showing their admiration. None mentioned the war, and it was clear that
the news of it had not yet penetrated to that remote valley in the high
mountains. Lannes introduced John by his right name and description to
Herr Schankhorst who was the burgomaster and then, still followed by the
admiring crowd, they hurried away to the little inn, two stalwart youths
being first detailed to keep watch over the Arrow.

"They're proud of their trust and they'll guard it as they would their
lives," said Lannes in English to John. "Meanwhile we'll have dinner in
this inn, which I know from experience to be the best, and we'll have
the burgomaster and the Protestant clergyman to dine with us. This is
German-speaking Switzerland, but these people fear the Germans and they
don't fear us. So, we're welcome."

The inn was small, but the food and drink were of the best. John was
well supplied with gold, and he did not hesitate to spend it for the
burgomaster, the Lutheran clergyman, Lannes and himself.

"No you can't pay your share," he said to Lannes, "because you haven't
any share. Remember, I've been a free passenger in the Arrow, which
belongs to you, and it's my time to settle the bill."

"Have your way," said Lannes.

They had been speaking in English, and Lannes politely explained to
their guests that his comrade was an obstinate Yankee, a member of a
nation, noted for its stubborness, but the most delightful of people
when you let them have their way, which after all was a way that
generally harmed nobody.

The burgomaster and the clergyman smiled benevolently upon John and John
smiled back. He had noticed already that Americans were popular among
the great masses of the people in Europe. It was only those interested
in the upholding of the classes who frowned upon them and who tried to
write or talk them down. He was keen enough too, despite his youth, to
deduce the reasons for it.

Here in this little town he was looked upon with favor because he was
from America, and soon he was busy answering questions by the
burgomaster and clergyman about his own land.

They made no reference to any war or approaching war, and he surmised
that they had no thought of such a tremendous catastrophe--Lannes
informed him later that they had neither telegraph nor telephone--and
John following the cue of his comrade made no reference to it. They ate
with sharp appetites, but an end had to come at last. Then Lannes went
out into the town t