“No, I wasn’t going to say that,” put in Ned, quickly. “No one who knows you, as Jerry and I know you, would ever accuse you of that. You’ve gone through too many tight and dangerous places with us to have us say that you’re afraid. And yet something has happened, hasn’t it?” “Well, yes, I s’pose you could call it that,” assented Bob slowly. “Are you going to renege in the matter of volunteering?” asked Jerry. “No.” “But you aren’t as keen on it as you were at first!” declared Ned. “What’s the matter, Bob? Are you in trouble, Chunky, old man?” and he put his arm affectionately over his chum’s shoulder. “Yes, fellows, I am in trouble,” said Bob, and he spoke desperately. “I almost wish I hadn’t agreed to enlist! That I’d waited for the draft, and then----” “What are you saying?” cried Jerry in amazement. “Well, I mean that then I’d have a good excuse to go to war, and I couldn’t help myself,” and Bob floundered a good deal in his explanation. “Why do you need an excuse?” asked Jerry. “Oh, well, I suppose I may as well tell you.” “Wait a minute!” broke in Ned. “Bob, this is getting a bit personal, I know, but the end justifies the means, I think. Have you been to see Miss Schaeffer lately?” Bob looked up quickly. “Last night,” he answered. “You ought to know. You left me there in the car.” “So I did. But I have a reason for asking. Doesn’t her father own some stock in a Boston German paper?” “I believe he does,” said Bob. “And the paper has been one of the strongest advocates against the United States taking any part in this war, as I happen to know,” went on Ned. “It came out flatly, and justified the sinking of the _Lusitania_ on the ground that it was carrying munitions to England. The same paper has taunted Uncle Sam, since the declaration of war, with siding with our old enemy, Great Britain. Am I right, Chunky?” “I suppose it’s true. But Helena hasn’t anything to do with the paper.” “No, but she can’t help siding with her father, and he helps to dictate the policy of that slanderous German sheet! Bob, tell me the truth; isn’t the Schaeffer family pro-German?” “Well, I suppose they are. It’s natural----” “It isn’t natural!” burst out Jerry. “If any so-called German-Americans want to side with the Kaiser let them go back to Germany where they belong. Uncle Sam hasn’t any use for ’em! Bob, I didn’t think this of you!” “Oh, don’t be too severe on Chunky!” interposed Ned. “He hasn’t done anything yet. I know just what the situation is, I think. Bob, you have come to the parting of the ways. You’ve either got to go with us or stay home. What are you going to do? I can see, of late, that you have been rather cold toward this enlistment proposition. Now that won’t do. If you want to wait for the draft, well and good. That’s your business, of course. But we’d hate to see you do it.” “I should say so!” agreed Jerry. “I never dreamed of this. What does it all mean?”