Forthefirsttimetheyoungmanpermittedhimselftosmile。
"Othersarrivesoon，"hesaid。
Hetouchedhisshako，wheeledhishorseinthedirectionfromwhichhehadcome，andaminutelaterMarieheardthehoofsechoingthroughtheemptyvillage。
Whentheycame，theothersweremoresympathetic。Evenintimesofwarabeautifulwomanisstillabeautifulwoman。AndthestaffofficerswhomovedintothequarterssolatelyoccupiedbytheenemyfoundinthepresenceoftheCountessd'Aurillacnothingtodistressthem。Intheabsenceofherdearfriend，MadameIverney，thechatelaineofthechateau，sheactedastheirhostess。Herchauffeurshowedthecompanycooksthewaytothekitchen，thelarder，andthecharcoal-box。She，herself，inthehandsofGeneralAndreplacedthekeysofthefamouswine-cellar，andtothesurgeon，thatthewoundedmightbefreshlybandaged，intrustedthoseofthelinen-closet。Aftertheindignitiesshehadsufferedwhile"detained"bylesBoches，herdelightandreliefatagainfindingherselfundertheprotectionofherownpeoplewouldhavetouchedaheartofstone。Andtheheartsofthestaffwerenotofstone。Itwaswithregrettheygavethecountesspermissiontocontinueonherway。Atthissheexclaimedwithgratitude。Sheassuredthem，wereherauntabletotravel，shewouldimmediatelydepart。
"InParisshewillbemorecomfortablethanhere，"saidthekindsurgeon。Hewasareservist，andintimesofpeaceafashionablephysicianandasmuchathiseaseinaboudoirasinafieldhospital。"PerhapsifIsawMadamBenet？"
Atthesuggestionthecountesswasoverjoyed。ButtheyfoundMadameBenetinastateofcompletecollapse。TheconductoftheGermanshadbroughtaboutanervousbreakdown。
"ThoughthebridgesaredestroyedatMeaux，"urgedthesurgeon，"evenwithadetour，youcanbeinParisinfourhours。Ithinkitisworththeeffort。"
ButthemerethoughtofthejourneythrewMadameBenetintohysterics。Sheaskedonlytorest，shebeggedforanopiatetomakehersleep。Shebeggedalsothattheywouldleavethedooropen，sothatwhenshedreamedshewasstillinthehandsoftheGermans，andwokeinterror，thesoundofthedearFrenchvoicesandthesightofthebelovedFrenchuniformsmightreassureher。
Sheplayedherpartwell。ConcerningherMariefeltnottheleastanxiety。ButtowardBriand，thechauffeur，thenewarrivalswerelesseasilysatisfied。
Thegeneralsenthisadjutantforthecountess。WhentheadjutanthadclosedthedoorGeneralAndrebeganabruptly：
"ThechauffeurBriand，"heasked，"youknowhim；youcanvouchforhim？"
"But，certainly！"protestedMarie。"HeisanItalian。"
Asthoughwithsuddenenlightenment，Marielaughed。Itwasasifnowinthesuspicionoftheofficershesawacertainreasonableness。"BriandwassolongintheForeignLegioninAlgiers，"sheexplained，"wheremyhusbandfoundhim，thatwehavecometothinkofhimasFrench。AsmuchFrenchasourselves，Iassureyou。"
Thegeneralandhisadjutantwereregardingeachotherquestioningly。
"PerhapsIshouldtellthecountess，"beganthegeneral，"thatwehavelearned——"
Thesignalfromtheadjutantwassoslight，soswift，thatMariebarelyinterceptedit。
Thelipsofthegeneralshuttogetherliketheleavesofabook。
Toshowtheinterviewwasatanend，hereachedforapen。
"Ithankyou，"hesaid。
"Ofcourse，"promptedtheadjutant，"Madamed'Aurillacunderstandsthemanmustnotknowweinquiredconcerninghim。"
GeneralAndrefrownedatMarie。
"Certainlynot！"hecommanded。"Thehonestfellowmustnotknowthatevenforamomenthewasdoubted。"
Marieraisedthevioleteyesreprovingly。
"Itrust，"shesaidwithreproach，"ItoowellunderstandthefeelingsofaFrenchsoldiertolethimknowhisloyaltyisquestioned。"
WithamurmurofappreciationtheofficersbowedandwithagestureofgraciouspardonMarieleftthem。
Outsideinthehall，withnonebutorderliestoobserve，likeacloakthegraciousnessfellfromher。Shewasdrawntwoways。InherworkAnfossiwasvaluable。ButAnfossisuspectedwaslessthanofnovalue；hebecameamenace，adeath-warrant。
GeneralAndrehadsaid，"Wehavelearned——"andtheadjutanthadhaltedhim。Whathadhelearned？Toknowthat，Mariewouldhavegivenmuch。Still，oneimportantfactcomfortedher。
Anfossialonewassuspected。Hadtherebeenconcerningherselftheslightestdoubt，theycertainlywouldnothaveallowedhertoguesshercompanionwasundersurveillance；theywouldnothaveaskedonewhowasherselfsuspectedtovouchfortheinnocenceofafellowconspirator。Mariefoundthecoursetofollowdifficult。
WithAnfossiundersuspicionhisusefulnesswasforthemomentatanend；andtoacceptthechanceofferedhertocontinueontoParisseemedmostwise。Ontheotherhand，if，concerningAnfossi，shehadsucceededinallayingtheirdoubts，theresultsmosttobedesiredcouldbeattainedonlybyremainingwheretheywere。
Theirpositioninsidethelineswasofthegreateststrategicvalue。Theroomsoftheservantswereundertheroof，andthatBriandshouldsleepinoneofthemwasnatural。Thattoreachorleavehisroomheshouldconstantlybeascendingordescendingthestairsalsowasnatural。Thefield-wirelessoutfit，or，ashehaddisdainfullydescribedit，the"knapsack"wireless，wassituatednotinthebedroomhehadselectedforhimself，butinoneadjoining。AtothertimesthiswasoccupiedbythemaidofMadameIverney。TosummonhermaidMadameIverney，fromherapartmentonthesecondfloor，hadbuttopressabutton。AnditwasintheapartmentofMadameIverney，andonthebedofthatlady，thatMadameBenetnowreclined。Whenthroughtheopendoorshesawanofficerorsoldiermountthestairs，shepressedthebuttonthatrangabellintheroomofthemaid。Inthisway，longbeforewhoeverwasascendingthestairscouldreachthetopfloor，warningofhisapproachcametoAnfossi。Itgavehimtimetoreplacethedustboardoverthefireplaceinwhichthewirelesswasconcealedandtoescapeintohisownbedroom。Thearrangementwasideal。AndalreadyinformationpickedupinthehallsbelowbyMariehadbeenconveyedtoAnfossitorelayinaFrenchciphertotheGermanGeneralStaffatRheims。
Mariemadeanalertandcharminghostess。Toallwhosawheritwasevidentthathermindwasintentonlyuponthecomfortofherguests。Throughoutthedaymanycameandwent，buteachshemadewelcome；toeachashedepartedshecalled"bonnechance。"
Efficient，tireless，tactful，shewaseverywhere：inthedining-room，inthekitchen，inthebedrooms，forthewoundedfindingmattressestospreadinthegorgeoussalonsoftheChampagneprince；forthesoldier-chauffeurscarryingwineintothecourtyard，wheretheautomobilespantedandgrowled，andthearrivinganddepartingshriekedforrightofway。Atalltimesanalluringperson，nowtheonewomaninatumultofmen，hersmartfrockcoveredbyanapron，herheadandarmsbare，undismayedbythesightofthewoundedorbythedistantrumbleoftheguns，theCountessd'Aurillacwasaninspiringandbeautifulpicture。
Theeyesoftheofficers，youngandold，informedherofthatfact，oneofwhichalreadyshewaswellaware。Bythemorningofthenextdayshewasacceptedastheownerofthechateau。
Andthoughcontinuallysheremindedthestaffshewaspresentonlyasthefriendofherschoolmate，MadameIverney，theydeferredtoherastoahostess。Manyofthemshealreadysalutedbyname，andtothosewhowithmessageswereconstantlymotoringtoandfromthefrontatSoissonsshewasparticularlykind。Overnightthelegendofhercharm，ofherdevotiontothesoldiersofallranks，hadspreadfromSoissonstoMeaux，andfromMeauxtoParis。ItwasnoonofthatdaywhenfromthewindowofthesecondstoryMariesawanarmoredautomobilesweepintothecourtyard。Itwasdrivenbyanofficer，youngandappallinglygood-looking，and，aswasobviousbythewayhespunhiscar，onewhoheldincontemptboththelawofgravityanddeath。Thathewassomeoneofimportanceseemedevident。Beforehecouldalighttheadjutanthadracedtomeethim。WithhereyefordetailMarieobservedthattheyoungofficer，insteadofimpartinginformation，receivedit。Hemust，sheguessed，havejustarrivedfromParis，andhisbrotherofficereitherwastellinghimthenewsorgivinghimhisorders。Whicheveritmightbe，inwhatwastoldhimthenewarrivalwasgreatlyinterested。Oneinstantinindignationhisgauntletedfistbeatuponthesteering-wheel，thenexthesmiledwithpleasure。Tointerpretthispantomimewasdifficult；and，thebettertoinformherself，Mariedescendedthestairs。
Asshereachedthelowerhallthetwoofficersentered。Tothespythemanlasttoarrivewasalwaystheoneofgreatestimportance；andMarieassuredherselfthatthroughherfriend，theadjutant，tomeetwiththisonewouldproveeasy。
Butthechauffeur-commanderofthearmoredcarmadeitmostdifficult。AtsightofMarie，muchtoheralarm，asthoughgreetingadearfriend，hesnatchedhiskepifromhisheadandsprangtowardher。
"Themajor，"hecried，"toldmeyouwerehere，thatyouareMadamed'Aurillac。"Hiseyesspokehisadmiration。Indelighthebeameduponher。"Imighthaveknownit！"hemurmured。Withtheconfidenceofonewhoissurehebringsgoodnews，helaughedhappily。"AndI，"hecried，"am'Pierrot'！"
Whothedevil"Pierrot"mightbethespycouldnotguess。SheknewonlythatshewishedbyaGermanshell"Pierrot"andhiscarhadbeenblowntotinyfragments。Wasitatrap，sheaskedherself，orwasthehandsomeyouthreallysomeonetheCountessd'Aurillacshouldknow。But，asfromhisintroducinghimselfitwasevidenthecouldnotknowthatladyverywell，Marietookcourageandsmiled。
"Which'Pierrot'？"sheparried。
"PierreThierry！"criedtheyouth。
TothereliefofMarieheturnedupontheadjutantandtohimexplainedwhoPierreThierrymightbe。
"Pauld'Aurillac，"hesaid，"ismydearestfriend。WhenhemarriedthischarmingladyIwasstationedinAlgiers，andbutforthewarImightneverhavemether。"
ToMarie，withhishandonhisheartinamostcharmingmanner，hebowed。Hisadmirationhemadenoefforttoconceal。
"Andso，"hesaid，"Iknowwhythereiswar！"
Theadjutantsmiledindulgently，anddepartedonhisduties，leavingthemalone。ThehandsomeeyesofCaptainThierrywereraisedtothevioleteyesofMarie。Theyappraisedherboldlyandasboldlyexpressedtheirapproval。
Inburlesquetheyoungmanexclaimedindignantly："Pauldeceivedme！"hecried。"HetoldmehehadmarriedthemostbeautifulwomaninLaon。HehasmarriedthemostbeautifulwomaninFrance！"
ToMariethiswasnotimpertinence，butgallantry。
Thiswasalanguagesheunderstood，andthiswasthetypeofman，becausehewastheleastdifficulttomanage，sheheldmostincontempt。
"ButaboutyouPauldidnotdeceiveme，"sheretorted。Inapparentconfusionhereyesrefusedtomeethis。"Hetoldme'Pierrot'wasamostdangerousman！"
Shecontinuedhurriedly。WithwifelysolicitudesheaskedconcerningPaul。Sheexplainedthatforaweekshehadbeenaprisonerinthechateau，and，sincethemobilization，ofherhusbandsavethathewaswithhisregimentinParisshehadheardnothing。CaptainThierrywasabletogiveherlaternews。Onlythedayprevious，ontheboulevards，hehadmetCountd'Aurillac。
HewasattheGrandHotel，andasThierrywasatoncemotoringbacktoParishewouldgivePaulnewsoftheirmeeting。HehopedhemighttellhimthatsoonhiswifealsowouldbeinParis。Marieexplainedthatonlytheillnessofherauntpreventedherfromthatsamedayjoiningherhusband。Hermannerbecameserious。
"Andwhatothernewshaveyou？"sheasked。"Hereonthefiring-lineweknowlessofwhatisgoingforwardthanyouinParis。"
SoPierreThierrytoldherallheknew。TheywerepreparingdespatcheshewasatoncetocarrybacktotheGeneralStaff，and，forthemoment，histimewashisown。HowcouldhebetteremployitthanintalkingofthewarwithapatrioticandcharmingFrenchwoman？
InconsequenceMarieacquiredamassoffacts，gossip，andguesses。Fromtheseshementallyselectedsuchinformationas，toheremployersacrosstheAisne，wouldbeofvitalinterest。
AndtoridherselfofThierryandonthefourthfloorseekAnfossiwasnowheronlywish。But，inattemptingthis，bythereturnoftheadjutantshewasdelayed。ToThierrytheadjutantgaveasealedenvelope。
"Thirty-one，BoulevarddesInvalides，"hesaid。WithasmileheturnedtoMarie。"Andyouwillaccompanyhim！"
"I！"exclaimedMarie。Shewassickwithsuddenterror。
Butthetolerantsmileoftheadjutantreassuredher。
"Thecount，yourhusband，"heexplained，"haslearnedofyourdetentionherebytheenemy，andhehasbesiegedtheGeneralStafftohaveyouconvoyedsafelytoParis。"Theadjutantglancedatafieldtelegramheheldopeninhishand。"Heasks，"hecontinued，"thatyoubepermittedtoreturninthecarofhisfriend，CaptainThierry，andthatonarrivingyoujoinhimattheGrandHotel。"
Thierryexclaimedwithdelight。
"Buthowcharming！"hecried。"To-nightyoumustbothdinewithmeatLaRue's。"Hesalutedhissuperiorofficer。"Somepetrol，sir，"hesaid。"AndIamready。"ToMarieheadded："Thecarwillbeatthestepsinfiveminutes。"Heturnedandleftthem。
ThethoughtsofMarie，snatchingatanexcusefordelay，racedmadly。ThedangerofmeetingtheCountd'Aurillac，hersupposedhusband，didnotalarmher。TheGrandHotelhasmanyexits，and，evenbeforetheyreachedit，forleavingthecarshecouldinventanexcusethatthegallantThierrywouldnotsuspect。Butwhatnowconcernedherwashow，beforeshewaswhiskedawaytoParis，shecouldconveytoAnfossitheinformationshehadgatheredfromThierry。First，ofawomanovercomewithdelightatbeingreunitedwithherhusbandshegaveanexcellentimitation；thensheexclaimedindistress："Butmyaunt，MadameBenet！"shecried。"Icannotleaveher！"
"TheSistersofSt。Francis，"saidtheadjutant，"arrivewithinanhourtonursethewounded。Theywillcarealsoforyouraunt。"
Marieconcealedherchagrin。"ThenIwillatoncepreparetogo，"
shesaid。
Theadjutanthandedheraslipofpaper。"Yourlaissez-passertoParis，"hesaid。"Youleaveinfiveminutes，madame！"
AstemporaryhostessofthechateauMariewasfreetovisitanypartofit，andasshepassedherdoorasignalfromMadameBenettoldherthatAnfossiwasonthefourthfloor，thathewasatwork，andthatthecoastwasclear。Softly，inthefeltslippersshealwayswore，assheexplained，inordernottodisturbthewounded，shemountedthestaircase。Inherhandshecarriedthehousekeeper'skeys，andasanexcuseitwasherplantoreturnwithanarmfuloflinenforthearrivingSisters。ButMarieneverreachedthetopofthestairs。Whenhereyesrosetothelevelofthefourthfloorshecametoasuddenhalt。Atwhatshesawterrorgrippedher，boundherhandandfoot，andturnedherbloodtoice。
AtherpostforaninstantMadameBenethadslept，andanofficerofthestaff，ledbycuriosity，chance，orsuspicion，had，unobservedandunannounced，mountedtothefourthfloor。WhenMariesawhimhewasinfrontoftheroomthatheldthewireless。Hisbackwastowardher，butshesawthathewasholdingthedoortotheroomajar，thathiseyewaspressedtotheopening，andthatthroughithehadpushedthemuzzleofhisautomatic。WhatwouldbethefateofAnfossiMarieknew。Nordidsheforaninstantconsiderit。Herthoughtswereofherownsafety；thatshemightlive。
NotthatshemightstillservetheWilhelmstrasse，theKaiser，ortheFatherland；butthatshemightlive。InamomentAnfossiwouldbedenounced，thechateauwouldringwiththealarm，and，thoughsheknewAnfossiwouldnotbetrayher，byothersshemightbeaccused。Toavertsuspicionfromherselfshesawonlyonewayopen。ShemustbethefirsttodenounceAnfossi。
Likeadeer，sheleapeddownthemarblestairsand，inapanicshehadnoneedtoassume，burstintothepresenceofthestaff。
"Gentlemen！"shegasped，"myservant——thechauffeur——Briandisaspy！ThereisaGermanwirelessinthechateau。Heisusingit！
Ihaveseenhim。"Withexclamations，theofficersrosetotheirfeet。GeneralAndrealoneremainedseated。GeneralAndrewasaveteranofmanyColonialwars：Cochin-China，Algiers，Morocco。
Thegreatwar，whenitcame，foundhimondutyintheIntelligenceDepartment。Hisaquilinenose，bristlingwhiteeyebrows，andflashing，restlesseyesgavehimhisnicknameofl'Aigle。
Inamazement，theflashingeyeswerenowturneduponMarie。Heglaredatherasthoughhethoughtshesuddenlyhadflownmad。
"AGermanwireless！"heprotested。"Itisimpossible！"
"Iwasonthefourthfloor，"pantedMarie，"collectinglinenfortheSisters。Intheroomnexttothelinen-closetIheardastrangebuzzingsound。Iopenedthedoorsoftly。IsawBriandwithhisbacktomeseatedbyaninstrument。Therewerereceiversclampedtohisears！MyGod！Thedisgrace！Thedisgracetomyhusbandandtome，whovouchedforhimtoyou！"Apparentlyinanagonyofremorse，thefingersofthewomanlacedandinterlaced。"Icannotforgivemyself！"
Theofficersmovedtowardthedoor，butGeneralAndrehaltedthem。Stillinatoneofincredulity，hedemanded："Whendidyouseethis？"
Marieknewthequestionwascoming，knewshemustexplainhowshesawBriand，andyetdidnotseethestaffofficerwho，withhisprisoner，mightnowatanyinstantappear。Shemustmakeitplainshehaddiscoveredthespyandlefttheupperpartofthehousebeforetheofficerhadvisitedit。Whenthatwasshecouldnotknow，butthechancewasthathehadprecededherbyonlyafewminutes。
"Whendidyouseethis？"repeatedthegeneral。
"Butjustnow，"criedMarie；"nottenminutessince。"
"Whydidyounotcometomeatonce？"
"Iwasafraid，"repliedMarie。"IfImovedIwasafraidhemighthearme，andhe，knowingIwouldexposehim，wouldkillme-andsoescapeyou！"Therewasaneagerwhisperofapproval。Forsilence，GeneralAndreslappedhishanduponthetable。
"Then，"continuedMarie，"Iunderstoodwiththereceiversonhisearshecouldnothaveheardmeopenthedoor，norcouldhehearmeleave，andIrantomyaunt。Thethoughtthatwehadharboredsuchananimalsickenedme，andIwasweakenoughtofeelfaint。
Butonlyforaninstant。ThenIcamehere。"Shemovedswiftlytothedoor。"Letmeshowyoutheroom，"shebegged；"youcantakehimintheact。"Hereyes，wildwiththeexcitementofthechase，sweptthecircle。"Willyoucome？"shebegged。
Unconsciousofthecrisisheinterrupted，theorderlyondutyopenedthedoor。
"CaptainThierry'scompliments，"herecitedmechanically，"andishetodelaylongerforMadamed'Aurillac？"
WithasharpgestureGeneralAndrewavedMarietowardthedoor。
Withoutrising，heinclinedhishead。"Adieu，madame，"hesaid。
"Weactatonceuponyourinformation。Ithankyou！"
Asshecrossedfromthehalltotheterrace，theearsofthespywereassaultedbyasuddentumultofvoices。Theywereraisedinthreatsandcurses。Lookingback，shesawAnfossidescendingthestairs。
Hishandswereheldabovehishead；behindhim，withhisautomatic，thestaffofficershehadsurprisedonthefourthfloorwasdrivinghimforward。Abovetheclinchedfistsofthesoldiersthatrantomeethim，theeyesofAnfossiwereturnedtowardher。Hisfacewasexpressionless。
Hiseyesneitheraccusednorreproached。Andwiththejoyofonewhohaslookeduponandthenescapedtheguillotine，Marierandownthestepstothewaitingautomobile。WithaprettycryofpleasuresheleapedintotheseatbesideThierry。Gaylyshethrewoutherarms。"ToParis！"
shecommanded。ThehandsomeeyesofThierry，eloquentwithadmiration，lookedbackintohers。Hestooped，threwintheclutch，andthegreatgraycar，withthemachinegunanditscrewofprivatesguardingtherear，plungedthroughthepark。
"ToParis！"echoedThierry。
IntheorderinwhichMariehadlastseenthem，AnfossiandthestaffofficerenteredtheroomofGeneralAndre，anduponthesoldiersinthehallthedoorwasshut。Thefaceofthestaffofficerwasgrave，buthisvoicecouldnotconcealhiselation。
"Mygeneral，"hereported，"Ifoundthismanintheactofgivinginformationtotheenemy。Thereisawireless-"
GeneralAndreroseslowly。Helookedneitherattheofficernorathisprisoner。Withfrowningeyeshestareddownatthemapsuponhistable。
"Iknow，"heinterrupted。"Someonehasalreadytoldme。"Hepaused，andthen，asthoughrecallinghismanners，butstillwithoutraisinghiseyes，headded："Youhavedonewell，sir。"
Insilencetheofficersofthestaffstoodmotionless。Withsurprisetheynotedthat，asyet，neitherinangernorcuriosityhadGeneralAndreglancedattheprisoner。Butofthepresenceofthegeneralthespywasmostacutelyconscious。Hestooderect，hisarmsstillraised，buthisbodystrainedforward，andontheavertedeyesofthegeneralhisownwerefixed。
Inanagonyofsupplicationtheyaskedaquestion。
Atlast，asthoughagainsthiswish，towardthespythegeneralturnedhishead，andtheireyesmet。AndstillGeneralAndrewassilent。Thenthearmsofthespy，likethoseofarunnerwhohasfinishedhisraceandbreaststhetapeexhausted，felltohissides。
Inavoicelowandvibranthespokehisquestion。
"Ithasbeensolong，sir，"hepleaded。"MayInotcomehome？"
GeneralAndreturnedtotheastonishedgroupsurroundinghim。Hisvoicewashushedlikethatofonewhospeaksacrossanopengrave。
"Gentlemen，"hebegan，"mychildren，"headded。"AGermanspy，awoman，involvedinascandalyourbrotherinarms，HenriRavignac。
Hishonor，hethought，wasconcerned，andwithouthonorherefusedtolive。ToprovehimguiltlesshisyoungerbrotherCharlesaskedleavetoseekoutthewomanwhohadbetrayedHenri，andbyuswasdetailedonsecretservice。Hegaveuphome，family，friends。Helivedinexile，inpoverty，atalltimesindangerofaswiftandignobledeath。
IntheWarOfficeweknowhimasonewhohasgiventohiscountryservicesshecannothopetoreward。Forshecannotreturntohimtheyearshehaslost。Shecannotreturntohimhisbrother。ButshecanandwillclearthenameofHenriRavignac，anduponhisbrotherCharlesbestowpromotionandhonors。"
Thegeneralturnedandembracedthespy。"Mychildren，"hesaid，"welcomeyourbrother。Hehascomehome。"
Beforethecarhadreachedthefortifications，MarieGesslerhadarrangedherplanofescape。Shehaddepartedfromthechateauwithoutevenahand-bag，andshewouldsaythatbeforetheshopsclosedshemustmakepurchases。
LePrintempslayintheirway，andsheaskedthat，whentheyreachedit，foramomentshemightalight。CaptainThierryreadilygavepermission。
Fromthedepartmentstoreitwouldbemosteasytodisappear，andinanticipationMariesmiledcovertly。NorwasthepictureofCaptainThierryimpatientlywaitingoutsideunamusing。
ButbeforeLePrintempswasapproached，thecarturnedsharplydownanarrowstreet。Ononeside，alongitsentirelength，ranahighgraywall，grimandforbidding。Initwasagreengatestuddedwithironbolts。Beforethistheautomobiledrewsuddenlytoahalt。
Thecrewofthearmoredcartumbledofftherearseat，andoneofthembeatuponthegreengate。Mariefeltahandoficeclutchatherthroat。Butshecontrolledherself。
"Andwhatisthis？"shecriedgayly。
AthersideCaptainThierrywassmilingdownather，buthissmilewashateful。
"ItistheprisonofSt。Lazare，"hesaid。"Itisnotbecoming，"
headdedsternly，"thatthenameoftheCountessd'AurillacshouldbemadecommonastheParisroad！"
Fightingforherlife，Mariethrustherselfagainsthim；herarmthatthroughoutthejourneyhadrestedonthebackofthedriving-seatcaressedhisshoulders；herlipsandthevioleteyeswereclosetohis。
"Whyshouldyoucare？"shewhisperedfiercely。"Youhaveme！LettheCountd'Aurillaclookafterthehonorofhiswifehimself。"
ThecharmingThierrylaughedathermockingly。
"Hemeansto，"hesaid。"IamtheCountd'Aurillac！"
THEDESERTER
InSalonika，theAmericanconsul，theStandardOilman，andthewarcorrespondentsformedtheAmericancolony。Thecorrespondentswerewaitingtogotothefront。Incidentally，aswewaited，thefrontwascomingrapidlytowardus。Therewas"Uncle"Jim，theveteranofmanywars，andofallthecorrespondents，inexperiencetheoldestandinspirittheyoungest，andtherewastheKid，andtheArtist。TheKidjeeredatus，andproudlydescribedhimselfastheonlyBoyReporterwhojumpedfromaCityHallassignmenttocoveraEuropeanWar。"Idon'tknowstrategy，"hewouldboast；"neitherdoestheManatHome。Hewants'humaninterest'stuff，andIgivehimwhathewants。Iwriteexclusivelyforthesubwayguardandthefarmersinthewheatbelt。Whenyoufellowswriteaboutthe'Situation，'theydon'tunderstandit。Neitherdoyou。NeitherdoesVenizelosortheKing。Idon'tunderstanditmyself。So，Iwritemypeopleheart-to-hearttalksaboutrefugeesandwounded，andwhatkindofploughstheServianpeasantsuse，andthatSt。PaulwrotehisletterstotheThessaloniansfromthesamehotelwhereIwritemine；andItell'emtopronounceSalonika'eeka，'andnotputtheaccentonthe'on。'ThismorningattherefugeecampIfoundallthelittleServiansoftheFrothinghamunitinAmericanBoyScoutuniforms。That'smymeat。That's'homeweek'stuff。Youfellowswritefortheeditorialpage；andnobodyreadsit。IwriteforthemanthatturnsfirsttoMuttandJeff，andthenlookstoseewheretheyarerunningthenewCharlieChaplinrelease。Whenthatmanhastochoosebetween'ourmilitarycorrespondent'andtheCityHallReporter，hechoosesme！"
ThethirdmanwasJohn，"OurSpecialArtist。"Johncouldwriteanewsstory，too，butitwasthecartoonsthathadmadehimfamous。Theywerenotcomicpage，butfrontpagecartoons，andbeforemakinguptheirmindswhattheythought，peoplewaitedtoseewhattheirArtistthought。So，itwasfortunatehisthoughtswereasbraveandcleanastheywereclever。HewastheoriginalLittleBrothertothePoor。Hewasalwaysgivingawaymoney。
Whenwecaughthim，hewouldprevaricate。Hewouldsaythemanwasacollegechum，thathehadborrowedthemoneyfromhim，andthatthiswasthefirstchancehehadhadtopayitback。TheKidsuggesteditwasstrangethatsomanyofhiscollegechumsshouldatthesamemomentturnup，deadbroke，inSalonika，andthathalfofthemshouldbewomen。
Johnsmileddisarmingly。"Itwasalargecollege，"heexplained，"andcoeducational。"TherewereotherAmericans；RedCrossdoctorsandnursesjustescapedthroughthesnowfromtheBulgars，andhyphenatedAmericanswhosaidtheyhadtakenouttheirfirstpapers。Theythoughthyphenatedcitizensweresopopularwithus，thatwewouldpaytheirpassagetoNewYork。
InSalonikatheyweretransients。Theyhadnolocalstanding。Theyhadnolocallying-downplace，either，orplacetoeat，ortowash，althoughtheydidnotlookasthoughthatworriedthem，orplacetochangetheirclothes。Orclothestochange。Itwasbecausewehadclothestochange，andahotelbedroom，insteadofabenchinacafe，thatwewererankedasresidentsandfromtheGreekpolicehelda"permissiontosojourn。"OurAmericancolonywasaveryclosecorporation。WewereonlysixAmericansagainst300，000
British，French，Greek，andServiansoldiers，and120，000civilianTurks，SpanishJews，Armenians，Persians，Egyptians，Albanians，andArabs，andsometwentymoreotherracesthatarenotlisted。
WehadarrivedinSalonikabeforetherush，andattheHotelHermesonthewater-fronthadsecuredavastroom。Theedgeofthestonequaywasnotfortyfeetfromus，theonlylandingstepsdirectlyoppositeourbalcony。EverybodywhoarrivedontheGreekpassengerboatsfromNaplesorthePiraeus，orwhohadshoreleavefromaman-of-war，transport，orhospitalship，wasrakedbyourcameras。Therewerefourwindows——oneforeachofusandhisworktable。Itwasnoteasytowork。Whatwastheuse？
Thepicturesandstoriesoutsidethewindowsfascinatedus，butwhenwesketchedthemorwroteaboutthem，theyonlyprovedusinadequate。Alldaylongthepinnaces，cutters，gigs，steamlaunchesshovedandbumpedagainstthestonesteps，marinescameashoreforthemail，stewardsforfruitandfish，RedCrossnursestoshop，tinymidshipmentovisitthemovies，andthesailorsandofficersoftheRussian，French，British，Italian，andGreekwar-shipstostretchtheirlegsintheparkoftheTourBlanche，ortocrampthemunderacafetable。Sometimestheambulancesblockedthequayandthewoundedandfrost-bittenwereliftedintothemotor-boats，andsometimesasquadofmarineslinedthelandingstage，andasacoffinunderaFrenchorEnglishflagwasborneupthestonestepsstoodatsalute。Socrowdedwastheharborthattheoarsoftheboatmeninterlocked。
Closetothestonequay，stretchedalongthethree-milecircle，werethefishingsmacks，beyondthem，sonearthattheanchorchainsfouled，werethepassengershipswithgiganticGreekflagspaintedontheirsides，andbeyondthemtransportsfromMarseilles，Malta，andSuvlaBay，blackcolliers，whitehospitalships，burninggreenelectriclights，red-belliedtrampsandfreighters，and，hemmingthemin，thegrim，mouse-coloreddestroyers，submarines，cruisers，dreadnaughts。Attimes，likeawall，thecoldfogrosebetweenusandtheharbor，andagainthecurtainwouldsuddenlyberippedasunder，andthesunwouldflashonthebrassworkofthefleet，onthewhitewingsoftheaeroplanes，onthesnow-drapedshouldersofMountOlympus。Weoftenspeculatedastohowintheearlydaysthegodsandgoddesses，dressedastheywere，orastheywerenot，survivedthesnowsofMountOlympus。Orwasitonlytheirresortforthesummer？
Itgotaboutthatwehadavastroomtoourselves，whereonemightobtainadrink，orasofaforthenight，orevenmoneytocableformoney。So，wehadmanystrangevisitors，somehalfstarved，halffrozen，withterribletalesoftheAlbaniantrail，oftheAustrianprisonersfallenbythewayside，ofthemountainpassesheapedwithdead，ofthedoctorsandnurseswadingwaist-highinsnow-driftsandforfoodkillingtheponies。SomeofourvisitorswantedtogettheirnamesintheAmericanpaperssothatthefolksathomewouldknowtheywerestillalive，otherswantedustokeeptheirnamesoutofthepapers，hopingthepolicewouldthinkthemdead；another，convinceditwasofpressingnewsvalue，desiredustoadvertisethefactthathehadinventedapoisonousgasforuseinthetrenches。Withdifficultywepreventedhimfromcastingitadriftinourroom。Or，hehadforsaleasecond-handmotor-cycle，orhewouldacceptapositionasbarkeeper，orforfivefrancswouldsellastatesecretthat，oncemadepublic，inamonthwouldendthewar。Itseemedcheapattheprice。
Eachofushadhis"scouts"tobringhimthebazaarrumor，theTurkishbathrumor，thecaferumor。SomeofourscoutsjourneyedasfarafieldasMonastirandDoiran，returningtodripsnowonthefloor，andtotellustales，one-halfofwhichwerefusedtobelieve，andtheotherhalfthecensorrefusedtopass。Witheachother'svisitorsitwasetiquettenottointerfere。Itwouldhavebeenliketappingaprivatewire。WhenwefoundJohnsketchingagiantstrangerinacapandcoatofwolfskinwedidnotseektoknowifhewereanAlbanianbrigand，oraServianprinceincognito，andwhenadarkLevantinesatclosetotheKid，whispering，andtheKidbangedonhistypewriter，wedidnotlisten。
So，whenIcameinoneafternoonandfoundastrangeAmericanyouthwritingatJohn'stable，andnooneintroducedus，ItookitforgrantedhehadsoldtheArtistan"exclusive"story，andaskednoquestions。ButIcouldnothelphearingwhattheysaid。
EventhoughItriedtodrowntheirvoicesbybeatingontheKid'stypewriter。Iwastakingmythirdlesson，andIhadprinted，"I
Amm5wwritjngThis，5wjthmyownlillyw？itehandS，"whenI
heardtheKidsaying：
"Youcanbeatthegamethisway。LetJohnbuyyouatickettothePiraeus。IfyougofromoneGreekporttoanotheryoudon'tneedavise。But，ifyoubookfromheretoItaly，youmustgetapermitfromtheItalianconsul，andourconsul，andthepolice。Theplotistogetoutofthewarzone，isn'tit？Well，then，mydopeistogetoutquick，andmaptherestofyourtripwhenyou'resafeinAthens。"
Itwasnobusinessofmine，butIhadtolookup。Thestrangerwasnowpacingthefloor。Inoticedthatwhilehisfacewasalmostblackwithtan，hisupperlipwasquitewhite。InoticedalsothathehadhishandsinthepocketsofoneofJohn'sbluesergesuits，andthatthepinksilkshirtheworewasonethatoncehadbelongedtotheKid。Exceptforthepinkshirt，intheappearanceoftheyoungmantherewasnothingunusual。Hewasofafamiliartype。HelookedlikeayoungbusinessmanfromourMiddleWest，matter-of-factandunimaginative，butcapableandself-reliant。Ifhehadhadafountainpeninhisupperwaistcoatpocket，Iwouldhaveguessedhewasaninsuranceagent，orthepublicitymanforanewautomobile。Johnpickeduphishat，andsaid，"That'sgoodadvice。Givemeyoursteamerticket，Fred，andI'llhavethemchangeit。"Hewentout；buthedidnotaskFredtogowithhim。
UncleJimrose，andmurmuredsomethingabouttheCafeRoma，andtea。ButneitherdidheinviteFredtogowithhim。Instead，hetoldhimtomakehimselfathome，andifhewantedanythingthewaiterwouldbringitfromthecafedownstairs。ThentheKid，asthoughhealsowasuncomfortableatbeingleftalonewithus，hurriedtothedoor。"Goingtogetyouasuit-case，"heexplained。
"Backinfiveminutes。"
Thestrangermadenoanswer。Probablyhedidnothearhim。NotahundredfeetfromourwindowsthreeGreeksteamerswerehuddledtogether，andtheeyesoftheAmericanwerefixedonthem。TheoneforwhichJohnhadgonetobuyhimanewticketlaynearest。
Shewastosailintwohours。Impatiently，inshortquicksteps，thestrangerpacedthelengthoftheroom，butwhenheturnedandsocouldseetheharbor，hewalkedslowly，devouringitwithhiseyes。Forsometime，insilence，herepeatedthismanoeuvre；andthenthecomplaintsofthetypewriterdisturbedhim。Hehaltedandobservedmystruggles。Underhisscornfuleye，inmyembarrassmentIfrequentlyhittherightletter。"Youanewspaperman，too？"heasked。IboastedIwas，butbeggednottobejudgedbymytypewriting。
"IgotsomegreatstoriestowritewhenIgetbacktoGod'scountry，"
heannounced。"IwasareporterfortwoyearsinKansasCitybeforethewar，andnowI'mgoingbacktolectureandwrite。Igotenoughmaterialtokeepmeatworkforfiveyears。Allkindsofstuff——
specials，fiction，stories，personalexperiences，maybeanovel。"
Iregardedhimwithenvy。Forthecorrespondentsinthegreatestofallwarsthepickingshadbeenmeagre。"Youaretobecongratulated，"Isaid。Hebrushedasidemycongratulations。"Forwhat？"hedemanded。"Ididn'tgoafterthestories；theycametome。ThethingsIsawIhadtosee。Couldn'tgetawayfromthem。I'vebeenwiththeBritish，servingintheR。A。M。C。Beenhospitalsteward，stretcherbearer，ambulancedriver。I'vebeensixteenmonthsatthefront，andallthetimeonthefiring-line。IwasintheretreatfromMons，withFrenchontheMarne，atYpres，allthroughthewinterfightingalongtheCanal，ontheGallipoliPeninsula，and，justlately，inServia。I'veseenmoreofthiswarthananysoldier。Because，sometimes，theygivethesoldierarest；theynevergivethemedicalcorpsarest。TheonlyrestI
gotwaswhenIwaswounded。"
Heseemednoworseforhiswounds，soagainItenderedcongratulations。Thistimeheacceptedthem。Therecollectionofthethingshehadseen，thingsincredible，terrible，uniqueinhumanexperience，hadstirredhim。Hetalkedon，notboastfully，butinatone，rather，ofaweanddisbelief，asthoughassuringhimselfthatitwasreallyhetowhomsuchthingshadhappened。
"Idon'tbelievethere'sanykindoffightingIhaven'tseen，"hedeclared；"hand-to-handfightingwithbayonets，grenades，gunbutts。I'veseen'emontheirkneesinthemudchokingeachother，beatingeachotherwiththeirbarefists。I'veseeneverykindofairship，bomb，shell，poisongas，everykindofwound。
Seenwholevillagesturnedintoabrickyardintwentyminutes；
inServiaseenbodiesofwomenfrozentodeath，bodiesofbabiesstarvedtodeath，seenmeninBelgiumswingingfromtrees；alongtheYzerforthreemonthsIsawthebodiesofmenI'dknownstickingoutofthemud，orhunguponthebarbwire，withthecrowspickingthem。
"I'veseensomeofthenervieststuntsthateverwerepulledoffinhistory。I'veseenrealheroes。TimeandtimeagainI'veseenamanthrowawayhislifeforhisofficer，orforachaphedidn'tknow，justasthoughitwasacigarettebutt。I'veseenthewomennursesofourcorpssteeracarintoavillageandyankoutawoundedmanwhileshellswerebreakingunderthewheelsandthehouseswerepitchingintothestreets。"Hestoppedandlaughedconsciously。
"Understand，"hewarnedme，"I'mnottalkingaboutmyself，onlyofthingsI'veseen。ThethingsI'mgoingtoputinmybook。Itoughttobeaprettygoodbook-what？"
Myenvyhadbeenwashedcleaninadmiration。
"Itwillmakeawonderfulbook，"Iagreed。"Areyougoingtosyndicateitfirst？"
YoungMr。Hamlinfrownedimportantly。
"Iwasthinking，"hesaid，"ofaskingJohnforletterstothemagazineeditors。So，they'llknowI'mnotfaking，thatI'vereallybeenthroughitall。LettersfromJohnwouldhelpalot。"Thenheaskedanxiously：
"Theywould，wouldn'tthey？"
Ireassuredhim。RememberingtheKid'sgibesatJohnandhisnumerousdependents，Isaid："YouanothercollegechumofJohn's？"
Theyoungmanansweredmyquestionquiteseriously。"No，"hesaid；
"JohngraduatedbeforeIentered；butwebelongtothesamefraternity。
Itwastheluckiestchanceintheworldmyfindinghimhere。Therewasamonth-oldcopyoftheBalkanNewsblowingaroundcamp，andhisnamewasinthelistofarrivals。ThemomentIfoundhewasinSalonika，Iaskedfortwelvehoursleave，andcamedowninanambulance。ImadestraightforJohn；gavehimthegrip，andputituptohimtohelpme。"
"Idon'tunderstand，"Isaid。"IthoughtyouweresailingontheAdriaticus？"
Theyoungmanwasagainpacingthefloor。Hehaltedandfacedtheharbor。
"YoubetI'msailingontheAdriaticus，"hesaid。Helookedoutatthatvessel，attheBluePeterflyingfromherforemast，andgrinned。
"Injusttwohours！"
Itwasstupidofme，butIstillwasunenlightened。"Butyourtwelvehours'leave？"Iasked。
Theyoungmanlaughed。"Theycantakemytwelvehours'leave，"
hesaiddeliberately，"andfeedittothechickens。I'mbeatingit。"
"Whatd'youmean，you'rebeatingit？"
"WhatdoyousupposeImean？"hedemanded。"WhatdoyousupposeI'mdoingoutofuniform，whatdoyousupposeI'mlyinglowintheroomfor？So'sIwon'tcatchcold？"
"Ifyou'releavingthearmywithoutadischarge，andwithoutpermission，"Isaid，"Isupposeyouknowit'sdesertion。"
Mr。Hamlinlaughedeasily。"It'snotmyarmy，"hesaid。"I'manAmerican。"
"It'syourdesertion，"Isuggested。
Thedooropenedandclosednoiselessly，andBilly，entering，placedanewtravellingbagonthefloor。Hemusthaveheardmylastwords，forhelookedinquiringlyateachofus。Buthedidnotspeakand，walkingtothewindow，stoodwithhishandsinhispockets，staringoutattheharbor。Hispresenceseemedtoencouragetheyoungman。"WhoknowsI'mdeserting？"hedemanded。"Noone'severseenmeinSalonikabefore，andinthese'cits'Icangetonboardallright。Andthentheycan'ttouchme。WhatdothefolksathomecarehowIlefttheBritisharmy？They'llbesodarnedgladtogetmebackalivethattheywon'taskifIwalkedoutorwaskickedout。Ishouldworry！"
"It'snoneofmybusiness，"Ibegan，butIwasinterrupted。Inhisrestlesspacingstheyoungmanturnedquickly。
"Asyousay，"heremarkedicily，"itisnoneofyourbusiness。
It'snoneofyourbusinesswhetherIgetshotasadeserter，orgohome，or——"
"YoucangotothedevilforallIcare，"Iassuredhim。"I
wasn'tconsideringyouatall。IwasonlysorrythatI'llneverbeabletoreadyourbook。"
ForamomentMr。Hamlinremainedsilent，thenheburstforthwithajeer。
"NoBritishfiringsquad，"heboasted，"willeverstandmeup。"
"Maybenot，"Iagreed，"butyouwillneverwritethatbook。"
Againtherewassilence，andthistimeitwasbrokenbytheKid。
HeturnedfromthewindowandlookedtowardHamlin。"That'sright！"hesaid。
Hesatdownontheedgeofthetable，andatthedeserterpointedhisforefinger。
"Son，"hesaid，"thiswarissomewar。It'sthebiggestwarinhistory，andfolkswillbetalkingaboutnothingelseforthenextninetyyears；folksthatneverwereneareritthanBayCity，Mich。
Butyouwon'ttalkaboutit。Andyou'vebeenallthroughit。
You'vebeentohellandbackagain。Comparedwithwhatyouknowabouthell，DanteisinthesameclasswithDr。Cook。Butyouwon'tbeabletotalkaboutthiswar，orlecture，orwriteabookaboutit。"
"Iwon't？"demandedHamlin。"Andwhywon'tI？"
"Becauseofwhatyou'redoingnow，"saidBilly。"Becauseyou'requeeringyourself。Now，you'vegoteverything。"TheKidwasverymuchinearnest。Histonewasintimate，kind，andfriendly。"You'veseeneverything，doneeverything。We'dgiveoureye-teethtoseewhatyou'veseen，andtowritethethingsyoucanwrite。You'vegotarecordnowthat'lllastyouuntilyou'redead，andyourgrandchildrenaredead-andthensome。Whenyoutalkthetablewillhavetositupandlisten。Youcansay'I
wasthere。''Iwasinit。''Isaw。''Iknow。'Whenthiswarisoveryou'llhaveeverythingoutofitthat'sworthgetting-alltheexperiences，alltheinsideknowledge，allthe'nosebag'
news；you'llhavewounds，honors，medals，money，reputation。
Andyou'rethrowingallthataway！"
Mr。Hamlininterruptedsavagely。
"Tohellwiththeirmedals，"hesaid。"Theycantaketheirmedalsandhang'emonChristmastrees。Idon'towetheBritisharmyanything。Itowesme。I'vedonemybit。I'veearnedwhatI'vegot，andthere'snoonecantakeitawayfromme。"
"Youcan，"saidtheKid。BeforeHamlincouldreplythedooropenedandJohncamein，followedbyUncleJim。Theoldermanwaslookingverygrave，andJohnveryunhappy。HamlinturnedquicklytoJohn。
"Ithoughtthesemenwerefriendsofyours，"hebegan，"andAmericans。They'refineAmericans。They'reasfullofhumankindnessandredbloodasakipperedherring！"
JohnlookedinquiringlyattheKid。
"Hewantstohanghimself，"explainedBilly，"andbecausewetriedtocuthimdown，he'ssore。"
"Theytalkedtome，"protestedHamlin，"asthoughIwasayellowdog。AsthoughIwasaquitter。I'mnoquitter！But，ifI'mreadytoquit，who'sgotabetterright？I'mnotanEnglishman，butthereareseveralmillionEnglishmenhaven'tdoneasmuchforEnglandinthiswasasIhave。Whatdoyoufellowsknowaboutit？Youwriteaboutit，aboutthe'braveladsinthetrenches'；butwhatdoyouknowaboutthetrenches？
Whatyou'veseenfromautomobiles。That'sall。That'swhereyougetoff！I'velivedinthetrenchesforfifteenmonths，frozein'em，starvedin'em，riskedmylifein'em，andI'vesavedotherlives，too，byhaulingmenoutofthetrenches。Andthat'snoairypersiflage，either！"
HerantothewardrobewhereJohn'sclotheshung，andfromthebottomofitdraggedakhakiuniform。Itwasstillsocakedwithmudandsnowthatwhenheflungitontheflooritsplashedlikeawetbathingsuit。"Howwouldyouliketowearoneofthose？"heDemanded。"Stinkingwithliceandsweatandblood；thebloodofothermen，themenyou'vehelpedoffthefield，andyourownblood。"
Asthoughcommittinghara-kiri，heslashedhishandacrosshisstomach，andthendrewitupfromhiswaisttohischin。"I'mscrapedwithshrapnelfromtheretothere，"saidMr。Hamlin。
"AndanothertimeIgotaballintheshoulder。Thatwouldhavebeena'blighty'forafightingman——they'realwaysgivingthemleave——butallIgotwassixweeksatHavreinhospital。ThenitwastheDardanelles，andsunstrokeandsand；sleepinginsand，eatingsand，sandinyourboots，sandinyourteeth；hidinginholesinthesandlikeadirtyprairiedog。Andthen，'OfftoServia！'Andthenextactopensinthesnowandthemud！
Cold？God，howcolditwas！Andmostofusinsunhelmets。"
Asthoughthecoldstillgnawedathisbones，heshivered。
"Itisn'tthedanger，"heprotested。"Itisn'tthatI'mgettingawayfrom。Tohellwiththedanger！It'sjusttheplaindiscomfortofit！It'stheneverbeingyourownmaster，neverbeingclean，neverbeingwarm。"Againheshiveredandrubbedonehandagainsttheother。"Therewerenobridgesoverthestreams，"hewenton，"andwehadtobreaktheiceandwadein，andthensleepintheopenwiththekhakifrozentous。Therewasnofirewood；notenoughtowarmapotoftea。
Therewerenowounded；allourcasualtieswerefrostbiteandPneumonia。Whenwetakethemoutoftheblanketstheirtoesfalloff。We'vebeenincampforamonthnownearDoiran，andit'sworsetherethanonthemarch。It'safrozenswamp。Youcan'tsleepforthecold；can'teat；theonlyrationwegetisbullybeef，andourinsidesarefrozensodamntightwecan'tdigestit。Thecoldgetsintoyourblood，getsintoyourbrains。Itwon'tletyouthink；orelse，youthinkcrazythings。Itmakesyouafraid。"Heshookhimselflikeamancomingoutofabaddream。
So，I'mthrough，"hesaid。Inturnhescowledateachofus，asthoughdefyingustocontradicthim。"That'swhyI'mquitting，"
headded。"BecauseI'vedonemybit。BecauseI'mdamnwellfeduponit。"Hekickedviciouslyatthewater-loggeduniformonthefloor。"Anyonewhowantsmyjobcanhaveit！"Hewalkedtothewindow，turnedhisbackonus，andfixedhiseyeshungrilyontheAdriaticus。Therewasalongpause。ForguidancewelookedatJohn，buthewasstaringdownatthedeskblotter，scratchingonitmarksthathedidnotsee。
Finally，whereangelsfearedtotread，theKidrushedin。"That'scertainlyahardluckstory，"hesaid；"but，"headdedcheerfully，"it'snothingtothehardluckyou'llstrikewhenyoucan'ttellwhyyouleftthearmy。"Hamlinturnedwithanexclamation，butBillyhelduphishand。"Nowwait，"hebegged，"wehaven'ttimetogetmussy。Atsixo'clockyourleaveisup，andthetrooptrainstartsbacktocamp，and——"
Mr。Hamlininterruptedsharply。"AndtheAdriaticusstartsatfive。"
Billydidnotheedhim。"You'vegottwohourstochangeyourmind，"hesaid。"That'sbetterthanbeingsorryyoudidn'ttherestofyourlife。"
Mr。Hamlinthrewbackhisheadandlaughed。Itwasamostunpleasantlaugh。"You'reafinebodyofmen，"hejeered。
"Americamustbeproudofyou！"
"Ifweweren'tAmericans，"explainedBillypatiently，"wewouldn'tgiveadamnwhetheryoudesertedornot。You'redrowningandyoudon'tknowit，andwe'rethrowingyouarope。Trytoseeitthatway。We'llcutoutthefactthatyoutookanoath，andthatyou'rebreakingit。That'suptoyou。
We'llgetdowntoresults。Whenyoureachhome，ifyoucan'ttellwhyyouleftthearmy，thefolkswilldarnedsoonguess。
Andthatwillqueereverythingyou'vedone。Whenyoucometosellyourstuff，itwillqueeryouwiththeeditors，queeryouwiththepublishers。IftheyknowyoubrokeyourwordtotheBritisharmy，howcantheyknowyou'rekeepingfaithwiththem？
Howcantheybelieveanythingyoutellthem？Every'story'youwrite，everystatementofyourswillmakeanoiselikeafake。
Youwon'tcomeintocourtwithcleanhands。You'llbelickedbeforeyoustart。
"Ofcourse，you'refortheAllies。Well，alltheGermansathomewillfearthat；andwhenyouwanttolectureonyour'FifteenMonthsattheBritishFront，'they'lllookupyourrecord；andwhatwilltheydotoyou？Thisiswhatthey'lldotoyou。Whenyou'veshown'emyourmovingpicturesandsay，'Doesanygentlemanintheaudiencewanttoaskaquestion？'aGermanagentwillgetupandsay，'Yes，Iwanttoaskaquestion。IsittruethatyoudesertedfromtheBritisharmy，andthatifyoureturntoit，theywillshootyou？'"
Iwasscared。IexpectedtheleanandmuscularMr。HamlintofallonBilly，andflinghimwherehehadflungthesoggyuniform。
Butinsteadheremainedmotionless，hisarmspressedacrosshischest。Hiseyes，filledwithangeranddistress，returnedtotheAdriaticus。
"I'msorry，"mutteredtheKid。
Johnroseandmotionedtothedoor，andguiltilyandonlytoogladlyweescaped。Johnfollowedusintothehall。"Letmetalktohim，"hewhispered。"Theboatsailsinanhour。Pleasedon'tcomebackuntilshe'sgone。"
Wewenttothemovingpicturepalacenextdoor，butIdoubtifthethoughtsofanyofuswereonthepictures。Forafteranhour，whenfromacrossthequaytherecamethelong-drawnwarningofasteamer'swhistle，wenudgedeachotherandroseandwentout。
NotahundredyardsfromusthepropellerbladesoftheAdriaticuswereslowlychurning，andtherowboatswerefallingawayfromhersides。
"Good-bye，Mr。Hamlin，"calledBilly。"Youhadeverythingandyouchuckeditaway。Icanspellyourfinish。It's'check'foryours。"
Butwhenweenteredourroom，inthecentreofit，underthebunchofelectriclights，stoodthedeserter。Heworethewater-loggeduniform。Thesunhelmetwasonhishead。
"Goodman！"shoutedBilly。
Headvanced，eagerlyholdingouthishand。
Mr。Hamlinbrushedpasthim。Atthedoorheturnedandglaredatus，evenatJohn。Hewasnotagoodloser。"Ihopeyou'resatisfied，"hesnarled。Hepointedatthefourbedsinarow。I
feltguiltilyconsciousofthem。Atthemomenttheyappearedsounnecessarilycleanandwarmandsoft。Thesilkcoverletsatthefootofeachstruckmeasbeingdisgracefullyeffeminate。Theymademeashamed。
"Ihope，"saidMr。Hamlin，speakingslowlyandpickinghiswords，"whenyouturnintothosebedsto-nightyou'llthinkofmeinthemud。Ihopewhenyou'rehavingyourfive-coursedinnerandyourchampagneyou'llremembermybullybeef。IhopewhenashellorMr。Pneumoniagetsme，you'llwriteanicelittlesobstoryaboutthe'braveladsinthetrenches。'"
Helookedatus，standinglikeschoolboys，sheepish，embarrassed，andsilent，andthenthrewopenthedoor。"Ihope，"headded，"youallchoke！"
Withanunconvincingimitationofthecollegechummanner，Johnclearedhisthroatandsaid："Don'tforget，Fred，ifthere'sanythingIcando——"
Hamlinstoodinthedoorwaysmilingatus。
"There'ssomethingyoucanalldo，"hesaid。
"Yes？"askedJohnheartily。
"Youcanallgotohell！"saidMr。Hamlin。
Weheardthedoorslam，andhishobnailedbootspoundingdownthestairs。Noonespoke。Instead，inunhappysilence，westoodstaringatthefloor。Wheretheuniformhadlainwasapoolofmudandmeltedsnowandthedarkerstainsofstaleblood。
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