and Chester once more returned to their own posts,
they found the two great armies lined up on either bank of the Marne;
or rather some distance from it, only the outposts of either army
occasionally riding right up to the river's edge, while the great
shells continued to burst on both sides of the river.

Hal and Chester sought out Lieutenant Anderson, whom they found after
a long search. Through an orderly they also reported to General
French, apprising him of where to find them should he desire their
presence. After a short talk with Lieutenant Anderson, who had
insisted that they make free use of his quarters, both lads turned in,
for they had been many hours without sleep, and were tired out.

How long they slept it is impossible to say, but they were awakened by
Lieutenant Anderson shaking them by the arm.

"Get up," commanded the lieutenant. "You are ordered to report to
General French immediately."

Hal and Chester were on their feet in a moment. Bright sunlight
streamed through the entrance to the tent. It was early morning.

Once more in the quarters of General French, both boys impatiently
waited for him to speak--to tell them the reason he had summoned them
so suddenly.

At length the general rose and approached them. He placed a hand on
the shoulder of each, and spoke:

"You two lads already have been of invaluable service. Perhaps I
should not again call upon you so soon, although I know your hearts
are in the success of the arms of France and England. But you have so
often proved your fitness for dangerous missions that you seem the
ones needed."

"We shall be glad to undertake the work, general, no matter what it
is," said Hal.

"Indeed we shall," agreed Chester.

"What I must know," said General French, "is the approximate strength
of the enemy on the other side of the Marne, the positions of his
troops and so on. I could ascertain this possibly by means of the
flying corps; but in that event the enemy would know that I had
learned. It must be done some other way. Are you lads willing to
undertake this task?"

"Yes, sir," said Hal and Chester, almost in a single breath.

"Good," said General French. "I shall leave the means to you, for I
have already come to know your resourcefulness. I have only one
injunction: Be back at the earliest possible moment."

The two lads saluted and left the tent. They immediately returned to
Lieutenant Anderson, where they apprised him of the nature of the