as directing the fighting forces of a great nation.

Instantly the lad recognized the fact that he was committing an act of
extreme incivility in thus shouting out the identity of so august and
important a personage. Yet he also knew that it was too late to
retract his statement. He therefore, with his usual air of unconcern,
determined to face the matter and make the best of it.

Without waiting for further preliminaries the lad dropped to the ground
and placed himself beside his comrade.

Drawing himself to his full height, the lad faced the Kaiser and
saluted, using the well-known form adopted by the Boy Scouts.

Much to his astonishment, his salute was gravely returned by the other,
and the party came to a halt.

"What can I do for you?" inquired the Kaiser in a not unkindly tone,
dropping his hand again to his side.

"Well," began Jimmie, scarcely knowing just how he should address the
man, "in the first place, we are not spies, and then, besides, we'd
like to get back to the United States without any trouble."

"So?" inquired the other. "And why do you wish to go to the United
States, may I ask? Is your business urgent there?"

"Not at all," replied Jimmie. "Nothing urgent about it except that we
understand you are having a war over here and we don't want to get
mixed up in it. That's all, and it's enough, too!"

"And you declare that you are not spies. Who has said you were?"

"Well, it seems to be the pretty general opinion that because I was
found in Peremysl with a Cossack uniform on that I am a Russian," went
on Jimmie. "Mr. von Liebknecht, here, seems to think that I am trying
to get back to the Russian army with a lot of information that I
haven't got and--oh, a whole lot of things!"

So great was the lad's excitement at an opportunity to unburden his
grievances that he spoke rapidly. As he paused for breath the other
looked about the group of officers. Then he said:

"This is indeed a strange circumstance. Just now the regiment is
moving westward, and it is not proper that they should be delayed.
Orders have been given for their departure, and they must be obeyed.
If you will come with me we will inquire into the merits of your case
and decide what shall be done. Will you do that?"

"Yes, sir, we'll be glad to," replied Jimmie, turning to Dave for
confirmation. "We'll go with you."

CHAPTER XIV

BAFFLED PURSUERS

"There, there," said the man soothingly, "of course you'