le must have gone that way, because it
had one of the best road inns that John had ever entered. They were
early but the landlord soon had the flames going in a wide fire-place,
before which the three stood, warming themselves and drying their
clothes. And the heavy aromas arising promised that the coffee, bacon
and all the rest would be everything they wished.

A boy held their horses near the main door which stood open that they
might see. The three were a unit on this precaution. If by any possible
chance their horses were lost their mission in all likelihood would be
lost too. John, new recruit, nevertheless felt the full importance of
watching. He stood with his back to the fire, where he could see the
sturdy French boy, the reins of the three horses in his hands.

But he did not forget how good that fire felt. The great cape had not
been able to protect him wholly from the rain, and, despite the
excitement of their ride, he had become conscious that he was cold and
wet. Now the grateful warmth penetrated to his bones, and vitality
returned.

As he remained there, turning about a little before the fire but always
keeping his eyes on the door, he saw the villagers come down in the rain
and look in, some at the open door and some at the windows. None of them
spoke, but all gazed intently at the three in French uniform who stood
before the fire.

John knew why they had come and he was singularly moved by their silent,
pathetic stare. They were hoping to hear good news, at least one little
bit of it--these good French villagers whose soil was trodden again by
an enemy who seemed invincible. Just as the breakfast was being laid
upon the table the landlord said to them:

"Have you nothing for these brave people of ours, who, as you see, wait
at the windows? They are the old men, the very young and the women. All
the others are gone to the war. Yesterday we heard the sound of guns for
a long time. Have you no success to report for France?"

The three shook their heads sadly and Wharton replied for them.

"Not yet," he said. "We belong to the French army engaged in the battle
that you heard yesterday. But it was driven back again. The Germans come
in overwhelming force, and we cannot withstand their numbers, but we
were able to draw off with all our guns and leave them no prisoners."

The landlord said nothing in reply, but presently all those wistful and
waiting faces disappeared. Then the breakfast was ready, and