ing. But when it's
time to swim all of you be ready for it!"

A great shout came from the Uhlans, who had begun to gain again, and who
could not now keep from seeing the river that cut off the fugitives. But
Carstairs wrenched another pound or two of speed out of the automobile,
and it shot forward.

"Stop! Stop for God's sake!" cried Weber. "You'll drown us all! It's
better to jump out and take to the woods!"

"Never!" cried Carstairs, his daring flaming to the utmost. "We captured
the automobile of a prince, and we'll not give it back again! Ah, the
machine is returning to life! Look how much faster we're going! On, my
beauty! Your last and greatest run is before you!"

The machine seemed to come out of its maimed and crippled condition, its
strength flaring up for the last burst of speed. The jarring and jerking
ceased and the road flew behind it.

The river came near at an astonishing rate, and John saw that it was
wide and deep. He saw, too, the pillars of the ruined bridge, and he
heard another cry from Weber, who started to spring out, but drew back.

Carstairs uttered a wild shout, and then the automobile, leaping far out
into the stream, where the bridge had been, sank beneath the deep
waters. John had prepared himself for the desperate stroke, and before
the machine touched the surface he had sprung clear. Then he struck out
desperately for the opposite bank, and his heart filled with gladness,
when he saw Wharton and Carstairs swimming almost by his side.

They reached the shore before the Uhlans could come up, and darted into
the shelter of the forest, where they threw themselves down on the
ground and lay panting, every touch of wildness gone.

"Is Weber here?" asked John.

"No," replied Wharton, who felt of his papers again, and saw that they
were wet, but safe.

"Did either of you see him?"

"Not after the auto made its jump."

"Then he must have been drowned. Poor fellow! But I'd rather be drowned
than be executed as a spy."

It saddened them. They had learned to like Weber, and, having saved him
once, they were sorry they could not save him twice. But one could not
mourn long at such a time. The more daring of the Uhlans would certainly
swim the river and continue the pursuit, and it was for the three to
hide their trail as soon as possible. John rose first.

"Come, boys," he said. "Our clothes will dry faster while we're
running."

"Put it that way if you like," said Carstairs. "At a