Part 10 (1/2)

”Quick! You must fly!” she cried. ”General Rentzel is on his way and will be here at any moment.”

The fuse in the other room was burning fast, as Hal knew. The lad determined, in that instant, that he would not leave the house without getting the list for which he had come.

He pulled Gladys back into the room where the fuse was fast burning to the safe. McKenzie followed, and the three crouched down.

A moment and there was a m.u.f.fled explosion, followed by a flash of fire. Smoke filled the room. With a cry to the others to stay where they were, Hal dashed to the safe. It was as he hoped. The door had been blown clear.

Quickly Hal explored the contents of the safe. Then he gave a cry of delight. His hand encountered what he felt sure was the book he sought. He ran across the room with it to where McKenzie held the flashlight and by its glow examined his prize.

It was the list he sought.

Hal hesitated one moment, and then he pressed the book into the hands of Gladys.

”Quick!” he said. ”Out the window with you. Give this to Chester and tell him to get out of Berlin at once. Tell him he will be followed but that he must get through.”

”But you--”' protested Gladys.

There came the sound of rapid footsteps in the next room. Hal picked Gladys up in his arms, carried her to the window, and dropped her to the ground as he said in a low voice:

”To hesitate means failure. Do as I say and quickly.”

He returned to McKenzie's side. When he reached there McKenzie extinguished his light.

”Well, we've got the list,” he said quietly.

”We have,” Hal agreed, ”but our lives probably will pay the forfeit.

We must stay here until we are discovered. To follow Gladys would mean her capture.”

”We won't have to wait long,” said McKenzie grimly. ”Here they come.”

It was true.

Footsteps came toward them. Suddenly the room burst into light as someone pressed an electric, light b.u.t.ton. General Rentzel strode into the room.

His eyes fell upon Hal and McKenzie immediately. He said nothing, but gazed about. Then he saw the shattered safe. He dashed forward with a cry and examined the interior, carefully. Then his face turned white as he faced Hal.

”The list,” he said in a hoa.r.s.e voice, ”where is it?”

Hal smiled.

”Where you will never get it, I hope,” he replied quietly.

General Rentzel strode forward with a shout.

”They are spies! Seize them, men!” he cried.

Hal's right arm shot out and the chief of the German secret service sprawled on the floor.

”To the stairs!” Hal cried to McKenzie.