Thegirlleanedforward；andnowsawthemclearly。
EachwasaUnitedStatesTreasurynoteforfivehundreddollars。
Aroundtheturnofthetunnel，approachingthevaultapparentlyfromanotherpassage，theyheardhurryingfootsteps；andthen，closetothemfromthevaultitself，thevoiceofProfessorPeabody。
Itwasharsh，sharp，peremptory。
\"Handsup！\"itcommanded。\"Dropthatgun！\"
Asthoughhaltedbyaprecipice，thefootstepsfellintoinstantsilence。Therewasapause，andthentheringofsteeluponthestonefloor。Therewasanotherpause，andMonicaheardthevoiceofherbrother。Broken，asthoughwithrunning，itstillretaineditslevelaccent，itsnoteofinsolence。
\"So，\"itsaid，\"Ihavecaughtyou？\"
Monicastruggledtowardthelightedvault，butaroundherEverettthrewhisarm。
\"Comeaway！\"hebegged。
Monicafoughtagainsttheterrorofsomethingunknown。Shecouldnotunderstand。TheyhadcomeonlytopreventameetingbetweenherbrotherandPeabody；andnowthattheyhadmet，Everettwasendeavoringtoescape。
Itwasincomprehensible。
Andthemoneyinthevault，theyellowbillshangingfromacobwebofstrings；whyshouldtheyterrifyher；whatdidtheythreaten？Dully，andfromadistance，MonicaheardthevoiceofPeabody。
\"No，\"heanswered；\"Ihavecaughtyou！AndI\'vehadahellofatimedoingit！\"
Monicatriedtocallout，toassureherbrotherofherpresence。
But，asthoughinanightmare，shecouldmakenosound。Fingersoffeargrippedatherthroat。Tostrugglewasnolongerpossible。
ThevoiceofPeabodycontinued：
\"SixmonthsagowetracedthesebillstoNewOrleans。SoweguessedtheplantwasinCentralAmerica。Weknewonlyonemanwhocouldmakethem。WhenIfoundyouwereinAmapalaandtheysaidyouhadstruck\'buriedtreasure\'——therestwaseasy。\"
Monicaheardthevoiceofherbrotheranswerwithalaugh。
\"Easy？\"hemocked。\"There\'snoextradition。Youcan\'ttouchme。
You\'reluckyifyougetoutofherealive。I\'veonlytoraisemyvoice——\"
\"And，I\'llkillyou！\"
ThiswasdangerMonicacouldunderstand。
Freedfromthenightmareofdoubt，withacrysheranforward。
ShesawPeabody，hisbackagainstawall，alevelledautomaticinhishand；herbrotherattheentrancetoatunnelliketheonefromwhichshehadjustappeared。Hisarmswereraisedabovehishead。
Athisfeetlayarevolver。Foraninstant，withdisbelief，hestaredatMonica，andthen，asthoughassuredthatitwasshe，hiseyesdilated。Inthemwerefearandhorror。SogenuinewastheagonyinthefaceofthecounterfeiterthatEverett，whohadfollowed，turnedhisownaway。Buttheeyesofthebrotherandsisterremainedfixeduponeachother，hers，appealingly；his，withdespair。Hetriedtospeak，butthewordsdidnotcome。Whenhedidbreakthesilencehistonewassingularlywistful，mosttenderlykind。
\"Didyouhear？\"heasked。
Monicaslowlybowedherhead。Withthesamenoteofgentlenessherbrotherpersisted：
\"Didyouunderstand？\"
Betweenthemstretchedthecobwebofstringshungwithyellowcertificates；eachcallingforfivehundreddollars，payableingold。
Stirredbythenightairfromtheopentunnels，theyflutteredandflaunted。
Againstthesightofthem，Monicaclosedhereyes。Heavily，asthoughwithagreatphysicaleffort，againshebowedherhead。
Theeyesofherbrothersearchedabouthimwildly。Theyrestedonthemouthofthetunnel。
Withhisloweredarmhepointed。
\"Whoisthat？\"hecried。
Instinctivelytheothersturned。
Itwasforaninstant。Theinstantsufficed。
Monicasawherbrotherthrowhimselfuponthefloor，feltherselfflungasideasEverettandthedetectiveleapeduponhim；sawherbrotherpresshishandsagainsthisheart，thetwomendraggingathisarms。
Thecavelikeroomwasshakenwithareport，anacridsmokeassailedhernostrils。Themenceasedstruggling。Herbrotherlaystill。
Monicasprangtowardthebody，butablackwaveroseandsubmergedher。Asshefainted，tosaveherselfshethrewoutherarms，andasshefellshedraggeddownwithhertheburiedtreasureofCobre。
Stretcheduponthestonefloorbesideherbrother，shelaymotionless。
Beneathher，andwrappedaboutandcoveringher，astheleavescoveredthebabesinthewood，wasavastcobwebofyellowbills，eachforfivehundreddollars，payableingold。
AmonthlatertheharborofPortoCortezinHonduraswasshakenwiththeroarofcannon。Incomparison，theroaringofallthecannonofalltherevolutionsthatthatdistressfulcountryeverhadknown，werelikefire-crackersunderabarrel。
Faithfultohisitinerary，theSecretaryofStateoftheUnitedStateswaspayinghisformalvisittoHonduras，andthePresidentofthatrepublic，waitingupontheFruitCompany\'swharftogreethim，wasreceivingthesaluteoftheAmericanbattle-ships。Backofhim，onthewharf，hisownbarefootedartillerymenintheirturnweresaluting，excitedlyandspasmodically，thedistinguishedvisitor。Asanhonorhehadatlastlearnedtoacceptwithoutputtingafingerineachear，theSecretaryofStatesmiledwithgraciouscalm。LesscalmwasthePresidentofHonduras。HeknewsomethingtheSecretarydidnotknow。Heknewthatatanymomentagunofhissalutingbatterymightturnturtle，orblowintotheharborhimself，hiscabinet，andthelargerpartofhisstandingarmy。
MadefasttothewharfonthesideoppositetotheoneatwhichtheSecretaryhadlandedwasoneoftheFruitCompany\'ssteamers。
Shewasonherwaynorth，andPortoCortezwasaportofcall。
Thatherpassengersmightnotintrudeupontheceremonies，hersideofthewharfwasropedoffandguardedbythestandingarmy。
Butfromherdecksandfrombehindtheropesthepassengers，withabatteryofcameras，wereperpetuatingthehistoricscene。
Amongthem，closetotheropes，viewingtheceremonywiththecynicaleyeofonewhoinEuropehadseenkingsandemperorsmeetupontheFieldoftheClothofGold，wasEverett。Hemadenoefforttobringhimselftotheattentionofhisformerchief。Butwhentheintroductionswereover，theSecretaryofStateturnedhiseyestohisfellowcountrymencrowdingtherailsoftheAmericansteamer。Theygreetedhimwithcheers。Thegreatmanraisedhishat，andhiseyesfelluponEverett。TheSecretaryadvancedquickly，hishandextended，brushingtoonesidethestandingarmy。
\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"hedemanded。
\"Onmywayhome，sir，\"saidEverett。\"Icouldn\'tleavesooner；therewere——personalreasons。ButIcabledthedepartmentmyresignationthedayMendozagavememywalking-papers。Youmayremember，\"
Everettaddeddryly，\"thedepartmentacceptedbycable。\"
Thegreatmanshowedembarrassment。
\"Itwasmostunfortunate，\"hesympathized。\"Wewantedthattreaty，andwhile，nodoubt，youmadeeveryeffort——\"
HebecameawareofthefactthatEverett\'sattentionwasnotexclusivelyhisown。Followingthedirectionoftheyoungman\'seyestheSecretarysawonthedeckjustabovethem，leaningupontherail，agirlindeepmourning。
Shewasverybeautiful。Herfacewasaslovelyasavioletandasshy。
TotheSecretaryabeautifulwomanwasalwaysabeautifulwoman。
Buthehadreadthepapers。Whohadnot？Hewassuretheremustbesomemistake。Thiscouldnotbethesisterofacriminal；thewomanforwhomEveretthadsmashedhiscareer。
TheSecretarymaskedhisastonishment，butnothisadmiration。
\"Mrs。Everett？\"heasked。Hisverytoneconveyedcongratulations。
\"Yes，\"saidtheex-diplomat。\"SomedayIshallbegladtopresentyou。\"
TheSecretarydidnotwaitforanintroduction。Raisinghiseyestotheship\'srail，hemadeadeepandcourtlybow。Withagestureworthyofd\'Artagnan，hishighhatsweptthewharf。Themembersofhisstaff，theofficersfromthewar-ships，thePresidentofHondurasandthemembersofhisstaffendeavoredtoimitatehisactofhomage，andinconfusionMrs。Everettblushedbecomingly。
\"WhenIreturntoWashington，\"saidtheSecretaryhastily，\"comeandseeme。Youaretoovaluabletolose。Yourcareer——\"
AgainEverettwaslookingathiswife。Herdistressathavingbeensosuddenlydrawnintothelime-lightamusedhim，andhewassmiling。Then，asthoughawareoftheSecretary\'smeaning，helaughed。
\"Mydearsir！\"heprotested。Histonesuggestedhewasabouttoadd\"mindyourownbusiness，\"or\"gotothedevil。\"
Insteadhesaid：\"I\'mnotworryingaboutmycareer。Mycareerhasjustbegun。\"
THEBOYSCOUT
AruleoftheBoyScoutsiseverydaytodosomeoneagoodturn。
Notbecausethecopybookstellyouitdeservesanother，butinspiteofthatpleasingpossibility。Ifyouareatruescout，untilyouhaveperformedyouractofkindnessyourdayisdark。Youareasunhappyasisthegrown-upwhohasbegunhisdaywithoutshavingorreadingtheNewYorkSun。Butassoonasyouhaveprovedyourselfyoumay，withaclearconscience，looktheworldinthefaceanduntietheknotinyourkerchief。
JimmieReederuntiedtheaccusingknotinhisscarfatjusttenminutespasteightonahotAugustmorningafterhehadgivenonedimetohissisterSadie。Withthatshecouldeitherwitnessthefirst-runfilmsatthePalace，orbydividingherfortunepatronizetwoofthenickelshowsonLenoxAvenue。ThechoiceJimmielefttoher。HewassettingoutfortheannualencampmentoftheBoyScoutsatHunter\'sIsland，andintheexcitementofthatadventureeventhemoviesceasedtothrill。ButSadiealsocouldbeunselfish。Withaheroismofacamp-firemaidenshemadeagesturewhichmighthavebeeninterpretedtomeanshewasreturningthemoney。
\"Ican\'t，Jimmie！\"shegasped。\"Ican\'ttakeitoffyou。Yousavedit，andyououghttogetthefunofit。\"
\"Ihaven\'tsavedityet，\"saidJimmie。\"I\'mgoingtocutitoutoftherailroadfare。I\'mgoingtogetoffatCityIslandinsteadofatPelhamManorandwalkthedifference。That\'stencentscheaper。\"
Sadieexclaimedwithadmiration：
\"An\'youcarryin\'thatheavygrip！\"
\"Aw，that\'snothin\'，\"saidthemanofthefamily。
\"Good-by，mother。Solong，Sadie。\"
TowardofffurtherexpressionsofgratitudehehurriedlyadvisedSadietotakein\"TheCurseofCain\"ratherthan\"TheMohawk\'sLastStand，\"andfleddownthefrontsteps。
Heworehiskhakiuniform。Onhisshoulderswashisknapsack，fromhishandsswunghissuit-case，andbetweenhisheavystockingsandhis\"shorts\"hiskneecaps，unkissedbythesun，asyetunscathedbyblackberryvines，showedaswhiteandfragileasthewristsofagirl。
Ashemovedtowardthe\"L\"stationatthecorner，Sadieandhismotherwavedtohim；inthestreet，boystoosmalltobescoutshailedhimenviously；eventhepolicemanglancingoverthenewspapersonthenews-standnoddedapproval。
\"Youascout，Jimmie？\"heasked。
\"No，\"retortedJimmie，forwasnothealsoinuniform？\"I\'mSantaClausoutfillingChristmasstockings。\"
Thepatrolmanalsopossessedareadywit。
\"Thengetyourselfapair，\"headvised。\"Ifadogwastoseeyourlegs——\"
JimmieescapedtheinsultbyfleeingupthestepsoftheElevated。
Anhourlater，withhisvaliseinonehandandstaffintheother，hewastrampinguptheBostonPostRoadandbreathingheavily。
Thedaywascruellyhot。Beforehiseyes，overaninterminablestretchofasphalt，theheatwavesdancedandflickered。AlreadytheknapsackonhisshoulderspresseduponhimlikeanOldManoftheSea；thelineninthevalisehadturnedtopigiron，hispipe-
stemlegswerewabbling，hiseyessmartedwithsaltsweat，andthefingerssupportingthevalisebelongedtosomeotherboy，andweregivingthatboymuchpain。Butasthemotor-carsflashedpastwithraucouswarnings，or，thatthosewhorodemightbetterseetheboywithbareknees，passedat\"halfspeed，\"Jimmiestiffenedhisshouldersandsteppedjauntilyforward。Evenwhenthejoy-ridersmockedwith\"Oh，youscout！\"hesmiledatthem。Hewaswillingtoadmittothosewhorodethatthelaughwasontheonewhowalked。Andheregretted——
oh，sobitterly——havingleftthetrain。Hewasindignantthatforhis\"onegoodturnaday\"hehadnotselectedonelessstrenuous——that，forinstance，hehadnotassistedafrightenedoldladythroughthetraffic。Torefusethedimeshemighthaveoffered，asalltruescoutsrefusealltips，wouldhavebeeneasierthantoearnitbywalkingfivemiles，withthesunatninety-ninedegrees，andcarryingexcessbaggage。
TwentytimesJamesshiftedthevalisetotheotherhand，twentytimesheletitdropandsatuponit。
Andthen，asagainhetookuphisburden，thegoodSamaritandrewnear。Hedrewnearinalowgrayracing-carattherateoffortymilesanhour，andwithinahundredfeetofJimmiesuddenlystoppedandbackedtowardhim。ThegoodSamaritanwasayoungmanwithwhitehair。Heworeasuitofblue，agolfcap；thehandsthatheldthewheelweredisguisedinlargeyellowgloves。Hebroughtthecartoahaltandsurveyedthedrippingfigureintheroadwithtiredanduncuriouseyes。
\"YouaBoyScout？\"heasked。
Withalacrityforthetwenty-firsttimeJimmiedroppedthevalise，forcedhiscrampedfingersintostraightlines，andsaluted。
Theyoungmaninthecarnoddedtowardtheseatbesidehim。
\"Getin，\"hecommanded。
WhenJamessatpantinghappilyathiselbowtheoldyoungman，toJimmie\'sdisappointment，didnotcontinuetoshatterthespeedlimit。
Instead，heseemedinclinedforconversation，andthecar，growlingindignantly，crawled。
\"IneversawaBoyScoutbefore，\"announcedtheoldyoungman。
\"Tellmeaboutit。First，tellmewhatyoudowhenyou\'renotscouting。\"
Jimmieexplainedvolubly。Whennotinuniformhewasanofficeboy，andfrompeddlersandbeggarsguardedthegatesofCarrollandHastings，stock-brokers。Hespokethenamesofhisemployerswithawe。Itwasafirmdistinguished，conservative，andlongestablished。Thewhite-hairedyoungmanseemedtonodinassent。
\"Doyouknowthem？\"demandedJimmiesuspiciously。\"Areyouacustomerofours？\"
\"Iknowthem，\"saidtheyoungman。\"Theyarecustomersofmine。\"
JimmiewonderedinwhatwayCarrollandHastingswerecustomersofthewhite-hairedyoungman。Judginghimbyhisoutergarments，JimmieguessedhewasaFifthAvenuetailor；hemightbeevenahaberdasher。Jimmiecontinued。Helived，heexplained，withhismotheratOneHundredandForty-sixthStreet；Sadie，hissister，attendedthepublicschool；hehelpedsupportthemboth，andhenowwasabouttoenjoyawell-earnedvacationcampingoutonHunter\'sIsland，wherehewouldcookhisownmeals，and，ifthemosquitoespermitted，sleepinatent。
\"Andyoulikethat？\"demandedtheyoungman。\"Youcallthatfun？\"
\"Sure！\"protestedJimmie。\"Don\'tyougocampingout？\"
\"Igocampingout，\"saidthegoodSamaritan，\"wheneverIleaveNewYork。\"
JimmiehadnotforthreeyearslivedinWallStreetnottounderstandthattheyoungmanspokeinmetaphor。
\"Youdon\'tlook，\"objectedtheyoungmancritically，\"asthoughyouwerebuiltforthestrenuouslife。\"
Jimmieglancedguiltilyathiswhiteknees。
\"Yououghtterseemetwoweeksfromnow，\"heprotested。\"Igetallsunburntandhard——
hardasanything！\"
Theyoungmanwasincredulous。
\"YouwereneargettingsunstruckwhenIpickedyouup，\"helaughed。\"Ifyou\'regoingtoHunter\'sIsland，whydidn\'tyougotoPelhamManor？\"
\"That\'sright！\"assentedJimmieeagerly。\"ButIwantedtosavethetencentsso\'stosendSadietothemovies。SoIwalked。\"
Theyoungmanlookedhisembarrassment。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hemurmured。
ButJimmiedidnothearhim。Fromthebackofthecarhewasdraggingexcitedlyatthehatedsuit-case。
\"Stop！\"hecommanded。\"Igottergetout。Igotterwalk。\"
Theyoungmanshowedhissurprise。
\"Walk！\"heexclaimed。\"Whatisit——abet？\"
Jimmiedroppedthevaliseandfolloweditintotheroadway。Ittooksometimetoexplaintotheyoungman。First，hehadtobetoldaboutthescoutlawandtheonegoodturnaday，andthatitmustinvolvesomepersonalsacrifice。And，asJimmiepointedout，changingfromaslowsuburbantraintoaracing-carcouldnotbelistedasasacrifice。Hehadnotearnedthemoney，Jimmieargued；
hehadonlyavoidedpayingittotherailroad。IfhedidnotwalkhewouldbeobtainingthegratitudeofSadiebyafalsehood。
Therefore，hemustwalk。
\"Notatall，\"protestedtheyoungman。\"You\'vegotitwrong。Whatgoodwillitdoyoursistertohaveyousunstruck？Ithinkyouaresunstruck。You\'recrazywiththeheat。Yougetinhere，andwe\'lltalkitoveraswegoalong。\"
HastilyJimmiebackedaway。\"I\'dratherwalk，\"hesaid。
Theyoungmanshiftedhislegsirritably。
\"Thenhow\'llthissuityou？\"hecalled。\"We\'lldeclarethatfirst\'onegoodturn\'afailureandstartafresh。Domeagoodturn。\"
Jimmiehaltedinhistracksandlookedbacksuspiciously。
\"I\'mgoingtoHunter\'sIslandInn，\"calledtheyoungman，\"andI\'velostmyway。Yougetinhereandguideme。That\'llbedoingmeagoodturn。\"
Oneithersideoftheroad，blottingoutthelandscape，gianthandspickedoutinelectric-lightbulbspointedthewaytoHunter\'sIslandInn。Jimmiegrinnedandnoddedtowardthem。
\"Muchobliged，\"hecalled。\"Igotterwalk。\"Turninghisbackupontemptation，hewaddledforwardintotheflickeringheatwaves。
Theyoungmandidnotattempttopursue。Atthesideoftheroad，undertheshadeofagiantelm，hehadbroughtthecartoahaltandwithhisarmscrosseduponthewheelsatmotionless，followingwithfrowningeyestheretreatingfigureofJimmie。Butthenarrow-chestedandknock-kneedboystaggeringoverthesun-bakedasphaltnolongerconcernedhim。ItwasnotJimmie，butthecodepreachedbyJimmie，andnotonlypreachedbutbeforehiseyesputintopractice，thatinterestedhim。Theyoungmanwithwhitehairhadbeenrunningawayfromtemptation。Atfortymilesanhourhehadbeenrunningawayfromthetemptationtodoafellowmortal\"agoodturn。\"Thatmorning，totheappealofadrowningCaesarto\"Helpme，Cassius，orIsink，\"hehadanswered：\"Sink！\"Thatanswerhehadnowishtoreconsider。Thathemightnotreconsiderhehadsoughttoescape。
Itwashisexperiencethatasixty-horse-powerracing-machineisajealousmistress。Forretrospective，sentimental，orphilanthropicthoughtsshegrantsnoleaveofabsence。Buthehadnotescaped。
Jimmiehadhaltedhim，trippedhimbytheheels，andsethimagaintothinking。Withinthehalf-hourthatfollowedthosewhorolledpastsawatthesideoftheroadacarwithherenginerunning，andleaninguponthewheel，asunconsciousofhissurroundingsasthoughhesatathisownfireplace，ayoungmanwhofrownedandstaredatnothing。Thehalf-hourpassedandtheyoungmanswunghiscarbacktowardthecity。Butatthefirstroad-housethatshowedablue-and-whitetelephonesignheleftit，andintotheironboxattheendofthebardroppedanickel。HewishedtocommunicatewithMr。Carroll，ofCarrollandHastings；andwhenhelearnedMr。Carrollhadjustissuedordersthathemustnotbedisturbed，theyoungmangavehisname。
Theeffectuponthebarkeeperwasinstantaneous。Withtheaggrievedairofonewhofeelsheisthevictimofajesthelaughedscornfully。
\"Whatareyouputtingover？\"hedemanded。
Theyoungmansmiledreassuringly。Hehadbeguntospeakand，thoughapparentlyengagedwiththebeer-glasshewaspolishing，thebarkeeperlistened。
DowninWallStreettheseniormemberofCarrollandHastingsalsolistened。Hewasaloneinthemostprivateofallhisprivateoffices，andwheninterruptedhadbeenengagedinwhat，ofallundertakings，isthemostmomentous。Onthedeskbeforehimlayletterstohislawyer，tothecoroner，tohiswife；andhiddenbyamassofpapers，butwithinreachofhishand，wasanautomaticpistol。Thepromiseitofferedofswiftreleasehadmadethewritingoftheletterssimple，hadgivenhimafeelingofcompletedetachment，hadreleasedhim，atleastinthought，fromallresponsibilities。Andwhenathiselbowthetelephonecougheddiscreetly，itwasasthoughsomeonehadcalledhimfromaworldfromwhichalreadyhehadmadehisexit。
Mechanically，throughmerehabit，heliftedthereceiver。
Thevoiceoverthetelephonecameinbrisk，staccatosentences。
\"ThatletterIsentthismorning？Forgetit。Tearitup。I\'vebeenthinkingandI\'mgoingtotakeachance。I\'vedecidedtobackyouboys，andIknowyou\'llmakegood。I\'mspeakingfromaroad-houseintheBronx；goingstraightfromheretothebank。Soyoucanbegintodrawagainstuswithinanhour。And——hello！——willthreemillionsseeyouthrough？\"
FromWallStreettherecamenoanswer，butfromthehandsofthebarkeeperaglasscrashedtothefloor。
Theyoungmanregardedthebarkeeperwithpuzzledeyes。
\"Hedoesn\'tanswer，\"heexclaimed。\"Hemusthavehungup。\"
\"Hemusthavefainted！\"saidthebarkeeper。
Thewhite-hairedonepushedabillacrossthecounter。\"Topayforbreakage，\"hesaid，anddisappeareddownPelhamParkway。
Throughouttheday，withthebill，forevidence，pastedagainstthemirror，thebarkeepertoldandretoldthewondroustale。
\"Hestoodjustwhereyou\'restandingnow，\"herelated，\"blowinginmillion-dollarbillslikeyou\'dblowsudsoffabeer。IfI\'dknoweditwashim，I\'dhavehithimonceandhidhiminthecellarforthereward。Who\'dIthinkhewas？Ithoughthewasawire-tapper，workingacongame！\"
Mr。Carrollhadnot\"hungup，\"butwhenintheBronxthebeer-glasscrashed，inWallStreetthereceiverhadslippedfromthehandofthemanwhoheldit，andthemanhimselfhadfallenforward。Hisdeskhithiminthefaceandwokehim——wokehimtothewonderfulfactthathestilllived；thatatfortyhehadbeenbornagain；thatbeforehimstretchedmanymoreyearsinwhich，astheyoungmanwiththewhitehairhadpointedout，hestillcouldmakegood。
TheafternoonwasfaradvancedwhenthestaffofCarrollandHastingswereallowedtodepart，and，evenlateaswasthehour，twoofthemwereaskedtoremain。IntothemostprivateoftheprivateofficesCarrollinvitedGaskell，theheadclerk；inthemainofficeHastingshadaskedyoungThorne，thebondclerk，tobeseated。
UntiltheseniorpartnerhasfinishedwithGaskellyoungThornemustremainseated。
\"Gaskell，\"saidMr。Carroll，\"ifwehadlistenedtoyou，ifwe\'drunthisplaceasitwaswhenfatherwasalive，thisneverwouldhavehappened。Ithasn\'thappened，butwe\'vehadourlesson。Andafterthiswe\'regoingslowandgoingstraight。Andwedon\'tneedyoutotellushowtodothat。Wewantyoutogoaway——onamonth\'svacation。WhenIthoughtweweregoingunderIplannedtosendthechildrenonaseavoyagewiththegoverness——sotheywouldn\'tseethenewspapers。ButnowthatIcanlookthemintheeyeagain，Ineedthem，Ican\'tletthemgo。So，ifyou\'dliketotakeyourwifeonanoceantriptoNovaScotiaandQuebec，herearethecabinsIreservedforthekids。Theycallittheroyalsuite——whateverthatis——andthetriplastsamonth。Theboatsailsto-morrowmorning。Don\'tsleeptoolateoryoumaymissher。\"
Theheadclerkwassecretingtheticketsintheinsidepocketofhiswaistcoat。Hisfingerstrembled，andwhenhelaughedhisvoicetrembled。
\"Misstheboat！\"theheadclerkexclaimed。\"IfshegetsawayfromMillieandmeshe\'sgottostartnow。We\'llgoonboardto-night！\"
Ahalf-hourlaterMilliewasonherkneespackingatrunk，andherhusbandwastelephoningtothedrug-storeforasponge-bagandacureforseasickness。
Owingtothejoyinherheartandtothefactthatshewasonherknees，Milliewasalternatelyweepingintothetrunk-trayandofferingupincoherentprayersofthanksgiving。Suddenlyshesankbackuponthefloor。
\"John！\"shecried，\"doesn\'titseemsinfultosailawayina\'royalsuite\'andleavethisbeautifulflatempty？\"
OverthetelephoneJohnwashavingtroublewiththedrugclerk。
\"No！\"heexplained，\"I\'mnotseasicknow。ThemedicineIwantistobetakenlater。IknowI\'mspeakingfromthePavonia；butthePavoniaisn\'taship；it\'sanapartment-house。\"
HeturnedtoMillie。\"Wecan\'tbeintwoplacesatthesametime，\"hesuggested。
\"But，think，\"insistedMillie，\"ofallthepoorpeoplestiflingto-nightinthisheat，tryingtosleepontheroofsandfire-escapes；
andourflatsocoolandbigandpretty——andnooneinit。\"
Johnnoddedhisheadproudly。
\"Iknowit\'sbig，\"hesaid，\"butitisn\'tbigenoughtoholdallthepeoplewhoaresleepingto-nightontheroofsandintheparks。\"
\"Iwasthinkingofyourbrother——andGrace，\"saidMillie。\"They\'vebeenmarriedonlytwoweeksnow，andthey\'reinastuffyhallbedroomandeatingwithalltheotherboarders。Thinkwhatourflatwouldmeantothem；tobebythemselves，witheightroomsandtheirownkitchenandbath，andournewrefrigeratorandthegramophone！Itwouldbeheaven！Itwouldbearealhoneymoon！\"
Abandoningthedrugclerk，JohnliftedMillieinhisarmsandkissedher，for，nexttohiswife，nearesthisheartwastheyoungerbrother。
TheyoungerbrotherandGraceweresittingonthestoopoftheboarding-house。Ontheuppersteps，intheirshirt-sleeves，weretheotherboarders；sothebrideandbridegroomspokeinwhispers。
Theairofthecrossstreetwasstaleandstagnant；fromitroseexhalationsofrottingfruit，thegasesofanopensubway，thesmokeofpassingtaxicabs。Butbetweenthestreetandthehallbedroom，withitsodorsofagas-stoveandakitchen，thechoicewasdifficult。
\"We\'vegottocooloffsomehow，\"theyounghusbandwassaying，\"oryouwon\'tsleep。Shallwetreatourselvestoice-creamsodasoratripontheWeehawkenferry-boat？\"
\"Theferry-boat！\"beggedthegirl，\"wherewecangetawayfromallthesepeople。\"
Ataxicabwithatrunkinfrontwhirledintothestreet，kickeditselftoastop，andtheheadclerkandMilliespilledoutuponthepavement。Theytalkedsofast，andtheyoungerbrotherandGracetalkedsofast，thattheboarders，althoughtheylistenedintently，couldmakenothingofit。
Theydistinguishedonlytheconcludingsentences：
\"Whydon\'tyoudrivedowntothewharfwithus，\"theyheardtheelderbrotherask，\"andseeourroyalsuite？\"
Buttheyoungerbrotherlaughedhimtoscorn。
\"What\'syourroyalsuite，\"hemocked，\"toourroyalpalace？\"
Anhourlater，hadtheboarderslistenedoutsidetheflatoftheheadclerk，theywouldhaveheardissuingfromhisbathroomthecoolingmurmurofrunningwaterandfromhisgramophonethejubilantnotesof\"Alexander\'sRag-timeBand。\"
WheninhisprivateofficeCarrollwasmakingapresentoftheroyalsuitetotheheadclerk，inthemainofficeHastings，thejuniorpartner，wasaddressing\"Champ\"Thorne，thebondclerk。
Headdressedhimfamiliarlyandaffectionatelyas\"Champ。\"Thiswasduepartlytothefactthattwenty-sixyearsbeforeThornehadbeenchristenedChampneysandtothecoincidencethathehadcaptainedthefootballelevenofoneoftheBigThreetothechampionship。
\"Champ，\"saidMr。Hastings，\"lastmonth，whenyouaskedmetoraiseyoursalary，thereasonIdidn\'tdoitwasnotbecauseyoudidn\'tdeserveit，butbecauseIbelievedifwegaveyouaraiseyou\'dimmediatelygetmarried。\"
Theshouldersoftheex-footballcaptainroseaggressively；hesnortedwithindignation。
\"AndwhyshouldInotgetmarried？\"hedemanded。\"You\'reafineonetotalk！You\'rethemostoffensivelyhappymarriedmanIevermet。\"
\"PerhapsIknowIamhappybetterthanyoudo，\"reprovedthejuniorpartner；\"butIknowalsothatittakesmoneytosupportawife。\"
\"Youraisemetoahundredaweek，\"urgedChamp，\"andI\'llmakeitsupportawifewhetheritsupportsmeornot。\"
\"Amonthago，\"continuedHastings，\"wecouldhavepromisedyouahundred，butwedidn\'tknowhowlongwecouldpayit。Wedidn\'twantyoutorushoffandmarrysomefinegirl——\"
\"Somefinegirl！\"mutteredMr。Thorne。\"Thefinestgirl！\"
\"Thefinerthegirl，\"Hastingspointedout，\"theharderitwouldhavebeenforyouifwehadfailedandyouhadlostyourjob。\"
Theeyesoftheyoungmanopenedwithsympathyandconcern。
\"Isitasbadasthat？\"hemurmured。
Hastingssighedhappily。
\"Itwas，\"hesaid，\"butthismorningtheYoungManofWallStreetdidusagoodturn——savedus——savedourcreditors，savedourhomes，savedourhonor。We\'regoingtostartfreshandpayourdebts，andweagreedthefirstdebtwepaidwouldbethesmalloneweoweyou。
You\'vebroughtusmorethanwe\'vegiven，andifyou\'llstaywithuswe\'regoingto\'see\'yourfiftyandraiseitahundred。Whatdoyousay？\"
YoungMr。Thorneleapedtohisfeet。Whathesaidwas：\"Where\'nhell\'smyhat？\"
Butbythetimehehadfoundthehatandthedoorhemendedhismanners。
\"Isay，\'Thankyouathousandtimes，\"\'heshoutedoverhisshoulder。\"Excuseme，butI\'vegottogo。I\'vegottobreakthenewsto——\"
Hedidnotexplaintowhomhewasgoingtobreakthenews；butHastingsmusthaveguessed，foragainhesighedhappilyandthen，alittlehystericallylaughedaloud。Severalmonthshadpassedsincehehadlaughedaloud。
InhisanxietytobreakthenewsChampThornealmostbrokehisneck。Inhisexcitementhecouldnotrememberwhethertheredflashmeanttheelevatorwasgoingdownorcomingup，andsoonerthanwaittofindouthestartedtoracedowneighteenflightsofstairswhenfortunatelytheelevator-doorswungopen。
\"Yougetfivedollars，\"heannouncedtotheelevatorman，\"ifyoudroptothestreetwithoutastop。Beatthespeedlimit！Actlikethebuildingisonfireandyou\'retryingtosavemebeforetherooffalls。\"
SenatorBarnesandhisentirefamily，whichwashisdaughterBarbara，wereattheRitz-Carlton。TheywereintowninAugustbecausetherewasameetingofthedirectorsoftheBrazilandCuyabaRubberCompany，ofwhichcompanySenatorBarneswaspresident。Itwasasecretmeeting。Thosedirectorswhowerekeepingcoolattheedgeoftheoceanhadbeensummonedbytelegraph；thosewhoweresteamingacrosstheocean，bywireless。
Upfromtheequatorhaddriftedthethreatofascandal，sickening，grim，terrible。Asyetitburnedbeneaththesurface，givingoutonlyanodor，butanodorasrankasburningrubberitself。Atanymomentitmightbreakintoflame。Forthedirectors，wasitthebetterwisdomtoletthescandalsmoulder，andtakeachance，ortobethefirsttogivethealarm，thefirsttoleadthewaytothehorrorandstampitout？
Itwastodecidethisthat，intheheatofAugust，thedirectorsandthepresidenthadforegathered。
ChampThorneknewnothingofthis；heknewonlythatbyamiracleBarbaraBarneswasintown；thatatlasthewasinapositiontoaskhertomarryhim；thatshewouldcertainlysayshewould。Thatwasallhecaredtoknow。
Ayearbeforehehadissuedhisdeclarationofindependence。
Beforehecouldmarry，hetoldher，hemustbeabletosupportawifeonwhatheearned，withoutherhavingtoacceptmoneyfromherfather，anduntilhereceived\"aminimumwage\"offivethousanddollarstheymustwait。
\"Whatisthematterwithmyfather\'smoney？\"Barbarahaddemanded。
Thornehadevadedthedirectquestion。
\"Thereistoomuchofit，\"hesaid。
\"Doyouobjecttothewayhemakesit？\"insistedBarbara。\"Becauserubberismostuseful。Youputitingolfballsandautotiresandgaloshes。Thereisnothingsoperfectlyrespectableasgaloshes。
Andwhatisthere\'tainted\'aboutaraincoat？\"
Thorneshookhisheadunhappily。
\"It\'snotthefinishedproducttowhichIrefer，\"hestammered；\"it\'sthewaytheygettherawmaterial。\"
\"Theygetitoutoftrees，\"saidBarbara。Thensheexclaimedwithenlightenment——\"Oh！\"shecried，\"youarethinkingoftheCongo。
Thereitisterrible！Thatisslavery。ButtherearenoslavesontheAmazon。Thenativesarefreeandtheworkiseasy。TheyjusttapthetreesthewaythefarmersgathersugarinVermont。Fatherhastoldmeaboutitoften。\"
Thornehadmadenocomment。Hecouldabuseafriend，ifthefriendwereamongthosepresent，butdenouncinganyonehedislikedasheartilyashedislikedSenatorBarneswasapublicservicehepreferredtoleavetoothers。Andheknewbesidesthatifthefathershelovedandthemansheloveddistrustedeachother，Barbarawouldnotrestuntilshelearnedthereasonwhy。
Oneday，inanewspaper，BarbarareadofthePujuMayoatrocities，oftheIndianslavesinthejunglesandbackwatersoftheAmazon，whoareofferedupassacrificesto\"redrubber。\"Shecarriedthepapertoherfather。Whatitsaid，herfathertoldher，wasuntrue，andifitweretrueitwasthefirsthehadheardofit。
SenatorBarneslovedthegoodthingsoflife，butthethinghelovedmostwashisdaughter；thethinghevaluedthehighestwashergoodopinion。Sowhenforthefirsttimeshelookedathimindoubt，heassuredherheatoncewouldorderaninvestigation。
\"But，ofcourse，\"headded，\"itwillbemanymonthsbeforeouragentscanreport。OntheAmazonnewstravelsveryslowly。\"
Intheeyesofhisdaughterthedoubtstilllingered。
\"Iamafraid，\"shesaid，\"thatthatistrue。\"
ThatwassixmonthsbeforethedirectorsoftheBrazilandCuyabaRubberCompanyweresummonedtomeettheirpresidentathisroomsintheRitz-Carlton。Theywereduetoarriveinhalfanhour，andwhileSenatorBarnesawaitedtheircomingBarbaracametohim。Inhereyeswasalightthathelpedtotellthegreatnews。Itgavehimasharp，jealouspang。Hewantedatoncetoplayapartinherhappiness，tomakehergratefultohim，notalonetothisstrangerwhowastakingheraway。Sofearfulwashethatshewouldshuthimoutofherlifethathadsheaskedforhalfhiskingdomhewouldhavepartedwithit。
\"Andbesidesgivingmyconsent，\"saidtherubberking，\"forwhichnooneseemstohaveasked，whatcanIgivemylittlegirltomakeherrememberheroldfather？Somediamondstoputonherhead，orpearlstohangaroundherneck，ordoesshewantavacantlotonFifthAvenue？\"
ThelovelyhandsofBarbararesteduponhisshoulders；herlovelyfacewasraisedtohis；herlovelyeyeswereappealing，andalittlefrightened。
\"Whatwouldoneofthosethingscost？\"askedBarbara。
Thequestionwaseminentlypractical。Itcamewithinthescopeofthesenator\'sunderstanding。Afterall，hewasnottobecastintoouterdarkness。Hissmilewascomplacent。Heansweredairily：
\"Anythingyoulike，\"hesaid；\"amilliondollars？\"
Thefingerscloseduponhisshoulders。Theeyes，stillfrightened，stillsearchedhisinappeal。
\"Then，formywedding-present，\"saidthegirl，\"IwantyoutotakethatmilliondollarsandsendanexpeditiontotheAmazon。AndI
willchoosethemen。Menunafraid；mennotafraidoffeverorsuddendeath；notafraidtotellthetruth——eventoyou。Andalltheworldwillknow。Andthey——Imeanyou——willsetthosepeoplefree！\"
SenatorBarnesreceivedthedirectorswithanembarrassmentwhichheconcealedunderamannerofjustindignation。
\"Mymindismadeup，\"hetoldthem。\"Existingconditionscannotcontinue。Andtothatend，atmyownexpense，IamsendinganexpeditionacrossSouthAmerica。Itwillinvestigate，punish，andestablishreforms。Isuggest，onaccountofthisdamnedheat，wedonowadjourn。\"
Thatnight，overonLongIsland，Carrolltoldhiswifeall，ornearlyall。Hedidnottellherabouttheautomaticpistol。Andtogetherontiptoetheycrepttothenurseryandlookeddownattheirsleepingchildren。Whensherosefromherkneesthemothersaid：\"ButhowcanIthankhim？\"
By\"him\"shemeanttheYoungManofWallStreet。
\"Younevercanthankhim，\"saidCarroll；\"that\'stheworstofit。\"
Butafteralongsilencethemothersaid：\"Iwillsendhimaphotographofthechildren。Doyouthinkhewillunderstand？\"
DownatSeabright，Hastingsandhiswifewalkedinthesunkengarden。Themoonwassobrightthattherosesstillheldtheircolor。
\"Iwouldliketothankhim，\"saidtheyoungwife。ShemeanttheYoungManofWallStreet。\"Butforhimwewouldhavelostthis。\"
Hereyescaressedthegarden，thefruit-trees，thehousewithwide，hospitableverandas。\"To-morrowIwillsendhimsomeoftheseroses，\"saidtheyoungwife。\"Willheunderstandthattheymeanourhome？\"
Atascandalouslylatehour，inascandalousspiritofindependence，ChampThorneandBarbaraweredrivingaroundCentralParkinataxicab。
\"HowstrangelytheLordmoves，hiswonderstoperform，\"misquotedBarbara。\"HadnottheYoungManofWallStreetsavedMr。Hastings，Mr。Hastingscouldnothaveraisedyoursalary；youwouldnothaveaskedmetomarryyou，andhadyounotaskedmetomarryyou，fatherwouldnothavegivenmeawedding-present，and——\"
\"And，\"saidChamp，takingupthetale，\"thousandsofslaveswouldstillbeburiedinthejungles，hiddenawayfromtheirwivesandchildrenandthelightofthesunandtheirfellowmen。Theystillwouldbedyingoffever，starvation，tortures。\"
Hetookherhandinbothofhisandheldherfinger-tipsagainsthislips。
\"Andtheywillneverknow，\"hewhispered，\"whentheirfreedomcomes，thattheyoweitalltoyou。\"
OnHunter\'sIsland，JimmieReederandhisbunkie，SamSturges，eachonhiscanvascot，tossedandtwisted。Theheat，themoonlight，andthemosquitoeswouldnotletthemeventhinkofsleep。
\"Thatwasbully，\"saidJimmie，\"whatyoudidto-dayaboutsavingthatdog。Ifithadn\'tbeenforyouhe\'dha\'drownded。\"
\"Hewouldnot！\"saidSammywithpunctiliousregardforthetruth；
\"itwasn\'tdeepenough。\"
\"Well，thescout-masteroughttoknow，\"arguedJimmie；\"hesaiditwasthebest\'onegoodturn\'oftheday！\"
ModestlySamshiftedthelime-lightsothatitfelluponhisbunkie。
\"I\'llbet，\"hedeclaredloyally，\"your\'onegoodturn\'wasabetterone！\"
Jimmieyawned，andthenlaughedscornfully。
\"Me！\"hescoffed。\"Ididn\'tdonothing。Isentmysistertothemovies。\"
\"SOMEWHEREINFRANCE\"
MarieGessler，knownasMarieChaumontel，Jeanned\'Avrechy，theCountessd\'Aurillac，wasGerman。Herfather，whoservedthroughtheFranco-PrussianWar，wasaGermanspy。ItwasfromhermothershelearnedtospeakFrenchsufficientlywelltosatisfyevenanAcademicianand，amongParisians，topassasone。Bothherparentsweredead。Beforetheydeparted，knowingtheycouldleavetheirdaughternothingsavetheirdebts，theyhadhadhertrainedasanurse。Butwhentheyweregone，MarieintheBerlinhospitalsplayedpolitics，intrigued，indiscriminatelymisusedtheappealing，violeteyes。Therewasascandal；severalscandals。Attheageoftwenty-fiveshewasdismissedfromtheMunicipalHospital，andasnow-saveforthevioleteyes——shewaswithoutresources，asacompagnondevoyagewithaGermandoctorshetravelledtoMonteCarlo。TheresheabandonedthedoctorforHenriRavignac，acaptainintheFrenchAviationCorps，who，whenhisleaveended，escortedhertoParis。
ThedutiesofCaptainRavignackepthiminbarracksneartheaviationfield，butMarieheestablishedinhisapartmentsontheBoulevardHaussmann。Onedayhebroughtfromthebarracksarollofblue-prints，andashewaslockingtheminadrawer，said：
\"TheGermanswouldpaythroughthenoseforthose！\"Theremarkwasindiscreet，butthenMariehadtoldhimshewasFrench，andanyonewouldhavebelievedher。
ThenextmorningthesamespiritofadventurethathadexiledherfromtheBerlinhospitalscarriedherwiththeblue-printstotheGermanembassy。There，greatlyshocked，theyfirstwrotedownhernameandaddress，andthen，indignantatherproposition，orderedherout。ButthedayfollowingastrangeyoungGermanwhowasnotatallindignant，but，onthecontrary，quitecharming，calleduponMarie。Fortheblue-printsheofferedheraverylargesum，andthatsamehourwiththemandMariedepartedforBerlin。Mariedidnotneedthemoney。Nordidtheargumentthatshewasservinghercountrygreatlyimpressher。Itwasratherthatshelovedintrigue。
Andsoshebecameaspy。
HenriRavignac，themanshehadrobbedoftheblue-prints，wastriedbycourt-martial。Thechargewastreason，butCharlesRavignac，hisyoungerbrother，promisedtoprovethattheguiltyonewasthegirl，andtothatendobtainedleaveofabsenceandspentmuchtimeandmoney。AtthetrialhewasabletoshowtherecordofMarieinBerlinandMonteCarlo；thatshewasthedaughterofaGermansecretagent；thatontheafternoontheprintsdisappearedMarie，withanagentoftheGermanembassy，hadleftParisforBerlin。
Inconsequenceofthisthechargeofsellingmilitarysecretswasalteredtooneof\"grossneglect，\"andHenriRavignacwassentencedtotwoyearsinthemilitaryprisonatTours。Buthewasofanancientandnoblefamily，andwhentheycametotakehimfromhiscellintheCherche-Midi，hewasdead。Charles，hisbrother，disappeared。Itwassaidhealsohadkilledhimself；thathehadbeenappointedamilitaryattacheinSouthAmerica；thattorevengehisbrotherhehadenteredthesecretservice；butwhateverbecameofhimnooneknew。Allthatwascertainwasthat，thankstotheactofMarieGessler，ontherollsoftheFrencharmytheancientandnoblenameofRavignacnolongerappeared。
InherchosenprofessionMarieGesslerfoundnothingdiscreditable。
Ofherselfheropinionwasnothigh，andheropinionofmenwaslower。Forhersmilesshehadwatchedseveralsacrificehonor，duty，loyalty；andsheheldthemandtheirkindincontempt。Tolie，tocajole，torobmenofsecretstheythoughtimportant，andofsecretstheimportanceofwhichtheydidnotevenguess，wastohermerelyanintricateandexcitinggame。
Sheplayeditverywell。Sowellthatintheserviceheradvancewasrapid。OnimportantmissionsshewassenttoRussia，throughtheBalkans；eventotheUnitedStates。There，withcredentialsasanarmynurse，sheinspectedourmilitaryhospitalsandunobtrusivelyaskedmanyinnocentquestions。
WhenshebeggedtobeallowedtoworkinherbelovedParis，\"they\"toldherwhenwarcame\"they\"intendedtoplantherinsidethatcity，andthat，untilthen，thelessParisknewofherthebetter。
Butjustbeforethegreatwarbroke，toreportonwhichwayItalymightjump，shewassenttoRome，anditwasnotuntilSeptembershewasrecalled。ThetelegraminformedherthatherAuntElizabethwasill，andthatatonceshemustreturntoBerlin。
This，shelearnedfromthecodebookwrappedunderthecoverofherthermosbottle，meantthatshewastoreporttothegeneralcommandingtheGermanforcesatSoissons。
FromItalyshepassedthroughSwitzerland，and，afterleavingBasle，onmilitarytrainswasrushednorthtoLuxemburg，andthenwesttoLaon。Shewasaccompaniedbyhercompanion，Bertha，anelderlyandrespectable，evendistinguished-lookingfemale。Inthesecretservicehernumberwas528。TheirpassesfromthewarofficedescribedthemasnursesoftheGermanRedCross。OnlytheIntelligenceDepartmentknewtheirrealmission。Withher，also，asherchauffeur，wasayoungItaliansoldieroffortune，PaulAnfossi。HehadservedintheBelgianCongo，intheFrenchForeignLegioninAlgiers，andspokealltheEuropeanlanguages。
InRome，whereasawirelessoperatorhewasservingacommercialcompany，insellingMariecopiesofmessageshehadmemorized，Mariehadfoundhimuseful，andwhenwarcamesheobtainedforhim，fromtheWilhelmstrasse，thenumber292。FromLaon，inoneoftheautomobilesoftheGeneralStaff，thethreespiesweredrivenfirsttoSoissons，andthenalongtheroadtoMeauxandParis，tothevillageofNeufchelles。Theyarrivedatmidnight，andinachateauofoneoftheChampagneprinces，foundthecolonelcommandingtheIntelligenceBureau。Heacceptedtheircredentials，destroyedthem，andreplacedthemwithalaissez-
passersignedbythemayorofLaon。Thatdignitary，thecolonelexplained，tocitizensofLaonfleeingtoParisandthecoasthadissuedmanypasses。ButasnowbetweenLaonandParistherewerethreeGermanarmies，therefugeeshadbeenturnedbackandtheirpassesconfiscated。
\"Fromamongthem，\"saidtheofficer，\"wehaveselectedoneforyou。ItisissuedtothewifeofCountd\'Aurillac，acaptainofreserves，andheraunt，MadameBenet。Itasksforthoseladiesandtheirchauffeur，Briand，asafe-conductthroughtheFrenchmilitarylines。IfitgetsyouintoParisyouwilldestroyitandassumeanothername。TheCountd\'Aurillacisnowwithhisregimentinthatcity。Ifhelearnedofthepresencethereofhiswife，hewouldseekher，andthatwouldnotbegoodforyou。So，ifyoureachParis，youwillbecomeaBelgianrefugee。Youarehigh-bornandrich。Yourchateauhasbeendestroyed。Butyouhavemoney。YouwillgiveliberallytotheRedCross。Youwillvolunteertonurseinthehospitals。Withyoursadstoryofilltreatmentbyus，withyourhighbirth，andyourknowledgeofnursing，whichyouacquired，ofcourse，onlyasanamateur，youshouldnotfinditdifficulttojointheLadiesofFrance，ortheAmericanAmbulance。WhatyoulearnfromthewoundedEnglishandFrenchofficersandtheFrenchdoctorsyouwillsendusthroughtheusualchannels。\"
\"WhendoIstart？\"askedthewoman。
\"Forafewdays，\"explainedtheofficer，\"youremaininthischateau。
Youwillkeepusinformedofwhatisgoingforwardafterwewithdraw。\"
\"Withdraw？\"Itwasmoreofanexclamationthanaquestion。Mariewastoowelltrainedtoaskquestions。
\"Wearetakingupanewposition，\"saidtheofficer，\"ontheAisne。\"
Thewoman，incredulous，stared。
\"AndwedonotenterParis？\"
\"Youdo，\"returnedtheofficer。\"Thatisallthatconcernsyou。
Wewilljoinyoulater——inthespring。Meanwhile，forthewinterweintrenchourselvesalongtheAisne。Inachimneyofthischateauwehavesetupawirelessoutfit。Weareleavingitintact。
ThechauffeurBriand——who，youmustexplaintotheFrench，youbroughtwithyoufromLaon，andwhohasbeenlonginyourservice——willtransmitwhateveryoudiscover。Wewishespeciallytoknowofanymovementtowardourleft。IftheyattackinfrontfromSoissons，weareprepared；butofanyattempttocrosstheOiseandtakeusinflankyoumustwarnus。\"
Theofficerroseandhunguponhimselfhisfield-glasses，map-cases，andside-arms。
\"Weleaveyounow，\"hesaid。\"WhentheFrencharriveyouwilltellthemyourreasonforhaltingatthischateauwasthattheowner，MonsieurIverney，andhisfamilyarefriendsofyourhusband。Youfoundushere，andwedetainedyou。Andsolongasyoucanusethewireless，makeexcusestoremain。IftheyoffertosendyouontoParis，tellthemyourauntistooilltotravel。\"