ave been
fighting with the German army?"

"Yes," said Chester truthfully.

"But this man," said their host, turning to Alexis. "Is he an American
also?"

"Yes," replied Hal, and signified for Alexis not to speak, for fear that
his accent might betray him.

Their host was evidently satisfied. The meal finished, the man walked
with them to the door, and pointed out the direction they were to take.
Then he pointed also to the southwest.

"In that direction," he said, "lies the home of Brunnoi. No, there is no
truth that he will espouse the Russian cause. Even now he is able to do
much harm to their cause. He is with Austria to the last drop of blood
in him."

The three took their departure, going in the direction the man had
pointed out. But once out of sight, Hal changed the course, and they
bore off to the southwest for several hours, looking for a place to
secrete themselves for the day.

"We shall have to be very careful," said Chester.

The truth of this statement was proved a moment later. From behind came
the sharp crack of a rifle. Chester's hat leaped from his head.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE BANDIT CHIEF.

Hal, Chester and Alexis threw themselves to the ground with a single
movement. A second bullet sped harmlessly overhead.

"We didn't come here to fight," Hal whispered to his friends, "so here
goes."

He drew a handkerchief from his pocket, and waved it aloft. This was
answered by a command in German, from some distance away.

"Stand up; put your hands above your heads and advance."

The three friends did as commanded. Three swarthy-faced men, with
leveled revolvers, advanced to meet them. Quickly they searched their
prisoners, relieved them of their weapons, and bound their hands
securely.

"Forward march," commanded one, poking the muzzle of his weapon into the
small of Chester's back.

There was no help for it. The three friends obeyed.

"Where are you taking us?" demanded Hal of one of their captors.

"To Brunnoi!" came the brief response.

"Great Scott!" said Hal to Chester, in English. "We certainly couldn't
have got there quicker any other way. You don't suppose he has learned
of our mission."

"I don't see how that is possible," replied Chester.

"Nor I; I suppose the thing to do is to try and convince him we are
German soldiers, or else come straight out and tell him who we really
are and why we are here."

"The latter way might be best," said Chester, thoughtfully. "For