But pleasanter thoughts diverted their attention just then, for the camp postman came into view and the boys rose with a whoop and pounced upon their letters. And all their spare time that morning was spent in reading and rereading the precious missives from their friends so many thousand miles away. Frank was poring over a letter from his mother for the tenth time when he heard his name spoken and looked up to see Colonel Pavet, who was passing along in the company of another officer. He had only a moment to spare, but that moment was given to Frank, who had risen and greeted him with a welcome as warm as his own. "Ah, Monsieur Sheldon, letters from home, I see," he remarked. "I hope your mother is well." "Very well, thank you," responded Frank. "And very grateful to you, Colonel Pavet, for the interest you have taken in her behalf and mine." The colonel courteously waved the thanks aside. He replied. "But you can tell Madame Sheldon that her affairs are progressing finely, though not as rapidly as they would if it were not for the distracted state of France. For instance, my brother Andre has been trying to get a furlough for a man who was formerly a butler in the De Latour family, and whose evidence he thinks will be most important in establishing your mother's right. It is only with the greatest difficulty that I have been able to bring this about, but I have succeeded at last, and the man will go to Auvergne next week to give his testimony. Let us hope that it will be as valuable as Andre thinks." Again Frank expressed his thanks, and after a few more words they parted. _"Vive la France!"_ exclaimed Frank, as he saluted. _"Vive l'Amerique!"_ returned the colonel. CHAPTER XXIII A HAIL OF LEAD "It's coming," declared Tom a few days later, as the boys were getting ready to go to mess. "Listen to the oracle," mocked Bart. "What's coming? Christmas?" inquired Billy. "The big fight," replied Tom. "Hear the general," gibed Bart. "I've understood that Tom was General Pershing's right bower," put in Billy. "They say he doesn't do a thing without him," said Bart. "It's a pity that Tom didn't live in Napoleon's time," laughed Frank. "He'd have been a marshal sure." "Napoleon," repeated Billy, with a faraway look in his eyes. "Where have I heard that name before?" The four friends laughed as the comical scene in the little French village rose up before them. But with all their jesting they felt as sure as Tom that a big battle was impending. One did not have to be an officer to know that. The rank and file could tell it just as unerringly as their superiors. For many days past all arms of the service had been working at top speed. Regiments and divisions had been reorganized and brought up to their full strength. Reserves had been brought from distant portions of the line and were massed heavily in the rear of the positions.