"Very well, then," said General Rhodes. "The message I would have you carry to General Lejeune is this: Attack in full force at 6 o'clock on the evening of November 6, which is day after tomorrow. I shall lay my plans accordingly, going upon the supposition that one of you will get the message through."
"We shall do the best we can, sir," said Hal quietly.
"And that is the best any man can do," said General Rhodes. "As I say, I shall act upon the supposition that one of you will get through and I shall attack at that time whether I hear from you again or not. If you can, come back, but if you deem it more prudent, remain with General Lejeune's division until after the battle. That is all, gentlemen."
Hal and Chester saluted and took their departure.
"Rather a ticklish piece of work, if you ask me," was Chester's comment as they made their way back to their own quarters.
"Right you are," Hal agreed, "but the harder the job the more satisfaction when you have accomplished it successfully."
"What would you suggest?" asked Chester. "Shall we keep on our own uniforms or shall we disguise ourselves as Germans?"
"We'll keep our own," said Hal. "There is no use risking being caught as a spy unless absolutely necessary. If we're captured in American uniforms they'll make us prisoners of war. In German clothes, we would probably be shot. I'm against the German uniform this trip."
"I guess you're right. Besides, according to General Rhodes, we shall have to pass through less than half a mile of German territory. Now I'll make another suggestion."
"What is it?"