“These,” he said, “you are to deliver to General Von Kluck. I suppose you knew that he had already returned to his command?”
“Yes,” replied Hal firmly. “I was simply waiting for these. My horse is yonder,” and he waved his hand.
“Oh,” continued the German. “Then perhaps you know that Von Kluck, Von Moltke and the Emperor himself had a brush with a bunch of British or French spies a while back. The Emperor was much put out. He believed that information of an expected coup had leaked out, so all generals were hurried back to their posts to see that everything was shipshape.”
“Yes,” said Hal briefly; “I know.”
He placed the papers in his pocket.
“Auf Wiedersehen,” said the German officer, bowing Hal from his tent. “Your orders are to put those papers into General Von Kluck’s hands at the earliest possible moment.”
“It shall be done,” said Hal as he walked rapidly away.
“Great Scott!” he said to himself. “I am in luck. I wouldn’t be surprised if these papers were orders concerning the movement which I overheard in the farmhouse.”
Quickly he sought out a quiet spot, and broke the Imperial seal. It was even as he had expected—only more. For the papers contained the present troop positions, their expected movements and the number of men and how stationed.
Hal whistled softly to himself.