At length he turned and beckoned to John, who promptly drew up to his side.
"You speak good French ?" he said in his native tongue.
"Yes, sir," replied John promptly.
"I understand that you came with the flying man, Lannes, who brought the message responsible for this march, and that it is not the only time you've done good service in our cause ?" John bowed modestly.
"Did you see any German troops on the way ?" "Only a band of Uhlans." "A mere scouting party.

It occurred to me that you might have seen masses of troops belonging to the foe, indicating perhaps what is awaiting us at the end of our march." "I know nothing, sir.

The Uhlans were all the foes we saw from the air, save the man who shot Lannes." "I believe you.

You belong to the youngest of the great nations.

Your people have not yet learned to say with the accents of truth the thing that is not.