“Thanks,” replied Hal.  “I am.  But I haven’t very long to stay.  Please have the car ready as soon as possible.  And if you can spare a driver I shall be glad of his services.  I don’t believe I could drive the car any great distance.”

“You shall have him,” agreed the officer, and left the tent.  Hal huddled up close to the little fire.

CHAPTER XXV.

The German coup fails.

Wrapped tightly in a great fur overcoat that the officer had insisted on lending him, Hal snuggled back comfortably in the large automobile as it sped over the ground toward General French’s headquarters.

The chauffeur was a speed demon and the huge machine covered the ground much more quickly than the one in which the little party of British had started on their mission.  It was not long, therefore, before the lad found himself descending from the car.  Another moment and he once more stood before his commander.

“So, you got back safely, eh,” exclaimed General French.  “Young Crawford gave me your report, and I was afraid that you would be captured.  Did you learn anything further?”

“Yes, sir,” Hal made reply.  “I have learned the number of men in each command, their positions and all details.”

“What!” exclaimed General French in great surprise.

“Yes, sir,” continued Hal, and reaching in his pocket he drew out the documents given him by the German officer.  “Here they are, sir.”

General French took the papers from the lad’s hand, and glanced at them quickly.  After a brief perusal, he laid his hand on Hal’s shoulder.

“You have done well,” he said quietly.  “I shall not forget it.  You may go now, for I doubt not that your friend is greatly worried over you.  I will say this:  You have rendered an invaluable service to England—­one that the King shall hear of.  I have already taken steps to thwart this German coup, and if we are successful the credit will be mainly due you.”

Hal saluted and with glowing heart left the general’s tent.

“Now to find Chester,” he said.

He had little difficulty in doing this, for Chester was still making his quarters with Lieutenant Anderson.  Approaching the lieutenant’s tent, Hal walked up cautiously.

“I want to surprise them,” he told himself.

Inside he heard the sound of voices, and he paused to listen.

“I’m afraid he won’t ever get back,” came Chester’s voice.  “I should have insisted on accompanying him.  I shouldn’t have let him go alone.”

“Still,” said Lieutenant Anderson, “he was in command.  We had to obey him.”

“That is true,” replied Chester, “but just the same if ill befalls him I shall feel that I am partly to blame.  Besides, we had the information we went after.  What had he to gain by staying and putting himself in the enemy’s power?”