ve not known, during that time, any family of
Dentons in Charleroi."

Patsy reflected.

"They were married only five months ago, these Dentons," said she, "and
the young man may have come from some other town. Do you remember that
any of your young girls were married about five months ago?"

Yes; there was Hildegarde Bentel, but she had married Anthony Mattison,
who was not a soldier. Could the American mamselle remember what the
girl's first name was?

"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Patsy. "She signed her letters 'Elizabeth.'"

They shook their heads.

"My name is also Elizabeth," said one. "We have many Elizabeths in
Charleroi, but none has lately married."

"And her husband told me that she was now living here with her mother."

"Ah, let us see, then," responded another. "Could she have been a lady
of rank, think you?"

"I--I do not know."

"Is her husband an officer?"

"No; a private, I believe."

"Then we are on the wrong scent," laughed the girl. "I had in mind the
daughter of the Countess Voig, whose name chances to be Elizabeth. She
was educated at a convent in Antwerp, and the countess has lived in that
city for several years, in order to be nearer her daughter. There was
some gossip here that the young lady had married in Antwerp, just after
leaving the convent; but we know little of the life of the Voigs because
they are very reserved. Two or three months ago they returned to their
castle, which is four miles to the north of Charleroi, and there they
are still living in retirement. Every day the old steward drives into
town to visit the post office, but we have not seen the countess nor
her daughter since they came back."

Patsy related this news to Uncle John, who did not understand French.

"Let us drive over to Castle Voig the first thing," she said.

"But, my dear, it's unreasonable," he objected. "Do you suppose a
high-born young lady would marry a common soldier? In America, where we
have no caste, it would be quite probable, but here--"

"He wasn't a soldier five months ago," said Patsy. "He's just a
volunteer, who joined the army when his country needed him, as many of
the wealthy and aristocratic Belgians did. He may be high-born himself,
for all we know. At any rate I mean to visit that castle. Tell Rondel to
bring around the automobile."

They had no trouble in passing the guards, owing to the presence of von
Holtz, and in half an hour they were rolling through a charming,
peaceful coun