 In later speaking to the man, Chambers learned that he was a Frenchman who had drifted away from religion since coming to New York, but was now heading back to fight in World War I, and had prayed for a return to the faith.Chambers produced an oil painting from the sketch.According to the "American Art News", "His remarkable picture, "The Return", which shows a soldier at the foot of a crucifix, and enveloped in a certain divine mystery and depth of sentiment, compelling and convincing, has been reproduced by one of the largest publishing companies in color and sepia, and having decided success."