gh they did not hesitate
to tell their story. Thus, as they sat in the express train which took
them to the sea-coast on the following day, they read a full account of
their own doings. A few hours later they were in Paris, and at once
reported at the Ministry of War.

"Bravo! So you are back from Ruhleben, mes enfants. Welcome,
welcome!" cried the officer who interviewed them. "And now, of course,
like good sons of France, you have returned at once, at the very
earliest moment indeed, to fight France's enemies--the Boche, the Hun,
the despicable ruffian whom the Kaiser and his war lords have sent in
our direction to wreck the country. Now, tell me; you have had some
training?"

"Yes, mon Colonel, we have both done our course, and were on holiday in
Germany when war broke out and prevented us from returning. We are
very anxious, mon Colonel, to join in the fighting."

The old Colonel's eyes sparkled as he listened to Henri's rejoinder,
and, with Gallic enthusiasm, he smacked both young fellows heartily on
the back.

"Bon! It is fine to hear you, mes enfants. It is grand to know that
two of France's sons have gone through such adventures in order to
return to the country. And you wish to join in the fighting as soon as
possible? Bien! If I can contrive to arrange it, it shall be so.
But, first of all, you must go to an instruction-camp, from which you
will be drafted to regiments, and where, of course, your uniform will
be issued, as well as your kit. Au revoir! Good luck go with you!"

It was a case of incessant movement for Henri and Jules, and, indeed,
for weeks now they seemed to have been travelling; first those few
miles on foot in the neighbourhood of the camp at Ruhleben, and then in
the empty passenger train which had conveyed them from that dangerous
area. Later came their trip on the supply train, and here, once more,
they were packed in a French supply train running out of Paris en route
for one of the big army camps instituted by the French. By the
following morning, in fact, they had discarded plain clothes, and were
looking critically at one another in uniform.

Jules gave vent to a light whistle, indicative of surprise,
astonishment, and amusement--if, indeed, a whistle can indicate the
latter. Certainly it was not one which displayed any sort of tendency
to admiration; while the grin which followed it made Henri quite sure
that his appearance was a source almost of ridicule to his