ly in a resigned tone, "we'll
just trot along as meek as lambs and leave the Eagle to their tender
mercies. I tell you, though, I hate to do it."

"Hark! I hear the others coming through the hedge!" said Harry.

"There's quite a bunch of them, to judge by the sound."

"Well, the more the merrier," declared Ned. "In numbers there is
strength, I've heard, and perhaps in numbers will come our chance. If
they'll only get in one another's way for a while we'll give them an
opportunity to hear what a real old-fashioned 'good-by' is like."

"Come oudt, now," commanded the stranger, banging at the framework of
the Eagle with a very serviceable looking rifle.

"Coming!" announced Jack as he prepared to descend. Ned and Harry at
once followed their comrade, and directly found themselves on the
ground, confronted by several men in the uniform of one of the German
regiments. The officer in command looked his surprise.

Only a few words were needed from their captor to acquaint the officer
with the situation. He laughed immoderately at the apparent joke of
the purloiners of his gasoline being caught before they had time to use
it. His merriment was infectious, and presently the entire group were
giving vent to their feelings.

The three boys felt that they were the object of the soldiers'
ridicule, yet they were unable to make any reply, since they did not
understand sufficient German to be able to converse with their captors.

When the officer had finally laughed himself tired he gave a command
and the soldiers formed about the lads and began escorting them toward
the town. Once there, the officer led the way to a house with which he
was evidently familiar.

Lights were brought and an examination of the lads was begun. After
several preliminary questions the officer found that he had met his
match in the matter of wits. Ned declined absolutely to give any
information other than that he and his comrades were from the United
States and heartily wished to be back there.

"So-o-o," was the astonished comment of the officer. "Und you are
neutral and vish to be neutral all the while?"

"Yes, sir," was Ned's reply as he looked the other squarely in the eye.
"We are not spies and cannot give you any information."

"But you, would go oudt and start somethings maybe if I let you go."

"No, sir, we wouldn't," declared Ned. "We came to this village and
wanted to buy some gasoline and food, but a man we met wouldn't s