ll
retire to my own quarters to prepare my despatches."

"One minute, Stubbs," said Chester. "You may perhaps remember that until
a short time ago you shared quarters with Hal and me. We would like to
have you come back."

Stubbs grinned.

"That was before the discovery of the great conspiracy," he said. "By the
way, General, may I make so bold as to ask what has been done toward
crushing the move?"

"It has been crushed, sir," replied General Petain, quietly. "That shall
have to suffice. And, by the way, Mr. Stubbs, I must tell you that if you
refer to that matter in your despatches they will be strictly censored."

"I shall not mention the matter, General."

Stubbs bowed and took his departure, first stopping to say to Hal
and Chester:

"You'll find me back in our old quarters when you arrive."

"Now, boys," said General Petain, after Stubbs had gone, "you are
relieved of duty for the rest of the day. To-morrow morning, however, I
shall have need of you; for to-morrow--and I am telling you something few
know--we shall launch a new drive, basing our attacks upon the
information which you have just now furnished me. Good-bye until
to-morrow."

The general walked to the door of the tent with the two boys and waved a
hand to them as they turned away.

"Well," said Hal, as they walked along, "we apparently have accomplished
something worth while."

"To hear the general talk you would think we had," agreed Chester, "and
still we didn't do so much, after all."

"That's what I think."

"By the way," said Chester, "I'm going to hunt up Stubbs' old quarters.
Perhaps he hasn't moved his things yet. I'll lend a hand."

"All right," said Hal. "I'll go along without you. I'll probably be
taking a nap when you reach our quarters. Don't awaken me. I'm tired."

The lads parted and Hal continued on his way to his quarters.

Stubbs had not yet arrived. Hal sat down on the edge of his cot to remove
his shoes. As he did so he thought he heard a sound from behind him. He
whirled suddenly and there, a few feet away, his revolver trained right
upon Hal's heart, stood Matin, the French soldier who already had tried
once to kill him.

"A visitor, I see," said Hal, quietly. "You will pardon me a moment while
I remove my shoes. That is what I started to do and when I start a thing
I always like to finish it."

"Take them off if you want to," returned Matin, grinning evilly. "You
won't need to put them on again."

"Think