He stepped aside to allow the German chancellor, a man of slight stature but imposing countenance, to enter the craft. The latter climbed in nimbly. The others followed him. Hal was about to take his place in the pilot’s seat when there was a sudden interruption. Came a body of infantry forward at the double and there was a shouted command to halt. Chancellor Ebert stood up in the airplane. "One moment, sir," he said to Hal, and raised a hand. The leader of the advancing troops, catching sight of the chancellor, halted his men and came to attention. "What can I do for you, sir?" demanded Chancellor Ebert. "There is a rumor about the camp," said the other, "that the emperor has renounced the throne in favor of the Crown Prince, who also has signed papers of abdication." He stopped speaking and stood expectantly, awaiting a reply. "Well?" asked Chancellor Ebert. "We wish to know if the rumor is true, sir?" "And what if it is true, General?" "Nothing, sir, except that my men will obey none but his majesty." "You mean," asked the chancellor, sharply, "that you will dispute my authority?" "I do, sir." "General Herwigs," said the chancellor, addressing one of his companions in the airplane, "will you kindly dispatch one of your men for assistance? It seems there is mutiny here." In response to a command from the general, a man who had been standing near the airplane started away. He was immediately halted by the officer who had accosted the party in the plane. "One moment, my man," said the officer. "You cannot pass here until I have verified the rumor of the kaiser’s abdication." "General Herwigs," said Chancellor Ebert quietly, "will you kindly place that officer under arrest." "With pleasure, sir." General Herwigs sprang from the machine with alacrity and approached the officer and addressed the latter’s own men. "You know me, men," he said. "I have ever been a stanch supporter of his majesty. But now General Derloff questions the authority of the imperial chancellor. I order you to arrest him." It was plain that the sentiment of the troops was about evenly divided. General Derloff immediately began to harangue his followers, and while the argument continued the man whom General Herwigs ordered away in search of reinforcements took the opportunity to disappear. He was out of sight before anyone noticed his absence. Ten minutes later, while the argument between the two generals still waxed hot, the troops meanwhile being undecided just what to do, a second force of infantry appeared in the distance, coming forward at the double. General Derloff was the first to see them. "Quick, men, away!" he cried. "We have been tricked!" His men turned in confusion and ran. As they did so, the loyal troops opened fire on the mutineers. Immediately the latter, angered, turned to reply to the fire. Rifles cracked right and left. The allied airplane, caught thus between two fires, was in a dangerous predicament.