The disease that
Frank had spoken of had indeed made its appearance in various
parts of the country, and while the doctors had many theories
concerning it, they were all only theories as yet, and nothing
really definite was known regarding it. The symptoms were much
like those of virulent typhus. Men sickened and died within forty-
eight hours, and once stricken, the unfortunate victim did not
recover in one case out of a hundred.
Some of the doctors were inclined to think it one of the plagues
that usually follow in the track of war, due to privation and
depression. This theory, however, did not explain why American
troops, well fed and victorious, should be affected. Most believed
it to be caused by some deadly germ, hitherto unknown, and every
effort was being made by the medical corps to isolate the germ and
find a remedy for the disease. But the Army Boys were to know more
of the source of this strange scourge and make a most amazing
discovery regarding it.
CHAPTER XIV
ON THE TRAIL
On the day following that of Tom Bradford's disappearance, Bart
and Billy were assigned to special duty as part of an officers'
escort on a mission to a neighboring town.
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