"Yes, general," said the officer.
The general turned to the two boys.
"You would better go now," he said.
He extended his hand, and both boys grasped it heartily.
"Good luck to you," he called, as they followed the officer from the hut; "my regards to your mother."
And that was the last the boys saw of the commander-in-chief of all the armed hosts of Germany.
Straight through the great German camp the officer led the boys swiftly.
At the farthest outposts he halted, and signaled another officer.
"Lieutenant," he commanded, "take a flag of truce and escort these boys to the Belgian lines. They have been given safe-conduct by General Von Moltke."
The officer saluted, and the boys followed him. Under a flag of truce they traversed the distance between the Belgian lines.
Out of danger at last, the two lads hastened to the quarters of the commanding general, and reported. The general was genuinely glad to see them.