"You are both resourceful; I know that. That is the reason that I have had you placed under arrest—that you may not turn your energies against us. I shall have you sent to Paris, thence to London, and I hope that before long you will be back in your own country, the United States."
"Pardon me, sir," said Hal, respectfully, "but I do not need to ask you again to name the man who has caused us to be in this predicament. His name is Stubbs."
"Well, I see no need to deny it," said General Petain.
"General," said Chester, now stepping forward, "I would be glad if you would give me an opportunity to explain this matter."
"It shall not be said that I denied any man a hearing," was the general's reply. "Proceed."
As briefly as possible Chester recounted the manner in which they had come into possession of the two peas; of why they decided to keep them; of their capture the night before by Anthony Stubbs and of their escape; and last, of their attendance at the meeting of the conspirators, where, for the first time, they learned the true significance of the little black peas.
As Chester proceeded with his story the general listened attentively. When Chester spoke of being captured by Stubbs, the general smiled quietly, and Hal, noting the smile, guessed rightly that General Petain had had a hand in the capture himself—or rather, that he at least had sanctioned it; and when Chester spoke of the meeting of the conspirators and mentioned the name of General Pombrey, General Petain frowned.
"So," he said when Chester had concluded, "General Pombrey is mixed up in this thing, eh?"
"He seems to be the leader of the movement, sir," replied Chester. "I should say that he is without doubt the directing hand."
"And what do you hope to gain by telling me all this?" asked General
Petain, eyeing the lad shrewdly.