rst place," answered Hal boldly, "I do not consider the
Russians barbarians. In the next place, we joined the Allies when the
Germans ravaged Belgium."

"Ravaged!" exclaimed the German commander with some heat.

"Exactly," said Hal. "We joined the Belgian army before Liege, and we
hold commissions in the Belgian army. We were also attached for a time
to the British forces under Sir John French. We bore communications from
Sir John French to Grand Duke Nicholas, that is how we happen to be
here."

"And how did you carry these dispatches, may I ask?" inquired General
von Hindenburg.

"By airship," replied Hal briefly.

"What!" cried the general. "You flew over Germany in an airship?"

"Well, only part of it," replied Hal with a grin; and seeing no harm, he
told the German commander of their adventures after being captured and
taken to Berlin.

"You are brave lads," said the general calmly, when Hal had finished. "I
would that Germany had more like you. But I fear your fighting days are
over."

"What will you do with us, General?" asked Chester, who up to this time
had remained silent, Hal usually acting as spokesman when there was
explaining to be done.

"You will be sent to Posen," replied the general, "where you will be
detained until after the war."

"But that may be for years, General," protested Hal, trying to draw the
general out.

In this he was successful.

"You are mistaken," replied General von Hindenburg calmly. "The war will
be over within the next six months. Germany will have conquered."

Hal did not reply, for he had no mind to antagonize the general; but he
had his own ideas as to the ultimate outcome of the war.

The general now summoned one of his staff, and turned the lads over to
the latter with this injunction:

"Have them sent to Posen. Instruct Commander Friech that they must be
well guarded, but treated with kindness."

He bowed gravely to both lads, who saluted and followed the other
officer from the German commander's quarters.

"You will remain in my quarters until to-night," said the officer to the
three friends, "and you probably will start on your journey about
midnight. There is a detachment leaving about that time."

He conducted the three and the dog to his tent, where their wounds were
dressed and a guard was stationed over them. Then they were left to
themselves.

Alexis, who up to this time had not spoken, at last opened his mouth.

"What's this all about?" he