*CHAPTER XX*
*THE GERMAN ENVOYS ARRIVE*
A third train drew into the station. Two French officers alightedfirst. These were the men who had been directed to receive the Germanrepresentatives and accompany them to Marshal Foch's headquarters.
The German delegates, who left the train immediately after them,presented a strange appearance. Garbed in German uniforms, their eyeswere blindfolded. This precaution had been taken by direction of MarshalFoch in order that the delegates might not acquaint themselves with theallied strength and other military details as they passed through thelines.
The German delegates were worn and travel-stained. It had been a hardtrip through No Man's Land in an automobile. There they rode in thedrizzling rain, over shell holes and under the most trying conditions.Consequently, they were not in the best of humor.
Immediately upon alighting from the train that had brought them toHirson, they were conducted to Marshal Foch's train.
In the rear car, Marshal Foch was busy at his desk. This car was fittedout with all material comforts. It was the marshal's private car. Init he often slept and worked. It had all the comforts of home and boresome resemblance to a large parlor.
His staff stood respectfully some distance away, while his guests,including Hal and Chester, were even farther back in the car.
Came footsteps on the vestibule without. Instantly an air of excitementpervaded the car. Staff officers, trying to look unconcerned, failedmiserably, and no wonder. Great events were impending. A man couldhardly help showing the strain under which he was laboring.
Marshal Foch was by all odds the coolest man in the car.
Directly the door opened. In stepped the German delegates--five ofthem--and behind them came the French officers who had been theirpilots.
General Dupree arose to receive them. Marshal Foch was still busy athis desk. He did not look up.
First the German envoys were allowed to remove the bandages from theireyes. Then they were presented to General Dupree, who acknowledged theintroductions with a stiff salute.
"If it is your desire to speak with the commander-in-chief," he said tothe Germans, "his excellency will grant you a brief interview. But heis very busy, so you must be brief."
He spoke to the commander-in-chief, who laid down a sheaf of papers androse to his feet.
Marshal Foch and the Germans saluted stiffly. Introductions followed.
"You must be brief, gentlemen," said Marshal Foch. "My time isvaluable."
One of the Germans advanced.
"We have come," he said quietly, "to learn on what terms we may acceptthe armistice you have offered."
"Armistice?" repeated Marshal Foch, "I have made no offer of anarmistice."
The German officer bit his lip.
"But I understood--" he began.
"Enough of this subterfuge," said Marshal Foch sternly. "It is myunderstanding that you come hither to request an armistice preliminaryto negotiations for peace. If I am mistaken, we are losing valuabletime."
Marshal Foch saw plainly through the Germans' plan. It was to make itappear that the armistice had been offered by the allies, and not soughtby the German high command. The French commander-in-chief realized,too, what effect this would have on the German people. It would bolstertheir flagging courage and might possibly result in many more months ofwar.
"But--" began the German again.
"It is idle to argue," said Marshal Foch. "As I say, I understood thatthe German high command seeks an end of this war. If so, I shall beglad to state my terms. If not, I shall order an advance along thewhole front within two hours."
The German delegate to whom had been assigned the role of spokesmanbowed.
"It is our misfortune, sir," he said, "to ask for an armistice, in orderthat negotiations may be begun to put an end to further bloodshed."
"That is different," said Marshal Foch. "In that case, I shall be gladto state my terms. Briefly, they are these: That Germany immediatelysurrender to the allies quantities of arms and ammunition, the amountsto be determined later; that a certain number of war vessels and otherships, including submarines, be turned over as evidence of good faith;that German troops, in a specified time, shall withdraw to the eastbanks of the Rhine. In a word, I demand such sacrifices as willpreclude the possibility of Germany renewing the struggle."
The German delegates uttered exclamations of protest.
"But, sir," said the spokesman, "Germany cannot submit to those terms."
"Take them or leave them," said Marshal Foch, throwing wide his hands.
"Have I your permission to confer with my associates?" asked thespokesman.
Marshal Foch produced his watch and laid it on his desk.
"I will allow you fifteen minutes," he replied.
The Germans withdrew to the far end of the car, where they began ananimated discussion. At last the spokesman again approached MarshalFoch and saluted.
"I am afraid," he began, "that it is not in our power to accept suchconditions out of hand. It will be first necessary to obtain theconsent of higher authorities than we chance to be."
"Yes?" said Marshal Foch inquiringly.
He had expected something like this.
"In which case," went on the German, "we have to request a cessation ofhostilities while we return to our lines for further instructions."
Marshal Foch shook his head.
"It is impossible," he said quietly.
The German was surprised. Clearly he had expected nothing like this.
"But, sir," he protested, "it is utterly impossible for us to acceptthese conditions. We have not the authority. We must secure it fromthe high command."
"That is your misfortune," said Marshal Foch.
"Then what are we to do?"
"You may return to your own lines at your own risk," said Marshal Foch."I shall order firing stopped for a brief space that you may leave theallied lines; also, a flag of truce will be honored again, if you careto return. But in the interval, I propose to renew the fighting."
Again the German delegates debated.
"If that is the best you can do, sir," said the spokesman at last, "weshall have to be content."
"It is the best I can do," said Marshal Foch. "Now let me make asuggestion. It is perfectly plain that if the sentiments of the Germanhigh command are sincere, the sooner you return the better for allconcerned. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly, sir."
"Then my suggestion is this. I shall place a fast army plane at yourdisposal that you may return to your own lines the quicker."
"But we have no pilot," protested the German.
"I will furnish the pilot."
A third time the Germans debated the matter.
"We accept, sir," said the spokesman at last.
Marshal Foch surveyed the group of French officers in the car. Then hiseyes fell on Hal and Chester.
"Major Paine!" he called.
Hal stepped forward and saluted.
"If memory serves," said Marshal Foch, "you are an experienced airpilot?"
Hal bowed his assent.
"Good," said the commander-in-chief, "then we need look no further for apilot, gentlemen."
"Major Crawford."
Chester stepped forward and saluted.
"You will place yourself at the disposal of Major Paine, sir."
Chester saluted again and stepped back.
"General Dupree!"
The officer addressed stepped forward.
"You will present my compliments to the burgess of the town, and ask himto place his largest aircraft at your disposal."
General Dupree left the car.
"I guess that is all, gentlemen," said Marshal Foch. "I shall remainhere until to-morrow at this time, awaiting your return. If you are notback within that time I shall consider negotiations suspended!"
"Major Paine."
Again H
al stepped forward.
"General Dupree, before you leave, will furnish you with a map showingwhere you may pass safely through our lines and at what hours fire willbe remitted at certain points. It will be all the safeguard you need.I shall continue to advance in all other sectors. Good day, gentlemen."
Marshal Foch saluted the Germans stiffly, and then signified that theinterview was ended by turning again to his desk.
Hal and Chester led the way from the car, closely followed by the Germandelegates. Outside, they encountered General Dupree, who announced thatthe large army plane would be ready within fifteen minutes.
Hal then mentioned the map Marshal Foch had said General Dupree wouldprovide, and the general hastened away to prepare it. He returnedwithin a few minutes and placed the map in Hal's hands.
"I shall issue the necessary orders at once," he said.
He, too, saluted the Germans again and then took his departure.
Less than fifteen minutes later the mayor of the town himself hurriedup.
"Follow me, gentlemen," he said with great dignity. "Your craft isready."
At the far side of the little town, Hal, Chester and the Germans came tothe machine. No time was wasted in words. The Germans climbed in andHal and Chester took their places.
"Let her go!" shouted Chester, to the men on the ground.
The huge airplane began to move.