"

"That's good enough!" exclaimed Helen. "And I suppose you can get word
to him so he'll know Jennie and I are here?"

"I will try to get word to him," agreed Ruth soberly.

"He can ask off and come to see us, can't he?"

"Not being in military charge of this sector, I cannot tell you," the
girl of the Red Mill said dryly. "But if you remain here long enough I
hope Tom will come to see you, my dear."

She could tell them no more. Indeed, to-night she did not even wish
the girls to know that she proposed absenting herself from the hospital
for a time and expected Helen and Jennie to do her work.

She had a burden to shoulder that she could not share with her friends.
She sent them to their beds a little later to sleep confidently and
happily after their long journey from Paris.

As for Ruth Fielding, she scarcely closed her eyes that night.

CHAPTER XIX

ADVENTURE

In the dawn of the next morning Ruth arose and rearranged all her stock
of supplies and corrected the schedule of goods on hand. Despite her
recent activities she had kept her accounts up to date and every record
was properly audited.

Before Helen Cameron and Jennie Stone even knew how Ruth proposed
making use of them, the girl of the Red Mill had explained her plan
fully to the matron. That the Americaine Mademoiselle was so friendly
with the grand folk at the chateau rather awed the Frenchwoman. She
could find no fault with anything Ruth did.

But there was a great outcry when, at breakfast, Ruth explained to
Helen and Jennie that she was called away from the hospital on private
and important business, and for several days.

"She's running away to be married!" gasped Jennie Stone. "Treason!"

"Your romantic imagination is ever on tap, isn't it, Heavy?" responded
Ruth with scorn.

"That's all right," returned the plump girl sharply. "You look out for
your brother Tom, Helen Cameron."

"But it may be one of these French officers," Helen said, with more
mildness. "Some of them are awfully nice."

"Don't be ridiculous, girls!" Ruth observed.

"Really it isn't at all nice of you, my dear," her chum said.

"I'm not doing this because it is nice," flared Ruth, whose nerves were
a little raw by now. "It is something I _have_ to do."

"What, then?" demanded Jennie.

"I can't tell you! It is not my secret! If it were, don't you suppose
I would take you both into my confidence?"

"I don't know about that," grumbled Jennie