hands with
strength and enthusiasm.

"I approve of this love-feast," said Wharton, "but don't fall to kissing
each other. Man kissing man is a continental custom I can't stand."

"Don't be alarmed," said Lannes laughing. "It's passing out in France,
and I certainly would not do it. I've lived a while in your country. Now
will you wait here, my friends? I have a report to make, but I will
return in a half hour."

When Lannes returned he handed a letter to John: "Your uncle and the
worthy Mr. Anson have managed to reach Paris through Switzerland," he
said. "I found them, and, on the chance that I might reach you, the
distinguished Senator, your uncle, gave me the letter that I now give to
you."

Making his excuses to the others John read it hastily. His uncle wrote
in a resigned tone. He and Mr. Anson would remain in Paris a short time,
and then if the German forces came near, as he feared they might, they
would cross to London. He hoped that his nephew would leave the army and
join them there, but if contrary to all good advice, he insisted on
remaining he trusted that he would fight bravely and show the
superiority of Americans to the decadent Europeans.

"Good old Uncle Jim," said John to himself, as he put the letter back in
his pocket. "Maybe it's a faith like his that will really make us the
greatest nation in the world."

He did not see any great difference at that moment between the sublime
faith of Senator Pomeroy in the United States and the equally sublime
faith of Carstairs in the British Empire. The only difference was in
their way of expressing it. But he felt a great affection for his uncle,
and he knew very well that the chances were against his ever seeing him
again. A slight mist came before his eyes.

"I thank you for bringing the letter, Lannes," he said. "My uncle and
Mr. Anson will remain a while in Paris, and then they will probably go
to London."

He would not tell Lannes the Senator's reason for leaving Paris.

"From what place have you come after leaving Paris, if it's no army
secret?" he asked.

Lannes with a dramatic gesture swept his hand over his head.

"From there. From the heavenly vault," he replied. "I have been
everywhere. Over forests and many cities, over the German lines and over
our own lines. I have seen the Germans coming not in thousands but in
millions. I thought once that the army of our allies would be cut off,
but it has joined with our own in time."

"Is it tr