true," he volunteered.

"My sentiments exactly, Major," said Colonel O'Neil. "Nevertheless, it is, of course, possible that the report is true, and if it is true, it is the beginning of the end. However, before the general staff can take advantage of the report, it must be verified absolutely. With Austria suing for peace, and Bulgaria and Turkey virtually out of the war, we can strike such a blow at the Germans on the west front as will mean the end of the war before Christmas."

"I see," said Chester, "and it is to obtain confirmation of the report that you have summoned us?"

"Exactly," declared the colonel. "It stands to reason that if Austria has made peace overtures, the German general staff will know of it. Also, for that matter, will practically every man in the German army. It would appear that if we could place a man behind the enemy's lines, he could, with caution and discretion, learn the truth of the matter. I have called you here to offer you this opportunity."

"And we accept it, of course, sir," declared Hal.

"Of course," Chester repeated after his chum.

"Good!" exclaimed Colonel O'Neil. "I knew I could depend on you. General Rowan asked me to put the mission in the most capable hands I could find, and being familiar with your records, I know that my selection could not be better."

"Thank you, sir," said Hal and Chester in a single voice.

"Now," went on the colonel, "I don't want to hamper you with a lot of foolish and needless instructions, but I do want to impress upon you that the sooner the matter is cleared up the better. You will both be granted indefinite leave of absence, but I would ask that you return at the earliest possible moment."

"We shall, sir," said Chester quietly.

"Very well, then," replied Colonel O'Neil; "that is all."

The lads saluted and left the colonel's quarters.

"Well," said Hal, as they made their way back to their own quarters, "this is an expedition after my own heart."

"Right," Chester agreed. "I suppose that it's necessary to keep some of us sitting quietly around here, but at the same time I would rather it were someone besides me."

"Same here. But I'll bet some of the rest of the fellows would be tickled to death with our luck."

"Naturally; why shouldn't they be? Now the question before the house is the best method of crossing safely into the German lines."

"And of getting safely out again," said Hal dryly.

"That goes without saying. But we've got to get there first. The return trip will be considered later."

"There are ways enough of getting there," said Hal. "Automobile, airplane, afoot or a-horseback. Take your choice."

"Airship for me," said Chester; "its quicker and promises a greater degree of success."

"I'll make that unanimous," said Hal. "Airship is my vote, too."

"Guess we'd better wait until along toward midnight, though," Chester suggested.

"Why?"

"Well, chiefly because there is less likelihood of our being discovered at that hour. Guards will be posted, of course, but we've eluded them before and we can do it again. Also, arriving within the enemy's lines after midnight, will give us the chance of mingling with the German troops without so great a risk of discovery."

"Any way suits me," said Hal. "First thing to do, now that we have decided upon our means of locomotion, is to find a plane."

"I'll commandeer one from Captain Nicholas," said Chester.

"All right. Tell him to have it ready at midnight sharp."

"Right," said Chester and hastened away.

Hal meantime returned to their quarters and threw himself down upon his bunk. He was reclining at ease when Chester entered to report the airplane arranged for.

"Captain Nicholas said he would have it in flying trim exactly at midnight," said Chester. "Now, my advice is that we discard our uniforms and climb into German attire if we can round up the necessities."

"Guess that can be done, too, without any trouble," said Hal. "We've plenty of prisoners here. All we have to do is to change with them. I should say that Captain Nicholas could attend to that, too."

"I'll suggest it to him," said Chester, and took his departure.

The lad was back within the hour with two German uniforms, which had once adorned the forms of German captains of infantry.

"Seems we're losing rank here," commented Hal with a laugh. "You might at least have robbed a couple of generals or field marshals."

"Take what you can get these days and be thankful," grinned Chester. "Also, ask no questions. According to Captain Nicholas, even this pair of captains objected strenuously to being deprived of their uniforms. I imagine a general would have put up a terrible howl."

"You're probably right," Hal agreed. "Well, we'll be satisfied with what we have. If we're discovered it won't make much difference whether we're attired as privates or the kaiser himself."

"No, a firing squad could shoot through one as well as the other," Chester replied. "Now, all we have to do is wait until midnight."

"In which event," said Hal, "I shall woo sweet morpheus for two hours and fifteen minutes."

"Two hours and fifteen minutes is right," said Chester after a glance at his watch. "I'll follow suit."

Five minutes later both lads were stretched out in their bunks fast asleep. They slept soundly, but not so soundly, however, that they did not wake at the desired minute.

At fifteen minutes to twelve, Hal opened his eyes and sat up. Chester yawned, stretched and sat up a minute later.

"Time to be moving," he said, glancing at his watch again.

"Right," Hal agreed. "I'll be inside this German uniform in three minutes by the clock."

He was; and Chester found himself suitably attired a moment later.

"Now for the plane," said the latter.

He led the way to where a two-seated biplane was being guarded by several soldiers.

"All right, men," said Hal, "you can turn in now. We'll take charge of this craft."

The soldiers saluted and took their departure.

"Let's be moving," said Chester. "Into the pilot's seat with you, Hal."

"Thought maybe you wanted to do the driving this time, Chester," said Hal.

"That's a poor joke, Hal," declared Chester. "I don't want to die right this minute, and I guess you don't, either."

"Which is the reason I'm not going to argue with you who will do the piloting," Hal declared.

He clambered into the pilot's seat, and Chester took his place in the observer's compartment.

"All