"My son," she said proudly, "of whom I was just talking to you."

Now the newcomer freed himself from her embrace and stepped forward.

"Who are these?" he demanded, pointing to the two lads.

Mrs. Dersi explained.

"And we were just talking of you," she added; then stopped and surveyed her son critically. "Why are you not in uniform?" she demanded.

"Why, I--I--I----" stuttered young Dersi, "I am on a scout, and it was thought best for me not to go in uniform." He turned suddenly to Hal: "Are you expecting any of your men here?" he demanded.

"Why, no," replied Hal. "We are going to try and make our way back to our lines to-night."

Young Dersi appeared to breathe easier, and this fact was not lost upon either Hal or Chester.

"Well," he said, after a pause, "I haven't time to stay here. I just dropped in a moment to see you, mother. You say the Germans went north? How long have they been gone?"

"About an hour," said Chester.

"Good. Then it will be safe for me to continue on my way."

He bowed to the two lads, kissed his mother, and a moment later had left the house, his mother accompanying him to the door.

"There is something queer about him," said Chester to Hal, as Mrs.

Dersi and her son left the room. "He's not telling the truth."

"I know it," said Hal. "I don't like to say it, but it is my belief he is fleeing from the French lines to give information to the Germans."

"You mean you think he is a traitor?"

"I told you I didn't like to say anything," replied Hal, "but I am afraid you have hit the nail on the head."

"In that event he is likely to tell of our presence here," cried Chester.

"I'm sure he'll tell," said Hal quietly.

"Then what shall we do?"

"We shall leave at once--or, as soon as Mrs. Dersi returns. That is the best return we can make for her kindness to us. It would break her heart to know that her son is a traitor to his country."

"It would, indeed," was Chester's reply; but further talk was prevented by the return of Mrs. Dersi.

"And is not my son a fine, brave man?" she asked, with justifiable pride.

"He is," said Hal and Chester both, hoping that they were telling the truth.

"Mrs. Dersi," said Hal, "we have decided that it probably will be better for us if we take our departure at once. I am sure there are no Germans near right now, and the sooner we get started the sooner we shall reach our own lines."

"But would it not be safer to wait until dark?" questioned the woman anxiously.

"I am afraid not," replied Hal, with a meaning glance at Chester. "We think we had better take our departure at once."

Mrs. Dersi offered further objections, but at length, seeing that they were all in vain, she bade the two lads a sorrowful farewell, enjoining them to be sure and look her son up and to return to see her should the opportunity offer. This they gladly promised, and, leaving the friendly shelter of the good Frenchwoman's home, continued on their weary journey toward the British lines.

CHAPTER XIII.

A FIGHT IN THE DARK.

Each boy put his best foot foremost, and they traveled at top speed.

They wanted to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the house where they had so lately found shelter, for there was little doubt in the mind of either that young Dersi was a traitor, and that he would soon put their erstwhile captors on their track again.

Nor were they wrong; and, had they but known what they learned later, they would have sought shelter almost anywhere rather than continue their journey afoot. Even now the same band of German motorcyclists who had given chase the night before were again in pursuit. But now, instead of an even dozen, there were thirteen. For Young Dersi himself was with them.

Just out of sight of Dersi's home the Germans halted, and the young man himself approached the house. His mother greeted him effusively and inquired the cause of his sudden return.

"Well, mother," he said, "I have accomplished my mission. I have learned the strength of the German army, and am now returning to my own regiment. But what of the two lads who were here? Have they gone?

If not, we can all continue our journey together."

"They departed several hours ago," his mother informed him.

"Then perhaps I can overtake them," said the young man. "In which direction did they go?"

The good woman pointed out the road taken by Hal and Chester, never thinking for an instant that her son meant to harm them. A moment later young Dersi left the house; and soon the Germans were once more upon the trail of the two lads.

Hal and Chester hurried along as fast as their legs could carry them.

It was now nearing dusk, and with each forward step they knew that they were that much closer to a place of safety. Darkness fell and still the two lads plodded onward.

At length, coming upon a small brook beside the road, they stopped to quench their thirst. Hal had risen to his feet and was waiting for Chester when from the rear once more came the faint "chug-chug" of a motorcycle, or motorcycles, the boys were unable to tell which.

Chester sprang to his feet.

"Here they come again," he cried. "We were right. It is the traitor Dersi who has put them on our trail. Hustle!"

Side by side the two lads sprinted for a clump of trees almost directly ahead. They reached their friendly shelter just before the glare of a searchlight down the road gave evidence of the approach of their pursuers.

Once among the trees the boys dropped to the ground and became absolutely silent. A moment later and the band of Germans flashed by at terrific speed.

The boys arose to their feet and continued on their way, keeping in among the trees.

"We must be very careful," Hal warned Chester. "When they fail to overtake us they are sure to return. When we hear them coming we'll climb up a tree, or hunt a hole, or something. But we might as well go ahead as far as we can."

"That seems the best way to me," Chester agreed.

They continued their journey for perhaps an hour without hearing a sound of the Germans, and then, suddenly, they were made aware of the presence of the enemy.