"Let me speak with him first," said Captain Colton.
John held back and saw the two talk together earnestly a minute or two. Then the big general beckoned to him and as John approached he said:
"The request that you have made through Captain Colton is granted. In a war like this is may be the good fortune of a spy to render a very great service."
John bowed.
"Thank you, sir," he said simply.
"I understand that you wish to start at once," continued the general. "Dress like a peasant, and look with all your eyes and listen with all your ears. And don't forget while you're seeking the enemy's secrets that all France loves a lover."
John flushed a deep red, and Vaugirard and Colton laughed. The general put his hand in the most kindly fashion upon John's shoulder.
"You are one of the bravest of my children," he said, "and I have an affection for thee, thou stalwart American youth. See to it that thou comest back again. Thy hand, Monsieur Jean Castel, for such, I hear, is to be your name."
John's hand was engulfed in the huge palm. General Vaugirard gave it a great shake and turned away. Then John and Captain Colton walked back to the place that had been allotted to the Strangers, where it soon became known to Wharton and Carstairs that their comrade would depart that night upon a quest, seemingly hopeless. They drew John aside:
"Scott," said Carstairs, "are you really going? It's certain death, you know."