CHAPTER XXIX.
GERMAN HOSPITALITY.
"Yes," continued the Emperor of Germany, "the boy is right. He hasspoiled our plans, I will admit; but it takes a brave man to wanderinto our lines as he did. It takes a brave one to have made a dash inthe armored cars I have just witnessed; and it takes a brave man toraid right into the heart of our arms and destroy twenty-fiveaeroplanes, as I have no doubt he did."
"What," exclaimed all the German officers in the tent, "the aeroplanesdestroyed?"
"Yes," continued the emperor, "and with them another opportunity todeal a death-blow to the English." Then, turning to Hal: "I have nodoubt that you were concerned in that--am I right?"
"Yes, your majesty," said the lad.
"I thought so," said the emperor, and he turned again to General VonKluck.
"The lad is perfectly right when he says that he was not captured indisguise. No doubt he was within our lines in German uniform, but, ashe was not captured, he cannot be executed as a spy. Do youunderstand?"
"Yes, sire," said General Von Kluck, bowing low.
"It seems to me," went on the Kaiser, "that rather than spend so muchtime looking for spies to put to death, it would be advantageous ifsome of my officers would expend their energies in looking morecarefully after my interests."
Once more the emperor turned to Hal.
"If I mistake not," he said, "you are an American. Am I right?"
"Yes, sire," said Hal.
"Then how comes it that you are fighting for Great Britain?"
Hal explained the misfortunes by which they had been left in Germany,and of how, eventually, they had taken service with the Allies.
"And who is your friend?" asked the Kaiser, pointing to Chester.
"Chester Crawford, sire," replied Hal, "my boyhood chum."
"And the wounded man?"
"An English officer, your majesty," said Hal, "and a brave one."
"I have found that all the British are brave," said the Kaiser grimly."I was misinformed as to their attitude in this crisis," and theKaiser's voice grew harsh; "it was not the only subject on which I wasmisinformed."
His words were clearly intended for the officers, more than for Hal.
He was silent for some moments, and then to General Von Kluck:
"General, I will take these lads to my own quarters. I desire toquestion them on matters pertaining to their own country. You willsend a guard for them in two hours."
"Yes, sire," said General Von Kluck.
The Kaiser motioned to Hal and Chester.
"Follow me," he commanded.
Surrounded by his personal bodyguard, and with Hal and Chester closebehind him, the emperor made his way to his own handsome and luxuriousfield quarters.
Inside the tent he motioned the two lads to seats.
"Now, tell me," he said, "what is the general sentiment in Americatoward Germany? Where is the general sympathy in this war?"
He had addressed Hal, so the latter replied, Chester maintaining adiscreet silence.
"We were not in America when the war broke out, your majesty," hesaid, "but I believe that I am right when I say that the sympathiesof the United States, generally speaking, are with the Allies."
The Kaiser nodded his head.
"I was afraid so," he said. "But why?"
"As to why, I can't say," replied Hal. "Chiefly, I suppose, becauseit is an English-speaking country."
"I suppose that is true," said the emperor, "and still there are manymore persons of German descent in the United States than of any othernationality. Do the people of the United States believe that Germanybrought about this war?"
"From what I have heard from Canadian officers and some others, I amafraid they do, your majesty," said Hal.
"It is not true," thundered the Kaiser, bringing his clenched fistdown heavily on the table. "I tell you it is not true. Do youunderstand? It is not true. I did all in my power to prevent this war.It is Czar Nicholas of Russia who is to blame. He and his Slavs wouldoverrun Germany. But, with the help of God, I shall prevent it. I willnot be called the War Lord of Europe for nothing!"
Hal and Chester were startled at this sudden outburst. Neitherrealized that Hal was, perhaps, the only person who had dared to standbefore the German monarch and tell him to his face that he had not thesympathy of the whole world, and that he was held responsible for thegreatest war of all history.
Now the Kaiser was talking to himself, his fists still clenched, andhe tapped nervously on the table, as he muttered:
"They have lied to me. Yes, they have lied to me. They told me thatfew held me to blame, that the sympathy of the world was with me. Ithought they lied then. I am sure of it now."
Suddenly he ceased talking, and turned to the table, where he was soonengrossed in looking over some papers and maps. So he sat, utterlydisregarding the presence of the two American boys; nor did theyventure to interrupt his profound study, until two hours later GeneralVon Kluck sent the guard ordered by the Kaiser to take them away. Whenthe officer in charge of the squad made known his commission, theemperor signified his consent with a nod of his head. He addressed nofurther words to Hal or Chester.
"I am commanded," said the German officer, "to take you to my tent andsee that you are well guarded, until it is decided what disposition isto be made of you."
In a large and commodious tent the boys were made comfortable, and aguard stationed around the outside. Then the officer took himself awayto make his report to the general.
"Well," said Chester, "they have got us this time, and I don't see anyway of escape. Here we are, right in the heart of the German army, andwe might just as well be in the Sahara desert, as far as our chancesgo of getting back to our own lines."
"Don't be so downhearted," said Hal. "More peculiar things havehappened. We are at least in no danger of being shot. I suppose weshould be thankful for that."
"Yes, I suppose we should," Chester agreed. "But just the same I wouldlike to be back where we belong."
"Well, you can't tell," said Hal. "We may be able to give them theslip. However, I would be opposed to any plan that did not have a goodchance of success. For, if we failed, I am sure they would shoot uswithout compunction."
"There is no doubt of that," said Chester. "Von Kluck would do itanyhow, if he didn't fear the heavy hand of the Kaiser. By the way,what do you think of the Kaiser, anyhow?"
"Well," said Hal slowly, "I believe, in the first place, that he takeshimself too seriously. I believe that he considers himself the choseninstrument of Heaven to put down the Slavs, to say nothing of theFrench and English. He has the mistaken idea that he is a man ofdestiny."
"Yes," agreed Chester, "there is no doubt that he thinks he is rightand the whole world wrong."
Further talk was interrupted by the return of the German officer.
"You are to remain here for the next few days," he informed them. "Asthe emperor has interested himself in your behalf, General Von Kluckis awaiting further word from him as to what to do with you. Rightnow the emperor will not talk. He is busy with his maps and papers,and, when he is busy, no one dare disturb him."
"And what do you suppose will be done with us eventually?" askedChester.
"Why," was the reply, "I suppose you will be treated as all otherprisoners of war. You probably will be sent to Berlin."
"Back to Berlin!" exclaimed Chester in deep disgust.
"Back to Berlin!" repeated Hal, and he punctured his exclamation witha long whistle. "Great Scott!"
Boy Allies on the Firing Line; Or, Twelve Days Battle Along the Marne Page 29