CHAPTER XVIII

The Summons

Later in the same night, being unable to sleep, Mrs. Burton was aroused
by hearing the approach of another motor car. It must have been between
two and three o'clock in the dark hours before dawn when the earth is so
strangely quiet. Moreover, cars were not in the habit of passing Sunrise
camp at any hour, as it was too far from the main road to allure
travelers.

Mrs. Burton quietly slipped on her dressing gown and slippers in order
not to disturb her sister, who slept in the room with her. As she walked
to the front door she was under the impression that Gerry must have
returned home to camp and would wish to see her.

But outside it was so dark that for a moment she could see nothing. Then
at a little distance off she discovered two figures standing close
together. As Mrs. Burton drew nearer she recognized one of them as Dan
Webster, and as Dan was fully dressed he could not have been in bed
during the night. The other man was Lieutenant Carson.

[Illustration: As Mrs. Burton Drew Near She Recognized One of Them as
Dan Webster]

"Yes, I have been worried all night," she overheard Dan say. "I
persuaded mother to go to bed fairly early by telling her I would wait
for Billy. But after midnight when he did not come I have not known what
to do. I had no idea where to go to look for him. I was afraid something
had happened. Is the accident serious?"

"If it were not I would never have wakened you at such an hour,"
Lieutenant Carson answered. "Please break the news to your mother and
sister as quickly as you can and ask them to hurry. I brought over one
of our army cars, so there need be no delay. On the way to camp I will
tell you as much as I know."

Then Mrs. Burton stepped out of the shadow.

"Billy is hurt," she began, not asking a question, but stating a
conviction. "What has he done?" she hesitated, her voice breaking.

"He has done something so wonderful there is not a soldier in camp who
would not be proud to accomplish one-half so much. But he has been
injured and----" Lieutenant Carson tried to keep his own tones from
becoming husky.

"I'll see your mother, Dan," said Mrs. Burton. "Will you please waken
Vera and Peggy? If Billy is conscious when we arrive he will wish to
have Vera near him."

Within ten minutes the four women and Dan were on their way with
Lieutenant Carson to the army cantonment.

The lieutenant had asked Dan to drive the car during the first part