“There shall be none, sire,” came a chorus of officers.

“Very well.  But I had had my mind set on being in Paris long ere this.  Had it not been for the interference of these English—­and these starving Belgians, I would be there now,” and the Kaiser’s voice grew harsh.  “They must be crushed,” and he struck the table a heavy blow with his clenched fist.

“And crushed they shall be, sire,” said Count Von Moltke soothingly.  “It is only a question of time.”

“Well, you have been long enough doing it,” came the Emperor’s angry voice.  “See that you do not fail me again.  If you do—­”

He broke off, but his silence was more menacing than any threat he might have uttered.

There was the sound of chairs scraping on the floor, and a moment later of heavy footsteps.  Hal, in his hiding place, knew that the German officers were leaving the house.

“By George!” the lad muttered to himself, “Wilhelm must be a holy terror.  I’ll bet Von Kluck, Von Moltke and all the rest are due for a terrible wigging, for I’m here to see that this plot fails.”

Hal waited patiently for perhaps half an hour, and then, feeling certain that the coast was clear, emerged from his hiding place.  He was just lowering himself from the window by which he had entered when, from almost below him, there was a loud scream.

Glancing down, Hal beheld the pale face of the woman who had given them food only a short time before.  Fearing that the Emperor and his officers might be attracted by her screams, Hal dropped quickly to the ground, and an instant later had his hand clapped over the woman’s mouth.

“Quiet!” he commanded in a harsh voice.  “If you make no noise you shall not be harmed.  Otherwise—­” he paused significantly.

The woman shuddered once or twice, but she uttered no further sound.

“Go into the house,” Hal commanded, and followed her.

“I guess I had better tie you up for safe keeping,” the lad muttered to himself.  “I can’t afford to be interfered with now.”

He found a piece of rope, and, making a gag out of a napkin, gagged and bound her securely.  Then he placed her gently in a chair.

“You will have to sit there until someone comes along to free you,” he told her.  “I hope it won’t be long, for your sake, but I can’t afford to take any chances with you.”

He left the house; and as he turned his eyes toward the spot where he had so lately left his friends, his heart sank.

Chester, Lieutenant Anderson and the three troopers were running toward him as fast as their legs would carry them, closely pursued by a band of mounted Germans.  Even at this distance Hal could make out the forms of Count Von Moltke, and, yes, Emperor Wilhelm himself!

With the high German officers came a little troop of mounted soldiers, evidently, Hal thought, an escort, that had been left some distance behind while the Emperor and his officers discussed their plans in the farmhouse.  In all, there were twelve horsemen dashing after the fugitives.