elf from the window by which he had entered
when, from almost below him, there was a loud scream.

Glancing down, Hal beheld the pale face of the woman who had given
them food only a short time before. Fearing that the Emperor and his
officers might be attracted by her screams, Hal dropped quickly to the
ground, and an instant later had his hand clapped over the woman's
mouth.

"Quiet!" he commanded in a harsh voice. "If you make no noise you
shall not be harmed. Otherwise----" he paused significantly.

The woman shuddered once or twice, but she uttered no further sound.

"Go into the house," Hal commanded, and followed her.

"I guess I had better tie you up for safe keeping," the lad muttered
to himself. "I can't afford to be interfered with now."

He found a piece of rope, and, making a gag out of a napkin, gagged
and bound her securely. Then he placed her gently in a chair.

"You will have to sit there until someone comes along to free you," he
told her. "I hope it won't be long, for your sake, but I can't afford
to take any chances with you."

He left the house; and as he turned his eyes toward the spot where he
had so lately left his friends, his heart sank.

Chester, Lieutenant Anderson and the three troopers were running
toward him as fast as their legs would carry them, closely pursued by
a band of mounted Germans. Even at this distance Hal could make out
the forms of Count Von Moltke, and, yes, Emperor Wilhelm himself!

With the high German officers came a little troop of mounted soldiers,
evidently, Hal thought, an escort, that had been left some distance
behind while the Emperor and his officers discussed their plans in the
farmhouse. In all, there were twelve horsemen dashing after the
fugitives.

Now his friends came up with him, and Hal, believing as did his
friends that discretion was the better part of valor, also turned and
ran. Several shots rang out, but none was touched and they did not
pause to reply.

"Just wait till we get back to our own men," thought Hal to himself as
he ran along, "that is, if we can make it."

But help came unexpectedly. Bristow, the man who had been left in
charge of the little band of English, hearing the sound of firing, had
crawled forward to investigate. He made out the figures flying toward
him and recognized them instantly; also, he saw the pursuing horsemen.

Quickly he returned to his men, and at a word they all dashed forward.
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