Part 12 (1/2)

Hal turned to Alexis

”Change clothes with hi to the fallen German

Hastily Alexis obeyed In spite of the fact that von Bernstruht of the latter was so great that Hal believed the difference would not be noticed

The lad now relieved von Bernstrum of his revolvers Alexis had donned his adversary's sith his uniform Then once more Hal approached the door and peered out Then he spoke to Alexis

”We will go with you as though ere your prisoners,” he explained

”If anyone accosts us, we h like von Bernstrum to avoid detection Pull the hat well over your face, and if anyone asks where you are going, reply that you are taking the prisoners to the conified that he did, and quietly the three, still followed by Marquis, left the roouided Alexis by a touch of the hand, for the lad's sense of direction was iant Cossack

At last they caate So far they had not been accosted At the gate a soldier approached Alexis and saluted

”Are you going out, sir?” he de von Bernstruiventhem out for a breath of air Get me two more horses”

The soldier saluted and turned away Hal addressed Alexis

”You are doing beautifully,” he exclaiist”

”Why,” exclaiist I remember one time----”

”Save it for soan the big Cossack, somewhat crestfallen

”Never s to do”

Alexis subsided, gru three horses Alexis took all three bridles, and bade the soldier begone, which order the latter obeyed in a hurry

Quickly the three friends leaped into the saddle, and started off at a rapid trot, riding eastward Out of sight of the town, they bore off slightly to the North, for, as Hal said, they did not wish to run right into the Ger on Lodz

They had proceeded perhaps a ht of the castle, when Hal suddenly checked hishand All stopped to listen From the direction in which they had just coreat bell, followed by a few faint shots

”They have learned of our escape,” said Hal quietly ”That, I i to the countryside to be on the lookout for us”

All three put spurs to their horses, and set off again at a gallop For two hours they kept up this swift pace, and then Alexis drew rein

”Unless I want this horse to drop under me,” he said, ”we shall have to slon There is no horse living that can carry ”

The boys did not doubt this, and they continued their journey at aa turn in the road, they came upon a little streae

”Guess we shall have to ly all plunged into the strea behind, and soon reached the opposite shore Here they drew up in a clump of bushes and sat down to dry off a bit