p to the stone platform
overhead, where, rising tier on tier into the darkness, the great carillon
of Sainte Lesse loomed overhead.

She listened uneasily. Had the man lied? It seemed to her as though her
hammering heart must burst from her bosom with the terrible suspense of
the moment.

Suddenly a shadowy form appeared at the head of the stairs, reaching the
platform at one bound. And her heart seemed to stop as she realized that
this man had arrived too early for her friends to be of any use to her. He
had lied to her. And now she must take him unaided, or kill him there in
the starlight under the looming bells.

"Maryette!" he called. She did not stir.

"Maryette!" he whispered. "Where are you, little sweetheart? Forgive me, I
could not wait any longer. I adore you----"

All at once he discovered her standing motionless in the shadow of the
great bell Bayard--sprang toward her, eager, ardent, triumphant.

"Maryette," he whispered, "I love you! I shall teach you what a lover
is----"

Suddenly he caught a glimpse of her face; the terrible expression in her
eyes checked him.

"What has happened?" he asked, bewildered. And then he caught sight of the
pistol in her hand.

"What's that for?" he demanded harshly. "Are you afraid to love me? Do you
think I'm the kind of lover to stop for a thing like that----"

She said, in a low, distinct voice:

"Don't move! Put up both hands instantly!"

"What!" he snapped out, like the crack of a lash.

"I know who you are. You're a Boche and no Yankee! Turn your back and
raise your arms!"

For a moment they looked at each other.

"I think," she said, steadily, "you had better explain your gas cylinders
and balloons to the gendarmes at the Poste."

"No," he said, "I'll explain them to you, _now_!----"

"If you touch your pistol, I fire!----"

But already he had whipped out his pistol; and she fired instantly,
smashing his right hand to pulp.

"You damned hell-cat!" he screamed, stretching out his shattered hand in
an agony of impotent fury. Blood rained from it on the stone flags.
Suddenly he started toward her.

"Don't stir!" she whispered. "Turn your back and raise both arms!"

His face became ghastly.

"Let me go, in God's name!" he burst out in a strangled voice. "Don't send
me before a firing squad! Listen to me, little comrade--I surrender myself
to your mercy----"

"Then keep away from me! Keep your distance!" she cried, retreating. He
followed, faw