"Maybe so," grinned Don.

The three began to stroll leisurely here and there, quite often accompanied by one or more of the poilus. Down by a little creek they came across a number lined up alongside the bank engaged in the prosaic occupation of washing clothes and hanging them out to dry on convenient saplings and branches.

"Another illustration of man's adaptability," laughed Don.

In the midst of congenial company, with much to interest them, time passed rapidly, and finally the ambulanciers, who had brought supper with them, took seats on a bit of turf and began their meal.

And though at times the mosquitoes and gnats made things decidedly uncomfortable, there they remained until the sun had long since disappeared beneath the horizon and the moonbeams were gaining sufficient strength to reveal their presence upon the face of nature.

Then Dunstan jumped to his feet, exclaiming:

"It's time for us to be on the move."

"Hooray! Now for the last stretch!" cried Don.

"And the Château de Morancourt by moonlight!" added Chase.

 CHAPTER VII

THE CHÂTEAU

About a quarter of an hour later the three Americans were standing before a high and ornamental gateway which led into the great park belonging to the château. Only a small portion of the De Morancourt coat of arms which once adorned it remained in place, and the ancient bricks showed in many places the destructive effects of German shells.

"This must be one of those real, bona-fide, genuine châteaus we read about," commented Chase.

"Yes; according to what I have been told it dates back to the time of Louis the Fourteenth," said the art student.

"I do wonder what could have become of all those pictures and art treasures!" mused Don.

"A lot of other people have been wondering, too; and whether they will ever get beyond the wondering stage or not is problematical."

"Suppose we get into the wandering stage."

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