and
we'll soon prove to the Germans who come that it isn't! I have looked
for a sign. I sought for it in all the skies through your glasses, but I
did not find it there. Yet I have found it."

"Where?"

"In my heart. Every beat tells me that this Paris of ours is not for the
Germans. We will yet turn them back!"

He reminded John of Lannes in his dramatic intensity, real and not
affected, a true part of his nature. Its effect, too, upon the American
was powerful. He had given courage to Lannes, and now Bougainville, that
little Apache of the Butte Montmartre, was giving new strength to his
own weakening heart. Fresh life flowed back into his veins and he
remembered that he, too, had beheld a sign, the flash of light on the
Arc de Triomphe.

"I think we have seen enough here, Geronimo," he said lightly, "and
we'll descend. I've a friend to meet later. Which way do you go from the
church?"

"To the army. I shall be in a uniform tonight, and tomorrow maybe I
shall meet the Germans."

John held out his hand and the Apache seized it in a firm clasp.

"I believe in you, as I hope you believe in me," said young Scott. "I
belong to a company called the Strangers, made up chiefly of Americans
and English, and commanded by Captain Daniel Colton. If you're on the
battle line and hear of the Strangers there too I should like for you to
hunt me up if you can. I'd do the same for you, but I don't yet know to
what force you will belong."

Bougainville promised and they walked down to the second platform, where
Father Pelletier was still standing.

"What did you see?" he asked of John, unable to hide the eagerness in
his eyes.

"Uhlans, Father Pelletier, and I fancied that I heard the echo of a
German forty-two centimeter. Would you care to use the glasses? The view
from this floor is almost as good as it is from the lantern."

John distinctly saw the priest shudder.

"No," he replied. "I could not bear it. I shall pray today that our
enemies may be confounded; tomorrow I shall throw off the gown of a
priest and put on the coat of a soldier."

"Another sign," said John to himself, as they continued the descent.
"Even the priests will fight."

When they were once more in the narrow streets of Montmartre, John said
farewell to Bougainville.

"Geronimo," he said, "I expect to see you leading a victorious charge
directly into the heart of the German army."

"If I can meet your hopes I will, Monsieur Scott," said the y