第14章

"Buttheywillfindthewireless，"saidthewoman。"Theyaresuretousethetowersforobservation，andtheywillfindit。"

"Inthatcase，"saidtheofficer，"youwillsuggesttothemthatwefledinsuchhastewehadnotimetodismantleit。Ofcourse，youhadnoknowledgethatitexisted，or，asaloyalFrenchwoman，youwouldhaveatoncetoldthem。"Toemphasizehisnextwordstheofficerpointedather："Undernocircumstances，"hecontinued，"mustyoubesuspected。IftheyshouldtakeBriandintheact，shouldtheyhaveeventheleastdoubtconcerninghim，youmustrepudiatehimentirely。Ifnecessary，tokeepyourownskirtsclear，itwouldbeyourdutyyourselftodenouncehimasaspy。"

"Yourfirstorders，"saidthewoman，"weretotellthemBriandhadbeenlonginmyservice；thatIbroughthimfrommyhomeinLaon。"

"Hemightbeinyourserviceforyears，"returnedthecolonel，"andyounotknowhewasaGermanagent。"

"IftosavemyselfIinformuponhim，"saidMarie，"ofcourseyouknowyouwilllosehim。"

Theofficershruggedhisshoulders。"Awirelessoperator，"heretorted，"wecanreplace。Butforyou，andfortheserviceyouaretorenderinParis，wehavenosubstitute。Youmustnotbefoundout。Youareinvaluable。"

Thespyinclinedherhead。"Ithankyou，"shesaid。

Theofficersputteredindignantly。

"Itisnotacompliment，"heexclaimed；"itisanorder。Youmustnotbefoundout！"

WithdrawnsometwohundredyardsfromtheParisroad，thechateaustooduponawoodedhill。Exceptdirectlyinfront，treesofgreatheightsurroundedit。Thetipsoftheirbranchesbrushedthewindows；interlacing，theycontinueduntiltheyoverhungthewalloftheestate。Whereitranwiththeroadthewallgavewaytoaloftygateandironfence，throughwhichthosepassingcouldseeastretchofnobleturf，aswideasapolo-field，bordersofflowersdisappearingundertheshadowsofthetrees；

andthechateauitself，withitsterrace，itsmanywindows，itshigh-pitched，slopingroof，brokenbytowersandturrets。

Throughtheremainderofthenighttherecamefromtheroadtothoseinthechateautheroarandrumblingofthearmyinretreat。

Itmovedwithoutpanic，disorder，orhaste，butunceasingly。Notforaninstantwasthereabreathing-spell。Andwhenthesunrose，thethreespies——thetwowomenandthechauffeur——whointhegreatchateauwerenowalone，couldseeaswellashearthegraycolumnofsteelrollingpastbelowthem。

ThespiesknewthatthegraycolumnhadreachedClaye，hadstoodwithinfifteenmilesofParis，andthenuponParishadturneditsback。TheyknewalsothatthereverberationsfromthedirectionofMeaux，thateachmomentgrewmoreloudandsavage，weretheFrench"seventy-fives"whippingthegraycolumnforward。OfwhattheyfelttheGermansdidnotspeak。Insilencetheylookedateachother，andintheeyesofMariewasbitternessandresolve。

TowardnoonMariemetAnfossiinthegreatdrawing-roomthatstretchedthelengthoftheterraceandfromthewindowsofwhich，throughtheparkgates，theycouldseetheParisroad。

"This，thatispassingnow，"saidMarie，"isthelastofourrear-guard。

Gotoyourtower，"sheordered，"andsendwordthatexceptforstragglersandthewoundedourcolumnhasjustpassedthroughNeufchelIes，andthatanymomentweexpecttheFrench。"Sheraisedherhandimpressively。"Fromnow，"shewarned，"wespeakFrench，wethinkFrench，weareFrench！"

Anfossi，orBriand，asnowhecalledhimself，addressedherinthatlanguage。Histonewasbitter。"Pardonmylese-majesty，"hesaid，"butthischiefofyourIntelligenceDepartmentisadummerMensch。Heisthrowingawayavaluablelife。"

Marieexclaimedindismay。Sheplacedherhanduponhisarm，andthevioleteyesfilledwithconcern。

"Notyours！"sheprotested。

"Absolutely！"returnedtheItalian。"Icansendnothingbythisknapsackwirelessthattheywillnotlearnfromothers；fromairmen，Uhlans，thepeasantsinthefields。AndcertainlyIwillbecaught。

DeadIamdead，butaliveandinParistheopportunitiesareunending。

FromtheFrenchLegionEtrangerIhavemyhonorabledischarge。I

amanexpertwirelessoperatorandintheirSignalCorpsIcaneasilyfindaplace。Imagineme，then，ontheEiffelTower。FromtheairI

snatchnewsfromallofFrance，fromtheChannel，theNorthSea。

YouandIcouldworktogether，asinRome。Buthere，betweenthelines，withapassfromavillagesous-prefet，itisridiculous。Iamnotafraidtodie。Buttodiebecausesomeoneelseisstupid，thatishard。"

Marieclaspedhishandinbothofhers。

"Youmustnotspeakofdeath，"shecried；"youknowImustcarryoutmyorders，thatImustforceyoutotakethisrisk。Andyouknowthatthoughtofharmtoyoutorturesme！"

Quicklytheyoungmandisengagedhishand。Thewomanexclaimedwithanger。

"Whydoyoudoubtme？"shecried。

Briandprotestedvehemently。

"Idonotdoubtyou。"

"Myaffection，then？"InawhisperthatcarriedwithitthefeelingofacaressMarieaddedsoftly："Mylove？"

Theyoungmanprotestedmiserably。"Youmakeitveryhard，mademoiselle，"hecried。"Youaremysuperiorofficer，Iamyourservant。WhoamIthatIshouldsharewithothers——"

Thewomaninterruptedeagerly。

"Ah，youarejealous！"shecried。"Isthatwhyyouaresocruel？

ButwhenItellyouIloveyou，andonlyyou，canyounotfeelitisthetruth？"

Theyoungmanfrownedunhappily。

"Myduty，mademoiselle！"hestammered。

WithanexclamationofangerMarielefthim。Asthedoorslammedbehindher，theyoungmandrewadeepbreath。Onhisfacewastheexpressionofineffablerelief。

InthehallMariemetherelderlycompanion，Bertha，nowheraunt，MadameBenet。

"Iheardyouquarrelling，"Berthaprotested。"Itismostindiscreet。

ItisnotinthepartoftheCountessd\'Aurillacthatshemakeslovetoherchauffeur。"

Marielaughednoiselesslyanddrewherfartherdownthehall。"Heisimbecile！"sheexclaimed。"Hewillkillmewithhissolemnfaceandhisconceit。Imakelovetohim——yes——thathemayworkthemorewillingly。Buthewillhavenoneofit。Heisjealousoftheothers。"

MadameBenetfrowned。

"Heresentstheothers，"shecorrected。"Idonotblamehim。Heisagentleman！"

"Andtheothers，"demandedMarie；"weretheynotofthemostnoblefamiliesofRome？"

"IamoldandIamugly，"saidBertha，"buttomeAnfossiisalwaysasconsiderateasheistoyouwhoaresobeautiful。"

"AnItaliangentleman，"returnedMarie，"doesnotserveinBelgianCongounlessitis——thechoiceofthatorthemarblequarries。"

"Idonotknowwhathispastmaybe，"sighedMadameBenet，"nordoIask。Heisonlyanumber，asyouandIareonlynumbers。

AndIbegyoutoletusworkinharmony。Atsuchatimeyourlove-affairsthreatenoursafety。Youmustwait。"

Marielaughedinsolently。"WiththeDuBarry，"sheprotested，"I

canboastthatIwaitfornoman。"

"No，"repliedtheolderwoman；"youpursuehim！"

Mariewouldhaveansweredsharply，butontheinstantherinterestwasdiverted。Foroneweek，bydayandnight，shehadlivedinaworldpeopledonlybyGermansoldiers。Besideherintherailroadcarriage，onthestationplatforms，atthewindowsofthetrainsthatpassedtheoneinwhichsherode，atthegradecrossings，onthebridges，intheroadsthatparalleledthetracks，chokingthestreetsofthevillagesandspreadoverthefieldsofgrain，shehadseenonlythegray-greenuniforms。Evenherprofessionaleyenolongerdistinguishedregimentfromregiment，dragoonfromgrenadier，UhlanfromHussarorLandsturm。

Stripes，insignia，numerals，badgesofrank，hadlosttheirmeaning。

Thosewhoworethemnolongerwereindividuals。Theywerenotevenhuman。Duringthethreelastdaystheautomobile，likeamotor-boatfightingthetide，hadcreptthroughagray-greenriverofmen，stained，asthoughfromthebanks，bymudandyellowclay。Andforhours，whilethecarwasblocked，andinfurytheengineracedandpurred，thegray-greenriverhadrolledpasther，slowlybutasinevitablyaslavadowntheslopeofavolcano，bearingonitssurfacefaceswithstaringeyes，thousandsandthousandsofeyes，somefierceandbloodshot，othersfilledwithweariness，homesickness，pain。Atnightshestillsawthem：

thewhitefacesunderthesweatanddust，theeyesdumb，inarticulate，askingtheanswer。ShehadbeensuffocatedbyGermansoldiers，bythemassofthem，engulfedandsmothered；shehadstifledinalandinhabitedonlybygray-greenghosts。

Andsuddenly，asthoughamiraclehadbeenwrought，shesawuponthelawn，ridingtowardher，amaninscarlet，blue，andsilver。Onemanridingalone。

Approachingwithconfidence，butalert；hisreinsfallen，hishandsnursinghiscarbine，hiseyessearchedtheshadowsofthetrees，theemptywindows，eventhesun-sweptsky。Hiswasthenewfaceatthedoor，thenewsteponthefloor。Andthespyknewhadshebeheldanarmycorpsitwouldhavebeennomoresignificant，nomoremenacing，thanthesolitarychasseurachevalscoutinginadvanceoftheenemy。

"Wearesaved！"exclaimedMarie，withirony。"Goquickly，"shecommanded，"tothebedroomonthesecondfloorthatopensuponthestaircase，sothatyoucanseeallwhopass。Youaretooilltotravel。Theymustfindyouinbed。"

"Andyou？"saidBertha。

"I，"criedMarierapturously，"hastentowelcomeourpreserver！"

Thepreserverwasapeasantlad。Underthewhitedusthischeekswereburnedabrown-red，hiseyes，honestandblue，throughmuchstaringattheskiesandathorizonlines，werepuckeredandencircledwithtinywrinkles。Responsibilityhadmadehimolderthanhisyears，andinspeechbrief。Withthebeautifulladywhowithtearsofjoyrantogreethim，andwhoinanecstasyofhappinesspressedhercheekagainstthenoseofhishorse，hewasunimpressed。Hereturnedtoherherpapersandgravelyechoedheranswerstohisquestions。"Thischateau，"herepeated，"wasoccupiedbytheirGeneralStaff；theyhaveleftnowoundedhere；

yousawthelastofthempassahalf-hoursince。"Hegathereduphisreins。

Marieshriekedinalarm。"Youwillnotleaveus？"shecried。

Forthefirsttimetheyoungmanpermittedhimselftosmile。

"Othersarrivesoon，"hesaid。

Hetouchedhisshako，wheeledhishorseinthedirectionfromwhichhehadcome，andaminutelaterMarieheardthehoofsechoingthroughtheemptyvillage。

Whentheycame，theothersweremoresympathetic。Evenintimesofwarabeautifulwomanisstillabeautifulwoman。AndthestaffofficerswhomovedintothequarterssolatelyoccupiedbytheenemyfoundinthepresenceoftheCountessd\'Aurillacnothingtodistressthem。Intheabsenceofherdearfriend，MadameIverney，thechatelaineofthechateau，sheactedastheirhostess。Herchauffeurshowedthecompanycooksthewaytothekitchen，thelarder，andthecharcoal-box。She，herself，inthehandsofGeneralAndreplacedthekeysofthefamouswine-cellar，andtothesurgeon，thatthewoundedmightbefreshlybandaged，intrustedthoseofthelinen-closet。Aftertheindignitiesshehadsufferedwhile"detained"bylesBoches，herdelightandreliefatagainfindingherselfundertheprotectionofherownpeoplewouldhavetouchedaheartofstone。Andtheheartsofthestaffwerenotofstone。Itwaswithregrettheygavethecountesspermissiontocontinueonherway。Atthissheexclaimedwithgratitude。Sheassuredthem，wereherauntabletotravel，shewouldimmediatelydepart。

"InParisshewillbemorecomfortablethanhere，"saidthekindsurgeon。Hewasareservist，andintimesofpeaceafashionablephysicianandasmuchathiseaseinaboudoirasinafieldhospital。"PerhapsifIsawMadamBenet？"

Atthesuggestionthecountesswasoverjoyed。ButtheyfoundMadameBenetinastateofcompletecollapse。TheconductoftheGermanshadbroughtaboutanervousbreakdown。

"ThoughthebridgesaredestroyedatMeaux，"urgedthesurgeon，"evenwithadetour，youcanbeinParisinfourhours。Ithinkitisworththeeffort。"

ButthemerethoughtofthejourneythrewMadameBenetintohysterics。Sheaskedonlytorest，shebeggedforanopiatetomakehersleep。Shebeggedalsothattheywouldleavethedooropen，sothatwhenshedreamedshewasstillinthehandsoftheGermans，andwokeinterror，thesoundofthedearFrenchvoicesandthesightofthebelovedFrenchuniformsmightreassureher。

Sheplayedherpartwell。ConcerningherMariefeltnottheleastanxiety。ButtowardBriand，thechauffeur，thenewarrivalswerelesseasilysatisfied。

Thegeneralsenthisadjutantforthecountess。WhentheadjutanthadclosedthedoorGeneralAndrebeganabruptly：

"ThechauffeurBriand，"heasked，"youknowhim；youcanvouchforhim？"

"But，certainly！"protestedMarie。"HeisanItalian。"

Asthoughwithsuddenenlightenment，Marielaughed。Itwasasifnowinthesuspicionoftheofficershesawacertainreasonableness。"BriandwassolongintheForeignLegioninAlgiers，"sheexplained，"wheremyhusbandfoundhim，thatwehavecometothinkofhimasFrench。AsmuchFrenchasourselves，Iassureyou。"

Thegeneralandhisadjutantwereregardingeachotherquestioningly。

"PerhapsIshouldtellthecountess，"beganthegeneral，"thatwehavelearned——"

Thesignalfromtheadjutantwassoslight，soswift，thatMariebarelyinterceptedit。

Thelipsofthegeneralshuttogetherliketheleavesofabook。

Toshowtheinterviewwasatanend，hereachedforapen。

"Ithankyou，"hesaid。

"Ofcourse，"promptedtheadjutant，"Madamed\'Aurillacunderstandsthemanmustnotknowweinquiredconcerninghim。"

GeneralAndrefrownedatMarie。

"Certainlynot！"hecommanded。"Thehonestfellowmustnotknowthatevenforamomenthewasdoubted。"

Marieraisedthevioleteyesreprovingly。

"Itrust，"shesaidwithreproach，"ItoowellunderstandthefeelingsofaFrenchsoldiertolethimknowhisloyaltyisquestioned。"

WithamurmurofappreciationtheofficersbowedandwithagestureofgraciouspardonMarieleftthem。

Outsideinthehall，withnonebutorderliestoobserve，likeacloakthegraciousnessfellfromher。Shewasdrawntwoways。InherworkAnfossiwasvaluable。ButAnfossisuspectedwaslessthanofnovalue；hebecameamenace，adeath-warrant。

GeneralAndrehadsaid，"Wehavelearned——"andtheadjutanthadhaltedhim。Whathadhelearned？Toknowthat，Mariewouldhavegivenmuch。Still，oneimportantfactcomfortedher。

Anfossialonewassuspected。Hadtherebeenconcerningherselftheslightestdoubt，theycertainlywouldnothaveallowedhertoguesshercompanionwasundersurveillance；theywouldnothaveaskedonewhowasherselfsuspectedtovouchfortheinnocenceofafellowconspirator。Mariefoundthecoursetofollowdifficult。

WithAnfossiundersuspicionhisusefulnesswasforthemomentatanend；andtoacceptthechanceofferedhertocontinueontoParisseemedmostwise。Ontheotherhand，if，concerningAnfossi，shehadsucceededinallayingtheirdoubts，theresultsmosttobedesiredcouldbeattainedonlybyremainingwheretheywere。

Theirpositioninsidethelineswasofthegreateststrategicvalue。Theroomsoftheservantswereundertheroof，andthatBriandshouldsleepinoneofthemwasnatural。Thattoreachorleavehisroomheshouldconstantlybeascendingordescendingthestairsalsowasnatural。Thefield-wirelessoutfit，or，ashehaddisdainfullydescribedit，the"knapsack"wireless，wassituatednotinthebedroomhehadselectedforhimself，butinoneadjoining。AtothertimesthiswasoccupiedbythemaidofMadameIverney。TosummonhermaidMadameIverney，fromherapartmentonthesecondfloor，hadbuttopressabutton。AnditwasintheapartmentofMadameIverney，andonthebedofthatlady，thatMadameBenetnowreclined。Whenthroughtheopendoorshesawanofficerorsoldiermountthestairs，shepressedthebuttonthatrangabellintheroomofthemaid。Inthisway，longbeforewhoeverwasascendingthestairscouldreachthetopfloor，warningofhisapproachcametoAnfossi。Itgavehimtimetoreplacethedustboardoverthefireplaceinwhichthewirelesswasconcealedandtoescapeintohisownbedroom。Thearrangementwasideal。AndalreadyinformationpickedupinthehallsbelowbyMariehadbeenconveyedtoAnfossitorelayinaFrenchciphertotheGermanGeneralStaffatRheims。

Mariemadeanalertandcharminghostess。Toallwhosawheritwasevidentthathermindwasintentonlyuponthecomfortofherguests。Throughoutthedaymanycameandwent，buteachshemadewelcome；toeachashedepartedshecalled"bonnechance。"

Efficient，tireless，tactful，shewaseverywhere：inthedining-room，inthekitchen，inthebedrooms，forthewoundedfindingmattressestospreadinthegorgeoussalonsoftheChampagneprince；forthesoldier-chauffeurscarryingwineintothecourtyard，wheretheautomobilespantedandgrowled，andthearrivinganddepartingshriekedforrightofway。Atalltimesanalluringperson，nowtheonewomaninatumultofmen，hersmartfrockcoveredbyanapron，herheadandarmsbare，undismayedbythesightofthewoundedorbythedistantrumbleoftheguns，theCountessd\'Aurillacwasaninspiringandbeautifulpicture。

Theeyesoftheofficers，youngandold，informedherofthatfact，oneofwhichalreadyshewaswellaware。Bythemorningofthenextdayshewasacceptedastheownerofthechateau。

Andthoughcontinuallysheremindedthestaffshewaspresentonlyasthefriendofherschoolmate，MadameIverney，theydeferredtoherastoahostess。Manyofthemshealreadysalutedbyname，andtothosewhowithmessageswereconstantlymotoringtoandfromthefrontatSoissonsshewasparticularlykind。Overnightthelegendofhercharm，ofherdevotiontothesoldiersofallranks，hadspreadfromSoissonstoMeaux，andfromMeauxtoParis。ItwasnoonofthatdaywhenfromthewindowofthesecondstoryMariesawanarmoredautomobilesweepintothecourtyard。Itwasdrivenbyanofficer，youngandappallinglygood-looking，and，aswasobviousbythewayhespunhiscar，onewhoheldincontemptboththelawofgravityanddeath。Thathewassomeoneofimportanceseemedevident。Beforehecouldalighttheadjutanthadracedtomeethim。WithhereyefordetailMarieobservedthattheyoungofficer，insteadofimpartinginformation，receivedit。Hemust，sheguessed，havejustarrivedfromParis，andhisbrotherofficereitherwastellinghimthenewsorgivinghimhisorders。Whicheveritmightbe，inwhatwastoldhimthenewarrivalwasgreatlyinterested。Oneinstantinindignationhisgauntletedfistbeatuponthesteering-wheel，thenexthesmiledwithpleasure。Tointerpretthispantomimewasdifficult；and，thebettertoinformherself，Mariedescendedthestairs。

Asshereachedthelowerhallthetwoofficersentered。Tothespythemanlasttoarrivewasalwaystheoneofgreatestimportance；andMarieassuredherselfthatthroughherfriend，theadjutant，tomeetwiththisonewouldproveeasy。

Butthechauffeur-commanderofthearmoredcarmadeitmostdifficult。AtsightofMarie，muchtoheralarm，asthoughgreetingadearfriend，hesnatchedhiskepifromhisheadandsprangtowardher。

"Themajor，"hecried，"toldmeyouwerehere，thatyouareMadamed\'Aurillac。"Hiseyesspokehisadmiration。Indelighthebeameduponher。"Imighthaveknownit！"hemurmured。Withtheconfidenceofonewhoissurehebringsgoodnews，helaughedhappily。"AndI，"hecried，"am\'Pierrot\'！"

Whothedevil"Pierrot"mightbethespycouldnotguess。SheknewonlythatshewishedbyaGermanshell"Pierrot"andhiscarhadbeenblowntotinyfragments。Wasitatrap，sheaskedherself，orwasthehandsomeyouthreallysomeonetheCountessd\'Aurillacshouldknow。But，asfromhisintroducinghimselfitwasevidenthecouldnotknowthatladyverywell，Marietookcourageandsmiled。

"Which\'Pierrot\'？"sheparried。

"PierreThierry！"criedtheyouth。

TothereliefofMarieheturnedupontheadjutantandtohimexplainedwhoPierreThierrymightbe。

"Pauld\'Aurillac，"hesaid，"ismydearestfriend。WhenhemarriedthischarmingladyIwasstationedinAlgiers，andbutforthewarImightneverhavemether。"

ToMarie，withhishandonhisheartinamostcharmingmanner，hebowed。Hisadmirationhemadenoefforttoconceal。

"Andso，"hesaid，"Iknowwhythereiswar！"

Theadjutantsmiledindulgently，anddepartedonhisduties，leavingthemalone。ThehandsomeeyesofCaptainThierrywereraisedtothevioleteyesofMarie。Theyappraisedherboldlyandasboldlyexpressedtheirapproval。

Inburlesquetheyoungmanexclaimedindignantly："Pauldeceivedme！"hecried。"HetoldmehehadmarriedthemostbeautifulwomaninLaon。HehasmarriedthemostbeautifulwomaninFrance！"

ToMariethiswasnotimpertinence，butgallantry。

Thiswasalanguagesheunderstood，andthiswasthetypeofman，becausehewastheleastdifficulttomanage，sheheldmostincontempt。

"ButaboutyouPauldidnotdeceiveme，"sheretorted。Inapparentconfusionhereyesrefusedtomeethis。"Hetoldme\'Pierrot\'wasamostdangerousman！"

Shecontinuedhurriedly。WithwifelysolicitudesheaskedconcerningPaul。Sheexplainedthatforaweekshehadbeenaprisonerinthechateau，and，sincethemobilization，ofherhusbandsavethathewaswithhisregimentinParisshehadheardnothing。CaptainThierrywasabletogiveherlaternews。Onlythedayprevious，ontheboulevards，hehadmetCountd\'Aurillac。

HewasattheGrandHotel，andasThierrywasatoncemotoringbacktoParishewouldgivePaulnewsoftheirmeeting。HehopedhemighttellhimthatsoonhiswifealsowouldbeinParis。Marieexplainedthatonlytheillnessofherauntpreventedherfromthatsamedayjoiningherhusband。Hermannerbecameserious。

"Andwhatothernewshaveyou？"sheasked。"Hereonthefiring-lineweknowlessofwhatisgoingforwardthanyouinParis。"

SoPierreThierrytoldherallheknew。TheywerepreparingdespatcheshewasatoncetocarrybacktotheGeneralStaff，and，forthemoment，histimewashisown。HowcouldhebetteremployitthanintalkingofthewarwithapatrioticandcharmingFrenchwoman？

InconsequenceMarieacquiredamassoffacts，gossip，andguesses。Fromtheseshementallyselectedsuchinformationas，toheremployersacrosstheAisne，wouldbeofvitalinterest。

AndtoridherselfofThierryandonthefourthfloorseekAnfossiwasnowheronlywish。But，inattemptingthis，bythereturnoftheadjutantshewasdelayed。ToThierrytheadjutantgaveasealedenvelope。

"Thirty-one，BoulevarddesInvalides，"hesaid。WithasmileheturnedtoMarie。"Andyouwillaccompanyhim！"

"I！"exclaimedMarie。Shewassickwithsuddenterror。

Butthetolerantsmileoftheadjutantreassuredher。

"Thecount，yourhusband，"heexplained，"haslearnedofyourdetentionherebytheenemy，andhehasbesiegedtheGeneralStafftohaveyouconvoyedsafelytoParis。"Theadjutantglancedatafieldtelegramheheldopeninhishand。"Heasks，"hecontinued，"thatyoubepermittedtoreturninthecarofhisfriend，CaptainThierry，andthatonarrivingyoujoinhimattheGrandHotel。"

Thierryexclaimedwithdelight。

"Buthowcharming！"hecried。"To-nightyoumustbothdinewithmeatLaRue\'s。"Hesalutedhissuperiorofficer。"Somepetrol，sir，"hesaid。"AndIamready。"ToMarieheadded："Thecarwillbeatthestepsinfiveminutes。"Heturnedandleftthem。

ThethoughtsofMarie，snatchingatanexcusefordelay，racedmadly。ThedangerofmeetingtheCountd\'Aurillac，hersupposedhusband，didnotalarmher。TheGrandHotelhasmanyexits，and，evenbeforetheyreachedit，forleavingthecarshecouldinventanexcusethatthegallantThierrywouldnotsuspect。Butwhatnowconcernedherwashow，beforeshewaswhiskedawaytoParis，shecouldconveytoAnfossitheinformationshehadgatheredfromThierry。First，ofawomanovercomewithdelightatbeingreunitedwithherhusbandshegaveanexcellentimitation；thensheexclaimedindistress："Butmyaunt，MadameBenet！"shecried。"Icannotleaveher！"

"TheSistersofSt。Francis，"saidtheadjutant，"arrivewithinanhourtonursethewounded。Theywillcarealsoforyouraunt。"

Marieconcealedherchagrin。"ThenIwillatoncepreparetogo，"

shesaid。

Theadjutanthandedheraslipofpaper。"Yourlaissez-passertoParis，"hesaid。"Youleaveinfiveminutes，madame！"

AstemporaryhostessofthechateauMariewasfreetovisitanypartofit，andasshepassedherdoorasignalfromMadameBenettoldherthatAnfossiwasonthefourthfloor，thathewasatwork，andthatthecoastwasclear。Softly，inthefeltslippersshealwayswore，assheexplained，inordernottodisturbthewounded，shemountedthestaircase。Inherhandshecarriedthehousekeeper\'skeys，andasanexcuseitwasherplantoreturnwithanarmfuloflinenforthearrivingSisters。ButMarieneverreachedthetopofthestairs。Whenhereyesrosetothelevelofthefourthfloorshecametoasuddenhalt。Atwhatshesawterrorgrippedher，boundherhandandfoot，andturnedherbloodtoice。

AtherpostforaninstantMadameBenethadslept，andanofficerofthestaff，ledbycuriosity，chance，orsuspicion，had，unobservedandunannounced，mountedtothefourthfloor。WhenMariesawhimhewasinfrontoftheroomthatheldthewireless。Hisbackwastowardher，butshesawthathewasholdingthedoortotheroomajar，thathiseyewaspressedtotheopening，andthatthroughithehadpushedthemuzzleofhisautomatic。WhatwouldbethefateofAnfossiMarieknew。Nordidsheforaninstantconsiderit。Herthoughtswereofherownsafety；thatshemightlive。

NotthatshemightstillservetheWilhelmstrasse，theKaiser，ortheFatherland；butthatshemightlive。InamomentAnfossiwouldbedenounced，thechateauwouldringwiththealarm，and，thoughsheknewAnfossiwouldnotbetrayher，byothersshemightbeaccused。Toavertsuspicionfromherselfshesawonlyonewayopen。ShemustbethefirsttodenounceAnfossi。

Likeadeer，sheleapeddownthemarblestairsand，inapanicshehadnoneedtoassume，burstintothepresenceofthestaff。

"Gentlemen！"shegasped，"myservant——thechauffeur——Briandisaspy！ThereisaGermanwirelessinthechateau。Heisusingit！

Ihaveseenhim。"Withexclamations，theofficersrosetotheirfeet。GeneralAndrealoneremainedseated。GeneralAndrewasaveteranofmanyColonialwars：Cochin-China，Algiers，Morocco。

Thegreatwar，whenitcame，foundhimondutyintheIntelligenceDepartment。Hisaquilinenose，bristlingwhiteeyebrows，andflashing，restlesseyesgavehimhisnicknameofl\'Aigle。

Inamazement，theflashingeyeswerenowturneduponMarie。Heglaredatherasthoughhethoughtshesuddenlyhadflownmad。

"AGermanwireless！"heprotested。"Itisimpossible！"

"Iwasonthefourthfloor，"pantedMarie，"collectinglinenfortheSisters。Intheroomnexttothelinen-closetIheardastrangebuzzingsound。Iopenedthedoorsoftly。IsawBriandwithhisbacktomeseatedbyaninstrument。Therewerereceiversclampedtohisears！MyGod！Thedisgrace！Thedisgracetomyhusbandandtome，whovouchedforhimtoyou！"Apparentlyinanagonyofremorse，thefingersofthewomanlacedandinterlaced。"Icannotforgivemyself！"

Theofficersmovedtowardthedoor，butGeneralAndrehaltedthem。Stillinatoneofincredulity，hedemanded："Whendidyouseethis？"

Marieknewthequestionwascoming，knewshemustexplainhowshesawBriand，andyetdidnotseethestaffofficerwho，withhisprisoner，mightnowatanyinstantappear。Shemustmakeitplainshehaddiscoveredthespyandlefttheupperpartofthehousebeforetheofficerhadvisitedit。Whenthatwasshecouldnotknow，butthechancewasthathehadprecededherbyonlyafewminutes。

"Whendidyouseethis？"repeatedthegeneral。

"Butjustnow，"criedMarie；"nottenminutessince。"

"Whydidyounotcometomeatonce？"

"Iwasafraid，"repliedMarie。"IfImovedIwasafraidhemighthearme，andhe，knowingIwouldexposehim，wouldkillme-andsoescapeyou！"Therewasaneagerwhisperofapproval。Forsilence，GeneralAndreslappedhishanduponthetable。

"Then，"continuedMarie，"Iunderstoodwiththereceiversonhisearshecouldnothaveheardmeopenthedoor，norcouldhehearmeleave，andIrantomyaunt。Thethoughtthatwehadharboredsuchananimalsickenedme，andIwasweakenoughtofeelfaint。

Butonlyforaninstant。ThenIcamehere。"Shemovedswiftlytothedoor。"Letmeshowyoutheroom，"shebegged；"youcantakehimintheact。"Hereyes，wildwiththeexcitementofthechase，sweptthecircle。"Willyoucome？"shebegged。

Unconsciousofthecrisisheinterrupted，theorderlyondutyopenedthedoor。

"CaptainThierry\'scompliments，"herecitedmechanically，"andishetodelaylongerforMadamed\'Aurillac？"

WithasharpgestureGeneralAndrewavedMarietowardthedoor。

Withoutrising，heinclinedhishead。"Adieu，madame，"hesaid。

"Weactatonceuponyourinformation。Ithankyou！"

Asshecrossedfromthehalltotheterrace，theearsofthespywereassaultedbyasuddentumultofvoices。Theywereraisedinthreatsandcurses。Lookingback，shesawAnfossidescendingthestairs。

Hishandswereheldabovehishead；behindhim，withhisautomatic，thestaffofficershehadsurprisedonthefourthfloorwasdrivinghimforward。Abovetheclinchedfistsofthesoldiersthatrantomeethim，theeyesofAnfossiwereturnedtowardher。Hisfacewasexpressionless。

Hiseyesneitheraccusednorreproached。Andwiththejoyofonewhohaslookeduponandthenescapedtheguillotine，Marierandownthestepstothewaitingautomobile。WithaprettycryofpleasuresheleapedintotheseatbesideThierry。Gaylyshethrewoutherarms。"ToParis！"

shecommanded。ThehandsomeeyesofThierry，eloquentwithadmiration，lookedbackintohers。Hestooped，threwintheclutch，andthegreatgraycar，withthemachinegunanditscrewofprivatesguardingtherear，plungedthroughthepark。

"ToParis！"echoedThierry。

IntheorderinwhichMariehadlastseenthem，AnfossiandthestaffofficerenteredtheroomofGeneralAndre，anduponthesoldiersinthehallthedoorwasshut。Thefaceofthestaffofficerwasgrave，buthisvoicecouldnotconcealhiselation。

"Mygeneral，"hereported，"Ifoundthismanintheactofgivinginformationtotheenemy。Thereisawireless-"

GeneralAndreroseslowly。Helookedneitherattheofficernorathisprisoner。Withfrowningeyeshestareddownatthemapsuponhistable。

"Iknow，"heinterrupted。"Someonehasalreadytoldme。"Hepaused，andthen，asthoughrecallinghismanners，butstillwithoutraisinghiseyes，headded："Youhavedonewell，sir。"

Insilencetheofficersofthestaffstoodmotionless。Withsurprisetheynotedthat，asyet，neitherinangernorcuriosityhadGeneralAndreglancedattheprisoner。Butofthepresenceofthegeneralthespywasmostacutelyconscious。Hestooderect，hisarmsstillraised，buthisbodystrainedforward，andontheavertedeyesofthegeneralhisownwerefixed。

Inanagonyofsupplicationtheyaskedaquestion。

Atlast，asthoughagainsthiswish，towardthespythegeneralturnedhishead，andtheireyesmet。AndstillGeneralAndrewassilent。Thenthearmsofthespy，likethoseofarunnerwhohasfinishedhisraceandbreaststhetapeexhausted，felltohissides。

Inavoicelowandvibranthespokehisquestion。

"Ithasbeensolong，sir，"hepleaded。"MayInotcomehome？"

GeneralAndreturnedtotheastonishedgroupsurroundinghim。Hisvoicewashushedlikethatofonewhospeaksacrossanopengrave。

"Gentlemen，"hebegan，"mychildren，"headded。"AGermanspy，awoman，involvedinascandalyourbrotherinarms，HenriRavignac。

Hishonor，hethought，wasconcerned，andwithouthonorherefusedtolive。ToprovehimguiltlesshisyoungerbrotherCharlesaskedleavetoseekoutthewomanwhohadbetrayedHenri，andbyuswasdetailedonsecretservice。Hegaveuphome，family，friends。Helivedinexile，inpoverty，atalltimesindangerofaswiftandignobledeath。

IntheWarOfficeweknowhimasonewhohasgiventohiscountryservicesshecannothopetoreward。Forshecannotreturntohimtheyearshehaslost。Shecannotreturntohimhisbrother。ButshecanandwillclearthenameofHenriRavignac，anduponhisbrotherCharlesbestowpromotionandhonors。"

Thegeneralturnedandembracedthespy。"Mychildren，"hesaid，"welcomeyourbrother。Hehascomehome。"

Beforethecarhadreachedthefortifications，MarieGesslerhadarrangedherplanofescape。Shehaddepartedfromthechateauwithoutevenahand-bag，andshewouldsaythatbeforetheshopsclosedshemustmakepurchases。

LePrintempslayintheirway，andsheaskedthat，whentheyreachedit，foramomentshemightalight。CaptainThierryreadilygavepermission。

Fromthedepartmentstoreitwouldbemosteasytodisappear，andinanticipationMariesmiledcovertly。NorwasthepictureofCaptainThierryimpatientlywaitingoutsideunamusing。

ButbeforeLePrintempswasapproached，thecarturnedsharplydownanarrowstreet。Ononeside，alongitsentirelength，ranahighgraywall，grimandforbidding。Initwasagreengatestuddedwithironbolts。Beforethistheautomobiledrewsuddenlytoahalt。

Thecrewofthearmoredcartumbledofftherearseat，andoneofthembeatuponthegreengate。Mariefeltahandoficeclutchatherthroat。Butshecontrolledherself。

"Andwhatisthis？"shecriedgayly。

AthersideCaptainThierrywassmilingdownather，buthissmilewashateful。

"ItistheprisonofSt。Lazare，"hesaid。"Itisnotbecoming，"

headdedsternly，"thatthenameoftheCountessd\'AurillacshouldbemadecommonastheParisroad！"

Fightingforherlife，Mariethrustherselfagainsthim；herarmthatthroughoutthejourneyhadrestedonthebackofthedriving-seatcaressedhisshoulders；herlipsandthevioleteyeswereclosetohis。

"Whyshouldyoucare？"shewhisperedfiercely。"Youhaveme！LettheCountd\'Aurillaclookafterthehonorofhiswifehimself。"

ThecharmingThierrylaughedathermockingly。

"Hemeansto，"hesaid。"IamtheCountd\'Aurillac！"

THEDESERTER

InSalonika，theAmericanconsul，theStandardOilman，andthewarcorrespondentsformedtheAmericancolony。Thecorrespondentswerewaitingtogotothefront。Incidentally，aswewaited，thefrontwascomingrapidlytowardus。Therewas"Uncle"Jim，theveteranofmanywars，andofallthecorrespondents，inexperiencetheoldestandinspirittheyoungest，andtherewastheKid，andtheArtist。TheKidjeeredatus，andproudlydescribedhimselfastheonlyBoyReporterwhojumpedfromaCityHallassignmenttocoveraEuropeanWar。"Idon\'tknowstrategy，"hewouldboast；"neitherdoestheManatHome。Hewants\'humaninterest\'stuff，andIgivehimwhathewants。Iwriteexclusivelyforthesubwayguardandthefarmersinthewheatbelt。Whenyoufellowswriteaboutthe\'Situation，\'theydon\'tunderstandit。Neitherdoyou。NeitherdoesVenizelosortheKing。Idon\'tunderstanditmyself。So，Iwritemypeopleheart-to-hearttalksaboutrefugeesandwounded，andwhatkindofploughstheServianpeasantsuse，andthatSt。PaulwrotehisletterstotheThessaloniansfromthesamehotelwhereIwritemine；andItell\'emtopronounceSalonika\'eeka，\'andnotputtheaccentonthe\'on。\'ThismorningattherefugeecampIfoundallthelittleServiansoftheFrothinghamunitinAmericanBoyScoutuniforms。That\'smymeat。That\'s\'homeweek\'stuff。Youfellowswritefortheeditorialpage；andnobodyreadsit。IwriteforthemanthatturnsfirsttoMuttandJeff，andthenlookstoseewheretheyarerunningthenewCharlieChaplinrelease。Whenthatmanhastochoosebetween\'ourmilitarycorrespondent\'andtheCityHallReporter，hechoosesme！"

ThethirdmanwasJohn，"OurSpecialArtist。"Johncouldwriteanewsstory，too，butitwasthecartoonsthathadmadehimfamous。Theywerenotcomicpage，butfrontpagecartoons，andbeforemakinguptheirmindswhattheythought，peoplewaitedtoseewhattheirArtistthought。So，itwasfortunatehisthoughtswereasbraveandcleanastheywereclever。HewastheoriginalLittleBrothertothePoor。Hewasalwaysgivingawaymoney。

Whenwecaughthim，hewouldprevaricate。Hewouldsaythemanwasacollegechum，thathehadborrowedthemoneyfromhim，andthatthiswasthefirstchancehehadhadtopayitback。TheKidsuggesteditwasstrangethatsomanyofhiscollegechumsshouldatthesamemomentturnup，deadbroke，inSalonika，andthathalfofthemshouldbewomen。

Johnsmileddisarmingly。"Itwasalargecollege，"heexplained，"andcoeducational。"TherewereotherAmericans；RedCrossdoctorsandnursesjustescapedthroughthesnowfromtheBulgars，andhyphenatedAmericanswhosaidtheyhadtakenouttheirfirstpapers。Theythoughthyphenatedcitizensweresopopularwithus，thatwewouldpaytheirpassagetoNewYork。

InSalonikatheyweretransients。Theyhadnolocalstanding。Theyhadnolocallying-downplace，either，orplacetoeat，ortowash，althoughtheydidnotlookasthoughthatworriedthem，orplacetochangetheirclothes。Orclothestochange。Itwasbecausewehadclothestochange，andahotelbedroom，insteadofabenchinacafe，thatwewererankedasresidentsandfromtheGreekpolicehelda"permissiontosojourn。"OurAmericancolonywasaveryclosecorporation。WewereonlysixAmericansagainst300，000

British，French，Greek，andServiansoldiers，and120，000civilianTurks，SpanishJews，Armenians，Persians，Egyptians，Albanians，andArabs，andsometwentymoreotherracesthatarenotlisted。

WehadarrivedinSalonikabeforetherush，andattheHotelHermesonthewater-fronthadsecuredavastroom。Theedgeofthestonequaywasnotfortyfeetfromus，theonlylandingstepsdirectlyoppositeourbalcony。EverybodywhoarrivedontheGreekpassengerboatsfromNaplesorthePiraeus，orwhohadshoreleavefromaman-of-war，transport，orhospitalship，wasrakedbyourcameras。Therewerefourwindows——oneforeachofusandhisworktable。Itwasnoteasytowork。Whatwastheuse？

Thepicturesandstoriesoutsidethewindowsfascinatedus，butwhenwesketchedthemorwroteaboutthem，theyonlyprovedusinadequate。Alldaylongthepinnaces，cutters，gigs，steamlaunchesshovedandbumpedagainstthestonesteps，marinescameashoreforthemail，stewardsforfruitandfish，RedCrossnursestoshop，tinymidshipmentovisitthemovies，andthesailorsandofficersoftheRussian，French，British，Italian，andGreekwar-shipstostretchtheirlegsintheparkoftheTourBlanche，ortocrampthemunderacafetable。Sometimestheambulancesblockedthequayandthewoundedandfrost-bittenwereliftedintothemotor-boats，andsometimesasquadofmarineslinedthelandingstage，andasacoffinunderaFrenchorEnglishflagwasborneupthestonestepsstoodatsalute。Socrowdedwastheharborthattheoarsoftheboatmeninterlocked。

Closetothestonequay，stretchedalongthethree-milecircle，werethefishingsmacks，beyondthem，sonearthattheanchorchainsfouled，werethepassengershipswithgiganticGreekflagspaintedontheirsides，andbeyondthemtransportsfromMarseilles，Malta，andSuvlaBay，blackcolliers，whitehospitalships，burninggreenelectriclights，red-belliedtrampsandfreighters，and，hemmingthemin，thegrim，mouse-coloreddestroyers，submarines，cruisers，dreadnaughts。Attimes，likeawall，thecoldfogrosebetweenusandtheharbor，andagainthecurtainwouldsuddenlyberippedasunder，andthesunwouldflashonthebrassworkofthefleet，onthewhitewingsoftheaeroplanes，onthesnow-drapedshouldersofMountOlympus。Weoftenspeculatedastohowintheearlydaysthegodsandgoddesses，dressedastheywere，orastheywerenot，survivedthesnowsofMountOlympus。Orwasitonlytheirresortforthesummer？

Itgotaboutthatwehadavastroomtoourselves，whereonemightobtainadrink，orasofaforthenight，orevenmoneytocableformoney。So，wehadmanystrangevisitors，somehalfstarved，halffrozen，withterribletalesoftheAlbaniantrail，oftheAustrianprisonersfallenbythewayside，ofthemountainpassesheapedwithdead，ofthedoctorsandnurseswadingwaist-highinsnow-driftsandforfoodkillingtheponies。SomeofourvisitorswantedtogettheirnamesintheAmericanpaperssothatthefolksathomewouldknowtheywerestillalive，otherswantedustokeeptheirnamesoutofthepapers，hopingthepolicewouldthinkthemdead；another，convinceditwasofpressingnewsvalue，desiredustoadvertisethefactthathehadinventedapoisonousgasforuseinthetrenches。Withdifficultywepreventedhimfromcastingitadriftinourroom。Or，hehadforsaleasecond-handmotor-cycle，orhewouldacceptapositionasbarkeeper，orforfivefrancswouldsellastatesecretthat，oncemadepublic，inamonthwouldendthewar。Itseemedcheapattheprice。

Eachofushadhis"scouts"tobringhimthebazaarrumor，theTurkishbathrumor，thecaferumor。SomeofourscoutsjourneyedasfarafieldasMonastirandDoiran，returningtodripsnowonthefloor，andtotellustales，one-halfofwhichwerefusedtobelieve，andtheotherhalfthecensorrefusedtopass。Witheachother\'svisitorsitwasetiquettenottointerfere。Itwouldhavebeenliketappingaprivatewire。WhenwefoundJohnsketchingagiantstrangerinacapandcoatofwolfskinwedidnotseektoknowifhewereanAlbanianbrigand，oraServianprinceincognito，andwhenadarkLevantinesatclosetotheKid，whispering，andtheKidbangedonhistypewriter，wedidnotlisten。

So，whenIcameinoneafternoonandfoundastrangeAmericanyouthwritingatJohn\'stable，andnooneintroducedus，ItookitforgrantedhehadsoldtheArtistan"exclusive"story，andaskednoquestions。ButIcouldnothelphearingwhattheysaid。

EventhoughItriedtodrowntheirvoicesbybeatingontheKid\'stypewriter。Iwastakingmythirdlesson，andIhadprinted，"I

Amm5wwritjngThis，5wjthmyownlillyw？itehandS，"whenI

heardtheKidsaying：

"Youcanbeatthegamethisway。LetJohnbuyyouatickettothePiraeus。IfyougofromoneGreekporttoanotheryoudon\'tneedavise。But，ifyoubookfromheretoItaly，youmustgetapermitfromtheItalianconsul，andourconsul，andthepolice。Theplotistogetoutofthewarzone，isn\'tit？Well，then，mydopeistogetoutquick，andmaptherestofyourtripwhenyou\'resafeinAthens。"

Itwasnobusinessofmine，butIhadtolookup。Thestrangerwasnowpacingthefloor。Inoticedthatwhilehisfacewasalmostblackwithtan，hisupperlipwasquitewhite。InoticedalsothathehadhishandsinthepocketsofoneofJohn\'sbluesergesuits，andthatthepinksilkshirtheworewasonethatoncehadbelongedtotheKid。Exceptforthepinkshirt，intheappearanceoftheyoungmantherewasnothingunusual。Hewasofafamiliartype。HelookedlikeayoungbusinessmanfromourMiddleWest，matter-of-factandunimaginative，butcapableandself-reliant。Ifhehadhadafountainpeninhisupperwaistcoatpocket，Iwouldhaveguessedhewasaninsuranceagent，orthepublicitymanforanewautomobile。Johnpickeduphishat，andsaid，"That\'sgoodadvice。Givemeyoursteamerticket，Fred，andI\'llhavethemchangeit。"Hewentout；buthedidnotaskFredtogowithhim。

UncleJimrose，andmurmuredsomethingabouttheCafeRoma，andtea。ButneitherdidheinviteFredtogowithhim。Instead，hetoldhimtomakehimselfathome，andifhewantedanythingthewaiterwouldbringitfromthecafedownstairs。ThentheKid，asthoughhealsowasuncomfortableatbeingleftalonewithus，hurriedtothedoor。"Goingtogetyouasuit-case，"heexplained。

"Backinfiveminutes。"

Thestrangermadenoanswer。Probablyhedidnothearhim。NotahundredfeetfromourwindowsthreeGreeksteamerswerehuddledtogether，andtheeyesoftheAmericanwerefixedonthem。TheoneforwhichJohnhadgonetobuyhimanewticketlaynearest。

Shewastosailintwohours。Impatiently，inshortquicksteps，thestrangerpacedthelengthoftheroom，butwhenheturnedandsocouldseetheharbor，hewalkedslowly，devouringitwithhiseyes。Forsometime，insilence，herepeatedthismanoeuvre；andthenthecomplaintsofthetypewriterdisturbedhim。Hehaltedandobservedmystruggles。Underhisscornfuleye，inmyembarrassmentIfrequentlyhittherightletter。"Youanewspaperman，too？"heasked。IboastedIwas，butbeggednottobejudgedbymytypewriting。

"IgotsomegreatstoriestowritewhenIgetbacktoGod\'scountry，"

heannounced。"IwasareporterfortwoyearsinKansasCitybeforethewar，andnowI\'mgoingbacktolectureandwrite。Igotenoughmaterialtokeepmeatworkforfiveyears。Allkindsofstuff——

specials，fiction，stories，personalexperiences，maybeanovel。"

Iregardedhimwithenvy。Forthecorrespondentsinthegreatestofallwarsthepickingshadbeenmeagre。"Youaretobecongratulated，"Isaid。Hebrushedasidemycongratulations。"Forwhat？"hedemanded。"Ididn\'tgoafterthestories；theycametome。ThethingsIsawIhadtosee。Couldn\'tgetawayfromthem。I\'vebeenwiththeBritish，servingintheR。A。M。C。Beenhospitalsteward，stretcherbearer，ambulancedriver。I\'vebeensixteenmonthsatthefront，andallthetimeonthefiring-line。IwasintheretreatfromMons，withFrenchontheMarne，atYpres，allthroughthewinterfightingalongtheCanal，ontheGallipoliPeninsula，and，justlately，inServia。I\'veseenmoreofthiswarthananysoldier。Because，sometimes，theygivethesoldierarest；theynevergivethemedicalcorpsarest。TheonlyrestI

gotwaswhenIwaswounded。"

Heseemednoworseforhiswounds，soagainItenderedcongratulations。Thistimeheacceptedthem。Therecollectionofthethingshehadseen，thingsincredible，terrible，uniqueinhumanexperience，hadstirredhim。Hetalkedon，notboastfully，butinatone，rather，ofaweanddisbelief，asthoughassuringhimselfthatitwasreallyhetowhomsuchthingshadhappened。

"Idon\'tbelievethere\'sanykindoffightingIhaven\'tseen，"hedeclared；"hand-to-handfightingwithbayonets，grenades，gunbutts。I\'veseen\'emontheirkneesinthemudchokingeachother，beatingeachotherwiththeirbarefists。I\'veseeneverykindofairship，bomb，shell，poisongas，everykindofwound。

Seenwholevillagesturnedintoabrickyardintwentyminutes；

inServiaseenbodiesofwomenfrozentodeath，bodiesofbabiesstarvedtodeath，seenmeninBelgiumswingingfromtrees；alongtheYzerforthreemonthsIsawthebodiesofmenI\'dknownstickingoutofthemud，orhunguponthebarbwire，withthecrowspickingthem。

"I\'veseensomeofthenervieststuntsthateverwerepulledoffinhistory。I\'veseenrealheroes。TimeandtimeagainI\'veseenamanthrowawayhislifeforhisofficer，orforachaphedidn\'tknow，justasthoughitwasacigarettebutt。I\'veseenthewomennursesofourcorpssteeracarintoavillageandyankoutawoundedmanwhileshellswerebreakingunderthewheelsandthehouseswerepitchingintothestreets。"Hestoppedandlaughedconsciously。

"Understand，"hewarnedme，"I\'mnottalkingaboutmyself，onlyofthingsI\'veseen。ThethingsI\'mgoingtoputinmybook。Itoughttobeaprettygoodbook-what？"

Myenvyhadbeenwashedcleaninadmiration。

"Itwillmakeawonderfulbook，"Iagreed。"Areyougoingtosyndicateitfirst？"

YoungMr。Hamlinfrownedimportantly。

"Iwasthinking，"hesaid，"ofaskingJohnforletterstothemagazineeditors。So，they\'llknowI\'mnotfaking，thatI\'vereallybeenthroughitall。LettersfromJohnwouldhelpalot。"Thenheaskedanxiously：

"Theywould，wouldn\'tthey？"

Ireassuredhim。RememberingtheKid\'sgibesatJohnandhisnumerousdependents，Isaid："YouanothercollegechumofJohn\'s？"

Theyoungmanansweredmyquestionquiteseriously。"No，"hesaid；

"JohngraduatedbeforeIentered；butwebelongtothesamefraternity。

Itwastheluckiestchanceintheworldmyfindinghimhere。Therewasamonth-oldcopyoftheBalkanNewsblowingaroundcamp，andhisnamewasinthelistofarrivals。ThemomentIfoundhewasinSalonika，Iaskedfortwelvehoursleave，andcamedowninanambulance。ImadestraightforJohn；gavehimthegrip，andputituptohimtohelpme。"

"Idon\'tunderstand，"Isaid。"IthoughtyouweresailingontheAdriaticus？"

Theyoungmanwasagainpacingthefloor。Hehaltedandfacedtheharbor。

"YoubetI\'msailingontheAdriaticus，"hesaid。Helookedoutatthatvessel，attheBluePeterflyingfromherforemast，andgrinned。

"Injusttwohours！"

Itwasstupidofme，butIstillwasunenlightened。"Butyourtwelvehours\'leave？"Iasked。

Theyoungmanlaughed。"Theycantakemytwelvehours\'leave，"

hesaiddeliberately，"andfeedittothechickens。I\'mbeatingit。"

"Whatd\'youmean，you\'rebeatingit？"

"WhatdoyousupposeImean？"hedemanded。"WhatdoyousupposeI\'mdoingoutofuniform，whatdoyousupposeI\'mlyinglowintheroomfor？So\'sIwon\'tcatchcold？"

"Ifyou\'releavingthearmywithoutadischarge，andwithoutpermission，"Isaid，"Isupposeyouknowit\'sdesertion。"

Mr。Hamlinlaughedeasily。"It\'snotmyarmy，"hesaid。"I\'manAmerican。"

"It\'syourdesertion，"Isuggested。

Thedooropenedandclosednoiselessly，andBilly，entering，placedanewtravellingbagonthefloor。Hemusthaveheardmylastwords，forhelookedinquiringlyateachofus。Buthedidnotspeakand，walkingtothewindow，stoodwithhishandsinhispockets，staringoutattheharbor。Hispresenceseemedtoencouragetheyoungman。"WhoknowsI\'mdeserting？"hedemanded。"Noone\'severseenmeinSalonikabefore，andinthese\'cits\'Icangetonboardallright。Andthentheycan\'ttouchme。WhatdothefolksathomecarehowIlefttheBritisharmy？They\'llbesodarnedgladtogetmebackalivethattheywon\'taskifIwalkedoutorwaskickedout。Ishouldworry！"

"It\'snoneofmybusiness，"Ibegan，butIwasinterrupted。Inhisrestlesspacingstheyoungmanturnedquickly。

"Asyousay，"heremarkedicily，"itisnoneofyourbusiness。

It\'snoneofyourbusinesswhetherIgetshotasadeserter，orgohome，or——"

"YoucangotothedevilforallIcare，"Iassuredhim。"I

wasn\'tconsideringyouatall。IwasonlysorrythatI\'llneverbeabletoreadyourbook。"

ForamomentMr。Hamlinremainedsilent，thenheburstforthwithajeer。

"NoBritishfiringsquad，"heboasted，"willeverstandmeup。"

"Maybenot，"Iagreed，"butyouwillneverwritethatbook。"

Againtherewassilence，andthistimeitwasbrokenbytheKid。

HeturnedfromthewindowandlookedtowardHamlin。"That\'sright！"hesaid。

Hesatdownontheedgeofthetable，andatthedeserterpointedhisforefinger。

"Son，"hesaid，"thiswarissomewar。It\'sthebiggestwarinhistory，andfolkswillbetalkingaboutnothingelseforthenextninetyyears；folksthatneverwereneareritthanBayCity，Mich。

Butyouwon\'ttalkaboutit。Andyou\'vebeenallthroughit。

You\'vebeentohellandbackagain。Comparedwithwhatyouknowabouthell，DanteisinthesameclasswithDr。Cook。Butyouwon\'tbeabletotalkaboutthiswar，orlecture，orwriteabookaboutit。"

"Iwon\'t？"demandedHamlin。"Andwhywon\'tI？"

"Becauseofwhatyou\'redoingnow，"saidBilly。"Becauseyou\'requeeringyourself。Now，you\'vegoteverything。"TheKidwasverymuchinearnest。Histonewasintimate，kind，andfriendly。"You\'veseeneverything，doneeverything。We\'dgiveoureye-teethtoseewhatyou\'veseen，andtowritethethingsyoucanwrite。You\'vegotarecordnowthat\'lllastyouuntilyou\'redead，andyourgrandchildrenaredead-andthensome。Whenyoutalkthetablewillhavetositupandlisten。Youcansay\'I

wasthere。\'\'Iwasinit。\'\'Isaw。\'\'Iknow。\'Whenthiswarisoveryou\'llhaveeverythingoutofitthat\'sworthgetting-alltheexperiences，alltheinsideknowledge，allthe\'nosebag\'

news；you\'llhavewounds，honors，medals，money，reputation。

Andyou\'rethrowingallthataway！"

Mr。Hamlininterruptedsavagely。

"Tohellwiththeirmedals，"hesaid。"Theycantaketheirmedalsandhang\'emonChristmastrees。Idon\'towetheBritisharmyanything。Itowesme。I\'vedonemybit。I\'veearnedwhatI\'vegot，andthere\'snoonecantakeitawayfromme。"

"Youcan，"saidtheKid。BeforeHamlincouldreplythedooropenedandJohncamein，followedbyUncleJim。Theoldermanwaslookingverygrave，andJohnveryunhappy。HamlinturnedquicklytoJohn。

"Ithoughtthesemenwerefriendsofyours，"hebegan，"andAmericans。They\'refineAmericans。They\'reasfullofhumankindnessandredbloodasakipperedherring！"

JohnlookedinquiringlyattheKid。

"Hewantstohanghimself，"explainedBilly，"andbecausewetriedtocuthimdown，he\'ssore。"

"Theytalkedtome，"protestedHamlin，"asthoughIwasayellowdog。AsthoughIwasaquitter。I\'mnoquitter！But，ifI\'mreadytoquit，who\'sgotabetterright？I\'mnotanEnglishman，butthereareseveralmillionEnglishmenhaven\'tdoneasmuchforEnglandinthiswasasIhave。Whatdoyoufellowsknowaboutit？Youwriteaboutit，aboutthe\'braveladsinthetrenches\'；butwhatdoyouknowaboutthetrenches？

Whatyou\'veseenfromautomobiles。That\'sall。That\'swhereyougetoff！I\'velivedinthetrenchesforfifteenmonths，frozein\'em，starvedin\'em，riskedmylifein\'em，andI\'vesavedotherlives，too，byhaulingmenoutofthetrenches。Andthat\'snoairypersiflage，either！"

HerantothewardrobewhereJohn\'sclotheshung，andfromthebottomofitdraggedakhakiuniform。Itwasstillsocakedwithmudandsnowthatwhenheflungitontheflooritsplashedlikeawetbathingsuit。"Howwouldyouliketowearoneofthose？"heDemanded。"Stinkingwithliceandsweatandblood；thebloodofothermen，themenyou\'vehelpedoffthefield，andyourownblood。"

Asthoughcommittinghara-kiri，heslashedhishandacrosshisstomach，andthendrewitupfromhiswaisttohischin。"I\'mscrapedwithshrapnelfromtheretothere，"saidMr。Hamlin。

"AndanothertimeIgotaballintheshoulder。Thatwouldhavebeena\'blighty\'forafightingman——they\'realwaysgivingthemleave——butallIgotwassixweeksatHavreinhospital。ThenitwastheDardanelles，andsunstrokeandsand；sleepinginsand，eatingsand，sandinyourboots，sandinyourteeth；hidinginholesinthesandlikeadirtyprairiedog。Andthen，\'OfftoServia！\'Andthenextactopensinthesnowandthemud！

Cold？God，howcolditwas！Andmostofusinsunhelmets。"

Asthoughthecoldstillgnawedathisbones，heshivered。

"Itisn\'tthedanger，"heprotested。"Itisn\'tthatI\'mgettingawayfrom。Tohellwiththedanger！It\'sjusttheplaindiscomfortofit！It\'stheneverbeingyourownmaster，neverbeingclean，neverbeingwarm。"Againheshiveredandrubbedonehandagainsttheother。"Therewerenobridgesoverthestreams，"hewenton，"andwehadtobreaktheiceandwadein，andthensleepintheopenwiththekhakifrozentous。Therewasnofirewood；notenoughtowarmapotoftea。

Therewerenowounded；allourcasualtieswerefrostbiteandPneumonia。Whenwetakethemoutoftheblanketstheirtoesfalloff。We\'vebeenincampforamonthnownearDoiran，andit\'sworsetherethanonthemarch。It\'safrozenswamp。Youcan\'tsleepforthecold；can\'teat；theonlyrationwegetisbullybeef，andourinsidesarefrozensodamntightwecan\'tdigestit。Thecoldgetsintoyourblood，getsintoyourbrains。Itwon\'tletyouthink；orelse，youthinkcrazythings。Itmakesyouafraid。"Heshookhimselflikeamancomingoutofabaddream。

So，I\'mthrough，"hesaid。Inturnhescowledateachofus，asthoughdefyingustocontradicthim。"That\'swhyI\'mquitting，"

headded。"BecauseI\'vedonemybit。BecauseI\'mdamnwellfeduponit。"Hekickedviciouslyatthewater-loggeduniformonthefloor。"Anyonewhowantsmyjobcanhaveit！"Hewalkedtothewindow，turnedhisbackonus，andfixedhiseyeshungrilyontheAdriaticus。Therewasalongpause。ForguidancewelookedatJohn，buthewasstaringdownatthedeskblotter，scratchingonitmarksthathedidnotsee。

Finally，whereangelsfearedtotread，theKidrushedin。"That\'scertainlyahardluckstory，"hesaid；"but，"headdedcheerfully，"it\'snothingtothehardluckyou\'llstrikewhenyoucan\'ttellwhyyouleftthearmy。"Hamlinturnedwithanexclamation，butBillyhelduphishand。"Nowwait，"hebegged，"wehaven\'ttimetogetmussy。Atsixo\'clockyourleaveisup，andthetrooptrainstartsbacktocamp，and——"

Mr。Hamlininterruptedsharply。"AndtheAdriaticusstartsatfive。"

Billydidnotheedhim。"You\'vegottwohourstochangeyourmind，"hesaid。"That\'sbetterthanbeingsorryyoudidn\'ttherestofyourlife。"

Mr。Hamlinthrewbackhisheadandlaughed。Itwasamostunpleasantlaugh。"You\'reafinebodyofmen，"hejeered。

"Americamustbeproudofyou！"

"Ifweweren\'tAmericans，"explainedBillypatiently，"wewouldn\'tgiveadamnwhetheryoudesertedornot。You\'redrowningandyoudon\'tknowit，andwe\'rethrowingyouarope。Trytoseeitthatway。We\'llcutoutthefactthatyoutookanoath，andthatyou\'rebreakingit。That\'suptoyou。

We\'llgetdowntoresults。Whenyoureachhome，ifyoucan\'ttellwhyyouleftthearmy，thefolkswilldarnedsoonguess。

Andthatwillqueereverythingyou\'vedone。Whenyoucometosellyourstuff，itwillqueeryouwiththeeditors，queeryouwiththepublishers。IftheyknowyoubrokeyourwordtotheBritisharmy，howcantheyknowyou\'rekeepingfaithwiththem？

Howcantheybelieveanythingyoutellthem？Every\'story\'youwrite，everystatementofyourswillmakeanoiselikeafake。

Youwon\'tcomeintocourtwithcleanhands。You\'llbelickedbeforeyoustart。

"Ofcourse，you\'refortheAllies。Well，alltheGermansathomewillfearthat；andwhenyouwanttolectureonyour\'FifteenMonthsattheBritishFront，\'they\'lllookupyourrecord；andwhatwilltheydotoyou？Thisiswhatthey\'lldotoyou。Whenyou\'veshown\'emyourmovingpicturesandsay，\'Doesanygentlemanintheaudiencewanttoaskaquestion？\'aGermanagentwillgetupandsay，\'Yes，Iwanttoaskaquestion。IsittruethatyoudesertedfromtheBritisharmy，andthatifyoureturntoit，theywillshootyou？\'"

Iwasscared。IexpectedtheleanandmuscularMr。HamlintofallonBilly，andflinghimwherehehadflungthesoggyuniform。

Butinsteadheremainedmotionless，hisarmspressedacrosshischest。Hiseyes，filledwithangeranddistress，returnedtotheAdriaticus。

"I\'msorry，"mutteredtheKid。

Johnroseandmotionedtothedoor，andguiltilyandonlytoogladlyweescaped。Johnfollowedusintothehall。"Letmetalktohim，"hewhispered。"Theboatsailsinanhour。Pleasedon\'tcomebackuntilshe\'sgone。"

Wewenttothemovingpicturepalacenextdoor，butIdoubtifthethoughtsofanyofuswereonthepictures。Forafteranhour，whenfromacrossthequaytherecamethelong-drawnwarningofasteamer\'swhistle，wenudgedeachotherandroseandwentout。

NotahundredyardsfromusthepropellerbladesoftheAdriaticuswereslowlychurning，andtherowboatswerefallingawayfromhersides。

"Good-bye，Mr。Hamlin，"calledBilly。"Youhadeverythingandyouchuckeditaway。Icanspellyourfinish。It\'s\'check\'foryours。"

Butwhenweenteredourroom，inthecentreofit，underthebunchofelectriclights，stoodthedeserter。Heworethewater-loggeduniform。Thesunhelmetwasonhishead。

"Goodman！"shoutedBilly。

Headvanced，eagerlyholdingouthishand。

Mr。Hamlinbrushedpasthim。Atthedoorheturnedandglaredatus，evenatJohn。Hewasnotagoodloser。"Ihopeyou\'resatisfied，"hesnarled。Hepointedatthefourbedsinarow。I

feltguiltilyconsciousofthem。Atthemomenttheyappearedsounnecessarilycleanandwarmandsoft。Thesilkcoverletsatthefootofeachstruckmeasbeingdisgracefullyeffeminate。Theymademeashamed。

"Ihope，"saidMr。Hamlin，speakingslowlyandpickinghiswords，"whenyouturnintothosebedsto-nightyou\'llthinkofmeinthemud。Ihopewhenyou\'rehavingyourfive-coursedinnerandyourchampagneyou\'llremembermybullybeef。IhopewhenashellorMr。Pneumoniagetsme，you\'llwriteanicelittlesobstoryaboutthe\'braveladsinthetrenches。\'"

Helookedatus，standinglikeschoolboys，sheepish，embarrassed，andsilent，andthenthrewopenthedoor。"Ihope，"headded，"youallchoke！"

Withanunconvincingimitationofthecollegechummanner，Johnclearedhisthroatandsaid："Don\'tforget，Fred，ifthere\'sanythingIcando——"

Hamlinstoodinthedoorwaysmilingatus。

"There\'ssomethingyoucanalldo，"hesaid。

"Yes？"askedJohnheartily。

"Youcanallgotohell！"saidMr。Hamlin。

Weheardthedoorslam，andhishobnailedbootspoundingdownthestairs。Noonespoke。Instead，inunhappysilence，westoodstaringatthefloor。Wheretheuniformhadlainwasapoolofmudandmeltedsnowandthedarkerstainsofstaleblood。

End