Came a knock at the door.
"You answer it, Miss Ellison, please," said Hal, adding: "If you are questioned, tell the same story you told Chester."
The girl nodded and moved to the door without a sign of nervousness.Directly she could be heard in conversation with one of the officers.Then followed heavy footsteps approaching.
"You say they are in here? I'll have a look at them myself," said a voice.
A moment later the scowling face of a Bulgarian colonel appeared in the doorway. Helen stood just behind him and behind her were several other Bulgarian officers.
Hal rose, as did the others, as the Bulgarian swept into the room.
"Who are you?" demanded the officer in a harsh voice.
"Hal Paine, an American," replied the lad, and indicated the others afterthis fashion: "Chester Crawford, also an American; Harry Anderson, anAmerican; Nikol, an Albanian, the servant there of Anthony Stubbs,American war correspondent; Ivan Vergoff, also an Albanian."
"Hm-m-m," muttered the Bulgarian. "You have quite a fluent tongue, young man. And what are you doing here?"
"Three of us," said Hal, indicating Chester, Colonel Anderson and himself, "were looking about Montenegro when the war broke out. We have been there since, lending what aid we could to the wounded. There we encountered Ivan Vergoff, who, for some reason, became attached to us. There also we encountered Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent, and his man, Nikol."
"Very plausible, very plausible," said the Bulgarian. "But how do I know you speak the truth?"
Hal shrugged his shoulders.
"We can't very well offer proof of our identities," he said. "But were the American consul here, I could very soon convince him."
The officer frowned at this remark. The mention of an American consul or minister or ambassador always brought frowns to the faces of military officers in the war zone. It boded trouble if American subjects were not well treated.
"And how do you happen to be here?" demanded the Bulgarian.
"Montenegro was becoming too warm," said Hal. "We thought we would get into Bulgaria or Greece, neutral countries. We did not know Bulgaria had declared war."
The Bulgarian's face seemed to relax a trifle. Apparently Hal had made a favorable impression.
"Well," he said, "the best I can do is turn you over to my superior. Still, if things are as you say, I have no doubt that you will be allowed to proceed into Greece."
"Thank you, Colonel," said Hal.
The officer glanced around the room; and suddenly his eyes fell upon a man lying in the corner of the room. It was the Bulgarian whom Ivan had tied up the night before.
"What's that?" demanded the officer.
He commanded another of his officers to investigate. Hal's heart fell.
The other officer stepped quickly across the room and jerked the man to his feet. Then he untied him and drew him before the Colonel. The latter, after one glance at the Bulgarian uniform, ordered his other men to guard all exits, and he addressed the man.
"What are you doing here, sir?" he asked sharply.
"I came here with some of my comrades last night," said the man. "I, a little in advance of the others, was overpowered and tied up. All I know of the others is that they arrived later and there was a fight. I have heard these people say my comrades were killed."
"Search the house and make a careful examination without!" ordered theBulgarian officer.
Half a dozen of his men leaped to obey. The officer said nothing until his men reported fifteen minutes later.
"The man speaks the truth," said one of the officers, indicating theBulgarian.
The colonel whirled upon Hal.
"So," he exclaimed, "you have been lying to me. Perhaps you are notAmericans, eh? Perhaps you are attached to the Anglo-French expedition atSaloniki?"
"I—" began Hal, but the officer silenced him with a gesture.
Then he turned to one of his officers.
"Take a squad of ten men and escort these prisoners to General Blozle!" he commanded shortly. "Search them for weapons first."
Hal and Chester realized the futility of resistance. They held their arms high, as did the others, and were relieved of their weapons without a word. Then, surrounded by a guard, they were marched away.
An hour later they stood before the Bulgarian commander, where the officer who had captured them related his story. General Blozle eyed them keenly.
"Have you anything to say?" he asked when the colonel had presented the case against them.
Chester stepped forward.
"Just this, general," he said quietly. "Miss Ellison here is in no way concerned in anything we may have done. We had never seen her until last night, as she told the colonel. Also, I would like to speak a word for Mr. Stubbs here. He is, as my friend has said, an American war correspondent. That's all, sir."
The lad resumed his place.
"Bah!" exclaimed the general. "You as much as admit you are a spy. If you are a spy, so are the others. You are a lot of spies. You English hounds! If it were not for the English, Bulgaria would now have what was rightfully hers. You shall all be shot at sunrise! Take them away!"
The prisoners were marched out with scant ceremony. They were taken to a large tent, with ample room for all of them. There they were securely bound and a guard stationed without.
"Well," said Stubbs quietly, with nothing of the fear of other days in his manner, "I guess we have come to the finish line at last."
"It looks that way, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester sadly. "I am sorry that we have implicated you in this."
"Oh, that's all right," replied the little man. "I'm not blaming you. ButI would have liked to go back to New York once more."
Chester turned to Helen.
"And you, Miss Ellison," he said. "I hardly know what to say. If it had not been for me, you would not have been in this serious predicament."
Helen smiled at him.
"Say no more about it," she said quietly. "You saved me once. I am not the girl to whine now."
"Now that you people have all decided you are going to die, I would like to say a few words."
It was the voice of Nikol.
The others looked at him in surprise.
"What's the matter with you?" demanded Stubbs. "Want to berate us, I suppose, for getting you into this fix."
Nikol eyed Stubbs somewhat scornfully.
"I," said Nikol, "wish to say that while there is life there is hope."
"Good for you, old man," cried Hal. "You have expressed my thoughts exactly."
"Suppose you tell us how, securely tied as we are, we are going to get out of here?" Stubbs addressed Nikol.
"Very simple," said Nikol. "First I want to say this. I am no strategist.I can unloosen us all, if some one else will show us the way out."
"You do your part, Nikol, and I'll try and do mine," said Hal quietly.
The dwarf eyed him approvingly.
"You are the one person in the crowd who seems to have sense," he said. "As I say, I can break our bonds at any time. I can break the ropes that bind me and I have no doubt that Ivan there can do the same."
Ivan nodded his head energetically.
"I had thought of it," he smiled. "Yes; I can do it."
"Then why haven't you done it a long while ago?" demanded Stubbs."Anything is better than remaining here like this."
"I haven't done it before for fear of discovery," said Nikol.
"My idea exactly," agreed Ivan.
"It would be better," Nikol continued, "to wait until we are sure we shall not be disturbed again during the night. Then Ivan and I shall free ourselves and release the others. I believe it would be unwise now."
"Good reasoning, Nikol," said Hal. "We shall wait, as you suggest."
Nikol became silent again. Ivan said nothing either.
"But it's awfully tiresome being trussed up like this," Stubbs protested.
"Better a little tiresomeness now than a bullet in the morning, Mr.Stubbs," returned Chester.
"Right you are, Chester, I'll kick no more," said Stubbs.
He, too, became silent.
Hal, Chester and Colonel Anderson talked in low whispers.
"After we are freed of our bonds, then what?" questioned the Colonel.
Chester shrugged his shoulders as much as his bonds would permit.
"Ask Hal," he replied. "I don't seem to be able to think of anything."
"Well," said Hal, "our guards, knowing that we are apparently securely bound, won't keep as strict guard as they should, I hope. Once freed, perhaps we can tap one of them over the head and appropriate his uniform. After that another uniform and so on until there are garments for all. We'll climb into them. Then we'll crawl under the tent, and once outside, we'll strike out boldly."
"And after that?" questioned Chester.
This time it was Hal who shrugged his shoulders.
"Who knows?" he said quietly. "We'll have to leave something to chance."
"And Miss Ellison?"
"A uniform for her also," said Hal decisively. "It's the only way."
"But—"
"Oh, I know it is a desperate chance," exclaimed Hal. "But certainly it is better than sitting down and awaiting the arrival of the firing squad."
"You're right, Hal," said Chester. "But it's a ticklish business and one that will require nerve."
"It's not a question of nerve, when you know what's in store in the morning," said Hal. "But as this is my plan, I'll do the work, or what part of it I may."
"You're the doctor," Chester agreed.
"Now," said Hal, "we'll try and get a little sleep. We can do nothing until after dark, and the better our physical conditions, the better our chances for escape."
Hal, Chester, Colonel Anderson, Nikol and Ivan slept. The first three, veterans of many campaigns and hardships, had schooled themselves to sleep under almost any conditions. The same might be said of Nikol and Ivan because of days spent in the mountain fastness, where danger lurked at all times.
Stubbs, however, although he bore up bravely under the death sentence, was unable to sleep, try as he would. Nor could Helen gain a much needed rest, though she was not conscious that she was at all afraid. So these two talked during the long hours of the day as the others slept peacefully and deeply.
With the coming of darkness a man entered bearing a tray with bread and water. The others awakened now and all did full justice to the frugal meal. Their hands were untied while they ate, but the meal over, they were bound again.
Then all waited for what seemed hours, though in reality it could not have been more than three. Then Hal addressed Nikol.
"Still think you can break your bonds?"
"I can," replied Nikol quietly.
"And you, Ivan?"
"Yes, although it won't make much difference. Nikol could release the rest of us."
"I thought the second tying-up might have made it impossible," said Hal.
"I'm ready any time you give the word," said Nikol.
"Then do it now," said Hal.
The others gazed curiously as Nikol made his little form still smaller. He drew in his chest as much as possible and then expanded suddenly, at the same time thrusting out with his strong arms. There was a report as of a revolver being discharged, though much fainter, and Nikol was free.
"Ha!" said Ivan. "He did it. Now watch me."
The mighty muscles of the giant strained once and the strong rope snapped. Ivan did not seem to have exerted himself.
"Now for the rest of us," said Hal.
Quickly Ivan and Nikol released the others.
"Now what?" asked Ivan.
"Now comes my work," said Hal quietly.
He moved silently to the edge of the tent and lay down flat, feeling the edges with his fingers.
"This will come up all right," he muttered to himself. "I can get out here."
He went back to the center of the tent again and enjoined the others to silence.
"Don't make a sound on your lives," he commanded sternly. "Chester, you remain right where I leave the tent and if I bring a man back with me you drag him under and see that he doesn't make a sound."
Chester nodded his agreement and took his place at Hal's side.
Now the lad lifted the bottom of the canvas slightly and peered out. He smiled a trifle to himself. It was as he hoped. The guard or guards, as the case might be, was not as vigilant as the security of the prisoners should have required. Hal wriggled into the open.
The huge camp slept. Here and there a sentinel stalked and it was upon these guardians of the night that Hal must prey.
He moved toward the front of the prison tent, seeking the guard there.And directly he came upon him, stretched at full length upon the ground,his heavy military coat pulled closely about him, smoking a cigarette.Hal moved toward him cautiously.
"I hate to do this," he muttered, "but—"
With a light leap he was upon the man and his right fist shot out hard and true. It caught the Bulgarian just above the left ear and the man never made a sound.
Quickly Hal dragged the body to where he knew Chester would be waiting.Chester dragged it under the tent and Hal went under after it.
"This uniform is for me. I'll go after some more," he said.
Quickly he climbed into the Bulgarian uniform and disappeared again. But this time, garbed in a Bulgarian uniform, he went more confidently. His hand rested upon his revolver.
A short distance away he came upon an unsuspecting sentinel. A sharp blow with his revolver butt placed the otherhors de combat. Supporting the unconscious figure with his arm, Hal moved back to the prison tent. This figure also was pushed beneath the canvas and the uniform donned by Chester.
"Now we can make a little better time," said Hal, "there are two of us."
Uniforms were still needed for Colonel Anderson, Ivan, Nikol, Stubbs andHelen. Hal and Chester disappeared into the night.
Five minutes later Hal returned, this time with a uniform and no man. He had found him in a deserted spot, and after knocking him down and tying him up, had stripped him.
"Put this on, Anderson, and get out after one," he ordered.
He was gone again a moment later. Soon also Chester returned successful and he and Anderson departed almost together. There were now needed uniforms for Nikol, Stubbs and Helen, for Chester had brought one for Ivan. And these uniforms must necessarily be small uniforms, for they were for small figures. Therefore, the hunt was longer and it was more than an hour later until all three had returned to the tent.
"Well, here we are, all of us first class Bulgarians, now," said Hal. "Now, we'll leave the tent one at a time, except that I shall take Miss Ellison with me first. Now do exactly what I tell you, all of you. Leaving the tent, walk two hundred paces to the left, then turn to the right and walk a hundred and fifty more. Next fifty paces to the left again. We shall wait for you there. I have covered the distance and it's the best place to join forces I can imagine. It is in the shelter of a great rock that overhangs a large tent—probably the quarters of the commanding officer. Do you all understand?"
He had each repeat the directions several times, and then, taking Helen by the arm, he helped her under the tent.
Outside, with caps drawn down, for the weather was cold, they hurried on. And at the appointed place Hal stopped. There was nothing to do now but wait for the others.
Stubbs was the next to arrive and he came shaking a trifle. The little man was trying to bear up, but he was having a hard time. The next arrival was Nikol and then came Ivan. Chester was next to arrive, following Colonel Anderson by a few seconds.
"Now we're all here," said Hal. "We may as well move. I have no idea just where we are, so we'll have to select a direction and stick to it."
"Wait a moment, please," said Helen. "Isn't that the house in which we were captured?"
She pointed in the darkness. The others peered intently in the direction indicated. A dark shadow loomed up some distance ahead.
"I believe it is," said Hal. "Why?"
"Then, if you want to get into Greece, the quickest way is to go due south."
"But the question is, which is south?" said Hal.
"Oh, I can tell you that. You just follow the road that leads by the house."
"So be it," said Hal. "March."
With Chester and Helen he led the way.
They were forced to go very slowly for they were still in the Bulgarian lines, and all knew they would be for a considerable distance. How far the Bulgarians had extended their lines following the retreat of the Serbians they had of course no means of knowing, but Hal felt sure it would be a good ways.
Tents dotted their line of march for an hour as they walked along keeping parallel with the road, but some distance from the highway.
"This road will eventually lead across the Greek border," the girl whispered as they walked along.
"Here's hoping we get across the border before the Bulgarians get after us," said Chester.
"Second that motion," declared Hal.
They walked on in silence.
It had been more than an hour now since they had left their late prison and Hal was beginning to hope their absence would not be noticed before morning. He had just said as much to Chester.
"I am afraid that is too much to hope for," was the latter's reply.
And, as it turned out, it was.
The party had walked possibly five miles, when, from behind, they heard the sudden booming of a great gun.
"Faster," said Hal, and broke into a trot. The others followed suit.
"Suppose they have discovered our flight, or the gun was some other signal?" said Chester.
"I don't know," said Hal. "It's as likely to be one as the other. The farther away we get the better."
More guns now shattered the stillness of the night, growing closer and closer.
"They are after us, all right," declared Hal.
Without pausing, he glanced quickly around. Then suddenly he swerved sharply to the left.
"Why this change in course?" panted Chester.
"See that woods?" demanded Hal, pointing.
"Yes."
"Well, we may find safety there. It's a long chance."
They dashed into the shelter of the little woods a moment later.
Hal stopped and turned to Helen.
"Climb?" he asked.
"Why, yes, I guess so."
"Up in this tree with you then."
He lent her a hand as she grasped the lowest branch and soon clambered higher up toward the top.
"You too, Stubbs," he commanded.
The little man did not hesitate, but also was soon among the branches.
"Colonel Anderson, you and Nikol get up there also. I want some protection for Miss Ellison in case of trouble."
The others obeyed orders without question.
"All right," from each, and they moved toward him.
"Ivan, you come with me. You too, Chester."
Hal turned for a moment, to deliver a parting injunction to those in the trees:
"Don't any of you so much as move until I tell you to."
"And where are we bound?" asked Chester, as the three moved off.
"Apparently," said Hal, "we are Bulgarian officers. The bluff may work. I want to tell all inquiring parties that we have just explored these woods. Catch the idea?"
Chester and Ivan nodded.
"We'll stay in among the trees and won't show ourselves unless we have to," Hal explained.
From the direction in which the fugitives had so recently come, there now came the noise of a rapidly approaching body of horsemen. They halted a short distance from where Hal, Chester and Ivan stood and dismounted.
"They may be hiding in here," said a voice. "We'll have a look."
The men, a dozen of them, came forward.
Making a slight detour, the three friends managed to get behind them. Then, instead of continuing straight ahead, Hal turned sharply in his tracks and followed in the wake of the Bulgarian searching party.
The Bulgarians proceeded slowly, exploring every nook and corner of the woods, and firing their rifles into the densest of the trees. Hal, Chester and Ivan came up with them at length and mingled among them without being discovered.
"Off to the left farther," instructed the officer in command.
"No use," said Hal, in a gruff voice. "I've just come from there. There is no one there. The fugitives must have gone farther."
"Are you sure?" asked the officer, looking at the lad searchingly.
"Positive. I fired my revolver into every tree in which I thought there was a possible chance for them to hide."
"There is no use wasting more time, then," said the officer. "This way, men."
He led the way back toward the road. Hal, Chester and Ivan, still among the Bulgarian troopers, were forced to go along with them or run the risk of being detected. They all walked slowly and gradually were left behind.
The Bulgarians mounted and rode off down the road.
"Well, we are safe for a few minutes," said Chester, drawing a breath of relief. "What now, Hal?"
"Well," was the reply. "We can't fool about in these woods long. We are bound to be found sooner or later if we do. Also, there is little chance that we could walk to the Greek frontier without being discovered. In some way we must find a conveyance."
"Yes, but how?" questioned Chester.
"That's the question. But certainly some of these Bulgarian officers must have motor cars. Surely they have some means of transportation besides horses. I have an idea that if we will follow them, in their search, we may come across an automobile."
"That's not a half bad idea," declared Chester. "We'll do it. Shall we start now?"
"Hold on," said Hal. "Either you or I must remain here. We can't both go.One of us has to direct the actions of the others."
"True," said Chester. "Will you go or stay?"
"Whatever you say," said Hal.
"Then," said Chester, "we shall match to see who goes."
He produced a coin and Hal did likewise.
"If I match you, I go," said Hal. "If not, you go."
"Agreed!"
The two coins went spinning in the air and each lad caught his own as it descended and covered it with his hand.
"Tails," said Chester.
"Tails," said Hal. "I go."
"All right," said Chester. "Then I'll be moving back toward the others.Good luck, old man, and hurry back."
The two lads clasped hands and Chester turned on his heel and strode away.
"You shall go with me, Ivan," said Hal.
The big Cossack showed his pleasure.
"I was afraid I was going to be left behind," he said. "I thought you might need me."
"I hope I won't," said Hal, "but you never can tell, you know. Let's be moving."
Again he led the way to the road and the two set out briskly.
After half an hour's walk they came upon a party of searchers. An officer hailed them as they approached.
"Seen anything of the fugitives?" he demanded.
Hal shook his head negatively.
"Did you?" he asked.
"Not a sign. It's a mystery what can have happened to them. Colonel Roth is a short distance ahead. I heard him say he believed they were still in the main camp."
"That so?" replied Hal. "How is the colonel traveling? Automobile?"
"Of course. He's too dainty for any other kind of travel, you know."
"Well, we'll move on ahead a bit," said Hal.
They continued their journey.
Fifteen minutes later they came upon a large touring car in the road.
"Here is the thing we want," said Hal quietly. "Now if it were just turned around, I would take a chance and grab it. But by the time I turned in this narrow road, I'd have the whole Bulgarian army on me. We'll have to do a little figuring."
They continued on their way until they came up with Colonel Roth's searching party. As they approached, an idea suddenly came to Hal. He sought out the man he knew must be Colonel Roth by his haughty air and his stripes.
"Colonel," he said, saluting. "I know it would be a feather in your cap if you could land these fugitives, and I have come to show you where they are."
"What's that?" exclaimed the dapper little man.
"I said I've come to show you where they are," said Hal quietly. "All I ask for turning them over to you is a thousand German marks."
"H-m-m-m," muttered the colonel, eyeing the lad keenly. "Even if you can do what you say, the price is rather high. I'll give you five hundred."
Hal seemed to consider.
"All right," he said at length. "It's a bargain. Turn your car about andI'll take you to their hiding place at once."
"Very well."
The colonel stepped into his automobile, and, after a series of attempts, finally succeeded in turning it. Then to the others:
"Climb in," he said briefly.
Ivan climbed into the rear seat, while Hal took his place beside theBulgarian.
"Straight ahead until I tell you to stop," the lad instructed.
The Bulgarian officer asked no questions.
A few minutes later the machine drew up in response to Hal's command. All dismounted.
"They are all back here a little ways," said Hal.
The Bulgarian officer followed Hal toward where the lad knew the others were in hiding. Under the tree where he had left Helen, Hal paused. Then he raised his voice a trifle and called aloud, at the same time drawing his revolver and presenting it squarely at the Bulgarian's head:
"Chester! Oh, Chester! You can all come down now."
In response to this hail, Chester, Helen, Mr. Stubbs and Nikol soon stood before them.
When Hal drew his revolver, the Bulgarian officer staggered back.
"A traitor, eh?" he exclaimed.
"Why, no," said Hal, and he removed his heavy cap.
The Bulgarian gave a long whistle and ejaculated: "One of the fugitives himself."
"So you know me?" said Hal. "Well, then you should know me well enough to do as I say."
"What is it you want?" demanded the Bulgarian.
"Nothing very difficult," declared Hal. "First we want to borrow your automobile for a few hours."
"So?" exclaimed the Bulgarian. "Well, you can't have it."
"We'll see," said Hal quietly. "Here, Ivan! You guard this fellow, whileI have a look at the car."
He examined the machine carefully.
"All right for a quick dash, I guess," he said finally, rising from his inspection. "All aboard!"
Every one obeyed, and soon all were seated in the car save Hal andChester, who were to occupy the front seat. Hal also motioned theBulgarian into the front seat.
"He may come in handy after awhile," he declared.
Everything in readiness at last, Hal and Chester climbed in and Hal took his place at the wheel.
"I'll do the chauffeuring," he said, with a smile. "I may have to do some talking later and I want to be running this animal, so I can know what to do without having to talk. Keep your eye on our friend, there, Chester."
"I'll hang on to him, all right," replied Chester grimly. "He'll not get away from me. Have no fear of that."
"All right," called Hal. "Everybody ready?"
He glanced around quickly.
"All ready," came in Colonel Anderson's voice.
The others nodded their assent and an instant later the machine darted southward at a rapid gait.
Two miles down the road, Hal was forced to stop by the presence in the road of a single man armed with a rifle, which he aimed straight at the car.
"What do you want?" demanded Hal, anxiously.
"You'll have to get out," was the man's reply. "I have orders to let no one pass."
Helen looked at Hal hopelessly and the lad was moved to action.
Gently he stirred the Colonel with his toe as he commanded under his breath:
"Speak for us or I'll put a bullet through you."
The officer did as commanded.
"Why are you barring our way?" he demanded in a harsh voice.
"Orders, sir," was the reply.
"Do you know who I am?"
"No, sir, and it will make no difference."
This conversation was put to an end in a sudden and unexpected manner.
Anthony Stubbs rose in his place.
"Will you permit us to proceed?" he demanded.
The man in the road shook his head.
"All right," said Stubbs.
He climbed to the front seat, and before any one could realize what he was up to, sprang head-first at the Bulgarian.
Stubbs' action was so entirely unexpected that for a moment the other occupants of the automobile were stunned. Then Hal and Chester leaped to their feet, as did Nikol, Ivan and Colonel Anderson.
"Little man's gone off his head," muttered Ivan, as he leaped from the car to go to Stubbs' assistance.
Stubbs, in his headlong leap, struck exactly where he had intended—right upon the Bulgarian's shoulders, and the force of the impact bore the man to the ground. Again, the action was so unexpected that the man did not have time to discharge his rifle.
As the soldier went to the ground beneath his weight, Stubbs' hands gripped him by the throat and he squeezed as hard as his weak muscles would permit.
But the Bulgarian had recovered himself now and hurled Stubbs to one side. He pulled himself to his feet, and with an angry growl, half raised his rifle.
It was at that moment that Ivan, quicker than the others, seized the rifle in his two hands. He gave a quick twist and jerked the weapon from the hands of his opponent. The latter staggered back and his hand dropped to his belt. But before he could draw a revolver, Ivan had raised his newly won rifle and brought it down on the Bulgarian's head. The man dropped inert without a sound.
Then Ivan picked Stubbs up bodily, deposited him in the tonneau of the car and climbed in himself.
"We'd better get away from here," he said.
Quickly Hal resumed his seat and threw off the clutch. The automobile dashed forward again.
Ivan turned to Stubbs.
"Why all this bloodthirstiness, Mr. Stubbs?" he demanded in surprise.
"I'm getting tired of all this nonsense," replied Stubbs. "I want to get out of this country. I want to get back home where there is no war—where men are not killing each other off by the thousands. I'm a peaceable man and I'm going back to a peaceable country if I have to fight to get there."
Nikol the dwarf now extended a hand to Stubbs.
"You are a brave man, sir," he exclaimed. "Not many are there who would have attacked a man who held a rifle pointed at his breast. You are a brave man, sir."
Unthinkingly, Stubbs clasped the hand and a moment later gave a howl of pain.
"Hey! Leggo my hand!" he cried. "Ouch!"
Nikol released Stubbs' hand with a murmured apology, while Stubbs felt the injured right member tenderly with his left and turned an aggrieved eye on Nikol, but he said nothing.
Suddenly the car slowed down. Those in the rear seat glanced ahead and the reason for the abrupt slackening of speed became apparent.
Coming toward them at a rapid trot was a squadron of Bulgarian cavalry, blocking the road.
Hal turned to the Bulgarian officer between him and Chester and said quietly:
"Now it's up to you. Remember, I've got my gun ready and at the first false move I'll put a bullet through you."
The captain in command of the cavalry squadron gave a sharp command and his men drew rein while the officer came forward. He glanced at the colonel in the automobile and saluted.
"Oh, it's you, sir," he said. "Have you seen anything of the fugitives?"
The Bulgarian felt the pressure of Hal's revolver in his back.
"No," he said.
The captain saluted and would have passed on, but Hal instructed his prisoner to ask:
"How far are we from the Greek frontier?"
"Less than a mile," was the answer. "There is but one more body of our troops between here and a strong force of Greeks, which is patrolling the border."
The two Bulgarians saluted each other and the troop separated to make a path for the automobile.
"Another close shave for all of us," said Chester, when they had passed by. "You, too," he said to the Bulgarian. "You'd have been a goner if you had sought to give the alarm."
A few minutes later Hal made out another body of troops blocking the road. He reduced the speed of the car and spoke to the others.
"The last barrier to freedom," he said. "Be ready to duck down in the car. I am going to take no more chances with our prisoner here. He is likely to take this last chance to betray us. The troops are drawn up on both sides of the road. I am going to make a dash for it."
There was no reply, but Hal had expected none.
The car approached the troops slowly and seemed about to stop.
The Bulgarians moved to one side, thinking to surround the machine when it had come to a halt.
Less than fifty feet from the nearest soldiers, and a scant two hundred yards from where Hal could make out a large body of Greek troops, the car suddenly leaped ahead and Hal threw the gear into high.
All save Hal ducked instinctively.
The Bulgarians, taken completely by surprise, stood stock still for a moment and then the cry of in officer rang out:
"Fire!"
Instantly fifty rifles were leveled at the automobile, now fast eating up the short distance to the Greek frontier, and a score of bullets struck the car in the rear.
Bullets flew all about Hal's head and he felt a stinging sensation in his left shoulder. There came a second volley and then the car flashed among the body of Greek troops.
Quickly Hal brought the car to a stop. Heads bobbed up from the back of the car and it was Anthony Stubbs who breathed the relief that all felt.
"Safe at last!" he cried.
Now all alighted from the car, the Bulgarian officer, Hal's prisoner, with them.
Greek troops approached.
Hal spoke hurriedly to the Bulgarian.
"Quick now!" he cried. "If you make a dash you can get back over the border before these fellows can stop you."
The Bulgarian wasted no time in talk. He took to his heels and made record time for his own country, which he reached in safety, in spite of a volley fired by the Greek troops.
A Greek officer now came hurriedly up to Hal.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded harshly. "Do you not know that this is a neutral country?"
"And we thank Heaven for that," said Stubbs fervently. "We have had a hard enough time getting here."
"I shall have to turn you over to my superior," said the officer. "He will dispose of your cases. In the meantime, you may consider yourselves under arrest."
Neither Hal nor Chester paid much attention to what the Greek officer was saying. They were too busily engaged watching the antics of their erstwhile prisoner, who, now safe on his own side of the line, was shaking his fist in their direction and making other fierce gestures.
Now Hal turned to the Greek officer.
"Will you accompany us back close to the line," he said, "that we may hear what yonder little fellow is talking about? He seems to be greatly put out about something."
"First tell me what you are doing here?" was the command.
Hal explained as rapidly as possible and then repeated his request that they be allowed to go back toward the border a few moments.
At last the officer gave his permission.
Chester, Hal, Colonel Anderson, Ivan and Nikol, each grinning, moved back toward the border. Stubbs hung back, and seeing this, Hal called:
"Come along, Mr. Stubbs. Here is one time you may look at an enemy with impunity."
Stubbs followed.
The Bulgarian officer was still angrily waving hit arms about when they neared him.
"Look at him rave, will you?" said Hal, with a laugh.
"Ha! Ha!" laughed Ivan.
"He should think himself lucky that we allowed him to go back," declared Chester.
The friends were less than fifty feet from the Bulgarian now, but theyventured no closer for fear they might inadvertently cross the line.They stood in this order: Hal, Chester, Nikol, Stubbs, Ivan andColonel Anderson.
"Poor little fellow," said Stubbs at this juncture. "Poor little fellow.He looks so awfully mad!"
The Bulgarian officer, who had been growing angrier with each taunt from across the Greek line, now became suddenly infuriated. Forgetting all prudence, forgetting all laws of neutrality, forgetting everything except the smiling face of Anthony Stubbs, American war correspondent, he suddenly drew his revolver and fired pointblank at the little man.
Stubbs' face blanched at the movement and the others were too surprised to move—all except one; and this one, quick as a flash, leaped forward with the agility of a cat and thrust his body protectingly before Anthony Stubbs.
When the smoke of the revolver had cleared away Stubbs stood erect, unharmed—but at his feet lay the twitching body of Nikol, the dwarf.
There was a sudden hush, prolonged for several minutes; then Stubbs dropped to his knee with an inarticulate cry and threw his arms around the neck of Nikol.
Quickly the others gathered about and Hal shouted:
"A surgeon, quick!"
But Nikol, raising his head to Stubbs' knee, stopped him with a gesture.
"It's no use," he said quietly. "It got me here," and he raised a hand slowly and touched a spot just above the heart. "A surgeon can do no good. Besides, I would not have a stranger near me when I die. To me you are all strangers and yet for days I have not looked upon you as such. I am glad to have known you all and I know the day will come when I shall see you all again. Now, if I could see the young lady for just a moment before—before—"
Hal hastened back to the automobile where Helen Ellison still sat, wondering at the cause of the trouble, and repeated the dwarf's request.
"Of course I'll go," said the girl, and there was a catch in her voice, for this was the first time death had come so close to her.
She ran forward and knelt over the little dwarf and took his hand. He smiled at her.
"I just wanted to tell you good-bye," he said. "I have never seen a young lady like you before."
For a space of several seconds he looked at her. Then he dropped her hand and said:
"Now if the rest of you will just shake hands with me once—"
Silently the others grasped Nikol's hand, one after another, and at the last came Stubbs.
To the latter's hand the dwarf clung tenaciously.
"You, sir, are a brave man," said Nikol. "I am glad I was able to save you. You may be of some use in the world."
The pressure upon Stubbs' hand tightened and tightened until the little man winced with the pain of it; but he made no outcry—only smiled as he exclaimed in a broken voice:
"Nonsense! Nonsense!"
"Well, good-bye, all," said Nikol faintly, after a moment's pause."Good—"
The pressure on Stubbs' hand relaxed and the little dwarf of the Albanian hills fell back, dead.
Stubbs rose and brushed the tears from his eyes. Then, after one look at the still form on the ground, he turned and walked away. The others said nothing, for they knew his grief was great.
And now, while the others—all good friends and true—are gathered about the body of little Nikol, the dwarf, we shall leave them once more, knowing that, after days and weeks of strenuous adventures and grave perils, they are, for the moment at least, in a land of peace.