Unable to shake her determination, the boys gave up the attempt, and for the rest of the morning the three chatted pleasantly.

Luncheon over, the boys immediately prepared to fare forth again.  Edna accompanied them to the bottom of the steps, where they said good-by.

“Come and see me again,” she urged, as they shook hands with her.  “You are always welcome here.”

“We certainly shall,” cried both lads together, as they started upon their way.

Chester was still weak, but he walked along wonderfully well, considering the nature of his wound.  Still, it was plain to Hal that every step cost him an effort, and their progress was necessarily slow.

All afternoon they plodded onward without encountering the enemy, and soon after nightfall came upon the place where the Belgian outposts had been stationed the night before.  The signs of a struggle were plainly evident.

“There has been a battle here,” remarked Hal, after inspecting the ground.

“There is no doubt about that,” returned Chester, “and the Belgians have been driven back.  We shall have to be careful.”

They were proceeding on their way more cautiously than before, when from ahead there suddenly came the sound of trampling hoofs.

“A Belgian reconnoitering party, I guess,” said Hal.  “We are safe enough now.”

Presently a body of horsemen came into view.  The lads continued toward them, and the horsemen were but a few yards away, when Chester cried suddenly: 

“They’re Germans!”

It was true.  It was a squadron of Uhlans, returning from a reconnaissance of the Belgian position.

It was too late for the boys to run.  The cavalry was upon them.  The lads stepped to the side of the road, and continued on their way apparently unconcerned.  A German officer stopped them.

“Who are you?” he demanded.  “What are you doing here?”

“We are American boys,” replied Hal, “and are making our way to Liege.”

“Well, you won’t get to Liege to-night.  Turn about and march the other way.”

There was nothing to do but obey.  With a sinking sensation in their hearts the lads about-faced and headed toward the great German camp.  For a long time, it seemed to them, they were marched along slowly, and finally the first huts of the German army came into view.

“I am afraid our mission is a failure,” whispered Hal, as the two lads were led to a hut and placed under heavy guard.

“It looks that way,” Chester agreed; “but we must hope for the best.  It may be lucky for us that we have no papers on us.”

“What are they going to do with us?” Hal asked one of their guards.

“Shoot you in the morning, I suppose,” was the answer.  “Persons found between the two armies in civilian clothes cannot hope for mercy.”

“But we are not spies!” cried Chester.

“Perhaps not; but I don’t believe that will make any difference.”