Part 35 (1/2)

Hal and Chester were startled at this sudden outburst. Neither realized that Hal was, perhaps, the only person who had dared to stand before the German monarch and tell him to his face that he had not the sympathy of the whole world, and that he was held responsible for the greatest war of all history.

Now the Kaiser was talking to himself, his fists still clenched, and he tapped nervously on the table, as he muttered:

”They have lied to me. Yes, they have lied to me. They told me that few held me to blame, that the sympathy of the world was with me. I thought they lied then. I am sure of it now.”

Suddenly he ceased talking, and turned to the table, where he was soon engrossed in looking over some papers and maps. So he sat, utterly disregarding the presence of the two American boys; nor did they venture to interrupt his profound study, until two hours later General Von Kluck sent the guard ordered by the Kaiser to take them away. When the officer in charge of the squad made known his commission, the emperor signified his consent with a nod of his head. He addressed no further words to Hal or Chester.

”I am commanded,” said the German officer, ”to take you to my tent and see that you are well guarded, until it is decided what disposition is to be made of you.”

In a large and commodious tent the boys were made comfortable, and a guard stationed around the outside. Then the officer took himself away to make his report to the general.

”Well,” said Chester, ”they have got us this time, and I don't see any way of escape. Here we are, right in the heart of the German army, and we might just as well be in the Sahara desert, as far as our chances go of getting back to our own lines.”

”Don't be so downhearted,” said Hal. ”More peculiar things have happened. We are at least in no danger of being shot. I suppose we should be thankful for that.”

”Yes, I suppose we should,” Chester agreed. ”But just the same I would like to be back where we belong.”

”Well, you can't tell,” said Hal. ”We may be able to give them the slip. However, I would be opposed to any plan that did not have a good chance of success. For, if we failed, I am sure they would shoot us without compunction.”

”There is no doubt of that,” said Chester. ”Von Kluck would do it anyhow, if he didn't fear the heavy hand of the Kaiser. By the way, what do you think of the Kaiser, anyhow?”

”Well,” said Hal slowly, ”I believe, in the first place, that he takes himself too seriously. I believe that he considers himself the chosen instrument of Heaven to put down the Slavs, to say nothing of the French and English. He has the mistaken idea that he is a man of destiny.”

”Yes,” agreed Chester, ”there is no doubt that he thinks he is right and the whole world wrong.”

Further talk was interrupted by the return of the German officer.

”You are to remain here for the next few days,” he informed them. ”As the emperor has interested himself in your behalf, General Von Kluck is awaiting further word from him as to what to do with you. Right now the emperor will not talk. He is busy with his maps and papers, and, when he is busy, no one dare disturb him.”

”And what do you suppose will be done with us eventually?” asked Chester.

”Why,” was the reply, ”I suppose you will be treated as all other prisoners of war. You probably will be sent to Berlin.”

”Back to Berlin!” exclaimed Chester in deep disgust.

”Back to Berlin!” repeated Hal, and he punctured his exclamation with a long whistle. ”Great Scott!”

CHAPTER x.x.x.

A NEW FRIEND.

It was indeed a sad word to the ears of the two young American lads.

As Hal said, they had had trouble enough getting out of Berlin at the outbreak of the war, and had almost been forced back to the German capital once before. To be prisoners of war in Berlin certainly would be an inglorious finish to their military careers.

”I would rather go to any one other spot on the map,” Chester told his chum. ”Berlin! Can you imagine being cooped up there and never even knowing what is going on?”

”It would be tough,” Hal agreed. ”And, once there, I am afraid we would have to stay until after the war. I don't imagine there is much danger of anyone escaping from that place now.”