CHAPTER XXIII

THE AIRSHIP RAID

Surprise on the part of Blake and his chums, as well as on the part of Secor and Labenstein, was so complete that it would be hard to say who felt the sensation most.  The moving picture boys, after danger and difficulties, had found the stolen army films and those they believed had taken them.  They were about to make a dash and get not only the precious boxes, but also, if possible, capture the two plotters, when, like a bolt from a clear sky, they were themselves called upon to surrender.

“Come on!” yelled Charlie, as he understood the import of the summons to surrender.  “We can make a fight for it!”

“Don’t try it!” advised Blake.  By the light of lanterns carried by the raiding party of Germans he had seen that they were numerous and well armed.  It would have been the height of folly to resist, especially as the boys were non-combatants and not entitled to the honors of war.

“Hands up—­and search them!” commanded the German officer of the raiding party, as he pointed to Blake and his two chums.  He spoke in German and then lapsed into English, which he spoke very well, saying: 

“It will be best for you Americans to give in quietly.  Hands up!” And the order was stern.

The boys had no choice but to obey, and their weapons were quickly taken from them.

“I will allow you to keep your gas masks for the present,” the German captain said, “as you may need them, as we ourselves may, before we get back to our lines.”

“Then we are going back with you?” asked Joe.

“Of a certainty—­yes!  Did you think I would leave you here to go back to your own?  Indeed not!  Now, then, ready—­march—­all of you!” and he nodded at Secor and Labenstein.

Blake and his two friends noticed that no hostility seemed directed toward the two conspirators, who, however, appeared as much surprised at the advent of the raiding party as were the boys.  It was evident, though, that some understanding existed between the German captain and Labenstein, for they talked in low voices while Secor stood a little apart.  The gaze of the Frenchman rested on the boys in what Blake said later seemed a peculiar manner.

“Well, up to your old spying tricks, I see!” exclaimed Joe, with a sneer he could not forego.  “Have you summoned any submarines lately?”

A strange look passed over the face of the Frenchman, but he did not reply.  Labenstein, who had finished his talk with the German captain of the raiding squad, turned to the boys, and a tantalizing smile spread over his face as he said: 

“Ah, we meet again, I see!”

“And you don’t seem to have found much use for my flashlight,” said Blake.  “I hope it still works!”

The German muttered an exclamation of anger, and turned aside to pick up the boxes of films.  This was too much for Charles Anderson, who sprang forward, crying: