Upon an afternoon when the battle of Verdun was a little more than three months old, Hal and Chester were summoned to the quarters of General Petain. They went eagerly, for they realized that there was important work ahead.
"Boys," said General Petain, for thus he had come to address them when alone, after the official salutes had been returned, "I have here a piece of work, that, because of the danger attached, I hesitate to select a man, or men, to perform."
Hal and Chester both smiled.
"And you want to give us the first chance at it, sir?" said Hal.
"Yes; I know that if you accept the mission it is more certain of success than if I entrusted it to other hands."
"We shall be glad of the chance, sir," said Chester, quietly.
General Petain clapped his hands in satisfaction.
"I knew it," he said, "and yet I did not like to order you to perform it.
You boys are true blue."
Both lads flushed with pleasure at this remark, but they made no reply. They stood quietly waiting until the general should tell them what was required.
"Boys," said the general, "it is absolutely essential to the success of this campaign that I have a more accurate knowledge of the enemy's lines and strength. My aviators have been sent in search of such information, but they have met with little success. The only man who got close enough to learn what I am after, according to others who followed him, was shot down. He failed to return. What he learned, of course, I do not know. But it is that which I must know. Do you think you can gain this information for me?"