the ruin of their farms have
been so great a cross for them to shoulder.

Ruth learned that Aunt Abelard--an aunt of Farmer Dupay, and a
widow--had lived upon her little place since her marriage over half a
century before. Without her little garden and her small fields, and
her cow and pig and chickens, she would scarcely know how to live. And
to be uprooted and carried to some other place! It was unthinkable!

"It is fierce!" said Henriette in good American, having learned that
much from Charlie Bragg.

"I am sure there must be good reason for it," Ruth said. "I will
inquire. If there is any possibility of her remaining without being in
danger----"

"What danger?" demanded Madame Dupay, clicking her tongue. "Do these
countrymen of yours intend to let the Boches overrun our country again?
_Our_ poilus drove them back and kept them back."

Ruth saw she could say nothing to appease the rising wrath of the
family. She was rather sorry she had chanced to come upon this day of
ill-tidings.

"Of course she will come here?" she asked Henriette.

"Where else can she go?"

"Will your father go after her in the automobile?"

"What?" gasped Henriette. "That is of the devil's concoction, so
thinks poor Aunt Abelard. She will not ride in it. And my father is
busy. Let the Yankees bring her--and her goods--if they desire to
remove her from her own abode."

Ruth could say nothing to soothe either her little friend nor the other
members of the family. They could not understand why Aunt Abelard must
be removed from her place; nor did Ruth understand.

She was convinced, however, that there must be something of importance
afoot in this sector, and that Aunt Abelard's removal from her little
cottage was a necessity. The American troops in France were not
deliberately making enemies among the farming people.

Henriette walked for some distance toward the hospital when Ruth went
back; but the French girl was gloomy and had little to say to her
American friend.

When Ruth reached the hospital and was ascending to her cell at the
back, the matron came hurrying through the corridor to meet her. She
was plainly excited.

"Mademoiselle Fielding!" she cried. "You have a visitor. In the
office. Go to him at once, my dear. It is Monsieur Lafrane."

CHAPTER XIII

AN UNEXPECTED MEETING

Monsieur Lafrane Ruth could count as one of her friends. Not many
months before she had enabled the secret service man