artled me! At our first
meeting you told me some mixed-up story and asked me to bring you some
food. I thought you were an escaped prisoner and I did not want to have
anything to do with you. But you insisted if you were caught you would
be hung. The next day when I arrived with the food you were too ill to
recognize me. There is nothing more to tell."

"That is all," the soldier repeated. "But that sounds more like the
beginning, does it not? You were not even sure of my nationality and yet
you have been coming here every day to care for me. Suppose I had been
your enemy?"

By this time the soldier was sitting up and intently studying the face
of the girl before him. He was wearing a faded dark blue shirt which
Jean had generously bestowed upon him the day before, this being the
first occasion for which he had made an effort to dress himself.

"Strange human beings, women! I wonder if we men will ever understand
you? I have no doubt you would blow up the united armies of the Central
Empires if it were possible without a qualm and yet you would make any
sacrifice to save the life of one prisoner."

"But I was never convinced about you," Sally apologized. "Then after you
became so seriously ill I never thought. But I am sure I beg your
pardon. As you are a Frenchman of course you would have been infinitely
better cared for in a hospital. If anything had happened to you it would
have been my fault. But really I did not know what was done to prisoners
who ran away from their captors and you suggested such an uncomfortable
fate for yourself.

"Now you are better I don't think I will come back to the chateau again.
You see you made me promise not to tell anyone that you were hiding
here, and my sister and friends think it strange because I have been
spending so much time away from the farm recently. I don't suppose I
shall ever be able to make anyone understand. It is hard, isn't it, to
be blamed for things and then find they have been of no use? Jean will
do whatever is necessary for you until you are entirely well. He can
bring me news of you and he will take a message to anyone you care to
see if you do not feel strong enough to be moved to a hospital
immediately."

Sally rose as if she meant to leave at once, then something in her
companion's expression made her sink down into her chair.

"No, you must not come to see me again," he answered, "although I shall
wish to see no one else. Perhaps it will not be long b