"Sedan at last! This settles the war."
It was Chester who spoke.
"Right you are," replied Hal. "The poor old kaiser's goose is cooked. Even the most sanguine German can no longer hope for victory."
"I think the kaiser gave up hope a long while ago," said Chester. "He—Hello, what's up now, I wonder?"
He broke off suddenly and pointed to a horseman who came galloping into the town from the east, gesticulating excitedly as he rode along. Words that he shouted as he dashed forward seemed to create great excitement among the villagers, who, all day, had been parading the streets in celebration of the American occupation of the city.
"Don't know," said Hal. "We'll try and get close enough to hear what he says."
As the man drew close, the lads saw that he was a German cavalryman. It appeared strange to both boys that he was thus permitted to ride free, as the feelings of the villagers were very strong against the Germans. But it soon became apparent that the message he brought secured him immunity.
"What's that he said?" asked Chester, with hand to his ear.
"I didn't catch it," said Hal. "Here, get in front of him. We'll stop his wild ride."
Chester needed no urging. The lads stepped directly in front of the galloping horse. Hal produced his revolvers.
The rider checked his steed. Hal approached him.
"Dismount," said the lad in German.
The rider did so.
"Now," said Hal, "what's all the excitement? You seem to have something on your mind. What is it?"
"Haven't you heard the news?" demanded the rider.
"I wouldn't be asking you if I had," said Hal. "What is it?"
"The kaiser has abdicated!"
Hal and Chester started back in pure amazement.
"What!" they exclaimed in a single voice.
"So I am informed," declared the German. "It is true that my information has not been substantiated, but I know enough of conditions in Germany to credit the report."
"Well, you come with me," said Hal. "We'll take this matter to General Lejeune."
The German accompanied them without objection.
General Lejeune received the report with skepticism.
"Nothing to it, in my opinion," he said. "It is true that conditions in Germany are fast approaching a crisis, but I believe this report is premature. However, I have no doubt that something like that will happen within the next thirty days. But what are you doing in our lines, man?"
This last to the German soldier.
"Well, I'm tired of fighting," was the soldier's reply. "I want to live to go home again some day. I've a family in Hamburg that will need me. I am content to remain a prisoner until the war is over."
"And so you shall," said General Lejeune. "Whether your report is true or not, it has given me an interesting moment. Colonel O'Shea, will you turn this man over to the corporal of the guard?"
The prisoner was led away. General Lejeune turned to Hal and Chester.
"I am sorry to lose your services, gentlemen," he said, "but I have just been in communication with General Rhodes, and he wishes you to report to him at once."
The lads saluted the commander of the Second division and left his quarters.
Half an hour later they reported to General Rhodes as he rode into Sedan to establish his own quarters, as the Second division was soon to advance again. General Rhodes greeted the lads warmly.
"I am certainly glad that you both came through safely," he said, after returning their salutes, "and I must say that I didn't expect it. You have been in luck. Now I have another important matter in hand."
"We shall be glad to offer our services, sir," said Hal.
General Rhodes smiled.
"I've no doubt of it," he replied. "However, this mission is not likely to be so dangerous. Don't worry, though," he added, as the faces of the lads fell, "I believe I may safely promise you some interesting moments."
"We're glad of that, sir," declared Chester.
"I wonder," said General Rhodes, "whether you have heard of the reported upheaval in Germany?"
"Yes, sir," said Hal. "Only a few moments ago we captured a man who declared the kaiser had abdicated."
"That," said General Rhodes, "is probably untrue; however, I know that the kaiser has considered abdicating. In fact, his abdication is being urged by his military leaders—his erstwhile friends, Hindenburg and Ludendorff."
"Can that be possible, sir?" asked Hal.
"Yes, we have authentic information to that effect. I understand, too, Germany is preparing to ask Marshal Foch for an armistice preliminary to signing a declaration of peace."
"By Jove, sir!" exclaimed Chester, carried away in spite of himself.
General Rhodes smiled again.
"It is good news," he said quietly. "Of course, I am not absolutely positive of that, but in view of recent German reverses I do not see how the enemy can do aught else."
"Well, sir," said Chester, "we'll impose terms on them that will make their hair curl."
For a third time General Rhodes smiled.
"We won't be too severe," he said. "Remember, we are not German."
"That's true, too, sir," said Chester. "But all the same, it should be done, if you ask me."
"Perhaps," said General Rhodes. "Now, I suppose you are wondering why I called you here?"
"Yes, sir," returned Hal.
"Well," said General Rhodes, "I have been summoned to report to the commander-in-chief and I want a couple of officers to go with me who can be useful as well as ornamental."
Both lads flushed.
"I know that you drive an automobile exceedingly well, Major Paine," the general continued, "and for that reason I am selecting you as my chauffeur on this trip."
"But I am afraid I shall not be so useful, sir," said Chester.
"Well," said the general, "I am taking you along because I thought you'd like to go."
"And so I would, sir," answered Chester.
"It may be," General Rhodes continued, "that before our return we shall be present at a very momentous gathering."
"You mean, sir—" asked Hal.
General Rhodes nodded.
"Exactly," he replied. "I mean that the commander-in-chief is summoning me for some purpose other than because he wants to see me. It would seem that matters have reached a point where something is likely to break at any minute."
"By George! I hope so, sir," declared Chester.
"I shall expect you to be ready in an hour," said General Rhodes ending the interview suddenly. "I shall have a car here at that time."
Chester and Hal saluted and departed.
"Now, this is what I call a regular mission," declared Hal, as they hurried to their quarters.
"It is if it develops," replied Chester.
"Something tells me it will develop," said Hal.
"Let's hope so."
The lads were back at General Rhodes' headquarters well within the time allowed them. A large army automobile stood without.
"Guess this is our steed," said Hal.
He was right.
General Rhodes appeared a few moments later and took his seat. He motioned Chester to a place beside him. Hal took the wheel.
"Where to, sir?" he asked of the general.
"Rheims," was the reply. "The commander-in-chief is there now. You know the road, of course?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then you will take us there as speedily as possible."
The machine shot forward with a lurch.
Now if there was one thing Hal did better than anything else it was to drive an automobile. He was a fast though careful driver and his hands and nerves both were like steel when he clutched a wheel.
He had been over the road before, and his excellent memory served him in good stead now.
It was after 3 o'clock on the afternoon of November 7 when the automobile flashed into the outskirts of Rheims. Hal stopped the car long enough to inquire the way to General Pershing's headquarters, then moved forward again.
"You are a good driver, Major," said General Rhodes, as he alighted and motioned both boys to follow him.
"Thank you, sir," returned Hal. "I've had experience enough, sir, I should be, at all events."
General Rhodes vouchsafed no reply, as he mounted the short flight of steps to General Pershing's offices, with Hal and Chester at his heels.
Apparently his arrival was expected, for an orderly saluted and told him that he was to proceed to the commander-in-chief immediately.
"You gentlemen stay here until I send for you, or return," he instructed the two lads.
Hal and Chester stood stiffly at attention as he walked away.
"We're in luck, if you ask me," said Chester after their commander had gone.
"It would seem so," Hal agreed. "If anything happens, I'd like to be in at the finish."
"So would I. We've been in the war from the first. It would be no more than right for us to see the finale."
"Maybe we will," said Hal. "Here's hoping."
They sat quietly for some time. Two hours later an orderly approached.
"Major Paine! Major Crawford!" he said, "the commander-in-chief desires your presence at once. Kindly follow me."