“You would, would you, you coward!” he cried, and struck the young German in the face with all the strength of his right arm.  The latter toppled over like a log.

All this time the crowd of assailants continued to grow.  Attracted by the sounds of the scuffle, reinforcements arrived from all directions, and it is hard to tell what would have happened had not the sudden blast of a whistle interrupted the proceedings.

“The police!” yelled someone in the crowd.  “Run!”

In less time than it takes to tell it, Hal, Chester, and the two other young men were alone, while racing toward them, down the street, were several figures in uniform.

“Run!” cried the young Frenchman.  “If they catch us we will all go to jail, and there is no telling when we’ll get out.  Run!”

The four took to their heels, and, dodging around corner after corner, were soon safe from pursuit.

“Well, I guess we are safe now,” said the Englishman, when they stopped at last.  Then, turning to Hal: 

“I don’t know how to thank you and your friend.  If you had not arrived when you did, I fear it would have fared badly with us.”

“No thanks are due,” replied Hal.  “It’s a poor American who would refuse to help anyone in trouble.  Shake hands and call it square!”

The Englishman smiled.

“As modest as you are bold, eh?  Well, all right,” and he extended his hand, which Hal and Chester grasped in turn.

But the Frenchman was not to be put off so easily.  He insisted on embracing both of the boys, much to their embarrassment.

“I’m Lieutenant Harry Anderson, of the Tenth Dragoons, His Majesty’s service,” explained the Englishman, and then, turning to his friend:  “This is Captain Raoul Derevaux, Tenth Regiment, French Rifle Corps.  We were strolling along the street when attacked by the gang from which you saved us.  In the morning we shall try to get out of Germany by way of the Belgian frontier.  If now, or at any other time, we may be of service to you, command us.”

“Yes, indeed,” put in the Frenchman, “I consider myself your debtor for life.”

Hal and Chester thanked their newly-made friends for their good will, and, after a little further conversation, left them to continue their way, while they returned to the hotel, much to the relief of Mrs. Paine, who had become very uneasy at their long absence.

CHAPTER II.

A perilous situation.

“Come on, Hal.  Let’s stroll about a few minutes.  We’ve lots of time before the train pulls out.”

It was Chester who spoke.  Mrs. Paine and the two boys were sitting in their compartment of the Brussels express, in the station at Berlin.  It still lacked ten minutes of the time set for departure.

“You don’t mind, do you, mother?” said Hal.

“No; if you do not go too far,” was the answer.