Chapter 31

BERLIN ONCE MORE.

By dint of persuasion the German officer succeeded in gaining the consent of General Von Kluck to allow the boys to take the dog with them. That Marquis was just as pleased to go as the boys were to have him, was plainly evident. When they left their tent for the last time, and whistled to him to follow, he bounded after them with enthusiasm.

The train on which the boys were to be taken back to Berlin did not leave until well along toward midnight, but, with some 5,000 other prisoners, British, French and Belgians alike, they were bundled aboard early. Heavily guarded, and without a weapon of any kind or description, there was no fear of a break for liberty, in spite of the large number of prisoners.

The lads were shoved into a car already loaded down with prisoners and took their positions at the far end, the dog between them. In spite of misfortune, the prisoners all were far from unhappy. They joked and chatted as though they were on a pleasure trip.

Finally, after much delay, the train started with a jolt, tumbling men all over each other as it gradually gathered momentum. They were hurled hither and yon, but they only laughed.

The trip was necessarily slow, for the train, time after time, was switched on to a siding to permit of the movement of German troop trains carrying soldiers from the western theater of war to the east, or from the east to the west.

Consequently, it was late the following night when the train finally pulled in, and the prisoners were ordered to get out. Under the leveled rifles of a strong German guard, they stepped to the ground, and, after being divided into squads at the direction of the German officer in command, were marched away.

Hal, Chester and Marquis were among the last to leave the train. As the dog tumbled out after them, there was an exclamation from a German officer.

"What have we here?" he demanded, approaching the boys. "A dog, eh? Well, we haven't time to fool with dogs," and he leveled his pistol at Marquis.

Marquis drew back his lips in a snarl, even as Hal stepped forward to stay the German's hand.

"This dog was allowed to come with us by special command of General Von Kluck," he said quietly.

"So you say," was the reply. "But how am I to know that you speak the truth?"

"The very fact that he was allowed in the car should be sufficient proof of that," said Hal quietly.

The German officer lowered his weapon.

"I guess you are right," he said. "I beg your pardon."

He appraised the boys with a critical eye, and then became more friendly.

"You are British officers?" he asked.

"We are attached to the staff of General French," Chester replied.

"So? and at your age? I presume you have seen considerable action?"

"Considerable," replied Hal, with a smile; "at Liège, Louvain, the battle of the Marne, and some other skirmishes."

"You have been in luck," said the officer. "And here I have been, ever since the war broke out, receiving prisoners as they are sent on. Worse luck!"

"Cheer up," said Chester, smilingly, "you probably will get your chance before the war is over."

"I hope so," replied the German, and continued: "I am going to arrange for you to come with me--yes, and the dog, too," as he saw Hal glance at his canine friend. "You can tell me stories of the war. Besides, I am interested to know how it is that two so young should have seen so much fighting."

"If I may make so bold," said Hal, "you are not so old yourself."

"True," said the German, with a pleasant smile. "But I am twenty," he added proudly.

"Then we are not much younger than you," said Chester.

"Well, maybe not; but you seem to have had a whole lot more fun."

His other work disposed of, the German turned to the two lads.

"Come with me," he said, and the boys followed him.

"I am at liberty to accept your parole," said the young German, "if you are prepared to give it."

Chester glanced quickly at Hal, and the latter replied.

"We appreciate your offer very much, but we decided long ago that we would give our parole to no one."

"Oh, well," said the German, with a laugh, "it doesn't matter. There is no chance of your getting out of Berlin, anyhow. However, since you refuse, it will be necessary to keep more careful watch over you."

The officer bundled the two boys and the dog into a taxi, and they were soon riding along the streets.

"I am taking you to my home," said the young officer. "While there, you will be treated as my guests, except that you will always be guarded."

"We understand," said Chester quietly.

"Looks natural along here," said Hal suddenly, nudging Chester.

"It certainly does," said Chester, with a smile, for he had at that moment recognized the spot where he, Hal, Lieutenant Anderson and Captain Derevaux had met for the first time--the spot where the French and British officer had been set upon by a gang of young thugs.

"What, you have been in Berlin before?" questioned the German officer in some surprise.

"Oh, yes," said Hal. "We spent one vacation here with my mother."

He thought it best not to let the German know how they had escaped from the German capital following the outbreak of the war. Chester also made no reference to this.

All the streets which the taxi traversed were familiar to the boys now, and they pointed out different places of interest to each other as they sped along. Finally the taxi drew up and stopped.

The young German leaped lightly to the ground, and stood there as the boys emerged from the taxi. Looking up, the lads beheld a handsome and commodious house.

"My home," said the lieutenant simply, "and yours, so long as you are forced to remain in Berlin."

The lads followed their captor up the steps, and into a prettily furnished hall, where a servant, summoned by the officer, hurried away with word for Mrs. Strauss, for, as Lieutenant Heinrich Strauss, the officer now introduced himself to the boys.

A few moments later a pleasant-faced woman appeared in the hall. The boys were quickly introduced to her, and she made them welcome, adding:

"I am sure the general also will be pleased to have you with us."

Both lads looked questioningly at the young officer, who hastened to explain.

"General Strauss is my father, in command in Berlin. Perhaps were it not for that, I would not have ventured to bring you to my home. You would have to have gone with the other prisoners."

"Thanks," said Chester. "I am sure we both appreciate it."

"Indeed we do," agreed Hal.

Before either the young lieutenant or his mother could reply, there came a heavy footstep without; a moment later the door was thrown quickly open, and a German officer, huge in stature, and imposing in his uniform, draped with gold and lace, strode in. At sight of the two boys he came to a sudden pause.

"What have we here?" he demanded, in a great, booming voice.

"Two of my prisoners, sir," said the lieutenant, stepping forward and saluting.

"Your prisoners, sir? Do you mean that they are spies whom you have captured in Berlin?"

"No, sir. They came with the last trainload of prisoners."

"Then, why are they not with the others?" demanded General Strauss sternly.

"Why, sir," stammered the lieutenant, "I--I----"

"Enough," said the general in a softer voice, his eyes twinkling although this he endeavored in vain to hide. "You mean that you are up to some of your old tricks--that your sympathies have gotten the upper hand of your better judgment. Do you know what I should do with you, sir?"

The lieutenant made no reply, and the father continued:

"I should have you court-martialed for disobeying the command of your superior officer. But I won't do it this time. However, it is a very good thing that our emperor--God bless him--is a very good friend of your father. Otherwise----"

He broke off and shrugged his shoulders significantly, then continued:

"Then no doubt that big gray dog I stumbled over outside--and which almost bit me--is the property of your prisoners."

Hal stepped forward and saluted.

"He is, sir," he said.

The old general eyed the lad for some minutes in silence. Hal bore the scrutiny without flinching. Then the general turned to Chester and repeated the process. Chester also met his gaze squarely.

"Humph!" ejaculated the German commander; then turned suddenly to his son.

"When you have introduced us," he said, "we shall all go in and have something to eat!"