There were no remarks when Jules and Hal and Chester entered the tent.  The former led the way to the far side and there stood quietly in the half light.  Hal and Chester took their places beside him.

As time passed other men appeared in the tent and Hal and Chester were surprised to see that some were officers of high rank; but neither lad said anything aloud.

Came the voice of a sentry without: 

“One o’clock and all’s well!”

A moment later the apathy that had gripped the interior of the tent where the conspirators were assembled disappeared.  General Pombrey addressed the others.

“I am glad to see so many of you here to-night,” he said earnestly.  “I note several new faces amongst us and I am pleased to know that others are joining this great movement every day.  It shows that even in the midst of this warlike camp the spirit of peace has not died.”

His words were greeted with a murmur of approval, though no man spoke.

The general continued: 

“Now, I have to inform you that the crisis is near.  I have had word from the enemy’s lines that the spirit of peace there has grown.  It would appear that we are on the eve of success.  Another battle or two—­a few thousand more lives lost—­and this great war may end.  When the spirit of peace has overcome the spirit of war in the ranks, then will the war end.  I have called you together to-night to instruct you to sound even deeper than you have done the sentiment of the men who stand by your side.  The time to stop this war is almost at hand.”

Again there was a murmur of approval as the general became silent.  He gazed upon the faces about him a few moments in silence, and then spoke again: 

“I need not caution you to silence.  A false move and all would be lost.  But if we can command 10,000 more men when the crisis arrives, men who, like the rest of us, will refuse to fight more when the word is given, we shall be strong enough; and if I told you how many already are pledged you could scarcely believe me.  Now here,” the general exposed to view a large box, “I have many more of the little peas that are our bond of membership.  I want each of you to take as many as you please; and pass them around when you have convinced yourselves the men you approach are acting in good faith.”

One after another the men in the tent stepped forward and dipped a hand into the box of peas and put the little round pellets into their own pockets.  Then the general signified that he had yet a few remarks to make.  The men stood about respectfully as he addressed them.

“Men,” he said, “there may be some among you who question the justice of this move.  To those I say that we are engaged in a great effort.  To prevent further war and bloodshed among ourselves and our enemies is a great duty; for nothing can possibly be gained by the loss of millions of lives and the destruction of billions of dollars worth of property.  However, if there are any among you who would draw out of this movement, I would ask that you do so now.”