“Pretty narrow escape you fellows had,” said the Austrian officer, speaking in German.

“Rather,” replied Hal dryly.  “When my horse stumbled back there, I was afraid it was all over.”

“I thought so myself,” returned the Austrian.  “But what is the matter?  Who are you?”

Hal gazed about sharply, and then leaning close to the Austrian, whispered: 

“From the Wilhelmstrasse.”

The Austrian never moved a muscle, but whispered back again: 

“Good!  Then you desire to see General Brentz?”

“At once, if you please,” replied Hal.

The Austrian nodded.

Back within his own lines the officer volunteered to conduct the three to the general himself.

“It will avoid delay,” he explained.

The three friends followed him.

Before the quarters of the Austrian commander, the officer whispered to the orderly stationed at the entrance.  The latter saluted and disappeared.  He came out a moment later and motioned for all to enter.

A large man, both tall and stout, was General Brentz, and he eyed the three with a close gaze.  All gave the stiff German military salute.

“You come from—­” said the general, and paused.

“The Wilhelmstrasse,” said Colonel Anderson, leaning slightly forward.

“And how did you get here?”

“Well, not without some trouble,” replied the colonel.  “And we almost failed.  But, fortunately, we remembered that the Wilhelmstrasse never fails, and with the aid of your cavalry, sir, we escaped.  This officer,” pointing to the man who had conducted them there, “can perhaps tell you better than I. I was too busy with my horse.”

The officer, at the general’s command, gave an account of the chase.

“Very well,” said the general, when he had concluded.  He turned again to Colonel Anderson.  “I take it you have valuable information for me, then?”

“Yes, sir, but for you only,” replied the colonel, nodding toward the other officer.

General Brentz took the hint.  He motioned the subordinate to withdraw.

Colonel Anderson leaned down and unloosened his boot.  He took it off, and drawing a knife from his pocket, slit the sole.  Then he withdrew several sheets of dirty, crumpled paper, which he extended to General Brentz.  The latter took them eagerly, and turned quickly to his desk.

For almost an hour he poured over the papers and at last a slow smile spread itself over his face.  He turned to the others.

“This,” he said, “will prove the very link for which I have been wishing.  I may need more information from you, sirs.”

The three friends were afraid to look at each other for fear they would betray themselves, so all stood silent.

“I take it you know something of my position here,” said General Brentz to Colonel Anderson.

“Very little, sir,” was the reply.