suppose the Captain will make good on his threat of making
Jimmie enlist in their cavalry regiment?" asked Jack, ignoring Harry's
suggestion. "If they do, can't he slip away some night?"
"What if he does?" inquired Harry. "Where would he slip to, and where
shall we get to help him? It seems to me that every minute counts now.
If they get him into a cavalry regiment they'll want to be on the move
right away. At times like these, with Germany fighting the whole of
Europe, they can't afford to let a regiment remain idle."
"That's very true," nodded Ned thoughtfully. "Germany has won a
victory over Russia, and that may relieve some of her forces in the
east, at least temporarily, until Russia gathers enough of an army to
make another assault. In that case they might send the cavalry
regiment toward the western front in Prance or Belgium, where Germany
is meeting the French, English and other troops."
"Do you think they will make Jimmie go along and fight the allies?"
questioned Jack. "If they do that, he may get killed."
"Perhaps that would suit the German Captain as well as anything else,"
observed Ned. "It would save him the trouble and responsibility of
ordering the red-head shot immediately."
"Then in that case," continued Jack, "I second Harry's motion and hope
it is carried unanimously. Let's get busy and get the boy."
"I think you are right," agreed Ned. "Now, if we can have some plan of
action we'll be able to make more headway than without it."
"Right you are, Scout Master!" cried Jack. "What is your plan?"
"Well," began Ned, glancing at his comrades, "it seems almost too bold
a thing to try just at first thought, but I can't think of anything
better than to try to get away from this place in the Eagle, and then
watch our chance to kidnap Jimmie from those fellows."
"A fine idea!" was Harry's almost cheerful response. "Ned, there's
nothing too bold to try once, anyway. Maybe we can get Jimmie out of
their hands. If we ever do--"
Harry's clenched first, which he shook at the door out of which the
Germans had led Jimmie, spoke more eloquently than his unfinished
sentence. Plainly he was ready for action.
"Let's slip out of here while we have a chance," suggested Ned.
"Just the thing!" agreed Jack. "It's the best time we'll ever find.
The incoming army is pretty busy just now and won't see us."
With one accord the three lads moved toward the door. Ned glanced
around the par
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