ak to you for a
moment."

Looking back I believe that Tish had a premonition of trouble then, for
during their conversation aside she got out her knitting, always with
her an indication of perturbation or of deep thought, and she spoke
rather sharply to Aggie about rinsing the luncheon dishes more
thoroughly. Aggie said afterward that she herself had felt at that time
that peculiar itching in the palms of her hands which always with her
presages bad news.

"If he asks about those grenades, Lizzie, you can reply. Say you don't
know anything about them. That's the truth."

"I know where they are," I said with some acidity. "And what's more, I
know I'm not going to ride a foot in that ambulance with that
concentrated extract of hell under my feet."

"Lizzie----"

She began sternly, but just then the two men came back, and the
officer's face was uncomfortable.

"I--from your demeanor," he said, "and--er--the fact that you haven't
mentioned it I rather gather that you have not heard the er--the news,
Miss Carberry."

"I didn't see the morning papers," Tish said with the dry wit so
characteristic of her.

"You have a nephew, I understand, at the Front?"

Tish's face suddenly grew set and stern.

"Have--or had?" she asked in a terrible voice.

"Oh, it's not so bad as all that. In fact, he's a lot safer just now
than you are, for instance. But it's rather unfortunate in a way too. He
has been captured by the enemy."

Aggie ran to her then with the blackberry cordial, but Tish waved her
away.

"A prisoner!" she said. "A nephew of mine has allowed himself to be
captured by the Germans? It is incredible!"

"Lots of us are doing it," he said. "It's no disgrace. In fact, it's a
mark of courage. A fellow goes farther than he ought to, and the first
thing he knows he's got a belt of bayonet points, and it is a time for
discretion."

"Leave me, please," Tish said majestically. "I am ashamed. I am humbled.
I must think."

Shortly after that she called us back and said: "I have come to this
conclusion: The situation is unbearable and must be rectified. Do you
know where he is enduring this shameful captivity?"

"I wouldn't take it too hard, Miss Tish," said the officer. "He's very
comfortable, as we happen to know. One of our runners got back at dawn
this morning. He said he left your nephew in the church at V----,
playing pinochle with the German C. O. The runner was hidden in the
cellar under the church, and he