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"Well, no, I didn't," was General Petain's reply, "but they tell such a straightforward story that I am of the opinion you must be mistaken as to their part in this conspiracy." "But the peas," said Stubbs. "They had them." "Well, somebody might have slipped one into your pocket, as far as that goes," said General Petain; "and then you might be standing here under suspicion."
It seemed to both that they had hardly closed their eyes when they were again summoned to General Petain. Assembled there they found the entire staff. The French commander was reviewing the events of the day and issuing orders and instructions rapidly. He realized that there would be more and probably harder fighting on the next day and he was laying his plans accordingly.
"If we shouldn't be around in the morning, don't worry. We'll turn up sooner or later." Stubbs nodded and made ready for bed. At five minutes to twelve o'clock, Hal and Chester started for the headquarters of General Petain. "Here's where we get busy again, old man," said Chester. For forty-eight hours the greatest of modern artillery duels had raged incessantly.
"What are the flags for?" she asked of an old man, pressing back into a safety alcove in the stone wall of the bridge. "We expect Petain here to-day. He is coming to Thionville." "But Thionville is forty miles away " "Still, he might pass here "
"Then, if for no other reason than to save these deluded French and British soldiers, the matter must be brought to the attention of General Petain, that he may act promptly and not only save them, but the whole army of France; and the cause of the Allies." "Good!" Hal agreed. "Then we shall see that it's brought to his attention." "The first thing in the morning," said Chester.
The contrast with what had been a black fur cap on what was now perfectly white hair justified his compliment. I have never been renowned in my life for fear of any individual, but I must admit that I passed into the presence of General Petain with a great deal of respect amounting almost to awe.
The great attack was launched at dawn on Thursday, 21 March, precisely against that sector of the British front indicated by Sir Henry Wilson two months before; and Gough's Fifth Army, which held it lightly with fourteen divisions against forty, was doomed to defeat by the failure of both the British and the French Governments to provide adequate reserves which existed in abundance both in England and in the rear of the French line, and by the fact that Haig was more anxious about his shallow front in Flanders and Pétain about his in Champagne than either was about the Somme.
But, as it transpired, their good intentions were to go for naught and they were to be ushered into the presence of General Petain in a manner that neither would have believed possible. Came the sound of many footsteps approaching without. They stopped before the boys' tent. A French officer thrust his head in the entrance. "Lieutenant Crawford! Lieutenant Paine!" he said sharply.
There was something he wanted very much but he did not know whether to make the request or not. General Petain saw the little man's indecision, and said with a smile: "You have something on your mind, sir. Come, out with it. Be sure it will be granted if it lies in my power." Still Stubbs hesitated. Chester stepped forward, smiling. "I believe I can tell you what it is, sir," he said.
"We can at least have a try at it," said Chester, with a smile. "We'll get it if it is humanly possible," agreed Hal. "I am more confident of success than I would be if the mission were in other hands," said General Petain, quietly. "And when do you wish us to start, sir?" asked Hal. "Immediately," was the reply, "though I believe it would be better to wait until dark."
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