As the Frenchman leered at him evilly, Hal walked close to him.

“It’s my belief you knew me all the time,” he declared quietly.

“What of it?” the Frenchman demanded.

“Why,” said Hal, “only that if I were sure, I’d pull your nose for you.”

“Ha!” exclaimed the Frenchman.  “I’d like to see you try it.  You caught me off my guard the other night.  You can’t do it again.”

“I don’t particularly care to do it,” returned Hal, quietly, “because you’re not worth it; but if I start I’ll probably go through with it.”

Again the Frenchman sneered at him.

Further conversation was prevented by the appearance of a French lieutenant who had observed the trouble.

“Matin!” he ordered.  “Back to your post at once, sir.”

The latter saluted respectfully enough, but he gave Hal another evil look as he walked away.

“He’s no friend of yours, that’s sure,” said the young French officer to Hal, with a smile.

“I am glad to say he’s not,” replied Hal, quietly.  “I don’t believe I’d care for a friend like that.”

“I don’t blame you,” was the young officer’s response.  “Matin has a bad reputation and I would advise you to keep your eye on him.”

“Thanks,” said Hal.  “I shall remember that.  By the way, can you tell me just where we are?”

“Thiaumont farm,” returned the French officer; “or, rather, I should say, just east of Thiaumont farm.  You two fellows look somewhat done up.  If you will go to the farm you will find a place to sleep in the farmhouse.  By some trick of fate the house and barn still stand, although everything else in this vicinity has been knocked to pieces by the big guns.”

“Thanks,” said Hal, again.  “We shall take your advice.  We are pretty tired and a sleep will help out.  It’s too far back to our own quarters when there is a place to bunk so handy.”

The two lads left the young officer and made their way to the farmhouse.  Here they found a number of French officers already installed, but the latter gladly made room for them.

“No beds,” said one with a laugh, “but there is plenty of room on the floor.”

“I guess a bed would be too much to expect,” said Chester, also laughing.  “Besides, it’s been so long since I slept in one I don’t believe I could rest.”

“The floor is plenty good enough for me,” Hal agreed.

“Help yourselves then.  You can pick out your own room.”

“Guess we’ll go upstairs then,” said Hal.  “It’ll probably be more quiet up there.  These fellows down here are having too much fun to care about sleep,” and he waved his arm toward one corner of the room, where a group of young French officers were engaged in a game of cards.

The two boys made their way upstairs and found a room to their liking in the rear of the house.  Here they stretched themselves out on the floor and were asleep immediately.  There were no other occupants of the room.