al Joffre figured that it would
be delivered without fail. Either the messenger did not take the route
as commanded, or it was believed safe for him to go by air in a sudden
dash."

"Well, I can't see that that part makes any difference. The question
now is, what are we going to do with it?"

"Yes," replied Chester; "that's the question."

For a long while the boys sat and talked over this strange episode,
each suggesting plans and then discarding them as unwise.

Suddenly Chester sprang to his feet with an exclamation.

"What is it?" asked Hal eagerly.

"We'll take it ourselves!" he exclaimed.

"We will, eh?" said Hal incredulously. "Would you mind telling me
how?"

"I won't tell you anything," was Chester's reply. "But are you willing
to do as I say?"

"Yes," replied Hal, after some consideration.

"Good! Then, with luck we shall put this paper in the hands of Grand
Duke Nicholas!"

CHAPTER XXXIII.

TAKING A CHANCE.

"The first thing to do," said Chester, "is to appropriate two of
Lieutenant Strauss's uniforms. That's your job."

"That's right--pick out the easy work for me," replied Hal
sarcastically. "How do you figure I'm going to get 'em?"

"I don't know," said Chester. "That's up to you. My job, and a much
harder one, it seems to me, is to appropriate one of the general's big
maps, so that if we do succeed in getting out of Berlin, we shall know
where we are going."

"I take back what I said," exclaimed Hal. "I'll try to get those
uniforms."

"Trying is not enough," said Chester. "You've got to get 'em!"

"All right, then," replied Hal, "I'll get 'em!"

Since the two lads had been guests, or prisoners, in the Strauss home,
a detail of soldiers had been stationed around the house, with orders
not to let either of the lads pass unless accompanied by either the
lieutenant or the general. The boys had been given the freedom of the
house. The lieutenant had demurred at the placing of a guard around
the house, saying that there was not the slightest chance of the boys
escaping, anyhow, but the general had held out on that point,
remarking:

"I know these Americans better than you do. They're slippery. You have
to watch them closely, or they will slip between your very fingers."

Choosing a moment when the lieutenant had left the house, Hal slipped
unobserved into his room. He knew the uniforms hung in a closet.

He approached and tried the knob. The door was locked.

"It's up to