nk started back visibly perturbed.

"Died!" he echoed. "Then his statement about the will stands
uncontradicted."

"As far as he is concerned, yes," replied the colonel soberly. "I am
bitterly disappointed, and I know that Andre will be, too, for he has
made a very strong point of disproving that special testimony. But we
will not remit our efforts in the least, _mon ami_. Be assured of
that. I will let you know when I have any further news," and with a
friendly wave of the hand the colonel passed on.

"What's the matter, Frank?" asked Billy as he went slowly back to his
friends. "You look as jolly as a crutch."

"I'm no hypocrite, then," answered Frank soberly, "for that's exactly
how I feel."

He told his chums of what the colonel had said, and they were sincere
in their expressions of sympathy.

"I don't care a button about it for myself," explained Frank, "but I
hate to have to tell my mother about it. She has little enough to make
her happy nowadays, and I know how badly she will feel about this."

All that day the artillery kept up a ceaseless fire and the Germans did
not venture on the bridge. But great activity was observed among them,
and Dick Lever, who was leader of the aviation detachment that was
operating in that sector, brought the news that evening that they were
preparing pontoons and other small boats with which they would probably
attempt a crossing at points that were not so well guarded.

"Your officers over here want to keep their eyes peeled," he remarked
to the Army Boys after he had just made his report at division
headquarters. "Those Heinies have made up their minds to get across
this river by hook or crook. They figure that with the open country
behind you they'll have a good chance to throw you back if they can
only get a footing on this side."

"Don't you worry about our officers," replied Frank with a conviction
that had been deepened by the skilful leadership the American troops
had had so far in the drive. "It'll be as hard to find them napping as
it is to catch a weasel asleep."

"I know they're good stuff," agreed Dick, "but we're all human, you
know."

"All except the boches," grunted Billy. "They're inhuman."

"We've had plenty of proofs of that," laughed Dick. "They like to
think they're superhuman, but we're teaching them differently."

"Seen anything of Will Stone lately?" asked Frank.

"Ran across him about a week ago," replied Dick. "He's fighting