It was after dark when Hal, Chester and Stubbs left the seclusion of the hotel and started toward the spot where the lads had hidden their airplane the morning before.
There were plenty of signs of military activity in Sedan as the three friends passed along the streets, but no one interfered with them. To all intents and purposes they were precisely what they seemed—two German army officers and a civilian above the military age. And at last they came to the outskirts of the town.
"How much farther, Hal?" Stubbs wanted to know.
"Not much," was Hal's reply. "Perhaps a mile, Mr. Stubbs."
"Not far, eh?" said Stubbs with some sarcasm. "I hope you don't call that close."
"It's likely to be a whole lot farther to our lines than we have figured, if the plane is gone," Chester put in.
"And I'm willing to bet it'll be gone," declared Stubbs.
"There you go, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "Nobody could ever truthfully call you an optimist."
"I've lived too long and seen too much to be an optimist," was the little man's response. "Now, who wants to bet we won't have to hoof it back to the American lines?"
"I'll take that bet, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "just to show you that it pays to be an optimist. What'll it be?"
"Anything you say," replied Stubbs. "Make it a new pipe for me and a hat for you—when the war's over."
"Suits me," said Chester. "It's a bet."
The three walked along the dark road in silence for some moments.
"By George! it can't be much farther," declared Stubbs at last. "We've covered a mile now. Must have lost your bearings, Hal."
"Just hold your horses, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "I'm not in the habit of making such mistakes. We'll be there presently."
Stubbs grumbled to himself but made no reply.
Five minutes later Hal slackened his pace and took Stubbs by the arm.
"There," he said, pointing to a clump of trees a short distance ahead, "there is the spot we hid the plane, unless I am greatly mistaken. It may be there yet."
"And it may not," growled Stubbs, although his voice indicated that he was pleased that the long walk was about over.
At the edge of the miniature forest, Hal paused and glanced up and down the road. So did Chester and Stubbs. There was no one in sight.
"We'll have a look," said Hal.
He stepped in among the trees. Then he gave an exclamation of relief.
"She's here," he said softly.
It was true. There was the plane right where the lads had left it in the early morning of the day before. Apparently there had been no one near it, for its position was the same as that in which the lads had left it.
"Well, don't let's fool around here," said Stubbs. "Let's be moving."
"Since when did you become so anxious to fly, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Chester.
"I'm not anxious to fly," retorted Stubbs. "I never did like to ride in one of these things and I never will; but I want to get out of this place, and I'm in favor of moving right away."
"We'll move then," said Hal briefly. "Chester, do you suppose you can make room back there?"
"By George!" said Stubbs. "He'll have to make room for me or there'll be a fight right here."
"I guess we can squeeze him in some way, Hal," replied Chester.
Hal and Chester turned the craft so that its nose pointed toward the open, then wheeled it from the woods.
"Climb in, Stubbs," said Hal.
The little war correspondent needed no further urging. Chester took his place beside him. It was a tight squeeze, for the machine had not been constructed to carry two in the rear seat, but Chester and Stubbs managed it. Hal climbed in the pilot's seat and adjusted the spark.
"All ready?" he called over his shoulder.
"Shoot," answered Stubbs, grasping the side of the plane firmly.
Almost at the same moment there came a sudden interruption to the flight of the three friends.
Half a dozen forms appeared from nowhere at all and quickly surrounded the plane. Half a dozen rifles were leveled at the craft and a harsh German voice exclaimed:
"Halt!"
Stubbs gave an exclamation of disgust.
"I knew it," he said, and that was all.
Hal muttered an imprecation beneath his breath. They had been so close to getting away safely, and now this interruption made him angry.
"Well," he told himself, "there is nothing to do but try and bluff it out. Fortunately, we have not discarded our German uniforms." He raised his voice and called: "What's the meaning of this?"
"Get out of that plane," said the German voice.
The muzzles of half a dozen rifles made Hal realize that discretion truly is the better part of valor.
"There's no help for it," he told himself.
He got out. Chester and Stubbs followed his example. Hal approached the man who had accosted them.
"What's the meaning of this?" he demanded again.
For the first time the German appeared to notice the German uniforms and the straps that proclaimed Hal and Chester captains in the emperor's service.
"Your pardon if I have made a mistake, captain," he said. "But how was I to know? Yesterday I found this plane—clearly an American craft—hidden here. I had it watched all to-day, but no one came near it. I saw no bodies near to indicate that the American pilot had been killed. Therefore I judged that there was a spy within our lines. That's why my men have stood guard here until now."
"You have done well, lieutenant," said Hal. "It's true that this is an American craft, but it has been used by our friend here," and he indicated Stubbs, "for purposes favorable to the German cause. Herr Schindler arrived early yesterday morning and reported to General Knoff in Sedan. Now Captain Diegle and myself are bound on a little expedition with him. Do I make myself clear, lieutenant?"
"Perfectly," and the lieutenant ordered his men to lower their rifles. "It is not for me to question the wisdom of my superiors."
"You are a good officer, lieutenant," said Hal. "I shall see that General Knoff hears of your vigilance."
"Thank you, captain. Is there anything I may do for you before you proceed on your journey?"
"Nothing, thanks. Then with your permission, lieutenant, we shall continue our interrupted journey."
Hal turned again toward the car. Chester and Stubbs followed him.
"Quickly, now," said Hal in a low voice. "His suspicions may be aroused again. We've no time to lose."
Again Chester and Stubbs clambered into the back seat.
"All right?" asked Hal, after he had taken his seat.
"All right," said Chester.
"Let her go, Hal," cried Stubbs in English.
And these words almost caused their undoing.
At the sound of the English phrase the German lieutenant, who had been watching the friends embark for their aerial trip, realized in a moment that he had been fooled.
The plane was gliding slowly across the ground when he called to his men:
"Spies! Shoot them!"
Instantly the soldiers threw their rifles to their shoulders and poured a volley after the plane. Then they started after the craft on a dead run.
The first volley did no damage beyond arousing Hal's anger. He berated Stubbs' carelessness roundly to himself, but not for a moment did he take his mind off the work in hand.
Chester and Stubbs ducked instinctively at the sound of the first volley. Then Chester raised his head, and drawing his revolvers, fired at the pursuing Germans.
The lad's efforts were rewarded with cries of anger, and there was one shrill scream. Chester smiled grimly to himself, for he knew that he had accounted for one of the foes.
Again and again the Germans fired, and Chester heard the balls glance off the side of the plane. Still the enemy fire had not reached a vital part of the craft and the occupants were untouched.
Now Hal touched the elevating lever gently and the plane soared in the air. One more volley the Germans fired after them. Then the three friends were safe.
"Stubbs," said Chester, as the plane sped through the air. "I ought to pitch you out of here, and you know it."
"By George! Why?" demanded Stubbs, puzzled.
"Why?" echoed Chester. "Wasn't it your fault that we almost got killed just now?"
"I don't see how you make that out," declared the little correspondent.
"Didn't you yell out in English just before we started?"
"By George! Did I? I didn't know it."
"You must be losing your mind, Stubbs," declared Chester. "You don't remember calling out in English, eh?"
"No, I don't," declared Stubbs, "and it's my opinion you're blaming me to cover up something you have done yourself."
"I've a good mind to reach over and pull your nose, Stubbs," said Chester.
"If you do you'll have your own pulled right back again," declared Stubbs angrily.
"Say! What's the matter with you fellows back there?" called Hal over his shoulder. "Don't you know we're in enemy territory and that there are thousands of German planes flying around here some place? If you have any arguing to do wait until we get back to our own lines. I'll be referee then and you can fight all week, if you want to."
"Make him let me alone, then," growled Stubbs to himself, but he became silent.
The journey was continued without incident. Only once was Hal's order for silence broken, and then by Chester who, nudging Stubbs, said:
"Don't forget our bet. You owe me a hat."
"All right," Stubbs whispered back; "and I'll pay it—when the war's over."