ny rate I'm going to
toddle."

They had lost their rifles, but they had their automatic pistols which
might be of service in spite of their dips, but they wished to avoid the
need of their use. They already heard the splashes as the Uhlans made
their horses leap into the river, and they ran at their best speed
through the forest, coming presently to a vineyard, which they crossed
between the rows of vines, finding a high wire fence on the other side.
As they darted between the strands they recognized that they could have
no better barrier between them and pursuing horsemen.

Near them on the left was a large chateau, with a flower garden in front
and a kitchen garden behind. They resisted the inevitable temptation of
man to run to a roof for shelter and protection, and sped instead into
the dense foliage and shrubbery that spread away toward the fields.
There they threw themselves down again and panted for the breath that
came so hardly through their exhausted lungs.

But they did not hear the sinister tread of the Uhlans, nor did they
notice the presence of any human being, a fact which for the present
failed to impress them, because the Uhlans filled their minds. Five
minutes, ten, fifteen passed and still no sound.

"Perhaps they think we're drowned," whispered John. "They were not near
enough to see us swim away from the automobile."

"I hope you're right, and maybe you are," said Wharton. "In any case I
don't think they'll hunt for us long. We're not important enough for
them to waste time on when they're so near the French lines."

"I'm going to stay where I am until I hear the tread of hoofs," said
Carstairs. "I'm drying fast and it's comfortable lying here under the
vines. You didn't lose those papers, when we were in the river; did you,
Wharton?"

"They're safe in my pocket," replied Wharton, "and I had them wrapped up
so thoroughly that they didn't have a chance to get wet."

"If the Uhlans don't find us in the next half hour," said John, "it's
quite certain they won't find us at all. They won't spend more time than
that on us."

Then they lay quite still, sheltered well under the vines. Their armored
car, the car of the prince was now lying at the bottom of the river, but
it had served them well. John was sure that they would find some other
means of reaching the Franco-British army. He was fast learning that
ways nearly always opened to daring and persistence.

The half hour passed, and no Uhlans