er."

The general glanced at the two lads, and a faint smile lighted up his
face.

"And so you shall," he said at length. "Refresh yourselves with food
and drink first, and then report to me."

Hal and Chester saluted and took their departure. Having done as the
general ordered, they lost no time in returning to him. General French
had already prepared his dispatch and this he placed in Hal's hand.

"General Joffre no doubt will be amazed at the contents of this
message," the general told the lads, "and he probably will demand all
details from you. Tell them to him as you have to me and I am sure he
will be convinced. That is all, except that you return as soon as
possible, for I may have other work for you."

The two lads saluted and started forth on their journey. Both had been
furnished with good horses at the command of the general, for they had
asked for these in preference to being carried in an army automobile.

"Those things are likely to break down any time," Hal had confided to
Chester, "and you can always depend upon a good horse."

Chester had agreed with him, so now we find the two lads mounted and
riding rapidly toward the southwest, in which direction they knew they
should reach the French commander-in-chief.

It was a long, tedious ride, for the French general, that he might
have perfect quiet in which to make his plans and direct the movement
of the French forces, had made it his custom to remain well in the
rear of his army. And here, the following day, the lads found him, and
upon informing his orderly that they bore important communications
from General French, were admitted to his presence at once.

The French commander-in-chief sat at a small desk, surrounded by
members of his staff. Hal and Chester drew themselves up and saluted;
then the former advanced and placed the document in Gen. Joffre's
hand.

Quickly the French commander ran his eyes over the paper; then leaned
back in his chair. For perhaps five minutes he retained this position,
uttering no word, apparently deep in thought.

Then he arose, and with a wave of his hand dismissed all his staff,
motioning for Hal and Chester to remain. The tent cleared, the general
spoke:

"Now tell me your story," he said briefly.

Hal did so, and the general listened attentively, without asking a
single question until Hal had concluded his story.

"It must be true," he said at length, half to himself. "I remember
well that there was some