to the box, shut the cover and covered it with the
straw. He looked carefully about the hut before they departed to make
sure that no signs of their occupancy of it were left. He even rubbed
out faint imprints of Ruth's slippers upon the damp earthen floor of
the hut.

Putting out the smoky lamp, they left the place. The Frenchman seemed
to know the vicinity perfectly. They followed yet another path out of
the wood and came to what was evidently a small inn. There was a noisy
party within, caparisoned horses held by orderlies in the yard, and
several automobiles under the sheds.

"Some of the Crown Prince's wild friends," whispered Major Marchand to
Ruth. "We must keep out of their sight but appear to be members of the
party. Remember, you are Sub-Leutnant Louden. I am your superior,
Leutnant Gilder. Do not speak if you can help it, Fraulein--and then
of the briefest."

She nodded, quite understanding his warning. She was alive to the
peril she faced, but she felt no panic of fright now that she was in
the midst of the adventure.

The major found somebody in authority. An auto-car for hire? Surely!
A price asked for it and a driver to Merz, which staggered Ruth. But
her companion agreed with a nod. To be a Prussian lieutenant of the
Crown Prince's suite one must throw money around!

In ten minutes they were under way--as easily as that was it
accomplished. Huddled down in her corner of the tonneau, with the
cloak wrapped around her, Ruth dozed. It was growing very late, and
after her struggle across the swampland between the lines she was
exhausted in body if not in mind.

She awoke suddenly. The car was stopping at a wide gateway and two
sentries were approaching to examine their papers.

The Frenchman seemed prepared for everything. He had papers for
himself and for "Sub-Leutnant Louden."

"Correct, Herr Leutnant. Pass on."

The car entered the private estate, but swiftly sped off into a side
road instead of going up to the big house in the upper windows of which
Ruth saw lights, although it was now nearly morning.

"Our quarters are in the gardener's cottage," said the major, loudly,
evidently intending the information for the automobile driver's ear.

They came to a roomy old cottage. Its windows were dark. The
chauffeur stopped before it and the major sprang out.

"Have a care how you step," he whispered to Ruth, and she made ready to
get out of the car without a tumble. The hig