time, however, when Rod was brought to a sudden stop
through other means than his own will. From either side of the road
arose men wearing the French uniform. Guns were brought to bear upon the
three riders, and a gruff voice ordered them to come to a halt and
surrender.

Laughing at what they deemed something akin to a joke, they hastened to
comply.

"We might as well go to their headquarters, as they are ordering us to,"
suggested Rod pleasantly; "it will serve to break the monotony of our
ride, and who knows what information we may be able to pick up there."

He touched his breast pocket as he said this, and the other boys knew
that Rod did not in the least doubt the ability of those papers to carry
them through any little difficulty that might arise.

Accordingly he turned to the grizzled French sergeant who seemed to be
in charge of the detail by which they had been taken prisoners, and told
him to lead the way to his commanding officer.

Passing up the road they turned into what seemed to be a little-used
path. Each of the boys trundled his machine along, preferring to do this
rather than risk handing them over to the soldiers.

Even Hanky Panky exhibited no sign of alarm. If in the beginning he felt
any such weakness it had been immediately set at rest by those cheery
words which Rod spoke. Of course they could quickly satisfy the French
commander of their standing; those magical documents would do the trick
and gain them new friends as well.

Shortly afterwards they found themselves in what seemed to be a
temporary camp. A regiment of troops had been stationed here for some
strategical purpose, which was never explained to the boys. Under a
shelter tent several officers were conferring while they sipped their
coffee. The older man with the white imperial Rod knew to be a colonel
from his uniform. All of them eyed the trio with frowns, and somehow
Hanky Panky began to feel a little chill.

Rod immediately courteously saluted the colonel and started to speak.

"Pardon me, Colonel, but may I ask why we have been waylaid and taken in
charge?"

"It is very simple," came the astounding answer in plain English; "in
times like this spies may be arrested, tried, and executed all inside of
an hour. And you three boys are accused of having been known to send
information to the enemy!"

CHAPTER XX.

THE ACCUSATION.

That startling accusation sobered even Josh, for the smile faded from
his face as he