ll
there's a breeze and get behind a tree."

When presently the breeze rustled in the tress the two moved cautiously
behind two trees.

And the silent figure moved also....

[Illustration: "SH-H-H." SAID TOM IN A TENSE WHISPER. "LOOK--DON'T
MOVE." Page 78]

CHAPTER XII

THE DANCE WITH DEATH

The boys were thoroughly frightened, but they stood absolutely
motionless and silent and Tom, at least, retained his presence of mind.
They were not close enough together to communicate with each other, nor
could they more than distinguish each other's forms pressed against the
dark tree trunks.

But the figure, being comparatively in the open, was discernible and
Tom, by concentrating his eyes upon it, satisfied himself beyond a doubt
that it was a human form--that of a German soldier, he felt sure.

Thanks to his stealth and dexterity, they were apparently undiscovered.
He tried to distinguish the bright spot on the cap or helmet, but it was
not visible now, and he thought the man must have turned about.

In his alarm it seemed to him that his breathing must be audible miles
away. His heart seemed in his throat and likely to choke him with every
fresh breath. But he did not stir. Then another little breeze stirred
the trees, sounding clear and solemn in the stillness and Tom moved ever
so slightly in unison with it, hoping by changing his angle of vision to
catch a better glimpse. He could see the bright spot now, the grim
figure standing directly facing him in ghostly silence.

No one moved. And there was no sound save the half audible rustle of
some tiny creature of the night as it hurried over the cushiony ground.

What did it mean? Who was it, standing there? Some grim Prussian
sentinel? Had they, in this remote wilderness, stumbled upon some
obscure pass which the all-seeing eye of German militarism had not
forgotten? Was there, after all, any hope of escape from these demons of
efficiency?

Archer, his chest literally aching from his throbbing breaths, crowded
close behind his tree trunk in terror, startled by every fresh stir of
the fragrant breeze. It seemed to him, as he looked, that the figure
danced a trifle, but doubtless that was only his tense nerves and
blinking eyes playing havoc with his imagination.

There was another rustling in the trees, caused by the freshening night
breeze which Tom thought smelt of rain. And again the silent figure
veered around with a kind of mechanical precision,