ediate pursuit. It complicated the
situation, too, because even though they were fortunate enough to gain
the country cemetery before the searching party came up, they might be
prevented from getting away.

It was down-grade, and that helped a little, if Jack could only hold
out. The little girl was no light weight, and carrying such a burden was
apt to delay even a good runner like Jack, who was already getting short
of breath. But Tom could get the airplane ready to make a quick start as
soon as Jack and his burden should reach the cemetery.

The sounds continued to break out in their rear.

They had now reached the bottom of the ridge, Tom well in advance. The
level valley lay before them. But it seemed to Tom, on glancing back,
that his chum was staggering under the strain, so he called out:

"Here, what's the matter with my spelling you, Jack. It isn't fair to
make you the burden-bearer, when I'm so willing to help. Give me the
child, and let me carry her awhile. We'll make better time if you do."

There was more or less force in the suggestion advanced; so Jack thrust
little Helene into Tom's waiting arms. She did not hesitate to clasp his
neck, even as she had done Jack's, an action which endeared her to Tom,
less prompt than Jack to answer to the appeal of childhood.

After this they seemed to make better time, and Jack also had a chance
to recover his wind. There could be no doubt about their being pursued,
for they could hear loud shouts bursting forth every half minute.

Presumably General von Berthold had by this time realized that his plan
with regard to realizing a fortune some day through little Helene and
the rich iron deposits on the property that would come to her, were in
danger of going astray. Doubtless, also, he had offered an incentive to
the soldiers in the shape of a money bonus, in case they recovered the
child. Jack imagined he could hear the harsh voice of the commander
raised above the tumult from time to time, which would indicate that he
himself led the pursuit.

But here at last they were at the place where the smaller road left the
main one, and entered the country burial grounds.

How fortunate that they had made all their arrangements beforehand! What
if the mending of the leaking reservoir had been left until their return
with Helene! Small chance they would have in that case of effecting
their escape with the aroused Hun soldiers scouring the country in
search of them.

Ju