enri Marchand Ruth believed she had seen enter
Nicko's garden and talk with him the evening before she left the field
hospital to return to Clair.

The major walked quietly away without even seeing Ruth. The chauffeur
of their car, after a nod from Lafrane, started again. They passed the
wagon, which was already trundling down the road.

This cot was the last one at which Ruth saw anybody during that ride.
For when they reached the hut of Nicko, the chocolate peddler, his
place was likewise deserted. There were no neighboring houses.

Lafrane got out at Nicko's cottage and searched the premises. His face
was grave when he came back to the car and told the chauffeur to hurry
on to the hospital.

Here Ruth was amazed to see many American soldiers at work. They were
piling sandbags about the various huts and over their roofs. She
understood now why the people were being entirely cleared out of this
sector. A great bombardment was expected.

Ruth did not get out of the car. M. Lafrane ran in, and, through the
open gateway, she saw that he entered Hut H. He had gone to take a
look at the occupant of Cot 24--the German officer.

He was occupied within some time and when he appeared at the door of
the hut Dr. Monteith was with him. The two stood talking for a while
before the secret agent returned to the gate. He got into the car
again with just a word to his chauffeur.

"Mademoiselle," said M. Lafrane, his face serious, indeed, "there are
many disappointments in life, as well as many sacrifices. We saw the
old woman torn from her home--and from her pullets--just now. The
pattern of life is complex for us all.

"I have come from Paris because you called me." Ruth started and
looked at him closely. "I hoped that you might have something of
moment to tell me. I shall always trust in your good sense."

Ruth felt a sinking of the heart.

"But, Monsieur! have I brought you here for nothing? I warned you it
might be a mare's nest."

"_Non, non_!" he replied eagerly. "It is not your fault. I believe
you did hand me a thread of a clue that might--under more fortunate
circumstances--have led to the disclosure of something momentous."

"But that in reality leads nowhere, Monsieur. Is that what you mean?"

"Mademoiselle, Fate tricks us! This Nicko is one of those thrust out
of this sector in haste because of military reasons. And the German
Hauptman, who lay so long ill in that Hut H--well, Mademoisel