Less than fifty feet from the nearest soldiers, and a scant two hundred yards from where Hal could make out a large body of Greek troops, the car suddenly leaped ahead and Hal threw the gear into high.

All save Hal ducked instinctively.

The Bulgarians, taken completely by surprise, stood stock still for a moment and then the cry of in officer rang out: 

“Fire!”

Instantly fifty rifles were leveled at the automobile, now fast eating up the short distance to the Greek frontier, and a score of bullets struck the car in the rear.

Bullets flew all about Hal’s head and he felt a stinging sensation in his left shoulder.  There came a second volley and then the car flashed among the body of Greek troops.

Quickly Hal brought the car to a stop.  Heads bobbed up from the back of the car and it was Anthony Stubbs who breathed the relief that all felt.

“Safe at last!” he cried.

Now all alighted from the car, the Bulgarian officer, Hal’s prisoner, with them.

Greek troops approached.

Hal spoke hurriedly to the Bulgarian.

“Quick now!” he cried.  “If you make a dash you can get back over the border before these fellows can stop you.”

The Bulgarian wasted no time in talk.  He took to his heels and made record time for his own country, which he reached in safety, in spite of a volley fired by the Greek troops.

A Greek officer now came hurriedly up to Hal.

“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded harshly.  “Do you not know that this is a neutral country?”

“And we thank Heaven for that,” said Stubbs fervently.  “We have had a hard enough time getting here.”

“I shall have to turn you over to my superior,” said the officer.  “He will dispose of your cases.  In the meantime, you may consider yourselves under arrest.”

Neither Hal nor Chester paid much attention to what the Greek officer was saying.  They were too busily engaged watching the antics of their erstwhile prisoner, who, now safe on his own side of the line, was shaking his fist in their direction and making other fierce gestures.

Now Hal turned to the Greek officer.

“Will you accompany us back close to the line,” he said, “that we may hear what yonder little fellow is talking about?  He seems to be greatly put out about something.”

“First tell me what you are doing here?” was the command.

Hal explained as rapidly as possible and then repeated his request that they be allowed to go back toward the border a few moments.

At last the officer gave his permission.

Chester, Hal, Colonel Anderson, Ivan and Nikol, each grinning, moved back toward the border.  Stubbs hung back, and seeing this, Hal called: 

“Come along, Mr. Stubbs.  Here is one time you may look at an enemy with impunity.”

Stubbs followed.

The Bulgarian officer was still angrily waving hit arms about when they neared him.