g intently. Thinking that he might be some one who desired to
make a report to the general, Rod had paid little attention to this
unknown party. Judge of his astonishment and delight as well when the
other pushed forward, making a respectful salute to the
commander-in-chief, and announced his identity.

"Behold in me the villain of the piece," he remarked grimly; "I am Jules
Baggott, the cousin who plotted to keep Andre from receiving the
inheritance our uncle had planned to give him. With shame I confess it
now, but, my general, never again would I be guilty of conspiring
against a member of my family who has won for it and for France such
imperishable renown. I, too, saw what Andre did, and even though I had
the power to destroy that paper at this minute I would scorn to do so.
Here and now I beg his forgiveness. His wife and family have reason to
be proud of him, even as we are."

Rod never knew whether Jules meant all he said. He did not altogether
like the man's looks; but his words were fair enough, and he acted as
though for once in his life he was thoroughly ashamed of himself.

It turned out that Jules could not serve as a soldier on account of
lacking the sight in one of his eyes; so there was really nothing to his
discredit in his absence from the army. In reality he had become a
member of the Secret Service, and doubtless would find a means in that
capacity to do his part in the long war that faced France.

Of course the general could not give them any more of his valuable time.
He did shake hands all around again at parting, and assured Rod that he
would take a personal interest in seeing that Andre and his family were
speedily reunited in Paris. With that the boys believed they had good
reason to feel satisfied; and that they could conscientiously give over
their adventurous and perilous journey to the battle front where the two
rival armies were fighting so desperately day after day.

Hanky Panky in particular displayed considerable delight at the prospect
of once more turning their faces toward home. He had, to tell the truth,
become weary of all these pictures of savage warfare, and yearned to
again gaze upon peaceful scenes such as the country beyond the sea held
in store for them. Faces of his boyhood friends were appearing before
him in his dreams every single night, and too the loved ones left behind
had never seemed one half so precious as now.

"This fighting business may be all very well for