Stubbs whirled about angrily.

“You bet you’ve made me mad,” he declared.  “You can bet, too, that I won’t ever do any more snooping on behalf of either of you.  The next time you get in trouble you’ll have to depend on someone besides Anthony Stubbs to get you out of it.”

“See,” said Hal.  “I told you not to do it, Chester.  He’s liable to let us both get killed.  He—­”

Stubbs could stand no more.  He turned on his heel and made his way from the tent.  But even as he would have moved away he became involved in more trouble.

With head down and not looking where he was going, he collided with another figure and was pushed violently backwards.  Stubbs looked up angrily and was about to say something when he glanced at the other.  It was General Petain.  The latter spoke before Stubbs could apologize.

“What’s the matter with you?” he demanded.  “Can’t you see where you’re going?  What were you doing in my tent, anyhow?  Who are you?  What’s your business here?”

The questions, came so fast that Stubbs was confused.

“I—­why—­I—­” he stuttered.

“Come inside here,” said the general.

He stretched forth a hand, seized Stubbs by the collar and pushed him in the tent.  Stubbs, caught off his balance, went stumbling and almost fell into Hal’s arms.  General Petain entered the tent immediately behind him.

When his eyes fell upon Hal and Chester he gave a start of surprise.  Evidently he had forgotten all about them.  Then he remembered.

“So you’re still here?” he said.  “I had forgotten all about you.”

“We are awaiting your orders, sir,” said Hal.

“I don’t know as I have any for you,” was the reply.  “I have taken what precautions I can.  Had you arrived a day earlier it might have been different.  I would have had more time.”

“We came as fast as we could, sir,” said Chester.

“I’ve no doubt of that,” said the general.  “Your information is of great value, of course.  I suppose you will return to Marseilles?”

“We had rather remain here a while, sir,” said Hal.

“So,” said the general.  “It’s fighting you want, eh?  Well, I guess I can accommodate you.  I probably shall need every man I can get hold of.  I shall attach you to my staff temporarily.  But tell me, who is this man here?” He pointed to Stubbs.

“War correspondent,” replied Hal briefly.

“What?” roared the general, “and in my tent!  I’ll have him court martialed!”

Stubbs quailed visibly.

“A war correspondent, eh,” continued the general, “and walking about within my lines as free as air.  He may be a spy.  I’ll have him shot.”

“Look here, general,” said Stubbs, “I—­”

“Silence!” thundered General Petain.  He turned to Hal.  “Your name, sir?”

“Paine, sir.”

“A lieutenant, I see.”

“Yes, sir.”