slowly. And he appeared to hesitate over the words.

"Then allow me, in the names of my companions, to thank you from the
bottoms of our hearts!" exclaimed Jimmy, rising and saluting. The
captain returned the salute. He stood for a minute looking Jimmy
straight in the eyes, and the lad said afterward that the officer
seemed to be searching out the sergeant's very soul. Then Captain
Dickerson said:

"I must leave you now. You will find a little package of food at the
end of the mill flume. I'll leave you this canteen so you may carry
water with you on your journey toward your own lines. Your way lies
there," and he pointed to the south. "Good-bye--and good luck! I hope
you may get through, but--"

Then, turning abruptly he strode off between two high grassy hummocks,
and was soon lost to sight in the smoke and haze.

For a moment the khaki boys stood, motionless, and then Jimmy, looking
around on the circle of his companions, exclaimed:

"Well, if that isn't mysterious!"

"I should say so!" agreed Bob. "Talk about the man in the iron
mask--this beats it!"

"Why doesn't he come with us, toward the American lines?" asked Roger.
"Why does he want to go over where the Huns are? This gets me. It
looks as if he was----"