Hal and Chester advanced to the very edge of the trench. There the soldier took a good look at their faces and noticed the German uniforms. Up went his rifle again and he would have pulled the trigger with the gun aimed squarely at Hal had not Chester leaped quickly forward and struck up the weapon.
The two clinched.
"You fool!" cried Chester. "We are not Germans!"
Other soldiers now came running up. They gathered about the two figures in German uniforms. An officer approached. Fortunately, he recognized the two boys and waved the men away.
"These men are all right," he said.
The soldiers drew off, satisfied, all but the man who would have fired point blank at Hal. He stood there and eyed the lad sullenly. Then, for the first time, Hal obtained a good look at him. The lad recognized him instantly. He was the same man who had directed the hazing of young Jules Clemenceau a short time before.
As the Frenchman leered at him evilly, Hal walked close to him.
"It's my belief you knew me all the time," he declared quietly.
"What of it?" the Frenchman demanded.
"Why," said Hal, "only that if I were sure, I'd pull your nose for you."