Part 18 (1/2)

As on the previous afternoon, they soon found the German arht, for such it really was, despite the order hich the retrograde lutted with cast-off articles, such as had better be disposed of if haste and mobility were to be considered

As a rule these had been rendered useless before being abandoned, in order to prevent theht worth seeing; and no wonder such of the country people who this ”made in Germany” material, had broad smiles on their faces, since it spoke eloquently of the near panic that must have existed in the army of Von Kluck, before they would thus abandon so s engaged their attention as they slowlyObstacles were frequently met with, but cleverly avoided by these expert riders Many times Rod called a temporary halt in order to speak with soent, and, he iive him information

They also caaged in caring for wounded comrades who could not be taken to the rear as yet on account of the glut of injured and the lack of vehicles of transportation; though many such were to be seen on their way to Paris with loads of groaning hu to the front, the horses snorting as though they already scented the battle sriht be so fortunate as to see the sun set when that dreadful day reached its close

Other big vans there were carrying fresh a theatmosphere with their clamor

French powder and shot had never been sent forth on awith the hearts of the people Afresh supplies, if only it could win for thelorious victory over the German invaders on the banks of the Marne

There caht to a sudden stop through other means than his oill Fro the French uniforruff voice ordered the at what they dee akin to a joke, they hastened to coo to their headquarters, as they are ordering us to,”

suggested Rod pleasantly; ”it will serve to break the monotony of our ride, and who knohat information we may be able to pick up there”

He touched his breast pocket as he said this, and the other boys knew that Rod did not in the least doubt the ability of those papers to carry theht arise

Accordingly he turned to the grizzled French sergeant who seee of the detail by which they had been taken prisoners, and told hi up the road they turned into what seemed to be a little-used path Each of the boys trundled histhem over to the soldiers

Even Hanky Panky exhibited no sign of alar he felt any such weakness it had been immediately set at rest by those cheery words which Rod spoke Of course they could quickly satisfy the French coical docuain them new friends as well

Shortly afterwards they found theiical purpose, which was never explained to the boys Under a shelter tent several officers were conferring while they sipped their coffee The older man with the white imperial Rod knew to be a colonel from his uniform All of thean to feel a little chill

Rod immediately courteously saluted the colonel and started to speak

”Pardon me, Colonel, but e?”

”It is very silish; ”in times like this spies may be arrested, tried, and executed all inside of an hour And you three boys are accused of having been known to send information to the enemy!”

CHAPTER XX

THE ACCUSATION

That startling accusation sobered even Josh, for the smile faded from his face as he turned an anxious look upon Rod To be taken for a spy was a serious thing in these war tie

Rod did not lose his self-possession At the same time a little frown appeared on his usually placid face

”That is a serious thing you charge us with, my Colonel,” he reht in the whirl of war We finally found our way out of Belgium withbeen recalled by a iu M'sieu!” said the officer, with a touch of satire in his cold voice, and a look toward a man dressed as a civilian, who, Rod noticed, was intently watching them

”That is true, Monsieur le Colonel,” immediately replied the boy, ”and we can explain that easily We met with a poor French woman in Anthose story enlisted our sympathies She had just come by a paper from a lawyer in Paris whereby her husband would inherit quite a snug little fortune if he signed the same document within a stated tiiment as declared she feared the opportunity would be forever lost And,of as going on along the French front, gave Jeanne D'Aubrey our promise that ould try to find her Andre, so that the paper ned”