"So," said the general confronting the lads with a gleam of anger in his eyes, but his gaze resting particularly upon Hal, "so you made fools of me in Sedan, eh?"
Hal smiled. He was perfectly safe now and he knew it. Not a man there nor in the German lines any place for that matter would dare harm the officer who had piloted the German envoys back from their tryst with Marshal Foch.
"It had to be done, General," said Hal, still smiling.
"But," protested the general, "why was it necessary for you to pick me for your tool?"
"We wouldn’t have done that, General," said Hal, "had you not been so insistent upon our having breakfast with you."
"Well," said General Knoff, "it would appear that the fates are just, after all. I have no doubt that it was information you gained from me that spoiled our plans."
"I have no doubt of it either, sir," Hal smiled.
"And such being the case," the general continued, "I shall see to it that you are tried as spies."
"But we are in American uniform now, sir," said Hal.
"You weren’t then," was the reply, "as I stand willing to prove. No; I shall have you shot. No man can make a fool of me and live."
"You can’t do that, sir," said Hal, quietly.
"I can’t, eh?" exclaimed the general. "I would like to know what is to prevent me?"
Hal’s smile seemed to infuriate the general.
"Captain," he said, "you will place these men under arrest."
The German captain saluted respectfully, but he shook his head.
"What’s that?" demanded General Knoff angrily. "Do you dare dispute my orders?"
"Only when I have previously received commands from your superiors, sir," was the reply.
"These young Americans," the captain explained, "have safe conduct in our lines. I only know they have piloted our delegates who have been discussing an armistice with the French commander-in-chief. I cannot arrest them, sir."
"I see," said General Knoff. "You are perfectly right, captain."
He stepped close to Chester and extended a hand.
"As a military measure," he said, "I would have you shot for what I know, but I want to thank you again for a service you rendered me in Sedan."
Chester was taken absolutely by surprise. Nevertheless he grasped the general’s hand, for that was what seemed to be expected of him.