en though my mother was a Russian, I am an American in
all my feelings and instincts and training. Russia fascinates me, but it
frightens me at the same time. Besides, it is not necessary in our
country that we should teach peace and equality, because it is in those
two principles that the American people most believe. If Sonya is
released I mean to try and take her back to the United States with me to
remain until the war is over."

"But Sonya will not be released, I have tried to make you understand,"
Lieutenant Orlaff added doggedly. "What is one woman more or less in
times like these? Go to Petrograd if you will, Miss Davis. I have told
you it is not wise for you and your friends to remain at Grovno. But
when you reach Petrograd have nothing to do with Sonya Valesky. I have
known you only a short time, yet I am your friend and I warn you.
Cannot you see that I care very much what becomes of you? You are a
guest in my country; you have come to do us a service. It would be a
poor return if trouble overtook you."

Nona and Lieutenant Orlaff with old Nika hobbling behind them had by
this time about reached the entrance to the fortress. Nona was truly
grateful. She was very tired and depressed from the day's experiences.
Moreover, she did not understand the manner or the words of the young
officer beside her. At one moment he seemed extraordinarily hard and at
the next unnecessarily concerned. Nothing could happen to her in
Petrograd of a serious character, but in any case her experiences could
not interest Lieutenant Orlaff.

As soon as possible Nona said good-by to him. Later, in recalling their
conversation, she often thought of a phrase he used: "What is one woman
more or less in times like these?"

CHAPTER IX

_The Attack_

There was a great deal more for the three American Red Cross girls to
confide to one another than they could find time for, soon after Nona
Davis' return to the fortress.

But two evenings later it chanced that the three girls were all on day
duty and therefore had the same evening and night free.

In the left wing of the fortress, near the hospital quarters, was the
single, small bedroom which the three American nurses shared. Once
before Nona had discovered Barbara Meade rereading one of Dick
Thornton's letters and giving way to the blues in their small, cold
chamber. This evening she made the discovery a second time.

It chanced that Barbara had gotten away from her nursing