"Probably is, or he wouldn't want you at that hour."

"Well," said Stubbs at this point, "you boys can do what you please. I'm
going to get a little sleep."

"All right," said Chester. "If we shouldn't be around in the morning,
don't worry. We'll turn up sooner or later."

Stubbs nodded and made ready for bed.

At five minutes to twelve o'clock, Hal and Chester started for the
headquarters of General Petain.

"Here's where we get busy again, old man," said Chester.




CHAPTER IV

THE BATTLE OPENS


For forty-eight hours the greatest of modern artillery duels had raged
incessantly. German guns swept the French positions in all sections of
the Verdun region. Fortresses protecting the approach to the city of
Verdun had been shattered. The Germans had hurled two and three shells to
each one by the French.