“We’ve gained a bit, Stubbs,” said Hal.

“Well, what’s the use of waiting here then?” demanded the war correspondent.  “Let’s gain a bit more.”

“Hold on!” exclaimed Hal, as Stubbs would have taken to his heels again.  “We can’t run clear through the German camp like this, you know.  We’re bound to be caught if we try it.  It must be strategy rather than fleetness of foot if we hope to get out of this situation safely.”

“All right,” Stubbs agreed.  “Whatever you say suits me.  But if it is strategy that is going to get us out of this, tell me some strategy real quick.”

Hal considered a moment.  Every second the pursuing footsteps were coming closer.  Stubbs squirmed about uneasily.

“Say,” he said at last; “hear those fellows coming?  I’m going to get away from here.”

Again he took to his heels; and there was nothing for Hal to do but follow, for he did not wish to lose sight of the little man.  Besides, in that moment’s pause, Hal had decided upon a plan that he believed had a fair chance of success.

For perhaps five minutes more they ran on, Hal fearful at every moment that German soldiers would pour from their tents and interrupt their flight.  Fortunately, this did not happen, however.

Hal, fleet of foot as he was, was hard pressed to catch up with Stubbs, who had gained a slight lead and was covering the ground with rapid strides.  But at last the lad overtook him and laid a hand on his shoulder.

“Slow down, there,” he commanded.  “First thing you know you’ll have the whole camp after us.  Those shoes of yours must be at least number elevens.  They shake the whole earth when you run.”

“Well, they have come in pretty handy to-night,” said Stubbs.  “What are you stopping here for?”

“Because I don’t want to arouse every German in the camp.  I’ll tell you about that strategy now.”

“Well, let’s hear it real quick,” said Stubbs, impatiently.  “I want to get away from here.”

“So do I,” said Hal, “but I want to get away all in one piece.  Here’s my plan:  We can’t hope to get away by running.  Sooner or later, before we are clear of the German lines, we are certain to bump into some one.  That would settle it.  We’ll go ahead a little more, then we’ll enter one of these tents, tap the occupants on the head with our revolver butts and crawl into their cots.  Then when our pursuers have gone by we’ll go back.”

“By Jove!” said Stubbs, “that’s not half bad.  Wonder why I can’t think of things like that?”

“Because you’re too busy running,” returned Hal.

The first of the pursuers came into sight at that moment and uttered a cry.  This told the others following that the prey had been sighted and they dashed forward.

“Come as fast as you can, Stubbs,” shouted Hal.  “We’ve got to get out of sight.”

In the distance Hal saw a solitary figure standing before a tent.  He knew that this figure had seen him and decided that the man must be disposed of before he could give the alarm, Therefore, he headed straight for him.