An hour later, after Stubbs had made ineffectual efforts to learn from
Admiral W-- details of the signing of the armistice, he gave it up for
the night.
"I know no more than I have told you," said the admiral. "I should have
the details in the morning. Call me then."
Stubbs returned to his hotel. Again he was surrounded by the other
correspondents who, after trying all their channels of news, had failed
to learn anything of importance.
"Come across, Stubbs," said one.
"Not yet," said Stubbs. "But I'll tell you what. I'll give you my news
one hour from now. That will assure The Gazette of a beat."
He remained deaf to all urging, and directly the other correspondents
gave it up as a bad job.
Jennings, watch in hand, an hour later said.
"Come, Stubbs, time's up. What's your news?"
"Well," said Stubbs quietly and with an air of great importance, "the
armistice has been signed."
"What?" yelled Jennings. "You're crazy, man! There has been no
conference yet."
"Nevertheless, it's true," said Stubbs. "I have my information from
unimpeachable sources."
"Who told you?" demanded Timothy, of The Mail.
"You've been in the game long enough to know a newspaperman doesn't
divulge the source of information, Timothy," said Stubbs.
"Nevertheless, I can say that it came from a very high source."
"Well," said Jennings, "I don't believe it. I'm not going to flash my
paper on any such information. I'm standing pat."
"Same here," declared Timothy.
"And here," "and here," chimed in the others.
"Suit yourselves," said Stubbs with a shrug. "You'll probably get the
word in the morning."
He returned to his room.
In spite of the fact that the other correspondents declined to take
Stubbs' words as gospel, it was an uneasy group of men Stubbs left
behind him.
All night long they tried in vain to confirm the signing of the
armistice. It could not be done.
Stubbs came downstairs again at 7 o'clock. Once more he was surrounded
by the correspondents.
"Boys," he said, "I shall call my source of information now. If I get
the details, I will tell you where you can verify them."
He entered a telephone booth, where he remained for perhaps ten minutes.
When he emerged again, his face was drawn and he walked with the air of
a man who has lost his last friend.
"Well," demanded Jennings, "what have you to tell us?"
"Boys," said Stubbs slowly, "my days in the newspaper business are
ended. I have just committed the cardinal sin. I have sent false
information to my paper, though in good faith. The armistice has not
been signed. Admiral W-- has just informed me his information was
premature. What his message should have said is that the conference is
in session. My resignation shall be cabled to The Gazette together with
my retraction."
Sadly the little man walked away.
"By Jove! that is tough," commented Timothy. "Yet, with such information
I should have done the same. Well, our jobs are saved, but I'll bet
Stubbs' resignation will be unnecessary. He's fired right now, though
he doesn't know it."
And so it was none other than Anthony Stubbs who was responsible for the
premature flash that reached America that the armistice had been signed.
Every city in the United States, almost, when the news was heard, had
declared a holiday. Hours and days passed and still the news could not
be confirmed. And then the state department issued a statement denying
it. The feeling of happiness changed to disappointment.
But in the French city of Versailles Anthony Stubbs was, at the moment
perhaps, the most disappointed man in the world.
*CHAPTER XXII*
*SPA*
The German envoys, returning to their own lines, were silent as the big
airplane driven by Hal sped across the allied lines. Eyes below were
strained as the craft dashed along, for news traveled swiftly among the
soldiers and word that the preliminary meeting between the German
delegates and Marshal Foch had not been entirely satisfactory had spread
among the troops.
As General Dupree had told Hal, firing ceased in the zone that the
airplane traversed. Guns snorted and bullets flew on all other sides,
but Hal, laying his course by the map General Dupree had given him,
avoided all danger.
From the spokesman of the German delegates Hal had learned that their
destination was the little German village of Spa. It was there that the
German emperor and the High Command was quartered. Hal laid the nose of
the airplane in that direction.
Now, in flying, great distance can be covered in a very short period of
time. The plane that Hal drove was capable of making almost 200 miles
an hour under proper conditions. Hal, however, did not attempt to get
that speed out of the machine. Flying well above the ground, the craft
sped quietly along at something like 100 miles an hour.
It was dark when they passed across the brief expanse of No Man's Land.
Looking down, Chester saw a few twinkling lights. These, he knew, came
from the German positions. Some were signal lights for the enemy
aircraft, others just the lights usually to be found in a great army
encampment.
Chester leaned forward and touched Hal on the shoulder.
"Sure you have the right course?" he asked.
"Perfectly," was Hal's response, his voice raised almost to a shout to
make himself heard above the humming of the motor and the purr of the
giant wings of the aircraft.
Chester sat back, apparently satisfied.
The lights displayed among the German troops disappeared as the plane
continued its journey toward the northeast. Soon, however, other lights
came into view below.
"This," said Hal, "should be Spa, unless my geography and sense of
direction are all wrong. I'll take a chance, at all events."
Almost above a score of the lights, Hal shut off the motor and the
machine began to descend. A short time later it came quietly to earth
just beyond the village. Hal scrambled out and spoke to the Germans.
"This should be Spa, according to my calculations," he said. "Correct
me if I am wrong."
"You are right, sir," said one of the German delegates. "You have done
well in bringing us here in such a short period of time."
The Germans alighted, and Chester also scrambled out.
"If you will come with us," said the spokesman of the enemy mission to
the lads, "we will see that you are provided with quarters for the
night. It is hardly possible that we will return before to-morrow at
noon, if at all."
The lads followed the Germans into the town. Before a building somewhat
larger than the rest, the men stopped and the one who appeared to be
leader of the party said:
"You gentlemen wait here. I will go within and see that quarters are
provided for the young Americans."
He motioned the lads to follow him, which they did. Inside a German
officer barred their progress, but the German soon set the man's doubts
at rest, and the latter stepped aside.
"Captain," said the German envoy, "these gentlemen have brought us back
from the allied lines, and will conduct us there again to-morrow should
it be necessary for us to go. You will kindly see that they have all
necessary accommodations for the night."
"Yes, sir," said the captain.
"Then I shall leave them to you. I will return for them to-morrow some
time."
"Very well, sir."
The German bade the lads good night and took his departure. The German
captain addressed them.
"Kindly follow me, sirs," he said.
The lads did so. Along a long hall they were led. Then they turned
into a large room at the far end of the hall. Inside were a dozen or
more German officers. The captain led the way toward a door across the
room. All eyes were turned on the lads as they stepped across the room.
Suddenly there came an exclamation from a man who sat near, as Hal and
Chester passed. A chair scraped the floor and a man sprang up and
confronted them. Hal and Chester looked into the eyes of General Knoff,
the German general whose daughter Chester had befriended in Sedan some
weeks before.
"So," said the general confronting the lads with a gleam of anger in his
eyes, but his gaze resting particularly upon Hal, "so you made fools of
me in Sedan, eh?"
Hal smiled. He was perfectly safe now and he knew it. Not a man there
nor in the German lines any place for that matter would dare harm the
officer who had piloted the German envoys back from their tryst with
Marshal Foch.
"It had to be done, General," said Hal, still smiling.
"But," protested the general, "why was it necessary for you to pick me
for your tool?"
"We wouldn't have done that, General," said Hal, "had you not been so
insistent upon our having breakfast with you."
"Well," said General Knoff, "it would appear that the fates are just,
after all. I have no doubt that it was information you gained from me
that spoiled our plans."
"I have no doubt of it either, sir," Hal smiled.
"And such being the case," the general continued, "I shall see to it
that you are tried as spies."
"But we are in American uniform now, sir," said Hal.
"You weren't then," was the reply, "as I stand willing to prove. No; I
shall have you shot. No man can make a fool of me and live."
"You can't do that, sir," said Hal, quietly.
"I can't, eh?" exclaimed the general. "I would like to know what is to
prevent me?"
Hal's smile seemed to infuriate the general.
"Captain," he said, "you will place these men under arrest."
The German captain saluted respectfully, but he shook his head.
"It is impossible, sir," he said.
"What's that?" demanded General Knoff angrily. "Do you dare dispute my
orders?"
"Only when I have previously received commands from your superiors,
sir," was the reply.
"What do you mean?"
"These young Americans," the captain explained, "have safe conduct in
our lines. I only know they have piloted our delegates who have been
discussing an armistice with the French commander-in-chief. I cannot
arrest them, sir."
"I see," said General Knoff. "You are perfectly right, captain."
He stepped close to Chester and extended a hand.
"As a military measure," he said, "I would have you shot for what I
know, but I want to thank you again for a service you rendered me in
Sedan."
Chester was taken absolutely by surprise. Nevertheless he grasped the
general's hand, for that was what seemed to be expected of him.
"I am glad I was on hand at such an opportune moment, sir," the lad
replied.
"So am I," said the general. "You know my name, of course. When the
war is over, should you chance to be in Berlin, it would give me
pleasure to entertain you at my home in Berlin."
"Thank you, sir," said Chester. "Should I chance to be in Berlin at any
time, I shall avail myself of your offer, sir."
The general bowed slightly, insisted on shaking hands with Hal also, and
then said:
"Well, gentlemen, you are probably tired from your trip, so I will not
detain you longer. Captain, I leave the young Americans to you."
The lads followed the German captain from the room.
Their quarters for the night were commodious, though not richly
furnished. However, as Hal said: "I have slept in whole lot more
unpleasant places and thought I was doing well."
"It's plenty good for me," Chester agreed. "By the way, Hal, has it
occurred to you that we may return to Hirson to-morrow alone?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why, that the German high command may refuse to accept Marshal Foch's
terms, and refuse to negotiate farther."
"Hardly likely," said Hal. "My view is that the Germans are so anxious
for peace that they will accept almost any terms."
"I hope I'm wrong, of course," said Chester. "but I am simply judging by
what one of the envoys said about 'if' they returned to-morrow."
"I heard him," said Hal, "but at the same time I don't take much stock
in any such statement. In the first place, these envoys don't have any
more to say about what terms they shall accept than I do."
"Oh, they don't, eh?"
"Of course not. It is the German high command, that will make that
decision. The delegates will do whatever they are instructed to do.
They are merely the representatives of the powers that be."
"Nevertheless," said Chester, "if they sign terms, the terms will be
binding."
"Of course; unless it should be that the Germans consider the agreement
simply another 'scrap of paper,' as they did the Belgian treaty."
"I think the Germans have learned a thing or two," said Chester. "I
don't believe they'll ever try such tactics again. They have at least
learned that the majority of nations are honorable, and that they are in
honor bound to respect treaties."
"Let us hope so," said Hal. "Now we've talked enough. I vote we turn
in. We may have a hard day to-morrow."
"All right. It suits me. And here is one night we will sleep within
the German lines in comfort, for we will not have to be on the watch for
enemies and fear possible discovery."
"Right," agreed Hal, "and at the same time we are here in the line of
duty. Well, me for the hay."
"Not a very elegant expression, perhaps," said Chester with a grin, "but
very much to the point. Me for the hay, too."
Ten minutes later both lads were fast asleep.
*CHAPTER XXIII*
*THE KAISER ABDICATES*
It was another historic conference that Hal and Chester attended the
following morning. It is true they were not invited guests; neither,
perhaps, were they supposed to overhear the nature of historical facts
as they were written that day. It was, most likely, an oversight that
permitted them to be near when the German emperor signed a formal decree
of abdication.
It still lacked a few minutes of 7 o'clock on the morning of November 10
when Hal and Chester turned out, greatly refreshed by a good night's
sleep. They strolled from the house where they had spent the night, and
for perhaps an hour took in the sights about the German city. Then they
returned to their temporary quarters, for, as Hal said, "there is no
telling when we shall be wanted and it is just as well to be there."
It was half an hour later when a German officer appeared and instructed
them to follow him. This the lads did without hesitancy. Their guide
led them to a distant part of the village, where an extraordinary array
of tents told the lads that they were near important personages in the
German ranks. The guide showed them into a tent somewhat smaller than
the rest, where he left them.
After they had been alone perhaps twenty minutes, Hal explored.
"Well," he said, "if these fellows don't hurry they won't get back to
Marshal Foch's rendezvous until too late."
"Oh, I guess they'll get there in time all right," replied Chester. "At
least they will if they know what's good for them."
Meanwhile Hal, peering through the canvass door at one end of the tent,
ascertained that the door of the second tent in some unaccountable
manner had been left open. Also, the lad perceived that the tent was
filled with uniformed figures.
"Something going on," he said to Chester in a low voice.
Chester stepped forward and peered over Hal's shoulder.
"There certainly is," he agreed. "Wonder if we will be able to hear
what they say?"
"I guess we can," said Hal. "I don't like to eavesdrop, but we might
learn something that will help."
"I guess the end will justify the means," said Chester.
They became silent.
It was clear to both lads that the figures in the tent were awaiting the
arrival of another person. And presently the latter came; and when he
entered, the tent both lads stifled exclamations of surprise with
difficulty.
"Well, what do you think of that!" Chester ejaculated.
"By Jove! I didn't know he was in this part of the field," said Hal.
For the man who had just entered the tent was none other than the German
Emperor, Wilhelm II.
Gazing more closely, the lads made out other familiar figures. There
was, first, General Ludendorff, chief of the German staff; General Von
Hindenburg, and newly created Chancellor Ebert. Also the tent was
crowded with other notables, both military and civilian.
It was the kaiser who spoke first. Straining their ears, the lads were
able to catch every word that was uttered.
"Well, gentlemen," said the kaiser, "I am here at your request. What is
it you desire of me?"
It was General Ludendorff who replied.
"Your majesty, it is my painful duty to acquaint you with the terms laid
down by the enemy commander-in-chief."
"What are they?" demanded the kaiser briefly.
In as few words as possible, General Von Ludendorff outlined the terms
of an armistice as Marshal Foch had presented them to the German envoys.
The kaiser fidgeted impatiently until his chief general had concluded.
Then he burst out:
"We shall accept no such terms."
General Ludendorff bowed.
"As I supposed you would answer, your majesty. Nevertheless, it again
becomes my duty to acquaint you with other unpleasant facts."
The German emperor appeared surprised.
"Explain, sir," he said briefly.
Again General Ludendorff bowed.
"Well, your majesty," he said, "it must be plain to you that the war is
lost to German arms."
"Not at all," said the kaiser. "I still have millions of men in the
field, and there are others who yet may take up arms."
"Very true," said General Ludendorff, "they may be able to take up arms
if they will. The trouble is, your majesty, that they probably will
decline longer to wage a losing fight."
The German emperor started back.
"What!" he exclaimed in a loud voice. "The German soldier refuse to
obey my commands?"
"Exactly, your majesty," said General Ludendorff.
"Any such men shall be instantly shot," declared the kaiser.
"That would be all very well, Sire," said General Ludendorff, "if there
remained any to carry out the sentence of execution."
The kaiser began to catch a glimmer of the true situation.
"You mean," he asked in a low voice, "that my men will refuse to fight
longer?"
Again General Ludendorff bowed.
"Precisely, your majesty," he said quietly.
The kaiser dropped abruptly into a chair.
"I should have been warned," he muttered. "I should have been warned.
For years I have seen this coming, and yet I would not take heed."
He rose to his feet again.
"Tell me," he said to General Von Ludendorff, "what are your sentiments
in this matter, General?"
"The same as the sentiments of the soldiers, your majesty."
"You mean that I must accept the enemy's terms?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Well, I won't do it."
"There is yet an alternative," said General Ludendorff slowly.
"And that?" demanded the kaiser, his voice hopeful.
"Abdication," said General Ludendorff quietly.
"What!"
The kaiser stepped quickly forward and raised his right hand. General
Ludendorff stepped quickly back several paces.
"I should strike you down where you stand," said the kaiser, lowering
his arm and letting his hand play with the hilt of the sword that he
wore at his side. "Give up my throne, and throw my people upon the
mercy of the enemy?"
"The people would be very glad to be thrown upon such mercy," said
General Von Hindenburg, now stepping forward. "Your majesty, let me add
my voice to that of General Ludendorff. I have fought for you as best I
know how, but it has been a losing fight, as we have known, almost from
the first. Something must be done, and that at once."
"Then you, too, general, urge that I renounce the throne?"
"I do, Sire, most emphatically."
The kaiser's face grew grave. Apparently such a thing as abdication had
never entered his head.
"Well, gentlemen," he said at last, "I shall give my decision when my
son, the Crown Prince, arrives, which should be in a very few moments."
The officers in the tent bowed low. Wilhelm II was still emperor, and
would be until he had signed a formal decree of abdication. As officers
of the emperor it was the duty of every man present to serve him.
As the kaiser had predicted, the Crown Prince, known more familiarly in
allied circles as the "clown prince," because of his peculiar
appearance, entered the tent.
He slapped his father familiarly on the shoulder.
"What's the matter?" he demanded. "Have the allies taken Berlin?"
The kaiser smiled feebly.
"Even worse, if possible, son," he said. "These gentlemen here," and he
swept the interior of the tent with his arm, "ask that I renounce the
throne of Germany so that my people may have peace."
The Crown Prince stepped back as though he had received a blow in the
face. He recovered himself quickly, however, and said quietly.
"Please repeat that again, Sire."
The kaiser did so, and for a space of perhaps five minutes there was
silence in the tent. Then the Crown Prince said:
"Well, Sire, what are you going to do?"
"Abdicate," said the kaiser briefly. "I shall abdicate in your favor.
You may treat with the enemy."
"Hold on," ejaculated the Crown Prince. "You don't need to abdicate in
my favor, sir. I don't want to be emperor, not under present
conditions."
"Are you afraid?" demanded the kaiser sternly.
The Crown Prince was not to be bluffed like that.
"Maybe I am, and maybe I'm not," he said doggedly; "but I'm not going to
be left in any such plight as this. You may wager on that, sir. If you
abdicate in my favor, I shall follow suit, your majesty."
"As you will," said the kaiser. "I, at least, shall abdicate, and that
at once. General Ludendorff; how soon can you have the necessary papers
prepared?"
"I have already had them prepared, your majesty," was General
Ludendorff's response. "I had hoped that you might see the light."
"Play the coward, you mean, eh?" said the kaiser. "But no matter. Put
the paper before me and I shall sign."
From his pocket the general produced a long parchment, which he laid on
the table. As his officers gathered about him, the German emperor read
the paper carefully.
"You don't seem to have had much doubt about how I would act," he
commented dryly. "Well, perhaps it is for the best."
He seized a pen and scrawled his name across the paper. He stepped back
and looked at General Ludendorff.
"Perhaps," he said, "you have Had a similar paper drawn for the Crown
Prince to sign?"
"I have," said General Ludendorff briefly. "I have overlooked nothing,
Sire."
"So it would seem," said the Crown Prince angrily, "but I shall sign
just the same."
He attached his signature to a second paper produced by General
Ludendorff.
And thus ended the rule of the family of Hohenzollern.
*CHAPTER XXIV*
*IN TROUBLE AGAIN*
Hal and Chester, from their place of concealment, had been interested
spectators of the abdication of the German emperor, and his son, the
Crown Prince.
"By Jove!" said Hal, drawing back, "this is a sight we can brag about
the rest of our natural lives."
"I should say so," agreed Chester. "And so the kaiser has abdicated.
Who would have thought it?"
"Certainly not the kaiser himself four years ago," was Hal's response.
"But it just goes to show that right is bound to triumph in the end."
"So it does. Now I suppose the signing of the armistice will be only a
matter of form."
"I should judge so. But who will sign the armistice for Germany?"
"Chancellor Ebert, I imagine," said Chester. "He should be the proper
man to do so now."
"Well, I guess we'll know soon enough," said Hal. "But see, the
conference is breaking up. We'd better get back a bit. No need having
them learn we have overheard what has happened."
The lads drew back to the far end of the tent.
Perhaps fifteen minutes later the man who had acted as spokesman for the
German delegates at the conference with Marshal Foch entered the tent.
"I see you are still here," he said, smiling slightly. "We shall be
ready to return to your lines soon."
"Very well, sir," said Hal, "we await your pleasure."
The man withdrew.
"Well," said Hal, "I guess the war's as good as over. Of course, it
will be weeks and perhaps months after the armistice goes into effect
before peace is signed, but I guess there will be no more fighting."
"I hope not," said Chester. "It's true enough that we've had a good
time in Europe, such as it is, but how much better it will be when men
turn their energies to up-building instead of destroying."
"True," agreed Hal, "and yet we know that until German militarism was
destroyed, nothing was safe in this world. The war has been a benefit
to mankind."
"From that standpoint, you are right, of course; and still, it would
seem that there must be better ways than by wholesale killing. It is a
long ways from being pleasant."
"It is indeed. I shall be glad when it is over. I don't believe there
will ever be another war."