ind is in terrible confusion. He is back in another country somewhere,
but he is holding his own, and if he can get over the shock which must
come when he links his past with his present, I believe we need have no
fear for his reason; but it will be a pretty ticklish moment."

The doctor looked down into Billie's eager, earnest face, and his eyes
were filled with admiration.

"Oh, doctor," she exclaimed, "you are so wonderful. Next to Papa, the
most wonderful man I have ever met. Richard and I----"

"What!" interrupted the doctor, smiling, "do you mean to say that that
young whipper snapper, with his Gypsy notions and his clever tongue, has
already photographed himself on your mind? I should never have bathed
and bound his wounds if I had guessed it."

"You know you would," laughed Billie, blushing a little. "But he's only
a comrade."

The doctor looked into her eyes again.

"That's what they all should be, Miss Billie," he said. "Comrades. And
if I were only fifteen years younger, I should be looking for just such
a comrade as you."

"But I am your comrade," protested the young girl. "Just as much as
Richard's. I'm proud to be. It's the greatest honor that's ever been
paid to me."

"Oh, to be young again," sighed the doctor with a humorous lift to his
eyebrows. "Oh, to be young, like young Richard, there. But I must
remember that I am a very busy middle-aged person with an extremely
interesting patient to pull through. I trust he'll thank me for the
job."

"Don't you honestly believe he is some distinguished person?"

"I couldn't say, little comrade, but I could guess that he's no ordinary
one."

They had reached the cabin now. The others had come up, and they all
stood outside talking in low voices. After a brief word with Alberdina,
Dr. Hume conducted her into the little room where the Motor Maids and
their friends had once found refuge. From the doorway, Billie could see
the silver candlesticks on the mantel shelf. Mrs. Lupo had kept them
brightly polished and they lent a strange charm and refinement to the
bare apartment. Phoebe crept in and knelt outside her father's door.

"Now, Alberdina," said the doctor as a last caution, "you understand
that you are not to speak unless the gentleman inside asks you a
question in German. Answer him in three words if you can. Then come out
quietly. If he calls, you may go back."

Alberdina laid aside her comedy hat and followed the doctor into the
sick room. Th