He approached the lads.
"I must ask for your swords and revolvers," he said.
Without a word the lads surrendered their weapons.
"Good!" said the French officer. Then to his men: "Forward, march!"
And in this manner Hal and Chester came before the French commander at Verdun. The latter was busy with a pile of papers when they entered his quarters and did not look up immediately. For perhaps fifteen minutes the lads stood there, firmly erect, their eyes upon the general.
Suddenly General Petain wheeled about.
"Leave these men with me," he instructed the French officer who had escorted the lads to his tent; "but attend me outside within call, Captain."
The French officer saluted and withdrew.
General Petain gazed frowningly at Hal and Chester for perhaps a full minute. The lads returned his look without flinching, though there was nothing that might be construed as defiance in their manner; rather, nothing but respectful attention.
"So!" said General Petain at last. "So! I find you two lads, whom I have trusted, among a band of conspirators, eh?"