wo lads. I can see now why General Joffre has such confidence in you."

The lads flushed with pleasure at this compliment, but neither replied.
They merely bowed.

"Now," said General Gallieni, "you shall come with me."

"Where to, sir?" asked Chester.

"Never mind," was the laughing rejoinder. "Mount two of those horses and
follow me."

Without further questions the lads obeyed, and, after half an hour's
ride, found themselves before the Palace where so recently the attempt on
the life of the President of France had been foiled.

General Gallieni dismounted and motioned the lads to follow him, which
they did, going up the steps and entering the Palace itself. Here General
Gallieni gave his name to an attendant. The latter disappeared, but
returned a few moments later and bowed.

General Gallieni, closely followed by Hal and Chester, passed within the
next room. There a man in civilian attire, bearded and with flashing eye,
advanced to meet them.

"Allow me to present to you, sir," said General Gallieni, with a
flourish, "Lieutenants Paine and Crawford, sir."

Both lads bowed low, for the man who advanced toward them with
outstretched hand was Raymond Poincare, President of France.

"I am greatly indebted to you boys," said the President, "for the aid you
have rendered me; but I am still more indebted for the service you have
rendered France."

He spoke at length to the two lads, and finally informed them that
they might withdraw, as he had matters of importance to discuss with
General Gallieni.

"Well," said Hal to Chester, when they were again on the outside, "what
shall we do now?"

"I guess we might as well hunt up our mothers," was Chester's reply.

Accordingly they turned and hurried in the direction of the hotel where,
the evening before, they had outwitted Uncle John.

Uncle John was standing just inside the entrance of the hotel. He glanced
at the lads as they entered, but, as they were still in their Apache
togs, and were ragged and dirty, he did not recognize them. Chester
approached him, and in a wheedling voice said:

"Will you give a poor orphan lad a small piece of money, sir?"

The hand of Uncle John, ever generous, immediately went into his pocket,
and he placed a franc in the boy's hand.

At that moment one of the hotel officials, perceiving the two dirty lads,
and mistaking them for street urchins, approached.

"Were these little beggars annoying you, sir?" he said to Uncle John