it difficult to keep him even fairly content. It was for
him I was asking the loan of your newspapers. I presume the fact that we
have so recently been enemies will not preclude your doing me this
kindness. If so, I regret my intrusion."

A little overcome by the old German officer's haughty manner and set
speech, Major Jimmie only murmured that he would be very glad of course
to permit his American newspapers to be read, if Colonel Liedermann and
his son did not feel that they would too greatly resent the American
point of view.

As he made this statement, although not pleased by the German officer's
request, Major Hersey was searching diligently for the latest bundle of
American papers which he had received.

As he handed them to the former German Colonel, the old officer said,
speaking in a more human fashion,

"I was interested in looking at this American rifle of yours. Naturally
as an old soldier I remain interested in firearms, although I shall not
live to see another war, however little I believe in a permanent world
peace. Clever piece of mechanism! I am told the American rifle is the
finest in the world!"

Not feeling called upon to reply to this speech and anxious that the old
officer should depart, Major Hersey made no response.

A little later, when he had finally gone, with an unusual expression
upon his boyish countenance, Major Jimmie Hersey sank down into his arm
chair.

Was it singular that one could not recover from the sensation of acute
distrust in the presence of a German? Among them there must be certain
individuals who were truthful and straightforward. Yet after a century
of training that the end justified the means, among German army officers
one could not expect to find any other standard, than the standard which
regarded the treaty of Belgium as a "scrap of paper." Betray any friend,
any cause, any country to accomplish one's purpose. And tonight,
although a member of Colonel Liedermann's household, Major Jimmie Hersey
knew he would always remain their foe, no matter with what appearance of
courtesy he might be treated.

It was an actual fact that never since his casual conversation with
little Gretchen, the baby of the family, had he the same sense of
untroubled serenity in the midst of this German military home.

Was it true that Captain Ludwig Liedermann was still unable to move from
his bed? If so why had little Gretchen told so ingenious a falsehood?
One would scarcely expect