quency which seemed
to indicate that escape would be exceedingly difficult.

"Well, we've just got to make the best of it," said Blake. "I'm going to
get what rest I can."

It could not be much at best, for there was no furniture in the cavelike
cell. The boys curled up in corners--fortunately it was not cold--and
thought over their situation. That it was very desperate they all
admitted.

That night was like a bad dream to them. At times they dozed off in
light slumber, but, as far as they knew, their captors did not so much
as look in on them. They did not know, of course, when morning came,
but they judged that the sun had risen when, after several hours of
waiting, a tin can of water and some food was thrust in to them.

"And I'm hungry enough to eat even German sausage," announced Macaroni,
as he inspected the food. It was coarse but satisfying, and the boys
felt better when they had eaten it.

Later came a squad of Germans, one of whom spoke enough English to order
Blake and his chums to follow them. They were led out of the dungeon,
along a covered underground passage, and then they suddenly emerged into
daylight.

"Well, it's a comfort to be able to see," remarked Joe, as he and his
companions looked about.

Without a word as to where they were to be taken, the boys were marched
along, and, for a moment, they feared they were to be the victims of a
firing party. But a turn in the course showed them just ahead a group of
buildings about which could be seen some German officers.

"Evidently we're going to be questioned by some one in authority,"
suggested Blake. "Well, that looks more hopeful."

They were at the very edge of an enclosure containing the official
headquarters of that part of the German army, and the leader of their
squad was about to reply to the challenge of the sentinel when a
curious sound was borne to the ears of the boys. It was like a fast
motor operating at some distance.

"What's that?" asked Charlie.

As if by a common impulse they all looked up, for the noise seemed to
come from above, and they saw dotting the blue sky many small, black
specks.

"Aeroplanes!" cried Blake.

The Germans had seen the objects in the air at the same time, but on
them the sight produced quite a different effect from that made on the
boys.

In an instant all thought of guarding Blake and his chums seemed to have
been forgotten. Their escort ran to one side. The sentries on duty
before the offi