ermans broke from behind their
shelter and fled swiftly.

A force of French cavalry dashed into view around the house.

Both lads heaved a sigh of relief and left their refuge.

"May as well go in and tell His Lordship he can finish his nap," said
Hal.

But there was no need for this. When the lads entered the room His
Lordship lay sleeping peacefully, one hand still grasping his rifle.

"Well," said Chester, "he's the limit. However, he's some fighter, too.
You'll have to give him credit for that."

A few moments later the squadron of British, which had advanced again in
the wake of the cavalry, came into sight. The sergeant dashed rapidly
toward the house where he had left the boys.

The latter greeted him at the door.

"We didn't miss you until we had gone too far to come back," said the
sergeant. "I feared you had been killed."

"We are all right," replied Hal, "but there is no telling what might have
happened to us had it not been for His Lordship, who is sleeping in the
next room."

"What! His Lordship sleeping while all this was going on?" exclaimed
the sergeant, pointing to the bodies of the dead Germans that lay
scattered about.

"Oh, that!" exclaimed Chester. "His Lordship did most of that
between naps!"

The Allies were now in force enough to hold the town, which they did all
that day with Hal and Chester in command. With the coming of night,
however, an officer appeared to relieve them. He also informed them that
General Joffre desired their presence immediately.

Accordingly the lads left the little village, and midnight found them
back in their own quarters. They retired immediately to rest, for General
Joffre had left word that he would postpone his interview with them until
the morrow.

Bright and early the next morning, however, the lads were admitted to
his presence.

"This," said the French commander, placing a paper in Hal's hands, "is an
important communication for the French prime minister. I have selected
you two lads to place it in his hands immediately. Since you told me of
the plot to kidnap the President, I have investigated. From a prisoner I
have learned additional facts, which I have put into the paper you hold."

"The prime minister is in Paris, is he not?" asked Hal.

"He is. I have informed the prime minister, by wireless, that you are on
the way with the message; also, that if there is any work to be done, he
could not do better than to give you chaps a hand in it.