Frank and Henri pointed at once to the wood in which the German infantry had vanished, then followed the major out of the room. CHAPTER XI AN UNEXPECTED CHANCE The first impression they had of General Smith-Derrien was of his absolute calmness. The major had been excited when he heard the report of the German infantry in the woods. But when they entered the room in which sat the British general who was responsible for the retreat, as they guessed, they saw a quiet-faced man with smiling eyes, who listened attentively to the reports of the officers who were constantly hurrying up to him, spoke a word or two in answer, and turned, imperturbably, to the next comer. Their guide left them near the door. "Wait a minute here," he said. "I'll tell the General your story. But he'll want to speak to you himself. He always does." Frank watched the British leader closely as he turned to the major, who now went up to him. If the news moved him, he gave no sign of his emotion. Instead he nodded quickly, once or twice; then he looked over toward Frank and Henri. The major turned to them, beckoning, and they went up. General Smith-Derrien was sitting at a table. Before him was an ordnance map of the section covered by his operations. "Now tell me exactly what happened, as quickly as you can," he said. "You saw these Germans--just where? Point it out on the map. Give me your position and the road they took." Frank and Henri studied the map a moment. They traced their own course from Amiens; soon they found the spot. The map was on a very large scale, and it showed the hills and a great deal of detail. It was easy to explain just where they had seen the Germans. "They went into the woods, you say," said the general. "But why did you think they stayed there? Why shouldn't they have gone on?" "I went along the road to a spot where I could see beyond the woods, sir," said Frank. "And there was no sign of them." "You did? That was excellent--regular scouting. Oh, I fancy I understand! Boy Scouts, are you?" "Yes, sir," they echoed together. "Well, if your information is exact--and I have no reason to doubt it, of course--you did a very fine piece of scouting, and I shall be glad to see that you get the proper amount of credit for it, when the time comes. Now your information is most valuable. But before I can act on it, I must be absolutely certain that it is accurate. Will one of you help one of my scouts to determine this?" "Let me go, sir," said Frank, quickly. "I was the one who saw the other side of the woods--" "But I know the country best," protested Henri. "And--" "I think you'd better go," said the general to Frank. Perhaps he thought Frank was English; in any case he selected him. "I don't think it will be dangerous at all, or I shouldn't let you go. We haven't started using boys in this war yet. Major, you will see to it that a start is made as soon as possible!" turning to that officer. The major saluted.