The sound of a shot was suddenly swept back to Hal's ear.

"h.e.l.lo!" he muttered. "Trouble ahead."

He slowed down, for he had no mind to mix up with the Germans so long as it could be avoided. Suddenly the first automobile ahead came to a stop. The second did likewise. Hal shut off his searchlight and approached slowly in the darkness.

It became plain, as he drew closer, that the first automobile had been stopped by a pistol shot, which probably had punctured a rear tire.

There came more pistol shots and then silence. Hal brought his own machine to a dead stop.

A few moments later one of the automobiles ahead, as Hal could see by the position of its searchlight, began to turn in the road. Instantly Hal flashed his own light on and sent the car forward. This he did because he realized it would look suspicious should the flare of the other light show Hal's car standing still in the road.

The other car had now come about and approached Hal's machine.

McKenzie and Stubbs both had been watching the proceedings ahead with strained eyes. Now they were ready for Hal's words:

"Guns ready back there. We'll pa.s.s if they let us alone."

The cars came closer together. Suddenly Hal was struck with a thought that sent a chill down his spine. Suppose Chester was in that car!

Maybe the pursuit he had witnessed was the pursuit of Chester.

The cars were almost together now. Instead of turning off to the right to allow the other to pa.s.s, as it seemed to have every intention of doing, Hal only swerved slightly. Then, before the other car could pa.s.s, he brought his own machine to a stop and sprang to the ground, revolver in hand. McKenzie was close behind him.

Only Stubbs remained in the automobile, and he, too, held a revolver ready for instant action.

A voice from the strange car hailed Hal.

"Why do you stop us like this?" it demanded.

"Want to see who you are," was the lad's reply. "A spy has escaped from Berlin, and I have orders to search all vehicles."

"You are mistaken," said the voice. "The spy has not escaped. We have him here."

"Good!" exclaimed Hal. "Nevertheless, I must satisfy myself that you are speaking the truth and are what you represent yourselves to be."

"Of course," returned the voice. "Approach."

Hal went forward slowly, gun in hand, as did McKenzie.

Hal now made out that there were four occupants of the car, besides the man at the wheel and a figure stretched out in the tonneau.

With his cap down over his eyes, he peered in. The men were in civilian garb and Hal knew, therefore, that they must be members of the secret service and not of the military. He knew, too, that they would consequently be that much harder to handle. Nevertheless, he determined upon a bold stroke.

"Hands up, all of you!" he cried in a stern voice.

His revolver covered the occupants in the front seat. McKenzie covered the rear.

"Here, what's the meaning of this?" exclaimed a man who seemed to be the leader. "You fool! Haven't you been convinced yet that we are what we say."

"Perfectly," returned Hal quietly. "That's why I must insist that you raise your hands. Instantly!" His voice hardened and his finger tightened on the trigger. "Shoot without hesitancy," he warned McKenzie.

McKenzie's lips were set in a determined line. It was plain that he would need no urging.

"Well," said one of the Germans, "it's my belief you are also spies."

"Hands up!" repeated Hal.

"If you must have it you must!" exclaimed the first German.

His hand flashed up and in it was a revolver.

McKenzie's revolver flashed. The German dropped back.

The man at the wheel released his hold on the steering apparatus and also reached for a gun. Hal dropped him without changing his position.

One of the Germans, before either Hal or McKenzie could stop him, hurled himself over the far side of the car. The other two raised their hands.

"That other fellow is probably bent on mischief," said Hal to himself, "but we'll have to take a chance. Cover 'em" he ordered McKenzie, "while I get their guns!"

Hal advanced to the side of the car and deprived the two Germans of their revolvers. Then he climbed in and motioned the Germans to get out. After that he bent over the still form in the bottom of the car.

It was Chester.

"Keep those fellows covered, McKenzie," he warned. "Don't let them move. One of them may have the list."

The Germans made no move under the muzzle of McKenzie's gun, held in a steady hand.

Hal lifted Chester's head to his knee. As he did so there was a sharp report from nearby, quickly followed by a second, and Hal felt a slight pain in his left arm.

He dropped Chester's head and leaped to the ground.

"That's the man who escaped," he said. "I'll have to get him, McKenzie. You watch, these fellows closely."

"It's all right, Hal," came a voice from the lads own car. "I got him!"

It was the voice of Stubbs, and the little man now came forward.

"I stayed behind to cover you fellows," he explained. "The man who jumped out of the car made a detour and came up to my car. From its protection he took a shot at you. He didn't see me in the darkness, though, and I beat him to it. He was so close I couldn't miss."

"Thanks, Stubbs," said Hal quietly. "Now you look in the car and see if you can't find some rope or blankets or something to tie these fellows with."

Stubbs returned shortly with several thin blankets, which Hal quickly fashioned into an improvised rope. The two prisoners were bound.

"Now search 'em for the list," said Hal.

The war correspondent did so. There was no list to be found.

"Search the one you just disposed of, Stubb,"' Hal ordered.

The little man obeyed, and a moment later gave an exclamation of triumph.