arms, shoulder to
shoulder against an arrogant foe!"

"Do you know this, Philip Lannes, or is it some dream of that hopeful
brain of yours?"

"It's not a dream. I know it. It hasn't been long since I was among the
English. They will have to join us. The German threat will force them to
it. Blinded by their own narrow teachings the generals at Berlin and
Vienna cannot see the storm they've let loose. Ah, Madame Crocheville,
it's more than two hundred years since any of your people have lived in
France, but you are as true a Frenchwoman as if your feet had never
pressed any but French soil!"

"There is truth in that wild head of yours."

"And the time of France and the French is coming. The republic has
restored us. The terrible year of 1870 will be avenged. French valor and
skill will bloom again!"

John had stood on one side, while they talked or rather allowed their
emotions to shoot forth in words. But he was watching them intently,
bent slightly forward, and, like Parsifal, he had never moved by the
breadth of a single hair. The woman now glanced toward him.

"He can be trusted?" she asked Lannes.

"Absolutely. His head is in the German noose. He must do as we bid or
that noose will close."

The gay ring had returned to Lannes' voice and a faint smile crossed the
face of Madame Crocheville.

"It's the best of securities," she said, and John, compelled to
acknowledge its truth, bowed.

"Who are pursuing you," she asked.

"Nobody at present," replied Lannes. "I'd have passed the border safely,
but a pig of an Austrian officer happened to know the man whose passport
I have. It was one chance in a thousand, and it went against me. My
friend here is an American, and, as he was dragged into it, we must save
him."

"It's likely that you need both food and rest as well as concealment."

"We do, and thank you for what we know we are going to receive."

She smiled again faintly. John surmised that she had a warm place in her
heart for Lannes. Who would not? He was as light-hearted now as if he
had come to a ball and not to a refuge. His eyes moved about the room
and he seemed pleased with all he saw.

"Food and a little of the good wine that I've found here before would be
indeed most welcome," he said, "and I speak for my new American friend
as well as myself."

"Come!" she said briefly, and the two followed, as she led the way into
a passage not more than wide enough for one, and then up a stone
stairw