"Yes, and I can vouch for the fact that they were both attached to the staff of General Sir John French," put in Colonel Anderson.
"Very well, then," returned the general. "You may go, and my only instructions are that the work be done with the greatest possible haste."
"It shall be done, sir," declared the colonel. "Come, boys."
The three saluted and made their way from the general's quarters.
In Colonel Anderson's tent they talked over their plans.
"Just what is it we are supposed to find out?" asked Hal.
"First, the enemy's strength at this point," replied the colonel. "The lay of the land, the strength of the enemy's position, how his army is laid out, and, lastly, the feasibility of a quick dash over the Alps."
"Not such a little job, after all," commented Hal dryly.
"And," said Chester, "just how do you figure we are going to get within the Austrian lines?"
"That's the problem," said the colonel. "We'll have to figure that out. One thing, we've got to get there, and at least one of us has got to get back again. Luckily, I speak German fluently. I don't believe Austrian will be necessary."