d all tried for spies, and maybe find ourselves
in a worse predicament than we now are. Perhaps the German officer
will listen to reason when he returns."

"Yes," scorned Jimmie. "Perhaps the sun will shine at midnight, or
water will start running uphill, or something like that will happen!"

"You don't seem to have much faith in the German ability to change the
mind?" inquired Jack. "Maybe this fellow'll be different."

"No, sir!" pursued Jimmie gloomily. "The average German is a pretty
decent fellow in a great many ways, but when it comes to changing his
mind--why, it 'can't be did,' because it's impossible."

"Hush!" commanded Ned. "Here he comes. I'll talk to him."

But, though Ned endeavored by every art of conversation at his command
to influence the German Captain to change his mind, that individual
insisted that since Jimmie had been found in the captured city wearing
the uniform of a Russian Cossack he must be treated as one. The only
alternative he would admit was that Jimmie must give evidence of his
claim that he was not a Russian by enlisting in the German army.

"So," decided the German, "you haf been to riding horses accustomed.
Goot. You shall now ride a horse for der Kaiser, und," he added
meaningly, "you shall do it vell. You may now say goot bye to dese
odder poys und come mit me. Der oath ve vill administer."

Several soldiers fully armed, standing about, stepped forward at the
Captain's signal. Placing themselves between Jimmie and his chums,
they advanced, fairly compelling the lad to accompany them.

Thunderstruck at the proceedings, but unable to render any assistance
to their comrade, the three lads watched Jimmie disappear through the
doorway. Then, as they were left quite alone, they turned to one
another with an air of dejection.

"What shall we do, Ned?" inquired Jack presently.

"Yes, Ned," put in Harry, with something very like a catch in his
voice, "let's have your ideas. You are always ready with some
suggestion in an emergency. What shall we do?"

"In the first place, boys," answered Ned, "I'm mighty glad to hear you
ask questions like that. It shows me that you are ready for action
instead of wanting to sit down and give way to despair. I'm ready for
action this minute if I could only decide what should be done."

"I move we hunt around and find some guns and go hold that bunch of
Germans up and take Jimmie away from them!" said Harry impulsively.

"Do you