chances look slim."

"I don't know about that," objected Ned. "I notice that the smell of
powder is not so pronounced as it was a while ago. The air in here
seems much better than it did before the explosion, and I believe that
somewhere a passage has been opened which permits the air to flow in.
It seems to me I can smell sweet air."

"I believe you're right, Ned," declared Harry sniffing.

"Let's get at these stones, then," suggested Jack, suiting the action
to the word, and beginning to lift away lighter pieces of rock from the
heap that confronted the lads.

All the boys took hold eagerly and began the task of removing the
barrier that prevented their exit. They took turns holding the
searchlight upon the work. Presently Jack announced that he could see
light through the crevices between the stones. This announcement was
hailed joyfully by the others.

"Hurrah!" announced Harry gleefully, as he pushed a piece of rock
forward, opening a space wide enough to penult him to thrust an arm
through. "One more chunk out of here and we can get through."

In another moment the four boys stood erect in a space that had
formerly been a cellar. They drew deep draughts of air into their
lungs and looked up beyond ruined walls to see the sky overhead.

"That looks good to me," stated Ned, pointing upward.

"Here too!" put in David. "Now I can get a good look at you fellows
and will be able to recognize you readily the next time I see you.
My," he added, "you are Boy Scouts, too."

"Why, of course," said Ned in astonishment. "What did you think we
were? I hope you didn't take us for soldiers."

"Well, not exactly," said David, smiling, "but I really didn't have
time to form a definite opinion before I heard that you were captured.
Would you like to get back to your plane?" he asked.

"Would we?" asked Jack in a tone expressive of his intense longing for
the Eagle. "You are just right, we would!"

"Perhaps we can manage to make it if the Germans have not taken it
away," suggested David. "I can't say for sure, but we can try."

"Let's be on our way, then," urged Harry, eager to start.

"Suppose we look about and look for something to eat," suggested Ned.
"I'm beginning to appreciate Jimmie's feelings."

"I hope you're not hungry already?" laughed Jack, "Why," he added, "you
had something to eat no longer ago than--"

"Yes, no longer ago than the last time we ate," interrupted Harry.
"You may not believ