He turned to Captain Anderson.  “Are the Germans contemplating any new move in the north that you know of?” he asked.

“They are not, sir,” was the reply.  “I can say that positively.  I heard plans while I was in the hospital.  The German forces in the west have been drawn upon somewhat heavily to reenforce their troops in the eastern theater of war.”

“Do you believe that a new offensive would drive them back?”

“That’s a hard question, sir.  They are strongly intrenched all along the line, and I should say that unless the offensive were to be pushed to the limit, with some object in view besides merely advancing a mile or two, it would be a needless sacrifice.”

General French looked Captain Anderson full in the eye.

“That, sir,” he said gravely, “is my idea exactly, which is the reason we have not assumed the offensive long before this.  I have been censured for my policy more than once; but I would not sacrifice lives needlessly, and would wait until Lord Kitchener has furnished me with sufficient men before ordering a concerted advance.”

Captain Anderson did not reply to this statement, for he knew that no answer was expected.  He was, nevertheless, honored by the general’s confidence, and pleased to know that his ideas found favor with his commander.

“You gentlemen had all better get a little rest,” said General French.

He turned to his desk, littered with maps and papers, signifying that the interview was ended.  The three officers drew themselves up to attention, saluted, and left the tent.

Outside they were joined by Anthony Stubbs, who poured into their ears his tale of woe at being refused admission to the general’s quarters.

“And where am I to go, now?” he asked.

“Where do you want to go?” asked Hal.

“Why,” was the reply, “I want to go where I can get some news for my paper.  I want big news—­something that the other papers will not get.”

“But,” said Hal, “you know that, even if you got it, you could not send it to your paper.  The censor would see to that.”

“Oh, I know that,” replied Stubbs, “but if I can get it I’ll get it out.  You leave that to me.”

“Well, Mr. Stubbs,” said Hal, “I don’t know where you can get it right now, but for to-night I ask you to share our tent.  You may fare forth on your quest in the morning.”

Mr. Stubbs made a profound bow.

“I thank you,” he replied, “and I shall do myself that honor.”

Hal turned to Captain Anderson.

“And you, too, Captain,” he said, “I hope you will stay the night with us.  You can look up your regiment in the morning.”

Captain Anderson replied that he would be happy to accept this invitation, and the four immediately went to the quarters provided for the two lads when they had returned to the army from the air flight from Russia.

Here, tired out and almost exhausted, they turned in immediately—­in spite of the fact that the sun had not yet sunk below the horizon—­and soon all lay snug and comfortable in the arms of Morpheus.