“I hope you’ll excuse me, Captain,” said Amos, bent on satisfying his curiosity on the spur of the moment. “Something seems to tell me you know America. Am I right about that, or is it a bad guess, sir?”
“I spent several years in Washington as an attaché to our Embassy there,” the officer confessed. “It happens that I married an American woman, so I can assure you I have a great many good friends over there, two of whom I happen to know are in the Foreign Legion that was organized in Paris to fight Prussian militarism. But come with me, as the general’s time is precious. Whatever your errand may be over here I wish you good luck.”
“Thanks, Captain, and the same to you!” exclaimed Amos, as he gave Jack a wink, desiring to call his attention to the fact that for once his guess had hit the bull’s-eye.
A minute later and they were ushered into the presence of the general. Amos felt immediately that they would not have any difficulty in gaining the good will of this high functionary. He had a keen eye, and surveyed the two American boys curiously, as though finding it difficult to understand why they should have been allowed to roam almost at will over these fighting zones, when other non-combatants were swept far to the rear for many reasons.
“Captain Sperry informs me you wished to have a brief talk with me,” was what the general said in quick, terse tones that denoted unusual energy. “First of all tell me who you are, why you are here, and how in the name of all that’s wonderful you have been allowed safe conduct through this war-torn region.”
As was usually the case, Jack took it upon himself to do the talking. Amos always admitted that he was not in the same class with his cousin when it came to making a good use of his vocal organs. In other words, to use the words of some of their boy friends across the water, Jack had the “gift of gab,” and had often been put in the “spell-binder” division.
So Jack introduced Amos and himself. He went right at the root of the matter, telling how Frank Turner had left home under a cloud, and then how some years later his complete innocence had been established so strangely.
Having in this fashion interested the general, who was human even though a stern soldier, perhaps a martinet in his way as well, Jack explained how they had been given a letter of introduction to Lord Kitchener, and that the father of his chum had once been a warm friend of the great soldier in the Soudan.
In somewhat of a dramatic fashion Jack told how they had been given a paper by the British War Minister, and then presented the well-worn document to the astonished general. He examined it eagerly, and then looked at the two boys. The stern expression on his strong face had changed to a friendly smile, owing to first of all the spell of Jack’s boyish oratory, and then the sight of that honored signature.
“You are fortunate indeed, my young friends,” he told them, “in having such a backing. I do not wonder any longer that you have been able to penetrate our lines, and see much that has been going on, which other eyes have not been able to observe. But I sincerely hope you may never fall into the hands of the Germans, for that wonderful paper would seal your fate. They would convict you as spies sent out by Lord Kitchener. Now tell me what I can do for you?”