"But my comrades?" asked Jimmie, with a slight tremble in his voice.

"Will it not be possible to let all four of us return to America?"

"I am sorry," returned the Captain, "but what you ask is impossible."

"Well, then," persisted the lad, "can't we at least let them know where I am and where I am going, so that they won't worry?"

"They are, no doubt, well acquainted with you and your abilities," went on von Liebknecht. "If your capacity for taking care of yourself is equal to your ability to make a disturbance, they should experience no uneasiness on your behalf. Besides," he added, "it is impossible to communicate with them just now. We do not know where they are."

In spite of the seriousness of his own situation, Jimmie breathed a sigh of relief, for he felt that the information given him was correct, and he interpreted the Captain's statement to mean that the three boys had succeeded in making their escape from the soldiers.

He was, nevertheless, greatly perturbed over the prospect of leaving the immediate vicinity, for he felt that his chances of escape were greatly lessened. He knew that the boys would endeavor to a.s.sist him, but, owing to the interrupted code message, he could only guess at how this would be accomplished.

The map, still spread upon the table, gave him a hint. He remembered the fact that von Liebknecht's finger had pointed at Cracow. A firm resolve formed within the boy's breast. He determined that, if his suspicion proved correct and the regiment paused at Cracow, he would make an attempt to escape there. He also decided that if it were at all possible he would advise his chums of the fact.

While Jimmie was turning over these points in his mind a buzz of whispered conversation was going on between the officers around the table. At length a decision was reached, and von Liebknecht again turned his attention to his newest recruit.

"You may go in company with this man," he said. "He and Otto Freundlich will be given charge of you, and will be required to turn you over to the proper officer upon demand. They will have orders to insist upon your presence at all times, and in order to make sure that you do not attempt to escape they will be given orders to shoot if necessary. I would advise you for your own good not to try to leave the regiment at any time."

"If we are leaving this place and my chums are not here," Jimmie replied, feeling that further argument would accomplish no alteration of the Captain's decision, "I cannot see why I should attempt to escape. You are entirely wrong in supposing that I am trying to get information to the Russians concerning your army."

"Perhaps you are right," a.s.sented von Liebknecht, not unkindly. "That is a point that we shall ascertain in our own way. For the present every circ.u.mstance is unfavorable for you, and we must be careful. You understand, do you not?" he asked with a slight smile.

"I see how you understand it," the boy said. "Of course, if you choose to look at the facts as you do, I cannot help it. I don't want to get shot, so I think I'll not try to make a getaway."

"Good!" declared the Captain, apparently greatly relieved. "That makes it easier for us. Now, I shall ask you to a.s.sist in getting your equipment ready for the journey. Everybody will be required to work hard if we leave at the time desired."

"Very good, sir," stated the boy, saluting in the approved Boy Scout fashion. "I'll help all I can."

So saying, he turned on his heel and signified to the soldier detailed as his guard that he was ready to leave the place.

"So we are to be comrades for a while at least?" inquired Jimmie pleasantly as the pair left the tent. "We might as well get acquainted before we go farther. My named is Jimmie McGraw. What is yours?"

"Mine iss Frederich von Stra.s.sheim," answered the other, apparently feeling no resentment against Jimmie for his kicks and blows delivered during the process of capture. "We shall be well acquainted."

"That's interesting," declared Jimmie. "I thought that the word 'von'

was used only for officers and persons of n.o.bility, though."

"The designation 'von,'" answered the other, proudly drawing himself erect, "is used only by those ent.i.tled to it by royal decree. My ancestors distinguished themselves and were of the house of Hohenzollern. That is why I am allowed to use it."

"Oh, so that is it?" mused Jimmie. "All right, von Stra.s.sheim, I think that I'll call you Fritz, though, if you don't object."

"Goot; call me Fritz, then!" laughed the soldier. "Great friends we shall be as I can perceive. And may I call you Jimmie?"

"Call me Jimmie, Red-head, The Wolf, Freckles--oh, anything," stated Jimmie with a laugh, in response to the other's good nature, "but," he went on, "for pity's sake don't call me late for eats."

"Mess call iss not yet," responded the other, again resuming his accustomed gravity. "We shall have plenty of time to pack our kits."

"Then let's be about it," suggested the lad. "Where shall we go to make a start, and what shall we do first, and how shall we do it?"

"One at a time--one at a time," protested Fritz. "First we shall go past the place where I found you signalling. Then we shall proceed to the stables and look after our horses."

"And then?" inquired Jimmie interestedly, feeling that any information he might get from Fritz would be useful later on.

"We shall in full marching order break camp," was the reply. "To the train of cars we will ride, and there put our horses and baggage aboard. Then we start for the west. But here is the exact spot where you were standing when I interrupted your conversation."

"Yes, this is the place," acknowledged Jimmie. "And right over there is the aeroplane of my friends. Oh, look!" the boy cried. "See, they're starting out with it! Great frozen hot boxes! Those other fellows are shooting! Good night!"

CHAPTER X

AN EAGLE'S TALONS

"What's that?" gasped Ned as the cry from beneath the airship reached his ears. "That's too close to come from the ground!"

"It must be Jack!" was Dave's startled exclamation. "He's not in the aeroplane and I can't imagine where he may be!"

"Didn't he get aboard when we started?" queried Ned.

"I thought he did," Harry responded instantly. "I was busy stowing things out of our way, though, and wasn't paying much attention."

"I missed him just a moment ago," stated Dave excitedly. "Where can he have gone? Do you suppose he is captured by the Germans?"

"I hope not," Ned replied. "Maybe he missed getting aboard and is with those fellows down there who are doing the shooting."

"Give me the gla.s.ses from that pocket beside you, Dave," requested Harry. "Perhaps I can see the party well enough to distinguish him."

At the instant Harry leaned over the edge of the car for the purpose of getting a better view of the field they had so recently occupied another shot rang out from below. Mingled with the report were shouts and exclamations from several of the soldiers.

As will be remembered distinctly by those of our readers who have had the pleasure of riding in aircraft, sounds from the earth are distinctly heard at a great alt.i.tude. In fact, sounds may be distinguished clearly at a much greater distance in a vertical than in a horizontal direction. It was owing to this fact that the shouts from the group below came so clearly to the lads in the Eagle.

"I don't hear Jack's voice amongst the clamor," declare Harry.

"I wonder where he can be?" puzzled Dave, earnestly scanning the vacant s.p.a.ce below. "They cannot have hidden him!"

"Suppose we call out and see if we can get a signal from him,"

suggested Harry. "He would try to answer us, I'm sure."

"Go ahead," Ned agreed. "I'll try a little volplaning and see if we can't get closer to that crowd without getting hit by a bullet."

"Better be careful, Ned," cautioned Dave. "Those fellows are in earnest, I think, and wouldn't stop at anything."

"I'll be careful," was Ned's confident answer. "When you're ready, just yell your heads off for Jack and then watch and listen."

"I'm going to halloo out now," stated Harry, drawing a deep breath.

"Let her go!" urged Ned, manipulating the levers in such a way as to practically check the headway of the slowly moving machine.