Army Boys on German Soil

[Illustration: "One move and I'll blow your brains out, " hesnapped. ]

ARMY BOYS ON GERMAN SOIL

Our Doughboys Quelling the Mobs

BY

HOMER RANDALL

AUTHOR OF "ARMY BOYS IN FRANCE, " "ARMY BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE, ""ARMY BOYS MARCHING INTO GERMANY, " ETC. 

ARMY BOYS ON GERMAN SOIL

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I THE FLASH FROM THE GUNS

II WRAPPED IN MYSTERY

III CAUGHT IN A STORM

IV THE RUINED CASTLE

V CONSPIRATORS

VI THE BAFFLED PLOTTERS

VII A CLOSE CALL

VIII JUST IN TIME

IX THE COLONEL'S WARNING

X FROM THE SKY

XI MARSHAL FOCH AND GENERAL PERSHING

XII TORN FROM MOORINGS

XIII GERMAN RIOTING

XIV ON THE TRAIL

XV A BARE CHANCE

XVI RAISING THE TRAP DOOR

XVII A PERILOUS SITUATION

XVIII THE CRITICAL MOMENT

XIX TURNING THE TABLES

XX THE CLAWS OF THE HUNS

XXI SQUARING ACCOUNTS

XXII WILL THE GERMANS SIGN?

XXIII ON THE VERGE OF DISCOVERY

XXIV THE DEADLY PHIAL

XXV THE TREATY SIGNED

ARMY BOYS ON GERMAN SOIL

CHAPTER I

THE FLASH FROM THE GUNS

"I tell you, Bart, I don't like the looks of things, " remarkedFrank Sheldon to his chum, Bart Raymond, as the two stood on acorner in the German city of Coblenz on the Rhine. 

"What's on your mind?" inquired Bart, as he drew the collar of hisraincoat more snugly around his neck and turned his back to thesleet-laden wind that was fairly blowing a gale. "I don't seeanything to get stirred up about except this abominable weather. It's all I can do to keep my feet. "

"It is a pretty tough night to be out on patrol duty, " agreedFrank. "But it wasn't that I was thinking about. It's the waythese Huns have been acting lately. "

"Are you thinking of that sergeant of ours that was found stabbedto death the other night?" asked Bart, with quickened interest. 

"Not so much that, " replied Frank, "although that's one of thethings that shows the way the wind is blowing. But it's the surlyway the whole population is acting. Haven't you noticed it?"

"There certainly is a difference, " admitted Bart. "Everything waspeaches and cream when we first came. The people fairly fell overthemselves in trying to tell us how glad they were to have theAmericans here instead of the French and English. Now they'regetting chesty again. A couple of fellows passed me a little whileago who looked at me as if they'd like to slip a knife into me ifthey dared. "

"They hate us all right, " declared Frank. "It makes them sore asthe mischief to have Americans keeping the watch on the Rhine. They're mad enough to bite nails every time they're reminded ofit. "

"And that's pretty often, " laughed Bart, "for they can't go outinto the street without seeing an American uniform somewhere. We've got this old town pretty well policed, and if any troublestarts we'll put it down in a jiffy. "

"Well, trouble's coming all right, " prophesied Frank. "There arelots of new faces in the city, fellows who seem to have come fromthe outside. You know Germany's being ripped up the backeverywhere by mobs, and the red flag is flying in Berlin. I have ahunch that these outsiders have come to start the same thinghere. "

"If they do they'll get more than they bargained for, " said Bartgrimly. "They'll find they're monkeying with a buzz saw. What ourfellows would do to them would be a sin and a shame. But here comeTom and Billy, if I'm any sort of a guesser. "

"Right you are, " replied Frank, as he descried two uniformedfigures approaching, their heads bent away from the icy gale whichwas increasing in fury as the night wore on. 

"Hello, fellows, " was the greeting that came from one of thenewcomers, as they came into the flickering light of the streetlamp, near which Frank Sheldon and Bart Raymond were standing. "This is a dandy night to be out patrolling--I don't think. "

"A good night for ducks, Tom, " replied Frank with a laugh. 

"For polar bears, if you ask me, " put in Billy Waldon, Tom'scompanion, as he shook the drops from his raincoat. "How would itbe to be back in the barracks just now lapping up a smoking hotcup of coffee? Oh, boy!"

"It wouldn't be bad--" Bart was beginning, when suddenly a riflecracked and a bullet whizzed by so close that it nearly grazed TomBradford's ear. 

"Shelter, fellows!" shouted Frank, as he leaped for an adjacenthallway. 

His companions followed him quickly, and crouching in the hall, they peered out into the darkness to see if they could detect thewhereabouts of the would-be assassin. 

But everything was quiet except for the roaring of the gale, andthe street seemed to be empty. 

"Might as well look for a needle in a haystack, " muttered TomBradford. "We don't even know the direction from which the shotcame. You can bet that skunk made tracks as soon as he fired. "

"It was a mighty close call for you, Tom, " remarked Billy. "A halfinch closer and you would have been a goner. "

"It would have been hard luck to have been laid out now afterhaving come through that Argonne fighting alive, " grumbled Tom. "I'd just like to have my hands right now on the cowardly Heiniewho tried to snuff me out. "

"Don't you see, Bart, that I was right when I told you thattrouble was brewing?" remarked Frank. 

"I guess you were, old man. "

"It's because we've been too confoundedly easy with thesefellows, " snorted Billy wrathfully. "We've gone on the theory thatif we treated 'em white and gave 'em a square deal they'dappreciate it and behave themselves. We might have known better. "

"The French and English know these ginks better than we do, andthey've put the boots into them from the start, " growled Tom. "There's been no namby-pamby dealing with the Huns in the bridge-heads where they've held control. They've made the Boches walkSpanish. If they didn't uncover when the flag went by, theyknocked their hats off for them. They know that the only argumentthat a Hun understands is force, and they've gone on that theoryright along. And as a consequence the Heinies don't dare to peepin the districts where the French and English run things. We oughtto take a leaf from their books and do the same. "

"That's our good-natured American way of doing things, " said Bart. "But we're due to stiffen up a bit now. We're not going to standfor attempts to murder in cold blood--"

He was interrupted by an exclamation from Frank. 

"Quiet, fellows, " he adjured in a low voice. 

"See anything?" whispered Bart, who was nearest him. 

"I thought I caught a glimpse of a fellow stealing into that alleyhalf-way down the block, " returned Frank. "And there goes anotherone, " he added, with a trace of excitement in his voice. 

"I was looking that way and I didn't see anything, " murmured BillyWaldon rather incredulously. 

"I'd bank on Frank, " returned Bart. "He has the best eyes of anyof us. They're regular telescopes. "

"There goes another!" exclaimed Frank tensely. "There's somethingdoing there, sure as guns!"

"I know that alley, " said Tom Bradford. "I've often looked into itwhen I passed it on my beat. But it's a blind alley and doesn'tlead to any thing. It ends at a brick wall. "

"All the better chance to bag them, " replied Frank. "We'll waitjust a minute longer to see If any one else goes in, and thenwe'll go down and nip the whole bunch. It's against regulationsfor them to be on the streets at this hour, and you can betthey're up to no good. "

"I only hope the fellow's among them that fired that shot, "murmured Tom vengefully. 

They waited a moment or two longer, but Frank Sheldon's eyesdetected no other skulking figure and he gave the word to move. 

"Have your clubs and pistols ready, but don't use the guns unlessyou have to, " he ordered, for when the Army Boys were together theleadership by common consent devolved on Frank. "I guess the clubswill do the business if it comes to any resistance on their part. "

"Fists would be enough, " muttered Tom, as with the others heprepared to follow their leader. 

Like so many ghosts they drifted out of the hallway, and, movingin the shadow of the houses, though in the rain and darkness thatseemed almost unnecessary, they stealthily approached the entranceto the alley. 

It was in one of the poorer sections of the town, and the dwellinghouses were interspersed with factories and coal yards. On eachside of the alley stood the wall of a factory, three stories inheight. No light came from any window, and the alley itself was asdark as pitch. 

"Bart and I will stand on this side, and you two fellows take theother side, " whispered Frank, when they reached the mouth of thealley. "Keep right on your toes and be ready to nab those fellowswhen they come out. "

The others did as directed and all waited, tense with expectation, their clubs ready for instant service if resistance should beoffered. 

The rain kept pouring down in torrents, and as it fell, a glazeformed on the sidewalks, so that it was with difficulty that theArmy Boys kept their feet. 

They were eager to bring the matter to a head, and the waiting indrenching rain wore on their patience. 

"Could they have possibly gone out some other way, leaving us hereto hold the bag?" queried Bart Raymond, after five minutes hadpassed without result. 

"I don't think so, " returned Frank. "I'm dead sure there isn't anyway to get out except the way they went in. They're in thereholding a pow-wow of some kind. "

Ten minutes more passed, and by that time even Frank had begun tohave doubts. Tom slipped over to him from the other side of thealley. 

"For the love of Mike! let's get a move on and go into the alleyand smoke them out, " he whispered. "We can get them there just aswell as here. "

"Just five minutes more, " Frank replied. "They may hear us goingin and be on their guard, while if we nab them here we'll catchthem unawares. But if they're not out in that time, we'll go inand round them up. "

At the end of the stipulated time Frank gave the signal. 

"Creep in as softly as you can, " he admonished his comrades. "Spread across so that they can't slip between us. They've got tobe somewhere between us and that brick wall at the back. "

Moving with all the caution that their experience as scouts hadtaught them in their frequent incursions into No Man's Land duringthe war, the four Army Boys crept noiselessly into the darkness ofthe alley. 

Ten, twenty, thirty feet, and still no sign of their quarry. Theymust be close to them now. 

On they went, wonder gradually giving way to doubt, until with amuttered exclamation Frank came plump up against the wall thatmarked the alley's end. 

"Stung!" he murmured in profound disgust. 

His comrades gathered close about him. 

"That's one on us, " muttered Tom. 

"We're done good and proper, " agreed Billy. 

"Are you dead sure that you saw them come in?" queried Bart ofFrank. 

"I know I did, " replied Frank, who although puzzled was not shakenin his conviction. 

"They must have been ghosts then, " gibed Tom. "Nothing else couldhave vanished through a brick wall. "

Frank drew his flashlight from his pocket and flashed it about. There was no one to be seen. 

"That wall is perfectly blank, " he murmured in perplexity. "Thirtyfeet high if it's an inch. There isn't an opening in it anywhere. "

"Could they have got into the windows of the building on eitherside?" suggested Bart. 

Frank swept the flashlight on the walls of the factories. 

"Not a chance, " he affirmed. "All these windows are protected withiron bars and nothing could get between them. Those fellows seemto have just melted away. "

At that instant a report rang out, and the flashlight was knockedfrom his hand by a bullet. 

"Down, fellows!" he shouted, setting the example, and the nextmoment all four were lying flat on the ground. 

They were just in time, for there was a crackling of guns, andother bullets sped over their heads. 

"After them, boys!" yelled Frank, leaping to his feet. "They're atthe mouth of the alley. I saw the flash from their guns. "

He sped for the street with his comrades close upon his heels, their pistols drawn and ready for instant use. 

CHAPTER II

WRAPPED IN MYSTERY

The Army Boys looked eagerly about them when they reached thestreet, but could see no one. It was as though the earth hadopened and swallowed the men who had sought their lives. 

They scattered and ran in every direction, searching all hallwaysand side streets for blocks around, but nothing rewarded theirendeavors, and it was a bedraggled and exasperated quartette thatfinally came together again to compare notes and report failure. 

"Never saw anything like it in my life!" snorted Tom. "It's asthough we were all bewitched. Somebody's wished a jinx on us. Someghosts are putting up a job on us. "

"There was nothing ghostly about that bullet that knocked theflashlight out of my hand or those other bullets that came singingover our heads while we were hugging the ground, " said Frankgrimly. "If I don't get to the bottom of this, you can call me aChinaman. "

"It gets my goat to think of those Heinies chuckling to themselvesbecause they put one over on us, " gritted Billy between his teeth. 

"They laugh best who laugh last, " growled Bart. "They'll laugh onthe other side of their mouth when we lay hands on them. "

"If we ever do, " muttered pessimistic Tom. "But here comes ourrelief, " he continued, as the light of a lantern hanging on thearm of the foremost man revealed a group coming toward them. "Hightime, too! I got drenched to the skin while I was lying on theground in that alley. "

"Of course we'll have to report the whole thing to the corporal, shan't we?" inquired Bart. 

"I suppose we shall, " Frank acquiesced, though reluctantly. "Personally, I'd like to keep the whole thing up my sleeve untilwe've solved the mystery. But there's danger abroad to-night, andit wouldn't be fair to the boys who are going to take our placesnot to put them on their guard. "

The corporal of the guard now had come so close that the light ofhis lantern fell upon the group of Army Boys. 

"You fellows are all here, I see, " said the corporal, who was theboys' old friend, Wilson. "What was that shooting going on here?None of you hurt, I hope. "

"Dripping wet but right as a trivet, " Frank replied with a smile, and then went on to make his report of the occurrences of thenight while the corporal listened with close attention. 

"It's certainly strange, " he commented when Frank had finished. "It's one of many queer things that are happening lately. I'llreport the facts at headquarters and you may be called upon totell your story there. But now you are off duty, and you can lightout for the barracks. "

They were only too glad to avail themselves of the permission, andhurried off. 

"I've got an idea!" exclaimed Frank, as they scurried along beforethe gale. 

"Frank's got an idea, " chaffed Billy. "Hold on to it, old man, fordear life. " Frank made a playful pass at him which Billy ducked. 

"I've been figuring the thing out, " went on Frank, "and I've cometo the conclusion that those fellows wanted us to see them go intothat alley. "

There was an exclamation of surprise from his comrades. 

"Come again, " said Billy. "I don't get you. "

"Why should they want us to see them?" queried Bart. "They mighthave known that we'd go in after them. "

"Sure they did!" answered Frank. "That's just what they wanted. They figured that they'd get us all in there in a bunch. Theyguessed too that, not finding them, we'd flash a light. That wouldmake us a good target to their confederates who had come to themouth of the alley, and they thought they could mow us down withone volley. In other words the alley was a trap. "

"By ginger, I believe you're right!" exclaimed Bart "The shotscame just after the light was flashed. It was a slick trick. Youhave to hand it to them. "

"But that doesn't explain where the men disappeared to who wentinto the alley first, " remarked Billy. 

"No, " admitted Frank. "And it doesn't explain either where the menwho fired the shots vanished to. But there's an answer toeverything, and I'm going to try to find the answer to this. I'mnot going to drop it. Of course, I suppose the secret service menwill take the thing up, but I'm going to do a little investigatingon my own account. I have a hunch that when I take a look at thatalley by daylight, I'll tumble to something. "

And while the four chums, after their narrow escape, are cudgelingtheir brains to solve the mystery, it may be well for the sake ofthose who have not read the preceding volumes of this series totrace briefly their adventures before this story opens. 

Frank Sheldon, a vigorous, clean-cut, young fellow, was a residentof Camport, a thriving and prosperous town of about twenty-fivethousand people. His father had died a few years before the warbroke out, and Frank lived in a little cottage with his mother, ofwhom for some years he was the sole support. She was of Frenchbirth, and by the death of her father had recently come intopossession of a considerable estate in France. There had been somelegal complications regarding the settlement of the property, andshe had intended to go to France to look after her interests whenthe outbreak of the war made this impossible. 

Frank was employed in the wholesale hardware house of Moore andThomas, and his prospects for the future were very bright when theUnited States entered the World War. Frank was above everythingelse a hundred-per-cent American, and if he had consulted only hisown wishes would have enlisted at once. But his mother'sdependence upon him made him hesitate. An episode occurred, however, that decided him, when he was forced to knock down aburly German who had insulted the American flag. There was nofurther opposition by his mother, and he joined the Thirty-seventhRegiment, a Camport regiment with a glorious record in the CivilWar, and one which had recently seen service on the Mexicanborder. 

Billy Waldon, a close friend of Frank, was already a member, andBart Raymond, Frank's special chum and a fellow employee, joinedalso. Another friend, Tom Bradford, tried to join, but wasrejected on account of his teeth. He was afterward accepted in thedraft, however, so that the four chums, to their great joy, foundthemselves together in the same regiment. 

There was one man in the Moore and Thomas firm who was a bitterand malignant anti-American from the start. His name was NickRabig, and he was foreman of one of the departments. He was bornin America, but his parents were German. Rabig and Frank Sheldonwere at sword's points most of the time because of the former'sbullying disposition, and after Rabig had been caught in the draftand forced into the ranks of the old Thirty-seventh he got fromFrank the thorough thrashing which had been for a long time comingto him. 

What experiences the Army Boys went through in the training camps, how narrowly they escaped a submarine attack on the way to Europe, what exciting adventures they met with on their first contact withthe enemy, are described in the first volume of the seriesentitled: "Army Boys in France; Or, From Training Camp toTrenches. "

After they had once reached the scene of action the adventures ofthe Army Boys multiplied rapidly. Trench warfare was soonoutgrown, and open fighting in the field became the order of theday. At one time when the American troops were advancing, the boysbecame separated from their comrades and were compelled to leapfrom a broken bridge into a stream, and when they attempted toswim to the other side found themselves in the enemy's hands. Fora time a German prison camp with all its horrors loomed up beforethem, but from this they were saved by a friend of theirs, DickLever, who swooped down in his airplane, scattered the enemyguards, and carried his friends back in safety to their own lines. 

Frank had the good luck to hear encouraging news about hismother's property from a French colonel whose life he had savedunder a rain of fire when the officer, Colonel Pavet, was lyingwounded on the battlefield. 

Soon, from raw recruits the boys had been developed into skillfulsoldiers, as is shown in the second volume of the series, entitled: "Army Boys in the French Trenches; Or, Hand to HandFights with the Enemy. "

The Spring of 1918 had now arrived, and the Germans were preparingfor the last desperate drive, on the success of which theirfortunes depended. If they could once break through the Alliedlines and seize Paris or the Channel ports they would have comenear to winning the war, or at any rate, would have greatlydelayed the Allies' final victory. The Americans were brought tothe front to check the thrust of the Crown Prince's army towardParis, and the old Thirty-seventh found itself in the very van ofthe fighting. Tom was captured, and had a series of thrillingexperiences before he was able to escape and rejoin his comrades. Nick Rabig came out in his true colors, and his guilt as a traitorwas discovered by Tom, while hiding in the woods. How the boyswere brought again and again within arm's length of death in theterrific fighting is told in the third volume of the series, entitled: "Army Boys On the Firing Line; Or, Holding Back theGerman Drive. "

On July eighteenth, Marshal Foch struck like a thunderbolt andhurled the foe back in a headlong retreat. Again and again theGermans tried to rally, but the Allies were fired with thecertainty of victory and would not be denied. 

Frank and his comrades were wherever the fighting was thickest, and did their full share in driving the Germans back to the Rhine. An event which for a time put Frank under a cloud, because itlooked as though he were involved in the robbery of a paymaster'sclerk, ended in showing that Nick Rabig was the real culprit. Thiscompletely vindicated Frank, as will be seen in the fourth volumeof the series entitled: "Army Boys In the Big Drive; Or, SmashingForward to Victory. "

That victory was now in sight. The German cause was doomed. Onegreat victory remained to be gained, the clearing of the Argonneforest, wild, tangled, meshed with thousands of miles of barbedwire, crowded with machine gun nests and swept with a hurricane ofshot and shell. But nothing could stop America's boys now thattheir blood was up, and they did much in helping to win here thefinal and greatest battle of the war. All the Army Boys, fightinglike tigers, came through unharmed, except Bart, who was woundedand afterward wandered away from the hospital while temporarilyinsane. 

The armistice was signed and the Army Boys assigned to the Army ofOccupation with headquarters at Coblenz. At Luxemburg while on themarch they came across an American family who for business reasonshad lived for a time in Coblenz. How they took the head of thefamily for a German spy, how they marched as conquerors intoGermany, how Frank was cheered by learning that his mother'sproperty was sure to come to her, how Bart was found and restoredto his right mind, how by the aid of the suspected spy who turnedout to be a patriotic American they thwarted a desperate Germanplot to blow up the fortress of Ehrenbreitstein on the Rhine--allthese and other thrilling adventures are described in the fifthvolume of the series, entitled: "Army Boys Marching Into Germany;Or, Over the Rhine With the Stars and Stripes". 

Since the Army Boys had served as night patrol, they were exemptfrom getting up when reveille sounded the next morning, and thesun was some hours high when they found themselves together againin their favorite spot in front of the great fortress ofEhrenbreitstein, which formed the principal barracks for theAmerican troops in the occupied zone. 

"Well, Mister Detective, " said Billy, with a grin, as he slappedFrank on the back, "have you figured out any dope about thefellows who came so near to bumping us off last night?"

"Can't say that I have yet, " laughed Frank. "Fact is, I was sodog-tired when I hit the hay last night that I went to sleep theminute my head touched the pillow. And so far this morning I'vebeen so busy packing away grub that I haven't had time to think ofanything else. But if I can get leave I'm going over to Coblenztoday and take a look at that alley. "

"Here comes the corp, " remarked Bart, as he saw Wilsonapproaching. "I wonder whether he found out anything further aboutlast night's rumpus. "

"Nothing at all, " answered the corporal, who heard the last words. "Everything was quiet for the rest of the night. I stationed twoof the men close to the alley with special directions to watch it, but nothing at all happened that was out of the ordinary. "

"It's hardly likely that there would, " answered Frank. "Theywouldn't be likely to try the same game twice in the same night. "

"Perhaps they had some special grudge against one or all of youfellows, " suggested the corporal. "Have any of you made anyspecial enemies in the town that you know of?"

"I don't think so, " replied Frank. "How about it, boys?"

"Not guilty, " laughed Billy. 

"We've yanked in a few trouble makers from time to time, " said Tomthoughtfully, "but we weren't any rougher with them than we had tobe. "

"I'll tell you!" broke in Bart, as a thought struck him. "It wasour bunch that discovered the plot to blow up Ehrenbreitstein andgot the tip to our people just in time. Perhaps that's made someof these crazy Huns wild to throw the hooks into us. "

"By Jove!" exclaimed Frank, "I never thought of that. I shouldn'twonder if you were more than half right, Bart. "

"It may be so, " agreed Wilson meditatively. "They certainly weresore when that plot was knocked on the head. They had sworn thatno foreign flag should ever float over the greatest fortress inall Germany. "

"They swore falsely then, " cried Billy jubilantly, as he pointedto the Stars and Stripes floating in the breeze. 

Instinctively they took off their caps, as they gazed lovinglyupon Old Glory. 

CHAPTER III

CAUGHT IN A STORM

"Take a good look at that flag, boys, " said the corporal, with asmile, "for it may be some time before you see it again. "

"What do you mean?" asked Frank in surprise. 

Corporal Wilson smiled at the perplexed and somewhat rueful facesof the four Army Boys. 

"Just what I said, " he replied to Frank's query. "You fellows areslated to go over the mountain with a bunch of others to round upsome of the guns and supplies that the Heinies have promised tosurrender. They're slow about it, and have been making all kindsof excuses to keep from bringing them in. The general's patienceis just about exhausted, and he's going to get those guns or knowthe reason why. "

"Where is the place?" asked Frank. 

"I don't know exactly, " answered Wilson. "From the lieutenant whotold me to get the boys together for the job I only gathered thatit's a good way off. He told me to pick out men that I could relyon, and I thought of you at once. There'll be about fifty of youaltogether. You want to get ready to start in about two hours. "

He passed on to recruit the rest of the detachment, and the boyslooked at each other. Frank was thoughtful, Bart indifferent, butTom and Billy glum. 

"Hard luck, " growled Tom. 

"You said a mouthful!" snorted Billy. 

"Look at those boobs, " mocked Bart. "I'll bet a dollar to adoughnut that they were planning to go over to see Alice and Helenthis afternoon. "

 "'Gee whiz, I'm glad I'm free, No wedding bells for me. "

sang Frank. 

"Oh, come off!" retorted Tom. "You're simply jealous. "

"A perfectly good day gone to waste, " grumbled the usuallycheerful Billy. 

"Cheer up, you hunks of misery, " gibed Bart. "The worst is yet tocome. "

"I'm not specially keen for the trip myself, " said Frank. "I'dthought to go over to Coblenz this afternoon and have another lookat that place where they so nearly bumped us off last night. But Isuppose now that will have to wait. "

"The alley will be there when we come back unless there's anearthquake in the meantime, " remarked Bart. 

"I wish there would be, " declared Tom wrathfully. "I'd like to seethe whole place wiped off the map. That is, " he corrected himself, "if I could get one person out of there before the blow up came. "

"Make it two, " grinned Billy. "But there's no use grizzling aboutit. We'll have time anyway to write a letter to the girls tellingthem all about it. Then, ho! for the mountains and the trickyHuns! I'll be just in the humor to make it hot for them if theydon't toe the scratch. "

"We'd better get a move on, " counseled Frank. "The corp is ahustler, and he'll have that squad together before we know it. "

"Hello, what's this?" exclaimed Bart, as they came to a part ofthe barrack grounds where they caught a glimpse of the roadbeyond. 

Two men were engaged in a heated conversation. One was poorlydressed and had a decided limp, as he tried to keep up with theother, who looked like a professional man of some kind. The formerwas evidently pleading with the latter, who shook off impatientlythe hand that had been placed on his arm. 

"Scrapping about something, " remarked Tom carelessly. 

The lame man still persisted, and suddenly his companion swungaround and aimed a blow at him with his cane. The other dodged andthe cane was lifted again, but before it could fall, Frank hadreached the man's side and wrenched the cane from his hand. 

The owner turned with a glare of fury, which changed however to alook of apprehension as his eyes fell on the American uniform. 

He mumbled something that might have been an apology or anexplanation, but Frank cut him short. 

"Hitting a lame man doesn't go around here, " said Frank curtly. "If you had actually hit him, I'd have done the same thing toyou. "

The man was cowed and made no reply. The lame man meanwhile hadhobbled away. Frank handed back the cane, turned his back upon theowner and rejoined his companions. 

"True Prussian brutality, " commented Bart. "Good work, old boy. But now let's hurry or we'll be late. "

They scattered to their quarters, and in a short time were fullyequipped for the coming journey. 

When a little later they had assembled at the place the corporalhad appointed, they found there a group of their comrades selectedfrom the old Thirty-seventh bent on the same errand as themselves. Lieutenant Winter was in command of the detachment, which numberedabout half a hundred. 

"Mighty good name for the leader of this trip, " Bart whisperedjokingly to Frank, as they stood drawn up in line awaiting thecommand to start. 

"It certainly is, " agreed Frank, drawing his coat a little closer. "This is about as bitter weather as I've ever stacked up against. "

"Looks to me as if a snow storm were coming, " murmured Billy. 

"Attention!" came the sharp command. "Forward, march!"

The lines moved forward as one man, the lieutenant riding ahead onhorseback and two motor trucks loaded with supplies bringing upthe rear. 

The road led at first along the bank of the river and was fairlylevel. After two miles had been traversed the line of marchswerved sharply toward the right and the men began to climb. 

The weather was biting cold, and a stinging-wind whipped theircheeks and searched their clothing. But they were warmly clad andthe pace at which they marched kept them comfortable enough. Theirsturdy frames were inured to hardships, and they joked and laughedas they went along. 

Soon they had passed through the little suburban villages thathung on the flank of Coblenz, and the way was interspersed withfarmhouses at longer and longer intervals. The country becamewilder, and as the path wound upward, they soon found themselvesin the midst of mountains, on the other side of which lay the townfor which they were bound. 

The leafless branches of great trees waved creakily over theirheads as the wind whistled through them. There was no sign ofhuman life or habitation to, be seen. For all that appeared to thecontrary, they might have been in the depths of a primeval forest. 

"The jumping off place, " muttered Tom, as at the command of thelieutenant the detachment paused for a short rest. 

"The little end of nowhere, I'll tell the world, " returned Billy, gazing about him. "Gee, what a place to be lost in!"

There was only a brief time permitted for rest, as the lieutenantwas anxious to get his men over the ridge and at their destinationbefore the short winter afternoon came to an end. The men fell inand the march went on. 

The sky had now become a steely gray, and flakes of snow began tofall. They came down slowly at first and then more rapidly, andthe ground was soon covered. The wind too had increased inintensity, and the boys soon found themselves in what promised todevelop into a genuine blizzard. 

The road had dwindled now to a mere mountain path, and even thiswas soon obliterated by the snow that was becoming deeper everyminute. 

Suddenly Bart tripped over a root and fell full-length on thesnow. He tried to rise, but could not bear his weight upon hisfoot, which gave way under him. His comrades, who had laughed atfirst, sprang to help him. They drew him to one side, while Wilsoncame to see what the matter was. 

"It's nothing, " explained Bart, as he stood with an arm flung overthe shoulders of Tom and Billy, while Frank, on his knees, vigorously rubbed and manipulated his ankle. "I'll be all right ina minute. It was a boob stunt for me to do. "

"Nothing broken?" inquired Wilson anxiously. 

"No, " answered Frank, looking up but keeping on with his rubbing. "I can feel that the foot's all right. He's just strained it alittle, that's all. "

"Good, " said Wilson. "You fellows come on after us then as soon asyou can, " and he hurried back to his place. 

Two or three minutes more and Bart was able to walk, although helimped a trifle. They picked up their rifles and hurried aftertheir comrades. 

In the gathering dusk they did not notice that a trail divergedfrom the main one that they had been traveling, and they turnedinto this side trail, straining their eyes through the whirlingsnow to catch a glimpse of their comrades. 

They had gone on for about ten minutes, not talking in order tosave their breath, when Frank put into words the growinguneasiness of all of them. 

"Queer that we haven't caught up to them yet!" he exclaimed, peering ahead, although he could not see more than twenty pacesthrough the blinding snow. 

"We certainly are traveling a good deal faster than they were whenwe saw them last, " declared Bart. 

"They must have got hold of some seven-league boots, " grumbledTom. 

"Put on a little more speed, " advised Billy. "Make it snappy now, and we're bound to catch up with them. "

They quickened their pace, but without result. There were nofootprints to be seen, but that meant nothing, for the snowcovered up all tracks almost as soon as they were made. 

For twenty minutes more they hurried along as well as they couldthrough the snow that clogged and clung to their feet, and at lastthe truth forced itself upon their unwilling minds. 

"No use, fellows, " said Frank, as he stopped and the othersgathered around him. "There's no use kidding ourselves any longer. We might as well own up to it that we've taken the wrong trail. "

"Guess you're right, old man, " said Tom disconsolately. "It simplywouldn't be possible for us not to have caught up to them at therate we've been going. We're up against it for fair, and thequestion is, how we're going to get out of it. Getting snowboundin this wilderness doesn't make any hit with me. "

"There's only one thing to do, " said Frank decidedly, "and that isto right about face and try to find the place where we turnedoff. "

"Swell chance, " muttered Tom. "It's getting dark now by theminute, and it'll be as black as pitch in a little while. "

"I know it's a forlorn hope, " admitted Frank, "but it's the onlything to do just the same, and even forlorn hopes have a way ofwinning out sometimes. We can't stand here and be frozen to death. Perhaps we'll find some of the fellows sent back to look for us. Get a hustle on now. "

He set the pace, and they followed with a speed that under otherconditions they would not have thought possible. 

But fast as they went, the snow and the darkness came faster, anddespite all their efforts they were not able to find where thepaths diverged. Everywhere was one bleak wilderness of snow. Soonthey had all lost the path they were following and foundthemselves floundering through the woods among the tree trunks. There was no use in going further, for in the dense darkness theywere quite as likely to be going away from their comrades astoward them, and at last Frank called a halt. 

"The storm's got us, fellows, " he declared, with a forced laughthat had little mirth in it. 

"All my fault, " remarked Bart gloomily. "I guess I'm a Jonah, Ipicked out the wrong moment to take a tumble. Now we're in a finemess. "

"We've been in worse, " said Billy cheerily, "and pulled throughthem just the same. "

"That's the way to talk!" exclaimed Frank heartily, giving Billy aslap on the back. "We'll get out of this scrape as we have out ofa lot of others. At the worst, it's only a matter of having towait till daylight. We're worth a dozen dead men yet. At any ratewe've got grub with us, so that there's no danger of ourstarving. "

"How about freezing to death?" said Tom, who was always inclinedto see the dark side of things. 

"We won't do that either, " replied Frank. "That is, if we keepmoving, and that's what we've got to do. It may not get usanywhere, but at least it will keep the blood circulating. Thentoo, there's the odd chance of our stumbling upon some hut orother where we can find some kind of shelter. "

"Better let me go first, then, " put in Bart. "I'm good atstumbling. In fact it's my long suit. "

They all laughed and felt better. 

"We don't know where we're going, but we're on the way, " sang outBilly, as they began to trudge forward. 

They had plenty of rations with them, and they munched some foodas they went along. It was cold comfort, but it was comfort justthe same. 

"Oh, you hot coffee!" murmured Billy, and at the picture that heconjured up the others groaned. 

The snow was now knee deep and showed no signs of letting up, though the wind had abated somewhat in violence. 

They plodded on through the heavy drifts that clutched at theirtired legs like so many nightmare hands trying to hold them backto their destruction. They were young and hardy, but theirphysical strength was sorely tested by the battle with theelements. Their hearts were thumping as though they would burstthrough their ribs, and their breath came in gasps. 

Suddenly Frank's keen eyes caught sight of a dark mass that seemedto stand out even blacker than the darkness which was everywherearound them. He rubbed his eyes clear of the snow that clung tothe lashes and looked again. Then he gave a shout. 

"We've found it, boys!" he yelled. "There's a building of somekind just ahead of us. See it? See it?"

They looked and saw, and with a joyful shout make a break forshelter. 

CHAPTER IV

THE RUINED CASTLE

As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size. Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to coverfully an acre of ground. There were no fences to hinder theirapproach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonrythrough which they had to wind their way before they foundthemselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the topof a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it. 

"Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as theypaused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless. 

"I don't care what it is, " replied Bart. "It's shelter of somekind, and that's enough for me. "

"Wonder if there's any one living here, " remarked Billy Waldon, his eyes sweeping the great mass for some sign of life. "Even thebark of a dog would be welcome to-night. "

"Not a light anywhere, " commented Tom. "If there's anybody livinghere I guess they're dead. "

"There's not even a door to knock at, " said Frank Sheldon, lookinginto the yawning space of what had evidently been an entrance tothe tower. "I guess we'll have to go on a little exploringexpedition. Come along, fellows, and get out of the wind. Luckythat I have my flashlight along. "

They crowded in on their leader's heels, first, as a precaution, seeing that their weapons were ready, though there did not seem tobe the faintest chance of their being required. 

Frank drew his flashlight, and the streaming rays illuminated along passageway whose end they could not see. There were openspaces in the roof and walls through which the snow had drifted inspots, but there were other parts that were clear and dry, andthese were welcomed by the boys with immense relief after theirlong battle with the snow. 

At a turning of the corridor they came upon a large room that, although mildewed and dilapidated and wholly bereft of furniture, was intact as far as the walls and ceiling were concerned. Butwhat especially caught their eyes was a huge stone fireplace, andat once they decided to end their explorations for the presentright there. 

"Perhaps that hot coffee wasn't such a dream after all, " chuckledBilly. "We've got plenty of the stuff in our kits, and all we needis some hot water. "

"There's no end of broken branches about here, " said Frank. "Let'sget a pile of them in here, and we'll have a fire started in lessthan no time. "

Though Tom said that the wood would probably be too wet to burn, he turned in heartily with the others, and in a few minutes theyhad a bigger pile of wood ready than probably the old room hadever seen before. Then by careful nursing of some chips and twigsa blaze was started that soon developed into a roaring fire, before which the boys stood and dried out their wet clothes andtoasted themselves until they were in a glow. 

The coffee problem was now a simple one, as all they had to do wasto melt snow enough to furnish the hot water, and they used thecooking utensils that they had in their kits, for they had startedout that afternoon in full marching order. Savory odors soonannounced that the fragrant brew was ready, and they almostscalded their throats in the eagerness to partake of it. 

"Yum-yum!" murmured Tom after his second cup. "Nectar has nothingon this. "

"I'll say so, " agreed Billy, with a blissful expression on hisface. 

"We never knew how good it was until we thought we couldn't getit, " grinned Bart. 

"Maybe this isn't a contrast to things as they were an hour ago, eh, fellows?" laughed Frank. "Listen to the wind screaming roundthis building, mad because it can't get at us. "

"I wonder what the rest of the bunch are thinking about us justnow, " remarked Billy. 

"I suppose they're worried to death, because we didn't turn up, "replied Frank. "They've probably got squads out hunting for us atthis minute. They've probably guessed what happened when we failedto catch up with them. "

"Well, there isn't a chance in a thousand of their striking thisplace, " said Tom, yawning. "In the meantime, I'm all tired out andvote that we hit the hay. "

"There isn't any hay to hit, worse luck, " said Bart, looking abouthim ruefully. "It's the stone floor for us to-night, all right. But it's warm and dry, and we'll make out with our blankets. It'llbeat traveling around in the snow all night, any way. "

"Let's get some more wood so that we'll have enough to last allnight, " suggested Frank, and followed by the others he suited theaction to the word. 

"How about some of us standing watch?" remarked Bart, when thehuge pile of branches had been heaped within easy distance of thefire. 

"Don't see any need of it, " remarked Tom, rubbing his eyes. "We'reprobably miles away from any living thing and there's nothing towatch for except ghosts. There ought to be plenty of those aroundin a place so old as this. But who wants to watch for ghosts? I'drather be asleep than awake if any of those old codgers comeperambulating around. "

"Quit your kidding, " replied Frank with a laugh. "But I think weought to stand watch, turn and turn about. There's a bare chancethat some of the detachment may come this way, though I don'tthink it's likely. Then again we're really in an enemy's country, and it wouldn't be good soldiering for all of us to go to sleep. Besides, the fire has got to be kept up. "

They felt the force of this and agreed. 

"Let's see, " remarked Frank, as he consulted his radio watch, "Ifigure it will be about eight hours till daylight. That'll be twohours for each of us. "

"You fellows go to sleep, " broke in Bart, "and I'll stand watchall night. That's only right, for I'm the fellow who got you intothis fix. "

"Nonsense!" said Frank. "That doesn't go with this bunch. We'llshare and share alike, or else there's nothing doing. "

Bart still persisted, but the others overruled him and he had togive in. 

Frank drew a memorandum book from his pocket, tore out a page andmade four strips of different lengths. The one that drew theshortest was to stand the first watch and the others were to taketheir turn according to the length of their strips. Bart drew theshortest, and Billy, Tom, and Frank followed, the latter havingthe longest slip remaining in his hand. 

"If you go to sleep, Bart, you'll be shot at sunrise, " jokedBilly. 

"I'm all right then, " retorted Bart, "for I never get up thatearly. "

Frank, Billy, and Tom spread their blankets as near the fire aswas safe, and rolled themselves in them. The bed was hard, butthis bothered them little, and they were so tired that they wereasleep almost as soon as they stretched themselves out. 

Bart, too, was more exhausted than he ever remembered being in allhis life before, and from time to time he looked enviously at theforms of his sleeping comrades. The two hours that stretchedbefore him would be very long ones. 

At times he would pace slowly about the room, stopping now andthen to replenish the fire. His foot still hurt him a little, andhe frequently sat down in a corner to rest himself. He found, however, that this was dangerous, for an almost uncontrollabledrowsiness would steal over him, despite all his efforts to keepawake. The only way he could feel sure of staying awake was tokeep on his feet. 

An hour passed and half of another. 

He was counting the minutes now before he would be relieved, whensuddenly, as he was passing the entrance that opened on thecorridor, he heard a sound that startled him. 

He stood stock still, every trace of sleepiness gone in an instantand all his faculties keenly on the alert. But nothing happenedand he relaxed. 

"Pshaw!" he said to himself impatiently. "What's the matter withme? Am I letting what Tom said about ghosts get on my nerves?"

Then the sound came again, and this time Bart knew that he was notmistaken. 

CHAPTER V

CONSPIRATORS

What Bart heard was the sound of human voices. 

At first the thought flashed across him that they might be thoseof some of his comrades, sent back by Lieutenant Winter to lookfor the missing men. 

But he dismissed this thought almost as soon as it was formed. There was a peculiar quality about the tones that was notAmerican, a coarse guttural sound such as he had grown only toofamiliar with in the streets of Coblenz. Those who were talkingwere Germans. 

He listened intently. 

It was evident from the varying tones that there were quite anumber of men in the group. At times the conversation seemedanimated, and then again there would be a lull. Once he thought heheard them quarreling. 

What could these men be doing here in the dead of night? Was itpossible that some part of the castle was inhabited after all? Orhad they gathered together for some secret and lawless purpose?

Bart thought at first that he would wake his companions and tellthem what he had heard. On second thought, however, he concludedthat he would do a little reconnoitering on his own account. Theywere so utterly tired that he hated to wake them for what afterall might prove to be not worth while. 

Carefully looking to his weapons, he stole from the room and movedin the direction of the voices. 

But this was not so easy a matter as he thought. The old castleproved to be a perfect maze of rooms, some connected and othersdetached, and again and again he found himself going further awayfrom the sounds and having to retrace his steps. Then too he wasafraid to flash a light, and had to grope his way over the unevenfloor and amid piles of debris. 

At last, however, he found himself on the right track. A faint rayof light from a distant room gave him the clue. Moving with thestealth of an Indian on the trail, he crept forward until at theend of a distant corridor he found what he sought. 

In a large room, lighted by a fire that blazed on the hearth andby three or four candles, were a number of men engaged in animatedconversation. A glance at their features showed that all wereGermans. Some of the men were in civilian clothes, but others woreold, dilapidated army uniforms. 

They were a rough looking lot, and Bart saw at a glance that mostof them were armed. They were gathered about a man with a red, bushy beard, who seemed to be the leader. He had a map spread on atable improvised from boxes, and was pointing out places indicatedby red dots. 

Bart counted the men. There were nine burly fellows, who lookeddesperate and as though they could give a good account ofthemselves in rough and tumble work. In one of the guns standingagainst the wall Bart noted a red flag thrust in the muzzle--thesymbol of the German revolutionary element that was spreadingterror throughout the former empire. 

He could hear distinctly now what the speakers said, but hisknowledge of German was limited and he could not get the fullmeaning. He heard repeatedly however the words "Coblenz, ""Liebknecht, " and "Spartacide. " He knew what was meant by thosebaleful words. They meant the overthrow of law and order, aprogram of blood and massacre. And they were discussing thisprogram evidently with reference to Coblenz, where the AmericanArmy of Occupation had its headquarters. 

Bart pondered what he should do. It was out of the question forhim alone to attack these conspirators. They were too many for anysingle man. He must arouse his comrades at once. 

With the utmost caution he tiptoed back, and finding the room, notwithout some difficulty, bent over the sleepers. They were deadwith sleep and he had to shake them to get them wide awake, butthe news he whispered to them had them on edge and ready foraction in an instant. 

They crowded together for a whispered conference. 

"What would we better do?" asked Billy. 

"There's just one thing to do, " said Frank, "and that is to nabthe whole bunch. That is, " he went on, "if we find that they'rereally hatching mischief, as Bart thinks. I've picked up enoughGerman in the last few months to be able to understand whatthey're talking about, and on a pinch I could even talk with themafter we've got them under our guns. "

"But are you sure we have any right to arrest them?" asked Bart, alittle doubtfully. 

"Sure we have, " answered Frank promptly. "You said they werearmed, didn't you?"

"Yes, " replied Bart. 

"That's all the excuse we need then to nip this thing in the bud, "Frank answered. "It's against regulations for the Germans to carryarms in the zone occupied by the American army, and any one whodoes is liable to arrest on sight. See that your guns are allright, fellows, and come along. I have a hunch that we're going togive these plotters a surprise party. But we'll listen first andmake sure before we pinch them. "

Bart went in advance to show the way, and his comrades crept afterhim, drifting along like so many ghosts. 

The conference was still in progress, but it had somewhat changedits character. When Bart had been listening, it had been a debatein which all were taking more or less part. Now the man with thered beard was making a speech. He had taken the red flag from thegun muzzle and waved it from time to time to punctuate hisremarks. He had worked himself up into a passion as he progressed. His eyes were bulging, his face inflamed, as he poured out atorrent of words that evidently carried away his hearers, to judgefrom their rapt attention and the frequent ejaculations that burstfrom them. 

The Army Boys listened for several minutes, and then at a signfrom Frank drew back a little distance, while he spoke to them inwhispers. 

"It's what I thought, " he murmured. "That fellow is an agitatorfrom Berlin who has come to stir up trouble in the Coblenzdistrict. He's urging these men to start an uprising that willtake the American troops by surprise and wipe them out. Fromsomething he said I have an idea that he was concerned in the plotto blow up Ehrenbreitstein. He's as dangerous as a rattlesnake, and we've got to get him. 

"Now, " he went on, "just back me up when I give the word. They'renine to our four, but we have the advantage of surprise. Follow mylead and we'll bag them all right. "

CHAPTER VI

THE BAFFLED PLOTTERS

When the Army Boys got back to the room the orator was winding uphis speech. He finished with an eloquent peroration, and hishearers broke into applause as the last word left his lips. 

Frank leaped into the room with his rifle leveled directly at theleader. 

"Hands up!" he shouted. 

At the same instant, the rest of the Army Boys followed theirleader, their rifles sweeping the room. 

The effect of the sudden entrance of the Army Boys was electric. 

With a roar of rage and chagrin, the conspirators made as thoughthey would rush on the intruders. But the wicked looking muzzlesof the army rifles and the look of determination in the faces ofthe boys who held them produced a change. 

Slowly the hands went up until all were raised above their heads. 

"Hold them there now, " commanded Frank. "The first one who movesis a dead man. "

Most of them could not understand the words, but as they lookedinto Frank's eyes they had not the slightest doubt of his meaning, and they stood like so many statues, only their eyes and theworking of their features betraying the impotent anger thatpossessed them. 

"Now, Tom, " said Frank, without removing his eyes from those ofthe German leader, "go over these men and take whatever weaponsthey may have, while the rest of you keep the bunch covered. "

Tom laid aside his rifle and did the work with promptness andthoroughness, and his search was rewarded by a considerablecollection of knives and pistols. To these he added the riflesthat had been leaning against the wall, and removed the lot fromthe room. 

"They haven't anything left more dangerous than a toothpick, " hereported to Frank, with a grin, as he picked up his rifle andresumed his place. 

"Fine and dandy, " remarked Frank. 

"Now, " he went on, addressing the prisoners, "back up to that walland sit down on the floor. Quick now! _Sitzen Sie sich. Verstehen Sie?"_

They understood, and showed that they did by obeying, though iflooks could kill Frank would have been blasted by the venomousglance that the German leader shot at him. 

Only then did Frank permit himself to relax. He lowered his riflewith a sense of relief. 

"We've got them corralled now, " he remarked to his comrades. "Letyour rifles down, boys, but keep your eyes on them. If any one ofthem tries to make a break, we can pot him before he gets to hisfeet. "

"Well, now that we've got them what are we going to do with them?"asked Billy. 

"Sort of white elephant on our hands it seems to me, " said Tom, insome perplexity. 

"No more sleep for any of us to-night, I guess, " observed Bart. 

"Oh, I don't know, " said Frank. "Two of us will be enough to guardthese fellows at a time, while the others get a few winks. I thinkI'll question the fellow who seems to be running this shootingmatch and see if I can get anything out of him. "

He motioned to the leader to get to his feet and come forward, which the latter did with a thunderous frown on his face. 

Frank had a faint hope that the man would be able to speakEnglish, in which case his task would be comparatively easy. Butwhen he asked the captive in German whether he could speakEnglish, the latter replied with a surly negative. 

So Frank was compelled to muster his limited vocabulary and pickout enough German to make himself understood. In that language, then, the questioning proceeded. 

"What were you men doing here?" asked Frank. 

"By what authority do you ask me?" the prisoner responded. "Sincewhen has it been a crime for Germans to meet together on Germansoil?"

"That depends on the purpose of the meeting, " answered Frank. "Youmay be on German soil, but just now you are under American laws, and they don't allow such meetings unless permission is receivedin advance. Besides, Germans are forbidden to have arms. How aboutthose weapons we've just taken away from you?"

"If there are any laws like that they ought to be broken, " repliedthe prisoner impudently. 

"Don't get gay with me now, " said Frank, with an ominous glitterin his eyes. "We taught your armies a lesson not long ago, andyou'll find that we can teach you civilians just as easily. "

"Our armies were not beaten, " the man answered with a sudden flareof rage. "They could have fought for years if it had not been forthe hunger at home. "

"They gave a pretty good imitation of beaten armies then, " saidFrank sarcastically, "and I had an idea that the Americans hadsomething to do with the beating. But that's neither here northere. What were you planning to do at Coblenz?"

"Nothing, " growled the prisoner. 

"That doesn't go with me, " replied Frank. "I happened to hear someof that speech of yours and Coblenz was sprinkled through itrather thickly. Suppose you hand over to me that map with the reddots marked on it. "

"I have no map, " the man replied, a look of apprehension cominginto his eyes. 

"Lying again, are you?" said Frank. "Bart, cover this fellow withyour rifle while Billy goes through his pockets. "

The prisoner's fist clenched, but a prod of Bart's rifle made himthink better of it, and Billy drew from one of the inside pocketsof the man's coat the identical map over which the group had beenporing when Bart first came upon the scene. 

"That'll do, " said Frank. "Go back to the wall and sit down. Yourcase will be attended to by the American authorities at Coblenz. "

The German, with a muttered imprecation, did as he was told, andwhile Bart kept his eye on the group of prisoners, Frank and theother Army Boys looked over the map. 

They had been so long in Coblenz that they knew the town from endto end, and could readily identify the places that on the map weresplashed with red. They included all the places occupied asheadquarters by staffs of the various brigades and divisions ofthe American Army, as well as the American hospital and otherbuildings devoted to army uses. 

"What do the red marks mean, do you think?" asked Billy, withlively curiosity. 

"Blood or bombs or something of that kind, I suppose, " repliedFrank. "Taking this with what I gathered from the fellow's speech, I think it marks places that are to be blown up. It looks like ageneral uprising against American rule. I think that Armyheadquarters will find this little sheet of paper an interestingthing to study. And it wouldn't surprise me very much if ourgenial friend over there should find himself before long standingbefore a firing squad. "

"What is this place here?" asked Tom, putting his finger on one ofthe red spots. 

"I don't know of any government building there, " commented Billy. Frank took another look. 

"Why, fellows, " he said with quickening interest, "that's wherethe alley is that we were so nearly trapped in the other night. Don't you recognize it?"

"Sure enough, " agreed Billy. "But what is there that they wouldwant to blow up?"

"Maybe some of these red spots are meant to indicate meetingplaces of the conspirators, " suggested Frank. "See, there's alittle red cross added here that you don't find in connection withthe army and government buildings. But it's queer that that alleyshould turn up again. I wish I knew what it meant. "

"Well, we'll have to let the Secret Service ferret that out, " saidBilly. "They have fellows there to whom this will be as clear ascrystal after they've studied it a little. In the meantime we'vegot a big enough job on our hands to take care of these prisoners. What are we going to do with them?"

"We've got time to think that over between now and daylight, "answered Frank. "For the present we'll make them lie down flat andfar enough apart so that they can't talk with each other. Then youand I will stand the first watch and Bart and Tom the next. Assoon as daylight comes we must be on the move. "

The plan was carried out, although Bart and Tom declared that theyhad lost all desire for sleep and would keep awake with theothers. Frank, however, wanted to have them in good shape whenmorning came, and the plan was carried out. As a matter of fact, Bart and Tom were fast asleep in five minutes, and Frank and Billyyielded as readily when their turn came. 

With the first streak of dawn, the boys were on their feet. 

"Doped it out yet?" Bart asked of Frank. 

"Pretty well, " his chum answered. "I've figured out that we'd dobetter to try to find our detachment than to go back with thesefellows to Coblenz. In the first place, it must be nearer, andthen, too, we have the chance of meeting some of the detachmentwho have probably been sent out to look for us. The sun will giveus the general direction and we'll probably hit the camp beforelong. "

"Perhaps some of the prisoners could give us the direction, "suggested Bart. 

"I suppose most any of them could, " answered Frank. "Some of them, no doubt, are natives of this section, though that big red beardcomes from Berlin. But do you think I'd trust any of them? Not onyour life! They'd only lead us into a trap. "

"I guess you're right, " agreed Bart. 

"How about breakfast for these Huns?" asked Tom. 

"We'll have to rustle some grub for them, of course, " answeredFrank. "Haven't they got any food with them?"

"A few hunks of bread and cheese, " answered Tom, "but not nearlyenough to go around. We'll have to give them some of our rations, I suppose, though we made quite a hole in them last night andthere isn't very much left. "

"Well, we'll divide up with them as long as we have any, " saidFrank, "though I know mighty well they wouldn't do it with us ifthe case were reversed. "

"You bet they wouldn't, " answered Tom, "I've been a prisoner intheir hands, and I know what I'm talking about. "

They made coffee and distributed food, giving to their prisonersas much as they ate themselves. Then Frank lined up the prisonersand directed them to go ahead in the general direction he pointedout, warning them sternly that he would not hesitate to shoot atthe least sign of resistance or any attempt to escape. 

The storm had ceased, although a bitter wind was still blowing andheaping the snow in drifts. Still this had some advantages, forwhile it piled the snow deep in places it swept other spots almostclean and they made fairly rapid progress. The prisoners marchedsulkily but steadily, with a wholesome respect for the riflesbehind them and the men who held them. 

They had been marching for perhaps an hour through the bleakforest, when Bart gave a sudden exclamation. 

"See those black dots on the snow?" he said, pointing ahead and alittle to the right. "They're moving and they're coming this way!I'll bet it's some of our fellows sent out to find us. "

Frank looked hard and long, and as he looked his face grew grave. He did not seem to share his comrade's jubilation. 

"Guess again, Bart, " he said. 

"Why?" asked Bart. 

"Because, " replied Frank, "those fellows are wearing Germanuniforms. They're probably a lot of disbanded soldiers on theirway home. I rather think, boys, that we're in for a fight. "

CHAPTER VII

A CLOSE CALL

There was a stir among the Army Boys as they crowded around theirleader. 

"Are you sure, Frank?" asked Billy. 

"Positive, " answered Frank. "I can tell by their uniform and bytheir walk. I could even make out that some of them were wearingthe uniform of the Jaeger regiments. They fought against us in theArgonne, and you'll remember that they're pretty tough birds. Ifit comes to a scrap we'll have our work cut out for us. "

"But why should there be any scrap?" questioned Tom. "Germans arearrested every day in Coblenz and no one tries to rescue them. "

"That's different, " replied Frank. "The people know there thatwe've got powerful forces right at hand that could crush anyattempt at rescue. But that doesn't count much out in thewilderness. If these fellows have an officer with them, he'llprobably have sense enough to know that it doesn't pay to buck upagainst the United States army. But if they're just travelingalong without organization, they feel so sore at us that they maybe willing to take a chance and mix in. "

"How many do you make them out to be?" asked Billy. 

"About fifteen, I should judge, " was the answer. 

"What are you going to do?" asked Bart. 

"Keep right ahead in the direction we are going. The boldest wayis usually the best. If they saw us do any pussyfooting, they'dthink we were scared, and they'd come after us anyway. "

 The two parties were not traveling in such a line that they wouldnecessarily meet each other. Under ordinary conditions they wouldhave passed at a distance of perhaps six hundred feet. But as theother party approached, Frank could see that one of their numberwas observing him and his comrades through a pair of fieldglasses. There was a hurried consultation, and then the newcomersswerved from their line of march and came directly toward the ArmyBoys. 

"Just what I expected, " muttered Frank, as his eyes darted fromplace to place over the snowy landscape to find a favorableposition from a military point of view. 

A hundred feet away was a slight rise of ground from which grew aclump of gigantic oak trees. They were so close together thattheir roots seemed to intermingle. On the near side of the littlehill the vagaries of the wind had swept the snow into a sort ofcave formation, leaving a space in the center hollowed out withgreat banks of snow on both sides. 

Straight into this cave-like space Frank marched his group ofprisoners who were walking with their hands upraised, but restingon their heads so as to ease their arms. 

"You stand here, Billy, with your gun leveled, and if any one ofthese fellows makes a break drop him in his tracks, " Frankdirected, "You, Bart and Tom, come with me, and we'll go ahead andhave a parley with this gang, and see what their intentions are. "

The newcomers had now approached within a distance of a hundredyards. The boys looked in vain for any one wearing an officer'suniform, but there was no one who seemed to be in command. Thecrowd advanced in straggling formation, some of their facesexhibiting merely curiosity, while those of others were ugly anddetermined. There were perhaps half a dozen rifles among the lot, but the boys could see army revolvers at the belts of half a dozenmore. A few had nothing but heavy sticks. The clothing of all wasworn and travel stained, but all were of military cut and pattern, indicating that the wearers had belonged to the German army. TheArmy Boys went boldly toward them, and their confident bearingseemed to impress the Germans, who hesitated in their advance andcrowded close together as though in consultation. 

The boys kept going until they were within thirty feet, and thenFrank handed his rifle to Billy and went forward with empty handsto show that his intentions were peaceable. 

"We're American soldiers, as you can see by our uniforms, " he saidin a clear voice, in which there was no trace of wavering. "We areon our way to camp. We saw you turn from your line of march andcome our way as though you wanted to speak to us. What do youwant?"

Frank had spoken in German and they all understood him, but therewas no answer ready, although the men's eyes glowered as theyrested on his uniform and there were muttered exclamations. 

"Is there any one of you that speaks English?" Frank asked, afterwaiting a moment. 

Again a whispered consultation, and one of their number was pushedforward by the others. 

"Do you speak English?" Frank asked. 

"Yes, " replied the man roughly. "I lived for five years in youraccursed America. "

The tone and words were offensively insolent, but Frank took nonotice of them. 

"Then perhaps you can tell me what you and your comrades want withus, " he said. 

"We want those prisoners you have with you, " the man replied. 

"What prisoners?" parried Frank. 

"Don't try to fool us, " the man answered angrily. "We saw thosemen walking with their hands on their heads, and we know they areGermans. We want them, and we're going to have them. "

"How are you going to get them?" Frank asked quietly. 

"How are we going to get them?" sneered the man. "Why, by takingthem, if we have to. There are only four of you, as we saw throughour glasses, and we're four to one. You wouldn't be fools enoughto fight against such odds. If you give them up peaceably we won'thurt you. But if you don't, we'll wipe you out. "

"Now listen, " said Frank sternly. "We've arrested these menbecause they were plotting against the United States. We've setout to take them into camp, and we're going to do it. Thisdistrict is under American rule and America has a long arm. Youmay wipe us out, but the American Government will reach out thatarm and get you, no matter where you try to hide. I warn you to goon your way and let us pass. "

"It's fight then, is it?" snarled the German. 

He turned to his companions. 

"Comrades!" he roared. 

But he got no further. 

Like lightning, Frank's left hand shot out and gripped the man bythe collar. With his right, he yanked his automatic pistol fromhis belt and clapped it against the man's temple. 

"One move and I'll blow your brains out, " he snapped. 

The man, after his first instinct of revolt, stood like a statue. That cold muzzle against his head was a compelling argument. 

There was a wild commotion among the Germans, and rifles wereraised, but as Frank had whirled his prisoner between him and themthey did not dare to fire, but stood raging but irresolute. 

Walking backward with his prisoner, the pistol still pressed tohis head, Frank rejoined Bart and Tom, whose rifles were leveledat the crowd. Step by step the boys retreated, until they stoodwith Billy in the shelter of the oaks. Frank then delivered hisprisoner to Billy, who made him lie down in the snow cave with theothers. 

"Good work, old man!" said Tom admiringly, as he clapped Frank onthe shoulder. 

"I'll tell the world so, " agreed Bart enthusiastically. 

"Gee, but my heart was in my mouth while I watched you, " saidBilly. 

"Have any trouble with the prisoners while I was gone?" askedFrank. 

"Not much, " grinned Billy. "Redbeard tried to get up, but I handedhim a clip on the jaw and he sat down again. "

"Drop!" shouted Bart suddenly. "Those fellows are getting ready tofire. "

They threw themselves flat on the snow, and a moment later somebullets zipped over them. 

"Looks as though they meant business, " muttered Frank. 

"Lucky that they haven't all got rifles, " remarked Billy. 

"Seems like the old Argonne days come again, only on a smallerscale, " remarked Tom. "Shall we let them have a taste of lead, Frank? My finger's fairly itching to pull the trigger. "

"Hold in a while, Tom, " counseled Frank. "They have done that tovent their spite. We're safe enough behind these oaks, and wehaven't any too much ammunition. If they show any signs of makinga rush, we'll let them have a volley. "

"That's just what they're going to do, " remarked Bart. "They knowthey're four to one and they're going to take a chance. "

"Five to one, really, " answered Frank, "for Billy will have hishands full in guarding the prisoners. "

Another volley came at that minute, and several bullets embeddedthemselves in the oaks. At the same moment, the Germans rushedforward a few yards, taking shelter behind what trees they couldor throwing themselves behind hillocks of snow. 

"They're in earnest, " remarked Tom. 

"All right, " said Frank, and his fingers tightened on his rifle. "Let them rush us. They'll get all that's coming to them. "

CHAPTER VIII

JUST IN TIME

"Those fellows are old campaigners, " commented Bart. "You can tellthat by the tactics they're using. It's the old system they triedat the Marne and in the Argonne, making a rush for a few yards, throwing themselves flat, and then repeating the process untilthey got near enough to rush us. "

"A pretty good system, too, " commented Tom, "but it didn't winthen and it isn't going to win now. Just watch me wing one or twoof these Huns and put a crimp into their tactics. "

His chance came even while he was speaking, for one of the Germansthrust his rifle out from behind a tree and fired. At the sameinstant, Tom's rifle cracked, and the bullet ploughed its waythrough the man's right shoulder. He fell with a groan and rolledout from behind his shelter on to the snow. He was an easy mark ashe lay there, but Tom refrained from firing again. The man was outof the fight and as good as dead as far as any further offensivewas concerned. Besides, it was no part of the American idea of warto kill a wounded foe, although it was a matter of record that ithad frequently been done by the Germans. 

"Good shooting, old man, " commented Frank. "You haven't got out ofthe way of potting them. "

"One less to cause us trouble, " remarked Billy. "Gee, if I didn'thave these prisoners to watch! I'm getting cross-eyed, trying tokeep one eye on them and the other on these fellows that aretrying to rush us. "

"Keep both eyes on the prisoners, " directed Frank, "especially onthat red-beard person. He's bad medicine. We'll handle thesefellows. Ah, you will, will you?"

The last exclamation was prompted by one of the Germans who triedat that moment to glide from a small tree behind which he wassheltered to a larger one that seemed to promise betterprotection. He moved swiftly, but Frank's bullet was swifter, andthe man went down with a bullet in his thigh. 

"Talk about sniping, " grinned Bart. "Those fellows will wake upafter a while to the fact that they've tackled a hornet's nest. Even a thick German head can take in an idea sometimes. "

"Especially if it's pushed in by a bullet, " added Tom. 

Just then a volley came from the besiegers, and a rain of bulletsburied themselves in the trees behind which the boys werecrouching. 

Bart gave a sharp exclamation. 

"Are you hurt, Bart?" asked Frank anxiously. 

"Not much, I guess, " replied Bart, putting his hand to hisshoulder where the cloth had been torn away. "Just ridged theflesh. It doesn't amount to anything. "

There was a little blood issuing from the shoulder, but Frank wasrelieved on examination to find that the bullet had just grazedthe flesh, breaking the skin but doing no serious damage. He put alittle ointment and lint on it and held the bandage firm with abit of adhesive plaster, though Bart declared that it was notworth bothering about. 

"Here they come!" cried Tom. 

The besiegers had gathered themselves for a rush, and now theycame in a body toward the trees, firing as they ran. 

The rifles of the Army Boys spoke, and two of their assailantswent down. The rest faltered for a moment, and in that momentanother of their number fell. 

This seemed to dash the spirit of the attackers. They hadevidently counted upon the retreat of the defenders when they sawthree times their number bearing down upon them. They faltered, then broke and ran, not this time to the nearest shelters, butstraight back to the place from which they had first started. Theaccurate shooting had given them a wholesome respect for theiropponents, and their only thought was to get out of the range ofthose deadly rifles. 

The boys might have shot more of them as they ran, but that wasnot in Frank's plan. All he wanted was to get them out of his pathso that he could get his prisoners to camp, and he wanted to do itwith as little bloodshed as possible. 

"Guess they've got enough of our game, " remarked Tom, as hereloaded his rifle. 

"Shouldn't wonder, " replied Bart. "We called their bluff. Theythought we'd have a case of nerves when we saw them come rushingtowards us. But we've seen those fellows' backs too often to beafraid of their faces. "

The Germans continued their retreat until they had gotten to areasonably safe distance, and then they gathered together andseemed to be consulting as to their next move. 

Frank watched them keenly. Suddenly he saw a commotion in theirranks, and looking in the direction to which their faces hadturned, he saw a body of men larger than the first coming over thesnow. 

"Another bunch of disbanded soldiers, " he muttered anxiously, ashe saw that the newcomers were Germans and had now quickened theirsteps in answer to the shouts and gestures of their firstassailants. "Now we're up against it for fair. "

"We didn't figure on tackling the whole German army, " growled Tom. 

"Our ammunition is getting low, too, " remarked Bart, ruefully, ashe looked at his cartridge belt. "We'll have to make every shottell from now on. "

"If the bullets give out, we'll light into them with our bayonetsand gun butts, " gritted Frank between his teeth. "We've started toget these prisoners to camp, and we'll get them there or dietrying. "

"I know what the Germans would do if they were in our place, "remarked Tom. "They'd stand the prisoners in front of them, sothat the other fellows would have to kill their own comradesbefore they could get at them. "

"I know they would, " agreed Frank. "They did that in Belgium evenwith women and little children. But we're human beings, and wedon't do that sort of thing. "

By this time the two bodies of men had joined, and Frank estimatedthat altogether they numbered more than forty. 

"Ten to one, " he remarked when he had finished counting, "and mostof those new arrivals have guns. "

"We're in for another rush, " said Bart, "and this time they won'tcave in as easily as they did before. The Germans are pluckyenough when they fight in numbers. "

The Army Boys looked carefully to their rifles and loosened theirknives in their sheaths. Then by a common impulse they shook handsall around. Nothing was said, but each knew what was in the heartsof the others. They felt that they were in for a fight to thedeath, and with the heavy odds against them it looked as thoughnone of them would come out alive. 

But the expected rush did not come. 

"Can't be that they've given it up, do you think?" asked Tom, after five minutes had passed. 

"Nothing like that, " replied Frank. "They're holding a big pow-wowabout something. "

As he spoke, a figure detached itself from the crowd and cametowards them, waving a white handkerchief attached to a stick. 

"The white flag!" exclaimed Frank. "They're going to invite us tosurrender. "

"You know what Whittlesey told them in the Argonne when they triedthe same thing on the lost battalion, " remarked Bart. 

"We'll tell them the same thing, only a little more politely, "Frank assured him with a grin. 

The man approached until he was about fifty feet distant, and thenstood there, waving the flag and by gestures inviting thedefenders to come out and meet him. 

"You're elected, Frank, " laughed Billy. "Go out and let Heiniespiel his little spiel. "

Frank laid aside his rifle and stepped from behind his tree. Hewalked directly toward the messenger, who lowered the makeshiftflag and stood waiting. 

"What is it that you want?" Frank asked in German, when he hadcome within speaking distance. 

"We want you to surrender, " replied the man in excellent English. 

"And if we don't?" continued Frank, in his native tongue. 

"Then you'll be committing suicide, " answered the other promptly. 

"I'm not so sure of that, " replied Frank. "I suppose you'd havesaid that before you made your last rush. But as you see, we'renot dead yet. "

"That was different, " replied the messenger. "You can see now thatwe have double the number we had before and more than double theguns. You can't possibly hold out against us. "

"Maybe not, " replied Frank, "but at any rate we're going to try. If you want us, you'll have to come and take us, and even thenyou'll only get our dead bodies, for we won't be taken alive. "

He spoke with a decision that seemed to disconcert the man whostood for a moment irresolute. 

"Is that your last word?" he asked. 

"I have only one word, " replied Frank. "You heard me. Go back andtell your comrades to come on as soon as they like. They'll findus ready for them. But I warn you now as I warned you before thatour Government will get you--every last one of you. You may killus, but you'll swing for it. "

He turned to go back to his friends, but the messenger still stoodthere. 

"Well, " said Frank, turning around, "why don't you go? Gotanything more to say?"

"Only this, " returned the messenger. "My comrades will not insiston your surrender. But we must have the prisoners. If you givethem up, you may go where you will. "

"So you had that little joker in reserve, did you?" asked Frankgrimly. "Well, my answer is just the same. We've got thoseprisoners, and we're going to keep them. We started to take theminto camp, and we're going to take them there. If you get them atall, you'll get them after we're dead. "

There was no mistaking the determination in his tones, and therewas a look of unwilling admiration in the eyes of the messenger ashe turned to depart. 

"You are foolish, " he said, "but you have had your chance. You andyour companions are doomed. "

"That may be, " replied Frank, "but if we are, we'll take a lot ofyou along with us. "

They separated and returned to their respective camps. 

"Get ready now, boys, for the fight of your lives, " Frankadmonished his comrades, after he had told them of what had passedbetween him and the flag bearer. 

"Let them come, " said Bart. "We're good for a lot of them if ourbullets hold out. "

"And when they're gone, we've got our bayonets, " put in Tom. 

"And our knives may do some damage, " added Billy, as his handrested on the haft of his. 

With every faculty alert and their eyes fixed upon their enemies, the Army Boys waited for the expected rush. 

"What are they waiting for?" muttered Tom peevishly. "Are theygetting cold feet? Or are they waiting for another gang of hoboesto join them before they care to tackle us?"

"It isn't that, " Frank answered. "They may be planning newtactics. Their others didn't work very well. "

"I believe they're going away, " cried Billy, as he saw the crowddispersing. 

"Guess again, " returned Frank. "They're doing what I've beenafraid all along they'd try to do. They're spreading out so as tosurround us on all sides. They didn't have men enough to do thatat first, but they've got them now. "

A few minutes more and they saw that Frank was right. The men weredescribing a wide circle, with the evident intention of attackingthe Army Boys from all sides at once. 

"That means that they'll drive us out into the open, " said Frank. "We can't be on both sides of a tree at once. Half of them atleast can take pot shots at us without our having any shelter. "

"It's good dope from their point of view, " remarked Tom. "We'dbetter start in to discourage it right away. They think they'reout of range, but I'm going to try to prove to them that they'remistaken. "

His eye ran along his rifle barrel, and after taking unusuallycareful aim he fired. One of the Germans threw up his hands andfell. 

"A long shot, but I got him, " remarked Tom with satisfaction. 

"Some shot, " said Bart approvingly. 

The immediate result was a widening of the circle as the otherstried to get back further out of range. But the circle keptforming just the same, and in a quarter of an hour it wascompleted. 

 Then it began contracting, the foe taking advantage of every hilland every tree to get nearer. Occasionally they would send oversome scattering shots, but in the main they held their fire untilthey should get into closer quarters. 

The Army Boys in the meantime had been working feverishly. Thetrees were no longer to be relied on, with enemies at the back aswell as at the front. So they dug furiously into the snow, untilthey had heaped it high enough all around them to form a circulartrench. 

When they had finished, the top of the trench was on a level withtheir eyes, so that their bodies were sheltered. But they had tolift their heads above it as often as they sighted and fired theirrifles, and they risked getting a bullet every time they did it. 

By now the enemy was creeping closer, and there was a constantzipping of bullets around and over their heads. The boysthemselves were forced to husband their fire, because of theirscarcity of ammunition, and they wasted no bullets in merelyreturning the enemy's fire. They watched their opportunities, andwherever an arm or a head showed itself, it became a target fortheir rifles. Sometimes they missed, but oftener they found theirmark, and they knew that they had put at least five of theirenemies out of the fighting. But the odds were still enormous, andwith every moment the Germans were drawing closer. Soon they wouldbe near enough for a concerted rush from all sides at once. 

"It's coming soon now, fellows, " Frank warned his comrades, "andwhen it comes we want to jump out to meet it. We don't want to becaught in this trench like rats in a trap. When I give the word, let them have all you've got in your guns, and then we'll lay intothem with our knives and bayonets. "

Several minutes passed and the enemy's fire died down. Soon itceased entirely and an ominous silence replaced the singing of thebullets. 

"Have they run out of ammunition, do you think?" Bart asked ofFrank. 

"No such luck, " was the answer. "They're getting ready for a rush. On your toes now, and listen for the word. "

One, two, three minutes passed. And then came the rush. 

But it was not the rush that the boys had looked for!

Out from the trees with a wild cheer came tearing a squad of theold Thirty-seventh, with Wilson at their head, and fell like anavalanche on the foe!

The Germans were taken completely by surprise. In theirconcentration on their expected prey they had failed to note thefoe approaching from the rear. There were a few scattered shots, and then the Germans scattered and ran like so many hares in alldirections. 

CHAPTER IX

THE COLONEL'S WARNING

The Army Boys for the first instant were almost paralyzed withsurprise. In their hearts they had bidden good-bye to the world, for they knew how slight their chances were against the odds thatmenaced them. 

Frank was the first to grasp the situation, and he jumped from thetrench with a wild hurrah. 

"It's the old Thirty-seventh!" he yelled. "Our own boys! Comealong, fellows!"

With a whoop Bart and Tom joined him, Billy remaining to guard hisprisoners, and they plunged at once into the task of hunting downthe fugitives. A few escaped through the wood, but the greatmajority of them were rounded up and placed in charge of Billy andseveral aids. Aid was given to the wounded, and litters were madefor them which the prisoners were compelled to carry. There weretwo killed, and these were buried where they lay. 

It was only after these necessary things had been attended to thatthe boys were able to get their breath and find time forexplanations with Wilson, who was delighted beyond measure to findthat apart from the trifling ridge in Bart's shoulder they wereall safe and sound. 

He listened with the utmost interest and attention while theyunfolded the story of their adventures. 

"It is a mighty fine piece of work you boys have done, " heremarked, after he had fully grasped the situation, "They'll beglad at headquarters to have these conspirators under their thumb, for they've been hearing all sorts of queer things about ructionsthat are being planned in the occupied zone. So Raymond's stumblemay prove to have been a good thing after all. "

"Perhaps it was, " admitted Bart with a grin, "though I've beencalling myself all sorts of a boob ever since the thing happened. "

"It sure has kept things from being monotonous, " chuckled Billy. "I've had a lot of things happen to me in my young life, but Ican't just now recall anything much more exciting than has takenplace since we lost you last night in the snow. "

"The lieutenant was all wrought up about it, " said the corporal. "He had searching parties out for you all last night. Right afterbreakfast this morning he routed us out again and told us we'dhear from him if we came back without you. "

"Well, you've got us, all right, and a nice little bunch ofprisoners in addition to prove that we haven't been loafing on thejob, " laughed Frank. "But how did you come to find us?"

"It was the sound of shooting that brought us here on the doublequick, " replied Wilson. "We took just one look at that circlecreeping up on you and we tumbled to the situation at once. "

"You came just in the nick of time, " said Bart soberly. "If you'dbeen five minutes later you wouldn't have found much except ourdead bodies. "

"And the old Thirty-seventh would have lost four of its best men, "replied the corporal warmly. "But we'd better get a move on nowand hustle back to camp. "

He lined up his men, and after appointing guards for the disarmedand sullen prisoners, took up the march. 

A little over an hour later the band trooped into the villagewhere Lieutenant Winter's detachment was stationed. News of theircoming had been carried on ahead, and they received a royalwelcome from the men, who crowded about them and grasped theirhands and pounded their backs as they made their way toheadquarters. 

There the reception was more than cordial, and there was heartfeltrelief in the clean cut face of the lieutenant as he had the ArmyBoys tell their story. 

"Fine work, " he commented, when they had finished. "You men are acredit to the regiment and the army. I'll see that this is broughtto the notice of the general in command. You can go now, that is, all but Sheldon. I'll need one of you here to check up on thestories of the prisoners. "

The others saluted and retired, and while the prisoners were sentfor the lieutenant looked over the map with great interest, askingFrank many questions about the speech he had heard in connectionwith it. 

The man with the red beard simply admitted that his name wasSpatler, and then shut up like an oyster. No persuasion or threatscould bring anything out of him, and he was finally sent back tothe guardhouse to be eventually dealt with by the authorities atCoblenz. The mark of Billy's punch was still evident in hisswollen jaw, and he shot a baleful glance at Frank as he passed byhim on the way out. 

Other prisoners were questioned without result, until the Germanwas reached whom Frank had arrested at the point of his pistol. All his insolence and braggadocio had vanished. He was evidently apoltroon at heart, for he showed every evidence of being willingto betray his comrades and tell all that he knew on condition thathis own lot would be made easier. 

"This is getting interesting, " smiled the lieutenant as he sawthat the man was beginning to weaken. "I guess I'll excuse younow, Sheldon, for he'll probably talk more freely with me alone. And as he talks English I shan't need an interpreter. "

Frank saluted and went out, glad to rejoin his comrades, whom hefound regaling themselves with hot coffee and steaming "chow"which the company cook had put before them, a pleasure in whichFrank himself promptly took part, while their comrades crowdedaround them eager to hear every detail of their experiences of thenight before. 

They had scarcely finished before Frank was summoned toheadquarters by a messenger. He went, expecting that something hadcome up in connection with the prisoners, but was agreeablysurprised to find his old friend, Colonel Pavet, waiting for him. 

The meeting was especially cordial on both sides. Colonel Pavethad not forgotten how Frank had brought him in wounded from thebattlefield under a hail of enemy fire, and Frank on his part hada profound gratitude to the colonel for his efforts to secure forMrs. Sheldon her rights in her father's property. 

"So you are still at it, " smiled the colonel, after greetings hadbeen exchanged. 

"What do you mean?" asked Frank. 

"Modest as usual, " said the colonel. "I've been hearing all aboutthe little war you've been carrying on on your own account. It wasa gallant piece of work, and I congratulate you. "

"Oh, that was nothing, " replied Frank. "It was a job that came ourway and we had to do it. But how comes it that I see you in thisout of the way place?" he continued, in order to change theconversation. 

"I have been to Berlin on a military commission for the Allies, "replied the colonel, "and I am now on my way to Coblenz, fromwhich city I will go to our own bridgehead at Mayence. "

"So you got to Berlin, did you?" asked Frank with interest. "It'sthe place I've been wanting to get to ever since I've been in thewar. But I wanted to go in with a conquering army with buglesblowing and drums beating and flags flying and plant the flags ofthe Allies on the Kaiser's palace. "

"I have shared that ambition, " replied the colonel, "and there'snothing in the world that could have kept us from doing it, if theGermans hadn't signed the armistice just when they did. But, forthat matter, we may have to do it yet. "

"Do you think so?" asked Frank with quickened interest. 

"I shouldn't be surprised, " was the reply. "Things are in aterrible condition there. The Soldiers' and Workmen's Councils aretrying to take possession of the Government. There were streetriots every day that I was there. The police station was capturedby the rioters and scores of detectives and policemen weremurdered by the mob. The buildings are riddled with bullets andcannon balls. Berlin is getting some of the punishment that is duefor her guilt in starting the war. "

"I suppose that fellow Liebknecht is at the head of all this, "remarked Frank. 

"He was, but he isn't any longer, " replied Colonel Pavet. 

"What do you mean?" asked Frank. "Has he been arrested?"

"He's been killed, " was the answer. 

"How did that happen?"

"He was shot while attempting to escape from the officers who weretaking him to prison, " said the colonel. "At least, that was theexplanation given. More than likely that was only a pretext. Buthe is dead anyway, and so is that she-tigress, Rosa Luxemburg, whowas his partner in stirring up the mobs. They sowed the wind ofriot and massacre and now they have reaped the whirlwind. "

"Well, now that they are killed I suppose things will quiet downsomewhat, " remarked Frank. 

The colonel shook his head. 

"I don't know, " he said dubiously. "The mobs will probably try toobtain revenge for the killing of their leaders. Things look veryblack, not only in Berlin but in every part of the country. Business is paralyzed, millions are on strike, the food situationis bad, and the whole nation is mad with the bitterness ofdefeat. "

"How about their signing the treaty?" asked Frank. "Do you thinkthey will do it?"

"They say they won't, " replied the colonel. "They are calling itall kinds of names, 'the graveside of right', 'the Peace ofviolence', 'the shackles of slaves' and all that kind of rot. Theyswear they will never sign it. But then you have to take that talkfor what it is worth. The Germans are the greatest bluffers andthe quickest quitters in the world. There is what you Americanscall the 'yellow streak' all through the nation. They said theywouldn't sign the armistice, but they signed it. They said they'dnever let us enter their territory, but we're here. Now they'resaying they'll never sign the Peace Treaty, but they'll probablydo it when it comes to the pinch. Outside they're tigers, butinside they're sheep. "

"Well, " said Frank, "I almost wish they wouldn't. I'd rather havethe treaty signed at Berlin than at Versailles. "

"Eager for more fighting with the Huns?" asked the colonel, withan amused smile. 

"Not that exactly, " returned Frank. "But when I start a job I liketo finish it and finish it right. "

"Well, " said the colonel, "you may have all the fighting you wantright here in the Coblenz bridgehead. I heard rumors when I was inBerlin that a movement was on foot to stir up trouble in the zoneof American occupation. Agitators were to be sent there by theSpartacans to try to overthrow the local government and take thereins of power. I heard that proposed myself at a street meetingof rioters that I witnessed from the windows of my hotel. A manwith a red beard was declaiming at the top of his lungs andpredicting that if the people of Coblenz would rise under the redflag they could sweep the hated Americans back from the Rhine. "

"A man with a red beard, did you say?" asked Frank. 

"Why, yes, " answered the colonel, a little amused by hisearnestness. "Not that there's anything extraordinary about that, I should suppose. There are probably thousands of men with redbeards in Berlin. Why do you ask?"

"Because, " said Frank, "the man whom we captured in the ruinedcastle last night and whom the lieutenant has been examining alsohas a red beard. He is an agitator of the worst type, and I knowfrom what he said in his speech that he comes from Berlin. It maybe only a coincidence, but if so it's a singular one. "

"I shouldn't wonder if you were right, " said the colonel. "What isthe man's name?"

"Spatler, I think, " replied Frank. "Heinrich Spatler. At any ratethat's the name he gave to the lieutenant. "

"Spatler, " repeated the colonel, wrinkling his brows. "It seems tome that I saw that name on one of the banners carried by therioters at the meeting. It may be that you are right. If he's thesame man, he's a fanatic of the most dangerous kind and will stopat nothing. I hope that now your people have him under lock andkey you'll keep him there. But I must go now, as I want to reachMayence to-night if possible. I'm very glad to have had this fewminutes' chat with you. By the way, when have you heard fromMadame Sheldon? I hope that she is well. "

"I had a letter from her a week ago, " replied Frank. "She is inexcellent health and full of gratitude to you for your efforts inrecovering her property. As soon as I am released from the Army ofOccupation she plans to meet me in Paris and go with me toAuvergne. There she will have a chance to meet you and express herthanks in person. "

"I shall be charmed, " replied the colonel. "I should like nothingbetter than to have her settle in France permanently as a residentof our beautiful Auvergne, but I suppose that is too much to hopefor. You have America in your blood. "

"Yes, " laughed Frank. "France is beautiful and great, but Americais to me above all. "

"I should think less of you if it were not so, " answered ColonelPavet. "_Au revoir, _ then. Remember me to Madame Sheldon whenyou write. "

With a cordial handshake they parted. The colonel vaulted into thesaddle of his horse which an orderly was holding at the door, andFrank returned to his comrades, who he found busily preparing toreturn to Coblenz, in accordance with an order that had just comefrom the lieutenant. 

"Why we've just got here!" objected Frank, when he heard the news. "And now we're going back!"

"It's this way, " explained Tom. "The lieutenant is anxious to getthose prisoners off his hands and safe in jail at Coblenz. Itseems that he pumped a lot of information out of one of thefellows who gave away his comrades, and he wants headquarters togo into the matter at once. We've been chosen among others toguard the prisoners because we took them and we may be wanted aswitnesses. So back we go, and I'm glad of it. "

"Same here, " echoed Billy. 

Bart and Frank looked at each other and laughed. 

"'Alice, where art thou?'" quoted Bart. 

"We know why you fellows want to get back to Coblenz in such ahurry, " joked Frank. "Gee, it must be awful to have such ahankering. I will admit, however, that Alice and Helen are prettygirls. Bless you, my children, bless you. "

"Quit your kidding and get busy, " admonished Billy. "We start inhalf an hour. "

"We'll be ready, " replied Frank. "Watch our smoke. "

At the appointed hour all was ready and the company set off withtheir prisoners under guard. There was a strong detachment asescort, and in addition to the men's rifles, a couple of machineguns were taken along, as the lieutenant was taking no chances. Hehad learned enough from the perusal of the papers and thetestimony of the informer to believe that serious trouble wasbrewing, and he was anxious above all that the prisoners should besafely delivered at Coblenz. 

It was a beautiful winter day. The air, though cold, was still, and the sun was shining brightly. The boys were in high spiritsand joked and laughed as they trudged along. The prisoners alonewere sullen and depressed. The man with the red beard was the onlyone that maintained an air of defiant. 

Suddenly, the roar of an aeroplane made itself heard, and, lookingup, the boys descried it sailing above them like a gigantic birdand moving in the same direction in which they were traveling. They saw at a glance that it was an American plane. 

"No more need to duck for shelter when we see those things, "laughed Billy. 

"No bombs coming down to smash us into bits, " exulted Bart. 

"No, " said Frank, "all German planes are on the ground. They can'tlook for Red Cross signs and hospitals any more. "

"This fellow's swooping down!" exclaimed Tom, with heightenedinterest. "Maybe he's caught sight of us fellows and wants to geta closer look. "

CHAPTER X

FROM THE SKY

"More likely it's engine trouble of some kind, " suggested Frank, gazing at the swooping airplane. "My, but he's a nifty driver! Seehow he handles that machine!"

"Dick Lever himself couldn't do better, " remarked Bart, as hewatched the graceful curves described by the aviator in hisdescent. 

"Good old Dick!" observed Billy. "I wonder where he is now. "

The aviator was evidently aiming for a large open space a littleto the right and in advance of the moving column. Soon he hadreached it and landed as lightly as a feather. 

"Wouldn't have broken a pane of glass if it had come down on it, "observed Tom admiringly. "That fellow knows his business. "

The aviator climbed out of his machine and came over toward thecolumn, which had just received the order for the ten minutesrest, which, according to regulations, came at the end of everyhour of marching. 

He was encased in heavy clothing and his face was almost concealedby the fur-rimmed visor that he wore. 

"Something about that fellow that looks familiar, " remarked Billy. 

"By the great horn spoon!" ejaculated Frank, "it's Dick Leverhimself. "

"That's what, " smiled the newcomer, as the boys surrounded himand, with a yell, fell upon him. 

There was no mistaking the warmth of the greeting, and Dick smiledwith gratification as he extricated himself from their grasp andtried to shake hands with them all at once. 

"What good wind blew you this way?" queried Frank. 

"A mighty cold wind, as you fellows would admit if you were upthere, " laughed Dick. 

"You look pretty well fixed for it, " commented Billy, as he tookin Dick's voluminous trappings. "A polar bear has nothing on you. "

"I need every bit of it, " answered Dick. "But where are youfellows bound for, and what are you doing with these birds?" hecontinued, glancing at the motley group of prisoners. 

"We're taking them into Coblenz to let our people give them theonce over and the third degree, " explained Frank. "They've beentrying to stir up trouble in the American zone. Cunning littlebunch, isn't it?"

"I'm glad you've got your claws on them, " Dick remarked, lookingat the group with cold disfavor. "There's a whole lot more likethem that ought to be rounded up. I tell you our people have beentoo easy with this breed of cattle and they're going to be sorryfor it. We're so afraid of being harsh that we go to the otherextreme. We stand up so straight that we fall over backward. TheGermans don't understand anything but force, and unless we exertit they think we're afraid to. "

"Think we're too easy?" asked Bart. "You bet we are!" repliedDick. "We ought to treat them as the French do at Mayence and theBritish at Cologne. They know the people they're dealing with, andwhile they're just, they're stern. Anyone who tries to putanything over on them finds that he's monkeying with a buzz saw. Unless we wake up from our easy good-nature, we'll find ourselveswith a lot of trouble on our hands. "

"You seem to be rather worked up about it, " remarked Billy. 

"Not a bit more than I ought to be, " returned Dick earnestly. "Ihave chances of seeing things that you fellows don't. I'm flyingall over the occupied zone, and I tell you that the Spartacidesare trying to stir up trouble everywhere. In almost every othertown you can see the red flag flying. There's stormy weathercoming, and we've got to be prepared for gales. "

"That just fits in with what Colonel Pavet of the French Army wastelling me to-day, " said Frank. "He's just back from Berlin, andhe's sure there's trouble afoot. "

"Well, " said Dick, "I hope that we're both false prophets, but I'mafraid we're not. I'll have to get on now, fellows. "

"What did you come down for?" asked Tom. "Engine trouble?"

"No, it wasn't that, " replied Dick. "The old girl is working fine. I just saw an American bunch marching along here and dropped downto say 'howdy. ' I'm off now. See you soon in Coblenz. "

With a wave of his hand, he walked over, climbed into his machine, and started skyward. 

The boys watched him soaring until his machine was only a dot inthe steel blue of the winter sky, and then, as their brief restperiod had ended, started on the march to Coblenz. 

"One great boy, that Dick, " remarked Frank, when the aviator wasfinally lost to sight. 

"You bet he is, " agreed Billy emphatically. "He's one of thegreatest aces that ever climbed into a plane. "

"I suppose he must be feeling rather lonely now that he isn'tbringing down his daily Hun, " suggested Tom. 

"He's all wool and a yard wide, " affirmed Bart. "I'll never forgetthat if it hadn't been for him I might never have got back to youfellows. "

"Do you remember the time he swooped down with his machine gunspopping and carried us off when we were being taken to a Germanprison camp?" asked Frank. "I tell you it took nerve for a fellowto charge a whole detachment. "

"Oh, he's got nerve enough for a whole regiment, " declared Billy. "He'd be a mighty handy fellow to have at your back in any kind ofscrap, and don't you forget it. "

In a short time they reached the town without further adventureand delivered their prisoners into the hands of the authorities. They were off duty then and had no further assignment for the restof the afternoon and evening. The early winter dusk was settlingdown, but it was yet a full hour before it would be entirely dark. 

"What are you going to do with yourself, Bart?" asked Frank. "Iknow of course what Tom and Billy are going to do. They're goingto make tracks for the house where their deities reside. "

"Good guess, " admitted Billy. "You bet we are. "

"I haven't anything special on hand, " replied Bart in answer toFrank's question. 

"Come along with me then, " said his chum. 

"Anywhere you say, what's the game?"

"I'm going straight for the alley where they nearly got our numberthe other night. That thing's on my mind all the time. It hauntsme even in my sleep. I'm going to get to the bottom of thatmystery or know the reason why. "

"All right. I'm with you. "

By the time they had reached the alley it was almost entirelydark. Choosing a moment when the street was empty, they slippedinto the alley and made their way toward the further end. 

They felt the walls on either side as they went along forindications of a door or opening of any kind. They did the samewith the blank wall that closed the alley at the other end. Nothing rewarded their search. The wall at the farther end was fartoo high to scale. It seemed impossible for anything except withwings to vanish from the alley as completely as had theirassailants on that memorable night when they had so nearly losttheir lives. 

"It beats me, " said Bart at length. "We saw them go in and wefollowed them up and they weren't there. Sounds like black magic, doesn't it?"

"It surely does, " agreed Frank, in great perplexity. "They didn'tgo through the back, they couldn't go through the sides, theycouldn't go into the air, but they did go somewhere. "

"Down into the ground, " suggested Bart jokingly. "That seems theonly place left. "

Frank started. 

"There's many a true word spoken in jest, " he said. "Perhapsyou've hit it, Bart. That's one place we haven't examined. "

"Small chance to examine that just now, " said Bart. "You can seeit's all covered with a glare of ice. There isn't a bit of groundshowing. "

They walked over the ice-covered surface with scarcely a hopeunder present conditions of making any discoveries, even if therewere any to make. They had to depend entirely upon the sense oftouch, for it was by this time pitch dark and Frank did not careto flash his light for fear they might be observed by passers-by. 

They had come perhaps to within twenty feet of the rear wall, whenFrank gave a sudden exclamation. 

CHAPTER XI

MARSHAL FOCH AND GENERAL PERSHING

"What is it, Frank?" asked Bart Raymond in a low voice. 

"My foot sank in, " explained Frank. "It's softer here for somereason than in the rest of the alley. Just wait a minute till Ican feel around here and see what I can make of it. "

He felt about cautiously with his feet and found that the ice hadsoftened for a space of about four feet and that the space wasalmost perfectly square. 

"There's some reason why this spot should be different from therest, " he said, after having verified his discovery. "It's allopen to the weather, like every other part of the alley, andthere's only one explanation. There's heat coming up from beneath. That means that there must be an open space beneath this spot. Iwish I dared use my flashlight. "

"Wait a minute, " said Bart. "I'll slip out to the mouth of thealley and see if the coast is clear. If it is, I'll give a lowwhistle and then you flash your light and see what it shows you. "

He left his companion, and a moment after Frank heard the signalagreed upon. 

Instantly he flashed his light on the rectangular space that hadcaught his attention. 

The ice had melted there to such an extent that only a thin glazecovered the surface. Through this transparent covering FrankSheldon caught sight of what seemed to be the outline of a doorcovered with gravel that only partially concealed it. He thoughthe saw something too that faintly resembled an iron ring. 

"A trap door!" he muttered under his breath, jubilant in thethought that he had perhaps fallen upon a clue to the mystery thathad so long perplexed him. 

He took out his knife and began to dig down toward the ring, whena low whistle from the opening to the alley warned him to be onthe alert. Instantly the light was extinguished and the nextmoment Bart was at his side. 

"Better let up, Frank, " he whispered. "There's a big commotiondown the street and a crowd is beginning to gather. I think it's afire. "

As he spoke, a fire engine clanged down the street and anincreasingly red light made itself apparent in the sky. 

"Too bad, " grumbled Frank, as he put his flashlight back into hispocket "I think I was just on the verge of finding out somethingthat would put us on the track of those fellows who seemed tovanish into thin air. "

"Hard luck, " murmured Bart, sympathetically, "but well have togive it up for the present. "

Frank hesitated, but the increasing glare that made the alleyvisible and the sound of footsteps of people hurrying to the fireshowed him that his friend was right, and he reluctantly desisted. 

"To-morrow's a new day, " said Bart consolingly, as the comradesstole out of the alley and mingled with the groups of passers-by. 

"If Tom and Billy can tear themselves away from the girls, we'llbring them with us the first chance we get and try to clear up thewhole mystery, " observed Frank. 

But this proved more difficult than they expected, and many dayswere to pass before their discovery could be followed up. Therewas a sudden tightening of the military regulations, which theboys attributed in part at least to the revelations that hadfollowed the examination of their prisoners. A rigorous system ofdrill and training was put in force and the Army Boys' hours ofliberty were greatly curtailed in consequence. They were kept moreclosely to their barracks, and their visits to the town except inthe line of duty became few and far between. 

The day following Frank's discovery that company of the oldThirty-seventh to which the boys belonged was sent on a long hikein full marching equipment, and when they returned after severalhours they were, as Tom expressed it, "dog-tired. " Nor were theypleased to find that in the interval their quarters had beenchanged and they had been assigned to another part of thebarracks. 

It was with sighs of relief that they eased their heavy packs fromtheir shoulders and dropped them thumping to the floor. 

"Gosh!" exclaimed Billy, "I don't mind carrying a pack that weighssixty pounds or even eighty; but after a time this pack of minegets to weigh about two tons, and that seems just a little bit toomuch. "

"You told a whole bookful that time, " said Tom ruefully. "It issurprising how those packs keep getting heavier all the time. Another half mile, and I think the straps would have been throughmy shoulders altogether. "

"Well, there's no use worrying about what might have happened, "laughed Frank, "seeing that we've arrived safe and sound. Whilewe're in barracks we'll be able to get three square meals a day, and that appeals to me more, even, than getting rid of the oldpack. "

Frank had hardly finished speaking when an officer approached andcalled: "Attention!" Then followed roll call, and the boys, together with a number of their comrades, were assigned to abarracks next but one to that in which they had stopped. This, ofcourse, necessitated shouldering the heavy packs once more, but bythis time the boys had come to expect things like this, so took itall as a matter of course, and soon found themselves in thequarters that were to be theirs until the order came once more tomarch. 

The barracks was furnished with rows of army cots, and the boysdropped their packs at the heads of those assigned to them. Thenbegan the task of unpacking, and by the time that was completed itwas almost time for mess. 

"It's lucky we got our mess kits out before mess call blew, "commented Tom. "It would be an awful thing to get caught withoutthem around meal time. "

"Not much danger of that, " said Billy, with a mischievous twinklein his eye. "We've been in the army quite some time now, Tom, andyet I can't call to mind a single time when you weren't Johnny onthe spot when the bugle blew for eats. "

"Say, don't you two fellows go to starting an argument along thoselines, " interrupted Bart. "When it comes to being chow hounds, Ithink we're all tarred with the same brush. None of us has evergot a call from the mess sergeant for not being on time. "

"Well, perhaps you're right, " admitted Tom laughingly. "And whenyou get right down to it, the whole of this man's army seems to beabout the same way, so that leaves nothing for us to argue about. "

Mess kits in hand, they all trooped down to the kitchen and tooktheir places on the line that already was of sizable length. Theywound slowly past the cooks, and in course of time the fourfriends were served and fell to on a savory plate of substantialfood. 

For a short time conversation ceased, the boys giving their whole-hearted attention to the entertainment that Uncle Sam hadprovided. The food disappeared with astonishing rapidity, and whenthe last of it was gone Billy exclaimed:

"Fellows, we can kick all we want to over army life, but I neverhad such an appetite in civilian life, and never felt half as goodas I do right this minute. "

"All right, then, since you like it, " grinned Frank, "to-morrowI'll let you carry my pack as well as your own, and then you'llfeel just twice as good as you do now. "

"No, thanks, " declined Billy. "I don't want to feel any betterthan I do now. If I felt any better, I'd go to the medical officerto find out what was wrong with me. "

"If you ate much more, you'd have a quartermaster officer comingaround to find out what was the matter with you, " countered Tom. 

"The trouble with you is, that you don't understand my motives, "complained Billy. "Personally, I dislike food, and, if I had myway, would make a canary bird look like a heavy eater. But I feelthat it's my duty to eat a lot so that I can keep up my strengthand continue to be a terror to all Germans. Uncle Sam expects thisof me, and I refuse to disappoint him. "

"Oh, well, if that's your motive, it's all right, " said Tom, withmock gravity. "But seeing you in action, it looked to me as thoughyou really enjoyed your grub. I hope you'll excuse my mistake. "

"Oh, that's all right, please don't mention it, " said Billy, witha magnanimous wave of his hand. "I've known others to make thesame mistake, but, believe me or not, they don't always accept mystatements as you do, when I explain the true state of affairs tothem. "

"Some people are hard to convince, I suppose, " replied Tom, "but Iguess I'm one of the easy ones. "

"It's easier for both of you to talk than to wash mess gearapparently, " said Frank, "What do you say to canning some of thatbrilliant repartee so that we can get these things out of the wayand have time for a little something else before taps blow?"

"Suits me, " acquiesced Billy. "But it surely does make me feel badto have people think I really like to eat, and I can't seem torest easy until I set them right. But now, let's get these thingscleaned up in a little less than no time. "

It did not take long for the boys to get their mess kits cleanedand out of the way, and then they found themselves with a coupleof hours to spend exactly as they pleased. 

"Might as well wander over toward the canteen and see what'sdoing, " suggested Frank, and as none of the others had anythingbetter to propose, they acted accordingly. 

At the canteen all was life, bustle and activity, one line alwaysgoing in to purchase tobacco, candy, and such other littlecomforts as were on sale, and another coming out in possession ofthese valued commodities. It was hard to realize that all thesemen were tried and seasoned fighters, ready to "go and get the Hunat the drop of a hat. "

"What's doing in the way of a camp entertainment to-night?" askedFrank of one burly doughboy, who was contentedly munching a hugepiece of cake. 

"I understand there's going to be a movie show, " replied thelatter. "They generally have pretty good reels too, so I'd adviseyou not to miss it. "

"Much obliged, " said Frank. "Guess we might as well take it in, fellows, what do you say?" turning to his companions. 

"Sure thing, " they assented, and accordingly made their way to abrightly lighted tent, toward which many others were going. Theyarrived there only a short time before the show was to start, andhaving secured good seats, settled down to enjoy it. 

The scene of the picture was in the West, when it was still "wildand woolly, " and depicted many encounters between settlers andIndians. These fights were the subject of much criticism by theexpert audience, who did not hesitate to shout words of advice atcritical situations. 

"Gosh!" growled one doughboy, in deep disgust, "just one machinegun would have cleaned up that bunch of redskins in less time thanit takes a Hun to say _'kamerad'_"

"Yes, or a few good hand grenades would have done their businessfor them, too, " said another. "It's too bad the old timers didn'thave a few of those modern playthings along. It would have madethings a whole lot easier for them. "

"What would have been the matter with a few tankfuls of poisongas?" suggested Bart. "Seems to me that would have made them curlup and quit pretty quick. "

There were other suggestions of the same nature, and when thepicture finally came to a close there was a general impressionthat such warfare was mild indeed compared to that of the presentday. 

"I don't know how you fellows feel, " remarked Frank, as they filedout of the tent and started for their barracks, "but I feel tiredenough to crawl into my little two by four and get a real night'ssleep. "

"I'm with you, " declared Tom. "I felt all right before, but thatpicture seems to have made me tired, because now it's all I can doto stay awake. "

"I guess it must have been the picture all right, " said Billy, "because certainly it isn't because of overwork. "

"Well, I didn't claim it was from overwork, did I?" replied Tom. "I enlisted in the Army to fight Germans, not to work. All I'vehad to do is march twenty or thirty miles a day with a sixty poundpack on my back, but outside of that I must admit that I didn't domuch work, except dig trenches, do sentry duty, and kill a fewHuns as a sideline. It certainly is one grand picnic for me, Idon't mind admitting. "

"Yes, and to make you like it all the more, " said Billy, "I hearthat there's going to be big doings to-morrow--a review, plenty ofmarching and maneuvering to give the soldiers a good time, and itis expected a pleasant day will be had by all. "

"You might know something like that would happen just when wethink we're laid up for a nice rest, " grumbled Tom. "But maybe itwill rain, and then the whole thing will have to be called off. "

But Tom's hope was a vain one, for the next day broke clear anddelightful, with never a suggestion of rain in the heavens. Reveille blew at its accustomed unearthly time, according to thesoldiers' standpoint, and the boys could soon tell that somethingwas "in the wind" by the air of suppressed excitement on everyhand. 

"Guess you were right, Billy, " said Tom, who had not as yet fullyrecovered from his grouch of the previous evening. "I thought whenthe armistice was signed that we would be all through with thissort of thing, but I suppose I should have known better. "

"We're not through with it yet, and what's more, we won't bethrough with it for some time to come, " said Frank. "Remember, thepeace treaty isn't signed yet, and in Berlin they say they're notgoing to sign it. And it's just a case of where we can't let upuntil they do. "

"As far as I'm concerned, I wish they wouldn't sign it, " saidBart. "We stopped fighting too soon, anyway. We should have kepton until we'd carried the war on to German territory. It would dome good to see their cities get a dose of the same medicine theyhanded out to French and Belgian towns. "

"There's a lot of people feel the same way, " agreed Frank. "Butbefore we get through with them I think they'll realize thatthey've got the loser's end of the proposition. "

Just as Frank ceased speaking the bugle blew general assembly, andthe boys hastened to fall into ranks. The officers paced up anddown the lines, straightening them out and inspecting clothing andequipment as they went along. Then their captain appeared on thescene and proceeded to make them a short address. 

"Men, " he said, "the regiment is going to be inspected by GeneralPershing to-day, and I hardly need to tell every one of you to beright up on his toes. I know you can pass a perfect inspection, and it's up to every man to be a credit to the regiment. "

After the captain had left the officer next in charge supplementedhis word. 

"You are going to be dismissed now, and will have a chance to getthoroughly cleaned up and ready for inspection, " he said. "Any manthat isn't in first class shape by the time assembly blows againis going to find himself out of luck. Dismissed!"

Everybody saluted, and the Army Boys joined in the rush back tothe barracks. The next hour was a busy one, in which razors, combsand brushes were applied vigorously, and the man with a completeshoe cleaning outfit found himself suddenly popular. The scene inthe crowded washrooms resembled pandemonium let loose, but in anincredibly short time first one man and then another emerged spicand span, and by the time the bugle blew again there were only afew stragglers who were caught unprepared. These last threwthemselves desperately into their uniforms, and two minutes afterthe bugle sounded every man was standing in his appointed place. 

Then followed the preliminary inspection, after which the command"at ease" was given. Everybody shifted to a more comfortableposition, and prepared for the long delay that they knew wouldprobably ensue. 

"Wonder how long it will be before the general arrives, "speculated Frank. "It's only about half past nine now, and I don'tbelieve he'll get here anything like that early. "

"He'll probably have lunch first, " predicted Tom, gloomily. "They've just got us out here now with the idea that standing willmake us grow. "

"Aw, snap out of it, " laughed Billy. "I knew a man once that diedfrom an in growing grouch, and likely enough the same thing willhappen to you. "

"It's just like an in growing toenail, only worse, " chuckled Bart. 

"Can't help it, " said Tom. "This sort of thing is enough to giveany one a grouch. Chances are that General Pershing has forgottenall about us, and we'll have to stand here until we starve todeath. "

"Well, you haven't got to worry about that just yet, " said Bart, "because you haven't much more than gotten through your breakfast. Why--"

But he was interrupted by the short blast on the bugle thatsignified "attention, " and everybody straightened like a flash. Abig gray automobile pulled up in front of headquarters, and fromit descended the general, accompanied by officers of his staff. Punctilious salutes were exchanged, and then the general, accompanied by some of his officers and also those of theregiment, passed slowly between the long files of straight-backedsoldiers. His searching glance seemed to take in everything atonce, but so thoroughly had every one prepared that even hisexacting eye could find nothing to take exception to. It was atime of suspense for all the soldiers, as they knew that the leastdetail of dress or equipment lacking or misplaced meant a visit tothe guardhouse. But the inspection passed off perfectly, as far asthe men were concerned, and soon the inspecting party turned itsattention to the barracks. The men were still held in ranks atattention, however, as nobody knew what the next step in the day'sevents would be. 

Not long after the inspecting party had disappeared into thebarracks they reappeared and made their way to regimentalheadquarters. Here they formed in a group, and, as far as the boyscould judge, appeared to be awaiting the arrival of some person orpersons, as they kept glancing down the road over which thegeneral's car had come only a short time before. 

"They must be expecting some other big bugs, " speculated Billy ina whisper, keeping at the same time a wary eye on the nearestofficer. "Looks as though this were going to be a red letter dayaround these diggings. "

Sure enough, Billy had hardly enunciated the words when anotherbig military car appeared, dashing up to headquarters at highspeed and stopping with a jerk. Great was the curiosity as to whomthe last comer might be, and greater still the surprise when thesoldiers recognized the well known features of the commander-in-chief of all the Allied armies, Marshal Foch himself!

To the boys the reason for the great marshal's presence here wasobscure, but, as usual, his movements were dictated by verysufficient reasons. He was preparing the future movements of theAllied armies in the event of Germany's refusal to sign the peacetreaty. Where a civilian might have said: "Oh, of course they'llsign the treaty; what else can they do?" the man who had led theAllies to victory had no intention of leaving the smallest thingto chance. At present he was making an inspection of all theAllied armies at the Rhine crossings, together with theirequipment, transportation facilities, artillery, and all the otherbranches on which a successful advance would so much depend. 

After a short conversation in the open, Marshal Foch and GeneralPershing entered the regimental headquarters, accompanied by thehigher officers of both staffs. Meanwhile the boys had again beengiven the command "at rest, " which was a welcome change from thelong period of standing rigidly at attention. 

After a short interval, the two generalissimos reappeared. Thistime both entered the car that had brought Marshal Foch to thescene, and the big automobile rolled off in a cloud of dust. 

"Guess inspection is over now, and pretty near time, too, "whispered Tom. 

His surmise turned out to be correct, for shortly afterward theregiment was dismissed and returned to the barracks, where shortlyafterward the midday mess was served. 

But the visit of the two commanders marked the beginning of an eraof extreme bustle and activity. Numbers of tanks, both small andlarge, began to make their appearance in the camp, likewiseheavily loaded ammunition wagons and lorries, big field pieces, and all the other equipment that modern warfare has made anecessity. 

Of course all this was of the greatest interest to the four ArmyBoys, as to their comrades, and many were the speculations as toits meaning. 

"Looks as though the war had started again, " said Bart. "Therehasn't been as much as this stirring since the armistice wassigned. "

"Either that, or we're getting all ready to start again, whichseems more likely to me. But we'll probably find out soon enough, one way or another, " remarked Billy. 

It was in fact the preparation of a new drive that they saw goingon about them. And this time, should it start, the drive would notstop its easterly course until it reached Berlin. The Alliedleaders were determined to make this advance so irresistible andconclusive that there could be no discussion afterward as towhether the German Army really was beaten. 

More men and supplies arrived constantly. Two days after the visitof Marshal Foch and General Pershing a number of aeroplanesarrived, and a flying field was established adjoining the maincamp. Here a number of observation balloons were continually beingtried out, and it was seldom that one was not hovering over thecamp. 

"That's one thing, " fellows, that we have yet to try, " said Frank, addressing his friends. "We've been in the tanks, up inaeroplanes, and about every other place you can think of except a'sausage' balloon. It would suit me fine to go up in one and get abird's-eye view of 'the Rhine, the Rhine, the German Rhine. '

CHAPTER XII

TORN FROM MOORINGS

"No accounting for tastes, " grinned Billy Waldon, "but as for meI'd rather have a sausage in me than to be in a sausage. "

Little more was said about going up in the observation balloons atthat time, but the same evening after colors, as the four friendsall happened to be off duty at the same time, they decided tostroll over to the aviation field, as that seemed to offer morethings of interest than any other place. As they drew near, theysaw that one of the balloons was just being inflated, and theyquickened their steps. A few hundred paces brought them alongsidethe partly inflated balloon, which already was tugging strongly atits moorings as the buoyant gas hissed into it. The observer whowas to go up in it was standing near, and seeing the interest theboys took in the process, he bestowed a friendly grin on them. 

"Thinking of going into the business?" he inquired gaily. 

"Don't know but what I might some day, " replied Frank, in the samevein. "What are the inducements?"

"Well, if you happen to have any troubles on your mind, this ispretty apt to end them all for you, once and for all. I can't giveyou any testimonials from others who have used this cure, becauseafter they took it they weren't giving testimonials any more, butI give you my word that it's all that I claim for it"

"Yes, but you've been up quite a few times probably, and you'restill in the land of the living so it can't be quite as bad as yousay it is, " replied Frank, laughingly. 

"Oh, it's safe enough now, as far as that goes, " said the other. "But when actual fighting is going on, then it's a differentmatter altogether. "

"Were you ever attacked while you were up?" asked Billy. 

"I surely was, " replied the observer. "I was up over No Man's Landone day, right on the edge of the clouds, when suddenly a Bocheairplane came darting out of the clouds and opened on me with hismachine gun before I knew what had happened. Just by luck, Ididn't get hit, but the bullets tore big holes in the balloon andit started to drop fast. I had time to jump clear with myparachute though, and landed without a scratch not a hundred feetfrom the wreckage of my balloon. "

"You were pretty lucky, at that, " observed Billy. 

"You bet I was!" assented the other. "Another time I had to jumpfor it, too; only this time the balloon caught fire from someincendiary bullets fired at it. After I jumped the parachute wasmighty slow in acting, and I dropped two thirds of the way beforeit finally took hold. I gave myself up for lost that time, and, asit was, I landed so hard that my left leg was broken, but even atthat I wasn't doing much kicking. "

"No, you wouldn't, with a leg broken, " observed Billy slyly. 

"That's one on me, " conceded the observer, with a laugh. "At thetime, though, I couldn't see much humor in it. Take it altogether, I guess a balloon will give a man his fair share of thrills. "

"Gosh! I'd like to try it once, " said Frank, longingly. 

"If you'd really like to try it so much, I don't know but what Ican arrange it for you, " said the observer slowly. "The troubleis, though, that I can take only two of you, because I have onlytwo extra parachutes. "

"We're not apt to need them, are we?" asked Frank. 

"Oh, of course, the chances are that we won't, seeing that wewon't be attacked now by a hostile machine, as we would likelyhave been a few months ago, " responded the other. "Just the same, it's always possible for accidents to happen, and so I'll have tolimit it to two passengers, although I'd like to take you all up. "

"You and Bart go, Frank, " said Billy. "Tom and I will come aroundsome other time, and then maybe we'll get a chance. "

"Well, if you and Tom don't mind, I guess we will, " said Frank, and with the words he and Bart stepped into the car of theballoon, followed by the observer. 

"I'm afraid you'll find it rather tame, " said the latter. "It'snot nearly as exciting as you might think when looking at it fromthe ground. "

By this time the balloon was fully inflated, and the observer gavethe sign to the man in charge of the windlass to let the big gasbag rise. The windlass man released the brake on the big drum, andthe balloon shot upward with a speed that took the breath awayfrom the two passengers. Up they shot until they had attained analtitude of about five hundred feet, after which the windlass manchecked their further progress. 

The boys exclaimed aloud over the wonderful sight that met theireyes. Mile upon mile the smiling Rhine countryside stretched awayon every side. The picturesque Rhine, bordered by its ruinedcastles, was visible for many miles. 

"Isn't that a wonderful sight?" demanded Bart. "Why, from up hereit seems as though we should almost be able to see Berlin. "

"From the way things look now, " observed their newly found friendgrimly, "we'll all see Berlin pretty soon, and we won't have to goup in balloons to see it, either. "

"Right you are!" acquiesced Bart. "And I'd be one happy littlesoldier if I knew that we were going to start to-morrow. "

While the foregoing dialogue had been going on Frank had beentaking in the view, but now he turned to the observer. 

"Seems to me it looks pretty black over in the west, " he remarked. "I think we're going to have a storm. "

The observer glanced quickly in the direction indicated, and thenjumped for his telephone. 

"Pull her down, Dan!" he called. "Pull her down quick! There's abig storm coming our way, and coming mighty fast, too. "

The boys could feel the tug of the cable as it tightened inresponse to the starting of the windlass, but before the balloonhad descended a hundred feet the storm was upon them. A mightyblast roared about the frail balloon, jerking it here and there insuch a violent manner that the boys were nearly thrown out. Thecaptive balloon tore madly at its moorings, and seemed like somewild thing struggling to be free. 

"We're in for it now, " yelled Dunton, the observer. "She won'tstand much more of this, and if she breaks away, it's theparachutes for us. "

Even as he spoke a specially vicious blast tore madly at theballoon, and the occupants heard a ripping, tearing sound. Asecond later the big "sausage" leaped upward, and the boys did notneed to be told that it had broken free from its moorings. 

"Get hold of the parachutes!" yelled Dunton, "but don't jump yet. This wind is too strong, but if it dies down a little we'll haveto risk it. "

They were traveling at a terrific rate before the wind, andmounting steadily higher. Instead of abating, the wind seemedmomentarily to increase in violence, and the balloon madeincreasingly heavier weather of it. It was only a matter of timewhen the wind would rip it to pieces, and this catastrophe was notlong in coming. There was a sound of ripping cloth, and the nextmoment the balloon began to drop rapidly. This left its passengersno alternative but to take to their parachutes, as to remainlonger with the balloon spelled sure death, and they had a barechance for life if they jumped. 

Grasping the hand-holds of the big white parachutes, the threeyouths climbed to the edge of the basket, poised for a second, andthen leaped off into space. 

For seconds the Army Boys experienced a terrible series ofsensations as they dropped with the speed of light toward theuprushing earth. The wind roared and whistled in their ears, andthey both thought the parachutes would never open in time toprevent their being dashed to atoms on the ground. But when theywere less than two hundred feet from the ground, each felt asudden checking of the plummet-like drop and knew that theparachutes had at last taken hold. Slower and more slowly theywent, as the parachutes gathered the air in their silken folds. But still the boys were not safe, for the strong wind tore at theparachutes and threatened at any moment to tear them loose. But atlast Frank landed, with considerable of a shock, to be sure, butfree of serious injury. His first thought was of his companions, and especially of Bart. 

By great good fortune, Frank had landed clear of a river, althoughwithin a hundred feet of the bank. Looking in that direction, hewas horrified to see Bart in the water, struggling amid theenvelope and ropes of the parachute. He was so badly entangledthat it was almost impossible for him to swim, and already hisefforts were growing weaker. 

Leaping to his feet, Frank rushed toward the stream, calling wordsof encouragement to his friend as he went. 

"Hold up, Bart!" he yelled, "I'll be with you in a minute. "

Reaching the river bank, he paused only long enough to kick offhis shoes, and then plunged in to the rescue of his friend. Withpowerful strokes he plowed through the water, and was soonalongside Bart, who by this time was in sore straits. Frank drewhis knife, and with a few swift strokes cut away the wreckage ofthe parachute in which Bart was entangled. 

"Thanks, old man, " gasped the latter. "You came just in the nickof time, this time. Two minutes more, and I'd have been done for. "

"Thank Heaven I did get here in time, " said Frank fervently. "Justrest your hand on my shoulder, Bart, and I'll tow you to shore. It's lucky this river isn't as wide as the old Hudson, isn't it?"

Fortunately Frank was a powerful swimmer, and it did not take himlong to reach the bank. He and Bart crawled up to dry land, andthrew themselves panting on the ground to recover from their latemisadventures. But a moment later, Frank was on his feet oncemore. 

"I forgot all about Dunton, the observer!" he exclaimed. "He mayhave landed in the river, too, or he may be injured and in need ofhelp. Do you feel fit enough to help me look for him, Bart?"

"Oh, I'm as good as ever now, " said Bart, with an attempt at agrin. "Guess I must have been born to be hung, because I don'tseem to be able to get myself killed by any other method. "

The boys set out on their quest, and were soon delighted to seethe observer himself limping toward them. The latter caught sightof them at the same time, and waved his hand to them. 

"Gosh, but I'm glad to see you!" he exclaimed, when they camewithin speaking distance. "I was afraid you'd both gone under, andif you had I'd never have forgiven myself for taking you up withme. "

"We were just starting out to look for you, " said Frank. "Wheredid you land?"

"In a good soft place, " said the other. "The branches of a bigtree. My ankle caught in a branch and got wrenched a little, butotherwise I'm O. K. "

"I landed in the river, and Frank had to fish me out, " said Bart. "But now that we're all safe, I'm beginning to wonder just wherewe are. The storm seems to be over, and I guess it's up to us toget back to camp as soon as possible, or they'll have us down asA. W. O. L. "

"I'm not sure just where we are, " responded Dunton, "but I hope wehaven't landed among the Huns. They'd like nothing better than achance to put us out of the way. "

"Well, all we've got to do to get back is follow the river down, "said Frank. "Let's go. "

Following Frank's suggestion, they had not gone more than half amile when, to their great satisfaction, they caught sight of anAmerican sentry walking his post. 

"Good!" exclaimed Dunton. "That means that we're still in theoccupied zone. We'll just ask this bird where we are. "

Inquiring of the sentry, they learned that they had landed atMontabaur, which was on the very edge of the zone occupied by theAmerican Army. The sentry gave them directions as to the best wayto reach camp. They arrived there without further mishap, andseparated, the two friends hastening to their barracks, and Duntonto his headquarters to make a report on the loss of the balloon. 

Great was the joy of Tom and Billy at seeing their comrades safeand sound, as they had been under intense anxiety concerning them. 

"But we might have known better than to have worried about you, "said Billy finally, after he and Tom had heard the story of theiradventure. "I had a hunch all along that you'd both come pikingalong sometime to-night or to-morrow, and after this, I refuse toworry in any degree about you. It serves you right, anyway, forgoing up without us. "

"Well, in the future, you can go up without me all you want to, "laughed Frank. "How about it, Bart?"

"You said it, " acquiesced Bart heartily. "I'm off that parachutestuff for all time. I know when I've had enough, and this is oneof the times. "

"The way it looks around here, " said Billy soberly, "it isn'tgoing to be necessary to go up in the air to find excitement. Allthe evening we've been hearing reports of big riots going on inCoblenz, and everybody says we're likely to be called out to-morrow to do a little suppressing act. "

CHAPTER XIII

GERMAN RIOTING

For once rumor had not overstated things. The most turbulentrioting the city had ever seen started the next day, and, in spiteof all the efforts of the authorities, seemed to increase inintensity as the day wore on. The German authorities seemed to beutterly helpless to cope with the situation, and finally theAmerican troops had to be called upon to quell the disturbances. 

"What did I tell you?" exclaimed Billy, when the order camethrough to get under arms. "We're in for a nice little shindy now, as sure as guns. But as far as I'm concerned, I'm glad of a chanceto teach these Huns how to behave. The trouble with us is, we'reentirely too easy with them. "

"Yes, we're not half as strict as we ought to be, " assented Frank. "But the more monkey business they try, the tighter the lid isgoing to be clamped down, as they'll find to their cost. "

But in point of fact, the rioting was not so much against theAmerican authorities as it was against the German authorities whowere operating under the protection and direction of theAmericans. 

But it was all one to the boys, as all they cared about was theprospect of some pleasurable excitement. And more excitement wasbrewing for them than they anticipated, for this was by far themost serious riot that had occurred since they had entered Germanterritory, and was one not easily to be suppressed. 

The regiment was not long in getting ready, and was soon swingingout of camp, headed toward the rebellious city. As the soldiersapproached it, they could hear the sound of rifle firing, mingledwith the sharper sound of machine gun fire. 

"Something doing, all right, " said Bart, as they swung rapidlyalong. "Sounds as though some one were getting trouble, and plentyof it, and I'm willing to bet the Heinies are getting the worstend of it. "

"You can bet they are, " agreed Billy. "And just wait till thisbunch of bad men gets after them. It begins to seem like old timesagain. "

"Right you are, " said Tom. "And whatever's going to happen, itwill be pretty soon, because we're getting close. "

By this time they were indeed on the outskirts of the town, andbefore long were swinging down one of the main streets, the noiseof rifle firing and shouting growing steadily louder as theyprogressed. At first few people were to be seen, although here andthere an anxious face peered out of an upper window. 

But as they penetrated further into the heart of the city, theyencountered hurrying and shouting knots of men, who, however, hastily changed their direction when they caught sight of thebusinesslike appearance of the Americans. 

Suddenly Billy caught sight of a face at an upper window thatseemed familiar. 

"There's the fellow that tried to strike the lame man the day youtook his cane away from him, Frank!" he exclaimed. 

Frank looked in the direction that Billy indicated just as the manwas hastily withdrawing behind a curtain. 

"Couldn't see much of him, but it did look something like him, " heremarked. "But I shouldn't be surprised to find him mixed up inthis trouble. He's the kind that would be in the thick of it. "

Just then there was a flash from the window and a bullet whizzedby the Army Boys and flattened against the wall on the other sideof the street. 

"I'll bet that was aimed at you, Frank!" exclaimed Bart. "Thatfellow's a bad shot but he has a good memory. "

The shot was quickly followed by others from windows and roofs, but fortunately, the snipers were in too much of a hurry to takeeffective aim, and their bullets did little damage at first. 

But as the Americans marched on, they encountered constantlyincreasing opposition. Several of the soldiers had been wounded bythe time they had reached the thick of the disturbance. When theyturned a corner into one of the main streets of the town theyfound that a barricade had been erected across it, and thisbarricade was being held by a small force of Americans, who, hemmed in on every side by Germans, were finding it a hard task tohold out against tremendously heavy odds. But the advent ofreinforcements turned the tide of battle for the time being, andthe mob quickly took to its heels and left the Americans a briefbreathing space. 

The new arrivals were welcomed lustily, and soon found themselveswithin the barricades, where they commenced a brisk fire againsttheir unseen enemies on roof and at window, who still kept up ascattering fire. Meanwhile, the leaders held a brief consultationto decide their immediate course of action. 

It was decided to dispatch small bodies of men, as many as couldbe spared, to clean up the adjacent streets, and so prevent therioters from massing again. 

The four Army Boys, together with twelve of their company, twosquads in all, found themselves detailed to a narrow street, andthey soon found that their task was going to prove no sinecure. The street was very narrow, bordered by tall, peaked houses, andevery house seemed to shelter two or three riflemen. It was onlyoccasionally that the Americans could see their opponents, butwhen a German did venture to expose himself for a moment, his slipalmost invariably proved fatal, as the American rifles spoke withdeadly effect. But the Americans were at a terrible disadvantage, and the sergeant in charge saw this and acted accordingly. 

"Break up into groups, " he ordered, "part on one side of thestreet and part on the other, and go from house to house. Cleanthem out thoroughly, and show no mercy to anybody you find with arifle in his hand. We'll assemble again at the end of thisstreet. "

This plan was put into immediate operation. The four Army Boyswere together. With their rifle butts they battered in the doorsof houses, then fought their way up to the roofs against the mosttreacherous opposition. Again and again one or the other escapeddeath by what seemed a miracle, and they saw to it that the Hunspaid the price for these attacks. The second house that theyentered was a large one, and seemed a veritable maze of rooms, foreach one of which they had to fight to gain possession. As theyreached the foot of the stairway leading up to the top story, theysaw three burly Germans at the top, rifles in hand, evidentlyprepared to stop the hated Americans at any cost. 

"Surrender!" shouted Frank. 

For answer, one of the Germans, who appeared to be the leader, leveled his rifle at Frank's head, but before he could pull thetrigger, Bart's big automatic pistol spoke once, and the Germanswayed, stumbled, and came crashing down the staircase. 

"Now's the time, fellows!" yelled Frank, as he saw the remainingtwo Germans hesitate after the fall of their leader. "Let's get'em and get 'em quick! Treat them rough!" As he spoke all the boysleaped up the staircase, firing as they mounted. 

But before they could reach the top reinforcements arrived for theHuns in the shape of three others of their countrymen. Nothingdaunted, the Army Boys rushed on. As they fired one German fell, but the others presented a determined front, although their aimwas bad, and so far none of the boys had been seriously wounded, although both Tom and Frank had been grazed by flying bullets. Ina few more steps they were among the Germans, and then ensued afierce hand to hand fight on the narrow landing. The Germansproved themselves no mean antagonists, and for a few minutes therewas a wild medley of blows and shouts. The boys foughtdesperately, and slowly forced their antagonists back against alight balustrade that guarded the stair well. 

Suddenly there was a sharp snapping sound, the frail railing gaveway, and with wild shouts and oaths the Germans hurtled over theedge for a sheer drop of three stories. 

So suddenly did this happen, that the boys had the greatestdifficulty in preventing themselves from following, but theyrecovered in time, and peered over. Three of their late enemieslay still as they had fallen, but the fourth showed some signs oflife. 

"Whew!" ejaculated Frank, wiping the sweat from his eyes, "we hadit hot and heavy here for a time, didn't we?"

"I should say we did!" exclaimed Bart. "But that railing was agood friend to us. I hate Germans, but I've got to admit thatthose birds knew the rudiments of close-in fighting. "

"Well, they're done for now, " said Billy, "and it looks as thoughwe had cleaned this house up pretty thoroughly. If we have thismuch trouble in every house we tackle, I can see where we've gotour work cut out for us. "

"I think maybe it would be better to go up to the top of thishouse, " said Frank, and then enter the adjoining one from theroof. Anybody in it will be expecting an attack from the street, and going in that way we may be able to take them by surprise. "

"That's a good idea" exclaimed Bart. "Lead on, old timer. "

Frank's plan proved to be a good one. They met with no furtheropposition while mounting to the roof, and once there, theylocated the scuttle leading into the next house. Fortunately thiswas not fastened, those in the house probably having left itunlocked with the idea in mind of facilitating their own escape. 

As Frank Sheldon deduced, they had not considered the possibilityof an attack from above. 

Opening the trap door, the four friends descended the short lengthof ladder that led perpendicularly downward. So far they had heardno sound to apprise them of the presence of a lurking enemy, andthey began to think that possibly the house was deserted. Thenstopping and listening intently, they heard the muffled sound ofvoices, apparently coming from the floor below. 

Here was something of a problem presented to the boys, for theyhad no orders, nor indeed, desire, to molest those peaceablyinclined, and were only after revolutionists and rioters who weredoing the sniping work. But their doubts were soon set at rest. From the front of the house came the sharp sound of rifle firing, and the boys hastened in that direction. On the second floor theyburst into the large front room, taking completely by surprise agroup of some four or five men who were sulking in the shelter ofthe windows. As the boys burst into the room they whirled about, only to find themselves looking into the muzzles of four viciouslooking army pistols. 

"Drop those guns and put up your hands, " commanded Frank. Allobeyed but one man, who raised his rifle to his shoulder. Beforehe could pull the trigger a spurt of fire flashed from Frank'spistol, and the man sagged slowly to the floor. 

"Downstairs with the rest of you!" ordered Frank, at the same timemotioning toward the stairway. "We can't do much with these menexcept disarm them, " he said in an aside to his companions, as theGermans sullenly prepared to obey. "We've got to clean out thishouse and a lot of others, and we haven't got enough men to guardprisoners. You break up their rifles, Tom, and then rejoin us inthe street. "

They herded the Germans downstairs, and at the street entrancepropelled them forth with a few hearty kicks. This pleasurableduty had hardly been performed when they were rejoined by Tom, whohad smashed the German rifles over the window sills, putting themvery effectively out of commission. 

Meanwhile, the other parties had been doing good work, and thesniping had to a great extent died down. The boys entered the nexthouse, but met with no opposition, and when they reached the topstory an open scuttle giving on to the roof told its own story offlight on the part of the occupants. They went through severalhouses in this fashion, but when they neared the end of the blockresistance began to stiffen. Across the end of the street was ahouse that commanded it absolutely, and this seemed to have beenchosen by the rioters as a last stand. From every window and fromthe roof snipers were busy, and were inflicting serious damage onthe Americans. Already three had been killed, and as many morewounded. The sergeant marshaled the slender force remaining tohim. 

"Boys, " he said, "we've got to clean out that hornet's nest, andthen I think we'll have things pretty much in our own hands. We'llrush it now, and be sure that every man hangs close to the others, because if we become separated we're done for. Now, all together, and let them have it plenty!"

With these the little force of intrepid Americans rushed for thedoor of this last remaining stronghold. The door was of courselocked, but when half a dozen vigorous young Americans charged itlike so many battering rams, it gave way, and the soldiers surgedforward into a large hallway. A wide staircase led upward from oneside of this hall, and from an upper landing a spiteful rain ofbullets zipped about the Americans. One fell, but the others, ledby the big sergeant, rushed up the staircase, emptying theirpistols as they went. The resistance met here was the most solidthey had encountered that day, and they soon found that they hadtheir work cut out for them. 

When they reached the landing and engaged in hand to hand workwith the Germans, other doors giving on the landing opened, andmore rioters appeared to give aid to their companions. For a timethe fight seemed to be in favor of the Germans, as their numbertold, and then in favor of the Americans, who had the advantage ofdiscipline and team work on their side. Two more of their numberhad fallen, however, and the remaining Americans fought with thefury of desperation added to their usual dauntless courage. Theytook merciless toll of German lives, and at last the rioters, astonished and dismayed at their own losses, began to give way. Suddenly they were seized by panic, and to a man turned and fledthrough a long hall that ran the length of the house. 

"Keep after them, boys, " panted Sergeant Dan. "Don't give them achance to recover themselves. We've got 'em on the run now, and wewant to keep 'em that way. "

The Americans followed the rioters down the passageway, reloadingtheir weapons as they ran. At the end of the hall a sharp turngave access to another stairway, and up this the Germans rushed inheadlong flight, the Americans close on their heels. Another andlast flight of stairs took them up to the roof, and this oncereached, they broke and ran in every direction, some disappearingthrough the roof-scuttles of adjoining buildings, and othershiding behind chimneys and other roof structures. 

The Americans paused for breath and consultation, and Sergeant Danwalked to the edge of the roof nearest the street and peered over. 

"Guess our job's done for the present, " he said, when he returnedto his command. "Everything seems quiet in the street below, andthere's not a soul in sight. Now let's take stock of damages, andthen we'll hike back to the rendezvous. "

As the soldiers were taking stock of each other, a sudden feargripped at Frank's heart, and he exclaimed:

"Tom! Where's Tom?"

Billy and Bart gazed at him and at each other in dismay. 

"He was with us when we attacked this house, " said Billy. "Iremember he was right alongside of me when we bumped that door, and we landed on the floor together when it gave way. But that'sthe last I remember of seeing him. "

Neither of the others had any later recollection of their friend'spresence. 

"He may be downstairs wounded, " said Frank. "Come on, fellows, we've got to find him, " and forgetful of military discipline intheir anxiety over their friend, the three comrades dashed throughthe door leading into the building. 

"We'll all go down, " said the sergeant. "Some of our fellows havetaken the last count, but others are only wounded, and we want toget them to a hospital just as soon as we can. "

Frank, Bart, and Billy made a frantic search of the building, butfound no trace of their missing friend. 

"He may have been badly wounded but have been able to make his wayto the street where he would be picked up and taken to ahospital, " speculated Frank. "Or it's possible that he has beencaptured, " he added. "As soon as we have reported back toheadquarters with our detachment, we'll try to get permission tomake a search of the hospitals and see if we can't find himthere. "

There was little else they could do, so with heavy hearts theyrejoined their companions who had rigged rude stretchers for twoof their wounded comrades and were making ready to march back toheadquarters. 

The sergeant knew of the attachment existing between the fourfriends, and sympathized with the grief of the three remainingover the loss of their comrade. 

"The chances are, " he said, "that Bradford has been captured bythe rioters, and the military police will find out where he is andget hold of him. Remember that an American soldier takes a lot ofkilling before he's actually dead. "

But the boys marched in gloomy silence, and their hearts were sadfor their friend. 

The rioting had been effectually quelled, and the streets wereonce more quiet. The little party soon reached their headquarters, where the sergeant made his report. The boys could hardly controltheir impatience until the time came when they were off duty. Theyimmediately secured permission to make inquiries at the hospitalswhich were taking care of the casualties sustained during therioting. There were three of these, and each of the boys went to adifferent one, agreeing to meet in a designated place as soon asthey had completed their inquiries. An hour later they assembledas they had agreed, only to learn that so far their search hadbeen fruitless. 

"The only thing left for us to do, " said Frank, "is to go back tothe barracks, where maybe by this time they will have posted alist of the casualties. If Tom's name is not there well be prettysure that he's been captured, and it will be up to us to try tofind him. "

Returning to the barracks as Frank had proposed, they found that alist was posted on the company bulletin board, and carefullyscanned it for Tom's name, while fear tugged at their hearts. 

Great was their relief when they failed to find it, for if he wereonly a prisoner the chances were that the authorities would gethim back, or that the boys themselves might ferret out the placewhere he was being held and rescue him. 

"Well, " said Bart, as the boys turned away from the bulletinboard, "there's not much we can do for poor Tom to-night, but ifhe's a prisoner we'll get word from him sooner or later. "

"If he's a prisoner, I'd hate to be the man who has him incharge, " remarked Billy grimly. "Something pretty terrible is aptto happen to that bird most any time. "

"Yes, chances are he'll come marching into camp with a fewprisoners on his own account. " said Frank. "That is, if he doesn'tcatch this new disease they're talking about, "

"What disease?" asked Billy. "I hadn't heard anything about it. "

"Nobody seems to know very much about it, " replied Frank. "It hasappeared at various places in Germany, especially in the occupiedzones. It seems to have attacked Germans as well as Americans, andnobody knows what to make of it. Of course, remember I'm onlytelling you what another fellow told me recently, and I give it toyou for what it's worth. It may be just rumor, but he seemed to beso certain of his facts that I felt inclined to believe him. "

As it happened, what Frank had heard as a rumor was indeed a fact--and a fact, moreover, that was proving most puzzling andunpleasant for the American medical authorities. The disease thatFrank had spoken of had indeed made its appearance in variousparts of the country, and while the doctors had many theoriesconcerning it, they were all only theories as yet, and nothingreally definite was known regarding it. The symptoms were muchlike those of virulent typhus. Men sickened and died within forty-eight hours, and once stricken, the unfortunate victim did notrecover in one case out of a hundred. 

Some of the doctors were inclined to think it one of the plaguesthat usually follow in the track of war, due to privation anddepression. This theory, however, did not explain why Americantroops, well fed and victorious, should be affected. Most believedit to be caused by some deadly germ, hitherto unknown, and everyeffort was being made by the medical corps to isolate the germ andfind a remedy for the disease. But the Army Boys were to know moreof the source of this strange scourge and make a most amazingdiscovery regarding it. 

CHAPTER XIV

ON THE TRAIL

On the day following that of Tom Bradford's disappearance, Bartand Billy were assigned to special duty as part of an officers'escort on a mission to a neighboring town. 

After they had left Frank found himself very lonely, especially ashe had an afternoon off duty. Mingled with his thoughts of themissing Tom was the thought that had constantly haunted his mindof late--the unsolved mystery of the alley up which hostileGermans could flit and apparently disappear into thin air. He knewthere must be some explanation of the mystery, but what was it? Heracked his brains to find a plausible solution. But the more hethought about it, the more uncertain he became, until at last hecame to a resolution. 

"Here I am, " he thought, "racking my wits over this matter, andabout all I do is just guess work, after all. The best thing I cando is get permission to go to the town, find that alley and see ifI can't run across some clue that was lacking the last time I wasthere. "

Having reached this resolve, he lost no time in acting on it, andreadily securing the desired permission, he set off for the town. This he soon reached, and walked at a smart pace through thequaint, well-kept streets. 

Going along one broad avenue he came suddenly face to face withthe man from whom he had taken away the cane, whom he had sincelearned was a famous German physician, a well known characterthroughout the war. The latter, however, was so preoccupied thathe took no notice of Frank. His thoughts, whatever they were, appeared to be pleasant, for as he walked he smiled to himself andsoftly rubbed his hands together, as one well pleased with thecourse of events. 

"The old codger seems mightily pleased over something, " musedFrank, "and I'm willing to bet a reasonable amount it isn't overany schemes for the betterment of mankind. I may do him aninjustice, but I don't think his genial Hun nature is inclinedexactly in that direction. "

He gave little further thought to the chance meeting, his mindbeing busied with speculations as to what he might find in themysterious alley. The weather was very mild, and he knew the sheetof ice and snow that had covered the ground on his previous visitwould not now exist to baffle him. But he did not want to enterthe alley until darkness had fallen to offer him concealment, soabated his usual brisk pace to a mere saunter, and took carefulnote of the attitude of the people he passed. The streets werequiet enough, but the faces of the inhabitants were sullen andhostile, and Frank could read enmity in the glances cast at him. 

"They love the Americans about as much as they love sunstroke, " hemeditated. "But it doesn't matter much what they like, becausethey'll take just what's handed to them. But it's the lowerelements and the revolutionists who are making most of thetrouble, and I'm a lot mistaken if their headquarters aren't inthe neighborhood of that blind alley. Well, anyway, I'll know moreabout it when I get through my privately conducted explorationsthis evening. "

He stopped in a small restaurant and ordered a light meal. By thetime he had finished this it was nearly dark, and he set out forhis objective without further delay. 

He shortly reached the entrance to the alley, and, after casting asearching glance about him to make sure that he was unobserved, heslipped cautiously into the place. 

"It ought to be a lot easier for me to locate that trap door nowthan it was when I was here with Bart, " he thought. "There's noice now, and if there is a door, I'll be bound to find it. "

He proceeded cautiously up the alley, taking every precaution toavoid noise, and soon reached the blank wall that had so baffledhim and his friends on a previous occasion. He drew a flashlightfrom his pocket, and when he thought he was close to the placewhere he and Bart had previously located the door he cautiouslyplayed the tiny spot of light over the ground. At first he thoughthe must be mistaken, as this part of the alley seemed to be likeall the rest. But, looking closer, his heart leaped as he made outthe outline of a heavy iron ring, lying flat in a recess in thepavement, and almost covered with gravel and dust. So cunninglywas it concealed that it would inevitably have escaped observationunless one were actually looking for it. 

"There's a trap door here, all right, " he exulted. "Now, I wonderif I can get in, or if it will be fastened from the inside. Heregoes to find out. "

With the thought, he worked the iron ring loose from the dirt, sethimself for the effort, and gave a tentative tug. The door did notgive a particle, and he tried again, this time putting every ounceof his strength into the effort. The door gave a little, but withall his strength Frank could not lift it more than an inch or two. He tried again and again, but with no better result, and at last, to his great disappointment he was forced to give over the attemptfor the time being. 

"Guess this is more than a one-man job, " he thought to himself. "What I'll have to do is to bring Bart and Billy here to-morrownight, and I think the three of us can lift the door easily. I'vemade one big step, anyway, for now I know there is really a trapdoor here, and before we weren't sure of it. "

He pressed the iron ring down into its socket, scattered someearth and gravel over it, and at last satisfied that he had lefteverything as he had found it and in such a condition as not toarouse suspicion if the secret entrance was used by one of theplotters before he could return, he turned his footsteps towardcamp. 

CHAPTER XV

A BARE CHANCE

Frank was now convinced that he and his comrades had reallychanced on a big secret, and he was eager to get them and get tothe heart of the matter. He was greatly disappointed that he hadbeen unable to follow up the adventure that very evening, but witha soldier's philosophy promised himself better luck the next time, and swung off toward camp with a stride that soon brought him tohis destination. 

But the Army Boy's plan for an immediate further investigation ofthe mysterious alley was destined to have a further setback, forthe next day great aeroplane activity started all over theAmerican front, and it was announced that nobody would be givenleave to visit Coblenz until further notice. It seemed thatreports had been received at general headquarters that therioters, driven out of Coblenz, were gathering in smaller townsthroughout the occupied area, and making demonstrations andinflammatory speeches against the American "invaders. "

Many aviators were detailed to fly over all the neighboringterritory and get information of the movements and numbers of therioters, so that troops could be sent to the threatened points andsuppress the uprisings before they assumed serious proportions. 

Among the aviators detailed to this work was Dick Lever, and onhis return from one of these excursions he sought out his Army Boyfriends. For a considerable time he had been detailed to otherparts of the occupied territory, but now his headquarters weretemporarily near the barracks in which the boys were situated. 

So it happened that one evening as Frank, Bart, and Billy werestrolling toward the canteen, they were both surprised anddelighted to espy the long, athletic figure of their friend. Dickwas no less glad to see them, and everybody for some distancearound was apprised of the fact that old comrades had met oncemore. 

"But where's Tom?" inquired Dick, after the first burst ofenthusiasm was over. "I'm so used to seeing you fellows as aquartette that your sweet voices don't sound exactly correct as atrio. "

The faces of all the boys lengthened at this allusion to theirmissing friend, and in a few words they explained to Dick thecircumstances of his sudden disappearance. 

"By Jove!" exclaimed Dick excitedly, when they had finished, "Iwouldn't be a bit surprised if I could put you on his trail. "

"What do you mean?" chorused the boys. 

"Now, don't get excited, " said Dick. "What I'm going to tell youmay not be of the least importance after all. It's just this. While I was reconnoitering over the various camps of therevolutionists, in one of them I was sure I saw a man in anAmerican Army uniform. I was too far up to recognize him even if Ihad known him, and it might be any American prisoner other thanTom, or it might be a German dressed in an American uniform forspying purposes. Anyway, if I hadn't been under special rushorders to return as soon as possible, I would have gone down andmaybe attempted a rescue, but I had to get back immediately withmy information, so couldn't take any chances. "

"But can you give us any idea of the direction of the camp whereyou saw this man?" inquired Frank. "If we had the least idea whereto look for him, you can bet we'd get him away from those renegadeGermans, and likely hurt anybody that got in the way, too. "

"I'd hate to be the obstacle, myself, " grinned Dick. "But, to getdown to business, I can give you a rough idea of the direction anddistance, and in addition, I guess I don't have to tell you thatif there's anything I can do to help, you can count on me to thelimit. "

The three boys and Dick shook hands all around as they acceptedthis offer, and on the spot organized as a committee of ways andmeans to rescue their missing comrade. Dick could only tell themapproximately where he had seen the man in American uniform, andthe Spartacides changed their camps so often in order to escapedetection and capture that even this information was of ratherdoubtful value. 

"The best thing I can suggest is this, " said Dick, at last. "I'vebeen detailed to try out some new aeroplanes to-morrow, and aslong as I take them up and fly them, it doesn't much matter whatdirection I go in, provided I don't go too far. Now, what's toprevent me from flying a few miles in the direction I last sawthis particular bunch of revolutionists, and taking a chance onfinding out something more?"

"We'll appreciate anything you can do in that direction, " saidFrank. "You've given us a clue now, at any rate, and you can betwe won't be slow in following it up. It's going to be some problemto get hold of him, but we've solved as hard ones before now, andI guess we won't let this stump us. "

"You told it!" said Bart emphatically. "If the Germans couldn'tget one of us while the war was on, it's a cinch they won't beable to now when it's all over. If old Tom's alive, we'll rescuehim some way. "

Dick Lever described the location of the Spartacides' camp with asmuch exactness as he could, and even drew a rough map of thesurrounding country, marking the place where he had seen theAmerican prisoner with a cross. 

The boys thanked him heartily, and then walked back to his sectionof the camp, as it was getting close to the time for taps, andDick had to be back at his quarters by then. On the way theytalked over old times, and Dick promised to visit them again atthe first opportunity, and made them promise once more to call onhim for help if they thought he could be of service in rescuingTom. Then they all shook hands, and Bart, Frank, and Billy hurriedback to their own quarters, full of excitement over the news thatDick had brought them and hopes that they would soon have Tom withthem again. 

But this was not to prove quite as quickly nor easily done as theyhad anticipated, for conditions were so disturbed that smalldetachments were not permitted to go into the surrounding countrylest they should be attacked and overwhelmed by superior forcesthat might bear them down by sheer force of numbers. 

They had to abandon therefore the plan to hunt Tom unaided, andFrank went direct to his lieutenant and told him just what theyhad learned from Dick regarding the presence of an Americanprisoner in the Spartacides' hands and their suspicion that itmight possibly be their missing comrade. 

To his surprise, he learned that the lieutenant had alreadyreceived a report from other sources that tallied closely withDick's. It was intolerable that any American should be left aprisoner in the hands of desperate men who might at any momenttake his life, and plans were maturing to descend on the placewhere he was believed to be held. An adequate force would beprovided and would set out as soon as possible. 

With an inward prayer that the attempt would be made soon, Frankleft the lieutenant's presence and hurried away to tell the goodnews to Billy and Bart. 

CHAPTER XVI

RAISING THE TRAP DOOR

"I hear that a detachment is getting ready to go over to look intothat matter of the prisoner that Dick told us about, " said FrankSheldon, a little later when he and his comrades were coming outfrom mess. 

"I hope we're slated to go along with it, " said Billy eagerly. 

"Here comes the corp, " remarked Bart. "Let's ask him. He'llprobably be in charge of it. "

As Corporal Wilson approached, the boys intercepted him. 

"I can guess what you're going to ask, " he said with a smile; "andI'll answer it right now. Yes, you fellows are going with thedetachment. Plans are making now, but there's so much doing righthere just now that we won't be able to start until to-morrow. "

"To-morrow?" repeated Frank in disappointment, and his feeling wasmirrored on the faces of his companions. 

"Sorry, " said Wilson as he passed along, "but orders are orders, and we can't get off any sooner. "

"And who knows what may happen to Tom in the meantime?" said Billysorrowfully. 

"It's exasperating, " said Frank. "It makes me crazy to think ofanother twenty-four hours going by while we're doing nothing tohelp him. "

"The only comfort is the confidence I have in Tom's luck, " saidBart "That boy sure must have a rabbit's foot around himsomewhere. He has as many lives as a cat. Do you remember how hegot away from that drunken German bunch that had a rope all readyto hang him? And the slick way he got away in a barrel from theprison camp? I tell you that the bullet isn't molded that willkill that boy, and don't you forget it. "

"I only hope you're right, " returned Frank. "All the same I'llfeel a whole lot easier in my mind when the old scout is with usagain. "

Just then a litter passed them carrying a sick man to the hospitalward. 

"Those things are getting a little too common to suit me, "remarked Frank. "The health of the boys here used to be fine. Nowthey say that the hospitals are getting overcrowded. "

"And a good many of those who go in aren't coming out again, that's the worst of it, " observed Billy. "That cemetery on thehill is getting altogether too full. "

"If this mysterious disease isn't checked it will be worse thanthe 'flu, '" said Bart. "What's the matter with our doctors anyway?Why don't they get on the job?"

"You can't blame them, " Frank defended. "There's no better medicalstaff in any army than the one we've got. They're working like madto try to isolate the germ, or whatever it is, that's causing thismysterious trouble. But they seem to be all at sea in this matter. It's an entirely new thing, and they haven't found any way toconquer it. "

"It would be rather hard luck to come through St. Mihiel and theArgonne, and then to be knocked out by a measly disease likethis, " said Billy disgustedly. 

"Well, it hasn't got us yet, and let's hope it won't, " said Frank. "But now that we've got a chance, what do you fellows say if we goover tonight and try to get at the bottom of that alley mystery? Ishan't be easy in my mind until I've solved it. "

"Always looking for trouble, " laughed Bart. "But I don't mindconfessing that the matter's got tight hold of me too, and I'mgame to see it through to a finish. "

"Count me in, " said Billy. 

"If only poor Tom were with us!" mourned Frank "It's just the kindof thing he'd like to trail. And if there should happen to be anyscrapping, he'd be a mighty handy lad to have along with us. He'drather fight than eat any time. "

After the drills and work of the day were over they got permissionto go to the town and started across the river just as twilightwas falling. 

While passing through one of the streets, they met the famousGerman physician, from whom they customarily got a look thatbetrayed his hate of the American uniform. But this time, to theirsurprise, he was rubbing his hands and seemed to be in high goodhumor. 

"What's come over his nibs, I wonder, " remarked Billy. "Usually heseems to have a grouch of the worst kind, but to look at him nowyou might think that he'd just had news of a good fat legacy. "

"He is different, for a fact. " agreed Bart. "He couldn't lookhappier if Germany had won the war. "

They looked after him, and saw him vanishing into the doorway of adwelling that was really a mansion. 

"Swell place that, " observed Billy. "He must have a peach of apractice to live in a house like that. "

"He's one of the most famous men in his line in Germany I'veheard, " commented Frank. 

"They say the Kaiser himself used to consult him. But of late theysay that he's made himself almost a hermit. Seems that he's givenup his regular practice, and simply nurses his grouch becauseGermany was licked. "

"He sits up pretty late to do it then, " put in Billy. "I've beenon sentry duty in this street, and many a time I've seen a lightin his office until almost morning. "

"Here's our corner, " Frank said, as they came to the next street. 

They approached the alley with the utmost caution, and slippedinto its darkness when they felt sure that they were unobserved. 

"That's queer!" exclaimed Frank, gazing above the blank wall atthe outline of a tall building that rose beyond it. 

"What's queer?" asked Billy. 

"Why, that building there is the same one the doctor went into, "answered his companion. "I know it by that cupola on the top. Itmust back up right against this wall. In fact, this wall is partof the rear wall of the house. I thought these were onlyfactories. "

"Oh, well, what if it is?" returned Bart. "We'd better get busyhere before we're interrupted. Let's hope there isn't another firein this district to-night. "

Without much difficulty they found the square place that Frank andBart had noticed on their previous visit. They scraped away theice and gravel and discovered the ring by which the trap door wasevidently raised. Then they braced themselves and gave a mightytug. 

But the effort was unavailing. They were far stronger than theordinary run of men, and yet even their trained muscles had toconfess defeat. 

"Perhaps it's locked or bolted on the other side, " suggested Bart. 

"Not likely, " answered Frank. "It's more probable that it's frozenin. Get out your knives and dig around the edge of the door, andthen we'll try again. "

They did this for perhaps five minutes, and then tried again. 

This time the door moved but did not yield. Once more they benttheir backs to the work, and this time they won. Slowly andcreakingly the door rose, showing a yawning chasm beneath, while arush of fetid air assailed their nostrils!

CHAPTER XVII

A PERILOUS SITUATION

The three Army Boys started back almost letting go the trap doorin their desire to escape the noxious odor and fill their lungswith the cool winter air. 

"What is this anyway--the entrance to the infernal regions?" askedBilly. 

"If it were, it couldn't smell much worse, I imagine, " answeredBart. 

"We're not going to let a thing like that hold us back, are we?"asked Frank impatiently. 

"Of course not, " replied Billy. "But that doesn't say we have tolike it, does it? Flash that light of yours and let us see justwhat this sweet smelling thing looks like. "

Frank directed the rays of his flashlight into the gloomy recess, and the light fell on a small platform about four feet below thelevel of the ground. Two or three stone steps descended from thisand then they could faintly see a rough stone floor from whichseveral passages branched out in different directions. 

He returned the light to his pocket, and the three held awhispered conversation. 

"Well, fellows, you've seen as much of it as I have, " said Frank. "What do you say? Shall we explore it?"

"Sure thing, " replied Bart. "What do you think we are, a bunch offour flushers?"

"Lead on, old scout, " said Billy. "But first we must wedge thisdoor up a trifle, so as to be able to open it easily when we comeback. "

"Right you are!" said Frank. "When we do come back we may have tocome in a hurry for all we know, and we want to be able to liftthis up in a jiffy. "

They hunted around until they found a small slab of stone whichthey wedged under the door, after they had dropped down into thespace below. Then, with Frank in the van, with his flashlightsending its rays ahead of them, they ventured slowly into theunknown, feeling their way with the utmost caution. 

The stone floor was uneven and damp, and at times they steppedinto pools of noisome water that was covered with green scum. Thesides of the narrow passages were covered with mold, and the airwas heavy and offensive. 

Suddenly Frank stepped back with a sharp exclamation, and at thesame instant there was a squeal, and a gray form scurried awayinto the darkness. 

"A rat!" he murmured to his friends behind him. "I stepped fairlyon him. A mighty big fellow he was, too. "

They went on a little further, keeping close together, for therewere several passages that branched off from what seemed to be themain one, and if they became separated it might be difficult forthem to get together again, especially as Frank was the only oneof the trio who had a flashlight. 

And now their ears were assailed by soft patterings and shufflingsthat seemed to increase in number as they progressed. Their eyescaught certain red points that flared like sparks and thenvanished, only to reappear. It was as though a host of eeriethings were keeping tab on their movements, and after a while thissilent mustering of unseen watchers got on their nerves. 

Billy, who came last, was passing one of the passages thatbranched off to the left when he thought he caught a glimpse oflight. He went into this side passage for a few steps to makesure, and verified his first impression. There, sure enough, wasan electric bulb, on the opposite side of which he could see theoutline of a door. 

He was hurrying back to tell his comrades what he had seen when heheard an exclamation from Bart that quickened his steps stillmore. Bart's right hand was holding on to his left, and in thelight that Frank had directed on it he saw that the hand wasbleeding. 

"It was a rat, " Bart exclaimed wrathfully, as he nursed hiswounded hand. "The beggar jumped straight at it. It feels asthough he'd made his teeth meet through it"

Billy whipped out his handkerchief and was binding it around hiscomrade's hand, when a gray form sprang from the darkness andfastened its teeth in his trousers leg just grazing the skin. Frank made a kick at it, but as he did so, his foot slipped on thedamp stone and the flashlight flew out of his hand, leaving themin utter darkness. He stooped to try to find it, but his handtouched a furry coat and he drew back just in time to escape asavage snap. 

Then as if by magic those red pin points, that they now knew wereeyes, seemed to spring up from every direction. There were ratseverywhere, an army of them, rats ahead of them and rats behindthem, gathering to oust these human intruders from their domain. Singly they were contemptible opponents, but now they had thestrength that came from numbers, and they knew it. 

And the Army Boys knew it too. For an instant panic gripped attheir hearts. The next moment they had pulled themselves together. 

"Back to the trap door, fellows!" said Frank tensely. "Fast, butnot too fast. Don't run. And don't shoot, or we may hit eachother. Draw your revolvers and club them off with the butts. "

They retraced their steps as well as they could in the darkness. The rats knew that they were retreating, and they grew bolder. Again and again they fastened themselves on their arms and legs, and had to be beaten off with the revolver butts. All the boyswere bitten many times, and it seemed to them that they wouldnever come to the end of the passage alive. But none of theirassailants reached their throats, although one had to be knockedfrom Billy's shoulder, and at last the nightmare journey endedwhen they stumbled against the steps that led to the trap door. Frantically they heaved the door up and clambered out and sankdown on the ice covered ground, spent and out of breath andutterly exhausted. 

CHAPTER XVIII

THE CRITICAL MOMENT

For a time the Army Boys sat there, panting and gasping from theirunwonted exertions, yet filled with a deep thankfulness that theyhad won through as well as they had. 

At length Frank gave a short laugh that had in it little trace ofmirth. 

"Three husky doughboys of the American Army put to flight by ahorde of rats!" he exclaimed. 

"All the same, they'd be picking the bones of those same huskydoughboys if we hadn't vamoosed, " defended Billy. "Gee! it seemedto me that there must have been millions of them. "

"I know now how that Bishop Hatto, or whoever it was, felt whenthe rats were after him, " put in Bart. "If we'd only had someclubs with us we might have had a chance. "

"Well, they made us show our backs, and that's something the Hunswere never able to do, " said Frank. "But I guess we'd better getback to the barracks and cauterize these bites. I don't know howyou fellows made out, but I'll bet they bit me in twenty places. I'm bleeding fiercely. "

"Same here, " echoed Billy. 

"I feel as though I were one big wound, " said Bart lugubriously. "But say, fellows, don't let on what we've been up against or theboys will guy us to death. "

"And to think we've been to all this trouble only to find thatwe'd stumbled into a sewer, " said Frank disgustedly. "That's whatit must have been, guessing by the smell. "

"Oh by the way!" exclaimed Billy, as a thought struck him. "Imeant to tell you fellows, but the fight with the rats put it outof my mind. There was an electric light in one of those passages. "

Frank, who had gotten to his feet and started to walk away, stopped as though he had been shot. 

"What's that?" he demanded sharply. 

"Fact, " replied Billy. "I could see it plainly, and behind it Isaw the outline of a door. I started to tell you fellows about it, and then I heard one of you shout and I didn't think of the thingagain till this blessed minute. "

"Well, that certainly was hard luck!" exclaimed Frank bitterly. "Ten to one that's the clue to the mystery. My hunch wasn't afalse alarm after all. I've a good mind to go back right now andfinish the job. "

"Not on your life you won't!" said Bart decidedly. "Not if Billyand I have to hold you back by main force. Why, boy, you're crazy. Those rats have tasted blood, and they're full of fight. And then, too, we haven't any clubs to beat them off. It would be sheersuicide to go in there again to-night. "

"Bart is right, " acquiesced Billy. "Some other night perhaps whenwe're in shape for it, but not now. Come along, old man, and useyour common sense. "

Frank knew in his heart that his friends were right, but it galledhim horribly to defer the adventure. 

"Well, " he agreed reluctantly, "we'll call it a night's work andlet it go at that. But I'm only giving it on the promise thatwe'll try it again. We've never let anything in Hunland get awaywith us yet, and it's too late to start it now. If I live I'mgoing to get to the bottom of this. "

"Sure thing, " agreed Bart. "We're just as keen to clear it up asyou are. But this isn't our lucky night. Let's light out for thebarracks and fix up these bites. "

They made their way back and slipped in as unobtrusively as theycould, and after they had cauterized and dressed their wounds theysought to forget their disappointment in sleep. 

The next day found them stiff and sore, but this feeling wore offas the day progressed, and when night came they forgot everythingin their eagerness to be on the march to hunt for their missingcomrade, who had hardly for a moment been out of their thoughts. 

The plans for the expedition had been carefully mapped out. Thedetachment was to travel by lanes and byroads as much as possible, and under the cover of darkness they hoped to avoid observationand comment. Their chief hope of success lay in taking the enemyby surprise, and every precaution was observed to prevent anymiscarriage of their plans. 

"Say, fellows, if we can only have the old scout with us by to-morrow night!" exclaimed Frank, turning to his two comrades, hiseyes alight with eagerness. 

"Wouldn't it be bully?" cried Bart. 

"I'm betting that we shall, " said Billy hopefully. "That is, if hehappens to be the prisoner that Dick was telling us about. Ofcourse that's only a guess. "

The order came to fall in, and with Lieutenant Winter at the headthe expedition started out on its long hike. The men moved alongin loose formation, and all loud talking in the ranks orunnecessary noise was put under the ban. 

The night was clear and cold. There was no moon, for which theboys were thankful. There were no cities along the route, and theypassed through the occasional scattered hamlets without attractingmuch attention. Now and then a dog barked and at times a facecould be seen pressed against a window pane. Sometimes astraggling figure was seen on the road, but at the sight of theshadowy body of marching men it discreetly vanished into thefields or woods at the side of the highway. 

It was about four o'clock in the morning when they reached theoutskirts of the town that was their destination. The lieutenantthrew out a cordon of men to guard the roads and intercept any onegoing to or coming from the place. No fires were built, though inthe bitter cold of the early morning they would have beengrateful. But the men submitted to this privation withoutgrumbling, and stood about stamping their feet and swinging theirarms to keep warm and munching the cold rations that they hadbrought with them. 

Within an hour three Germans had been brought in by the sentries. Two of them were laborers who were coming from a neighboringhamlet to their work in the town. The other had been interceptedcoming from the town on his way to take an early train at arailroad station some three miles away. 

The men were questioned by the lieutenant with the aid of aninterpreter. The laborers knew nothing, or, if they did, they weretoo frightened by the sight of the armed men about them to answerintelligently. They knew that there had been rioting in the townand some people had been killed and wounded, but they had gonealong doing their work and had not been molested. They knewnothing about any American prisoner. They were plainly what theyclaimed to be and the questioning was not continued long. 

The other man proved more intelligent and more communicative. Yes, the Spartacides held possession of the town and the red flag wasflying from the town hall. The regular authorities had beendisarmed and were held as hostages by the rioters. There had beena good deal of looting of shops and robbery of the homes of thewell-to-do. 

As to there being any American among the prisoners or hostages, hedid not know. He had heard some rumors to that effect, but he hadnot inquired, for in these days it was well not to show too muchcuriosity, and he was a quiet man and wanted to keep out oftrouble. 

The lieutenant was not satisfied that he had told all he knew, andpressed the man further. Under questioning, at first persuasiveand then threatening, the man remembered that there had been ameeting of the Spartacides the night before in which the matter ofdisposing of the prisoners had been discussed. Some had been infavor of executing them out of hand. Others had objected. He didnot know what decision had been reached. 

Under pressure, he admitted that several executions had alreadytaken place. Where? At the parade ground. Where was that? Not tenminutes walk from where they were now standing. Would he lead themto it?

At this he demurred. He was a peaceful citizen. He did not want toget tangled up in any political affair. He was strictly neutral. The Spartacides would take his life. 

A cold glint came into the lieutenant's eyes and his hand droppedcarelessly on the handle of his revolver. He toyed with it for amoment. Was the man quite sure that he did not want to show himwhere the parade ground was?

The man wilted on the instant. Certainly he would show them. Hewould go that minute if the Herr Lieutenant was ready. 

"Very well, " said the lieutenant, and promptly gave the order thatthe men should fall in line, and prepare to march. 

In less than ten minutes they were at the designated spot. It wasa bleak, wind-swept space of ground, rectangular in shape, on theedge of a stretch of wood. At the end of the grounds nearest thewoods there was a blank wall about ten feet high. 

As he caught sight of the wall, Frank gave an involuntary shiverthat was not from cold. 

"What's the matter?" asked Billy Waldon, looking curiously at hiscompanion. 

"Nothing, " replied Frank Sheldon, studiously avoiding hiscomrade's eye. 

CHAPTER XIX

TURNING THE TABLES

The lieutenant carefully disposed his men in the shelter of thetrees and waited. 

It was growing a little lighter now that the dawn was beginning toglimmer in the eastern sky. 

In a little building at the side of the parade ground lights beganto show and figures could be seen passing to and fro. The bustleincreased as the moments passed until it could be surmised thatsomething unusual was on foot. 

A file of men could be seen going through the dim street on thefurther side of the building and passing into it by what wasevidently the front entrance. Then, after a while, groups of twoor three came out through the back door and hung about, smoking, as though they were waiting until the business inside, whatever itwas, should be finished. 

Most of the men had old German Army uniforms, but others weredressed as civilians. One man wore an officer's cap, but if thatreally indicated his rank, it was evident from the free and easyway in which he mingled with the others that the old discipline ofthe German Army had disappeared. The boys remembered that onetenet of the Spartacides' creed was that officer and man shouldstand on equal terms. 

Presently a table was brought out by some men and placed on theground a little way away from the bottom of the steps. Followingthis came three men who seemed to be in authority, and behind thema number of prisoners, guarded by men with rifles. 

It had grown lighter now, and a thrill went through the Army Boyscrouching in their covert as they saw that one of the prisonerswore the American uniform. He was facing the men who sat at thetable, evidently his judges, and his back was toward the eyes thatwere watching him so eagerly from the wood, but they knew in aninstant who it was. 

It was Tom, dear old Tom, his form as erect, his bearing asdefiant as they had always known it! They knew that figure toowell to be mistaken. There was a constriction in their throats andtheir hands gripped their rifles until it seemed as if theirfingers would bury themselves in the stocks. 

They were at too great a distance to hear what was said, but itwas apparent that a trial of some kind was in progress. It mighthave been that some of them had scruples about executing theprisoners out of hand, and the form was observed in order to gettheir assent to the bloody work that the majority had determinedon. 

But that the trial was a mere form was evident from the hurriedway in which it was carried on. One by one, the prisoners, of whomthere seemed to be about a dozen, passed before the table, wereasked a few questions, and then dismissed to take their stand onthe other side. It was pitiful to note that one or two of theprisoners were mere boys, while others were men well advanced inyears. One, who wore a velvet cap, seemed to be a person ofconsequence, possibly an official of the town. 

Not more than fifteen minutes had passed before all had gonethrough this mockery of a trial. It was evident that their fatewas predetermined, for none was freed. All took their placesbetween the guards and awaited the next move of the men who heldin their hands the power of life and death. 

During all this time the eyes of the Army Boys had been glued onthe one figure of their comrade. They had noted that of all theprisoners he alone had his hands tied behind him. It filled themwith pride to see the undaunted way in which he had faced hiscaptors and the evident scorn with which he had heard his fate. While some of the prisoners were weeping, others wringing theirhands, and others standing in an attitude of completest dejection, he was apparently as self-possessed and unalarmed as though he hadbeen standing in front of the barracks at Ehrenbreitstein. 

"Same old Tom!" whispered Frank to Bart. "The Germans never cowedhim yet. "

"He's faced death too many times to fear it now, " answered Bart, with a catching of his breath. "They knew, too, what they wereabout when they tied his hands. "

"You bet they know what those hands can do, " added Billy. 

Two or three minutes elapsed while a dispute seemed to be going onbetween the men seated at the table. Then, at a given signal, theguards marshaled the prisoners in line and led them toward thewall at the back of the parade ground. 

The Army Boys were in a fever of apprehension. 

"What's the lieutenant doing?" asked Bart impatiently. "Can't hesee that now's the time?"

"Don't worry, " admonished Frank, though he himself was franticwith the desire for action. "He knows what he's about. "

The prisoners were lined up in a row about ten feet from the wall. Then by a refinement of cruelty, spades were brought forward, andthe condemned men were bidden to dig their own graves. The guardspassed along the line, placing a spade in the hand of each andtelling them roughly what they were to do. They came to Tom andsaw that his hands were bound. There was hesitation and a moment'scolloquy between two of the guards, and then one of them drew hisknife and cut the cords while the other handed Tom a spade. 

Tom took it. 

The next instant he had whirled it over his head and brought itdown on the head of the guard nearest him. The man went down as ifshot. Spinning about, Tom sent the other guard down in a heap. Then he hurled the improvised weapon into the ranks of the men'scomrades, who in wild excitement were bringing their rifles totheir shoulders, and broke like a deer toward the woods. 

"Charge!" shouted Lieutenant Winter. 

Never was order obeyed with more alacrity. Out of the woods camerushing the men of the old Thirty-seventh, sending a hail ofbullets before them. Several of the German firing squad went downat the first volley and the rest were overborne in the mad rush. 

The scene was indescribable. There was a crackling of scatteredshots from the startled Germans. The men who had acted as judgesjumped to their feet in terror and tried to escape. Bulletsbrought down one of them, a bayonet another, while the remainingmember of the trio was gripped and held none too gently by enrageddoughboys. 

In a few minutes it was all over. The prisoners were placed underguard and the Americans were recalled from the chase. 

And in the midst of the Army Boys was Tom, panting, spent, breathless, mauled and pounded by his rejoicing comrades, scarcelyable to believe in his good fortune--good old Tom, who once morein his adventurous career had gone into the very jaws of death andhad come out unscathed!

CHAPTER XX

THE CLAWS OF THE HUNS

There was a wild tumult of questions and answers. None of the ArmyBoys knew what they were doing or saying. The escape had been sonarrow, the relief at deliverance so great, that they were simplyincoherent for a while. 

"Thank heaven, old man, that we have you with us again safe andsound!" cried Frank, as he grasped his comrade's hand and almostwrung it off. 

"I felt as though my heart were going to come out of my body whileI watched you, " said Bart, gripping the other hand. 

"It seemed ages while we stood waiting for the lieutenant to givethe word, " added Billy, giving vent to his feelings by giving Toma hug like that of a boa constrictor. 

"I don't know yet whether I'm awake or dreaming, " said Tom, with alaugh that was a little shaky. "You boys surely did come just intime. I never expected to see you again. And yet I might haveknown that you'd find me if I was on top of the earth. "

"You made a game fight for it, old boy, " said Frank admiringly. 

"Gee, what a clip you gave those fellows with that spade, "chuckled Billy. "They went down like cattle hit with an axe. "

"You might have won out even without us, " said Bart "If you hadonce got into those woods they'd have had to do some traveling tocatch you. "

"They'd probably have caught me with a bullet, " laughed Tom. "Canyou imagine, boys, how I felt when I saw you fellows fairly seemto come up out of the ground? I hadn't really thought that I had achance to escape. But I made up my mind that if I had to go I'dtake some of those Huns along with me. That spade that they wantedme to dig my grave with was a good friend of mine. "

"Where they made a mistake was not digging the grave themselvesand letting your hands stay tied, " said Billy. "But here comes thelieutenant. "

Lieutenant Winter came along the line and greeted Tom warmly. 

"Good work you did with that spade, Bradford, " he said with atwinkle in his eye. "It simply shows that in fighting it's the manmore than the weapon that counts. Well, you're safe with us again, and I'm glad on my own account and for the sake of the regiment. We couldn't afford to lose a good two-fisted fighter like you. Assoon as you've been to mess I'll want to see you again andquestion you on what you've learned while you've been a prisoner. "

He passed on to look after the captives and set a guard tomaintain order in the town. The ringleaders had been captured, andthe rest of the Spartacides were cowed and bewildered. And now, encouraged by the presence of the Americans, the more decentelement of the community again asserted themselves and the rioterseither fled or went into hiding. 

The company cook had been busy foraging, and soon had a hotbreakfast ready for the detachment, who after their long vigil inthe cold and darkness fell upon it like so many hungry wolves. TheArmy Boys did their full share, and Tom especially ate ravenouslyand as though he could never get enough. 

"Did they starve you, old boy?" asked Frank, as the fooddisappeared like magic. 

"Starve's the right word, " answered Tom, as well as he could withhis mouth full. "Didn't get a quarter of what I needed. Waterysoup and carrots and black bread and once in a while a musty pieceof meat. And it wasn't because they were short of food, for theysimply gorged. They just wanted to torture me because they hatedall Americans, and I happened to be the only one within theirreach. Oh, I just love those gentle Huns. I've come to believethat there are only two classes in the world--human beings andGermans. "

"I've known that ever since I saw what they did in France andBelgium, " remarked Bart. "No other people on earth could have doneit!"

After they had finished their meal Tom received a summons to go tothe hall that Lieutenant Winter had selected as his temporaryquarters. When he entered the hall he started, for he saw amongthe men standing there the man whom the lieutenant had capturedand used as a guide to the parade ground. The man saw him at thesame time and sought to efface himself among the others. 

"Do you know that man?" asked the lieutenant, who had seen Tom'sstart of surprise. 

"Only too well, " said Tom, in a tone where bitterness and scornwere mingled. 

"What about him?" asked the lieutenant. 

"He's one of the ringleaders of that gang of highbinders, "answered Tom. 

The lieutenant looked at the man stonily. 

"So you're the peaceful citizen that knew so little about theSpartacides, are you?" he asked bitingly. 

The man started to protest, but the lieutenant shut him upbrusquely and turned to Tom. 

"It's lucky you came in just when you did, " he said. "I was justabout to let this man go because of his services in showing uswhere the parade ground was. I know now why he was so reluctant todo it. " "He did it to save his own skin, " answered Tom. "He's acoward as well as a murderer. He's been responsible for otherexecutions that have taken place here in the last few days. He'sbeen one of the bloodiest of the lot, and whenever he saw one ofthe gang begin to weaken he's stiffened him up. He started outthis morning to go to another town to stir up the same kind ofriot and murder. I heard him talking about it last night. And justbefore he went he came to the room where I was confined andtaunted me. Told me that I'd be food for the worms to-morrow andthat before long there'd be a lot of Americans to keep mecompany. "

The man again started to protest, but one of the doughboys who wason guard gripped him by the collar and dug his knuckles into hisneck as he yanked him back. 

"Take him away and put him in the same cell where Bradford washeld, " commanded the lieutenant. "He shall have a taste of his ownmedicine. He'll get a trial when he gets to Coblenz, and thechances are that he'll face a firing squad. Such fiendish work ashe's been doing is going to be stopped if it takes the wholeAmerican army to do it!"

The eyes of the Americans followed the cringing figure of theGerman as he was led away, and then the lieutenant turned to Tom. 

"Now for your story, Bradford, " he said, and took a pen andprepared to jot down the main points of the former prisoner'sexperience. 

CHAPTER XXI

SQUARING ACCOUNTS

Tom told in detail just what had happened since he had fallen intothe hands of the Huns. He had been taken from place to place andtreated with the greatest harshness. Everywhere he had witnessedscenes of bloodshed and cruelty. The Spartacides had sparedneither age nor sex. They had seemed possessed with a lust formurder. Their bloody work had a fit emblem in their red flag. Tom's familiarity with the language had not been great enough tounderstand all that was said in the conferences that he frequentlyoverheard, though he had picked up enough to know that murder andriot were being planned on an extensive scale in the districtoccupied by the American Army. Some of the Germans in the mob hadlived previously in America, from which they came to serve in theGerman Army when war had been declared and while the United Stateswas still neutral, and these men, Tom said, were among thebitterest of all. Often in their off hours they would come andstand in front of his cell and tell him blood curdling stories ofwhat they had been doing and of what they were going to do to himalso. They had spoken freely, for they regarded him as good asdead, and some of the information he had gained from the talk ofthese miscreants was regarded as of great value by the lieutenant, whose pen fairly flew over the paper at some points in Tom'snarrative. 

At last Tom had told the lieutenant all he knew, and afterthanking him the officer dismissed him. 

He was witness to some touching sights as he made his way back tohis companions. There were mothers embracing their sons, wivesweeping with joy in the arms of their husbands who had been Tom'scompanions in the grim march that morning to the rear wall wherethey were to face death. But there were no fresh stains on thatwall this morning, and the graves remained undug, though here andthere were seen the first marks of spades where the wretchedvictims had begun to dig. It had been a close call, and Tominvoluntarily shuddered. The cool air that he drew into his lungshad never seemed so sweet to him as now. 

He found the Army Boys looking with great interest at a spadewhich they held out to him as they approached. 

"Here's a souvenir, old boy, " grinned Billy. 

"It's the one you lammed into the Huns with, " explained Bart. "My, but that was a mighty wallop. They went down like tenpins. "

"I guess it gave them a headache, " laughed Tom. "I know that I putall my weight behind the blows. "

"One of them will never have any more headaches, " declared Frank. "Even his thick German skull wasn't proof against that blow. Subsequent proceedings will interest him no more. "

"The other one was taken to the hospital with a broken shoulder, "remarked Billy. 

"If Tom had only had time, he'd have cleaned out the whole bunch, "laughed Bart. "As it is, he's given them a wholesome respect forAmerican muscle. "

"And American speed too, I imagine, " grinned Billy. "The way Tomwas making for the woods was a caution. A jack rabbit had nothingon him. "

They could joke about the matter now, but it had been far from ajoke at that moment not far removed, when life and death had beentrembling in the balance. 

"Tell us how we came to lose you, Tom, " said Frank, as he threwdown the spade and they made their way to their temporaryquarters. "One minute we saw you and the next we didn't. "

"You vanished like a ghost, " put in Bart "When we were fighting inthat house I saw you knock down one of the rioters with the buttof your gun. I was busy myself then with a husky roughneck, but Itumbled him over and looked around for you and couldn't see you. "

"We thought at first, " said Billy, "that you might have fallenbetween the houses when you were chasing the Huns over the roof. We made a careful search afterward, but couldn't find hide norhair of you. You weren't in any of the hospitals, either. Youseemed to have melted into thin air. "

"I'm blest if I know myself how it happened, " said Tom. "The lastI remember was that a couple tackled me at once. I lunged mybayonet at one of them, and then I must have gone down and out, although I don't even remember being hit. I suppose, though, thatthe other fellow caught me a clip with a gun butt, for when I nextknew anything I had a lump on the back of my head as big as anegg. 

"I found myself in an attic that was as black as Egypt, " he wenton. "I couldn't tell whether it was day or night, for there didn'tseem to be any window. My hands were tied behind me, and I wasaching from head to foot. After a while a bunch of Huns came in, took me downstairs, and pitched me into a covered wagon. Then theydrove off into the country. Where they took me I don't know, butafter a long ride I was taken out of the wagon and slammed down ina room of what seemed to be a deserted cabin. I only knew it wassomewhere in the woods, for through the windows I could see treesall around. 

"After a while two or three men who seemed to be the leaders camein. One of them, who could speak English, tried to put me throughthe third degree. They wanted me to tell them all that I knewabout the army forces in Coblenz and the surrounding districts, how many there were, where they were located, what the plans were, and all that kind of dope. Of course I didn't know anything, andthen they took it out of me in kicks. I got lots of them, and Iguess I'm black and blue all over. They're a plucky lot when aman's hands are tied. "

There was a murmur of rage and sympathy from his comrades andtheir fists clenched. 

"Some of them wanted to put an end to me right then and there, "Tom continued, "but others objected until they could get me alittle further into Germany. They felt that the American forceswere a little too near for comfort. Great Scott, how they hate theAmericans! They fairly frothed at the mouth when they spoke ofthem. They blame us for their defeat. I've heard them say many atime that if it hadn't been for us they'd have been in Paris longago and maybe in London. "

"I guess they were pretty near right at that, " remarked Frank. 

"They surely were, " agreed Billy. "Your Uncle Samuel came alongjust in the nick of time. "

"But go ahead, Tom, " urged Bart. "What did they do with you afterthat?"

"Just about the same, only more so, " replied Tom, with a grin. "Iwas taken from one town to another until they finally settled downhere. They seemed to find it a promising place to carry out theirprogram of loot and murder. There was some pretty sharp streetfighting here for a few days, and then the Spartacides got theupper hand and commenced killing some of their hostages. What yousaw this morning has been going on for some time, only this wasthe biggest batch they have had yet. Going to make a grand wind-upas it were. They haven't spared the women, either. One of them waskilled yesterday. "

"The hounds!" gritted Frank between his teeth. 

CHAPTER XXII

WILL THE GERMANS SIGN?

"It was a pitiful sight, " said Tom, continuing the tale of hisexperience while a captive. "One of the women wanted to write amessage of farewell to her husband and children. They gave herpaper and pencil, and one of the guards offered his back to restthe paper on while she wrote. At about every sentence, the guardlet himself fall down and the woman stumbled over him. It wasgreat fun for the rest of the gang. They laughed as if it were ashow. Oh, I tell you, the Huns are great humorists!"

The eyes of the Army Boys flashed. 

"The unspeakable beasts!" cried Frank. 

"It would be a good thing if a plague came along and snuffed outthe whole nation!" angrily exclaimed Bart. 

"It might be a good thing for the rest of the world, " agreed Tom. "And, by the way, speaking of plague, I don't know but what it'son the way even now. In one or two of the places I've been inthere's a mysterious something that's killing off the people likesheep. I've heard the guards talking about it. Nobody seems toknow what it is and the doctors themselves are all at sea. Onlyyesterday one of the guards was taken with it. Big husky fellow hewas too, and yet in a couple of hours he was dead. Seems to workas quickly as the cholera and to be just as deadly. I hope itdoesn't hit the American Army. "

"It has hit it already, " replied Frank soberly. "There's quite alot of our boys in Coblenz who have died of it, and the officersare all up in the air about it. The medical staff is at its wit'send. I tell you, it's getting to be a mighty big problem. "

"I wish we were out of the hoodooed country!" exclaimed Bartsavagely. "The whole land seems to rest under a curse. When onearth will that treaty be signed so that we can go back to theStates?"

"The Germans say that they're not going to sign it if it proves tobe as severe as is reported, " remarked Tom. "I've heard that saidon every side. "

"'They say' they're not, " sneered Billy. "What does their 'theysay' amount to? Nothing at all. They said they'd never stopfighting, and they lay down like dogs. They said we'd never stepon the sacred soil of Germany, but there wasn't a peep out of themwhen we marched over the Rhine. They're the biggest bluffers andthe quickest quitters in the world. "

"When are we going back to Coblenz?" asked Tom. 

"In a hurry to get back are you?" laughed Frank. "Well, I don'tblame you, old man. Billy tells me that Alice has been crying herpretty eyes out ever since you disappeared. But I suppose we'llhave to hang around here for a few days yet. There's a lot to bedone in cleaning out the Spartacides and getting the town inproper condition. The lieut. Won't go back till he's finished thejob. But you needn't worry, for by this time he's telephoned thewhole thing over to Coblenz, and the authorities there know thatyou're safe and sound. It's a safe bet that Alice has alreadylearned the good news. "

Frank's conjecture turned out to be correct, for it was nearly aweek before the lieutenant concluded that his work in the town wasdone. Then the column took up its march in a jubilant mood, fortheir comrade, who was a prime favorite in the regiment, had beenrescued and the work had been done in the deft and finished waythat marked the traditions of the American Army. 

Tom and Billy slipped away as soon as they could obtain leaveafter they reached the city, and there was not any doubt in anyone's mind as to their destination. Nor on their return to thebarracks that night, bubbling over with glee and high spirits, wasthere any question but that their visit had been a thoroughlysatisfactory one. If traces of his captivity were still visible inTom's rather hollow cheeks and shrunken waistband, they hadentirely disappeared from his manner. 

His comrades had of course told him of their adventure inconnection with the trap door, and he was all agog with interestin their recital of their battle with the rats, scars of whosebites were still visible as evidence if any had been necessary. 

"It must have been some fight!" he remarked, with a touch of envy. "Gee! I'd like to have been with you. Too bad, though, that youdidn't find out what you went after. Of course you're not going togive it up?"

"You bet your life we're not!" answered Frank emphatically. "Giveit up isn't in our dictionary. We're going to search that placeagain, rats or no rats, only the next time we'll have clubs and beready for them. "

"That's the way to talk!" cried Tom. "That'll give me a chance toget in on the game. "

"I don't know that the rats will trouble us next time, " put inBilly. "You'll remember that it was only after we got past thatplace where the light was that we came across them in any numbers. Their stamping ground seemed to be further on. "

"That seems likely enough, " agreed Bart. "The light being thereshowed that somebody had been using the passage without hindrance. We simply had the hard luck to get in the quarter where the ratswere thickest. At any rate, well take another chance. "

That chance was not as soon in coming as they had hoped for, however, for Coblenz was now seething with unrest. The disordersthat were prevalent all over Germany were manifesting themselvesin the region of the Rhine. Scarcely a day passed without anoutrage of some kind being reported. Several American soldierswere found stabbed in the street by unknown assassins. Agitatorsfrom Berlin were slipping into the city and trying to stir upinsurrection. It was feared that the sharp lesson given on aprevious occasion would have to be repeated. 

Strikes were called in various industries, and sullen knots ofidle men, ripe for mischief, were in evidence everywhere. Whenthey were dispersed by military patrols, it was only to gather insome other place. 

CHAPTER XXIII

ON THE VERGE OF DISCOVERY

In view of the menacing situation and the black looks and mutteredcurses that were thrown at the Americans who were policing thecity, military regulations were tightened. Leaves of absence wereeither forbidden or greatly curtailed, and the Army Boys foundthemselves confined to their barracks when not actually onservice. So the projected trip to the alley had to be deferred. 

Weeks passed by and lengthened into months. Winter had disappearedand spring had come, bringing with it soft breezes and verdantfields and budding flowers and clothing the valley of the Rhine inbeauty. 

It was a welcome change to the Army Boys, who had chafed over theforced inaction and abstention from outdoor sports caused by thesevere winter. Now most of the time off duty was spent in theopen, and baseball and other games made the banishment from homeseem less of a hardship. Company teams were organized and therewas a good deal of healthy rivalry between the various nines. TheArmy Boys were expert players, and the work they did on thediamond speedily placed their nine in the lead. 

But underneath all their work and fun lay the longing for home. They were in an alien country, among a people that hated them, apeople bitter from defeat and eager for revenge. 

They flung themselves down on the river bank one afternoon to restafter an unusually exciting game of ball when they had justmanaged to nose out their opponents in the ninth inning. 

"Beautiful river, isn't it?" remarked Frank, his eyes followingthe windings of the Rhine, visible there for many miles in eitherdirection. 

"Oh, the country's pretty enough, " conceded Bart grudgingly. "It'sthe people in it that I object to. "

 "'Where every prospect pleases, And only man is vile, '"

quoted Billy. 

"I wish the Paris Conference would get busy and finish up thattreaty, " observed Frank impatiently. "What in heck keeps themdawdling so long over it?"

"It's like a sewing circle, " grumbled Bart. "There's a lot of talkand mighty little work done. "

"We'll be doddering old men by the time they get through, " addedTom. 

"Time seems to be no object with them, " commented Billy. 

"Of course, " admitted Frank, "I suppose there's an awful lot todo. The world's been ripped wide open by these pesky Huns, andit's some job to sew it up again. Still it does seem that theyought to hustle things a good deal more than they are doing. I'manxious to shake the dust of Germany from my feet forever. "

"What's the latest you've heard about the peace terms?" Billyinquired. 

"Oh, Germany's going to get hers, all right, " replied Frankgrimly. "She's had her dance, and now she's going to pay thepiper. She's going to lose her colonies, for one thing. She won'thave a single foot of land outside of Germany itself, and a lot ofthat's going to be cut away from her, too. Alsace-Lorraine ofcourse goes back to France. Schleswig, that Bismarck stole, willbe given to Denmark. The Poles will get part of East and WestPrussia, Posen and Silesia. The coal mines in the Sarre Basin goto France, to make up for the destruction of French coal mines atLens. Germany's got to give back ton for ton the shipping sunk byher submarines. She must yield up all her aircraft, and can keepan army of only one hundred thousand men. Then, too, she'll haveto fork over a little trifle of forty or fifty billion dollars, anamount that will keep her nose to the grindstone for the nextthirty years. Oh, yes, Germany will pay the piper all right. "

"It isn't enough, " said Bart curtly. 

"No, " put in Billy. "She's getting off too easily. That's onlysticking a knife in hen. They ought to twist the knife around. "

"Even with all that, " declared Tom, "she won't begin to pay forall the misery and death she caused. But what are they going to dowith the Kaiser?" he continued. "Have you heard about that?"

"Oh, they're talking about yanking him out of Holland and puttinghim on trial, " answered Frank; "but it's a gamble if they reallywill. He's such a skulking cowardly figure just now that perhapsit wouldn't be well to try him. It might dignify him too much, make a martyr of him. They may let him and the Crown Prince staywhere they are. There's no telling. "

"Well, " remarked Tom, as they rose to their feet and startedtoward the barracks, "whatever the terms, I only hope they'llhurry them up and let us get back to the States. "

A week of comparative quiet followed, and the situation in Coblenzseemed to be well in hand. That is, as far as disturbances wereconcerned. The mysterious disease, however, still seemed to beuncurbed, despite all the efforts of the medical staff. 

Military restrictions now were somewhat relaxed. Leaves of absencewere more easily obtained, but it was some time before the ArmyBoys were able to arrange things so that all their leaves fell onthe same night. 

That time came at last, however, and they started out soon afternightfall with the determination once for all to solve the mysteryof the alley. The night was extremely dark, and as the moon wouldnot rise till late they had comparatively little difficulty inseizing an opportunity when the street was practically deserted toslip into the alley unobserved. 

Their task was rendered easier by the fact that there was nolonger ice to hinder their raising of the trap door. It creakedunder the straining of their arms, but it yielded, and, using theutmost caution, they descended into the yawning chasm. 

They had provided themselves with stout sticks that they felt surewould enable them to ward off any attack by rats, though theydevoutly hoped that these would not be needed. Nor were they, forBilly's conjecture that the part infested by them was beyond thelighted corridor proved correct. 

With the stealth of Indians they moved along the narrow passage, darting glances into every opening that seemed to branch off fromthe main corridor. For some time nothing greeted their eyes butimpenetrable blackness, and they began to think that either thelight had been extinguished or that they had inadvertently passedit by. 

"Hist!" came from Billy's lips, and they halted. 

"There it is, " he said in a low tone. 

They clustered about him as he pointed to the left. There, sureenough, was the electric bulb glowing, and behind it the outlineof a door. Turning into the passage and inwardly thankful that asyet no rats had been encountered, they made their way toward thelight. 

The door, as revealed by the light, was of heavy oak. There was nocrack or crevice in it anywhere. Standing close to the door theylistened intently for any sound from the other side. Everythingwas absolutely quiet. All that they could hear was their ownexcited breathing. 

Frank put his hand on the knob of the door and flashed a look ofmute inquiry at his comrades. They nodded understandingly, andinch by inch Frank noiselessly drew the door open. 

There was no light in the room beyond, but a ray from the electricbulb outside fell on a row of bottles and retorts that indicated achemical laboratory. 

Frank had drawn his flashlight from his section pocket and wasabout to turn it upon the room, when suddenly the room becameradiant with a perfect flood of light. At the same time there wasthe sound of a quick step in the hall beyond the room, the clickof a door knob, and Frank had just time to push the heavy oakendoor nearly to, when the further door opened and a man came intothe room. 

Through the crack of the door Frank caught a glimpse of the man'sface and started back in surprise. 

CHAPTER XXIV

THE DEADLY PHIAL

It was the famous physician, the man whose hate for Americans wasso notorious, the man with whom they had already had unpleasantencounters, the man who had so often shot venomous looks at Frankand his comrades as they passed and yet who of late had worn anair so jubilant. 

It was his house then to which this mysterious passage affordedsecret entrance, that entrance which the Army Boys had felt surewas used by conspirators and assassins. What did it all mean?

The doctor approached one of the retorts in which some concoctionwas bubbling and examined it carefully, reducing the heat a littleas he glanced at the thermometer. Then he walked over to a row ofphials on one of the shelves and handled them almost caressingly. One of them he pressed with an almost rapturous gesture to hisbreast, at the same time breaking out in a strain of mingledeulogy and denunciation. The eulogy seemed to be for the phial, the denunciation for the "accursed Americans, " which phrase Frankheard him repeat several times. 

The doctor then replaced the phials on the shelf and picked up anevening paper printed in German that was lying on a chair. Helooked over the headlines which ran all the way across the page, and indulged in a chuckle. He read the article through, then threwdown the paper and walked to and fro in the room, rubbing hishands and evidently in the highest spirits. 

The paper had been thrown down in such a way that Frank couldplainly see the flaring headlines. They ran thus:

"MYSTERIOUS DISEASE STILL UNABATED More Americans Stricken. "

This then accounted for the doctor's elation. Frank's eye glancedfrom the paper to the phial and back again to the paper. 

Suddenly a terrible conviction struck him with the force of ablow. 

At that moment a bell rang somewhere outside. The doctor stoppedin his pacing, listened a moment, and then with a gesture ofimpatience strode to the door and passed out into the hall, closing the door after him. 

Like a flash, Frank was in the room and had possessed himself ofthe mysterious phial. Then he was back again among his companions, who had gazed after him in wonder. 

"Quick!" he directed as he closed the heavy door. "Back to thealley as fast as we can. "

"What's the big idea, Frank?" asked Bart, as the boys hurriedafter their leader. 

"Can't stop to talk about it now, old fellow. Tell you later whatI think I've stumbled on. I think I know now what my hunch meant. I'm streaking it straight for headquarters as fast as my legs willcarry me. "

Bart saw how wrought up he was, and followed him without furtherquestioning. 

Straight to his captain Frank hastened and told his story. He hadnot finished before the captain sent out hastily for others higherin authority. Then Frank, often interrupted by excitedquestioning, narrated every detail of the night's discovery. Thephial was handed over to the chief medical officer, and Frank, after hearty commendation, was bidden to hold himself ready forcall at a moment's notice. 

He hurried off to the barracks, where his comrades were eagerlyawaiting him. To them he poured out all he knew and suspected. 

That night and the next day witnessed busy scenes at theheadquarters of the medical staff. The contents of the phial wereanalysed and justified Frank's suspicions. A force was organizedin which the Army Boys were included to seize the arch-plotter. Itwould have been possible to have entered his house from the front, but the broad street on which it stood was a thoroughfare throngedwith people at night, and in order to avoid possible riot andattempt at rescue it was deemed best to enter from the trap doorin the alley. 

As soon as it was fully dark, the detachment was set in motion. Sentries were posted on either side of the alley to prevent anyone from entering, and one by one the arresting party swept downthrough the passage from the alley and they made their way, withFrank as guide, to the oaken door. Here they paused and listened. 

Far from being empty, as on the night before, there were sounds inthe room that amounted almost to tumult. Loud exclamations wereinterspersed with bursts of laughter. The main note seemed to beapproval. Some one who aroused the enthusiasm of his hearers wasspeaking. 

Slowly, very slowly, Lieutenant Winter, who was in charge, drewthe door open by imperceptible degrees. It was the doctor himselfwho was holding forth, almost with frenzy. His gestures were wildand his words came so fast as to make his speech almostincoherent. 

But the listeners caught enough from that wild torrent of words toknow that their darkest suspicions were more than justified. Theman was gloating over his wickedness, over the deaths that hadalready resulted, and the deaths he hoped to cause through hisdiabolical discovery. 

He stopped at length, and others in the party had their turn. Herewas something beyond what the raiding party had looked for. Theyhad stumbled upon a nest of conspirators who, in their way, as thedoctor in his, were deadly enemies of society in general and theAmericans in particular. 

Through this secret passage into the alley, for how long none ofthem knew, these desperate men had been going to and fro, avoidingattention and hatching in the doctor's office a plot that had keptthe entire zone of the American Army of Occupation in a state ofunrest. The proof was all-sufficient, and the conspirators wereweaving the noose for their own necks. 

The lieutenant lifted his hand, swung the door wide open, and, followed by his men, rushed into the room. 

CHAPTER XXV

THE TREATY SIGNED

It was a scene of wild confusion. Men jumped from their seats withshouts and execrations. One man leaped for the electric switch toturn out the light, but Frank reached him at a bound and felledhim to the floor. Pistols were drawn, but the doughboys knockedthem out of the conspirators' hands, and in a twinkling had themen gripped and powerless. 

The doctor crammed some papers into his mouth with the evidentintention of swallowing them, but Tom's sinewy hands were at histhroat and choked them out. 

It was all over in a few moments. The surprise had been so greatthat resistance was futile. The baffled conspirators stood huddledtogether, disarmed, and under guard. 

The doctor's rage was fearful as his eyes rested on Frank, forwhom he had cherished bitter enmity since their first encounter, and who he felt instinctively was the cause of his undoing. 

The lieutenant gave a few curt commands and the prisoners were ledout through the passage, secret no longer, and conveyed underguard to American headquarters. 

Here a number of leading American officers had gathered to awaitthe results of the raid. The prisoners were remanded forexamination on the morrow, with the exception of the doctor, whowas brought at once before the tribunal and sternly questioned. 

At first he remained stubbornly silent, refusing to say a word. Then the crumpled papers that he had attempted to swallow wereopened and read. 

They proved to be the formulas relating to the deadly germscontained in the phials. Step by step the process was described. The proof was positive and overwhelming. But most important of allwas the setting down of the antidote that would neutralize theeffect of the germs. 

The doctor's face during the reading of the papers was a study inemotions. Rage, disappointment, hate succeeded one another. Uponthe faces of his judges the prevalent expression was one ofhorror, tempered somewhat by the relief afforded by the knowledgethat the antidote was within their reach. 

Being asked if he had anything to say, the doctor at last brokehis stubborn silence. Denial was impossible. The game was up. There was nothing to gain by repressing his feelings, and he brokeout in a wild tirade. 

Yes, he said, it was true that he had discovered and isolated thisdeadly germ and had made numberless cultures of it to be spreadbroadcast. He boasted of it. He gloried in it. He had alreadykilled many of the hated Americans, and if he had been given timehe would have swept the whole American Army of Occupation off theface of the earth. It was true that he had not confined hisoperations to the Americans alone. He had sought revenge on hisown cowardly countrymen who had yielded supinely and permitted theAmericans to occupy the fairest districts of Germany. He hadoffered his deadly discovery to the German commanders before thearmistice was signed, but either through doubts of its value orfear that their own troops would share in the contagion they hadrefused to make use of it. Then his rage had turned againstcountrymen and foes alike. Like Caligula, he had wished that thewhole human race had but a single head so that he might cut it offwith one blow. He would have done it, too, if this accursed youngAmerican--

Here he made a savage lunge at Frank, and there was a terrificstruggle before he was overpowered by the guards. He fought withthe strength of a maniac, which indeed he was, for the wild rageunder which he labored had reached its climax in the overturningof his reason. He was dragged away, struggling, fighting, andfoaming at the mouth. 

There was unmeasured joy and relief at American headquarters thatnight, for the shadow of the plague that had hung over the armyfor months was lifted and the remedy was known. Frank and hiscomrades came in for praise and commendation that made their facesglow, and it was promised that promotion and crosses of honorwould be a reward and recognition of their splendid work. 

And now the date had been set for the signing of the Peace Treaty. Germany was at white heat in protest against the terms. She sworethat she would never sign. She raged like a wild beast that hadbeen caught in a trap. With characteristic treachery she sank theinterned fleet at Scapa Flow. A mob burned the French flags inBerlin, of which the treaty demanded the surrender. Sign thetreaty? Never! Never!

The Americans were ready on the instant to march toward Berlin. Twenty-four hours before the time set for signing, tanks, airplanes, guns and men poured over the Rhine. If the Germanswanted more fighting they could have it. If they did not sign thetreaty at Versailles, they would be compelled to sign it inBerlin. The guns were ready to thunder, the men ready to charge. 

The Germans saw those preparations and wilted. Their boastingchanged to whining. 

On June the twenty-eighth they signed the treaty. _The war wasover_!

And when that night the booming of guns at Coblenz told that thetreaty had been signed, the Army Boys hugged each other in delightat the knowledge that their work was done and that now they werefree to go back home!

"Hurrah!" cried Billy in wild jubilation. 

"Back to the States!" shouted Bart. 

"Three cheers for Old Glory!" exclaimed Tom. 

"And a tiger, " added Frank. "Well, fellows, our work is over. Ourboys came over here to! whip the Hun. They did it. They came overto help win the war. They did it. The job is done, and now we ArmyBoys can go back in triumph to God's country!"

THE END