"I trust you had a pleasant trip, gentlemen?" said Marshal Foch politely.
"Not so very pleasant, sir," said one of the envoys, and explained what had befallen.
Marshal Foch expressed his condolences, then added:
"And now to business, gentlemen."
"We are ready to discuss terms, sir," said General Herwigs.
"Ah," said Marshal Foch, "but there shall be no discussion. I have stated my terms. It is for you to say whether Germany will accept."
"You have the terms in writing, Marshal?"
"I have, sir. They are here," and Marshal Foch extended a paper to General Herwigs.
General Herwigs read the several sheets of foolscap carefully. Then, without a word, he passed them to his associates, who scanned them carefully in turn. The paper was passed back to General Herwigs.
"They are very severe, sir," said General Herwigs.