"By Jove!" said Hal, as he sprang into the car, "there is no use talking, important developments are pending. It begins to look like peace to me."
"And to me," Chester agreed. "Well, the sooner the better. Four years of war is enough to satisfy Mars himself."
Soon the car was speeding westward.
It was a long drive to Soissons and it was after nightfall when Hal saw the lights of the city in the distance. A few moments later they entered the town.
Hal had no difficulty ascertaining where Marshal Foch made his headquarters and he drove there at once. A few words to a guard before the building brought forth a member of Marshal Foch's staff and the lads explained their mission to him briefly.
"You are expected," said the French officer. "Follow me."
He led the way into the house and through a long hall. At the far end he tapped on a door.
"Who's there?" came a voice, that Hal at once recognized as belonging to the French commander-in-chief.
"Colonel Murrat," said the lads' guide. "The messengers from General Pershing have arrived."
"Show them in at once," said Marshal Foch.