re," was the reply. "It will take
me that long to bring my men to the designated point, at the same time
keeping the British unaware of their withdrawal."

"And how many men will you be able to bring?" asked the Kaiser.

"Half a million, sire."

"Leaving how many in their present position, as a screen?"

"Very few, sire. Hardly more than 50,000 men."

The Kaiser growled something, unintelligible to Hal, into his
mustache. Then he spoke aloud:

"If the British were aware of that," he said, "by a quick advance they
would place us at a tremendous disadvantage."

"So they would, sire," agreed General Von Kluck. "But it must be seen
that they do not anticipate our plan."

"In that event," came the Emperor's reply, "it will be necessary for
that part of your force which is left to make a show of strength at
the same moment the mass of your command is withdrawn."

"Exactly what I had figured upon, sire."

"Good; but you say it is impossible for you to be ready until the day
after to-morrow. In that event, we must hold the English in their
present positions at all costs. A premature advance on their part,
while we would undoubtedly repulse it, would mean the ruination of our
coup. See to it, gentlemen, that there is no leak."

"There shall be none, sire," came a chorus of officers.

"Very well. But I had had my mind set on being in Paris long ere this.
Had it not been for the interference of these English--and these
starving Belgians, I would be there now," and the Kaiser's voice grew
harsh. "They must be crushed," and he struck the table a heavy blow
with his clenched fist.

"And crushed they shall be, sire," said Count Von Moltke soothingly.
"It is only a question of time."

"Well, you have been long enough doing it," came the Emperor's angry
voice. "See that you do not fail me again. If you do----"

He broke off, but his silence was more menacing than any threat he
might have uttered.

There was the sound of chairs scraping on the floor, and a moment
later of heavy footsteps. Hal, in his hiding place, knew that the
German officers were leaving the house.

"By George!" the lad muttered to himself, "Wilhelm must be a holy
terror. I'll bet Von Kluck, Von Moltke and all the rest are due for a
terrible wigging, for I'm here to see that this plot fails."

Hal waited patiently for perhaps half an hour, and then, feeling
certain that the coast was clear, emerged from his hiding place. He
was just lowering hims