the Germans would cross
the frontier. Isn't it _like_ him? And how silly of us not to guess, the
minute we heard the name of 'Mars!'"

"It never entered my head, though I've heard it a dozen times before
this last feat," said Tony. "People were talking about other stunts Mars
had done. But I supposed he was some French Johnny. Are you sure you're
right? Sure it's March, I mean? It does seem a little too strange to be
true, that he should turn up--or rather come down--here, of all places!"

"'Too strange _not_ to be true,'" I quoted. "Strange things are the only
things that happen in war, for a man like him--a man without a country.
We might have known he would come to the rescue of Belgium! And I am
sure I'm right, because I've seen him."

"Great Scott!" was all that Tony had to say for a minute. Then he went
on in a changed and heavy tone: "I suppose you're nursing him?"

"No such luck!" I answered. "I'm not experienced enough. But I'm
debating whether I might ask to see him, when he gets better, on the
strength of old friendship. I don't think he'd mind my claiming
acquaintance with 'Monsieur Mars.'"

"Mind? I guess not!" said Tony. "But how soon will he be better?"

"He'll be nearly well, they hope, in a few days."

"He'll have to be, by George, if he wants to get out of town with his
monoplane before the Germans walk in. The Belgians are the heroes of
Europe, but there aren't enough of 'em to hold out forever, and that's
why you _must_ go with us, Peggy, March or no March. He'd be the first
one to tell you to clear out, if he had his wits about him."

"I dare say he would, but he hasn't got them yet," I replied calmly.
"You don't really _expect_ me to leave him, do you, Tony, after--after
all I've confessed to you?"

"I expect you to see reason," Tony lamely persisted. "There's just one
thing to do, and that is to scoot while there's a chance. If I were
alone without the mater and Milly, I'd say let's hang on for a day or
two longer and run the risk--though running it might make me overstay my
leave. That would be nothing, though. I wouldn't think of myself in any
way. But I can't let my mother and sister go without me to look after
them as well as I'm able. I can't ask them to stop, and they wouldn't if
I did, for they're wild to get away. Yet how can I let you stay here
alone? March would be furious with you, if he came back to himself and
found you hanging on."

I laughed. "He couldn't kill me!"

"Th