His
name is Stubbs."
"Well, I see no need to deny it," said General Petain.
"General," said Chester, now stepping forward, "I would be glad if you
would give me an opportunity to explain this matter."
"It shall not be said that I denied any man a hearing," was the general's
reply. "Proceed."
As briefly as possible Chester recounted the manner in which they had
come into possession of the two peas; of why they decided to keep them;
of their capture the night before by Anthony Stubbs and of their escape;
and last, of their attendance at the meeting of the conspirators, where,
for the first time, they learned the true significance of the little
black peas.
As Chester proceeded with his story the general listened attentively.
When Chester spoke of being captured by Stubbs, the general smiled
quietly, and Hal, noting the smile, guessed rightly that General Petain
had had a hand in the capture himself--or rather, that he at least had
sanctioned it; and when Chester spoke of the meeting of the conspirators
and mentioned the name of General Pombrey, General Petain frowned.
"So," he said when Chester had concluded, "General Pombrey is mixed up in
this thing, eh?"
"He seems to be the leader of the movement, sir," replied Chester.
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