The corporal saluted and made his report. Then each of the Army Boys was questioned in turn as to his share in the night’s events. The information they had gained was of marked value for the coming day’s operations, but by far the greatest importance was given to the paper that Frank had so cleverly extracted from the German officer’s pocket. A general laugh went round when they heard the story of how it had been done, but amusement was soon lost in excitement as they scanned the paper. “Why,” exclaimed Major Willis, “it’s a complete plan of the defenses of the Jager Brigade, the one that’s right opposite our part of the line! The Germans would rather have lost a million dollars than to have had that paper fall into our hands.” “The beauty of it is,” replied Captain Baker, “that they don’t know we’ve got it. If they did, they’d change their plan. But it’s ten to one they’ll think it’s lying around in their own lines somewhere and they’ll just give the officer a reprimand for carelessness and let it go at that.” “You have done very well, Sheldon,” said Major Willis, turning to Frank. “It was an excellent piece of work. The names of all of you will be mentioned in the order of the day and there may be other rewards in store for you. You made no mistake, Corporal, in picking out your men,” he continued, turning to Wilson. “You were fortunate in your helpers and they were worthy of their leader. You may go now.” They saluted and retired, tired and almost exhausted with the strain they had been under, but happy in the commendation of their officers and the consciousness that they had played their part well. “There’s just one thing lacking,” said Frank, as they were getting ready to turn in, “and that is that poor Bart wasn’t along.” “Good old Bart,” said Billy regretfully. “How he would have enjoyed that scrapping. He’ll feel cheated when he hears of it.” “That boy would rather fight than eat,” was Tom’s tribute to their absent friend. “I’d give a lot to know just how he’s getting along with that broken head of his.” “We’ll go over to the hospital the first thing in the morning and find out,” said Frank, as he rolled himself in his blankets. CHAPTER VI COLONEL PAVET RETURNS But when the morning came, there was no chance to make the intended visit, for the regiment was shifting its position in preparation for an attack on the enemy lines. Orders were flying thick and fast, orderlies were riding from one division to another, and it was evident that a great battle was impending. Artillery was being brought up from the rear, for the army had gone ahead so fast on the preceding day that they had outdistanced their guns. Tanks, too, were massing in great numbers on the front.