"What!" exclaimed General French in great surprise. "Yes, sir," continued Hal, and reaching in his pocket he drew out the documents given him by the German officer. "Here they are, sir." General French took the papers from the lad's hand, and glanced at them quickly. After a brief perusal, he laid his hand on Hal's shoulder. "You have done well," he said quietly. "I shall not forget it. You may go now, for I doubt not that your friend is greatly worried over you. I will say this: You have rendered an invaluable service to England--one that the King shall hear of. I have already taken steps to thwart this German coup, and if we are successful the credit will be mainly due you." Hal saluted and with glowing heart left the general's tent. "Now to find Chester," he said. He had little difficulty in doing this, for Chester was still making his quarters with Lieutenant Anderson. Approaching the lieutenant's tent, Hal walked up cautiously. "I want to surprise them," he told himself. Inside he heard the sound of voices, and he paused to listen. "I'm afraid he won't ever get back," came Chester's voice. "I should have insisted on accompanying him. I shouldn't have let him go alone." "Still," said Lieutenant Anderson, "he was in command. We had to obey him." "That is true," replied Chester, "but just the same if ill befalls him I shall feel that I am partly to blame. Besides, we had the information we went after. What had he to gain by staying and putting himself in the enemy's power?" Stepping quietly into the tent, Hal advanced to the center before he was observed. "A whole lot, Chester," he said quietly. Chester and Lieutenant Anderson were upon their feet in an instant, and one had him by either hand, wringing it enthusiastically. "Stop it, stop it," laughed Hal. "You'll wring my arms off." "And so you are back safely," said Chester, looking long at his friend. "Yes, I'm back," said Hal. "And what did you learn? Anything else?" "Lots," replied Hal, "but let me get out of this wet German uniform;" having done which he plunged into a story of his experiences after they had left until his return to General French's tent. "And General French says," he concluded, "that steps have been taken to spoil the Kaiser's plan." "Good," said Chester and Lieutenant Anderson in one voice. "Well," said Chester, after some further talk, "I guess we might as well turn in. Anderson and I were unable to sleep because you had not returned. We can rest easier now." Almost completely exhausted, the three were soon slumbering deeply. The day's work had been strenuous indeed, and there is no telling how long they would have slept on had not the sound of a bugle, calling "To arms!" roused them. Quickly they leaped up, and throwing on what few clothes they had removed, were soon at their posts. The whole army was ready to move at a moment's notice.