dquarters, some of whom
were likely to be moving about; though, to be sure, the hour was late
for that sort of thing.

When they arrived at the scene of their previous escapade it was to find
that one of the military chauffeurs had returned, and was even then
taking a look at the engine of his car, for he struck several matches,
and was thrusting his head down close to the machinery.

They halted to watch. A minute afterwards he tidied things up again, and
Jack, hearing his loud yawn, decided he could not have discovered that
some one had been meddling with his petrol supply.

Then the soldier vanished inside his big car, as though to find a
comfortable seat, if his masters chose to linger an hour longer in
celebrating with General von Berthold.

Tom led the way around, now approaching the building from an angle where
they would be screened from the observation of the driver, did he chance
to have his eyes open. They also took care to be ready to duck and lie
low, in case the other chauffeur came from the back of the chateau.

But nothing happened to endanger them, and presently they were seeking
a means of entering the castle. This proved the easiest thing possible,
for there were no locks or bars attached to the door they tried. Once
this barrier had been passed, they found themselves in a great hall,
just such as Jack had always believed, from his reading, must be
connected with every such old-time castle.

A light burned low. It was in itself a quaint lamp, and at another time
the boys might have found themselves very much interested in it as a
relic of times long since past.

Of course there could be no system of modern lighting in use at such an
isolated habitation. Besides, electricity would have seemed sadly out of
place in connection with so much that belonged to bygone days.

The tall lamp on the newel post at the foot of the broad stairway gave
enough light to show one where to walk; and just then the two prowlers
asked for nothing more.

Over to the right lay the wing that had not suffered from the work of
the Hun despoiler. It was there the German general entertained his
associates, discussing business until a late hour; and then giving
themselves up to a little social enjoyment, which evidently became so
pleasant that it was hard to break away.

The boys decided that since this wing was the only decent part of the
building remaining, they were apt to find the object of their search in
one of th