading, the Germans moved once more to the +attack. Three times did the enemy charge heroically, and as many times +were they driven back, with fearful losses. With the fall of darkness +they had given up the attempt to take the fort by storm. + +But the Belgian commander knew that the Germans would come again on the +morrow; and he also knew that he could not hold forth against them. He +made his plans accordingly. + +Under cover of the darkness he had his prisoners marched to the nearest +fort, more than a mile away. Then he ordered all civilians to the safety +of the other fortifications. + +His plans for keeping his fortifications from falling into the hands of +the enemy already made, he set about fulfilling them. He examined the +magazine and had everything in readiness. Then he ordered all his troops +to report to the general commanding the nearest fortress, placed a fuse +to the magazine, lighted it, and sat down to wait. + +Hal and Chester, strolling about the fort, in some unaccountable manner +had been left behind. Suddenly, for the first time, they noted the utter +desolation of the place. + +"Strange," muttered Hal. "Where has everyone gone?" + +"You've got me," declared Chester, "but there must be someone around some +place. Let's go up to the general's quarters." + +Now, when the soldiers and civilians had been ordered to leave the fort, +no one knew it was General Simon's intention of blowing it up. They +thought he was abandoning it because he believed it no longer capable of +resistance. But the commander had planned more deeply and heroically. He +did not intend the fort to fall into the hands of the enemy, that they +might repair it and turn its guns against his countrymen. + +"A German flag shall never wave over this fort," he had muttered +to himself. + +The general was sitting calmly at his desk, awaiting the end, when the +lads entered his room. He sprang to his feet with an exclamation. + +"Leave the fort instantly!" he commanded. "Waste a moment and you are as +good as dead!" + +Hal and Chester stared at him in surprise. + +"I have fired the magazine, and the fort will be blown to pieces in a few +minutes," said the general hastily. "Fly for your lives!" + +"But you, general?" demanded Hal, quietly. + +"I? I shall die at my post! But go, instantly! You have not a +moment to lose!" + +"We shall go when you do, general!" said Chester. + +The old commander whipped a revolver from the table before him. He +leveled the weapon at Hal. + +"If you do not go immediately, I shall fire!" he threatened. + +Hal smiled. + +"The result would be no different than that of the explosion," he said +quietly. "Come with us. We have still a chance of escape." + +The general lowered his pistol. + +"You are right," he said. "But here," a sudden thought having come to +him. "I have still a message for the Belgian people." + +He sat down and wrote rapidly. Rising, he handed Hal a paper. + +"See that this reaches the commander of Fort No. 5!" he ordered. "You +have my command! See that it is carried out! Go!" + +"That is simply a ruse to get rid of us, general," said Chester. + +The general whirled upon him. + +"I am still the commander of this fort!" he cried. "Obey my command!" + +The boys saluted the gallant old general for the last time; then they +turned on their heels and left him, alone. + +Once out of his room, they ran for the outer wall of the fortification +with all speed; and they did not pause until they were far beyond the +fort. Still there was no explosion. + +"Perhaps when General Simon finds something has gone wrong, he will +follow us," said Hal hopefully. + +"He is a brave old man," replied Chester. "Let us hope he thinks better +of his decision while there is yet time." + +But, hardly had the words left his mouth, when there was a terrific +roar, followed by a great flash of light. Turning, the boys saw the +fort leap into the air as though it were some live thing. High in the +air it burst and spread like a huge skyrocket; and then for miles +around there descended pieces of iron, great lumps of steel, like rain +from the heavens. + +Great pieces of these fell on all sides of the boys, but, as though by a +miracle, they were unharmed. + +Hal lifted his cap from his head, and looked for a long time toward the +spot where the great fort had stood. + +"A brave soldier and a gallant gentleman!" he said finally. "May he rest +in peace!" + +"Aye!" replied Chester softly. "He has given his life for his country!" + +Slowly the boys resumed their walk to the other fortress. Great +excitement prevailed. The appalling loss of the great fort, and the +unaccountable absence of General Simon were causing great anxiety and +speculation. The general belief was that the fort had been destroyed by a +German shell. + +In Fort No. 5 the boys made their way at once to the quarters of the +commander. They were admitted into his presence almost immediately. +Silently Hal handed him the last words written by the heroic general. +Gravely the commander glanced over the paper; then read aloud to the +members of his staff, who surrounded him: + +"I regret I have but one life to give for my country!" + +Every officer in the room rose and bared his head. There was silence for +some minutes; then the commander of the fort said quietly: + +"Peace be with him! On the next roll call he shall be marked: 'Absent but +accounted for.' He is with the heroes!" + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +A RACE FOR LIFE. + + +Hal and Chester walked slowly along the road. It was just beginning to +grow light and the lads were tired out. All night they had been on their +journey toward Louvain, carrying a second communication to General Givet +from the Belgian commander at Liege. + +Unlike their previous trip, the country now was known to be overrun by +Germans, and their second mission was much more perilous than had been +their first. For this reason they had taken a different route, and so did +not pass the farmhouse where Chester had been wounded some days before. + +"What is that ahead?" asked Chester suddenly. + +Hal strained his eyes, peering into the distance. + +"I don't know," he replied. + +They continued their advance, and suddenly Chester exclaimed: + +"Why, it looks like an old-time provision wagon." + +"So it is," replied Hal; "I wonder what it can be doing here?" + +As the boys drew nearer they perceived their surmise had been correct. A +dilapidated old wagon it was, standing beside the road. To it were +hitched two mules. There was not a soul about. + +"I thought these things had gone out of date," said Hal, indicating the +wagon. "It looks like an old prairie schooner." + +"It certainly does," answered Chester. "The only reason I can account for +such a relic being in use is that every available vehicle has been +impressed into service." + +"I suppose that is the reason, but it certainly reminds me of the wild +and woolly days we have read about in America. If this is not a +regulation prairie schooner, I never saw one." + +And indeed it seemed that the lads were right. The wagon was covered +with a canvas top, which came down over the back, leaving a little +opening in the rear. + +"What is the reason we can't get in this thing and ride?" asked Chester. + +"I can see none," was Hal's reply. "We might as well do it. Then, too, we +can make better time." + +Accordingly the lads climbed in, and soon were riding slowly along the +road. When about five or six miles from Louvain, Hal, glancing behind, +saw three horsemen approaching. + +He grabbed Chester by the arm. + +"Look there!" he said, pointing. + +"Germans, by George!" exclaimed Chester, who was driving, and he +immediately started the mules on a dead run. + +"Hold on," said Hal; "maybe they are Belgians." + +"No, no," replied Chester. "I know they are Germans!" + +"Well," replied Hal, "I am going to see," and, stepping out on the +footboard and holding to the side of the wagon, he looked back over the +top of the wagon. The horsemen were closer now, and Hal could make out +their uniforms. + +"They are Germans, aren't they?" asked Chester. + +"Yes," replied Hal, "and they are coming like the wind!" + +"Well," said Chester, "maybe we can get away. You do what fighting is +necessary, and I'll do the driving." + +"All right," said Hal. Crawling back in the wagon, he drew his two +revolvers, and in response to his command, Chester turned his two pistols +over to him also. + +Hal had hardly reached his place at the back of the wagon when Chester, +between yells to the mules, cried out: + +"How far off are they now, Hal?" + +Hal answered him as well as he could, and Chester renewed his lashing of +the mules and his yelling. + +Once more Chester inquired the distance between pursued and pursuing, +but, before Hal could answer, two shots were fired from behind, +accompanied by a shouted command to halt. The bullets from the rifles +passed through the wagon between the two lads, but did no damage; and +almost instantly the Germans charged down on them. Three shots rang out +as they passed the wagon, but the boys were not touched. + +The Germans passed on, and then, circling back, prepared for another +charge. Hal had fired at them several times, but, owing to the bumping of +the wagon, his shots had not found a mark. But, if the bumping of the +wagon had spoiled his aim, it had probably saved the lads' lives, for it +made accurate shooting by the Germans impossible. + +Down came the Germans again, shooting as they passed by. And again the +boys were unharmed. Hal and Chester were now yelling at the top of their +voices--why, they never knew. + +Hal, crawling to the back end of the wagon and, looking out, saw the +Germans ready to charge down on them again. One man, however, was jogging +along close behind the wagon, his revolver held in his hand. + +As Hal looked out, the German stopped his horse and fired. Hal dodged +back sideways. The bullet whizzed through the hole in the canvas in the +rear, grazed Hal's head, and struck the back of the seat near Chester. +Chester did not even turn, but, with cries and blows, continued to urge +the mules on. + +As quick as he could, Hal rushed to the hole and fired at his opponent, +but failed to hit him. At the same instant another bullet came through +the side of the wagon, and struck his revolver, and the weapon fell to +the road. Hal dodged back inside. + +Then the Germans bore down on them again, firing into the wagon as they +passed it. Hal sprang to the front of the wagon. One German had stopped +and was taking aim at Chester. Hal raised his revolver, and, taking a +snap shot, fired. The bullet went true, and the German fell to the road. + +"I've hit one of them, Chester!" called Hal. + +"Bully for you!" came back the response, and Chester continued to ply his +whip on the backs of the galloping mules. + +Once more the remaining two Germans turned and came back, but this time +they did not fire as they passed the wagon. Hal rushed back to the rear +of the wagon and looked out.... One German rode close behind and to the +right of the wagon. + +Bracing himself, Hal quickly stuck his revolver through the hole, but +before he could fire, the German flopped over on one side of his horse, +and all that could be seen of him was his arm around the animal's neck, +and from the knee down, one leg. + +Hal did not fire, but waited for him to come up--he could almost hit the +horse's head with his hand, so closely was he running. Suddenly he saw +his enemy's hand move, and he dodged back just in time. A bullet sped +past his head. + +Up came the German, and Hal stuck his revolver through the hole, and, +without taking aim, fired. The ball struck the German in the breast, and, +with a cry, he threw up his hands, and toppled from his horse. + +"I got another one, Chester!" cried Hal. + +"Good!" came the reply, but Chester was too busy to say more. + +The bullet with which Hal had disposed of the second German had been his +last, and the boys were now without firearms. + +Along they bowled, and once more the last German passed the wagon. He had +learned the boys were without weapons. But the German now had also +disposed of his last cartridge, so the lads were on even terms. + +Suddenly Chester called: + +"He is crowding the mules off the road!" + +It was true. The pursuer was riding close to the mules, trying to push +them from the road. The animal on the near side was jumping frantically +and gradually pushing the other mule toward the edge of the road. + +The German kept close to the mule, in spite of several attempts Hal made +to scare him off by pointing his empty revolver at him. The German +refused to scare. + +Grasping the side of the wagon, Hal took the revolver by the barrel and +hurled it at the German. The latter tried to dodge, but it was too late. +The revolver struck him in the face, and he fell to the ground. + +He was up in a moment, however, and, picking up his sword, was soon in +the saddle again; and a moment later the mules again were being crowded +off the road. + +The German was within striking distance, but Hal had nothing with which +to hit him. His other empty revolvers had already been thrown. + +"Hit him with the whip!" he cried to Chester. "Hit him with the whip!" + +Chester, suiting the action to the word, simply diverted one of the blows +intended for the mules, and struck the German fair across the face. + +The whip had a knot on the end of it, to keep it from unraveling, and +this knot hit the German in the eye. The German dropped his sword, put +his hands to his face, and rubbed his eyes; then, putting spurs to his +horse, he made off rapidly over the road which they had come. + +The boys now caught the first glimpse of the town of Louvain, and the +glad sight of Belgian troops could be discerned--the outposts +guarding the town. + +Chester let the mules slow down. + +"That was some ride," he declared. + +"You bet," was Hal's answer. "I thought we were gone that time, sure." + +"Well, let's get out and walk the rest of the way," said Chester. "I have +had enough of this riding to last me a lifetime. The wagon jolted so much +I must be black and blue all over." + +Chester stopped the mules, and the boys climbed to the ground; and, just +as they started to resume their walk, Hal sank suddenly to the ground! + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THROUGH WALLS OF FIRE. + + +Quickly Chester bent over his friend. + +"Hal! Hal!" he cried in alarm, shaking him gently. "Tell me where you +are hurt!" + +He laid his friend's body back gently; then for the first time he noticed +that blood flowed from a wound in Hal's side. + +In vain did Chester try to bring his chum back to consciousness. The boy +lay like one dead. Finally, seeing that his efforts to revive his +companion were useless, Chester picked him up in his arms, and in this +manner started for the town. + +By pure grit Chester succeeded in carrying his burden to the Belgian +outposts, where he turned him over to a Red Cross surgeon. + +"Is he badly hurt?" the boy demanded, as the surgeon arose from examining +his chum's wound. "Will he live?" + +"It is dangerous," was the reply. "But I think he will come around all +right presently. But he has had a narrow escape. One inch higher up and +the bullet would have pierced his heart. He must be taken to the +hospital. He must have proper attention." + +Leaving his chum in good hands, Chester made his way to General Givet's +tent, where he gave him the message the boys had gone through so much to +deliver safely. Then he went to the hospital. He was permitted to see his +friend at once. + +Deathly pale, but with a smile on his face, Hal greeted his friend. +Chester sprang forward and grasped his hand. + +"Are you all right, old fellow?" he asked eagerly. + +"Fit as a fiddle," was the faint reply. + +"Why didn't you tell me you were wounded?" + +"To tell the truth, I didn't know it myself until just as I stepped from +the wagon. I can't remember when the bullet hit me, but I suppose it was +when the Germans fired through the side of the wagon. But it was weak of +me to give way as I did." + +"Weak! Great Scott! Even the surgeon is unable to see how you held out as +long as you did. You have had a mighty narrow escape, I can tell you!" + +"I guess I have," replied Hal feebly. "But anyhow it's an escape. Did you +deliver the letter to General Givet?" + +"Yes." + +At this juncture, a nurse approached. + +"You must go now," she told Chester. "Your friend must have perfect quiet +for the remainder of the day." + +"All right," replied Chester, and then turning to Hal: + +"Well, good-by, old man. I'll be here the first thing in the morning." + +"Good-by," replied Hal. "Now, don't you worry about me. I shall be +all right." + +Chester made his way from the hospital. + +"By George!" he muttered, as he walked down the street. "I wish it had +been me that was wounded instead of good old Hal. It's certainly tough on +him, but he sure does bear up bravely." + +As Chester continued down the street, he was brought to a sudden halt by +the sound of firing from the outskirts of the city; and a moment later a +mounted officer dashed through the street, shouting: + +"The Germans! The Germans are approaching!" + +People along the street took up the cry and the air was filled with the +sound of startled voices: + +"The Germans! The Germans!" + +Dashing squadrons of cavalry swept through the streets on their way to +the front; people jumped out of the way as the artillery was hurried by; +and then came columns upon columns of infantry on a quick run. + +It was plainly evident that an attack by the Germans had not been +anticipated; but now that the enemy was close at hand, everything +possible was being done for the defense of the city. + +Chester hurried in the wake of the troops, and, as he did so, the first +screaming shell burst over his head. He was hurled to the ground, but +escaped injury. The crowds that had thronged the streets a moment before +vanished as if by magic. + +The flying shells now screamed incessantly overhead. From the front +came the deafening roar of many guns, and the crash of thousands +upon thousands of rifles. Suddenly the screams of many voices rose, +as a building, not far from where Chester stood, was blown into a +million pieces. + +For a moment Chester was awe-stricken and stood still. + +"This is terrible!" he muttered to himself. "Terrible!" + +He was struck by a sudden thought. + +"Suppose one of those shells should strike the hospital?" he said to +himself. "What would happen then? What would happen to Hal?" + +Turning, he hurried back in the direction from which he had come. Was it +a premonition, or what? + +As he turned the corner and the hospital came into view, a horrible scene +met his eyes. + +The hospital was afire! A brilliant flame shot high into the air, and the +smoke poured forth in a dense volume. Even from where he stood Chester +could see that one wall of the hospital had fallen. It had crumbled under +the shock of a German shell. + +Chester dashed forward; nor did he pause or falter at the thought of +the dangers he would encounter in the burning building, but ran +rapidly up the steps and plunged into the dense cloud of smoke and the +sheet of flame. + +His sense of direction stood him in good stead now. Almost stifled, his +hands and face scorched by the intense heat, he ran up the stairs. At the +top, where the air was somewhat clearer, he paused for a moment for +breath, then dashed for the room where he knew Hal lay. + +Hal was sitting on the edge of the bed when Chester burst into the room. +He had noted the first signs of smoke, and had attempted to rise, but the +effort was beyond him. There was not another soul in the room. + +He looked up as Chester rushed in. + +"I am afraid I can't make it," he said, in a faint voice. + +"We have got to make it," replied Chester quickly. "Can you walk at all?" + +Hal shook his head. + +"I tried to," he said, "but I can hardly stand on my feet." + +"Put your arm about my shoulder!" commanded Chester. + +"It's no use," said Hal. "You can't possibly carry me out, and we shall +both perish. Save yourself while you have time!" + +"No more talk like that," commanded Chester, in a stern voice. "We go or +stay together." + +"But we cannot do it," replied Hal. "Alone you may make it; but with me +you are certain to perish. Go!" + +"Will you do as I tell you peaceably, or must I use force?" demanded +Chester. "If you don't obey me, so help me, I will knock you cold and +then carry you out. Come, which shall it be?" + +"Have your own way, then," said Hal. + +Chester stooped over and Hal put his arm about his neck; then, lifting +him up in his arms, Chester staggered through the doorway, and to the +staircase. + +But, as he was about to put his foot on the first step, there was a +terrible rumble and roar, and the steps crashed downward. The supports +had been burned away. + +By a mighty effort Chester regained his balance, and the two lads were +saved from death in the smoking ruins below by a hair's breadth. Turning, +Chester rushed toward a window and looked out. It was a long drop to the +ground below, and he saw no help in sight. + +"I told you it was no use," said Hal. "Let me go, and save yourself!" + +Chester did not reply, but laid his chum gently on the floor. Then he +dashed into the next room, returning in a moment with several sheets. + +Quickly he tore these into strips and tied them together. Then he +approached Hal and tied one end under his arms. + +"We will get out yet," he said quietly, and assisted Hal to the window. + +"Put no more strain upon your wound than necessary," he instructed +Hal. "Hold to the sheets with your hands, and it will relieve some of +the strain." + +So saying, Chester lifted Hal to the window sill, and gently lowered him +over the edge. With his feet braced against the wall, he paid out the +improvised rope slowly. + +Now the flames burst into the room in which Chester stood, but it did not +hasten the lad in his desperate work. Slowly he let the sheets slip +through his hands, that Hal's wound might not be opened afresh by any +sudden jerks; and presently the slack of the rope told him that his chum +had reached the ground. At the same moment he heard Hal's voice: + +"All right! Pull up the rope!" + +Rapidly now Chester set about saving himself. The room was a seething +mass of flames, which burned him terribly. Tying one end of his +improvised rope to a bedpost, Chester leaped to the window sill, and +began his descent. + +So fierce were the flames that the sheets lasted but a second; but, in +that time Chester had slid halfway to the ground. Then the rope broke and +he fell with a crash. He picked himself up immediately, however, and, +turning to Hal, said swiftly: + +"Quick! We must get away from here at once. The building is likely to +fall at any moment and we shall be buried beneath it." + +He stooped down. + +"Put your arms around my neck again!" he commanded. + +Hal obeyed, this time without question. + +Raising up with Hal in his arms, Chester staggered forward at a run, and +it was well that he did so. + +For at the moment he had reached a place of safety, the great building +caved in with a deafening crash. There was a roar like the roar of a +thousand guns, and, a moment later, on the spot where the hospital had +stood there was only a mass of smoking and blazing debris. + +More slowly, now, Chester continued on his way. Before him he could still +hear the thundering of many cannons as the battle progressed, but he kept +his face turned in that direction. + +In spite of the heavy burden in his arms, he made good progress; nor did +the bursting of an occasional shell nearby deter him, nor turn him from +his course. As he staggered along he passed many tumbled-down buildings +that gave evidence of the accuracy of the fire of the German gunners; and +in some places the bodies of non-combatants littered the streets. + +Straight toward the front went Chester, his face set in grim +determination. He realized that in that direction lay whatever chance +there was of safety; for even now his keen ears detected the sound of +firing from the rear, as the Germans made their attack from that +direction. + +But, even as Chester neared the outskirts of the city a great cheer rang +out from in front, and the sound of firing grew less distinct. Presently +troops began to come toward them. Victorious in front, they were now +hurrying through the city to drive off the enemy attacking from the +other side. + +Chester stopped and laid Hal down in a doorway. There the two lads +remained in silence for some time. Soon the sound of firing from the +other directions grew more faint; then ceased altogether. + +Chester put Hal in the care of a pleasant-faced Belgian woman, who came +to the door now that the battle was over, and went forth in search of +General Givet. The latter was about ready to give himself up to a +much-needed rest, but permitted Chester to enter his hut. + +"General," said Chester, passing over how he had saved Hal's life in the +hospital fire, "my friend is badly wounded, and is in a bad way. It will +be long before he recovers. I have come to ask if there is not some way +in which he can be sent out of the country, at least until he has +entirely recovered." + +The general considered. + +"There is a party leaving for Brussels to-morrow," he said finally. "You +both may go with them." + +"But it is not necessary for me to go," returned Chester. "I might be of +use to you here." + +"Would you not like to be with your friend?" asked the general. + +"I would like nothing better," replied Chester. + +"Then it shall be so," said the general. "You are both brave lads. I +shall make the necessary arrangements myself." + +Chester was in the best of spirits as he made his way from the general's +quarters and started down the street to where he had left his wounded +chum. The lad was walking slowly along, when his arm was seized from +behind. Turning, Chester beheld the face of Edna Johnson. + +"Why, how do you do!" exclaimed Chester, raising his cap. "This certainly +is a surprise. What are you doing in Louvain? I thought you had decided +to remain at the farmhouse. But what is the matter?" + +This last was called forth by the signs of distress and excitement +plainly visible on the girl's face, which Chester, in his pleasure at +seeing her again, had not perceived at first. + +"I am staying here with a friend," the girl explained rapidly. "My uncle +ordered me to leave the farmhouse and come here. I am indeed fortunate to +have encountered you." + +"Why?" demanded Chester. + +"Listen," said the girl. And, taking Chester by the arm, she bent close +to him and whispered: + +"In my friend's home there are two men, presumably civilians. But I know +better. I heard them plotting. They are going to send word to the German +commander, telling him the exact position of the Belgian troops, the weak +spots in the defense, and all other details." + +"What!" exclaimed Chester. "Spies right here in the midst of the +Belgian army?" + +"Yes," replied the girl. "I overheard them talking in the room next to +mine. I didn't stop to hear any more. I ran out of the house, and was on +my way to the general, when I saw you. Then I thought I had better tell +you what I had learned." + +"And I am glad you told me!" said Chester. "Come, lead me to the house +and I shall try and gather fuller details before reporting to the +general. It may be that there are other spies in the city, and that, by +listening, I can learn something concerning them." + +Chester for the moment put aside all thoughts of Hal. He considered it +his first duty to serve the country for which he had already gone through +so much. Hal was in good hands. So, walking slowly, Chester and Edna made +their way to the house where the girl was living. + +"I am not particularly fond of playing eavesdropper," Chester told the +girl, as he stealthily followed her up the stairs; "but it is all in the +line of duty, so I guess it is up to me." + +From Miss Johnson's room could be heard the subdued sounds of voices in +the next room. + +"Rather unthoughtful of them to discuss such business in such a place, to +say the least," remarked Chester. "Apparently they forget that even the +walls have ears." + +The lad laid his ear to the door between the two rooms. Edna stood close +behind him, and the two listened eagerly. + +"Well, then it is all settled," came a low voice from the room beyond. +"You report to the chief immediately. I'll remain here an hour, so that +we shall not arouse suspicion by going together. But tell the chief I +shall be on hand in time." + +"Good!" came the reply. "I suppose all other details have been attended +to and that the thing will be pulled off smoothly. To-morrow night should +see the end of Louvain." + +Chester straightened up. + +"I must get out of the house before he does," he told the girl. "I must +follow him." + +"But won't you be in danger?" protested Edna. "Why not report to the +general at once?" + +"No," the lad declared. "I must at least find the rendezvous." + +Quickly he slipped from the room, and stepped outside the front door just +as a door on the upper floor slammed to. + +Chester walked slowly down the street, whistling. + +"I hope he comes this way," he told himself. "Otherwise, I shall have to +do some fast walking." + +Fortune favored the boy. As he walked slowly along, a man brushed swiftly +past him. Taking care to avoid all pretense of pursuit, Chester followed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +CHESTER DISCOVERS A PLOT. + + +For half an hour the lad stalked his prey through the streets of the +city, winding about here and there until Chester had absolutely lost his +sense of direction. Several times the man turned round and glanced +furtively about, but apparently he took no notice of his shadow. + +Finally he turned into a crooked little street near the outskirts of the +city. Chester also turned the corner, just in time to see the man +descend a pair of steps into the basement of what was apparently an +unoccupied house. + +The lad hurried up and arrived in time to hear the man give a peculiar +knock at the door--one loud tap, followed by three soft taps, then +another loud one. + +Chester walked back around the corner, where he stopped to think. + +"If only I could get in there," he said to himself. "I wonder--" + +He stopped, struck by a sudden idea. + +"By Jove! I believe it can be done," he said. + +He continued to pace up and down, apparently deep in thought. +Occasionally he stopped to look in the direction from which he had +followed his prey to the rendezvous. + +After nearly an hour the lad, after a glance down the street, slipped +quietly into a doorway. Apparently the thing for which he had been +waiting was about to come to pass. + +Footsteps sounded on the street, coming closer. Save for the one lone +pedestrian, the street was deserted. The footsteps approached closer, and +Chester gathered himself for a spring. As the man came abreast of the +doorway in which the lad was hiding, Chester hurled himself upon him. +With one hand the lad clutched his victim about the throat, and with the +other he struck out heavily. There was a stifled groan, and the man fell +limp in the boy's arms. + +Glancing hurriedly about to see that there was no one in sight--no +witness to his deed--Chester dragged the man into the doorway. Here he +quickly discarded his own clothes, stripped the stranger of his outer +garments and donned them himself. + +Then tearing his own clothes into strips, he bound his victim and gagged +him, after which, now attired in his victim's clothes, he stood up and +made a search of the pockets. + +"If my surmise is correct," he said to himself, "I shall be all right." + +The hand which was exploring the inside breast pocket came forth with a +little piece of cloth. + +"Good!" the lad exclaimed. "I thought as much. I didn't believe they +would take too many chances. A stranger might get in and betray them." + +For the little piece of cloth the lad had taken from the pocket of his +newly acquired apparel was a black mask. + +"Now," said the boy to himself, "to see if I cannot find out who I am +supposed to be." + +He continued the search of the pockets. Several pieces of paper and one +or two documents he glanced at hurriedly, and restored. Finally he drew +out a paper that seemed to please him, for his face lighted up with a +smile. He glanced at the slip of paper and read aloud: + +"This is to certify that the bearer is an accredited agent of the +One King." + +At the bottom was a seal of peculiar design, but there was no signature. + +"Evidently," said the lad, "members of this gang are not known to one +another, at least all of them. They may spot me and they may not. +However, I've got to take a chance. Nothing risked, nothing gained." + +The lad stepped quickly from his place of concealment and approached +where the man he had followed had turned in more than an hour before. He +descended the steps into the basement and knocked upon the door--once +loudly, three times softly, and once loudly again. + +The door swung open before him, and a masked man peered out. Taking a +deep breath, and feeling in his pocket to make sure that his revolver was +in readiness, the lad stepped inside. The door swung to behind him. + +Chester followed the man who had opened the door down a dark hallway, and +into a dimly lighted room. Masked as he was, the boy had little fear of +being discovered, but his hand rested on his automatic in his right-hand +coat pocket. + +Inside the room Chester perceived a circle of dark faces, stretching +almost around the room. At one side, facing the circle, was a raised +platform, and on this sat a huge bulk of a man, masked, as were all +the others. + +They all rose as Chester entered the room, and without a word the boy +made his way to the one vacant seat. The conspirators then resumed their +seats, and Chester sat down also, four chairs away from where the chief +himself sat. + +"Number One," called the chief, and the man nearest him on Chester's side +arose. "What have you to report?" + +"Everything is ready, sir. As you know, I am on the staff of the Belgian +commander. With the information I shall impart to him at the proper time +to-morrow, the main force of Belgian troops will be withdrawn from the +northern part of the city and the surprise will be complete." + +"You are sure? There is no chance of failure?" + +"Not the slightest, sir." + +"Good!" said the chief, and the first man resumed his seat. + +"Number Two," called the chief, and the second man arose. + +By his first words Chester recognized the man who had first spoken at the +home of Edna Johnson. + +"And what have you to report?" demanded the chief. + +"That word has been sent to attack at five o'clock," was the reply. +"I have received an answer, showing that my message was delivered +without mishap." + +"Good!" boomed the chief again. "That is all." + +Number Two resumed his seat. + +"Number Three!" called the chief. + +The man next to Chester rose to his feet. + +"Your report," commanded the chief. + +"I have to report, sir, that the thousand men sent to me have all +arrived. They came singly, and the last one arrived shortly before I +came here. They are all armed and are quartered in vacant houses on +Brussels Street, at the southern extremity of the city. They are +awaiting the word." + +The chief nodded, and the third man sat down. + +"Number Four!" called the chief. + +Chester rose to his feet, as had the others. + +"And you, sir?" demanded the chief. "Is your report satisfactory?" + +Chester was thinking rapidly. He was in the most ticklish situation he +had ever faced, and he was fully aware of it. He knew now that there was +not one chance in a thousand of his escaping detection. But the lad did +not falter, and his right hand grasped the handle of his automatic more +firmly, as he made reply: + +"Entirely so, sir," and then paused. + +"Well, well!" shouted the chief. "Explain!" + +Chester drew a deep breath, and took a haphazard shot: + +"My men are ready to seize the entire Belgian staff, at a moment's +notice, sir." + +The confusion that broke out immediately following his words told Chester +that his shot had missed. But the boy stood his ground. There was nothing +else he could do. + +From the opposite side of the room came a cry: + +"That was the work assigned to me." + +"That is not true," was Chester's quick reply. "I was the man selected +for that work." + +The man on the other side of the room made a spring toward Chester, but +he was arrested by the commanding voice of the chief, who now stood up to +his full height, a revolver barrel gleaming in his outstretched hand. + +"There is a traitor here," said the chief calmly. "I shall be the one to +decide who it is, for you are all known to me. Unmask!" + +Every person in the room save Chester obeyed this command, and for the +fraction of a second he stood alone, his face still covered. But he stood +for a fraction of a second only. + +Then with a quick move his revolver leaped from his pocket, and there was +the sound of a shot. The chief toppled over to the floor. + +Chester leaped to one side, and with a backward sweep of his left arm +knocked the single lamp from the wall and plunged the room into darkness. + +Then he dropped to his knees. And none too soon, for twenty pistols +cracked and as many bullets went hurtling by the spot where he had stood +a moment before. + +Ten feet behind Chester was a door. He had noticed it when he first +entered the room, and had decided that there lay whatever chance he had +for safety should he be discovered. Quickly, and still stooping, he ran +toward the door. + +And even as he reached it a match flared up and a bullet whistled by his +ear. But the door was unlocked and gave before the boy's weight, and as, +after passing safely through it, he turned to close it in the faces of +his enemies, one man blocked him, his arm raised to fire. + +But Chester's revolver rang out first. The lad had fired from his hip, +and the man went sprawling. + +The lad turned his weapon on the others who now rushed toward him, and +fired three rapid shots. Then he slammed the door shut, bolted it with a +single movement, and, turning, ran along the dark passageway, at the end +of which he could discern a dim light. + +Chester wiped his brow with his hand, and his hand came away wet. Holding +it close to his eyes as he ran, Chester saw blood. A bullet had struck +him a glancing blow on the side of the head, but in the excitement of the +moment he had not realized that he was wounded. + +At the end of the passageway the lad emerged into another room. There was +not a window in the room, and, glancing hurriedly about, Chester espied a +pair of stairs. Quickly he leaped up these, and came into what apparently +at one time had been a kitchen. + +The boy's gaze roved hastily about for a means of exit. He tried the +door, but it was locked. Twice he threw his whole weight against it, but +it did not budge. He looked at the windows. For some reason, they were +heavily barred. + +Chester put the muzzle of his automatic to the keyhole of the door and +fired. The lock was blown entirely away, and the door flew open beneath +the lad's weight. + +Not hesitating, the lad leaped through the next room and sped into the +hall beyond. He could clearly see that his way now led to the front door, +and he made for it at a run. He grasped the knob and gave a quick wrench, +but the door would not open. + +He sought for the key to turn it, but there was no key. Evidently the +family, upon going away, had barred it from the outside. From behind, the +boy could hear the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps, and he knew +that every moment's delay spelled disaster and almost certain death. + +He picked up a chair, and with a single blow shattered the glass front of +the door. He drew the leg of the chair across the ragged pieces of glass +left at the bottom, and then, dropping the chair, drew himself up. + +Just as he was about to tumble out on the far side, four men dashed up +the steps with drawn revolvers. Chester took in the situation at a +glance. He was between two fires, and escape was impossible. + +"Well," he told himself quietly, "I guess it's all up with me this time." + +He dropped back inside and faced his pursuers. Throwing his now useless +revolver to the floor, he raised both hands. + +"I surrender," he said quietly. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +AT THE POINT OF DEATH. + + +Two of Chester's pursuers approached him warily with leveled revolvers, +apparently fearing a trick. Coming within striking distance, one of them +dealt the lad a heavy blow with his fist. Chester fell to the floor +without so much as a groan, unconscious. + +When the lad again opened his eyes he was once more in the council +chamber of the conspirators. In the dim light he could discern the masked +circle of faces that had gazed at him when he had entered the room for +the first time. The only difference being that there was here and there a +vacant chair. + +Chester recovered consciousness fully alert to what was going on about +him. He took in the situation at a glance, and a grim smile lighted up +his face as his eyes fell upon the vacant chairs. + +"Looks like I had done a fair job, at any rate," he told himself. + +His gaze turned toward the chief's platform. The chief was there, but his +head was swathed in bandages. + +"Too bad I missed him!" Chester muttered. "He is evidently the +ring-leader, and to have downed him would have been the proper thing." + +Any further reflections the lad might have had were interrupted by the +booming voice of the chief, who now rose to his feet. + +"Prisoner, stand up!" he commanded. + +Chester arose from the chair in which he had been seated. His arms were +bound behind him and his feet had been tied together; still he found that +he could stand. + +"Prisoner," continued the chief, "your name!" + +"Chester Crawford," was the lad's firm reply. + +"And what are you doing in Belgium in these troublous days?" + +"I am attached to the staff of the Belgian commander at Liege," was the +boy's prompt response. + +"But what are you doing in Louvain?" + +"I came here with dispatches." + +"So? And yet you are not a Belgian, I take it; nor yet, French. What, +then? An Englishman?" + +"No; I am an American," said Chester proudly. + +"An American! Then how comes it that you are fighting for the enemies +of Germany?" + +"I am proud to be fighting for what I consider the right," said +Chester simply. + +"The right!" exclaimed the chief, in a loud voice. "Well, you shall soon +see that you would have been better off had you stayed on the other side +of the Atlantic." + +Chester did not reply. + +"Do you know what we are going to do with you?" continued the chief. + +"No, and I don't care," was the lad's reply. + +"We are going to kill you," said the chief calmly. "But first you will +be given a hearing. We do not put even our enemies to death without a +fair trial." + +Chester laughed mockingly. + +"A fair trial by such as you?" he exclaimed. "That is a joke. But go +ahead with the farce, and let's have it over with as soon as possible." + +The reply was a subdued growl. + +"Why are you here, in this room?" he demanded, at length. + +"To learn the details of a plot that would deliver Louvain into the hands +of its enemies," replied Chester calmly. + +"How did you learn our rendezvous?" + +"By listening to the conversation of two of your members who were so +indiscreet as not to remember that the walls of their room might +have ears." + +"So? That shall be looked into. Such indiscretion is not to be tolerated. +But how comes it that you were able to discover the knock of admittance; +how comes it that you have a mask exactly like the rest of us?" + +"You are asking a good many questions," said Chester, "but as this +probably is my finish, I don't mind telling you. I followed one of your +members here, and overheard him knock. Then I waylaid the other and took +his mask, clothes, and credentials away from him." + +The chief looked at him in surprise. + +"And you a mere boy," he exclaimed. "You are a bold lad and 'tis a pity +you have fallen into our hands. But that is enough. You admit, then, that +you entered here to spy upon us?" + +"Certainly, with the greatest of pleasure," said Chester. "Why shouldn't +I admit it?" + +"Enough!" cried the chief, and turned to his men. + +"You have heard the confession of the prisoner," he said. "Number One, +what is your verdict?" + +"Guilty!" replied Number One, in a solemn voice. + +"Number Two?" called the chief. + +"Guilty!" was the reply. + +And so on all down the line. Each answer was the same. And when each +plotter had given his verdict, the chief addressed them all in a +loud voice. + +"And the penalty?" he questioned. "What shall the penalty be?" + +And each man answered as with one voice: + +"Death!" + +"Good!" said the chief. "So be it." + +He turned to Chester. + +"Prisoner," he said, "you have heard the verdict. Have you anything +further to say?" + +"Nothing," said Chester quietly. "What's the use?" + +"Then," said the chief, turning to the rest of the conspirators, "you +shall draw lots to determine the executioner." + +He opened a small box that was on the table, rose to his feet, and held +the box out at arm's length. + +"You will come forward, one at a time," he told his fellow-plotters, "and +let not one of you look at the ball you have drawn until each man has +taken a ball and returned to his seat. Number One!" + +Number One stepped forward, reached in the box and extracted a ball, +which he carefully concealed in his hand, and returned to his seat. Each +man stepped forward in turn, and then returned to his chair, with a ball +in his hand. Then the chief spoke again. + +"Who has the red ball?" he demanded. + +Each man looked at the ball he had drawn, and then a voice at the +opposite end of the room from Chester rang out: + +"I have it!" + +"Good!" exclaimed the chief once more. "Then the prisoner's fate shall be +left in your hands. You may dispose of him in whatever manner you desire. +But"--and he raised a warning finger--"see that you make no slip." He +turned to the rest of the conspirators. "The rest of you may go." + +Slowly the conspirators, at intervals of perhaps a minute each, filed +from the room, and soon there was no one left save Chester, his +executioner, and the chief. + +"Remember," said the chief to the one remaining conspirator, as he +prepared to take his departure, "remember that a failure to carry out the +command of the court-martial means your own death." + +"Have no fear," replied the executioner. "He shall not escape." + +The chief nodded and left without another word. + +A moment the executioner stood, looking after the chief's retreating +figure. Then he drew a revolver from his pocket and approached Chester. + +Chester's heart began to thump loudly, and, try as he would, he could not +but tremble. + +"This is the finish, all right," he told himself. + +He closed his eyes and uttered a short prayer. + +A hand fell on his shoulder and shook him, The lad opened his eyes. The +executioner stood over him, revolver in hand. + +"You are an enemy of my country," said the executioner, "and I should +kill you. But I can't do it. You spared my life once, and it is +impossible that I kill you now." + +Chester's heart beat rapidly. Could it be that he was once again to +escape death when he was sure that his last moment had come? But he +replied in a steady voice: + +"I saved your life? Where? When?" + +With a quick move the man lifted his mask from his face. + +"Do you remember now?" he demanded. + +The face was that of the man with whom Hal had fought in the +farmhouse--the home of Edna Johnson--some days before. Chester recognized +him immediately as the German officer who had led his men to the attack +in the farmhouse. + +But Chester had not spared the man's life. He had not even fought with +him. It was Hal who had refused to give the German his death-thrust when +the latter was at his mercy. Chester thought quickly. + +"He has mistaken me for Hal," he told himself, "and if he knew it he +would probably kill me at once. I must keep up the game." + +He replied to the German's question: + +"Yes, I do remember you now." + +"Then you see why it is I cannot kill you," said the German; "but neither +can I let you go free. For if I did you would consider it your duty to +inform the Belgian commander of what you have learned and thus frustrate +our plans. I don't know what to do with you." + +Chester made no reply, and the captain continued: + +"I can think of but one thing, and that is to keep you with me until the +Germans have taken Louvain, after which, in some manner, I shall see that +you reach the Belgian lines safely. But we shall have to be very careful +as we leave here. The chief may have stationed a guard, and if he should +learn that I have not killed you, my own life would pay the forfeit. But +come, we must act quickly." + +So saying, the German stooped over Chester and cut his bonds. The lad +rose to his feet and stretched himself. For a moment he considered the +advisability of leaping upon his captor-friend, wrenching his revolver +from him, and making his escape. But this plan he immediately put aside +as unwise, for his captor still held the weapon ready, and the boy knew +that a single false move and the German would fire. Therefore, he did as +his captor bade him. + +The German raised his revolver in the air and fired a single shot. + +"If anyone remained to see whether the execution was carried out, that +will probably convince him," he said. "Now I will go out the door, and do +you follow in sixty seconds. I shall be watching, and if you try to +escape I shall kill you." + +The German peered out through the door, and a moment later was on the +outside. For a moment Chester debated whether he should make a dash in +the other direction. A little reflection, however, and he decided he had +better not. His limbs were cramped from being tightly bound, and he knew +that should he not make his appearance as commanded by the German within +sixty seconds, the latter would come after him--and the latter was armed +and Chester was not. + +Slowly he counted off the sixty seconds, and then stepped through the +door. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +"OUT OF THE FRYING PAN--" + + +"This way," came a low voice, as the lad reached the top of the steps. + +It was now after nightfall, and the street was very dark, but Chester +could dimly make out the form of the officer a few yards ahead of him. + +"Follow me," came the voice again, "and remember that I have my gun +ready. Just so surely as you make a false move I will kill you." + +Chester made no reply, but followed his captor down the street. At the +first corner the officer stopped and allowed Chester to come up with him. + +"I guess we can walk along together now," he said, as they turned the +corner. "It is hardly likely that they suspect me." + +"I am sure I can never thank you enough," said Chester fervently. + +"Never mind that," said the German. "I don't want any thanks. But it is a +poor gentleman who cannot return a favor." + +The two continued their way in silence. They came at length to a little +house, setting well back on a dimly lighted street, and here the German +turned in, Chester accompanying him. The officer let himself into the +house with a night key, and the two ascended the stairs, at the top of +which the officer led the lad into a small but comfortable room. + +"Just make yourself at home," he told Chester, "It isn't much, but it's +the best I can offer. Here you will have to stay till after to-morrow +night, or at least until we have occupied the city." + +From a little cupboard the officer produced some sandwiches and two +bottles of beer. + +"Help yourself," he said. + +"Thanks," said Chester. "I'll try one of the sandwiches, but I don't +believe I care for any of the beer." + +"What's the matter?" demanded his host. "Don't you drink beer?" + +"No," said Chester, "and I don't want to start now." + +"Suit yourself," said the German, pouring himself a glass. "Have one of +these sandwiches, anyhow." + +Chester ate hungrily, for it had been many hours since he had tasted +food. The light meal disposed of, the German lighted a cigarette, and the +two leaned back for a talk. They discussed various topics for several +hours, and then the German said: + +"Well, I guess it is time for me to turn in. You will bunk in the +corner there," pointing, "and I'll sleep in the other corner. But first +I must tie you up. It wouldn't do to have you escape, you know, for in +spite of the fact that I am your friend, I am first of all a servant of +the Kaiser." + +He produced some rope, and soon Chester was once more bound securely, but +not uncomfortably. The lad lay down and closed his eyes, and a moment +later the German also turned in. + +Chester was in no mood for sleep. He had too much on his mind to think of +slumber. Several moments more and the deep regular breathing of the +officer gave evidence that he was sound asleep. + +Chester squirmed and twisted quietly in his bunk, trying to release his +hands. Minute after minute he continued with untiring energy. A clock +somewhere in the house struck the hour of twelve, and still Chester +squirmed and twisted. + +As he turned this way and that, straining at his bonds, his left hand +suddenly came free. Chester could hardly believe his own senses. A moment +later and he had released his feet. Cautiously he arose and peered into +the darkness. He could not see an inch before him. The room was +absolutely black. + +But Chester's sense of direction stood him in good stead now. Slowly and +cautiously he tip-toed toward the spot where he knew the door to be. His +outstretched hand touched the wood, and a moment later his exploring +fingers found the knob. He found the key and turned it, then slowly and +silently turned the knob. + +The door swung open without even a creak and in a second more the lad was +on the outside and the door was closed behind him. Stealthily he +descended the stairs, opened and went out the front door, closing it +softly behind him. Then he darted down the street as fast as his legs +could carry him. + +After rounding several corners, he finally slowed down to a walk. He felt +now that he was safe from pursuit, and he set about finding his way to +the headquarters of General Givet. He continued his walk for several +blocks, and then he was suddenly challenged by a sentry. + +The lad explained his mission, received the proper directions, and was +soon making all haste toward the general's quarters. Once more before the +general's hut, the lad informed the soldier standing guard that he must +see the general immediately. + +"It is impossible," was the reply. "The general is taking a much-needed +rest. He gave orders that he must not be disturbed on any account. But +here," suddenly, "here comes Captain Bassil. He will see that any +information you may have reaches the general." + +Chester turned to greet the newcomer. He saluted as the latter came up to +him. As the officer drew close, he gave one startled look at the boy's +face, and then drew back with an exclamation. + +"You here?" he exclaimed. + +"Why, yes, sir," replied the lad, "and I have important information." To +himself he added: + +"Where have I heard that voice before?" + +"What is your information?" demanded the officer harshly. + +Briefly and quietly Chester told him what he had learned. + +"Impossible!" was the officer's exclamation, when Chester had concluded +his recital. "It is my belief that you have come here to spy." He turned +to the soldier. "Send Lieutenant Armand to me at once," he said. + +The man saluted and disappeared. At the last words of the officer it +suddenly came to Chester where he had heard the voice before. He +approached the officer and peered more closely into his face. + +"I wasn't sure, until I heard your last words," he told him, "but I know +you now. You are a German spy." + +"Hold your tongue," said the officer harshly, "or I will shoot you down +where you stand." + +At that moment another officer hurried up and saluted the captain. + +"You sent for me, sir?" he asked. + +"Yes; this boy is a German spy. I have positive proof. Have him shot +at sunrise." + +"Very well, sir," replied the lieutenant; then to Chester: "Come!" + +"But--" began the lad. + +"No words," said the lieutenant. "Forward--march!" + +Chester saw it was no use to protest, so he marched ahead of the +lieutenant without another word. He was taken to a small tent, thrust in, +and a trooper ordered to mount guard over him. Wearily the lad threw +himself down, and, in spite of his predicament, was soon asleep. + +It was just beginning to grow light when he was rudely awakened by +someone shaking him by the arm. Five minutes later and he was marched +from his tent between a file of soldiers. + +As he walked rapidly along between his captors, he suddenly espied an +officer approaching on horseback. Even from where he was, in the dim +light Chester recognized the horseman, and his spirits rose. It was +plainly apparent that the rider would pass within a few feet of him. + +A moment more, and he was close enough to the mounted officer to touch +his horse. Suddenly the lad sprang forward and cried: + +"General Givet! General Givet!" + +The mounted officer pulled up his horse sharply. At the same moment the +officer in charge of the squad sprang forward and grasped Chester roughly +by the arm. + +"Get back there!" he commanded sharply, but the boy paid no heed. + +"General Givet!" he called again, and laughed happily aloud as the +general turned his horse and came squarely up to him. + +"Why, by my soul!" exclaimed the Belgian commander after a sharp look at +the boy, "if it isn't young Crawford! What are you doing here?" + +"They are going to shoot me as a spy, general," said Chester. + +"What!" exclaimed the commander. "You a spy!" + +He turned to the lieutenant in command of the squad. + +"By whose order, sir?" he demanded. + +"Captain Bassil's order, sir," was the reply. + +"Captain Bassil, eh? Well, you will conduct your prisoner to my quarters. +Then you will inform Captain Bassil that I desire his presence +immediately." + +The lieutenant saluted, and the general rode off. + +Ten minutes later, in the general's quarters, Chester was face to face +with his accuser. + +"Well, sir," said General Givet to Captain Bassil, "what was your reason +for ordering this lad shot? You will please explain yourself at once." + +The captain shifted uneasily from one foot to another. + +"I was sure he was a spy, sir," he made reply. "Why else should he be +spooking about your tent at such an hour in the morning? But if I have +made a mistake--" + +"You have, sir," interrupted the general, "a very serious one--one that +will require a more satisfactory explanation than the one you have just +given. This lad"--and the general laid his hand on Chester's +shoulder--"already has proven himself invaluable to our cause. Had I not +fortunately arrived in time, he would now be dead. And in that event it +would have fared badly with you. But I must investigate this case +farther. Captain Bassil, you will go immediately to your quarters and +consider yourself under arrest." + +As the captain saluted and turned to leave the tent, Chester, who had +been silent thus far, exclaimed: + +"One moment, please, Captain Bassil," and then turned to General Givet. +"I will explain, sir," he, added, "if you will have Captain Bassil remain +a moment longer." + +The general nodded and Captain Bassil remained. Chester walked up to him +and looked him steadily in the eye for several moments. Then he turned to +General Givet and said calmly: + +"I accuse Captain Bassil, sir, of being a German spy!" + +"What!" exclaimed the Belgian commander, starting back. "Do you realize +what you are saying?" + +"Perfectly, sir, and I am prepared to prove what I say." + +Captain Bassil smiled sneeringly. + +"I won't believe you will take any stock in such a wild story, sir," he +said to General Givet. "With your permission, I shall go to my own +quarters." + +"One moment," said the general, raising a detaining hand, and then turned +to Chester. "Explain yourself," he added shortly. + +In a few well-chosen words Chester recounted his experiences of the +day before. + +"And I am positive," he concluded, "that if you will have Captain Bassil +searched, you will find in his possession a paper similar to this," and +he handed the commander the document he had taken from one of the +conspirators before he entered their council chamber. + +The commander ran his eye over the paper hurriedly, and turned sternly +toward Captain Bassil. + +"What have you to say to this charge, sir?" he demanded. + +"That it is a lie!" shouted the accused officer. "He is accusing me to +save himself." + +The general looked at him in silence for some moments, apparently +undecided as to how to act. + +"Well," he said at length, "it will do no harm to find out." + +He stepped to the door of his tent and spoke to the sentinel on duty +just outside: + +"Ask Lieutenant Armand to step this way at once." + +As General Givet turned from giving this command, Captain Bassil suddenly +uttered a loud cry and leaped upon the commander. + +"At least you shall never live to thwart our plans!" he cried, as +he sprang. + +Taken completely off his guard, General Givet was hurled heavily to the +ground by the force of the traitor's spring. The commander's head struck +the ground with a crash, and he lay still. A revolver barrel gleamed in +the sunlight that filtered through the half-closed opening in the tent. +But even as it was brought to bear Chester leaped forward. + +With one strong hand he seized the traitor by the wrist, and deflected +the revolver just as the traitor's hand pressed the trigger, and the +bullet whistled harmlessly through the top of the tent. + +The captain turned upon Chester with the fury of a madman, and so sudden +and fierce was his attack that the lad was borne to the ground. But in +spite of the fact that he was underneath, one hand still grasped the hand +in which the spy held the revolver; and, try as he would, the latter was +unable to break the boy's grip. + +His teeth bared in a snarl, the traitor suddenly released his grip on the +revolver, drew back and drove his fist at the lad's face. But if Captain +Bassil was quick, Chester was quick also. With a rapid movement, he +rolled over, the revolver still in his hand, and thus escaped the +terrific blow aimed at him. + +But before he could rise or bring the revolver to bear, the traitor was +upon him again, and two hands seized him by the throat. In vain the lad +tried to shake himself free, and he was slowly being choked into +unconsciousness. + +But with a last desperate effort, he succeeded in bringing the +revolver, which he still held firmly, between him and his enemy, and +pressed the trigger. + +There was the sound of an explosion, and for a moment the grip on the +boy's throat seemed to grow even tighter. But for a moment only, and then +the hands relaxed, Chester heard a faint moan, and, drawing in great +gasps of fresh air, the boy fell into unconsciousness, just as the flap +to the tent was jerked hurriedly aside and many men rushed in. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE END OF THE CONSPIRACY. + + +When Chester opened his eyes to the world again he was propped up on +General Givet's own bed, and the Belgian commander and a Belgian surgeon +were leaning over him. + +"Awake at last, eh?" said General Givet, with a smile, as Chester opened +his lips to speak. "You had a narrow squeak, and no mistake. And to think +that a young lad like you should be the means of saving my life!" + +"You have indeed rendered a great service to Belgium," broke in the +surgeon. "But how do you feel?" + +"A little weak," replied Chester, with a faint smile. "But Captain +Bassil? Where is the traitor?" + +"Dead," was the Belgian commander's laconic response. + +Chester shuddered involuntarily. + +"Never mind," said the general; "it was his life or yours, and mine too, +for that matter." + +"But it makes a fellow feel awfully queer," said Chester. "In battle it +would have been different. But to shoot--" + +He broke off and was silent. + +"And the conspiracy?" he asked, after a brief pause. "You have taken +steps to catch the Germans in their own trap?" + +"I have," said the general grimly. "They will wish they had attempted to +take Louvain in some other manner. Thinking us unprepared, they will be +too confident. If they fall into our trap--and I am positive they +will--they will be annihilated." + +Chester was struck with a sudden idea. + +"General," he said, "why can't we round up all the conspirators that are +in the city?" + +"In what way?" asked the commander. + +Chester's reply was another question: + +"Has your attempted assassination been kept a secret, or is it +generally known?" + +"It has been kept quiet," was the general's reply. "Were it generally +known our coup might fail." + +"Exactly as I thought," said Chester. "Now I am almost positive that the +conspirators will gather for one more session before the German advance, +if only to make sure that nothing has gone amiss. We can surround the +house and capture them red-handed." + +"An excellent idea!" exclaimed the general. "It shall be acted upon. +I will give orders to that effect immediately," and he turned to +leave the tent. + +But before he should step outside, Chester jumped out of bed and ran +after him. + +"And how about me, sir?" he demanded. "Am I not to be allowed to take +part in the capture?" + +"You!" exclaimed the general. "You are in no condition to move about. You +shall stay here in bed." + +"Please, general," pleaded Chester. "This is my discovery; it should be +my capture, too." + +The general stood wrapped in thought for some moments. + +"So it should," he said at length, "and so it shall be, if you feel equal +to the task." + +"I am perfectly strong again," said Chester eagerly. + +"So be it, then," replied General Givet. "How many of the conspirators +did you say there are?" + +"About twenty-five, I should judge." + +"Good! I shall place one hundred men at your disposal, and leave entirely +to you the manner in which you make the capture." + +Chester was jubilant. So great was his eagerness to be at his work that +he could hardly wait for his men to be selected. But at last everything +was ready and it was time to start. + +A short distance from the rendezvous of the conspirators, Chester divided +his men into four groups of twenty-five each, so that they could approach +from all directions at once. + +With his men concealed from view, Chester bethought himself of the best +manner to entice the conspirators out into the open. Finally he hit +upon a plan. Calling three of his men, he walked with them to a spot +directly in front of the conspirators' rendezvous. Here the four +started a heated argument. + +Suddenly there was the sound of a door opening, and a moment later the +well-known voice of the chief of the conspirators exclaimed: + +"It is the spy! Come, men, we must capture him. Shoot down the soldiers!" + +A moment later and the entire number of masked conspirators were in +the street. Then, at a signal from Chester, the Belgian troops sprang +upon them. + +There was the sound of a pistol shot, followed by many more, and a bullet +whistled by Chester's ear. Two of the Belgian troopers fell, and several +others groaned. It was plain that the conspirators, trapped as they were, +would not give up without a fight. + +"Fire!" cried Chester, and a death-dealing volley was poured into the +little knot of men huddled together in the street, surrounded by +Belgian soldiers. + +The fighting became desperate. The conspirators were giving a good +account of themselves, and here and there Belgian soldiers were falling. + +Now the conspirators turned and made a dash toward their retreat. But +five Belgian troopers sprang forward and barred the door, firing as they +did so. The ranks of the conspirators were considerably thinner now, and +to continue the fight would mean slaughter. This fact the chief +recognized. + +He hurled his revolver at his foes with a fierce imprecation, and then +raised his hands above his head. His followers did the same. + +"I surrender!" said the chief. + +Chester went up to him. + +"The tables are turned, I see," the chief greeted him. "Well, a man can't +be on top all the time. But I was a fool not to have stayed and seen you +properly shot." + +"I am glad you didn't," was Chester's reply, "for I guess you would have +made a good job of it. But enough of this. I am commanded to take you +before General Givet." + +Surrounded by Belgian troopers, the conspirators were marched to the +headquarters of the commanding general. There a court-martial was called +to sit at once. Its work was brief. The prisoners were ordered taken out +and shot as spies and traitors to Belgium. + +Upon orders issued by General Givet, the Belgian troops soon began to +move in accordance with the plan by which the Belgian leader hoped to +trap the Germans. Their movements were such as to lead the German +outposts to believe that they were retreating. + +But instead of weakening his line where the Germans had planned to +attack, General Givet strengthened it heavily. The troops were ordered to +fallback a short distance, so that the German leader might believe the +force in front of him had been sent to another part of the field to repel +an attack that was believed imminent. + +But the expected fall of Louvain by this piece of treachery was to prove +a bitter disappointment to the German commander. Instead of the weak +Belgian line he believed he was to encounter, he was sending his men +against a force that had been heavily reinforced and that was determined +to wipe out the insult. + +As the Belgians gradually drew back, the Germans advanced, not too +swiftly, so as to indicate an attack in force, but gradually and slowly. +But continually larger and still larger bodies of Germans were sent +forward, until suddenly it was apparent to General Givet that the time +for the German surprise had come. + +But when it did come the Belgian commander was ready. As the Teutons came +forward in a headlong charge, the Belgians checked their backward +movement and rushed forward. + +A terrific volley greeted the charging Germans, and from the ambush, into +which the enemy had been lured, the artillery opened upon them. They +wavered slightly, but still they came on. But even as they sprang forward +once more, the Belgian cavalry swooped down on them, dealing out death on +every hand. + +Stubbornly the Germans held their ground. Reinforcements were rushed to +their aid, and the battle became general all along the line. + +It was evident by this time that the German commander realized +something had gone wrong with his plans; but now that the attack had +been made he was not the man to give up without doing all in his power +to go ahead. Now the Germans broke and began to retreat. With a wild +yell, squadron after squadron of Belgian horsemen charged down upon the +retreating Teutons. + +Three times the German officers, bravely exposing themselves to the +leaden hail of death, succeeded in checking their straggling troops, and +three times the Germans coolly reformed under a terrific artillery and +rifle fire. + +But it was no use. For now the Belgians began a concerted advance all +along the line. The German charge had spent itself, and the Teutons +gradually drew off. + +But the retreat did not become a rout. The Germans fell back slowly, +contesting every inch of the ground. The aim of the Belgian gunners and +infantrymen was excellent, and the havoc wrought in the German lines was +terrible. The field was strewn with dead, but over these the Belgian +troops pushed on, pressing their advantage to the utmost. + +Finally General Givet called a halt. The Germans were still retreating, +but the Belgian commander did not feel that he could afford to pursue +them farther. The danger of a surprise was over, and he did not wish to +risk another battle, particularly as he was unable to see the necessity +of extending his own lines. + +Therefore, the Belgian troops fell back upon their line of defense and +the battle was over. + +Chester, upon the express command of General Givet, had not been allowed +to take part in the battle. The Belgian commander had kept the lad close +to him, occasionally dispatching him to some near portion of the field +with some order. And now that the fighting was over, General Givet +announced that he would be pleased if Chester would dine with him. + +But his work over and all his duties properly attended to, Chester +bethought himself of his wounded chum. He was anxious to see Hal and +relate what had happened and to make sure that his friend was being +properly taken care of. + +He reminded the general of the latter's promise to have Hal sent to +Brussels, and received the commander's renewed assurances that he would +not forget. Then he set out for the place where he had left Hal. + +He stopped on the way, however, to see Edna Johnson, knowing that she +would be interested in what had occurred since he last saw her and +learning that but for her the Belgian army in Louvain might have suffered +a terrible calamity. + +Chester did not linger long with Edna, however, after relating his +experiences and a brief chat on other subjects, made his way to the house +where he had left his wounded chum, to whom he gave a detailed account of +all that he had done, and of the arrangements he had made for their +reaching Brussels. + +"I would have been all right here," protested Hal. + +"Maybe you would," replied Chester, "but there is likely to be more +fighting at any time, and you are in no condition to move about. You will +be better off in Brussels." + +"I guess you are right," said Hal. + +"I know I am right. I understand there are no German troops between here +and Brussels, so there will be no danger on the way." + +Hal was silent for some moments, musing. + +"We have had some fun here, haven't we, Chester?" he asked at length. + +"We have," was the reply. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world." + +"Nor I," returned Hal. "And, when I am well, we shall see more fighting. +The war has just begun." + +Four days later Chester and Hal arrived in Brussels, where Chester +procured the services of a good physician for his friend, who had stood +the trip remarkably well, and the physician, after an examination, +announced that Hal would be able to get about in a short time. + +"Quiet for a few days is all that is necessary," he declared. + +And so Hal and Chester, comfortably housed in the Belgian capital, sat +down to await the time when they could again give their services to the +allied armies. + +And here properly ends the story of "The Boy Allies at Liege," though not +the story of "The Boy Allies." Their subsequent adventures in the +greatest war of all history will be found in a sequel, "The Boy Allies on +the Firing Line; or Twelve Days' Battle on the Marne." + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY ALLIES AT LIEGE*** + + +******* This file should be named 12656.txt or 12656.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/6/5/12656 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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