Part 14 (2/2)

Stubbs leaned forward and called to Hal.

”How far do you suppose we are from the Dutch border?”

”Don't know,” was the reply, ”but it's a long ways. We're not more than 70 miles from Berlin.”

Several times during the next few hours they were halted, but were permitted to pa.s.s on, after showing their pa.s.sports. Apparently the Berlin authorities had not wired ahead, and Hal was unable to account for this satisfactorily.

”Something peculiar about it,” he muttered, as he bent over the wheel.

For the next few hours the automobile proceeded on its way without interruption, save for a single stop to replenish gasoline and air.

It was well along toward evening when Stubbs announced that the Dutch frontier was only a few miles distant. Once over the line they would be comparatively safe.

A foreboding of trouble swept over Hal.

Chester had slept during most of the trip thus far. McKenzie had examined the lad carefully and discovered that he was suffering from a flesh wound in the left side. The Canadian had bound this up as well as he could as the automobile jostled along.

His experienced eye told him there was nothing dangerous about the wound. It was painful, of course, and Chester would naturally be stiff in body for some time; but, providing the wound was kept clean, there was no danger of infection.

Now, at Hal's injunction, Stubbs aroused Chester. The lad opened his eyes slowly.

”How do you feel, old man?” asked McKenzie.

Chester sat up and pa.s.sed a hand across his forehead.

”I don't feel any too playful,” he said with a wry smile. ”Where are we, anyhow?”

”Getting pretty close to the Dutch border,” returned McKenzie.

”What'd you want to wake me for?” Chester demanded of Stubbs.

”Believe me,” said Stubbs, ”I didn't want to wake you up. It's usually safer for all concerned when you and Hal are both asleep. I woke you up because Hal told me to.”

”That's all right, then,” said Chester. ”But don't you try to rub it into me, Stubbs, just because I've got a bullet hole in me is no sign I'm a cripple, you know.”

”Maybe not,” said Stubbs. ”Here, take this gun.”

He pa.s.sed a revolver to Chester.

”What's the idea?” demanded Chester, taking the revolver; ”going to fight me a duel or something?”

”Don't be a fool,” said Stubbs. ”We're still in Germany, remember.

You may need that gun before we get out.”

”All right, Stubbs,” returned Chester. ”Thanks.”

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