CHAPTER III

A DANGEROUS MISSION

It was noon of the following day. Hal and Chester stood at attention
before General Pershing, the American commander-in-chief. The latter
gazed at them long and earnestly. With a half shrug he muttered, as he
turned to his desk:

"But they are so young."

The words were not meant for the lads' ears, but Hal and Chester
overheard them. Hal spoke:

"If you please, Sir," he said quietly, "we are not so young as you seem
to believe. To me, Sir, our experience seems very old."

General Pershing glanced up from a pile of papers he was perusing.
Again he looked at the two lads in silence. The two boys bore the
close scrutiny unflinchingly. At length General Pershing got to his
feet, and, approaching Hal and Chester, laid a. hand on the shoulder of
each.

"You are brave youngsters," he said quietly. "From what you have done
since the American troops reached France, I know that Marshal Joffre
and General Haig have not spoken too highly of you; and yet," here the