oldiers, and, with others of
their kind, were eagerly awaiting a chance to go over seas and fight
it out with the Huns.

And now we meet them again in the midst of excitement over a spy
scare--not the first of the kind to happen in the camp, where, as the
readers of the volume before this will doubtless recall, the
activities of "Pug" Kennedy and "Crooked Nose," formed the basis for
some real danger.

"That snake sure is real!" cried Bob, as he saw the serpent writhing
about. "And whoever has him for a pet must be nervy."

"Look! Look!" exclaimed Jerry. "The spy is going right for the
snake!"

"And look who the spy is!" added Ned.

There were shouts from the officers and men. Several of the latter had
gotten their rifles and were edging about, trying to find an opening
through which they might fire at the serpent.

The man who had broken away from his captors rushed toward the end of
the building where Ned, Bob and Jerry had last seen the reptile, which
was now out of sight under some bunks.

"Don't shoot him! Don't shoot my pet! He is worth thousands of
dollars!" cried the reputed spy.

And then, to the surprise and fear of all save the Motor Boys, who had
an insight into the truth, the man fairly threw himself forward on the
serpent, as a football player falls on the ball.

"Ah, I have you! I have you, my beauty!" cried the man. "You shall not
get away from me again, and they sha'n't shoot you, either!"

CHAPTER III

A PUZZLED PROFESSOR

For a moment there was comparative silence in the big barrack
building. It lasted while the little man was crossing the room and
hurrying toward the big snake where it could be discerned under a line
of bunks. The words uttered by the owner of the serpent were heard by
the three chums, as well as by every one else in the building.

And then, as the small man continued on his way, and finally launched
himself at the snake with outstretched hands and arms, some one
uttered a warning yell.

"Look out!" came the cry. "It's only his bluff! He's trying to escape.
Catch the spy!"

"That's right!" shouted several, who seemed to agree with what had
been said.

But if the little man--the "spy" as he had been called--had it in mind
to escape, he was taking a queer way to go about it. For even as a
rush toward him on the part of those from whose midst he had escaped
began, the little man arose and held clasped in his arms the
snake--or as much of it as he could rais