“Where are we going to find the Prime Minister, Hal?” asked Chester.

“By Jove!  I hadn’t thought of that!” exclaimed Hal.  “We’ll have to find out.”

They were in the very heart of the city now.  Hal brought the car to a stand, near one of the city’s police officers and accosted the latter in French.

“We bear a communication from General Joffre to the Prime Minister,” he said.  “Can you tell us where to find him?  We are strangers in the city.”

The policeman was very polite.  He signaled another officer, who was passing, and repeated Hal’s request.  The latter immediately climbed into the car beside Hal.

“I happen to know,” he said, “that the Prime Minister at the present moment is at the Chamber of Deputies, where he is making an address.  If your business is important, no doubt you will be permitted to see him as soon as he has concluded.”

He pointed out the way, and Hal drove the car slowly along the streets.  They drew up at last before an imposing building, which, the policeman informed them, was where the Chamber of Deputies sat.  The lads alighted and ascended the steps.

At the entrance they were stopped by a soldier, who demanded their business.

“We bear a message from General Joffre to the Prime Minister,” said Hal.

The soldier summoned an officer, to whom Hal repeated their errand.  The latter motioned the lads to follow him, and showed them into a waiting-room and took his departure, ordering them to wait.

“The Prime Minister has concluded his address,” he told them.  “I shall take your message.”

Half an hour later a man appeared in the doorway.  He was slender and rather tall.  “Lieutenants Paine and Crawford?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” replied the lads, getting to their feet.

“I,” said the newcomer, “am the Prime Minister.”

CHAPTER XX.

AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.

Hal and Chester made a profound bow.

“I have been informed,” continued the Prime Minister, “that you bear a message from General Joffre containing proof of information you obtained bearing on a plot to kidnap the President of France.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Hal, and from his pocket produced the document, which he passed to the Prime Minister.

The latter broke the seal and ran through it hurriedly.

“Hm-m-m,” he said at last.  “Not as much information as I believe we shall need.”

“But surely you know enough to protect the President,” said Hal.

The Prime Minister looked at him somewhat coldly, and Hal drew back, confused at having been so bold.  The Prime Minister touched a bell upon a desk and an attendant entered.

“Have General Gallieni summoned here immediately,” he instructed.

The attendant bowed and departed.  For half an hour the Prime Minister paced up and down the room, deep in thought.  The lads stood silent, neither caring to interrupt his meditations.  Finally the attendant again entered the room, and announced: