The Boy Allies at Liege | Page 6

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?"
The lieutenant was taken aback.
"Why, I know no reason," he said, "except that your presence in our company, if ill fortune should befall us, would probably mean your arrest as enemies of Germany. You might even be convicted as spies, and shot."
"We are willing to take any chances necessary to get us to Brussels and put an end to mother's worries," declared Hal stoutly. "Aren't we, Chester?"
"You bet we are," replied Chester.
The lieutenant turned to Captain Derevaux. "What do you say?" he asked.
The captain shook his head.
"It's a bad business," he replied slowly. "If we are caught it will go hard with our young friends, I am afraid. Of course, I am willing to do anything in my power to aid them, but this--this, I fear, is impossible."
"Don't say no," implored Hal. "Just think how mother must be worrying. Why, we would go through anything to save her pain. Besides, you don't expect to be captured, do you?"
The captain shook his head.
"You have a good plan of escape, I am sure, or you would not tackle it. Isn't that so?" continued Hal.
The captain admitted it.
"Would our presence make it more dangerous for you?"
"No."
"Then, I ask you again, if you won't allow us to go with you, sharing whatever dangers may arise. Besides," and Hal smiled, "you know that four are sometimes better than two."
The captain reflected.
"You are right," he said at length. "If Anderson is agreeable, I shall be glad of your company; yes, and your aid," he added, after a pause.
"I agree with the boys," said the lieutenant. "Four are sometimes better than two, and in an adventure, such as this promises to be, four are always better than two. I say, let them come with us, by all means."
And so it was decided. A meeting-place was arranged for eight o'clock that night, and, with this parting injunction, the officers left:
"Say nothing to anyone. Do not talk, even between yourselves, and, if you can, buy a revolver apiece," for the purchase of which the lieutenant tendered Hal a bill.

CHAPTER III.
TOWARD THE FRONTIER.
It was a long afternoon for Hal and Chester, and they waited impatiently for the time when they were to meet the two young men who were to be their companions on the journey.
After several futile attempts the lads finally gave up their attempt to buy revolvers, as it caused too many questions, and, in spite of their eagerness to get away, it was with no little anxiety that they made their way to the rendezvous that night.
Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson were waiting when the lads arrived.
"I am glad you are prompt," said the former. "We must hurry. Even now we may be followed," and he glanced about furtively.
"Which way do we go?" asked Hal, of the young Englishman, as the four moved along the street.
"North," was the reply. "We are heading for Kolberg, on the Baltic Sea. From there we will try to get across into Denmark. The thing to do is to get out of Germany at the earliest possible moment, and, with good luck in getting a boat of some kind at Kolberg, that is the quickest route."
"Won't we have trouble getting a boat?"
"I am afraid we shall; but we must leave something to chance."
"Well, I guess we won't be any worse off in Kolberg than in Berlin," said Hal. "How do you figure to get there?"
"Automobile! We have arranged for a car to pick us up on the northern outskirts of the city, just inside the line."
"Won't the place be guarded?"
"Of course; but, by a little ingenuity and a bold dash, we should be able to get through. If not--"
The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders expressively.
"Well," said Hal, "I won't object to a little excitement."
"Don't worry," replied the young officer; "you will have all the excitement you want, and more, too, or I miss my guess."
They continued their walk in silence.
Beyond getting into Denmark, the young officers had formulated no plan. But, once out of Germany, the rest would be easy. A ship to England, and from there into France for the young Frenchman, and the two American boys would telegraph to their mother, or continue their journey alone. Lieutenant Anderson was