ness to us!"

"Perhaps my act of picking you up was not altogether prompted by such a
noble sentiment," smiled the other. "I want some information."

"I hope we can help you out," replied the boy.

"What I want to know is this: What did you do with the package?"

"What package?" puzzled Ned, unable to grasp the other's meaning.

"The package so much desired by your friend Mackinder!"

Instantly the boys comprehended the statement. They were unable to
understand how this man should know anything of the mysterious package
unless Mackinder had told him. They glanced at each other in
apprehension.

"Haven't we got clear of that thing yet?" spoke up Jimmie.

"If you please, sir," said Ned, "we don't really know anything about the
package. A package was found in our baggage when we were searched at the
border between Belgium and Holland. It was stolen by some person whom we
believe to be this man Mackinder, who has since been trying to get us to
deliver it to him, although we have not had it."

"I presume that you understand him to be an officer in the British army?"
inquired the commander kindly.

"We heard so from von Kluck," replied the boy.

"Do you know what was in the package?"

"No. We had not seen it until the time it was taken from our kits by the
soldiers who were searching them. All we know is that it was marked
'U-13' on the outside. We have seen it but that once."

"I cannot understand why Mackinder should be trying to take the package
out of the possession of his own countrymen!"

"But I beg to say that we are not countrymen of his!" declared Ned. "We
are citizens of the United States. Here are our passports!"

"I beg your pardon!" apologized the commander. "Circumstances seemed to
indicate that you were Englishmen. The mistake is mine!"

"I admit that the mistake was natural," said Ned. "But can you tell me if
there is any connection between the package marked 'U-13' and the
submarine vessel of the same name? If there is, why should Mackinder, an
Englishman, have anything to do with the package?"

A smile greeted this query. Clearly the officer was amused.

"If, as I suspect," he stated presently, "the package contained
information valuable for the 'U-13' do you not understand why Mackinder
would be glad to get possession of it? The 'U-13' is a German craft!"

"Oh, yes," cried Ned. "And the two countries are at war!"

"And you will also understand why, under the circumstances, we must feel