The Boy Allies in Great Peril | Page 3

for his revolver, which he always carried
in his coat pocket. But the other was too quick for him. He leaped
suddenly forward and Chester's arm was seized in a vise-like grip.
In vain the lad struggled to free himself. He could not move the
powerful fingers that gripped him. He kicked out with his right foot and
this effort was rewarded by a cry of pain from his opponent.
"Kick me on the shins, will you?" cried the latter in German.
His free hand found the revolver in his pocket and it flashed in the

sunlight once more. He attempted to reverse the weapon and seize it by
the barrel, and as he did so he unconsciously loosened his grip upon
Chester's arm.
The latter swung himself about suddenly and with a sweep of his arm
sent the man's revolver clattering to the ground. The other uttered an
exclamation of rage, and stepped back.
Chester again reached for his own revolver, but once more the other
was too quick for him. He came forward with a jump, and his right fist
shot out. Chester ducked this blow, but he was unprepared for the
left-handed blow that followed.
As he came up after ducking the first blow, the second caught him
squarely upon the point of the chin, and he toppled over. It was a clean
knockout.
"I guess that will settle you," said the victor, as he surveyed the
prostrate forms of his two enemies. "I guess that will teach you not to
interfere in other people's business. Hello, one of them is moving."
He gazed curiously at Hal, who at that moment opened his eyes. The
man stood undecided a moment. Then he took a step toward the boy,
but stopped again.
"No," he muttered. "What's the use? Let him be."
He swung upon his heel and made his way down the street. A moment
later he was lost to sight around a corner.

CHAPTER II.
THE TWO FRIENDS.
While Hal and Chester are still upon the ground and consciousness is
gradually returning, it will be well to introduce a few words concerning
them, that those who have not made their acquaintance before may

learn just what sort of boys our heroes are.
Hal Paine and Chester Crawford were typical American boys. With the
former's mother, they had been in Berlin when the great European
conflagration broke out and had been stranded there. Mrs. Paine had
been able to get out of the country, but Hal and Chester were left
behind.
In company with Major Raoul Derevaux, a Frenchman, and Captain
Harry Anderson, an Englishman, they finally made their way into
Belgium, where they arrived in time to take part in the heroic defense
of Liége in the early stages of the war. Here they rendered such
invaluable service to the Belgian commander that they were
commissioned lieutenants in the little army of King Albert.
Both in fighting and in scouting they had proven their worth. Following
the first Belgian campaign, the two lads had seen service with the
British troops on the continent, where they were attached to the staff of
General Sir John French, in command of the English forces. Also they
had won the respect and admiration of General Joffre, the French
commander-in-chief.
As related in the third book of this series, "The Boy Allies with the
Cossacks," Hal and Chester had seen active service under the Russian
Bear in the eastern theater of war. They fought in the midst of the
Russian forces and were among the troop of 60,000 that made the first
wild dash over the Carpathians to the plains of Hungary.
Returning to the western war area with despatches from the Grand
Duke Nicholas to the French commander-in-chief, they had again taken
up their duties with the British army. As related in "The Boy Allies in
the Trenches," they had been instrumental in defeating more than one
German coup, and it was through them, also, that a plot to assassinate
President Poincaré had failed.
Both lads were about the same age. Large and strong, they were
proficient in the use of their fists and of the art of swordsmanship, and
were entirely familiar with firearms. Another thing that stood them in

good stead was the fact that both spoke French and German fluently.
Also, each had a smattering of Italian.
Following their coup in saving the French president from the hands of
traitorous Apaches in Paris, Hal and Chester had come to Rome with
their mothers, whom they had found in Paris, and Chester's uncle. They
had not come without protest, for both had been eager to get back to the
firing line, but their mothers' entreaties had finally prevailed. As
Chester's Uncle John had said, "This is none of our war. Your