"I’m awfully glad to see you boys again," he exclaimed. "What brings you here, if I may ask?" "Sit down, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "Have something to eat with us." "Thanks: don’t mind if I do. But I repeat, what are you doing here?" "How long have you been in town, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Chester, ignoring the little man’s question. "About fifteen minutes, more or less. But I say, what are you doing here? This is the third time I’ve asked that question." "Then don’t ask it again, Mr. Stubbs," replied Chester. "Oh, I see," smiled Stubbs. "Can’t answer, eh? Well, I’ll wager another hat with somebody that I can tell you why you’re here." "You’d lose this time, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "Oh, no I wouldn’t. You’re here in connection with the signing of an armistice by Germany and the allies." Chester started to his feet. "Sh-h-h! Not so loud, Stubbs," he exclaimed. Stubbs smiled, but he lowered his voice when he spoke again. "Well, would I lose the bet?" he asked. "I can’t say a thing, Mr. Stubbs," was Hal’s response. "Well, I’m bound by no such orders," said Stubbs, "so I can. First, however, I want you to understand that whatever I do say is in confidence." "Of course," said Hal. "Certainly, Mr. Stubbs," agreed Chester. "Well, then," said Stubbs, "I want to tell you I’m on the trail of the biggest scoop in newspaper history. I’m going to be the first war correspondent to flash the news that the armistice is signed." "You mean you think you are," said Chester. "I’m dead sure of it. Now, I’m in close touch with a very influential naval officer. He has agreed to let me know the moment the armistice is signed; and the news will come to him over the only direct wire to the place of meeting between Germans and allies, for it will be an official wire." "You’re getting away ahead of the game, Mr. Stubbs," declared Chester. "Certainly you have no information yet that an armistice is likely to be signed soon." Stubbs smiled. "But the trouble is I have," he replied quietly. "Stubbs," said Hal with real admiration, "I don’t know how you do it, but you certainly have a way of getting information when you start after it." "That’s why the New York Gazette sent me over here," replied Stubbs modestly. "I see," said Hal. "Well, I wish you luck. But what are you doing here?" Stubbs was silent a moment. Then he said: "I know you’ll say nothing about this, or I would keep mum. Truth is I came here to make these arrangements I’ve been telling you about." "And how long will you stay, Mr. Stubbs?" "Over night. I’m off for Versailles to-morrow." "Versailles!" exclaimed Chester. "But you will be out of the fighting zone then, Mr. Stubbs, and it will take you longer to get word should your news develop."