him.
Mildred could feel the surprise even of the sentries at the gate and the
few soldiers who chanced to be near at their unexpected appearance.
Truly it was amazing that the great commander should be concerned with
the fate of three unimportant American girls, and even more amazing that
he should actually show his consideration and friendliness to one of
them!

CHAPTER VIII

_Another Warning_

Two hours after Sonya Valesky had been taken away by the Russian police
Nona Davis started back for the Russian fortress.

Only a few moments were required to pack her own belongings, since the
little house and everything inside it had been fumigated as soon as
Sonya reached a state of convalescence. Nona's time had been spent in
trying to comfort Sonya's servants, old Katja and Nika, and also in
trying to acquire some information from them.

In neither effort was she successful. Either the old man and woman knew
nothing of Sonya's actions, or else they were too grief-stricken to
confide their knowledge. There was also the third possibility that Sonya
had warned them against betraying her to any human being. Whatever the
reason, they were dumb, except for their half-broken Russian prayers and
stories of Sonya as a little girl. If she had not long ago been fully
aware of the fact, Nona was now assured that the two peasants had been
former servants of the Russian woman. It was Sonya who would not
recognize the distinctions of maid and mistress, who called herself by
no title and would allow her servants to call her by none.

Therefore it was almost night when Nona left the little hut, old Nika
carrying her bag and plodding behind her. The girl felt that she must
return to her two American friends to receive their aid and sympathy.

Surely something could be done for Sonya, it was horrible to think of
her being carried off to a Russian prison, concerning which one had read
such dreadful stories. She was too ill and she seemed so utterly without
friends or relatives. Yet Nona herself was utterly powerless, knowing no
one with any influence in Russia. Nevertheless she felt a strange bond,
which had come to her out of the past, between herself and Sonya
Valesky.

One person, however, might be willing to give her advice, though she
doubted his help. In returning to the fort, Nona meant as soon as
possible to request an interview with the young Russian officer, Michael
Orlaff.

She was not frightened during her walk