ted Rob.

"What for?" demanded Tubby, bound to understand everything, even if he
had to swamp his mates with questions.

"The spy, or spies, for there may be more than one of them, might just
happen to cross this way, so as to get to the road; and, if they saw
three shadowy figures moving along, the first thing they'd be apt to
think was that we were enemies who had been listening."

"Oh! now I see!" Tubby admitted. "And, since we don't want to be made
targets for them to practice at, we'll be wise to do what you say, Rob."

"Please, please, let up on all that talk, Tubby!" implored Merritt.

"Oh! I will, if it bothers you any," the fat boy answered; "but I think
it queer a fellow can't ask a few little innocent questions once in a
while, without being sat down on so hard. Now, I know a boy who made
himself a real nuisance with his everlasting wanting-to-know, but I only
speak up when there's absolute nec----"

Tubby stopped short there. It was not that the annoyed Merritt clasped a
hand over his mouth, thus shutting off his supply of breath, for no such
thought entered the mind of the corporal of the Eagle Patrol; but just
then a horrible din, in which shots, mingled with wild shouts, broke out
in the field nearby.

CHAPTER XIII.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT.

What had happened was no mystery to Rob and Merritt, though possibly
Tubby, not quite so apt to jump to conclusions, remained a little
bewildered at what was going on.

It seemed that the Belgians must have suspected something wrong, and
possibly followed the bearer of the lantern when he went into the open
field to flash his signals toward the sky.

The three scouts from across the ocean were not the only watchers who
had read that message. Yes, and the coast had not been as clear as the
signal man believed, since even then enemies must have been creeping
toward him, though utterly unseen in the darkness.

The rapid discharge of guns, and the loud outcries of men engaged in
desperate warfare, thrilled the boys. They could not see a single
figure, but the spiteful flashing of firearms, as they were discharged,
told them that the fight was not all one-sided, and that the Germans
must be resisting capture with their usual valor.

All at once they heard another sound.

"It's the motor--the aeroplane man has managed to get going!" exclaimed
Rob, instantly comprehending what that meant.

In order to rise, after starting his machine, it was necessary fo