"Yes, sir, and the colonel will be here directly, sir."
"Good, you may go. Leave a guard outside the door."
The officer saluted and took his departure, casting a sneering glance at the two lads.
"Sit down," commanded the general.
The lads obeyed, and the general took a seat at a huge desk at the far end of the room and immediately plunged into a mass of correspondence. For half an hour he was busy with his letters and paid no attention to the boys. The latter also sat silently.
An orderly entered the room and announced:
"Colonel Fuesco, sir."
"Show him in," said the general.
A moment later and the colonel came blustering in. He gazed angrily at the two lads and spoke to General Ferrari in a whisper. Then both turned upon the lads.
"Have you the paper?" demanded the general.