“But,” interrupted the Grand Duke, “you would much prefer to be fighting with the English, your own people, or a kindred people, at least. Is that it?”
Both lads bowed in assent.
“It is, Your Excellency,” replied Hal.
“Well,” said the Grand Duke, “so be it.”
He drew from his pocket a document, which he placed in Hal’s hands.
“This,” he said, “you will place in the hands of either Sir John French, the British commander, or General Joffre, the French commander-in-chief. I could, of course, send the message by wireless to London, but it would be intercepted by the Germans, and, while it naturally would be sent in code, I am not at all sure that the Germans could not decipher it.”
“When shall we start, Your Excellency?” asked Chester.
“Whenever it is convenient,” was the reply. “And the manner of your going I leave entirely to you. I will not hamper you with instructions.”
“Your Excellency,” said Hal, struck with a sudden thought.
“Yes?”