"It sounds incredible," said the major, frowning. "Come! I'll take you to General Smith-Derrien. If that's true, it's highly important news. Here, show me on this map just the place where you say you saw them."
Frank and Henri pointed at once to the wood in which the German infantry had vanished, then followed the major out of the room.
CHAPTER XI
AN UNEXPECTED CHANCE
The first impression they had of General Smith-Derrien was of his absolute calmness. The major had been excited when he heard the report of the German infantry in the woods. But when they entered the room in which sat the British general who was responsible for the retreat, as they guessed, they saw a quiet-faced man with smiling eyes, who listened attentively to the reports of the officers who were constantly hurrying up to him, spoke a word or two in answer, and turned, imperturbably, to the next comer.
Their guide left them near the door.
"Wait a minute here," he said. "I'll tell the General your story. But he'll want to speak to you himself. He always does."
Frank watched the British leader closely as he turned to the major, who now went up to him. If the news moved him, he gave no sign of his emotion. Instead he nodded quickly, once or twice; then he looked over toward Frank and Henri. The major turned to them, beckoning, and they went up. General Smith-Derrien was sitting at a table. Before him was an ordnance map of the section covered by his operations.
"Now tell me exactly what happened, as quickly as you can," he said. "You saw these Germans—just where? Point it out on the map. Give me your position and the road they took."