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Discovering Diverse Content Through
Random Scribd Documents
 "Captain Nicholas said he would have it in flying trim exactly at
midnight," said Chester. "Now, my advice is that we discard our
uniforms and climb into German attire if we can round up the
necessities."
"Guess that can be done, too, without any trouble," said Hal.
"We've plenty of prisoners here. All we have to do is to change with
them. I should say that Captain Nicholas could attend to that, too."
"I'll suggest it to him," said Chester, and took his departure.
The lad was back within the hour with two German uniforms,
which had once adorned the forms of German captains of infantry.
"Seems we're losing rank here," commented Hal with a laugh. "You
might at least have robbed a couple of generals or field marshals."
"Take what you can get these days and be thankful," grinned
Chester. "Also, ask no questions. According to Captain Nicholas, even
this pair of captains objected strenuously to being deprived of their
uniforms. I imagine a general would have put up a terrible howl."
"You're probably right," Hal agreed. "Well, we'll be satisfied with
what we have. If we're discovered it won't make much difference
whether we're attired as privates or the kaiser himself."
"No, a firing squad could shoot through one as well as the other,"
Chester replied. "Now, all we have to do is wait until midnight."
"In which event," said Hal, "I shall woo sweet morpheus for two
hours and fifteen minutes."
"Two hours and fifteen minutes is right," said Chester after a
glance at his watch. "I'll follow suit."
Five minutes later both lads were stretched out in their bunks fast
asleep. They slept soundly, but not so soundly, however, that they did
not wake at the desired minute.
 At fifteen minutes to twelve, Hal opened his eyes and sat up.
Chester yawned, stretched and sat up a minute later.
"Time to be moving," he said, glancing at his watch again.
"Right," Hal agreed. "I'll be inside this German uniform in three
minutes by the clock."
He was; and Chester found himself suitably attired a moment later.
"Now for the plane," said the latter.
He led the way to where a two-seated biplane was being guarded
by several soldiers.
"All right, men," said Hal, "you can turn in now. We'll take charge
of this craft."
The soldiers saluted and took their departure.
"Let's be moving," said Chester. "Into the pilot's seat with you,
Hal."
"Thought maybe you wanted to do the driving this time, Chester,"
said Hal.
"That's a poor joke, Hal," declared Chester. "I don't want to die
right this minute, and I guess you don't, either."
"Which is the reason I'm not going to argue with you who will do
the piloting," Hal declared.
He clambered into the pilot's seat, and Chester took his place in
the observer's compartment.
"All set?" called Hal.
"All set," was Chester's reply.
"Let her go, then," said Hal, and the single guard who had
remained gave the machine momentum with a vigorous push.
The machine moved slowly across the ground at first, then, under
Hal's guiding hand, dashed on swifter and swifter. Hal touched the
elevating lever and the airplane soared into the air.
 Now Chester had been aloft many times, but he had never reached
a point where he was not affected by the sensation of the earth
dropping away from him. For a moment he clung to the side of the car.
His head cleared, in a twinkling, however, and he breathed a sigh of
relief.
"All right, Chester," Hal called back, not taking the time to turn his
head.
"All right," was Chester's reply. "Step on her, Hal."
Hal obeyed this injunction, and the plane darted in the direction of
the distant enemy like a big bird.
There was no light aboard the craft that carried the two lads
toward the German lines. On either side, above and below, however,
Hal could see now. and then a faint twinkle, indicating that other
American craft, bent upon no such dangerous mission as Hal and
Chester, still were on the alert to prevent a possible surprise attack by
the foe.
These lights were soon gone, however, and now all that Chester
could see was the faint outline of Hal's head before him. He looked
back, but the last of the American lights had been lost in the distance.
Ahead, the German lines were still too far distant for a plane to be
distinguishable should it be on guard aloft.
The night was very dark. For this Hal felt thankful, for it meant
that, barring accidents and the rays of German searchlights, he had
more opportunity of guiding his craft into the enemy lines, unobserved.
Could he escape the prying eyes of the foe's sentinels of the sky, he felt
that he had nothing to fear.
The distance between the German and allied lines at that point,
Hal knew, was less than three-quarters of a mile. This distance was
covered in a jiffy, but still Hal kept the nose of the craft pointed due
east, for it was his intention to come down well within the foe's lines
rather than to risk a landing near the front.
But at last he felt he had gone far enough. His hand tightened on
the controls and gradually the speed of the plane slackened. Chester
leaned forward, and putting his mouth close to Hal's ears, exclaimed:
"Going down here?"
"Yes," was Hal's reply. "May as well, I guess. It should be as safe
as any place. Suit you?"
Chester shrugged in the darkness.
"I'm satisfied if you are," he replied. "Shoot!"
The plane began to descend.

CHAPTER III
AMONG THE ENEMY

The aircraft settled to earth in the darkness as gently as a huge bird

and Hal and Chester stepped out silently. For a moment they stood
trying to get their bearings.
"Where do you figure we are?" asked Chester in a low tone.
"We should be a mile due east of Sedan," was Hal's reply. "I saw
the lights of the city below as we passed."
"Sedan, eh?" said Chester. "What memories of school days that
name conjures up, Hal."
"So it does," was Hal's whispered response: "Of Bismarck, of
Napoleon III and of the French defeat in the deciding battle of the
Franco-Prussian war."
 "What a glorious thing it would be if the French could strike a
decisive blow at the Germans here now," muttered Chester. "It would
be retribution."
"No less," Hal agreed; "and still, to my mind, it would be extremely
better if the decisive blow were delivered by American troops, whether
at Sedan or elsewhere."
"Right, as usual, Hal," was Chester's reply.
And although neither lad knew it then, it was to be the fortune of
American troops to wrest Sedan from the hands of the invader and to
be the first forces of democracy to tread the streets of the historic city.
"We've talked enough, Chester," Hal whispered. "It's time for
action."
"Let's be on the move, then," Chester whispered back. "Which
way?"
"Might as well head toward the city, I guess."
"How about the plane here?"
Hal shrugged in the darkness.
"We'll have to leave it, I guess. If we're not back by morning it will
be discovered, of course, and a search instituted for its occupants."
"Which might lead to our discovery," said Chester.
Again Hal shrugged.
"It might, of course," he agreed.
"Then why not pull it in among the trees there?" Chester wanted
to know, pointing to a clump of trees a short distance away.
"Not a bad idea," Hal declared. "I hadn't noticed the trees, myself."
"As Stubbs would say, you must be more observing," was Chester's
response. "Lay hold here."
With some effort the boys wheeled the plane into the little clump
of trees and then stepped forth again.
 "It may do," said Hal, eyeing the hiding place carefully in the
darkness. "It's invisible enough now, but I don't know how well the
foliage will protect the plane in daylight."
"It's the best we can do, at all events," declared Chester. "Come,
let's be on our way."
"May as well, I guess," said Hal, and led the way toward the
distant city of Sedan.
From time to time the lads passed hurrying figures as they walked
along, but they were not so much as accosted. In their German
uniforms, they felt reasonably safe, particularly so as their features
were concealed by the darkness. Once in the city, however, they knew
they would have to exercise greater caution.
Nevertheless they entered the outskirts of the city with firm tread
and headed directly toward the center of town. Neither had been in
Sedan before and each was conscious of the utter foolishness of
prowling around the edge of the city.
"We've got to get among the foe if we want to learn anything," Hal
said.
A few lights still twinkled in the city, despite the lateness of the
hour. On what appeared to be the main street, the lads made out a
fairly large hotel.
"Guess that's our destination," said Chester, pointing.
Hal nodded.
"That's the place," he said, "though I don't know what we'll do
when we get there."
"Events will shape themselves," said Chester.
"That's what worries me. If I could shape them according to my
own needs and desires it would be much better."
"Don't croak, Hal."
 "I'm not croaking. I'm merely remarking."
"You remark a whole lot on the style of Anthony Stubbs, if you ask
me," declared Chester. "Come on, let's go into the hotel."
Hal made sure that his revolvers were ready in his pockets before
he followed Chester through the door. Both lads kept their caps well
over their eyes, for while there was little danger of their being
suspected, their countenances lacked the heavy sluggishness of the
Germans—a fact which should it be noticed, might call for questions.
At one side of the small lobby was a desk. Chester approached it.
A man rose to greet him.
"We want a room for the night," said Chester gruffly in German,
using the commanding and ill-bred tone always affected by German
officers in talking to inferiors in rank or civilians.
The man threw wide his arms.
"I'm sorry, Herr Captain," he said humbly, "but all the rooms are
occupied."
"What!" said Chester angrily. "I said that my friend and I desire a
room, and a room we will have if we have to trundle your guests out
into the street."
"But——" protested the hotel clerk.
"Silence!" thundered Chester. "Now answer me. You have a room
of your own, have you not?"
"Yes, Herr Captain, but——"
"Silence!" cried Chester again. "Your key, if you please."
Again the man seemed on the point of protesting, and Chester
stepped quickly toward him.
"Your key," he said again, and extended his hand.
The clerk's hand reached to his pocket, and he extended a key to
Chester.
 "Yes, Herr Captain," he said humbly.
"Now lead the way to our room," commanded Chester, "and in
future know that when an officer of the emperor commands, it is for
you to obey."
"Yes, Herr Captain," said the man as he led the way toward the
rear of the hotel.
There he preceded Hal and Chester up a flight of stairs and turned
to the left. They walked down a long hall until they reached a door at
the extreme end. Here the guide stopped, turned to Chester and
opened his mouth to speak.
"Silence!" said Chester sharply. "Open the door."
The hotel clerk shrugged his shoulders in a manner that meant he
washed his hands of the outcome and tried the knob of the door. The
door swung inward and the clerk stood aside to allow Hal and Chester
to pass.
It was dark in the room as the lads stepped across to the
threshold. But hardly had they set foot in the room when a brilliant
light shot forth.
For a moment the lads were blinded, but they were conscious of a
startled ejaculation from the hotel clerk, who still stood without.
"Ha!" he exclaimed. "I thought so. Now for it, my dear Herr
Captain."
When the lights flared up, Hal and Chester both dropped their
hands to their revolvers. But before either could produce a weapon, a
shrill voice cried in German:
"Hands up, there!"
There was nothing for the lads to do but obey. They still had not
had time to accustom their eyes to the sudden light so were unable to
distinguish the owner of the voice. But gradually their vision cleared.
 Chester glanced sharply at the man who had stopped them. He sat
up in bed and in both hands he held a revolver squarely levelled at the
two lads.
Chester gave a sudden start. At the same moment the man in the
bed gave vent to a queer sound and his revolvers wavered.
Chester leaped forward and possessed himself of the two revolvers
with several quick movements. One of these he levelled at the man in
the bed.
"Hands up!" he commanded sharply. The man in the bed opened
his mouth to speak. "Silence!" cried Chester. "Not a word." He turned
to Hal, who for the moment had been staring in open-mouthed wonder.
"Explain to the clerk, Hal," said Chester, "that we will take possession of
this room, also of its occupant. It might be well to tell him that he
should have informed us his room was occupied. We will discuss that
later."
"But I tried to tell you, Herr Captain," declared the frightened
clerk. "You would not listen, Herr Captain!"
"Silence!" commanded Chester. "Leave the room, and not one
word about this matter as you value your life. We shall take charge of
your other guest here. I've no doubt we shall all be good friends in the
morning."
Still the clerk hesitated, but Hal settled the argument. He stepped
quickly toward the clerk.
"Get out!" he commanded sharply.
The hotel clerk vanished.
In the meantime the man in the bed had been gazing at the two
lads in astonishment. With his captured revolvers still in his hands,
Chester approached him.
"Well," he said, "and what are you doing here, if I may ask?"
 "By George! I don't see that it is any business of yours what I am
doing here," was the reply in English. "I might ask the same of you."
"And you might get the same answer, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal.
"Threatened to shoot us when we came in, didn't you?"
"And why shouldn't I?" demanded Anthony Stubbs, war
correspondent of the New York Gazette and companion of Hal and
Chester on many a perilous venture. "When a man breaks into another
man's room the first thing the man in the room naturally thinks about is
something with which to protect himself. I had those guns under my
pillow and when I heard you come in, I pressed the electric light button
and grabbed the guns."
"Well, it's fortunate you didn't use 'em, Stubbs," said Hal. "If you
had shot me and I had found it out, I'd have had to lay you across my
knee."
"You would, eh?" grumbled Stubbs. "I guess you would find that
quite a job."
"Come, come, Stubbs," said Chester: "and you, too, Hal. We're in a
ticklish position and there is no time for foolishness. What are you
doing here, Stubbs?"
"Well," said Stubbs, "I'll tell you; but as you'll have to spend the
night here, make yourselves comfortable. Sit down."

CHAPTER IV
CHESTER IS INDISCREET

"First," Stubbs began, when the boys had pulled their chairs close to
his bed and he had propped himself up with a pair of pillows, "first I
want to know what you mean, Chester, by jumping me the way you did
a few minutes ago?"
"Well," said Chester, "you had a pair of guns wabbling in your
hands and I was afraid one might accidentally go off. Safety first, Mr.
Stubbs."
"That sounds all right," was Stubbs' dry comment, "or rather, I
should say, it would sound all right if I didn't know you so well. It's my
candid opinion you just jumped me because a good opportunity
presented itself."
"Come, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "you know I wouldn't——"
"Oh, I do, do I?" exclaimed Stubbs sarcastically. "I know all about
you, Chester, you can bet on that."
"Then maybe you can tell me what Hal and I are doing here,"
replied Chester.
"No, I can't do that exactly, but its a safe assertion that you are up
to your old snooping tricks again."
"Then why are you here, Mr. Stubbs?" Chester wanted to know.
Stubbs smiled wryly.
"I guess you have me there, my boy," he said good-naturedly. "I'm
here to snoop a little myself."
"As I thought," Hal put in. "By any chance, Mr. Stubbs, have you
heard rumors that Austria has or is about to sue for peace?"
Stubbs sat up straight in bed.
"Now where did you get that idea?" he demanded.
"Because we're here in an attempt to verify that rumor," was Hal's
reply.
Stubbs sighed.
"Well, there is no use trying to conceal my mission," he said; "and
yet I was in hopes I was the possessor of information that would give
me a 'scoop' for my paper; or an exclusive 'beat,' if you like that
better."
"But surely you didn't hope to have such information if it were not
known to the military authorities," protested Chester.
"And why didn't I?" demanded Stubbs, with some heat. "Let me
tell you something, my boy. It's no infrequent thing for a newspaper
man to gain knowledge of a certain thing long before it comes to the
ears of the proper authorities."
"Then it is up to you to acquaint the proper authorities with your
information," said Hal.
"Not a bit of it. Not a bit of it. My duty is to get the facts to my
paper ahead of the correspondents of the other papers. That's what
I'm paid for; and you can bet I'll do it if I get a chance."
"That's all beside the question right now, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester.
"It seems that you are here on a mission similar to ours. Now the
question is, shall we join forces or shall we work separately?"
"I don't know," said Stubbs. "You see, I've been on the ground
longer than you have and have already made considerable progress.
Looks to me like I'd be giving you my information in return for
nothing."
"Oh, of course if that's the way you feel about it," said Chester,
considerably nettled.
"Hold on, now!" protested Stubbs. "Not so fast, if you please. I
didn't say I wouldn't throw in with you, did I?"
"No, you didn't say it," returned Chester significantly.
"Then don't cry until you're hurt," enjoined Stubbs. "At the same
time there is another reason that tells me to let you go at this thing in
your own way."
"And that, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Hal.
 "That," returned Stubbs, "is because every time I get mixed up
with you fellows I get in trouble. Either I'm moving forward a couple of
leaps ahead of a bayonet, or I'm all snarled up in a knot of struggling
Germans; and I don't like that, I tell you. I'm a peaceable man."
Hal and Chester laughed.
"Oh, yes, we know how peaceable you are," said Hal. "We're
perfectly willing to bank on your courage, Mr. Stubbs."
"Well, I'm not exactly willing to bank on it myself," replied Stubbs
grumblingly, but he was plainly pleased.
"Whatever you think best, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester.
"Surely, Chester," said Stubbs, "you didn't take me seriously?
Surely you knew that I am willing to do whatever I can to further the
cause of America and her allies. I was simply joking."
"Maybe you were," returned Chester, not at all convinced, "but all
I've got to say is that you have a mighty poor way of showing it."
"Then I'll do better," said Stubbs. "Listen." He proceeded in a low
tone. "I've been here for two days. I heard rumors some time ago that
Austria and Germany were at the breaking point. Bulgaria, out of the
war, as she has been for several weeks, it became apparent that
Germany's other two allies would soon leave her in the lurch. Now
Turkey doesn't matter so much, although with the Ottomans out of the
war the strain on the allies will be lessened considerably. But with
Austria—the kaiser's most important and powerful ally, ready to quit—
the moment seems auspicious. Now, I wanted to be on the ground
floor when the news broke. That's why I took a chance and sneaked
through the German lines; that's why I'm here.
"That's why we're here, too," said Hal quietly.
"Now, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "you inferred that you had already
learned something. What is it, if I may ask?"
 "I didn't exactly say that," protested Stubbs. "However, I have
found what in the newspaper business is called a 'leak' and I have
hopes it will produce some news before many hours have passed."
"And what is this leak, Mr. Stubbs?"
"Why," said Mr. Stubbs, "its none other than our friend the night
clerk whom you so unceremoniously ordered from the room a few
minutes ago. He thinks I'm a pretty regular fellow. The reason is plain
enough. I've been supplying him with tobacco for the last two days."
Both lads smiled.
"It's no wonder then," said Chester. "Tobacco is one of the luxuries
in Germany to-day. But who are you supposed to be, Mr. Stubbs?"
"Me?" said Stubbs, "why I'm nothing more than a German-
American who was caught in Germany by the war, who is in sympathy
with the German cause and not at all anxious to get back to the States.
In fact, the clerk is positive I'd be wearing a German uniform if I were
not above military age."
"But you're not above the German military age, Mr. Stubbs," Hal
protested.
"Well, the clerk doesn't know that," said Stubbs significantly.
"You're a pretty shrewd customer, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester. "I
guess if you've managed to fool the clerk this long you'll get by, all
right."
"I will, unless you get me mixed up in some of your scrapes,"
declared Stubbs. "But you boys must be tired. Ring the bell there for
the clerk. I'll tell him that we have found we have mutual friends and
that I will permit you to spend the night in my room."
The clerk returned in response to the summons and Stubbs
outlined the situation. The clerk offered no protest; in fact, he offered
to supply cots for Mr. Stubbs' visitors.
 These arrived directly and as soon as the clerk withdrew, Hal and
Chester tumbled into their beds. "There is nothing that may be done
to-night," said Stubbs. "Get a good rest, boys."
In spite of the fact that it was late when they retired, all three
were up bright and early in the morning and went to breakfast in the
small dining room of the hotel.
As they were finishing their coffee—without sugar or cream, by the
way, these being other verboten luxuries in Germany—Chester's
attention was arrested by the entrance of a tall, stately German
woman, accompanied by a girl of perhaps eighteen years. They sat
down at a table but three removed from where the friends were
seated.
Hal followed the direction of Chester's eyes and smiled.
"Don't play the gallant now," he whispered in a low voice.
Chester flushed.
"By Jove!" he said. "You're the limit. Can't a fellow look at a pretty
girl without drawing some such remark from you?"
"But I know you so well," laughed Hal.
"Rats!" Chester ejaculated.
At that moment two young German officers entered the room and
strode toward the table where mother and daughter—as Chester had
surmised the two to be—sat. They stopped suddenly, noticing
apparently for the first time that the table was occupied.
"Himmel!" one exclaimed. "Conditions are pretty bad when a man
cannot find a seat at his own table."
The words were plainly audible to the mother, and daughter, and
their faces turned red. The elder made as though to rise, but the girl
restrained her.
"We have as much right here as they have, Mother," she said.
 Chester grinned to himself. It did him good to hear the girl talk like
that, for he had not been favorably impressed with the appearance of
the officers—both in the uniform of captains—in the first place.
"We shall have to ask you to leave our table," said the German
officer who had spoken before.
It was the girl who protested.
"We'll stay where we are," she said.
The German grew angry.
"Is this the manner in which to treat one of his majesty's officers?"
he demanded.
The girl deigned no reply.
"Did you hear me?" demanded the German again.
Still no reply.
The German stepped quickly forward, and laying his hand on the
back of the girl's chair, jerked it back from the table. As he did so, the
girl leaped to her feet. Her hand shot out and the German staggered
back, his face red where the girl's open palm had struck.
"Himmel!" he cried angrily.
He stepped forward and seized the girl by the wrist.
Now Chester had been watching these proceedings with rising
indignation. When the man seized the girl's wrist, for the moment
Chester lost all thought of his surroundings, threw caution to the winds
and rose quickly. As quickly he stepped across the room.
"Let the girl alone," he growled angrily.
The German wheeled on him, and recognizing in the lad no
superior officer, stood his ground.
"And who are you?" he demanded.
"I'll show you," said Chester angrily.
 He struck out with his right fist. "Smack." The German staggered
back.

CHAPTER V
AN ENEMY PLOT BARED

Hal and Stubbs were on their feet immediately. Both hurried to

Chester's side. Seeing these reinforcements, the friend of the first
German officer, who had advanced apparently to aid his companion,
stepped back. So did the man who had gripped the girl's wrist.
For a moment the latter glared angrily at Chester. Then his hand
dropped to his holster. But before he could draw a weapon, Chester
whipped out his own automatic and covered him.
"None of that," the lad said angrily.
Realizing that he had been caught in a position, not to his credit,
the first German sought to temporize.
"I'm sorry if I was a bit hasty," he apologized to the German girl
and her mother. "The truth is, I have had little rest lately, my nerves
are bad and I am easily disturbed. I apologize."
The girl accepted the apology with a slight inclination of her head.
Her mother said nothing.
The German turned to Chester.
"You struck me, sir," he said, "and under different conditions I
would demand satisfaction. But in this case, you acted very properly. I
would have done the same in your place."
He bowed to Chester, who lowered his revolver and slowly
returned it to its holster.
 This was the moment for which the treacherous German had been
waiting. Suddenly he whipped out his own revolver.
But Hal, too, had been on the alert. A peculiar look in the
German's eye had warned the lad that the man was bent on mischief.
Therefore, Hal's revolver flashed forth a second sooner than that of
Chester's enemy.
"Drop that!" called Hal sharply.
The German obeyed. There was nothing else for him to do. His
head dropped, and a guilty flush crept over his face. Hal stepped
forward and picked up the man's revolver, which he stowed safely in his
own pocket.
"I thought you betrayed your true characteristics when you
insulted these ladies," said Hal. "I am sure of it now. I shall make it my
business to see that this matter is reported to the proper authorities.
You may go now."
Without a word, and followed by his companion, the German
turned and strode toward the door. As he would have passed out, he
stopped suddenly and brought his heels together and saluted sharply.
His companion did likewise.
A moment later a figure in the uniform of a German general of
infantry stepped into the room. He halted just inside the door, as he
took in the situation about him. The others still stood as they had when
Chester's opponent had left them, and the general realized instantly
that something was amiss. Hal and Chester saluted as the general
strode across the room without so much as a glance at them, and
addressed the mother.
"What is the matter?" he asked.
It was the girl again who replied.
 "That man insulted me, father," she said, indicating Chester's
erstwhile foe, and in a few brief words she told how Chester had come
to her assistance.
The general saluted Chester, then Hal in turn.
"I will talk with you later, sirs," he said. "Right now I have other
business."
He strode across the room to where the young German officers
stood, awaiting permission to take their departure. Straight the general
went to the man who had accosted his daughter, stopped close to him,
raised his right arm and brought his open palm stingingly across the
other's face.
"Let that teach you," he said, "that a German officer does not
insult women of his own race."
The German captain staggered back, but said nothing.
"You may go now," said the general. "You will hear more from me
later."
The young officers left the room hurriedly.
General Knoff, for as such the general now introduced himself to
Hal, Chester and Stubbs, addressed Chester quietly.
"You have befriended my wife and my daughter," he said. "I thank
you, sir."
Chester saluted again, but made no reply.
"It is my wish that you all join us at breakfast," continued the
general.
"We should be pleased, your excellency," said Chester politely,
"save for the fact that we have just breakfasted."
"Then you shall at least have another cup of coffee with us," said
General Knoff.
 Chester bowed his assent, for he realized there was nothing else to
do. A mere German captain did not refuse an invitation from a general
—not under the iron discipline that still ruled in the armies of the kaiser.
Accordingly, the three friends seated themselves at the table with
the others. Coffee was soon before them, and Chester presently found
himself in animated conversation with the general's daughter, Kathryn.
Stubbs conversed mostly to Frau Knoff, while the general kept Hal
engaged.
For some time they talked on general topics, touching only briefly
on the war. But as always with soldiers, the conversation at last turned
into that channel.
Suddenly Hal's heart gave a quick thump. Here, the lad told
himself, was an opportunity that was not to be overlooked.
Undoubtedly, if he would, General Knoff could verify or set at naught
the rumor that Austria had, or was about to, sue for peace. Hal drew a
long breath, then said:
"I understand, your excellency, that our enemies are regaling
themselves with a report that Austria is about to desert the emperor
and sue for peace."
General Knoff set his cup down abruptly, and gazed closely at Hal.
"And do you believe that?" he asked at last.
Hal shook his head and smiled slightly.
"Why should Austria desert?" he asked. "We have the advantage at
this moment, in spite of the fact that we have suffered some reverses
lately. No; if the war were to end now, Germany is victorious."
"Good!" said General Knoff. "I like that talk, for it is becoming rare
these days. These light reverses you speak of seem to have affected
others more strongly—to have shaken their confidence. However, it is
well that our foes think the slight difference of opinion between his
majesty and the emperor of Austria may result in a complete breach;
yes, it is well."
"You mean, your excellency," said Hal, taking another long chance,
"that such rumors have been circulated intentionally—that the enemy
may be taken off their guard?"
General Knoff glanced around cautiously. He waited a moment,
then said:
"You will understand, of course, that it is impossible for me to
answer yes to your question; at the same time, I cannot deny it."
"I understand, your excellency," replied Hal, "and you may be sure
that I shall say nothing of what I know."
"You know nothing!" said the general sharply.
"Very well, your excellency," said Hal quietly. "I know nothing."
General Knoff turned the conversation into other channels. Directly
he asked the name and position of Hal's and Chester's regiments.
Fortunately, both lads had posted themselves in advance and their
answers did not rouse the general's suspicions.
At last breakfast came to an end. The three friends made their
adieus to their new friends, and retired at once to Stubbs' room.
"Well," said that worthy, when they were settled comfortably and
secure against intrusion, "we've learned something, Hal. But I'll tell
you, you took my breath away when you began to pump the general."
"And mine, agreed Chester.
"Well, it looked like the best way to me," declared Hal. "I figured it
wasn't wise to pass up an opportunity like that."
"It worked, anyway," said Stubbs. "But the general must have
been in a particularly good humor. Otherwise such a question might
have meant prison, at least, for all of us."
 "As it chanced," said Hal, "the general was in a particularly good
humor. Chester had just put him there; and by the way, Chester, it's all
right to be gallant and all that, but it strikes me you should have used a
little more discretion."
"I didn't hurt anything," Chester grumbled. "On the contrary, if I
hadn't interfered as I did we wouldn't know what we do now."
"That's true enough," Stubbs admitted. "But I stand with Hal. It's
not wise to rush to the aid of every fair damsel in distress, especially
when you're masquerading in the uniform of the enemy. It might bring
a firing squad, and I have no particular fondness for firing squads."
"All the same," said Chester, "you couldn't stand by and see a boor
of a Dutchman pick on a couple of helpless women."
"Careful on that Dutchman stuff, Chester," Stubbs cautioned.
"Remember the Hollander has no more use for a German than you
have."
"Well, all right," returned Chester sulkily, "but Hal always starts
picking on me if I look at a girl."
"It's no time to be looking at girls when you are on business,"
declared Hal grimly. "You're altogether too susceptible to the charms of
the fairer sex, Chester."
"Rats!" said Chester. "You make me tired, both of you."
"Well, we'll pass all that up," said Anthony Stubbs. "The question
to consider now is whether we shall take the general's statement as
sufficient to brand the Austrian peace rumor as a German plot."
"It's enough for me," declared Hal.
"Same here," agreed Chester.
"I'm perfectly satisfied myself," said Stubbs. "I am afraid the New
York Gazette will lose a good story as a result, but I can't help that. I'm
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