as her voice.

He had not known it long, and yet it was as though he had always known
it.

"Jo--comrade--are you safe?"

"Yes, and you? Oh, David!" she spoke his name hesitatingly, "David,
where did you go?"

"I was hurt a little. I lost consciousness."

"Hurt, David?"

"Not seriously, but that is why I couldn't come back. I was carried to
a hospital."

"David!"

Her voice was tender with sympathy.

"And you--I came back to the study for you. You were gone."

"We were hidden. There is a secret room where we stayed until
daylight."

"Then it was----"

"The priest. Sorez was so weak and frightened."

"He came for the image?"

"Yes, but he did not get it. Was it he who--who hurt you, David?"

"It must have been. It was just as I came into the study."

"And he carried you out?"

"Because he thought the house empty, I guess, and feared I was hurt
worse than I was."

"And you really are not badly hurt?"

"Not badly."

"But how much--in what way?"

"Just a blow on the head. Please not to think about it."

"I have thought so many horrible things."

"Where are you now?"

"Mr. Sorez did not dare to stay there. He really is much stronger, and
so he came here to a friend's. I did not dare to let him come alone."

"But you aren't going to stay there. What are you going to do now?"

He thought she hesitated for a moment.

"I can't tell, David. My head is in such a whirl."

"You ought to go back home," he suggested.

"Home? My home is with my father, and nowhere else."

"I want to see you."

"And I want to see you, David, but----"

"I'm coming out there now."

"No! no! not yet, David."

"Why not?"

"Because----"

"Why not? I must see you."

"Because," she said, as though with sudden determination, "because
first I wish to make up my mind to something. I must do it by myself,
David."

"I'll not disturb you in that. I just wish to see you."

"But you would disturb me."

"How?"

"I can't tell you."

There was a moment's pause. Then,

"David, I may go away a long distance."

"Where?"

"I can't tell you now, but I may go at once. This--this may be the
last time I can talk with you for--oh, for months."

He caught his breath.

"What do you mean by that? What has happened?"

"I have promised not to tell."

"But you must, girl. Why--you--this man Sorez has no right to exact
promises from you. He----"

"You don't understand, David. It--it has to do with my father and
wit