"Automobile! We have arranged for a car to pick us up on the northern outskirts of the city, just inside the line."
"Won't the place be guarded?"
"Of course; but, by a little ingenuity and a bold dash, we should be able to get through. If not—"
The lieutenant shrugged his shoulders expressively.
"Well," said Hal, "I won't object to a little excitement."
"Don't worry," replied the young officer; "you will have all the excitement you want, and more, too, or I miss my guess."
They continued their walk in silence.
Beyond getting into Denmark, the young officers had formulated no plan. But, once out of Germany, the rest would be easy. A ship to England, and from there into France for the young Frenchman, and the two American boys would telegraph to their mother, or continue their journey alone. Lieutenant Anderson was bound direct for London, where he would join his regiment.
The officers had decided to make their attempt at escape by way of Denmark because, in all likelihood, the country between Berlin and Kolberg would be less closely guarded than any other part of the German Empire. Troops were being rushed to the French and Russian borders, and they realized it was practically impossible for them to journey in those directions without being captured. Also the southern route offered little hope of success.
The streets became more and more deserted as the four friends continued their walk toward the northern outskirts. They passed several detachments of rapidly moving troops, but they were unchallenged.