at if I went to Paris I would be forced to fight."

"And you have been hiding here ever since war broke out?"

"Yes, sir. I have a nice hiding-place downstairs," and he rubbed his
hands in satisfaction.

"And you were not discovered by the Germans?"

"No, sir; and a party of officers were here only yesterday."

"Then, no doubt, you heard their plans. Perhaps you can give us
important information?"

"I could, yes, sir," was the reply. "But, if I do, will there be any
pay for me?"

The captain was taken by surprise.

"And you call yourself a Frenchman," he said in contempt. He took a
threatening step forward. "No," he said angrily, "there will be no
pay, but I can promise you that if you don't tell what you know you
will be shot right here and now."

"Oh, sir, you wouldn't do that," said the man in a wheedling voice.

"Wouldn't I?" exclaimed the captain. "You shall see."

He turned to his men, and, in response to a signal, two of them
approached the Frenchman. But the stern tone had convinced the man
that the officer meant what he said.

"I'll tell, sir," he cried, falling on his knees.

Captain Anderson waved his men away.

"Very well," he said coldly, "and see that you make no mistake. If
your information is of no value you shall be shot anyhow."

"But it is, sir," protested the Frenchman.

"All right. Then let's have it."

"The Germans are planning an aeroplane raid on the English," said the
man, in a low voice. "There is a park of aeroplanes hardly two miles
from here, on the road leading to Viviers. They are ready for instant
flight."

"What!" exclaimed Captain Anderson. "Are you sure?"

"Perfectly," was the reply. "I heard the German officers talking of it
only yesterday. They said it would deal a death-blow to the English."

"And so it would," said the captain, "unless it can be stopped."

Hal broke suddenly into the conversation.

"Can you point the approximate whereabouts of this park of machines
out to us?" he asked.

"Easily, sir."

"What's your idea?" asked Captain Anderson.

"Simply this," said Hal. "I believe that by a dash we can get through
the Germans. They will not expect it, and, if they did, would not
expect us to go forward. Consequently, the guard in front is not
likely to be vigilant. We have enough men here to make a successful
raid on these machines and destroy them."

"A first-class idea," said the captain. "We'll do it."

CHAPTER XXVII.

A DEED OF DARIN