“That means that he’s probably fired his last shot at a Hun,” remarked Frank. “By the time he comes out it will be all over but the shouting.”
“Come out of your dream,” said Tom, who could never see what he thought was a bubble without a desire to stick a pin in it. “We’re a long way yet from the Rhine.”
“But we’re getting nearer all the time,” chimed in Billy. “I’ll bet we’ll be sailing on it before Christmas.”
“And listening to the Lorelei singing,” grinned Frank.
“Yes,” laughed Billy, “but it’ll be a different song from the one she’s used to. Instead of Die Wacht am Rhein she’ll be singing the Marseillaise and the Star Spangled Banner. I’ll bet she’s practicing up on it now so as to be ready for us.”
“I don’t know what brand of dope you fellows are using,” protested Tom, “but whatever it is I’d advise you to change it.”
But his comrades were better prophets than Tom was willing to admit, for that very night Frank had an interview with Colonel Pavet that changed his hopes into a certainty.
The colonel was coming out of headquarters when he recognized Frank, who was on sentry duty near by. The colonel came to Frank at once with his usual cordial greeting.
“I suppose you have heard the news,” he said.
“No,” said Frank. “What is it Colonel?”