ing-paper, rather yellow and woolly. It had been to Moscow and back.

"Write a word to him," he said. "I will take it to Zoppot."

"But you can send a message by the fisherman whose name I have given
you," answered Desiree.

"And will he heed the message? Will he come ashore at a word from
me--only Barlasch? Remember it is his life that he carries in his hand.
An English sailor with a French name! Thunder of thunder! They would
shoot him like a rat!"

Desiree shook her head; but Barlasch was not to be denied. He brought
pen and ink from the dresser, and pushed them across the table.

"I would not ask it," he said, "if it was not necessary. Do you think he
will mind the danger? He will like it. He will say to me, 'Barlasch, I
thank you.' Ah? I know him. Write. He will come."

"Why?" asked Desiree.

"Why? How should I know that? He came before when you asked him."

Desiree leant over the table and wrote six words:

"Come, if you can come safely."

Barlasch took up the paper, and, pushing up the bandage which had
served to bring him unharmed through Russia, he frowned at it without
understanding.

"It is not all writings that I can read," he admitted. "Have you signed
it?"

"No."

"Then sign something that he will know, and no other--they might shoot
me. Your baptismal name."

And she wrote "Desiree" after the six words.

Barlasch folded the paper carefully and placed it in the lining of an
old felt hat of Sebastian's which he now wore. He bound a scarf over his
ears, after the manner of those who live on the Baltic shores in winter.

"You can leave the rest to me," he said; and, with a nod and a grimace
expressive of cunning, he left her.

He did not return that night. The days were short now, for the winter
was well set in. It was nearly dark the next afternoon and very cold
when he came back. He sent Lisa upstairs for Desiree.

"First," he said, "there is a question for the patron. Will he quit
Dantzig?--that is the question."

"No," answered Desiree.

"Rapp is coming," said Barlasch, emphasizing each point with one finger
against the side of his nose. "He will hold Dantzig. There will be a
siege. Let the patron make no mistake. It will not be like the last one.
Rapp was outside then; he will be inside this time. He will hold Dantzig
till the bottom falls out of the world."

"My father will not leave," said Desiree. "He has said so. He knows that
Rapp is coming, with the Russians behind him."