?" demanded the war
correspondent. "Let's gain a bit more."

"Hold on!" exclaimed Hal, as Stubbs would have taken to his heels again.
"We can't run clear through the German camp like this, you know. We're
bound to be caught if we try it. It must be strategy rather than
fleetness of foot if we hope to get out of this situation safely."

"All right," Stubbs agreed. "Whatever you say suits me. But if it is
strategy that is going to get us out of this, tell me some strategy
real quick."

Hal considered a moment. Every second the pursuing footsteps were coming
closer. Stubbs squirmed about uneasily.

"Say," he said at last; "hear those fellows coming? I'm going to get away
from here."

Again he took to his heels; and there was nothing for Hal to do but
follow, for he did not wish to lose sight of the little man. Besides, in
that moment's pause, Hal had decided upon a plan that he believed had a
fair chance of success.

For perhaps five minutes more they ran on, Hal fearful at every moment
that German soldiers would pour from their tents and interrupt their
flight. Fortunately, this did not happen, however.

Hal, fleet of foot as he was, was hard pressed to catch up with
Stubbs, who had gained a slight lead and was covering the ground with
rapid strides. But at last the lad overtook him and laid a hand on
his shoulder.

"Slow down, there," he commanded. "First thing you know you'll have the
whole camp after us. Those shoes of yours must be at least number
elevens. They shake the whole earth when you run."

"Well, they have come in pretty handy to-night," said Stubbs. "What are
you stopping here for?"

"Because I don't want to arouse every German in the camp. I'll tell you
about that strategy now."

"Well, let's hear it real quick," said Stubbs, impatiently. "I want to
get away from here."

"So do I," said Hal, "but I want to get away all in one piece. Here's
my plan: We can't hope to get away by running. Sooner or later, before
we are clear of the German lines, we are certain to bump into some one.
That would settle it. We'll go ahead a little more, then we'll enter
one of these tents, tap the occupants on the head with our revolver
butts and crawl into their cots. Then when our pursuers have gone by
we'll go back."

"By Jove!" said Stubbs, "that's not half bad. Wonder why I can't think of
things like that?"

"Because you're too busy running," returned Hal.

The first of the pursuers came into sight at th