CHAPTER XVIII.

ON A NEW MISSION.

The two lads hurried up to the officer in command of the English troops.

"You arrived just in time," cried Hal, grasping the hand the officer extended.

"I should say you did," declared Chester, also shaking the officer's hand. "A few moments later and we would have been goners, sure."

"Well, I am glad we arrived so opportunely," said the officer, laughing a little. "We heard shooting in this direction last night, but we did not get an order to advance until this morning. As you may perhaps have surmised, we are part of the advance guard of the army."

"Do you mean the French and English have both assumed the offensive in force?" demanded Hal.

"Exactly," replied the British officer. "We are not far in front, and are pushing slowly along, that we may take the Germans by surprise, if possible. Perhaps you may have gathered some information as to the German position and strength?"

This last was in the form of a question, and the lads made haste to answer in the affirmative.

"We have not learned a whole lot," Chester continued, "but we have a little information that may be of value."

"Then you had better hasten back to General French and report," said the officer. "I am sure he will be glad to have any information you may be able to give him."

The lads thanked the officer, and soon the little troop was on the advance again. Hal and Chester resumed their journey in the opposite direction. For an hour they hurried along, occasionally meeting a detachment of mounted troops going forward, but they had traversed at least five miles before they made out in the distance the first long line of the British advance.

It was indeed an imposing sight, this long line of khaki-clad men, marching rapidly toward them, and Hal and Chester were not unmindful of it, and their hearts swelled with pride at the thought that they themselves were a part of this great fighting machine.

They hurried on toward the advancing army. Already the lads had been challenged several times, but upon explaining their predicament had been allowed to continue on their way. Now they reached the first line of the advancing host, and an officer hastily rode toward them.

Upon a glance at their uniforms, now unkempt and dirty, he saluted.

"What is your business here?" he demanded.

Briefly Hal explained, and added:

"We are seeking General French. Can you direct us to him?"

The officer did as requested and the lads made off in the direction he indicated. It was fully two hours later before they were admitted to the presence of the commander-in-chief of the small though mighty host of Britain.

For once the English field marshal lost his habitual calm and greeted them warmly.

"I had made sure that you two lads were lost," he said. "Come, give an account of yourselves."

Chester did so as briefly as possible, and General French listened to the lad's recital in unfeigned amazement.

"And so you are the two who created such havoc in the ranks of the enemy," he exclaimed when Chester had concluded his account of their adventures. "I learned through some of my scouts that a wild engine had dealt a heavy blow to the Germans, but I had never thought that you two were aboard it."

Then it was that Hal told his commander of his encounter with young Dersi, and of what the latter had told him concerning General Tromp, of General Joffre's staff.

"What!" cried General French, springing to his feet. "Tromp a traitor! Why, it is unbelievable. General Joffre has entire confidence in his ability and integrity."

"Nevertheless it is true, there can be no doubt of that," said Hal quietly. "Dersi told us with almost his dying breath, and he certainly was repentant at the end."

"Oh, I do not doubt your word," General French assured Hal, "but it seems impossible. Something must be done at once."

"Will you allow me to make a suggestion, sir?" asked Hal respectfully.

"By all means," was the general's reply.

"Then I would suggest that you send word of General Tromp's treachery to General Joffre by special messenger, and not trust to the field wireless, for in that way Tromp might learn that he was suspected and make his escape."

"An excellent idea," said General French. "It shall be acted upon at once." He turned away, signifying that the interview was at an end.

But Hal had no intention of letting such a piece of work slip through his fingers.

"If you please, general," he said. "Chester and I would like to carry the message. You see, we are greatly interested in this matter."

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 something mysterious in the traitor Dersi's escape. It was never explained satisfactorily. Yes, it must be true."

He was silent again for some moments, then finally spoke again:

"And I would have staked anything I possess on Tromp's honor. He has uncommon ability. Still, there has always been something queer about him. Yes, it must be true."

Suddenly the general sprang to his feet with agility that Hal and Chester had not believed him capable of, and struck a small bell upon his desk a sharp tap. Immediately an orderly entered.

"Have my car brought here instantly," commanded the general briefly.

The orderly saluted and withdrew.

Chester and Hal stared at each other in some surprise. What could the general be about to do? They were soon enlightened.

"I must act at once," said the general, again half to himself. "Never would Tromp have a better chance to work treachery to our cause than at this time. I must stop him, and I must do it personally and without publicity, for should this become noised abroad throughout France, nothing could prove more detrimental to our cause."

He turned suddenly to Hal and Chester.

"And you two shall come with me," he said. "You shall confront Tromp. If he is guilty, we shall find it out some way."

At that instant the orderly entered again and saluted.

"Your car is ready, sir," he said.

The general moved toward the door, motioning for the lads to follow him.

"Come," he said. "We shall go to the front, where even now Tromp is in command and meditating mischief."