"How far are we from Paris, Hal?" asked Chester, when they were once more on the outside.
"Not more than eighty miles," was the reply. "You heard what the Kaiser is said to have told his troops, didn't you?"
"No; what was it?"
"He told them that they were but two hours' ride, by automobile, from their goal; by which he meant the French capital."
"Great Scott! I didn't realize they were so close."
"It is pretty close; but still, when you stop to think, not so close after all; for the road to Paris, for the Kaiser's troops, at least, is strewn with insurmountable obstacles, and death and danger lurk on every hand."
"True," said Chester. "Besides which, the Kaiser is considerably farther from his goal than he was some months ago."
"Yes," agreed Hal, "he has been forced a long way down the field, as we would say on the gridiron."
Besides the document which they were to carry to the French Prime Minister, General Joffre also had given the lads an order for one of the large army automobiles, that they might make the trip with all possible haste.
Hal accosted the proper officer, and soon the lads had the huge car at their disposal. The officer also offered to furnish them with a chauffeur, but Hal declined this offer, electing to drive the machine himself. Chester climbed into the tonneau and Hal took his place at the wheel. Both waved a good-by to the officer, and, under Hal's guiding hand, the large automobile started off slowly.
Gradually Hal increased the speed, till at length they were flying along the road at the rate of forty miles an hour. There were no speed restrictions in the war zone, and as the car dashed over the ground Hal kept a keen eye out for machines approaching from the other direction.
Chester leaned over the front seat and clutched Hal by the shoulder.
"At this rate," he shouted, "it won't take us long to get to Paris."
"About two hours," Hal shouted back, without taking his eyes from the road ahead.
Through the towns of Villers and Cotterets the automobile flashed, although Hal reducing his speed a trifle when the little cities came in sight. On the road beyond, however, he proceeded to let the car out again, and so they dashed into Nanteul.
Here, because of somewhat more congested traffic, Hal was forced to reduce his speed considerably, and they went slowly through the streets of the towns. Before setting out on their trip, Hal had spent half an hour over the maps of the road, that there might be no danger of their getting lost, and the lay of the country was firmly impressed upon his mind.
As they wended their way slowly through the streets of Nanteul, there came suddenly the sound of an explosion beneath them. Hal brought the car to an abrupt stop and leaped lightly to the ground. Chester did likewise.
"Tire blown out," said Hal briefly, after a quick glance at the rear left-hand wheel.
He walked to the rear of the car, where a spare tire should have been ready for just such an emergency. There was none there.
The lad stepped back with an exclamation of dismay.
"What's the matter?" asked Chester.
"Matter is that we have no spare tire," replied Hal. "Where shall we get one?"
"I don't know," returned Chester. "The chances are that every spare tire within forty miles is in use. However, we might go into this restaurant and make some inquiries."
Hal followed his friend into the restaurant, where Chester made known their wants.
The proprietor, a smiling and effusive little Frenchman, greeted them warmly.
"I myself have a tire that shall be yours," he told them. "It shall be taken from my own car and put upon yours. Jacques!"
In response to this call a dapper little waiter came forward, and to him the proprietor made known his desires. The waiter bowed and departed. The proprietor turned to the lads.
"While Jacques is making ready messieurs' car," he said with a bow, "it will give me pleasure to have messieurs lunch with me."
"How long will it take him to fix it?" asked Hal.
The little Frenchman shrugged his shoulders.
"Perhaps fifteen minutes, perhaps twenty," he replied.
"In that event," said Hal, "we shall be glad to accept your invitation."
The Frenchman beamed upon them, and led the way to the rear of the little room, where he motioned them to seats at a somewhat secluded table.
"We shall not be disturbed here," he said.
A light luncheon was soon upon the table, and the lads fell to with a will, for they were quite hungry.
While the lads were in the midst of their meal, a group of French officers, all young lieutenants, came boisterously into the restaurant and took seats at a table close to where the lads sat. It was plain to both boys that they had been drinking more than was good for them, and they paid no attention to them beyond acknowledging their salutes.
One of the young officers pounded loudly on the table and demanded wine immediately. The proprietor arose from the table where the lads sat and hastened to attend to the wants of his customers himself, and soon several bottles of wine were upon the table.
The proprietor filled the glasses of the young officers, and then, at a nod from one of them, approached the table where the lads sat and poured out two more glasses of the sparkling fluid, which he placed before Hal and Chester.
The French officers at the other table rose, each with his glass in his hand; then one of them looked toward Hal and Chester, and the latter, realizing that the young Frenchman was about to propose a toast, also got to their feet; but instead of holding their wine glasses aloft, the glasses which they raised held nothing more than water.
The young Frenchman gave his toast.
"France!" he said gravely.
Each man raised his glass to his lips and drained it, but Hal and Chester drank the toast in clear, cold water. As the first Frenchman returned his glass to the table, he noticed that the wine before Hal and Chester remained untouched. His face turned a dull red, and he approached the lads.
"And why does not monsieur drink with us?" he demanded in a harsh voice, thrusting his face toward Chester. "Can it be that you are spies?"
"No," said Chester, taking a step backward; "we are not spies. We are British officers, and we drank your toast in water. We do not drink wine."
"British officers!" repeated the Frenchman. "Then how comes it that you wear the uniforms of French lieutenants?"
"That," replied Chester quietly, "is none of your business."
"None of my business!" echoed the Frenchman. "Mon Dieu! And what if I make it some of my business, eh?"
"If I were you," said Chester, "I wouldn't think of such a thing."
The Frenchman took a step backward at the menace in the lad's tone; but the other French officers now gathered about, and these reënforcements apparently lent him courage.
"So!" he exclaimed. "It is that we are not good enough to drink with you, eh?"
"No," replied Chester; "we simply don't drink. That is all. We appreciate your courtesy in thinking of us, and we drank your toast in water, which is the strongest drink we ever touch."
Hal, who up to this time had remained silent in his chair, now rose to his feet.
"Look here," he said, facing the fiery Frenchman; "we are on important business and haven't time to fool with you. My friend has explained why we didn't drink wine with you. That should settle the matter."
"But it doesn't settle it," exclaimed the Frenchman, now in a rage. "You refused to drink with us because you think us not good enough."
"All right, have it that way if you will," said Chester wearily. "If you say so, then we didn't drink because you are not good enough."
"Mon Dieu!" cried the Frenchman, and his hand rested upon the butt of his revolver. "You have insulted me, and for that you shall pay."
With one hand still resting upon his revolver, he stepped quickly forward, and before Chester could realize what was up, he slapped the lad sharply in the face.
This was too much for Chester. Up to this time he had remained perfectly cool, but the blow in the face, light though it was, was more than he could stand. He took a quick step forward, and as he did so his right fist flashed out, and the young Frenchman, struck squarely upon the nose, went to the floor with blood streaming from his wounded member.
There came several subdued exclamations from the others of the party, and the hands of the other French officers dropped to their revolvers.
But before any of them could draw, Hal had whipped forth his own automatics, and covered them.
"I'll blow the head off the first one who makes a move," he said sternly.
The French officers made no move to draw.
The Frenchman whom Chester had knocked down now got to his feet, considerably sobered up by the force of the lad's blow. He was suffering more from wounded dignity than anything else, and he was very angry. He approached Chester.
"For that blow," he said very quietly, "monsieur shall give me satisfaction."
"I'll repeat the dose if that's what you want," said Chester, also thoroughly aroused, and he took a step forward.
The Frenchman drew back.
"Non! Non!" he exclaimed. "You shall give me satisfaction with swords or pistols, as a gentleman, if, for the moment, you can be one."
"So," said Chester, "I am no gentleman, eh? I'll make you wish you had never seen me, you little—"
"Hold on! Hold on!" interrupted Hal. "We have other business to attend to. We have no time for duels."
But for the moment he had relaxed his vigilance, and the nearest officer, with two quick blows, knocked his revolvers from his hand, and the lad found himself covered.
"Now," said the young Frenchman to Chester, "will you fight or not?"
"I'll fight," replied the lad calmly.
"It seems to me," said Hal quietly, "that there is enough fighting to be done at the front without fighting among ourselves. Besides, we have important business in Paris immediately."
"It won't take long to dispose of this fellow, Hal," said Chester significantly.
"Perhaps not," replied Hal, "but you know there is always the chance that you may fall. Then they would probably drag me into it, and, if I went down, what would happen to the document we bear?"
"That's true," said Chester. He turned to his adversary. "Is it understood," he asked, "that, if I fall, there is an end of the quarrel?"
The Frenchman bowed in assent.
"And if you kill me," he said, "my friends will not molest you."
"Well, that suits me," said Chester. "Where and when are we going to fight this thing out?"
"Immediately," was the reply; "and, with our host's permission, we shall fight right here, monsieur."
"Any place suits me," said Chester. "And the weapons?"
"The choice lies with you,monsieur."
"Very good," said Chester. "Revolvers at ten paces!"
"Ten paces!" exclaimed one of the Frenchmen, stepping back in surprise."Surelymonsieuris jesting!"
"Not a bit of it," replied Chester quietly. "I want to get close enough to make sure I can't miss him."
"But,monsieur," protested one of the Frenchmen, "it will make it that much easier for your opponent to hit you also."
"He won't hit me," said Chester. "Don't you worry about that. Revolvers at ten paces, or there will be no fight."
The French officer who had volunteered to act as the other's second bowed.
"It shall be asmonsieurdesires," he said.
The revolvers of the others, which had covered Hal, were now lowered, and the lad was allowed to pick up his weapons. He approached Chester.
"Are you sure you can get him?" he asked.
"Dead certain," replied Chester. "Look at him now. See how he's shaking. It's the ten paces that did that. He knows I can't possibly miss him at that distance, and he is consequently nervous for fear his first shot may go wild."
There was truth in the lad's words. Chester's antagonist was plainly nervous, and he and his second talked together in low tones. Finally the second came over to Hal.
"My friend," he said, "wishing to spare your friend's life, is willing to accept his apology."
"There'll be no apology," growled Chester, who had overheard this remark.
"But the ten paces,monsieur," protested the Frenchman. "It will be murder. My friend is a crack shot. At the distance he cannot miss. He would give your friend a chance for his life by lengthening the distance."
"Ten paces or nothing," replied Hal.
The Frenchman bowed and returned to his principal. They conversed in low tones, and finally the second announced that the terms were satisfactory.
As the two principals came together Hal perceived a peculiar gleam in the eye of the Frenchman, and realized in a moment that Chester's antagonist had some scheme up his sleeve. Hal thought rapidly, and then drew a breath of relief. He believed he had solved the Frenchman's plan and he determined to thwart it.
The two principals, according to the arrangements made, were to stand back to back, and, at the count of three, each take five steps, turn and fire at will. Each weapon had been carefully examined by both seconds and all cartridges removed but two. Consequently, each was to be allowed two shots, if necessary, and, in the event that neither fell, honor was to be declared appeased. It was also stipulated that should one of the principals fire before he had taken five paces he should be shot down by the other's second.
The seconds were the only two permitted to have arms besides the principals. Hal had insisted upon this, and, accordingly, the others turned their weapons over to the proprietor, who, at Hal's command, had taken them to the next room.
Chester and his opponent stood back to back, and Hal, who had called the toss of a coin, began to count:
"One! Two! Three!"
At the word Chester and the French officer who had stood in the center of the room walked slowly away from each other with measured stride.
Two steps, three, four, the young Frenchman took, and then wheeled suddenly and brought his revolver to bear upon the back of his antagonist, who was taking the full five strides. The Frenchman's finger tightened on the trigger.
But Hal had been watching him like a hawk. His quick mind had detected the treachery of the Frenchman before the two had taken their places, and he held his own revolver ready, as did the Frenchman's second.
As the Frenchman wheeled suddenly, upon his fourth step, and his finger pressed the trigger, Hal's own weapon spoke suddenly. With a cry the Frenchman threw up both hands, and pitched to the floor on his face.
The next moment Hal's revolver covered the Frenchman's second, before the latter could raise his own weapon—had such been his intention—and in a stern voice the lad cried:
"So this is French bravery, eh? You shoot men in the back! No wonder your principal agreed upon ten paces."
Chester, having wheeled quickly at his fifth step, took in the situation at a glance, and his revolver covered the other French officers. One of the latter, raising a hand, stepped forward.
"Monsieur," he said quietly to Chester, "I would have you believe that neither I nor my friends had a hand in this. Had we known what our friend contemplated, we would not have allowed the duel to proceed."
Chester glanced at the Frenchman keenly for a moment, then lowered his revolver.
"I believe you," he said simply.
Hal also now lowered the weapon with which he had covered the Frenchman's second, and the latter also made profuse protests of innocence, which both lads believed to be true. Then he bent over Chester's late antagonist.
"He is still alive," he said, looking up after an examination. "The bullet struck him in the chest. With proper attention he will recover." He approached Chester and held out his hand. "I regret this unpleasant incident exceedingly," he said. "I trust you will absolve us from blame."
"Of course," said Chester, grasping the outstretched hand. "I would be loath to believe that all Frenchmen are not true soldiers and honorable gentlemen."
Hal also shook hands all around with the young Frenchmen, and a few moments later announced that they must be on their way. The Frenchmen escorted them to their car, which was now ready and waiting for them, and, as Hal sent it forward with a lurch, they sped the lads on their way with rousing cheers.
"By Jove! That was a pretty narrow squeak!" Chester called over Hal's shoulder, as the car swept from the little city of Nanteul and sped on across the open country. "If you hadn't been on the alert I would be with the angels now."
"I don't know how I came to suspect him," replied Hal, also raising his voice to a shout, to make himself heard above the roaring of the flying automobile. "Something seemed to tell me he was up to some deviltry, and I figured it out before you took your places. So, when he turned before time, I was ready for him."
"And a good thing for me that you were," Chester muttered to himself.
The car sped on.
Through Dammartin they dashed with slightly diminished speed, and, bearing off a trifle to the north, passed through St. Gonesse. Ten minutes later they came within sight of Paris and Hal slowed down.
"Well, I guess we won't have any more trouble before we get to Paris," he said. "I judge that we are on the outskirts now."
The car continued at a more moderate gait. Passing vehicles became more frequent now, and the lad was forced to go very slowly in some places to avoid dense crowds of pedestrians and troops.
"Where are we going to find the Prime Minister, Hal?" asked Chester.
"By Jove! I hadn't thought of that!" exclaimed Hal. "We'll have to find out."
They were in the very heart of the city now. Hal brought the car to a stand, near one of the city's police officers and accosted the latter in French.
"We bear a communication from General Joffre to the Prime Minister," he said. "Can you tell us where to find him? We are strangers in the city."
The policeman was very polite. He signaled another officer, who was passing, and repeated Hal's request. The latter immediately climbed into the car beside Hal.
"I happen to know," he said, "that the Prime Minister at the present moment is at the Chamber of Deputies, where he is making an address. If your business is important, no doubt you will be permitted to see him as soon as he has concluded."
He pointed out the way, and Hal drove the car slowly along the streets. They drew up at last before an imposing building, which, the policeman informed them, was where the Chamber of Deputies sat. The lads alighted and ascended the steps.
At the entrance they were stopped by a soldier, who demanded their business.
"We bear a message from General Joffre to the Prime Minister," said Hal.
The soldier summoned an officer, to whom Hal repeated their errand. The latter motioned the lads to follow him, and showed them into a waiting-room and took his departure, ordering them to wait.
"The Prime Minister has concluded his address," he told them. "I shall take your message."
Half an hour later a man appeared in the doorway. He was slender and rather tall. "Lieutenants Paine and Crawford?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," replied the lads, getting to their feet.
"I," said the newcomer, "am the Prime Minister."
Hal and Chester made a profound bow.
"I have been informed," continued the Prime Minister, "that you bear a message from General Joffre containing proof of information you obtained bearing on a plot to kidnap the President of France."
"Yes, sir," replied Hal, and from his pocket produced the document, which he passed to the Prime Minister.
The latter broke the seal and ran through it hurriedly.
"Hm-m-m," he said at last. "Not as much information as I believe we shall need."
"But surely you know enough to protect the President," said Hal.
The Prime Minister looked at him somewhat coldly, and Hal drew back, confused at having been so bold. The Prime Minister touched a bell upon a desk and an attendant entered.
"Have General Gallieni summoned here immediately," he instructed.
The attendant bowed and departed. For half an hour the Prime Minister paced up and down the room, deep in thought. The lads stood silent, neither caring to interrupt his meditations. Finally the attendant again entered the room, and announced:
"General Gallieni!"
A short, squat man, attired in a brilliant red-and-blue uniform, with medals flashing upon his breast, strode into the room and came to attention before the Prime Minister.
"You summoned me, sir?"
"Yes, General. These," indicating Hal and Chester, "are the two officers who overheard the plot to kidnap President Poincaré. I have called you here that you may hear their story at first hand." He turned to the two lads. "This," he said, "is General Gallieni, military governor of Paris. You will repeat to him what you overheard."
In a few brief words Hal did so, and, when he had concluded the PrimeMinister passed the message from General Joffre to General Gallieni.The latter ran his eye over it quickly, and for some moments thereafterwas silent.
"And you say that this plot was to be carried out in the event that theGerman offensive failed?" he asked at length.
"Such is my understanding, sir," replied Hal.
"And you say a German agent is supposed to have been in communication with Pierre Duval, recognized as King of the Apaches?"
"Yes, sir."
General Gallieni turned to the Prime Minister.
"I have made inquiries," he said, "and I have learned enough to substantiate this story. We can, of course, foil the plot with ease, but that is not enough."
"No," the Prime Minister agreed, "that is not enough."
"We must apprehend Duval himself," continued the military governor.
"Exactly," said the Prime Minister, "and with him sufficient of his men to cause the others to realize that when they plot treason to France their necks are in jeopardy."
"Precisely," agreed General Gallieni. "But this Duval is a slippery fellow and hard to catch. I have learned that, unlike other Apaches, he comes of better blood; in fact, is supposed to be a gentleman. But, beyond this, I have learned nothing except the existence of the plot to kidnap the President."
"But the police and the secret service men," said the Prime Minister, "haven't they been able—"
"The police and secret service men, bah!" interrupted General Gallieni. "They have learned nothing. Their faces are so familiar to the denizens of the underworld as to make them absolutely useless. I have set some of my officers on the trail, but they seem to have met with no better luck. No; we must have men whose identities cannot be so easily established; strangers, say, who are willing to risk their lives by going into the haunts of the Apaches, and, perhaps, putting themselves in their power."
"Then, sir," said Chester, taking a step forward, "you need seek no further. My friend and I shall be glad to undertake the work."
"You!" exclaimed the Prime Minister, starting back in surprise. "Why, you are nothing but boys."
"True," said Hal, somewhat nettled, "but more than once we have accomplished men's work."
General Gallieni looked at them long and carefully. Then he once more turned his eyes upon the contents of General Joffre's message.
"General Joffre," he said quietly, "speaks highly of you both. He says that you are to be trusted implicitly and he appears to have great confidence in your resourcefulness. Upon his recommendation I should say that, if you are willing to undertake the work, you would come as near bringing it to a successful termination as any men we might find."
"Thank you, sir," said Hal quietly. "We are both willing and eager to make the attempt."
"Then," said the general, "we shall consider the matter settled."
"But," protested the Prime Minister, "it seems to me that they are much too young to be allowed to assume such a risk."
"From General Joffre's letter," remarked the military governor of Paris dryly, "I should say that they have already assumed risks every whit as great." He turned again to Hal and Chester. "Do you know anything of the Apaches of Paris?" he asked.
"Only what we have read," replied Chester. "I should say that they are of the lowest possible order of criminals."
"You are entirely right," replied General Gallieni. "The Apaches of Paris have not acquired an undeserved reputation. There is no crime on the calendar they would not commit for a few cents. From petty thievery to murder they have advanced by degrees, until to-day the life of a person who ventures among them is not worth a cent, should they believe he had a franc in his pocket.
"The Apaches infest the poorer sections of the city, notably the banks of the Seine and portions of the Quartier Latin. They seldom venture from their own haunts, and, like cats, do most of their prowling and evil deeds during the darkest hours of the night. Nowhere in the world is there a more villainous band of cutthroats. You would think that, in times like these they would rally to the support of their country, but they have not. And now comes this plot to turn their President over to the enemy."
The lads had listened with great interest to this account of the men, in whose midst they had volunteered to risk their lives. They realized the danger that confronted them in such a venture, but neither was minded to give it up because of this.
"Well, we shall have to be careful, sir," said Hal. "We will dress poorly and will show no money. If you will put us on the right road I am sure that we shall learn something of value in the course of a day or two."
"It is still not too late to draw out," said the general, eying them closely.
"Well, we won't draw out," said Hal quietly.
"I should say not," agreed Chester.
"Report to me to-night at my quarters in the Hotel de Ville, say at 9 o'clock, and I will give you your directions and what other information I can that will be of service to you. In the meantime, I would advise that you seek rest, for you are likely to need it."
The military governor took his departure, and soon the lads also left the presence of the Prime Minister, who had directed them to a hotel nearby.
In this little hotel, clean and comfortable, the lads sent out and procured some old clothes that would give them the appearance of dire poverty. Then they examined and cleaned their automatics and laid in an extra supply of cartridges.
"Well, I guess that's about all we can do till to-night," said Hal."Let's get a little sleep."
"My sentiments exactly," said Chester.
It was perhaps 4 o'clock in the afternoon when they arose. Outside the sun was shining brightly.
"By Jove!" said Chester. "This is too nice a day to remain in the hotel.Let's take a walk."
"Agreed," said Hal.
They left the hotel, and for an hour strolled about the city, looking at the sights of interest.
"By the way," said Chester, "what's this Hotel de Ville where we are to report to General Gallieni to-night?"
"Why," said Hal, "that's the city hall, or at least what we would call the city hall in America. I suppose that when Paris was put under martial law the military governor, who, of course, superseded all civic authorities, at once took up his quarters there."
"I see," said Chester.
Strolling along Bois de Boulougne, the lads saw, some distance ahead of them, a crowd gathered about what appeared to be a knot of struggling men. They hurried up and peered over the shoulders of the other onlookers.
In the center of the throng was a young man, defending himself as best he could, against the attacks of half a dozen smaller assailants, young rowdies and ruffians.
Even as the lads looked the assailed snatched a club from the hands of one of his opponents, and laid about him lustily, clearing a small space on all sides of him.
But the weight of numbers was bound to tell, and the assailants closed in again, while the crowd stood and laughed.
Such unequal odds did not appeal to the two lads.
"Come on, Hal," said Chester. "We can't stand idly by and let that crowd of ruffians beat that fellow up."
"I should say not," said Hal. "Come on."
Elbowing and shoving, the lads forced their way through the crowd and fell upon the assailants from the rear. The young man to whose assistance they had come welcomed this unexpected aid with a slight smile, and the three stood side by side and fought off the ruffians.
But the ranks of the latter were increased now, and the lads were hard pressed. They were giving a good account of themselves, but it was evident that, unless help arrived, they would get the worst of it.
Suddenly a tall man in a heavy fur overcoat, who had alighted from an automobile to see what the excitement was about, after a quick glance at the combatants, uttered a cry and dashed forward, elbowing his way through the crowd.
Hal and Chester each felt himself seized by the shoulder by a strong hand, and a voice exclaimed:
"So! I have found you young scalawags at last!"
At the sound of this voice Hal and Chester stood stockstill, and from the crowd came the cry of: "The police!"
Hal glanced quickly into the face of the man who held him and his chum firmly by the arm. The face was set in a stern expression, but there was a kindly smile behind it and the eyes twinkled.
Chester voiced his astonishment with two words.
"Uncle John!" he cried.
"Mr. Crawford!" cried Hal, equally as surprised.
For the man who held the two lads in a vise-like grip was the brother ofChester's father, whom they had last seen in America.
Uncle John smiled grimly.
"Yes, it's me," he said, paying no heed to his slip in grammar, "and now that I've found you I am going to take you with me."
Still grasping each by the shoulder, he led them through the crowd and pushed them into the waiting automobile. He then gave the driver an address and climbed in himself. The machine started off.
"Now," said Uncle John, settling himself comfortably, "tell me where you have been. Both your mothers are frantic, and they set me a strenuous job when they turned me loose on your trail. I have been looking for you for months. Where have you been, and what are you doing in those French uniforms?"
"But where is mother?" asked Hal.
"You'll see her soon enough," was the grim response, "and yours, too," he added, turning to Chester.
"Is mother here in Paris?" asked Chester.
"She is; you'll be with her in fifteen minutes."
"And mine, too?" asked Hal.
"Yes; now tell me about yourselves."
"Well," said Chester, "there is not much to tell. I suppose Mrs. Paine told you how we became separated in Berlin?"
"Yes."
"Well, we managed to escape from Germany and made our way to Liège just before the German assault on that fortress."
"And were you there during its defense?" asked Uncle John in surprise.
"Yes, we were there. We were fortunate enough to render the Belgian commander some slight service, for which we were later made lieutenants in the Belgian army."
"Lieutenants!" ejaculated Uncle John.
"Yes."
"Then what are you doing in French uniforms?"
"I am coming to that. Later we saw service with the British troops, and also with the Cossacks in Russia. We were captured several days ago by the Germans, and we donned these uniforms when we finally got into the French lines. To-day we came to Paris with a communication from General Joffre for the Prime Minister."
Uncle John sat straight up in his seat during this recital, so great was his surprise.
"And you have gone through all this unwounded?" he asked.
"Well, no," said Chester; "we have both been wounded, but we are all right now."
"And to-night," said Hal, "we have further work to do."
"Well," said Uncle John grimly, "I think your fighting days are over."
"Over!" echoed both lads in consternation.
"Yes. You will accompany us back to the United States the day after to-morrow. In the meantime I shall make it my business to see that you stay in the hotel and are not allowed to go gallivanting about."
"It can't be done, Uncle John," said Chester quietly. "We have duties to perform."
"So you have," returned Uncle John, "and the chief one is to return home where you belong."
Chester was about to reply, but thought better of it, and remained silent. At Uncle John's request, Hal filled in the details of their adventures, and, as the account progressed, Uncle John became more and more surprised.
At length the machine drew up in front of one of the largest hotels in the city and the three alighted and went in. Five minutes later Chester was in the arms of his mother and Hal was in the arms of his. Both mothers wept tears of joy at having their sons with them again.
"We'll go home immediately," said Mrs. Paine.
"On the first steamer," agreed Mrs. Crawford.
"I'll go now and see about accommodations," said Uncle John.
He left the room.
"I am sorry, mother," said Hal, "but we cannot go home now."
"Cannot go home!" exclaimed Mrs. Paine. "Why?"
"Because we have duties to perform here," replied Hal quietly.
"Duties? What have you to do with this war? You are an American."
"Nevertheless," said Hal, "we have taken the oath of allegiance, and we must stay, at least until we have accomplished the mission we are now on."
"What is the mission?" asked his mother.
"I am sorry, mother, but I cannot say," was Hal's reply.
"Is it dangerous?"
"Well, not particularly so," said Hal.
"And you won't tell me what it is?"
"I cannot. It is not my secret to tell. It belongs to France."
"In that event," said Mrs. Paine, who had been a soldier's wife, "I will not press you."
"Thank you, mother," said Hal gratefully.
A similar conversation had ensued between Chester and Mrs. Crawford, with like result.
"But, if we let you go on this mission, will you then return home?" askedMrs. Crawford.
"We can't promise, mother," said Chester.
"Then," said Mrs. Crawford, "I shall not permit you to go."
Chester made no reply to this.
Mrs. Paine also refused her consent unless Hal would promise to return home after the termination of the mission on which they were now engaged, and Hal would make no such promise.
An hour later Uncle John returned and to him the two mothers told their troubles.
"Well," said Uncle John calmly, "I'll fix 'em."
It was now after six o'clock, and all descended to dinner. The meal over, Uncle John called the two lads into his own room. Motioning them to seats, he stepped out the door, and quickly turned the key in the lock.
"Now," he said from the outside, "we shall see whether you'll stay or not."
Hal and Chester looked at each other in dismay.
"Great Scott!" cried the latter. "What are we going to do now?"
Hal looked at his watch.
"After seven o'clock," he said. "We haven't much time."
He looked about the room, and his eye fell upon the telephone. Quickly he stepped forward and placed the receiver to his ear. After some questioning he turned to Hal with a smile.
"I guess it's all right now," he said.
"What are you trying to do?" asked Chester.
"You'll see," said Hal.
He turned to the telephone.
"I wish to speak with General Gallieni," he said. "Tell him it is the party he is expecting to-night at nine. All right." He was silent a moment, then spoke again: "General Gallieni?"
"Yes," came the reply over the wire.
"This is Lieutenant Paine, whom you are depending on for to-night. We are prisoners in room number 257," and Hal gave the name of the hotel.
"What!" came the surprised reply. "By whom are you being held?"
"By our uncle. Cannot you send a detachment of soldiers with orders to take us before you at once?"
Hal heard a slight chuckle wafted over the wire.
"It shall be done," came the reply, and the military governor ofParis rang off.
Hal turned to Chester with a smile.
"I guess that will fix it," he said.
"Well, I should say so," said Chester. "But what will Uncle John and our mothers think when we are dragged away, apparently as prisoners?"
"I don't know what they'll think," said Hal, "but we are in honor bound to see this thing through, and we must not let sentiment stand in the way."
"I guess you are right," said Chester slowly, after a moment's hesitation.
"I know I am," said Hal, and so the matter rested.
It was nearly eight o'clock, as Hal perceived by a glance at his watch, when the heavy sound of tramping feet became audible in the hall.
"Room 257," came a voice from without.
There was a loud rap on the door.
"Who's there?" called Hal, thinking to keep up the deception.
"Open the door in the name of the law!" came back the response.
From an adjoining room Mrs. Paine, Mrs. Crawford and Uncle John were startled by the pounding on the door, and looked into the hall just as the above conversation through the door took place. Uncle John immediately stepped forward.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
The French officer turned upon him.
"None of your business," he replied. He turned and rapped on the door again. "Open the door," he commanded, "or I shall break it in."
"Hold on there!" said Uncle John. "I have the key to the door. Tell me what you want with those young men and I'll unlock the door."
"I am ordered to take them before General Gallieni at once," said the officer more civilly.
"The military governor!" exclaimed Uncle John.
"Exactly,monsieur," said the officer, "and now, as you have the key, will you please to unlock the door immediately?"
"But what does the general want with them?" asked Uncle John anxiously.
"I cannot say," was the reply. "Will you unlock the door or shall I be compelled to use force?"
Without further words Uncle John unlocked the door, and the officer, followed by two of his men, strode in. They approached the two lads.
"You are under arrest," said the officer briefly.
Mrs. Paine and Mrs. Crawford attempted to reach their sons, but the soldiers barred their progress.
"Don't worry, mother," said Hal, as they were led by, and he smiled.
Uncle John caught the smile and a great light dawned upon him.
"Well, by George!" he said to himself, "I didn't think they had it in 'em."
He allayed the fears of the anxious mothers by telling them what he had discovered.
Hal did not see the look of understanding upon Uncle John's face, as they were led along, but Chester did. He smiled to himself.
"Uncle John has caught on," he said to his friend.
"Caught on?" echoed Hal.
"Yes. He knows that we have hoodwinked him."
"So much the better, then," said Hal. "It will save our mothers some worry." He turned to the officer who conducted them as soon as they were out on the street. "It's all right now," he said. "We can go the rest of the way alone."
"Perhaps you can," was the reply, "but you won't. You'll come right along with us."
"But," protested the lad, "we must first go to our other hotel and get the clothes we have secured for our work."
"You will have to talk to General Gallieni about that," said the officer gruffly.
"But General Gallieni knows all about our plans."
"Does he? I'm not so sure. However, I guess he will before long?"
"Look here," said Hal, "what's the matter with you?"
"Come, now," said the officer, "that's enough of that. March."
Chester broke into a laugh, and Hal glanced at him in surprise.
"What are you laughing at?" he demanded.
"Why," said Chester, "I am laughing because you can't see through this."
"Is that so?" said Hal, somewhat nettled. "Perhaps you can see through it?"
"Of course," said Chester. "General Gallieni simply sent this squad after us. He didn't explain the situation to the officer."
"By Jove!" said Hal. "Now, why didn't I think of that? It's plain enough, now that you speak of it."
They marched along in silence, and soon were ushered into the presence of General Gallieni. The latter dismissed the other officers with a wave of his hand and turned to the lads.
"Well, I see you escaped," he said, with a semblance of a smile on his grim features.
"Yes, sir; thanks to you, sir," said Hal, also smiling.
"Thank yourselves," said the general. "It took some resourcefulness to think of such a plan. It proves to me that you can use your heads. I am, therefore, more confident that you may be successful in your desperate work."
Hal and Chester were greatly flattered by this high praise, but they simply saluted and said:
"Thank you, sir."
"Now," said the general, "you may as well go about the work at once. Further delay is useless. But you cannot go in those uniforms. Didn't you lay in some other clothes, as you suggested?"
"We did, sir," replied Hal, "but the officer who conducted us here wouldn't let us go after them."
"True," said the general. "I didn't explain the situation to him, because I feared that he might possibly give thecoupaway. Perhaps I can fix you up here, however."
He struck a little bell on his desk a sharp tap. Immediately an orderly entered and to him the general spoke briefly. The orderly saluted and departed, returning a few moments later with a bundle of ragged clothing.
"You may go into the next room and change," said the general, and the lads hastened to obey.
Ten minutes later, dirty, ragged and unkempt, they once more stood beforeGeneral Gallieni. The latter surveyed them critically.
"You'll do," he said at last, with an approving nod. "Now—are you armed?"
"Two automatics each, sir, and a good supply of cartridges," said Hal.
"Bien! Here," the general handed each a little silver whistle, "should you ever be in a tight place and in need of assistance, blow these, and, if help is near, you will get it."
The lads shoved the whistles out of sight in the clothes.
"I guess that is about all," said the general. "Remember, the main thing I want is Duval. Establish his true identity and learn where he can be found and you will have done enough. The rest of the work will be for other hands. By the way, if I were you, I would go first to theQuartier Latin, and loiter about there. You know where it is?"
"No, sir," said Hal.
The general gave them the necessary directions and then rose.
"That is all," he said, and the lads, realizing that their interview was at an end, saluted and took their departure.
For an hour they walked along the streets, and at last found themselves in the midst of the Latin Quarter of the French capital. Here they saw many others of their own apparent ilk, dressed in rags, dirty, and carrying a certain hangdog and famished look.
"Guess we are in the right place," said Hal to Chester in a low voice.
"Looks like it," said Hal, "but the question is, how are we going to find out anything?"
"We'll have to trust to luck," said Chester.
But Dame Fortune smiled upon them sooner than they could possibly have anticipated, and it came about in this wise:
As the lads walked slowly along they were attracted by a terrible din and confusion in the distance. They stopped for a moment and listened and then went forward swiftly.
Rounding a corner into a dark side street they came abruptly upon the scene of the confusion. A dirty little street Arab was defending himself with bravery and skill against an overwhelming number of other rowdies. The little fellow was fighting with tooth, nail and foot, but in spite of his agility and stubbornness, he was getting the worst of the encounter.
He went down and the others piled on top of him.
"Come on, Hal," exclaimed Chester, "let's give the fellow a hand."
"All right," agreed the latter; "but, remember, no guns. It would give us away."
They dashed quickly forward, and, striking out right and left, cleared a path for themselves and were soon at the side of the fallen man. While Hal stood off the enemy Chester bent down and lifted the little man to his feet. The latter recognized the touch of a friendly hand and quickly jumped up.
"Thanks," he said briefly, and jumped to Hal's side to renew the encounter.
Chester sprang forward with him. And these reënforcements reached Hal none too soon, for he was being sorely pressed by his foes. One of the enemy, making a slight detour, suddenly launched himself headlong at Hal, and came down on his shoulder, and with his talon-like fingers clawed at the lad's face.
With a quick twist of his arm the lad succeeded in catching his opponent by the throat, and, exerting great pressure with his other arm, bore upward heavily. There was a choking screech from the man and he lay limp in Hal's arms. Then the lad, raising him at arm's length, dashed him full in the faces of the foe.
The little man to whose help the lads had come took this in out of the tail of his eye.
"Bien! Bien!" he exclaimed, and dashed forward.
Hal and Chester were right behind him.
Hal struck out with his right, and one of the enemy toppled over with an oath. Another went down before his left fist. Chester, with a heavy blow, felled another of their opponents, and the little man, snarling and fighting with hands and feet, quickly disposed of two more.
The enemy drew back and the three had time for a breathing spell. Their foes, however, had no mind to give up the fight, and with a sudden concerted dash, surrounded the trio.
The fighting became fast and terrific. The weight of numbers was beginning to tell, and suddenly Chester went down before a heavy smash on the jaw. He was badly shaken up, but was not unconscious. As he scrambled to his feet, the clear sound of a whistle shattered the night. Immediately the fighting stopped and the assailants drew back.
"Les Gendarmes!" exclaimed one, and took to his heels, followed by the rest.
"Les Gendarmes!" exclaimed the little man to whose assistance the lads had come. "Voila!"
Chester got to his feet quickly, and, with Hal, dashed forward upon the heels of the little man. Round corner after corner, through dark streets and darker alleys he ran, the lads following close behind him. Finally, out of breath and tired of limb and body, he came to a halt in a secluded spot in a narrow street.
The lads came to a stop beside him. The man immediately threw himself upon the ground and the lads did likewise. Here, for a few moments, all lay silent, panting.
Finally the little man spoke.
"You came to my aid just in time," he said, "and I thank you. But for youI should have been killed."
"Killed!" exclaimed Hal. "And why would they have killed you?"
"Because," said the little man, "I myself picked the pocket of a man whom one of their number was trailing."
"I see," said Chester, manifesting no surprise, for he was well aware that the street Arab had taken them for his own kind. To have betrayed surprise would have been to invite suspicion.
"Now," said the little man, "we shall have to hide. The police will be scouring the neighborhood. Have you a refuge handy?"
"No," said Hal.
"Then you shall come with me." He hesitated a moment, then added: "Which do you love best, your country or gold?"
Hal took a long chance.
"Gold," he said briefly.
The little man slapped him familiarly on the back.
"As all true Apaches!" he exclaimed. "Bien! Then you shall come with me."
He led the way along the dark street and the lads followed him.
Before a low-lying, tumble-down wooden shack of but a single story the little man paused and glanced furtively about. Then he darted quickly up the steps, and, motioning to the lads to follow him, disappeared within.
Inside Hal and Chester found themselves in what appeared to be a narrow passageway. It was damp and evil-smelling and the darkness was intense. The lads were unable to see a yard in front of them. The voice of the little man pierced the darkness.
"Come," he said, and the lads advanced in the darkness.
They came presently to a flight of stairs, leading down, and they descended slowly, feeling their way that they might not fall. At the bottom there was still nothing but darkness. Here their guide was waiting for them and allowed them to pass. A moment and there came to the ears of the lads a dull clang, as if a heavy iron door had been closed behind them.
And this, in truth, was the case.
Ahead of them in the dark hall their guide had opened the door without their knowledge that such a thing existed, and now that they had passed through he closed it again. The lads waited until he again brushed by them and took the lead. Then they followed.
It seemed to Hal and Chester that the passageway wound about considerably, for they were conscious of making several sharp turns. Then, from ahead, a faint glow of light pierced the darkness and they could make out their surroundings. In the rear it was perfectly dark and on each side of the narrow passageway the dark, grimy walls rose sheer for perhaps twenty-five feet. The place reeked with the smell of foul air and tobacco smoke.
Now that the light shattered the blackness the little man, who had advanced as soft-footed and as sure-footed as a cat in spite of the darkness, increased his stride and made toward the light. He brought up directly against another door, through cracks in which the light streamed. Here he turned to Hal and Chester.
"I am Jean Garnier," he said. "And you?"
"Hugo Choteau," replied Hal, giving the first name that came into his mind.
"I am Victor Doubet," said Chester, and added to himself, "I hope I can remember it."
He kept repeating it over and over to himself, that he might grow accustomed to it.
"Bien," said Jean. "Come! I shall introduce you to my friends."
He knocked sharply on the door—three light taps, followed by one loud tap.
From within came the sound of scraping chairs, followed by footsteps approaching the door. Came the sound of bars being removed and placed on the floor and a bolt shot back with a crash. Light immediately flooded the passageway as the door was opened a crack and an evil-looking face peered forth.
"Oh, it is you, Jean," he said, after peering intently at the lads' guide. "Come in."
He threw the door open wider.
"Yes, it is I," said the Apache, "and with me two friends."
"If they are friends of yours they are welcome," said the man inside.
The three entered the room together and the man who had opened the door immediately re-bolted and re-barred it.
Inside Hal and Chester looked quickly about, but still not so as to give an impression of undue curiosity. The room was perfectly bare, except for a single large table and probably fifty old wooden chairs, which were scattered about without regard to order. At the far end of the room there was another door, but except for this there was no means of egress.
In various parts of the room sat perhaps a dozen men, all of evil visage, their hats pulled low over their eyes, cigarettes protruding from their lips at a drooping angle. They paid no heed to the entrance of Jean, Hal and Chester, although, from under their hats, they eyed them keenly.
Jean turned to the man who had admitted them and introduced the two lads with a flourish of his right hand.
"These, Georges," he said, "are my friends, Hugo Choteau and VictorDoubet, who, but a few moments since, saved me from death."
Georges' only reply was a grunt. Plainly he was little interested in the newcomers, as long as they were vouched for by Jean, and he showed no interest in Jean's recent escape from death. Apparently this was no novelty. He resumed his seat at the table, and putting up his feet and drawing his hat even farther over his face, lighted a cigarette and settled himself in comfort and closed his eyes.
Now that he had piloted them to safety Jean took no further thought of the boys, but himself dropped into a chair, propped his feet up, lighted a cigarette and followed Georges' example.
Hal and Chester also sank into chairs and did likewise, both, however, keeping one eye open.
Directly Jean sat up and from his pocket produced a pack of cigarettes, which he extended to Hal.
"Smoke?" he said laconically.
Hal was in a quandary. He was not a smoker himself, yet he realized that the Paris Apache who was not a victim of nicotine was indeed a scarce article. But he muttered to himself, as he selected a cigarette and passed the pack on to Chester:
"Here is where smoking a cigarette may save our lives."
Chester's mind followed along on this course, and, after passing the pack back to Jean, and accepting a match, both lads lighted up in most approved fashion.
The wants of his guests thus attended to, Jean left them to their own thoughts, and gave them no further notice.
The Apache is not a talkative man, and therefore there was not the sound of a human voice to break the death-like stillness of the foul-smelling den. For perhaps an hour and a half all sat without so much as moving.
Suddenly the stillness was shattered by a resounding knock on the door by which the lads had so recently entered—three light taps, followed by a single loud tap. Immediately Georges was upon his feet again, and unlocked and unbarred the door and peered out. Then he threw wide the door and another man entered the room.
Now there was something in the appearance of this newcomer that set him somewhat apart from the other inmates of the den, and when he spoke his tones were much softer than the voices of the true Apache; but it carried an evil ring.
"The chief will be here within the hour," he said to Georges. "He desires that you have all here before he arrives."
"It shall be done," replied Georges, eying the newcomer with some disfavor because of his pomposity.
The newcomer walked across the room and sat down. As he did so his eyes fell upon Hal and Chester, slouched back in their chairs. Immediately he was on his feet.
"Who are these?" he demanded of Georges. "Their faces are unfamiliar to me."
"Friends of Jean Garnier," replied Georges briefly.
Jean was immediately on his feet and approached the questioner.
"Yes, they are friends of mine," he said, "and, as true Apaches, they love gold better than anything else. What have you to say about it?" and his hand slipped to his belt.
It was plain to Hal and Chester that the man was not frightened by this show of hostility, for he smiled slightly and shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh, nothing at all," he said. "What are one or two Apaches more or less?You are all of the same breed."
He turned his back on Jean and sat down. Producing a monogramed cigarette case he opened it, extracted a cigarette, and lighted up. He paid no further heed to those about him.
Hal and Chester, out of the tail of their eyes, surveyed him critically.The man had now removed his overcoat and the lads saw that his clotheswere neatly pressed and of good texture. A diamond glistened in his tie.Plainly he was no Apache.
Georges, in the meantime, had been busy. He aroused several of the apparently sleeping men, spoke a few words to them, and the latter hurried away. Some minutes later they returned, and after them came others. These drifted in gradually now and slunk into chairs. When the supply of chairs had been exhausted newcomers sat on the floor.
Soon the room was full to overflowing.
The man who had accosted Hal and Chester now threw away his cigarette and once more approached the lads. Jean, perceiving this, also left his chair and came forward.
The man whom Hal and Chester surmised was some sort of a lieutenant of the Apache chief, addressed them.
"Do you know what we are here for?" he asked.
"No," said Hal.
Chester also shook his head.
"Well, I'll tell you," said the man. "We are here to make money. The President is sought by the Germans, and we are to see that he is delivered safely into their hands. For this each man is to receive a handful of German gold. Now, it makes little difference whether you are with us or not. If you are with us, all right—we can use a few more men. If not, you will never leave here alive."