“Bully for you, Rod!” exclaimed Josh; “I knew you’d come to time right handsomely. We’ll likely see something of the fierce battles that are raging every day in northern France as the Germans drive the Allies back mile after mile, aiming to take Paris, and end the war with a rush!”
Apparently Josh had been dreaming of something along these lines, and the opportunity to gratify his ambition took him by storm.
Rod again turned to the French woman and started to converse with her once more. How her face did light up when she learned that these brave American boys had decided to lend her their aid, and try to find her absent soldier husband among the legions of patriots defending the beloved Paris.
Hanky Panky and Josh could understand very little of what was said, but by watching the expressive face and motions of Jeanne they were able to translate much of her explanations.
“She has told me where her humble home is,” explained Rod finally, “and this very night we will visit her to hear further particulars, and receive the document which was enclosed in the letter from the French law firm in Paris.”
“And then?” asked Josh breathlessly.
“Perhaps to-morrow we can start away from here and head south, to cross the border line, and enter France,” he was told.
“But not to go as far as Boulogne, eh, Rod?” questioned Hanky Panky.
“No, for that would take us out of our way,” the other continued. “After we get to Calais we will have to strike direct for Paris; that is unless we learn that one of the numerous German armies has cut across the road, blocking our way. In that event we will have to shape our plans over again. But there’s no use crossing a bridge until you come to it, so don’t let’s worry.”
He once more spoke to the little woman, whose face was now beaming with gratitude. She seized the boy’s hand and actually kissed it before Rod had a chance to snatch it away. The act made him flush with confusion, especially since Josh was chuckling in his clumsy way. But one thing was sure, Jeanne considered their crossing her path at the time she needed a friend more than ever before in all her life as a most fortunate thing.