“The next thing is,” went on the colonel in a tone of regret, “that some complications have developed in the matter of your mother’s property.”
Frank felt his heart sink. It was only a little while since he had written her, telling her that everything was practically settled in her favor, and that all she would have to do after the war ended would be to take possession.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he replied. “I thought that the dying confession of that rascally butler had established her claim beyond a doubt.”
“It did as far as the attempt to defraud her was concerned,” answered the colonel. “This is a technical matter bearing on the title to a part of the estate. It seems that some legal formalities were overlooked at the time of its acquisition. My brother Andre explained it to me in his last letter. But I am only a plain soldier and I could not quite grasp the details. Now, don’t let it worry you, for Andre thinks that the matter can be attended to and the title made perfect. Only it will take some time and I thought I ought to notify you just how matters stood.”
“It’s very good of you,” replied Frank, relieved to learn that the fears he had formed when the colonel first began to speak of the matter might be groundless. “Of course I’m sorry that there’s any hitch at all, but if it can be remedied it doesn’t matter so much.”
“Right,” agreed Colonel Pavet, “and if I might be permitted to suggest, I would say nothing to your mother about it at present. If it were anything really serious, of course she ought to know. But under the circumstances it would only cost her needless worry. Now I must be going. Of course you know or have guessed that there will be a great battle tomorrow.”
“I have heard that we attack at dawn,” replied Frank.
“Yes,” confirmed the colonel. “To you Americans has been assigned the task of clearing out the Argonne Forest. It is one of the most tremendous tasks of the war but I know you will be equal to it. My own regiment is with Gouraud’s forces on your left. We will probably effect a juncture with your forces after you have taken the forest, and the two armies will have a friendly race to see which gets to Sedan first. The luck of battle may bring us together again before long.”
“I hope so,” smiled Frank, “and when we do meet I hope that we can congratulate each other on the complete defeat of the Huns.”
“We will,” replied the colonel with conviction. “Their lines are bending now and are ready to break. One more great effort and the work is done. The Allied armies will spend Christmas on the Rhine.”