iously as they approached him. It seemed to
the boy that he hardly looked like a native of the soil; for he wore
clothes far better than the average French farmer could afford; and
there was also something about his appearance that suggested his being a
foreigner.

To the astonishment of the boys he immediately addressed them in
English.

"Your motorcycles I see are American made," he remarked; "and from that
fact I guess you must be like myself from the other side of the ocean.
It is strange that we should meet here in this war-stricken country."

"Then you are an American, too?" asked Josh, before Rod could say a
word.

"I am a naturalized citizen of your great and glorious republic,"
explained the man. "I was born in Switzerland, but my people emigrated
while I was a child. My name it is Oscar William Tell."

"Oh! you don't mean to tell me that you spring from the original William
Tell, the famous archer who defied the tyrant Gessler, and shot the
apple from the head of his own son?" cried Hanky Panky, in delight.

"So I have been told," replied the other, modestly. "But just now I am
more concerned how I may get out of this country of the fighting armies
than what my dead and gone ancestors may have been. I have been caught
napping, as they say, and for days now have been trying to reach Paris,
where I hope to secure some funds, and start back across the ocean to my
far-away home."

The boys exchanged glances. Somehow, although the man had not as yet
mentioned such a thing plainly, they could read between the lines, and
understand that he was hinting about assistance.

"We could supply you with the little money you may need to pay for your
food until you get into Paris," said Rod, promptly.

"That is indeed very kind of you," continued the other, eagerly, while
his eyes fairly sparkled with satisfaction; "but my greatest need is to
be helped on my way a few miles. My feet are so sore I can hardly walk;
and I have been told that a short distance ahead there is a railway line
over which I might get transportation to the French capital, which
cannot be more than fifteen miles away at the most."

Josh lost no time in offering to take him along. He had often carried a
passenger, and never had an accident thus far. Had it been Hanky Panky
now, or the still more clumsy Rooster, the undertaking might have
assumed a more serious aspect.

"Sure, you are welcome to a seat with me," he told the other, promptly,
ri