passenger was thrust unceremoniously into the compartment. After performing this duty the guard hastened away to perform similar services for others.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” said the newcomer pleasantly.

“Top of the morning to you!” smiled Jimmie, rising and endeavoring to smooth out the wrinkles in his uniform. “How’s the weather outside?”

“Clearing rapidly, but there’s promise of some wind,” replied the newcomer. “May I ask how far you are going?”

“New York!” declared Jimmie with a grin. “That is,” his added, “if this old ark holds together until we get to Amsterdam and we can find a ship there. It would be just our luck to find the last canal boat gone!”

“Been having tough luck?” inquired the other solicitously.

“Rotten!” stated the boy. “How far do you go?” he asked.

“Amsterdam is my present destination,” was the reply. “My name’s Mackinder—Robert Mackinder, and I’m trying to get out of this forsaken country, don’t you know. I’m in hopes I’ll be able to find some craft destined to a point where I’ll be able to get home.”

Introductions of the four lads followed. Mackinder proved himself an entertaining talker. Listening to his tales of adventure in various lands the boys were soon at ease. The man apparently had traveled over the whole world for he seemed familiar with all lands.

“I say,” declared Jimmie, as their new found friend concluded a tale of privation through which he had passed in South Africa, “that story of starvation reminds me that I am hungry. I haven’t eaten in a week!”

“Jimmie, Jimmie!” cautioned Ned. “Get down to recent dates!”

“Well, it feels that way, anyhow,” persisted the boy.

“Can you tell us where we’ll be able to find a lunch counter?” asked Ned. “We have nothing in our kits except some hard tack.”

“There is no place short of Amsterdam where one can get anything like a decent meal,” replied Mackinder. “There I can show you the way to a restaurant that is all right. It is not far from the docks.”

“Then we’ll get one good, solid, square meal!” shouted Jimmie.

“And after breakfast,” put in Harry, “we’ll go aboard the steamer and let ’em sail as soon as they like! What shall we eat?”

“I want a limburger cheese sandwich,” announced Jimmie. “I’d like it to be on rye bread with plenty of mustard. Then with a couple of cups of real old Dutch coffee I guess I’d last until noon.”

“By noon we’ll be out on the North Sea, I hope,” stated Harry.

“You don’t get onto the North Sea direct from Amsterdam!” scorned Jack. “You have to go through some sort of lake or bay first!”

“Leave it to Mr. Mackinder here!” protested Harry.

“Your friend is right, Harry,” smiled Mackinder, thus appealed to. “Amsterdam is on the Zuider Zee. If we get a vessel at that place we will pass northward through that water, thence between some of the Friesian Islands into the North Sea. From that point it is but a short distance to my destination. Any port in England will be suitable for my purpose.”

“Nix on England for mine!” declared Jimmie. “I’m for the little old United States every time. We are neutral there without having to think about it. I’m about done with war. I’ve seen enough!”

“Too much is plenty, as the Dutchman says,” put in Harry. “But about this Amsterdam place, now. Do you know the town, Mr. Mackinder?”

“Indeed I do!” was the reply. “I have been there many times.”

“Then perhaps you’d be good enough to give us a little help. You see, we’re strangers there and since we’ve lost our airship we’re almost helpless. We’re not accustomed to finding our way about where the inhabitants don’t speak English. Besides, we’re not provided with a map.”

“I shall be delighted to help you in any way possible,” continued the man. “I think that if you follow me you’ll have little trouble.”

The lads gladly availed themselves of this offer, and shortly after their arrival at the city they found themselves in a room plainly but comfortably furnished. From their windows they could see the shipping in the harbor. Before them a busy street teemed with traffic.

Watching the strange sights below the boys were startled to hear:

“I’ll trouble you now for the ‘U-13’ package!”

Wheeling quickly they were frightened to observe that Mackinder had them covered with a revolver. His look was stern and determined.

“What package is it you want?” inquired Ned in amazement as he saw that Mackinder evidently intended to enforce his demand at all costs.

“I shall countenance no delay!” spoke the man sharply. “You may step to your luggage there and produce that package instantly. If you refuse I shall summon assistance and it will be taken forcibly.”

“You have the wrong pig by the ear this time, partner!” put in Jimmie. “Just put up your little cannon. It won’t do you any good here.”

“Enough!” snapped Mackinder. “You will gain nothing by attempting such methods. I am not to be balked by trivialities!”

“Well, Boss,” smiled Jimmie, “we haven’t got any ‘U-13’ package and we haven’t got any of those other things, either!”

“I warn you,” went on Mackinder in a menacing tone, “it has become known to the authorities that you have this package. I have been commissioned to secure it. If you surrender it before leaving this country you will lose nothing. If you refuse it will be taken by force. In that case you need not expect to receive any degree of clemency in the matter!”

“Mr. Mackinder,” began Ned with dignity, “we don’t understand what you mean. If you intend to infer that we have some mysterious package that we should not have you are not fair to us. Perhaps you would like to examine our luggage and be sure it is not there.”

“Very well,” stated Mackinder grimly. “If you insist.”

Keeping the revolver leveled in the direction of the group the man stepped to the side of the room. He grasped the old-fashioned bell-pull. In answer to his summons steps were heard approaching the door.

“Ah, there you are, Norton,” sighed Mackinder in a relieved tone as a man in uniform appeared. “Just keep an eye on these chaps, will you. I’m going through their luggage. Look sharp, now!”

From Norton’s appearance the boys judged that the task was much to his liking. He fingered a wicked looking revolver, as if anticipating trouble and hoping that would come quickly. His manner was that of an eager hunting dog scenting game and only waiting a command to attack.

Thinking it best to offer no resistance and understanding that arguments would not avail under the present circumstances Ned seated himself in a convenient chair. He began to divert the minds of his comrades by talking of the shipping and the traffic which they could see.

Hastily Mackinder tossed the luggage about in his efforts to locate the article he sought. Finally he turned to Ned.

“Where have you concealed it?” he asked with some display of anger.

“Concealed what?” asked Ned impatiently. “I tell you, Mr. Mackinder, I don’t like this idea of your holding us up in this manner without apparent authority. You are imposing on good nature!”

“Perhaps I