"Because I thought you were entitled to a little rest," replied Chester. "The same as I am now, although I notice you were not as considerate as I was." "The only reason I aroused you," said Hal, "was because I thought you might possibly have been ordered to report to the general this evening. "And so I have," returned Chester. "What time is it?" "Five o’clock." "Whew! Then I’ll have to hurry. I had no idea it was so late. I’m to report at 6 o’clock." "Same here," said Hal. "But where have you been, Chester?" "Carried dispatches to General Duncan. Seems that there is some fresh plan afoot that General Rhodes expects will take us into Sedan within a few days. I don’t know what it is, though. Now, where have you been and what have you been doing?" Hal explained as briefly as possible while Chester hurried into his clothes. "So you have been fighting again, eh?" said Chester when Hal had concluded. "What would your mother say?" Hal grinned. "About the same that yours would, I guess," he replied. "But hurry, I feel like a bite to eat before I report to the general." "Same here. I’ll be with you in a jiffy." Chester was true to his word, and the two sauntered forth five minutes later. After they had rounded up what Chester called a feast at one of the mess tents, they strolled toward the general’s quarters. As they walked along, they saw a familiar figure come dashing toward them. "By George!" said Hal, "it’s Stubbs. Now I wonder what he can be in such an all-fired hurry; about." "We’ll stop him and see," said Chester briefly. The lads stepped forward and accosted Stubbs, who seemed to have no idea of stopping for a word with them. "What’s the hurry, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Chester. Stubbs waved them away. "Don’t bother me," he explained, "I’m busy." "But—" began Hal. "I said I’m busy," declared Stubbs. "Can’t you see I’m in a hurry?" "Well, all right, if that’s the way you feel about it," said Chester. Stubbs seemed as if about to pass on, then hesitated. "I’ll tell you," he said. "I am in an awful hurry, but I’ve time to tell you the news if you promise to keep it to yourself." "I promise," said Chester. "Let’s have it, Mr. Stubbs." "Austria has sued for peace," said Stubbs briefly. "What!" said Hal. "Again?" Stubbs glared at the lad. "I tell you Austria has sued for peace," he said, emphasizing each word. "This time there is no doubt about it. I have it straight." Chester’s heart beat high. "By Jove! I hope you’re right, Mr. Stubbs," he exclaimed, "but I’m afraid to believe it." "You needn’t be," declared Stubbs. "It’s perfectly true, this time." "And I suppose you’re hurrying off to flash the news to The New York Gazette?" asked Hal. "Exactly," said Stubbs. "Don’t let us detain you, then," said Hal. "But if I were you, Mr. Stubbs, I’d go rather easy on that stuff. You know if you flashed a report like that and it wasn’t true, you’d probably have to hunt a new job."