one of the greatest of all battles.

It was with the satisfaction that they had arrived in time to prevent a
surprise attack that they made their way to General Petain's quarters.
But, as it transpired, they had arrived a trifle too late. For even as
they reached the general's tent the German guns spoke.




CHAPTER III

GENERAL PETAIN


To the soldier the voice of the great guns speaks plainly. Their ears
accustomed to the various forms of bombardments, Hal and Chester
realized as well as the rest that this was no mere resumption of an
artillery duel. It was not a single salvo from a single German position
that had been fired. The great guns boomed from north and south; and
continued to boom.

The officer who was conducting the three friends to the headquarters of
General Petain turned and called a single word over his shoulder:

"Hurry!"

He broke into a run and the others did likewise. A short turn or two and
they brought up before a tent somewhat larger than the rest. This the
lads knew was General Petain's field headquarters.