"You gentlemen stay here until I send for you, or return," he instructed the two lads.
Hal and Chester stood stiffly at attention as he walked away.
"We’re in luck, if you ask me," said Chester after their commander had gone.
"It would seem so," Hal agreed. "If anything happens, I’d like to be in at the finish."
"So would I. We’ve been in the war from the first. It would be no more than right for us to see the finale."
"Maybe we will," said Hal. "Here’s hoping."
They sat quietly for some time. Two hours later an orderly approached.
"Major Paine! Major Crawford!" he said, "the commander-in-chief desires your presence at once. Kindly follow me."
General Pershing greeted the lads cordially.
"Glad to see you again," he said. "General Rhodes informs me that you have been up to your old tricks and have again been cited for gallantry in action. However, it is no more than I would have expected of you."
The lads bowed in response to this praise, but neither spoke.
"It is fortunate that General Rhodes brought you with him," General Pershing continued. "Still, it may not be so fortunate for him, for I am about to deprive him of your services. I take it that you will survive the separation, though," and the commander-in-chief smiled.
"We are always glad to serve in whatever way we may, sir," said Hal.
"Good!" said General Pershing. "Then I shall avail myself of your services. Several hours ago I was in communication with Marshal Foch, who is now in Soissons. General Rhodes informs me that he has made you acquainted with the facts that seem to indicate an early cessation of hostilities, so I need not amplify here. Now, Marshal Foch, anticipating that Germany may really sue for peace, has asked my advice in the matter of armistice terms pending a final treaty of peace. These I have written out. As you will readily recognize, they are not to be trusted to careless hands. I have confidence in you, however, gentlemen, so I shall ask you to carry this paper to Marshal Foch."
"We shall be glad to do it, sir," said Chester.
"Very well. Then I intrust this paper to you, and I need not warn you to guard it carefully and keep the matter secret."
General Pershing extended a document to Hal. The lad took it and put it carefully in his inside coat pocket.