“I’m sure we appreciate your kindness very much,” said Hal, “and we may be forced to take advantage of it.  We shall look about the city this afternoon, and, if nothing else turns up, we shall be glad to stay with you.”

“Let me hear from you before night, anyhow,” said the ambassador, rising.

“We certainly shall.  Come, Chester, let’s go out and look around a bit.”

The boys left the embassy.

The streets of the city were even more densely thronged than they had been the night before.  Thousands and thousands of people paraded up and down—­war the sole topic of their conversation.

Late in the afternoon, as Hal and Chester were walking along Strassburga Strasse, a hand was suddenly laid on the former’s arm, and a voice exclaimed: 

“I thought you boys were on your way to Brussels.  How does it happen you are still in Berlin?”

Turning, Hal perceived that the person who had accosted him was none other than Lieutenant Anderson, and with him was Captain Derevaux.

All four expressed their pleasure at this unexpected meeting, and the boys explained their misfortune.

“How is it you and Captain Derevaux didn’t get away?” Chester finally asked.

Captain Derevaux smiled.

“We were so unfortunate as to be recognized by a member of the German general staff at the station this morning,” he explained, “and we were detained.  But,” he added grimly, “we are not figuring upon remaining in Berlin overnight.”

“What do you propose to do?” asked Hal and Chester in a breath.

“Oh, Anderson and I have a little plan whereby we shall make ourselves scarce on this side of the border,” answered the captain.  “We are planning to get out of Berlin soon after nightfall.”

“How?” asked Hal.

“Well,” said Lieutenant Anderson, “we haven’t perfected our plans yet, but we have an idea that we believe will take us safely out of Germany.  It may be successful, and it may not.  But we are going to take a chance at it.”

“Is it dangerous?” questioned Chester.

“That all depends upon how you look at it,” replied the lieutenant, with a smile.  “It may mean a fight,” he added seriously, “but we are prepared for that,” tapping the pocket of his civilian coat significantly.

“Yes, it may mean a fight,” agreed the French captain, “but an officer of the French army will not shirk an encounter with these German aggressors.”

“No, nor an English officer,” declared the lieutenant.  “War between England and Germany has not been declared yet, but it seems only a question of hours until it will be.”

Hal was suddenly struck with an idea.  He turned to the lieutenant.

“Why cannot we go with you?” he asked.  “We must get to Brussels as soon as possible.  If we wait here until after the mobilization of all the German forces, and are unable to send a message to mother, she will be frantic.  Why cannot we go with you?”