s all about," said the latter.

They fell into step behind the stranger.

With many turns and twists the man walked for perhaps half an hour.
Apparently he was bent on beclouding the lads' sense of direction.

"I say!" Hal called a halt finally. "Where are you taking us?"

"It's not much farther," the man protested, "and I have been instructed
to bring you."

"Instructed to bring us?" echoed Chester, "and by whom?"

"You'll learn that later," was the stranger's response. "Are you coming?"

Again Hal and Chester exchanged glances. The latter shrugged.

"We've started; may as well see it through," he said.

"All right," Hal agreed and turned to the stranger, "but cut out all this
winding about," he demanded. "There is a quicker way of reaching our
destination, wherever it may be."

The stranger smiled, but made no reply. He moved off and the boys
followed him, and at last they came to their journey's end.

Before an army tent the man stopped a few moments later.

"In here," he said.

He entered and Hal and Chester paused long enough to look at each other.

"I guess it's all right," said Hal. "Can't much happen right in the heart
of the camp. Come on."

He entered the tent with Chester close behind him.

Within powerful arms seized them and dragged them down; and before they
could cry out gags were stuffed in their mouths. In vain the lads
struggled to free themselves. They were soon safely bound.

Up to this time the tent had been in darkness, but now someone struck a
light. Hal and Chester gazed at their captors. All were attired in
regulation army uniforms, but their faces were masked. One man, who
seemed to be the leader, was short and chunky. The others were taller.
The small man approached the lads and spoke.

"If you will give me your words to make no outcry, I shall have the gags
removed," he said in a shrill, quavering voice, plainly disguised.

Hal considered this point a moment; then nodded his head in token of
assent. Chester did likewise.

"All right," said the little man and beckoned the others to remove the
gags.

Their mouths free of the evil-tasting cloths, Hal and Chester
breathed easier.

"Now," said Chester, "perhaps you will explain what this is all about."

The little man shook his head.

"No," he replied, "all I can tell you is this! You shall be kept confined
here until your removal to Paris can be arranged. Then you will be sent
to London and put aboard a vessel for New