“When I say Go! run with all your might. Steer the post squarely against the door or you are going to get hurt. Are you ready?” “Yes.” “Go!” A patter of feet, a sharp impact, and a crash followed almost instantly. Elfreda Briggs plunged headfirst into the wreckage, for the door had been stripped from its hinges and broken into many pieces. Grace Harlowe landed on the cellar floor on top of the post, with her breath jolted out of her. CHAPTER IX AN IRATE OFFICER “Captain” Grace sprang up, gasping for breath, for she had been thrown violently against the end of the post when the other end struck the door. “Are you hurt, Elfreda?” she cried. “Of course I am.” “Forget it and let’s get out of here,” urged Grace, assisting her companion to her feet. “If they catch us now they surely will have a case against us.” “I can’t forget, but I’ll try to get out,” promised Miss Briggs, rubbing a tender spot on one arm. They hurried from the cellar to the street. Grace looked up and down the street, then started to the left, having discovered what seemed to her, from his attitude of bored indifference, to be an M. P. As she neared the man she recognized him. It was this M. P. who had assisted the Overton girls to the truck the night before. “I am truly glad to see you, Buddy,” cried Grace. “We are in difficulties again. We were locked in a cellar as suspicious characters and have just broken jail. Can you tell me if the headquarters of Company A, Forty-seventh, is anywhere near? Also where may I find the Intelligence headquarters?” “Forty-seventh is at the other end of the town. Intelligence headquarters is the last building before you reach the river bridge right on the way you are headed.” “What river?” “The Moselle. Heinie is camped on the other side of it, so be careful that you don’t get too near the bridge or you are liable to be picked up again. Come along, I’ll show you the way. It’s on my beat.” Grace thanked him gratefully. “You do not happen to know whether or not Captain Boucher is there, do you?” The M. P. said he did not, but presumed so, for there was some sort of a council of war being held at the headquarters. The M. P. left them at the door and Grace entered, halting when she found herself facing a sentry. She said she wished to see Captain Boucher on a matter of importance and asked the sentry to send her name in to the officer. The sentry told her he did not believe Captain Boucher wished to be disturbed, but she insisted that she must see him, so her name was sent in and Grace and Elfreda were seated in the hall. The Intelligence officer came out immediately and greeted them with great cordiality. “What can I do for you?” he questioned, smiling down into the flushed face of Grace Harlowe. “Is it something connected with the affair we were speaking of?”