The searchlight was flashing in another quarter now, for which Frank was devotedly thankful, but there was still too much light to make it safe for the young American to attempt to crawl away. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was nearly midnight. The corporal and his chums would be waiting for him. With infinite caution he peered around the side of the tree. Would that pipeful never be smoked out? The officer had shifted his position somewhat, and Frank caught a glimpse of a paper protruding from an outside pocket of his coat. It looked like an official document of some kind. The thought came to Frank that it might contain some plans of the enemy for the next day’s fighting. It was a tremendous risk to attempt to get it, but Frank resolved to take the chance. Drawing his knife and holding it ready for instant action, his other hand reached slowly around the tree and crept toward the officer’s pocket. CHAPTER IV IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper. Fortunately it protruded far enough for Frank to get a good grip on it. If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant. But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine. A fraction of an inch at a time, he drew the paper out until it was clear of the officer’s pocket. Then he transferred it to his own. He had won. And he was jubilant. Still, he was in imminent danger. At any moment the officer might discover his loss, think he had dropped the paper and begin to look around for it. That would be unlucky for Frank. But, the young soldier thought grimly, as he gripped his knife tightly, it might be still more unlucky for the officer. The pipe was smoked out now. The officer tapped it against the tree to knock the ashes out and seemed of two minds as to whether he should refill it. He finally decided that he had stayed there long enough, an opinion with which Frank heartily agreed, thrust his pipe in his pocket and started to walk away. Frank watched him with his heart in his mouth. Would he discover his loss? The officer had gone about ten feet when Frank saw him give a sudden start. He uttered an exclamation in German and then felt hurriedly in all his pockets. Then he turned and began to retrace his steps slowly, his eyes glued to the ground. “Now I’m in for it,” thought Frank, as his muscles stiffened.