The Boy Allies on the Firing Line Part 35

Hal and Chester were startled at this sudden outburst. Neither realized that Hal was, perhaps, the only person who had dared to stand before the German monarch and tell him to his face that he had not the sympathy of the whole world, and that he was held responsible for the greatest war of all history.

Now the Kaiser was talking to himself, his fists still clenched, and he tapped nervously on the table, as he muttered:

"They have lied to me. Yes, they have lied to me. They told me that few held me to blame, that the sympathy of the world was with me. I thought they lied then. I am sure of it now."

Suddenly he ceased talking, and turned to the table, where he was soon engrossed in looking over some papers and maps. So he sat, utterly disregarding the presence of the two American boys; nor did they venture to interrupt his profound study, until two hours later General Von Kluck sent the guard ordered by the Kaiser to take them away. When the officer in charge of the squad made known his commission, the emperor signified his consent with a nod of his head. He addressed no further words to Hal or Chester.

"I am commanded," said the German officer, "to take you to my tent and see that you are well guarded, until it is decided what disposition is to be made of you."

In a large and commodious tent the boys were made comfortable, and a guard stationed around the outside. Then the officer took himself away to make his report to the general.

"Well," said Chester, "they have got us this time, and I don't see any way of escape. Here we are, right in the heart of the German army, and we might just as well be in the Sahara desert, as far as our chances go of getting back to our own lines."

"Don't be so downhearted," said Hal. "More peculiar things have happened. We are at least in no danger of being shot. I suppose we should be thankful for that."

"Yes, I suppose we should," Chester agreed. "But just the same I would like to be back where we belong."

"Well, you can't tell," said Hal. "We may be able to give them the slip. However, I would be opposed to any plan that did not have a good chance of success. For, if we failed, I am sure they would shoot us without compunction."

"There is no doubt of that," said Chester. "Von Kluck would do it anyhow, if he didn't fear the heavy hand of the Kaiser. By the way, what do you think of the Kaiser, anyhow?"

"Well," said Hal slowly, "I believe, in the first place, that he takes himself too seriously. I believe that he considers himself the chosen instrument of Heaven to put down the Slavs, to say nothing of the French and English. He has the mistaken idea that he is a man of destiny."

"Yes," agreed Chester, "there is no doubt that he thinks he is right and the whole world wrong."

Further talk was interrupted by the return of the German officer.

"You are to remain here for the next few days," he informed them. "As the emperor has interested himself in your behalf, General Von Kluck is awaiting further word from him as to what to do with you. Right now the emperor will not talk. He is busy with his maps and papers, and, when he is busy, no one dare disturb him."

"And what do you suppose will be done with us eventually?" asked Chester.

"Why," was the reply, "I suppose you will be treated as all other prisoners of war. You probably will be sent to Berlin."

"Back to Berlin!" exclaimed Chester in deep disgust.

"Back to Berlin!" repeated Hal, and he punctured his exclamation with a long whistle. "Great Scott!"

CHAPTER x.x.x.

A NEW FRIEND.

It was indeed a sad word to the ears of the two young American lads.

As Hal said, they had had trouble enough getting out of Berlin at the outbreak of the war, and had almost been forced back to the German capital once before. To be prisoners of war in Berlin certainly would be an inglorious finish to their military careers.

"I would rather go to any one other spot on the map," Chester told his chum. "Berlin! Can you imagine being cooped up there and never even knowing what is going on?"

"It would be tough," Hal agreed. "And, once there, I am afraid we would have to stay until after the war. I don't imagine there is much danger of anyone escaping from that place now."

"Nor I," said Chester. "If we hope to get away, we shall have to do it before we get to Berlin."

But it seemed that the lads, if they had any hopes of escape, were doomed to disappointment. They were carefully guarded, and, while they were made comfortable, there was never a moment that they were not beneath some watchful eye.

Several times they were allowed to leave their canvas prison and stroll about outside, but on each of these excursions the German officer in whose custody they had been placed accompanied them; and finally from General Von Kluck came the order for them to be sent to Berlin.

"I sort of hate to see you go," the German officer told them, upon informing them of their fate. "We have gotten along famously together.

However, I am sure you will be well treated in Berlin, and that when you are released at the end of the war you will be able to deny some of the tales of German cruelty to their prisoners."

"From the treatment we already have received we can deny them now,"

said Hal.

"Indeed we can," Chester agreed.

"Come," continued the officer, "what do you say to a little walk around? You will not start on your journey until to-night."

Accompanied by their guard the boys once more started on an excursion through the huge German camp. For an hour or more they walked about, discussing the war in its various phases, but finally the officer told them that it was time for him to report for duty, and they started back toward their temporary prison.

As they were walking slowly along a large gray shape came bounding toward them. Almost in front of them it came to a stop. It was a dog.

Hal reached forth a hand and patted the animal on the head, and the dog's tail wagged in friendship. But when the German officer also stretched forth a hand, he uttered a menacing growl.

"He must be one of your French war dogs," said the German with a laugh, quickly withdrawing his hand. "We have captured a large number of them, and, in spite of the fact that we treat them as well as we know how, they will have nothing to do with us."

At that moment another German officer approached the trio, and, as he came closer, the dog snarled and showed his teeth. The German drew back his foot, and, before anyone could interfere, kicked the animal sharply in the ribs.

But the German paid dearly for this act, for, with one quick bound, the dog leaped upon his a.s.sailant, and, snarling fiercely, bore him to the ground. Hal, Chester and their officer friend jumped quickly forward, and, after a sharp tussle, succeeded in dragging the dog off, though not until he had considerably shaken up his victim, even drawing blood from a wound in his throat.

With a fierce imprecation, the German reached for his revolver, drew it quickly, and aimed it at the dog. But, before he could pull the trigger, Chester leaped forward, and, with a quick movement of his arm, knocked the weapon from the German's hand.

The German turned angrily on the lad.

"What do you mean by that?" he demanded, in a rage.

"You won't shoot him while I am here," cried Chester, also aroused.

"What business is it of yours whether I shoot him or not?"

"You try it again and I'll show you what business it is of mine, if the whole German army is standing round," shouted Chester furiously.

Hal grabbed his friend by the coat and attempted to pull him back, but Chester was too angry now to pay any heed, and he stood facing the German threateningly.

At this point the other officer evidently decided it was time to interfere.

"Come, come," he said to Chester. "That's enough of this. I am sure Lieutenant Dennig meant no harm. I'm sure he'll apologize if he has said or done anything to displease you."