THE RETURN
It was half-past seven when the jailer entered the cell in which the
four friends were imprisoned. He carried a large tray, on which was
loaded food. As he entered the cell, he dropped his heavy key ring.
Hal pounced upon it.
The man's back was toward him. The lad raised the heavy ring, but he
did not strike.
"Here, jailer," he said; "you've dropped your keys."
The jailer looked around. Hal hoped he would spring forward, that he
might have an excuse for striking, but the man only said simply:
"You know what to do with them."
He turned his back again. For a moment Hal hesitated.
"Well," he said finally, "if it has to be done, the sooner the better."
He raised the heavy bunch of keys aloft again, and brought it down on
the jailer's head. The man dropped to the floor and lay still. Hal
threw the keys down beside him.
"Hope I didn't hurt him too much," he muttered. He turned to the
others. "Now," he said, "shall we eat of this food or shall we leave
at once?"
"Let's get out of here," said Stubbs. "We can eat any time. Something
may turn up to defeat our plan."
But nothing did.
Hal led the way from the cell and along a long corridor. At the end
were steps, which the friends mounted quietly. At the top they found
it necessary to pass through what appeared to be the office of the
superintendent, or whoever was in charge. Inside a man sat at a desk.
Hal hesitated a moment. He knew there was little prospect of all
passing through without attracting the man's attention, and he had no
means of knowing whether this man was a party to the plot or not.
However, the lad moved forward again, and the others followed without
question.
The man at the desk shifted his position, and Hal stepped quickly
toward him, his fist ready to strike. He caught low words:
"Hurry up and get out of here."
The lad's hand dropped to his side, and he made haste toward the door
on the far side of the room. Through this all passed safely, and Hal
stood before a door he felt sure led to the street. The door opened
easily, and Hal, Chester, McKenzie and Stubbs passed out into the
darkness.
Stubbs heaved a sigh of pure relief.
"Well, we did do it," he muttered. "I didn't believe it possible.
Wish I had some of that grub now."
"Wouldn't be surprised if Herr Block could rustle us up something to
eat," said McKenzie. "He seems to be a right resourceful sort of a
customer."
Hal found Herr Block's quarters without difficulty. It appeared that
Herr Block had anticipated that they would be hungry, for he had a
tempting repast already spread when they arrived. To this the four
friends did full justice, for they were, indeed, hungry.
"Now," said Herr Block when they had finished, "if you will tell me
what success you had on your mission and how you managed I will
appreciate it. After that, I will see you safely into your own lines.
I have a large automobile waiting, and you may depart at any time; but
I am greatly interested in your adventures."
Hal was nothing loath, and recounted the manner in which he and
McKenzie had secured the list of coveted names.
"Now, Chester," he said when he had concluded, "it's your turn. You
haven't told us yet how you left the house and how you chanced to be
discovered."
"My adventures don't amount to much," replied Chester. "I left the
ball with Mrs. Schweiring. We were somewhat alarmed at Gladys'
disappearance, but there was nothing we could do but wait."
When Gladys came rushing into the room, she thrust the list into my
hand, and told me what had happened, and that I must fly. I
commandeered the Schweiring automobile, and took to the road. I don't
know how the Germans got wind of my departure, but soon after I left
the city I knew I was being followed.
"There was nothing I could do but try and outrun my pursuers, whoever
they were. It soon became apparent, however, that this was impossible,
because the pursuing machine was too high-powered. Nevertheless, I
determined to go as far as possible and leave something to chance.
"My pursuers fired at me several times, but they didn't hit anything so
far as I could discover. All of a sudden, however, my engine went
dead. I yanked out my automatic, determined to give battle. I fired at
a man who alighted from the pursuing car when it stopped, but I must
have missed him. Before I could fire again a bullet hit me, and that's
all I remember until I woke and learned that Hal, McKenzie and Stubbs
had saved me."
"Well, you have all had an exciting time," declared Herr Block. "I
wish that I could have been with you. However, this war is not over
yet, and, personally, I do not believe that Holland will maintain her
neutrality to the end. In that case, I still may have opportunity of
lending a hand."
"You have already lent a hand," declared Hal, "and you must know that
when you lend a hand to the Allies you are also helping your own
country, and, ultimately, the cause of the whole world."
"I believe that to be true," replied Herr Block quietly; "otherwise, I
would not have raised a hand to help you. Germany must be crushed.
There is no room for doubt on that score. If Germany wins, what nation
in the whole world is safe?"
"True," said McKenzie. "It's too bad the world could not have realized
that a long time ago. The war might have been over by this time."
"As it is," Herr Block agreed, "the war will not be over for years.
But come, I am keeping you here idle when I know you are all anxious to
be about your work."
He led the way to the street, where a large touring car awaited them.
"I'll drive you as far as the border myself," said the Dutchman.
The four friends climbed in, and the car dashed away in the darkness.
For perhaps four or five hours they rode along at a fair speed and
soon, Hal knew, they would once more be within their own lines.
It was half-past four o'clock in the morning when Herr Block stopped
the car and said:
"I'll leave you here. You must make the rest of the trip alone."
"Great Scott! You can't get out here in the middle of the wilderness,"
said Hal.
"Don't worry," laughed Herr Block. "I haven't far to go. If you'll
look to the right there you will see the lights of a little town. I
shall be able to get a conveyance there for my homeward journey. I
brought you this way because it will save time and trouble."
He stepped from the car, then reached back and extended a hand to Hal,
who had taken his place at the wheel.
"I'm awfully glad to have met you," he said quietly, "and I am glad to
have been of assistance to you. I trust that we shall see more of each
other at some future time."
"Thanks," said Hal, gripping the other's hands. "If it hadn't been for
you our mission would have failed. We shall never forget it."
Herr Block shook hands with the others, and then disappeared in the
darkness.
"A fine fellow," said Hal, as he sent the car forward.
"You bet," Chester agreed. "I hope we shall see him again."
Stubbs and McKenzie also had words of praise for the assistance given
them by Herr Block.
Dawn had streaked the eastern sky when the four friends made out the
distant British lines. Chester gave a cheer, which was echoed by the
others.
"At the journey's end," said Hal quietly.
As the automobile approached the British line, an officer, with several
men, advanced with a command "Halt." Hal obeyed, and leaped lightly
from the car.
He identified himself to the satisfaction of the British officer, and
Hal swung the car sharply south, heading for the distant American
sector of the battle front.
They were forced to go more slowly now, as the ground came to life with
soldiers, so it was almost noon when they came in sight of that section
of the field where the American troops were quartered.
Leaving McKenzie and Stubbs in the car, Hal and Chester made their way
to the headquarters of General Pershing. They were admitted
immediately.
"Back so soon?" exclaimed General Pershing, getting to his feet. "I
was afraid--"
From his pocket Hal produced the list of German spies in America.
"Here, sir," he said quietly, "is the list."
General Pershing snatched it away from him and scanned it hastily.
Then, turning to the lads, he said very quietly:
"You have done well, sirs. Your work shall be remembered. You will
both kindly make me written reports of your mission."
He signified that the interview was at an end. Hal and Chester
saluted, and left their commander's quarters.