Stepping quietly into the tent, Hal advanced to the center before he was observed.

“A whole lot, Chester,” he said quietly.

Chester and Lieutenant Anderson were upon their feet in an instant, and one had him by either hand, wringing it enthusiastically.

“Stop it, stop it,” laughed Hal.  “You’ll wring my arms off.”

“And so you are back safely,” said Chester, looking long at his friend.

“Yes, I’m back,” said Hal.

“And what did you learn?  Anything else?”

“Lots,” replied Hal, “but let me get out of this wet German uniform”; having done which he plunged into a story of his experiences after they had left until his return to General French’s tent.

“And General French says,” he concluded, “that steps have been taken to spoil the Kaiser’s plan.”

“Good,” said Chester and Lieutenant Anderson in one voice.

“Well,” said Chester, after some further talk, “I guess we might as well turn in.  Anderson and I were unable to sleep because you had not returned.  We can rest easier now.”

Almost completely exhausted, the three were soon slumbering deeply.  The day’s work had been strenuous indeed, and there is no telling how long they would have slept on had not the sound of a bugle, calling “To arms!” roused them.

Quickly they leaped up, and throwing on what few clothes they had removed, were soon at their posts.  The whole army was ready to move at a moment’s notice.

The first glimmer of the morning sun appeared over the horizon as the command for a general advance rang out.  Slowly at first, then faster, the great British fighting machine moved on, squadron upon squadron of cavalry leading the way.

There were no bridges across the little river, nor were there boats enough to carry the army across.  But under the direction of skillful engineers, the best in the world, pontoon bridges sprang up as if by magic.  Before the Germans were fully aware of what was going on, several thousand men had been hurled across the little stream.

These—­advancing in the face of the overwhelming force of Germans, rushed forward to check them—­fought off the enemy while other British, troops were poured over the Marne.  Desperately did the Germans try to drive them back.  Time after time they charged, only to be hurled back again by the British horsemen, and the infantry that now had had time to form after crossing the river.

Artillery was brought into action to force the British back across the little stream.  But it was no use.  The Germans had been caught unprepared.  Already Gen. Von Kluck had weakened his defense by sending some of his men south to take their places in the force with which the Kaiser and his generals expected to execute their great coup.

Evidently the danger of a sudden attack had not been anticipated by the German general staff.  That the British, without the support of their French allies, farther to the south, would take the offensive, was a factor that had apparently been overlooked.