Hal smiled slightly.
"To me it seems the report is too good to be true," he volunteered.
"My sentiments exactly, Major," said Colonel O'Neil. "Nevertheless, it is, of course, possible that the report is true, and if it is true, it is the beginning of the end. However, before the general staff can take advantage of the report, it must be verified absolutely. With Austria suing for peace, and Bulgaria and Turkey virtually out of the war, we can strike such a blow at the Germans on the west front as will mean the end of the war before Christmas."
"I see," said Chester, "and it is to obtain confirmation of the report that you have summoned us?"
"Exactly," declared the colonel. "It stands to reason that if Austria has made peace overtures, the German general staff will know of it. Also, for that matter, will practically every man in the German army. It would appear that if we could place a man behind the enemy's lines, he could, with caution and discretion, learn the truth of the matter. I have called you here to offer you this opportunity."
"And we accept it, of course, sir," declared Hal.
"Of course," Chester repeated after his chum.
"Good!" exclaimed Colonel O'Neil. "I knew I could depend on you. General Rowan asked me to put the mission in the most capable hands I could find, and being familiar with your records, I know that my selection could not be better."
"Thank you, sir," said Hal and Chester in a single voice.
"Now," went on the colonel, "I don't want to hamper you with a lot of foolish and needless instructions, but I do want to impress upon you that the sooner the matter is cleared up the better. You will both be granted indefinite leave of absence, but I would ask that you return at the earliest possible moment."