“We were well behind the German lines a few days ago,” said Fritz, “but whether they retired purposely or not, I cannot say. Since then, however, we have been kept there to communicate with the airplanes. It was possible to signal them by means of electric flashes down on the floor of our hiding place, through the open trap doors on top. Peter was in command. He took and sent the messages, and repeatedly he crept out in the night. I was never allowed to do anything, but if the Allies took the plain, and those ridges beyond it, Peter said we would all go out in American uniforms and learn what we could. We were expected to discover things too cleverly hidden from the airplanes.” “This is interesting at least, Fritz,” said the General. “It would be still more interesting to know just how true it is that the German army in general does not know that we are seriously in the war. There are two millions of us here now, Fritz, and more coming.” “Two millions!” echoed the astounded prisoner. “Two millions! When they learn that, the war is over. But how will they ever learn it? Your airplanes scattered leaflets along the front several times. Not where I was stationed, but I heard the order that any man who saw another stoop to pick up one of those leaflets, any man who was caught reading one was to be shot dead by the nearest soldier, who would receive the cross for doing it. I tell you, sir, they are doing _every_thing they can to keep the army from learning that you are in the fight.” “I wonder how true all this is,” mused the General. Porky and Beany watched him narrowly. They were sure he had some plan, but it was clear that he wanted the prisoner to speak first. “It is _all_ true,” said Fritz. “General, won’t you let me earn my life, set me free for two hours--only that? And I will prove it to you.” “You will disappear just as you did from the ranch, I suppose,” grated the General in a harsh voice. “Why should I give you any chance?” “I don’t deserve it,” said the prisoner, “except that if my plan fails, I will certainly be shot by the Germans.” “What do you propose?” asked the General. “Two, perhaps three hours of freedom!” begged Fritz. “And if I can reach the German lines alive, I will return with twenty prisoners to prove to you that every man who is told that the Americans are here and are promised that they will not be shot, will follow me across.”