e and Dave on it,"
put in Jack eagerly. "Maybe we can get a chance to rescue them yet.
What do you say to trying?"

"The chances would be very poor just now, I'm thinking," replied Harry
doubtfully. "With all those soldiers there we wouldn't have much of a
chance, especially as we are not able to communicate with the boys,
even granting that they are on that train."

"Better give up the idea, then," regretfully acknowledged Jack.

"Can you make out anything, Ned?" asked Harry, peering downward.

"Nothing in particular," replied the lad. "It seems to me that the
aviator is trying to start the plane again. I can see it at the
station under the lights. Can you hear the exhaust of his engine?"

"I thought I did just then," replied Harry. "Listen!"

All three boys strained their ears to catch any possible sounds from
below while the Eagle on noiseless wings circled high above the station
grounds. A confusion of minor sounds came faintly up.

Out of the murmur a crashing, rending noise was heard.

CHAPTER XIX

LESE MAJESTY

"But we're not spies!" snapped Jimmie truculently. "We wouldn't be
spies for anything!"

"Silence!" commanded the officer in a voice denoting his displeasure at
the interruption. "It will be best for you to keep silent."

"You may give your answer to the charges if you desire," said the
Kaiser in a not unkindly tone. "But," he went on, "you will remember
that if the report of Captain von Liebknecht is at all correct matters
look rather unfavorable for you at present."

"I'll admit that latter part without argument," said Jimmie, much
relieved that he was being given an opportunity to speak. "Things look
rather odd, as you say, but it is only looks. The facts are that we
are over in this country on a peaceful mission, and have refused to
give information to either the Germans or the Russians. That rather
squares the account, doesn't it?"

"In a measure, yes," admitted the Kaiser. "But your presence with the
Russian troops does not incline us to look with much favor upon
yourself or your comrades. Further," he continued, "the fact that your
comrades have a high-powered aeroplane in our territory and have tried
to rescue you from our regiment appears as if they do not care to be
open and frank with us. Can you explain that?"

"I think I can," replied Jimmie gravely. "I can see now that our
actions would appear rather mysterious to your officers, but you must
also reme