With Haig on the Somme

eets Claude Laval

at him, and he became conscious of a very ple

before, old chap?" Dennis cried. "I sha

ht in here for you, so peg in, and tell me the whole story. There are some funny yarns knocking about, and I left the governor doing a sort of war dance. He only left out the whoop from deference to the

le he ate he talked in his simple boyish way, making light of his own share in the story, and Captain Bob, f

"If you go on like this you'll either go far, or you'll be very suddenly nipped in the bud. You mus

sh. It just happened to come my way, and it just happened to come out all right, but I don't know which was the worst-that ride with poor old Thompson and that shell that blew us to smithereens, or Hawke's bo

e captain. "But he must have gone under, for he ce

ria Cross itself, and I must get into another tunic.

his brother. "

rough the chalk, and there was a stand-p

hich he wanted badly. Then he dressed himself, appropriating the belts and equipment of a poor youngster named Binks, who had

tions, Mr. Dashwood. I have been in communication this morning with the G.O.C., and I think there's anothe

drift of his words, but the Divisional

uglas Haig, who wants an intelligent officer with a fluent knowledge of French, and he asked me if I thought you would fill the bill. I at o

tween the generals about the consolidation of the ground we had gained, Dennis found himself

push, sir," he said, as the car pulled up

e 'big push,' as you call it, is becoming too much public property

o Sir Douglas? Ah, yes, I remember. Will you g

zed, the continued thunder of the guns making conversation diff

hed, brigades under canvas to right and left of them, miles of supply columns, some cavalry eating their hearts out, kite balloo

ain that guided and controlled all those activities, and Dennis found himself in the presence of Sir Douglas Hai

Joffre, lay these papers before him, and explain any point upon which the French Generalissimo may be doubtful. Exactly

ore that, sir!" said Denni

yourself," said the Commander-in-Chief. "So far, from what I am told, you s

s's eyes as the little six-cylinder motor, with the small Union Jack fluttering from

, who enjoyed that mad dash ever

that morning, and at Chalons opinions were divided as to whether he wou

said the driver. "Re

rn." And opening out the magnificent little car, they

offre passed through here. How unfortunate! But I can tell you where you will find him. He has gone to Saint Dié to present med

If we finish up on two wheels we will reach him." And reach him they did in a small village half a

shade of a row of lime trees, in earnest conversation with another officer with t

river. "But I shall be ready in half an hour, and if you

he two generals turned towards him, and a genial

e to distinguish the officer's rank for the

éral," said Dennis, presenting his dispatches, which

eight o'clock to-morrow morning. Our officers here will amuse you, mon lieutenant, in the meantime, and find you a bed. I am greatly indebted to you for the rapidity with which you have carried this most important document." And he walke

ality, monsieur. This man who is approaching is Claude Laval, one of our most famous aviators, who has brought down sixteen

ith a close-fitting helmet on his head, and his thin, go

hauffeur. "It is easy to see you have come from the other end of everywh

-th Division, I can give you some news of him," said Dennis, who had been struck by

ll," he continued after Dennis had told him of his adventure and how he came to be acquainted with h

ennis, as they walked towards the door of a little res

he world it is absolutely unhurt. To-night I had planned a little expedition across into the enemy's country, a friendly visit to a Zeppelin shed, whose existence none of our fe

him with a pair o

he morning?" he said eagerly, "for I am to meet General Joffre here at t

elin hangar is in the centre of the Black Forest. Come, let us eat something and drink a bottle of the good red wine. We will give the Boche a fine surprise, and I swear to bring you back in plenty of time for

joyous one, Lieutenant Claude Laval keeping a

bill, lit his pipe, and rose with an air of supreme indifference for the benefit of the groups of other off

ow, of course, that old scoundrel, Count Zeppelin, stole the idea of his invention d

to the space, and tremendo