ng for spies to put to death, it would be advantageous if
some of my officers would expend their energies in looking more
carefully after my interests."

Once more the emperor turned to Hal.

"If I mistake not," he said, "you are an American. Am I right?"

"Yes, sire," said Hal.

"Then how comes it that you are fighting for Great Britain?"

Hal explained the misfortunes by which they had been left in Germany,
and of how, eventually, they had taken service with the Allies.

"And who is your friend?" asked the Kaiser, pointing to Chester.

"Chester Crawford, sire," replied Hal, "my boyhood chum."

"And the wounded man?"

"An English officer, your majesty," said Hal, "and a brave one."

"I have found that all the British are brave," said the Kaiser grimly.
"I was misinformed as to their attitude in this crisis," and the
Kaiser's voice grew harsh; "it was not the only subject on which I was
misinformed."

His words were clearly intended for the officers, more than for Hal.

He was silent for some moments, and then to General Von Kluck:

"General, I will take these lads to my own quarters. I desire to
question them on matters pertaining to their own country. You will
send a guard for them in two hours."

"Yes, sire," said General Von Kluck.

The Kaiser motioned to Hal and Chester.

"Follow me," he commanded.

Surrounded by his personal bodyguard, and with Hal and Chester close
behind him, the emperor made his way to his own handsome and luxurious
field quarters.

Inside the tent he motioned the two lads to seats.

"Now, tell me," he said, "what is the general sentiment in America
toward Germany? Where is the general sympathy in this war?"

He had addressed Hal, so the latter replied, Chester maintaining a
discreet silence.

"We were not in America when the war broke out, your majesty," he
said, "but I believe that I am right when I say that the sympathies
of the United States, generally speaking, are with the Allies."

The Kaiser nodded his head.

"I was afraid so," he said. "But why?"

"As to why, I can't say," replied Hal. "Chiefly, I suppose, because
it is an English-speaking country."

"I suppose that is true," said the emperor, "and still there are many
more persons of German descent in the United States than of any other
nationality. Do the people of the United States believe that Germany
brought about this war?"

"From what I have heard from Canadian officers and some others, I am
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