"I knew that there are many stations in France consisting of a
single building located in the midst of fields: these places take
their names from the nearest town (which may be several
miles distant), and are marked on the maps by a black spot like a
hyphen: many of them are served by an omnibus. I found, on further
questioning, that this was one of the aforesaid black spots, minus
the omnibus.

"'What is the nearest town?' I continued.

"'Liancourt is a little more than a mile off, but it is a village.'

"'Is there an inn there?'

"'I believe there is.'

"By this time most of my audience had satisfied their curiosity and
departed, leaving only the boy, and an old man who attracted my
attention. He held a lantern which illuminated a kindly,
weatherbeaten face, looking like that of an old sailor. I discovered
later that he had come from Normandy, and like most Normans had
spent half his life on the waves. He seemed interested in my hapless
plight: perhaps he would assist me.

"'I want to go back to Creil' (I knew I should find a hotel there):
'won't you come with me and show me the way with your lantern?'

"'Can't, mademoiselle: can't leave here.' He gave an indicative jerk
of his head and thumb in a certain direction toward the railroad.

"'Why not?'

"'I am the night-watchman, and should lose my place if I left.'

"Then please point out the road: I shall have to return alone.'

"'Can't, mademoiselle: it is too dark. You would get lost.'

"I thought I could not get much more lost than I was at that moment,
but did not say so. Just then a bright idea struck me: 'I will walk
back on the railroad: I cannot fail to find my way.'

"The old man looked aghast at the proposition, and pointed to the
long line of high thick hedge that bordered it on each side.

"'How could you leave the track if you did get to Creil? They are
locked up there for the night. Besides, you would be crushed by
passing trains, and you would be fined too, for it is against the
law. Now,' he went on in that patronizing manner which, from its
naivete is so charming in the French peasant--'now, mademoiselle
does not wish to die to-night, does she, and be also fined?'

"'No,' I replied dolefully, seeing my chances of shelter
diminishing, 'but I shall certainly die if you will not help