Bright and early the next morning, however, the lads were admitted to his presence.
"This," said the French commander, placing a paper in Hal's hands, "is an important communication for the French prime minister. I have selected you two lads to place it in his hands immediately. Since you told me of the plot to kidnap the President, I have investigated. From a prisoner I have learned additional facts, which I have put into the paper you hold."
"The prime minister is in Paris, is he not?" asked Hal.
"He is. I have informed the prime minister, by wireless, that you are on the way with the message; also, that if there is any work to be done, he could not do better than to give you chaps a hand in it."
"Thank you, sir," said both lads in one voice.
"Make all possible haste," said General Joffre, waving them from his presence.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE ROAD TO PARIS.
"How far are we from Paris, Hal?" asked Chester, when they were once more on the outside.
"Not more than eighty miles," was the reply. "You heard what the Kaiser is said to have told his troops, didn't you?"