Hal put on the brakes and the automobile came to a stop a few feet from the nearest German, who, it appeared, was a colonel of infantry.
The German, followed by his men, approached the car and surrounded it.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"Dutch war correspondents," replied Hal quietly.
"Your passports," demanded the German.
The four friends produced their passports and extended them to the officer. The latter scanned them hastily, then cried:
"As I thought. You are the men we want. Seize them!" This last command to his soldiers.
Instantly the dozen soldiers swooped toward the automobile, their rifles leveled. At the same moment Hal sent the large automobile forward with a jump.
The German rifles spat fire. Revolvers appeared simultaneously in the hands of Chester and McKenzie. Both sprang to their feet, and, each holding to a side of the machine, they returned the fire, as Hal bent over the wheel.
"Crack! Crack!"