“Well, it amounts to that,” laughed the French colonel. “It means nothing less than surrender. They have been the first to cry quits. They asked your President to intercede with the Allies for them, and he told them that they would have to apply to Marshal Foch for terms. Ah, _mon ami_, that was a bitter pill for the Germans to swallow. But they swallowed it. The Marshal replied to them that they would have to come to his headquarters and he would tell them the terms on which he would grant their plea. So the Germans have appointed a commission to visit the Marshal and they are on their way now. They will reach our lines in an hour or two and then they will be taken in charge by French officers, blindfolded and conveyed to the Marshal’s presence.” “And where is that?” asked Frank. “Ah, that is a military secret,” smiled the colonel, shaking his finger in mock reproof. “The Germans would have been very glad if they had been able to find that out during the war. But they’ll find it out soon enough now,” he added with a laugh. “I’d give a good deal to see the interview,” said Frank. “It would indeed be something to remember,” agreed the colonel. “I would give some years of my life if I could have that privilege myself. But I ought not to complain, for I at least will be able to see the opening scene of the great world play.” “How is that?” asked Frank with great interest. “My regiment will be in charge of that part of the French line where the German delegates will first appear on their visit to the Marshal,” replied the colonel. “Their route has been planned out for them. The pleasant duty will devolve on me of having them blindfolded and then sending them on their journey under French escort. I am on my way back to my regiment now in order to have everything in readiness.” “For a moment I could almost wish that I were in your regiment,” laughed Frank. “And I would only be too delighted if you were,” returned the colonel. “The regiment holds no braver man. But wait a moment,” he said, as a thought struck him. “I will see what arrangements I may be able to make.” He went inside headquarters again and after a few moments returned. “I shall need a messenger,” he said, “to bring back certain details to your commander. I had at first intended to entrust that work to my orderly, but what you said gave me a new idea. I have asked your commander to let me take you with me for that purpose and he has readily agreed. You will be relieved from guard duty and you can take my orderly’s horse and come along with me. My regiment is not a great way from yours, as our lines nearly touch, and you can be back in your quarters by midnight.” “Thank you a thousand times!” said Frank joyfully. “You have put me under a great obligation.” “A mere trifle,” replied the colonel, waving the thanks aside. “I can never forget that I owe my life to you. You can join me here in a few minutes and we will go on.”