"Cheer up," said Chester, smilingly, "you probably will get your
chance before the war is over."

"I hope so," replied the German, and continued: "I am going to arrange
for you to come with me--yes, and the dog, too," as he saw Hal glance
at his canine friend. "You can tell me stories of the war. Besides, I
am interested to know how it is that two so young should have seen so
much fighting."

"If I may make so bold," said Hal, "you are not so old yourself."

"True," said the German, with a pleasant smile. "But I am twenty," he
added proudly.

"Then we are not much younger than you," said Chester.

"Well, maybe not; but you seem to have had a whole lot more fun."

His other work disposed of, the German turned to the two lads.

"Come with me," he said, and the boys followed him.

"I am at liberty to accept your parole," said the young German, "if
you are prepared to give it."

Chester glanced quickly at Hal, and the latter replied.

"We appreciate your offer very much, but we decided long ago that we
would give our parole to no one."

"Oh, well," said the German, with a laugh, "it doesn't matter. There
is no chance of your getting out of Berlin, anyhow. However, since you
refuse, it will be necessary to keep more careful watch over you."

The officer bundled the two boys and the dog into a taxi, and they
were soon riding along the streets.

"I am taking you to my home," said the young officer. "While there,
you will be treated as my guests, except that you will always be
guarded."

"We understand," said Chester quietly.

"Looks natural along here," said Hal suddenly, nudging Chester.

"It certainly does," said Chester, with a smile, for he had at that
moment recognized the spot where he, Hal, Lieutenant Anderson and
Captain Derevaux had met for the first time--the spot where the French
and British officer had been set upon by a gang of young thugs.

"What, you have been in Berlin before?" questioned the German officer
in some surprise.

"Oh, yes," said Hal. "We spent one vacation here with my mother."

He thought it best not to let the German know how they had escaped
from the German capital following the outbreak of the war. Chester
also made no reference to this.

All the streets which the taxi traversed were familiar to the boys
now, and they pointed out different places of interest to each other
as they sped along. Finally the taxi drew up and stopped.

The young German leaped lightly to