he old castle, the four broke into a
run, and turning to the right in accordance with their instructions,
increased their speed.

For a considerable distance they sped along under the shelter of the
castle wall. Just as they reached the end of the wall a whispered voice
brought them to a halt.

"Hyah, sah!" came the unmistakable voice of Uncle Billy.

Turning, they saw the old negro, who had been hidden from their sight,
standing under the far wall of the castle.

"Follow me!" he whispered, and led the way a short distance along the
wall, to where were picketed four horses.

Turning, he motioned the companions to mount.

"Which way?" asked the lieutenant, when all were in the saddle.

"Straight north, I suppose," said the captain.

"No, sah, no, sah," broke in Uncle Billy. "Yo'al can't get free
that-a-way. Since de Emp'ror declared wah on Belgin an' Englan' dun
declare wah on Germany, all de no'th coast am hev'ly guarded."

"What!" exclaimed the French captain. "War on Belgium!"

"England has declared war?" asked the young lieutenant, in surprise.

"Yassah, yassah. I jes' hearn erbout it."

"Then which way shall we go?"

"Yo'al must go that-a-way," came the answer, and Uncle Billy pointed
toward the southwest, in the direction of the faraway frontier of The
Netherlands.

"But Holland is a long ways off, and the country between must be overrun
with troops," protested the Frenchman.

"Mos' all de troops am at de front," explained the old negro. "Dat am de
bes' way, sah."

"I believe we had better take Uncle Billy's word for it," declared Hal.

"I guess he is right," said the lieutenant. "Uncle Billy, we can never
thank you enough."

"No," agreed Captain Derevaux. "We can never thank you enough."

"Come," said the lieutenant, "let us ride," and he turned his horse's
head toward the southwest, and started off cautiously.

But Hal and Chester stopped for a further word with Uncle Billy.

"But how about you, Uncle Billy?" demanded Chester. "Won't you get in
trouble for aiding us to escape?"

"No, sah," replied the old negro. "There won't none o' dese hyah Germans
hurt ol' Uncle Billy!"

"Well, then, good-by," said the boys. "After the war is over we are
coming back to see you."

"After de wah am over," said the old negro slowly, "Ise gwine back ter
ol' Virginy!"

With another word of farewell the boys wheeled their horses and rode
after their companions, who were now some distance ahead.

"We