o plainly have exposed their position to the enemy.

"What then do you think will become of Sonya? What punishment will she
have to suffer?" Nona inquired when she felt that she had gotten her
voice under control.

"Siberia," Lieutenant Orlaff returned briefly. Then feeling that his
companion desired him to say more, he went on:

"In many cases a man or woman who has done what Sonya Valesky has would
be hung as a traitor. She has been preaching peace, which means she has
been urging men not to fight. That is treason to Russia. But I believe
that Sonya will be lightly dealt with because she comes of a family that
once served the Czar and his father. Besides, Sonya is a woman and a
beautiful one and it would not do to make a martyr of her."

"Then you think Siberia a light punishment?" Nona questioned, no longer
trying to keep the bitterness out of her tones. "Well, surely you accept
a friend's misfortune easily! I have not your philosophy. I do not think
I can do much, as I have no friends in Russia and no money, but as soon
as I receive permission I shall go to Petrograd to be of whatever
service I can."

Lieutenant Orlaff stared at the girl beside him. It was impossible to
see anything but the outline of her face, yet he could observe its
pallor and the sheen of her hair under the nurse's cap. Besides, he felt
the contempt she had not allowed herself to express, for the Russian is
singularly proud and sensitive.

"I repeat that I am very sorry," the young officer added. "You are wrong
in thinking I take Sonya Valesky's fate lightly. Her family and mine, as
I once told you, have been friends for many years. After the death of
her parents my father was for a little time her guardian until she came
of age. I will do what I can; I will write letters to her relatives and
to people who were once her friends. But I warn you to expect nothing.
Long ago they became weary of her wild theories and have had nothing to
do with her for years."

"Then all the more reason why I should do what I can. Even if I
accomplish nothing, at least Sonya will have the comfort of knowing that
a friend is near her during her trial," the girl said aloud, although
really not addressing her companion.

During the latter part of his speech she had been thinking very rapidly.
First of all, she must ask for a leave of absence from her Red Cross
nursing and explain that it was necessary for her to return to Petrograd
for a time. But where was sh