"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.