try that as yet had suffered no blemish through the German
conquest.

At Castle Voig they were received by an aged retainer who was visibly
nervous at their arrival. He eyed the uniform of young von Holtz with
ill-concealed terror and hurried away to carry their cards to the
countess. After a long wait they learned that the countess would receive
the Americans, but it was a full half hour after that when they were
ushered into a reception room where a lady sat in solitary state.

Under other circumstances Patsy could have spent a day in admiring the
quaint, old-fashioned furniture and pictures and the wonderful carvings
of the beamed ceiling, but now she was so excited that she looked only
at the countess. The lady was not very imposing in form or dress but her
features were calm and dignified and she met her guests with a grave
courtesy that was impressive if rather chilly. Before Patsy had summoned
courage to explain her errand a younger woman--almost a girl--hurriedly
entered the room and took a position beside the other.

"Oh, it's Elizabeth--it really is!" cried Patsy, clapping her hands
together joyfully.

Mother and daughter regarded the American girl wonderingly and somewhat
haughtily, but Patsy was not in the least dismayed.

"Isn't this Mrs. Denton?" she asked, stepping forward to lay a hand upon
the other girl's arm.

"Yes," was the quiet reply.

Patsy's great eyes regarded her a moment with so sad and sympathetic a
look that Mrs. Denton shrank away. Then she noticed for the first time
the Red Cross uniform, and her hand went swiftly to her heart as she
faltered:

"You--you have brought bad news of Andrew--of my husband?"

"Yes, I am sorry to admit that it is bad news," answered Patsy soberly.
"He has been wounded and is now lying ill in our hospital ship at
Dunkirk. We came here to find you, and to take you to him."

Mrs. Denton turned to her mother, a passionate appeal in her eyes. But
it was some moments before the hard, set look on the face of the
countess softened. It did soften at last, however, and she turned to
Patsy and said simply:

"We will prepare for the journey at once. Pray excuse us; Niklas will
serve refreshments. We will not detain you long."

As they turned to leave the room Elizabeth Denton suddenly seized
Patsy's hand.

"He will live?" she whispered. "Tell me he will live!"

Patsy's heart sank, but she summoned her wits by an effort.

"I am not a surgeon, my dear, and d