the big trees became more sparse, and the party took all precaut

food, which he had purchased from a nearby farmhouse. Hungrily the five disposed of it,

the travelers at length

could be seen th

erson called a

e the town of Stettin. We shall have to be very ca

?" he asked, after

returned Hal. "It mi

it," deman

ed the others

ogether we are sure to be recognized. Our number alone would give us away. But, if we go singly, or

d Captain Derevaux; "I

eutenant; "and I recommend that we

voice came from th

rd, although I know I should look upon you as enemies of my country, I do not believe you mean any harm. Besides, you have treated me well, and I

with us?" questioned Chester. "

e he would no

reed the Fr

e advisability of leaving him behin

I am just as much a gentleman as

glishman's f

hand. "I am sorry for my unreasonable do

decision simplifies matters

" demanded th

own alone, which is also a good thing. While for two to approach the town is much better than four, under the circumstan

," declared Captain Dere

you, captain, and the other with me. I shall go back a short distan

t here half an hour after you have gone, and will reach the t

shall w

meet in the hotel. Whichever of us ar

get into the town safely, the hotel will be the least likely place our pursuers

get out of the town? Won't the other side be

but we shall have to leave that to luck. The thing to

as we are going, we might as well go now. The so

nant said good-by to t

to Hal and he

pped, and a moment later he and

r reentered the woods, where they sat

experienced a peculiar sinking sensation in the region of his stomach, while his heart throbbed jerki

hope nothing happens to him. I wish I could

vy heart at the absence of his friend that he found himself bidding the chauffeur good-by, when Cap

he two approached the town boldly.

heir figures plainly discernible. At the edge of the town

he sound of running footsteps behind them. Hal looked over

companion, and he suited

lso broke int

riends sped over the ground, heading for the friendly shelter

ner just as the sharp crack of a rifle rang out. Around a

th, they could hear the sounds of great conf

ack in a few minutes," panted Hal. "We will h

been deserted. But as they rounded another corner

exclaimed Hal, and th

pidly, and they ad

the captain. "We will

the crowd to re

row back the

guess," replied Hal. "

Frenchman has been ro

see the fun," and he

said Hal to the captain, as he noticed

however, and the crowd gradually drew away from them. At last, finding themselves be

orner, they slowe

" exclaimed the Frenchman. "They w

thout further difficulty, into a brilliantly lighted street, which, they learned, was the

is to find out where

nch

open shop, Hal

a large, though unpretentious, hotel. They went in and sat down in the rotunda. Chester and th

to Chester," he mused, "I

set at rest, for a few

erson appeared

feet and seized Ch

queer voice, but the lieutenan

!" he wh

t and Chester and the l

e he and the captain had ha

e to waste. We must

ur companions

accordingly they dropped into a little restaurant, where they treated the

wn and out on the other side-if we can," said the lieutena

y and just as they were congratulating themselves on their good f

oo

een a line of army huts, extending on

Then: "Doesn't look like much

rear the sound of the footsteps of a lar

owd!" c

man of action, as a

d dashed to the right. His th

utenant stopped

he whisper

lowly, the others

e lieutenant, "we will have a chance. We'll m

s away. A sentry passed nearby, and the four companions dropped to

I call luck,"

approach of the crowd. At the same time lights flared up in the huts, and an

e instant, and then

d, and jumped to

ullet whined over Hal's hea

ng the horses, and almost with a single

mp came to life. Armed me

is heel into his horse's fla

uietly to his friends. "

oice from rig

ied. "Surrender or