Part 18 (1/2)

Hal was nothing loath, and recounted the manner in which he and McKenzie had secured the list of coveted names.

”Now, Chester,” he said when he had concluded, ”it's your turn. You haven't told us yet how you left the house and how you chanced to be discovered.”

”My adventures don't amount to much,” replied Chester. ”I left the ball with Mrs. Schweiring. We were somewhat alarmed at Gladys'

disappearance, but there was nothing we could do but wait.”

When Gladys came rus.h.i.+ng into the room, she thrust the list into my hand, and told me what had happened, and that I must fly. I commandeered the Schweiring automobile, and took to the road. I don't know how the Germans got wind of my departure, but soon after I left the city I knew I was being followed.

”There was nothing I could do but try and outrun my pursuers, whoever they were. It soon became apparent, however, that this was impossible, because the pursuing machine was too high-powered. Nevertheless, I determined to go as far as possible and leave something to chance.

”My pursuers fired at me several times, but they didn't hit anything so far as I could discover. All of a sudden, however, my engine went dead. I yanked out my automatic, determined to give battle. I fired at a man who alighted from the pursuing car when it stopped, but I must have missed him. Before I could fire again a bullet hit me, and that's all I remember until I woke and learned that Hal, McKenzie and Stubbs had saved me.”

”Well, you have all had an exciting time,” declared Herr Block. ”I wish that I could have been with you. However, this war is not over yet, and, personally, I do not believe that Holland will maintain her neutrality to the end. In that case, I still may have opportunity of lending a hand.”

”You have already lent a hand,” declared Hal, ”and you must know that when you lend a hand to the Allies you are also helping your own country, and, ultimately, the cause of the whole world.”

”I believe that to be true,” replied Herr Block quietly; ”otherwise, I would not have raised a hand to help you. Germany must be crushed.

There is no room for doubt on that score. If Germany wins, what nation in the whole world is safe?”

”True,” said McKenzie. ”It's too bad the world could not have realized that a long time ago. The war might have been over by this time.”

”As it is,” Herr Block agreed, ”the war will not be over for years.

But come, I am keeping you here idle when I know you are all anxious to be about your work.”

He led the way to the street, where a large touring car awaited them.

”I'll drive you as far as the border myself,” said the Dutchman.

The four friends climbed in, and the car dashed away in the darkness.

For perhaps four or five hours they rode along at a fair speed and soon, Hal knew, they would once more be within their own lines.

It was half-past four o'clock in the morning when Herr Block stopped the car and said:

”I'll leave you here. You must make the rest of the trip alone.”

”Great Scott! You can't get out here in the middle of the wilderness,”

said Hal.

”Don't worry,” laughed Herr Block. ”I haven't far to go. If you'll look to the right there you will see the lights of a little town. I shall be able to get a conveyance there for my homeward journey. I brought you this way because it will save time and trouble.”

He stepped from the car, then reached back and extended a hand to Hal, who had taken his place at the wheel.

”I'm awfully glad to have met you,” he said quietly, ”and I am glad to have been of a.s.sistance to you. I trust that we shall see more of each other at some future time.”

”Thanks,” said Hal, gripping the other's hands. ”If it hadn't been for you our mission would have failed. We shall never forget it.”