nishment and dismay.

Directly ahead of them they saw a long trench, stretching out on
either side as far as the eye could reach--and it was filled with
German soldiers.

"Great Scott!" ejaculated Hal. "I had forgotten that the Germans were
probably intrenched along here. How on earth are we to get through?"

At that moment the two lads beheld three old women coming toward them,
and Hal exclaimed:

"I wonder if we look like that?"

In their hands the women carried large baskets, and even from where the
lads stood they could see that they were chockfull of bright red apples.

Chester was struck with a sudden idea. Stepping out of view behind Hal,
he quickly lifted his skirts and thrust his hand into his pocket. He
pulled forth a handful of gold and silver, from which he extracted
several German pieces. Then he advanced toward the old women, Hal
following him in surprise.

Chester accosted the women in French.

"How much do you want for your basket of apples?" he asked,
addressing one.

The old woman named a sum.

Chester counted it out and dropped it into her hand, much to her
surprise, and relieved her of her basket. Then he turned to a second and
repeated the operation, passing the second basket to Hal.

"Now, we'll see how business is," he said, and led the way directly
toward the trenches.

In the midst of the German soldiers, the lads did a thriving business,
and, although they did not know it, the reason was because they were
offering their wares at a much lower price than had been customary.

The soldiers joked with them and resorted to flattery in an attempt to
cause them to reduce the price of the apples even more. The lads, talking
in shrill, wheedling tones, joked back, and made quite a hit with the men
in the trenches.

At last, having disposed of all their apples, and having come to a place
somewhat more secluded than the rest, the lads sat down to wait. As they
looked around, they observed that for some reason this short section had
not been dug to fit in with the rest of the trenches. As a result they
were out of sight of either side.

Becoming conscious of voices from beyond the little wall of earth to the
right, the lads became silent and listened.

"Then everything is in readiness for the grand advance?" asked a voice.

"Yes," replied a second.

"And where will the assault be made?"

"At Soissons. The French are secure in their belief that a concerted
attack will not be made for