CHAPTER XIX
THE CONSPIRATORS
Chester, who had been unable to catch a sight of their deliverer's face, was surprised.
"Great Scott! Jules," he exclaimed. "You have a knack of turning up in the nick of time."
"Sh-h-h!" whispered Jules. "No talk until we get away from here."
The others obeyed this injunction to keep silence and followed the young
Frenchman without further words.
Jules approached his own quarters and led the way inside.
"Make yourselves at home," he said with a wave of his hand. "In here we may talk."
Hal and Chester found seats and then the former asked a question.
"How did you happen to find us, Jules?"
"I chanced to be near when the stranger showed you his pea," returned
Jules. "I knew that there had been no summons sent out for an immediate
meeting and that something must be wrong. Therefore, I followed you.
Having learned where you were held I returned later to release you.
That's all."
"Well, we certainly thank you," said Chester. "There is no telling what would have happened to us."
"I was never more surprised," said Jules, "than when I saw you both exhibit black peas. I had no idea that you were with us."
"Then you, too," said Hal, "are—"
"Yes," Jules interrupted. "I am one of you. I suppose you have received the summons?"
"Summons? What summons?" asked Chester.
"Why, for the meeting to-night, or, rather, I should say in the morning."
"No, we have received no summons," said Hal.
"Then it is twice good that I arrived," said Jules. "You shall accompany me."
"And where is the rendezvous?" asked Chester.
"I'll show you," said Jules. He drew his watch from his pocket and glanced at it in the semi-light of the tent. "Twelve fifteen," he said. "We have forty-five minutes still, but it will do no harm if we are a few minutes early. Come."
He picked up his cap from the cot where he had thrown it and led the way from the tent. Hal and Chester followed without a word. The same thought was in the mind of each. At last they would be able to learn the nature of the conspiracy which, although they knew nothing of it, had caused them so much trouble.
After a walk of perhaps twenty minutes, in which time they had not been challenged, Jules pulled up before a tent somewhat larger than the rest.
"General Pombrey's quarters," he said, "and for that reason comparatively safe."
"You mean that the general is one of us?" demanded Hal in no little surprise.
"Yes," said Jules, briefly.
Chester gave a low whistle. Evidently this conspiracy, whatever it might be, was more widespread than he had imagined.
Jules entered the tent and the two lads followed him.
Inside a large number of men already had assembled. Apparently, their anticipation had been so great that they had been unable to control their impatience until nearer the appointed hour. The lads were impressed with one peculiar feature. Unlike most plotters—and Hal and Chester already had come into contact with many—these men wore no masks. Apparently, they were not afraid of their identities being known by their fellow conspirators.
There were no remarks when Jules and Hal and Chester entered the tent. The former led the way to the far side and there stood quietly in the half light. Hal and Chester took their places beside him.
As time passed other men appeared in the tent and Hal and Chester were surprised to see that some were officers of high rank; but neither lad said anything aloud.
Came the voice of a sentry without:
"One o'clock and all's well!"
A moment later the apathy that had gripped the interior of the tent where the conspirators were assembled disappeared. General Pombrey addressed the others.
"I am glad to see so many of you here to-night," he said earnestly. "I note several new faces amongst us and I am pleased to know that others are joining this great movement every day. It shows that even in the midst of this warlike camp the spirit of peace has not died."
His words were greeted with a murmur of approval, though no man spoke.
The general continued:
"Now, I have to inform you that the crisis is near. I have had word from the enemy's lines that the spirit of peace there has grown. It would appear that we are on the eve of success. Another battle or two—a few thousand more lives lost—and this great war may end. When the spirit of peace has overcome the spirit of war in the ranks, then will the war end. I have called you together to-night to instruct you to sound even deeper than you have done the sentiment of the men who stand by your side. The time to stop this war is almost at hand."
Again there was a murmur of approval as the general became silent. He gazed upon the faces about him a few moments in silence, and then spoke again:
"I need not caution you to silence. A false move and all would be lost. But if we can command 10,000 more men when the crisis arrives, men who, like the rest of us, will refuse to fight more when the word is given, we shall be strong enough; and if I told you how many already are pledged you could scarcely believe me. Now here," the general exposed to view a large box, "I have many more of the little peas that are our bond of membership. I want each of you to take as many as you please; and pass them around when you have convinced yourselves the men you approach are acting in good faith."
One after another the men in the tent stepped forward and dipped a hand into the box of peas and put the little round pellets into their own pockets. Then the general signified that he had yet a few remarks to make. The men stood about respectfully as he addressed them.
"Men," he said, "there may be some among you who question the justice of this move. To those I say that we are engaged in a great effort. To prevent further war and bloodshed among ourselves and our enemies is a great duty; for nothing can possibly be gained by the loss of millions of lives and the destruction of billions of dollars worth of property. However, if there are any among you who would draw out of this movement, I would ask that you do so now."
The general paused and looked keenly at the faces about him. No man spoke.
"Good," said the general, "then I know you are with me."
"And the time? When will the time come?" asked one man in the crowd.
"That I cannot say," responded the general, quietly. "But I can assure you that it will be before long. You will all be notified by the messengers, that you may be ready. Now are there any other questions?"
"If we fail, then what?" asked another man.
General Pombrey shrugged his shoulders.
"Probably court martial and a firing squad," he said indifferently. "But you will have died in a glorious cause, whereas now—"
A glimpse of happiness stole over the general's face. To Hal and Chester it meant but one thing. General Pombrey was a fanatic; and the men who had come under his spell were fanatics. In that instant Hal and Chester both realized that this matter must be brought to General Petain immediately.
After some few other words, General Pombrey signified that the meeting was over, and the men filed from the tent singly and in pairs, discussing the matter in low tones.
Outside Hal and Chester were accosted again by Jules Clemenceau.
"And what do you think of General Pombrey?" asked the young Frenchman, his face shining.
For a moment Hal considered what was best to say. Should he try and convince Jules that his present course was wrong; that there was to be considered the honor of his country rather than the opinion of General Pombrey? The lad decided on the side of caution.
"A good man," he replied quietly. "A man who will face a firing squad without a tremor, secure in the belief he is dying for a good cause."
"And do you not think the cause good, and just?" demanded Jules, anxiously.
"If not, why should I be the bearer of a pocket-full of black peas?" was
Hal's reply.
Jules, apparently, was satisfied.
Alone in their own quarters later Hal and Chester discussed the situation seriously.
"To tell the truth," said Chester, "I am half inclined to agree with General Pombrey. But if for no other reason, there is one thing that would make me reveal this plot to General Petain."
"And that?" asked Hal.
"That," said Chester, "is the fact that General Pombrey and the others engaged in this conspiracy are lacking upon the German troops to throw down their arms and refuse to fight at the same moment the French and British do."
"Well?" asked Hal, but he was beginning to catch Chester's drift.
"Well," said Chester, "you and I know the Germans won't do that. It's a ten to one bet that the German general staff knows all about this conspiracy. The peace talk has been carried from one army to the other by the prisoners. The Germans will take advantage of it. Should the French really follow General Pombrey's plan, they would be slaughtered by the thousands. The Germans could not keep faith. You know that."
"Yes, I know it," said Hal with a nod of his head. "They have never kept faith in this war, save in individual cases. It doesn't seem to be in them."
"Exactly," agreed Chester. "Then, if for no other reason than to save these deluded French and British soldiers, the matter must be brought to the attention of General Petain, that he may act promptly and not only save them, but the whole army of France; and the cause of the Allies."
"Good!" Hal agreed. "Then we shall see that it's brought to his attention."
"The first thing in the morning," said Chester.
"Right you are, Chester. The first thing in the morning."