of any kind remain
in the possession of any German, the second that they be inside their
own homes at a certain hour each night.

This hour had not arrived and yet there were not many persons about, a
few groups of American soldiers on leave, but scarcely any Germans.

The house of Colonel Winfield was at no great distance away.

"Most extraordinary thing, Hersey!" the Colonel was soon explaining,
"you might guess for a dozen years why I have sent for you and never hit
the correct answer. Don't look so mystified over my words. I have not
sent for you to give you any military command, or to ask your advice on
military matters, as I have now and then in spite of your being too
youthful for the title you have been lucky enough to earn. I have sent
for you because tonight you and I may regard ourselves as characters in
a play. In a short time I hope to introduce the heroine."

Colonel Winfield was an elderly man a good deal past fifty, with closely
cropped grey hair, small twinkling blue eyes under heavy brows and a
mouth which could be extremely stern when the occasion demanded and
equally humorous under opposite conditions.

Tonight he was seated in a large, handsome room, a little too
elaborately furnished after German ideas of luxury, and before a wide
table covered with books and old American newspapers and magazines.

Major Hersey could only stare at him in amazement, and with a total lack
of comprehension.

"I might as well explain to you your part in the drama, Hersey. You
haven't at present a very fortunate role, although I cannot tell how it
may develop. The facts are that two women, or I should say one woman and
a girl, arrived in Coblenz this afternoon without satisfactory
passports. They were detained by one of our officers and because of
something or other in their story, perhaps because of their appearance
and manner, the circumstances were reported to me. I believe the young
woman knew my name and requested that she be allowed to speak to me. I
was busy and only saw her and her companion a few moments ago. Then she
asked that I send for you and for Mrs. David Clark, saying you would
both be able to identify her. Most extraordinary story she related, I
find it difficult either to believe or disbelieve!" And Colonel Winfield
leaned back in his chair studying the younger officer's face.

If he expected to find any clue to his puzzle in Major Jimmie's
expression at this instant he was disappointed. The y