“I can vouch for that, sir,” said Marshal Haig.
Again Marshal Foch surveyed the lads closely, much to their embarrassment.
“Their names?” he asked of General Pershing.
“Lieutenants Paine and Crawford, sir.”
“Lieutenants Paine and Crawford,” said Marshal Foch, in a very quiet voice, “will you please step forward?”
CHAPTER XV
INTO THE ENEMY’S COUNTRY
Hal and Chester advanced to the center of the room. They realized that all eyes were on them and they held themselves stiffly erect.
“It is high praise I have heard of you, sirs,” said Marshal Foch quietly. “I trust that, should we have further need of your services, you will be as fortunate as I judge you have been in the past.”
Hal and Chester bowed slightly, but said nothing. Marshal Foch turned to General Pershing.
“I do not know as there is need of further discussion,” he said. “If you have decided, general, that you will entrust the work you have mentioned to these young officers, I should say that the sooner they get about it the better for all concerned.”