Part 16 (1/2)

Chester darted hurriedly forward.

”Come on!” he cried to Hal.

Hal dashed after his friend. Neither heeded the frantic cries of the sergeant, who called on them to halt.

It was now four minutes to twelve, but in less than that time the lads, Chester in the lead, came upon the scene of the execution. Their eyes took in the situation at one brief glance, and Chester hurled himself forward.

Standing firmly erect, with his face to the west, was Captain Eberhardt.

Facing him, with grounded rifles, were six soldiers. These made up the firing squad who were to snuff out the life of the German captain.

Right between these men and their victim Chester and Hal dashed.

There came a startled cry as the Germans made out the French uniforms in which the lads were dressed, and an exclamation of alarm broke out.

”The French!” came the cry.

The Germans turned quickly in the direction from which the lads had come, evidently expecting to see more of the enemy. Then General Steinbach, realizing that he only had two of the enemy to dispose of, raised a hand and commanded:

”Shoot them!”

The rifles of the Germans came to their shoulders, but before they could fire Chester stepped quickly toward the general and raised his hand.

With a quick command the general stayed the fire of the soldiers, and advanced to hear what the lad had to say. In their French uniforms, he had not recognized Hal and Chester as Captain Eberhardt's erstwhile prisoners.

”What is it?” he demanded sharply.

”This execution must not proceed,” said Chester.

The general took a step back.

”And why not?” he asked.

”Because,” said Chester, ”Captain Eberhardt in no way aided the prisoners to escape. It was through no fault of his that they were able to get away.”

”How do you know this?” asked General Steinbach. ”Who are you?”

”We are the prisoners,” replied Chester quietly.

”What!” exclaimed the general, starting back.

”Yes,” said Hal, ”we are the prisoners.”

It did not take the German commander long to recover his poise, and he advanced toward the lads.

”I thought you had made good your escape,” he said. ”I was told that you had made you way into the French lines during the night.”

”We did, sir,” said Chester.