"Climb in here, sir," said Hal to General Herwigs, "and we will make our escape while we may." But Chancellor Ebert stayed the departure. "A moment," he said. "I cannot fly while Germans, through a misunderstanding, are at each other’s throats." "But we must go, sir," said General Herwigs. "Time is growing short. Marshal Foch said that if we had not returned in twenty-four hours negotiations would be considered suspended. We have little time now, sir. Haste is necessary." For answer Chancellor Ebert stepped from the plane. "As I have said," he said quietly, "I cannot go now, under these conditions. But you may go, general, you and the other delegates. Before all these witnesses, I designate you to sign the armistice terms with Marshal Foch. But I cannot go. My place is here." "But, sir—" began General Herwigs. Chancellor Ebert stayed further words with upraised hand. "Enough," he said quietly. "You heard me, sir. I am your superior, and as such will be obeyed. Report to me when the armistice has been signed, and not before." General Herwigs, it appeared, was about to protest further, but the chancellor stayed him with a gesture. "Hurry now," he said. "You have not much time." Unmindful of the bullets that were flying overhead, he turned on his heel and walked toward the loyal troops, who, still firing at the mutineers, hurried forward to receive him. General Herwigs, realizing that to protest further to the chancellor was useless, climbed in the airplane again and took his seat. "No use arguing with him," he muttered. Hal smiled slightly and made sure that his spark was set. "All ready, sir?" he called back over his shoulder. "All ready," was the reply; "and hurry." The huge plane slid gently over the ground. Gradually its momentum increased until it was traveling with the speed of an express train. Then Hal touched the elevating lever. The airplane leaped aloft. Almost at the same moment, a dozen or more of the mutineers, who were still facing the loyal troops firmly, at command from General Derloff, turned their rifles on the airplane and fired. Hal, catching their movements out of the corner of his eye, veered the course of the airplane sharply. Prompt though he was, he had not acted promptly enough. A hail of bullets sang above and on both sides of him. The plane fluttered like a big bird, wounded. Hal’s heart sank within him. "Something wrong," he told himself grimly. "We’re hit." Chester also was alarmed. His fear grew as the airplane began to descend. "What’s the matter, Hal?" he called. "Don’t know," was Hal’s reply. "I’m going to land and find out." *CHAPTER XXV* *A BATTLE* The descending airplane became the target at which a hundred or more rifles were aimed. Nevertheless, it reached the ground without any of its occupants being wounded.