away from me."

"Oh, Chester won't hurt you," said Hal, with a laugh. "You treated him
just right, Stubbs. He's got no kick coming."

"No, that's right, Stubbs," said Chester, with a grin. "No hard feelings,
I'm sure. You're all right. Put her there."

The lad extended a hand. Stubbs advanced doubtfully, but at last grasped
Chester's hand.

Immediately he began to dance about wildly, shouting:

"Leggo! Leggo my hand! Ouch!"

At last Chester relaxed his grip.

"That makes it square all around, Stubbs," he said with a grin.

For a moment Stubbs gazed at him angrily, the while he worked his fingers
back and fro to chase away the stiffness. Then he smiled.

"All right," he said. "Now we're square."

"Where you bound, Stubbs?" asked Hal.

"Hunting news," returned Stubbs.

"By Jove!" said Chester. "Why not take him along with us, Hal?"

"Suits me," was Hal's answer, "if he wants to go."

"Where you going?" demanded Stubbs.

"Sailing," returned Chester. "Sailing over the German lines. Want to
go along?"

"Not me," said Stubbs, briefly.

"Come now, Stubbs, don't be afraid. Nothing is going to hurt you, and we
might need you."

"That's what I thought," said Stubbs. "I knew there was some reason you
wanted me to go along. I knew you didn't just want to take me along to
show me the sights. Want me to stand in the gap when the trouble comes
up. I know you."

"I assure you I had no such thoughts."

"Well, maybe you didn't have them, but that is what would happen all
the same."

"Stubbs," said Hal, quietly. "It's my belief that you're afraid."

"Hal," said Stubbs, "you can bet your life I'm afraid to go up in the air
with you two."

"Come on, Stubbs," said Chester, seriously. "Honestly, we would be glad
of your company. We haven't seen much of you for some time."

"I know you haven't," returned Stubbs, "and that's why my health
happens to be so good right now. But what are you going to do over the
German lines?"

"Get the lay of the land," said Hal. "Find out the German strength and a
few other things, if possible."

"Hm-m-m," muttered Stubbs. "Ought to be some news for the _Gazette_ over
there, don't you think?"

"Lots of it, Stubbs," replied Chester.

"The only trouble," said Stubbs, "is that if I go after it, will I be
able to come back and tell the _Gazette_ about it?"

"If you don't mind, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, "one of us will take it upon
himself to see that the _Gazette_ gets the news."