CHAPTER XIII
THE RETURN
It was half-past seven when the jailer entered the cell in which thefour friends were imprisoned. He carried a large tray, on which wasloaded 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 hedid not strike.
"Here, jailer," he said; "you've dropped your keys."
The jailer looked around. Hal hoped he would spring forward, that hemight 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 onthe jailer's head. The man dropped to the floor and lay still. Halthrew the keys down beside him.
"Hope I didn't hurt him too much," he muttered. He turned to theothers. "Now," he said, "shall we eat of this food or shall we leaveat once?"
"Let's get out of here," said Stubbs. "We can eat any time. Somethingmay turn up to defeat our plan."
But nothing did.
Hal led the way from the cell and along a long corridor. At the endwere steps, which the friends mounted quietly. At the top they foundit necessary to pass through what appeared to be the office of thesuperintendent, or whoever was in charge. Inside a man sat at a desk.
Hal hesitated a moment. He knew there was little prospect of allpassing through without attracting the man's attention, and he had nomeans of knowing whether this man was a party to the plot or not.
However, the lad moved forward again, and the others followed withoutquestion.
The man at the desk shifted his position, and Hal stepped quicklytoward 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 dooron the far side of the room. Through this all passed safely, and Halstood before a door he felt sure led to the street. The door openedeasily, and Hal, Chester, McKenzie and Stubbs passed out into thedarkness.
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 toeat," said McKenzie. "He seems to be a right resourceful sort of acustomer."
Hal found Herr Block's quarters without difficulty. It appeared thatHerr Block had anticipated that they would be hungry, for he had atempting repast already spread when they arrived. To this the fourfriends did full justice, for they were, indeed, hungry.
"Now," said Herr Block when they had finished, "if you will tell mewhat success you had on your mission and how you managed I willappreciate 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; butI am greatly interested in your adventures."
Hal was nothing loath, and recounted the manner in which he andMcKenzie had secured the list of coveted names.
"Now, Chester," he said when he had concluded, "it's your turn. Youhaven't told us yet how you left the house and how you chanced to bediscovered."
"My adventures don't amount to much," replied Chester. "I left theball 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 myhand, and told me what had happened, and that I must fly. Icommandeered the Schweiring automobile, and took to the road. I don'tknow how the Germans got wind of my departure, but soon after I leftthe city I knew I was being followed.
"There was nothing I could do but try and outrun my pursuers, whoeverthey were. It soon became apparent, however, that this was impossible,because the pursuing machine was too high-powered. Nevertheless, Idetermined to go as far as possible and leave something to chance.
"My pursuers fired at me several times, but they didn't hit anything sofar as I could discover. All of a sudden, however, my engine wentdead. I yanked out my automatic, determined to give battle. I fired ata man who alighted from the pursuing car when it stopped, but I musthave missed him. Before I could fire again a bullet hit me, and that'sall I remember until I woke and learned that Hal, McKenzie and Stubbshad saved me."
"Well, you have all had an exciting time," declared Herr Block. "Iwish that I could have been with you. However, this war is not overyet, and, personally, I do not believe that Holland will maintain herneutrality to the end. In that case, I still may have opportunity oflending a hand."
"You have already lent a hand," declared Hal, "and you must know thatwhen you lend a hand to the Allies you are also helping your owncountry, and, ultimately, the cause of the whole world."
"I believe that to be true," replied Herr Block quietly; "otherwise, Iwould 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 nationin the whole world is safe?"
"True," said McKenzie. "It's too bad the world could not have realizedthat 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 tobe 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 andsoon, Hal knew, they would once more be within their own lines.
It was half-past four o'clock in the morning when Herr Block stoppedthe 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'lllook to the right there you will see the lights of a little town. Ishall be able to get a conveyance there for my homeward journey. Ibrought 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 tohave been of assistance to you. I trust that we shall see more of eachother at some future time."
"Thanks," said Hal, gripping the other's hands. "If it hadn't been foryou our mission would have failed. We shall never forget it."
Herr Block shook hands with the others, and then disappeared in thedarkness.
"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 giventhem by Herr Block.
Dawn had streaked the eastern sky when the four friends made out thedistant British lines. Chester gave a cheer, which was echoed by theothers.
"At the journey's end," said Hal quietly.
As the automobile approached the British line, an officer, with severalmen, advanced with a command "Halt." Hal obeyed, and leaped lightlyfrom the car.
He identified himself to the satisfaction of the British officer, andHal swung the car sharply south, heading for the distant Americansector of the battle front.
They were forced to go more slowly now, as the ground came to life withsoldiers, so it was almost noon when they came in sight of that sectionof the field where the American troops were quartered.
Leaving McKenzie and Stubbs in the car, Hal and Chester made their wayto the headquarters of General Pershing. They were admittedimmediately.
"Back so soon?" exclaimed General Pershing, getting to his feet. "Iwas afraid--"
From his poc
ket 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 willboth kindly make me written reports of your mission."
He signified that the interview was at an end. Hal and Chestersaluted, and left their commander's quarters.