d their pace, eager to join in the battle once more.
That they were approaching an exit was proved by the fact that the roar
of the guns increased as they proceeded. The artillery had not ceased
its activity in the slightest.

A shadow crossed the patch of sunlight ahead and Pierre held up his
hand. Immediately the little company halted.

A moment later a tall Prussian stepped into the trench and peered
cautiously all about him. The five French soldiers shrank back into
the shadow and watched. Evidently the German saw nothing, for a moment
later he turned and beckoned and straightway four more helmeted Germans
appeared. They stood together in the little spot of light, evidently
debating what to do next.

They did not stand that way long however. Pierre quickly raised his
rifle and fired at the little group. His shot went wild however. Like
a flash the Germans turned and after one hasty glance in the direction
of the shot, they darted down some adjoining passage and disappeared.

"After them!" cried Pierre. He dashed off in mad pursuit, closely
followed by the four other members of the squad. At top speed they
rushed along the passageway. Soon they came to the spot where the
patch of sunlight showed.

"This way," shouted Pierre, and he turned sharply to the left and sped
along after the fleeing Germans.

"Don't run into a trap," shouted Jacques, but Pierre gave no heed to
him. His one idea was to come up with his foes and he forgot
everything else. He led the others by at least five yards, followed by
Jacques, Earl, Jean, and Leon in the order named.

Thus far they had seen no fresh signs of the Germans but there had been
no branches to this passage as yet, and consequently they were
convinced that they were upon the right track.

Suddenly a man stepped out of a niche in the wall directly in front of
Pierre. He held his rifle out in front of him and before the racing
Frenchman could check himself he had run full upon the long keen
bayonet. Clear through him it went and down went Pierre.

Close behind him, however, was Jacques, and before the German could do
any more execution he gave him the same treatment that Pierre had
received. Without a sound he sank to the ground and lay limply
stretched out upon the prostrate body of Pierre.

"Is Pierre dead?" gasped Earl.

"He is," said Jacques simply.

"Too bad," murmured Earl.

"That's part of the game," said Jacques in a matter-of-fact tone. "W