done, they crept stealthily forward, the grenades in their right
hands and their automatic revolvers in their left. Making almost no
sounds, they walked gingerly around the corner of the passage and there
before their eyes they saw what had caused Jacques to draw back so
speedily a few moments before. Standing in the center of a little room
similar to the one they had just left were six Germans.

Their plan had been to steal upon their foes, taking them by surprise
and forcing them to surrender. This plan was unexpectedly thrown awry
however. One of the rifles leaned against the wall of the passage
slipped; it fell to the ground carrying the others with it and a loud
clatter was the result.

"Hein!" exclaimed one of the Germans wheeling quickly in the direction
whence the noise came. Seeing three French soldiers stealing towards
him he instantly whipped out his revolver and fired.

Leon, Jacques and Earl ducked quickly and instinctively.

"Let 'em have it!" shouted Leon and he let fly his hand grenade.

Straight down the passageway it sped and a tremendous explosion
instantly occurred. The little room was filled with smoke and the
three young soldiers could not see what was taking place in front of
them. Earl too hurled his deadly handbomb into the chamber and a
second explosion instantly took place.

"That's the way!" shouted Jacques. "That'll fix them I guess!"

All of the Germans had not been disposed of however. A moment later
the sharp crack of a revolver sounded from behind the wall of smoke and
a bullet winging its way through the half-light tore Jacque's hat from
his head. Another and still another shot followed the first.

"That's enough of that," muttered the young Frenchman grimly and his
hand-grenade took the same course that the two others had followed. A
deafening concussion ensued and then all was still.

"Keep back against the wall," warned Leon. "Have your pistols ready."

Crouching low and keeping as far away from the center of the passage as
possible the three boys awaited developments. Every boy grasped his
revolver firmly in his right hand and peered eagerly in the direction
of their enemies. Not a sound came from the room where the Germans had
been assembled.

"They're all dead I guess," whispered Earl at length.

"Don't be so sure," cautioned Leon. "Wait a minute longer."

With muscles tense and every nerve alert the three young soldiers
waited. It seemed as if the sm