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。
EndoftheProjectGutenbergetextofTheLostRoadTheProjectGutenbergEtextofRobinHoodbyJ。WalkerMcSpadden******Thisfileshouldbenamed1rbnh10。txtor1rbnh10。zip******
CorrectedEDITIONSofouretextsgetanewNUMBER，1rbnh11。txtVERSIONSbasedonseparatesourcesgetnewLETTER，1rbnh10a。txtThisetextwaspreparedbyJosephS。Miller，Pensacola，FLandEmbry-RiddleAeronauticalUniversityLibrary，Prescott，AZ。
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InformationaboutProjectGutenbergonepage
Weproduceabouttwomilliondollarsforeachhourwework。Thetimeittakesus，aratherconservativeestimate，isfiftyhourstogetanyetextselected，entered，proofread，edited，copyrightsearchedandanalyzed，thecopyrightletterswritten，etc。Thisprojectedaudienceisonehundredmillionreaders。Ifourvaluepertextisnominallyestimatedatonedollarthenweproduce$2
milliondollarsperhourthisyearaswereleasethirty-sixtextfilespermonth，or432moreEtextsin1999foratotalof2000
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