*CHAPTER V*
*AN ENEMY PLOT BARED*
Hal and Stubbs were on their feet immediately. Both hurried to Chester'sside. Seeing these reinforcements, the friend of the first Germanofficer, who had advanced apparently to aid his companion, stepped back.So did the man who had gripped the girl's wrist.
For a moment the latter glared angrily at Chester. Then his hand droppedto his holster. But before he could draw a weapon, Chester whipped outhis own automatic and covered him.
"None of that," the lad said angrily.
Realizing that he had been caught in a position, not to his credit, thefirst German sought to temporize.
"I'm sorry if I was a bit hasty," he apologized to the German girl andher mother. "The truth is, I have had little rest lately, my nerves arebad and I am easily disturbed. I apologize."
The girl accepted the apology with a slight inclination of her head.Her mother said nothing.
The German turned to Chester.
"You struck me, sir," he said, "and under different conditions I woulddemand satisfaction. But in this case, you acted very properly. Iwould have done the same in your place."
He bowed to Chester, who lowered his revolver and slowly returned it toits holster.
This was the moment for which the treacherous German had been waiting.Suddenly he whipped out his own revolver.
But Hal, too, had been on the alert. A peculiar look in the German'seye had warned the lad that the man was bent on mischief. Therefore,Hal's revolver flashed forth a second sooner than that of Chester'senemy.
"Drop that!" called Hal sharply.
The German obeyed. There was nothing else for him to do. His headdropped, and a guilty flush crept over his face. Hal stepped forwardand picked up the man's revolver, which he stowed safely in his ownpocket.
"I thought you betrayed your true characteristics when you insultedthese ladies," said Hal. "I am sure of it now. I shall make it mybusiness to see that this matter is reported to the proper authorities.You may go now."
Without a word, and followed by his companion, the German turned andstrode toward the door. As he would have passed out, he stoppedsuddenly and brought his heels together and saluted sharply. Hiscompanion did likewise.
A moment later a figure in the uniform of a German general of infantrystepped into the room. He halted just inside the door, as he took inthe situation about him. The others still stood as they had whenChester's opponent had left them, and the general realized instantlythat something was amiss. Hal and Chester saluted as the general strodeacross the room without so much as a glance at them, and addressed themother.
"What is the matter?" he asked.
It was the girl again who replied.
"That man insulted me, father," she said, indicating Chester's erstwhilefoe, and in a few brief words she told how Chester had come to herassistance.
The general saluted Chester, then Hal in turn.
"I will talk with you later, sirs," he said. "Right now I have otherbusiness."
He strode across the room to where the young German officers stood,awaiting permission to take their departure. Straight the general wentto the man who had accosted his daughter, stopped close to him, raisedhis right arm and brought his open palm stingingly across the other'sface.
"Let that teach you," he said, "that a German officer does not insultwomen of his own race."
The German captain staggered back, but said nothing.
"You may go now," said the general. "You will hear more from me later."
The young officers left the room hurriedly.
General Knoff, for as such the general now introduced himself to Hal,Chester and Stubbs, addressed Chester quietly.
"You have befriended my wife and my daughter," he said. "I thank you,sir."
Chester saluted again, but made no reply.
"It is my wish that you all join us at breakfast," continued thegeneral.
"We should be pleased, your excellency," said Chester politely, "savefor the fact that we have just breakfasted."
"Then you shall at least have another cup of coffee with us," saidGeneral Knoff.
Chester bowed his assent, for he realized there was nothing else to do.A mere German captain did not refuse an invitation from a general--notunder the iron discipline that still ruled in the armies of the kaiser.
Accordingly, the three friends seated themselves at the table with theothers. Coffee was soon before them, and Chester presently foundhimself in animated conversation with the general's daughter, Kathryn.Stubbs conversed mostly to Frau Knoff, while the general kept Halengaged.
For some time they talked on general topics, touching only briefly onthe war. But as always with soldiers, the conversation at last turnedinto that channel.
Suddenly Hal's heart gave a quick thump. Here, the lad told himself,was an opportunity that was not to be overlooked. Undoubtedly, if hewould, General Knoff could verify or set at naught the rumor thatAustria had, or was about to, sue for peace. Hal drew a long breath,then said:
"I understand, your excellency, that our enemies are regaling themselveswith a report that Austria is about to desert the emperor and sue forpeace."
General Knoff set his cup down abruptly, and gazed closely at Hal.
"And do you believe that?" he asked at last.
Hal shook his head and smiled slightly.
"Why should Austria desert?" he asked. "We have the advantage at thismoment, in spite of the fact that we have suffered some reverses lately.No; if the war were to end now, Germany is victorious."
"Good!" said General Knoff. "I like that talk, for it is becoming rarethese days. These light reverses you speak of seem to have affectedothers more strongly--to have shaken their confidence. However, it iswell that our foes think the slight difference of opinion between hismajesty and the emperor of Austria may result in a complete breach; yes,it is well."
"You mean, your excellency," said Hal, taking another long chance, "thatsuch rumors have been circulated intentionally--that the enemy may betaken off their guard?"
General Knoff glanced around cautiously. He waited a moment, then said:
"You will understand, of course, that it is impossible for me to answeryes to your question; at the same time, I cannot deny it."
"I understand, your excellency," replied Hal, "and you may be sure thatI shall say nothing of what I know."
"You know nothing!" said the general sharply.
"Very well, your excellency," said Hal quietly. "I know nothing."
General Knoff turned the conversation into other channels. Directly heasked the name and position of Hal's and Chester's regiments.Fortunately, both lads had posted themselves in advance and theiranswers did not rouse the general's suspicions.
At last breakfast came to an end. The three friends made their adieusto their new friends, and retired at once to Stubbs' room.
"Well," said that worthy, when they were settled comfortably and secureagainst intrusion, "we've learned something, Hal. But I'll tell you,you took my breath away when you began to pump the general."
"And mine, agreed Chester.
"Well, it looked like the best way to me," declared Hal. "I figured itwasn't wise to pass up an opportunity like that."
"It worked, anyway," said Stubbs. "But the general must have been in aparticularly good humor. Otherwise such a question might have meantprison, at least, for all of us."
"As it chanced," said Hal, "the general was in a particularly goodhumor. Chester had just put him there; and by the way, Chester, it'sall right to be gallant and all that, but it strikes me you should haveused a little more discretion."
"I didn't hurt anything," Chester grumbled. "On the contrary, if Ihadn't interfered as I did we wouldn't know what we do now."
"That's true enough," Stubbs admitted. "But I stand with Hal. It's notwise to rush to the aid of every fair damsel in distress, especiallywhen you're masquerading in
the uniform of the enemy. It might bring afiring squad, and I have no particular fondness for firing squads."
"All the same," said Chester, "you couldn't stand by and see a boor of aDutchman pick on a couple of helpless women."
"Careful on that Dutchman stuff, Chester," Stubbs cautioned. "Rememberthe Hollander has no more use for a German than you have."
"Well, all right," returned Chester sulkily, "but Hal always startspicking on me if I look at a girl."
"It's no time to be looking at girls when you are on business," declaredHal grimly. "You're altogether too susceptible to the charms of thefairer sex, Chester."
"Rats!" said Chester. "You make me tired, both of you."
"Well, we'll pass all that up," said Anthony Stubbs. "The question toconsider now is whether we shall take the general's statement assufficient to brand the Austrian peace rumor as a German plot."
"It's enough for me," declared Hal.
"Same here," agreed Chester.
"I'm perfectly satisfied myself," said Stubbs. "I am afraid the NewYork Gazette will lose a good story as a result, but I can't help that.I'm not going to yell peace when there is no peace. Now the thing todo, to my mind, is to get back to our own lines."
"Right," said Hal briefly. "We'll make the attempt to-night, if you areboth agreeable."
The others nodded their agreement. Hal told Stubbs of the hiddenairplane, and it was decided to make the return trip in that craft ifthe Germans had not discovered it.
"In the meantime," said Stubbs, "we'll just stick close to this room;it's safer."
And so they spent the day in the quiet little hotel of historic Sedan.