"Why, simply that the prisoner's attempt to escape was a ruse."

"A ruse?"

"Exactly. That's why he jumped toward us. Do you see now?"

"No," replied Hal, losing his temper, "I don't. Quit beating around the bush. If you have anything to tell me, do it."

"Well, then," said Chester, "you see this piece of paper?"

"Yes."

"Well, the prisoner made his attempt to escape for the sole purpose of handing this to one of us. I happened to be closer to him than you were. That's why I got it."

"You mean----" began Hal.

"Exactly," Chester interrupted. "Now, let's see what it says."

Both lads bent over the paper.

"It's written so finely I can hardly make it out," said Chester, after looking over the paper.

"Bring it over to the window," replied Hal. "Under a strong light we may be able to read it."

Again both lads bent over the little piece of paper. This is what they read:

"For the success of military operations in the western theater of war, it is essential that the Russian campaign be pushed with immediate vigor, particularly in the north.

Knowing that we are all working in sympathy and accord, without awaiting an answer, I take it for granted that this suggestion will be acted upon."

"No address and no signature," said Hal. "What's it all about?"

Chester bent closer over the paper.

"What's this at the bottom?" he said.

Hal looked again.

"Some kind of a seal, it looks like to me," he said, after a careful scrutiny. "By Jove, I have it! It's a secret sign, that's what it is.

The man for whom this is meant will undoubtedly recognize it."

"I believe you have hit it," exclaimed Chester.

"But how are we to know for whom it is intended?" said Hal. "It carries no address."

"It is intended for Grand Duke Nicholas, commander-in-chief of the Russian armies," replied Chester.

"How do you know that?"

"When I was wrestling with the prisoner he told me so," was Chester's reply.

"Well, then," said Hal, "we know for whom it is intended, but what did the man give it to you for?"

"Well, he said that it must be delivered at all costs."

"I hope he didn't expect us to deliver it."

"I guess he did though, or to see that it went on its way."

"Yes; and how are we going to do it? Can you figure that out?"

"No," said Chester, "I can't. But something has got to be done. I imagine that General French and General Joffre figured that it would be delivered without fail. Either the messenger did not take the route as commanded, or it was believed safe for him to go by air in a sudden dash."

"Well, I can't see that that part makes any difference. The question now is, what are we going to do with it?"

"Yes," replied Chester; "that's the question."

For a long while the boys sat and talked over this strange episode, each suggesting plans and then discarding them as unwise.

Suddenly Chester sprang to his feet with an exclamation.

"What is it?" asked Hal eagerly.

"We'll take it ourselves!" he exclaimed.

"We will, eh?" said Hal incredulously. "Would you mind telling me how?"

"I won't tell you anything," was Chester's reply. "But are you willing to do as I say?"

"Yes," replied Hal, after some consideration.

"Good! Then, with luck we shall put this paper in the hands of Grand Duke Nicholas!"

CHAPTER x.x.xIII.

TAKING A CHANCE.

"The first thing to do," said Chester, "is to appropriate two of Lieutenant Strauss's uniforms. That's your job."

"That's right--pick out the easy work for me," replied Hal sarcastically. "How do you figure I'm going to get 'em?"

"I don't know," said Chester. "That's up to you. My job, and a much harder one, it seems to me, is to appropriate one of the general's big maps, so that if we do succeed in getting out of Berlin, we shall know where we are going."

"I take back what I said," exclaimed Hal. "I'll try to get those uniforms."

"Trying is not enough," said Chester. "You've got to get 'em!"