CHAPTER XII
SAFE AT LAST
McKenzie's arms went up again--not shoulder high--just to hiships. For McKenzie, in his early days, had been reckoned in theCanadian northwest as the most deadly shot in the country. He firedfrom his hips and aimed by instinct and not by sight.
Each automatic flashed once and two more of the foe fell to theground. McKenzie staggered a bit as a German bullet plowed into hisshoulder. Then his revolvers spoke again.
As he fought, the Canadian gave ground slowly. He seemed to bear acharmed life. Two other bullets struck him--one in the arm and theother in the thigh, but no one reached a vital spot.
Hal, Chester and Stubbs, in the meantime, had reached and crossed theDutch border. There they were immediately taken in charge by order of'the Dutch officer in command. Hal addressed the officer quickly.
"Can't you do something for my friend?" he demanded, pointing to whereMcKenzie was still battling against heavy odds.
The Dutch, officer shook his head.
"I would if I could," he said, his face flushed.
"He is a brave man, and it is a pity for him to die thus. But Hollandis neutral. To interfere might embroil us."
"But if I can show you how?" asked Hal eagerly.
"If you can show me how, yes!" exclaimed the Dutchman. "Talk quickly."
"We carry Dutch passports," said Hal quietly. "That should suffice.However, cannot you send your men forward under the pretext that theDutch border at this point extends an additional one hundred yards?That will be enough."
"But--"
"Oh, I know it doesn't, but that will be up to others than you. Itwill be the subject of diplomatic negotiations. Will you?"
For a moment the Dutch officer hesitated. Then he commanded an officerwho stood near him.
"Captain Hodden! You will move forward with your company and informthe foe that if he persists in firing on Dutch soil we shall be forcedto return it!"
The Dutch captain seemed only glad for this excuse. He dashed away,and a moment later Dutch troops advanced onto German soil.
McKenzie, meanwhile, found that he had but two shots left in hisweapons. He glanced backward, and as he did so the Dutch troopsadvanced.
"If I can reach them," the man thought.
He whirled, emptied his automatics into the face of his enemies, dashedthe now useless weapons after the bullets, and took to his heels,zigzagging as he ran.
The bullets in his body impeded his progress, but he reached theadvancing Dutch troops safety. There was a cry of anger from theGerman lines as McKenzie found shelter among the Dutch troops. TheGermans halted, and an officer advanced.
"I must ask you to deliver that man to me," he said to Captain Hodden.
"I am sorry, but what you ask is impossible," was the reply. "This isDutch territory, and you advance further at your peril."
"Dutch territory!" exclaimed the exasperated German. "You stand onGerman ground, and the man you are protecting is a spy. I demand hisreturn."
"You won't get him," was the reply, "and I am instructed to inform youthat the next German bullet that falls on Dutch ground will beconsidered a hostile act against a neutral nation. It will mean war!"
"I don't care what it means," shouted the German, now thoroughlyaroused.
"Perhaps not," said Captain Hodden, "but your superiors may. I wouldadvise you to order your men to fall back."
For a moment the German hesitated, and it appeared that he would risk abreach of neutrality to capture McKenzie. At last he turned away.
"Holland will rue this day!" he exclaimed, as he ordered his men toretire.
Captain Hodden now retreated to Dutch territory, where McKenzie wasturned over to the Dutch colonel.
"Thanks for the reinforcements," he said quietly. "They would havedone for me sure."
Hal, Chester and Stubbs crowded about and shook the Canadian by thehand. The colonel asked to see their passports, and the four friendsproduced their bogus documents.
"So you are Herr Block, eh?" he demanded, eyeing Hal closely.
Hal bowed, but did not reply.
"As it chances," said the Dutch officer sternly, "I happen to be thebrother of Herr Block, so I know you are not he. You are under arrest,sir."
"For what?" demanded Hal.
"For traveling under false passports, sir. You friends are underarrest also. You shall be sent to Amsterdam under guard. And you toldme you were Dutch subjects!"
"No I didn't," said Hal. "I told you we carried Dutch passports, and sowe do."
"It amounts to the same thing. It seems I have broken Dutch neutralityto help a batch of spies. You are all under arrest."
He summoned Captain Hodden to take charge of the four friends.
"You will be responsible for them," Colonel Block said.
The captain saluted and marched his prisoners away. They were put in atent some distance away and a guard stationed over them. They were notsearched.
"Well," said Hal, "we're out of Germany, but, it seems to be a case ofout of the frying-pan into the fire."
"They can't shoot us as spies," declared Stubbs. "Holland is not atwar and we have not been active against her."
"No, but they can take this list away from me," said Hal, "and it hasto go to Washington."
"Then we'll have to get out of here," said McKenzie.
"A nice job," declared Chester, "and two of us wounded. By the way,McKenzie, your wounds need attention. I'll call the Dutchman and haveyou fixed up."
He hailed the guard outside, who in turn passed the word for thecaptain. The latter appeared a short time later, and Chester explainedwhat he wanted. The captain moved away and fifteen minutes later aDutch physician entered the tent ad dressed McKenzie's wounds.
"Well, that feels some better," said McKenzie with a laugh, as thesurgeon departed. "I feel as good as new now."
The four were kept in the tent all night, and early the next morningwere informed that they would be taken to Amsterdam at noon. The tripwas made under heavy guard, and that evening the four friends foundthemselves secure in a military prison in the Dutch capital.
"We're safe enough here, that's certain," declared Stubbs.
"We're safe enough, if you mean we can't out," Hal agreed. "But insome way or other this list must be delivered to General Pershing."
"Show the way, and we'll do it," declared Chester.
As the friends discussed possible plans, a visitor was ushered in.This proved to be Herr Block, the man who had assisted them to get intoGermany and who only a few moments before had learned of their arrest.
"It's too bad," he said. "So near and yet so far, as you Americanssay, eh? Tell me, is there anything I can do for you.
"You might get us out of here," said Hal.
Herr Block smiled.
"Easily said, but not so easily done," he made answer. "However, Ihave no doubt it can be arranged."
"You do?" exclaimed the others. "How?"
"Well," said Herr Block, "you would be surprised if you realized theextent to which Holland's sympathies are with the Allies. Of course,it must not appear on the surface for it would mean war with Germany--andwe are not ready for war now. However, I shall see that the doorto your cell is left open tonight. When your jailer comes with yourmeal he will drop his keys. You will rap him over the head withsomething, that it may not look as though he were implicated. Thenwalk out of the jail and come to my quarters. No one will molest you."
"By Jove," said Hal. "That's simple enough."
"Your meal will be brought in half an hour," he said. "I shall bewaiting for you at eight. You know the way to my quarters?"
"You'd better give me the necessary directions," said Hal.
Herr Block did so and took his departure.
"It all sounds simple enough," said Stubbs, "but it doesn't sound goodto me."
"Don't croak, Stubbs," said Chester; "you ought to be glad to get outof here."
"Oh,
I'll be glad enough to get out, but it doesn't sound plausible."
"Truth is stranger than fiction, Stubbs," said Hal.
"It'll have to be this time to convince me," declared the warcorrespondent.
The four became silent, awaiting the arrival of the jailer.