ords. "Come with me to the
Captain tooty sweet," he said. And Jim added, as he patted the Twins
tenderly on the head, "By George, mes enfants, you ought to get the war
cross for this day's work."
A few moments more, and the children and Uncle Sam were ushered by an
orderly into the presence of the Captain, who was just in the act of
shaving. Uncle Sam's message to him had been so imperative that they
were admitted at once to his presence, even though his face was covered
with lather and he was likely to fill his mouth with soap if he opened
it. Uncle Sam saluted, and the Twins, wishing to be as polite as
possible, saluted too. The Captain returned the salute, and went on
shaving as he listened to their story, grunting now and then
emphatically instead of speaking, on account of the soap. When Pierre
came to what the soldier had said under the shed, he was so much
interested that he cut his chin.
"So that's their program, is it?" he sputtered, soap and all, mopping
his chin. "But how on earth did you happen to be in such a place as
that at such an hour in the morning?"
Pierre explained about the rabbits and the cress, and Uncle Sam added:
"They're from Fontanelle. Their father is a soldier wounded at the
Marne, and they lived under fire in Rheims for eight months before
coming here. They're some kids, believe me! They know what war is."
"Yes," said the Captain, "I remember them; they came up the river some
weeks ago." Then he turned to the children. "Would you know that
soldier if you were to see him again?" he asked.
"Oh, yes," said the children.
"Very well," said the Captain, "the men will go to breakfast soon. You
stay with Sam and watch them, and if you see that man go by you step on
Sam's foot. No one must see you do it. Be sure you don't make a mistake
now," he added, "and if you really do unearth the rascal, it's the best
day's work you ever did, for yourselves as well as for France. Sam, you
report to me afterwards, and be sure you give no occasion for suspicion
to any one."
"Yes, sir," said Sam, and saluted. Pierre and Pierrette saluted also.
The Captain returned the salute with ceremony. "You are true soldiers
of France," he said to the Twins as they left his tent.
If their comrades were surprised to see Uncle Sam standing with two
children by his side while the others passed into the mess tent with
cups and plates in hand, no one said anything. It was a little
irregular to be sure--but th
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