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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Allies with Haig in Flanders
+by Clair W. Hayes
+
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+Title: The Boy Allies with Haig in Flanders
+
+Author: Clair W. Hayes
+
+Release Date: July, 2004  [EBook #6083]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on November 3, 2002]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE BOY ALLIES WITH HAIG IN FLANDERS ***
+
+
+
+
+This eBook was produced by Sean Pobuda.
+
+
+
+THE BOY ALLIES WITH HAIG IN FLANDERS
+
+Or The Fighting Canadians of Vimy Ridge
+
+By Clair W. Hayes
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+A NEW USE FOR A DICTAPHONE
+
+The rain fell in torrents over the great battlefield, as Hal Paine and
+Chester Crawford, taking advantage of the inky blackness of the night,
+crept from the shelter of the American trenches that faced the enemy
+across "No Man's Land."
+
+In the trenches themselves all was silence. To a spectator it would
+have seemed that the occupants were, either dead or asleep; yet such
+was not the case.
+
+It is true that most of the men had "turned in" for the night, sleeping
+on their arms, for there was no means of telling at what moment the
+enemy might issue from his trenches in another of the night raids that
+had marked this particular sector for the last few weeks; but the ever
+vigilant sentinels stood watch over the sleeping men.  They would sound
+an alarm, should occasion demand, in ample time to arouse the sleepers
+if an enemy's head appeared in the darkness.
+
+Hal and Chester, of course, left the American trenches with full
+knowledge of these sentinels; otherwise they might have been shot.
+
+Once beyond the protecting walls of earth, they moved swiftly and
+silently toward the German trenches less than a hundred feet away --
+just the distance from the home plate to first base on a baseball
+diamond, as Hal put it -- ninety feet.
+
+These two lads, who now advanced directly toward the foe, were
+lieutenants in the first American expeditionary force to reach France
+to lend a hand in driving back the legions of the German Emperor, who
+still clung tenaciously to territory he had conquered in the early
+stages of the great war.  These boys had, at one time, been captains in
+the British army, and had had three years of strenuous times and
+exciting adventures in the greatest of all wars.
+
+Their captaincies they'd won through gallant action upon the field of
+battle.  American lads, they had been left in Berlin at the outbreak of
+hostilities, when they were separated from Hal's mother.  They made
+their way to Belgium, where, for a time, they saw service, with King
+Albert's troops.  Later they fought under the tricolor, with the
+Russians and the British and Canadians.
+
+When the United 'States declared war on Germany, Hal and Chester, with
+others, were sent to America, where they were of great assistance in
+training men Uncle Sam had selected to officer his troops.  They had
+relinquished their rank in the British army to be able to do this.  Now
+they found themselves again on French soil, but fighting under the
+Stars and Stripes.
+
+On this particular night they advanced toward tile German lines soon
+after an audience with General John J. Pershing, commander-in-chief of
+the American expeditionary forces . In one hand Chester carried a
+little hardwood box, to which were attached coils of wire.  In the
+other hand the lad held a revolver.  Hal, likewise, carried his
+automatic in his hand.  Each was determined to give a good account of
+himself should his presence be discovered.
+
+It was unusually quiet along the front this night.  It was too dark for
+opposing "snipers" -- sharpshooters -- to get in their work, and the
+voices of the big guns, which, almost incessantly for the last few
+weeks, had hurled shells across the intervening distance between the
+two lines of trenches, were stilled.
+
+Hal pressed close to Chester.
+
+"Rather creepy out here," he said.
+
+"Right," returned Chester in a whisper.  "I've the same feeling
+myself.  It forebodes, trouble, this silence, to my way of thinking.
+The Huns are probably hatching up some devilment."
+
+"Well, we may be able to get the drift of it, with that thing you have
+under your arm," was the other's reply.
+
+"Sh-h!" was Chester's reply, and he added: "We're getting pretty
+close."
+
+They continued their way without further words.
+
+Hal, slightly in advance, suddenly uttered a stifled exclamation.
+Instantly Chester touched his arm.
+
+"What's the matter?" he asked in a whisper.
+
+"Matter is," Hal whispered back, "that we have come to a barbed-wire
+entanglement.  I had forgotten about those things."
+
+"Well, that's why you brought your 'nippers' along," said Chester. "Cut
+the wire."
+
+Hal produced his "nippers."  It was but the work of a moment to nip the
+wires, and again the lads advanced cautiously.
+
+A moment later there loomed up before them the German trenches.  Hal
+stood back a few feet while Chester advanced and placed the little
+hardwood box upon the top of the trench, and scraped over it several
+handfuls of earth.  The lad now took the coil of wire in his hand, and
+stepped down and back. The lads retraced their steps toward their own
+lines, Chester the while unrolling the coil of wire.
+
+The return was made without incident.  Before their own trenches the
+boys were challenged by a sentinel.
+
+"Halt!" came the command.  "Who goes there?"
+
+"Friends," returned Hal.
+
+The sentinel recognized the lad's voice.
+
+"Advance," he said with a breath of relief.
+
+A moment later the boys were safe back among their own men.
+
+"If the Germans had been as watchful as our own sentries, we would have
+had more trouble," said Hal.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," was Chester's reply.  "I saw a German sentinel, but
+he didn't see me in the darkness."
+
+"It was his business to see, however," declared Hal.
+
+"Well, that's true.  But now let's listen and seen if we can overhear
+anything of importance."
+
+Chester clapped the little receiver to his ear.  Hal became silent.
+
+Ten minutes later Chester removed the receiver from his ear.
+
+"Nothing doing," he said.  "I can hear some of the men talking, but
+they are evidently playing cards."
+
+"Let me listen a while," said Hal.
+
+Chester passed the receiver to his chum, and the latter listened
+intently.  For some moments he heard nothing save the jabbering jargon
+of German troopers apparently interested in a card game.  He was about
+to take the receiver from his ear, however, when another voice caught
+his attention
+
+He held up a hand, which told Chester that something of importance was
+going on.
+
+"All right, general," said a voice in the German trenches, which was
+carried plainly to Hal's ear by the Dictaphone.
+
+"Stay!" came another voice.  "You will also order Colonel Blucher to
+open with all his guns at the moment that General Schmidt's men advance
+to the attack."
+
+"At midnight, sir," was the reply.
+
+"That is all."
+
+The voices became silent.
+
+Quickly Hal reported to Chester what he had overheard.
+
+"It's up to us to arouse Captain O'Neill," said Chester.  He hurried
+off.
+
+Hal glanced at his watch.
+
+It was 10 o'clock.
+
+"Two hours," the lad muttered.  "Well, I guess we'll be ready for
+them."
+
+A few moments later Captain O'Neill appeared.  He was in command of the
+Americans in the first line trenches.  These troops were in their
+present positions for "seasoning" purposes.  They had been the first to
+be given this post of honor.  They had held it for several days, and
+then had been relieved only to be returned to the front within ten
+days.
+
+At command from Captain O'Neill, Hal made his way to the, south along
+the line of trenches, and approached the quarters of General Dupres.
+To an, orderly he announced that he bore a communication from Captain
+O'Neill.
+
+"Mon Dieu!" exclaimed the French commander, when Hal had delivered his
+message.  "So they will attack us in the night, eh?  Well, we shall
+receive them right warmly."
+
+He thought a moment. Then he said:
+
+"You will tell Captain O'Neill to move from the trenches with his
+entire strength.  He will advance ten yards and then move one hundred
+yards north.  You may tell him that I will post a force of equal
+strength to the south.  He will not fire until my French troops open on
+the enemy."
+
+Hal returned and reported to Captain O'Neill.
+
+It was plain that the American officer didn't understand the situation
+fully.  However, he simply shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"General Dupres is in command," he said.  "I guess he knows what he's
+doing or he wouldn't be here."
+
+Captain O'Neill gave the necessary commands.  The American troops moved
+from the trenches in silence.  There was a suppressed air of
+excitement, however, for each man was eager for the coming of he knew
+not what.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE AMBUSH
+
+At the point decided upon for the American troops to take their stand
+was a collection of shell holes.  In order that the attack upon the
+Germans might have all the elements of surprise when it came, Captain
+O'Neill ordered his men into these holes to guard against any
+possibility of surprise.
+
+Now, it is an undoubted fact that when a man curls himself up with two
+or three preliminary twists, after the fashion of a dog going to bed,
+in a perfectly circular shell hole on a night as black as this, he is
+extremely likely to lose his sense of direction.
+
+That is what happened to Private Briggs, of the American forces.
+
+The Americans lay in silence, awaiting the moment of the surprise.
+Suddenly it came.  From the position held by the French broke out a
+fusillade.  The Germans had approached closer.
+
+Captain O'Neill and his followers got to their feet and dashed upon the
+enemy -- all but Private Briggs.
+
+Besides his rifle, each man was armed with hand grenades - bombs --
+which he carried in his pockets.
+
+When Private Briggs sprang to his feet, it took him so long to untangle
+himself that the others had gone on ahead of him.
+
+He could see no one.
+
+However, want of courage was not one of his failings.  He determined
+upon a plan of his own.  While the other combatants were locked in a
+death grapple, he would advance by himself to the German trenches and
+hurl his grenade.
+
+To think with Private Briggs was to act.  He advanced at a run.
+
+Suddenly a parapet loomed up before him.  In this same parapet, low
+down, Briggs beheld a black and gaping aperture -- plainly a loophole
+of some kind.  Without a moment's hesitation, Briggs hurled a Mills
+grenade straight through the loophole, and, forgetting for the moment
+that others of his troop were not with him, uttered a wild screech!
+
+"Come on, boys!"
+
+He leaped to the top of the trench by himself, and jumped from the
+parapet -- into his own trenches.  Having lost his sense of direction,
+he had charged the wrong way.
+
+As the bomb exploded in the French trenches, men rushed toward him.
+Still grasping several bombs, Briggs stared at them in wide-eyed
+surprise.  An officer rushed up to him.
+
+Briggs explained the situation.  Fortunately, no one had been wounded
+by the bomb.
+
+"You Americans!  You Americans!" exclaimed the French officer.  "But
+go!" he commanded.  "Your men are out there," pointing; "do you not
+hear the sounds of conflict?  If you charge there with the courage with
+which you have charged here, you may be of some use after all."
+
+Briggs wasted no time.  With a flush on his face, he again leaped to
+the parapet, and, a moment later, disappeared in the darkness, running
+as swiftly as he could to where firing indicated that the battle
+raged.
+
+Meanwhile, what of Hal and Chester, and the American troops?
+
+As the Americans poured from their shell holes after the first outburst
+of firing, they dashed toward where they could make out the forms of
+German infantry close at hand.
+
+From beyond, the French, who had taken up a position as the French
+commander had outlined to Hal, poured a withering fire into the foe.
+The German officer in command immediately halted his advance, wheeled
+his men, and gave battle to the French.
+
+At almost the same moment the Americans dashed upon his men from the
+rear.  One volley the Americans poured into the Germans, then their
+arms drew back and an avalanche of hand grenades sped on their mission
+of death.  The execution was terrific.
+
+In vain the German officers attempted to hold their men to the work in
+hand.  Teuton ranks lost formation, and, as the Americans advanced with
+the bayonet, the enemy broke and fled.
+
+The German surprise had failed; it had been on the other hand.
+
+As the Germans retreated, the Americans pursued.  A body of troops, led
+by Hal, came, upon an isolated group of the enemy.
+
+"Surrender!" cried Hal.
+
+The Germans needed no second offer. Their guns went to the ground at
+the lad's words, and they raised their hands in the air.  They were
+made prisoners and sent to the rear.  There was one officer among them
+-- a captain.
+
+At the command from the French general, pursuit of the enemy was
+abandoned, much to the disgust of the American troops, who were for
+pursuing the Germans clear to their trenches, and beyond, if possible.
+Hal and Chester, however, realized the wisdom of the French commander's
+order, for there was a possibility, should the French and Americans
+advance too close, of their being set upon by overwhelming numbers from
+the German trenches, or of their being caught by batteries of
+rapid-firers, which most likely would have meant extermination.
+
+As the French and Americans moved back toward their trenches -- the
+engagement had consumed only it few minutes -- Hal and Chester saw a
+man come flying toward them.  This, although the lads did not know it
+at the time, was Briggs.
+
+Straight past the American troops Briggs sped, and disappeared in the
+darkness beyond.
+
+"Hello!" said Hal, "that man is an American.  Wonder where he's going?"
+
+"It's Briggs, sir," said a man in the ranks.  "He has queer spells some
+times.  Can we go after him, sir?"
+
+Hal put the question up to Captain O'Neill.  The captain hesitated.
+
+"My friend and I will go," said Hal.  "We've been in this fighting game
+too long to take unnecessary chances, sir, but I don't like to see the
+man get into trouble when we can save him."
+
+'Very well," said the captain; "you have my permission, but don't go
+too close."
+
+"I'd like another man, sir."
+
+"Take your choice."
+
+Hal glanced at the men, and called:
+
+"McKenzie."
+
+A soldier stepped forward.  This man, at one time, had been a top
+sergeant in the British army.  He had served through the Boer war in
+South Africa.  Hal had met him at the Fort Niagara training camp a few
+months before, and, while the man had failed to obtain a commission
+there, Hal had been able to have him enlisted in the regular army.
+
+"Will you go with us, McKenzie?" asked the lad. McKenzie saluted.
+
+"Glad to, sir," he replied.
+
+"Good!  Then come on," said Hal.  "We are wasting time here."
+
+Hal led the way at a rapid trot.  He feared that Briggs had already
+approached too close to the German trenches, and the distance was so
+short that there was little likelihood of overtaking the man before he
+reached the trenches.  The only salvation was, so far as Hal could see,
+that Briggs might have stopped before he reached the trenches.
+
+As the three pushed forward, there came a sudden explosion ahead,
+followed closely by a second blast.  The three redoubled their speed,
+and, a moment later, came in sight of the German trenches.
+
+A strange sight met their eyes.
+
+There, upon the top of the German parapet, stood Briggs.  His right arm
+was raised and in it the lads could see a bomb. Apparently the
+explosions a moment before had come from the same source.
+
+As the three looked on, Briggs sent another bomb hurling down into the
+German lines.  There was a third blast.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Chester.  "How can he get away with that?  Why
+don't they shoot him?"
+
+"They're trying," said Hal.  "You can hear the bullets.  They are
+flying over his head!"  The lad raised his voice in a shout: "Briggs!
+Come down here!"
+
+Briggs glanced down. Hal, Chester, and McKenzie had approached close
+now, and Briggs made out their features as he gazed down.
+
+"One moment, sir," he said, "and I'll be with you."
+
+Deliberately he drew back his arm again, and, a moment later his last
+bomb was hurled into the foe.  As the explosion resounded from the
+German trenches, Briggs leaped down lightly, approached Hal and
+Chester, and saluted.
+
+"I'm ready now, sir," he said.
+
+"Then run!" cried Hal.
+
+The four suited the action to the word, and dashed back toward the
+American trenches.  From behind a volley a rifle fire crackled after
+them.
+
+"Anybody hit?" cried Hal, as they dashed along.
+
+There were four negative answers.
+
+Five minutes later the four were safe in the American trenches.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A DANGEROUS MISSION
+
+It was noon of the following day.  Hal and Chester stood at attention
+before General Pershing, the American commander-in-chief.  The latter
+gazed at them long and earnestly.  With a half shrug he muttered, as he
+turned to his desk:
+
+"But they are so young."
+
+The words were not meant for the lads' ears, but Hal and Chester
+overheard them.  Hal spoke:
+
+"If you please, Sir," he said quietly, "we are not so young as you seem
+to believe.  To me, Sir, our experience seems very old."
+
+General Pershing glanced up from a pile of papers he was perusing.
+Again he looked at the two lads in silence.  The two boys bore the
+close scrutiny unflinchingly.  At length General Pershing got to his
+feet, and, approaching Hal and Chester, laid a. hand on the shoulder of
+each.
+
+"You are brave youngsters," he said quietly.  "From what you have done
+since the American troops reached France, I know that Marshal Joffre
+and General Haig have not spoken too highly of you; and yet," here the
+American commander hesitated a moment before continuing; "and yet the
+piece of work I have in sight will entail, perhaps, more danger, more
+finesse, and more resourcefulness than any mission you have ever
+undertaken."
+
+"You will find that we shall not be found wanting, sir," said Chester
+respectfully.
+
+"I am sure of that," was General Pershing's response.  "It isn't that I
+question your courage or your resourcefulness; but, because of your
+youth, in this particular business, I question your wisdom.  It is a
+task for older and wiser heads, but --"
+
+General Pershing broke off and became silent.  Hal and Chester did not
+interrupt his meditations.  At length the general continued:
+
+"I wish to say before going any further that this mission, if you
+undertake it, in all probabilities, will mean death for one of you.  It
+is for this reason that the task in hand requires the services of at
+least two men.  One to go and come back, and the other to go -- and
+come back if he can.  It may be that neither will return, and yet one
+must return if the safety of his country is to be maintained."
+
+"We shall do our best, sir, if we are entrusted with the mission," said
+Chester quietly.
+
+Again General Pershing hesitated.  Then he took his decision.
+
+"Draw up stools here," he said, and made room at his desk.
+
+The lads did so.  General Pershing spoke in a low voice.
+
+"You both undoubtedly know," he said, "that since the American
+declaration of war on Germany, the activity of German agents and spies
+in the United States has grown to startling dimensions?"  The lads
+nodded and General Pershing continued:  "Very good.  Now, I have before
+me a cable, in code, from the state department, which advises me that
+the department of state must have, at all hazards, a list of the most
+important German agents in America.  It is essential.  Here," the
+general pushed a slip of paper in front of the lads, "is the
+translation of the code message."
+
+Hal and Chester glanced at the paper. It read:
+
+"German prime minister has lists of agents and spies in United States.
+Realize it is not in your province to get list, but would enlist your
+aid, because our diplomatic agents have all left Germany.  List is
+essential to safeguarding coast defenses and munitions plants.  Do what
+you can."
+
+The message was signed by the secretary of state.
+
+Hal passed the paper back to General Pershing.  The latter eyed him
+keenly.
+
+"'You realize the dangerous nature of the work?" he questioned.
+
+"Perfectly, sir; also its importance.  We shall be glad to undertake
+it, sir."
+
+"Very well.  Now I have a little information that may be of value.  In
+another code message from the state department I am advised that
+efforts are being made to get a member of the diplomatic staff back
+into Berlin.  There is one person in the German capital whom you may
+trust."  General Pershing lowered his voice.  "That person," he said,
+"is the wife of the German undersecretary for foreign affairs.  She is
+an American woman, and upon several occasions has been of service to
+her own country.  Her name is Schweiring."
+
+"We shall remember, sir," said Chester.
+
+"Now," said General Pershing, "I have no advice to offer as to how you
+shall reach Berlin, nor how you shall go about your work.  Once in
+Berlin, however, you will have to be governed by circumstances.  You
+speak German, I am told?"
+
+"Like natives, sir," said Hal with a grin.
+
+"Very well.  I shall see that you are granted indefinite leave of
+absence.  There is just one thing more.  I want to say that I do not
+like to ask my men to become spies."
+
+"Why, sir," said Chester gravely, "it's all for our country; and the
+day when a spy was looked down upon has gone.  It is just another way
+of serving ones country, sir."
+
+"Nevertheless," said General Pershing, "the punishment is the same as
+it has been down the ages: death."
+
+"If caught," Hal added with a smile.
+
+"True," was his commander's response, and a slight smile lighted, up
+his own features.
+
+He arose and extended his hand.  Both lads shook it heartily.
+
+"I hope," said General Pershing, "that you may both come through
+safely.  But if you don't -- well, good-bye.  I don't need to tell you
+that if one can get through with the list that, from the nation's
+standpoint, what happens to the other is insignificant."
+
+"I have a request to make, sir," said Hal, as they turned to go.
+
+"Consider it granted," replied his commander.
+
+"It is this," said Hal.  "I believe that it would be well for us to
+take a third man along.  It may be that he will never reach the German
+lines, but he should prove of help for the other two."
+
+"Have you the man in mind?" asked General Pershing.
+
+"Yes, sir.  A man named McKenzie, a private in our troop.  He's a
+Canadian, and has seen years of active service.  Also, as I happen to
+know, he speaks German fluently."
+
+"I shall give you a paper authorizing his indefinite leave of absence,"
+said General Pershing.
+
+He scribbled a few words on a piece of paper, and passed it to the
+lad.  The boys drew themselves to attention, saluted, and left.
+
+"A pretty ticklish piece of business," said Chester quietly, as they
+made their way to their own quarters.
+
+"Rather," said Hal dryly; "and still it must be done.  The safety of
+America depends upon the success of our mission.  It may be well that
+it has been entrusted to us rather than to older men.  We are less
+likely to be suspected if we reach Berlin safely.  Besides, we have
+been there before, and are somewhat familiar with the city."
+
+"Yes," said Chester grimly, "we've been there several times before.  I
+recall that we went there once very much against our will --
+prisoners."
+
+"Well, we didn't stay very long," said Hal.
+
+"Let's hope we don't stay for keeps this time either," said Chester.
+"To tell the truth, I don't think much of this spy business myself."
+
+"Somebody has to do it," Hal declared.
+
+"Of course, but I am not very fond of that sort of work."
+
+"If you don't want to go -" Hal began, but Chester interrupted.
+
+"Of course, I want to go if it must be.  I am ready to do what I can
+for my country in whatever way I may."
+
+"I knew it," said Hal; "I was only fooling.  Come, we will acquaint
+McKenzie with his work.  And if he comes safely through this, I feel
+confident he will not remain long in the ranks."
+
+The found McKenzie, the erstwhile Canadian sergeant, in his tent.
+
+"McKenzie," said Hal, "you are about to take a trip, I see."
+
+"That so, sir?  I hadn't heard of it."
+
+"Yes," Hal continued.  "I heard a man say you were about to go to
+Germany."
+
+"And the man," said McKenzie, "was --"
+
+"General Pershing, McKenzie."
+
+"Very well, sir," said McKenzie, to whom the few words told the story
+of important work to be done.
+
+"In that event, I presume that General Pershing has seen fit to allow
+me leave of absence."
+
+"He has, McKenzie.  I shall present the order to Captain O'Neill at
+once.  In the meantime, see that your guns are cleaned, and that you
+have an extra supply of cartridges.  We may need them. Also, leave any
+papers or other marks of identification behind.  When you are ready,
+come to my quarters."
+
+"I shall be there in half an hour, sir."
+
+Hal and Chester made their way to Captain O'Neill's quarters.  Hal
+presented the papers, granting leaves of absence to the three.
+
+"Hm-m," muttered Captain O'Neill.  "Something up, eh?  Well, I wish I
+were going with you."  He extended a hand.
+
+"Good luck," he said quietly."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+INTO GERMANY
+
+"We'll have to have a leader for this party," said Hal, "one whose word
+shall be law.  I'm agreeable to Chester."
+
+"I'd rather have you," said Chester.
+
+McKenzie also voted for Hal, who already had done him some service.
+This agreement, stood.
+
+"All right," said Hal.  "Now that I'm in command, I'll outline the
+course of procedure.  We'll go from here to the Dutch border."
+
+"How about passports?" Chester wanted to know.
+
+"That's simple enough.  You remember the time when we drew up a set of
+fake passports representing ourselves to be correspondents of the New
+York Gazette?  We'll follow the same plan, except that we each will be
+represented as correspondents of different papers.  See, I've already
+drawn, them."
+
+"I see," said Chester, "but American passports won't be honored in
+Germany now."
+
+"But they will be in Holland," said Hal.  "We'll see what can be done
+about having them changed there.  Now, let's see if we know who we
+are."
+
+He passed the fake passports to the others.
+
+"I'm Barney McCann, eh?" said McKenzie, gazing at the paper he held in
+his hand.  "Oh, well, I guess I can talk Irish as well as German if I
+have to.  And I represent the Chicago Mail."
+
+"I'm still Chester Crawford," said Chester, "and I represent the New
+York Gazette."
+
+"I'm Hal Paine, and I represent the Philadelphia Globe," said Hal.
+"We'll probably have to change our names when we go over the German
+border, but these should answer their purposes in Holland.
+Fortunately, we have learned a few things from Stubbs, so we are not
+unfamiliar with the workings of a newspaper."
+
+"Guess we had better get out of these uniforms," said Chester.
+
+"Right.  We'll don suits of plain khaki, such as Stubbs wears, and
+we'll equip ourselves with the necessary paraphernalia."
+
+This was a simple task, and several hours later, horseback, the lads
+made their way toward where British troops, supported by French, were
+close to, the border of The Netherlands.
+
+They showed their passports, prepared by Hal, to the British military
+authorities, and were permitted to pass.
+
+Holland, although not a participant in the great war, nevertheless,
+soon after the outbreak of hostilities, had felt herself called upon to
+mobilize her military forces that she might protect her borders should
+one of the belligerents attempt to overrun her, as the Germans had
+overrun Belgium at the outbreak of the war.  Therefore, when the three
+travelers reached the border, they were held up by the military.
+
+Hal presented his fake American passport, and Chester and McKenzie did
+likewise.  The officer who had accosted them turned them over to his
+superior.
+
+"Your intentions," said the officer, "I hope are such as not to break
+Holland's neutrality?"
+
+"We're perfectly peaceable, sir," returned Hal with a smile.
+
+"Very well.  This is a neutral country, and you are, of course, free to
+travel about it at your leisure so long as you conduct yourselves
+properly.  Of course, were you American soldiers it would be necessary
+for me to place you under arrest, and YOU would be interned until the
+end of the war."
+
+"I understand that, sir," said Hal.
+
+"By the way," said the Dutch officer, "there is a Dutch newspaperman
+here at this moment.  Perhaps you would like to meet him.  He is Herr
+Heindrick Block, of the Amsterdamer."
+
+"We shall be pleased," said Hal quietly.
+
+The Dutch officer excused himself, and returned a moment later with a
+young Dutchman, whom he introduced to the three friends.  They shook
+hands all around.
+
+"I've already met a compatriot of yours," said the young Dutchman,
+smiling, "a Herr Stubbs.  He is with one of the New York papers -- I
+forget which."
+
+Hal and Chester gave a start of surprise, but quickly recovered
+themselves.
+
+"He is with my paper, The Gazette, sir," returned Chester.  "Is he in
+these parts?"
+
+"He was yesterday," replied Block.  "I do not know where he is now."
+
+The three friends took an instant liking to the young Dutch newspaper
+man.  He led the three to where he was temporarily quartered.
+
+"We can have a little chat here," he said.
+
+During the course of the conversation Hal asked:
+
+"And what is the sentiment in Holland regarding the war?"
+
+The young Dutchman hesitated a moment, and then turned and gazed around
+quickly.
+
+"The sentiment," he said at last, "is that Germany must be crushed.  Of
+course, at this moment Holland cannot afford to enter the arena.
+Germany has massed thousands of troops upon our border.  An unneutral
+act would be dangerous.  Nevertheless, Holland's sympathies are with
+the Allies -- have been from the start.  There is another factor
+besides Holland's natural gratitude to England -- that makes for this.
+Germany has overrun Holland, as well as the rest of the world with
+spies.  Holland is offended, but cannot afford to show it -- now.  But
+while we are kept quiet, there are few of us who would not do much to
+help the Allied cause."
+
+Hal thought quickly.  He glanced at the young Dutchman shrewdly.  He
+felt he could be trusted.
+
+"Then," said the lad quietly, "can you conceive of any way by which we
+can get passports from the Dutch government that will pass us into
+Germany?"
+
+The young Dutchman manifested no surprise.
+
+"Have no fear," he said, as Chester and McKenzie manifested some
+anxiety at Hal's words.  "I shall not betray you.  Only yesterday I was
+able to get a passport for your friend Herr Stubbs."
+
+"What?" cried Hal.  "Stubbs gone into Germany?"
+
+"I supposed you knew that," said Block.  "I supposed he was one of
+you."
+
+"No," said Chester, "Stubbs is what he represents himself to be -- a
+war correspondent."
+
+"Nevertheless," said Block, "he has gone into Germany as Herr
+Klepstein, a Dutch newspaperman."
+
+"That means," said Hal, "that it will be hard work getting passports
+for us."
+
+"Not at all," said Block. "I can do that with ease.  There are many
+Dutch correspondents in Germany.  Two or three more won't matter.  One
+of you can take my passport."  He looked at Hal.  "You and I look
+something alike, anyhow," he said.
+
+"So we do," Hal agreed.  "But can you get passports for my friends
+here?"
+
+"I can manufacture them myself, the same as I did for your friend
+Stubbs," said the Dutchman quietly, "I need not tell you, however, that
+should I be discovered I would probably be shot.  But why shouldn't I
+do it?  My mother was an English Woman."
+
+"We shall be greatly obliged," said Hal.
+
+Block led the way from the tent.
+
+"Mount your horses," he said.  "We'll go to the railroad station and
+catch a train for Amsterdam.  You shall be my guests until the
+passports are prepared."
+
+Hal was nothing loath.  He realized that they had encountered good
+fortune in the person of Herr Block.  He placed implicit confidence in
+the man, for it was perfectly plain that Block was telling the truth
+when he said his sympathies were with the Allies."
+
+For two days the three friends were the guests of the young Dutchman at
+his bachelor apartments in Amsterdam.  Upon the morning of the third
+day, Block presented them with passports properly vised by the Dutch
+authorities.
+
+"These will get you through," he said quietly.
+
+"We can never thank you enough," declared Hal, quietly.  "Some day you
+will realize what a great thing you have done for the world."
+
+"I realize it now," was the young Dutchman's reply.  "I wish I were
+going with you, but it may be that I can be of more service here."
+
+"Undoubtedly," said Hal, "if this is an example."
+
+"Now don't forget who you are," enjoined Block. "You," to Hal, "are
+Herr Block, of The Amsterdamer."  To Chester, "You are Herr Amusdem"
+To McKenzie: "You are Herr Spidle, both of The Nederlander.  Do not
+forget.  Should you encounter other Dutch correspondents, it will be
+well for you to stand on your dignity, and to talk to them as little as
+possible.  Now, have you any idea how you are to go about the
+accomplishment of your mission, whatever it is?"
+
+"No," said Hal, "I haven't.  We shall act in accordance with
+developments."
+
+"Well," said Block, "you may as well be going.  The sooner you get
+there the better.  I shall go with you to your train.  You will have to
+show no passports until you get to the frontier."
+
+At the station, Block saw them comfortably installed in a car that
+would carry them across the border. He shook hands with them.
+
+"Good luck," he said quietly; and added: "Should you, by any chance,
+come out of Germany a jump ahead of a bayonet, remember you will find
+temporary, safety in my quarters.  Good-bye."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE GAME OPENS
+
+"You may pass, gentlemen."
+
+The speaker was a German officer.  Upon the arrival of the three
+friends at the railroad terminus just across the German border the
+officer had made a tour of the train, examining the passports of the
+passengers.  Hal, Chester and McKenzie had extended their passports
+along with the other passengers, and the German officer had found
+nothing wrong with them.
+
+As the German took his leave, McKenzie breathed a sigh of relief.
+
+"I was sure he was going to nab us," he said.
+
+"Careful," whispered Hal.  "We must do all our talking in German, and
+we must do very little of that concerning our private affairs.
+Remember, walls have ears, and I guess that will apply to a railroad
+car as well as a house."
+
+"Right, Herr Block," said Chester with a smile.
+
+The lads found that by remaining upon their car they would go straight
+through to Berlin.  The train was called the Amsterdam-Berlin express,
+and, while at the border, it was crowded with troops, there was still a
+fair sprinkling of passengers bound for the German capital.
+
+It was after dark when the train pulled into Berlin and Hal, Chester,
+and McKenzie prepared to disembark.  As the train stopped, Hal made
+sure that his revolver was loose in his pocket, settled his hat firmly
+on his head, and led the way from the car.
+
+As with most travelers in that part of the world at that time, neither
+was burdened with baggage.  Each carried a small portfolio, much used
+at that time by war correspondents, but they had no other luggage.
+
+"We'll go to the Hotel Bismarck," said Hal.
+
+Although it had been years since either Hal or Chester had been in
+Berlin, Hal's sense of direction now stood him in good stead.  He
+remembered where the Hotel Bismarck stood as well as though he had been
+there yesterday.
+
+At the hotel the three registered under their assumed names, and paid a
+month in advance for a small suite of two rooms.
+
+"We expect to study the internal situation of the city for some time,"
+Hal explained to the clerk, "and we want to feel sure that we shall
+have a place to stay while we are here."
+
+The three made themselves comfortable in their apartments, and for some
+time talked quietly.  At last Hal gave the word for bed.
+
+"We don't know just how we shall proceed," he said, "but we must be
+fresh and ready for any eventuality in the morning."
+
+Morning came and with it the three friends were astir.  They had an
+early breakfast, and then Hal announced that he would fare forth
+alone.
+
+"I'll tell you where I'm going," he said, "so that if anything happens
+to me you will go ahead with the work, regardless.  Remember this.
+Even though I may get in trouble, your duty will be to get the list,
+irrespective of what my fate may be.  America comes first, you know,
+Chester."
+
+"Of course," was the latter's quiet reply.
+
+"Well," said Hal, "I am going to the home of the German undersecretary
+of foreign affairs.  I am going to see Mrs. Schweiring."
+
+Chester nodded.
+
+"Then we shall stay here until you return," he said.
+
+"Very well," Hal agreed.  "But if I have not returned by noon, you will
+know something has happened, and you will proceed about the work with
+no further thought of me."
+
+He left the room quickly.
+
+He made inquiries at the hotel office, and half an hour later found
+himself before the residence of the German undersecretary of foreign
+affairs.  He rang the doorbell.  A footman answered the ring.  Hal
+announced that he would like to see Mrs. Schweiring.
+
+"Your card," said the footman, allowing him to enter.
+
+"I have no card," said Hal.  "You will tell her that Herr Block, of the
+Dutch newspaper, The Amsterdamer, desires to see her."
+
+The footman bowed and departed.  A few moments later he returned,
+followed by a young woman -- she could not have been more than 18, Hal
+decided.  The young woman approached, and spoke to Hal.
+
+"My mother is unable to see you at this moment, Herr Block," she said.
+"She has sent me to learn the nature of your business with her."
+
+"I am sorry, fraulein," said Hal gravely, "but my business is with your
+mother.  I cannot confide it to you."
+
+The footman, meantime, had left the room.
+
+The girl stamped her foot a little angrily.
+
+"But mother has no secrets from me," she declared.
+
+"That's the American blood talking now," said Hal to himself.  Aloud he
+replied:  "Nevertheless, fraulein, I must again ask to be permitted to
+speak to your mother."
+
+The girl glanced at him sharply.  Then she exclaimed in a low voice:
+
+"You are no Dutchman, mynheer."
+
+Hal started a trifle in spite of himself; then, realizing that this
+must have betrayed him, he dropped his hand to his pocket, where
+reposed his revolver.
+
+The girl smiled.
+
+"Have no fear," she said.  "I shall say nothing.  Can it be you are the
+one whom mother expects?"
+
+"The best way to find that out," said Hal, "is to summon your mother."
+
+The girl hesitated no longer.  She fairly flew from the room.  She
+reappeared a moment later, followed by an older woman.
+
+"This is Herr Block, Mother," she said.
+
+"Very well, Gladys," replied her mother.  "Now, if you will leave us
+alone, and make sure that we are not disturbed."
+
+"I shall stand guard myself," replied the daughter.
+
+She disappeared into the long hall.
+
+"Now, Herr Block," said Mrs. Schweiring, "you may tell me the nature of
+your business."
+
+Hal glanced sharply about the room.  Then he leaned close.
+
+"I come from the American expeditionary forces in France," he said
+quietly.
+
+Mrs. Schweiring manifested no surprise.
+
+"I had surmised as much," she returned, "I had looked, however, for a
+man in civil life rather than a military man; also, I had looked for
+one farther along in years."
+
+"I am sure you will find that my youth may work to our advantage," said
+Hal quietly.
+
+"Perhaps.  Now tell me in what way I may help."
+
+"Well," said Hal, "I have come, two friends and myself, in an effort to
+lay hands upon the list of German spies in America -- the list kept by
+the German prime minister."
+
+Mrs. Schweiring nodded.
+
+"I had supposed as much.  It was I who informed the department of state
+in Washington that such a list exists; but without help and without
+laying myself open to suspicion, I dared not try to get it.  It is
+desperate work, but we shall see what can be done.  Gladys!"
+
+Her daughter re-entered the room in response to this summons.
+
+"Gladys," said her mother, "Herr Block is the man we have been
+expecting; but he has not come alone.  His companions are at the Hotel
+Bismarck, registered as Herr Spidle and Herr Amusdem.  You will have
+their belongings moved here.  They are friends whom you met in
+Switzerland and who will share our hospitality while here.  Do you
+understand?"
+
+"Perfectly, Mother."
+
+"But we have no belongings," said Hal quietly.  "We could not be
+bothered with excess baggage."
+
+"Then I shall see that you are supplied with necessary articles," said
+his hostess.  "The success of your mission will necessitate it.  At any
+rate," she said, turning again to her daughter, "you will send a car
+for Herr Block's friends."
+
+The girl nodded and left the room.
+
+"I need not caution you," said Mrs. Schweiring, as she led the way
+upstairs -- and showed to Hal a suite of three comfortably furnished
+rooms.  "A little slip will spoil all.  I shall introduce you to my
+friends as a Dutch war correspondent who, nevertheless, has in him a
+strain of German, with a little American blood. I shall represent that
+you have lived several years in America, but that your heart is with
+the Fatherland."
+
+"And my friends?" questioned Hal.
+
+"They shall be just what they represent themselves to be."
+
+"Very well," said Hal. "You perhaps know best.  But I must, as soon as
+possible, be introduced either to the prime minister or to one of his
+trusted assistants."
+
+"I will tell you something," said his hostess.  "The list which you
+seek is no longer in the hands of the prime minister.  It is now in
+possession of General Rentzel, chief of the secret service; and the son
+of the general comes frequently to see my daughter, Gladys.  But we
+shall talk more later.  I will leave you now and see that sufficient
+wardrobes are procured for you and your friends."
+
+She left the room.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE BOYS MAKE PROGRESS
+
+It was a merry party that gathered around the dinner table in the home
+of the German undersecretary of foreign affairs two nights later. But
+beneath the smiling faces of five members of the party was a suppressed
+excitement, for this dinner had been given by Mrs. Schweiring for a
+purpose.  The purpose was to introduce Hal, Chester and McKenzie to
+General Rentzel, chief of the secret service, and his son, Frederick.
+
+Besides these two guests of honor there were present the German
+minister of foreign affairs and one or two other high diplomats.  The
+boys were in distinguished company and they knew it.
+
+True to her word, Mrs. Schweiring had provided the three friends with
+an abundant wardrobe, which included evening clothes.  Dinner over,
+Mrs.  Schweiring, her daughter Gladys, and the wife of General Rentzel,
+the only women present, retired while the men produced cigars and
+cigarettes.
+
+Neither Hal nor Chester smoked, but they felt called upon to accept a
+cigarette each.  McKenzie, however, had no such scruples, and accepted
+a fat cigar without hesitation.
+
+Hal found himself in conversation with young Captain Rentzel, son of
+the chief of the secret service.
+
+"I understand you have spent some years in America?" he questioned.
+
+"Why, yes," returned Hal.
+
+"Do you like the country?"
+
+"Not overly much," replied Hal with a shrug.  "There are some very nice
+people there, but they are mostly boors."
+
+"My idea exactly," returned the young German officer, "although I have
+never been there.  Do you think America can do much harm to Germany in
+this war?"
+
+"Well," said Hal, "given time, yes; but the American people are
+notoriously slow in such matters.  Besides, I understand that there are
+quite a few German agents at work there now.  With enough of them,
+irreparable injury could be done to the foe before they could prevent
+it."
+
+"I notice you say foe," said the young German; "Yet you have American
+blood in your veins."
+
+"A trifle," returned Hal quietly; "not enough to make me lose sight of
+justice and right."
+
+"Good!" cried the young German.  "Listen.  It's true that we have many
+agents abroad, but some of them have fallen under suspicion and
+consequently will be of no further value.  We need more such men who
+have lived in America and know the customs, and also will not be
+suspected.  By the way, have you an appointment for 10 o'clock?"
+
+"Why, no," said Hal. "Why?"
+
+"Will you go with me at that hour?"
+
+"Where to?"
+
+"To my father's quarters.  He, as you know, is the chief of the secret
+service.  As such, he has charge of the agents abroad.  I thought he
+might make you a proposition."
+
+"There will be no harm if I am unable to accept, will there?" asked
+Hal.
+
+"Not a bit," replied the German heartily.
+
+"Then I'll go."
+
+The next hour was spent in general conversation, after which Captain
+Rentzel arose to take his leave.
+
+"I'm going to run off with one of your friends, Miss Schweiring," he
+said, indicating Hal.
+
+The others laughed, "Oh, take him and show him about a bit, Frederick,"
+laughed Mrs. Schweiring's husband.  "Only be sure that you return him
+safely."
+
+Hal followed the young captain from the house.
+
+Half an hour later he found himself in the palatial office of the chief
+of the German secret service.
+
+Hal looked carefully about the room.  A long table stood in the
+center.  This apparently was the personal property of General Rentzel.
+Great easy chairs were scattered about the room.  There was a window at
+the south side, and back, in the center, against the wall, was a large
+safe.
+
+"Pretty comfortable place," said Hal aloud.
+
+"Rather," agreed the young German.  "Father believes in making himself
+comfortable."
+
+General Rentzel had not arrived yet, but he put in an appearance a few
+moments later.  He manifested no surprise at sight of his son, but he
+eyed Hal askance.
+
+"I thought you young fellows had gone to look about the city," he
+said.
+
+"No, sir," replied his son.  "I invited. Herr Block here to see you,
+sir."
+
+"You did?  Why?"
+
+The son explained as quickly as. possible.
+
+"Hm-m," muttered the general when his son had concluded, eying Hal
+sharply.  "How do I know you are what you represent yourself to be,
+sir?" he demanded.
+
+Hal smiled.
+
+"I'm not applying for a job, sir," he replied.  "I came here at your
+son's suggestion.  He said you might have a proposition to make, and if
+I can be of service without taking too great risk, I am willing, sir."
+
+Again the general meditated.  At last he said:
+
+"It's true that we have need of men for the work my son mentions.  To
+my mind, your youth would be in favor, rather than against, the success
+of the undertaking.  Would you be willing to go back to America?"
+
+"Well, I don't care particularly about going right now," said Hal
+truthfully.
+
+"But there is nothing to prevent your going?"
+
+."Well, no.  But I would know the nature of my work first.  I would not like to
+become a spy, sir.  It seems to me that spies are not made of manly
+caliber, sir."
+
+"You are wrong," was the quiet response.  "Why, I can show you the
+names of men whom you would not think of suspecting, and yet who are
+acting for the German government in America."
+
+"Is that so, sir?"
+
+"It is indeed.  Wait."  General Rentzel arose, approached the big safe
+in the rear of the room, unlocked it and took there from a small
+paper-bound book.  He returned to his seat at the table.
+
+"In this little book," he said, tapping the table gently with it, "are
+the names of our agents in America.  See, I'll show you a name, of
+worldwide importance, who is acting for us."
+
+General Rentzel exposed a name.  Hal glanced at it and then gave a long
+whistle.
+
+"It's no wonder you are surprised," said the general, smiling.
+"Neither is it any wonder that our agents have been so successful in
+America, considering names like that."
+
+"I should say not, sir," returned Hal grim.
+
+General Rentzel returned the book to his safe, closed the heavy iron
+door and twirled the knob.
+
+"What do you say, sir?" he demanded, as he resumed his seat.
+
+For a moment Hal seemed to hesitate.  Then he said:
+
+"I accept on one condition, sir."
+
+"And that?" asked the general.
+
+"That," said Hal, "is that I may have the week in which to put my
+affairs in shape.  I shall have to resign my position with my paper and
+attend to a few other matters, sir."
+
+"Very good, sir.  You need not call here again.  It would be unwise.  I
+shall see you at the Swiss ambassador's ball, which will be held four
+nights from tonight.  There I will give you what passports you need and
+other instructions.  Until then, sir, auf Wiedersehen."
+
+Captain Rentzel accompanied Hal from his father's office.
+
+"You are in luck," said that worthy, "and the pay is big.  In a year or
+two you will be a wealthy man."
+
+Hal thanked the captain, and made his way home alone.
+
+As he moved up the steps he was startled to see a shadowy figure
+lurking in the doorway.  His hand dropped to his pocket, and he
+advanced cautiously.
+
+"Don't be afraid.  Take your hand away from that revolver," came the
+voice of Gladys Schweiring.
+
+"Miss Gladys!" exclaimed Hal in surprise.  "What are you doing here?
+It is almost midnight."
+
+"I was waiting for you," was the low response.  "I was afraid something
+might have happened."
+
+"It has," replied Hal, "but it is good news and not bad.  Where is your
+mother?"
+
+"In the drawing-room."
+
+"Are the others there?"
+
+"Just your friends.  The guests have gone, and father has retired."
+
+"Good .  I have important information for them,"
+
+Hal followed the young girl into the drawing room.  Chester rose to his
+feet.
+
+"By George!  I'm glad to see you back safely," he said.  "I was afraid
+something had happened."
+
+Others echoed his words.
+
+"Folks," said Hal, "I've news for you -- good news."
+
+"What is it?" demanded Chester eagerly.
+
+"Well," said Hal very quietly.  "I've seen the list!"
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE MINISTER'S BALL
+
+It was a gay assemblage that thronged the home of the Swiss minister
+four nights after Hal's interview with the chief of the German secret
+service.  Elegantly dressed women and well groomed and handsome
+officers danced and sang, and from the general tone of the evening it
+would have been hard to believe that Germany was engaged in a war that
+threatened her very existence.
+
+Hal, Chester and McKenzie went to the ball accompanied by Mrs.
+Schweiring and her daughter.  Mrs. Schweiring's husband announced that
+he would appear later, as he had matters of importance to transact at
+his office.
+
+This was the night that Hal had decided upon to make an effort to get
+the list of names for which the three friends were risking so much.  He
+had a well- conceived plan in mind.  The details he had worked out in
+the days following his interview with the German chief of secret
+service and his preparations had been careful and thorough.  Now he was
+anxious for action.
+
+General Rentzel reached the ball late in the evening.  He paid his
+respects to the Swiss minister and to the latter's wife.  A few moments
+later he encountered Hal, and escorted the lad to a secluded nook,
+where he presented the lad with several documents.
+
+"This," he said, indicating one, "is your passport into Switzerland.
+From there you will travel as a Swiss subject.  You will present that
+paper," and he indicated a second, "to Herr Baumgartner in Washington.
+You will find him still at the Austrian embassy.  He will give you
+other instructions.  Also, you will receive your pay through him, and
+whatever other money is necessary."
+
+Hal bowed.
+
+"Very well, sir," he said.
+
+"I don't know that there is anything further," said General Rentzel,
+"except to warn you that treachery means death."
+
+"I am aware of that, sir," returned Hal quietly.
+
+"Very good, then.  Good luck to you."
+
+The general moved away.
+
+Hal sought Chester instantly, glancing at his watch as he passed along
+slowly and without apparent haste.  It was 10:30 o'clock.
+
+"It's time to get busy, Chester," he said quietly.  "It's half-past
+ten, and I may require an hour and a half.  You get word to Gladys and
+her mother to keep General Rentzel here under some pretext until
+midnight.  I'm off."
+
+"Am I not going with you?" demanded Chester.
+
+"No," said Hal.  "I don't have time to wait, and the message must be
+delivered to Mrs. Schweiring or her daughter at once.  I'll pick
+McKenzie up on the way.  Good-bye."
+
+"Good luck," said Chester simply.
+
+Hal left the room quietly.  In the hall he found McKenzie, whom he
+motioned to follow him.  McKenzie did so quietly.
+
+Outside Hal found the automobile which had brought them to the ball.
+He leaped in and McKenzie followed.  Hal gave quick directions to the
+chauffeur to drive them home.  The latter asked no questions.
+
+At the home of Mrs. Schweiring Hal ordered McKenzie to remain in the
+car while the lad hurried into the house.  He returned a moment later,
+carrying a small grip.  This he threw into the car and climbed in after
+it.
+
+"We have important business with General Rentzel," he told the
+chauffeur.  "You will drive us there and then return to the ball for
+your mistress."
+
+The chauffeur asked no questions.  There were so many queer things
+going on in Berlin that he was not even greatly interested.
+
+General Rentzel's office was in darkness when the car pulled up before
+it.  Motioning McKenzie to follow him, Hal hastened up the steps.  The
+chauffeur, in accordance with Hal's instructions, immediately
+disappeared down the street with the car.
+
+In the darkness of the vestibule, Hal tried the door.
+
+"Locked," he said.  "Lucky we came prepared."
+
+He opened the little grip he carried.
+
+Meanwhile, Chester had carried Hal's message to Gladys.  The latter had
+repeated it to her mother, and these two now shadowed General Rentzel
+every place he moved, for they were fearful that he might decide at any
+moment to leave the house.  Chester kept his eyes on all three.
+
+Chester was plainly nervous.  Had he been in the danger himself his
+nerves would have been as hard as steel, but the inaction while someone
+else was doing the work made him impatient and fanciful.
+
+Finally General Rentzel approached the Swiss minister and paid his
+adieus.  Then he moved toward the cloakroom.
+
+Halfway there he was intercepted by Mrs. Schweiring and Gladys.
+
+"You are not going so soon, your excellency?" questioned Mrs.
+Schweiring.
+
+"I must," was the reply.  "I have work to do at my office that will
+keep me until far into the night."
+
+"I'm sorry," was the reply.  "Have you seen my husband?"
+
+"Why, no."
+
+"I understood him to say that he had some business with you; perhaps I
+was mistaken, however."
+
+Twice now the general had attempted to move on, but Mrs. Schweiring had
+prevented it.  He tried again, and she asked:
+
+"What time have you, your excellency?"
+
+General Rentzel glanced at his watch.
+
+"Half-past eleven," he said.
+
+"Surely, it is not that late," said Mrs. Schweiring.  "Why, we have
+only been here a short time."
+
+"Madame," said General Rentzel at this juncture, "I must ask you to
+excuse me.  I must be going."
+
+There was no reply the other could make to this without laying herself
+open to suspicion.  She stepped back, and the German secret service
+chief passed on.
+
+Behind him the woman and her daughter wrung their hands.  They had been
+unsuccessful.  In their minds they could see General Rentzel bursting
+in upon Hal and McKenzie in the middle of their work.
+
+"What are we going to do?" cried the mother.
+
+"They must be warned!' cried the daughter.
+
+"But how?"
+
+"I will warn them myself.  It is a long ways to the general's
+quarters.  He will be in no hurry.  I can get there ahead of him."
+
+"But if you should be discovered?"
+
+Gladys shrugged her shoulders and was gone before her mother could
+protest.
+
+Outside she dashed up to the Schweiring automobile and cried to the
+chauffeur.
+
+"To General Rentzel's quarters!  Quick!"
+
+The machine sprang forward with a lurch.
+
+Two minutes later, Gladys, peering from the car, made out as they
+passed what she took to be General, Rentzel's machine.  She urged the
+chauffeur on even faster.
+
+Half a block from the general's quarters, she ordered her driver to
+stop and then to take up position down a side street, where it was
+dark, and wait for her.  These instructions were obeyed without
+question.
+
+Gladys hurried toward the house.
+
+There was no light to be seen as she ascended the steps and laid a hand
+on the door knob.  Nevertheless the girl moved silently, for she did
+not know what servants might be in the house.
+
+The door opened without a sound.  Gladys advanced into the darkness.
+
+From time to time she stopped as she moved along, but she was so afraid
+that General Rentzel might arrive before she could warn Hal and
+McKenzie that she wasted little time.
+
+She came to a door, which opened noiselessly.  She peered into the
+darkness, and in what appeared to be another room she saw what looked
+like a star.
+
+The girl breathed a cry of thankfulness.  She knew that she had found
+what she sought.  She moved forward more rapidly.
+
+As she walked along toward the light, she suddenly tripped over an
+obstacle hidden by the mantle of darkness and fell to the floor.
+
+There was a crash that resounded throughout the house.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+HAL GETS THE LIST
+
+When Hal and McKenzie stopped in the entrance way upon finding that the
+door was locked, Hal took from the little grip he carried a long
+skeleton key.  This had been procured for him by Mrs. Schweiring, and
+Hal knew that it would unlock almost any door.
+
+To gain entrance to the house, therefore, was but the matter of an
+instant.
+
+From his grip again Hal produced a small flashlight, with which he
+lighted their way.  Thanks to the lad's previous visit to the house, he
+knew right where he was going, so there was no time lost in search.
+
+Straight to the large safe in the general's private office Hal led the
+way.  There he passed the light to McKenzie and placed the grip on the
+floor.
+
+"No chance it has been left unlocked, I guess," the lad muttered.
+"However, I'll try it."
+
+He shook the handle. The safe was locked.
+
+"As I thought," said Hal.  "Well, the rest will take time.  Turn the
+light on the lock, McKenzie."
+
+McKenzie obeyed.
+
+From his grip Hal took an ordinary cake of soap.  This he proceeded to
+rub around the lock and stuff into the cracks.  This done to his
+satisfaction, he stepped back and surveyed his work.
+
+"All right, I guess," he said.  "I never tackled anything like this
+before, but I think I know how it's done."
+
+The next article he produced from the grip was a small vial.  One look
+told McKenzie what it was.  It contained nitroglycerine.  This Hal
+poured under the edge of the safe.  Then he attached a fuse and lighted
+it.  Immediately he threw a heavy blanket, which was the last article
+the grip contained, over the safe to muffle the sound of the explosion
+that would occur in a few moments.
+
+"Get back in the corner and crouch down, McKenzie," said Hal, and did
+the same thing himself.
+
+At that moment there was a crash in the adjoining room.  Hal's revolver
+leaped out, as did McKenzie's, and both dashed into the room.  McKenzie
+flashed the light across the floor, and there, just getting to her
+feet, was Gladys.
+
+"Quick!  You must fly!" she cried.  "General Rentzel is on his way and
+will be here at any moment."
+
+The fuse in the other room was burning fast, as Hal knew.  The lad
+determined, in that instant, that he would not leave the house without
+getting the list for which he had come.
+
+He pulled Gladys back into the room where the fuse was fast burning to
+the safe.  McKenzie followed, and the three crouched down.
+
+A moment and there was a muffled explosion, followed by a flash of
+fire.  Smoke filled the room.  With a cry to the others to stay where
+they were, Hal dashed to the safe.  It was as he hoped.  The door had
+been blown clear.
+
+Quickly Hal explored the contents of the safe.  Then he gave a cry of
+delight.  His hand encountered what he felt sure was the book he
+sought.  He ran across the room with it to where McKenzie held the
+flashlight and by its glow examined his prize.
+
+It was the list he sought.
+
+Hal hesitated one moment, and then he pressed the book into the hands
+of Gladys.
+
+"Quick!" he said. "Out the window with you.  Give this to Chester and
+tell him to get out of Berlin at once.  Tell him he will be followed
+but that he must get through."
+
+"But you -"' protested Gladys.
+
+There came the sound of rapid footsteps in the next room.  Hal picked
+Gladys up in his arms, carried her to the window, and dropped her to
+the ground as he said in a low voice:
+
+"To hesitate means failure.  Do as I say and quickly."
+
+He returned to McKenzie's side.  When he reached there McKenzie
+extinguished his light.
+
+"Well, we've got the list," he said quietly.
+
+"We have," Hal agreed, "but our lives probably will pay the forfeit.
+We must stay here until we are discovered.  To follow Gladys would mean
+her capture."
+
+"We won't have to wait long," said McKenzie grimly.  "Here they come."
+
+It was true.
+
+Footsteps came toward them.  Suddenly the room burst into light as
+someone pressed an electric, light button.  General Rentzel strode into
+the room.
+
+His eyes fell upon Hal and McKenzie immediately.  He said nothing, but
+gazed about.  Then he saw the shattered safe.  He dashed forward with a
+cry and examined the interior, carefully.  Then his face turned white
+as he faced Hal.
+
+"The list," he said in a hoarse voice, "where is it?"
+
+Hal smiled.
+
+"Where you will never get it, I hope," he replied quietly.
+
+General Rentzel strode forward with a shout.
+
+"They are spies!  Seize them, men!" he cried.
+
+Hal's right arm shot out and the chief of the German secret service
+sprawled on the floor.
+
+"To the stairs!" Hal cried to McKenzie.
+
+The Canadian needed no urging.  Two German soldiers fell to the floor
+under his quick blows and then McKenzie joined Hal on the steps which
+fled upward from the rear of the room.
+
+Hall produced a revolver. McKenzie did likewise.
+
+"The first man who moves dies!" cried Hal, as he moved his revolver
+from side to side.
+
+The men below, of whom there were perhaps a dozen, stood still.
+Apparently each was afraid to make the first move.
+
+General Rentzel sat up and wiped his face with a handkerchief.
+
+"Shoot them!" he cried.
+
+From the rear of the crowd there was a flash of fire and a report.  A
+bullet sped over Hal's head. McKenzie's revolver flashed and a German
+fell to rise no more.
+
+At this moment McKenzie took command.
+
+"Up the steps!" he cried.
+
+Hal realized that to hesitate meant instant death.  He was, perhaps,
+two steps above McKenzie, and he covered the rest in two leaps.  There
+he stopped and covered the room.  He was in position to protect
+McKenzie's retreat.
+
+McKenzie also leaped to the top step, and there, for a moment, they
+were out of the line of fire.  To reach them it was necessary for the
+Germans to stand directly in front of the steps, and there was no man
+below who felt called upon to face this certain death, in spite of the
+hoarse commands of General Rentzel.
+
+But in a situation like this could not last long.  Other officers and
+soldiers, aroused by the explosion appeared on the scene.  Hal realized
+that their predicament was desperate.  With a cry to McKenzie, Hal
+darted back along the hall, turned into the first room he saw, flung
+open the window and leaped to the ground.
+
+McKenzie was close behind him.
+
+Hal led the way along the street at a rapid walk, with McKenzie at his
+heels.  The lad turned down several side streets, doubling occasionally
+on his tracks in an effort to throw off possible pursuers.  As they
+drew farther away from the house where they had been discovered they
+encountered fewer and fewer people.  Apparently the sound of the
+explosion had not reached here.
+
+They were safe for the moment and Hal breathed easier.
+
+"Hope Chester has a good start," he said to McKenzie in a low voice.
+
+"He should have by this time," was the reply.  "They figure, of course,
+that we have the list."
+
+Hal would have replied, but as they passed a house at that moment a man
+stepped from the door.  Hal uttered an exclamation of pure amazement.
+
+The newcomer was dressed in costume that he had worn since the war
+began.  He looked much as upon the night that Hal first saw him.  He
+paid no attention to Hal and McKenzie at first, but Hal  brought him
+about with a word.
+
+"Stubbs!"
+
+It was indeed the little war correspondent of whose presence in Germany
+Herr Block had told the three friends before they left Holland.
+
+Stubbs wheeled sharply.  He saw Hal and turned pale.
+
+"Hello -- hello, Hal," he gasped.  "Wh -- what are you doing here?"
+
+"Is that your house?" demanded Hal, indicating the one from which
+Stubbs had just emerged.
+
+"Yes; why?"
+
+"Then we'll go in with you," said Hal quietly.
+
+"But I don't want to go in," declared Stubbs.
+
+"But we do," said Hal.  "Meet my friend, McKenzie, Stubbs."
+
+"I don't want to meet him," declared Stubbs.  "I tell you I'm in danger
+here."
+
+"So are we," said Hal.  "That's the reason we're going to take
+advantage of your hospitality.  Come on in, Stubbs.  We've got to get
+out of this country."
+
+"I'll never get out alive now that you've showed up," Stubbs mumbled.
+
+But he led the way inside.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+STUBBS IS CRESTFALLEN
+
+Inside, Stubbs struck a match.
+
+"I say!  Hold up, there!" Hal exclaimed, and grasped the hand that held
+the match and extinguished the flame.  "We don't want any light in
+here," he added.
+
+In vain Stubbs tried to pierce the darkness with his eyes to make out
+the lad's features.
+
+"Humph!" muttered the little man.  "What have you been up to now?"
+
+"Stubbs," said Hal, "the whole of Germany will be scouring the city for
+us before long.  We've got to get away from here."
+
+"Well," said Stubbs, "the whole of Germany is already looking for me,
+but they haven't found me yet."
+
+"What are they hunting you for?" demanded Hal.  "Surely, you haven't
+harmed anyone."
+
+"Maybe not; but they've discovered who I am."
+
+"That you're an American war correspondent, eh?"
+
+"Why, no," said Stubbs quietly, "they've discovered that I'm here at
+command of the American state department searching for a certain list
+of names."
+
+It was Hal's turn to be surprised and be started back.
+
+"What's that?" he cried, believing that he could not have heard
+aright.
+
+Stubbs repeated his statement.
+
+"But I thought --" began Hal.
+
+"And what business have you to think!" demanded Stubbs with sudden
+anger.  "Haven't I the same, right as you to do something for my
+country?"
+
+"Of course, Mr. Stubbs, and I think all more of you for it, but at the
+same time I never dreamed --"
+
+"Of course you didn't.  Neither did anyone else, which is the reason my
+services were accepted.  That is, no one knew it outside of Germany,
+but they seem to have spotted me here soon enough."
+
+"I see," said Hal.  "Then you must have made an effort to get the list
+of German agents in the United States."
+
+Stubbs gave an exclamation of amazement.
+
+"Who said anything about spies?" he asked.
+
+"Well, you didn't, to be sure," said Hal, "But as I happened to have
+the list in my hands a few moments ago, I didn't need to be told."
+
+"You had it?" cried Stubbs, unconsciously raising his voice.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"'Where is it now?" demanded Stubbs eagerly.
+
+"Safe, I hope," replied Hal quietly, "but don't talk so loud, Stubbs.
+I sent the list to Chester by a trusted aide, and I have no doubt he is
+on his way out of the country with it now."
+
+"How'd you get it?" inquired Stubbs.
+
+Hal explained.
+
+"By George!" said Stubbs.  "You fellows have all the luck.  I tried and
+failed."
+
+"Maybe you didn't know where it was," said Hal.
+
+"Didn't, eh?  Say, let me ask you something.  Didn't you think it was
+rather strange when you approached General Rentzel's place that there
+was no one around, eh?"
+
+"Well, such a thought had occurred to me," Hal admitted, "but I
+supposed no one was on guard through overconfidence."
+
+"Do you want me to tell you where the guards were?"
+
+"Why, yes, if you know."
+
+"Well, I know all right.  They were chasing me around the highways and
+byways, if you want to know," Stubbs exploded.  "They discovered me
+trying to get into the house and I ran for my life.  Well, this beats
+the Dutch!  I cleared the road for you and you grabbed the list!"
+
+Stubbs became silent.
+
+"At all events," said Hal, "we got the list -- and that is what counts,
+after all."
+
+"True," said Stubbs, and extended a hand in the darkness, which Hal
+grasped warmly.  "Well," he said, "we're all tarred with the same
+brush, and it will give these Huns great delight to stand us all up
+before a wall or with ropes around our necks in a bunch.  The sooner we
+get back to our lines the better for all our families."
+
+"But the question is, how?" said Hal quietly.
+
+"I've got a big automobile waiting for me about a mile from here," said
+Stubbs.  "If we can get into it we can go a long ways without
+interruption."
+
+"They'll wire ahead," said Hal
+
+"So they will," Stubbs agreed, but I've also got a pocket full of the
+prettiest passports and other credentials you ever saw.  I didn't chop
+down my bridges behind me, as you seem to have done.  Once in my car,
+as I say, and we'll move away from here."
+
+"Then we may as well be moving," said McKenzie, who had not spoken
+until that moment.
+
+"Right," Hal agreed.  "But we must be careful.  No telling how many
+Germans are nearby, scouring the streets for us.  Lead the way,
+Stubbs."
+
+"That's right," said Stubbs, "pick me for the easy work."
+
+"I'll lead the way if the little man is afraid," growled McKenzie.
+
+Stubbs whirled on him in the darkness.
+
+"Look here!" he exclaimed, "I allow no man to talk to me like that.
+Understand?"
+
+McKenzie was somewhat taken aback, but he growled again:
+
+"Then lead on and don't talk so much."
+
+Stubbs would have made " another angry retort, but Hal nudged him to
+move.
+
+Muttering to himself, Stubbs led the way to the street again.
+
+There was no one in sight as they emerged from the darkened house, and
+they moved off down the street with rapid strides.  Occasionally they
+saw passing civilians, with now and then an officer or trooper or so,
+but Berlin seemed to be sleeping securely in the knowledge that the
+enemy was far from its door.
+
+Hal gazed at his watch by the glare of a street light.  It was almost 4
+o'clock.
+
+"Two hours to daylight," he muttered.  "We shall have to hurry."
+
+Fifteen minutes later Stubbs slowed down.
+
+"My automobile is in a small garage around the next corner," he said,
+and added significantly, "if nothing has happened to it."
+
+"Let's get it then," said Hal.  "We don't want to stand here."
+
+Stubbs moved on again and Hal and McKenzie followed him closely.
+
+There was no sign of a living person near the little garage.  Stubbs
+approached and attempted to throw back the closed door.  It would not
+budge.
+
+"Let me try, Stubbs," said Hal, pushing forward.
+
+He took from his pocket a short but well tempered piece of steel.  He
+found that the door was held by a padlock.  He inserted the piece of
+steel in the top, and, putting forth all his strength, broke the lock.
+
+There was a sharp report as the lock fell to pieces.
+
+"Quick, Stubbs!" Hal cried.  "That noise will have aroused every sleepy
+policeman within a mile."
+
+McKenzie lent a hand and the door was thrown back.  Stubbs gave a gasp
+of relief.  The automobile was there.
+
+"You do the driving, Hal," cried Stubbs.  "Pile in here, man," this to
+McKenzie.  "She's all ready to start.  Come on."
+
+The others wasted no time in words.  McKenzie scrambled in the back
+seat alongside Stubbs, while Hal sprang to the wheel.  A moment later
+the automobile moved slowly from the garage.
+
+As the big machine came clear into the street, a bright light suddenly
+flashed around the next comer and headed toward them.  Hal knew in a
+moment what it was.  It was a motorcycle, bearing a policeman.  There
+was but one course to pursue, and Hal acted without hesitation.  He
+threw the machine into high and it dashed directly toward the
+motorcycle.
+
+The man saved his life by swerving swiftly to one side.  His machine
+bumped the curb and threw the rider off.  When he picked himself up the
+automobile bearing the three friends was turning a corner, apparently
+on one wheel for Hal had scarcely diminished the speed.
+
+The German drew his revolver and fired a shot ill the air.  He was
+sounding the alarm and summoning assistance at the same time.
+
+Quickly he righted his motorcycle, mounted, and made off in pursuit of
+the high- powered automobile.
+
+At the sound of the German's shot, Hal increased the speed of the
+automobile.
+
+"McKenzie!" he cried.
+
+McKenzie leaned forward so as to catch the words the lad shouted back
+to him.
+
+"Get your guns ready!" cried Hal.  "Don't let anyone come at us from
+the rear."
+
+McKenzie understood.  He repeated Hal's words to Stubbs, shouting to
+make himself heard.
+
+"Can't anyone catch us from behind," Stubbs shouted back.  "This car
+will outrun anything in Germany."
+
+McKenzie made no reply, but looked to his guns.  He knew that it was
+not pursuing automobiles that Hal was afraid of; but high-powered
+motorcycles in use in Germany would probably be able to overtake the
+car no matter what its speed.
+
+So far, however, the road behind was clear.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+TOWARD THE FRONTIER
+
+Hal set his course by instinct and the glow of the disappearing moon,
+and a few moments after their swift departure, it seemed, they were
+beyond the city itself, headed straight for the Dutch frontier.
+
+There was no pursuit, and Hal rightly judged the reason to be because
+he had thrown pursuers off the track by several sharp turns before
+leaving the city proper.
+
+After an hour's riding, Hal made out specks ahead that he took to be
+automobiles.  He increased the speed of the car slightly to make sure
+of this fact.  The car driven by Hal was gaining, but so slightly as to
+be almost imperceptible.
+
+"Those fellows are hitting up a pretty swift gait," the lad muttered.
+"I wonder why."
+
+The sound of a shot was suddenly swept back to Hal's ear.
+
+"Hello!" he muttered.  "Trouble ahead."
+
+He slowed down, for he had no mind to mix up with the Germans so long
+as it could be avoided.  Suddenly the first automobile ahead came to a
+stop.  The second did likewise.  Hal shut off his searchlight and
+approached slowly in the darkness.
+
+It became plain, as he drew closer, that the first automobile had been
+stopped by a pistol shot, which probably had punctured a rear tire.
+
+There came more pistol shots and then silence.  Hal brought his own
+machine to a dead stop.
+
+A few moments later one of the automobiles ahead, as Hal could see by
+the position of its searchlight, began to turn in the road.  Instantly
+Hal flashed his own light on and sent the car forward.  This he did
+because he realized it would look suspicious should the flare of the
+other light show Hal's car standing still in the road.
+
+The other car had now come about and approached Hal's machine.
+
+McKenzie and Stubbs both had been watching the proceedings ahead with
+strained eyes.  Now they were ready for Hal's words:
+
+"Guns ready back there.  We'll pass if they let us alone."
+
+The cars came closer together.  Suddenly Hal was struck with a thought
+that sent a chill down his spine.  Suppose Chester was in that car!
+Maybe the pursuit he had witnessed was the pursuit of Chester.
+
+The cars were almost together now.  Instead of turning off to the right
+to allow the other to pass, as it seemed to have every intention of
+doing, Hal only swerved slightly.  Then, before the other car could
+pass, he brought his own machine to a stop and sprang to the ground,
+revolver in hand.  McKenzie was close behind him.
+
+Only Stubbs remained in the automobile, and he, too, held a revolver
+ready for instant action.
+
+A voice from the strange car hailed Hal.
+
+"Why do you stop us like this?" it demanded.
+
+"Want to see who you are," was the lad's reply.  "A spy has escaped
+from Berlin, and I have orders to search all vehicles."
+
+"You are mistaken," said the voice.  "The spy has not escaped.  We have
+him here."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Hal.  "Nevertheless, I must satisfy myself that you
+are speaking the truth and are what you represent yourselves to be."
+
+"Of course," returned the voice.  "Approach."
+
+Hal went forward slowly, gun in hand, as did McKenzie.
+
+Hal now made out that there were four occupants of the car, besides the
+man at the wheel and a figure stretched out in the tonneau.
+
+With his cap down over his eyes, he peered in.  The men were in
+civilian garb and Hal knew, therefore, that they must be members of the
+secret service and not of the military.  He knew, too, that they would
+consequently be that much harder to handle.  Nevertheless, he
+determined upon a bold stroke.
+
+"Hands up, all of you I" he cried in a stern voice.
+
+His revolver covered the occupants in the front seat. McKenzie covered
+the rear.
+
+"Here, what's the meaning of this?" exclaimed a man who seemed to be
+the leader.  "You fool!  Haven't you been convinced yet that we are
+what we say."
+
+"Perfectly," returned Hal quietly.  "That's why I must insist that you
+raise your hands.  Instantly!"  His voice hardened and his finger
+tightened on the trigger.  "Shoot without hesitancy," he warned
+McKenzie.
+
+McKenzie's lips were set in a determined line.  It was plain that he
+would need no urging.
+
+"Well," said one of the Germans, "it's my belief you are also spies."
+
+"Hands up!" repeated Hal.
+
+"If you must have it you must!" exclaimed the first German.
+
+His hand flashed up and in it was a revolver.
+
+McKenzie's revolver flashed.  The German dropped back.
+
+The man at the wheel released his hold on the steering apparatus and
+also reached for a gun.  Hal dropped him without changing his
+position.
+
+One of the Germans, before either Hal or McKenzie could stop him,
+hurled himself over the far side of the car.  The other two raised
+their hands.
+
+"That other fellow is probably bent on mischief," said Hal to himself,
+"but we'll have to take a chance.  Cover 'em" he ordered McKenzie,
+"while I get their guns!"
+
+Hal advanced to the side of the car and deprived the two Germans of
+their revolvers. Then he climbed in and motioned the Germans to get
+out.  After that he bent over the still form in the bottom of the car.
+It was Chester.
+
+"Keep those fellows covered, McKenzie," he warned.  "Don't let them
+move.  One of them may have the list."
+
+The Germans made no move under the muzzle of McKenzie's gun, held in a
+steady hand.
+
+Hal lifted Chester's head to his knee.  As he did so there was a sharp
+report from nearby, quickly followed by a second, and Hal felt a slight
+pain in his left arm.
+
+He dropped Chester's head and leaped to the ground.
+
+"That's the man who escaped," he said.  "I'll have to get him,
+McKenzie. You watch, these fellows closely."
+
+"It's all right, Hal," came a voice from the lads own car.  "I got
+him!"
+
+It was the voice of Stubbs, and the little man now came forward.
+
+"I stayed behind to cover you fellows," he explained.  "The man who
+jumped out of the car made a detour and came up to my car.  From its
+protection he took a shot at you.  He didn't see me in the darkness,
+though, and I beat him to it.  He was so close I couldn't miss."
+
+"Thanks, Stubbs," said Hal quietly.  "Now you look in the car and see
+if you can't find some rope or blankets or something to tie these
+fellows with."
+
+Stubbs returned shortly with several thin blankets, which Hal quickly
+fashioned into an improvised rope.  The two prisoners were bound.
+
+"Now search 'em for the list," said Hal.
+
+The war correspondent did so.  There was no list to be found.
+
+"Search the one you just disposed of, Stubb,"' Hal ordered.
+
+The little man obeyed, and a moment later gave an exclamation of
+triumph.
+
+"Here it is," he cried.
+
+"Good!" said Hal.  "Now we'll lay these fellows where they can't move
+to give an alarm."
+
+This, too, was but the work of a moment.
+
+"Lend a hand, McKenzie," said Hal. "We'll move Chester into our own car
+and then move on.  It is dangerous to remain here."
+
+Chester was gently transferred from one car to the other and laid in
+the bottom.
+
+"You fellows see if you can revive him as we go along," said Hal.  "We
+have no time to waste."
+
+He sprang again to the wheel, and the car moved on.
+
+Daylight overtook the four friends as they sped along the country
+road.  Occasionally other automobiles flashed by, but they were not
+molested.
+
+Under the administering hands of Stubbs and McKenzie, signs of life
+soon became apparent in Chester's body.  He moaned feebly once or
+twice, and then opened his eyes.  For a moment he did not realize where
+he was, but with remembrance of the recent attack, he suddenly sat up
+and aimed a blow at Stubbs, in whose lap the lad's head had rested.
+
+"I say!  What's the meaning of this?" cried Stubbs.  "What are you
+trying to hit me for?"
+
+"Is that you, Stubbs?" asked Chester in a feeble voice.
+
+"You bet it's me, and I'm going to spank you good if you don't keep
+quiet."
+
+"How'd you get here?"
+
+"That's a long story," replied Stubbs, "and we don't have time to tell
+it now."
+
+"How do you feel, old man?" asked McKenzie.
+
+"Great Scott!  You here, too?" exclaimed Chester.
+
+"Yes; and Hal is driving this car.  You keep quiet now.  We're in grave
+danger and you must get all the rest you can.  We may have need of your
+services before long."
+
+Chester's head dropped back and his eyes closed.  He sat up abruptly
+again a moment later, however, and demanded sharply:
+
+"Where's the list?"
+
+"Safe," replied Stubbs quietly.
+
+Chester sank back again with an exclamation of satisfaction.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+MCKENZIE IN ACTION
+
+It was broad daylight now and Hat felt the necessity of traveling at a
+slower speed than he had through the darkness of the night.
+Accordingly he reduced the speed of the big car to not more than
+thirty-five miles an hour.
+
+Stubbs leaned forward and called to Hal.
+
+"How far do you suppose we are from the Dutch border?"
+
+"Don't know," was the reply, "but it's a long ways.  We're not more
+than 70 miles from Berlin."
+
+Several times during the next few hours they were halted, but were
+permitted to pass on, after showing their passports.  Apparently the
+Berlin authorities had not wired ahead, and Hal was unable to account
+for this satisfactorily.
+
+"Something peculiar about it," he muttered, as he bent over the wheel.
+
+For the next few hours the automobile proceeded on its way without
+interruption, save for a single stop to replenish gasoline and air.
+
+It was well along toward evening when Stubbs announced that the Dutch
+frontier was only a few miles distant.  Once over the line they would
+be comparatively safe.
+
+A foreboding of trouble swept over Hal.
+
+Chester had slept during most of the trip thus far.  McKenzie had
+examined the lad carefully and discovered that he was suffering from a
+flesh wound in the left side.  The Canadian had bound this up as well
+as he could as the automobile jostled along.
+
+His experienced eye told him there was nothing dangerous about the
+wound.  It was painful, of course, and Chester would naturally be stiff
+in body for some time; but, providing the wound was kept clean, there
+was no danger of infection.
+
+Now, at Hal's injunction, Stubbs aroused Chester.  The lad opened his
+eyes slowly.
+
+"How do you feel, old man?" asked McKenzie.
+
+Chester sat up and passed a hand across his forehead.
+
+"I don't feel any too playful," he said with a wry smile.  "Where are
+we, anyhow?"
+
+"Getting pretty close to the Dutch border," returned McKenzie.
+
+"What'd you want to wake me for?" Chester demanded of Stubbs.
+
+"Believe me," said Stubbs, "I didn't want to wake you up.  It's usually
+safer for all concerned when you and Hal are both asleep.  I woke you
+up because Hal told me to."
+
+"That's all right, then," said Chester.  "But don't you try to rub it
+into me, Stubbs, just because I've got a bullet hole in me is no sign
+I'm a cripple, you know."
+
+"Maybe not," said Stubbs. "Here, take this gun."
+
+He passed a revolver to Chester.
+
+"What's the idea?" demanded Chester, taking the revolver; "going to
+fight me a duel or something?"
+
+"Don't be a fool," said Stubbs.  "We're still in Germany, remember.
+You may need that gun before we get out."
+
+"All right, Stubbs," returned Chester.  "Thanks."
+
+Ahead, Hal suddenly made out a large body of men in such position as to
+block the road.  He slowed down the car, and, leaning back, addressed
+the others.
+
+"If I'm not mistaken," he said quietly, pointing, "just beyond lies the
+Dutch border.  Once across we are comparatively safe.  At least the
+Germans will not dare to follow us on to neutral ground.  At the same
+time, if we are apprehended by Dutch military authorities our mission
+will be a failure, because we shall be interned.  What is your advice?"
+
+"Get into Holland first and let matters take their course later," said
+Chester quietly.
+
+"I agree with you," said McKenzie.
+
+"And I," said Hal.
+
+"Well," said Stubbs, "I don't.  Not that it will make any difference,
+of course, because you will do as you wish anyhow."
+
+"If you have any better plan, Stubbs," said Chester, "let's hear it."
+
+"I don't have any plan," declared Stubbs, "but seems to me you could
+think of a better one.  To rush through those fellows ahead means a
+fight, a that's why you decided on that plan.  I'm against a fight at
+all hazards."
+
+"So I perceive," said McKenzie dryly.
+
+"Well; you stick along anyhow, Stubbs," said Chester.
+
+"Oh, I'll stick," said Stubbs, "but I'm going to tell you right now I
+don't think I'm going to do you any good."
+
+"Well, if we are decided," said Hal, "we might as well go on.  We'll
+show our passports again and it may be we'll get through without
+question.  However, something tells me we are going to have trouble, so
+get your guns ready."
+
+"If you think we're going to have trouble, I'm absolutely positive of
+it," Stubbs mumbled to himself.
+
+However, each looked to his weapons and made sure that they were in
+working order.
+
+"One of us has got to get through," said Chester in a low voice.  "Who
+has the list, Stubbs?"
+
+"Hal," was the response.
+
+"Then Hal must get through no matter what happens to the rest of us,"
+said Chester quietly.
+
+"Good lord!" said Stubbs.  "Why didn't I keep that list!"
+
+As the large automobile approached, several of the Germans ahead
+stepped directly into the road and one threw up a hand in a signal
+demanding a halt.  Hal made out that at this point there were perhaps a
+dozen men, though to each side he saw countless other forms.  These
+latter, however, appeared no wise interested in the automobile and its
+occupants, but went about their several duties.
+
+Hal put on the brakes and the automobile came to a stop a few feet from
+the nearest German, who, it appeared, was a colonel of infantry.
+
+The German, followed by his men, approached the car and surrounded it.
+
+"Who are you?" he demanded.
+
+"Dutch war correspondents," replied Hal quietly.
+
+"Your passports," demanded the German.
+
+The four friends produced their passports and extended them to the
+officer.  The latter scanned them hastily, then cried:
+
+"As I thought.  You are the men we want.  Seize them!"  This last
+command to his soldiers.
+
+Instantly the dozen soldiers swooped toward the automobile, their
+rifles leveled.  At the same moment Hal sent the large automobile
+forward with a jump.
+
+The German rifles spat fire.  Revolvers appeared simultaneously in the
+hands of Chester and McKenzie.  Both sprang to their feet, and, each
+holding to a side of the machine, they returned the fire, as Hal bent
+over the wheel.
+
+"Crack!  Crack!"
+
+Chester and McKenzie fired together.
+
+In spite of the movement of the car their aim was true, and two German
+soldiers fell in their tracks. Stubbs still kept his seat.
+
+The automobile, with its first lurch forward, had mowed down several of
+the enemy, and now dashed forward with a clear path to the Dutch
+border.
+
+Behind, at command from the German officer, the troopers, still upon
+their feet, fell to their knees, and, taking deliberate aim at the
+rapidly moving car, fired.
+
+There was an explosion from the automobile.  The car jumped crazily.
+Chester, still standing, revolver in hand, was flung violently into his
+seat, but McKenzie was not so fortunate.  He toppled from the car head
+foremost.
+
+One of the German bullets had punctured a rear tire.  Hal brought the
+machine to a stop.
+
+"Out and run for it!" cried Hal, and suited the action to the word.
+
+Chester clambered out with more difficulty, for the wound in his side
+still pained him.  McKenzie, strange as it may seem, had not been badly
+hurt by his fall.  He got to his feet, still clutching his revolver.
+As the Germans hurried toward him, he raised the automatic and opened
+fire.
+
+The first German pitched headlong to earth, as did the second.
+
+McKenzie gave ground slowly.
+
+With a swift look he saw that Hal had almost reached the Dutch border,
+which he perceived was guarded by a squad of Dutch soldiers.  Chester
+also was limping in that direction.  Stubbs, in spite of his opposition
+to fighting, was lending the lad a helping hand.
+
+"They'll make it, if I can hold these fellows a minute," muttered
+McKenzie.
+
+He faced the foe again, and from a pocket brought forth a second
+automatic.
+
+"Not for nothing was I called the best shot in the northwest," he said
+quietly.
+
+Hal's idea in not waiting to assist in the flight of the others,
+McKenzie knew on the instant.  The list they had risked so much to get
+must be taken from German territory at all hazards.  McKenzie knew,
+too, that Chester and Stubbs were simply following instructions when
+they also fled.  It was every man for himself.  A German bullet
+whistled close to the Canadian.
+
+"Well," he said quietly, "I'll get a few of you before you drop me."
+
+He faced his foes unflinchingly.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+SAFE AT LAST
+
+McKenzie's arms went up again -- not shoulder high -- just to his
+hips.  For McKenzie, in his early days, had been reckoned in the
+Canadian northwest as the most deadly shot in the country.  He fired
+from his hips and aimed by instinct and not by sight.
+
+Each automatic flashed once and two more of the foe fell to the
+ground.  McKenzie staggered a bit as a German bullet plowed into his
+shoulder.  Then his revolvers spoke again.
+
+As he fought, the Canadian gave ground slowly.  He seemed to bear a
+charmed life.  Two other bullets struck him -- one in the arm and the
+other in the thigh, but no one reached a vital spot.
+
+Hal, Chester and Stubbs, in the meantime, had reached and crossed the
+Dutch border.  There they were immediately taken in charge by order of'
+the Dutch officer in command.  Hal addressed the officer quickly.
+
+"Can't you do something for my friend?" he demanded, pointing to where
+McKenzie was still battling against heavy odds.
+
+The Dutch, officer shook his head.
+
+"I would if I could," he said, his face flushed.
+
+"He is a brave man, and it is a pity for him to die thus.  But Holland
+is neutral.  To interfere might embroil us."
+
+"But if I can show you how?" asked Hal eagerly.
+
+"If you can show me how, yes!" exclaimed the Dutchman.  "Talk quickly."
+
+"We carry Dutch passports," said Hal quietly.  "That should suffice.
+However, cannot you send your men forward under the pretext that the
+Dutch border at this point extends an additional one hundred yards?
+That will be enough."
+
+"But --"
+
+"Oh, I know it doesn't, but that will be up to others than you.  It
+will be the subject of diplomatic negotiations.  Will you?"
+
+For a moment the Dutch officer hesitated.  Then he commanded an officer
+who stood near him.
+
+"Captain Hodden!  You will move forward with your company and inform
+the foe that if he persists in firing on Dutch soil we shall be forced
+to return it!"
+
+The Dutch captain seemed only glad for this excuse.  He dashed away,
+and a moment later Dutch troops advanced onto German soil.
+
+McKenzie, meanwhile, found that he had but two shots left in his
+weapons.  He glanced backward, and as he did so the Dutch troops
+advanced.
+
+"If I can reach them," the man thought.
+
+He whirled, emptied his automatics into the face of his enemies, dashed
+the now useless weapons after the bullets, and took to his heels,
+zigzagging as he ran.
+
+The bullets in his body impeded his progress, but he reached the
+advancing Dutch troops safety.  There was a cry of anger from the
+German lines as McKenzie found shelter among the Dutch troops.  The
+Germans halted, and an officer advanced.
+
+"I must ask you to deliver that man to me," he said to Captain Hodden.
+
+"I am sorry, but what you ask is impossible," was the reply.  "This is
+Dutch territory, and you advance further at your peril."
+
+"Dutch territory!" exclaimed the exasperated German.  "You stand on
+German ground, and the man you are protecting is a spy.  I demand his
+return."
+
+"You won't get him," was the reply, "and I am instructed to inform you
+that the next German bullet that falls on Dutch ground will be
+considered a hostile act against a neutral nation.  It will mean war!"
+
+"I don't care what it means," shouted the German, now thoroughly
+aroused.
+
+"Perhaps not," said Captain Hodden, "but your superiors may.  I would
+advise you to order your men to fall back."
+
+For a moment the German hesitated, and it appeared that he would risk a
+breach of neutrality to capture McKenzie.  At last he turned away.
+
+"Holland will rue this day!" he exclaimed, as he ordered his men to
+retire.
+
+Captain Hodden now retreated to Dutch territory, where McKenzie was
+turned over to the Dutch colonel.
+
+"Thanks for the reinforcements," he said quietly.  "They would have
+done for me sure."
+
+Hal, Chester and Stubbs crowded about and shook the Canadian by the
+hand.  The colonel asked to see their passports, and the four friends
+produced their bogus documents.
+
+"So you are Herr Block, eh?" he demanded, eyeing Hal closely.
+
+Hal bowed, but did not reply.
+
+"As it chances," said the Dutch officer sternly, "I happen to be the
+brother of Herr Block, so I know you are not he.  You are under arrest,
+sir."
+
+"For what?" demanded Hal.
+
+"For traveling under false passports, sir.  You friends are under
+arrest also.  You shall be sent to Amsterdam under guard.  And you told
+me you were Dutch subjects!"
+
+"No I didn't," said Hal. "I told you we carried Dutch passports, and so
+we do."
+
+"It amounts to the same thing.  It seems I have broken Dutch neutrality
+to help a batch of spies.  You are all under arrest."
+
+He summoned Captain Hodden to take charge of the four friends.
+
+"You will be responsible for them," Colonel Block said.
+
+The captain saluted and marched his prisoners away.  They were put in a
+tent some distance away and a guard stationed over them.  They were not
+searched.
+
+"Well," said Hal, "we're out of Germany, but, it seems to be a case of
+out of the frying-pan into the fire."
+
+"They can't shoot us as spies," declared Stubbs.  "Holland is not at
+war and we have not been active against her."
+
+"No, but they can take this list away from me," said Hal, "and it has
+to go to Washington."
+
+"Then we'll have to get out of here," said McKenzie.
+
+"A nice job," declared Chester, "and two of us wounded.  By the way,
+McKenzie, your wounds need attention.  I'll call the Dutchman and have
+you fixed up."
+
+He hailed the guard outside, who in turn passed the word for the
+captain.  The latter appeared a short time later, and Chester explained
+what he wanted.  The captain moved away and fifteen minutes later a
+Dutch physician entered the tent ad dressed McKenzie's wounds.
+
+"Well, that feels some better," said McKenzie with a laugh, as the
+surgeon departed.  "I feel as good as new now."
+
+The four were kept in the tent all night, and early the next morning
+were informed that they would be taken to Amsterdam at noon.  The trip
+was made under heavy guard, and that evening the four friends found
+themselves secure in a military prison in the Dutch capital.
+
+"We're safe enough here, that's certain," declared Stubbs.
+
+"We're safe enough, if you mean we can't out," Hal agreed.  "But in
+some way or other this list must be delivered to General Pershing."
+
+"Show the way, and we'll do it," declared Chester.
+
+As the friends discussed possible plans, a visitor was ushered in.
+This proved to be Herr Block, the man who had assisted them to get into
+Germany and who only a few moments before had learned of their arrest.
+
+"It's too bad," he said.  "So near and yet so far, as you Americans
+say, eh?  Tell me, is there anything I can do for you.
+
+"You might get us out of here," said Hal.
+
+Herr Block smiled.
+
+"Easily said, but not so easily done," he made answer.  "However, I
+have no doubt it can be arranged."
+
+"You do?" exclaimed the others.  "How?"
+
+"Well," said Herr Block, "you would be surprised if you realized the
+extent to which Holland's sympathies are with the Allies.  Of course,
+it must not appear on the surface for it would mean war with Germany --
+and we are not ready for war now.  However, I shall see that the door
+to your cell is left open tonight.  When your jailer comes with your
+meal he will drop his keys.  You will rap him over the head with
+something, that it may not look as though he were implicated.  Then
+walk out of the jail and come to my quarters.  No one will molest you."
+
+"By Jove," said Hal.  "That's simple enough."
+
+"Your meal will be brought in half an hour," he said.  "I shall be
+waiting for you at eight.  You know the way to my quarters?"
+
+"You'd better give me the necessary directions," said Hal.
+
+Herr Block did so and took his departure.
+
+"It all sounds simple enough," said Stubbs, "but it doesn't sound good
+to me."
+
+"Don't croak, Stubbs," said Chester; "you ought to be glad to get out
+of here."
+
+"Oh, I'll be glad enough to get out, but it doesn't sound plausible."
+
+"Truth is stranger than fiction, Stubbs," said Hal.
+
+"It'll have to be this time to convince me," declared the war
+correspondent.
+
+The four became silent, awaiting the arrival of the jailer.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE RETURN
+
+It was half-past seven when the jailer entered the cell in which the
+four friends were imprisoned.  He carried a large tray, on which was
+loaded food.  As he entered the cell, he dropped his heavy key ring.
+Hal pounced upon it.
+
+The man's back was toward him.  The lad raised the heavy ring, but he
+did not strike.
+
+"Here, jailer," he said; "you've dropped your keys."
+
+The jailer looked around.  Hal hoped he would spring forward, that he
+might have an excuse for striking, but the man only said simply:
+
+"You know what to do with them."
+
+He turned his back again.  For a moment Hal hesitated.
+
+"Well," he said finally, "if it has to be done, the sooner the better."
+
+He raised the heavy bunch of keys aloft again, and brought it down on
+the jailer's head.  The man dropped to the floor and lay still.  Hal
+threw the keys down beside him.
+
+"Hope I didn't hurt him too much," he muttered.  He turned to the
+others.  "Now," he said, "shall we eat of this food or shall we leave
+at once?"
+
+"Let's get out of here," said Stubbs. "We can eat any time.  Something
+may turn up to defeat our plan."
+
+But nothing did.
+
+Hal led the way from the cell and along a long corridor.  At the end
+were steps, which the friends mounted quietly.  At the top they found
+it necessary to pass through what appeared to be the office of the
+superintendent, or whoever was in charge.  Inside a man sat at a desk.
+
+Hal hesitated a moment.  He knew there was little prospect of all
+passing through without attracting the man's attention, and he had no
+means of knowing whether this man was a party to the plot or not.
+
+However, the lad moved forward again, and the others followed without
+question.
+
+The man at the desk shifted his position, and Hal stepped quickly
+toward him, his fist ready to strike.  He caught low words:
+
+"Hurry up and get out of here."
+
+The lad's hand dropped to his side, and he made haste toward the door
+on the far side of the room.  Through this all passed safely, and Hal
+stood before a door he felt sure led to the street.  The door opened
+easily, and Hal, Chester, McKenzie and Stubbs passed out into the
+darkness.
+
+Stubbs heaved a sigh of pure relief.
+
+"Well, we did do it," he muttered.  "I didn't believe it possible.
+Wish I had some of that grub now."
+
+"Wouldn't be surprised if Herr Block could rustle us up something to
+eat," said McKenzie.  "He seems to be a right resourceful sort of a
+customer."
+
+Hal found Herr Block's quarters without difficulty.  It appeared that
+Herr Block had anticipated that they would be hungry, for he had a
+tempting repast already spread when they arrived.  To this the four
+friends did full justice, for they were, indeed, hungry.
+
+"Now," said Herr Block when they had finished, "if you will tell me
+what success you had on your mission and how you managed I will
+appreciate it.  After that, I will see you safely into your own lines.
+I have a large automobile waiting, and you may depart at any time; but
+I am greatly interested in your adventures."
+
+Hal was nothing loath, and recounted the manner in which he and
+McKenzie had secured the list of coveted names.
+
+"Now, Chester," he said when he had concluded, "it's your turn.  You
+haven't told us yet how you left the house and how you chanced to be
+discovered."
+
+"My adventures don't amount to much," replied Chester.  "I left the
+ball with Mrs. Schweiring.  We were somewhat alarmed at Gladys'
+disappearance, but there was nothing we could do but wait.
+
+When Gladys came rushing into the room, she thrust the list into my
+hand, and told me what had happened, and that I must fly.  I
+commandeered the Schweiring automobile, and took to the road.  I don't
+know how the Germans got wind of my departure, but soon after I left
+the city I knew I was being followed.
+
+"There was nothing I could do but try and outrun my pursuers, whoever
+they were.  It soon became apparent, however, that this was impossible,
+because the pursuing machine was too high-powered.  Nevertheless, I
+determined to go as far as possible and leave something to chance.
+
+"My pursuers fired at me several times, but they didn't hit anything so
+far as I could discover.  All of a sudden, however, my engine went
+dead. I yanked out my automatic, determined to give battle.  I fired at
+a man who alighted from the pursuing car when it stopped, but I must
+have missed him.  Before I could fire again a bullet hit me, and that's
+all I remember until I woke and learned that Hal, McKenzie and Stubbs
+had saved me."
+
+"Well, you have all had an exciting time," declared Herr Block.  "I
+wish that I could have been with you.  However, this war is not over
+yet, and, personally, I do not believe that Holland will maintain her
+neutrality to the end.  In that case, I still may have opportunity of
+lending a hand."
+
+"You have already lent a hand," declared Hal,  "and you must know that
+when you lend a hand to the Allies you are also helping your own
+country, and, ultimately, the cause of the whole world."
+
+"I believe that to be true," replied Herr Block quietly; "otherwise, I
+would not have raised a hand to help you.  Germany must be crushed.
+There is no room for doubt on that score.  If Germany wins, what nation
+in the whole world is safe?"
+
+"True," said McKenzie.  "It's too bad the world could not have realized
+that a long time ago.  The war might have been over by this time."
+
+"As it is," Herr Block agreed, "the war will not be over for years.
+But come, I am keeping you here idle when I know you are all anxious to
+be about your work."
+
+He led the way to the street, where a large touring car awaited them.
+
+"I'll drive you as far as the border myself," said the Dutchman.
+
+The four friends climbed in, and the car dashed away in the darkness.
+
+For perhaps four or five hours they rode along at a fair speed and
+soon, Hal knew, they would once more be within their own lines.
+
+It was half-past four o'clock in the morning when Herr Block stopped
+the car and said:
+
+"I'll leave you here.  You must make the rest of the trip alone."
+
+"Great Scott!  You can't get out here in the middle of the wilderness,"
+said Hal.
+
+"Don't worry," laughed Herr Block.  "I haven't far to go.  If you'll
+look to the right there you will see the lights of a little town.  I
+shall be able to get a conveyance there for my homeward journey.  I
+brought you this way because it will save time and trouble."
+
+He stepped from the car, then reached back and extended a hand to Hal,
+who had taken his place at the wheel.
+
+"I'm awfully glad to have met you," he said quietly, "and I am glad to
+have been of assistance to you.  I trust that we shall see more of each
+other at some future time."
+
+"Thanks," said Hal, gripping the other's hands.  "If it hadn't been for
+you our mission would have failed.  We shall never forget it."
+
+Herr Block shook hands with the others, and then disappeared in the
+darkness.
+
+"A fine fellow," said Hal, as he sent the car forward.
+
+"You bet," Chester agreed.  "I hope we shall see him again."
+
+Stubbs and McKenzie also had words of praise for the assistance given
+them by Herr Block.
+
+Dawn had streaked the eastern sky when the four friends made out the
+distant British lines.  Chester gave a cheer, which was echoed by the
+others.
+
+"At the journey's end," said Hal quietly.
+
+As the automobile approached the British line, an officer, with several
+men, advanced with a command "Halt."  Hal obeyed, and leaped lightly
+from the car.
+
+He identified himself to the satisfaction of the British officer, and
+Hal swung the car sharply south, heading for the distant American
+sector of the battle front.
+
+They were forced to go more slowly now, as the ground came to life with
+soldiers, so it was almost noon when they came in sight of that section
+of the field where the American troops were quartered.
+
+Leaving McKenzie and Stubbs in the car, Hal and Chester made their way
+to the headquarters of General Pershing.  They were admitted
+immediately.
+
+"Back so soon?" exclaimed General Pershing, getting to his feet.  "I
+was afraid --"
+
+From his pocket Hal produced the list of German spies in America.
+
+"Here, sir," he said quietly, "is the list."
+
+General Pershing snatched it away from him and scanned it hastily.
+Then, turning to the lads, he said very quietly:
+
+"You have done well, sirs.  Your work shall be remembered.  You will
+both kindly make me written reports of your mission."
+
+He signified that the interview was at an end.  Hal and Chester
+saluted, and left their commander's quarters.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A GLANCE AT THE WAR SITUATION
+
+The apparent deadlock on the western front from the North Sea, through
+that narrow strip that remained of Belgium, Flanders and France almost
+to the borders of Alsace-Lorraine, had been maintained for so long now
+that the world was momentarily expecting word that would indicate the
+opening of what, it was expected, would be the greatest battle of the
+war since Verdun.
+
+It was known that Germany, confident because of the disruption of the
+Russian armies, had drawn heavily upon her forces on the eastern
+front.  The world waited for some announcement of where the Kaiser
+would strike next.
+
+The blow was delivered in Italy.  Field Marshal von Hindenburg, the
+greatest military genius the war had yet produced, left his command on
+the west front and hurried into Italy, succeeding General von
+Mackensen, who had been in command originally.
+
+The Italian troops fought hard to maintain the ground they had won from
+the Austrians the spring and summer before; but in two days the
+Austrians, reinforced by German troops, and commanded by, German
+officers, had won back all they lost in two years of war and penetrated
+to the heart of Italy itself.
+
+The world stood aghast at the mighty Teutonic offensive, before which
+the Italian troops, seasoned veterans that they were, were like chaff
+before the wind.
+
+The Allies became alarmed.
+
+Von Hindenburg's blow in Italy, if successful threatened to dispose of
+one country entirely, and would endanger the French and British troops
+from the rear.  It was decided to reinforce the Italians with French
+and British troops.
+
+At the same time, it became a part of the plan of the general staff to
+strike hard in Flanders and in the Cambrai sector, while the Germans
+were busily engaged elsewhere.  It would, indeed, be an auspicious
+moment to strike.
+
+Since the days when the Germans had been beaten back by the French at
+Verdun, Teuton offensives had been few and far between.  It had been
+the Allies who had advanced after that, with the one exception of the
+Austro-German offensive being made in Italy.  The ground that the
+British and French had won, now they held.  From time to time they
+pushed their lines farther to the east, consolidated their positions
+and made ready to move forward again.
+
+It was plainly apparent that success was crowning the efforts of the
+British and French on the western front.  The Germans now and then
+launched heavy local attacks, but these apparently were more for the
+purpose of feeling out the strength of their opponents than with any
+idea of concerted advance.
+
+British troops in Egypt were pushing on toward Jerusalem and it seemed
+that it was only the question of time until the Holy City would fall.
+Once Turkish rule there had been broken, it was a foregone conclusion
+that the Ottomans would never regain a foothold.
+
+The thing of chief concern to the Allies was the internal conditions in
+Russia.  Revolt had succeeded revolt in the land of the Muscovite, and,
+as rulers replaced rulers, it was hard to tell what the next day would
+bring forth.
+
+Conditions had not reached such a pass, however, that the German
+general staff felt safe in releasing the bulk of its great army on the
+eastern front.  Therefore, although it appeared that Russia was about
+to give up the fight, a million and a half of  the Kaiser's best troops
+were held on the Russian front.
+
+It was known to the Allied governments that German efforts were at the
+bottom of the Russian troubles, and the diplomatic corps had been hard
+at work trying to offset this.  As time passed, however, it was
+realized that Russia's aid could no, longer be counted upon.
+
+With the entrance of the United States into the war, with the American
+nation's unlimited resources in men and money, the cause of the Allies
+took on a more roseate hue.  True, it would require time to put the
+American fighting machine into shape to take the field, but once its
+energies had been turned to making war, even Germany knew that America
+would put her best foot foremost.
+
+The latest British successes had been in the vicinity of Vimy Ridge,
+which position, believed by the Germans to be impregnable, had been
+carried by Canadian troops in a single attack.  German counter-assaults
+in this sector had failed to dislodge them, and there they remained
+secure.
+
+The Canadians had launched this attack in April soon after the United
+States had declared war on Germany.  Now, in November, their lines
+still held despite the pounding of big German guns and infantry and
+cavalry assaults.
+
+As the Germans continued to push forward in Italy, threatening the city
+of Venice -- called the most beautiful in the world -- General Sir
+Douglas Haig, the British commander-in-chief, prepared himself for a
+blow in Flanders, and also for a drive at Cambrai, one of the most
+important German military centers.
+
+Preparations for this attack were made quietly, and without knowledge
+of the enemy; so, when the attack came, the Germans were taken
+absolutely by surprise, and only escaped annihilation by the masterful
+direction of Field Marshal von Hindenburg, who hurried from the Italian
+front in time to stem the tide.
+
+American troops in France at this time numbered not more than 125,000
+men -- these in addition to several detachments of engineers who had
+been sent in advance to take over French railroad operations in order
+to release the French for service on the fighting line.  Many of the
+Americans who had fought with the Allies in the early days of the
+struggle, before Uncle Sam cast in his lot with them had returned to
+America and joined their own countrymen in the expectation that they
+would soon return to the front.
+
+The American Army was being put in readiness as fast as possible, but
+it was known that months of intensive training would be necessary to
+fit it for its share of fighting at the front.  Preparations were being
+rushed, however, to send the national guard units across.  These would
+form the second contingent of Americans to reach France -- the first
+having been composed only of regulars.
+
+American troops in France so far had seen little actual fighting.
+Their activities had been confined mostly to beating off trench raids
+and launching an occasional bomb attack on the German dugouts so close
+to them.  Several Americans had been killed in one of these attacks --
+forming the first United States casualty list.  Others had been
+wounded, and some were missing, believed to be prisoners in the German
+lines.
+
+Hal and Chester had been in the midst of the Canadian advance and
+capture of Vimy Ridge.  Immediately after the battle they had left the
+fighting front and returned to America, where they spent several months
+training reserve officers at Fort Niagara.  Because of excellent
+service there, they had been honored by being numbered among officers
+who went with the first expeditionary force under General Pershing.
+
+Both lads had been among the American troops who beat off the German
+trench raid which accounted for the first United States casualties, and
+they had performed other services for General Pershing, as have already
+been recounted.
+
+Americans though they were, each felt that he would rather be where
+action were swifter than lying idle in the trenches with their
+countrymen.  It was hard telling how long it would be before the
+British and French general staffs would consider the American troops
+sufficiently seasoned to take over a complete sector of the battle
+line, and for that reason, the "Sammies," as they were affectionately
+called at home, were unlikely to see any real fighting for some time.
+
+In fact, it developed that when General Haig finally launched his
+drive, only British, Irish, Welsh and Scots were used.  The Americans
+had no hand in the fighting.
+
+Hal and Chester, after reporting to General Pershing following their
+return from the German lines, returned to the automobile where they had
+left McKenzie and Stubbs.
+
+"There are no orders for us," said Hal, "so we may as well hunt our
+quarters and get a little rest."
+
+Upon inquiry they learned that their own company, in the trenches when
+they left, had been moved back to make place for another contingent.
+This was in line with the policy of seasoning the American troops.
+Their own company, therefore, they found somewhat removed from the
+danger zone.
+
+"Of course, it's better to be in the trenches, where there is a chance
+of action," Chester said, "but when a fellow needs sleep, as I do, I
+guess it's just as well that we're back here."
+
+"Right you are, Chester," said Stubbs, "and if you have no objections
+I'll bunk along with you boys."
+
+"Help yourself, Stubbs," laughed Chester.  "Guess we can make room for
+you."
+
+"It's daylight yet," said Stubbs, "but I'm going to bed just the same.
+Lead the way, Chester.
+
+Chester needed no urging, for he could scarcely keep his eyes open.
+McKenzie hunted his own quarters, and soon was fast asleep.
+
+Hal and Chester also soon were in slumberland, and Stubbs' loud snoring
+proclaimed that the little man's troubles were over for the moment at
+least.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE EVE OF BATTLE
+
+"Good news, Chester."
+
+"That so?  What is it?"
+
+Hal glanced about him.  There was no one near.  "Little work for us to
+do," he said quietly.
+
+"What kind of work?"
+
+Hal did not reply directly to this question.
+
+"How's your side?" he demanded.
+
+"All right.  Why?"
+
+"Wound hurt you much?"
+
+"No.  Hardly know it's there.  But what's all this about, anyhow?"
+
+"Well," said Hal, "there is about to be a battle."
+
+"That so?  Good. How do you know?"
+
+"General Pershing just told me.  That's why I want to know how your
+side is.  We've orders to report to General Haig in person."
+
+"Oh," said Chester, somewhat disappointed, "I thought you meant the
+American troops were going to get into action."
+
+"Well, they may get into action, too.  I don't know.  But this, to my
+mind, is the biggest undertaking since the Somme."
+
+"Sounds good," said Chester, greatly interested.  "Let's hear more
+about it."
+
+"I don't know much more about it.  I was summoned to General Pershing's
+tent, and he gave me a message to carry to General Haig.  Told me to
+have you report to General Haig also if your wound had healed
+sufficiently."
+
+"It's healed sufficiently for that," Chester interrupted.
+
+"That's what I thought you'd say, no matter how badly it might pain
+you.  Anyhow, General Pershing said we might be in time to see some
+action."
+
+"Did he indicate the nature of it?"
+
+"No, but I drew my own conclusions.  I'll tell you why.  Remember those
+tanks we had here experimenting with?"
+
+"You mean the armored tractors -- those things that climb fences,
+trenches, and things like that?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Sure I remember them.  Why?"
+
+"Well, they're all gone -- been ordered back to the British lines.
+Therefore, something is going on."
+
+"Oh, pshaw!" said Chester.  "That may mean only a local attack some
+place.  I thought you knew something."
+
+"Wait a minute now.  I know more than you think."
+
+"Well, let's hear it then."
+
+"Infantry and cavalry are being massed in the sector that would lead to
+Cambrai, if a drive were successful."
+
+"You're sure of that?"
+
+"Perfectly.  I have it from Captain O'Neill, who knows what he's
+talking about."
+
+"That may mean something," Chester agreed, nodding his head.
+
+"May mean something?  Of course it means something.  Besides, our
+aeroplanes are more active than usual, probably to keep the enemy back
+so they can't anticipate the attack."
+
+"The Germans will suspect something then," declared Chester.
+
+"Maybe.  But there is something in the air.  You can bank on that."
+
+"Well, I hope so," declared Chester.  "We haven't had any real fighting
+for a long while now."
+
+"Don't forget you've a bullet hole in you still," smiled Hal.  "You're
+not as good as new, you know."
+
+"I can still answer for a couple of Germans," replied Chester with a
+smile.
+
+"I guess you're right.  But come, we must be moving."
+
+The two lads left their quarters and sought their horses.  As they
+mounted Stubbs approached.
+
+"Where to?" he demanded.
+
+"We've a mission to General Haig," said Hal.  "Why?"
+
+"Wait till I get a horse and I'll go along," said Stubbs.
+
+He hurried away.
+
+"I don't know whether he should go with us or not," muttered Hal.
+
+"If you think that, let's don't wait for him," returned Chester.
+
+"Good idea," Hal agreed, and put spurs to his horse.
+
+Chester followed suit.
+
+For ten minutes they rode rapidly, and then Hal slowed down.
+
+"Guess we've lost him, all right," he said.
+
+But they hadn't.  A short time later Hal, glancing over his shoulder,
+made out the form of a solitary horseman hurrying after them.  The
+rider made gestures as Hal looked, and the lad perceived that the man,
+whoever he might be, desired them to wait.  Therefore, having forgotten
+all about Stubbs, the lad reined in.  Chester did likewise.
+
+"Hello," said Chester, as the rider drew closer.  "It's Stubbs."
+
+"Tough," Hal commented.  "I had forgotten about him.  However, we don't
+want to hurt his feelings.  He's seen us now, so there is no use
+running."
+
+They sat quietly until Stubbs drew up alongside.
+
+"What's the idea of running away from me?" the little man wanted to
+know.
+
+"Running away, Mr. Stubbs?" questioned Chester.  "Surely you must be
+mistaken.  Why should we run away from you?"
+
+"That's what I would like to know," declared Stubbs.  "Didn't I tell
+you to wait for me?"
+
+"Did you, Stubbs?" This from Hal.
+
+"Did I?  You know deuced well I did.  You're not deaf, are you?"
+
+"Well, no," said Hal, "but your memory, Mr. Stubbs, how is that?"
+
+Stubbs glared at the lad angrily.
+
+"There is nothing the matter with my memory," he said, "as you'll find,
+if you ever have occasion to need me."
+
+"Come now, Stubbs," said Chester.  "You do us both an injustice.  You
+must explain yourself."
+
+"Great Scott!" Stubbs burst out.  "Explain, must I?  What do you mean,
+I must explain?"
+
+"Hold up a minute, now, Stubbs," said Hal. "You're all tangled up
+here.  You've forgotten what you are talking about."
+
+"Tangled?  Forgot?" sputtered Stubbs.  "What do you think I am, a
+fool?"
+
+"Well, I didn't say so, did I Mr. Stubbs?" Hal wanted to know.
+
+"That means you do, eh?" grumbled Stubbs.
+
+"Well, all right, think what you please.  What I asked you was this:
+Why did you run away from me?"
+
+"What makes you think we ran away, Stubbs?" asked Chester.
+
+"What makes me think it?  Why shouldn't I think it, I ask you?  Why
+shouldn't I think it?  I ask you to wait till I get a horse, and when I
+come back, you're gone."
+
+"Maybe we didn't hear you, Mr. Stubbs," put in Hal.
+
+"And maybe you did," exploded Stubbs.  "Now, if you don't want my
+company, all you've got to do is to say so."
+
+"Stubbs," said Chester, "you know we'd rather have your company than
+that of - of -- of, well, say three wildcats."
+
+"Ha!  Ha!  Ha!" laughed Hal.
+
+"Think you're funny, don't you?" said Stubbs, gazing at Chester with a
+scowl.
+
+"Not so funny as you and the wildcats, Stubbs." laughed Chester.
+
+Stubbs wheeled his horse about.
+
+"I can see I'm not wanted here," he said with dignity.  "Therefore, I
+shall not bother you."
+
+He rode back the way he had come.
+
+"It's too bad," said Hal.  "We've offended him and he's awfully angry.
+He raised his voice and shouted: "Hey, Stubbs!  Come back here."
+
+Stubbs did not deign to turn his head.
+
+"He's mad all right," Chester agreed.  "But hell get over it.  Besides,
+it's just as well.  We should not take him with us."
+
+"You're right, Chester.  Come, we have no time to waste."
+
+The lads again put spurs to their horses and galloped rapidly along.
+
+It was late afternoon when they rode up to General Haig's tent, and
+announced their errand.  They were admitted to the general's quarters
+immediately, and Hal presented his message.
+
+"General Pershing informs me," said General Haig at length, "that if I
+have need of you, I may use you."
+
+The lads bowed.
+
+"As it happens," said General Haig, "I do have need of you at this
+moment.  You have, perhaps, surmised that we are about to strike?"
+
+Again the lads bowed.
+
+"Good.  This attack will be made with the third army, under command of
+Sir Julian Byng.  I have dispatches for you to carry to him.  Also, you
+will attach yourselves to his staff during the engagement.  I will
+write him to that effect."
+
+General Haig scribbled hastily, and then passed several documents to
+Hal.
+
+"Deliver these immediately," said the British commander.
+
+Hal and Chester saluted, left the tent, mounted their horses, and
+dashed rapidly away.
+
+They reported to General Sir Julian Byng at 6 o'clock.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE ADVANCE
+
+The advance of the British troops under Sir Julian Byng, who was to win
+in this engagement the sobriquet of "Bingo" Byng, marked a departure
+from rules of warfare as it had been conducted up to date in the
+greatest of all conflicts.  Heretofore, heavy cannonading had always
+preceded an advance in force.  Heavy curtains of smoke from the great
+guns had been flung over the enemy's lines to mask the movements of the
+attackers.
+
+While this smoke curtain had protected, to some extent, the movements
+of the assaulting party, it also had the effect of "tipping off" the
+foe that an attack was about to be launched.  Now the British were
+about to advance without the protection of the smoke screens.
+
+But General Byng's army moved forward in the wake of even a more
+formidable protection than smoke.
+
+British "tanks," armored tractors, showed the way.
+
+General Byng's attack covered the whole length of what had become known
+as the redoubtable and supposedly impregnable "Hindenburg line," so
+called because it had been established by that greatest of all German
+military geniuses, Field Marshal von Hindenburg.  From Drocourt, just
+to the northwest of Douai, the line stretched for forty miles in a
+fairly straight line down through Vitryen-Artois, Villiers, Cagnocourt
+to Queant and Pronville, thence on to Boursies, Havrincourt, Gour
+Zeacourt, Epehy and St. Quentin.
+
+The first, or upper section of this line -- from Drocourt to Queant --
+was called the Wotan line.  The lower section had become known as the
+Siegfried line.  Both together formed the general scheme of the
+Hindenburg front.
+
+It was along this line, then, that the British struck on the morning of
+Nov. 20, 1917.  The drive had for its chief objective the capture, or
+possible isolation, of Cambrai, one of the most important positions in
+this sector in German hands.  Cambrai was a railroad center in those
+days, a terminus from which the German general staff supplied various
+points of the long line with munitions, food and men, the latter when
+required.
+
+The capture of Cambrai, it was apparent, would mean the ultimate fall
+of St, Quentin and Lille, both points of strategic advantage.
+
+General Byng ordered his third army forward shortly before daylight so
+that when the moment came for the first blow his men would have
+daylight with which to go about their work.
+
+As has been said, there was no preliminary bombardment of the enemy's
+positions sufficiently in advance to give the enemy time to prepare his
+resisting measures.  Instead of the uprooting barrage, British tanks
+cleared the path for the infantry, and what few cavalry was used in the
+attack.  Thus the enemy was given no warning.
+
+The attack was a complete surprise -- and a surprise attack in this
+great war had been called well nigh impossible.  Even the German air
+service was fooled.  As a result of its inability to anticipate General
+Byng's movements, the German fighting machine naturally lost some of
+its efficiency.
+
+As dawn broke, the British tanks bore down on the foe steadily and
+without the appearance of undue haste; in fact, the tanks could not
+have made haste had such been General Byng's plan.  Formidable
+instruments of warfare that they are, they do not number speed among
+their many accomplishments.
+
+Hundreds of these tanks, bearing every resemblance to mythical monsters
+of a prehistoric day, crawled across the ground that separated the
+opposing armies.  What must have been the surprise of the German
+general staff when the break of day showed these monsters so near?
+
+Having had no warning of the impending attack, the enemy naturally was
+taken at a disadvantage.  The warning of the advance was flashed along
+the German first- line defenses the moment daylight disclosed the
+hundreds of tanks advancing to the fray.  The second-line defenses were
+made ready to withstand an attack should the first line be beaten back,
+and, although it was not within the comprehension of German leaders
+that it could be possible, the third-line defenses also were made ready
+to repel the invaders.
+
+Between the German first-line trenches and the British front at this
+point the distance was something under half a mile.  Between the
+various German lines of defense, the distance was almost an even mile.
+As the British tanks advanced across the open ground, smashing down
+barbed-wire entanglement and crawling in and out of shell craters as
+though they did not exist, defenders sprang to their positions.
+Rapid-firers opened upon the British from every conceivable angle; but
+the shells dropped harmlessly from the sides of the armored tanks.  The
+tanks just seemed to shake their heads and passed on.
+
+Behind the tanks the infantry advanced slowly, flanked here and there
+by squadrons of cavalry, the horses of which could hardly be held back,
+so anxious did they seem to get at the foe.
+
+The British tanks spat fire from the rapid-fire guns that formed their
+armament.  Streams of bullets flew into the German lines, dealing death
+and destruction.
+
+From the rear the great British guns dropped high explosive shells in
+the German trenches.
+
+The German first-line defenses, prepared with days of hard labor, and
+formed of deep ditches, of concrete and pure earth, offered no
+difficulties to the British tanks.  Straight up to these emplacements
+they crawled, shoved their noses into the walls, and uprooted them;
+then crawled calmly over the debris.
+
+Into the gaps thus opened, the British infantry poured, while
+cavalrymen jumped their horses across the gaps and fell upon the foe
+with sword and lance.
+
+The Germans fought bravely, but they were so bewildered by this
+innovation in the art of warfare that their lines had lost their
+cohesion long before the tanks plowed into them, and they scattered as
+the British "Tommies" dashed forward, after one withering volley, with
+the cold steel of the bayonet.
+
+Here and there small groups collected and offered desperate resistance,
+but their efforts to stem the tide of advancing British were in vain.
+
+An hour after daylight first-line defenses of the entire Hindenburg
+line were in the hands of the British.
+
+But General "Bingo" Byng was not content to rest on these laurels.  He
+ordered his left wing -- those of his troops who had advanced against
+the Wotan line -- to advance farther, and also threw his center into
+the conflict again.  Troops opposed to the Siegfried line he held in
+reserve, that he might strike a blow in that sector of the field should
+his main attack fail.
+
+Again the British on left and center dashed to the attack.  Again the
+tanks plowed over the uneven ground, and advanced against a second
+apparently impregnable barrier.  Flushed with victory, the British
+"Tommies" cheered to the echo, as they moved forward gaily.
+
+Many a man fell with a song on his lips, as he stumbled across the
+shell craters that made walking so difficult, for the Germans from
+their second-line defenses poured in a terrible fire, but the others
+pressed on as though nothing had happened.  There was no time to pause
+and give succor to a wounded comrade, the command had been to advance.
+Besides, the Red Cross nurses and the ambulance drivers would be along
+presently to take care of those who could no longer take care of
+themselves.  It was hard, many a man told himself, but he realized that
+the first duty was to drive back the foe.
+
+Shell after shell struck the British tanks as they waddled across the
+rough ground.  One, suddenly, blew into a million pieces.  An explosive
+had struck a vital spot.  For the most part, however, the shells fell
+from the armored sides like drops of water from a roof.
+
+German troops lined the second-line defenses and poured a hail of
+bullets into the advancing British.  It was no use.  The British
+refused to be stopped.
+
+Straight to the trenches the tanks led the way, and nosed into them.
+Down went emplacements that the Germans had spent days in making
+secure.  The tanks rooted them up like a steam shovel.  Men fled to
+right and left, and there, at command from their officers, paused long
+enough to pour volleys of rifle fire into the Britons, as they swarmed
+into the trenches in the wake of the tanks.
+
+From the second-line defenses the tanks led the way to the third line,
+where they met with the same success.  This, however, took longer, and
+when the British found themselves in possession of these, with Cambrai,
+the immediate objective, less than four miles away.  General Byng
+called a halt.  He felt that his men had done enough for one day.
+There would be a renewed attack on the morrow, but now he realized that
+the most important thing was to straighten out his lines, consolidate
+them against a possible counter-assault, and work out his plan of
+attack for the following day.
+
+Therefore, the "Tommies" made themselves as comfortable as possible in
+their newly won positions.  Prisoners were hurried to the rear, and
+captured guns were swiftly swung into position to be used against their
+erstwhile owners should they return to the fight.
+
+In these positions the British third army spent the night.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE ADVANCE CONTINUES
+
+The British losses had been heavy, as was only natural in view of the
+nature of the work they had accomplished.  But the German casualties
+had been tremendously greater.  This, no doubt, was because of the fact
+that the German general staff had been taken by surprise and had had no
+time to prepare against the attack.
+
+The British, according to the report of General Byng, on the first
+day's offensive, had captured in the neighborhood of 5,ooo prisoners.
+Of artillery and munitions, great stores had fallen into the hands of
+the victors.
+
+It was a great day for Old England and all her Allies.  The victory was
+the greatest achieved by the Allies since the Battle of the Marne.
+
+Cambrai was almost in the hands of the British.  The importance of the
+victory could not be estimated at that time, but every soldier knew
+that if the enemy could be driven from Cambrai it would necessitate a
+realignment of the whole German defensive system in Flanders and along
+the entire battle front.  With the victory the British menaced the main
+German line of communications -- Douai, Cambrai and St. Quentin.
+
+Around Lavasquere, formidable defenses, known as Welsh Ridge and
+Coutilet Wood, had been, captured.  Flesquires had been invested and
+the Grand Ravine crossed.  Havrincourt was in British hands.
+
+Trench systems north of Havrincourt and north of the west bank of the
+Canal du Nord also had been captured.  The Masnieres Canal was crossed,
+and the British had stormed and captured Marcoing Neufwood.  East of
+the Canal du Nord, the villages of Graincourt and Anneux were now in
+possession of General Byng's men; while west of the canal the whole
+line north to the Bapaume-Cambrai road was stormed.  Bonaires hamlet
+and Lateau Wood had been captured after stiff fighting.
+
+East of Epehy, between Bullecourt and Fontaine les Croisilles,
+important positions also had been captured by the gallant "Tommies."
+
+"The enemy was completely surprised."
+
+This was the laconic message sent to Field Marshal Haig by the man who
+had led the British to victory, as he rested until the morrow.  Along
+the entire forty- mile line the attack had been successful.
+
+There were no American troops in General Byng's drive.  The forces were
+composed solely of English, Scots, Irish and Welsh -- a combination
+that more than once before in this war had proved too much for the
+Germans to combat successfully.
+
+It was a happy army that slept on reconquered territory on the night of
+November 20,1917.  Men talked of nothing but the most glorious victory
+since the Marne.  They knew that the offensive in all likelihood would
+be resumed the following morning, and most of the troops turned in
+early that they might be fit on the morrow to make the foe hunt a new
+"hole."  There was no doubt in the breasts of the "Tommies" that the
+following day would take them nearer to Cambrai and, consequently,
+Berlin.
+
+Hal and Chester had had no active part in the first day's fighting.
+They had stuck close to headquarters of General Byng, and several
+times, while the fighting was at its height and the general was short
+of aides, each of the lads had carried messages for him.  Both chaffed
+somewhat because of the fact that they were not in the midst of the
+fighting, but they bided their time, confident that they; at length,
+would get a chance for action.
+
+They had followed the advance of the British troops with admiring
+eyes.  It was, indeed, an imposing spectacle.
+
+"Wonder if our Canadian friends are in this attack?" asked Chester.
+
+"I don't believe so," declared Hal.  "I suppose they are still at Vimy
+Ridge.  They're still needed there, you know."
+
+"That's so, but they would be good men to have around at a time like
+this."
+
+"These fellows seem to be doing fairly well, if you ask me," said Hal
+dryly.
+
+Then the conversation languished, as the lads looked toward the
+fighting front.
+
+As it developed, Hal and Chester soon were to see their Canadian
+friends again.  During the night several divisions of Canadians were
+hurried to General Byng's support that he might have fresh blood in his
+ranks when he renewed his attack against the Hindenburg defenses.  And,
+as it chanced, the commander of one of these divisions was the lad's
+old friend, Colonel Adamson-general now, however.
+
+Hal and Chester were standing close to General Byng when announcement
+of the arrival of the Canadians was brought to him.  All of the
+general's aides were busy.  He espied Hal and called to him.
+
+"You will carry my compliments to General Adamson," he said, "and tell
+him to go into camp for the night.  Instructions will be sent him
+before morning."
+
+Hal saluted, mounted his horse, and dashed away.
+
+General Byng summoned Chester to his side.
+
+"Come with me," he said.
+
+He led the way into a tent that had been erected hastily, and which
+served him as field headquarters. There the general scribbled hastily
+for some minutes, then passed a piece of paper to Chester.
+
+"You will ride after your friend," he said, "and present this to
+General Adamson.  Then you had better turn, in for the night.  You may
+stay with General Adamson's command and lend what assistance there you
+can."
+
+Chester was soon speeding after Hal.
+
+General Adamson recognized Hal instantly when the lad reported to him,
+and professed pleasure at seeing him again.  He also saluted Chester,
+when the latter arrived a short time later.
+
+"And so you are going to stay with me, eh?" he said.  "Well, I have no
+doubt I shall be able to make use of you.  However, you'd better turn
+in now.  I suppose we'll be at it bright and early in the morning."
+
+General Adamson proved a good prophet.
+
+Hal and Chester met several men whom they had known when they were with
+the Canadian troops at the capture of Vimy Ridge, and these expressed
+delight at seeing the lads again.  A young officer invited the lads to
+spend the night in his quarters, and they accepted gratefully.
+
+They followed General Adamson's injunction and turned in early.  They
+were very tired, and they were asleep the moment they hit their cots.
+
+It seemed to Hal that he had just closed his eyes when he was aroused
+by the sound of a bugle.  It was the call to arms, and the lad sprang
+to his feet and threw on his clothes.  Chester also was on his feet,
+and the two lads dashed from the tent together.
+
+They made their way to General Adamson's quarters, where they stood and
+awaited whatever commands, he might give them.
+
+The Canadian troops were all under arms.  Each and every man was eager
+for the fray.  They had not been in the battle the previous day, but
+they had heard full accounts of British success and they were
+determined to give a good account of themselves when the time came.
+
+And the time came soon.
+
+It was just growing light when the British army launched the second
+day's drive.
+
+Along the whole forty-mile line the troops under General Byng advanced
+simultaneously.  This time, however, the Germans were not caught
+napping.  They anticipated the second attack by the British, and a
+terrific hail of shells and bullets greeted the Allied troops, as they
+moved across the open ground.
+
+But these men were not raw troops.  Hardly a man who could not be
+called a veteran.  They advanced as calmly under fire as though on
+parade.  Men went down swiftly in some parts of the field, but as fast
+as one dropped, his place was instantly filled.  The lines were not
+allowed to break or be thrown into confusion.
+
+The Canadian troops advanced calmly and with a sprightliness that
+seemed strange for men used to the grim work of war.  There was
+something in their carriage that told their officers that they would
+give a good account of themselves this day.
+
+General Adamson eyed his men with pride, as they moved off in the
+semi-light.  He dispatched Hal with a command to Colonel Brown,
+commander of one regiment, and Chester to Colonel Loving, commander of
+another.  As it chanced, these two regiments were marching together, so
+the two lads once more found themselves together in the midst of an
+advancing army.
+
+Their messages delivered, they did not return to General Adamson, and
+without even asking permission of their superiors, ranged themselves
+behind.  Colonel Loving, and pressed forward with the troops.
+
+Colonel Loving and Colonel Brown, besides Hal and Chester, were the
+only mounted men with the Canadian advance.  Ten minutes after the lads
+had gone forward, Colonel Loving dismounted and turned his horse over
+to one of his men, who led it toward the rear.  Colonel Brown followed
+suit.  Hal and Chester did likewise.
+
+"Good idea," commented Chester.  "We make too good targets there."
+
+Hal nodded, and looked toward the front.
+
+The British tanks again led the way.  Bullets whistled over the heads
+of the Canadians.  Hal saw that the first-line German defenses were
+less than 200 yards away.
+
+"Good." he told himself.  "Now for the battle."
+
+The first British tank nosed into the German trench.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+TANK FIGHTING
+
+The early stages of the morning fighting were repetitions of the first
+day's advance.  Success perched upon British standards from the first.
+Try as they would, the Germans were unable to hurl back the British
+infantry, which advanced steadily under the protecting wings of
+countless armored tanks.
+
+Every now and then one of these terrible instruments of warfare burst
+to pieces, killing its crew, as a German shell struck in a vital spot,
+but, for the most part, they advanced unharmed.
+
+Over the German trenches they plowed their path, as though there was
+nothing in the way to bar their progress.  Walls, earth, and human
+bodies were crushed beneath them, and they passed on as though nothing
+had happened.  In vain the Germans charged straight up to their sides.
+There was nothing they could do when they reached the monsters, except
+to fire ineffectual rifle shots in an effort to penetrate the apertures
+and reach the gunners, or to hurl hand grenades, which had no effect.
+
+Each time the enemy charged it was never to return.  While they wasted
+their energies attempting to put the tanks out of commission, British
+infantry mowed them down with, rifle fire.  At length these attempts
+were given up.
+
+The Germans, after an hour's desperate fighting, deserted their
+first-line trenches, and sought the shelter of the second; from these
+they were driven to the third.
+
+Hal and Chester found themselves in the midst of the fighting,
+alongside the heroic Canadians of Vimy Ridge fame.  The part of the
+field in which they found themselves was to the extreme north of the
+Hindenburg line, almost opposite Douai.
+
+Time after time the Canadians drove the foe back at the point of the
+bayonet.  The Canadians, it appeared soon after noon, had been the most
+successful of the entire British army.  They had pushed their lines
+almost to Douai.  To the south, General Byng's forces had not advanced
+quite so far.
+
+Suddenly there was an explosion inside a tank scarcely a hundred feet
+from Hal and Chester.  Great clouds of earth ascended into the air.
+The tank stopped stock still.  Apparently it was undamaged, but it
+proceeded no further.  A moment later, the armored door swung open, and
+the half-dozen men who composed its crew got out.
+
+"Something the matter with the engine," one said in reply to a question
+by a Canadian officer.
+
+Members of the tank's crew secured rifles and joined the advancing
+infantry.  Hal pressed close to Chester.
+
+"I've a hunch I can fix that thing so it will run," he shouted to make
+himself heard above the din of battle.
+
+"Lets have a try," Chester shouted back.
+
+The boys left their places in the line, and approached the tank.  Hal
+climbed inside first.  Chester followed him.
+
+He bent down and tinkered with the engine.  It was not the first time
+the lads had been inside a tank, so they were fairly familiar with the
+mechanism.
+
+After some tinkering, Hal gave an exclamation of satisfaction.
+
+"She'll go now," he cried.
+
+He opened the throttle, and the machine moved forward.  Hal brought it
+to a stop almost immediately.
+
+"We can't man all these guns," he cried.  "We must have a crew."
+
+Chester alighted and approached a captain of infantry who was passing
+at that moment.
+
+"We want a crew for this tank!" he exclaimed.  "Can you give me four
+men?"
+
+"Take your pick," the captain called back.
+
+Chester motioned four stalwart Canadians to follow him.  They entered
+the tank not without some foreboding, for it developed that none had
+been mixed up in such warfare before.  But they were not afraid and
+took the places Hal assigned them.
+
+"You can handle these guns, can you?" Hal shouted.
+
+The men nodded affirmatively.
+
+"All right.  Take your places.  Looks like there is ammunition enough
+there for a week.  Ready?"
+
+"Ready, sir," one of the men answered.
+
+Chester made the door secure, and Hal now moved the tank forward.
+
+Straight over the German trench plunged the car tilting first to the
+right and then to the left, as one side or the other sunk into a deep
+hole.  But, although it jostled the crew considerably, it did not roll
+over, as it seemed in imminent danger of doing.
+
+The other tanks had gone forward some time before; so had the mass of
+the infantry.  Hal's tank now lumbered forward in an effort to overtake
+the others.  It moved swiftly enough to push ahead of the soldiers
+afoot, and gradually it overtook the others, which went more slowly in
+order that the infantry might keep pace with them.  At last the lads
+found themselves on even terms with the most advanced tank.
+
+Perhaps a dozen of these monsters, pressing close together, now made a
+concerted attack on the second-line German trenches.  Down went
+barbed-wire entanglements directly in front of the trenches.  There was
+a loud crash as the tanks pushed their noses into the trench itself,
+and threw out rocks, boards, and earth in shattered fragments.  The
+troops poured into the trenches behind them.
+
+Half an hour's desperate fighting in the trenches and the Germans
+fled.  As the tanks would have pushed along further, a bugle sounded a
+halt.  Instantly the infantry gave up pursuit of the enemy, and all the
+tanks came to a stop -- all except the one in which Hal was at the
+throttle.
+
+"Whoa, here, Hal!" shouted Chester.  "Time to stop.  Can't you see the
+others have given up the pursuit?"
+
+"I can't stop!" Hal shouted back.  "The blamed thing won't work."
+
+Every second they were approaching where the Germans had made a stand.
+
+"Come about in a circle then and head back!" shouted Chester.
+
+Hal swung the head of the tank to the left.  It moved perhaps two
+degrees in that direction, then went forward again.
+
+"Something the matter with the steering apparatus!" Hal shouted.  "I
+can't turn it.  I can't stop it.  I can't shut off the power, and the
+brakes won't work."
+
+"Let's jump for it, then!" cried Chester.  "We'll be right in the
+middle of the enemy in a minute."
+
+The tractor was still spitting fire as it advanced.  It was plain that
+the Germans took the advance of the single tank as a ruse of some kind,
+which they were unable to fathom.  They could not know that the
+occupants of the tank were making desperate effort to stop its advance
+or bring it about and head back toward the British lines.
+
+From the British troops shouts of warning arose.  Crews of other tanks
+had now dismounted, and these men added their voices to those of the
+others calling upon the apparently venturesome tank to return.  These
+men could understand the advance of the single tractor no more than
+could the Germans.
+
+"The fools!" shouted one man.  "They'll be killed sure; and what good
+can they do single-handed against the whole German army?"
+
+But the tank driven by Hal took no cognizance of the remarks hurled
+after it; nor did it swerve from its purpose of waddling straight up to
+the foe.
+
+"Let's jump!" called Chester again.
+
+"We'll be killed sure, or captured if we do," said Hal.
+
+"Well, we'll be killed or captured if we don't," declared Chester.
+
+"Exactly.  It doesn't make any difference just what we do, so I'm in
+favor of seeing the thing through."
+
+"By Jove!" said Chester after a moment's hesitation, "I'm with you!"
+
+He explained the situation to the man.
+
+"Let's go right at 'em, sir," said one of the Canadians, grinning.
+"Maybe they won't hit us with a shell.  We'll shoot 'em down as long as
+we have ammunition - - and it's about gone now."
+
+"Suits me," said Hal quietly.
+
+The other men nodded their agreement.
+
+So the tank still waddled forward.  With but one foe now to contend
+with, the Germans braved the fire of the single gun, advanced and
+surrounded the tank.
+
+"Surrender!" came a voice in German.  "Surrender or we shall blow you
+to pieces."
+
+Hal smiled to himself.
+
+"Can't be done, Fritz," he said quietly.
+
+At the same moment one of the crew fired the last of the ammunition.
+
+"Well, we've nothing left but our revolvers," said Chester.  "Here
+goes."
+
+He poked his weapon out one of the portholes, and emptied it into the
+foe.
+
+"Give me yours, Hal," he said.
+
+Hay obeyed, and the contents of this also was poured at the enemy.
+
+"That settles it," said Chester.
+
+One of the Canadians drew out a cigarette and lighted it.
+
+"Might as well be comfortable," he said.
+
+Outside, the Germans danced wildly around the car, shouting demands for
+surrender, all the while bombarding the tank with rifle and revolver
+fire.
+
+"No use, Fritz," said Hal.  "We just can't, whoa!"
+
+The tank had stopped abruptly.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+PRISONERS
+
+"Now what do you think of that?"  Hal muttered to himself.  "Must be a
+German tank, I guess.  Seems to know when it gets home.  Well, what
+now, Hal?" asked Chester.
+
+"You know as much about it as I do," said Hal grimly.  "See all that
+merry gang outside dancing around us?  Guess we'll have to surrender.
+We can't fight with nothing to fight with."
+
+"You're right, Sir," said one of the men.  "No use staying here and
+being blown up when we can't fight back."
+
+As the occupants of the tank so far had made no signs of complying with
+the German demand for surrender, bullets were still being rained upon
+the tractor.  Hal now took a handkerchief from his pocket, put it on
+the end of his empty revolver, and poked it through the porthole.
+
+A cry of triumph went up from the outside, and the firing ceased.
+
+Chester threw open the door of the armored car, and, with Hal and the
+four members of the crew, got to the ground.  An officer approached
+them and saluted.
+
+"You are my prisoners, Sir," he said.
+
+"So it seems, captain," said Hal with a smile.  "Well, it can't be
+helped now."
+
+He passed over his empty revolver, the only weapon he possessed.
+Chester followed suit.  The members of the crew had no arms.  They had
+discarded their rifles when they entered the tank.
+
+"I shall conduct you to Colonel Hertlitz," said the German captain.
+"Come."
+
+The four followed the German officer far back into the German lines,
+where the officer ushered them into a tent where sat a German officer
+whose insignia proclaimed him a colonel of infantry.
+
+"These are the men who manned the armored car, sir," said the captain.
+
+"Take the men and lock them up safely," was the reply.  "Send my
+orderly to attend me while I converse with these officers.  See, too,
+that the captured car is made safe."
+
+The captain withdrew and the colonel's orderly entered, and stood at
+attention.  The four Canadian members of the tank's crew were ordered
+to the rear, but for the night they would be kept in the lines behind
+the trenches.
+
+"You are brave young men," said the colonel to Hal.  "I watched you
+advance into our army single-handed.  At the same time, it was a fool's
+trick - or a youngster's."
+
+"We're not so brave as you would think, sir," said Hal with a slight
+smile.  "Neither are we such fools.  We would gladly have turned about,
+but the thing wouldn't work; neither could I stop my engine."
+
+"Oh-o!  I see," said the colonel.  "I took your deed for an act of
+bravery, and for that reason I had planned to have you particularly
+cared for, so it was only an accident, eh?  Orderly, have these fellows
+locked up with the others."
+
+"We're officers in the United States Army, sir," Hal protested, "and,
+as such, are entitled to treatment as becomes our rank."
+
+"You are American pigs!" was the angry response.  "So American troops
+are really in France, eh?  I never believed they would come.  America
+is a nation of cowards."
+
+Hal took a threatening step forward.
+
+The German did not move from his chair, but called to his orderly:
+
+"Take them away."
+
+A moment later a file of soldiers entered and Hal and Chester were
+escorted from the colonel's quarters.  An hour later they found
+themselves in a tent behind the German trenches together with the four
+Canadians who, such a short time before, had formed the crew of the
+tank that had advanced single-handed into the German lines.
+
+"You went and spoiled it, Hal," Chester muttered when they were left to
+themselves again.
+
+"Well, I was just trying to be honest.  They say 'honesty is the best
+policy,' you know."
+
+"That's all right," said Chester, "but you don't have to go around
+telling how honest you are."
+
+"I'll admit I put my foot in it," Hal a I greed.  "But here we are, six
+of us, captured by the enemy with the chances that our days of fighting
+are over."
+
+"Never say die," said Chester.  "We've been in some ticklish places
+before now and we're still alive and kicking."
+
+"We'll hold a council of war," Hal decided.  "I don't know your names,"
+he said to the Canadians, "but I take it you'll all be glad to get out
+of here if possible."
+
+"You bet," said one.  "I've no hankering for a German prison, sir."
+
+"Good!  Now what are your names?"
+
+"Crean, sir," said the man who had spoken.
+
+"Yours?" said Hal, turning to the next man.
+
+"Smith, sir."
+
+The other two men admitted to the names of Jackson and Gregory.
+
+Hal then introduced Chester and himself.
+
+"This is not the first time we've been captured by the enemy," he
+explained, "and we've found that because escape is looked upon as such
+a remote possibility, it is much simpler than in days when wars did not
+cover so much territory as the whole world."
+
+"We're with you in anything you decide, sir," said Smith.       I
+
+
+"You can count upon us to the finish," Crean agreed.
+
+"I was sure of it," said Hal quietly.  "Now, we'll take stock.  Of
+course, we've no weapons."
+
+"Nothing that looks like one," Chester agreed.
+
+"The first thing, then," said Hal, "is to secure weapons.  Makes a
+fellow feel a bit more comfortable if he has a gun in his hand."
+
+"Or even a sword, or a knife, sir," said Gregory.
+
+"Well, I'm not much of a hand with a knife," Chester declared.  "I have
+been slashed a couple of times, but every time I think of a knife being
+drawn through my flesh it makes me shudder.  Now, a gun is another
+matter."
+
+"I agree with you, Chester," said Hal.  "However, if we can't get guns
+we won't turn down knives if we can get our hands on them."
+
+"Right you are, sir," said Gregory.  "Now, I've lived long enough in
+the northwest to realize the value of a good knife when I get my hands
+on it . A weapon is a weapon after all, sir."
+
+"Only some are better than others," Smith interrupted.
+
+"We won't argue about that," said Hal, "since we have decided that the
+first thing we need are weapons.  Of course, that means that first we
+must have one weapon.  One will mean others.  Now, I'll suggest this:
+I'm no pickpocket, but someone will come in here directly to give us
+food or something, and I'm no good if I can't, relieve him of a gun or
+a knife, providing I get close enough to him."
+
+"And then what?" demanded Chester.
+
+"One thing at a time, old man," said Hal.  "We'll have to leave most of
+this to chance."
+
+"Anything suits me," Chester declared.  "Listen, I think someone is
+coming now."
+
+Chester was right.  A moment later the officer to whom the lads had
+surrendered entered the tent.  He greeted the lads with a smile.
+
+"I've heard of your treatment," be said.  "I won't presume to criticize
+my superior officer, but I just want to say that I admire your bravery
+no matter what brought you into our lines."
+
+"Thanks," said Hal.  "We appreciate it. I suppose I should have kept my
+mouth shut, but I guess it won't make any difference in the long run.
+What will be done with us, do you suppose?"
+
+"Well, you are prisoners of war, of course," was the reply.  "You'll
+probably be sent to a prison camp until peace is declared -- and nobody
+knows when that will be."
+
+"You're right on that score," said Hal.  "Oh, well, I guess we should
+consider ourselves fortunate that we are prisoners rather than dead
+soldiers."'
+
+"And yet you don't," said the German with a smile.
+
+"Well, no, that's true," Hal admitted.  "'I just said we should."
+
+"I must be going now," said the young German, "So I'll say good-bye.  I
+hope I may see you when the war is over."
+
+"Thanks," said Chester.
+
+He extended a hand, which the German grasped.  Hal pressed close to the
+man's side with extended hand, which he offered as the German grasped
+Chester's fingers.
+
+As the ]ad stood close to the German, his left hand stole forth
+cautiously, and dropped to the revolver which the German carried in a
+holster at his side.
+
+He removed the weapon so gently that the German did not feel his
+touch.  Quickly Hal slipped the revolver into his coat pocket, and then
+grasped the man's hand as Chester released it.
+
+"Good-bye," he said quietly.  "I'm sure I second your wish."
+
+The German bowed and left the tent.
+
+Chester turned to Hal and said in a low voice:
+
+"Get it?"
+
+Hal nodded.
+
+"You bet!" said he.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+A STRANGE PROCEEDING
+
+"Lieutenant," said the Canadian named Gregory, "before I joined the
+army I was considered somewhat of a detective in Montreal.  I've had
+some experience with pickpockets.  It's a pleasure to see you work."
+
+"That sounds like rather a left-handed compliment," said Chester with a
+smile, while Hal and the others laughed.
+
+"Nevertheless, it was very neatly done," said Gregory.
+
+"Well, Hal," said Chester, "you've got one gun, what are you going to
+do with it?"
+
+"Hold your horses, old man," returned Hal.  "Nothing was ever gained by
+too great haste.  Something will turn up."
+
+Something did a moment later in the form of the German officer who so
+recently had left the tent.  He came in quickly, looked around, and
+stood undecided.
+
+"Why, I thought you'd gone, captain," said Chester, though his heart
+sank.
+
+The lad realized the import of the other's return.
+
+"I've lost something," said the German.
+
+"What was it?" asked Hal.
+
+"Well, it's my revolver," said the German.  "I thought maybe I had
+dropped it here."
+
+"Hope you didn't expect to find it if you had?" said Hal.
+
+The German laughed good-naturedly.
+
+"Maybe not," he said.  "However, I'm going to ask you if any of you
+have it."
+
+"If we had," said Hal quietly, "I'll guarantee we wouldn't stay here
+half an hour."
+
+The German looked at Hal keenly.  Apparently he took the lad's answer
+for a denial, for he said:
+
+"Well, all right.  I just thought I'd make sure.  I know you wouldn't
+lie about it."
+
+He bowed again and was gone.
+
+"Well, by George!" exclaimed Hal.  "I didn't tell him I didn't have his
+gun, did I?"
+
+"You did not," said Chester, "but you seem to have convinced him that
+you didn't have it."
+
+"It's just as well," said Smith.
+
+Five minutes later a German soldier entered, bearing a tray on which
+was water and dry bread.
+
+"Well, well," said Hal.  "What a feast for the hungry, eh?"
+
+He took the tray from the man's bands, while Chester edged closer to
+him.  When the man left the tent, Chester produced an object which he
+held aloft.
+
+"Something for you, Gregory," he said.
+
+Gregory eyed the object in surprise.  It was a long-handled knife.
+
+"I just happened to see it sticking in his belt," said Chester.
+
+"I believe that you two fellows have been fooling us," said Gregory
+with evident sincerity.  "Come, now.  What was your occupation before
+you joined the army?"
+
+"Well, it wasn't picking pockets, if that's what you mean," said
+Chester with a laugh.
+
+"If this thing keeps up," said Crean, "we'll soon have weapons enough
+to equip a first-class arsenal."
+
+"And that's no joke," said the man called Jackson.
+
+"We can't hope for any more such luck," said Hal quietly.  "We'll have
+to create what opportunities come to us now."
+
+"You take this knife, Gregory," said Chester.  "I wouldn't know what to
+do with it."
+
+Hal approached the canvas door to their prison and poked his head out.
+
+"Get back there!" came a guttural command in German.
+
+Hal spied a sentry standing before the tent.
+
+"Hello," he said pleasantly.  "Didn't know you were there. All by
+yourself, too, eh?"
+
+"Not much," was the reply.  "There's a man in the rear, too."
+
+"I just wondered," murmured Hal.
+
+"Get back inside," commanded the guard.
+
+"Oh, all right," said Hal, "if you are going to be nasty about it.
+But, say, do you have a pack of cards you can lend us?"
+
+"No, I don't," said the guard.
+
+"Well, all right," and Hal would have withdrawn but the German halted
+him.
+
+"I didn't say I didn't have a pack," he said.
+
+"But I heard --"
+
+"No, you didn't.  I said I didn't have a pack to lend."
+
+"Well, what's --?"'
+
+"I've a pack to sell," said the guard.
+
+"Oh, I see," said Hal.  "Rather hard up, are you."
+
+"If you mean I have no money, yes."
+
+"I've a few German coins, I believe," said Hal, and explored his
+pockets.  "I'll give you these for the pack of cards."
+
+He held forth two coins.
+
+The German grunted.
+
+"All right," he said.
+
+He produced a pack of cards, and took the money Hal extended.
+
+"Times must be getting hard in Germany," said Hal suggestively.
+
+Again the German granted.
+
+"We don't have any bread, and we don't have any meat," he declared.  "I
+haven't had a good meat for a year, it seems."
+
+"It'll be worse before the war's over," said Hal pleasantly.
+
+The German grounded his rifle with a thump.  "Don't you think I know
+it?" he demanded with some heat.
+
+"Well, don't get angry," said Hal, struck with a sudden idea.
+
+"You've got some money," he said.
+
+"Not very much."
+
+"Well, I'll tell you something.  We're going to have a little card game
+inside.  I don't have any too much money, either, and I'd be glad to
+win some.  What's the matter with you sneaking in and getting in the
+game?  Your money's as good to me as anyone else's."
+
+"And an officer'll come along, and I'll face a firing squad," grumbled
+the German.
+
+"Pshaw!" said Hal.  "Nothing risked nothing gained, you know.  Besides,
+we're in an out of the way place here.  When will you be relieved?"
+
+"Not before 10 o'clock."
+
+"And it's only a little after six now.  However, if you won't, you
+won't.  You know your own business best."
+
+The German smiled an evil smile.
+
+"Have you any objection to my inviting another in the game?" he asked.
+
+"Not a bit.  Who?"
+
+"The man who is guarding the tent in the rear.  He will come in handy,
+too.  If you should try to escape, we'd do for you.  We will be armed,
+and you won't."
+
+"Who said anything about trying to escape?" demanded Hal.  "This is to
+be a little friendly game of poker."
+
+"Poker?" exclaimed the German.
+
+Again his eyes gleamed.
+
+"You go back in the tent," said the guard.  "I'll probably be along
+later with my friend.  I need the money, and will take a chance."
+
+"Good!" said Hal, and disappeared within.
+
+Hal explained the situation to the others, and added:
+
+"Of course, the man's idea is that he and his friend, by playing
+together, will win by cheating.  Well, that doesn't make any difference
+to us.  Let them have the money.  All we want is to get out of here.  I
+don't know much about playing cards, anyhow.  But let no man make a
+move until I give the word."
+
+The others nodded their understanding of this to him.
+
+"We may as well get started, so it won't look bad," said Chester.
+
+The six seated themselves on the ground, and Gregory dealt out the
+cards.
+
+"I can't understand how a man will take a chance like this guard," said
+Chester.
+
+"He says he needs money," declared Hal.
+
+"But even so," said Chester, "he should have sense enough --?"
+
+"You haven't forgotten he is German, have you?" demanded Jackson.  "I
+was brought up among them to some extent.  One idea is all a true
+German's head will hold at one time.  That's the truth.  And if he gets
+an idea in his head, you can't get it out.
+
+"Shh-h!" said Hal.  "Here comes someone."
+
+A moment later the guard with whom the lad had conversed entered the
+tent.  A second man followed him.
+
+"Quiet!" whispered the first guard.
+
+The two men sat down among the others . Each laid his rifle within easy
+reach of his hand, and each loosened a revolver in his belt.
+
+"Go on with the game," said the first German in a low voice.
+
+Gregory dealt out the cards.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+FLIGHT
+
+It was not Hal's intention to attempt a break for liberty as soon as
+the Germans entered the tent.  He knew that the two men would be on
+their guard at least until their interest in the game had overcome
+their vigilance.
+
+Neither Hal nor Chester were proficient in card playing.  The game of
+poker had not been included in their education.  Nevertheless, each
+knew the value of the cards, and they felt that a situation like this
+would justify their taking a hand, considering the ends in view.
+
+The German with whom Hal had conversed just outside the tent had poor
+luck from the start, but his companion won.  So far the men had made
+no, attempt to play together, thus taking advantage of their
+prisoners.  But it wasn't long before they did.
+
+There came a time when Gregory noticed this.  He grew angry.
+
+"Here!" he exclaimed.  "That kind of playing won't go.  This is a
+friendly game, and I don't stand for that kind of work."
+
+The Germans looked up in well-simulated surprise.  They indicated by
+gestures that Gregory was doing them an injustice; the game proceeded.
+
+As time passed both Germans won now, Naturally, both grew more and more
+interested in the game.  And at last the moment for which Hal had been
+waiting presented itself.
+
+The Germans still had their rifles close to their sides, and from time
+to time their hands toyed with the revolvers in their belts.
+
+Hal, after a hand had been played out, arose and stretched himself.
+The German eyed him suspiciously for a moment, but, as he appeared
+about to sit down again, they turned their attention to the cards,
+which Chester dealt them.
+
+Suddenly Hal whipped out the revolver be had taken from the German
+officer earlier, and, taking a quick step forward, covered the two
+men.
+
+"Hands up!" he exclaimed in German.
+
+The cards fell, to the ground, as Chester and the Canadians got to
+their feet.  The Germans sat still.  Then, slowly, their hands went
+into the air.
+
+"Quick, men!" said Hal.  "Get their revolvers and guns."
+
+This was the work of an instant.  The six friends now were armed with
+three revolvers, two rifles, and one long knife.
+
+"What'll we do with these fellows?" demanded Chester.
+
+"We'll tie 'em up and gag 'em," said Hal without hesitation.  "We can't
+afford to have them raise the alarm."
+
+"We've no rope, nor anything that looks like rope," said Chester.
+"What'll we tie 'em up with?"
+
+"Their own clothing will have to serve the purpose then," said Hal.
+
+Quickly the Germans were stripped to their underclothing.  Their shirts
+were torn in strips, and they were securely bound.  Handkerchiefs were
+used as gags.
+
+"There," said Hal, when this was accomplished.  "I guess that will hold
+them safe enough."
+
+"It'll have to hold them," said Chester.  "Now what?"
+
+"Now to get out of here," said Hal.
+
+"Look here, Lieutenant," said Jackson, "we can't go far in these
+uniforms, you know."
+
+"Of course I know it," Hal declared.  "We can go far enough to tap a
+few Germans over the head, though, maybe, in which event there will be
+uniforms enough of the proper kind to go around."
+
+"Right you are, sir," agreed Crean. "Lead the way."
+
+Making sure that the Germans who had been bound would be unable to
+release the improvised ropes, Hal moved to the entrance of the tent and
+looked out.  It was very dark outside, and Hal could see nothing.
+
+"Guess the way is clear," he whispered, "but it's so dark out there you
+can't see a thing.  However, we'll take a chance, and we'll head toward
+the front, for that's the direction in which we want to go."
+
+The others followed him from the tent.
+
+For perhaps five minutes they walked along without interruption, but at
+the end of that time Hal, still in advance, made out a form approaching
+them.  He stopped in his tracks, and the others also stood stock
+still.
+
+Hal now perceived that there were two figures advancing instead of
+one.  He reached back a hand and pulled Chester to his side.  The two
+lads moved forward together.
+
+In the darkness it was impossible for the men who moved toward them to
+make out the lads' uniforms, so, though they perceived the approaching
+figures, they naturally took Hal and Chester for their own kind.
+
+They moved slightly to one side in order that Hal and Chester might
+pass.  Instead, the lads stepped quickly up to them and shoved their
+guns in their faces.
+
+"Silence!" said Chester quietly.  "Silence or you are dead men!"
+
+Chester's tone left no room for doubt, and the Germans stood still
+without a word.  Hal now made out that they were officers -- both
+lieutenants.
+
+"Take off your clothes," said Hal briefly.
+
+The Germans understood the lad's plan, but under the muzzle of two
+guns, they did not protest, and quickly stripped to their
+under-garments . Hal and Chester each took possession of one of the
+officer's revolvers.  Then, covering the two men, Hal said:
+
+"Get into one of those uniforms while I keep them covered, Chester."
+
+Chester obeyed promptly, and then he, in turn, covered the men while
+Hal changed clothes.
+
+The lads now escorted their prisoners back to where the four Canadians
+still stood in the darkness.  There they explained the situation.
+Willing hands tore the clothes that the two boys had discarded, and the
+Germans, still in their underclothing, were hastily bound and gagged.
+
+The party of British moved on again.
+
+"Four more uniforms and a couple of more guns, and we are 0. K.," said
+Chester quietly.
+
+Fortune again smiled on them a few moments later.  A party of three
+German soldiers approached.  These were quickly covered, and the same
+procedure gone through with.  A few moments later all except Gregory
+were attired in German uniforms.
+
+"Don't worry, old man," said Chester with a laugh.  "We'll soon have
+one for you, too."
+
+"It's not that I am fond of a German uniform," said Gregory, "but I
+just like to be in style."
+
+The friends now passed several groups of Germans, but the latter were
+in such large numbers that they did not accost them.
+
+"What we want is just one man, or possibly two or three," said Chester.
+"We don't want to tackle so many that there may be a fight."
+
+At length their patience was rewarded.  A solitary figure came toward
+them.  Hal stepped forward and accosted him.
+
+With a gun poked under his nose, the German gave back a step.
+
+"What's the matter?" he demanded.  "Are you crazy?"
+
+"Not a bit of it," said Hal, "but I want your clothes."
+
+"Well," said the German, "you won't get them.  This is no time of the
+year for a man to be walking around with no clothes."
+
+"Nevertheless, I must have yours," said Hal.
+
+Chester came up at that moment, and his revolver, glistening in the
+darkness, lent added weight to Hal's words.
+
+"Oh, well, of course, if you insist," said the German.
+
+He quickly stepped from his uniform, which Chester tossed back to
+Gregory, who donned it hastily.  As hastily the German was bound and
+gagged, and Hal, Chester and the four Canadians moved forward again.
+
+"We're safe enough for the moment," said Hal, as they walked along.
+"The enemy will have no suspicion that we are other than we pretend to
+be until
+
+daylight, when one look at your Canadian faces will give the whole
+thing away."
+
+"That means," said Chester, "that we should be beyond the German lines
+before daylight."
+
+"Exactly," said Hal, "though how we shall do it is still the question."
+
+"We've come along pretty well so far," said Gregory.  "We won't give up
+now."
+
+"Who said anything about giving up?" Chester wanted to know.  "Of
+course, we won't give up.  Have you any idea where we are, Hal?"
+
+"Well, I should judge we are pretty close to the town of Cambrai.
+Personally, I believe the best plan would be to head in that
+direction.  I judge it to be directly south."
+
+"But it is within the German lines," Chester protested.
+
+"True, but once there we may be able to find a hiding place.  In the
+open we wouldn't have much chance if we failed to get beyond the lines
+before daylight overtook us."
+
+"You may be right," said Chester.  "Once in Cambrai, providing we can
+find a hiding place, we can figure out a means of leaving the German
+lines."
+
+"Exactly," said Hal, "and with a better chance of success."
+
+"Suit you, men?" asked Chester.
+
+"You're the doctor," said Gregory.  "Lead the way.  We'll follow."  Hal
+and Chester turned abruptly to the left.  "South it is, then," said
+Hal.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+INTO CAMBRAI
+
+As it developed, the distance to Cambrai, one of the chief points in
+the German line of communications, was comparatively short.
+
+As the six plodded along through the darkness there was no
+conversation.  None of the Canadians spoke German, and Hal and Chester
+had instructed them to be silent, for the sound of a few English words
+would have done more to destroy the success of their venture than any
+other possible thing.  As for Hal and Chester, both of whom spoke
+German fluently, neither felt like talk.
+
+It was almost midnight when the lads saw before them what appeared to
+be the lights of a small town.  Approaching closer, they saw that they
+were, indeed, approaching a settlement of some kind.
+
+"Cambrai, do you suppose?" asked Chester.
+
+"Don't know," returned Hal.  "Probably is.  I understand that Cambrai
+is about the largest place around here, and this seems to be quite a
+sizable village."
+
+Half an hour later they set foot in the streets of the little French
+city, in German hands now for more than three years.
+
+"We'll hunt a house with a light and see if they'll put us up for the
+night," said Hal.
+
+Down a side street they saw a house somewhat larger than the others.
+Several lights showed from the windows.
+
+"Somebody up, at all events," said Chester.
+
+"Trouble is, Germans may already be quartered there," said Hal.
+
+"Well, we'll have to take a chance," said Chester grimly.
+
+"Right.  So the sooner we try the better."
+
+Hal led the way, and knocked on the door.  Came the sound of hurried
+footsteps within, and a moment later the door was thrown open.  An old
+woman poked her head out.
+
+"What do you want?" she demanded.
+
+"A place to sleep," replied Hal, in excellent German, although the
+woman had spoken in French.
+
+"There is no place here for you!" exclaimed the woman, and would have
+shut the door.
+
+But Hal was too quick for her.  He shoved a foot in the door, and thus
+prevented its closing.
+
+"Come, my good woman," he said.  "We mean you no harm, but we must have
+a place to spend the night."
+
+"How many of you are there?" asked the woman.
+
+"Six," replied Hal briefly.
+
+The woman threw up her hands in a gesture of dismay.
+
+"I can't possibly take care of so many!" she exclaimed.
+
+"But we are all coming in," declared Hal, who realized that the sooner
+they were off the streets the better.
+
+He pushed the door open and went inside.  Chester and the four
+Canadians followed him.
+
+"Which way, madam?" asked Hal.  "Upstairs?"
+
+The old woman nodded, and led the way up a flight of winding steps.
+
+"I've only one room," she said, "so you will have to make the most of
+it."
+
+"That will be satisfactory," said Hal.  "We don't like to inconvenience
+you."
+
+"You don't, eh?" exclaimed the woman.  "You're the first who wear that
+uniform who haven't gone out of their way to inconvenience me, and all
+other French women."
+
+"Come, come," said Hal.  "I'm afraid you are too hard on us."
+
+"I'm not half as hard on you as the French and British will be when
+they get hold of you!" exclaimed the woman angrily.
+
+Hal looked at her in surprise.  He supposed that all women in territory
+conquered by the Germans had long since realized the value of keeping a
+silent tongue in their head.  Aloud he said:
+
+"I would advise you to be more careful of your speech.  If words like
+those came to the ears of the general staff, you probably would be
+shot."
+
+"You can't frighten me," declared their hostess.  "'I say what I
+please, Germans or no Germans."
+
+"Well, suit yourself," said Hal, "but don't forget that I have warned
+you."
+
+"Thank you," sneered the woman.  "Here's your room," kicking open the
+door at the top of the stairs.  "You can sleep there if you wish, but I
+hope the British have arrived when you wake up again."
+
+She waited for no reply, but descended the stairs hastily.
+
+"By Jove!" muttered Hal.  "The Germans snared a Tartar when they caught
+her."
+
+"They certainly did," Chester agreed with a smile.  "Great Scott!
+Seems to me she could have given us a candle or something.  It's as
+dark as pitch in this room."
+
+"You fellows stay here," said Hal.  "I'll go down and remind her that
+she has been negligent in her duty as hostess."
+
+Hal descended the stairs quietly.  As quietly he passed through the
+room that in days of peace apparently had served as a parlor, and moved
+toward a door beyond, under which a light streamed.
+
+"Guess she's in there," said Hal.
+
+He laid a hand on the knob and opened the door.
+
+As he did so there was an exclamation of alarm.  Hal, in the light
+beyond, saw a form disappear into another room.  The old woman ran
+toward him
+
+"What do you mean by coming in here without knocking?" she exclaimed
+furiously.
+
+"Why --why, I didn't know --" Hal began.
+
+"Of course you didn't know," shouted the woman.  "But I'll have you
+understand that you can't make free of my house, though you be the
+Kaiser himself."
+
+From the folds of her skirt she suddenly produced a large revolver,
+which she leveled squarely at the lad.  Hal stepped back.
+
+"Here, my good woman," he said.  "Put down that gun.  Don't you know
+that a single shot will arouse the whole German army.  You couldn't
+escape."
+
+The woman hesitated, and the revolver wavered.  Before she could bring
+it to bear again, had such been her intention, Hal seized her arm,
+twisted sharply, and the revolver fell to the floor with a clatter.
+
+"I'm afraid you're not to be trusted with that gun," the lad said
+quietly.
+
+He stooped, picked up the weapon, and stowed it away in his own pocket
+with this mental comment:
+
+"One more weapon for our own little army."
+
+"You're a brute," gasped the woman.  "You're just like all Germans."
+
+"Silence," said Hal.  "I have heard enough from you.  What I came here
+for was to tell you that you had neglected to furnish us with a light.
+Now I shall have to look in yonder closet, where I saw a man secret
+himself as I came in."
+
+The old woman flew across the room and stood defiantly in front of the
+closet door.
+
+"You can't go in there! "she exclaimed.
+
+"I can't, eh?" said Hal.  "Why can't I?"
+
+"Because I say you can't."
+
+"That is a very poor reason," said Hal.  "Either you will stand aside
+now, or I shall call my men."
+
+The woman realized the force of this reasoning.  With a gesture of
+resignation she stepped aside.  Hal advanced.
+
+"I hope he shoots you through the door," said the woman to Hal.
+
+"Thanks for the hint," said Hal dryly.  "I'll keep out of the line of
+fire."
+
+He approached the door from the side, and, standing close, called:
+
+"Whoever you are in there, come out."
+
+There was no response, and Hal called again.
+
+"I've got the door covered," the lad shouted, and if you don't come out
+I shall fire through it."
+
+Slowly the door moved open.  Hal stepped quickly aside, for he did not
+wish to be taken unaware.  He seized a chair and sent it spinning
+across the floor.  The ruse succeeded, for the man inside, taking the
+noise made by the chair for the sound of Hal's feet, stepped quickly
+forward and pointed a revolver in that direction.
+
+This meant that Hal stood directly behind the newcomer.  Smiling to
+himself, Hal raised his revolver and said quietly:
+
+"Drop that gun or I'll bore a hole through you.  No, don't bother to
+turn first."
+
+Realizing that he was absolutely in the other's power, the newcomer
+obeyed.  The revolver fell clattering to the floor.
+
+"Now," said Hal, "I'd like to have a look at you.  Please turn around."
+
+Slowly the other turned, and, as Hal caught sight of the man's face,
+his own revolver dropped to the floor and he sprang forward with
+outstretched hand.
+
+"Major Derevaux!" he cried.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE MAJOR EXPLAINS
+
+The man who had emerged from the closet gazed at Hal in amazement.
+
+"Who are you?" he exclaimed, taking a step forward.
+
+"What!  Don't you know me?" exclaimed Hal.
+
+The other peered at him intently.  Then he uttered an exclamation of
+pure astonishment.
+
+"Hal Paine!" he cried.  "Is it really you?  And what are you doing in
+that uniform?"
+
+"I might ask you, major, what you are doing out of uniform?" laughed
+Hal, as he grasped his old friend's hand.
+
+"Well, I'm here on business," explained the major.
+
+"And I'm here trying to get out of the German lines," said Hal.
+
+"And where is Chester?" asked the major.
+
+"He's upstairs, waiting for me to bring up a candle that he may have
+light," said Hal.  "By George!  It's good to see you again.  Let me
+see, it has been almost two years since I last saw you in France."
+
+"Yes, it's been all of that," agreed the major.
+
+"And what of our old friend Anderson?  Do you know what has happened to
+him?"
+
+"No," said Hal, "the last indirect word I had of him he had been sent
+to Mesopotamia.  I have not seen him for many months.  But, tell me,
+what are you doing here?"
+
+"It isn't a very long story," said Major Derevaux.  "As you perhaps
+know, General Byng's drive against the Germans has been one of the
+greatest successes since the Battle of the Marne."
+
+Hal nodded.
+
+"Well," the major continued, "I have been stationed with General Pitain
+at Verdun, where I last saw you.  Now we know that the Germans have
+drawn heavily from other fronts to make possible the Italian invasion.
+Other fronts now will have to be weakened to hold back General Byng --
+even to launch a counter- offensive, for we all know that Hindenburg
+will strike back.  That leaves the Verdun situation somewhat in the
+air."
+
+"I see," said Hal.  "If you can make sure that the Verdun front of the
+enemy has been weakened, the French will strike there."
+
+"Exactly," said the major.  "Then there is another possibility.  It may
+be the plan of the German general staff to make a show of force here
+and then, when we are feeling secure before Verdun, to deliver a
+lightning-like blow there.  Those are the things I am commissioned to
+learn."
+
+"I see," said Hal again.  "But how does it happen I find you here?"
+
+"It's very simple.  This woman here is a distant relative of mine.  She
+is a patriot to the soul.  Under the gruff exterior which you have seen
+she is the most kindly soul in the world.  She is risking her life
+every minute she remains here, for she is accounted one of the most
+successful of French spies."
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Hal.  "You don't mean it.  Why, her very
+actions toward us, if used toward other Germans, it strikes me, would
+mean a firing squad for her."
+
+"That," laughed Major Derevaux, "has been her greatest asset.  The
+Germans are not particularly fond of her, that's a fact.  She attacks
+them with a sharp tongue, but for that very reason she is looked upon
+as harmless.  Come, I'll introduce you."
+
+Major Derevaux led the way across the room to where the woman had been
+eyeing the two in the utmost astonishment.
+
+"Lieutenant Paine," said the Major,. "I take pleasure in presenting you
+to Mademoiselle Vaubaun.  Mademoiselle, this is Lieutenant Paine, of
+His British Majesty's service."
+
+"I must correct you, major," said Hal, smiling and acknowledging the
+introduction. "Lieutenant Paine, U. S.A."
+
+"Oh -- o!" said the, major.  "So you are fighting with your own
+countrymen at last, eh?"
+
+"I am, thank goodness," said Hal.  "But can this indeed be Mademoiselle
+Vaubaun?  I have heard of her before, but I judged that she was a young
+woman."
+
+Major Derevaux smiled.
+
+"And a consummate actress," he said.  "Mademoiselle, will you grant my
+friend the lieutenant a look at your true self?"
+
+"If this young man is a friend of yours, Raoul, he is a friend of
+mine," said the woman.
+
+She removed a cap from her head, straightened herself up and shook down
+her hair.  Then she passed a hand several times over her face, and when
+Hal looked again there stood before him a girl in her teens.
+.
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Hal, and started back.
+
+In a few words he now explained his own presence in the German lines,
+together with that of Chester and the four Canadians.
+
+Mademoiselle Vaubaun, in turn, told the lad how she had been left in
+Cambrai when German troops had swept across Belgium and France in the
+early days of the war, and how, from time to time, she had found it
+possible to send word to the French and British staffs of impending
+German movements.
+
+"But how about me and my friends?" inquired Hal.
+
+"I can hide you all, too.  Beyond the room in which your friends are
+now is a second room and beyond that a false wall.  It is there, I will
+hide the major.  I was about to take him there when you came to the
+door tonight.  There is room for all."
+
+"Then I shall return to my friends," said Hal.  "I have been gone so
+long Chester will fear something has happened to me.  Will you go with
+me, major?"
+
+"To be sure.  I shall be glad to see Chester again.  May we have a
+light, Antoinette?"
+
+"I will lead the way myself," said the girl.  "It will be as well that
+you go to your hiding places now."
+
+She lighted the way upstairs with a candle.
+
+In the darkened room above, Chester and the Canadians had been waiting
+impatiently.  Chester had come to the conclusion that something had
+happened to Hal and was about to go down and hunt for him.  As the
+light came upstairs, however, he drew back.
+
+"It's all right, Chester," Hal called.  "Here is the light and an old
+friend to greet you."
+
+"Old friend," said Chester in surprise.  "I didn't know I had any
+friends on this side of the line."
+
+"Well, have a look at this man and see if you recognize him," said Hal,
+and pushed Major Derevaux forward.
+
+Chester took one look at the major and then dashed forward with hand
+out.
+
+"Major Derevaux!" he cried.
+
+The two clasped hands warmly.
+
+"Now, Chester," said Hal, "I want you to meet our hostess, Mademoiselle
+Vaubaun."
+
+Chester bowed in acknowledgment of the introduction, then added: "I
+suppose it was your mother who admitted us some time since?"
+
+The girl laughed lightly.
+
+"Why, no," she said. "I admitted you myself."'
+
+"But - but --" said Chester, nonplussed.
+
+"I'm not surprised at you, Chester," said Hal.  "Cannot a woman or a
+girl wear a disguise as well as you?"
+
+"By Jove!" said Chester.  "I hadn't thought of that.  So that was it,
+eh?"
+
+"Yes, that was it," said the girl.
+
+The Canadians now were introduced around, after which the young girl
+said.
+
+"Come.  I may as well show you to your hiding places.  It is as well
+for you to be there as here.
+ There is no telling when some of the Germans may arrive."
+ I
+
+"But aren't you afraid to be among them alone?" asked Hal.
+
+"Pshaw!" exclaimed the girl.  "Who would hurt a harmless old woman?"
+
+She led the way into the room beyond, walked across and pressed a
+hidden spring in the side of the wall. Instantly a secret door moved
+open.
+
+"It can be opened from within as well," said the girl.  "You may have a
+light here if you wish.  The door is so constructed that the rays
+cannot be seen from without.  I shall leave you now.  My only
+injunction is, do not talk too loud.  I'll bring you food and water in
+the morning."
+
+She bade them good-night and took her leave.
+
+The friends talked in low tones for some moments, then stretched out on
+the floor and soon were fast asleep.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+ANTOINETTE "MAKES GOOD"
+
+True to her word, Antoinette appeared with food and drink early the
+following morning.  She was again disguised as an old woman, and Hal
+and Chester could scarcely believe that a wig and a few dabs of paint
+could possibly conceal the girlish face they had seen the night
+before.
+
+"I have had word to prepare a big dinner for a dozen officers of the
+general, staff," the girl informed Major Derevaux, "so it may be that I
+shall have the necessary information by nightfall."
+
+"Let us hope so," said the major devoutly.
+
+"And let us hope that you are not risking your life in getting it,"
+said Hal.
+
+"Thank you," said Antoinette.  "I assure you I shall be very careful.
+Now, you must all remain here quietly today.  You may be able to leave
+soon after dark."
+
+She left the hiding place and closed the secret door behind her.
+
+"And after we leave the house, then what?" asked Hal of Major
+Derevaux.
+
+"Don't you worry," said the major with a smile.  "All that has been
+taken care of.  Ten minutes' walk from here is a large army airplane.
+It brought me here and it will take us all back again."
+
+"All of us?" exclaimed Hal.
+
+"Yes," the major replied.  "I have made trips in it before.  The
+machine will carry ten passengers beside a pilot."
+
+"And you do the driving, eh?" said Hal.
+
+"No," said the major.  "I have never learned the art.  The pilot is
+with the craft."
+
+"You mean he is in hiding in the woods?"
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Hal.  "I wouldn't care about his job.  Your job
+now isn't so bad, because you've a chance of action.  But just think of
+sitting in a woods and waiting - waiting -- never knowing what minute
+you are likely to be discovered."
+
+"It is hard," agreed the major.  "And here I am refreshed by a night's
+sleep, while he must remain there in the cold with his eyes open every
+minute."
+
+"If he is discovered, then what?" asked Chester.
+
+"His instructions, if discovered," said the major, "are to attempt to
+escape, leaving me behind."
+
+"In which event," said Chester, "you'd have a hard time getting away."
+
+"That's true.  But nothing risked nothing gained, you know."
+
+"True enough," said Hal.  "Well, we must take what comes, but I hope
+Mademoiselle Vaubaun does not get mixed up in any trouble."
+
+"You seem to take rather a great deal of interest in the fair
+Antoinette," said Chester slyly.
+
+Hal's face turned red.
+
+"Well, why shouldn't I?" he demanded.  "No one likes to see a girl or a
+woman mixed up in this kind of business."
+
+"Are you sure that is it?" demanded Chester.  "Or is it just because it
+chanced to be Mademoiselle Vaubaun?"
+
+"What do you mean?" exclaimed Hal angrily.
+
+"Oh, no offense, no offense," declared Chester.  "I was just talking to
+hear myself talk -- maybe."
+
+Major Derevaux smiled.
+
+"Antoinette is a very nice girl," he said.  "I'm sure she would
+appreciate Hal's interest in her.  I'll tell her about it."
+
+"I say!  Don't do that!" exclaimed Hal in some confusion.
+
+"Ha, ha!" laughed Chester.
+
+Hal sat down again, his face still burning.
+
+Even the Canadians joined in the general laugh, and Hal himself
+smiled.  The joke was on him, and he was not the lad to get angry.
+
+"Oh, well, have it your own way," he said.  "It does no good to deny
+it."
+
+The day passed slowly.
+
+Antoinette did not appear at noon with food and water, as the others
+had expected she would.
+
+"Probably busy serving the German officers," said Hal.  "What's the
+difference, though.  We can get along very well without one meal."
+
+Night came, though to those in the little secret room it was not
+apparent that darkness had fallen.  Hal glanced at his watch. It was
+after 7 o'clock.
+
+"It's funny she hasn't come yet," he declared.
+
+"Who do you mean by she?" asked Chester.
+
+"Why, Antoinette," said Hal. "I --"
+
+"Oh, sure," said Chester.  "I know who you meant, all right.  So you
+are calling her by her first name already, eh?"
+
+"Look here," said Hal, "I don't think that is a bit funny."
+
+"I apologize, old man," said Chester quickly.  "I shouldn't have said
+it."
+
+"Say no more about it then," said Hal.  "I am afraid, though, that
+there is something wrong downstairs."
+
+"I am beginning to think the same thing," declared Major Derevaux.  "I
+wonder if it would not be well for one of us to sneak out and have a
+look?"
+
+"I don't believe it would do any harm," declared Hal.  "I'll go."
+
+Chester was about to joke Hal again, but he changed his mind and held
+his tongue.
+
+"I agree," he said.  "If you want to go, Hal, we'll wait here."
+
+"Good.  If I have not returned in fifteen minutes you will know
+something has happened.  In that event, I would advise that you all
+come down together, lend me a hand if I'm still in the house and in
+condition to be helped, and we'll all make a break for the airship."
+
+"That is satisfactory," said Major Derevaux.
+
+"And if I'm not in condition to be helped," said Hal, "go along without
+me.  You will not have time to be burdened with excess baggage."
+
+The others nodded and Hal gently slid open the secret door.
+
+"Remember," he whispered back, "fifteen minutes."
+
+The door closed behind him.
+
+Hal made his way quietly through the two rooms that led to the stairs,
+and as quietly descended.  As he passed through the parlor and
+approached the room in which he had met Major Derevaux the night before
+he heard the sound of voices.  He paused and listened.
+
+One he made out was a male voice, which he took to belong to a German
+officer.  The second was that of Mademoiselle Vaubaun.  Then a third
+voice boomed out.  This, Hal knew, was that of a second German.
+
+Hal approached the door and put his eye to the key-hole.  Then he
+started back and whipped out his revolver.
+
+In the center of the room sat Antoinette Vaubaun.  She was no longer
+attired as an old woman.  She was the girl that Hal had seen the night
+before.  Her hair hung down her back.  It was perfectly plain to the
+lad that she had been discovered.  Her face, though pale, was set
+sternly.  Hal listened to the conversation that ensued.
+
+"So you are a spy, eh?" said a big German officer who sat on her
+right.
+
+The girl made no response.
+
+"Why don't you answer?" demanded the third occupant of the room, a
+heavily bearded man, and shook his fist threateningly in her face.
+
+"I'll answer only what I choose to answer," returned Antoinette
+quietly.  "Neither you nor the whole German army can make me talk."
+
+"Is that so?" sneered the first man.  "I suppose you've heard of the
+fate that came to an English nurse called Edith Cavell, eh?"
+
+"I have," replied the girl angrily, "and it was crime for which Germany
+will have to pay some day.  But you can't frighten me."
+
+"You, too, will be shot as a spy," declared the larger German.
+
+"And do you think that frightens me?  I have done a whole lot for my
+country.  Many times I warned my countrymen of an impending German
+attack.  I am only sorry that I shall no longer have the opportunity."
+
+"What!" exclaimed the German.  "You admit it!"
+
+"Of course I admit it.  Why not?"
+
+The German took a step toward the girl and raised a hand as though he
+would strike.
+
+This was more than Hal could stand.  He sent the door crashing in with
+a swift kick and dashed into the room.
+
+It would have been possible for Hal to have shot the German where he
+stood, but the lad was so angry that he wanted a word with him first.
+
+"You big, hulking coward!" he cried.
+
+Both Germans dropped their hands to their revolvers.
+
+Hal's revolver flashed fire.
+
+The German nearest the young French girl clapped a hand to his forehead
+and sank to the floor.
+
+There was a flash as the second German fired.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
+
+Hal felt a stinging sensation in his left side.  He paid no attention
+to this however, but, dropping suddenly to the floor, turned to face
+his adversary.  He saw in that instant the reason the German's bullet
+had not penetrated a vital spot.
+
+As the German had fired, Antoinette, with a quick movement, had grasped
+at his arm.  She had not succeeded in turning the revolver from its
+victim, but she did manage to spoil the man's aim.  Therefore, the
+bullet had glanced off one of Hal's ribs.
+
+He now held the advantage, and yet it was not an advantage, for,
+realizing that he was facing almost certain death, the German had swung
+the girl in front of him and was using her as a shield.
+
+"Shoot!  Don't mind me!" Antoinette called.
+
+But Hal would not fire without first making sure that he would not hit
+the girl.  The German had succeeded now in freeing his hand, and,
+pointing the revolver over the girl's shoulder, pulled the trigger
+again.
+
+Hal escaped this bullet by a quick spring aside, and, before the German
+could fire again, he had skipped forward, darted back of his opponent,
+and gripped him with his left hand by the throat.
+
+Antoinette clawed so furiously at her captor that the German suddenly
+released her with a cry of anger, and swung about to confront Hal.  He
+struck out so viciously that Hal stepped back to avoid the blow.  The
+German again raised his revolver, but Hal, moving quickly forward,
+again struck at the German's revolver with his own -- he had no time to
+raise it to fire.  The German's revolver was knocked from his grasp,
+but Hal also lost his grip on his weapon and both went clattering to
+the floor together.
+
+Realizing that he was no match for his heavier opponent if they came to
+hand grips, Hal stepped quickly back and threw himself into an attitude
+of defense.  It was the lad's plan to stand off, if possible, and
+spar.
+
+But the German had no mind to indulge in this kind of fighting, of
+which he had not the slightest knowledge.  He came forward with a
+rush.  Hal side-stepped and planted his right fist with great force
+above his opponent's left ear.  The German staggered, but he did not go
+down.  Before he could recover, Hal struck twice again -- right and
+left, but neither blow found a vulnerable spot.
+
+The German uttered a terrible roar of anger and charged again.  This
+time Hal was not successful in avoiding the rush and the man's arms
+went about him.  Hal felt his breath leaving his body as the German
+squeezed.
+
+In vain the lad struck out right and left . Several times he felt his
+blows land, but there was no power behind them now.
+
+As Hal struggled with the German, Antoinette had picked up one of the
+revolvers and circled around behind the struggling figures, trying to
+find an opening that she might fire without risk of hitting Hal.  None
+presented itself.
+
+Hal was gasping for breath.  His mouth was open and his tongue hung
+out.  Suddenly the lad's struggle relaxed and he became limp in the
+German's arms.  The latter threw the boy's inert body from him roughly,
+and as he did so Antoinette fired.  The German staggered as the bullet
+struck him in the side.  As he turned to face her the girl fired
+again.
+
+The German dropped to the floor and the bullet passed over him.  Before
+the girl could aim again, the man had seized a revolver from the floor
+and covered her.
+
+"Drop that gun!" he cried.
+
+There was nothing for Antoinette to do but obey.  She dropped the
+revolver.
+
+"Sit down!" the German commanded.
+
+Again the girl obeyed.
+
+Her captor now saw signs of returning consciousness in Hal.  He walked
+across the room, and, still keeping his revolver ready in one hand,
+stooped and picked Hal up with the other.
+
+He deposited the lad on a sofa near the girl.
+
+"Now I've got you both, so there'll be a double execution," he
+growled.  "I'll just sit here and guard you till some of my men turn
+up."
+
+Meanwhile, upstairs, Chester, Major Derevaux and the four Canadians had
+waited impatiently.  The sound of revolver shots below had not carried
+to their ears.  Chester closed his watch with a snap.
+
+"Time's up," he said quietly.  "They must have nabbed Hal.  Let's go
+down."
+
+There were no objections offered, so Chester led the way.
+
+The American lad, the French officer and the four Canadian. troopers
+descended the stairs as quietly as had Hal, and as quietly approached
+the door to the room where the German officer now guarded his
+captives.  Chester peered through the key-hole and took in the
+situation at a glance.
+
+Chester, however, used more caution than had Hal.  Also he chose to
+proceed with strategy rather than force.  Now, the lad realized, was a
+time when his German uniform would stand him in good stead.  He
+explained his plan in whispers, and as the others stood back out of the
+way, Chester walked calmly into the room.
+
+The German officer rose to his feet.  He did not know Chester from
+Adam, of course, but he recognized the uniform.
+
+"Glad you've come, lieutenant," he said.  "I've had a deuced hard time
+here. As you may see, I have been shot in the side.  Colonel
+Brewsterberg has been killed.  I'll ask you to take charge of my
+prisoners."
+
+"Very well, sir," said Chester, and produced a revolver.
+
+The German officer returned his revolver to his holster and made as
+though to leave the room.
+
+"One moment," said Chester sharply.
+
+The German stopped in his tracks and eyed him in surprise.
+
+"I'll thank you for your gun," said Chester.
+
+A great light broke upon the German.
+
+"I see!  I see!" he exclaimed.  "Another one!"
+
+His hand groped for his revolver.
+
+"Be sure you keep your finger off the trigger," said Chester
+pleasantly.
+
+For a moment the German hesitated and it was apparent to Chester that
+he was considering resistance.
+
+"I wouldn't if I were you," said the lad quietly.
+
+The German shrugged his shoulders, then took out his revolver and
+passed it to Chester, holding it by the muzzle.
+
+"Thanks," said Chester.  "Now sit down over there."
+
+He motioned to a chair and the German sat down.
+
+"All right, major," called Chester.  "You can come in now."
+
+Major Derevaux entered the room, followed by the four Canadians.  The
+German prisoner looked at them in amazement.  Apparently he thought the
+whole Allied army was about to follow them in.
+
+"Major," said Chester, "you stand guard over that fellow.  I'll have a
+look at Hal."
+
+"I'm all right," said Hal, as Chester approached him.  "Bullet struck
+me in the side, but it is nothing dangerous, I guess.  That big German
+there nearly choked the life out of me, though.  He's a hard customer."
+
+Chester staunched the flow of blood in Hal's wound, and the latter
+announced that he was fit as a fiddle.
+
+"The thing to do now is to get out of here," he said.
+
+Under Major Derevaux's direction, Gregory and Crean had securely bound
+and gagged the prisoner.
+
+The major now approached Antoinette.
+
+"Have you learned anything?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," replied the girl quietly.  "The next German attack will be made
+day after tomorrow on this front, in an effort to recapture ground won
+by General Byng.  There will be no activity now in the Verdun sector."
+
+"But will the enemy weaken his lines there?"
+
+"Such is not the plan.  The general staff believes that there are
+enough men on this front to go through."
+
+"Good!" said the major.  "That's what I came all this way to learn.
+But how were you discovered, Antoinette?"
+
+"My wig came off," replied the girl.  "One of the Germans tapped me
+playfully on the head, and his ring caught in my hair.  The next thing
+I knew I was a prisoner."
+
+"It's too bad," said the major.  "We have lost a valuable assistant
+now.  Of course, there is no use in your remaining here longer.  You
+must go with us."
+
+"But I would so like to stay," murmured the girl.
+
+"But you can't," said Hal eagerly.  "You can see that, can't you?"
+
+Antoinette nodded her head.
+
+"Yes, I must go," she said quietly.
+
+"Then let's be moving," said the major.
+
+The girl got to her feet.  Chester led the way to the back door.  But
+as he would have thrown open the door and stepped out, he moved back
+inside with an exclamation.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Hal in some alarm.
+
+"Matter?" exclaimed Chester.  "The yard is full of Germans!"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+NEW ARRIVALS
+
+Hal gave a long whistle.
+
+"Now, that's what I call hard luck," he said.  "Do they know we're in
+here?"
+
+"I judge not," replied Chester.  "They seem, to be waiting for
+something."
+
+"Maybe they're waiting for our friend, whom we have tied up here, said
+Major Derevaux.
+
+"By Jove!  I hadn't thought of that," said Hal.  "We may be able to
+make use of him."
+
+The lad stepped quickly across the room and lifted the German to his
+feet.
+
+"I'm going to remove your gag," he said quietly, "but I want you to
+understand that if you make an outcry you'll never live to make a
+second.  Do you understand?"
+
+The German signified that he did.
+
+"All right, then," said Hal, "out comes the gag.  Chester, keep your
+gun in the middle of his back.  We can afford to take no chances."
+
+"Now," said Hal, "I want you to show yourself at the door and order
+your men there away."
+
+The German eyed the lad angrily.
+
+"So you want me to help you escape, eh?" he said.  "Well, I won't do
+it."
+
+"We're desperate," said Hal quietly.  "If you don't I give you my word
+you shall be shot."
+
+"Pooh!" sneered the German.  "One shot and you will all be killed."
+
+"But you won't be here to see it done," returned Hal.  "Now I am not
+going to waste time with you.  I shall count three, and if you have not
+decided by that time to do as I order, you will die.  Chester, do you
+understand?"
+
+"You bet I do," declared Chester.
+
+"Very well," said Hal.  "One!  Two!"  Still the German made no move.
+"Three!" said Hal.
+
+The hammer on Chester's revolver clicked.
+
+"Hold on!" cried the German.  "I give in!"
+
+Chester drew a breath of relief.  He couldn't have shot the man down in
+cold blood and he knew it.  He lowered his revolver a trifle, but still
+kept the man covered.
+
+"Go to the door and order your men away from here," Hal ordered the
+prisoner.
+
+The German strode toward the door.
+
+"Careful," said Chester in a low voice.  "One false move and it will be
+your last."
+
+Again he pressed his revolver against the German's back.
+
+"Do you think I'm a fool?" exclaimed the prisoner.  "I'm not going to
+be killed if I can help it.  Take that gun away."
+
+"Not until you have done as commanded," returned Chester quietly.
+
+The German opened the door and stepped outside.  Chester, still feeling
+perfectly safe in his German uniform, accompanied him.
+
+"Men," said the German, addressing the soldiers, "I find that I shall
+not have need of you tonight.  You will a return to your quarters."
+
+The soldiers, who had stood at attention as the officer addressed them,
+at command from a minor officer, wheeled and marched away.
+
+Chester marched his captive back inside.
+
+"There," said the latter.  "That's done; now what are you going to do
+with me?"
+
+"We'll have to tie and gag you again," said Chester.  "You will be
+found and released in the morning."
+
+"And probably court-martialed and shot if this night's proceedings ever
+leaks out," muttered the German.  "However, there is no help for it."
+
+He suffered himself to be bound and gagged without opposition, and Hal
+then stretched him out on the floor again.
+
+"Now," said the lad, "I guess our way is clear once more."
+
+He moved toward the door, with the others following.  Glancing out, he
+raised a hand suddenly and motioned the others to silence.
+
+Outside two figures approached the house cautiously.
+
+Hal called Chester to his side and the two watched the approaching
+figures.  It was too dark outside to distinguish the features of the
+men who approached, but there was no room for doubt that they were
+enemies.
+
+"Back inside and put out the light," whispered Hal.  "They're coming
+in."  The light was extinguished promptly.  Then Hal added: "Be ready
+to grab them and stifle their cries the minute they are inside and I
+have closed the door behind them."
+
+Those in the house stood silent.
+
+A moment later the door moved cautiously inward.  Then two shadowy
+forms stepped inside.  Immediately Hal kicked shut the door behind them
+and sprang forward to lend a hand to Chester and Major Derevaux, who
+had pounced upon the strangers as they entered.
+
+"Don't let them cry out and don't kill them if you can help it," the
+lad cried.
+
+The struggle raged furiously in the darkened room for some moments.
+Then Hal and Chester found themselves sitting upon one of the
+intruders, the latter with a revolver pressed to the man's forehead.
+
+Gregory and Crean also had taken a hand in the struggle, and, with
+Major Derevaux, now held the other man helpless.
+
+"Strike a light, Antoinette," called the major.
+
+The girl obeyed, and then for the first time the lads were able to get
+a look at their prisoners.
+
+"By the great Horn Spoon!" ejaculated Chester, after one look at his
+prisoner.  "I'll take my oath that this man is Stubbs."
+
+At the same moment a cry of astonishment was wrung from Major
+Derevaux.
+
+"Anderson!" he cried.
+
+Chester and Hal got to their feet.  The former twisted his hand in the
+collar of his prisoner and lifted him to his feet.
+
+"Stubbs!" he said severely, "you should know better than sneak upon a
+fellow in the dark.  You are liable to get hurt."
+
+"I wouldn't have sneaked up, if I had known you were here," growled
+Stubbs.  "I would have come up openly and with my gun shooting."
+
+"My, my!" said Chester.  "Little man's getting bloodthirsty.  But
+didn't I hear someone mention the name of Anderson."
+
+"You did," replied a voice, and Chester found his hand gripped by none
+other than his old friend, the British colonel.  "By George!  I'm glad
+to see you again," continued Anderson, "though I must say that this is
+rather a strenuous reception for a couple of old friends."
+
+He also shook hands with Hal. Major Derevaux and Stubbs expressed
+pleasure at seeing each other again.  Then Hal demanded:
+
+"Where did you get hold of Stubbs, Anderson?"
+
+"I found him back in the British lines," said the colonel.  "I was
+detailed to come here to see a woman who lives in this house and to
+bring a companion for the journey.  I asked Stubbs to accompany me, and
+he was glad of the chance."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Hal.  "You mean you brought Stubbs where there was
+danger and he didn't protest."
+
+"No, I didn't protest," declared the little war correspondent.  "But I
+protest now.  I didn't sign up for any adventures in your party, and
+neither will I; you can bet on that."
+
+"If you didn't know him, you'd think he was afraid," laughed Colonel
+Anderson.
+
+"I am afraid," declared Stubbs.  "I'm afraid to go fooling around with
+these two," and he indicated Hal and Chester with a sweeping gesture.
+"I'd rather fool around with dynamite."
+
+"Well, we can't stay here any longer," said Major Derevaux, and in a
+few words explained to Colonel Anderson what had happened.  "What was
+the nature of your business here?" he asked.
+
+"About. the same as yours," returned the colonel with a laugh.  "But,
+as you say, there is no need to linger now.  You have learned what I
+Came to find out.  We may as well be moving."
+
+"How'd you come, an airship?" asked the major.  "Yes; and you?"
+
+"Same way."
+
+"Then we may as well get both machines back.  I'll take half of your
+party.  My plane is only about a hundred yards from here."
+
+"My plane is not much farther -- in a little woods there."
+
+"By Jove!  So is mine.  Wouldn't be surprised if they were near the
+same spot.  Well, let's be moving."
+
+Colonel Anderson led the way from the house, and the others followed
+him through the darkness.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+A NEW VENTURE
+
+It was three days later and Hal and Chester sat in their own quarters
+in the shelter of the American lines.  The flight from the German lines
+had been made safely.  The aeroplanes had been found where Colonel
+Anderson and Major Derevaux had left them.
+
+These had ascended without knowledge of the Germans, and had started on
+their homeward flight before being discovered.  Then there had been
+pursuit, but they had landed without being so much as scratched.
+
+"Well," said Hal, rising and picking up a pile of papers, "I've studied
+these maps until I know them by heart.  Now if someone can tell me what
+it's all about, I'll be obliged."
+
+"Same here," Chester agreed.  "Funny, when you stop to think about it.
+Here they give us these maps and tell us to stuff our heads full of
+them.  Well, my head is full, all right."
+
+"And mine -- Hello, here comes someone."
+
+"It's Captain O'Neill.  Maybe he'll, be ready to explain now," said
+Chester.
+
+A moment later the American captain entered the tent.  The boys
+saluted.  The captain came to the point at once.
+
+"You are both familiar with airplanes?" he asked.
+
+The lads nodded.
+
+"So I understand," said the captain.  "Also I hear that several times
+you have landed upon unfamiliar ground, and in the dark.  I am
+informed, too, that you are always willing to take desperate risks.  Am
+I right?"
+
+"We are glad to do what we can," returned Chester quietly.
+
+"Understand," said the captain, "you will be asked to land not only in
+the dark but behind the enemy lines, not knowing who or what is below."
+
+"We understand," said Hal quietly.
+
+"I have come to offer you this opportunity," said Captain O'Neill
+quietly.  "Tonight -- the exact time is 10 o'clock -- we attack in
+force.  In comparison, the assaults before this have been as nothing.
+I say we, but I mean chiefly, of course, the French.  There will be
+some American troops in the advance, however.  The mission I am now
+offering you was turned over to us by the French general staff."
+
+"We shall be glad of the opportunity to aid, sir," said Hal.
+
+"Good!" said Captain O'Neill, and continued: "One element alone is
+uncertain; one only is to be ascertained.   The force and disposition
+of the defending troops in shell holes, in their concrete 'pill-boxes,'
+in their flanking trenches all have been ascertained.  They will be
+blasted out by our artillery.  But they have additional forces below
+the ground, in great caverns too far down to be reached by our shells;
+they are tremendous underground works concealing whole battalions, many
+thousands of men, whose presence is known; but the entrances and the
+means of egress from those great caverns have so far eluded us.
+
+"We have discovered some of these entrances," he continued, "but
+immediately they have changed.  At present we do not know them.  But at
+10 o'clock tonight the points from which the German reserves will
+emerge must be instantly and accurately marked.  When our infantry goes
+over the top and the Germans order their shock troops out from the safe
+underground refuges to meet our men, we must know the points where the
+enemy battalions are coming up.  Some of these points will be cared for
+by French already in position to inform us.  I offer to you the
+opportunity of marking others of those points."
+
+"We shall be glad," said Hal simply.
+
+"Very well.  You understand, of course, that you will be killed if
+discovered.  Both of you come with me."
+
+He arose, and Hal and Chester followed the captain to his motor-car,
+which they entered and drove to the main road, over which German
+prisoners captured early in the day were still streaming to the rear.
+Overhead a few aeroplanes still buzzed -- combat and fire control and
+staff  "observation" machines seeking out their aerodromes in the
+dark.  It grew dark so quickly now that Hal, looking up, saw the
+colored flash of the signal lights from a pilot's pistol; they burned
+an instant red and blue and red again as they dropped through the air;
+and, in response to the signal, greenish white flares gleamed from the
+ground to the right, outlining the aviation field; then the flying
+machine, which had signaled, began to come down.
+
+From far beyond the drum fire of artillery rumbled and rattled.
+
+The car ran up a side road and halted before a little hut.  Captain
+O'Neill alighted.
+
+"We bad the misfortune, in the attack this morning," he said, "to lose
+one of our most useful people.  The enemy had employed him, recently,
+in excavating certain of their great underground stations, which I have
+mentioned; but last night they had him in a front-line trench, which we
+took this morning.  He has volunteered to return to his post, if we can
+place him behind the lines, but, I regret, he is in no condition for
+further service.  Therefore, we must send a substitute."
+
+Captain O'Neill led the way into a candle lighted room, where a man was
+lying in bed.  Civilian clothes -- the rags of a French refugee from
+the other side of the lines -- hung on the wall beside him.  The man
+was very weak, with hands which drooped from the wrist as he half sat
+up as the captain entered.  The man's name, the captain informed the
+lads, was Jean Brosseau.
+
+Captain O'Neill produced a map, a duplicate of the ones which the lads
+had been given several days before.  The man in bed now detailed to
+them the exact nature and purpose of the markings and spots.  It was
+all lined off into little squares and oblongs, each described with a
+letter and number.  These were for the guiding of the guns -- because,
+for each tiny square on the German side of the lines, there was a
+battery or a couple of batteries behind the French front, whose
+business was solely to sweep that square with high explosive shells,
+gas shells and shrapnel, when the battle was on.
+
+To escape those shells, the Germans again were burrowing, Brosseau
+pointed out.  Some places they had burrowed far too deep to be
+endangered by shells; but their ways of egress were not known.  These
+were covered with camouflage.
+
+Hal took down the shirt from the wall; vermin crawled in it.  Captain
+O'Neill had not made the mistake of having it steamed or washed or
+disinfected; vermin and filth of underground communications soiled the
+rags of Jean Brosseau's jacket, his trousers, his cap.  Hal, without
+ceremony, stripped off his uniform and underclothes.  His body was
+clean and without calluses; the cleanliness was soon remedied.  Then he
+dressed, to give him all the time possible to become accustomed to the
+garments of a French citizen in the hands of the enemy.
+
+The reverberations of the guns outside had increased mightily; they
+seemed to double again to topmost intensity.  Captain O'Neill frowned a
+little as he heard them and glanced at his watch.  A motorcycle
+clattered up and stopped outside; a man knocked at the door, delivered
+a message to Captain O'Neill, and departed.  Captain O'Neill read the
+message and tore it to bits.  Hal and Chester waited without question;
+but the sick man had to ask:
+
+"We have lost ground, sir?"
+
+"No, no!  All goes well -- very well, except for us here," Captain
+O'Neill replied.  "The time is moved  forward; that is all."
+
+He bent again over the map.
+
+"There will not be time now if you are taken far back of the German
+lines where an aeroplane may come down unobserved.  There will not be
+time," he repeated to Hal, "for you to work forward to the position
+where you must be."
+
+"What's the matter with coming down near the position where we're
+wanted?" asked Hal.
+
+"Near their lines?" Captain O'Neill questioned.  "There will be men all
+about, of course; you will be observed."
+
+"What's the matter with coming down observed sir?" said Chester.
+
+"Observed," repeated the captain.  "How do you mean?"
+
+"It is something we have talked of before," said Hal.  "We have often
+considered this method of getting a man down inside the German lines,
+even in a section where discovery is certain.  A machine goes up
+carrying bombs, perhaps; it drops them and attracts anti-aircraft
+fire.  It appears to fall, sir, and comes down in that way."
+
+Captain O'Neill's brows drew together, puzzled, but he was patient.
+
+"But I do not see the advantage," he said.
+
+"It falls in flames, sir," said Hal.  "The pilot ignites it when it
+begins to drop."
+
+"Proceed," Captain O'Neill bade.
+
+"The men found in it are killed," continued Hal "'killed by the
+shrapnel fire -- also, of course, they burn with the aeroplane.  It is,
+to all observers, a bombing biplane shot down in flames."
+
+"And you think such a plan will succeed?" asked the captain.
+
+"I feel sure of it, sir."
+
+"Well," said Captain O'Neill, "you are the two who must take the
+chances.  You have my permission to adopt your own plans."
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+OVER THE LINES
+
+"You will carry these with you, of course," said Captain O'Neill,
+"those who will be found in, the plane?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Hal.  "They need not be aviators, but merely in
+uniform."
+
+"You drop from the machine as she strikes, I suppose?" said the
+captain.  "She will run after that, of course."
+
+"Certainly it will leave us unsuspected," said Chester.  "It will aid
+our escape.  Certainly no one would suspect a man had planned to fall
+in flames."
+
+"You have suggested enough," said the captain.  "Your idea alters
+much.  Meet me in half an hour.  Everything will be prepared."
+
+He named a place and left the hut.
+
+Jean Brosseau bent forward in bed, his eyes burning.
+
+"When Captain O'Neill gives you final instructions he may tell you to
+employ certain people on the other side.  Here!"  he motioned for the
+map again, "I shall point out to you where they are."
+
+He took a pencil and made a dot toward the corner of one of the
+squares.
+
+"In the old military maps a house stood there," he said.  "My father's
+house it was.  There was also a stable; there was also a cellar, which
+the Germans have discovered, but beyond it was an old cellar quite
+concealed.  Our people, at different times, have hidden there.  There
+are both men and women there now.  They will help you if they can.
+
+Jean Brosseau fell back on the bed and closed his eyes.
+
+An hour later Hal climbed into the pilot seat of the biplane that
+Captain O'Neill had placed at their disposal.  He felt somewhat
+uncomfortable in his ragged attire, but he knew that he could not be
+attired in better costume for the undertaking.  Chester also had
+discarded his civilian clothes and donned rags.
+
+The big "bus," as the airplanes were called, with propeller whirling,
+lumbered over the ground; the smoothness of flying came to it and,
+deafened to everything but the clatter of the motor and the thrash of
+the air-screw, Hal gazed down.  Points of light, yellow and red and
+some almost white, glowed on the ground.  Some of these marked
+villages, encampments; others signified nothing at all -- decoys to
+attract the "eggs" of the German night flying falcons.
+
+They neared the lines, and the strip of "No Man's Land," with the
+pocked and pitted streaks of defenses on both sides, gleamed white and
+spectral green under the star-dashed shells.  An infantry attack was
+going on; Hal could see the shapes of men as they flattened; they were
+pinched to dots when they jumped up and then they spread out again.
+
+Before them burst the frightful fireworks of their own barrage; behind
+them, and above, that of the enemy.
+
+Hal shivered in the cold; it was very chill there flying high above the
+lines, and he wore but the rags of Jean Brosseau.  Directly below them
+the land had become black again, specked only by little points of
+light, yellow, ruddy, white; some of these, like the lights behind the
+French lines, perhaps marked hamlets, encampments; others were mere
+decoy-lights; others -- they showed but for the briefest second when
+the biplane passed overhead were the guiding lights for the French and
+American pilots.  These were set in chimneys by the French behind the
+German lines; any light, if seen by Germans and recognized, might cost
+the annihilation of a family, or a neighborhood; many times such lights
+had cost such savage penalty.  Still, they were set.
+
+Hal and Chester warmed at sight of them this night as never before.
+They were going to the people who had set those lights.
+
+The biplane banked and circled.  Below was the square where the
+airplane was to be shot down.  Troops were moving through those fields,
+undoubtedly, advancing in single file through communication trenches or
+dashing from shell hole to shell hole; other troops lingered in dugouts
+underground.  The French batteries played all over those fields,
+spraying down shrapnel, detonating the frightful charges of high
+explosives.  But at an hour before the appointed time -- at 9 o'clock
+-- the French batteries would remit their fire for ten minutes upon the
+square where the biplane should fall.  Hal looked at the clock fastened
+before him.  It was two minutes to 9; he could see, directly below, the
+crimson splash of the great French shells; a little way to the side
+showed the flashes of the German heavy batteries making reply.
+
+Now, as though smothered by the German fire, the French batteries
+ceased.  It was 9 o'clock, and Hal circled above the German batteries,
+which were firing, and Chester released the first bomb.  Before it
+struck and burst, he let go another.  He laid a third "egg" close
+beside a German battery -- so close that the battery ceased to fire;
+but before the fourth dropped the anti-aircraft guns were going.
+Chester could hear, above the racket of the motor and the air- screw,
+the "pop, pop" of smashing shrapnel.  They ran through the floating
+smoke of a shell, the acrid ether-smelling stuff stinging their
+nostrils.  The beams of searchlights swept into the air.  Hal circled
+more carefully and deliberately dropped lower; Chester let two more
+bombs drop near the batteries; he cleared the frames of the last pair
+of "eggs," and, leaning forward, struck Hal's shoulder to tell him so.
+
+The phosphorus-painted face of the altimeter showed the pointer
+registering less than 2,000 feet; before the breaking German shells
+should do, in fact, what it was to be pretended they had done, Chester
+reached up and ignited the preparation smeared over the top plane.
+Yellow flames flared up, and, to keep them above and behind, Hal
+pointed the nose of the biplane far down and let her fall.
+
+He turned, as he let the machine dive, back toward the French lines.
+Then, as the German antiaircraft gunners saw their target flashing
+clear in flames and they strewed their shrapnel closer before it, the
+biplane fluttered and fell, no longer diving under guidance, but out of
+control.
+
+Chester jerked about to Hal; over the forms strapped between them, he
+saw Hal's face in the light of the flame.  Hal was not hit; he had
+merely let go of the controls.  It was part of the plan to let the
+machine fall out of control.  But, for a moment, it was too much as if
+Hal had been hit.
+
+The biplane side-slipped, "went off the wing," sickeningly, dropping
+down spinning.  Then, suddenly, with a catch of a well-made,
+well-balanced plane, the inherent stability asserted itself, and the
+planes caught; the big "bus" fluttered like a falling leaf, "flattened
+out," and rested; now, it side-slipped again and fell, and Hal did not
+touch the controls.
+
+Chester, looking down, saw that the flashes of the guns off to the side
+had come halfway to him; if the falling plane caught itself again after
+the same amount of drop, side-slipping, it would hover not too far from
+the ground before going "off the wing" again.  That is, it might.
+
+Anyway, the flames which had caught the wing fabric and were blazing
+the breadth of the wings above and jumping back now to the rudder and
+the tail were kept above; and to anyone on the ground the illusion of a
+machine shot down, burning and out of control, must have become
+complete.
+
+Chester held on, not breathing.  The momentary flutter and hover of the
+machine was over.  It was dropping down again in a wild, sliding swoop
+-- yet Hal made no move to stop it even when it half turned over.
+
+Soon, however, he made a move, and, before the slide had gone too far,
+he caught it as before it had caught itself; it fluttered, hovered, the
+flames streaking up straight above it; the ground now just below.  Then
+it went "off the wing" again and crashed.
+
+Chester, leaping clear at the instant of the impact, stumbled and fell
+on his face and rolled down a shell hole.  He caught himself, half
+stunned and dizzy, and tried to crawl back toward the burning plane.
+But Hal blundered against him and carried him back.
+
+"All right," Hal whispered.  "Are you?"
+
+"All right," said Chester. "Great landing.  I've fixed things back
+there.  Time to be moving.  Got your grenades?"
+
+"You bet."
+
+"All right. Good luck."
+
+Their orders were to part now.  Chester crawled one way, Hal the
+other.  The biplane was burning with a great deal of smoke, which
+smothered the glow on the side they had leaped.  And no German was
+near; they could be very sure of that.  The gasoline now was ignited,
+and the wreck was blazing beautifully.  The machine was known, of
+course, to be a bombing machine, shot down during operations.  No one
+would know how many bombs had come down with it; no one would come
+close until after the flames had burned down.  Then the Germans would
+find the "pilot" and the "bomber," the two still forms the lads had
+strapped to the machine before leaving their own lines.  Everyone would
+be accounted for; no search for more would be made.
+
+Both boys now were ready for their desperate work.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+DESPERATE WORK
+
+Chester, having crept a hundred yards, hugged down into another hole
+and waited.  The Germans who had been about now approached the glowing
+heap of the biplane.  What they found seemed to satisfy them.  At least
+they raised no alarm.  The shells from the far-off trench guns, which
+had been breaking in the fields both to right and to left, began
+searching about here now and scattered them.  Chester moved forward
+toward the lines.  And, as he moved, the shells which had been bursting
+in that direction, ceased.
+
+The feel of the far-off hand of Captain O'Neill and of his superiors --
+the men who had planned this desperate venture -- thrilled through
+him.  Until five minutes to 10 o'clock he would be cared for, Captain
+O'Neill had promised.  The French artillery, opening a path through its
+fire, would throw its shield around him.  Simultaneously, it would be
+opening another path to Hal, advancing off to the right.  Where all the
+Germans, who held that ground, burrowed below in dugouts or crept and
+ran through the deep defiles of communication trenches, Hal and he
+could go at will over the ground and so far as the shells from the
+French batteries were concerned, be perfectly safe.
+
+Chester stole on through the blackness.  Shells were breaking a hundred
+yards before him, behind him, off to both sides, but no shell came
+closer.  Now, if he remembered rightly, the shells would cease in the
+square ahead and to the left; he moved that way -- and they stopped.
+Over the ground which he had crossed, shells were bursting again now.
+When he halted once more, the frightful hurricane of high explosives
+swept before him, on both sides and behind -- but not close to him.  So
+for many minutes he advanced.
+
+It was strange, when used to dodging shells behind his own lines and
+when accustomed to twist and turn and dive and tumble in the air to
+avoid the burst of anti-aircraft shrapnel, to feel shells falling like
+a bulwark about him.  That was what they were.  For the present, at
+least, the shells gained for him and gave to him the sole use of the
+surface of the earth there behind the German lines.
+
+Troops were all about, of course; but all were hiding.  They could not
+imagine anyone purposely advancing through the open there; they could
+not imagine anyone surviving if he tried it.  They noticed,
+undoubtedly, that the fall of the French shells intermitted for a
+moment in this direction and that; but when any of them went out the
+shells burst upon them again and annihilated detachments.  The cease
+and the start again of the French fire seemed merely capricious, to
+tempt them out to destruction.  Not having the pattern of the pass by
+which the two boys advanced, they could not suspect any pattern about
+it.
+
+And now Chester no longer could trust his own memory of that pattern.
+He went to the bottom of a deep shell crater, and, lying upon his
+stomach, he took a scrap of map from under his shirt and spread it
+below him.  He took a tiny electric torch from his pocket and illumined
+the sheet dimly.  A series of squares, into which that sector was
+divided, marked his path for the front -- each square of the series
+numbered in ink and designated by a time, such as 32, 24, 19, 16, 10
+and so, forth.  They told the moment before 10 o'clock, at which, upon
+the square marked, the French fire would cease, not to start again
+until the fire ceased, at the next lowest minute, upon the next
+square.  Down to five minutes to 10 o'clock they showed the safe path,
+after that friend and foe alike on this side of the German lines must
+shift for themselves.
+
+Chester's mind caught the pattern of the next numbered square; he
+repeated to himself the time intervals.  He climbed up out of the shell
+hole and swiftly passed the next square as the shells began falling
+behind him.  Had Hal, off there to the right four squares away, now, as
+good luck as he?  Or, was the French fire opening a path for no one
+there now?
+
+By the ceasing of the shells on this square it was 24 minutes to 10
+o'clock -- the hour when the French forces would stream over the top.
+And for ten minutes, upon the square, the French fire would cease.
+That was because it was upon this square that Hal and Chester -- if
+both survived to reach it -- would meet.  It was under the ground in
+this numbered ten minutes to 10 o'clock -- that the French were hidden,
+of whom Jean Brosseau had told.  And as Brosseau had expected and
+hoped, Chester and Hal - or whichever of them survived to this square
+-- were ordered to employ those people.
+
+Chester crept forward, searching for the ruins of the house to mark the
+spot.  There was a communication-trench some yards away to the left of
+it, he remembered.  He could hear them working upon it now, calling to
+each other as the shells had given them a few minutes respite.  He
+crept by them and came upon stones -- the square stones of the walls of
+a house demolished and scattered.  Only one house had been at that
+point, and, crawling carefully, he dropped into the pit of the cellar.
+There, in that cellar, Hal and he were to meet, if Hal yet lived.
+
+Hal was not there; he had not been there.  The heap of old charred
+beams and rubbish, which covered the opening of the tunnel to the
+French hiding in the old cellar deeper and beyond, was undisturbed; he
+heard no sound except that of the shells and the scraping and voices of
+the Germans at work thirty yards away.
+
+Chester flattened down upon the rubbish of the cellar; he raised a
+black beam a little and thrust himself under.  Feeling ahead, he found
+more rubbish, which he cleared; and then, beyond, his hand found
+emptiness and the smell of earth -- and the odor of people and the
+closeness of foul air.  But there was no sound ahead.
+
+He crawled his length and then spoke quietly in French:
+
+"I come for the redeeming of France," words which he had been ordered
+to use upon his arrival.
+
+He got no reply. from the silence ahead; so he said again:
+
+"I am not Jean Brosseau; he sent me.  I come to ask your aid."
+
+"Aid?" a voice repeated; "aid?"
+
+Chester lighted his little torch again, and men's faces showed before
+him.
+
+"Quick!" one of the men said.  "Get away.  It's a trap!"
+
+"The Germans have taken us," said a second voice. "We --"
+
+His voice stopped and choked.  It was stilled forever, Chester knew.
+He could not see -- he had extinguished his light.
+
+A revolver was fired in his face, but the bullet went over him.  He
+pressed to one side of the tunnel as he pushed back, and the next
+bullet went into the sand where he had been.  He was back under the
+beams; and the Germans, choking, fired no more.
+
+Someone pulled at his leg.  Someone jerked him out and pulled him up --
+it was Hal.
+
+"The people in there were taken," said Chester quietly. "They -"
+
+"You've still got your grenades," said Hal.  "I've got mine.  We can do
+it alone, with luck!"
+
+The Germans, working on the tunnel off to the left, yelled at each
+other to jump for cover, for the French shells were coming again.  They
+burst all about -- except now, just ahead, where Hal and Chester were
+running.  Two minutes they had to run and crawl and run again across
+the square, three minutes for the next one.  Then, again, they parted.
+Two squares to the left, two minutes for one, three for the next -- Hal
+was to go; two squares to the right -- for three minutes and two the
+French fire was to be remitted -- Chester must travel.  There were two
+other small squares to be spared for five minutes to provide for help
+which might have been gained from the refugees' dugout.
+
+Those squares were being spared now, anyway.
+
+But the minutes of respite for all were finishing fast.
+
+It was five minutes to 10 o'clock and Chester, running bent over,
+stumbled and fell; the frightful concussion of great high explosive
+shells, bursting close to him, shook and battered him.  He hugged down
+into a hole, and from about his neck, he drew a flat bag, which held a
+gas mask; he adjusted it quickly.  Shells were striking about him,
+which did not break; but from the butts of these fumes were floating.
+The Germans, showing in the light of the star-shells, had become
+snouted creatures in their gas helmets.
+
+They appeared only for an instant, as, jumping up from one trench,
+where the shells were falling, they rushed to another deep defile.
+Half a score, who had shown themselves in one group, vanished; and
+Chester was buffeted again by the shock of high explosives.
+
+Gas and still more gas followed high explosives again.
+
+Chester, creeping now, got, even through his mask, smarting, searing
+twinges of the gas.  He was among bodies and wounded men.  Their masks,
+when, they fell, had become torn or broken.  The gas had got them.
+
+Five minutes to 10 o'clock had passed.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE ATTACK
+
+It was three minutes to the attack or less, and the hurricane fire of
+the French artillery swept cyclonic over the German lines.
+
+A thousand yards away, more or less, as the ground gave advantage, the
+French front-line trenches were filled with men awaiting the hour of 10
+-- two minutes off now -- to go over the top.
+
+The German batteries, behind, knew that the time was near; but just
+when it would be, in two minutes, or in ten or in an hour-they did not
+know.  When the fire of the French guns lifted, they did not know
+whether it would be to let the poilus assault, or whether it would be
+only to trick the German infantry and machine-gun men out of their
+tunnels and dugouts to meet the frightful fall of the French hurricane
+fire again.
+
+But the German guns doubled their response now when the French trebled
+theirs.
+
+One minute to 10 o'clock!
+
+Chester, lying in a shell hole with, his bag, of grenades open before
+him, felt a shock on his back.  A bit of shell or shrapnel had struck
+him, but he moved his arms and, except for the stinking pain, he was
+all right . He choked -- and instantly held his breath.  A bit of
+metal, flying from somewhere, had pierced his gas mask.  The tear was
+right before his mouth.  He thrust the fabric into his mouth and bit
+it, holding it tight between his lips.  That patched the hole; there
+was no other.  He breathed again without choking.
+
+Ten o'clock!
+
+From over the German front-line trenches, a  half mile or more forward,
+the storm of the French artillery fire had lifted -- lifted to add to
+the cyclone of shells sweeping the reserve lines.  The German
+star-shells, rising and floating and glaring constellations, spread
+their garish light over the front, and showed the French charging
+forward in the open.
+
+They rushed onward, few falling, almost unopposed.  For the Germans in
+the front-line trenches -- those who had not been withdrawn under that
+hurricane of shells-were dead or crouched down, stunned, and in
+stupor.
+
+The French took the advanced trenches, the second supporting, and came
+on.
+
+Now, from the "pill-boxes" -- the few scattered points for machine-gun
+support which the artillery had not found -- resistance came.  The
+French, though fewer, came on.
+
+Before Chester, lying with his bag of grenades open at the edge of a
+shell crater, the ground suddenly opened and, a great causeway gaped
+down into the earth.  Where solid ground had seemed to be, men were
+rushing forth -- German infantrymen with rifles and bayonets fixed to
+the counter-attack.
+
+Off to the right twenty yards another such gap yawned in the ground.
+And Chester, rising, hurled a missile from the bag he had carried.
+
+It burst among the emerging men; he hurled another.  A leap of blue
+flame, which flared high and blinding, followed its detonation.  He
+hurled at the other causeway, first halting by a bomb the out rush of
+men; and thus he marked the mouth of this second causeway the next
+instant by a sheet of blue game.
+
+Off to the side, 200 yards, blue flames shot up and glared.  Hal was
+alive, that meant -- at least, he had been alive a moment ago, calling
+shells upon himself from the French batteries, as well as attack from
+the Germans coming from the ground.
+
+For the shells already were arriving; one burst just beside the great
+causeway and blocked it.
+
+The shell annihilated the men rushing at Chester.  He rolled over, deaf
+and unseeing.  Shells were coming true and straight.  An aeroplane
+appeared overhead so close down that Chester could see it plainly in
+the light of the star-shells when his sight came back.  Aeroplanes were
+guiding the guns and dropping aerial torpedoes.
+
+One landed in the mouth of that other causeway and blew it out of
+shape, and this was the last thing which, for a long time, Chester
+remembered.
+
+When Chester opened his eyes, he lay on a bed with the whitest of
+sheets.  For a moment he could remember nothing, then the details of
+the great battle carve back to him.
+
+His first thought, naturally, was of Hal.  He sat up in bed.  There, in
+another bed in the center of what Chester now recognized as a hospital
+tent, lay Hal, his head swathed in bandages.
+
+"He's safe, anyhow," said Chester to himself.
+
+The lad passed a hand across his head, and ascertained that his head
+also was wrapped tightly, and that there were more bandages around his
+body.
+
+"Wonder what's the matter with me?" he muttered.  "I don't remember
+being hit, and here I am all wrapped up like a baby doll.  I must be in
+pretty bad shape."
+
+Nevertheless, now that his mind had been eased regarding Hal's safety,
+Chester soon closed his eyes, again and slept.
+
+It was late the following day that the lad was aroused by the sound of
+voices at his bedside.  One voice he recognized as Hal's, the other
+came to him later.  It was the voice of Stubbs.
+
+Chester opened his eyes, and gazed at the little war correspondent.
+The latter spoke first.
+
+"The sleeper awakes," he said to Hal.  "See, Chester thinks it's time
+to get up, and I'm not a bit sure he isn't right.  He's been in bed for
+four days now.  That's longer than I ever slept"
+
+"I'm not so weak I can't get out of here and pull, your nose," declared
+Chester, sitting up.
+
+Anthony Stubbs grinned.
+
+"I feel pretty safe right here," he said.
+
+"What's the matter with me, anyway?" demanded Chester.  "Hello there,
+Hal.  What's the trouble with you?  You seem to be pretty well bunged
+up."
+
+"Guess neither of us is going to die," said Hal with a smile.  "The
+doctor tells me that we both have holes in our heads, and that we have
+a few pieces of shell in our legs and bodies.  He says we are about the
+luckiest pair he ever saw."
+
+"How long does he figure we must stay in bed;"' Chester wanted to
+know.
+
+"He said something about thirty days," said Stubbs, with another grin.
+
+"Then he's barking up the wrong tree," Chester declared.  "I don't feel
+exactly lovely, but I know I'm not going to stay here a month.  Any
+broken bones, Hal?"
+
+"No; and neither have you, according to the doctor.  He said that we
+should be able to get about in a week or two."
+
+"Well, that's a little better," Chester grumbled.  "What do you mean by
+telling me a month, Stubbs?"
+
+"I didn't say he said a month," Stubbs protested.  "I said the doctor
+said something about thirty days, and so he did.  He said that most men
+would have to lie in bed thirty days with your wounds, but that he felt
+you would be able to leave the hospital sooner because of a pair of
+remarkably fine constitutions."
+
+"I think you were trying to have a little fun with me, Stubbs," Chester
+declared.
+
+"You know I wouldn't joke with a sick boy," said Stubbs.
+
+"No, I don't know it, either, Stubbs; and when I get out of here, I
+shall make it a point to get even with you."
+
+"To get even?" Stubbs exploded.  "You listen to me.  You're even and a
+long ways ahead right now.  In fact, you're so far ahead that I
+couldn't get even with you in a life time.  However, when you get well,
+I'm going to have a try."
+
+"You'd better not fool with me, Stubbs," said Chester.  "I'm liable to
+get out of here right now and have a little bout with you."
+
+"Well," said Stubbs, "I can lick you now."
+
+Chester grinned.
+
+"Guess you're right," he said.  "Maybe I had better postpone it.  By
+the way, did the attack succeed?"
+
+"Did it?" exclaimed Stubbs enthusiastically.  "I rather think it did.
+The French have advanced from four to five miles into the enemy's
+lines; and I overheard a man say if it had not been for your work in
+bottling up the enemy underground the French would have been surprised
+and hurled back."
+
+"Well, I'm glad we helped," said Hal simply.
+
+"And I'll be glad when we can help some more," declared Chester.  "It
+won't be long before we are up and doing again."
+
+"I should think you had had enough," said Stubbs.
+
+"We haven't, though," said Hal.  "Now, run away, Mr. Stubbs, and come
+back later.  I want to take a little snooze."
+
+"Same here," said Chester.
+
+Both made themselves as comfortable as possible under the
+circumstances.  And while they are taking a much-needed rest, we will
+bid them a brief adieu, only to meet them later on in a succeeding
+volume, entitled: "THE BOY ALLIES WITH PERSHING IN FRANCE; OR, OVER THE
+TOP WITH UNCLE SAM'S WARRIORS."
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
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