ed
States, as the fathers of both were naturalized; therefore, the
diplomatic channels of Sweden were closed to them, as the money had
been left in Professor Snodgrass' care. The Red Cross might aid, as a
last resort, and if that failed all that could be done was to wait
until after the war and then seek them out, if the two nieces were
still alive.

So, having dispatched several letters by different routes, Professor
Snodgrass prepared to spend some time with the boys.

"I might as well study the effect here of noises on insects, as to go
back where I was," he said. "Here I shall be nearer those two young
ladies, if I can ever find a chance to reach them. We are heading
toward Metz, are we not?"

"Yes, and we'll get there," declared Jerry, for by this time enough
of General Pershing's plans had developed to show that his armies had
this town for one of its objectives. But there was still a long way to
go.

True to his determination, Jerry went back to the front with his
chums, and Professor Snodgrass, by virtue of special permission,
accompanied them. The chums were welcomed by their comrades, and once
more took up the life of the trenches.

It was one afternoon, just before time for them to be relieved, that
Ned, Bob, and Jerry had their attention drawn to a stretch of No Man's
Land in front of them, by hearing some of their comrades say:

"Look at the bug-hunter! What in the name of Billie Bejinks is he
doing out there? He'll be bowled over by a German bullet just as sure
as guns!"

The three lads looked, and, to their surprise and horror, saw
Professor Snodgrass with something supported on his back and partly in
his arms, walking across No Man's Land in the direction of the German
trenches as unconcernedly as though peace had been declared.

"Look at him!" yelled Ned.

"We've got to get him back!" cried Jerry.

An officer, who had heard the commotion, came in from the nearest
dugout and asked:

"Who gave him permission to go out there? Is he deserting?"

[Illustration: THEY MARCHED STRAIGHT FOR THE AMERICAN LINES.
_Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Firing Line._ _Page 183_]

"Indeed he isn't, Sir," answered Ned. "I guess he must be trying some
experiment, or looking for bugs."

"Well it's likely to be his last experiment," was the grim comment,
"and about all he'll find will be bullets. Ah, I was afraid so. Look,
they are going to capture him!"

As he spoke the Americans, crouching in their trench, s