Ahead, Hal suddenly made out a large body of men in such position as to block the road. He slowed down the car, and, leaning back, addressed the others.

"If I'm not mistaken," he said quietly, pointing, "just beyond lies the Dutch border. Once across we are comparatively safe. At least the Germans will not dare to follow us on to neutral ground. At the same time, if we are apprehended by Dutch military authorities our mission will be a failure, because we shall be interned. What is your advice?"

"Get into Holland first and let matters take their course later," said Chester quietly.

"I agree with you," said McKenzie.

"And I," said Hal.

"Well," said Stubbs, "I don't. Not that it will make any difference, of course, because you will do as you wish anyhow."

"If you have any better plan, Stubbs," said Chester, "let's hear it."

"I don't have any plan," declared Stubbs, "but seems to me you could think of a better one. To rush through those fellows ahead means a fight, a that's why you decided on that plan. I'm against a fight at all hazards."

"So I perceive," said McKenzie dryly.

"Well; you stick along anyhow, Stubbs," said Chester.

"Oh, I'll stick," said Stubbs, "but I'm going to tell you right now I don't think I'm going to do you any good."

"Well, if we are decided," said Hal, "we might as well go on. We'll show our pa.s.sports again and it may be we'll get through without question. However, something tells me we are going to have trouble, so get your guns ready."

"If you think we're going to have trouble, I'm absolutely positive of it," Stubbs mumbled to himself.

However, each looked to his weapons and made sure that they were in working order.

"One of us has got to get through," said Chester in a low voice. "Who has the list, Stubbs?"

"Hal," was the response.

"Then Hal must get through no matter what happens to the rest of us,"

said Chester quietly.

"Good lord!" said Stubbs. "Why didn't I keep that list!"

As the large automobile approached, several of the Germans ahead stepped directly into the road and one threw up a hand in a signal demanding a halt. Hal made out that at this point there were perhaps a dozen men, though to each side he saw countless other forms. These latter, however, appeared no wise interested in the automobile and its occupants, but went about their several duties.

Hal put on the brakes and the automobile came to a stop a few feet from the nearest German, who, it appeared, was a colonel of infantry.

The German, followed by his men, approached the car and surrounded it.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

"Dutch war correspondents," replied Hal quietly.

"Your pa.s.sports," demanded the German.

The four friends produced their pa.s.sports and extended them to the officer. The latter scanned them hastily, then cried:

"As I thought. You are the men we want. Seize them!" This last command to his soldiers.

Instantly the dozen soldiers swooped toward the automobile, their rifles leveled. At the same moment Hal sent the large automobile forward with a jump.

The German rifles spat fire. Revolvers appeared simultaneously in the hands of Chester and McKenzie. Both sprang to their feet, and, each holding to a side of the machine, they returned the fire, as Hal bent over the wheel.

"Crack! Crack!"

Chester and McKenzie fired together.

In spite of the movement of the car their aim was true, and two German soldiers fell in their tracks. Stubbs still kept his seat.

The automobile, with its first lurch forward, had mowed down several of the enemy, and now dashed forward with a clear path to the Dutch border.

Behind, at command from the German officer, the troopers, still upon their feet, fell to their knees, and, taking deliberate aim at the rapidly moving car, fired.

There was an explosion from the automobile. The car jumped crazily.

Chester, still standing, revolver in hand, was flung violently into his seat, but McKenzie was not so fortunate. He toppled from the car head foremost.

One of the German bullets had punctured a rear tire. Hal brought the machine to a stop.

"Out and run for it!" cried Hal, and suited the action to the word.

Chester clambered out with more difficulty, for the wound in his side still pained him. McKenzie, strange as it may seem, had not been badly hurt by his fall. He got to his feet, still clutching his revolver.

As the Germans hurried toward him, he raised the automatic and opened fire.

The first German pitched headlong to earth, as did the second.

McKenzie gave ground slowly.

With a swift look he saw that Hal had almost reached the Dutch border, which he perceived was guarded by a squad of Dutch soldiers. Chester also was limping in that direction. Stubbs, in spite of his opposition to fighting, was lending the lad a helping hand.

"They'll make it, if I can hold these fellows a minute," muttered McKenzie.

He faced the foe again, and from a pocket brought forth a second automatic.

"Not for nothing was I called the best shot in the northwest," he said quietly.

Hal's idea in not waiting to a.s.sist in the flight of the others, McKenzie knew on the instant. The list they had risked so much to get must be taken from German territory at all hazards. McKenzie knew, too, that Chester and Stubbs were simply following instructions when they also fled. It was every man for himself. A German bullet whistled close to the Canadian.

"Well," he said quietly, "I'll get a few of you before you drop me."

He faced his foes unflinchingly.

CHAPTER XII