ky," he called out encouragingly; "I'll fix up a
game that will cook their goose for them."

"Sure you will, Rod," replied the other at the top of his voice, for the
trio of machines made considerable racket as they pushed along in close
formation.

Sometimes the dust raised by their passage completely hid the pursuing
red car; then a little puff of wind would waft it away, so that the
motorcycle boys could easily see the object of their concern.

Past humble homes of the Belgian peasants they rushed. Ducks and
chickens and dogs had to get out of the way in great style in order to
avoid being run over. This was one of the things Rod had in mind when
deciding not to increase their speed any further; a squawking hen has
been the cause of a "spill" with many an unlucky motorcyclist; and every
one has noticed how persistently "Biddy" will try to cross the road
despite the peril, if her home happens to be on the other side.

Rod no longer entertained any doubts concerning the identity of those
who occupied the red racing car. One of them he felt positive must be
Jules Baggott, the unscrupulous cousin of Andre, who would profit if the
soldier should never live to sign the papers which were mentioned in the
will of the dead uncle.

By this time Rod had his fighting blood up. Opposition always made him
the more determined to accomplish his ends, when his heart was back of
the undertaking.

His active mind quickly grasped the situation, and a cleverly arranged
plan was formed that gave promise of success.

"Josh, can you hear me?" he called out, not daring to look back now
because at the time they were negotiating several sharp turns, and his
attention was required at the front.

"Easy thing!" sang out the one just behind him.

"How about you, Hanky?" continued the leader.

"I get you O. K., Rod; let her go!" came the reply in a roar.

"If we can only coax them to leave their car for a short time,"
explained Rod, "Josh might disable it in some way, so the pursuit would
come to an end!"

"A bully scheme, Rod, and don't you forget that you said Josh was going
to be Johnny on the spot!" the party in question bellowed exultantly.

"There's a big house ahead of us," continued Rod, "for I've had several
glimpses of the same, and we'll strike it shortly. I don't know why I
think we'll find it deserted, but it has that look to me. One end seems
to have been burned out. Well, that might be the place we're looking
for, to