work
before them.

"You two youngsters certainly do have all the luck," said the
lieutenant, "while we old heads sit back here and do nothing."

"It seems to me that you have been doing your share," said Hal.

"And to me, too," Chester agreed.

"Oh, well," laughed the lieutenant. "I have seen considerable action.
I don't suppose I should complain. But how do you propose to gather
this information? I suppose you realize that you have quite a sizable
job on your hands?"

"Yes, we realize that," Hal replied, "and we thought perhaps you could
help us with an idea or two."

The lieutenant was silent for some moments. Finally he said:

"I believe that I should not go alone, were I in your place. The enemy
will be constantly on the lookout for spies. My plan would be to make
quite a detour along the river, crossing by a bold dash and riding
right into the heart of the enemy's country, at whatever point it
might be practically unprotected."

"A good idea," said Hal. "But, in that event, we should have to have a
larger party."

"Exactly," said Lieutenant Anderson. "And I, for one, offer my
services. I suppose we should have at least twenty-five men."

A few moments later Hal was back in General French's headquarters.

"General," he said, "I should like to have your permission to pick
twenty-five men, and permission to use one of the highest power
automobiles in the army."

The general looked at him in silence for a while before speaking, but
finally said:

"You have my permission. Here," turning to his desk and writing a few
words, "is a written order. I shall not ask the nature of your plan.
Good luck to you."

"I shall let you pick the men," said Hal to Lieutenant Anderson, when
he was again back in the latter's quarters, "and, so far as they know,
you are in command."

"Very well," was the reply; "but remember that it is not so. On this
expedition I waive my rank, and will act under your orders."

Half an hour later Chester and Hal inspected the men selected by
Lieutenant Anderson, to whom the boys were introduced as scouts. A
likely body of men they were, strong and sturdy, and not a man of them
under six feet in height.

"Look like they could give a good account of themselves," muttered
Chester to himself.

At length all were piled in a great motor truck, and a second later,
in response to Hal's directions were speeding southward.

CHAPTER XXI.

ACROSS THE MARNE.

For two hours the gre