"I--" began Hal, but the officer silenced him with a gesture.

Then he turned to one of his officers.

"Take a squad of ten men and escort these prisoners to General Blozle!"
he commanded shortly. "Search them for weapons first."

Hal and Chester realized the futility of resistance. They held their arms
high, as did the others, and were relieved of their weapons without a
word. Then, surrounded by a guard, they were marched away.

An hour later they stood before the Bulgarian commander, where the
officer who had captured them related his story. General Blozle eyed
them keenly.

"Have you anything to say?" he asked when the colonel had presented the
case against them.

Chester stepped forward.

"Just this, general," he said quietly. "Miss Ellison here is in no way
concerned in anything we may have done. We had never seen her until last
night, as she told the colonel. Also, I would like to speak a word for
Mr. Stubbs here. He is, as my friend has said, an American war
correspondent. That's all, sir."

The lad resumed his place.

"Bah!" exclaimed the general. "You as much as admit you are a spy. If you