came, and Wharton laughed
silently. "I've created a hostile force of a hundred and fifty thousand
men," were his unuttered words, "and they don't like it."

"Is it possible for our advance column to get in between them and the
French?" finally came the next question.

"It's too late," went back the winged answer. "The column would be
destroyed."

"This is not in accordance with our earlier reports."

"No sir. But both the English and French have shown amazing activity. A
French force of more than one hundred thousand men, of which we have had
no report before, faces our right. It is prepared to strike our line
just where it is thinnest."

Another silence, and Wharton's heart beat hard and fast. John standing
near him, did not know what was being said through the dark, but he knew
by the look on Wharton's strained face that it must be momentous. The
wireless was silent, and now he heard the measured tread of horses'
hoofs, as the Uhlans rode back and forth, guarding the wireless station
against the coming of any foe.

Wharton listened intently at the receiver. Were they accepting all that
he said? Why shouldn't they? He had given them no answer which they
could know to be wrong.

"You are entirely sure of what you say?" came the question.

"Entirely sir. My Uhlans and I were able to ride under cover of a forest
to a point within a few hundred yards of the enemy. We saw them in great
masses."

"And their field artillery?"

"We were not able to count the guns, but they were very numerous."

"Then it seems that we can't drive a wedge between the English and the
French."

"I fear that we can't sir."

"Send out a portion of the Uhlans under your best officers and report to
me again at daylight."

"They shall go at once sir."

"Then good night. Captain von Boehlen. I congratulate you upon your
energy and the great service that you have done."

"Thank you sir."

"We may call you again in the night."

"I shall be here sir."

"But I won't," said Wharton, as he stepped back and smashed the receiver
with the butt of his automatic.

Then as he turned away he said:

"Boys, I've been talking with the Emperor himself maybe, and if not with
some one very high in command. I'll tell you about it later, as we must
waste no time in escaping from this chateau."

"I hope you told the Emperor that we are here, ready to defeat him,"
said John.

"I didn't tell him that exactly, but I told him or whoever it was
so