"

"Perhaps I have been a little hasty," stated Mackinder, "but I have been
commissioned to secure a certain package which is alleged to contain
information vital to two countries. It may possibly concern more. You are
said to have had possession of this package at the time you left the
castle in Flanders. Where is it now?"

"Do you mean the flat package the soldier found in our baggage at the
frontier where we were searched?" inquired Jimmie.

"No doubt it is the same one," stated Mackinder.

"Then," declared the boy, pointing at Mackinder's hand, "I have every
reason to believe that you know more about the whereabouts of that
package than do we. I recognize that peculiar scar on your hand!"

Quick glances of inquiry were directed by the boys at the hand toward
which Jimmie was pointing. It bore a scar running clear across the
back--an ugly, jagged scar that they had heard Jimmie describe.

"What did you mean by coming here and trying to throw a bluff into us
about the package still being in our kits when you yourself took it from
the table in the hut?" demanded Jimmie aggressively.

"You're mistaken, boys, I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Then you've got a mighty poor memory!" declared the lad.

"Mr. Mackinder," Ned said in a low tone vibrant with indignation, "if
you've quite satisfied yourself that we have not got the package you seem
to be seeking we'll excuse you. We don't want your company any more, and
we shall try to proceed upon our journey alone."

"But, see here, boys--" Mackinder attempted to explain.

"Not another word!" cried Ned rising. "There is the door and you are at
liberty to use it quickly. You are welcome to the package!"

"You will find out later on," Mackinder said, as he started to leave the
room in company with Norton, "that I've been trying to help you out of
mighty suspicious circumstances. You are ungrateful!"

"Good-bye!" called out Jimmie. "Don't slam the door!"

For a moment the boys gazed at one another in amazement after the two men
had left the room. They were excited and puzzled.

"Well, this is a stunner!" declared Ned at length.

"Who is this Mackinder, who is Norton, what is in this 'U-13' package
that he wants, how did it get into our baggage, why was it put there,
where are we going, when do we eat!" demanded Jimmie in a breath.

"That's the way to talk, Jimmie!" cried Harry, laughing in spite of the
situation that the boys all felt to be a serious on