may be able to give them the
slip. However, I would be opposed to any plan that did not have a good
chance of success. For, if we failed, I am sure they would shoot us
without compunction."

"There is no doubt of that," said Chester. "Von Kluck would do it
anyhow, if he didn't fear the heavy hand of the Kaiser. By the way,
what do you think of the Kaiser, anyhow?"

"Well," said Hal slowly, "I believe, in the first place, that he takes
himself too seriously. I believe that he considers himself the chosen
instrument of Heaven to put down the Slavs, to say nothing of the
French and English. He has the mistaken idea that he is a man of
destiny."

"Yes," agreed Chester, "there is no doubt that he thinks he is right
and the whole world wrong."

Further talk was interrupted by the return of the German officer.

"You are to remain here for the next few days," he informed them. "As
the emperor has interested himself in your behalf, General Von Kluck
is awaiting further word from him as to what to do with you. Right
now the emperor will not talk. He is busy with his maps and papers,
and, when he is busy, no one dare disturb him."

"And what do you suppose will be done with us eventually?" asked
Chester.

"Why," was the reply, "I suppose you will be treated as all other
prisoners of war. You probably will be sent to Berlin."

"Back to Berlin!" exclaimed Chester in deep disgust.

"Back to Berlin!" repeated Hal, and he punctured his exclamation with
a long whistle. "Great Scott!"

CHAPTER XXX.

A NEW FRIEND.

It was indeed a sad word to the ears of the two young American lads.
As Hal said, they had had trouble enough getting out of Berlin at the
outbreak of the war, and had almost been forced back to the German
capital once before. To be prisoners of war in Berlin certainly would
be an inglorious finish to their military careers.

"I would rather go to any one other spot on the map," Chester told his
chum. "Berlin! Can you imagine being cooped up there and never even
knowing what is going on?"

"It would be tough," Hal agreed. "And, once there, I am afraid we
would have to stay until after the war. I don't imagine there is much
danger of anyone escaping from that place now."

"Nor I," said Chester. "If we hope to get away, we shall have to do it
before we get to Berlin."

But it seemed that the lads, if they had any hopes of escape, were
doomed to disappointment. They were carefully guarded, and, while