man's pockets. Then he straightened up, and by the
soft light of the moon, ran through the papers hurriedly. He gave an
exclamation of satisfaction.

"I thought I should find something," he muttered. "Come on now,
Stubbs!" he said.

The little war correspondent hurried after him without another word.

CHAPTER XXV

IN GRAVE PERIL

Chester's sigh of relief almost choked in his throat. But he determined
to brave out the situation as well as he could.

"No," exclaimed the man who had spoken, "this boy is no German!"

Even the Crown Prince was surprised.

"Not a German!" he exclaimed. "Then what is he? A--"

"A spy!" the other concluded for him.

"Impossible!" declared the Crown Prince. "How could there be a spy
among us?"

"Well, he's here. Surely you can look at the boy and tell he is not
a German."

The Crown Prince approached Chester and scrutinized him closely.

"Who are you?" he demanded at length.

"I have told you, sir," replied Chester, quietly.

"But you have not told the truth," was the Crown Prince's reply. "I can
see you are not French. Are you British?"

"No, sir."

"Then what?"

"Well," said Chester, at length, realizing that subterfuge was useless,
"I am an American."

"With the French army, eh?" said the Crown Prince.

Chester did not reply. He could see no reason for incriminating himself,
though he realized, too, that it made no particular difference whether he
replied or remained silent. He was convicted either way.

"You don't answer," exclaimed the Crown Prince. "That is evidence
sufficient of your guilt."

Chester shrugged his shoulders. The Crown Prince eyed him angrily.

"You are one of these indifferent ones, are you?" he said. "Well, we know
how to cure that. Do you realize what is in store for you?"

"Perfectly," replied Chester. "The firing squad."

"No; you are wrong," was the Crown Prince's answer. "The firing squad
is too good for spies. You have been captured within our lines in
disguise; therefore, there can be no doubt that you are a spy. You
shall be hanged."

Chester took a step backward. He had realized what his fate would be
should he fall into the hands of the enemy, but this was more than he had
bargained for. And at that moment there seemed little possibility that
Hal would find and be able to rescue him.

"Looks like the end of my rope," the lad muttered.

He made no reply to the Crown Prince's words. He knew a reply would
be useless.