aw three German
soldiers leap out of their ditch and advance toward the professor. But
the latter did not seem in the least afraid. He walked on, for a
moment not observing his enemies, who were approaching from one side.
Then suddenly he noticed them.

But he did not run, nor did he show any sign of fear, and then the
most unexpected thing happened. The Germans suddenly dropped their
rifles. Up in the air went their hands, and then they turned and
marched straight for the American lines, the professor following
behind, and fairly driving them on in some mysterious way. He had made
a most unexpected capture.

CHAPTER XXIII

GREAT PREPARATIONS

Watching him from the security of their trench, Ned, Bob, and Jerry,
their comrades, and the officers on duty, could scarcely believe their
eyes as they saw what had happened. Yet there was no delusion about
it. Professor Snodgrass, rashly venturing across No Man's Land toward
the German trenches, was coming back and with three prisoners. As Bob
said afterward, it was like the advertisements of the circus which
boasted of three rings and innumerable clowns.

"Three prisoners! Count 'em. Three!" Bob yelled.

"Well, for the love of hot chocolate!" cried Jerry, "what does it
mean?"

"Search me!" answered Ned, succinctly. "Looks as if he had 'em
hypnotized!"

And so it did, for the Huns, as they came nearer, wore on their faces
looks of stupefied astonishment.

Straight for the trench where his young friends were, Professor
Snodgrass marched his prisoners. He was in great danger, but he did
not seem to mind that, or even be aware of it. Doubtless it was the
latter, but, as a matter of fact, he was within range of the big guns,
as well as within shot of rifles or machine guns.

Of course, though, had the Germans opened fire on the professor from
their trenches, they would have run the chance of killing their own
three men, captives though the latter were. And, too, had the Huns
fired there would have at once been answering fire from the Americans,
for the latter gunners were always on the alert, and once word was
passed up and down the line that the little "bug-hunter" was out in No
Man's Land, every man who knew or who had heard of him was ready with
his rifle--Ned, Bob and Jerry among them--ready to take full toll in
revenge had he been fired on.

But the German trenches were silent, and for good reason, as was
learned later, so the professor marched on with h