e," she shrieked. "I do not
believe they are coming. These wicked Americans want my pullets.
_That_ is what it is! I will not!"

"Tante----" the major interposed gently.

"I will not, I tell you!" she interrupted.

She had backed up against the gate of the coop and had been fiddling
behind her at its fastenings. Now, quick as a wink, she snatched the
gate open and, with wonderful celerity for one of her age, plunged into
the hencoop and slammed to the door.

There was a tumultuous flapping and cackling of the bewildered poultry,
and the air inside the coop was immediately filled with dust and
feathers. Then the chaos subsided and the old woman looked out
defiantly at the major and at the half-amused, half-pitying soldier
boys.

The major's shrug was characteristic. He turned to look at the
spectators, and Ruth saw that his eyes were moist. His pity for the
unfortunate old woman and his kindness to her had its effect upon the
American girl. She wondered what manner of man, after all, this
Frenchman could be.

Major Marchand said something in a low voice to the American corporal.
The latter gave an order to his men. They surrounded the coop, and
suddenly, at the word, the corners were torn apart and the walls of the
enclosure thrown down.

Aunt Abelard shrieked--and so did the pullets. Many of the latter were
caught on the wing by the soldiers. The major put his arm about the
old woman's shoulders. She was shrieking insanely, but he led her into
the house and there remained while most of the pullets were decapitated
swiftly and thrown aside, to be later carried to the field kitchens.

But when the tearful old woman was brought out with the last of her
possessions and bundled into the rear of the now loaded wagon, the
American corporal came with a pair of the nicest pullets, their legs
tied together, and placed them in the old woman's lap along with the
bird-cage one of the boys lifted up to her.

Ruth, watching closely, saw Major Marchand draw the corporal aside and
place a couple of twenty-franc notes in his hand, nodding toward the
old woman. It was to recompense her for the pullets, over whose
untimely fate she was still moaning.

The mystery of the major--or his character and what and who he really
was--disturbed Ruth. She was excited. Should she tell Monsieur
Lafrane of her suspicion that this officer of the French army was the
man whom she thought was Nicko's double?

For it was Major H