to explain, "I
should imagine this Jules would go to some trouble to stop us, and get
the paper away. You can see what it would mean to him if we failed to
make connections."

Many times during the balance of that afternoon Josh and Hanky Panky
referred to the business which they were about to undertake. In fact it
seemed as though both boys enjoyed the idea of again drawing near the
fighting line, and witnessing some of the amazing events taking place
there in this modern war. History was being made every day, and the
thought of being actual witnesses of these grand undertakings thrilled
them as nothing else could have done.

Frequently either one or the other imagined they were being followed;
and a dozen times some innocent citizen was suspected of being the
skulking Jules. If the French cousin of Andre actually had them shadowed
it was done so skilfully that none of the boys were any the wiser.

After supper that night they sallied forth. Rod took extra precautions
to dodge the main exit of the hotel at which they were quartered; if a
spy waited there to keep tabs on their movements he meant the fellow
should have his trouble for nothing.

They found the home of the French woman. It was, of course, an humble
abode, but as neat as a pin. Rod again entered into a fervent
conversation, and from time to time stopped to explain to his chums what
the burden of the talk might be.

In the end Jeanne entrusted him with the precious paper, which, once
signed by her husband, with the names of competent witnesses also
inscribed according to law, would mean a competency for herself and
child the balance of their lives, whether Andre ever came home from the
war or not.

Rod was very cautious in making his way back to the hotel. He avoided
all dark streets, and warned his chums to keep a bright lookout for
skulking figures. Nothing out of the way happened, however, and they
reached their hotel in safety. For once Josh evinced little desire to
stop and watch some of the stirring scenes which were to be met with in
all the principal thoroughfares of Antwerp during those days and nights
when the shadow of the German mailed fist hung over the heads of the
dauntless Belgian nation.

Down at the hotel Rod found the gentleman waiting for him with whom Amos
Tucker, far away in America, had business connections of vast importance
which he had entrusted to Rod to carry through.

This was finally accomplished, and after Rod made su