mmie?" asked Ned.

Jimmie's answer was lost in the roar of exhaust from one of the other
aeroplanes parked nearby. All turned in amazement at the noise. With
a rush the French plane swept by the group and began soaring into the
air. One glance showed the lads that Otto was at the levers.

During the brief moment that their attention had been diverted, the
Uhlan had taken advantage of their preoccupation and had silently
stolen away to the machine whose engine had been left running. Now he
was beyond recall, and in a short time would be again on the eastern
side of the fighting line, where he would no doubt join his regiment.

Chagrined, the lads looked at each other with crestfallen glances.

As the clamor of the other motor died into a steady drone they turned
to look again at the advancing figure.

"Why, that's General Joffre!" gasped Jimmie. "Hope he don't recognize
us. I feel too cheap for anything!"

"I think I have seen these young men before," he began cordially. "You
are the young men who were of so much assistance to me at one time."

"Thank you, General," replied Ned. "We are glad to see you again."

"And what can I do for you in return for that kindness?" asked the
general without going into the details of the event with which those of
our readers who have read the previous volumes of this series are
already familiar. "If there is anything I can do, please command me."

"We'd only like safe conduct to some seaport, sir," answered Ned,
"where we can take passage to the United States. We want to get home!"

"That can be arranged, I am sure!" stated the general, heartily. "But
you must be rather hungry. Will you not step into the tent here and
have some lunch? You can tell me of your adventures while you eat."

There they related to the general and some of his aides the incidents
leading up to their flight of that morning, not omitting to tell of
their neglect to retain the prisoner they had so strangely brought to
camp.

As they finished, the general said, as he looked at Jimmie:

"And so the Germans are rushing train loads of soldiers to the front,
are they? And are they bringing any guns?"

"They're bringing lots of troops," replied Jimmie, "but I didn't see
any big guns. They've got some trains of ammunition on the way."

"Thanks!" acknowledged General Joffre. "That news is important!"

"Great Frozen Hot Boxes!" cried Jimmie, rising. "There I've gone and
given away a lot of