General Pershing greeted the lads cordially.
"Glad to see you again," he said. "General Rhodes informs me that you have been up to your old tricks and have again been cited for gallantry in action. However, it is no more than I would have expected of you."
The lads bowed in response to this praise, but neither spoke.
"It is fortunate that General Rhodes brought you with him," General Pershing continued. "Still, it may not be so fortunate for him, for I am about to deprive him of your services. I take it that you will survive the separation, though," and the commander-in-chief smiled.
"We are always glad to serve in whatever way we may, sir," said Hal.
"Good!" said General Pershing. "Then I shall avail myself of your services. Several hours ago I was in communication with Marshal Foch, who is now in Soissons. General Rhodes informs me that he has made you acquainted with the facts that seem to indicate an early cessation of hostilities, so I need not amplify here. Now, Marshal Foch, anticipating that Germany may really sue for peace, has asked my advice in the matter of armistice terms pending a final treaty of peace. These I have written out. As you will readily recognize, they are not to be trusted to careless hands. I have confidence in you, however, gentlemen, so I shall ask you to carry this paper to Marshal Foch."
"We shall be glad to do it, sir," said Chester.
"Very well. Then I intrust this paper to you, and I need not warn you to guard it carefully and keep the matter secret."
General Pershing extended a document to Hal. The lad took it and put it carefully in his inside coat pocket.
"It will be safe there, your excellency," he said quietly.
"Now," said the commander-in-chief, "it is my wish that that paper be placed in Marshal Foch's hands at the earliest possible moment. The car in which you drove General Rhodes is at your disposal."
"We shall make all possible haste, sir," said Chester.
Both lads saluted their commander and left the room.
"By Jove!" said Hal, as he sprang into the car, "there is no use talking, important developments are pending. It begins to look like peace to me."
"And to me," Chester agreed. "Well, the sooner the better. Four years of war is enough to satisfy Mars himself."
Soon the car was speeding westward.
It was a long drive to Soissons and it was after nightfall when Hal saw the lights of the city in the distance. A few moments later they entered the town.
Hal had no difficulty ascertaining where Marshal Foch made his headquarters and he drove there at once. A few words to a guard before the building brought forth a member of Marshal Foch's staff and the lads explained their mission to him briefly.
"You are expected," said the French officer. "Follow me."
He led the way into the house and through a long hall. At the far end he tapped on a door.
"Who's there?" came a voice, that Hal at once recognized as belonging to the French commander-in-chief.
"Colonel Murrat," said the lads' guide. "The messengers from General Pershing have arrived."
"Show them in at once," said Marshal Foch.
A moment later Hal and Chester were in the presence of the generalissimo of all the allied forces. They saluted him respectfully.
"I may be mistaken," said Marshal Foch, eyeing them searchingly, "but I'll wager you are Majors Paine and Crawford. Am I right?"
"Yes, your excellency," said Hal. "We are honored that you remember us."
"I never forget a face," replied Marshal Foch; "and seldom a name. Then you bring me a communication from General Pershing?"
For answer Hal produced the document given him by the American commander-in-chief earlier in the day. He passed it to Marshal Foch without a word. The French commander took it and laid it carefully on his desk.
"That will be all for to-night, gentlemen," he said. "I shall be pleased if you will avail yourself of our hospitality. Colonel Murrat will find quarters for you. Will you report to me in the morning at 8 o'clock? I may have a reply for your commander-in-chief."
The lads saluted again and withdrew. Colonel Murrat showed them to excellent quarters in a house next to the one in which the French commander had his headquarters and left them.
"Well," said Chester, after he had gone, "looks like we are right in among things, doesn't it?"
"It certainly does," Hal agreed. "But say, I'm hungry. Let's step out and round up something to eat."
"Suits me," declared Chester, "I'm half starved myself."
At a little restaurant only three or four blocks away they were soon comfortably filled. Hal was on the point of suggesting that they turn in for the night when a figure entering the door caught his eye.
"By all that's wonderful," he exclaimed, "here comes Anthony Stubbs."
Hal was right. The little war correspondent espied the lads at the same moment and hurried toward them with outstretched hand.
"I'm awfully glad to see you boys again," he exclaimed. "What brings you here, if I may ask?"
"Sit down, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "Have something to eat with us."
"Thanks: don't mind if I do. But I repeat, what are you doing here?"
"How long have you been in town, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Chester, ignoring the little man's question.
"About fifteen minutes, more or less. But I say, what are you doing here? This is the third time I've asked that question."
"Then don't ask it again, Mr. Stubbs," replied Chester.
"Oh, I see," smiled Stubbs. "Can't answer, eh? Well, I'll wager another hat with somebody that I can tell you why you're here."
"You'd lose this time, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal.
"Oh, no I wouldn't. You're here in connection with the signing of an armistice by Germany and the allies."
Chester started to his feet.
"Sh-h-h! Not so loud, Stubbs," he exclaimed.
Stubbs smiled, but he lowered his voice when he spoke again.
"Well, would I lose the bet?" he asked.
"I can't say a thing, Mr. Stubbs," was Hal's response.
"Well, I'm bound by no such orders," said Stubbs, "so I can. First, however, I want you to understand that whatever I do say is in confidence."
"Of course," said Hal.
"Certainly, Mr. Stubbs," agreed Chester.
"Well, then," said Stubbs, "I want to tell you I'm on the trail of the biggest scoop in newspaper history. I'm going to be the first war correspondent to flash the news that the armistice is signed."
"You mean you think you are," said Chester.
"I'm dead sure of it. Now, I'm in close touch with a very influential naval officer. He has agreed to let me know the moment the armistice is signed; and the news will come to him over the only direct wire to the place of meeting between Germans and allies, for it will be an official wire."
"You're getting away ahead of the game, Mr. Stubbs," declared Chester.
"Certainly you have no information yet that an armistice is likely to be signed soon."
Stubbs smiled.
"But the trouble is I have," he replied quietly.
"Stubbs," said Hal with real admiration, "I don't know how you do it, but you certainly have a way of getting information when you start after it."
"That's why the New York Gazette sent me over here," replied Stubbs modestly.
"I see," said Hal. "Well, I wish you luck. But what are you doing here?"
Stubbs was silent a moment. Then he said:
"I know you'll say nothing about this, or I would keep mum. Truth is I came here to make these arrangements I've been telling you about."
"And how long will you stay, Mr. Stubbs?"
"Over night. I'm off for Versailles to-morrow."
"Versailles!" exclaimed Chester. "But you will be out of the fighting zone then, Mr. Stubbs, and it will take you longer to get word should your news develop."
"But I'll be where I can get it on the cables ahead of some of the rest of 'em," said Stubbs with a grin. "Also, I'll get word in Versailles as soon as the fellows get it here, or wherever the thing is pulled off. I've seen to that."
"I get you, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "Now take my advice and wait until you are sure of your facts before you do anything rash."
"I wasn't born yesterday," said Stubbs with another grin. "I'll flash the word when the time comes, not before."
"Sorry we can't help you a little bit, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "but you know how it is."
"Oh, that's all right," said Stubbs. "I understand. I don't make a habit of telling all I know either. Well, that was a pretty fair meal you fellows set me up to. Now let's get out of here. Where are you putting up?"
Hal told him.
"Guess there's no objection to my coming along, is there?" asked Stubbs.
"I guess not," said Hal. "Come along."
So Stubbs accompanied the two lads back to their temporary home.
"I'm going to turn in on that second bed there," he said. "You two fellows can bunk together. If I'm gone when you get up in the morning you'll know I'm on my way."
He threw his clothes off hastily, and crawled into bed.
"Good night," he said.
He was asleep and snoring loudly long before Hal and Chester turned in for the night.
"Let him snore," said Hal with a grin. "I'm not particularly fond of such noises, but I'd hate to disturb him. Anyway, he won't bother me long, and not at all after I get to sleep."
"Nor me," agreed Chester. "Let him snore."
So the lads also crawled between the sheets.
"Guess we'd better get all the rest we can," said Chester. "Things are liable to happen from this time on."
Chester was right. Things did happen.