th you."

Wharton smiled a stern assent.

"Then we'll let it go," said John, "but do you notice that this is a
real forest. It must cover a half dozen square miles. I suppose that in
your country they would call it the Royal Forest or by some such
high-sounding name."

"Never you mind what we'd call it," rejoined Carstairs, "but whatever it
is it's evident that something violent is going on within its shades!
Listen!"

John started upright in his seat, as he heard the crackle of three or
four shots so close together that they were almost in a volley, and then
the sound of feet running swiftly. They stopped the machine, and a
figure, stained, bleeding and desperate, emerged from the forest.

"A fugitive!" exclaimed John.

"But from what?" said Carstairs.

"The Germans, of course!" said Wharton.

The man, stained with blood, ragged and dirty came at great bounds, and
before any one could put out a detaining hand he sprang into the car.

"Help, for God's sake!" he cried. "I'm a spy in the service of France,
and the Uhlans are coming down through the wood after me!"

"Help you!" exclaimed Carstairs. "Of course we will! Any friend of
France is a friend of ours!"

He bent low over the wheel once more in his old speeding attitude, and
the car shot forward like an arrow.

CHAPTER XII

THE ABANDONED CHATEAU

John glanced back toward the point from which the shots had come, but it
was already hidden by the curve of the hill. Moreover, the car was going
so fast now that the Uhlans would be left as if standing still, and he
turned his attention to the man who had crumpled at his very feet.

The stranger lay in a heap on the floor of the car, his breath coming in
short gasps from sobbing lungs. There were red stains on the arms and
right shoulder of his coat. John felt a great pity and dragged him into
one of the seats. Then he uttered a cry of surprise. The features under
their mask of blood and dirt were familiar.

"Weber!" he exclaimed.

Weber stared back.

"You, whom I met at the inn!" he said, "and your friends!"

"Yes, we're all here," said John cheerily. "This is indeed a singular
chance!"

"A most fortunate one for me," said Weber, straightening himself, and
endeavoring to arrange his clothing--it appeared that his pride was
returning. "After this I shall think that Providence is watching over
me. A man on foot seeking to escape has little chance against horsemen.
I saw the automobile movin