Part 13 (1/2)

The sound of a shot was suddenly swept back to Hal's ear.

”h.e.l.lo!” he muttered. ”Trouble ahead.”

He slowed down, for he had no mind to mix up with the Germans so long as it could be avoided. Suddenly the first automobile ahead came to a stop. The second did likewise. Hal shut off his searchlight and approached slowly in the darkness.

It became plain, as he drew closer, that the first automobile had been stopped by a pistol shot, which probably had punctured a rear tire.

There came more pistol shots and then silence. Hal brought his own machine to a dead stop.

A few moments later one of the automobiles ahead, as Hal could see by the position of its searchlight, began to turn in the road. Instantly Hal flashed his own light on and sent the car forward. This he did because he realized it would look suspicious should the flare of the other light show Hal's car standing still in the road.

The other car had now come about and approached Hal's machine.

McKenzie and Stubbs both had been watching the proceedings ahead with strained eyes. Now they were ready for Hal's words:

”Guns ready back there. We'll pa.s.s if they let us alone.”

The cars came closer together. Suddenly Hal was struck with a thought that sent a chill down his spine. Suppose Chester was in that car!

Maybe the pursuit he had witnessed was the pursuit of Chester.

The cars were almost together now. Instead of turning off to the right to allow the other to pa.s.s, as it seemed to have every intention of doing, Hal only swerved slightly. Then, before the other car could pa.s.s, he brought his own machine to a stop and sprang to the ground, revolver in hand. McKenzie was close behind him.

Only Stubbs remained in the automobile, and he, too, held a revolver ready for instant action.

A voice from the strange car hailed Hal.

”Why do you stop us like this?” it demanded.

”Want to see who you are,” was the lad's reply. ”A spy has escaped from Berlin, and I have orders to search all vehicles.”

”You are mistaken,” said the voice. ”The spy has not escaped. We have him here.”

”Good!” exclaimed Hal. ”Nevertheless, I must satisfy myself that you are speaking the truth and are what you represent yourselves to be.”

”Of course,” returned the voice. ”Approach.”

Hal went forward slowly, gun in hand, as did McKenzie.

Hal now made out that there were four occupants of the car, besides the man at the wheel and a figure stretched out in the tonneau.

With his cap down over his eyes, he peered in. The men were in civilian garb and Hal knew, therefore, that they must be members of the secret service and not of the military. He knew, too, that they would consequently be that much harder to handle. Nevertheless, he determined upon a bold stroke.

”Hands up, all of you!” he cried in a stern voice.

His revolver covered the occupants in the front seat. McKenzie covered the rear.

”Here, what's the meaning of this?” exclaimed a man who seemed to be the leader. ”You fool! Haven't you been convinced yet that we are what we say.”

”Perfectly,” returned Hal quietly. ”That's why I must insist that you raise your hands. Instantly!” His voice hardened and his finger tightened on the trigger. ”Shoot without hesitancy,” he warned McKenzie.