omer freed himself from her embrace and stepped forward.

"Who are these?" he demanded, pointing to the two lads.

Mrs. Dersi explained.

"And we were just talking of you," she added; then stopped and
surveyed her son critically. "Why are you not in uniform?" she
demanded.

"Why, I--I--I----" stuttered young Dersi, "I am on a scout, and it was
thought best for me not to go in uniform." He turned suddenly to Hal:
"Are you expecting any of your men here?" he demanded.

"Why, no," replied Hal. "We are going to try and make our way back to
our lines to-night."

Young Dersi appeared to breathe easier, and this fact was not lost
upon either Hal or Chester.

"Well," he said, after a pause, "I haven't time to stay here. I just
dropped in a moment to see you, mother. You say the Germans went
north? How long have they been gone?"

"About an hour," said Chester.

"Good. Then it will be safe for me to continue on my way."

He bowed to the two lads, kissed his mother, and a moment later had
left the house, his mother accompanying him to the door.

"There is something queer about him," said Chester to Hal, as Mrs.
Dersi and her son left the room. "He's not telling the truth."

"I know it," said Hal. "I don't like to say it, but it is my belief
he is fleeing from the French lines to give information to the
Germans."

"You mean you think he is a traitor?"

"I told you I didn't like to say anything," replied Hal, "but I am
afraid you have hit the nail on the head."

"In that event he is likely to tell of our presence here," cried
Chester.

"I'm sure he'll tell," said Hal quietly.

"Then what shall we do?"

"We shall leave at once--or, as soon as Mrs. Dersi returns. That is
the best return we can make for her kindness to us. It would break her
heart to know that her son is a traitor to his country."

"It would, indeed," was Chester's reply; but further talk was
prevented by the return of Mrs. Dersi.

"And is not my son a fine, brave man?" she asked, with justifiable
pride.

"He is," said Hal and Chester both, hoping that they were telling the
truth.

"Mrs. Dersi," said Hal, "we have decided that it probably will be
better for us if we take our departure at once. I am sure there are no
Germans near right now, and the sooner we get started the sooner we
shall reach our own lines."

"But would it not be safer to wait until dark?" questioned the woman
anxiously.

"I am afraid not," replied Hal, with a meanin