Somehow it seemed to him that
somewhere or other he must have met him before, although for the life of
him Rod could not imagine how that could be.

"This, then, is the one man whose act made the taking of the ford
possible," said the French general; "and when you remember what this day
you have witnessed, always place high on the roll of fame the honored
name of Andre D'Aubrey, to whom we who have fought the battle for the
ford owe all our success!"

"What! _our_ Andre, and a hero of heroes at that!" cried Josh, able
to grasp the amazing fact, even if much that the general had said was as
Greek to him; "now what do you think of that, Hanky Panky?"

As for the party in question, he could only stare and shake his head as
though utterly unable to understand what it meant.

Rod suddenly remembered why the face of the man on the stretcher had
seemed so familiar. When Jeanne told him all about her troubles he had
been looking at the small boy who accompanied her on her milk route with
the dog team; and it was Andre's son whose face was in his mind when he
stared at the father, for the lad was certainly "a chip off the old
block."

Things could hardly have turned out better for the three Motorcycle
Boys. Why, not only would Andre have witnesses when he signed the
document, but high honors awaited him after he had recovered from his
wounds. Jeanne in her far-distant, humble home in Antwerp must soon hear
great tidings that would bring her much joy.

No wonder then that Rod hastened to pour out the story in his best
French.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

CONCLUSION.

When the main facts of the story had been told the impulsive and gallant
French general insisted that the paper be signed, with him and members
of his staff as witnesses. He also declared that he would see to it that
the family of Andre should be brought on to Paris with as little delay
as possible; because it was expected that sooner or later the Germans
would decide to take Antwerp.

All this filled Rod and his chums with the greatest of pleasure. The
wounded man was looking exceedingly happy, for the news he had just
received concerning his loved ones filled him with more delight than
even the prospect of receiving great military honors, and possibly being
made a captain on account of his recent feat.

Nor was this all, it seemed. While Rod was relating his story he had
noticed that a man who was not in uniform had approached, and seemed to
be listenin