aboard early. Heavily guarded, and without a weapon of any kind or
description, there was no fear of a break for liberty, in spite of the
large number of prisoners.

The lads were shoved into a car already loaded down with prisoners and
took their positions at the far end, the dog between them. In spite of
misfortune, the prisoners all were far from unhappy. They joked and
chatted as though they were on a pleasure trip.

Finally, after much delay, the train started with a jolt, tumbling
men all over each other as it gradually gathered momentum. They were
hurled hither and yon, but they only laughed.

The trip was necessarily slow, for the train, time after time, was
switched on to a siding to permit of the movement of German troop
trains carrying soldiers from the western theater of war to the east,
or from the east to the west.

Consequently, it was late the following night when the train finally
pulled in, and the prisoners were ordered to get out. Under the
leveled rifles of a strong German guard, they stepped to the ground,
and, after being divided into squads at the direction of the German
officer in command, were marched away.

Hal, Chester and Marquis were among the last to leave the train. As
the dog tumbled out after them, there was an exclamation from a German
officer.

"What have we here?" he demanded, approaching the boys. "A dog, eh?
Well, we haven't time to fool with dogs," and he leveled his pistol at
Marquis.

Marquis drew back his lips in a snarl, even as Hal stepped forward to
stay the German's hand.

"This dog was allowed to come with us by special command of General
Von Kluck," he said quietly.

"So you say," was the reply. "But how am I to know that you speak the
truth?"

"The very fact that he was allowed in the car should be sufficient
proof of that," said Hal quietly.

The German officer lowered his weapon.

"I guess you are right," he said. "I beg your pardon."

He appraised the boys with a critical eye, and then became more
friendly.

"You are British officers?" he asked.

"We are attached to the staff of General French," Chester replied.

"So? and at your age? I presume you have seen considerable action?"

"Considerable," replied Hal, with a smile; "at Liege, Louvain, the
battle of the Marne, and some other skirmishes."

"You have been in luck," said the officer. "And here I have been, ever
since the war broke out, receiving prisoners as they are sent on.
Worse luck!"