dow is sufficient for us, and we don't
want to take any unnecessary risk."

He blew out the light, but John went to the window, and looked out on
the tiny court or place, on the far side of which ran a street so narrow
that it would have been called an alley at home.

He could not see much owing to the thick darkness, and it had begun to
rain also. The air was chill and heavy with damp. John shivered. Fate
had played him a weird trick by causing him to lose his train, but she
had atoned for it partly by giving him this brave young Frenchman as a
comrade. It was wonderfully snug and comfortable in the house of Madame
Crocheville, called by her fellow townsmen and townswomen Frau
Krochburg.

"I'm glad it's not a part of your plan for us to escape tonight,
Philip," he said.

"And what's the cause of your gladness."

"It's raining, and it's as cold as winter. I like this place, and I
think I'll go to bed."

"A good plan. Everything is ready for us."

There was a little adjoining room, in which they found water, towels and
could make all the other preparations for the night, and John, feeling a
sudden great weariness, made ready. When he was in bed he saw Lannes
still at the window.

"Better crawl in, too, Philip," he called. "This is a fine bed, and I
fancy the other is just as good."

"I'll join you in slumber land soon. Good night."

John closed his eyes, and in a few minutes he was sleeping soundly. He
was first to awake the next morning, and he saw that it was a gray day.
The rain had ceased, but there was no one in the little court or street
beyond. Philip slept soundly, and, as it was early, John did not awake
him. But he rose and dressed shortly before Madame Crocheville came with
breakfast.

"You have slept well, I hope," she said.

"Never better," replied Lannes for them both.

"I hear from others that which you told me last night. Germany has
declared war upon Russia, and the mightiest of the German armies marches
today against France. Philip! Philip! Poor France will be crushed!"

"Not so, Madame! France is not ready and the German armies will go far
toward Paris, but France, the republic, will not fall. I am young, but I
have heard, and I have seen. French valor is French valor still, and
Germany is creating for herself a ring of foes."

"You make me believe! You make me believe, Philip, in spite of myself,"
she said.

"We shall see what we shall see," said Lannes with confidence.

The day