imprecation. There was a stifled groan, and the second soldier dropped to
the floor.

Hal made his way back to the parlor, where the German officer still
stood, trying to bind up his injured hand with a handkerchief. He saw Hal
approach, and raised his sword, taking a step forward. At the same
moment, Edna, who had in the meantime dragged Chester's inert body out of
harm's way, stepped into the room.

His face red with fury, the German officer took another stride forward,
and thrust. The blade passed through Hal's guard and through the side of
his open coat, grazing his body.

As the sword went through the boy's coat, it looked to Edna as though the
lad must have met his death; and she screamed. The German officer laughed
gleefully, but, even as he did so, Hal, smiling, took a step forward.

With a quick stroke, he sent the German's sword flying from his grasp,
and the officer was at his mercy.

The German's rage burst like a bubble.

"Kill me!" he said quietly to Hal.

"No," replied the lad; "I cannot kill a man in cold blood. Pick up
your sword."

The officer obeyed, and Hal placed himself on guard. But, taking the
weapon by the blade, the German extended the hilt to Hal.

"I surrender," he said.

The lad took the extended sword, and then passed it back to the officer.

"Keep your sword, sir," he said.

The German glanced at him a moment in silence; then took the sword.

"You are a generous enemy, sir," he said. "You will have no occasion to
regret your confidence in me."

"I am sure of it, sir," was the lad's answer. "You are at liberty to
leave at any time you choose."

The officer scrutinized Hal closely.

"You are a gallant lad," he said finally. "There are few men who could
have done what you have. I hope that we may meet again."

Turning, with a polite bow, first to Edna and then to Hal, he made his
way from the house and was gone.

"How is Chester?" was Hal's first question, after the German had
departed.

"He has recovered consciousness," replied the girl. "He is badly wounded,
but I believe he will be all right in a few days. Bento, who has some
knowledge of medicine, is attending him."

Hal hurried to the room upstairs where Chester had been carried. Chester,
lying in bed, greeted him with a smile.

"You certainly have all the luck!" he exclaimed. "Here I was unable to
walk while you were doing all the fighting."

"Never mind that," replied Hal. "How do you feel? Are you in pain?