“Ah, Monsieur Sheldon, how glad I am to see you again,” said Colonel Pavet.
“No more than I am to see you, sir,” returned Frank, shaking the hand which the colonel in sheer disregard of the difference in rank had extended to him. “I hope that you are well.”
“Perfectly well, I thank you,” replied the colonel, “and happy beyond expression at the way things are going. It will not be long now before the arrogant Huns will be driven from France. Oh, what we Frenchmen owe to you brave Americans! You are like the Crusaders of old. You came to our aid when our backs were against the wall and you gave us fresh courage, new life.”
“Just as your people did for America more than a hundred years ago,” replied Frank. “You don’t owe us anything, Colonel. We’ve simply been paying a debt.”
“But paying it with interest a hundred fold,” protested the colonel warmly. “But tell me how things are going with you, mon cher ami.”
“Oh, the same as usual,” returned Frank. “The Hun bullets haven’t got me yet.”
“But that isn’t because you haven’t been where the Hun bullets were,” smiled the colonel. “I’ve been hearing of what you did on that scouting expedition last night. It’s a marvel that you came through it alive. But fortune favors the brave.”
“Oh, that was nothing,” said Frank, who always felt uncomfortable when anyone referred to his exploits.
“Your officers think differently,” laughed the colonel. “But now to other matters. In the first place, I want to tell you how sorry I was that I was away when that unfortunate accusation was laid against you. A word from me would have shown its falsity at once.”
“I know it would,” answered Frank, “but luckily things took such a turn that I was soon cleared of that charge.”