"Sedan, eh?" said Chester. "What memories of school days that name conjures up, Hal." "So it does," was Hal’s whispered response: "Of Bismarck, of Napoleon III and of the French defeat in the deciding battle of the Franco-Prussian war." "What a glorious thing it would be if the French could strike a decisive blow at the Germans here now," muttered Chester. "It would be retribution." "No less," Hal agreed; "and still, to my mind, it would be extremely better if the decisive blow were delivered by American troops, whether at Sedan or elsewhere." "Right, as usual, Hal," was Chester’s reply. And although neither lad knew it then, it was to be the fortune of American troops to wrest Sedan from the hands of the invader and to be the first forces of democracy to tread the streets of the historic city. "We’ve talked enough, Chester," Hal whispered. "It’s time for action." "Let’s be on the move, then," Chester whispered back. "Which way?" "Might as well head toward the city, I guess." "How about the plane here?" Hal shrugged in the darkness. "We’ll have to leave it, I guess. If we’re not back by morning it will be discovered, of course, and a search instituted for its occupants." "Which might lead to our discovery," said Chester. Again Hal shrugged. "It might, of course," he agreed. "Then why not pull it in among the trees there?" Chester wanted to know, pointing to a clump of trees a short distance away. "Not a bad idea," Hal declared. "I hadn’t noticed the trees, myself." "As Stubbs would say, you must be more observing," was Chester’s response. "Lay hold here." With some effort the boys wheeled the plane into the little clump of trees and then stepped forth again. "It may do," said Hal, eyeing the hiding place carefully in the darkness. "It’s invisible enough now, but I don’t know how well the foliage will protect the plane in daylight." "It’s the best we can do, at all events," declared Chester. "Come, let’s be on our way." "May as well, I guess," said Hal, and led the way toward the distant city of Sedan. From time to time the lads passed hurrying figures as they walked along, but they were not so much as accosted. In their German uniforms, they felt reasonably safe, particularly so as their features were concealed by the darkness. Once in the city, however, they knew they would have to exercise greater caution. Nevertheless they entered the outskirts of the city with firm tread and headed directly toward the center of town. Neither had been in Sedan before and each was conscious of the utter foolishness of prowling around the edge of the city. "We’ve got to get among the foe if we want to learn anything," Hal said. A few lights still twinkled in the city, despite the lateness of the hour. On what appeared to be the main street, the lads made out a fairly large hotel. "Guess that’s our destination," said Chester, pointing. Hal nodded.