ere's that priest going?"

He had turned and was walking swiftly towards the house. Jacques stood
talking with the other priest for a moment and then he too started in
the direction of the dwelling.

"Do you think those priests are French?" asked Earl.

"I don't know; I suppose so though."

"Well if they are they'll help us, won't they?"

"They'd probably like to but I don't know whether they'd dare or not."

"The Germans would do something to them if they were caught aiding us
in any way I suppose."

"They certainly would," exclaimed Leon.

"Shoot them?"

"Probably."

Jacques and the priest were now inside the house and it seemed to the
two brothers who waited so impatiently that they were gone a very long
time. The remaining priest stood and sadly watched the eager flames
destroy the barn as if it were made of paper.

At length, however, the door of the house opened once more and Jacques
and the priest reappeared.

"What has Jacques under his arm?" demanded Earl.

"I can't see," said Leon.

"It's a roll of wire," cried Earl suddenly. "We'll soon be off now."

"If the Germans don't reach here first we will."

"Don't be so gloomy," Earl protested. "Of course we'll get away."

"It'll be dark soon."

"All the better. They won't be able to see us in the dark."

"And we won't be able to see our way."

"You're an old pessimist," exclaimed Earl lightly. "Good boy,
Jacques," he cried as the young Frenchman came within hearing. "I knew
you'd fix us up all right."

"We must hurry," panted Jacques, his breath almost gone after his quick
trip across the field. "We haven't much time."

"Can't I help?" inquired Earl eagerly.

"No, thanks; I can probably work faster alone."

He set to work immediately and without wasting a moment or making a
false move began the work of repairing the weakened support. Meanwhile
Earl and Leon kept a sharp lookout on all sides for any sign of their
enemies.

"Who were those priests?" asked Earl finally.

"Frenchmen," replied Jacques keeping right on with his work.

"How do they happen to be living here inside the German lines?"

"This place is a sort of monastery or home and they are allowed to stay
here for some reason. Every day one or the other of them has to report
at the nearest German post though; that is five miles away."

"How do they reach it?" inquired Leon.

"They have a bicycle they use in good weather and in bad they have to
walk."

"Is th