"Well, I guess we’ll know soon enough," said Hal. "But see, the conference is breaking up. We’d better get back a bit. No need having them learn we have overheard what has happened." The lads drew back to the far end of the tent. Perhaps fifteen minutes later the man who had acted as spokesman for the German delegates at the conference with Marshal Foch entered the tent. "I see you are still here," he said, smiling slightly. "We shall be ready to return to your lines soon." "Very well, sir," said Hal, "we await your pleasure." The man withdrew. "Well," said Hal, "I guess the war’s as good as over. Of course, it will be weeks and perhaps months after the armistice goes into effect before peace is signed, but I guess there will be no more fighting." "I hope not," said Chester. "It’s true enough that we’ve had a good time in Europe, such as it is, but how much better it will be when men turn their energies to up-building instead of destroying." "True," agreed Hal, "and yet we know that until German militarism was destroyed, nothing was safe in this world. The war has been a benefit to mankind." "From that standpoint, you are right, of course; and still, it would seem that there must be better ways than by wholesale killing. It is a long ways from being pleasant." "It is indeed. I shall be glad when it is over. I don’t believe there will ever be another war." "Oh, I wouldn’t go as far as to say that," said Chester. "I suppose that as long as there are nations, and men think as they do now there will be war. Of course, some day nations will come to observe the Golden Rule, and then wars will cease." "I heard Colonel O’Neil say the other day," said Hal, "that wars will cease only when men quit thinking war." "A very apt remark, by Jove!" said Chester. Further conversation was prevented by the entrance of half a dozen figures, one of them the German delegate who had left the tent a few moments before. "We will be moving any time you are ready, gentlemen," he said, addressing Hal. "We are ready now, sir," was the lad’s reply. "Good! Then there is no need to delay. Let us go." Hal and Chester followed the Germans from the tent. Straight to the airplane in which Hal had piloted the Germans to their own lines from Hirson the Germans led the way. Beside the machine, they came to a stop. "This trip," said the spokesman to Hal, "you shall carry a more distinguished personage." "Very well, sir," said Hal with a slight bow. "Who, sir?" "Chancellor Ebert," was the reply. "However, it is not desired that his departure be known; besides which, he will go incognito, his identity to be revealed only to Marshal Foch, and to be kept secret after that." "I see," said Hal. "I shall never mention the matter, sir." "I was sure I could depend on you. And your brother officer?" "I can answer for him, too, sir." "It is well. Then we may as well move."