re that everything
had been completed in a satisfactory fashion, he entrusted the papers to
the mail to be carried duly to Mr. Tucker, guarded by registry and every
possible means against loss in transit.

"There; I feel as if I had a big load off my shoulders," said the boy as
he once more joined his two chums, who had spent the hour talking over
the immediate future, and what amazing things it might have in store for
them.

All of them were tired, for they had been up early that August day, and
every hour had been crammed with excitement. Accordingly it was decided
that they had better retire without further delay, and get what sleep
they could.

"There's no telling what sort of a bed we may have to-morrow night," Rod
warned the others; "so make the most of it while you have a soft
mattress under you. The ground is pretty hard, sometimes, you know,
because often we've tried it, and may have to again."

Both the others only laughed, as though they were so well pleased with
the opportunity crossing their path so unexpectedly that they could not
find any fault, no matter how things turned.

When another day dawned they busied themselves in getting breakfast,
settling their account, and then securing their motorcycles, which had
been well taken care of during their stay in Antwerp. Such valuable
wheels might have been commandeered by the authorities for use in the
army, only that Rod chanced to carry a few lines actually signed by King
Albert and which had been placed in his hands by the dauntless Belgian
monarch himself, which warned all concerned that nothing belonging to
the American boys was to be touched, as they had shown their friendship
for Belgium in numerous ways.

Rod was careful enough to make sure that all of them carried a plentiful
supply of the necessary petrol, for he realized how difficult it would
likely be to secure any of this liquid fuel, since every gallon was
being seized for the use of the multitude of lorries and cars employed
for transportation purposes by the armies in the field.

It was about nine in the morning when they were ready to start. The
early September day was a fair one, though promising more or less heat
before noon came and went. Rod led the way, and they soon left the big
bustling city on the Scheldt behind them. A splendid road invited an
increase of speed, and presently they were booming along right merrily.

How delightfully cheery did the rapid clatter of the exhaust