Chapter 32

A PIECE OF PAPER.

Upon the two following days Hal and Chester, in company with the young German lieutenant, viewed the sights in the German capital. Instead of the peaceful, pleasure-loving city of their vacation, it now bore naught but signs of war.

Officers in automobiles, afoot and on horseback, were rushing hither and thither continually. Troops were moving through the streets of the city upon every hand--some preparing to entrain for the west, and some for the east, where even now it was known that the great hordes of the Czar of all the Russias were approaching as fast as their vast numbers would permit.

It was indeed a scene to delight a war-like eye, and it was not lost upon the two lads.

"It's going to be an awful job to lick these fellows," Chester confided to Hal, as they strolled about one afternoon.

"There is no question about that," was Hal's reply. "Still, it has to be done."

"And will be done eventually," declared Chester grimly. "The trouble is that we are not likely to see it done."

"Don't lose heart," said Hal. "Something may turn up. You never can tell."

And something did turn up, though it was nothing the lads could possibly have anticipated. As they walked down the street a squad of German soldiers approached, in their center a man in civilian clothes. Lieutenant Strauss and the boys approached them.

As the three neared, the officer in command of the squad called a halt.

"What have we here?" asked Lieutenant Strauss.

"A spy, sir," was the reply.

"Where was he found?"

"About thirty miles west of the city."

"How does he account for his presence there?"

"He has not had much to say," replied the officer, "but he did tell me that he fell from an aëroplane."

"Does he deny being a spy?"

"He does, sir."

"Then how does he account for the fact that he wears no uniform?"

"He doesn't account for it at all, sir. He refuses to say anything on that score."

Hal and Chester, during this conversation, had drawn as close to the prisoner as the armed guard would permit.

"Looks like an Englishman," said Hal.

"That's what he is, all right," declared Chester.

The prisoner looked up suddenly at hearing these words, spoken in English. Then, with a sudden movement, he shook off his guards, and, apparently in a dash for freedom, sprang toward Hal and Chester.

Taken by surprise, the boys leaped back, but not before Chester, throwing up one hand to ward off what he believed was an attack, felt a little piece of paper slipped into his hand.

In spite of his surprise, his fingers closed over it involuntarily; and, at the same instant, the man grappled with him. As they struggled, the lad was surprised to hear his opponent whisper:

"Don't lose it. It must reach Grand Duke Nicholas at all costs, and at once. Much depends upon it."

Then the prisoner grew weak in the lad's grasp, and Chester realized what was expected of him.

"I've got him," he cried, and, throwing the man to the ground, fell on top of him.

The guards lifted the two to their feet, and once more the prisoner was closely surrounded. Lieutenant Strauss now signified that he desired no further information and the squad of soldiers marched away, the prisoner meantime hurling epithets at the two lads.

"A nice pair of Englishmen you are," he cried. "Traitors, that's what you are. If you hadn't stopped me I would have got away."

"Never mind him," said Lieutenant Strauss. "He's naturally angry at being foiled in his attempt to escape."

Chester, the little piece of paper still clutched in his right hand, was now impatient to be where he could read it, and for that reason pleaded fatigue. Stealing a moment when the lieutenant's attention was directed elsewhere, he slipped the paper into his pocket, as he feared that, upon close scrutiny, the lieutenant might see that he was concealing something in his hand.

Alone in their own room, before Chester could speak, Hal said:

"What on earth did you want to interfere with the prisoner for? He might have got away if it hadn't been for you. No wonder he called us traitors."

Chester only smiled for answer, put his hand in his pocket, and pulled forth the little piece of paper. Holding it up where Hal could see it, he said:

"I didn't know you were fooled, too. I thought you would surely know that there was something up."

"Something up!" exclaimed Hal. "What do you mean?"

"Why, simply that the prisoner's attempt to escape was a ruse."

"A ruse?"

"Exactly. That's why he jumped toward us. Do you see now?"

"No," replied Hal, losing his temper, "I don't. Quit beating around the bush. If you have anything to tell me, do it."

"Well, then," said Chester, "you see this piece of paper?"

"Yes."

"Well, the prisoner made his attempt to escape for the sole purpose of handing this to one of us. I happened to be closer to him than you were. That's why I got it."

"You mean----" began Hal.

"Exactly," Chester interrupted. "Now, let's see what it says."

Both lads bent over the paper.

"It's written so finely I can hardly make it out," said Chester, after looking over the paper.

"Bring it over to the window," replied Hal. "Under a strong light we may be able to read it."

Again both lads bent over the little piece of paper. This is what they read:

"For the success of military operations in the western theater of war, it is essential that the Russian campaign be pushed with immediate vigor, particularly in the north. Knowing that we are all working in sympathy and accord, without awaiting an answer, I take it for granted that this suggestion will be acted upon."

"No address and no signature," said Hal. "What's it all about?"

Chester bent closer over the paper.

"What's this at the bottom?" he said.

Hal looked again.

"Some kind of a seal, it looks like to me," he said, after a careful scrutiny. "By Jove, I have it! It's a secret sign, that's what it is. The man for whom this is meant will undoubtedly recognize it."

"I believe you have hit it," exclaimed Chester.

"But how are we to know for whom it is intended?" said Hal. "It carries no address."

"It is intended for Grand Duke Nicholas, commander-in-chief of the Russian armies," replied Chester.

"How do you know that?"

"When I was wrestling with the prisoner he told me so," was Chester's reply.

"Well, then," said Hal, "we know for whom it is intended, but what did the man give it to you for?"

"Well, he said that it must be delivered at all costs."

"I hope he didn't expect us to deliver it."

"I guess he did though, or to see that it went on its way."

"Yes; and how are we going to do it? Can you figure that out?"

"No," said Chester, "I can't. But something has got to be done. I imagine that General French and General Joffre figured that it would be delivered without fail. Either the messenger did not take the route as commanded, or it was believed safe for him to go by air in a sudden dash."

"Well, I can't see that that part makes any difference. The question now is, what are we going to do with it?"

"Yes," replied Chester; "that's the question."

For a long while the boys sat and talked over this strange episode, each suggesting plans and then discarding them as unwise.

Suddenly Chester sprang to his feet with an exclamation.

"What is it?" asked Hal eagerly.

"We'll take it ourselves!" he exclaimed.

"We will, eh?" said Hal incredulously. "Would you mind telling me how?"

"I won't tell you anything," was Chester's reply. "But are you willing to do as I say?"

"Yes," replied Hal, after some consideration.

"Good! Then, with luck we shall put this paper in the hands of Grand Duke Nicholas!"