ound. He has lost a lot of blood, and is still unconscious, but I
think he will come around all right presently."
Hal settled back in his seat and gave his entire attention to the
road ahead.
The big car flashed through several small towns, and the dim lights in
the homes looked like a string of brilliant spots, so swiftly did they go
by. For almost half an hour the terrific speed was continued, and then,
at a shouted command from Lieutenant Anderson, Hal slowed down.
"We should be nearing Angermunde by this time," the lieutenant explained,
"and it will never do to go through there at this speed."
"Do you suppose our would-be captors have communicated with the
authorities at Angermunde?" asked the Frenchman.
"I would not be surprised," replied the lieutenant; "but we must risk it.
One thing I am sure of, however, is that our pursuers are not far behind.
They will never rest till we are caught. And, for that reason, we cannot
afford to waste much time."
"You are right," said the captain. "We must get through Angermunde as
quickly and as quietly as possible."
Then to Hal he shouted: "Don't lose your nerve, and keep cool. Be ready
to make a dash if you get the word."
"Don't you worry about my nerve," Hal replied grimly. "I'll run right
through a thousand Germans, if you say so."
"I guess that will not be necessary," broke in the lieutenant, with a
laugh, "but you never can tell what may happen."
Hal reduced the speed of the machine even more, and slowly approached the
town, the lights of which could be seen in the distance.
It was now nearly midnight, and, as Captain Derevaux suggested, it would
be wise to go through the town without attracting attention, if possible.
But this was not to be.
The automobile entered the town, and had proceeded some distance, when
Hal called back:
"I guess we will get through without any trouble, all right."
"Don't be too sure," replied the Englishman. "Always be ready for the
unexpected."
The words were hardly out of his mouth, when, rounding a sharp turn, Hal
saw a line of cavalrymen blocking the street some distance ahead.
"The road is blocked with troops," he called back to his friends, as he
reduced his speed. "Their rifles seem pointed right at us. Shall I speed
up and run through them?"
His three companions arose and peered over his shoulder. The cavalrymen
were plainly discernible in the glare of an electric street light.
"It's impossible," re
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