“Well, you can’t tell,” said Hal.  “We may be able to give them the slip.  However, I would be opposed to any plan that did not have a good chance of success.  For, if we failed, I am sure they would shoot us without compunction.”

“There is no doubt of that,” said Chester.  “Von Kluck would do it anyhow, if he didn’t fear the heavy hand of the Kaiser.  By the way, what do you think of the Kaiser, anyhow?”

“Well,” said Hal slowly, “I believe, in the first place, that he takes himself too seriously.  I believe that he considers himself the chosen instrument of Heaven to put down the Slavs, to say nothing of the French and English.  He has the mistaken idea that he is a man of destiny.”

“Yes,” agreed Chester, “there is no doubt that he thinks he is right and the whole world wrong.”

Further talk was interrupted by the return of the German officer.

“You are to remain here for the next few days,” he informed them.  “As the emperor has interested himself in your behalf, General Von Kluck is awaiting further word from him as to what to do with you.  Right now the emperor will not talk.  He is busy with his maps and papers, and, when he is busy, no one dare disturb him.”

“And what do you suppose will be done with us eventually?” asked Chester.

“Why,” was the reply, “I suppose you will be treated as all other prisoners of war.  You probably will be sent to Berlin.”

“Back to Berlin!” exclaimed Chester in deep disgust.

“Back to Berlin!” repeated Hal, and he punctured his exclamation with a long whistle.  “Great Scott!”

CHAPTER XXX.

A new friend.

It was indeed a sad word to the ears of the two young American lads.  As Hal said, they had had trouble enough getting out of Berlin at the outbreak of the war, and had almost been forced back to the German capital once before.  To be prisoners of war in Berlin certainly would be an inglorious finish to their military careers.

“I would rather go to any one other spot on the map,” Chester told his chum.  “Berlin!  Can you imagine being cooped up there and never even knowing what is going on?”

“It would be tough,” Hal agreed.  “And, once there, I am afraid we would have to stay until after the war.  I don’t imagine there is much danger of anyone escaping from that place now.”

“Nor I,” said Chester.  “If we hope to get away, we shall have to do it before we get to Berlin.”

But it seemed that the lads, if they had any hopes of escape, were doomed to disappointment.  They were carefully guarded, and, while they were made comfortable, there was never a moment that they were not beneath some watchful eye.

Several times they were allowed to leave their canvas prison and stroll about outside, but on each of these excursions the German officer in whose custody they had been placed accompanied them; and finally from General Von Kluck came the order for them to be sent to Berlin.