The man fell back with a groan of thanks, and Hal bent over him, thinking that he was dead. But the voice came again:
“I wouldn’t have her know for all the world. I was always wild, but who would have thought that I would be a traitor to my country? When you see General Joffre, tell him at once what I have told you concerning the traitor. Immediately, do you understand?”
“We understand,” said Hal.
“And my mother, you will do as you have promised?”
“We have promised,” said Chester simply.
“Then I may die in peace,” said the wounded traitor.
He lay back on the ground at full length, shuddered, once, twice, and lay still.
Hal rose from his kneeling posture, and lifted his cap from his head.
“He is dead,” he said quietly. “May he rest in peace.”