The general sniffed contemptuously.

"My information regarding you boys comes from a source that I am afraid I must believe," he said.

"Will you tell us the source, sir?" asked Hal.

General Petain shook his head.

"It would do no good," he returned. "It would not alter the facts in the case. Now, I know you boys have been of great value to the cause of the Allies. My informant is authority for that statement also. You have accomplished much and France and the other allied countries must thank you. But it appears now that you have been led from the proper way of thinking; and my informant in your case says, and rightly, that from young men who have done much to advance the cause of the Allies, there is much to be feared when they embark upon some other venture.

"You are both resourceful; I know that. That is the reason that I have had you placed under arrest--that you may not turn your energies against us. I shall have you sent to Paris, thence to London, and I hope that before long you will be back in your own country, the United States."

"Pardon me, sir," said Hal, respectfully, "but I do not need to ask you again to name the man who has caused us to be in this predicament. His name is Stubbs."

"Well, I see no need to deny it," said General Petain.

"General," said Chester, now stepping forward, "I would be glad if you would give me an opportunity to explain this matter."

"It shall not be said that I denied any man a hearing," was the general's reply. "Proceed."

As briefly as possible Chester recounted the manner in which they had come into possession of the two peas; of why they decided to keep them; of their capture the night before by Anthony Stubbs and of their escape; and last, of their attendance at the meeting of the conspirators, where, for the first time, they learned the true significance of the little black peas.

As Chester proceeded with his story the general listened attentively.

When Chester spoke of being captured by Stubbs, the general smiled quietly, and Hal, noting the smile, guessed rightly that General Petain had had a hand in the capture himself--or rather, that he at least had sanctioned it; and when Chester spoke of the meeting of the conspirators and mentioned the name of General Pombrey, General Petain frowned.

"So," he said when Chester had concluded, "General Pombrey is mixed up in this thing, eh?"

"He seems to be the leader of the movement, sir," replied Chester. "I should say that he is without doubt the directing hand."

"And what do you hope to gain by telling me all this?" asked General Petain, eyeing the lad shrewdly.

"I hope to see the conspiracy crushed, sir, before it gains further momentum," was Chester's reply.

General Petain eyed the lad peculiarly.

"Can it be that I have been misinformed?" he muttered to himself.

Hal's keen ears caught the words.

"I can a.s.sure you that you have been misinformed, sir," he replied firmly.

For several moments more the general eyed the lads sternly and they returned his gaze without flinching. Suddenly the general clapped his hands together. The French officer who had arrested the two lads entered he tent and saluted.

"Captain," said General Petain. "my compliments to Mr. Anthony Stubbs and say that I desire his presence here at once."

The French officer saluted and took his departure.

The hearts of the two lads beat high now. Apparently General Petain had been convinced of the truth of their stories. They believed that when Stubbs confronted them he would weaken.

"I don't know what to think about this matter," said General Petain as they waited for Stubbs' arrival. "I am loath to believe you would be mixed up in anything of this nature."

"How did Mr. Stubbs happen to mention us as being implicated in this conspiracy, sir?" asked Chester.

"He said he wanted to see you get home safely and not be mixed up in anything that might mean a firing squad," said General Petain, calmly. "I promised him your safe return to America for his news of the conspiracy."

"I see," said Chester.

At this moment Stubbs was announced. General Petain looked at him sharply.

"These officers," he said, indicating Hal and Chester with a wave of his hand, "deny the charges you have made against them, sir."

"Surely, you didn't expect them to admit it, sir?" questioned Stubbs, shifting from one foot to another, as Hal and Chester bent their gaze on him.

"Well, no, I didn't," was General Petain's reply, "but they tell such a straightforward story that I am of the opinion you must be mistaken as to their part in this conspiracy."

"But the peas," said Stubbs. "They had them."

"Well, somebody might have slipped one into your pocket, as far as that goes," said General Petain; "and then you might be standing here under suspicion."

"Tha--that's so, too," Stubbs stammered. "I hadn't thought of that."

"Well, you should have thought of it," exclaimed General Petain.

"It's no small thing to cast suspicion upon a man and then be able to prove nothing."

"But the peas--"

"Never mind about the peas," stormed the general. "By any chance, when you had these officers in your tent last night, did they admit connection with the plot?"

"No, sir; they professed ignorance. But they had the peas--"

"_Mon Dieu_! Can't you think of anything but peas? What kind of a war correspondent are you, anyhow?"

Stubbs was offended. He drew himself up and would have made reply, but General Petain silenced him with a gesture.

"I don't question your loyalty," he said, "and I know that you acted with the good of these lads at heart. But I am convinced you have been mistaken. I am going to release these boys. Lieutenant Paine! Lieutenant Crawford! you are--"

"Sir!" exclaimed Stubbs at this juncture.

The general eyed him closely.

"Well?" he demanded.

"Please, General, do not let them go until I have a few moments' start. I don't know what they will do to me." Stubbs looked nervous.

"Very well," said General Petain with a smile. "Then hurry and take your departure, Mr. Stubbs."

Stubbs needed no urging and he disappeared from the general's tent with agility; and Hal called after him:

"Better hunt a hole, Mr. Stubbs; we'll be on your trail in a few minutes!"