ething. I'm going to hunt you up in
the morning and have it out with you."

"All right," said Chester. "You can suit yourself about that. But wait
until morning. Remember we're guarding this prisoner now."

"Well, I've a notion to settle with you right now, prisoner or no
prisoner. I don't like you."

"To tell the truth, I don't think a whole lot of you," said Chester. "I
would a great deal rather be without your company. You had better get
back where you belong."

"Think so, do you? Well, I'll show you."

With these words the German guard forgot all about the prisoner
supposed to be inside and everything else save that he wanted to get at
Chester. He dropped his rifle with a clatter and struck at Chester with
his right fist.

"Well, if you must have it," Chester muttered to himself.

He, too, dropped his gun and his right fist shot forth. The German
staggered back with a grunt; but Chester's blow had not reached a vital
spot and the guard leaped forward again.

This time Chester timed his blow a little more carefully.

"Smack!"

The lad's fist landed flush on the guard's jaw. The man rolled over
like a log.

Chester looked around quickly.

"Now to get out of this," he muttered.

He picked up his rifle and turned to move away. But even as he would have
started the sound of hurrying footsteps halted him; and he began to pace
up and down in front of the tent.

Two figures dashed toward him; behind them came the sound of shots.

"Hello!" said Chester to himself. "More trouble in camp. Wonder
what's up now?"

The answer was to come sooner than he could have expected. As the two
figures came closer, other figures appeared in the distance. There came
the sound of revolver shots.

"This way!" cried a voice.

Chester raised his rifle, ready to take a hand in the proceedings himself
should the occasion demand.

"This thing is getting rather complicated," he told himself.

The two approaching figures came closer rapidly. Chester gave an
exclamation of pure astonishment.

CHAPTER XXVI

RUNNING THE GAUNTLET

When Hal and Stubbs took to their heels after the former had relieved the
German officer of his papers, they had run some distance before coming
across anyone in the darkness. Then they came upon another figure so
suddenly that it almost resulted in their capture.

Hal, in the lead, had been just about to slacken his pace, when, rounding
a corner suddenly, he had crashed into a form in t