obile slowed down suddenly and a moment later came to a stop at
a fork in the road.

"I'll have to have a look at this chart," Hal called over his shoulder to
his companions, as he thrust a hand into a pocket. "Forget which way we
head from here."

"We're headed for the happy hunting grounds no matter which road we
take," mumbled Stubbs.

"Don't croak, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "Barring accidents, we'll reach
General Petain at Verdun in time to deliver these despatches before it's
too late."

"What I don't understand," said Chester, "is why it is necessary to
deliver these despatches by courier. What's the matter with the wire?"

"I don't know," said Hal, as he returned the chart to his pocket after a
quick scrutiny, "unless there is a leak of some kind."

"Hardly," said Chester.

Hal shrugged his shoulders as he settled his cap more firmly on his head
and laid a hand on the wheel.

"You never can tell," he said.

"Well," said Stubbs, "I don't--hey! what're you trying to do, anyhow?"

For the little man again had been hurled violently against Chester as Hal
sent the car forward with a lurch. "Trying to leave me behind? What?"

"Can't be done, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester.

Mr. Stubbs glared at the lad angrily, but deigned to make no reply. So
the big army automobile continued on its way in silence.

Darkness fell. Hal stopped the car and lighted the lamps.

"Can't take any chances while going at this speed," he said.

Stubbs grinned feebly to himself, seemed as if about to speak, then
thought better of it and remained silent. But he waved a hand in disgust.

A moment later the car was rushing through the darkness at the speed of
an express train; and while this journey in the night continues it will
be well to explain the presence of the three companions in the big army
car, how they came there and why, and the nature of the mission upon
which they were bound.

A month before the three had been in the Balkans. There the two lads,
together with Anthony Stubbs, had gone through many dangerous adventures,
finally reaching Greek soil in the nick of time, with a horde of
Bulgarians just behind them. With them had been others--Ivan, a Cossack,
a third British officer and a young girl. Ivan had elected to join the
Anglo-French forces at Salonika; the other British officer had found his
own regiment there and the girl, whom it had been the good fortune of the
boys to save from the Bulgarians, found friends in the