"Colonel Matin!"
The French commander's secretary was on his feet instantly.
"Get General Dupree for me on the wire at once."
Colonel Matin seized the telephone. Five minutes later he said:
"General Dupree on the wire, your excellency."
Marshal Foch seized the instrument.
"Hello, Dupree," he said into the transmitter. "This is Marshal Foch. Has the flag of truce reached our lines yet?"
"No, sir," was the response over the wire. "There seems to be some doubt that it will reach our lines."
"Some doubt? What do you mean?"
"The bearer has turned back twice, sir, and—one moment." The voice broke off and for several moments Marshal Foch waited impatiently. At last General Dupree spoke again: "The flag of truce is advancing again, sir."